Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 8, 1995 TAG: 9506090013
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-17 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JONATHAN HUNLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Two Patrick Henry High School seniors, however, have already experienced life with more liberty.
And not really by choice, either.
Crystal Claytor and Natasha Houchins, both 18-years-old, have lived together in an apartment near William Fleming High School for about a month. But both have been on their own since December because of difficult family situations.
"We're coping with it," Claytor said of the girls' situation.
"It's not a choice, but we have to do it," Houchins added.
Both girls lived with friends before meeting each other and discovering they had "almost exact" situations. They moved together because they didn't want to "wear out their welcome" with their friends' families; however, they still have these contacts to turn to if they have problems.
"It's hard to find friends like that," Houchins said.
Now, Claytor and Houchins have formed a special bond. They offer each other a special support system that takes the place of what many would call a normal family.
And they've never gotten into a fight.
"We feel we know we have to live together, so we get along," Houchins said.
The two seniors probably don't have time to get on each others' nerves. Aside from school work, Claytor works 50 to 55 hours per week as a McDonald's restaurant manager and Houchins works 30 to 35 hours at the Leggett Outlet Center at Valley View Mall.
But even with their work schedules, Claytor and Houchins haven't missed school to work. Houchins said education is her number one priority.
"They're good students for me," said Jami Poff, their English teacher.
Claytor, though, does admit to having to reduce her work hours as graduation nears.
With a determined attitude and the support of teachers and friends, Claytor and Houchins say they hope to break some of the stereotypes about black women.
"All of us are not the same," Houchins said.
Both Claytor, who wants to one day enter the legal field, and Houchins, who wants to be a veterinarian, say they will go to Virginia Western Community College in the fall. They then hope to transfer to a larger school.
"We're hoping financial aid will come through for us," Claytor said.
But high school graduation comes first.
Their jobs provide money to furnish their two-bedroom apartment that also has two baths, a living room, kitchen and dining area, and a patio.
But finding an apartment was not easy. The complex Claytor and Houchins are in is the only one that would rent to two teen-agers who didn't have a parent to co-sign the lease.
The seniors split their utility bills in half and make sure they don't use electricity unnecessarily.
They keep track of each other by recording voice messages with a device they have on their refrigerator. By pushing a button and speaking into the machine, each girl can alert the other as to her whereabouts.
"Right now we don't have a phone, so we feel that's the best form of communication," Claytor said.
They said they've learned to focus on the positive aspects of their lives. "Some things we just had to learn to do without," Claytor said.
And when others are going out, she said, she and her roommate "sit home and entertain each other."
Of their situation, Houchins said, "We knew it wasn't going to be peaches and cream."
But, the two girls stress the importance of staying at home. They'd give anything to be able to go home and get grounded for missing a curfew or leaving their shoes in the living room, they said.
Claytor said that if a teen-ager gets into an argument, leaving home should be the last option.
"If it can be worked out by all means - by all means - work it out," she said.
"It's not fun out here," Houchins said. "It's hard out here."
But "we just thank the Lord we found each other," said Claytor and Houchins.
by CNB