“Candy's at home,” I reply. “She couldn't make it tonight.”
Kelani scrunches her nose. “What do you mean, she couldn't make it? This is a Hi-Stepper party. There's no excuse for her not making it.”
I decide to let Candy explain her situation to Jewel and Kelani, because once they find out what has happened, they will tell the entire school. That would be messed up if Candy walked in the school on Monday with everyone already knowing about her punishment.
“Why don't y'all ask her on Monday morning?”
Jewel narrows her eyes and stares me down like she thinks I'm hiding something. “I'm gonna send her a text right now.”
I don't bother to tell her that Candy doesn't have her phone and probably won't have it back anytime soon.
On our way back to the table Ricky holds my arm and lets Hope and Kevin walk way ahead of us. Then he answers my unasked question by whispering in my ear, “Please sit next to me on the hayride.”
What part of the game is this? I promise that I don't want to be in the middle of this mess, and every time I'm almost out, they keep pulling me back in!
I stop in my tracks and Ricky turns around when he realizes I'm no longer next to him. “What's wrong?” he asks as he walks back to me.
“Ricky, you're gonna have to tell Hope that you don't like her. She'll kill me if I sit next to you. You can't keep using me to block for you.”
Ricky sighs. “You're right. I'm gonna tell her tonight.”
As we sit down at the table, Hope gives me a strange look. “What took y'all so long?”
Ricky clears his throat. “I had to ask Gia something.”
“Something like what?” Hope asks, her eyebrows lifted way up and also questioning.
“Has anyone ever told you how nosy you are?” I ask.
“No,” Ricky says. “I want to tell her.”
Now Hope looks worried. “You want to tell me what?”
“I asked Gia to sit next to me on the hayride.”
“You did?” Hope asks with panic in her tone.
“Yes. I asked her that, because I didn't want to have to tell you no.”
“I don't understand,” Hope says with a quiver in her voice.
“Hope, you know that I love you as my sister in Christ, but I don't want you to be my girlfriend.”
Hope takes a deep breath and says, “Okay ...”
“It's not that you're not pretty, because you are,” Ricky rambles, “but I'm not ready for a girlfriend right now, and it would make it so much easier if you would stop trying. Not that I don't appreciate it, because I'm flattered. But please stop ... okay?”
My eyes and Kevin's eyes dart from Ricky's face to Hope's face. I have a countdown going on in my mind to when Hope's tears are gonna start. I guess Ricky has nothing left to say because he plugs his mouth with a huge forkful of potato salad.
“Thank you for telling me, Ricky,” Hope says sadly. “Do you all mind if I sit with the rally girls right now? It's just a little embarrassing to stay here for now.”
“We understand,” I say, releasing Hope to go and nurse her wounds.
Kevin and I both stare at Ricky. “What?” he asks. “Isn't this what you wanted me to do?”
“Yes, I guess so, I just didn't think she'd take it that hard,” I reply. “She looked like she was about to start crying.”
“I know. But I'll still be nice to her,” Ricky says.
Kevin responds, “I'd be careful on the being nice bit. Just let her get over it, and don't say anything to her. That will make it easier for her.”
“Wow, Kev. That was freakishly insightful. I didn't know you knew anything about girls.”
Kevin chuckles. “A lot of good it does me.”
After dinner, we're handed little tickets for the hayride. Because there are so many kids here, it's gonna take a minute to get through everyone. Valerie and Romeo are riding on each trip because Valerie is still, of course, campaigning for Homecoming queen.
While we're waiting for our turn, we take cups of warm apple cider and chill in front of the huge fire pit. Someone has broken out a bag of marshmallows too. As much as I hate to admit it, this is probably the most fun party I've been to all year.
Fellow football player, James, asks Ricky, “Dude, why aren't you campaigning? Aren't you running for Homecoming prince?”
“Someone submitted my name, but I can't exactly say that I'm running,” Ricky replies.
“Dude, you better represent for the Spartans!” James exclaims.
Kevin and I giggle. We know how much the subject of Homecoming court annoys Ricky.
“I'm voting for Ricky!” Kelani says. “I think he'd be cute with that little crown and robe on.”
Ricky blushes. “Um ... thanks, I think. But I think Romeo wants it more than I do. You should vote for him.”
Ricky looks all kinds of relieved when our ticket numbers are finally called for the hayride. He doesn't do so well under pressure. It makes me wonder how he's such a good football player.
I take a seat between Kevin and Ricky. For warmth mostly, and not because of Ricky's previous request. Fortunately, Hope is not on this ride. I'd hate for her to hurt anymore this evening. She's already been through enough.
Valerie sits directly opposite us and Romeo is at her side. Romeo's arm is around Valerie and she snuggles up close to him while gazing at Ricky. Ricky looks away under her intense stare.
As we ride around in the cold with our warm breath blowing vapors in the wind, I think about how far Ricky and I have come. We are definitely a part of the popular crowd, even if we're on the fringes. Last year, before I became a Hi-Stepper, and when Ricky was a second-string quarterback, we weren't getting invited to anything. But now, our social calendar is off the charts.
It's pretty unbelievable.
24
“I
'm not going to church! You can't make me!”
It is way too early in the morning for this foolishness. I got in late from the hayride, and I'd like to get another fifteen minutes of sleep, but I can see that's not going to happen! Ugh!
Candy is standing about five inches from my bed and LeRon is outside the closed bedroom door.
“Why do you think you're not going to church, Candy? We always go every Sunday, as a family.”
Candy replies, “I don't think God cares about me. If He did, He wouldn't let you and your wife torture me.”
“Stop being melodramatic, Candy, and get dressed.”
“You're going to have to flog me, like they did the Apostle Paul.”
LeRon ignores Candy. “Gia. It's time to get up. We're going to be late for Sunday school. Candy, get your clothes on.”
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ... I fear no evil!” Candy wails.
I have to stifle my giggles, because this is some funny stuff!
“Candy, I'm not playing around with you.” LeRon sounds irritated. “Get dressed!”
Candy takes a long pause and then replies, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want!”
“Candy, I'm counting to five, and if you're not in the bathroom, you're going to be praying for real.” LeRon's voice sounds like a booming roar. It's finally enough to get some action out of Candy.
“Girl, do you like playing with fire?” I ask as Candy finally grabs her clothes.
“He won't do anything he says. I guarantee that I'll have a pile of new outfits by the end of the week. I've already got back some of my skirts and dresses. This is just step one in my process.”
“That's just because my mother didn't want you to wear that clown suit to church. But I wouldn't push it.”
I'm glad she's so confident and sure of herself. I don't tell her that I think her daddy might be a little bit stronger with Gwen backing him up. I figure they can show her better than I can tell her.
There's another knock on our door. “Girls, I'm making eggs. Do y'all want scrambled or fried?” Gwen asks.
Mmm-kay, the answer is neither. Besides, there are only two kinds of eggs with Gwenâburnt and half-raw. I vote no.
“I'll take scrambled, Mama Gwen!” Candy replies in a sing-song voice.
“Okay, Candy. Coming right up. What about you, Gia?”
“I'll just have a piece of toast.” She can't mess that up, right?
“All right then.”
I roll my eyes at Candy. “Please tell me that buttering Gwen up isn't step two in your process.”
Candy just smiles. “Watch and learn. Watch and learn.”
Â
Since this Sunday isn't a youth choir Sunday, we are forced to listen to the mass choir. I'm not going to say that they're bad, but the adult choir director, Sister Pennington, is deaf in one ear. Plus, she's one of those people who thinks that any- and everybody who wants to sing should be in the choir. She doesn't turn anyone away. Not even Sister Butler, who sounds like she has a chainsaw in her throat.
I can barely keep my eyes open during their especially unrousing rendition of “We Lift Our Hands in the Sanctuary.” Man, Kurt Carr would probably ban our church from ever singing his lively song again if he heard our choir mangle it.
Ricky, who is ushering this week, sits down next to me on the back pew. He looks exhausted.
“Hey, Gia. Did you get enough sleep last night?”
“No way. If Pastor preaches long today, I guarantee I'm falling asleep.”
Ricky laughs. “You better not. You know that Gwen will come back here and pinch you like you're four years old.”
“I know it, but I'm afraid I won't be able to help myself.”
Hope slips into the sanctuary, also looking beat. She gives me and Ricky some very conspicuous side eye. I mean, she doesn't even try to hide it.
“Do you think she's still mad at me?” Ricky asks.
“I think she's gonna be mad at you for a minute. Just give her some time, okay?”
Kevin's grandmother, Mother Witherspoon, is shooting Ricky some head-usher evil eye. A whole family of visitors walked in and took a seat without a program or a fan. In Mother Witherspoon's book that is nothing short of blasphemy. I won't be surprised if she makes Ricky go down to the altar and repent.
Pastor Stokes finally takes the podium, and I groan out loud when I see he's wearing a comfortable suit. That means he's settling in for a nice hour-long sermon. Why today of all days? When all I want to do is go back home and crash.
He's preaching about loving our enemies. I glance over at Elder LeRon sitting in the pulpit along with my uncle. It feels like LeRon is almost an enemy, even though I know he loves my mother.
How could he blame Candy's problems on me? And even after he knew I wasn't involved, how could he not apologize? That is so the opposite of right.
After a quite merciful thirty-five minutes, Pastor Stokes is done. You don't think thirty-five minutes is merciful? Well, he's been known to go for an hour and a half when he wears his comfortable suit, so I consider myself blessed today!
I go over to Mother Cranford after service. I know she's not speaking to me, because I've truly been neglecting her on the weekends. I never expected my life to get so busy and complicated.
“Well, lookee here. It's my long-lost employee,” Mother Cranford says as I place a light kiss on her cheek.
“Mother, you know it's football season! After I'm done Hi-Stepping for the year, I promise I'll be more reliable.”
“Mmm-hmm. You might come back and find out somebody else done took your spot.”
“You wouldn't do that, Mother.”
She lets out her low and throaty laugh. “And why not?”
“Because you love me, that's why!”
“Humph! I also love my Lean Cuisines.”
“I promise I'll be back, Mother Cranford!” I see Gwen waving at me from across the sanctuary. “My mom wants me right now, though, so I gotta run.”
“All right, baby. Have a blessed week.”
“You too, Mother.”
Gwen has this huge smile on her face like she has something good to tell me. It must not be too good, because Candy is standing next to her and scowling hard.
“Hey, Mommy,” I say to Gwen as I give her a hug.
Candy rolls her eyes. She better fall back, because I don't do all that eye-rolling when she's saying Daddy this and Daddy that.
“We're going to dinner with Pastor today, so I wanted to make sure you didn't get lost with your friends.”
Dinner with Pastor Stokes is so not the business. The conversation is usually boring and Gwen always finds some reason to get offended. Typically, it's something that my aunt Elena says. But maybe Gwen will be cool today after just hearing a message about loving our enemies.
“Can I ride with Pastor?” I ask. I don't want to spend any extra time in close quarters with LeRon or with Candy's gloomy self.
“Sure. Go ahead.”
I walk across the sanctuary to where Hope and Aunt Elena are sitting and waiting for Pastor Stokes. Umm ... why is Hope frowning at me like she doesn't have good sense? Now I'm thinking I'd rather deal with gloomy Candy.
Before I even get a chance to say hello, Hope says, “I'm not speaking to you, Gia.”
“What did I do this time?” I ask wearily.
“Kevin told me that you, he, and Ricky are all going to Homecoming together as a group.”
What is wrong with Kevin? All that praying and carrying on, you'd think he'd have better sense than to tell this to Hope right after Ricky rejected her.
“Yeah, we talked about it a week ago, I guess. No big deal.”
Hope's eyes watered. “A week ago? You knew you were going to Homecoming with Ricky a week ago and you still let me walk around thinking he was gonna go with me? Gia, you are foul for that.”
“Wait a minute.
I
didn't let you do anything. Don't get mad at me because you wouldn't listen to anyone.”
“But you knew I wanted to go with him and then you go and make plans behind my back?”
I let out a huge sigh. “Look, we're going as a group. We're not going
together
like on a date. If you weren't trying to make Ricky your boo we probably would've invited you too.”
Aunt Elena, who had been paying us no attention up until now, gets into the conversation. “What is going on here? Hope, you know how your father and I feel about dating.”
Hope nods. “Right. You have to know the boy and his parents, and it has to be in groups.”
“Okay, as long as we're on the same page ...”
“We are, Mom. You know Ricky's parents.”
Aunt Elena's face lights up. “Ricardo Freeman? Little Ricky?”
I don't know where Aunt Elena has been, but Ricky is definitely not “Little Ricky” anymore.
“Yes, Ricky Freeman,” Hope says, with a half smile.
Elena hugs Hope and kisses her on the cheek. “He's a wonderful young man. I'm happy you chose him. So what are you two fussing about?”
Okay ... Twilight Zone alert. Is Hope gonna tell her mother that Ricky is one hundred percent against dating anyone?
Hope replies, “Gia and Kevin made plans to go with Ricky to Homecoming when they both knew I wanted to ask him.”
“Aunt Elena, isn't the boy supposed to ask the girl?” I ask.
Elena takes a long pause. “Well, in a perfect world, the boy should do the pursuing. But sometimes they're shy and need a little prompting. It doesn't hurt for them to know you like them too.”
“See, I told you, Gia,” Hope says.
I throw up the
whatever
hand to Hope. “Auntie, what if the boy says he doesn't like you? Are you supposed to keep chasing him and harassing his friends?”
Now Aunt Elena looks confused. “He doesn't like Hope? How could he not like Hope? She's flawless and honestly the best he can do in this church.”
“Thank you, Mommy!” Hope says as she hugs her mother around the neck.
Remind me why I said I wanted to ride with them? I think I'll take doom and gloom over crazy and crazier! And what does Aunt Elena mean that Hope is the best Ricky can do in this church? Anyway!
Aunt Elena looks up at me from her hug. “Gia, I expect you to include your cousin on this group-date thing for Homecoming.”
“It's not a date.”
“Well, I still expect her to be invited. Your mother and I have that agreement, you know, that we won't allow either of you to leave the other out.”
Yes, I know that Elena and Gwen said that many, many years ago. But I can't even count how many times they've broken that agreement over the years. I think all the sleepovers, birthday parties, and spa days that I've been left out of, entitle me to one cool night out with my best friend.
When I don't reply to my aunt's command, she says, “Did you hear what I said, Gia? All four of you have hung out together in the past ... wait ... there's Ricky now. Ricky! Come over here, please!”
Ricky is going to be extra salty. But he can't blame this on me. He can blame it on big mouth, church gossip, Kevin.
“Praise the Lord, First Lady Elena. Hey, Hope! Hey, Gia!” Ricky says with his typical chipper tone.
“Hello, Ricky,” says Aunt Elena. “What's this I hear about you all not inviting Hope to be in your group for Homecoming?”
Ricky's eyes widen and he looks at me. I say one word. “Kevin.”
“It wasn't done purposely, First Lady,” Ricky explains. “We thought that Hope wanted to go with a boy on a date, and we didn't want to do that.”
“Well, I think you should all go together! That would be the best thing,” Aunt Elena says. “You're all friends anyway.”
Hope has a triumphant look on her face because she must know, like I know, that there is no way Ricky can get out of this one. Ricky looks a little bit green, actually, like he's about to be sick.
“Okay, First Lady. Hope can come with us, as long as she knows that I'm
not
her date.”
Hope glares angrily at Ricky and I cover my mouth to hold in my laughter. That's exactly what she gets for trying to put him on blast to her mama. Ha!
Aunt Elena is not pleased. “That's fine, Ricky. But you could do a lot worse than my Hope.”