Secrets Untold

by Shelia M. Goss

  “You know it,” Tara responded. She and Danielle gave each other a high-five.

  “Look what I got.” I waved Cole’s note back and forth in the air.

  Tara reached for it.

  I pulled it back. “I don’t know if I want y’all to read it,” I said, teasing them.

  “Girl, you better let us see that note.”

  We stood near the wall as others passed us by. I watched Danielle and Tara read the note.

  “I’m so happy for you,” Tara said.

  Danielle said, “What are we wearing?”

  “We?” I asked.

  “Yes. You don’t think we’re going to let you go to the game by yourself. Besides, Cole isn’t the only one on the basketball team that has my eye,” Danielle responded with a sly grin on her face.

  Tara said, “You’re such a hater.”

  “No, I’m not. I’m just saying.” Danielle pouted.

  I took the note and put it in a slot in my backpack. “Well, as my best friends, it is your duty to be there for me. I do expect you both to be there.”

  Tara said, “I can’t. I’m babysitting. My mom’s going out of town this weekend.”

  I tried not to show my disappointment. I was going to be nervous and wanted both of my besties there. “Dani, don’t stand me up now.”

  “Oh, I will be there. I just got to figure out what I’m wearing.”

  “Well, I’m going to my class before I get marked tardy.” I walked away and went directly to my class.

  15

  I was in a better mood when I got home from school because of anticipating Cole’s phone call. I knew he had basketball practice, so when he didn’t call until after nine, I wasn’t surprised.

  “So are you coming?” he asked in his husky voice.

  “Me and my best friend Dani will be there.”

  “Cool. I’ll give you the tickets, so you won’t have to pay.”

  Such a gentleman, I thought. I thanked him, and we spent the rest of the time getting to know one another better. We both agreed that Drake and Nicki Minaj were our favorite rappers.

  “My favorite singer is Trey Songz,” I informed him.

  “Yours and my baby sister’s,” he said.

  “Well, I bet Beyoncé is yours, right?”

  “Of course.” He chuckled.

  Cole had the cutest laugh I had ever heard. Cuter than even mine. We continued to talk about music.

  “I’ve had my eye on you for a while,” he confessed.

  I was feeling all mushy inside just from the sound of his voice. “How long is a while?” I asked. I lay on my back looking at the ceiling as we talked.

  “Since sophomore year.”

  “Really? Why haven’t you said anything?” I asked.

  “You had a boyfriend, and then I saw you with that dude Kenneth. Plus, believe it or not, I’m a little shy.”

  “What made you approach me in a crowded cafeteria, if you’re so shy?”

  “I lost a bet with myself, so I had to do it then, or else I never would have gotten up the nerve to.”

  “I won’t bite you,” I said, teasing him.

  “I’m glad I did. You’re really nice, Porsha. Nothing like some of the other girls up there.”

  “Thanks. Most people don’t call me nice. Spoiled, maybe, but nice? I hardly ever hear that word used to describe me.”

  “I see how you interact with people. You seem to get along with everybody,” he said.

  “Almost everybody,” I responded. I could name quite a few people at school who, if given the opportunity to fight me, would.

  “After the game, some of us are going to Chuck’s for burgers. Would you like to go?” Cole asked.

  “I’m sure that won’t be a problem. I just have to figure out how I’m going to get there and back.”

  “I have a car. I can drop you off at home.”

  “I need to check with my parents first, and then I’ll let you know.”

  “I can talk to them if they want, even give them my mom’s number,” he responded.

  “I’m sure all of that won’t be necessary.”

  “Well, I know if you were my daughter, I would take all the precautions I could.”

  “So, are you saying you’re a bad influence?” My voice sounded light.

  “Oh, no. I might need to tell my mama where I’m at, so you won’t be trying to influence me to do something I don’t want to do.”

  We both laughed. Hanging out with Cole was going to be a blast. I glanced at the clock. “Oh my goodness. It’s almost twelve o’clock. I better get off here. I already dread getting up in the morning.”

  “I’ll see you at school. Good night, Porsha . . . my future girlfriend.”

  “You got a lot of confidence, mister star basketball player.”

  “And you know it. Good night,” he said.

  “Good night.” I held the phone in my hand for a few seconds before placing it on the nightstand near my bed.

  I slid under the covers and each time I closed my eyes I thought of Cole. I replayed our conversations in my head. I could feel myself blush when I thought about him calling me his future girlfriend. His beautiful smile brightened my dream world. I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face.

  It was now two more days left before the DNA test results. Tension in the kitchen was thicker than a brick. My parents snapped at each other. “We can talk later,” my mom said to my dad.

  I could tell my mom had been crying because of her puffy eyes. I was sure the issue was Dion. I felt sad for my dad because of what he was going through. On the other hand, it was hard to feel sympathy for my mom. Don’t get me wrong. I was no longer mad at her like I was when I’d first found out about this messed up situation. But she still wasn’t one hundred percent back in good standing with me.

  “Dear, your dad is dropping you off at school today. I have to be at the boys’ school this morning,” she said.

  I shrugged my shoulders, grabbed a blueberry muffin off the table and took a bite out of it. “I’m ready.”

  My dad grunted, threw the newspaper he had been reading on the table and said, “Let’s go.”

  My mom’s eyes pled with me to say something else, but I didn’t give her the satisfaction. I followed my dad out of the kitchen and to his SUV.

  Once safely on the highway, he addressed me. “You shouldn’t be so hard on her. She’s really sorry for what happened.”

  “I’m sorry too.”

  “What’s going on with you? Yesterday, you seemed fine. This morning, not so much.”

  I was fine until I saw their sour faces. Should I or shouldn’t I tell him the truth? I opted to say, “Just one of those days.”

  He laughed, but not one of those funny laughs. One of those “you-got-to-be-kidding–me” type laughs. “You haven’t seen anything yet. Wait until you become an adult. You’ll see a lot of those days.”

  I hoped not. Dealing with what I was dealing with now was enough to last me a lifetime.

  “Baby girl, this is an adjustment for us all. I want this transition to happen as smooth as possible, but with life comes bumps, and this is one of them.”

  “I know, but why now? I just wished things could go back to how they used to be,” I said.

  “Me too, but it can’t, so all we can do is deal with it. Deal with it together. Because one thing hasn’t changed, and you know what that is?”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “We’re a family. Family gets through things together. When it’s all said and done, we still have each other.”

  The talk we had on the way to school made me feel much better.

  16

  “Did you ask your folks about your party?” Tara asked, as we sat across from each other at lunch.

  Oops. I had totally forgotten about my sweet sixteen party. “No, I haven’t. I got so much other stuff on my mind.”

  “Like Cole,” Danielle teased.

  “Hating is not a pretty color on you,” I
responded.

  “Here he comes now,” Tara said.

  I looked up at Cole, who was headed straight for our table, along with one of his teammates.

  “Do you mind if we sit with y’all?”

  “No. Let me move over,” Danielle said, as she batted her eyes.

  I rolled my eyes. I scooted my chair over to give them more space.

  Cole placed his tray near me. “This is my boy Rob,” he said.

  I made the other introduction. “This is Danielle and Tara.”

  After exchanging pleasantries, we all went to eating our food.

  Cole reached into his pocket and handed me something. “I only got you two tickets, but if you need a third one, I can get you one.”

  Tara said, “I can’t go. Maybe I can catch one of your games another time.”

  “Hopefully so, because I’m a beast on the court,” Rob said, although Tara was talking to Cole and not him.

  Danielle remained awfully quiet. Normally, she would be trying to take over the conversation. She seemed to be upset that Rob was paying Tara more attention than her.

  Cole and I blocked out the three of them and got into our personal conversation.

  “I really want you to consider being my girl,” he said.

  “But we haven’t known each other long.” I attempted to remind him.

  “We’ve been at the same school for years. Don’t pretend like you didn’t know who I was.” He stuck out his chest.

  Cole was correct. I knew exactly who he was. He was not only the cute guy, but he was smart. His grades were just as good as mine, well, as good as they were, because I had let them slip a little lately. Flirting with Cole was fun. It also kept my mind off the problems I had at home.

  “So, are you going to be mine?”

  “Maybe. I’ll let you know,” I responded. I tilted my head back a little.

  “You’re so cute when you do that,” he said.

  I blushed. “You’re cute when you say things like that.”

  “Oh my goodness, you two need to quit,” Rob said.

  “Man, stop hating. Get your own girl,” Cole turned his face around and said. “Now, what was I saying?”

  “You were telling me how pretty I am,” I responded.

  “That you are.”

  “Pretty girls rock,” Danielle added.

  I guess she was tired of not being part of anyone’s conversation, so she was sticking her two cents into mine.

  From that moment on, we all made small talk. Cole and I stole hidden glances at each other. I didn’t know why I was fronting because I wanted to be Cole’s girl, and although things were moving a little fast, after the game on Friday, I was going to give him an answer.

  Cole walked me to my class after lunch. When we reached near the door, he gave me a quick hug. It was so quick, I almost missed it. “See you later,” he said, before bouncing down the hall.

  “No physical touching, young lady,” Mr. Trudeau said, as I passed him in the doorway.

  I slipped in my seat behind my desk with my head down, hoping none of the other students had heard him. I barely passed the pop quiz he gave us. My concentration level was nil. I could have stayed home for what good I was doing at school.

  In between classes, I checked my cell phone. Cole’s text message said, “Thinking of you. Call you tonight.”

  True to his word, later on that night, Cole called. “I aced Mr. Trudeau’s test,” he bragged.

  Ashamed that I didn’t, I hoped he didn’t ask me how I did. To my relief, he didn’t. “Rumor has it that some of the NBA scouts are looking at you. Is that true?” I asked.

  “Not sure. I just play the best game I can every time I’m on the court.”

  “Cool. You’re good. My dad thinks you’re one of the best players he’s seen in a while,” I said.

  “Really? I went to a summer camp when I was nine, and your dad inspired me to not only give my all to being a good basketball player, but he’s the reason why I make sure I keep my grades up too.”

  Wow! I was impressed and proud of my dad. “He’s a cool dad.”

  “I have his autographed jersey in a case hanging on my wall.”

  Uh-oh. I hope Cole wasn’t only interested in me because of Trey Swint, the former all-star running back of the NFL. If so, our relationship would be over before it even got started. I listened to him go on and on about my dad for as long as I could before I interrupted him. “I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to come out and say it. Cole, I’m tired of talking about my dad.”

  “Porsha, I’m sorry. When it comes to sports, I can get a little carried away.”

  “I’m going to be honest with you. I’m sort of wondering if you want to talk to me because of who my dad is, or if you really want to be with me, Porsha.”

  “You can get that idea out of your head. I can have any girl I want, but I want you. You could act like a spoiled brat, but you don’t. I like you, Ms. Porsha Swint, for the sweet person on the inside.”

  I didn’t know if I should believe him, but he was pouring the syrup on thick, and I was eating it up. I smiled like I was auditioning for a toothpaste commercial. “I wanted to make sure because, if that’s the case, then I would have to kick you to the curb.”

  “So, does that mean you’ll be my girl?”

  “I’ll let you know after the game.”

  “Can’t wait to game time then,” Cole said.

  17

  Cole and I were dancing to our own little tune as we talked to way past midnight. That night I fell asleep with a smile on my face but woke up groggy from lack of sleep.

  “Porsha, wake up,” my mom said, as she shook me a few times.

  “What time is it?” I asked, as I tried to retreat back under the covers.

  My mom wasn’t having it. She pulled the covers back. “If you stayed off the phone at night, you could get up.”

  Busted. How did she know? “I’m getting up, okay.”

  “Now. I have a lot of errands to run this morning.”

  “Can’t Dad take me?” I asked.

  “No. Now get your behind out of that bed, Porsha Marie.”

  I knew I was in trouble when my mama called me by my first and middle name. I got up and got dressed in less than thirty minutes.

  She was waiting for me near the front door when I made it downstairs. “Grab you a muffin because we don’t have time for you to eat cereal,” she said.

  I obeyed and then met her at the car. “Mom, I’ve been meaning to ask if I could have a sweet sixteen party.”

  “Dear, maybe we should table this for later.”

  “But it’s not my fault all of this mess is going on.” The rage inside of me was threatening to rear its ugly head.

  “Fine. You can have your party. We got you so spoiled,” she snapped.

  Right now my mom was like the “wicked witch of the south.” She should have been doing anything she could to make me happy, but no. She wanted to give me major attitude. It’s not my fault we were in this situation. It was all hers. I crossed my arms, leaned back in the seat and looked out the passenger window. I had another question to ask her, but didn’t want to. But I had to, so my friends and I could make our plans.

  “How many people can I invite, and can I have a theme?” I asked.

  “Look, I wasn’t going to tell you this, but since you keep asking all of these questions, your dad and I have already planned your sweet sixteen party.”

  A smile swept across my face. “Really, Mom? Why didn’t y’all tell me?” I forgot all about being mad at her.

  “It was supposed to be a surprise. But I just hadn’t had a chance to contact Danielle or Tara.”

  “Well, they’ve been bugging me about it because I’m the first out of all of us to turn sixteen.”

  “You can invite one hundred people. No more, you understand me. And Danielle and Tara are included in that hundred.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “One other thing, just
because we’re giving you your dream party, don’t think it means you’re not still responsible for cleaning your room and other chores.”

  “You’re the greatest, Mom.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  I could see a smile forming on her face.

  “Oh, no need to pick me up today. Danielle and I are going to the basketball game today after school.”

  “And when were you going to tell me?”

  “Like you said, with everything going on, I forgot.” I pouted. For a moment, I thought she was going to tell me I couldn’t go.

  Instead she said, “You know today’s the day Dion gets the DNA tests back.”

  How could I forget? “Yes. But that shouldn’t change whether or not I can go to the game.”

  “Go to the game. What time is it over, so your dad or I will be sure to come by to pick you up?”

  “Danielle’s cousin is picking us up,” I lied.

  “Which one of her cousins?” my mom asked.

  “I forget her name.” My eyes darted away. Since my mom was driving, she couldn’t look into my eyes to tell I was lying.

  “Just be home no later than ten o’clock, since it’s a Friday.”

  “But what about food? I know I’m going to be hungry. Can I get an extra hour so we can swing by and get us something to eat?” I pled.

  “Eleven o’clock. Not one minute after.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” I said, as she pulled up in front of my school. I now didn’t feel guilty about the change of clothes I had in my book bag that I hadn’t told my mom about. I knew she didn’t think I was going to wear this uniform to the game.

  I sent a text to Danielle and Tara while I was walking up the walkway to inform them of the party and the game. “Excuse me,” a screechy voice said, as I accidentally bumped into someone.

  My eyes were more on my phone than what was ahead, so I was in the wrong. I looked up, and it was Jasmine. “I’m sorry,” I said.

  “Next time watch where you’re going,” she snapped.

  “I said I was sorry. Dang!”

  “Whatever.” Jasmine rolled her eyes and then stormed in the opposite direction.

  I heard Jasmine’s friend Britney say, “Jasmine, she didn’t try to,” as she followed behind her.