Freshmen Fifteen (Love 101)

by J. Nichole

  Modeling in the mirror, I scrunch my nose at my wider hips and the muffin top that has started to form. “My clothes are getting a little tighter, but without a scale, I’m not sure how much weight I’ve gained. I need to end my affair with the cafeteria. The girls and I can sit in there for hours at a time.” And Chris has to stop feeding me every chance he gets.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure we watch your serving sizes while you’re home.” She closes her eyes and exhales. “I saw Mrs. Dupree the other day, and she said she saw you buying a pregnancy test.” Her eyes narrow and her voice is breathy. “Are you pregnant, Laila? Or did you think you could be?”

  Damn Mrs. Dupree. Grabbing my mom’s hand, I shake my head. “No, mom. I’m not pregnant.” Mrs. Dupree never fails, always talking too much.

  “Why were you buying a pregnancy test?”

  “It was for Tanya.”

  Smiling, my mom breathes a sigh of relief. “Oh thank God. She had me worried.”

  “Sorry you were worried.”

  “Maybe we should also cut back on your desserts.” She pinches my side.

  My mom can really throw down in the kitchen, but her desserts are definitely the crowd pleaser. “Maybe I can start running. I don’t want to miss out on the desserts. Besides, I need to make sure I’m in the kitchen with you this year to steal some of your recipes.”

  She winks at me and says, “After all these years you finally want to get in the kitchen. I wonder why?” We both laugh.

  “I’m headed to Tanya’s house. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

  After a tight squeeze, my mom whispers, “We need to catch up.”

  Driving across town to Tanya’s house, I realize not much has changed in Fort Walton Beach. As if a few months would be significant. In the past few years, the area hasn’t seen much growth. Now that I’ve been away, I’m not sure I want to return after graduation. After meeting all the different people on the Hill, I’d like to visit a few places before I decide where to live. I wonder what it’s like in Tennessee.

  When I pull up to Tanya’s house, there are a few extra cars in the driveway. Relatives, maybe?

  Josh answers the door when I knock and says, “Well if it isn’t Ms. Jackson. How are you?”

  “Hey Josh. Long time no see. I’m good. How are you?” I reach out to embrace him.

  He gives me a long hug, pausing before pulling away. “A long time indeed. Come on in.”

  Just as I step through the doorway, I hear Tanya’s contagious laugh. “Josh, stop staring!”

  After a double-take, I slowly walk towards Tanya. Goodness, she’s gained a lot of weight since Thanksgiving. Tanya’s nice shape is somewhere buried under all that cushion. It’s like someone inserted an air pump in her mouth and completely inflated her. Lord, she’s huge!

  “Tanya, good God, what happened?”

  “Goodness, Laila. It’s good to see you too, dear.”

  “I’m sorry, but I just saw you a few weeks ago. Did you eat the whole turkey after I left?”

  “Shut up, heffa! I am pregnant. What do you expect? Pregnancy isn’t as graceful as they make it seem in the movies.”

  “You ain’t never lied.” Stretching my arms wide I say, “Give me a hug big girl!”

  We both laugh and hug each other. Walking back to Tanya’s room, we pass her parents and I speak. I see a few other people in the room but don’t recognize them at first glance. I grab Tanya’s arm and whisper, “Tanya, who are the extra people in there with your parents?”

  She groans. “Girl, I told you my parents were trying to convince me to give the baby up for adoption. They invited those people over to meet me. They can’t have children and are looking to adopt.”

  “What? That’s unfortunate. How awkward is that? I thought your parents were supporting you in your decision to keep the baby.”

  “They were, until recently. It’s been really challenging, trying to work and go to school. My parents have been stressed out. A few weeks ago, they brought up the adoption idea again. With everything going on, I told them I’d consider it.”

  “Are you considering it? You seem like you may be a little confused.”

  “Laila, I don’t know what I’m going to do. But with each day, I grow more attached to the baby growing inside of me. It may be a struggle to have this baby and finish school, but I think I will regret not keeping the baby more than anything.” Tanya rubs her belly. “I’m sure the community college is nowhere as much fun as Lee.” She frowns. “And working? How’d you work while we were in high school? This shit is hard.”

  “Once you get your routine it won’t be as bad. Hopefully, you can get some help from Devon... or Randy … once the baby is here, so you won’t have to work as hard.”

  She rolls her eyes. “If I have to depend on Devon, I can count that idea out completely. In his world I don’t even exist, especially not with a baby.”

  “And what about Randy?”

  Her eyes gleam. “Let’s just hope this is his baby. He has been very supportive. I talk to him all the time, and we plan on seeing each other during the break. Enough about me and my jacked up situation. Tell me about Chris.”

  “We’re officially together now.” Tanya slaps me a high five. “And before we left, he cooked dinner for me, bathed me...”

  “What? He definitely sounds like a keeper.” She stares at me. “Did you give him some loving?”

  “No, not yet.”

  A knock at the door interrupts us. “Come in.” Tanya yells. Josh walks through the door.

  “Tanya, mom wants you to go out and speak to the Hendersons before they leave.”

  “I’ll be right back, Laila.”

  Josh leans against the door and smiles at me. “Laila, did I hear you talking about a guy just now?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact you did. His name is Chris, my boyfriend.”

  Josh looks as if my words were a slap in the face. He gives me a blank stare before responding. “Wow, boyfriend? Already? The first semester just ended.”

  I tease him a bit and say, “A girl couldn’t wait around on you forever.”

  Josh shrugs his shoulders. “If only I knew my time was expiring. I would have expedited my game.”

  My eyes widen. “Hmmm,” I whisper.

  “You had to know I was feeling you. It just wasn’t the right time. I couldn’t approach you while you were still in high school. Then when you graduated and I was single, it was the perfect time, but all this happened with my sister and it caught me off guard.”

  “Actually, Josh. I had no idea. You’ve always played cool, like I was your little sister. I didn’t realize I ever crossed your mind.”

  “The morning after your graduation night, in the hall. You didn’t know then?”

  Before I can respond, Tanya walks in the room. “What are you talking about?”

  Josh glances at me, then at his sister. “Nothing important now. Laila was just telling me she has a boyfriend.”

  To dig the dagger even deeper, Tanya responds to Josh as if she knows he is hurt. “Yes, and Chris seems like a really decent guy. Nothing like the jerks we’ve been dealing with in the past.”

  “On that note, I’ll leave you ladies here. Laila, before you leave out stop by my room.”

  “Will do.”

  Tanya rolls her eyes. “Josh had all the time in the world to get with you. Why wait until now? Just like a man, always want what they can’t have.”

  “It’s the thrill of the chase.” If Josh had told me he was attracted to me a few months ago, I would have given him all my attention. But now, with Chris in the picture, Josh doesn’t have much of a chance.

  “Anyway. I really feel bad for Mrs. Henderson. Could you imagine being married, wanting a child, and not being able to have kids?”

  “It’s crazy how things work out. Those who want kids and are in the position to have them can’t. Those who aren’t ready to have them, do.”

  “I guess you’re right.” Tanya’s eyes
begin to gloss over and she stares off into space.

  Maybe Tanya should consider giving up the baby for adoption. I could never tell her that. She needs my support.

  “What are you craving these days? We’ll have to go out and feed the baby this week.”

  “Funny you say that. I was just sitting here thinking how much I would like a chili dog from Sonic.”

  “That’s not as crazy as I thought it would be. I was thinking you would say something like pickles with peanut butter.”

  Tanya gives me a strange look. “Laila, have you been gone that long? You must have forgotten I don’t even eat hot dogs! To crave a chili dog, for me, that is definitely out of the ordinary.”

  I laugh. “You’re right, I forgot all about that. I remember you telling me about the hot dog making process and how much it disgusted you.”

  “And even with you reminding me, it still sounds so good right now!”

  “Come on fat girl, let me take you to Sonic.”

  While Tanya gets herself together, I walk over to Josh’s room to let him know I’m leaving out. I knock on his door, and he tells me to come in.

  “I’m headed out. I’m going to take your sister to Sonic for a chili dog. I’ll catch up with you next time I’m over.”

  “Before you go, I’m serious about what I said. How about you consider letting me take you on a date while we are home.”

  A date. With Josh? Completely out of the question. I would be devastated if Chris went out on a date with a girl while he was home. I owe him the same respect.

  “I can’t do that, Josh. I appreciate the offer though.”

  “Too little too late, huh?”

  Frowning, I nod my head. “Something like that.” After taking a good look at Josh, I turn and walk out of his room. He’s still a sexy beast.

  “Okay fat girl, ready to go?”

  Tanya rolls her neck. “Fat, but fabulous. Get it right.” As she waddles towards me, she points her finger in the air. “You know, I always knew Josh had a thing for you.”

  “You did? Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I thought it would be weird if you two dated. Then he was in love with the girl from A&T, you were with Travis. I just didn’t think he would act on it.”

  “Looks like timing still isn’t on our side.” Will it ever be? Hopefully Chris will be around for a while.

  Driving to Sonic, I hear Tanya talking, but I can’t listen to what she is saying. Should I even be thinking about Josh? Maybe I said yes to Chris too soon.

  “—They think he is a snitch.”

  I turn to Tanya with a blank stare. “Who’s a snitch?”

  She throws her hands in the air. “Have you been listening?”

  I avoid looking at her and laugh.

  “Let me start over. Obviously, you missed my spill. Most of Devon and Travis’ friends have been locked up in the past couple of weeks. But Devon is still out, and the word on the street is he is a snitch since he isn’t in jail.”

  “Can you believe we used to be caught up in their world?”

  Tanya sighs. “You used to be caught up, but I could still very well be a part of that mess.”

  “Tanya, are you hoping that Randy is your baby daddy?”

  She laughs. “To be honest? I do. Even if we aren’t in a relationship, I think Randy will be a better father. Emotionally, he has been here for me. I would just hate for him to have this huge responsibility.”

  “Randy is a good guy. As long as you two have an understanding up front, then you should be able to make it work. You wouldn’t expect him to leave L.U., would you?”

  “Never. I would expect him to finish school. No sense in both of us going to community college.”

  We pull up to Sonic and order chili dogs and strawberry limeades.

  “Tell me more about Chris. Have you heard from him much since you’ve been home?”

  “Actually I have, more than I expected. He’s leaving tomorrow to go home, to Tennessee. Hopefully on his way back to L.U. he will stop through and pick me up.”

  Tanya looks shocked and says, “You mean Mr. Jackson is going to allow someone to drive his baby back to school?”

  “I’m hoping so. He’ll have to let me grow up one day.”

  Tanya and I finish our food and I drop her off at her house, then head home to spend some time with my mom.

  I catch my mom in the middle of a Lifetime movie. I sit beside her on the couch. “What’s this about?”

  “The usual, a wife hires a private investigator to follow her cheating husband.”

  “Cheating husbands, pregnant teens, or missing people. The Lifetime lineup.” I laugh.

  During the commercial, my mom perks up. “Tomorrow we are going to the early morning service. Then after, we’ll go eat brunch with a few people from the church.” I miss First Baptist, especially the members.

  “Sounds good. I wonder if anyone from school will be there.”

  “Should be a few kids home from college.”

  Eager to learn my mom’s recipes, I go to the kitchen and rummage through the pantry. From the kitchen I yell, “Mom, do you feel like baking today?”

  “Sure. Do you want to bake some cookies?”

  “Sounds good to me!” Actually, that’s perfect. “Is Nick coming over today? I haven’t talked to him as much in the past few weeks.”

  “I haven’t talked to him today. I believe he’ll be going to church with us in the morning.”

  Pulling out the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies, I take note of each in my phone. Intently, I watch as my mom begins to mix everything together.

  “Plan on making these for someone special?”

  I shrug my shoulders. “Maybe.”

  She throws the cookies in the oven. The smell starts to fill the house. A few minutes later, my dad emerges from the office, smiling.

  “I’ve always loved being married to my very own Betty Crocker.” My dad winks at my mom and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “How was your visit with Tanya?”

  “She’s huge! My goodness … since the last time I saw her she’s had to gain at least twenty pounds.”

  My mom’s eyes bulge. “Wow. She better slow down. She still has a few months to go.”

  “Right. Oh, and her parents invited a couple over that want to adopt the baby.”

  My dad looks confused. “I thought she was keeping the baby.”

  “She doesn’t know what she wants to do, really.”

  Pulling the cookies out of the oven my mom looks at me. “She’ll figure it out soon.”

  My phone rings, and it’s Chris. “I’ll be right back.”

  My dad groans. “That serious you have to talk in a different room?”

  Walking away, I chuckle. “Hey, Chris, how are you?”

  “I’m good. Missing my girlfriend. I wanted to talk to you before I left for graduation.” The goofiest grin creeps up on my face.

  “I miss you too. I’m relaxing with my mom now. Just finished baking some cookies actually.”

  “Do you think you could save me a few?”

  “I definitely could. They may not be too fresh in a few weeks though. I’m sure I could bake you a fresh batch.”

  “Or I could stop by tomorrow to pick them up.”

  My heart skips a beat. “Don’t tease me, Chris.”

  “I’m not teasing you. I can pass through Fort Walton Beach on my way home. Maybe, if I can meet your parents now they won’t have a difficult time letting you ride back with me.”

  “You have a point. I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing you tomorrow.” Of course, if he stops by, he will be meeting my brother too. That could be a lot of pressure. I’m sure my brother and dad will give him the third degree.

  “Consider it done. Text me your address. If I come early, will I be imposing? Did you have plans tomorrow?”

  “Actually, we are going to church, then to brunch. You are more than welcome to join us.”

  “No doubt. I’ll wear my church cl
othes. What time does service start?”

  “We are going to the early service, nine o’clock. Is that too early? I know tonight will probably be a late night for you.”

  “Whoa, yeah nine o’clock will be early. Maybe I can make it in time for brunch. If not, I’ll be there shortly after. Now make sure you save my cookies.”

  I laugh to myself. He has no idea how I’ll be saving his cookies. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll text you my address. Be safe tonight, okay?”

  “Will do, babe. I’ll talk to you in the morning. Enjoy your evening.”

  Chris has just made my night. I can definitely get used to this treatment. I hurry back to the kitchen to tell my parents about Chris’ plans.

  My parents exchange a look and then my mom gently smiles. “Laila, that’s good.” She looks at my dad again. “Do not give him a hard time.”

  My dad looks between the two of us. “No promises.”

  Chapter 22

  “I’m glad your dad trusted me enough to bring you back to campus.”

  “He did give you the third degree. He knows your life story now.”

  Ever been arrested? Are your parents still married? How many serious relationships have you been in? What do you plan on doing after college? My dad and brother really gave him the business. Chris handled himself well though, hardly broke a sweat.

  “Yeah.” Chris looks at me and smiles. “I was waiting on him or your brother to ask me for my social security number so they could do a background check.”

  “Ha ha ha. At least my mom was pleasant. Right?”

  Grabbing a cookie that my mom packed for us, he grins. “She was, and this tin of cookies is perfect. Did you learn a few things while you were home?”

  I look away. “What makes you think she had to teach me?”

  “You aren’t the best liar, Laila.”

  Blushing, I look at Chris and pout my lips. “Okay you got me. I don’t frequent the kitchen.”

  “Good thing you are intelligent. Although sexy as hell, your looks can only get you so far.”

  “Is that right?” Too bad I failed Biology. “What else do I have to offer, because according to my report card, I may not be ranking high on the intelligence scale.”