by Earl Sewell
“Is the bottle of rum still in here?” I asked.
“Here you go,” Lori stated smugly as she pulled the large liquor bottle from underneath the driver’s seat. She unscrewed the top and shakily poured the amber-colored liquid in the empty plastic cups sitting in the console.
“Whoa, hold up.” I grabbed the bottle from her when I noticed she had overfilled the cups. “You’re wasting it.” I took the cap and screwed it back on the bottle, then put it under my seat.
“Please.” Lori rolled her eyes. “I didn’t spill that much.” She picked up one of the cups, and took a healthy sip before handing it over to me.
I really needed to get my head right before we headed to the hotel. My mind was a jumbled mess since my breakup with Keysha. I quickly poured the rum down my throat and felt my insides heat up. All at once I felt completely mellow and lay my head back against the headrest. A feeling of drowsiness washed over me, and I felt myself succumbing to darkness.
twenty-five
KEYSHA
When Maya and I returned to the ballroom, off in the distance on the other side of the room I saw Priscilla talking to Antonio.
“Why is that tramp trying to get all up on Antonio?” I asked Maya as I quickened my pace.
“I don’t know, but I heard that she couldn’t get a date and came here with some of her girlfriends,” Maya explained.
“Come on,” I said and we maneuvered through the crowd toward him.
“That is so damn tacky!” I said, purposefully in Maya’s ear over the loud bass of the music.
“I would agree,” Maya said.
“Hey, baby.” I greeted Antonio with an embrace. I looped my arm around him and stood at his side, glaring at Priscilla, whose makeup was streaking down her cheeks. It was clear that she was crying.
“I really need to speak to you, Antonio!” Priscilla shouted.
“We don’t have anything to talk about. I’ve told you, girl. Leave me alone,” Antonio fired back at her.
“Yeah, leave him alone and go get your own man!” I wrinkled my eyebrows and stepped in front of Antonio, ready to deal with Priscilla once and for all.
“How could you be so cold, Antonio? I’m pregnant with your baby!” Priscilla screamed loud and clear. I felt as if I’d just been kicked in the gut.
A hush of shocked silence fell over the crowd, and it seemed everyone was staring at me. Antonio just stood there with his hands in his pants pockets, unsure of what to say. Priscilla gave me a venomous look. “Yeah, that’s right. I’m pregnant with his baby!”
The whole scenario was totally mortifying, and a feeling of claustrophobia came over me. I raced for the exit doors before the tears of humiliation could run down my cheeks. “This is so embarrassing. Why do I have the worst luck with guys?” I cried as I raced as fast as I could down the empty hallway.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Wesley doesn’t particularly care for Lori, yet in her time of need he comes to her rescue. Explain why you feel Wesley got involved instead of allowing Lori and Percy to deal with their rocky relationship issues.
Do you think Keysha was justified in going against her father’s wishes and traveling to Indianapolis to see Wesley? Why or why not?
Wesley allowed Lori to manipulate him a lot throughout the story. Is it possible that Wesley secretly had a crush on Lori? Why or why not?
Both Lori and Wesley have to deal with being bullied by gang members. At one point Lori’s house gets sprayed with bullets. What other options could Wesley have considered to avoid additional confrontations with Percy and his gang? Also, discuss some additional measures that can be taken to eliminate violence in your neighborhood or school.
Keysha demonstrated just how much she cared for Wesley several times throughout the story. However, Wesley seemed to forget about Keysha whenever Lori was around. Discuss how Lori was able to keep Wesley so distracted.
Maya is trying to establish a strong friendship with Keysha throughout the book. Explain why you feel Maya is or isn’t a good friend. Discuss qualities that a best friend should have.
Lori is relentless in her pursuit of Wesley, even though at one point she admits that he’s not her type. Why do you think Lori changed her opinion of Wesley?
Grandmother Katie comes to Keysha’s rescue at her most humiliating moment. Discuss why having someone like Grandmother Katie in Keysha’s life is so critical. Does Grandmother Katie remind you of anyone in your family?
Keysha reaches a point where she becomes suspicious and fed up with Wesley and his denial of his relationship with Lori. Do you think Keysha was being unreasonable? Why or why not? Also, discuss how you would have felt if you were Keysha and saw your boyfriend kissing another girl.
Do you think Keysha jumped into a new relationship with Antonio too soon? Why or why not?
Wesley is once again seduced by the false promises of alcohol and begins drinking. Why do you think Wesley decided to go down this road once more? Also, do you know of anyone who has an addiction to alcohol or some other drug? If so, discuss how you’re coping with the impact it is having on your life.
Dating isn’t easy and can sometimes get very complicated with complex issues. If you could give Keysha and Wesley relationship advice, what would you share with them?
Antonio was nothing more than a charming Casanova looking to start intimate relationships with as many girls as possible. However, when he hears the news of Priscilla’s pregnancy, he wants nothing more to do with her. Discuss why so many girls like Priscilla get caught up and become teen mothers. Also discuss why boys like Antonio run from their responsibility.
How would you go about helping a girlfriend who has learned that she is pregnant? In addition, how would you help a guy who has learned that he has gotten a girl pregnant?
Lori was responsible for Wesley getting shot. Do you feel Wesley should’ve hated her for this? Why or why not?
DECISION TIME
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4435-5
© 2009 by Earl Sewell
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