Free Growing Pains by Dwayne S. Joseph Page A

butt out, but he’s right,” Heather said.
    â€œI know,” Deahnna agreed. “But, as I said, one, he doesn’t play for that team, and two, I really think he’s unattached.”
    â€œHmm,” Heather said. “Good-looking, nice, easy to talk to, possibly single, and he’s intelligent. So . . . what’s wrong with him?”
    â€œWhat do you mean what’s wrong with him?” Deahnna asked.
    Heather sucked her teeth. “Girl, you know you’ll find something wrong with him sooner or later. You always do.”
    â€œI just have high standards.”
    â€œGirl, you don’t have high standards. You have ridiculous standards.”
    â€œNot ridiculous, Heather. I just don’t want to settle. I don’t need any more Terrances or Marcs in my life. Especially the Terrances.”
    â€œI know what you went through with Terrance was hard, and I know Marc really hurt you, but it’s in the past now. It’s time for you to stop blocking happiness, girl. There are more good men than there are Terrances or Marcs in this world.”
    Deahnna frowned. Terrance had raped her physically and mentally, and the emotional scars had taken a lot longer than the physical scars to heal. But Brian helped to absorb all of the pain and hurt, and eventually she found a way to move on. And when she did, Marc came into her life. Just like Jawan, he was an attractive man, with a sexy smile and a nice personality, though a little possessive. But Deahnna hadn’t minded much, because after going so long without love, it just felt good to be with someone who was attentive. But nine months into the relationship, she discovered that Marc was married with three kids. Deahnna gave up on love after that.
    â€œListen, being cautious is a good thing, D. But as unfair as life can be sometimes, you only get one chance at it. So if there’s really nothing wrong with the brother, I say you should just go for it.”
    â€œI second that,” Rico said.
    Deahnna said, “I know you’re right.”
    â€œOK, then,” Heather said.
    â€œBut there might be one thing wrong with him.”
    â€œOh, Lord. We knew you’d find something,” Heather said.
    â€œWell . . . It’s not a major, major issue, but it is something.”
    â€œSo what is it?”
    â€œHe’s one of Brian’s teachers.”
    â€œI see. How does Brian feel about him?”
    â€œI don’t know. He’s never mentioned him or any of his teachers to me. Of course, we don’t really talk anymore like we used to.”
    â€œDon’t worry. That will change after his teenage years.”
    â€œI hope so.”
    â€œHe’s just feeling himself. Thinks he’s a man now, I’m sure.”
    â€œOh, definitely,” Deahnna said, thinking about her argument with him.
    â€œTerri went through that with her son. Things were bad for a while, but once Freddie got out of high school, things started to get better. Same thing went for Erica and her son.”
    â€œWell I can’t wait to get past this phase,” Deahnna said. “Hopefully I’ll still have my hair.”
    â€œDon’t worry about that, girl,” Heather said. “I can always hook you up with some good yak hair.”
    â€œEw. No, thank you!”
    Both women laughed, as did Rico and Maria. The third client was sitting beneath a dryer and hadn’t heard anything.
    â€œAnyway, back on this teacher,” Heather said. “Are you going to see him again?”
    Deahnna shrugged. “Technically we haven’t even seen one another the first time yet. We just happened to both be chaperoning the dance.”
    â€œSo then we need to formulate a plan to get you two together again.”
    â€œWell, I did get his number.”
    â€œWell there you go. Have you used it yet?”
    â€œ No.”
    â€œAnd you’re waiting for what exactly?”
    â€œAs I said,