Page 19 of Fever

Chapter Six

Ten in the morning. That’s what time I made it in to work—three hours late. So not like me.

I found every excuse to stay in bed a little while longer. I knew what the real deal was. I didn’t want to see Robert. All the teachers knew Carla and I were friends, so I did expect someone to ask about her. But I wasn’t prepared for what did happened. There were no sentiments of empathy for Carla. When I walked into the teacher’s lounge, curious eyes turned to me.

Throughout the day, people would stop and stare but not ask or say anything. It became high school all over again. Dreaded by that, I decided I also had enough. If Robert could assault Carla and try me, surely, he’d tried others. So why was he even allowed stay on staff?

I marched right to the principal’s office and demanded a meeting with Ralph McDonald. I didn’t know if he was taking up for Robert because of his male genitalia or if Robert had dirt on Principal McDonald. Either way, by the time I finished saying what I had to, which I had to admit included a sister girl neck roll and hand on hip, I was not taking any shit attitude.

I told Principal McDonald he either got rid of Robert, or Carla and I were putting in our resignations. For a second, I thought he would let me walk out the door without a care. But then he stopped me once I’d gotten to the exit.

“Ms. Summers, please don’t leave.”

He caught my attention so far. I turned back to him and fought crossing my arms and giving him an angry black woman stand.

“I can’t just let him go. An investigation is underway. Once it’s completed, at that time, I can make a decision. But I implore you and Ms. Summers to stay. If you need to take a little time off, I’d be happy to approve a paid vacation request.”

He smiled, but I didn’t trust him. I put in my request, which had taken all of ten minutes, and then I left.

What else was so not like me? Standing in the grocery store in the middle of the day. Inside my car, I’d written a list, but I couldn’t remember where I put it. My phone chimed as I pushed the cart through the vegetable aisle. Shoving my hand inside my purse, I rummaged around until I had what felt like my smartphone in my clutches. I pulled it out and checked the screen.

Hey, you.

Josiah. I tugged the corner of my lip with my teeth and hit reply.

Hey.

He response came quickly.

Are you busy?

For some reason, I was edgy. I glanced around the store then back to my screen.

Grocery shopping. How are you?

A minute passed.

I’ve been better. It seems I caught a cold. It’s been pretty mean. Wish I had someone to take care of me.

A sudden warmth passed through me. Then another text came through.

You’ve been on my mind lately, Santana.

I closed my eyes briefly and imagined his deep, smooth voice calling out my name. My cart bumped into a bin of open tomatoes, and they toppled to the floor in dramatic fashion one after the other.

“Shit.”

I dropped my cell in my handbag and went to retrieve the fallen fruit. I tried collecting them three at a time, but fumbled and lost them again.

“Don’t worry about it, ma’am, I’ll pick it up,” a friendly associate intervened.

“Thank you so much. I should’ve paid closer attention.”

The clerk looked at me. “It happens to us all sometimes. I’ll take care of it, you go right along and enjoy the rest of your shopping.”

I sighed. “Thank you.” I handed him the only two tomatoes I’d managed to retrieve.

It had been a week since our return from Jamaica, and I hadn’t heard from Josiah at all. I assumed I probably wouldn’t hear from him again, and even though I put up a good front with Desiree the day before, the truth was, I had my fingers crossed. Being with Josiah for those two days was blissful. I imagined it’s what Desiree, Claudia, and Samiyah felt on a regular basis. Granted their bliss was on a whole other level, but still. I thought back to his brown sugar lips and smooth skin. At my cart, I reached to retrieve my cell and went back to the text he’d sent then hit reply.

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