Chapter Nine
Mistakes
Tammie watches Devon with nervous tension as he pulls his car into her gravel driveway. The rocks make a crunching sound under his wheels, matching the crunching in her stomach.
Devon finally called today after ignoring dozens of her messages. He asked her to meet him at her house later in the afternoon. For what, he didn’t say, so Tammie isn’t sure what to expect when he arrives.
Tammie watches anxiously as his car door swings open lazily, revealing a perfectly pressed pants leg. The leg removes itself from the car, followed by its twin, and both make their way to Tammie.
Devon walks her way with a powerful and confident stride. Tammie forces her eyes beyond his legs, up to his chest, and finally rests them on his face. His deep chocolate skin makes her knees weak. He is one fine brother.
“Tammie, let’s talk,” Devon speaks so softly his words hum like sweet music, surrounding her with warmth and beauty.
“Okay,” she replies, less musical, but just as softly. It is important for her tone to match his. After not speaking to him for so long she doesn’t want him to run off again. Not now when she needs him.
He coaxes her forward, extending his left hand out to her. She slowly, cautiously, takes it, gradually pulled in by the hope she feels, the hope that is now emanating from Devon’s eyes.
“Baby girl, I’m sorry for what I said before,” he pulls her in closer. She doesn’t resist, but drinks in the smell of his cologne. She needs him close.
“I know you would never cheat on me,” Devon continues. “It was stupid for me to say it. I was just scared, you know?”
Tammie nods as tears of relief drop down her face.
“I love you, Tammie. I really do. And I’m here for you, ok? We’ll get through this.”
Tammie smiles and lets out a sigh, releasing all her anxiety in one breath. “Really?”
Devon nods. His arms, strong and secure, wrap around her, soothing away her every worry.
“I thought it was over between us,” she cries into his shirt. Devon kisses her forehead and rocks her back and forth. “No, it’s not over, Tammie. Far from it.”
Tammie sniffs and allows herself to look at him.
“Do you forgive me?”
His deep voice melts her resolve, and Tammie can only nod in response. Devon kisses her softly on the lips. Tammie returns the gesture, hesitant at first, then passionately, allowing herself to become lost in Devon. Why not? She is lost without him.
“Come with me,” Devon guides her to his car. Tammie nods willingly and gets into the car. She welcomes whatever might happen next.
•••
Max walks into Mr. Kent’s house, carefree and smiling big as he saunters past the big man’s always serious form.
“Afternoon, officer,” Max grins and salutes.
“Max, did you skip school today?” Mr. Kent minces no words.
Max halts at the question, stumbling over his feet.
“Uh, well I,” Max fumbles over his words, tempted to lie, yet convinced it would be futile. “Why would you ask that?” Max doesn’t dare look at Mr. Kent directly.
“Oh, just a hunch,” Mr. Kent moves toward Max casually, stopping only inches from where Max stands. “Am I right?”
Max shakes his head. “Wouldn’t that be silly? I mean, why would I?” Max continues to avert his gaze.
“Hmph,” Mr. Kent leans forward so his eyes are level with Max’s. “Two options, Max. Tell me the truth, and you might get a lesser punishment. Continue to lie, and you’ll get the max. Your choice.”
“I’m not lying, per se,” Max backpedals. “I’m just observing the absolutely ridiculous nature of the actions you are accusing me of.”
Mr. Kent narrows his eyes, unflinching. Max feels his cheeks burning under his dauntless stare. He finally cracks.
“Ok, I admit it. I skipped, but it wasn’t because I wanted to.”
Mr. Kent’s silence makes Max nervous. He continues anxiously. “A friend of mine got sick, and she wasn’t in a position to call anyone, and I didn’t want her going home alone, so I took her home.”
“She?” Mr. Kent raises his eyebrows.
Max grimaces. “Okay, I know how that sounds, but I swear it’s not what you’re thinking. I took her home, that’s it. I didn’t even go inside. Her mom was there, and she wouldn’t let me.”
Max risks a short look at Mr. Kent to see if he believes any of what he’s just said. It isn’t necessary.
“I believe you,” Mr. Kent states simply.
Max eyes him warily. “You do?”
“Sure,” Mr. Kent smiles. “You’re grounded the rest of the week, and if you skip school again I’ll have to tell your father.”
“You’re not going to tell him about this?” Max is surprised.
Mr. Kent shrugs. “As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing to tell, so long as it doesn’t happen again?” Mr. Kent waits for Max.
“Oh, it won’t, I swear,” Max affirms. He gives Mr. Kent a look of admiration. “Thank you, Mr. Kent. I really don’t want my dad to worry about me, not right now.”
“You’ve got a lot to deal with yourself, Max,” Mr. Kent shakes his head. “I’m just trying to help. And I don’t want you to feel the need to lie to me. I’m not your enemy.”
“I know,” Max speaks apologetically. “It’s a hard habit to kick, though. My default response has always been to lie, or sidestep at least.”
“I understand, Max,” Mr. Kent reassures him.”But if you’re honest with me, I won’t be unreasonable, and I won’t demand more from you than you can give. That’s a promise.”
Max nods in consent.
“But, Max, next time, call Tammie’s mother, okay?”
Max nods and heads off to his room. Halfway down the hall, Max wonders how he knew it was Tammie.
•••
Max calls out to Tammie and waves her over to him in the hallway.
Tammie smiles in reply and walks his way. “Good morning Max!” Tammie chirps.
Max raises his eyebrows and matches her pitch. “Good morning! You seem to be in very high spirits today.”
Tammie couldn’t stop smiling if she tried. “That’s because something really great happened to me yesterday!”
“Do tell,” Max smirks.
Tammie grabs his arm and pulls him to the side. “Devon called me up and met with me yesterday afternoon.”
Max doesn’t like where the conversation is headed, but says nothing.
“He apologized to me for the way he treated me, and promised to help me from now on,” Tammie's eyes begin to tear. “And he told me he loved me and that he’d never leave me again. So now we’re back together. Isn’t this great, Max?”
“Uh,” Max begins, but Tammie cuts him short.
“I mean, this is what we prayed for, right?” Tammie sniffs and wipes the tears from her eyes. “We prayed for God to work on Devon’s heart and he did! We prayed for a miracle to happen and it has! Isn’t this wonderful, Max?”
Max remains unresponsive as Tammie gushes on and on about Devon. Tammie calms down long enough to notice Max’s lack of enthusiasm. “Max? Is there something wrong?”
Max stays quiet, contemplating his options. Should he tell her what he really thinks or what she wants to hear? He decides on both. “Tammie, I’m happy for you. It’s good to see that you’re happy.”
“I am very happy,” Tammie nods.
Max continues. “And I’m also glad that Devon has contacted you and promised to help.” Max sighs and Tammie frowns.
“But?” Tammie watches him.
“Ah, I don’t know how to explain it, Tammie,” Max turns away slightly, hesitant to continue.
“Then just say it, Max,” Tammie pulls him back to her. “If I can trust anyone, I know I can trust you, Max. So just tell me what you’re thinking. I value your opinion, and I need to know.”
“Ah, Tammie I’m a goofball,” Max shakes his head.<
br />
“But you’re an honest one, and I want to know,” Tammie is adamant.
Max sighs again. “I have a really bad feeling about Devon. I don’t think you can trust him, at least not entirely.”
Tammie is quiet a long time before speaking. “Maybe Devon and I are taking things too fast, and we need to slow down a little.” Tammie looks at Max. “But Max, I love Devon. What am I going to do?”
“I could be wrong, Tammie, but taking things slowly would probably be best.”
Tammie silently nods, battling fiercely to hold back her tears. “I’d better get to class,” she whispers.
“Ok,” Max squeezes her hand. “Take care of yourself, okay?”
Tammie nods and waves goodbye as she walks away.
•••
“Tams, what are you doing tonight?” Devon asks Tammie as they walk to his car.
Tammie smiles at him. “Oh, I don’t know. What are you doing?”
Devon shrugs. “Well, that depends on what you want to do, Tams.” He takes her hand and brings it up for a kiss.
Tammie sighs. Everything is going to be okay, she tells herself. Devon is with her now, and everything is going to be okay.
“So, do you want to come over?” Devon asks with a grin.
Tammie shrugs coyly. “Perhaps,” she replies.
Devon pulls her into an embrace, bringing her ear close to his lips. “Just perhaps?” he whispers.
Tammie shivers. “Ah, definitely.”
“Definitely, yes?” Devon smiles and begins tickling her sides.
Tammie can only laugh and nod.
“Let’s go then,” he guides her to his car.
When they arrive at Devon’s house, his mother is just leaving. Devon’s mother waves at them before pulling out of the driveway so they can get in, reminding Devon to eat the dinner she left for him in the microwave and encouraging both him and Tammie to study hard.
Tammie observes the proud look on his mother’s face as she lingers to stress the importance of good grades and how they’re his ticket to getting into law school. Devon is his mother’s pride and joy. Tammie sighs as his mother finally drives off.
Devon brings Tammie into the house, and they sit on the couch. He scoops up her hands, massaging them softly as he speaks. “Baby girl, we need to talk.”
Tammie nods and feels her stomach tighten into knots. “I know.”
“Here’s the thing,” Devon begins. “I need to know where we stand and what we’re going to do about the baby. Have you considered alternatives?”
“You mean, abortion?”
Devon nods. “I know it’s a painful topic to bring up, and if it’s not something you are willing to do, you can just say so. I just want to make sure we go over all of our options.”
Tammie shakes her head. “I don’t know about that, Devon. I never really expected myself to be in this situation, so I’ve never given it much thought. I always thought when I became pregnant, I’d be married, so of course I’d want the baby. I just… I don’t know.”
“Take all the time you need and find out,” Devon consoles her. “But I don’t want us to wait until the baby is here before we try to decide on anything.”
Tammie nods in agreement. “Okay, I’ll think it over.”
“Whatever you decide, I’m with you, Tammie,” Devon squeezes her close to him and caresses her back. He kisses her on her neck, then her lips, and before Tammie knows it, they are in his bedroom.
Love Me Page 9
