Decision Time Read online

  “You better watch your back!” said this dude, whom I didn’t even know. He was slightly taller than me, had dark brown skin and a tattoo of a teardrop beneath one of his eyes.

  “Look, man, I don’t have a beef with you,” I said, trying to defuse any aggression this dude had toward me.

  “Percy is my cousin and if he gets locked up over some bogus lie about him shooting you, I’m going to dig a grave for you.” Dude had a crazy, wild look in his eyes that made me believe every word he said. He slammed the palm of his hand against the locker once more and then walked away. I exhaled and tried to shake off the threat on my life. I reached for my English book and then closed my locker.

  “These people are crazy, Wesley,” Lori said as she approached my locker. “Two girls told me that they plan on beating me down as soon as the dismissal bell rings.”

  “Do you know them? Do you know their names?” I asked.

  “Hell, no!” Lori was clearly upset.

  “It’s probably about Percy,” I said.

  “Duh! I know that much. I’m going to call my mom and tell her about this,” Lori said. She glanced down the hallway in search of the two girls who were after her earlier. It was clear that she was a little paranoid.

  “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. Maybe your grandmother can come pick you up.”

  “She’s going to have to because I’m not about to get double-teamed by two girls. I didn’t even do or say anything to these chicks.” Lori and I stepped away from my locker.

  “Don’t let them scare you. They want you to be afraid of them, but you shouldn’t be,” I said.

  “Too late because I am afraid of them. I told you, I’m the type of girl who likes to be protected from this sort of thing. And you only having one good arm isn’t going to be enough.”

  “Gee, thanks,” I said, feeling as if she’d just slapped me on the cheek.

  “Don’t take it personal, babes. It’s not your fault. It is what it is. I’m just not going to get stomped over this mess with Percy.”

  “I feel you on that note. I just received a threat from Percy’s cousin,” I said.

  “Who?” Lori asked.

  “I don’t know the guy’s name.” I shrugged my shoulders.

  “What did he look like? Did he have a tattoo of a teardrop on his face?” she asked.

  “Yeah, he did.”

  Lori raised an eyebrow. “You know the teardrop means that he’s killed someone, right?”

  “I know, but what I don’t understand is why he isn’t in jail for it, or at least in some type of reform school.”

  “I’m not sure if he’s really killed anyone. And even if he did, who knows how everything went down? It may be a case where the police found a John Doe and haven’t been able to solve the murder case,” Lori explained.

  “How do you know so much about that lifestyle?” I wanted to know if she was ever involved in some type of female gang.

  “I know about it from a lot of places. The news, Percy, and even some of my own family members have gotten caught up in some mess. Anyway, the dude that threatened you is Percy’s cousin, Claude. Percy and I hung out with Claude and his girlfriend on occasion and all I have to say is Claude is crazy. I’d stay away from him if I were you. Claude’s a ticking time bomb.”

  “Trust me. I want nothing to do with the guy,” I reiterated. “He seems like a really crazy dude.”

  “Crazy may be an understatement. Percy’s dad is in jail and his mom is in rehab. Percy lives with his grandmother, who has one foot in her grave. Let’s not talk about them anymore. I just want to focus on getting home without getting beat down. Do you want to get a ride with me? I know my grandmother won’t mind.”

  “Cool. Meet me at my locker when the last bell rings,” I said. Lori pulled me to the side and gave me a hug and planted a kiss on my cheek before turning down the hallway and heading to her class.

  eleven

  KEYSHA

  It was 6:00 p.m. when Grandmother Katie and I pulled into the driveway. I was a nervous wreck and had no clue how severe my punishment would be. When Grandmother Katie turned off the engine I sat in my seat, afraid and frozen.

  “Come on. You knew you had to face them at some point. You might as well go on in and get it over with so we can all move forward with our lives.” Grandmother Katie wanted me to hold myself accountable for my actions.

  “This isn’t going to be pretty, is it?” I asked as I glanced over at her.

  “What you did was unthinkable, but you’re being given another chance. Remember what I told you about not taking this family’s love for granted. Now get out and go on inside. I have to make a run to the pharmacy up the street.”

  “You mean you’re not going to come in with me? I need your protection.” I suddenly felt as if I were being thrown to a pack of wolves.

  “It’s not my place to interfere with or tell Jordan and Barbara how to raise you. I came to pick you up because I didn’t want the police involved. I didn’t want to see you locked up and placed back into the system and neither did Jordan or Barbara, but you left them with few options, Keysha.”

  “You’re right,” I said, accepting the difficult position I’d placed the family in. I opened the car door and got out. Grandmother Katie pulled off before I rang the doorbell. When Jordan came to the door he stepped aside and let me in.

  “Hello,” I greeted him politely. I avoided eye contact with him and looked at the ground.

  “Are you okay?” I didn’t expect him to ask that question. Jordan tilted my head up and gazed into my eyes.

  “Yes,” I answered.

  “Step into my office. Barbara and I would like to discuss this with you,” he said as he shut the door. I suddenly felt the urge to pee.

  “Can I go to the bathroom first?” I asked.

  “Yes,” Jordan said.

  I walked up the stairs and into the bathroom. Shortly thereafter, I walked into the basement and into Jordan’s office. There were three chairs all facing each other. I sat down in the empty seat and remained silent.

  “First of all, how is Wesley doing?” Barbara asked.

  “I think he’s going to be fine. He was able to sit up and talk,” I said as I repositioned myself in the seat.

  “Where was he shot?” Jordan asked.

  “In the shoulder,” I answered.

  “So he’s going to pull through, right?” Barbara asked as she leaned forward and rested her elbows on her thighs.

  “Yes,” I answered with a trembling voice.

  “Good,” Barbara stated before repositioning herself in her chair.

  Jordan jumped right in and let his feelings be known. “This entire incident has left a very sour taste in my mouth, Keysha. You disobeyed me, you fought me and you ran away from me. I called the police and made plans for you to be placed into a mental hospital.”

  “A mental hospital?” I glanced into his eyes to see if he was for real.

  “Yes. I wanted you to be detained pending a psychiatric evaluation.”

  “But I’m not crazy.” I wanted to make that very clear.

  “Keysha, you did a one-hundred-eighty-degree turn on me when I found you at the bus station. You were acting like a totally different person.” For the first time I was seeing myself through Jordan’s eyes.

  “I thought I was doing the right thing.” I tried to get them to understand the incident from my perspective.

  “By boldly defying us?” Barbara asked.

  “I didn’t mean to rebel or fight back the way I did. I’m sorry for what I did.”

  “I don’t know. I still think we should get you some professional help. I know of a place that deals with teenagers in need of mental therapy.” Jordan wasn’t convinced that my outburst was an isolated incident.

  “You guys can’t be serious,” I countered, feeling as if they were just joking around.

  “Oh, no, we’re very serious, Keysha.” Barbara gave me a look that sent a chill down my spine. I knew she wa
sn’t playing around.

  “I’m sorry. I really am. I won’t do it again. Trust me. After what I went through with Wesley, I’ve certainly learned my lesson. You can punish me or do whatever, but please don’t ship me off to some mental hospital,” I said, apologizing for what I’d done.

  “Does your mom have a history of mental illness, Keysha?” Barbara asked.

  “I don’t know,” I said.

  “Did she seem to have two personalities?” Jordan asked.

  “Of course she did. Justine is as crazy as—” I caught myself and stopped speaking.

  “It could be a genetic thing,” Jordan said to Barbara, who seemed to be agreeing with him.

  “You guys are freaking me out here. Yes, my mother is crazy, but she’s always been that way. I’m nothing like her. I’m not mentally challenged in any way.” I once again tried to reassure them of my sanity.

  “How can we be sure, Keysha? What assurances do we have that you won’t have another outburst and do something like this again?” asked Barbara, who looked me directly in the eyes.

  “I promise you.” I started tearing up. For the first time I realized the severity of what I’d done. “I will never, ever pull a stunt like that again. I will be respectful and do as I’m told. Please do not ship me off to some nuthouse where they’ll strap me down to a table and leave me locked up in a padded room.” Jordan and Barbara looked at each other briefly, as if they were making some type of silent determination.

  “Keysha, go up to your bedroom,” Jordan said. I didn’t say anything as I stood and exited the room. Jordan closed the door behind me, so I couldn’t hear what he and Barbara were talking about.

  I walked into my bedroom and crash-landed facedown on my bed. I rested for twenty minutes before getting back up to turn on my computer. As my computer was booting up, Mike entered.

  “How did it go?” he asked as he sat down on my bed. “How much trouble are you in?”

  “Oh, I’m in some pretty deep water. They’re talking about shipping me off to a mental institution. Have they ever threatened to send you to the nuthouse?” I asked Mike.

  “No, never. That’s pretty deep, though,” Mike said, feeling empathy for me.

  “How are things going for you?” I asked, wanting to know if Jordan had forgiven him yet for wrecking his car.

  “About the same. I wish I could turn back the hands of time and undo all of the stuff I’ve done, but I can’t. By the way, how is Wesley doing?” Mike asked.

  “Please. Don’t even mention his name to me,” I said, not wanting to deal with the memory of what I saw at the hospital.

  “That bad, eh?” Mike asked.

  “You have no idea. How is your girlfriend, Sabrina?”

  “She’s cool. I’ve talked to her a few times. She wants to hook up once I come off of being grounded.”

  “How long will you be tied down for?” I asked.

  “Don’t know. Jordan didn’t give me a set amount of time. At this point, it is what it is,” Mike said, shrugging his shoulders.

  “Grandmother Katie should be back soon,” I informed him as I kicked off my shoes.

  “Cool, I’m going down to the spare bedroom and get some of my stuff out of there. She’s probably going to stay for the night.”

  “Yeah she is,” I confirmed. Mike exited my bedroom and walked down the hall. Once my computer was up, I typed in www.myspace.com/keyshasdrama and checked to see if I’d gotten any e-mails or hits to my page. As soon as I logged in I got an instant message from Maya via Skype.

  Maya: Where u been?

  Keysha: It’s a long story.

  Maya: I sent u a bazillion txt mgs. Y U ain’t answer me?

  Keysha: Fone is dead. Need 2 recharge it.

  Maya: Who’s computer r u on?

  Keysha: Mine. I’m @ home now.

  Maya: When u get back?

  Keysha: Not 2 long ago.

  Maya: They let u back in da house?

  Keysha: Yeah, but they talkin’ bout puttin’ me in a mental hospital.

  Maya: Mental hospital! R U serious?

  Keysha: Yeah. They think I got a split personality or somethin’.

  Maya: Damn.

  Keysha: I no. Try n 2 let them no I ain’t crazy like that.

  Maya: How u get back home so quick?

  Keysha: Grandmother came & got me.

  Maya: So u think yo folks really gonna ship u off 2 da funny farm?

  Keysha: I hope not. Will keep u posted though.

  Maya: K.

  Keysha: How u been? N E thing new going on?

  Maya: Did I tell u I went to planned parenthood?

  Keysha: What? When u do that and what 4?

  Maya: 2 get some birth control pills. Thinking bout doing it with Misalo.

  Keysha: 4 real?

  Maya: Yeah I think I’m ready 4 it.

  Keysha: Girl u need 2 b real sure b-cause dudes will start acting funny on u once they get it.

  Maya: Misalo is not like that. He loves me. We R so into each other. It’s hard 2 put in 2 words. All I no is our romance needs 2 b made into a movie b-cause it is so strong.

  Keysha: Huh, that’s the way I used 2 feel about Wesley until I walked in on him and saw lipstick all over his face.

  Maya: Well Misalo is not like Wesley. He would never do something stupid like that b-cause he knows I would go totally loco on his azz.

  Keysha: Say what u want 2 but my love is on lockdown.

  Maya: Well, my love is open and ready 4 business. But when u get off of da love lock down thing, let me no b-cause I no where u can get some birth control pills w/o a lot of drama.

  Keysha: Where at?

  Maya: Planned Parenthood. Same place where I got mine.

  Keysha: Nope. I am kool 4 now but I hope u no what u r doing.

  Maya: Don’t hate!

  Keysha: I ain’t hatin’ on u. I’m just sayin’ make sure he don’t get it & then start acting all stupid.

  Maya: Misalo isn’t stupid.

  Keysha: Neither was Wesley until Lori came along.

  Maya: Stop comparing Misalo to Wesley. U pissin’ me off with dat.

  Keysha: Sorry. Just tryin’ to b a good friend.

  Maya: Then just b supportive.

  Keysha: OK.

  Maya: U coming to school in the morning?

  Keysha: Yes.

  Maya: Tryouts for the school play is this week. There R A lot of open slots. U should consider reading 4 a part.

  Keysha: I will think about it. G2G. I hear people coming. TTYL.

  I arrived at school early the next morning, so I could stop in the cafeteria, grab a doughnut and catch up with Maya. I’d just sat down when Maya showed up and slammed her books down on the table.

  “Watch my stuff for me while I grab something to eat,” she said as she stepped away. She had on a pink-and-blue Rocawear hoodie with a blue jean skirt and white All Star gym shoes. Her outfit was cute. When Maya returned she sat down across the table from me.

  “I swear some of the kids at this school are just too ignorant for words,” Maya complained.

  “What’s wrong?” I inquired as I bit into my doughnut.

  “Nothing, I just overheard some guys who were standing in line talking about how they planned to fight some other kids after school over at Mr. Subs. That is so stupid. Why would you go to a restaurant just to fight?”

  “I don’t know. When I get into it, I just fight. I don’t pick a venue first,” I answered honestly.

  “Well, that’s different. I mean if you’re defending yourself or something like that then it’s cool,” Maya huffed. “So what happened with your folks? How much trouble are you in?”

  “God, we had this long drawn-out discussion last night once I got off the computer with you. They’re sending me to a psychiatrist for an evaluation to make sure I’m adjusting well and that I don’t have some hidden personality or some crap like that.”

  “Damn! They aren’t playing, are they?” Maya was without a doubt surpr
ised by my parents’ decision to schedule a session with a headshrinker.

  “I really don’t want to go, but what other choice do I have?”

  “Maybe it will be helpful,” Maya suggested.

  “I don’t see how. I’m not crazy—at least I don’t think that I am.”

  “You’re not crazy, well, at least not psychopathically insane.” Maya’s observations weren’t helping me to feel any better.

  “After some fussing I agreed to go as long as I was just being evaluated,” I said.

  “So when do you go?” Maya inquired.

  “Barbara is calling today to schedule an appointment,” I said, dreading the entire idea.

  “Did you get grounded, too?” Maya asked.

  “Yeah, I’m on lockdown for a while. I can’t go to parties or anything. I have to come home directly after school and all that jazz.”

  “Dang. I really wanted you to try out for the play.” Maya sounded disappointed.

  “Maya, I’ve never done anything like that before. I’d probably suck at it.” I immediately shot down the idea.

  “I think you’d be great. With a little help and some practice, I’m positive you’d be able to sharpen up your already awesome acting skills. You’re really a natural, at least in my opinion you are.”