Betrayed by Suzetta Perkins

pulled out the piece of paper with John’s telephone number on it. She fingered the paper, reached for her cell, dialed the first three digits, and hit the END button. What in the hell was she doing? She had a wonderful life, and her purpose at the moment was to help get Afrika through college.
    The BlackBerry clinked on the glass of the kitchen table as it slipped out of Mimi’s hand. She picked up her mail and began to sift through it. Advertisement, bill, bill, advertisement and a folded up piece of paper. Mimi unfolded it and dropped it on the table upon reading the cryptic message.
    What are you waiting for? I’ve given you fair warning. Take your daughter and get out of Durham. If you don’t take care of it soon, I will take matters into my own hands. And stay away from Brenda.
    â€œYou sorry son-of-a-bitch. I’m not going anywhere and you don’t scare me,” Mimi said out loud. She picked up the piece of paper, wadded it up, and threw it across the room. Two seconds later, she retrieved it and put it in the junk drawer underneath her journal. “This piece of paper is going to convict your ass; I’m going to do something that I should’ve done a long time ago.”
    Mimi picked up her BlackBerry and dialed John’s number. She needed to confide in someone—she needed to let someone know that Victor had threatened her. John was going to get an earful at lunch and, for the first time, she felt good about sharing her secret.

18
    â€œI’m so glad today is Friday,” Afrika said to Asia as they crossed the campus on their way to the W. G. Pearson Cafeteria.
    â€œMe, too,” Asia said. “If we didn’t have to cheer tomorrow, I could sleep until noon. So what’s up with tonight?”
    â€œYou said we were going to some pizza joint. I hope you don’t mind that I invited Keith along.”
    â€œNaw, but that’s going to make it a threesome, and I’m the third wheel. Deon has football practice and can’t come. Anyway, I get this funny feeling Keith doesn’t like me.”
    â€œWhy would you think that? And for the record, you’re never a third wheel. If it makes you feel better, we can pretend that Keith is taking the both of us out.”
    â€œIt’s all right, Nikki. I don’t need a man to complete me, even though Deon and I are getting along quite well.”
    â€œI wasn’t trying to imply you did. I want you to be comfortable with the arrangement because we’ll be three friends out for pizza and enjoying each other’s company.”
    â€œOkay with me.”
    â€œWho cares what other people think anyway?” Afrika asked. “We’re individuals with independent thinking. We must rise beyond the childishness of high school and act like the adults we’re destined to become.”
    Asia scrunched up her face until her mouth was twisted intosome abstract art form. “Did you learn that in Psychology 101 or are you one of those reincarnated beings that have returned to earth to set the Generation X population straight?”
    Now it was Afrika’s turn to look at Asia in amazement. “Look at us. All this mumbo jumbo because we talked about going out for some pizza—with Keith.”
    â€œI know. Silly, huh?” Asia said with a grin.
    â€œYep. Let’s worry about lunch first.”
    The girls headed into the cafeteria. Afrika pulled out her Eagle card and gave it to the cashier to swipe.
    â€œI’m sorry, your card is declined,” the cashier said, handing the card back to Afrika.
    â€œDeclined?” Afrika asked. “I used it yesterday. I have a meal plan.”
    â€œWell, baby, there’s nothing I can do. You need to check with the business office.”
    â€œWould you mind trying again?” Afrika pushed. “I don’t understand this.”
    An ugly frown formed on the cashier’s face. “Give me the card,” the cashier said