Free Spin it Like That by Chandra Sparks Taylor

poses.
    â€œDid you hear about that guy from the club?” she asked suddenly.
    I thought I would pass out from shock, but I managed to play it off.
    â€œYeah,” I said as casually as I could, although my voice cracked. “Isn’t that crazy? I mean, we just saw him last night.” I took a peek at her to see if she noticed anything, but she was still focusing on her poses. “Do you think DC had anything to do with it?” I asked. The question had been running through my mind all day, and I was relieved to finally be able to talk about it with someone.
    Loretta smoothed her purple satin minidress before she turned and looked at me. “Of course not,” she said. “Why would he have that man killed?”
    â€œI don’t know…” I said, wondering if my imagination was just working overtime.
    Loretta turned back to the mirror. “What do you think I should wear to my interview?”
    â€œIs it for another gig?” I asked, glad she had changed the subject. I got up off the bed and walked over to her closet. Although it was small, clothes were spilling out of it, and out of her drawers, as well.
    It took us about an hour to come up with what Loretta decided was the perfect outfit: black pants, a white blouse and a printed scarf, which she decided to wear as a belt.
    We headed out to Popeye’s for lunch, and on the drive it occurred to me that Loretta was interviewing for an actual job rather than a modeling gig.
    â€œWhat’s up with the job?” I asked during a break in music.
    â€œI need to get some new pictures taken for my book,” she said, referring to her modeling portfolio.
    â€œBut didn’t you do that a couple of months ago?” I asked.
    She grabbed a piece of gum out of her purse before offering me one, which I took. “Yeah, but I haven’t been getting good feedback on them, so I decided I need to take some more. Word is one of DC Records’ artists is going to be casting for his video soon, and I want to get the job.”
    I nodded thoughtfully. “Most of those guys have women on their covers with their butts hanging all out.”
    Loretta shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. You do what you have to do for what you’re passionate about, right? Besides, why waste this incredible body I have?”
    I took my eyes off the road to look at her in amazement. “You would actually be willing to take off your clothes to land a job?” I asked incredulously.
    â€œYeah. What’s the big deal?” she asked. “I think posing for Playboy would be kind of cool.”
    â€œGirl, you’re only sixteen. Your mom would kill you for posing half-naked.”
    Loretta shook her head. “So? This is my life, and I’m going to live it. Before I leave this earth, people will know my name.”

    When I made it home from hanging with Loretta, Mama still wasn’t back, which didn’t really surprise me.
    I didn’t see Daddy’s car in the driveway, either, so I figured he and Derrick were still out. I decided I would practice for All-City since I still had the place to myself.
    I stuck my key in the door, already focusing on my music. When the door was opened from the inside, it scared me so bad I lost my breath.
    â€œScared ya, huh?” Derrick asked.
    I popped him on the arm as I walked past. “Boy, you are so silly. You scared the fool out of me.” He followed me into the kitchen, where I grabbed a soda from the fridge. “What are you doing here?” I asked.
    â€œDaddy decided to surprise Mama with a night out, so the minute she walked in the door he made her turn around so they could leave. Good thing she had on a nice outfit, ’cause Daddy wasn’t trying to hear letting her go change.”
    He laughed and shook his head.
    â€œWe were supposed to hang out tonight,” I said, disappointed. Although Mama and I had our share of problems, I really did enjoy