Free I Know I've Been Changed by Reshonda Tate Billingsley

it’s not like we needed any more black faces. They had me, our weekend male anchor, and two reporters. If that little tramp thought she was getting her slimy paws on my job, she’d better think again. I would chew her up and spit her out.
    I reread the e-mail, getting angry all over again and decided to call Stan. After his secretary patched me through, I didn’t waste any time.
    “Hey Stan, just trying to figure out what’s going on with this reporter training they have Simone doing.”
    “Helo to you too, Rae,” Stan replied, in his usual chipper voice. “Richard told me about that. It’s no big deal. He’s just trying to give the girl an opportunity.”
    “Since when did we get in the training business?”
    Stan laughed. “Do I sense a hint of jealousy?”
    I didn’t see anything funny. “Don’t be ridiculous, Stan. I’m just trying to get clarification.”
    “Rae, sweetheart, you have no cause to be bothered, feel threatened, or anything,” Stan said. “You know you are the person who keeps the viewers tuned in. The company just started a reporter trainee program and Richard thought Simone would fit well in it. But trust me, it will be a long, long time before she’s ever able to become my chocolate star.”
    I smiled. That’s why I loved Stan. He knew just how to make me feel better.
    “So don’t you worry your pretty little head about anything other than taking home yet another Emmy. By the way, congrats on that. You just keep doing what you do and making us all rich,” Stan said. “Look, my other line is ringing and I need to take this call. Are we okay?”
    “We are. Thanks Stan.”
    I sighed, put the phone back on the hook and was just about to delete the e-mail when my phone rang. “Rae Rollins,” I answered.
    “Miss Rollins, you have visitors up front.” The receptionist was whispering into my phone. “They’re demanding to see you.”
    “Kay, you know I don’t see people without an appointment. Get their names and numbers and send them on their way.”
    “I’m afraid it’s not that easy.”
    “I told you her bougie ass wasn’t gon’ come out!” I heard a male voice shout.
    “Hell, naw…she coming to see us!” a different male voice roared.
    “Oh my God, Kay. Who are those people? Call security.”
    “Well, I was going to,” Kay whispered. “But they say they’re related to you. They say they’re from some place north of here called Sweet Poke. And they aren’t leaving until they talk to you.”
    I closed my eyes and prayed this was a really bad dream. This could not be happening to me.
    “They say their names are Scooter and June Bug.”
    “Why, why, why?” I stomped my foot under the desk so hard, I almost broke a heel. Scooter and June were some of my cousins from Sweet Poke. Kevin’s brothers. I thought Scooter was in jail himself. I hadn’t talked to either of them in years. They were pure country thugs. Why in the world were they bothering me?
    “Do you want me to go ahead and call security?” Kay whispered.
    I knew Scooter and June would act straight fools. The best thing would be for me to go ahead and see what they wanted.
    “No, just tell them I’m on my way.” I placed the phone back on the cradle, took a deep breath, then headed up to the front office.
    I was totally embarrassed when I saw them standing in the lobby. I was grateful that it was Kay at the front desk and not her backup, gossipy receptionist LaMonica. Kay was the epitome of professionalism. She wouldn’t go running to tell everyone about my people.
    I surveyed Scooter and June. According to Mama Tee, the thirty-four-year-old twins were still living at home with Aunt Ola. With all the gold in their mouth, they probably could’ve bought their own place. Scooter sported a long, dripping Jheri curl. He had on baggy jeans and a FUB (not FUBU ) shirt. The U looked like it had washed off. The Jheri-curl juice had his face looking like he had smeared Vaseline across it. June was the