“I know, Dad, and I wouldn’t ask to be excused if it wasn’t important to me.”
“Okay. So, did you make other plans or something?”
“Something like that,” Jr. said, trying to contain his smile from breaking through. Frank Sr. cocked his head. It only took him a fraction of a second to realize what was going on.
“What’s her name?”
“Huh?”
“You heard me. What’s her name? I can’t think of any other reason that you would blow off game night other than a girl.”
Frank Jr. blushed. He didn’t think that his father was going to figure it out before he’d had a chance to tell him, but he was wrong. He could no longer hold his emotions as a large grin pushed through.
“Kisha.”
“Kisha, huh?”
“Yep.”
“Well, you must like her a lot to let her come on between the family.”
“What? Oh come on Dad. I’m not letting anyone come––”
“I’m just teasing with you son,” Frank said laughing. “I guess you’re gonna need some money, huh?”
“Well, now that you mention it, I could use a few bucks.”
“I’m sure you can,” Frank said, reaching into his back pocket for his wallet. After taking it out, he opened it up and took out two crispy twenty-dollar bills.
“Here you go son. Have a good time.” Frank Jr. smiled as he reached for the money. Just as he grabbed it, his father tightened his grip on the cash.
“Don’t make this a habit. From now on, you and this Kisha girl will have to go to the movies on Saturday. Sunday’s are reserved for me, you, and your sister. Got it?” Frank asked with a serious look on his face.
“I got it Dad. And thanks for the money.”
“No problem. What theatre are y’all going to?”
“The one at Richmond Mall.”
“What time?”
“I’m supposed to meet her at five thirty.”
“And just how do you plan on getting there.”
“I was planning on catching the bus.”
Frank rubbed his chin.
“The bus, huh? You know what? I’ll run you up there.”
“Cool Dad! Thanks!”
“No problem,” Frank said, checking the time on his watch. “You’d better go get ready. You only have an hour.”
Frank Jr. gave his father a tight hug and headed back up the stairs. His right foot had just touched the bottom step when a thought he’d had for the last six months crossed his mind. He hadn’t brought it to his father yet, but in light of what they had just discussed, he felt that it was the right time to do so.
“You know Dad. I was just thinking. Maybe it’s time you found someone to start going out with.”
The comment nearly knocked Frank Sr. to the floor. “What did you just say??”
“No disrespect to Mom, but maybe it’s time you started living your life again. I know that you and Rhonda have all this faith that a higher power will miraculously heal Mom, but I just don’t believe it. Maybe it’s time for you to move on.”
Since he never turned back around, Frank couldn’t see his son’s face. The way his voice had broken, however, he had no doubt that his son had shed a few tears. Frank was speechless. Neither of his kids had ever expressed any interest in him moving on. Apparently, his son had noticed something that he himself hadn’t. Frank appreciated his son’s concern for him. But there was just one problem.
He wasn’t ready to move on.
15
The car had barely come to a stop before Frank Jr. was reaching for the door.
“Boy what in the world is wrong with you? You can’t wait until the car comes to a stop first?” his father asked.
“Oh, sorry Dad.”
“How long is this movie?”
“About two hours.”
“Okay. I’ll be back up here to pick you up at eight o’clock. See if your girlfriend has a ride home. If she doesn’t, tell her that I’ll be happy to give her one.”
“Girlfriend? Yeah, right. That ain’t none of his girlfriend,” Rhonda spat.
“You don’t know that. Mind your own business, heifer!” Frank Jr. insulted his sister.
“Hey! Cut that out!” Frank yelled.
“Heifer? The heifer’s the one standing out there waiting on you?” Rhonda shot back.
“Hey!! That’s enough!” Frank screamed. “Jr., get your ass out of this car and go on your date!”
Frank Jr. shot Rhonda a nasty look before getting out of the car. When Frank looked back at his daughter to chastise her, he noticed that she was staring out the window. He followed her line of sight and saw that she and the young lady he assumed to be Frank Jr.’s date staring daggers at each other. Before Rhonda could even think about rolling down the window and embarrassing them, he pulled off.
“You want to tell me what that was all about?” he asked her.
“I can’t stand that tramp.”
“Why not?”
“I just can’t.”
“Teenagers,” Frank mumbled to himself.
Frank Jr. watched as his father pulled out of the mall’s parking lot. Slowly he turned to Kisha and looked into her eyes.
“Okay, what’s going on with you and my sister?”
“What do you mean?”
“I saw the way you two looked at each other when I got out of the car. Plus, when we were on the phone earlier, and I mentioned your name, she flipped out. So like I said, what’s up with you and my sister?”
Kisha took a deep breath and smiled. She liked Frank Jr. and was not about to let the prior disagreement with Rhonda mess that up.
“Look, Frank, nothing is going on with me and your sister. Just a little disagreement we had a few months ago. Now, let’s go in here and enjoy this movie.”
Kisha then did something that Frank Jr. never expected. She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. He was so shocked that he was speechless. He didn’t know what the disagreement between Kisha and Rhonda was about, but whatever his sister’s problem was, she was just going to have to get over it because he wasn’t about to stop seeing Kisha. The two of them walked hand in hand as they entered the movie theatre. Occasionally, one would glance at the other. They continued to make goo-goo eyes at each other as they walked to the concession stand.
“Are you still going to buy me some popcorn?” Kisha asked, batting her eye lashes.
“Stop trying to butter me up.”
“Butter you up?”
“Yeah, butter me up.”
“Whatever. Ain’t nobody trying to butter you up. But, hey, if you don’t want to stick to your word––”
“Hey, I promised you popcorn, so I’m going to buy you popcorn.”
After reaching into his pocket and taking out the money his father had given him, Frank Jr. paid for a large tub of popcorn and two large sodas. Being the chivalrous young man that his father taught him to be, he carried the popcorn and the drinks.
“Open wide,” Kisha said as she grabbed a few of the kernels and popped them into his mouth. The two of them were just getting ready to go into the movie when someone spoke to them from behind.
“Ah, ain’t that sweet.”
When Frank Jr. and Kisha turned around, they came face to face with Kisha’s ex-boyfriend, Harold. Harold was a first-class jerk who’d gotten mad at Kisha because she’d refused to put out. He was known around the school as a lady’s man, so when he struck out with Kisha, it hurt his pride. Instead of sucking it up like a man and moving on, Harold decided to tarnish Kisha’s reputation by claiming that the two of them had been intimate. When Kisha found out, she went ballistic and dumped him. He’d been bitter ever since.
“Oh my God! Harold, are you following me?”
“Now why in the hell would I be following you? You’re old news.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Old . . . news!”
Frank Jr. looked at Harold and then at Kisha. “Look here, my d
ude. I don’t know how you two know each other, and I really don’t care. But if you want to have a conversation with her, I suggest you do it on your time because right now, you’re infringing on mine.”
“What you say bro?” Harold said, taking a step toward Jr. Not one to back down, Frank Jr. stepped forward to meet him.
“You heard what I said.”
“Okay, hold up,” Kisha said, stepping between them. “Look Harold, you can call me whatever you want to call me. The fact of the matter is that you and I are over, and I’d appreciate it if you’d stop stalking me.”
“Stalking you? Girl, please! Ain’t nobody stalking your ass.”
“Yo’, man. You’d better stop talking to her like that,” Frank Jr. said, balling up his fists.
“And what if I don’t, punk? What are you going to do about it?”
“Hey, is there a problem over here?” a large security guard asked walking over to them. Frank Jr. and Harold continued to stare at each other, neither one willing to back down.
“Yes sir, there is a problem. Me and my friend are trying to go see a movie, but this clown here keeps bothering us,” Kisha said.
The guard looked at Harold and could tell right off the bat that he was a troublemaker. His shifty eyes and sinister smirk all but said so.
“You two. Go on in and see your movie,” he said to Frank Jr. and Kisha. He then turned to Harold.
“Do you have a ticket to see the movie, young man?”
Harold thought about lying but knew if he did, the guard would probably ask him to produce a ticket, which he didn’t have. He’d come into the theatre for the sole purpose of causing trouble.
“Nah, I don’t.”
“Then you have no business being in here. Let’s go,” the guard said, ushering Harold out of the theatre.
16
The morning light was just starting to break through. Except for two people engaged in a fierce foot race, Euclid Creek was completely empty at this time of the day. It was the perfect scenario for the couple to settle this debate once and for all. No one would be in the way. They themselves weren’t even supposed to be there. Because of construction work being done, Euclid Creek, which normally opened at eight o’clock in the morning, was now opening at nine. Since the two of them had thrown caution to the wind and went there at eight anyway, there would be no other distractions.
Serena’s legs pumped up and down as she struggled to keep up with her boyfriend Mark. Sweat ran down the middle of her forehead. She inhaled and exhaled sharply, simply refusing to allow him to defeat her. It started out as an innocent challenge. Both of them had run track in high school, so naturally, they both thought they could still compete at a high level. Since they were only competing against each other and not an athlete in their prime, it was a match made in heaven. The stakes were simple. The loser had to cook dinner for the next two weeks. Usually, they shared the cooking duties, alternating every two days and although they both enjoyed doing so, neither one of them was looking forward to doing for fourteen straight days.
Mark cut his eyes at Serena and smiled. He could see the large oak tree that they’d agreed would be the finish line. He grunted and picked up the pace, causing her to match his stride.
“You good over there?” he asked Serena.
“I’m more than good,” she said huffing and puffing.
“You sure? You look like you’re about to pass out.”
“Whatever. I’m just as fresh now as when we started this little race.”
“Whatever you say. The finish line’s coming up. What I want you to cook for the next two weeks is already in an email draft ready to be sent,” he bragged.
“Is that right?
“Thaaattt’s riiighttt.”
“I hear you babe. There’s just one problem with that.”
“Oh yeah? And just what would that be?” he asked, breathing heavily.
“You’re tired, and I’m not,” she said, as she accelerated and sped away from him.
Mark uttered a curse and tried his best to catch up with Serena. She was so far ahead of him that she was able to turn around and jog backward the last ten yards of the race and still emerge victorious. After passing the oak tree, Serena continued to jog backward until she got to a wooden bench. She sat down, folded her arms, and smirked. Stunned, Mark stood in front of her with a bewildered look on his face.
“You tricked me, dammit,” he said, still breathing heavily. Thirty seconds ago, he was all ready to let her know how he wanted her to cook the succulent steak he was going to demand. Now, he had to stand there and listen to her gloat.
“Tricked you? Come on babe. You know I wouldn’t do a thing like that,” Serena said, grinning. Although they were both slightly out of breath, Mark was by far the more exhausted of the two.
“I thought I had you,” he said, sitting down next to her.
“I know you did,” she said.
Mark threw his arm around Serena’s shoulder and pulled her close to him. Planting a soft kiss on her temple, he gently stroked her hair. Using his thumb and forefinger, he turned her head so that they were facing each other and kissed her passionately.
“Do you know how much I love you?”
“No. How much do you love me?” she asked.
“I love you to Mars and back.”
Serena laughed out loud. She loved when her man professed his love for her, even if it made him sound like the corniest man in the world.
“To Mars and back? Oh God, why did I even ask? Babe, I’m sorry, but you have got to be the corniest man who ever lived.”
“Oh really? Just for that, I’m not going to. . .What the hell?”
“What’s wrong, baby?”
Before Mark could tell Serena about the red dot he noticed when he looked down, his chest exploded. The small red dot quickly expanded into a large hole. Blood began to pour out of Mark’s chest as he slumped forward. Serena screamed in terror as she watched her lover keel over. Mark collapsed to the ground and rolled over on his back. Serena slid off the bench and dropped to her knees.
“Oh my God, no!!” she screamed. “Mark! Mark, please say something!”
But Mark could no longer speak. His eyes were open, but he was no longer able to see. The bullet that entered the left side of his chest had ripped through his heart. Mark never had a chance. Serena grabbed his hand and squeezed it. She was praying for a miracle, but unfortunately, her prayers would go unanswered.
“Somebody, help me, please,” Serena screamed, forgetting that they were the only two people in the park. She and Mark had both agreed to leave their cell phones at home. They wanted zero distractions. That decision was now coming back to haunt them. A sliver of hope arose when Serena looked up and saw through tear-soaked eyes a figure coming toward her.
“Please, help me,” she begged.
“Oh my God, what happened?”
“I don’t know. We were sitting here talking and he just fell over! I think he’s been shot!”
“Who is he? Is this your husband?”
“Not yet. He’s my fiancé. We’re supposed to get married next year.”
“I see. Well, don’t worry. You two can continue your courtship in hell.”
With no remorse whatsoever, the stranger then pulled out a silencer attached, semi-automatic pistol and shot Serena point blank in the face.
17
As he got ready for school the next day, Frank Jr. was still on cloud nine. Aside from her ex-boyfriend almost ruining their date, he’d had a fantastic time at the movies with Kisha. He still couldn’t believe that she’d approached him first. But as his father had told him time and time again, he was a handsome young man. It was only natural for young ladies to be attracted to him. Over the last year, he’d grown a full two inches and now stood six feet tall. Frank Jr. had smooth brown skin and a muscular frame. He had light brown, oval-shaped eyes. His smile was very bright and charming. A light moustache was beginning to form on top of his upper lip.
; After showering and getting dressed, Frank Jr. went downstairs to eat breakfast. He couldn’t wait to get to school so he could brag to his friends. He wasn’t the only young man in the school who had their sights set on Kisha. Even though she wasted a few weeks dealing with Harold, she was still the most sought-after young lady in the school.
“I take it you had a good time at the movies yesterday?” Frank Sr. asked, seeing the smile on his son’s face.
Frank Jr. blushed. His father’s question caught him off guard.
“Why are you looking all stupid?” Rhonda asked.
“Rhonda, be quiet and eat your food.”
Rhonda smacked her lips, causing her father to give her a hard look.
“Sorry, Dad.”
Frank Sr. stared at her for a few extra seconds before turning his attention back to his son. He’d never tolerated disrespect from either of his children and he wasn’t about to start now.
“Well, did you?” he asked Frank Jr.
Frank Jr. cut his eyes at his sister. He really didn’t want to talk about anything in front of her. His father caught the hint and changed the subject.
“Rhonda, when is your next play?”
“I don’t know, Daddy. I’ll have to ask Mrs. Turner today.
“Okay. Just let me know. And by the way, after school today, I want you to go next door and thank Sadie for coming to your play. She told me to tell you that she was really proud of you.”
“For real?” Rhonda said, beaming.
“Yep. She thinks that you’re the next Angela Bassett.”
“Oh please,” Frank Jr. said, laughing.
“Whatever, hater. You’re just mad that you don’t have any talent.”
“Hey, I got talent. I’m going to be the next Floyd Mayweather, ain’t that right Dad?”
“Yeah, right,” Rhonda said, rolling her eyes.
“I bet you I’ll be a champion boxer before you become an actress.”
“I bet you won’t.”
“Bet!”
“Bet!”
“Okay, you two, that’s enough. Hurry up and finish eating. It’s almost time to go.”
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