Forged by Fire by Sharon M. Draper

Saturday, he stayed most of the afternoon, going to the grocery store for Monique and even sweeping the living room. He spoke to Angel only to ask her about school or dancing. Gerald watched him every moment, and true to a promise he made to himself, he never let Angel out of his sight while Jordan was there. Still, she was nervous when Jordan was there and usually threw up when he left.

SEVENTEEN
    T HAT S ATURDAY , A NGEL went to Gerald’s game and sat with Rob’s sister Kiara. They cheered, ate popcorn, and paid more attention to the other kids than to the game. Angel and Kiara, dressed in matching jeans and shirts, walked back and forth to the refreshment stand ten or fifteen times, giggling and hoping they were being noticed. It was the first time Gerald had seen her happy since Jordan’s return, and he was glad. Gerald had made several key shots early in the game and he felt like he could breathe again.
    Jordan and Monique arrived late—shortly after the first quarter. Jordan’s hard, sharp-toed cowboy boots clomped loudly on the wooden gym floor. People who glanced at him saw a tall, angry black man, dressed in black jeans, black T-shirt, and shiny black boots. Monique, overdressed as usual, wore a shiny gold top with tight black stretch pants and black heels.
    â€œHe looks like a hit man,” giggled Kiara to Angel. Angel glanced at Jordan and shuddered. She did notlaugh. Even across the gym, it seemed she could smell his stifling cologne.
    From that moment on, Gerald had a terrible game. He was nervous and missed every shot he attempted.
    â€œWhat’sa matter with you, Nickelby?” shouted the coach. “You eat rocks for dinner? Take a break. Smith, fill in for Gerald.”
    Gerald hated the bench, and he hated Jordan. Jordan seemed to sneer at him from across the gym, feeling Gerald’s hatred and laughing at it. Monique seemed uncomfortable. She kept looking at her watch and then at Jordan to see how he was reacting, not to the game, but to her. He glanced at her once and smiled. Monique blushed with pleasure and checked her watch again. She paid no attention to Angel and Kiara. She paid no attention to the game. When the team came back on the floor after halftime, Jordan and Monique had gone.
    On the way to Rob’s house after the game, Gerald was silent. Angel and Kiara giggled in the backseat about boys and makeup and movie stars. He was glad she had a chance to act normal, but even Rob’s good humor couldn’t break him out of his deep feeling of trouble to come. Gerald knew it was only a matter of time.

    The night of Angel’s dance recital was stormy and overcast, but her excitement made the evening seem almost sunny. So did the garlands of flowers with which the school auditorium had been decorated for the evening. Angel had invited Kiara to the recital, and theWashingtons, since they had to drop Kiara off anyway, decided to stay. Gerald was amazed, but they looked comfortable and relaxed as they chatted with Monique while they waited for the show to begin. Monique was the one who looked agitated—and overdressed. No other mother came to the recital dressed in red sequins. She kept looking back at the door, checking for Jordan, who had promised to come.
    Angel was smiling, but nervous. Her yellow costume and gold crown looked beautiful. Gerald smiled as he chatted with her by the backstage curtains. “You look like a princess, Angel. You’ll do just fine. Relax.”
    â€œDo you think he’ll come?” she whispered.
    â€œI hope not,” Gerald replied grimly.
    â€œIs Kiara here? And Rob?” Angel really liked Rob. He could always make her laugh.
    â€œYeah, she’s here, sitting with her mom and Monique. Rob and Andy went out with their girlfriends tonight.”
    â€œWhy don’t you have a girlfriend?” teased Angel.
    â€œMe? Trouble is, I like ’em all. I haven’t figured out which one is gonna be the