Broken

Chapter Twenty-Five: Thats a Whole Other Story

Something really warm was on my lips. I squinted my eyes open my eyes and Katrina was on top of me performing CPR (why, I don't know because I wasn't even drowning). I closed my eyes again. Her lips felt really familiar. I liked it. I slowly started moving my mouth with her. I opened one eye. Katrina was looking down and still performing CPR. I moved a little more and she looked at me. I winked. Finally, she stopped and started kissing me instead.

This was better than whatever Karen was doing. It was slow and passionate and I didn't hesitate for a second to wrap my arms around her tightly. She sucked on my bottom lip, causing me to groan.

"What the hell?" Johnny screamed.

I totally forgot about that guy.

Katrina abruptly stood up and walked a few feet away from me. My lips were still tingling and I just laid there, staring at her. She didn't look at me. Her face was turning all sorts of colors.

"Okay, now you deserve an ass-beating." Johnny lunged at her.

"Dude!" I yelled and grabbed his left leg. He stumbled and fell on top of me but I was fine. He, on the other hand, landed face first into a tree root. That had to bruise.

"I meant what I said about not touching her. Just let her go."

"She's a whore!"

"But she wasn't bothering you. Hell, she wasn't even bothering me."

"Jordan, you're actually a nutjob."

I looked at her again. She was farther back and inching towards the little girl on the other side of the park. Instead of looking relieved and happy like I was she looked regretful. Did I do something?

"Katrina I'm sorry about what I did to you." I apologized. I needed to know everything she could possibly tell me. I needed her to talk to me. I needed her help. I needed her. Period.

"I-I'm sorry, I can't do this again..." She ran away, wiping tears from her eye and back to the little girl. I let her leave, but I knew I would see her again so I didn't stress about it.

After I left Johnny in the park I went to find Renee-Leah. I really like Renee. She was so spunky and sarcastic and sassy and reminded me a little bit of myself (minus the sass). I was walking by the shops downtown when I saw her through the window. Her hands were full of bags and behind lurked Nancy. Nancy was such a square. She literally talked like one of those automated voicemail messages. They wore matching striped sweaters and blue jeans with a thin belt. I entered the boutique and greeted them.

"Jordan! Honey! I thought you were with Johnny today?" Renee-Leah hugged me a little too tight. Her voice was high and buzzed in my head. She spoke quickly like she was Northern, but her Southern accent made her fit in just right.

"It didn't go so well."

"Well, don't just stand there spill all of the beans!" She flipped her hair and looked at me intently like she was really interested in my story.

So I told her about everything except for the kiss (because I didn't want to have that same boring conversation of "she's black you can't do that" and "they're all animals", like shut up with all of that shit!) and the memory. That kiss was unforgettable and the memory...I was sure that she would remember too if I asked and I wanted to keep that one close. No one else would know about our little secret.

"Enough about me, what about y'all? You got a lot of stuff there."

"Just a going away present from me to Nancy. When I say the poor thing doesn't understand color coordination, I mean it! That's why we're matching. She's in training."

I looked at her. "You're moving? I just met you." I was genuinely surprised.

Nancy glared at Renee-Leah. "Yes. I'm moving."

"Where are you moving to?"

"I'm not sure." Her voice was monotonous and her eyes were blank.

"You should just ask Timothy, honey. What kind of relationship doesn't have communication?"

"What kind of a relationship is between a white and Negro?" Nancy snapped. Renee-Leah rolled her eyes and looked away at some dresses. An employee approached her. He was as glowy and beaming as the sun. His cheeks were rosy and his brown eyes melted into everything. He reeked of cologne and he was trying so hard to grow a mustache. It always saddened me; whenever you try to fit in and then life says, "Nice try!" and you just look stupid. Oddly, I found myself relating to him. But I couldn't remember so...

"If it ain't Ms. White!" He hugged Renee-Leah like an old friend.

"Honey, who else do you know this beautiful?" She smiled and kissed him lightly.

"I'd be damned if I did."

"Then I'll be the devil!" She giggled and twirled her hair.

"Is there anything I can help you ladies with?"

"Can we buy Nancy a decent boyfriend? A-ha-ha-ha!" (She actually laughed like this and I felt if I said "she laughed" it would not do her justice.)

"Knock it off, Renee," Nancy growled.

"Someone's grouchy? Honey, you need to lighten up! I'm only trying to get'cha to laugh." She turned to the employee. "But really, Parker we're fine. I'm doing my best to educate this girl." Another round of comical laughter.

"Good luck, Ms. White!" He bounced away.

I raised my brows and continued the old conversation. "Who's Timothy?"

"He's my boyfriend. He's a senior at a university out of town and he's picking me up after the party. We're moving in together."

"Aren't you like, twelve?" I said jokingly. "What are you doing with a senior?"

"Whatever I want to." She said coldly. She warmed up after a second. Only slightly. "Renee just wanted me to have something to remember her by, that's all."

"Do your parents know?"

"No. I'd like to keep it that way."

The back door opened. A tall black boy with warm mahogany skin snuck in behind the counter. He was happy and giddy but checked over his shoulder before going in some sort of back room. Renee-Leah glanced at him over her shoulder. They made eye contact for a little too long. Is she smiling? Was that a wink?

"Don't you go startin' about me, Renee. You got your own sins to worry about."

"Honey, the day love becomes a sin is a day I'm a poor woman. Now, ain't that right?" She burst into another fit of giggles. "I have an appointment. Sorry, Nan. See y'all later!" She reached into her purse and brought out a bottle (there was no tag but let's be honest, she was rich and the rich don't carry around just water) and followed the boy into the room.

"Who's that?"

Nancy rolled her eyes. "Beverly Jones. He's such a Clyde. He's always boozed up on something. Sometimes Mr. White will pity him and give him something to do. I don't think he was including Ren." She scowled.

"Oh."

"But I'm the only one who knows about it, so don't tell her I told you!" she hissed. "You seem very trustworthy."

"Thanks. I get that a lot." I rocked on my heels. I sighed. "First Johnny and now this. Does anyone practice what they preach here?"

Nancy looked me square in the eyes, her face now shadowed in gray. "If we did, this town would burn to the ground."