“Sweetie,” Linda interjected, “no one wants you to change who you are, but there’s a time and a place for everything. Unfortunately, you have to earn respect, and wearing hip-hop clothes, going off on people, and going to clubs is not the way to do it.”
“How’d you know about the club?”
Suzanne laughed. “Girl, you know how your people are. We heard about the club probably before you even left the club.”
Rachel was so embarrassed, but she said gently, “I don’t understand what the big deal is about having a little fun. I didn’t get drunk, or dance provocatively, or anything like that.”
“I hate to tell you, Rachel, but there is something wrong with that. It’s like you said, you’re young, not only in age, but in your walk with God,” Donna added. “Ask yourself, as a role model in the church, do you think you hanging out at the club is pleasing in God’s eyes?”
Rachel didn’t respond. She was definitely starting to feel bad, but Donna reached over and gently touched her hand. “But don’t feel bad. Just learn from it, grow from it. We’ve all done and said things over the years we wish we could take back.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” several people muttered as laughter rippled through the room.
“While no one suggests that you lose yourself, you do need to elevate yourself. Sometimes that may mean walking away from a confrontation,” Linda continued. Her voice was so gentle that Rachel didn’t take offense.
“Sometimes it may mean leaving the Baby Phat and the Apple Bottoms on the rack in the store,” Sister Murray added.
Several people shook their heads at her.
“What? She walked up in here looking like JLo.” Sister Murray shot a look like she meant every word she was saying.
“I hope you don’t get offended by anything we tell you, but we’re all here to help each other grow,” Dorothy said, cutting her eyes at Sister Murray again.
Rachel looked down, surprised that she wasn’t upset. Actually, she was starting to wonder if Sister Murray had a point. Rachel didn’t want to lose herself, but at the same time, she did want to change some things about herself.
“No, ladies, I really appreciate your honesty,” she said. They’d given her a lot to think about.
“So does that mean you’ll be back?” Donna asked.
“Most definitely.” Rachel finally smiled.
“Amen. That’s what I like to hear. Well, until next time, sisters,” Dorothy said. “Meeting is adjourned.”
Chapter 16
Jonathan drove up to his father’s house. He really was in no mood to deal with anyone. He hadn’t been right since his confrontation with Angela two days ago. He wished David could’ve taken their father to his doctor’s appointment, but—of course—David “had something else to do,” so as usual, the burden fell on him. Normally, he didn’t mind. Today, though, he was just in a foul mood.
Jonathan slowed down, then pulled into the driveway. David was standing in front of the house arguing with a scraggly looking woman. She kept trying to put her arms around him and he kept pushing her away.
Jonathan stepped out of his car. As he got closer, he realized that the woman was David’s ex-girlfriend, Tawny. She looked like she was at least eight months’ pregnant.
“What’s up, Tawny?” Jonathan said as he walked up to them. She didn’t speak and instead lowered her eyes and started rubbing her arms nervously. It was obvious that she was high. “Tawny, what are you doing? Are you still doin’ drugs while you’re pregnant?”
David pursed his lips. Jonathan could tell his brother was furious. “Jon, man. Go on in the house. I got this.”
Jonathan wanted to say more, but the sight of Tawny standing there in a tattered flowered dress, which—despite her pregnancy—swallowed her body, black leggings, and house shoes was absolutely heartbreaking.
He shook his head as he walked in the house. He noticed the open living room window, and although he knew he shouldn’t eavesdrop on his brother, Jonathan tossed his car keys on the table and eased onto the sofa so he could hear the conversation outside.
“Tawny, I can’t believe you’re doing this,” David said.
“Oh, quit trippin’,” Tawny whined. “Just gimme some money.”
“I am not giving you any money. You disappear for four months. I didn’t know if you were dead or alive.”
“Well, you the one broke up with me.”
“Because you won’t leave the drugs alone. I told you I’m not with that anymore.” David sighed and pointed at her stomach. “And when you come back, you come back pregnant? And still getting high?”
Tawny let out an exasperated sigh. “Please don’t start with that mess. Just ’cause you done went and got all holy on me, don’t make you Jesus’ personal assistant or nothing.”
It was David’s turn to sigh. “Have you even been to the doctor?”
“Why you asking all these questions? I guess you wanna know is it your baby, too.”
“Is it?”
“Awww, no you didn’t!”
Jonathan couldn’t see Tawny but he knew she was wiggling her neck, about to go off. Tawny was a wild child if he’d ever seen one; the best thing David had ever done was let her go.
“Tawny, I can’t do this with you.” He sounded like he was completely stressed out.
“Well, just gimme some money and then call me Casper.” She laughed at her own corny joke.
David hesitated. “Tell you what. Meet me at the Houston Women’s Clinic tomorrow at eleven. After we do a checkup, I’ll give you some money.”
Jonathan hoped his brother was lying because any money he gave Tawny was going straight to Big Don, the neighborhood drug dealer. The sad part was that, from what his brother had told him, Tawny used to be a beautiful woman who was headed places. Until she hooked up with a drug dealer who got her strung out.
At their mother’s deathbed, David had promised Loretta he would get clean. As far as Jonathan knew, he’d kept that promise. David had tried to stay with Tawny, but it had just proven to be too difficult.
“Come on, David. Gimme some money,” Tawny pleaded.
“Tomorrow, Tawny. That’s it.”
“How much you gon’ give me?”
“Just be there at eleven o’clock and you’ll see.” With that, David came into the house. He didn’t even notice Jonathan as he stormed upstairs to his room.
Jonathan didn’t think as he jumped up and raced outside to follow Tawny, who was headed up the sidewalk, bobbing her head to some imaginary music.
“Tawny, wait up,” Jonathan called.
Tawny spun around and flashed a cheesy grin. “What’s crack-a-lackin’, brotha-in-law?” She seemed in a much better mood now that she knew she was getting some money.
Jonathan wanted to tell her she was the only thing “crackin’ ” around here. Instead, he said, “I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”
“I’m as straight as fish grease.”
He had no idea what that meant but nodded anyway.
“Let me hold forty dollars,” she quickly said. “I’m about to hit a lick and I’ll pay you back.”
“I’m broke, Tawny,” he said, patting his pockets.
She walked closer to him. “Awww, come on. I’ll hook you up real good.” She rubbed her hands up and down her body as she wiggled her hips. “I know your brother done told you about all this here. Don’t fight it. You know you want it. Fifty dollars.”
Jonathan tried to keep down the bile rising in his throat. “Ummm, I think I’ll pass.”
Tawny frowned. “Oh, yeah. That’s right, you funny. Well, look here, you can do me in the butt. Seventy-five dollars. You can even call me Frank or something. I don’t care.”
Jonathan shook his head, trying not to go off on her silly behind. “Tawny, I just wanted to check on you. With you expecting and all, I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”
She smiled again as she rubbed her stomach. “Yeah, David’s gon’ be a daddy.”
Jonathan knew he needed to tread lightly, but he had to ask. “Are you sure? I mean…I thought you and David broke up a while ago.”
She spread her legs and slapped her hands on her hips. “And? David came tiptoeing back around me. I know it’s his because I wasn’t with anybody else the week I got pregnant. So there.”
Jonathan nodded. “Well, are you taking care of yourself?”
“Who are you? Dr. Spock? Dang, you and your brother ’bout to work my nerves.” She turned and started walking off. “You gon’ make me miss my bus. Tell David I’ll see him tomorrow. Tell him I ain’t playing with him neither. He betta have some money.”
Jonathan shook his head as she walked off. He couldn’t help but think how students should be required to spend a day with people like Tawny. That would be a sure way to prevent drug abuse.
Chapter 17
Jonathan fiddled with a magazine as he waited for his father outside the doctor’s office.
“So, how’d it go?” he asked as Simon walked out.
“As well as can be expected.” Simon kept walking. Jonathan knew his father wouldn’t say much else. He’d revealed the fact that he had prostate cancer, promised to get treatment, and then refused to talk about it anymore. The only thing he would say was that if it was his time to go, it was just his time to go.
“So, have you made any contact with Angela?” Simon asked once they were in the car and heading home.
Jonathan sighed. “Naw, she just doesn’t want to have anything to do with me.” He paused. “Can I ask you something? Do you think I’m wrong for wanting to see my son?”
Simon shifted uncomfortably in the passenger seat. “Jonathan, you know I have issues with your lifestyle. Always have. Always will.”
Jonathan nodded.
“But,” Simon continued, “that is your child. And I can’t condone Angela keeping you from him. I understand the girl being hurt. But it’s been seven years. Time to let past hurts heal.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more, Dad.” Jonathan pulled onto the freeway. “Let’s just hope a judge agrees with you as well.”
They rode in silence the rest of the way home.
“You coming in?” Simon asked as they pulled up in front of his house.
Jonathan debated whether he should go inside. But then he realized that he had nothing to rush home for. “Sure, why not?”
They made their way inside and found David at Simon’s desk, vigorously punching in numbers on a calculator.
“Boy, what are you doing?” Simon asked.
David looked up, like they’d broken his deep concentration. “Oh, I’m just trying to figure some stuff out.”
Simon walked over to the desk. “Figure what out?” He looked down at the paper David had been writing on. “What’s this?”
“Nothing.” David tried to snatch it back, but Simon moved it out of the way.
“Rent. Utilities,” he read. “You finally moving?” David didn’t respond as Simon turned his attention back to the paper. “Day care? What in the world?”
David stood up and with a firm voice announced, “I’m getting my child.”
“Excuse me?” Jonathan said.
“I said, I’m getting my son. I’m going to raise him.”
Simon looked at David like he was crazy. “And how, pray tell, are you going to do that?”
“It ain’t like I’ll be the first single father in the country.” He threw his pen down defiantly. “You ain’t gotta believe I can do this. Ain’t nobody gotta believe it. As long as I believe it, I can do it.”
“What are you, a Nike commercial now?” Jonathan said.
“Man, it ain’t like I got much choice,” David replied.
Jonathan shook his head in disbelief. “Shouldn’t you even wait and make sure the baby is yours?”
“It is mine. I know exactly when it happened.”
Jonathan shrugged. “Well, I’m just saying. How are you going to take care of a child?”
“The best way I know how. I don’t have a choice, Jon. Tawny can’t do it. I have to man up.”
David glanced at his father like he was expecting him to say something smart.
Instead, Simon stood there with a smile on his face. “Son, I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of you.”
Jonathan thought about what David was saying. Why was he giving him a hard time about doing the right thing? He finally smiled at his brother as well. No matter how far-fetched the idea was, David’s heart was in the right place, and Jonathan couldn’t help it—he had never been more proud of his brother either.
Chapter 18
Rachel moved the chair back into place. She had just finished preparing for a meeting with her youth group, The Good Girlz. She’d started the group six months ago to work with wayward teen girls and help them walk the right path. They did a lot of community service activities, like volunteering at the senior citizens’ center and mentoring younger girls. In addition, she’d found helping the girls in the small group to be very therapeutic for herself since she’d had such a drama-filled teenage life.
Tonight, the girls were watching a film on building self-esteem. Some sorority girls from the AKA chapter at Texas Southern University were also coming by to make a presentation on the topic. Everyone, Rachel included, was pretty excited about it.
Rachel had gotten everything together and still had a good three hours or so before tonight’s meeting. “Just enough time to run home and take a quick nap,” she mumbled to herself as she turned off the light in the conference room.
Rachel called Twyla as soon as she got in the car to remind her that she’d agreed to come to church Sunday. Since she didn’t have any real friends at church, Rachel had been trying to get Twyla more involved at Zion Hill. Twyla had joined about six months ago, but she hadn’t done much except come to service, and even that was sporadic.
She’d just hung up after leaving Twyla a message when her cell phone rang. She looked at the number and couldn’t place it. She debated answering, then decided to go ahead. “Hello, this is Rachel.”
“Mrs. Adams?”
“Yes, this is she.”
“This is Mrs. Ward, the principal at Jordan’s school. Can you come up to the school right away? Jordan has been suspended for fighting.”
“Fighting!” Rachel wanted to scream. That boy was going to drive her insane.
“Yes, and Mrs. Adams, this may be the last straw. We can’t continue to have these discipline and academic problems with Jordan.” The woman sounded completely exasperated.
“I’m on my way.” Rachel pressed the End button on her phone. This was her fifth call from Jordan’s school in the last three weeks. Once for fighting. Another for getting smart with his teacher. Twice for not doing his homework. Rachel was at her wits’ end. She immediately dialed Lester’s number and felt her blood boil when it went straight to his voice mail. She hadn’t heard from him all day. She knew he was at some church conference in Galveston, but at least he could answer his phone at some point. She left a short message.
“This is just a repeat of my daddy!” Rachel snapped as she threw the phone down onto the passenger seat. Growing up, one of the things she’d hated most about her father was the fact that he was always off on some church business. Now here was her husband doing the same thing.
Rachel’s phone rang and she snatched it up, hoping it was her husband. “Lester?” she said, not bothering with the caller ID.
“Umm, no. It’s Bobby.”
Rachel rubbed her temples. “What’s going on, Bobby?” She wasn’t in the mood to deal with him right now.
“You tell me. Jordan called me and said he’s been suspended.”
“He called you?”
“He asked me to come get him.”
She let out a long sigh.
“Rachel, what is going on? I mean, he seemed fine last time I had him. This is getting ridiculous,” Bobby said.
Rachel had been trying her best to hold it i
n, but she couldn’t help it; she felt the tears begin to form. “Bobby, I don’t know what’s wrong with that boy. He is driving me crazy!”
“I know you said you’d been having problems, but I didn’t know it was this bad.”
“Well, it is.”
“Look, are you on your way to the school?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
Rachel wiped her eyes in relief. “Okay.”
Twenty minutes later, both Rachel and Bobby were sitting in Mrs. Ward’s office. A bruised-up Jordan was sitting in the corner, a scowl on his face.
“I’m sure you can understand our position. This is Jordan’s third major infraction, in addition to all the minor ones. We simply cannot allow him to remain at the Rice Academy.”
Rachel glared at Jordan. They had paid all this money for him to go to this exclusive private school and he was over here acting a fool.
“It is our suggestion that he be placed in an alternative learning center until he gets his behavior under control,” Mrs. Ward said.
Bobby looked stunned.
“Mrs. Ward, on behalf of my son, let me apologize,” Rachel said. “I want to thank you for your trouble.” She stood and shook Mrs. Ward’s hand. The matronly principal gave her a sympathetic look before returning her handshake.
They had barely made it to the parking lot before Rachel spun on Jordan. “Boy, what is your problem?”
Jordan just shrugged.
“I ought to beat the living daylights out of you!”
Bobby caught her arm and pulled her back.
“Rachel, chill. You’re in the middle of the parking lot at his school,” Bobby said.
“I don’t care! As God is my witness, I’m gon’ hurt this child.” Rachel’s chest was heaving. It was a good thing Bobby grabbed her because if she had struck Jordan once, she probably wouldn’t have stopped.
“Look here, I have an idea. Why don’t we let Jordan stay with me a couple of days while we try to figure this out? Maybe I can talk to him and see what the problem is,” Bobby suggested. Jordan’s eyes seemed to light up at that idea.
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