Second Chance (9 page)

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Authors: L. Divine

BOOK: Second Chance
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“What if one of my enemies is a teacher?” I ask, not wanting to bring up Mrs. Bennett, but I can't get her off my mind. Ms. Toni has a problem with most of the teachers up here because most of them have a problem with her simply because she's Black. But Mrs. Bennett, in particular, irritates the hell out of Ms. Toni.
“Okay, what else happened?” Ms. Toni asks. “I guess these tears aren't just for Misty, are they?”
“No,” I say as I blow my nose into the tissue. “I went to Mrs. Bennett's room looking for Jeremy, and she was just as rude as ever.”
“What did she say to you?” Ms. Toni asks in a serious voice. She sits up straight and looks at me hard, waiting for my reply.
“It wasn't so much what she said as the way she said it. She always speaks to me with the most racist tone I've ever heard. And, she called me one of those girls, like all Black girls are different from other girls.” And Mrs. Bennett's right. We are different. But not in the way she meant it. Her “different” was inherently negative and unequal.
“I know what you mean. When we have staff meetings it's as if I'm the only other person in the room who hears her racist jargon. She's a crafty one,” Ms. Toni says, looking past me and off into the distance. “You know, Jayd. You shouldn't take this lying down. Whatever she said to you should be documented. And, the best way to do that is to request a hearing with the principal, Mrs. Bennett, and your counselor. Your mother or grandmother should also be present, for support,” she says, patting me on the leg.
“I don't want to get them involved in something like this. They don't have time to fight my battles,” I say. Mama and my mom don't like coming up to school for anything that doesn't involve me graduating. Everything else they feel I should be able to take care of on my own.
“Okay, Jayd. But you need an adult to stand by you. The administration won't take your claim seriously if you don't. So, I'll be there to act as your self-appointed ombudsman. You have a right to one, according to the student bylaws,” she says, referring to the bylaws and constitution booklet every student receives in their annual registration packet.
“I don't know, Ms. Toni. It's her word against mine. And, if I don't win, she'll hold it over my head next year in A.P. English.”
“Don't worry about next year. Right now you need to let her know she can't get away with treating you as less than equal. Think of how many other students she's done this to,” Ms. Toni says. “Think about what I said seriously, Jayd. Unlike Misty, Mrs. Bennett is a person in a position of influence and power. Focus your energy in the right direction and really make a difference,” she says, reclaiming the envelopes in her lap and rising from her seat. I get up to give her a hug.
“I will, Ms. Toni.” As we embrace, I can't help but wonder what's holding Jeremy up. I also wonder if Mrs. Bennett's going to tell him her version of our little conversation.
“Come and talk to me tomorrow, Jayd. Right now I'm running late for a meeting.” As she walks off toward the staff lounge, I continue to wait for Jeremy. If he's not here in the next fifteen minutes, I'll have no choice but to leave in order to catch the next bus and still make it home at a decent time. I hope he gets here soon. The late bus is usually crowded, and I don't want to stand all the way to my Gardena transfer.
8
A Different World
“Hey, being with you is a top priority/Ain't no need to question the authority.”
—A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
 
 
W
hen Jeremy finally arrives, I'm calm, cool, and collected. I don't want him to worry about my drama with all of his own on the horizon. Instead, I want him to be in full acceptance mode so he can enjoy a cupcake or two in my presence, as the recipe prescribed.
“Hey, Jayd. Sorry I'm late. Are you all right?” Jeremy asks, gently caressing my face with the back of his right hand. “Mrs. Bennett said you were upset when you left her room. Why didn't you stay and wait for me?” he asks, looking truly concerned. I doubt the broad told him about our conversation. Just thinking about it makes me hot again. But, I don't want to spoil the few moments we have together.
“Oh, I had to catch up with an old friend,” I say as I regain my composure and force a smile, even though all I can think about is Mrs. Bennett and Misty. “I'm fine, and you?” I ask as he takes my hand and leads me toward the front of the school where he's parked his car.
“I'm cool. It's only been one day and I'm already bored out of my mind. My mom's got me on total lockdown. I can't even surf. All I do is sit up in the house and watch television or sleep, which is why I'm in no rush to get home,” he says as we approach his car. He's not even supposed to be on campus, yet he parks where everyone can see him. The boy's got balls.
“What about your schoolwork?” He's on the A.P. track like me, so I know he's got tons of work.
“Well, Mrs. Bennett's the only teacher who allowed me to come and get my assignments ahead of time. All the other teachers are assholes. They think I won't be back, so what's the point of giving me work,” he says, opening the passenger door. Although I detest the broad, at least she has faith in Jeremy. That's probably the only thing we have in common. “May I give you a ride home, Lady J?” he asks as chivalrous as ever.
“Hell, yes,” I say. I reach over and unlock the car door for him before putting my basket and backpack in the backseat; there aren't any power locks in his vintage ride.
“So, what do you want to do now?” Jeremy asks as we head off campus toward Compton. I love the smell of his leather interior and coconut air freshener. He keeps this car immaculate.
“Now, you should know there's no spontaneity allowed in my schedule,” I say, reminding him of how different our worlds are. “I would love to go to the beach, though. It's a beautiful afternoon,” I wish aloud while placing my left hand on his knee. Just as I make myself a comfortable copilot, Jeremy busts a U-turn right in the middle of the road and heads toward the beach. Luckily, there isn't any oncoming traffic or cars behind us.
“Whatever you want, my lady,” he says, grasping my left hand from his knee and bringing it up to his lips to kiss it. His lips are so soft, making me wonder what it would be like to kiss him. First kisses always make me nervous. But, I'll get over it if he wants to make today the day for ours.
“Jeremy, I can't get home too late. Unlike y'all out here, I got a curfew at all times,” I say, wishing it weren't true.
“I've thought about it, and the way I see it is if I take you home every day, it saves you over an hour on the bus, right?”
“Yes, it would. But, you don't take me home every day,” I say, kissing his hand back. So far, this is as affectionate as we've been.
“But, I can. Then we should have a good hour of chill time every day during the week, that is, if you can handle it.” Chill time. What the hell is that? Is he kidding me? Mama doesn't even know this boy's dropping me off at the bus stop because I make sure to get home at roughly the same time every day, regardless of how I get there. Now he wants me to willingly kick it with him after school? Well, I can't say no. He's just too irresistible.
I just know Mama wouldn't approve. She doesn't like me socializing too much during the week. She thinks it'll distract me from my schoolwork, not to mention my spirit work. I know she's right, because Lord knows I'm certainly distracted now, but I still want to hang with Jeremy and see where he takes us.
“Yeah, but don't forget I still have to walk home from the bus stop,” I say, reiterating how crucial time is in my world. It takes a good fifteen minutes for me to walk home from the bus stop on Alondra to Gunlock.
“Man, Jayd, you got to learn how to relax, baby. Besides, why can't I drop you off at home?” he asks.
“Oh, there are several reasons, the main one being I don't want no more people in my business. Not yet, anyway.” I can already hear my uncles talking shit about me dating a White boy, not to mention all the nosey-ass neighbors. They already tease me enough as it is for going to a White school. Now all I need to do is show up with a White boy to seal my fate as the biggest sell-out in Compton's history.
“Now, this is new. You, Jayd Jackson, caring about what people think of you. You never cease to amaze me,” Jeremy says, affectionately touching my chin with the tip of his index finger. When we approach the beach I see people are out everywhere. Do these folks have jobs or what? They're walking their dogs, rollerblading, surfing, you name it, everything but working.
“That's a good thing. At least I'll always keep you on your toes,” I say as he parallel parks his fly ride in a metered space right off the sand. As Jeremy walks around to open my door, my cell vibrates, indicating there's a text message waiting. I didn't even hear my phone ring. I keep it on low while I'm at school.
“Where were u at lunch? Me and Mickey R going 2 the mall. Call u later. I know you're with ur man now. Everyone's talking about it already. Misty saw y'all leave. Later, girl.”
How could Misty have seen us? We were nowhere near the front gate where Mickey, KJ, and most of the other students park. And, why is it news that me and my new man are leaving campus together? Misty's life is way too mundane if this is hot news to her.
“Anything important?” Jeremy asks.
“Not at all,” I say as he opens my door and takes my hand. On the sidewalk, I smooth my clothes out and step onto the sand, letting my toes sift through the warm grains. The sun lifts my spirit, and I know this is where I'm supposed to be.
“You look like me when the first wave hits me in the morning,” he says. “There's nothing like the smell of the ocean to make you feel alive. Am I right?” he asks, taking a deep breath. He puts his arm around my shoulder and leads me to the shoreline. The bright afternoon sun shimmers against the dark blue water. I feel sorry for people who never experience the beach.
“I've got the blanket, the water, and you. What more do I need?” Jeremy asks.
I experience a brief moment of panic. Running back to the car, I say, “I forgot something.”
“I was wondering what was in that basket, Little Red Riding Hood,” he says, trailing behind me.
“I shouldn't even give it to you now, making fun of my little basket,” I say, pushing him away from me, pretending to be hurt.
“Is that what they're calling the cookies nowadays,” he asks, tackling me like he's Chance. I never feel like this when Chance touches me, though.
“Get off me, punk, and open the door,” I say, pushing him toward the car. I climb in and grab the basket out of the backseat.
“Nice,” he says as I climb back out of the car.
“You better be referring to my basket of treats.” As I fix my clothes, Jeremy grabs me from behind while closing the door.
“So, what you got for me?” he asks, nudging his chin into the groove in between my right shoulder and neck. Oh, God, I'm so nervous. I just know he's going to kiss me today. I purposely didn't eat anything but Starbursts all afternoon so my mouth would be sweet whenever he did try. I hope we get it right the first time. I remember my first kiss with KJ was cool, but sloppy. I had to teach him to tone it down a bit.
“I made these for you last night. Now, please forgive their decrepit appearance. But, they should be quite tasty; it's my mama's recipe.” I fold back the yellow and orange cloths covering the cupcakes.
“Well, if they taste as good as they smell, I'm a very lucky man. I got a fine girl and she can cook, a double treat,” he says, taking a cupcake from the basket and shoving the entire thing into his mouth.
“Careful. You don't want to choke,” I say, looking at him devour the cupcake whole.
“These are awesome,” he exclaims, grabbing another cupcake from the basket and greedily consuming it. “What are they? Like blueberry and lemon with cinnamon or something,” he says, carefully inspecting the next one before indulging.
“Exactly,” I agree, not wanting to give up all of Mama's ingredients. I'm just glad he likes them. Now I have to wait to see if they work. By the time we reach the water, half the cupcakes are gone. This boy can eat.
“Hey, you want to walk or sit?” he asks, taking a break from his munchies.
“Sitting is good,” I say, leading him to an empty spot in the sand. There are people everywhere, and finding a good spot is hard. He takes the blanket and smoothes it out before sitting down, pulling me with him. I land perfectly in his lap and stay there, for fear of moving the wrong way.
“Make yourself and the cupcakes comfortable,” he says, lying back on the blanket and waiting for me to claim my space. I lie next to him so we can spoon and place the cupcakes in front of me. Mickey calls this little move blocking. I call it the ultimate protection. I always had my purse or sweater or something on my lap when I was out with KJ. Ain't no slipping of the hand on my watch.
“Where are the cupcakes?” Jeremy asks.
“They're right here,” I answer, guiding his hand to the basket. He takes another and devours it before putting his arm back around my waist, pulling me in close to him. Now, how's he going to initiate our first kiss like this? I guess I'll just have to wait and see. After we lie for a while, I stop tripping about the cupcakes and the kiss and just let the sound of the waves crashing against the shore chill me out. I've never done this before, especially not on a school day. This is what it must be like to live here. It's a completely different world from the one I'm used to.
“Are you sleep?” Jeremy asks, reaching over my waist for the basket.
“No. Are you full?” I ask, flattered that he likes my baking so much.
“Never,” he says, moving the basket to the corner of the blanket above my head while carefully repositioning his body over mine, pinning me down on the blanket. Okay, I know he's going to kiss me now. He looks into my eyes and puts his forehead on mine. “I think you're beautiful,” he says, kissing the tip of my nose, then my lips ever so lightly. Finally. I return the kiss, matching his lips move for move. I'm so glad we came to the beach today. We kiss for what seems like hours before his cell phone vibrates in his pants.
“You'd better get that,” I utter, breaking our embrace. “Besides, I think we'd better go before we lose track of time,” I say, catching my breath. Damn, he's a good kisser. I almost forgot where I was. As if I said nothing and his phone never went off, Jeremy kisses me again, this time more intense than the first. And I welcome round two. There's no need to teach this boy a thing; he's got it down. Right on cue, his phone vibrates again, once more interrupting our flow.
“What,” he says into the phone without looking to see who it is. “Oh, sorry, Mom,” he apologizes, smiling at me while rolling onto his back. He reaches above his head and grabs the water bottle sitting in the sand and hands it to me. I take a sip, 'cause Lord knows I'm thirsty, and pass it back to him. He takes a swig while listening to his mother through the phone and grabs another cupcake from the basket.
“Mom, I'm still at the school. Can we talk about this when I get home?” he says, putting the cupcake up to my lips for a bite. I shake my head indicating it's all his, and he places it into his mouth. I guess even rich White boys have to lie to their parents when they're on lockdown.
“Mom, I'll be home in a little while, all right? Don't worry. I have a feeling everything's going to work out just fine,” he says, hanging up the phone and guiding me up by my chin to his lips for round three.
“I think that was fate telling us it's time to go,” I say in between kisses. His mom calling didn't even faze him. Now, if my mama called, I would've already been halfway to the car. But Jeremy's just got it like that, I guess.
“Yeah, my mom's worried about tomorrow,” he says. “She thinks I'm going to have to go to North P.V. if I get kicked out of South Bay.” North P.V. is a continuation school in Palos Verdes where all the bad-ass rich kids end up after every other high school gives up on them. They basically play football and chill all day, waiting for graduation and trust funds to kick in.

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