Free Bama Boy by Sheri Cobb South Page B

nothing.”
    Jimbo grinned, and his dimples would have been recognizable through any disguise. “Oh, I dunno about that. It had its bright spots. Why don’t we try it again this weekend? Only this time, we won’t invite the Lee High School football team.”
    Oh, how I wanted to accept! But Anthony’s empty desk sat there in front of me, a silent reminder of my impending doom.
    “I’m afraid I can’t,” I managed to choke out.
    “Next weekend, maybe?”
    “Never. I’m sorry, Jimbo.”
    Poor Jimbo looked totally confused. “Well, maybe I’m crazy, but I could’ve sworn—”
    “It’s Anthony. He and I have—well, sort of an understanding.”
    “Oh. I see.” Jimbo gave a little laugh, but there was no humor in the sound. “I lose a game and a girl in just three days. I must be on a roll.”
    “I’m sorry I misled you, Jimbo. It’s just that everyone was treating you so badly, and I felt sorry for you. You’re a nice guy and a good friend.”
    “But that’s all?”
    I crossed my fingers underneath my desk. “That’s all.”
    Jimbo smiled a strange, twisted smile. “Well, it’s not exactly what I’d been hopin’ for, but I guess it beats nothin’.”
    Mercifully, the tardy bell rang before I was forced to think of a reply. I turned away from Jimbo and faced the front of the room, but I could feel his eyes on me, and I felt like a creep for hurting the most wonderful guy in the world.
    At lunchtime, I sat at a table and pushed cold macaroni and cheese around on my plate. I wasn’t even aware that Maggie had joined me until she spoke.
    “Gosh, Trace, you look awful! We’re not pining away for Anthony, are we?”
    “No, but I’ll be glad when he gets back. My willpower is getting weaker by the day.”
    “Didn’t you have a good time Friday night? I was hoping you and Jimbo would work things out.”
    “We worked things out, all right! We worked things out so well that this morning he asked me out.”
    “Tracy!” Maggie squealed. “What did you tell him?”
    “What else could I tell him? I turned him down. I had to, Mags! I’m in love with him, and he feels the same way about me—he practically told me so! So I turned him down, and now he probably thinks I’m a tease.”
    Maggie let out a long, low whistle. “Isn’t that going to make things a little awkward tomorrow night when he comes over for tutoring?”
    “I’d forgotten all about that!” I groaned. “And Richie’s got a ball game, so Mom and Dad will be gone. That means I’ll be alone with Jimbo for almost an hour! Maggie, what should I do?”
    “Well, you could give me your apple, if you’re not going to eat it,” suggested Maggie, ever helpful.
    * * * *
    The following evening, I approached my mother as she dressed for Richie’s football game.
    “Mom, can I talk to you for a minute?” I asked, sitting down on the foot of her bed.
    She looked up from applying her makeup. “Of course, Tracy. What’s the matter?”
    I shrugged in what I hoped was an offhand manner. “I was just wondering if it was really necessary for you and Dad both to go to Richie’s game tonight. I thought maybe one of you could go, and the other could stay home with me.”
    Mom smiled. “This is a switch! Usually you can’t get us out of the house fast enough. Why the sudden change?”
    “Jimbo will be coming over tonight, and I—I don’t want to be alone in the house with him.”
    Mom’s smile disappeared, and she looked seriously alarmed. “Tracy!”
    “No, no!” I assured her, knowing she was thinking of Russ. “It’s nothing like that. Jimbo wouldn’t do something like that. It’s just that I—I sort of wish he would.”
    She gave me an understanding smile. “He is a nice boy, isn’t he?”
    A nice boy ? She had to be kidding!
    “Mom, Richie is a nice boy! Jimbo is—is—I don’t know. It’s all so confusing! I always thought I knew exactly what I wanted in a boy, and Anthony seems to have all those things. I ought to be