The Separation of Genders

It was Wednesday, January 23, 2002. We were all sitting at the lunchroom table discussing a variety of topics. One of the topics was how we've all never spent time together with the same sex only.

"You know, I was thinking recently that all of us should temporarily only hang out with the same gender.", I said. "Why do you say that Jamal? Do you think Amanda and Ariana have cooties or something?", said Steve. "No. I just thought that's something we should do. I don't think the females have ever hung out with just the other females and the same for males.", I said.

"You know what, I think that's a great idea! And there's like five guys here. And only two gals. We'd probably have more fun than the ladies.", said Brad. "Those are insufficient numbers there Brad. We know how to have way more fun than the male species.", said Amanda. "We do more fun stuff.", said Nathan.

"But Jamal is right. We've never spent any time together with our gender. And if we have, it hasn't been for very long.", said, Ariana. "Thank you, Ariana. See, Ariana sees where I'm coming from.", I said. "So, how long are we talking? A day, two days, a whole week?", said Kevin.

"Just for a couple of weeks Kevin. Then after that, we hang out with each other, and everything will be back to normal again. Does everybody agree with me?", I said. "Agreed.", said everybody else. "Ok, then. It officially goes into effect when the next school bell rings.", I said.

"Can we still be in the same classroom, school, building, etc.?", said Nathan. "Of course Nathan. All we have to do is not hang out with the opposite sex for two weeks.", I said. "Alright, I'm down with that. But what if we get paired up in school assignments or something similar to that?", said Brad.

"That's allowed as well. It's schoolwork, so that's why stuff like that is allowed.", I said. "Now what does the clock up there say guys and gals?", I said. And then the school bell rang.

"Looks like it doesn't matter what it says now.", said Kevin. "Alright, let's all split up into different sexes now, and resume class.", said Steve. Then the whole gang did just that.

***

That day after school, Ariana knocked on the door of Amanda's household. Then Amanda's dad answered the door. "Hi, mister is Amanda home?", said, Ariana.

"Amanda, one of your friends wants to come to see you!", said Amanda's dad. "Alright, dad! I'll be there in a second!", said Amanda. Then Amanda's dad left the front door.

Amanda came to the front door. "Hey, there Ariana! What are you doing here?", said Amanda. "I just remembered what Jamal said about us spending more time with our genders. And I thought, why don't we start hanging out with each other right now.", said, Ariana.

"Well, in that case, that'd be awesome! Come on in!", said Amanda. Then Ariana came into Amanda's home. "Please, have a seat.", said Amanda. Then Ariana proceeded to sit down, and so did Amanda.

"So, what do you want to today?", said Amanda. "I don't know. What do you want to do today?", said, Ariana. "I don't know either.", said Amanda.

"We could talk.", said, Ariana. "Alright, let's do some talking.", said Amanda. "Great!", said, Ariana.

Then there was a long and awkward silence. "We can't talk if we don't say anything.", said Amanda. "Right. You're right. You're right. Where do we start?", said, Ariana.

"We could talk about what we wanna be when we grow up.", said Amanda. "Yes! Our future jobs and careers! Let's start there! You go first.", said, Ariana. "Well, I'm interested in modeling when I grow up.", said Amanda. "Yeah, modeling sounds good. I think you'd be an excellent future model.", said, Ariana.

"Thanks. How about you? What job or career do you want in your future?", said Amanda. "I've always wanted to be an astronaut.", said, Ariana. "Cool. But why that job?", said Amanda.

"Don't tell anyone about this, but I'm kind of a space geek. Astronomy has always been an interesting subject to me. And I've never been in space before, so I'd just like to see what that experience would be like.", said, Ariana. "Wow, I never knew that about you. Maybe you might even land on the Moon or Mars one day.", said Amanda. "That'd be even more awesome. It's been done before by the opposite sex.", said, Ariana. "Exactly! I think you'd make a great female astronaut.", said Amanda.

"Yeah, I wonder what the guys are doing while spending their time together.", said, Ariana. "Probably nothing.", said Amanda. "Yeah, I believe our gender's intelligence quotient is way higher than the other sex.", said, Ariana. "You took the words right out of my mouth.", said Amanda.

"Well, I'm tired of talking. You wanna watch a little TV.", said, Ariana. "I'd love that.", said Amanda. "Great!", said, Ariana. And that's what they did after they had that conversation.

***

That same day after school, a knock was heard at Steve's household. Kevin Sr. walked to the door. "Who is it?!", said Kevin Sr.

"Steve's friends!", said Brad who was with me and Nathan. "Steve, Kevin, you got company!", said Kevin Sr. Then Steve and Kevin walked up to the door, and all of us guys were finally together.

"Hey, what are you guys doing here?", said Kevin. "Jamal thought it would be a good idea to start hanging out together for the first time right now. Just us guys.", said Nathan. "What do you say fellas?", I said. "Well, I guess that's cool with us. Is it cool with you Kev.", said Steve. "It's cool with me. Why don't you fellas make yourself at home and have a seat?", said Kevin.

Then we all sat down. "So, what should we all do first?", I said. "Play video games!", said Nathan.

"No, maybe we should do something a little more new and unique. What might that be?", said Steve. "We could see who can hold their breath the longest.", said Kevin. "Everybody in agreement with that, raise their hands.", said Steve. Then all of us raised our hands.

"Alright, everybody agrees. So, let's start holding our breaths in 3...2...1...now!", I said. Then the competition began. We held our breaths for as long as we could.

We kept holding it. And holding it. And holding it. And holding it some more. And holding it once more.

Then Brad got eliminated when he couldn't hold it any longer. "Ha! You're out!", said Kevin. "You spoke Kevin, so you're out too!", I said.

"Wait a minute? Now I'm out!", I said. "Steve and Nathan still remembered not to speak.", said Brad. Then Steve and Nathan battled it out for as long as they could until there was a winner.

The battle continued. Then Nathan finally won the battle when Steve just had to breathe. "Yes! I win! In your face Steve!", said Nathan.

"Well, Nathan wins. So, what next?", I said. "I got nothing.", said Steve. "So do I.", said Nathan. "Well, let's just watch some TV until something genius comes to us.", I said.

"Great idea!", said Brad. "You're a smart dude Weaver.", said Nathan. Then one of us turned on the TV to watch it until something else came to one of our minds for us to do together.

***

It was Sunday, January 27, 2002. It was the day of the conference championship round in that year's NFL playoffs. That was the round that was going to determine which two teams will play at Super Bowl XXXVI.

It was still morning, and a knock was heard on Steve's door. Kevin Sr. got up and went to the door. Kevin Sr. sighed. "Steve's friends again?!", said Kevin Sr.

"Yes, it is!", said Nathan. Then Kevin Sr. opened the door, and as they were coming in, Steve and Kevin came into the living room. "Hey, fellas.", said Steve.

"Hey, so, we've only got less than an hour left until the AFC title game starts. Are we all watching in your room?", said Brad. "You know it. My dad's got the living room, so we'll be in watching in I and Kev's room.", said Steve. "Sweet! Let's do this!", I said.

Then we all went to Steve and Kevin's room. "Alright, there's gonna be seven people in here, so it might get a little crowded. Everybody try and find the best seat in here.", said Kevin. Then we all did what Kevin told us to do.

Later on, the AFC title game started. "Wow. I can't believe the Super Bowl is only one week away. I'm so excited. I can't wait for next Sunday.", said Brad. "Yeah, I and my good old brother over here are gonna watch our third consecutive Super Bowl next week.", said Steve.

"It'll be my third consecutive Super Bowl as well.", said Nathan. "Hey, me too!", said Brad. "Well, we haven't even lived long enough yet for it not to be a four-way stalemate.", said Steve.

"Now, don't the two weeks expire after Super Bowl XXXVI?", said Nathan. "Yeah, it does.", said Kevin. "That's something else we could all do together. Watch the biggest game of the year.", said Steve.

"Hey, that's a great idea, Steve!", said Kevin. "Yeah, but Jamal said he wasn't a football fan, so I don't think he'll wanna watch it.", said Steve. "Hey, I don't mind Steve. I'll watch that game with you all next Sunday. I think we should all start sharing our interests more while these couple of weeks are still in play.", I said.

"Agreed Jamal. And it'll help us get to know each other a little bit better along the way.", said Brad. "Yep, so Jamal is watching the big game with us next week. That's cool.", said Steve. "And these next two football games today will decide which two teams will compete in this year's Super Bowl. So, consider this game as like a mini-Super Bowl.", said Kevin.

"Or an AFC version of the Super Bowl.", said Nathan. "Ambitious, but I like my terminology, Nathan.", said Kevin. Then Nathan sighed. "Fine, Kevin, suit yourself.", said Nathan.

***

Meanwhile, Amanda and Ariana were hanging out at Amanda's house on January 27. They were watching the same football game the guys were watching which was the AFC championship game. "Hey, Amanda, you know what's better than being a girl?", said, Ariana.

"I don't know. What's that Ariana?", said Amanda. "Being a girl who is also a football fan.", said, Ariana. "Yeah, I hear that. And I can't wait for Super Bowl XXXVI next Sunday.", said Amanda. "I can't wait either. I'll be watching my fourth consecutive Super Bowl on Super Bowl Sunday.", said, Ariana.

"It'll be my second consecutive Super Bowl next Sunday.", said Amanda. "Who do you think will win the AFC in this game and advance?", said, Ariana. "I have a feeling it's going to be the Patriots. I feel like this just might be their year. And they haven't won a championship in the NFL in like forever unless you put Detroit in the conversation.", said Amanda.

"I think it's going to be the Steelers.", said, Ariana. Then there was another long and awkward silence between Amanda and Ariana while they were watching football. "Do you wanna watch the Super Bowl with me next week?", said Amanda. "I so do!", said, Ariana.

"Alright, see you next week.", said Amanda. "Deal.", said, Ariana. And they both continued to watch football.

***

Monday, January 28, 2002, was another snow day. All of us took a one-day break from school due to the harsh weather conditions. Steve and Kevin woke up that morning and got out of bed after learning that there was yet another snow day earlier that morning.

"Another day, another snow day.", said Kevin. "I'm gonna call up our male friends and see if they wanna hang out some more on a snow day.", said Steve. "You do that, and I'm gonna go open up our blinds.", said Kevin. "You do that.", said Steve before he went to the telephone.

Later on that day, Kevin came up to Steve. "So, what did they all say?", said Kevin. "They all said it's a plan.", said Steve. "Nice.", said Kevin.

***

At Amanda's house that same day, Amanda and Ariana were watching The Young & The Restless. The Y&R theme song was heard in the background once that program came on. That's what they decided to watch once Ariana came over to Amanda's house yet again. The snow day made that get-together happen.

And as they were watching the long-running CBS soap opera, Ariana was the first one to say something. "Don't you just love the idea of soap operas Amanda?", said, Ariana. "Yeah, they're great.", said Amanda.

"If it wasn't for the inclement weather today, we wouldn't even get to chance to be sitting here together watching The Young & The Restless.", said, Ariana. "Yeah, and besides, you're my BFF. I would never turn down watching a soap with my best friend in the whole wide world.", said Amanda. "Aw, that means so much to me, Amanda. Thank you.", said, Ariana. "Hey, that's what friends are for I guess.", said Amanda.

"It's too bad there are no guys that watch soap operas.", said, Ariana. "I think there are a minor number of dudes who watch soaps to be quite honest with you.", said Amanda. "I don't believe that lie. Name one dude that watch soaps.", said, Ariana.

"I can name a few guys who watch soaps on my dad's side. Plus, my mom told me that there are men out there who watch soap operas whenever we got the chance to watch some soaps together.", said Amanda. "I don't know Amanda. That's still pretty hard for me to believe.", said, Ariana. "Soaps are still not better than sitcoms though.", said Amanda. "Or cartoons.", said, Ariana.

"I've sat down to watch this anytime we've gotten a snow day this school year.", said Amanda. "Hey, so have I! That's another thing we have in common.", said, Ariana. "I want back-to-back snow days, so we can watch back-to-back episodes of this show.", said, Ariana. "Me too Ariana. Me too.", said Amanda.

***

It was now the last day of January. Anna came and knocked on Steve and Kevin's door that evening. "Come in!", said, Steve and Kevin. Then Anna came into the room.

"Your father just wanted me to remind you that he's still having a Super Bowl party here on the 3rd of February. He wants to know if Two Seconds To Detroit will be able to perform on that day.", said Anna. "Um...", said Kevin. "We'll have to think about it. Just give us until Midnight when it's officially Sunday.", said Steve. "Ok, I'll let your father know.", said Anna before she left the room.

"Dude, we gotta get Jamal's permission to see if Two Seconds To Detroit can practice and perform together!", said Kevin. "Relax Kev, I think he said it was okay for us to do other things cross-gender as long as it's not hanging out.", said Steve. "Are you sure that's exactly what he said? Because I don't remember all the rules and stipulations.", said Kevin.

"Furthermore, I think to practice and performing together as a rock band automatically qualifies as hanging out.", said Kevin. "It does not.", said Steve. "Why don't you call Jamal, and go over all the rules again?", said Kevin. "Alright, I will!", said Steve.

Then Steve proceeded to get on the telephone in his shared room and dial my number to call me. My phone rang, so I picked it up and answered it. "Weaver residence. This is Jamal speaking.", I said.

"Hey man, so our dad wants Two Seconds To Detroit to perform at his Super Bowl party next Sunday. Therefore, I just wanted to go over all the rules and stipulations again. Does it count as hanging out if we all practice at any time and/or perform at this Super Bowl party?", said Steve. "I think I said the rules only applied to hang out together. We're all free to do whatever we want together cross-gender instead of hanging out.", I said. "Alright, so where does our rock band come into play?", said Steve.

"Yeah, now that's a pretty tough one.", I said. "Well, can you make a decision right now? We've got to let our parents know the band's decision by Sunday.", said Steve. Then I just sighed.

"Alright, alright, alright! You can do all the practicing and performing you want regardless of gender.", I said. "Alright, cool! And the Super Bowl party?", said Steve. "You get the green light on that one too. So, we good now?", I said. "We're good now. Thanks, Jamal.", said Steve before he hung up the phone and I hung up after him.

"So, what did he say man?", said Kevin. "He gave us the green light to perform at our dad's Super Bowl party.", said Steve. "Great, now that's what I like to hear! So, I guess it's going down this upcoming Sunday.", said Kevin. "Or, it's going touchdown!", said Steve.

Then Kevin just stared at Steve. "Yeah, I gotta start coming up with some funnier jokes.", said Steve. Then life continued, and Steve and Kevin were about to update their parents on whether there would be a Super Bowl Sunday performance or not.

***

And it was finally here, Super Bowl Sunday. Steve's dad's Super Bowl party started at Noon EST. And all the guests arrived at like 2ish in the afternoon.

Everybody was having a great time there so far. Then the girls suddenly approached us guys by accident. "And, look who came to another one o my dad's parties!", said Steve.

"Hey fellas, I bet we've come up with tons and tons of more stuff for us to do together than you have so far!", said, Ariana. "Newsflash. They've done nothing together so far except stare at the wall all day.", said Amanda. "Are you trying to make fun of what we guys do together?", said Nathan.

"Yeah! So, what's up?!", said Amanda. "Alright, guys! You just let me handle this! Okay?!", I said. Then I walked right up to Amanda.

"Listen here, I've bet we've done way manlier things than you two have.", I said. "No you haven't.", said Amanda. "Oh yeah? Well, why don't you share some of all that you and Ariana did so far if you think you're so better at everything than us guys.", I said.

"We've watched The Young & The Restless together on the last snow day.", said, Ariana. "The young and the what now?", I said. "I think I know what Ariana is talking about. It's a soap opera that comes on TV every day while we're all at school. Our mom records that show on the VCR every single day", said Kevin.

"Well, we're guys, and we don't watch those girly shows you girls watch. And I'm talking about soap operas of course. None of you guys watch soap operas. Do you?", I said. Then all the guys shook their heads except for Brad. Then I looked at Brad for a moment.

Then the whole gang looked at Brad for a moment. "I'm going to get some punch guys.", said Brad. "Now you stop right there mister!", said Nathan.

Then I walked up to Brad. "You watch soap operas, Brad?", I said. "Ha! What?! Soap operas?! Me?! Watch?! No way! No! No!", said Brad. "Yes.", said Brad as he put his head down in shame.

"Hey, don't worry Brad! There's nothing to be ashamed of. Guys watch soap operas too.", said Amanda. "No they don't!", said Steve. "Well, who in the world came up with the rule that soap operas are only to be watched by females? What makes da soap only watchable by females and not males?", said, Ariana.

"Look, can you please not tell anybody else that I watch soap operas? I'd appreciate it. Thanks.", said Brad. "Can we all just stop wasting our precious time debating which gender spends their time better with the same gender? We've got a performance to do at 4 just before the big game tonight. Can we all just save our energy before then?", said Kevin. "Well, I guess it's a draw so far.", I said as I stuck my hand out to shake hands with Amanda.

Then Amanda shook my hand as she nodded her head in agreement. "So, what do you all want to do now? Keep in mind that we still have to keep the genders separate.", said Steve. "Let's watch some of the pregame coverage of Super Bowl XXXVI.", said Nathan.

"Yeah, let's go with Nathan's idea.", I said. Then we all proceeded to go watch some of the Super Bowl's pregame coverage which lasted for hours before the actual big game started. "Well, what do you wanna do Ariana?", said Amanda.

"Let's watch the Super Bowl pregame coverage.", said, Ariana. "Ok, but separated from the guys. That means we have to keep both of or distances away from them so we're not automatically hanging out together and breaking the rules.", said Amanda. "You got it, sister, from another mother! Let's head on over there.", said, Ariana.

And then the gals went to do the same thing the guys were doing. We all continued to enjoy ourselves and have a wonderful time. The big game was just hours away.

Then after Two Seconds To Detroit performed for the entire party and the build-up to the Super Bowl was over, it was about time to watch some football. The game finally kicked off. "And here we go!", said Steve. "Gametime!", said Kevin.

And the game progressed on. At the end of the 1st quarter, the St. Louis Rams lead the New England Patriots by a score of 3-0. Then Anna came up to the separated gang.

"Hey, how are you kids doing tonight?! Are you all enjoying the game?!", said Anna. "Yep.", said the male side. "Yep.", said the female side.

"Hey, why are you separated like that? Are you playing some kind of game or something while watching another game?", said Anna. "It's a long story mom. I'll explain it later this week. The 2nd quarter is about to start shortly.", said Kevin. "Okay sweetie!", said Anna as she walked away to watch the game with the rest of all of us at the party.

Then the 2nd quarter of Super Bowl XXXVI started. That quarter progressed on and on as we watched and watched. And the night continued on and on.

Then the entire first half of Super Bowl XXXVI elapsed. New England put up 14 points on the scoreboard, and it was now 14-3 New England over St. Louis. It was now time for the Super Bowl XXXVI halftime show that was performed by none other than Irish rock band U2.

"Wow! New England wasn't no joke in that 2nd quarter.", Kevin Sr. said to the neighbor who lived directly downstairs from him and his family. "Yeah, the Patriots put a whooping on the Rams in that 2nd quarter.", said the male neighbor. "St. Louis better get this fixed fast or they'll be nothing more than Super Bowl XXXVI runner-ups.", said Kevin Sr. "Hey, I hear that man. They better come up with something quick.", said the male neighbor.

Then the 2nd half of Super Bowl XXXVI started. At the end of the 3rd quarter, all that came out of that quarter scoring wise was a New England field goal. That made the score 17-3 in favor of the Patriots at the start of the 4th quarter.

Then what ultimately ended the Super Bowl XXXVI game once and for all was this. Brady spiked the ball with seven seconds left, which set up Vinatieri's 48-yard field goal attempt. Vinatieri's game-winning kick was successful, marking the first time in Super Bowl history that a game was won by a score on the final play.

The final score of Super Bowl XXXVI was the New England Patriots defeating the St. Louis Rams 20-17. As far as what happened at the party, some folks were cheering, and some folks were booing. All you could hear at that party was major approval and major disappointment mixing from random folks there. It turns out that it was a pretty mixed bag of people rooting for the Rams and people rooting for the Patriots.

"Seems like a pretty mixed bag of Rams supporters and Patriots supporters at your dad's party Steve and Kevin.", said Brad. "Well, I, Kevin, and my dad were all rooting for the Patriots to win. So, it looks like I'm a pretty happy camper over here.", said Steve. "Nonetheless, it was an overall great game played by two outstanding teams who worked so hard just to get to this point. And an overall great L handed to St. Louis. Rams just didn't have it tonight.", said Kevin.

***

Then we all hung out at recess after lunchtime together without any gender barriers. And everything was back to normal. "Alright guys and gals! What did we learn from all this over the last couple of weeks or so?", I said. "Who wants to go first?", I said.

"Yeah, I'll go first. It was a pretty stupid idea from the start.", said Brad. "What?", I said. "Well, I think I learned a valuable lesson from this.", said Kevin.

"Both genders should get their own time to hang out with each other from now on. I think the gender barrier was great because you got to spend some quality time with people from the same gender where you can relate to those kinds of people more instead of the opposite sex.", said Kevin. "Yeah, but you know what, we don't need to separate genders. Yes, males are very different from females. But I just prefer we hang out like we always do. And that's free of any barriers regarding gender.", said Amanda. "Yeah, I guess you're right Amanda.", I said.

"From now on, no more gender barriers between us unless it's necessary. Ever. Everybody in agreement with me on this one?", I said. "Agreed.", said everybody else at the same time. "Great, so, what now?", said Kevin.

"I guess just hang out as usual.", I said. "I like where your head is at Jamal. Let's all do what we do best.", said Amanda. And then we did do what we always did best which was hanging out together as a whole.