Give Me Fever
Page 24
“Chantay, you are too silly! I haven’t thought about that line since we left high school.” Gwen, Chantay, and a couple other misfits used to substitute his first name in Ready for the World’s hit, “Oh Sheila.” Chantay would hum it as he passed in the halls and the other girls would break into hysterical laughter, making them all look like fools.
“That is the single welcome surprise I’ve had these past few weeks—that Adam is the principal at Sienna. Can you believe it?” Gwen said.
“No, because I never thought a brothah with that much weight in his lower head would have any brains in his upper one.”
“Well, there’s that, but even more, the fact that he’s back living in our hometown. After being such a standout at Texas A and M and going on to play for the Cowboys? I guess a lot happened to him since he was sidelined with an injury and forced to retire early.”
“I can’t believe his wife would agree to move back to such a Podunk town. She looks too hoity-toity for Smallville, but I only saw her one time on TV,” Chantay said.
“They’re divorced.”
“What? Girl, stop!”
“Yep, he told me that when we talked. He was nice actually, not the cocky, arrogant Adam I remember. He wouldn’t admit it, but I know he’s the reason why my getting this post is, to use his words, ‘in the bag.’”
“Don’t give him too much credit, Gwen. You’re a first-rate teacher, and it’s not like our town has to beat off qualified educators with sticks.”
“Maybe, but the way everything happened…I’m just happy to know I have a job secured, or at least I will after my interview next week. Mama has some money saved up, but that’s all going into her assisted living expenses. I still need to support myself, and pay half the mortgage on the condo until it’s sold.”
“How’s Miss Lorraine doing?”
Gwen shrugged. “Mama’s about the same, I guess.”
“Isn’t she a bit young for what the doctors say is happening to her?”
“From what I’ve learned, not really. The disease usually comes with aging, but can actually occur at any time, from a variety of causes. It’s usually given a different name when it occurs in someone, say, under fifty-five. But whatever the title, the results are the same—a long-term decline in cognitive function.”
“Just be glad she’s still here,” Chantay replied. “You can always hug her, whether she knows you or not.”
“Oh, she recognizes everybody, and remembers more than she lets on, I’m thinking. But I hear what you’re saying, Chantay, and I’m grateful.”
They were silent a moment before Chantay changed the subject. “Joe’s a lowlife. He could have stayed in the condo and split the rent with the fool he’s sleeping with until somebody bought it. He’s just an asshole.”
“That would have been too much like right. But it is what it is. Don’t get me re-pissed about it.”
Chantay started humming “Oh Sheila.” “Wouldn’t it be ironic if you moved back to town and snagged its star player after all these years? Now, we’ll have to give your dated butt a makeover, but by the time I’m done with you…you’ll move over all those other silicone-stuffed heifas in town.”
“I wonder who else from our class still lives there.”
“Girl, it don’t even matter. Keep your eye on the prize.” Chantay shot another sideways look at her friend. “Um-hmm. If it’s Adam Johnson you want—trust, I can help you get him.”
Gwen had thought about Adam, and what a nice balm he might be for the hurt Joe had caused her. Not that she’d get into anything serious right away. It would be months before the divorce came up on the backlogged Illinois court docket and was finalized. But since speaking to Adam, she’d fantasized a time or two about the heartthrob she remembered: tall, lanky, chocolate, strong, with bedroom eyes and a Jheri curl that brushed his shoulders. She never dreamed she’d get another chance with someone like Adam. But as she’d learned all too painfully in the past few months—life was full of surprises.
DAFINA BOOKS are published by
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New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2010 by Niobia Bryant
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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ISBN: 978-0-7582-6006-2
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