#4 Truth and Nothing But

by Stephanie Perry Moore

  “Well, thanks for telling me. And I’m sorry I didn’t hear you out.”

  “That’s all I wanted you to say,” he said, showing me his perfect smile before we said good night.

  Yuri came into my room. I handed her the iPad. Before she left, she stared at me.

  “Who were you talking to?” she asked.

  “Reese,” I uttered, unable to lie to her.

  “No, Sloan! Not that guy!”

  “He didn’t do it.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  I grabbed her empty hand and squeezed it. “Listen, I didn’t take the picture of myself and send it to him, and he didn’t receive it and send it out to a whole bunch of guys. It just didn’t happen that way. Somehow Trevy had something to do with it.”

  “Now, that’s a story I believe,” Yuri said, surprising me with her support.

  “Why?” I asked, happy that she believed the theory. I needed to figure this out.

  “Because she’s always looking at you crazy, like she wanted to scratch your eyes out or something. And she looks at him like she wants to have sex with him in front of the world or something. I don’t know. She was just eerie. She tried to act like she was your friend, but I could see through it all. You didn’t want to hear me. Did you ever let her use your phone?”

  “She asked to see it one day at the football game.”

  “And did you let her?”

  “I can’t remember,” I said as I thought back. “No, I didn’t. She had hers on her all the time.”

  “She didn’t know she had her phone on her? See, that’s just weird.”

  “But she did ask me to unlock mine before she found hers.”

  “So she could’ve gotten your code then.”

  “Yeah, but I never thought she knew my code because she didn’t use the phone. So I can’t really verify if she saw it or not.”

  Pacing back and forth, Yuri said, “Oh, you can verify.”

  Frustrated, I sighed, fell onto my bed, and said, “Maybe I just want to pin this on somebody else so badly…”

  “You want the truth, and if she did this, it changes everything.”

  “But how are we gonna prove it?”

  Yuri shrugged her shoulders. She came over and pulled me up. When she threw her arms around me, I instantly felt better.

  “I miss our talks,” I said to her. “Let’s not stay away from each other again. You didn’t believe me.”

  “Well, you kicked me out every time I wanted to change that. So, next time I know to keep pushing.”

  “Yeah,” I told her. “We need each other.”

  “We sure do.”

  The next school day, as people were going into the gym, Yuri pulled me to the side and said, “I just got her. Let’s go to the office. I taped Trevy spilling the beans on how and why she framed you!”

  “What do you mean you have her?” I asked.

  Yuri played me a recording of Trevy confessing to everything. She bragged to some girls that she was behind the whole thing because she didn’t like them giving me credit for my growing popularity. She said I didn’t do anything to deserve all the notoriety. Not only did she know the password to my phone, but she knew the combination to my locker. I remember us getting dressed in the same places and her watching me. I didn’t know she was looking at what number I put into the lock. She also turned off my flash and put my phone on silent. So when she took the picture, I was none the wiser. She already had Reese’s phone. She knew he never used his at school, so he didn’t even know it was missing. She sent it to him, then sent it out from his phone, put his phone back in his book bag, and when Reese got called out for being the sexting culprit, he didn’t even know he possessed the proof.

  “Oh my gosh, Yuri, oh my gosh!” I hugged her tight.

  The two of us told our gym teachers where we were going and ran to see Dr. Garner. Yuri had also called our parents, and when the recording was played for them, Trevy was escorted off the school property in handcuffs.

  “Please can you call Reese, please?” I insisted.

  Dr. Garner got Reese out of class. When he came into the office and saw all the people and a police car through the glass in the front of the school, fear set on his face. He thought he was in more trouble. I rushed up to him and hugged him so tight.

  “Trevy did do it,” I took his hand and turned him toward everyone so they could apologize to us both.

  Reese didn’t care about any of that. Yeah, it was good to get his name cleared, but more than anything, he was happy I truly knew he didn’t set out to hurt me. He cared more about my feelings than his own. Reese was a guy worth keeping.

  “This Is My Story: A Student’s Tale” by Sloan Sharp. I couldn’t believe I was reading those words in the Charlotte Observer. It was thanks to the reporter I met at the debate who gave me some water. Once the debate was over, she wanted to make sure I was okay. She also gave me her card and told me I could submit anything. I was happy to get this. I just wanted her to look over it and give me her thoughts. I never thought it’d be published.

  My words read:

  Being the sharpest knife in the drawer comes with great responsibility. Whenever you’re pulled out, you’re expected to deliver and be on the cutting edge of things. But what happens when someone comes and dulls your world? Well, that’s what happened to me. I’m the mayor-elect’s daughter, and many would think my world is perfect right about now. In less than two months, my father will be taking the oath of office to run the great city of Charlotte.

  Out of my five sisters, I’m known as the brain. I have a 4.0 GPA, and I’ve never given my parents much worry. However, when someone decided my education wasn’t that important to me and that my reputation needed to be tarnished, she took advantage of a girl’s innocence. I’m telling my story because I want the city to know all of us young people aren’t bad.

  We are young. We do get into mischief, but we need adults to help keep us on the right track. We need parents to parent their children so that they understand they don’t have to be jealous of what somebody else has. Stay in your lane, run your own race and be your own knife. Don’t cut anyone off at the legs. We all have good in us. We just have to decide to be good all the time.

  I’ve always been a private school girl, but I love attending Marks High. There’s something about the hodgepodge of people coming together for the collective cause of being educated that makes me tick. But like every great thing, there’re still some nooks and crannies that need to be cleaned out.

  Teachers, I understand that this profession is a job, but do it well all the time. Grade hard so your kids can do well on tests. Don’t give them the answers so they fish for a day. When you truly educate them, they can fish for a lifetime. School board members, what’s up with no textbooks?

  As I said earlier, I’ve been fortunate to do pretty well in school. I work at it, but textbooks help me. When I don’t have them, I’m handicapped.

  Summing up my story, I’m a Sharp girl who is on the ball—most of the time. To all the teens in the city, let’s be better. Let’s demand more, and let’s go get ours. If we don’t enjoy our youth, we’ll have nobody to blame but ourselves. Life isn’t always fair, but everything you go through can make you wiser, stronger, and better.

  The phone was ringing off the hook at my house. People loved my article, and actually, my parents were pretty proud. When Ms. Spears told me she was proud of me, I truly felt accomplished. My parents and the principal wanted to know exactly what I was talking about in terms of teachers helping students out on tests. While I only knew of one, it turned out there were a couple of others in the school not doing their job either. They were all dismissed.

  The school board put on their agenda to address the textbook issue. Lots of students said they were going to show up for the meeting in December to voice their concerns. Some parents claimed they didn’t even know we didn’t have books.

  When my phone rang and I saw it was Reese, my hands started s
haking. “So you got my text message with my new number, huh?” I said.

  “I did. I also read your article. It’s good. You made a difference.”

  “About time I did something right,” I said, still feeling bad I condemned him like people did me.

  “Well, it’s time for us to move past that. We’ve got a playoff game tomorrow. If you’re up for it, I’d love for you to help me in the booth again.” He must’ve heard me laughing, cooing, and smiling through the phone because he said, “I guess that’s a yes.”

  It took forever for the game to begin. Reese and I were perched right beside our assistant principal again. I couldn’t believe we had to be close to the jerk.

  Reese saw him rolling his eyes our way, and Reese leaned in and said, “What I really liked about your article even more than the apology, was the fact that you said some things right. But you and I both know that there’s still something wrong at our school. We need to deal with it.”

  “You think he’s still stealing money? He didn’t get caught.”

  “You started cleaning house. We might as well take care of him too,” Reese said as I nodded.

  My sisters came by and told Reese they were sorry as well. He seemed to really appreciate that. He was being so sweet. He understood how we could have gotten it all mixed up.

  When halftime was approaching, we shut down the PTSA booth. We told the assistant principal good-bye, and when he thought we were gone, we went around the back of the concession stand. Just as he thought no one was looking, he started counting the money in the box. That was innocent enough until he took a few twenties and stashed them in his pocket. Reese recorded it all on his cell phone.

  We didn’t have to go far to look for Dr. Garner. He actually found us. “What are you two doing back here in the dark with a cell phone?”

  We said nothing. We just played the recording. The police who were on the premises to watch the game ushered our assistant principal away in handcuffs.

  My eyes spotted a Town Car. My face showed I was upset. Was my dad at the school again with Miss X?

  Reese touched me and asked, “What’s wrong? You can talk to me. You can tell me anything. I want you to be my girl.”

  I blushed and stroked his cheek letting him know I wanted that too. However, this was my family’s personal business. I couldn’t let Reese into my thoughts. Saying what I felt comfortable sharing, I said, “What do you do when you feel like your family is falling apart?”

  “After what we just went through? Even if it is, you can handle it,” Reese said as he moved my hair out of my face from the blowing wind.

  I gave him a big hug. Reese was a motivator. He certainly had pumped me up. I had to keep digging. I had to find the truth, and whatever it was, it wasn’t going to break me.

  Reese and I walked back over to our high school stadium. The fourth quarter was ending, and we won the game. We were at a new school, but we were fierce competitors. Mavericks to the end. I need to incorporate that mantra in my life.

  “So everybody thinks this is all okay to get all dressed up to go to some party for Daddy?” I asked Yuri. I was still having my doubts about my dad’s fidelity.

  “Come on, Sloan,” Yuri said as she turned her back so I could zip her up. “Dad’s about to be the next mayor. Lots of people want to give him parties now. You gotta be excited for him and help him celebrate as we escort him to the first gala.”

  “Isn’t he throwing this party?” I questioned, getting my sister to see what she was saying held no merit.

  “Okay, listen to this song,” Slade rushed into the room and said, not caring that we were in the middle of a conversation.

  Once she started the music, my head started bopping. She and her singing partner, Charlotte, had cut their first demo. The sound was off the chain.

  Slade bragged, “Dad said we can sing at the party tonight! We’re going to perform this, but I wanted you two to tell me what you think. And you’ve got to see Mom. Shelby designed her the prettiest dress, and the lady Shelby works with actually had it made. Mom looks stunning.”

  “Oh, and let me guess,” I said a little peeved that everybody was so into this whole party. “Ansli is taking pictures tonight!”

  “Yeah, maybe you could write about it. Put it in the society column or something,” Slade said, not at all sensing I thought this was crazy.

  I couldn’t tell whether my sister was serious or not about me writing a story on a darn party. I knew she wanted the spotlight, but didn’t my sister sense I wasn’t feeling it. We were playing family. I didn’t want to spend my night smiling when I knew I had reason to frown.

  The two of them were super excited. Their giddiness was getting on my nerves. I walked back into my room after getting tired of standing in front of the mirror, primping with my sisters, and I called Reese.

  “What’s going on?” he asked. “You calling to say you’ll be my girl?”

  Smiling through the phone, I said, “Thought my body language had already told you, but if you must hear me say it… yes, I’ll be your girl.”

  “That’s what’s up,” he said in a overjoyed tone. “What’s going on?”

  “I don’t wanna go to this party ’cause I don’t trust my dad.”

  “You didn’t tell me everything going on, and I’m not gonna guess. I will say that maybe it’s different from what you think.”

  “Maybe I didn’t get suspended this year,” I sarcastically said. “But I did.”

  “So what’d you call me for?” Reese said, cutting to the chase. “You wanted me to give you a pep talk and tell you something that would encourage you, so chill out,” he said, taking charge.

  “Okay, so what you got?”

  “Sometimes family is all you got. You and I both know that until you know the whole story, you don’t need to assume anything. If you truly learned from not giving me the benefit of the doubt, practice that with your father.”

  “Alright, I’ll try. I’ll call you later,” I said as I exhaled.

  “Text me and let me know how you’re doing. I care about you.”

  “I know you do.” I said to him.

  Taking in Reese’s advice, I needed to confront my dad. Immediately, I went to him. He was getting all snazzy.

  “Hey there, you,” he said, like I should have no care in the world. “Still got doubts about your daddy, huh?”

  I looked at him. There was so much I wanted to say, but I couldn’t. How do I get him to reveal he was cheating on my mom?

  He came over to me and said, “I’m proud of you, Sloan. When you were down, you took some punches you didn’t deserve, but you didn’t stay beat down. You found a way to get the truth out there, and your reputation is more intact than it’s ever been.”

  “But, Dad. Our family. I just don’t understand why you’d…”

  Cutting me off, he said, “Okay, okay, okay. I get where you’re coming from. We talked about this. If my words can’t allow you to trust me, then I’ve got to let my actions speak for me. I’ve won the mayoral race. Certainly I can win over my daughter so she won’t be suspicious. Come now. I want you to come with me.”

  “I’ll go with Mom and everyone else.”

  “No, no, no. I need your help. I want you to come early with me.”

  Since I had no choice, I grabbed my stuff. I hugged my mom before I left. She was so pretty, and I wanted her happiness more than anything.

  Reluctantly, when the limousine pulled up, I followed behind my dad and got in. I was shocked when I saw female legs. And the shoes I knew too well. I could have choked when I looked up and saw Miss X.

  “Dad, are you serious?” I yelled out. “No way do you want me to be here and see this lady. She likes you. She’s been texting you off the chain. Don’t you know he’s a married man?” I screamed.

  Miss X laughed. “She’s cute, so feisty and all.”

  “Okay, Dad. This isn’t cool,” I said, wanting to sock the crazy lady.

  “Calm down, girl,” my
dad said.

  I tried to get out of the car, but my dad pressed the lock button. He told the driver to go on.

  “Introduce yourself,” my dad said to Miss X.

  “Like I wanna meet this lady!” I blabbed full of sister-girl attitude.

  “My name is Xeena Sams, and I’m a party planner.”

  “Oh, okay. Whoopty-doo.”

  I wanted to ask her who was gonna plan her funeral after I get done whooping her butt. I guess my facial expressions illustrated my hatred, so I didn’t need to say anything. She was squirming, understanding I was serious.

  “I don’t know where all the hostility is coming from,” Xeena said, “but I’ve been working hard with your dad. You’re right it’s been around the clock, and I have been a little pushy.”

  “You think?” I said.

  “Listen to her, Sloan. I told you to calm down,” my father demanded.

  “I saw a picture of you two all chummy.”

  Xeena said, “Well, it has been secretive what we’ve been working on.”

  “Working on? You still wanna try to pretend that you’re doing some kind of party for my dad?”

  “I’m doing a party for your dad and your mom.”

  “It’s our anniversary, honey. Your mom’s been there with me through thick and thin.” I kept this a secret because I wanted her to be surprised. Thanks to the picture, I had to come clean, but I still think this room is going to take her breath away.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. We pulled up, and I followed them to a ballroom that was decked out in “Happy Anniversary” paraphernalia. I was blown away by the beautiful silver and black decorations. There was an ice sculpture that read I love you. Gorgeous roses adorned the tables. Crab claws and cocktail shrimp were on ice. A jazz band was positioned near the dance floor. Xeena had skills—the place was lovely.

  From out of nowhere came a man who was fine. Xeena kissed him. He shook my dad’s hand, like they knew each other.

  She turned to me and said, “This is my fiancé. He is the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. I’m excited about your dad being the mayor, but trust me. I’m good.”