| Saturday, October 29, 2005 |
| CHAPTER 12
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After Rick dropped Paula off at her dorm, he headed for his room. He did not know what he was going to say to Treshon. Rick had to say something to the overzealous preacher before Rick’s modern day woman of a girlfriend ended up knocking the preacher out. Rick was sure that Paula could and would do it, too. She had 3 brothers, and she was the only girl. Rick was sure that her brothers had taught her how to fight.
Rick walked into his room. As he entered the room, he heard Treshon’s voice. Treshon was praying. The preacher was fiercely praying. Treshon was praying with urgency that Rick had never heard before. Rick listened to the praying preacher pray, “Lord, I need Your help. The devil is attacking me, Lord. I need You to protect me, Lord. I am trying to do Your will…” Rick wondered if Treshon was referring to Paula. Treshon began speaking in tongues. Rick knew that meant that Treshon was going to be praying for a long time; longer than Rick felt like waiting. Rick went and grabbed his book bag. He headed out the door to go to the library. He would just have to talk to Treshon later. It hurt Rick greatly that his girlfriend and his best friend could not get along. Rick know if it was because Treshon had the wrong view about a woman’s place or if it was because Paula was so strong in her conviction that women should not have to be docile and sit somewhere and be quiet. Only the Lord could bring those two stubborn people to some kind of comprise. That was Rick’s constant prayer.
Colt called Kourtnee. No one answered the phone. Colt left her a message, “Hey Beautiful, it is Colt. Give me a call when you get in.”
Kourtnee listened to the messages on her answering machine. Two of the messages were from her mother asking about getting together for lunch. One was from her grandmother, checking on her. One was from her grandfather, wanting to come by and spend the day with her. The phone message from her grandfather would probably result in her going on an all expense paid shopping spree courtesy of her grandfather, Themophilis Adams, multi-millionaire hair care mogul. He liked to show off his wealth from time to time. Kourtnee did not mind as long as she benefited from his showing off. Two of the messages were from Colt.
The day after the tutoring session, which she had saved said, “Hey Beautiful. I got your message. Sorry, I did not call you back. Call me Colt.” Kourtnee had saved the message so that she could play it over and over.
The other one, a new message from Colt said, ““Hey Beautiful, it is Colt. Give me a call when you get in.” Kourtnee listened to the new message several times. His voice sent shivers down her back. She liked listening to his deep bass filled voice.
Kourtnee sat down on the couch for awhile. She let her day drip off of her slowly. This was a habit that she had started when she was in elementary school. Although an elementary school student did not have much to let roll off, it was a habit that had been beneficial to her. Today, she was tired and her day had been long. She needed to let this day roll off of her. Finally rested, she decided to call Colt.
Colt picked up the phone, “Hello. It is Colt.”
“Hey Colt, it is Kourtnee.”
Colt smiled, “What is up, Beautiful? It is great to hear your voice.”
Kourtnee blushed, “You are doing that charming thing again.”
Colt paused, “I do charming well. I cannot help it.”
“You are silly.”
“I know girl, but you like me and my silly self,” Colt beamed.
Kourtnee held her breath, and then said, “Yea, a little. You and your silly self like me, too.”
“Yea, a little,” Colt joked.
Kourtnee smacked her lips, “Boy please, you like me a lot. Quit playing.” Kourtnee laughed quietly. She sounded like Paula when she said ‘Boy please.’
Colt laughed, “You got me. I like you a lot. I cannot help it. You are so beautiful and refined. How can I possibly not like you a lot?”
Kourtnee grinned, “Whatever.”
They began an hour long conversation that talked of family, friends, life, hopes, and dreams. Colt talked about his paternal grandfather a lot. Colt’s grandfather had been a huge influence on Colt. His grandfather had been the main influence in Colt studying science. Colt talked fondly of his mother and father.
Kourtnee talked about her family. She made sure to keep her family’s wealth out of the conversation. Kourtnee’s grandfather had been as great an influence on her as Colt’s grandfather had been on him. Kourtnee’s parents were also influential, but not as much as her grandfather.
Finally, Colt said, “Where do you want to go on Saturday?”
Kourtnee smiled, “My parents have season tickets to the Dorinda Playhouse. Right now, they are playing “The Lady Loves” by Cristal Johnson. I am sure that I can get my parents to give us their tickets for Saturday night, if you want to go.” Kourtnee hoped that Colt would say yes. She had wanted to go to the play badly. Going with Colt would be a wonderful treat.
Colt paused for a moment, “Umm, the theater. You are seriously outthinking me. I was thinking of something a little more fun, for the first date.”
Kourtnee’s heart dropped, “Oh, I just wanted to go, that is why I suggested it. We do not have to go. We can do something else.”
Colt could tell that Kourtnee was a little dejected. He tried to make her feel better. “I did not mean anything by that. I think we should do something that would not put that much pressure on us to be perfect and on our guard. I believe that it would be better to do something relaxing and fun.”
Kourtnee did not say anything. She was thinking about the play. She would probably end up going with her mother or brother. She was tired of going with the two of them.
Colt said, “Do you like amusement parks?”
Kourtnee said, “Yea, I suppose.”
“Girl, you sound bad. What is wrong with you?”
Kourtnee sighed, “I want to go to the play. I do not want to go with my mother. I am tired of going with her. I thought it would be nice to go with you.”
“Awe, you wanna go with me. That is so sweet, “Colt ribbed Kourtnee.
Kourtnee blew a loud breath, “Are you making fun of me?”
“No Beautiful. I just thought it was sweet.” Colt knew he was lying. He was making fun of Kourtnee. He could tell that she was spoiled and use to getting her way. He did not want to go see a play of any kind, even if it was with Kourtnee.
Kourtnee sighed, “If you say so.”
“What would you like to do that would be fun?”
Kourtnee thought about it, “A picnic would be fun.”
“A picnic. Ok, anything else.”
Kourtnee thought about it some more, “That is pretty much all I can think of now.”
“You just ain't going to make this easy, are you?”
Kourtnee grimaced, “Nope, I am not.”
The two of them talked some more about what to do on their date. They came to no decision about the date at that moment, so Kourtnee left it up to Colt to decide what to do for the date. |
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| CHAPTER 11
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Rick hadn't spoken to Paula for almost 3 days. He was so upset with her. She hadn't called him, when she said she would and she had been out all night. Rick wasn't possessive or anything, but he believed in keeping his word. If you say you are going to do something, then do.
Treshon had been screaming in Rick's ear all week that Paula was out somewhere doing something damnable. Rick knew otherwise, Paula wasn't like that. There were times when Rick wondered why he was even friends with Treshon. Treshon was harsh, much too harsh for Rick's taste. Perhaps it was Treshon's strict holiness upbringing. Rick was brought up Baptist. Treshon was constantly trying to get Rick to become Pentecostal. If Treshon was an example of Pentecostalism, Rick wasn't sure if he wanted to become one.
"I done told you boy, that girl ain't saved. She is always doing something she ain't got no business doing. You are going to be an evangelist; she has to be above reproach. She just ain't right for you, man. She is loud and boisterous. She is flashy and forward. She ain't gonna make a good preacher's wife," Treshon ranted.
Rick composed himself, "Treshon, I am tired of you running Paula down. She may not be what you want, but she is what I want. Man, you are too hard, it's no wonder people run from you. Paula's right, one of these days, someone is going to hit you. If you keep running my girl down, it may just be me."
Treshon made his POed face, as if Rick even cared, "See, I am trying to help you. If you want that trouble, then don't say anything to me when she makes you look bad. That girl is not a good representative of who you are."
Rick threw up his hands, "For the record, we are not married. Good grief, boy, we are in college. You need to lighten up. I'm gone. You need to prayer about being so mean. I am sure glad Jesus wasn't as mean as you are. I might not have come to Him if He was. Remember that, Treshon. You are showing people how Jesus is. How are you making Him look?" Rick walked out the door before Treshon could respond.
Treshon wondered if he was really that harsh. He had grown up under dogmatic preachers all his life. That's all he knew. He brushed his curly hair from his light skinned face. People often said he was so mean because he was short and trying to compensate for his height.
Born in a religious house, Treshon learned about God at an early age. His mother was Holiness, his father, recently called to be a preacher, a Baptist preacher, though. Treshon had been called to the ministry since the age of 12. He was a fiery dynamic preacher, even at a young age. He often won youth to Christ, although recently, the only person he had won to Christ was Rick.
Maybe Rick was right, maybe he was too harsh. Treshon just didn't believe in sugar coating anything. People needed to know the truth. He had been called by the Lord to tell the truth. Treshon was tired of Paula. Her only real problem was that she was not like the women he was use to. She did not sit still and be quiet. Treshon did like the fact that she helped Rick in his ministry. She would help him pass out tracks and witness to people. Other than those attributes, Paula needed to sit somewhere and keep silent, like the Bible said.
Rick just needed to go for a walk. He couldn't take anymore of Treshon's nonsense. Treshon had a knack for upsetting people when trying to encourage them. Rick tried to get Paula out of his mind, but he couldn't. She didn't do bad things, she was just doing what college students do, have fun. Who could blame her; she was young and carefree. She liked having fun. Rick had to admit that he enjoyed being around her when she decided to be fun loving. She was a wonderful relief from Treshon. That boy was always serious. Rick couldn't remember when he had actually seen Treshon bust a gut laughing or smile big. Rick wasn't sure where he was going, but he kept on walking.
Paula was worried. Rick hadn't called her in a few days. She had called him, but Treshon trifling behind had picked up the phone and acted a fool with her. She couldn't stand him. She had to pray so that she wouldn't knock him dead into a new week.
She walked over to Rick's dorm. When she walked up to the door, she ran into Treshon. Treshon saw her. He made it a point to go talk to her.
"What do you want?" Treshon frowned at her.
Paula huffed, "Not you. Is Rick in there?"
Treshon shifted his weight from his left side to his right side, "No, he isn't. What do you want; to tell him that you were shaking your behind at the dance?"
Paula looked at Treshon as if he had lost his mind. "Look fool, first and foremost, it ain't any of your business what I do. Second, you need to watch your tread before you get slapped. Rick ain't here to protect you. I don't like you, so you need to leave me alone."
Treshon grabbed Paula's arm, "You need to watch who you are talking about slapping. Touch not my anointing and do my prophet no harm."
Paula wrenched away from Treshon, "Negro, don't ever put your hands on me again! Get this straight. I don't answer to you, so you can kiss a certain part of my anatomy. Since you want to quote scriptures, how about quoting the one that says, if you want to make friends, you must first show you self friendly. Then again, you probably don't need friends in your mind. I firmly believe Rick is saved, because anyone who would hang around with your trifling behind, would have to be saved or a saint. If you want to tell Rick, you can tell him, that's up to you. But I make you this promise, if you ever touch me; you are going to wish you hadn't."
Treshon was stunned. No woman had ever talked to him like Paula had. He wanted to say something to her, but she walked off from him. He thought about going after her and setting her straight, but she had a little height and weight on him. He figured it wouldn't be worth it to get into a fight with her. As crazy as she was, she would probably fight a dude.
Paula walked off. She was so upset that she had turned red in the face. Before she knew it, tears were running out of her eyes. She started walking towards her dorm. She wasn't in any condition to be around people.
"Good grief, why must people act a fool with me when I am PMSing," Paula thought. It never failed someone had to do something idiotic at a time when she was already an emotional wreck. She cried even harder. She knew Treshon was going to say something to Rick and then make it look twice as bad as it really was.
Paula reached the walkway of her dorm. She heard someone calling her name. She wiped her face before she looked around. When she looked up, Rick was standing in her face. He took one look at her and knew something was wrong.
"Sweetie, what's wrong? Why have you been crying?" Rick said in a caring voice.
Paula laid her head on his shoulder and cried. Rick put his hands around her and held her. She cried for a few minutes before she raised her head up off of Rick's shoulder. She wiped her eyes and then attempted to wipe the tears off of Rick's shirt. Rick moved her hand from his shoulder. He took both of her and held them in his.
"Are you gonna tell me why you were crying?" Rick inquired.
Paula sighed, "I went over to your dorm to look for you and I ran into Treshon. He gets on my nerves. He just upset me."
Rick let her left hand go and walked her over to a nearby bench. "What did he do?"
Paula smirked, "What he usually does. Being a jack! Being an idiot."
Rick batted his eyelashes, "He must have really upset you. Tell me what he said."
Paula rubbed her chin, 'He asked me if I had come to tell you that I was at the dance and he quoted some scriptures. I told him off. Something is wrong with that nut. He has issues with women. Why are you friends with him?"
"What dance did you go to?" Rick frowned at his red faced girlfriend.
Paula twisted her lips, "A dance given by Benita and her sorority sisters. A girl from one of my classes wanted to go, so I went with her."
Rick frowned again, "Why did that make you cry?"
Paula shrugged her shoulders, "I don't' know. I guess I was just upset about it. Are you gonna tell me why you are friends with him."
"He is not as mean as he acts like he is. He is actually a pretty good guy. He just was raised a certain way and he believes that things should be that way. God's going to have to change him. I am trying to be an example to him. He thinks women should be seen and not heard. He is pretty old-fashioned. I have told him that everyone's household wasn't like that," Rick lamented. He caressed Paula's hand.
Paula moved her hand from his. She didn't like the way he was making her feel. He was making her feel better. She wanted to be mad right then. She wanted Rick to be mad at Treshon, too, but Rick was an even tempered guy and she had never seen him get mad at anyone.
"Aren't you mad at Treshon?" Paula said.
Rick blew a breath, "Yea, I will talk to him when I get home, later. Right now, I am trying to make sure that you are okay."
Paula smiled at Rick being delightful. "I don't suppose you are going to hit him."
Rick laughed, "No, I am not going to hit him. I am going to talk to him."
"He needs a good kick in the behind. That's about all that is going to help him."
Rick grabbed Paula's shoulder, "Don't be so mean, girl. Just pray for him."
"I can't right now. I might pray the wrong thing and he may turn into a roach and someone may step on him."
Rick laughed and Paula laughed.
Paula knew that she had to broach the subject, "I apologize for not calling you the other night. I got in late. I didn't feel like hearing Treshon's mouth, plus I didn't know if you were gonna be woke."
Rick sucked his bottom lip, "You should have called anyway. Who did you dance with at the dance?"
Paula smiled, "No one. I mostly helped Benita out. I just made sure that Kourtnee had some fun. You should see that girl's apartment. It is professionally decorated and everything. That girl is living better than any college student I know."
"How you just gonna tell all that girl's business? No one asked you to change the subject either. We were talking about the dance."
Paula titled her head, "I know. I'm hungry. Can we go eat?"
"You are just trying to get out of trouble. We can't go right now. I am fussing at you."
Paula rolled her neck, "Trust me; Treshon has caused me enough stress that you don't even have to fuss at me. And I would appreciate it if you didn't fuss at me this time."
Rick smiled, “Yes, Mame. I'll let you slide today."
They both stood up and headed for the cafeteria to go get something to eat. |
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| CHAPTER 10
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Colt was sad. He hadn't seen Kourtnee in almost two weeks. He actually missed her. The brief time he had spent with her made his day. He decided to go by her lab on Tuesday and wait for her. He hoped that she wouldn't still be upset with him. It had been a week or two since the incident. No woman had ever caught his attention like that before.
Tuesday night at 6:50 PM, Colt was standing outside the Chemistry 102 lab room. He was waiting on Kourtnee. At least 12 students had already walked out of the room and no Kourtnee yet. Colt's heart started to drop. What if she was sick? What if she hadn't come to class? What if she decided just to not show up tonight?
He heard Kourtnee's voice say, "Thanks for your help, John." Her voice sounded so sweet. Colt's eye lit up. He stood a foot or two from the lab door. He watched as Kourtnee walked out of the room. She looked despondent and confused. He knew he had to rescue her. She needed his help.
Colt walked down the hallway as if he just happened to be in the building. As he passed Kourtnee, he said, "Hey beautiful. What's going on?" Kourtnee didn't hear him. She was thinking about Chemistry. She was having a hard time with what Dr. Boone had discussed in class.
Colt stopped. He tapped Kourtnee on the shoulder. She turned around and stared at him with a lost glare. His smile knocked her back into reality.
Kourtnee blinked her eyes, "Hello, Colt. What are you doing here?"
Colt smiled a sly smile, "Just hanging around."
Kourtnee titled her head, "Why are you just hanging around?"
Colt shrugged, "Don't know. You looked confused. What's wrong?"
Kourtnee blew a deep breath, "I asked John something about Chemistry, and he confused me even more."
Colt looked hurt, "Why didn't you call and ask me for help? I am hurt."
Kourtnee smiled a big grin, "I wasn't sure you would be at home."
"Awe girl, that hurt," Colt rubbed his haw as if she had slapped him.
Kourtnee laughed, "You are crazy."
"I am crazy about you. So, what's your Chemistry dilemma?" He tried to sneak the 'crazy about you' comment by Kourtnee.
Kourtnee frowned and curled her lips, "You are not that slick."
Colt gave Kourtnee an innocent look, "What ever do you mean?"
Kourtnee titled her head and twisted her lips in the direction, then back to their original position.
Colt reached for her bag, "Do you want my help or not?"
Kourtnee handed him her bag, "Yes, I could sure use it. Thanks."
"No problem, beautiful. To the library we go." Colt tried to hide his happiness. Kourtnee laughed at him.
Kourtnee and Colt walked to the library; each of them in silent contemplation. Kourtnee did feel good walking beside the handsome young man. There was a glide in his step that she had not noticed before. He walked with confidence; each stride seemed to be more confident than the next.
Colt stopped and looked at Kourtnee, "Are you checking me out?"
Kourtnee cheeks turned deep purple, "No, I'm not."
Colt started walking again, "It's okay with me if you check me out. I hope you like what you see!" Colt laughed hard, loud, and long as he walked with a much cooler walk trying to give Kourtnee a good show. Kourtnee just shook her head and enjoyed the show.
Colt and Kourtnee found a spot that suited them both in the library. Colt wanted to go somewhere very quiet. Kourtnee wanted to go somewhere not so quiet. Colt pulled Kourtnee's chair out for her, as any gentleman would. Kourtnee sat down smiling at him trying to impress her. Colt sat down next to her; just a little too closely.
"You need to scoot over," Kourtnee scowled at the chocolate man.
Colt smiled as he scooted his chair over a little.
"Can you scoot over a little more? We don't have to be that close." Kourtnee shook her hair at him. It fell into her face and she had to move it out of her face.
Colt smiled and touched her hair, "Girl, I like your hair. Are you sure this is yours?"
Kourtnee racked her hair out of Colt's hands, "Yes, it is mine. Can we get to Chemistry, please?" Kourtnee took her Chemistry book and folder from her bag. Colt saw the name of her professor on her folder. He frowned, "Oh no, you have Dr. Boone."
Kourtnee frowned, twisted her face, and finished with an extended eye roll, "Yes, I do. Ugh, he is horrible and to boot, I am stuck with John. He is almost as bad as Dr. Boone."
Colt laughed. She was right. John was as bad as Dr. Boone. Kourtnee got miffed, "What's so funny?"
Colt smiled, "Nothing. Why are you taking Chemistry anyway?"
Kourtnee looked at Colt as if he had asked her about the most private of her thoughts, "Because I want to. Do I have to have a reason?"
Co smiled again, "I was just asking. Ok, teacher's assistant face. Ms. Adams, what seems to be the problem?" Colt's professional voice was even deeper than his regular voice. Kourtnee smiled and pushed the joy that she felt from her mind. Kourtnee showed him what she was having trouble with. Colt read her notes and looked at her. He then looked in the index of her Chemistry book. He found what he was looking for and explained it to her. He explained things with great detail and patience. It was as if he were her professor instead of a tutor. Kourtnee wondered if he was just being like this because it was her.
Kourtnee asked him some questions. Colt answered her questions with the same care that he had explained things to her earlier. Within 45 minutes, Kourtnee understood what had taken Dr. Boone and John more than four hours to not explain.
Kourtnee smiled, "Can I transfer to your lab class?"
"Nope," Colt said emphatically.
Kourtnee looked startled, "Why not?"
"Because," Colt said.
Kourtnee rolled her neck, "Because what? And please use a complete sentence."
Colt smiled, "Because I couldn't ask you a question."
Kourtnee frowned, "What!?"
Playfully colt returned, "That is not a complete sentence, Mame."
Colt paused, "I wouldn't be able to ask you... Would you like to go out with me?"
Kourtnee sat still and didn't answer. Colt mostly looked straight ahead. Periodically, he would look at Kourtnee out of the corner of his eyes. She just sat still; not saying a word.
Finally, Colt nudged her arm, "Hey, are you gonna give me an answer?"
Kourtnee responded, "Hum, I'm not sure."
Colt looked lost, "Not sure about what? Giving me an answer or going out with me?
Kourtnee rubbed her eyes with her fingers as if she had been staring at a light for a long period of time. Colt rubbed her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. She dropped her shoulder so that his hand fell from her shoulder.
Colt smiled, "Do you wan to go out with me or not?"
Kourtnee squeezed the bridge of her nose, "When do you want to go out?"
Colt responded, "Is something wrong? Why aren't you looking at me?"
Kourtnee resisted the urge to stare at Colt handsome face. The urge was getting stronger with each moment.
Colt stood up, walked around to the direction Kourtnee was facing, and stood in front of Kourtnee.
Kourtnee turned the other way, "Would you stop!"
Colt decided to mess with Kourtnee. He walked to the new direction that Kourtnee was facing.
Kourtnee titled her head and looked into Colt's deep black eyes, "You just don't quit. Do you?"
"Nope, I don't quit,” Colt smiled. "Are you gonna answer my question?" Colt flexed his chest muscles.
Kourtnee blushed, "Don't be charming."
Colt flexed his chest muscles again, "If it gets you to say yes, I'll be charming as I have to be."
Colt rubbed his barely existent mustache, "Saturday. This Saturday."
Kourtnee thought for a moment, "Ok, we can go out on Saturday. What time?"
Colt smiled as if he had one a million dollars, "I haven't worked all the details out. Can I have your number so I can call you with the details?"
Kourtnee smirked, "Why didn't you just ask me for my number instead of being sneaky?"
Colt raised his eyebrows up and down, "I', charming and sneaky. Got a problem with it?"
Kourtnee twisted her lips, "No, give me you pen and a piece of paper."
"Why? You have your own pen and some paper in front of you," Colt stated.
Kourtnee made a face at him, "If you don't want my number, then I won't give it to you."
Colt finally complied with Kourtnee's request. Kourtnee wrote her number down and handed the paper and pen to Colt.
Colt opened the library door so that Kourtnee could walk out of the door. Kourtnee walked through the door with Colt following close behind her. Colt got in step with Kourtnee. As the walked, Colt grabbed Kourtnee's hand and held it. Kourtnee took a quick glance at Colt and then freed her hand from his hand. Colt reached for Kourtnee's hand again. She moved her hand out of the way. Colt frowned and stuck his hands in his pocket and frowned.
Kourtnee smirked, "What's wrong with you?"
Colt sighed, "I tend to get excited, too easily."
"What does that mean?"
Colt sighed again, "Something my mother always says to me. ‘Boy you get excited too easily.’"
"Are you okay, though?"
Colt stopped walking. He handed Kourtnee her bag. "Can you make it home on your own?"
"Yes, I can, but what if I don't want to make it home on my own?" Kourtnee was trying to be playful and cheerful Colt up.
Colt seemed unmoved, "Look, just go home, okay. I want to be alone!"
Kourtnee took her bag, "Are you sure you are going to be okay?"
Colt released her bag to her, "Yea, call me, and let me know you made it home."
Colt walked off before she could respond. Kourtnee continued on her walk home.
Colt headed for his car. He felt like an idiot. He had been too forward with Kourtnee. He hoped that he hadn't alienated her. Colt often got overly excited when he liked a girl. His mother always told him, "Boy, slow down. You move too fast." His father was the same way, according to his mother. Colt's father fell head over heels for his mother.
"Boy, you daddy came by my house with flowers and candy, the day after we met. You know your grandfather was strict. He almost had a fit. I thought your granddaddy was gonna kill Stall. Everyday, Stall came by to talk to me despite my father being mean to him. Your father was persistent and he moved too fast. You are just like him."
Colt slowly walked to his car. He had driven over to the school from his off-campus apartment. His apartment was only two blocks away from the school. He usually walked, but he drove instead.
Colt got in his car and started it up. He sat there for a few minutes. He still felt bad. He pulled out of the parking spot he occupied. He had to stop quickly because a couple of girls walked behind the car. The girls didn't even attempt to gesture an apology. Colt shook his head and continued on his way.
Colt reached his apartment. He walked in and saw the light on the answering machine flashing. He knew that there had to be a message from Kourtnee on the machine. He started to not touch the machine, but he wanted to hear Kourtnee's voice.
He pushed the button on the answering machine. The first few messages were for his roommate. Then her beautiful melodic voice came on the machine, "Hello, Colt. I made it home. Give me a call later on. Kourtnee."
Colt smiled as Kourtnee's voice warmed his heart. He played the message four more times. |
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| CHAPTER 9
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Paula woke up at 12:10 PM on Saturday morning. She stretched before she sat up. She was dreading the task that she had to do. She pushed that task to the back of her mind. She went into the bathroom. She washed her face and brushed her teeth. Then she got dressed. She put on a pair of jeans and a polo shirt. She stared at the answering machine for a few minutes. The thing was old; at least 2 years old. It was big and bulky. Her parents had given it to her after they had purchased a new one. The flashing light kept chastising her. "You know you need to call him!" It blinked the same line over and over, with a "Lord, have mercy child," in between the blinks.
Paula stopped thinking about the answering machine. She had to make up her mind. Was she going to call Rick? Was she not going to call Rick? She decided not to, instead she grabbed her purse and keys after she put on her shoes. She headed out the door.
Paula got into her car and drove over to Kourtnee's apartment. Paula hoped that Kourtnee would be up. Paula couldn't remember exactly which apartment number Kourtnee had gone into. It was either 5, 6, or 7. Paula would have to knock on each door until she found the right one.
Paula rang the doorbell for apartment number 5. A guy answered the door after a few seconds. Paula knew the answer to this question, but she asked it anyway, "Does Kourtnee live here?" The guy looked at her as if she was speaking a foreign language. He asked, "Who is that?" Paula responded, "About my height, dark-skinned, with long black hair." the guy grunted, "Check number 7, I think." he slammed the door before Paula could say anything. Paula went to apartment number 7 and hoped for the best.
Kourtnee heard the doorbell ring. "Who was ringing her doorbell?" she stood up and grabbed her robe that was draped over her cedar chest and put it on. The purple robe matched her purple silk pajamas, just as most of her silk pajamas had a robe to match it.
She was slow getting to the door because she was half asleep. The person at the door rang the doorbell two more times. Kourtnee thought, "Either walk away or wait till I get there."
Kourtnee finally made it to the door. After she opened it, she saw Paula staring her in the face.
Kourtnee frowned, "What are you doing here?"
Paula shrugged, "Don't know. I didn't want to be at home. Can I come in?"
Kourtnee looked at this girl standing in her door, uninviting and wanting into Kourtnee’s sacred world.
Paula huffed, "Are you gonna let me in or not?"
Kourtnee opened the door and stepped aside. "Come on." Paula walked in the apartment and looked around.
Kourtnee adjusted the belt on her robe. "You can have a seat. You can watch TV if you want to. I need to freshen up. I'll be back in a few minutes."
Kourtnee left the room as Paula sat down on the couch. Paula picked up the remote for the television. The television looked as if it was brand new. It had to be 19 or 20 inches. It paled in comparison to her 12 inch black and white TV. The furniture in the living room matched the carpet perfectly. What college student has a professionally decorated apartment? It had to be professionally decorated; the painting matched the living room set and the flowers that accented the room went with the living room color scheme.
Paula surmised that Kourtnee must have been from a rich family. Why had she acted such a fool about a few dollars? Most rich kids liked to throw their money around. But, there was nothing flashy about Kourtnee.
Paula brushed her thoughts aside. She had to figure out what to do about Rick. He was probably worried about her. He was probably out looking for her. She hadn't talked to him since 4:00 on Friday. She did miss him. Paula laid her head on the back of the couch. Before long, she was asleep.
Kourtnee walked into the living room. Paula’s head was lying on the back of the couch. Her mouth was slightly opened. She was asleep. Kourtnee made a face and snickered.
Kourtnee walked to the linen closet. She got a blanket from the closet. She walked back into the living room and covered the uninvited sleeping guest up with the blanket.
Paula had been sleeping for an hour. Kourtnee had smiled at the sleeping girl several times. She looked so peaceful and innocent. Everyone looks peaceful and innocent when they are sleeping.
Kourtnee thought to herself, "How dare you come over to someone's house, uninvited and then just go to sleep on their couch?" Kourtnee smiled again as she read Chemistry book. She was trying to get ahead in her classes as she had learned from the girl now sleeping on her couch. Kourtnee had completed a couple of chapters in her Business Statistics course. She was trying to tackle Chemistry at this point. That was a hard undertaking.
It was 3:39 PM when Paula finally woke up. When she opened her eyes, she looked around. She could tell that she wasn't in her own room. She turned her head and saw Kourtnee. Paula stared at the dark skinned girl, groggily, trying to focus on who she was. Kourtnee smiled, "I didn't think you were ever going to wake up." Paula rubbed her eyes, "I was tired. How long have I been asleep?" Kourtnee looked at the clock, "For three hours or so." Paula jumped up quickly, "Rick is gonna have a fit!! Can I use your phone?" Kourtnee nodded and pointed to the phone. Paula moved quickly to the phone and dialed Rick's number.
Treshon answered the phone, "Blessed be the name of the Lord. Are you saved?" Paula rolled her eyes, "Treshon, is Rick there?" Treshon sucked his teeth, "Well, if it isn't the prodigal daughter. So, were you out sowing your wild oats last night or something other heathenistic act?" Paula huffed, "NEGRO, if you don't put Rick on the phone, and NOW, You are gonna see a mad daughter. Put Rick on the phone, NOW!!"
Kourtnee looked at Paula. Either she didn't like the person she was talking to on the phone or she was crazy. Paula caught Kourtnee looking at her. Paula covered the mouthpiece of the phone, "I can't stand this idiot."
Paula moved her hand from the receiver, "Hey, Rick." She paused, "I was hanging out with my home girl and I lost track of time. I just woke up." Paula was quiet for a few minutes. She dropped her head. She finally said, "Yea, whatever. I'll talk to you." Paula hung up the phone. She walked over to the couch and then sat down.
Paula laid her head on the back of the couch. Kourtnee walked over the couch from the kitchen table. "Are you okay?" Paula lifted her head up, "Girl, man troubles." Kourtnee nodded, "Was it the first guy or the second guy you talked to?"
Paula sat up fully; her back was straight and upright. "Girl please, ain't no way in the world that I would be involved with Treshon unless I was near death and a rat wasn't available. I can't stand his behind for nothing. Uhh, don't make me even think about him. UGH! I can't stand him."
Kourtnee made a face at Paula. "Okay, calm down. I just asked a question."
Paula smiled at Kourtnee, "I'm sorry. My boyfriend, Rick, is who I was talking about."
Kourtnee shrugged her shoulders. "If the first guy is as bad as you say he is, why does your boyfriend hang out with him?"
Paula sighed, "Treshon ain't that bad. He is just an overzealous preacher. Instead of trying to draw people with love, he usually tries to scare them with stories about hell. That boy doesn't know what love is. I hope he learns one day. He irks me to no end. He called me the prodigal daughter, and then he asked me had I been out sowing my wild oats. Once before he called me a heathenous viper. We just don't get along. Anyway, you got anything in the refrigerator to eat?"
Kourtnee looked at Paula. "Uhh, you can go check the refrigerator and see."
"How dare she ingratiate herself on me like that? She has got to be the rudest person ever, "Kourtnee's thoughts fumed.
Paula's head popped up from behind the refrigerator door, "Have you eaten yet?"
Kourtnee forehead wrinkled, "No, I haven't. Don't tell me that you are going to ask me to buy you another meal."
Paula closed the fridge door, "Did you just get testy with me?"
Kourtnee wasn't sure if she wanted to get into it with the heavier weighted girl, "Yes, I did. You asked me for money to get into the dance; you ate for free at Franklin's. You showed up here uninvited. To top it all off, you fell asleep on my couch. For you to be somebody that I don't know well, you have ingratiated yourself on me very well over the past two days."
Paula stopped dead in her tracks. Normally, she would have told Kourtnee off, but Kourtnee was right. Paula had been very rude the past day or so. Paula sat down in a chair at the table, "Girl, I am so sorry. I have been terribly rude. You would think I had no home training. You know what, I am gonna leave."
Kourtnee stood up, walked to the table, and sat down in a chair, "You don't have to leave. It's been fun having the company. Plus, I am kind of hungry. We can go get something to eat."
Paula looked at Kourtnee. Kourtnee did not have any meanness in her face. Kourtnee seemed like the nicest person in the world at that moment. There was calmness about her. Paula just stared at Kourtnee, not knowing what to think.
Kourtnee waved her hand in Paula's face, "Are you okay?"
Paula didn't say anything.
Kourtnee scratched the right side of her face, "Don't tell me that you have some kind of medical condition, too." Kourtnee smiled.
Paula snapped out of her stare and said, "Girl, please."
Kourtnee laughed loudly, "You say 'Girl please' a lot."
"Girl please, that's just what I say." Paula fanned her hand through the air with attitude after she twisted her lips and rolled her neck.
Kourtnee shook her head, "Where do you wanna go eat?"
Paula smacked her lips and worked her neck, "Girl, please. All this expensive stuff in here, you gotta have some pots and pans."
"Yea, it's some in a box in the cabinet." Kourtnee pointed to a cabinet in the kitchen."
Paula stood up and went to the cabinet that Kourtnee had pointed to.
"That's the wrong cabinet. The one to the left." Kourtnee didn't appreciate the comment Paula had made about the stuff in her apartment.
Paula looked in the next cabinet. There was an unopened box of pots and pans in the cabinet. "Why haven't you opened the box?"
Kourtnee rolled her eyes, "I don't know. I just haven't opened the box."
Paula lifted the box up on the cabinet. "Girl, I wish I had an apartment like this, with all this stuff in it. Girl, please. This would be the life." Paula opened the box, without even asking Kourtnee.
"Yes, you can open MY box," Kourtnee snapped.
Paula turned around and looked at Kourtnee. "Oops. Did you want to open the box? You are kind of possessive. Girl, please. Were you an only child?"
Kourtnee got upset at that moment. "No, I wasn't, if you must know. Have you always been this pushy?"
Paula laughed loudly, "Girl, you are a trip. I have always been pushy and bossy. I don't mean anything by it. I'm sorry, if it seems like I am being too pushy. Is it okay, if I cook something to eat?"
"Yes it is okay, thanks for asking," Kourtnee smiled.
"You are use to getting your way, I can see. This friendship is going to be interesting," Paula said as she clanked pots and pans in the kitchen. |
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