Work What You Got

by Stephanie Perry Moore

  I received a standing ovation from my campaign crew. After that, my mom was busy planning, and my line sisters were busy campaigning. Talks were going on behind the scenes with the voting delegates, but then came the slander from the other candidate. It got leaked that under my watch as president my treasurer stole money. When the time for voting came, I lost by an overwhelming number. Though everyone who helped me consoled me, I felt horrible that the gold chain of trust and sisterhood was broken beyond repair. Basically, nobody wanted me and that hurt.

  “Hayden, it’s for you. It’s the National President,” Bea said to me as she held the hotel phone in her shaking hand.

  “Okay, I know you’re trying to cheer me up and all, but come on. Who’s playing the joke here? I don’t feel like talking. Tell whatever soror is on the phone that I’m alright.”

  “Take the call, Hayden,” my mom said, as she rubbed my back.

  I just wanted everybody to leave me alone. Why my mom wanted me to take some crazy call from one of my line sisters was beyond me.

  “Mom, I’m tired. I just want to go to sleep. I don’t need anybody to feel sorry for me.”

  “Hayden, it is the National President. She talked to me earlier. Take the phone now,” my mom demanded.

  “I think it’s her for real,” Bea said. “Your mom is right, take the phone.”

  Clearing my throat, I took the phone. “Hello,” I said in a skeptical tone.

  “Hayden Grant, hello, this is your National President speaking. I must tell you I am very impressed with you, young lady. You were poised and sharp and definitely have a heart for our sorority.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “I know you’re very busy, you didn’t have to call. I’m okay.”

  “Oh dear, I am sure you are alright. Not only are you a leader, but I can tell you are determined and you’re a fighter. Because of your tenaciousness, there is something I would like to talk to you about. I have a few minutes before I get ready for the closing assembly. Can you come up to my room now so we can have a chat?”

  “Yeah, yes ma’am,” I said, feeling all giddy inside. “What’s your room number?”

  Then I heard her giggle slightly. “I’m in the presidential suite on the top floor.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, feeling like such a novice.

  “No, I love your energy. You know talking to my collegiates always keeps me humble. I’ll see you in a second.”

  “Yes ma’am, I’ll be right up.”

  Bea and Sharon started screaming. I was so excited to see them all excited. My mom also smiled.

  “She just wants to talk to me. I don’t know what it is all about. She probably just wants to look at me and see for herself if I am okay.”

  “I think she has more than that to ask you,” Bea said.

  Sharon said, “She’s calling your phone and wants you to come up there. Maybe she found out what the other girl did and they ousted her and they are going to appoint you tonight.”

  “Now, now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s leave all the dirty politics alone,” my mom said. “What’s for Hayden is for her.

  “I’ve got to go get dressed myself. Hayden, I’ll walk you out to the elevator. I am very proud of how you girls pulled together and really formed a unique sisterhood. You might have lost a big election now, but that pales in comparison to the great comradery you gained. You’re winners. See you girls tonight.”

  “Thanks,” Bea said.

  “Yeah, we really appreciate that, Mrs. Grant,” Sharon said.

  My mom and I stepped into the hallway. She gave me a big hug. I truly felt her love.

  “You know I am proud of you. I remember when you first started the school year I was so sad you were growing up. All you talked about was Beta Gamma Pi this and Beta Gamma Pi that. Shucks, I just wanted to make sure you stayed a virgin. Tell me you’re still a virgin.”

  “Mom, I’m still a virgin.”

  “Well, I am so glad that Butch guy didn’t take what the Lord intends to be special.”

  I laid my head on her shoulder, completely agreeing with her. “Is it okay that I am going to go see this lady that beat you in a regional election years back?”

  “Yeah, she’s our National President and she’s been doing a great job. I think she’s grown a lot since that election, and if she offers you anything on her cabinet you consider taking it. You’ve got a lot to offer, my sweet lady. If she just wants to give you a few kind words, then you graciously take that too.”

  “Okay, Mom,” I said, as I stepped into the elevator and she turned back to our room. “I love you.”

  She smiled back and said, “I love you too, baby.”

  Moments later I was at the door of the presidential suite. “So Miss Grant, come in. I won’t keep you long. I have to get ready. I just want to let you know that elections can be brutal sometimes. I’m sure your mother schooled you on the one she and I were in years back. Though I’m not completely proud of my actions in that campaign, I think the difficulties of the job have humbled me time and time again. So here I stand. There are two reasons why I wanted to see you. First, I have a daughter who is a freshman at Western Smith.”

  “Wow, I didn’t know that,” I said.

  “Yes, she made it her plan in life not to become a Beta and I am pretty familiar with everything that is going on with your chapter. But now that I’ve had a chance to speak to you, I am very pleased your leadership abilities. I know you are really able to recruit the types of women we need in our Alpha chapter. Need I say more?”

  I got it. She called me up here because she wanted to make sure her daughter was on the next line, and the girl didn’t even want to pledge. How was I going to make that happen? I couldn’t say no to the National President.

  Firmly, I said, “Yes ma’am. I understand.”

  “Well great. Because you are such a dynamic leader and we are able to have these sisterly talks, I want you to know I’m creating a new position on my cabinet. I want you to be chair of Collegiate Affairs. I want this committee to work to be a bridge between the young sorors and the alumnae sorors. A lot of the other organizations have some type of alumnae outreach program and it’s really worked. Since we have a severe drop-out rate after sorors graduate college, I want to make sure great young women like you don’t get lost. There’s no pressure, you don’t have to answer now.”

  “Well, I can’t say no to my National President. Whenever you call on me to serve, I am here and ready.”

  “Being involved with Nationals is never easy, but it can be the most rewarding. Do you think being a Beta has made you better?”

  “That is such a good question. I’ve learned how to be an effective me. Might not be the brightest, might not be the coolest, but I’ve got to work with what I’ve got, and when I maximize that, I’m much better from being in the organization.”

  She gave me a look of pride I’d never forget and then she said, “I wish all of our college sorors could have your spirit.”

  As I left her room, I felt like a new artist whose album just went gold. Things were finally better than I’d ever dreamed. I had a great guy who loved me, best friends who’d do anything for me, line sisters who appreciated my tough leadership, and parents who knew they’d raised a daughter who made them proud. Come to think about it, now that the National President asked me to work with her in my beloved sorority, I felt like I was more than gold, I was double platinum.

  A Reading Group Guide

  Beta Gamma Pi, Book 1:

  Work What You Got

  Stephanie Perry Moore

  ABOUT THIS GUIDE

  The following questions are intended to

  enhance your group’s reading of

  Beta Gamma Pi: WORK WHAT YOU GOT

  by Stephanie Perry Moore

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Hayden Grant wants to pledge a sorority at any cost. Do you think her mother is giving her wise advice at the beginning of the book? What do you think is the corre
ct pledge process?

  2. Hayden finds out that her roommates all decide not to pledge Beta Gamma Pi with her, but decides to pledge anyway. What do you do when your friends change their mind and you feel like you’ve been left hanging? What are ways to boost your confidence so you can move on?

  3. Though Hayden knows it is wrong, she participates in underground hazing. Why do we feel the need to give in to pressure to be accepted? What are ways to stand up for what is right and not go along to get along?

  4. Most of the girls on the underground line end up not making the actual pledge line. Do you think a person can make a line if they do not participate in underground activities? What lesson is learned from taking that type of risk?

  5. On the pledge line, all of the girls participate in some form of hazing activity. When things turned violent should this have been reported? What are better ways to unite a group?

  6. When Hayden is voted line president, she feels overwhelmed. Do you think she was the best choice for this position? What qualities do you possess to be a great leader?

  7. Hayden’s boyfriend Creed is also pledging. How does what he’s going through help Hayden? What are ways you can lean on a friend to help you through tough situations?

  8. The big sisters of Beta Gamma Pi are suspended from the chapter for hazing. Hayden knows that her friend Penelope is upset about being kicked out of the sorority and offers comforting words. How can you help lift a person up when their actions have them feeling down? Do you agree with the comforting words Hayden gives to her friend Penelope about being kicked out of the sorority?

  9. Hayden is now voted Chapter President. What do you think of how she led the group? How can being a good follower make a great leader?

  10. Hayden has a called meeting and apologizes for her harsh tactics. Do you think it is okay to be vulnerable as a leader? What are ways to keep the Lord in your heart as you help to lead His way?

  Stay tuned for the next book in the series,

  THE WAY WE ROLL,

  available in May 2009, wherever books are sold.

  Until then, satisfy your Beta Gamma Pi craving with

  the following excerpt from the next installment.

  ENJOY!

  1

  BECOMING

  If I see one more Beta Gamma Pi girl looking down at me because I am not sporting any of them pitiful letters, I might just kick her tail. Yes, I am here at their convention but I am not Greek. I’m not here like other wannabes, I’m here because I have to be.

  My mom is their National President and that makes me sick. I hate that my time with my mom has taken a backseat to the sorority. For real, when it came to my mom doing sorority business over being a mom, I came last every time. Yeah, she said it was for the good of the community and one day I’d understand her sacrifice, but when she didn’t make any of my piano recitals or parent-teacher conferences, I quickly learned to detest the group she dearly loved.

  Though we lived in the same house—my dad and younger brother moved out after the divorce—my mom and I were worlds apart. Basically, I felt Beta Gamma Pi took everything away from me. I was only at the National Convention because some of the ladies on the executive board were more like mothers to me than my own mom. The First Vice President, who lived in California, begged me to come and support their endeavors. Because she was always there when I needed someone to talk to, I came. And not to mention the V.I.P. rooms were stocked with alcohol—and with no one around to supervise, I was feeling really nice.

  “You’re all smiles. I guess you just finished kissing the National President’s butt, huh?” I said to a girl coming out of my mom’s presidential suite.

  “I’m sorry, do I know you?” the girl said, trying to figure out who I was.

  “You’re so full of it,” I said, calling her out as I fumbled with my key, trying to open my hotel room door. “You know who I am, trying to get on my good side to raise your stock with her.”

  The girl persisted. “I’m sorry, I’m not trying to offend you, but you really do look familiar. Do you need some help with that?”

  I snatched my hand away. “I don’t need your help.”

  “What’s going on out here?” The door flung open and my mom came out in the hallway.

  “Uh, I was trying to get in the room,” I said as I stumbled back a little.

  “Girl, you are so embarrassing me, get your drunk behind in here now,” my mom hissed. Then in a much nicer tone she said, “Hayden, come in please.”

  “Wasn’t she just leaving?”

  I was so confused when my mom went over to the girl and just started explaining my behavior, like she needed to apologize to some college girl about how I was acting. My mom really needed to apologize to me for never giving me any of her time. “Come here, I want to introduce you guys. Malloy, this is one of my sorors from your school, Western Smith College,” my mom said.

  “See, I thought I knew you,” the girl smiled. “I’m Hayden Grant. I’m going to be a junior at Western Smith College. I didn’t know this was your mom.”

  “Yeah, sure you didn’t know this was my mom,” I said in a sarcastic tone.

  “Lord, you don’t have to be rude,” my mom snapped.

  “Then don’t force me to talk to someone that I don’t want to and don’t try to apologize for me. I have a right to be angry, okay Mom? I don’t want to embarrass you anymore, so please get this girl out of my face. I don’t care what school she goes to. Unlike both of you, I don’t think Beta Gamma Pi is God’s gift to the world.”

  “Hayden, I am so sorry about this. Let’s just keep this between us. My daughter doesn’t usually drink. She’ll be back to normal when you guys get back to school. Let’s just say, I do look forward to working more closely with your chapter, particularly when she makes line.”

  “Yes ma’am,” Hayden said, really getting on my nerves.

  She could not get out of the suite fast enough for me. Of course, my mom looked at me like she was disappointed. Shucks, I was the one that was rightfully upset. The alcohol just allowed me to finally say how I felt.

  “Mom, don’t go making no promises to that girl about me being on line. I’m in school to get an education, not pledge. Plus, their last line was crazy. They haze up there. You want me to have something to do with that? You’re the National President, you’re supposed to be against any form of hazing. I’m telling you it was all around school that they put a girl from the last line in the hospital. One of them will be dead soon.”

  She looked at me and rolled her eyes. I believed what I was saying. Some of those girls would do anything to wear the Greek letters. Not me.

  “Sweetheart, if you’re a part of the line they won’t do anything like that. I know you’re tough. I don’t have to worry about anybody trying to do something you don’t want. Just promise me that you will at least consider pledging. I’ve always wanted this for you, Malloy. Being a part of this sisterhood can be so fulfilling. You don’t even have a best friend, for crying out loud.”

  “Yeah, for crying out loud, one of your biggest dreams for me is to be in a sorority, not to fall in love with a man and stay married forever, graduate from college with honors and get a great job. Instead, you pray your child gets into your sorority. I might have had a couple of drinks, but it’s clear to me that the thing you want for me isn’t what’s best for me, it’s what you want.” I plopped down on the couch, picked up the remote, turned on the television and put the volume on high. “Don’t hold your breath on me becoming a Beta. Sweet dreams, Mommy.”

  She went into her part of the suite and slammed the door. I knew I had disappointed her. However, as much as she had disappointed me in my life, we weren’t anywhere close to being even.

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  Copyright © 2009 by Stephanie Perry Moore

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  ISBN: 978-0-7582-8176-0