One Way or Another by Rhonda Bowen

thought it would be. In fact, she was almost getting attached to the place.
    When she finally stopped typing and looked up, it was quarter to five. She got up and stretched again, this time walking over to the kitchen for something to drink. As she sipped on another glass of ginger beer, the mail on the table caught her eye. Flipping through, she tossed the bills she had paid into the trash, while sticking the ones that had just come in the day before on the fridge. At the bottom of the pile she came across a pink envelope with her name neatly printed on it. Without opening it she knew what it was.
    Jasmine’s baby shower invitation.
    Her jaw tightened as she opened the envelope and scanned the contents. She wanted to toss the whole thing into the bin. But she knew her brother would call about it sooner or later. And if he asked, she knew she would have to show up—even if she didn’t want to. Darn that connected-by-blood thing.
    She sighed and glanced at the date again. It was set for the end of June. Her eyes popped open. It was set for the end of June! And if she was already away, on something more important than a baby shower, then she couldn’t go, and she would get no guilt trip from her brother, or even Afrika. She smiled as her plan formed in her mind. Maybe a week with the boys wouldn’t be so bad after all. It would also mean a week with Adam, but quite frankly, he was the lesser of two evils.
    She shook her head as she walked back to her bedroom to change into her running gear. It looked like Adam would get his way after all.

Chapter 10
    â€œO kay, I’ll do it.”
    Looking up from Romario’s homework assignment, Adam saw Toni leaning against the doorway of the empty classroom. Though she was all business in a sleek gray suit, her eyes were red and he could see creases in her forehead from where her brow must have been furrowed. She looked exhausted.
    â€œWho’s that?” Romario asked, nodding toward her.
    Instead of answering, Adam handed Romario the pencil. “Finish this up, doing what I showed you, and then leave it on my desk. I’ll look it over and get back to you before curfew tonight.”
    The thirteen-year-old nodded, but still watched Toni curiously.
    â€œSo you gonna tell me what I have to do, or do I need to research that too?” Toni asked impatiently.
    Adam stood up, his jaw tightening. For some reason she seemed more annoyed with him than usual. He could already tell that her attitude was going to be a joy.
    â€œRomario, stay here and do what I said.”
    â€œYes, boss,” Romario answered.
    Adam turned toward Toni. “Let’s take a walk.”
    She rolled her eyes but followed him anyway. She didn’t speak and neither did he, until they were outside Jacob’s House.
    â€œWhere are we going?” she finally asked as she followed him toward the sidewalk.
    â€œTo a place where you’re calm enough for me to have a conversation with you,” Adam threw behind him.
    â€œAnd where is that?”
    â€œHowever far we have to walk for you to calm down.”
    Toni hissed her teeth and stopped walking. “This is stupid,” she said stubbornly.
    â€œIs it?”
    She scowled and turned to walk away. “You know what? I’ve changed my mind. Forget I even came by.”
    Adam grabbed her arm before she could take a step. She pulled away but he grabbed it again. This time she didn’t pull away. In fact, she stopped walking, seemingly surprised at his persistence.
    â€œWhat?” Irritation still laced her voice.
    â€œYou tell me,” Adam said, frowning in concern. “What’s going on with you?”
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œReally,” he said suspiciously. “Because last week I couldn’t pay you to go to Mississippi but now you’re volunteering to do it. What’s with the sudden change of heart?”
    Toni pursed her lips. “Guess I got really desperate for