As Millicent talked, I wished we weren’t searching for Tangie but just riding and getting comfortable around each other like Daddy wanted us to do.
“You said nine-fourteen?” Millicent asked.
“Yes,” Valerie and I answered together.
She got on the expressway, but it still took about ten minutes until we turned left off the highway and onto Howell Mill Road. “He has roommates?” Millicent asked.
“Two, I think,” Valerie said.
Just then, Valerie’s cell phone rang. I jumped in my seat.
“Hello? Tangie? Where are you?” Valerie said. “No. I don’t think your dad knows. Just calm down…. Georgie told us. She was worried. We have someone to help. Where are you? Okay…Okay. Don’t move.”
“Where is she?” I shouted.
“At the McDonald’s on Peachtree.”
In less than five minutes, we pulled up in front of McDonald’s, and I scanned the parking lot and peered into the brightly lit windows. Then, coming out the door, I saw those tiny braids with hundreds of beads swinging on her head. Her seventies dress had been replaced with jeans and a Georgia State University sweatshirt, but it was her coming out the door. I barely waited for Millicent to park before I leaped out of the car and shouted her name.
She turned her head toward me and hurried across the parking lot. Her beads sounded like hundreds of tiny cymbals as she got closer.
“Watch out for cars,” Millicent shouted, and Tangie and I met nearly halfway in the lot.
This time, I didn’t have to hug her first. Tangie wrapped her arms around me and rocked a little, like you do when you really like—or maybe even love—someone.
Once we were all in the car, I wished I had sat in the back with Tangie, but I knew she really wanted to talk to Valerie. It took all I had to stay facing forward and not turn around like a nosy pest.
“I’m sorry to worry everyone,” Tangie said.
Her voice was all I needed to twist around. She and Valerie had their hands locked together, and I hoped that Nikki and I would be best friends like that one day and not always the fussing kind.
“First things first,” Millicent said. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine,” she said as soft as Peaches would. “Thanks to Mar—”
I almost wanted to finish it, but I’d already done enough.
“To Marshall,” Millicent said. “Is that your boyfriend?”
“Not if my dad has anything to do with it.”
“What happened, Tangie?” Millicent was like Mama for a minute, knowing exactly what was in my head.
“We were just going to march along the spot in Buckhead where Roderick was harassed. Police stopped him without cause. He hadn’t been drinking or anything. Marshall did such a good job of getting the word out that more people showed up than we thought, which was good. But they didn’t have a permit.
“When the police told us to leave, Marshall’s roommate started shouting. Others joined in. Next thing I know, Marshall’s roommate was on the ground. When Marshall spoke up, they put him in cuffs, too. He told me not to say a word and get home.”
“I’m sorry, Tangie” was all I could say.
Millicent shook her head. “What can start out peaceful can turn violent instantly. I’m just happy you weren’t hurt.”
“We just wanted to march the same route Roderick walked when he was arrested. Just to show them that they don’t have a right to harass us. But some protesters started blocking traffic.”
“That’ll get the police involved quickly, especially in that area. Have you heard from Marshall?” Millicent asked.
“Not yet. Soon as I got to the McDonald’s I called Val. I knew you knew how to get to this McDonald’s.”
“I couldn’t have helped. My folks don’t let me drive after seven,” Valerie said. “My dad dropped me off.”
“Yeah, I forgot. Panicked.” Tangie sighed.
“Tangie,” Millicent said, “I don’t want you to think that I’m okay with you keeping secrets from your dad. There has been a rash of brutality claims throughout Atlanta. Emotions are high across the city. Your dad probably wants you to exercise your rights, but you have to let him know where you are and what you’re doing for your safety.”
“I’m gonna tell him what happened. But do I have to do it tonight?”
“No, you don’t, but you have to do it,” Millicent said.
“Yes, ma’am,” Tangie said.
The seat belt got the best of me and I leaned back. For the next several minutes, Tangie and Valerie barely spoke a word to each other. They were so silent that I thought maybe Valerie was mad at her. I couldn’t help myself. I whipped around, and both of their faces had the glow of the phone screen. Whatever they were saying was all being done in text messages. I doubted I’d ever really know all that happened, but that was okay.
As soon as we got home, Tangie and Valerie bolted straight upstairs.
“Hey, wait…wait!” Mama called. “Wasn’t that Tangie?” She asked me as I strolled in the room. “Why did she take off her dress? I didn’t even get a pic.”
“Maybe she spilled something on it,” I said. “She’ll be right back. She’s with Valerie.” I was proud at how calm I acted.
“Well, as soon as you see her, bring her straight to me.”
“Okay,” I said, happy Mama was dancing and enjoying herself.
“Where were you at, G-baby?” Peaches said as she saddled up to me with one of her friends who had cake in her hair.
“Had to go out a second. You miss me?”
She nodded.
“Have you been dancing?”
“I keep falling down. Mama said it will get better. Will it?”
“I fall down, too,” her friend said.
“See, Peaches. It happens to everybody.” But before she answered the thought seemed to leave her and helping her friend get cake out of her hair took over.
Just as I turned to go find Nikki and Tammy, they darted up from the basement and across the room to me.
“Where have you been?” Nikki piped.
“Looking for Tangie without help from you two.”
“I…I can call Jevon and Crystal. Maybe they can help us again.”
“Too little. Too late. No need. All taken care of.” I brushed my hands together like people do in the movies when something is successfully completed.
“Wait, I just saw Millicent. Were you with her? You told your dad’s new wife?” Nikki asked. “Tangie’s never, ever gonna speak to you again.”
“See how much you know,” I said. “She’s already talking to me, so there.”
“Lucinda and Rhonda called their ride. She said she can’t stay any longer at this CKP.”
“CKP?” I repeated.
“Corny Kids’ Party.”
“Then why are they still here?” I said. Nikki raised her palms. “More importantly, when are you getting your bike? That’s the only reason she was supposed to be at this CKP in the first place.”
“Can you not tell the world please?” Nikki said.
“Let’s go back outside,” Tammy said. “All the old fogey stogeys are up here.”
Nikki yanked at her Afro puffs. “I don’t know what to do now. She didn’t bring it like she promised.” It was really hard not to feel sorry for Nikki. Lucinda would have never gotten her paws on that bike if Nikki didn’t think she was helping her real friends. Since I wasn’t going to be at Sweet Apple next year, I was sure Mama would let me try out for the dance team. And I didn’t need Lucinda Hightower’s approval. I might make it on my own if I could get my nerves under control. Tammy would make it for sure if it was all about dancing. She’s the only one who could do the Chicken Noodle Soup and make it cool. But if someone like Lucinda stopped teasing her about her weight, other girls would, too.
Before I could think of anything to help Nikki that didn’t involve just telling our folks, Lucinda and Rhonda walked up.
“We’re going out to the back till
our ride comes.”
“It’s like a McDonald’s Playland downstairs.”
“Well, it is a corny kids’ party,” I said. “And for your information, it’s for my sister who was in the hospital. If you haven’t figured that out. Duh.”
Lucinda acted like that lip gloss suddenly glued her mouth shut.
Rhonda tugged at her ripped jeans. “Glad your sister is okay. Cake’s the bomb. Ribs, too.”
“Thanks,” I said, like I had a hand in that. “We all should go out there. But you two aren’t going anywhere until you tell us when Nikki is getting her bike.”
“Is it your bike or what? Plus, I’m sure Nikki told you the deal. Keep in mind, I was there when you tried out for dance team at Sweet Apple,” Lucinda said.
She didn’t say another word, but flailed her arms around.
“She wasn’t that bad,” Nikki said, then shut up.
“It doesn’t matter if I was. She can’t keep your bike just ’cause she’s bullying you.”
“Is that what you’re telling people, Nik?”
“Stop calling her ‘Nik.’ She doesn’t like it. Only her brother gets to call her that, and you ain’t him.”
I couldn’t forget the times that Nikki had spoken out for me when someone said something about my “little girl” hairstyle. Or when Mama bought me cheapo sneakers and Nikki kept a new pair of purple-and-white Nikes in her locker just for me. There was something about Lucinda that made Nikki unable to talk for herself and that’s when friends had to step in. Maybe that’s all Tangie and Marshall were trying to do—stand up for someone who couldn’t stand up for themselves.
We all were walking toward the back door. Nikki didn’t say a word and wobbled like a newborn pony.
Before we made it to the door, that Barry White voice called, “Georgie!”
Nikki and Tammy froze like their name was Georgie, too. But Lucinda and Rhonda kept strolling on out.
“Where have you been, young lady?” Frank said.
What to say? What to say? Does he know anything? What if he found out? What do I do now? Please come down now, Tangie, please.
I turned around. Frank was smiling at me, so I exhaled.
“Think someone is looking for you?” Frank nodded to the right, and now all three of us faced him.
“Hi,” Kevin said.
“Hi,” I said. Excitement bubbled up inside me like soda pop. “I thought you left for Rochester already.”
“My dad had to put it off until next week. Some-thing came up.” His voice didn’t sound disappointed. But sometimes when you have to disguise it is when you feel the worst. Hurt is right there underneath the happy sound.
“It happens,” I said.
“I still wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Mr. Frank.”
Frank rocked on his heels. “I made an ice run, and who should I see walking with his bike?” Frank said.
“Chain finally popped,” Kevin said. “I didn’t know about the bus schedule on the weekend. I was heading back home.”
“You gave him a ride?” I asked Frank.
“Yep,” Frank said. “And I’m his taxi back home in about an hour or two, so have fun until then.”
I hugged Frank so hard he stumbled backward.
“Thank you for being so nice to my friend,” I said into his chest, trying not to cough because of his smoky barbecue scent.
“I better enjoy this hug.” He chuckled. “There’ll be enough times when it’s the last thing you’ll want to do. You can ask Ms. Tangie all about that.” His hand flattened my Afro, and I didn’t mind at all.
When I released him, I was a little too embarrassed to look at Nikki and Tammy. To them that hug stamped I Like Kevin across my forehead.
“Y’all have a good time,” he said to all of us, then looked at Kevin. “What time did your folks say be home, young man?”
“Ah…Eleven at the latest. My mom will worry after then.” Kevin said the words slowly like he just wanted to hear the sound. Maybe she realized how much she’d miss him now that he was going away.
“Okay. In that case, be ready no later than ten thirty.” Kevin nodded. “And there’s plenty of barbecue left. Don’t be shy.”
“Yes, sir,” Kevin said, and gave Frank a salute that he returned. As soon as Frank walked away, Nikki, Tammy, Kevin, and I huddled together.
Kevin squinted at Nikki. “Lucinda’s here, so I guess you got your bike back.”
“Not quite,” I said.
“You need to mind your own business,” Nikki snapped at Kevin.
“Really, Nikki?” I said.
It was hard for me to feel sorry for her, because she fibbed about what happened with Lucinda and she’d stolen those earrings. But Tangie had made a mistake, too. Mama’s favorite play is A Raisin in the Sun. It says something about caring for people even more when they’ve made mistakes. But I knew Nikki wouldn’t want to hear me jabbering about a play when Lucinda’s ride would be along any second, so I kept my mouth shut.
“I say we grab your mama and daddy right now and tell them that Lucinda has your bike. That would put an end to this,” I said.
“Hello? Earth to Georgie! I know you’re not going to Sweet Apple next year, but I am. You want me to have a permanent seat at the loser table, huh?”
“What do you think?” I said.
“Well, that’s exactly where I’ll be if the second most popular girl in school, me, rats out the most popular.”
Didn’t know exactly how Nikki’s calculations worked, but I didn’t sweat it.
A song that reminded me of gym class, “Y.M.C.A.,” was booming from the backyard as the four of us thought about how to get Nikki’s bike.
I glanced out the window. Lucinda was chugging a soda and bobbing her head.
“Okay, I have an idea. Don’t let them leave. Even if their ride comes, think of something to stall them.”
“You better not go tell any grown-ups, Georgie. I gotta show my face at Sweet Apple next year, you don’t. I can’t be a tattletale.”
“Just make sure they don’t go nowhere,” I said to all of them, but looked at Kevin.
“I got you,” he said.
I darted off into the living room and up the stairs. Tangie was coming out of her door with Valerie.
“Hey, what’s up?” Tangie said, all her freckles shining. She put her arms around my shoulders and stepped with me back into her room. “I’ll see you downstairs,” she said to Valerie.
“Is Marshall okay?” I asked.
“Yeah, his parents bailed him and his roommate out. If I hadn’t left, I would have been taken in with them, I’m sure. Wouldn’t have mattered what the cause, if my dad had to come down to a precinct to get me, I’d never see Marshall again. My dad never gonna know what a good guy he is if I get myself in trouble. For now, Marshall has to have his way of protesting and I’ll have mine. And it’ll probably be with my dad,” she said, and nudged my shoulders.
“You’re not gonna see him anymore?”
“I wouldn’t say that. But it won’t be until we come back from Bogalusa. Hopefully, we’ll keep in touch.”
“You said Kevin and I would keep in touch.”
“It’s a little different with older boys. We’ll talk about that later.”
“So you don’t mind going to Bogalusa now?”
“I talked to my mom. She says I can come to Houston if I really want to, which means she doesn’t want me to. She…she wouldn’t know what to do with me there for the rest of the summer. She doesn’t drive anymore since what happened. Dad said he’d match whatever I made at the diner.” She raised her eyebrows. “Money for my car,” she said with a sly smile.
“‘You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose,’” I said.
“Cute. Guess that’s true,” she said.
She didn’t get that it was a line from Dr. Seuss, and I shut up before I lost like a zillion cool points. I didn’t have to work hard befor
e my excitement left.
“You didn’t come up here to ask about Marshall. What’s up?”
I took a deep breath and just started telling her all about Lucinda. In about five minutes, she said, “And she’s still downstairs?”
“I told them not to let her go,” I said.
Tangie put her hand on my shoulder and nudged me toward the door. “Lead the way.”
When we got downstairs, we linked up with Nikki, Tammy, and Kevin.
“You told her,” Nikki said.
“Ah, yeah,” I said.
“But if we make her mad, she won’t let us be on the dance team.”
“At school? How does she have say so in that?” Tangie asked.
Nikki tossed her head back. “No, at the Boys and Girls Club.”
Tangie put her hands on her hips. “Are you talking about that one on Richland Road?”
“Yeah,” we all mumbled.
Tangie laughed. “Hello? Georgie! Have you seen my room? What do I have more of than anything?”
“Let’s go find Lucinda!” I shouted.
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Kevin said, and we all marched outside.
Everyone followed Tangie, including Valerie. Kevin and I lagged behind.
“I’m kinda happy my dad didn’t come today.”
“Really?”
“I wanted to see you before I left. You know, to help with the bike, in case you needed me or something.”
“My sister says there are lots of ways to keep in touch these days.”
“That’s true. Rochester won’t seem so far,” he said, and the spot where he kissed me tingled again. Seconds later, we were all out back interfering with Lucinda and Rhonda enjoying root beer floats, Peaches’s favorite drink. People sang “Everybody’s got a little light under the sun” in the background.
“Which one of you is Lucinda?”
Lucinda pointed to herself, before taking a chug.
“Heard you are cocaptain of the Georgia Peach Jam Step Team? First, the bike shouldn’t have anything to do with someone making the team or not. You need to learn sportsmanship.”
Love Like Sky Page 21
