November Blues

by Sharon M. Draper

  “I’m cool.”

  Dana tried on a pair of red Nikes. Olivia tried on a cool-looking pair of navy blue New Balance shoes. “Nice,” Olivia said as she walked on the carpet with one shoe on and one shoe off. “But a little expensive.”

  “Try on a pair, November,” Dana pleaded. “Your feet are begging for new shoes!”

  November plopped down on the wooden bench, kicked off her flip-flops, and pulled on a pair of the fake stockings provided by shoe stores. “What are these supposed to do?” she asked, grunting as she labored to reach her feet.

  “Protect your feet from shoe germs, I guess,” Olivia said.

  “More likely protecting your feet from other people’s stinky feet!” Dana said. “People like November who go all summer without taking showers!” she teased.

  November reached over and punched Dana on the arm, almost losing her balance on the small bench. “I’d like to see these in a size seven,” she told the sales clerk, a skinny boy who smacked his chewing gum loudly as he waited on them.

  When the gum-chomping salesman returned with the red Nikes, November reached down to put them on. “There must be something wrong with these,” she told the salesman. “Are you sure you brought me a size seven?”

  “Yup.” Smack. Smack. “Your feet look bigger than a seven to me, but what do I know?” he said. “I only been working here a couple of weeks.”

  “Well, bring me an eight. But I know they’ll be too big,” November said, handing him back the shoes.

  “Can I see these same Nikes in a nine?” asked Olivia. “And bring them in blue, if you have them.” The boy nodded and disappeared.

  When he returned with the new boxes, November pulled out the size eight shoes but still couldn’t get her feet in all the way. “What’s up with this? Do these shoes run narrow?” she asked the sales clerk.

  “Mine fit fine,” Olivia said as she slid on the size nine shoes.

  November frowned, reached over, and tried on one of the shoes in Olivia’s box. Her foot fit into the size nine, but just barely.

  “Looks to me like you need a nine and a half or a ten, ma’am,” the clerk said. “Do you want me to find those for you?”

  “Did he just call me ma’am?” November asked. “Do I look that old?”

  “He’s just being polite,” whispered Dana. “Ignore him.”

  November looked up at the boy. “No, I’m fine. I think I’ll wait on the shoes today. Thanks for bringing so many out for me to try.”

  “No problem, ma’am,” the boy replied with a grin. He looked as if he knew he was annoying her.

  Olivia bought the blue Nikes and also got a pair of red sandals, since one pair was free. Dana ended up with two pairs of shoes. November bought nothing and sat glumly looking at her flip-flops while they paid for their purchases.

  “What’s that smell?” asked Olivia as they walked back into the mall.

  “Ooh, gross!” Dana said, covering her nose. “Somebody farted!”

  November looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry. Seems like I get the funky farts every day now. I can’t even tell when one is about to let loose, and I have no control of it when it does. It’s awful.”

  “Well, put up a flag to warn somebody,” Olivia said with a laugh. “That sucker reeked!”

  “I’ll try,” November said, “but it’s like my body belongs to some lady from another planet now. It’s not me anymore—just a big globule of indigestion.”

  “They should mention that in the sex-ed class,” Dana asserted. “Hey, you want to stop in this baby store? Let’s pick out cool baby stuff.”

  The three girls walked into the store, which smelled of lavender and baby powder. Soft music played in the background. “May I help you?” the pleasant-looking older saleswoman asked.

  “Uh, yeah. My friend wants to look at baby clothes and toys.”

  The woman looked from November’s face to her belly, obvious disapproval on her face. “Right this way, please,” she said primly. “Here we have layettes and all you need to prepare the little one for his or her arrival into the world.”

  “It’s a her,” November said. “A girl.”

  “How nice,” replied the woman. “If you want pink, those outfits are on this rack,” she said, pointing.

  “This is so cute!” Dana exclaimed as she held up a tiny pink dress with satin bows and lace ribbons.

  November looked at the tag. “It’s sixty-five dollars! You gotta be kidding!”

  “That’s the starting price for most of the outfits in this store,” the saleswoman said smugly.

  November touched the incredibly soft fabric to her cheek and sighed. I should be able to afford everything in here—this is the store I dreamed of, the store my baby deserves.

  “What’s the name of this place—the Highway Robbery Baby Store?” Olivia asked, glancing at other overpriced items on the shelves.

  The saleswoman did not reply, but turned her back and went to wait on another customer.

  “Let’s raise up out of here,” Dana said. “We don’t want the baby growing up to be a snob.”

  “I gotta pee,” November told her friends as they headed out of the store. Her back was killing her as well.

  “Again?” Dana said.

  “Sorry.”

  As she headed to the bathroom, she could hear Dana say to Olivia, “She walks like an old lady.”

  Well, why don’t you try carrying an extra twenty-five pounds around your waist? she thought wearily as she got to the ladies’ room.

  In the bathroom, November leaned heavily against the cool marble wall of the toilet stall. Her feet were throbbing, her back ached, and her stomach kept gurgling. She hoped she could control the gas that was trying to escape from her irritated digestive system.

  “You about ready to go?” asked Dana, when November joined them in front of the food court.

  “No, I’m good,” November lied. “Let’s go look at some clothes.”

  “Are you hungry?” Olivia asked.

  “No, not really,” November replied. “Besides, the smell of pizza, my favorite food in the whole world, makes me nauseous. And if I eat it, I get the farts again!”

  “Then we are heading in the opposite direction, girlfriend!” Olivia said.

  “Girl, you’re just plain messed up,” Dana told her, but she put her arm around November’s shoulder and gave her a hug.

  “Tell me about it,” said November, sighing.

  November watched and pretended to enjoy herself while Dana and Olivia tried on a few outfits. “That’s sharp, girl,” she told Dana, who showed off in the mirror.

  “This one will make Kofi melt,” Dana said with a sly grin.

  “Kofi turns to jelly every time you blink,” November said, almost enviously. “You don’t need tight leather pants.”

  “Just workin’ on my ammunition,” Dana replied as she put her hands on her hips. “Never know when I might need to protect my territory!”

  Olivia shyly tried on a pair of blue jeans. She was obviously a little uncomfortable.

  “Those make your butt look smaller,” November told her.

  “Well, then I’m buying six pairs!” said Olivia with a laugh. “Now if we can find some pants that eliminate thunder thighs, they can have my life savings!” She paused. “This is so much fun. I don’t usually get to shop with friends.”

  Dana’s cell phone rang then, interrupting the awkward moment in which no one knew quite what to say. “Hey, Kofi Cutie. Yeah, we’re still shopping—we might be here for another hour or two,” she told him. “Wait till you see what I bought!” She giggled at whatever he said on the other end. “Gotta go. Love you! Bye.” She snapped the phone shut.

  “I’m getting those leather pants!” she said. “Umph! That boy turns me on!” Then she turned to glance at November, who perched uncomfortably on the bench in the dressing room, belly hanging out of her too-small jeans.

  “Oh no, not again!” cried Olivia as the small room was filled with th
e distinct odor of putrefied fruit. “The fart monster strikes again! It’s time to go home.”

  Even November, who was used to the gaseous emissions that plagued her, was horrified. “Good Lord, that stinks!” she said. “I’m so sorry. Let’s get out of here.”

  The girls hurried out of the small room, carrying their packages and the clothes, Dana and Olivia laughing and gasping for breath. “I feel sorry for the next person who uses that room!” Olivia joked.

  But November was embarrassed and tired and uncomfortable. What used to be so much fun on a Saturday afternoon was now a chore. And she didn’t want to tell them that she had to go to the bathroom again. “Can we go home now?” she asked quietly. “I don’t feel so good.”

  “But you didn’t get anything!” Dana protested. Then she looked at November’s wan face. “Oh. You’re probably tired. But this was fun. Want to go shopping again next week?”

  “Yeah, sure,” November replied as Dana and Olivia paid for their clothes. But she knew she wouldn’t be doing this again any time soon.

  CHAPTER 30

  SATURDAY, AUGUST 7

  WHATEVER POSSESSED ME TO PLAN THIS cookout? November thought as sweat rolled off her forehead. The underarms of her extra-large T-shirt were stained and dark, and she could feel sweat trickle down her back. The temperature was supposed to hit ninety degrees this afternoon, and the sun beat down with no mercy on the patio in November’s backyard.

  The coals in the grill shimmered, adding to the heat as they waited for the burgers and hot dogs she had prepared earlier.

  She carried a plastic card table out from the kitchen and set it up, satisfied that it was only a little wobbly. Then she went back and forth four times, bringing out a folding chair on each trip. She sat down after the last chair, breathing heavily.

  “You know I woulda brought those out for you, November,” Jericho called, startling her. “You’re always so independent!”

  “I didn’t hear you come in,” she said, fatigue in her voice.

  “You left the front door wide open,” he told her. “Here, I brought you some lemonade. Actually, Geneva made it for all of us. It’s good, and it’s cold. You look like you could use something to drink.”

  She nodded gratefully and let him pour her a glass. It tasted like cool gold. “Thanks.”

  “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  “Hot. Sweaty. Huge. Bloated. Heavy. Tired. Take your pick.” She glared at him.

  “And cheerful, too!” he added, grinning. “I think it’s a good idea you invited a few friends over, November. This should be fun tonight.”

  “It sounded like a good idea at the time, but it’s just so hot today,” November complained, brushing her damp hair off her face. She got up slowly and walked with Jericho back into the house.

  “Why don’t we cook the burgers on the grill outside, but eat inside in the air-conditioning?” he suggested.

  “Good idea. I’m going to run upstairs and put on a shirt that’s a little less funky,” she said. “Well, actually, run is not the right word. I’m gonna wobble up the steps and get changed.” She headed toward the stairs. “You want to start the burgers?”

  “Sure thing,” he said. “Take your time.”

  When November came back down, she’d changed into a pink top with a shiny silver arrow pointing south. It had the word BABY and a happy face printed on it, also in silver. “I hate this shirt,” she said, “but it’s all I’ve got that’s clean.” She flopped into the big chair in the living room, unable to fight the fatigue that seemed to envelop her.

  “I’m cookin’. You’re sittin’,” Jericho ordered, pouring her another glass of lemonade. “Burgers are sizzlin’.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that. Hot dogs are on the counter.”

  “Gotcha.” He disappeared into the backyard with a pile of food to be cooked.

  The doorbell rang and November got up to answer it. He shoulda left it unlocked, she grumbled to herself.

  Olivia stood there, holding a large bag of chips in one hand and a jar of dip in the other. She wore khaki cutoffs, an embroidered T-shirt, and a Cincinnati Reds hat. “Hey, November. What’s up? You know, you look great.”

  “You need glasses or something?” November rolled her eyes.

  “No. You know how the old people say pregnant women look like they’re glowing? That’s you.”

  “Ha! That’s not glow. That’s plain old sweat. But thanks for the boost. I needed that. And I love your outfit.”

  Olivia beamed. “T.J. Maxx,” she said proudly. “How’ve you been feeling?” she asked.

  “Everybody keeps asking me that,” November replied irritably. “I feel like one of those blown-up elephants in the Macy’s parade.” Then she saw the hurt look on Olivia’s face and she said quickly, “I’m sorry, Olivia. I shouldn’t take this out on my friends. I’m just feeling sorry for myself today.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Olivia told her as they headed for the kitchen. “Where do you keep your bowls?”

  “In that cupboard on the left,” November said, pointing. Then she made another face as she walked over to the sink to get some clean drinking glasses.

  “You in pain or something?” Olivia asked. “You’re walkin’ funny.”

  November sighed deeply. “You don’t want to know. Really you don’t.” She winced as she walked to the refrigerator for ice.

  “Tell me, November. What’s wrong? You walk like you got bullets up your butt.”

  November chuckled. “Pretty good description, actually.”

  “Of what?” Olivia looked perplexed.

  “Girl, I got hemorrhoids. Big, fat, juicy ones. I didn’t even know what hemorrhoids were a couple of weeks ago. Now I can describe them up close and personal.”

  “Oh, yuck. Poor baby,” said Olivia sympathetically.

  Just then Jericho walked into the kitchen with a plate of grilled hot dogs. “Hey, Olivia, good to see you,” he said. “What are you two whispering about?”

  Both girls doubled over with laughter. “Trust me, you don’t want to know!” Olivia told him.

  “I never will figure out women,” Jericho said good-naturedly as he took another plate out to the grill.

  The doorbell ran once more. “Can you get that, Olivia?” November said, still laughing. “Thanks.”

  When Olivia opened the door, Kofi and Dana greeted her with hugs.

  “Where’s everybody?” asked Dana. She wore a sleek, pale blue sundress that draped her figure like icing on a cake.

  “November is in the kitchen complaining, Jericho is out back grilling, and I’m doing the door thing, just glad to be here.”

  Kofi, carrying a bag of cookies, a carton of ice cream, and an iPod boom box, nodded at Olivia, but his eyes were on Dana. “Let’s get this party started!” he shouted. “I have three thousand songs loaded on this bad boy.”

  “Have you listened to all of them?” asked Olivia.

  “Yeah, most of them more than once. My iPod is my second brain,” he replied.

  “Hate to see your first brain,” Olivia teased.

  All of them gravitated to the kitchen, where Jericho was just bringing in a plate of grilled burgers. “What’s up, Jericho?” Dana greeted them.

  “Hey, Dana. What’s goin’ on, Kofi?” Jericho said as he put the plate down.

  “And how’s little mama today?” asked Dana.

  “Better now that you guys are here,” November told them. “Turn the music up loud, Kofi. My mother won’t be home until late.”

  “What’s with all the cooked cow?” Dana asked as she nibbled on a chip.

  “Don’t worry, girl,” November said as she opened the refrigerator. “I got your skinny little veggie back.” She pulled out a deli tray filled with sliced fresh vegetables and fruits, surrounded by roasted cashews and almonds. “Besides, that’s mostly what I eat now as well.”

  “Thanks, girlfriend. I knew you’d be lookin’ out for me.”

  Everybody began t
o load their plates with burgers and chips and dip, chattering about food and friends.

  “Did you hear Cleveland went up to Ohio State to talk to the football coaches?” Jericho asked them. He squirted ketchup on his burger.

  “If they take Cleveland, they got a Mack truck on the line,” said Kofi, grunting with approval.

  “They have a dynamite band up there, with great scholarships,” Olivia said, admiration in her voice. “That’s one of the places I’m going to apply to.”

  “You can get college scholarships for band?” November asked.

  “Sure! Also for dance or singing or trumpet or whatever artistic talent you have. My dad calls them the ‘artsy-fartsy’ scholarships, but they pay the tuition, so what the hey! Yum, great hot dogs,” Olivia said, licking her fingers. “Pass the mustard, please.”

  Kofi pulled up a chair, turned it around backward, and began to assemble his burger. “What you are about to witness, ladies and gentlemen, is the biggest hamburger ever to be made this side of the Rocky Mountains!” While the rest of them watched, he placed two burgers, four slices of cheese, three tomato slices, two dill pickles, a layer of chopped onions, and a handful of potato chips on top of one bun. All this he slathered with ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. Finally he placed the second bun carefully over that. “And there you have it!” he said triumphantly.

  “Are you really gonna eat all that?” Olivia asked.

  “Not only am I going to finish this one, baby cake—I might eat two more. Keep that grill going, Jericho. A hungry man is a dangerous man.” Kofi made a silly face.

  “You’re nuts!” said Jericho with a laugh.

  “You’re gonna be sick,” November warned.

  “You’re disgusting,” Dana added. “Eating all that meat!”

  “Man eat red meat!” said Kofi, grunting like a caveman and stuffing the first bite of the huge sandwich into his mouth.

  They all laughed. “Reminds me of something Josh might do,” Jericho mused.

  The room got quiet then, the only sound coming from Kofi’s music player. “I miss him, man,” Kofi finally said.