The town of Randolph, Massachusetts, is definitely something else. It lacks the size of Boston, or the storied charm of the City of Plymouth. It doesn't have the loudness and bluster of Brockton. It isn't quaint like the City of Milton or friendly like the City of Avon. It is square, white, and bland. Hell, most of the town's businesses and schools are located in the aptly named Randolph Square. In the summer of 1999, Clayburn Jones, a tall and handsome African American wayfarer, returned to the City of Randolph, his hometown. The thirty-year-old wasn't prepared for all the changes that occurred in Randolph since he left it a decade ago. Can one ever truly go home again?
Upon landing at Boston's Logan Airport, Clayburn took a cab to the City of Randolph. There's no place like home, it truly must be said. Clayburn went to his uncle Errol Jones place, located on Bridle Path Circle at the heart of Randolph's Mill Village neighborhood. The balding old African American man is one of Clayburn's last living relatives. Clayburn's parents Lionel Jones and Marianne Jenkins-Jones died a long time ago. Clayburn started to get in trouble with the law as a young black man. Errol sent Clayburn to the City of Ottawa, Ontario, way down in Canada for a change of pace. It turned out to be everything that Clayburn needed.
While in Canada, Clayburn earned an MBA from Carleton University, became a Canadian citizen and got a job working for Statistics Canada at their Tunney's Pasture location near downtown Ottawa. Clayburn flourished as a black male professional in the City of Ottawa, Ontario. The Canadian government pays very well if one has the proper educational credentials, the proper clearance, and the right contacts. The black men and black women who work there are a chosen few. Clayburn is a lucky brother, so why does his existence feel so empty?
Clayburn came to Canada with his diploma from Bunker Hill Community College, so he wasn't a total plebe when he enrolled at Carleton University, the best school in Ottawa, Ontario. Canadian schools have a bad habit of not recognizing credentials from schools outside of North America and Western Europe. Fortunately, American credentials are accepted in Canada. Clayburn lucked out that way. The brother just continued with his education. Life in Canada agrees with Clayburn, but after ten years in Ontario, he missed Massachusetts like crazy. Got to go see friends and family...