in
January 30th, 2005
Prolouge
"......... and I would like to thank all of you for being here. It
means so much to me." my great-aunt Irish said. We were celebrating her
ninety-first birthday and it was boring. They decided to have it at a
church. The one she grew up in. My Dad made Suzie and I come, because she
was apart of my mother's side of the family. My mother ran away from
home three years ago. I was twelve. She did it behind our daddy's back.
My Dad dates a lot of different women, but there's still a place in his
heart for my mom.
"Why'd he make us come, if he wasn't going to come?" asked Suzie. I
shurgged.
"You have to ask him that one." Suzie's my little and only sibling.
She's two and a half and has big , blue eyes, and curly blonde hair. So
adorable and cute. But me, on the other hand, I'm not no Jenifer Lopez.
You could call me plain. Since my mom's a blonde, and my Dad has brown
hair, I'm red. And that's how I got the stupid name. Red. I have big,
brown eyes, with a wide smile, and a slim figure. Too slim. I have short
red hair, lips that appear to be too thin. I clapped with the rest of
the crowd about something Aunt Irish said. She walked off the podium.
"Is it time to go?" Suzie whispered. I shurgged again.
"I don't know, Suzie. Let's just wait and see." I said getting
annoyed. She nodded. A short lady came up.
"There are refreshments in the dining hall, so...."
"Yes!" Suzie screamed cutting her off. "Did you hear that, Red? We're
going to eat. Maybe that's why daddy brought us here. For the food.
Well he's a good daddy." I buried my face in my hands. Everyone was
looking back at us. I picked Suzie up, and began to walk toward the double
doors. "What are you doing, Red. Why are you taking me out? Huh, Red?"
she wailed. I buried her head into my breast to muffle her whining. I
smiled and nodded at the man who opened the door for us.
As soon as we were in the restroom, I put her down. She looked at me,
and frowned.
"Why'd you do that?" she comanded, stomping her feet so that her
chubby legs would shake.
"You know better than to scream out in public like that. I oughta spank
you, cause daddy did give me permissin, and you were acting up." She
shook her head as tears welled up in her eyes. I couldn't stand it.
"Oh all right. But no more of what just happened. Now people may have
the wrong feeling about us. So we're both going to apologize to that
lady, and explain who we are. Okay?" She looked confuse, but she nodded.
I weted a paper towal, and wiped her face. I checked my make up, and
than we were out of the door. I tried to open the door quietly, but it
squeaked. And the slower I opened, the louder the squeak. And it was
longer. When I finished, everyone in the room had their full attention on
Suzie and I. I bit my bottem lip.
"I wish Dad was here," Suzie whispered loud enough for eveyone to
hear. I gave her a warning look that told her to be quiet. She laid her
head on my shoulder. I sat in the back, and sat Suzie down beside me.
In the dining hall, they had plenty to eat. So Suzie and I took
advantage of it. I piled our plates high. with little care of who was
looking. A very skinny lady with really white hair came up to me.
"Who are you with, missy?" she snapped.
"Are you talking about me?" I asked. She rolled her eyes.
"Of course I'm talking to you."Now speak up." I panicked. What do I
say. Before I could answer, Suzie jumped in.
"We're here to see our great-grandma, Irish." she smiled. The lady
didn't smile back.
"I don't know you. What's y'all names?" she asked pulling out the
guest book.
"Um, R..Red and um, Suzie Harris."
"Harris? I don't see no Harris on here." She eyed us suspiciously. "Who
are you?" she asked again tapping a gold pen agaisnt the book.
"We...my Dad...my mother is Caroline Harris, eh, Caroline Winkins.
She and my Dad are seperated. She nodded.
"Caroline?" She looked at us closely and gasped. "Oh my! It is you!
Are you Red? Red and Suzie from WesBrige, South Carolina?"
"Yes."
"Oh! This is great." She reached out and touched my face. "You may not
know who I am, so I'll go a head and tell you. I'm your grandmother.
It's been such a long time." She hugged me and Suzie. I was shocked.
"Does that mean that my mother's......" my voice trailed off. She
smiled widely.
"Wait right here, I'm going to get her. I'm going to get your mother."
Part One
A Long, Lost, Love
Chapter 1
Mother?
"Mother?" Suzie asked. "Is she that pretty lady in daddy's
wallet?" I nodded "Wow! Where is she, Red? Can we go see her?" she asked
eagerly.
"No, Suzie, we're going to wait right here. Just like grandma told us
to do."
"Oh."
My heart was pounding so hard, that I thought it was going to burst.
Grandma came back with her. My mom. The one I hadn't seen in three years.
She was more beautiful than before. She smiled and gave us each a bear
hug.
"Red! Suzie! Y'all have gotten so big. And so pretty. It's been so
long." She wiped some tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry I even did something
like that to y'all. Y'all always be my babies. Come here!" She hugged
us again and kissed my forehead, Suzie's cheek.
"Do y'all want to eat with me?" she asked looking at our giant
plates. Suzie and I nodded. We couldn't say nothing. My mouth wouldn't let
me. It wouldn't open. I looked down at my feet. Here's your mom, the
mother that you hadn't seen in three years and you can't even talk. Rather
smile. I scolded myself. I offered a small smile that made her face
bright up. Grandma was just standing there smiling.
"It's a family reunion, indeed." She said. She turned around, and
clapped her hands really loud. "Everyone! Everyone! May I please have your
attention!" Everyone quieted down. Oh boy. She held up a wine glass
with white wine in it. "A toast to my daughter and granddaughters who have
just reunited." Everyone held their glasses up as a toast, swallowed it
down, and began to clap an whistle. My cheeks felt as red as my hair. I
slowly followed my mother and grandmother to their table. Suzie had
one hand in mine, and four of her fingers curled up as she sucked her
thumb, on the other hand.
"Don't be afraid to talk to me. How are you girls really doing?" My
mother asked. I shurgged.
"Good, I guess. Um, school's going to be starting next month, and
Suzie'll start preschool. So we're really busy, I guess." She nodded.
"So what grade are you going to, Red?" she asked.
"Ninth."
"Oh, wow! You'll be starting high school! You're getting so big." she
cried wrapping her arms around me.
"So are you going to WesBrige High School?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"We moved to Sandre. We gonna be going to a school there."
Mom exclaimed. "My mother, your grandmother, Dorthy lives in Sandre."
"Oh, wow! I didn't know that. Ig I'd known, y'all could've visit
sometimes."
"Of course. How could you?" I said more bitterly than I meant.
She looked down at her lap. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for y'all. Can
y'all forgive me this time?" she asked.
"Yes! Yes!" Suzie cried jumping up and down. Mom looked at me. "Yes,
mom, of course I forgive you." I nodded.
"Great. We can start all over. The three of us." Three? Where does
Dad come in this? He is apart of our family, too.
"Yeah! Suzie squeaked. "We'll have alot of fun, won't we, Red?" I
nodded numbly. Dad would have stayed here if he knew she was going to be
here. He loves her so much. Wish she felt the same way. She hasn't even
mentioned his name.
"I have to use the restroon," I lied pushing my chair back.
"Do you know where it's at?" Grandma asked. Duh. You didn't see me
go there?
"Yes, I know where it's at." I said putting on a sweet smile.
"I wanna go with Red!" Suzie cried.
"You can stay with me," Mom cooed. Suzie shook her head, and reached
for me.
"Red! I want Red!" Suzie whined. I picked her up. She hugged my neck.
"Don't be offended," I said to Mom. "She's just use to being and going
with me every place. It's me or my......."
"Daddy!" Suzie screamed. Mom grew paled. I wirled around. There stood
my Dad, looking very handsome, with a lick of hurt. Suzie jumped out of
my arms, and raced toward him. I turned to Mom. She couldn't avoid him
now. I smiled inside with pleasure.
"Wayne......" she gasped. Dad picked up Suzie, who was jumping up and
down like some crazy monkey. He wore faded blue-jean pants, and a
green plaid shirt. The sun was refecting in his golden brown, chestnut
hair.
"Look, Daddy! Mommy's here. We can be family. Right, Red?" I just
smiled. Mom and Dad were starring at eachother. Not with love. Not hate.
I don't know. It seemed like it was hurt. Dad's a guy who shows no
saddness, no joy, no gentleness. He's always hard. Well not today. He was
hurt. I picked up my purse. The whole room seem to have become quiet.
Grandma stood up.
"Wayne, what are you doing here?" she asked.
He laughed bitterly. "I can't pick up my daughters?" Mom stood up.
"Can we talk about this outside?" Mom asked. "I think this is kind of
personal." Without answering, Dad turned on his boot heel, and headed
toward the exit. I followed behind stiffly.
Outside, the July sun was beaming bright, for a glommy, dark day.
"Wayne, I know you have the wrong feeling. I..we...it's just too hard
to explain." Mom stammered. Dad just starred at her with cold, hard
eyes. Any hurt that was there, was gone now.
Grandma snorted. "You can't just...."
Dad cut her off. "What are out here for? You have no reason to be out
here." She tried to cut him off, but he didn't give her a chance. "I
suggest you get back to your sister's cracked up behind, before I mess up
yours." he snapped at grandma.
"Excus-"
"NOW! Woman, I don't got time for you!" Yup, he was mad. Cause
grandma left without another word. He turned back to my mother. He had his
jaw set hard, and he tapped one boot impatietly.
"What ya got to say?" he ordered, rather asked.
"I...I..." Mom began to weep. "Oh, I don't know," she sobbed. Daddy's
face soften. He looked down. His face was no longer red. I looked my
Dad's face over. How can someone leave someone as handsome as my father?
I wondered. He bit his botten lip, and looked down.
"Sorry for being so hard," he mumbled. Now this shocked me. Dad never
tells anyone sorry. He must still have plenty of feelings for her. She
covered her face with her hands.
"I love you, Wayne. God, I'm the one who's sorry." She looked
beautiful. She being so slim, and her hair all messy. Dad walked over, and
pushed some of it out of face.
"What's a' matter with mommy?" Suzie asked. I didn't answer. I was
busy wondering what was going to happen next. Mom took a deep breath, and
looked up at Dad.
"This is going to be a while," she informed him. They must have
forgotten that Suzie and I survied, because daddy sat on the trunk of his
truck, and sighed. He looked over at us.
"Y'all go ahead inside. I'll be right behind ya." I caught his eye,
and we starred at eachother for a long time.
"Are you gonna be all right?" I asked He looked down, as if
considering it, and than looked back up and winked.
"I'll be okay, I rekcon."
"I'm serious," I said. He nodded.
"I'll be fine." he smiled uncentainly. Just as I opened the door, I
turned back.
"Mom?"
She looked up, and smiled weakly. "Yes?"
"It's great to see you, again"
"Do you really mean it?"
"Yeah."
And at the time, I did.
As soon as Suzie found this three year old girl named, Jessica, I knew
that she'd be all right. They were having such a great time, they
didn't see me walk off. I walked into the santuary, the place where we
honored my great-grandma. Did I mention that I just love to sing. I walked
up the steps that led to the pulpit. I picked up the mic.
"Testing one, two, three." I muttered. It was on. "Yes!" I began
humming a song that I wrote, called, There ain't nobody who got the blues
wrost than me. Before I knew it, I was singing aloud in the mic. I closed
my eyes and let the music fill me. It felt good to let it out. I
snapped my fingers with the beat of the music. I took it up. After repeating
the same line three times, I ended it with a soulish moan. I heard
clapping and whistling in the back. I opened my eyes to see Dad and Mom
back there. Talking about embarassed.
"I didn't know you liked to sing." Mom gushed. "You have a beautiful
voice. You take after your Dad and I. We both loved blues. Your Dad
loved country more than blues, but he still played for me. I use to sing,
and he played his gutair."
"Dad played the gutair?" I asked amazed. She nodded.
"And still do, from my knowledge." she smiled. I looked over at me. He
shurgged.
"I still do play, a little." he murmered.
"Wow, come up here and let me see if you can play something with me!" I
cried. He shook his head.
"Awe, come on, Wayne, Play with her," Mom urged him. He looked up at
me. I smiled daringly.
"Fine," he said, holding both of his hands. He took his time coming
to the pulpit. Finally he was there.
"It's about time," I said. He smiled a lopsided grin, and picked up
the gutair.
"Nice gutair," he said under his breath. He began playing a country
beat. "You made that up?" I asked. He nodded without looking up. He
tapped his boot along with the rythem. I hummed until I caught on. I made up
some words with it. It went like this:
I'm a pretty country gal
I'm pure, deep South.
I'll make your eyes budge,
And water your mouth
But don't stay near me too long,
I'll break your heart,
Cause that's just the way we do it,
down here in these parts.
Mom looked at us amazed. She began singing with me after a while. And
it was fun. We made up different silly verses that didn't go with the
chours, and we danced along with it. Things were really looking up.
Things were coming together. I felt good. I felt as if I could sing all
night.
Chapter 2
The Real Reason
I laid down in the new fresh carpet. A month ago today, we moved from
our two bedroom apartment, to this beautiful house. It has three
bedrooms, two bathrooms, a big livingroom, and an eat-in kicthen. It is big
and comforting, even though it doesn't have stairs. But most of all, it's
away from the cars and lights, the big buildings and loud horns. It's
the country. You had to go down a dirt road to get to it. And our
nearest neighbors live about a mile away. We have a big yard, with fresh,
bright, green, grass. And trees, trees, trees! I love it. I even have my
own room. My Dad walked in, and sat on my bed.
"Get up off that floor, girl." he told me as he laid down on my bed. My
own bed! I got up and leaned over him.
"What's up, Dad? " He sighed and turned to me.
"I hate to say it, but I'm in love with your mama, again." He took a
deep breath before beginning again. "I just don't know how she feels
about me. Maybe I could use some of your help. Any suggestions?" I smiled
and nodded.
"First of all, Dad, she's the one who ran away from you. So it's her
job to come back if she feels the same way." He squeezed his eyes shut.
"Anything else?"
"Yeah, why did she run away? Find out what you were doing wrong, and
correct it." He leaned back up and sighed.
"That's what I was trying to do for the last three years. Can't she see
I've changed?"
"Well Dad, I, as your daughter, must admitt that you have change for
a Dad, but for husband, I'm sure that we both know the answer to that."
"I don't think so. Did I?"
"Daddy, daddy, daddy! How can you change from a bad husband to a
good one, if she left three years ago....while you were a bad "I'll pay
you twenty bucks to do it," he offered. I smiled and held out my hand. He
shook it.
"Deal." I said.
I let the small brezze blow through my short hair. It was a beautiful
day.
"Today is the day." I told my Dad, who was standing beside me at the
hotdog stand. We were at Wal-mart, and Dad was letting me do a little
shopping with my twenty dollars.
"You know, I should pay you after the deal is done." Dad said
thoughtfully. He looked down at me and frowned. "Get your hotdog, Red. We'll go
to the park or something. You'll get paid when the deal is done and
over with."
"What!" I gasped. He smiled.
"You heard me right. I ain't going to waste twenty beautiful dollars
for nothing." He paid for the hotdogs, took Suzie's hand, and began to
walk toward the truck. I followed behind.
"You wasted presious money on gas to take me here," I objected. "Why
don't you just let me go on in. What, you don't trust me?" He shook his
head.
"As a matter of fact, no. I do not trust any woman very well." I took a
deep breath.
"Calm down," I told myself aloud. Dad glanced back over his sholder
at me.
"Yeah, or I'll take your share of money down to five."
"And I won't have anything to do with your deal," I snapped. He
laughed.
"You can't take a joke, kiddo." he said without turning around. I
didn't answer.
"RED! That you?" I heard the familar voice of Abbagail Choke, my
friend, yell. I turned around with a smirk played on my lips. She rubbed
her hands together and ran over to me.
"What's up, dude?" she asked slapping me on my back. Trying not to
show the pain of the slap, I answered,
"Nothin much, here, and you?" She didn't answer.
"Hey Mr.Wayne, Suzie, how's y'all doing?" she asked instead. Dad turned
around.
"Abby, it's good to see you around. Hope you ain't got nothing bad
planned." he said. She just smiled a big, toothy grin. She turned back
to me.
"So where are you heading? Wanna go out to the park?" she asked.
"I would like to go to the park, but I'm going to meet my mom." Abby's
mouth dropped open.
"Your mom?"
"My mom."
"You didn't tell..." She glanced at Daddy. "Uh, I'll get with you
later. Call me around eight, okay?"
"Got ya." I waved goodbye, and climbed into the truck.
"So mom, what do you think of Dad?" I asked my mother as we sat down
at a picnic table. We decided to go to a park called, Swan Lake. She
looked down at me and smiled.
"Very handsome and strong. I must admitt, I do miss him alot."
"Oh."
"Why? Is there any special man in your life?" I shook my head.
"No, I was just wondering why'd you leave him." She shrugged. "I left
because my.....my family looked down on him. They filled my head with
silly things, like how I deserved some rich man. That I needed someone
who could work at home, and be with me all day. And I fail for it. He
was the best. Nothing was wrong with him, Red. He didn't deserve anything
he got. I just wish he'd give me a second chance." I was shocked.
"So you mean to tell me you left me, Suzie, and my father for
nothing? Well, I agree, you were really wrong. Cause my Dad alone is worth so
much more than a rich man. And he works for his money." I said getting
angry. "He worked his butt off to keep a roof over your head. And he
loved you so much. Now he's doing the same for us. Cause that's just the
man he is. And you also have a problem if you leave someone as
handsome! He -"
"Red! Please give me a chance. Everyone makes mistakes. I mean if I
were in your place, I'd feel the same way. But you got to forgive me. I
want to come back. I want to be with y'all."
"Yeah, mom. Well it's too late now. You should have thought about
that a long time ago." I spotted Dad's truck pulling up. I grabbed my bag
and made a run for it.
"Red! Come back here!" Mom called after me. But I ignored her. Dad
stopped in front of me.
"Are y'all done?" he asked.
"Yes," I replied. I wasn't lying. I was through with her. Dad waved
at mommy, as he drove off. But as for me, I didn't even look back.
I looked out of the window quietly. I knew I was getting on Daddy's
nerves by being so quiet. He wanted to know all the details, now.
"So, what did she say?" he asked trying to sound cool.
"Oh, we talked about the flowers, and where she lives. You know she
lives in Columbia, right?" He sighed.
"Yeah, she told me at the celebration." I nodded. He stopped the
truck in front of our home and looked straight ahead.
"Don't keep me waiting, Red. What'd she say. You know the deal."
"I know."
"Well, I'm waiting."
"She ran away for nothing, Dad. You didn't do anything wrong. She
claimed that her family thought you were too low." I looked at my lap. I
didn't want to see his face. "So she ran away, and I don't know if she
found a boyfriend or not, and I really don't care. You didn't do
anything wrong. And you and I both know that you aren't low. Look where you
are now! You have a beautiful home, alot of space and woods, and best of
all, we're out of debt. Okay?" He leaned forward, and buried his face
into his hands. I tried to talk to him, but he didn't budge. It was no
use. I hate my mom, I thought bitterly. And I sware to never love her as
long as I live.
I decided to make boneless fried chicken, buttered biscuits, and brown
rice. I started cooking meals for my family ever since mom left. So I
guess after three years of learning by myself, I'm pretty good. After
giving up on trying to talk to daddy, I took the keys, opened the door
for Suzie and I, and started on dinner. While I was taking the biscuits
out of the oven, Dad walked in, went straight to his room, slamed and
locked the door, and never came back out, since.
"DINNER'S READY!!" I yelled
I placed three glasses down on the table, and went to get Suzie. I
decided that I'd check to see if daddy was going to eat. But as I got
closer to his door, I realized he was playing his gutair. It was a slow,
sad, but pretty tune. Then I heard the faint sound of sniffling.
"Bet not bother him," I said to myself. I tiptoed past my own room
and into Suzie's. I don't know why, but I felt as if I had to keep things
quiet as possible. But Suzie, on the other hand, Suzie obviously didn't
have the same feeling in mind. She jumped around and acted crazy all
during dinner. I couldn't get her to eat properly, nor get her to sit
down.
"Go to your room, NOW!" I told her after I'd had enough. She glared
at me before simply saying,
"No, Red. You not my mama. You jist my sista." Then without waiting
for me to reply, she starting acting up again.
Chapter 3
William J. Howard High School
"Who are you?" I asked the strange, hairy, and purple mon-
ster who was grinning down at me.
"You don't know who I am?" it asked. I shook my head.
"I don't ever recall meeting you," I said truthfully.
"Well since you don't know, I'm your mother. And I'm in your father's
heart. And I will keep on breaking his heart over and over. And I'll
keep breaking your and Suzie's own, too. Because you'll keep falling for
my tricks and my lies over and over. HA!" I shook my head.
"NO! No! NOOOOO! Dad came walking over to us out of the blue. I didn't
know where he came from. Mom ran over to him and smiled a big toothy
grin. He didn't seem to realize that she was a monster.
"No Dad! Don't listen to her!" I screamed. But he didn't even look my
way. Mom started unbottening his shirt. After that was off, she did the
same with his pants. She took off every inch of clothing that he had
on. She laid him on a bed that appered out of nowhere. She ripped her
clothes off, and daddy smiled. "NOOOOOOO!" I screamed. Dad didn't see me.
Mom took out a gun. She smiled at me, and pulled the triger. POW!
Good-bye to Dad. She turned to me. She pulled the triger....
"NO!" I screamed. I opened my eyes and blinked twice. I was safely in
my room. Dad came busting through the door, with his shotgun in one
hand, and the other bawled into a fist.
"What the heck you screaming for?" he yelled.
He stood in cotten PJ pants, and no shirt. I wiped my head off with the
back of my hand.
"Sorry. I had a very, very bad dream." I said breathlessly. His hard
face soften.
"Need some cool water?" he asked. I nodded.
"That would be great, Dad. Thanks." He nodded and walked out.
Five minutes later, he came back with my glass of water. He had put
away his gun. After giving me the water, he sat on the edge of my bed,
and watched me drink.
"What was your dream about?" he asked.
I shrugged.
"You don't really want to know." He laughed gently.
"That bad?"
I nodded.
"You know," he said. "I always wanted to know what was going on under
that dark patch of red hair." I smiled back.
"Alot of things you don't want to know about." He stared at me, waiting
for me to tell him the dream. This always happens, when he wants to get
his way. He stares. So I told him. I poured out everything. I even told
him, about his grinning at mommy's naked body. He nodded.
"This is all my fault," he said bitterly.
"No! Not so, Dad. Mom started this, and you know it." He looked down
at his bare feet, and sighed.
"Sorry about earlier. Guess I didn't take the news too well. And, uh, I
hope I could be a better parent to you and Suzie, than your mom was. I
will never leave you nor hurt you. Remember that." I never felt closer
to my Dad than I did than. And I knew that I'd never forget it.
I walked into William J. Howard High School, for the first time
in my life. Dad walked beside me, with Suzie in his arms.
"I already got you registered in," he informed me. "I just wanted you
to see your new school."
"Why can't you drive me to WesBrige High, instead?" I asked. He looked
down at me, and shook his head.
"Too much gas. By the way, you need to start over. New friends, new
life."
Now it was my turn to shake my head.
"No. I liked my old life, and I want to get back to it."
"You just want to see Justin Lewis." he
teased. Justin Lewis was my recent crush. There was a rumor going
around WesBrige, that he liked me. Since the town of WesBrige is so small,
the rumor got to Dad quick. He always teased me about it since.
"No I don't!" I protested. Instead of continueing the arguement, he
just threw his head back and laughed. Suzie, who was being quiet for once,
lifting her head from daddy's sholder, and reached for me. I gently
took her from daddy, and rested her on my left hip. A man walked up to us.
He was tall and slim, a huge nose, slick, gray hair, small, green eyes,
and glasses that nearly covered half of his face.
"Can I help you?" he asked us. His voice was like a frog's. My Dad
stared at him for a long time, before replying,
"I don't need anyone's help. We -"
"Uh, yes. Sir. We do need help!" I cut him off. "We were going to tour
the school, but it seems like you can be our tourist. If you'd like."
The man stared coldly at daddy, and than looked down at me. He had a
mighty, long neck.
"Yes, I'll help you." he replied. "Come this way." He turned on his
heel, and began to walk quickly. I put Suzie down, and we nearly had to
run to keep up with him. Dad walked slowly behind, but kept up with us.
That's just the way Dad is. Never showing no kindness to anyone he
doesn't know.
Before thirty minutes were up, we were on the second story. The school
is huge. It makes small WesBrige High School shrink.
At the end of short tour, the man turned to us, his glasses basicly
hanging off of his face.
"I hope you just stopped by because of the beautiness of the grounds
and building. William J. Howard High School is a very well respected
place in Sandre. Kids of well respected families go to this school." He
stuck his nose in the air, and looked down on us, his eyes gleaming with
disaproval. "We don't allow trash like you folks here." With that, he
left with a strange, throaty laugh. It sounded like someone dumped sand
down his throat, and he never got it all out. Dad stared after him with
a gleam of hate in his eyes.
"Whatsa matta, da?" Suzie asked.
"Nothin," he replied, picking her up and stroking her back. We walked
out of the school together. Dad was fumming all the way to the truck.
"Hey!" I said as soon as we got to the truck. "Why don't we go see the
football field?"
"Oh. You come up with your brillent idea as soon as it's time to go,
uh?" he said, opening the door to the truck.
"Please?"
He stared at me for a long time. I stared back. He slammed the door
shut. I couldn't help smiling.
"Are we going?" I asked.
"If ya going, get ya crack up behind, moving!" he snapped in a good
nature way. I tagged along behind him, until we got to the football
field. It seemed to be bigger than the school itself. Football players and
cheerleaders were all over the place. Someone was grilling hotdogs, and
another selling drinks. I didn't reconize anyone.
"Great Day," my Dad drawled in his deep southern voice. "What going
on here." I had to smile. Dad was never going to change. Then a sign
caught my eye. It read:
CheerLeading! Sign up here!!
"Look Dad!" I squeaked. Can I go for it?"
"Cheerleading?"
"Yeah, imagine your very own Red swaying her hips out there."
"Yuck. Since you put it that way, I don't think you would want to
try out, You don't got no butt to show off." He pointed to a medium sized
lady, who had huge breast and a very huge butt.
"Now that's something to show off." I threw my head back and laughed.
"Oh, daddy. I don't just want to show off what I don't have. Being a
cheerleader is usualy the first way to become really popular."
"Oh. So it's about popularity now, huh?" he asked. I smiled. "Well,
yes. If I ever want to be noticed in this huge school. If I want to even
make friends." I explained.
"Well, there's more ways to have friends, than make yourself look
like a fool," he remarked. "Cheerleading just isn't you, Red." Dad always
told me things, just the way they were. No sympthy, no sweet- ness, no
nothing. But I liked him being the way he was. Dad was just Dad, and he
would never change.
"Come on with me," I urged him.
"Why? You're the one who wants to do the cheerleading," he said.
"Well, I'll be right back. Wish me good luck." I said as I skipped toward
the huge stand.
"I'll pray for you at the tryouts," he called after me." I giggled,
but secretly hoped he would. As I approached the long line, I realized
all the girls were starring at me. I smiled shyly.
Not one girl smiled back.
I stood behind a short girl with coal, black hair, and clear, blue
eyes.
"Hey," I greeted her. Without turning, or even speaking to me, she
walked toward two fat girls, who were waving at her. They were in the front
of the line. I looked at the girl who was standing in front of her.
"She's not very friendly. Wonder what's her problem," I offered. The
girl turned her back on me, and moved forward with the line. Great, I
thought bitterly. No one wants to be friendly, because one stupid snob
turned her back to me. Well I won't let them get to me. I opened my
purse, and took out my name-brand sunglasses. I gently shaded my eyes by
putting them on, and pretended to be interested in a dumb advertiesment.
I was finally at the front of the line. A huge lady who was smacking
on some bubble gum, pulled out a notepad.
"Name?" she asked spitting out the huge wad of gum, and taking
another piece out.
"Red Harris." She nodded and wrote it down.
"Never seen you 'round
here." she said taking out a directory.
"Did you go to Adam's Middle School?"
"No, ma'am, I went to WesBrige Junior High." I informed her. She
nodded.
"Have you ever been in any sort of cheerleading group? Step group? Or
eirther dance?"
"No."
"Uh," she grunted. She blew a big bubble of gum, and than sucked it
back in.
"Do you know how to do any cheerleading?"
"Well, uh, a little bit." She rolled her eyes.
"Kid, get the heck out of here. We need some real cheerleaders.
NEXT!"
"No! Please. Give me a chance."
"You don't know how to do anything, child. What's your problem? Sign
up for the book club or something." I looked back at the long line of
impatient girls, and winced.
"Please, ma'am, please. I need to make friends some how." She sighed
and shoved a form into my opened palms, making it crumple.
"Now git out of here!" she snapped. "NEXT!" I tried to thank her, but
the girl who was behind me, shoved me out of the line.
"Move!" she huffed. "You ain't the only girl in the world." But I
didn't mind. I was just happy that I had a chance for cheerleading. I
looked the paper over to see when the tryouts were. Augest 1. Maybe, just
maybe, that'll be enough time. I smiled happily, and skipped off to Dad
and Suzie.
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