Page 93 of Inferno
Chapter 24
Sprawled on the sofa with his long legs stretched out before him, Manning broodingly watched a rerun ofGood Times. It was one of his favorite shows, but halfway through the episode, he’d barely cracked a smile. Not even the sight of Thelma in a short skirt could cheer him up.
He’d been moping around the house for the past two and a half weeks. And who could really blame him? First he’d gotten suspended from school for fighting,thenhe’d gotten busted when his dad found out that he’d had sex with Caitlyn. Dad had grounded him for another two weeks and had taken away his phone privileges, so Manning wouldn’t even be able to shoot the breeze with his friends or Mike during the Thanksgiving break, which had officially begun today.
As if that weren’t bad enough, Taylor had been ignoring him ever since she’d started going out with that loser, Henry Rhodes. Henry carried Taylor’s books and walked her to all her classes like a lovesick puppy. Whenever Manning passed them in the hallway and smiled at Taylor, Henry’s face would get all twisted up into a frown.
Punk ass, Manning thought darkly. If he weren’t already in so much trouble, he’d have gladly given that chump something toreallyfrown about.
As the closing credits rolled at the end ofGood Times, Manning grabbed the remote control and began surfing channels, though he didn’t feel like watching anything else.
His parents had left him in charge while they went out to run errands. As soon as they walked out the door, he’d threatened bodily harm to his brothers if any of them eventhoughtabout getting sick. As he’d skulked off toward the basement, he’d heard them grumbling about his foul mood, which had given him a perverse twinge of satisfaction. When he’d paused to glower at them, they’d scampered off to the backyard, wisely deciding to stay out of his way.
Manning heaved a frustrated sigh, slumping deeper into the sofa cushions.
Minutes later he heard the basement door open, followed by the lazy thud of footsteps coming down the stairs.
“Well, ain’tthisa sorry sight to behold,” drawled an amused voice.
Manning whipped his head around. His eyes widened with shock at the sight of his cousin, Michael, standing there.
Manning shot to his feet.“Mike?”
Michael grinned crookedly.“In the flesh.”
Overcome with excitement, Manning strode over to his cousin, and they exchanged a hearty backslapping hug.
As they laughingly drew apart, Manning was embarrassed to feel tears pricking his eyelids. His parents, standing nearby, smiled softly at each other.
Manning grinned at Michael, who could have been his twin except that he was two years older and an inch taller. “What’re you doing here, man? I didn’t even know you were coming!”
“You weren’t supposed to,” Michael said with a laugh, patting Manning’s cheek. “Your parents wanted to surprise you.”
“Really?”Manning beamed at his mom and dad,thenglanced around expectantly. “Where’sUncle Sterling and Marcus?”
Mom answered warmly, “Marcus ran to the backyard to surprise the boys. Your uncle couldn’t get off from work until Tuesday, so he’ll be flying down with Mama Wolf, Uncle Theo and the gang, and Quentin and his mother.”
Manning’s eyes widened. “You meanQ’scoming for Thanksgiving, too?” he exclaimed.
Michael grinned broadly.“Yup.”
Manning whooped with excitement. Things were suddenly lookingwayup.
Leaning close, Michael took a whiff of Manning,thenreared back flapping his hand in front of his nose. “Yo, man, have you taken a shower today?”
“Um, yeah.”When Manning cautiously sniffed at his underarms, Michael grinned mischievously.
“Gotcha.”
Theyboth laughed, then slung their arms around each other’s necks and headed upstairs to join the others in the backyard.
That evening they went to a new all-you-can-eat buffet, where they feasted on juicy steaks, barbecue chicken, pork ribs, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, cinnamon apples and hot, buttery rolls. The desserts were good, but they left everyone hankering for the mouthwatering cakes and pies baked by Mama Wolf, who couldn’t get there soon enough.
During the lively meal, Manning noticed other diners staring and smiling at them. One white woman could be seen counting the number of heads at their long table. When she wandered over and asked Mom and Dad whether all seven boys were theirs, they told her yes. The awestruck woman gushed over how young Mom and Dad were, and how wonderful Mom looked to be a mother of seven. Before she and her husband left the restaurant, they asked to pose for a picture with the Wolf Pack. When Mom graciously agreed, the couple was so excited you’d have thought they’d just met the famous Jackson family.
After dinner, they all went to the movies. Even though it was after eleven when they returned home, Mom and Dad allowed everyone to stay up late since they were on vacation. While the boys played video games, Michael and Manning took turns shooting baskets at the indoor basketball hoop.
“I can’t get over this basement,” Michael marveled, draining shots with the natural ease he’d honed as an All-American power forward for his high school basketball team. “It’s like you’ve got your own arcade down here.”
