“See… Now, I’m going to get Jabari back in the mood to move there. I gotta witness this beauty with my own eyes.” We both giggled then.
“I’m serious. If you’re really thinking about it, I’ll put the word in Adir’s ear.”
“Be prepared to hear from me,” she stated. “Let me get back to work. I have six more hours, boo. Pray for me.”
Cackling, I said, “Love you, friend. Bye!”
“Love you, too, my girl. Talk to you later.”
The news of Haven possibly moving here compounded on my already great day. I was in such a good mood that I hummed and smacked a piece of gum like I’d conquered the world. Shoot, Iwas in such a good mood that I ordered the entire office lunch.Tonya’s Multicultural Kitchenwas so damn good that I ordered her chicken fried rice and salad kits for everyone. Just thinking about it caused my stomach to agree that we were hungry.
My phone rang, breaking into my thoughts. Seeing a local but unfamiliar number, I hesitantly answered the call.
“Is this the parent or guardian of Quilo Bell?”
My heart stopped in my chest. “Yes, this is her.” I had already placed my pen down as my fingers started shaking.
“This is Head Principal Scotty Walker. Quilo has been detained due to fighting on campus.”
“I’ll be right there!” Hurriedly, I hung up the phone, grabbed my purse and keys, then rushed from my office.
Bianca appeared in the hallway and saw the panic on my face.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“I need Adir. Quilo’s in trouble.”
Just saying those words caused a river of tears to start.
Not again.He was doing so well.
ADIR
Idroppedeverythingtosee to what the fuck was going on with Quilo. He had my baby stressed, and frankly, I hated that shit. However, I wasn’t about to fly off the handle until I knew the gist of what happened.
As we sat inside the office waiting for the principal to show himself, Pretty’s leg bounced next to me. The officers standing by the principal’s door had her nervous. I reached over and touched her knee, effectively stopping the bouncing of it.
“I’m here,” I said to her. “All this worryin’ and stressin’ ceases right the fuck now. Trust me with Quilo.”
“He’s a handful, Adir. He’s going to walk out here with a reckless mouth, and I don’t want you to hurt him.”
I refrained from chuckling. She was serious. “I’d never hurt you, and I’d never hurt him. Give me ya hands.”
She put her hands out for me. I turned them over palm side up. Next, I placed my hands palm side up over hers.
“Do you see ya hands?” I asked.
“No,” she replied.
“These hands are big enough to handle anything we face, Pretty. The only time my wife needs to worry is if anything spills over. Aight?”
Her shoulders relaxed. “Okay.”
It went from being just me and Pretty inside the lobby of the front office to Curtis and a local pastor and mayor of Niceville Shores, Mr. Sleigh. Mayor Sleigh wore an angry expression. I chucked my head at Curtis, while Mayor Sleigh walked up to the counter.
“Where are my granddaughters?” he demanded to know.
Immediately, the staff scrambled to assist the mayor. All the commotion finally made Head Principal Scotty Walker make his appearance. He came into the lobby wearing stress all over his face. I stood and so did Pretty.
