Free Double Dutch by Sharon M. Draper Page B

ring.
    â€œHello?” Randy said hopefully into the receiver.
    â€œWinston Youngblood, please,” said a voice that was so artificial sounding, it might have been a computer.
    â€œHe’s not available at the moment,” Randy replied. “May I help you?”
    â€œThis is Miss Espy from the Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company. We were wondering if the payment for your heat and light has been made recently. We show the last payment was over six weeks ago.”
    Randy couldn’t believe that a bill collector was calling this late in the evening. Then he figured that was the only time they could be sure to catch people. “I mailed that check yesterday,” Randy lied smoothly.
I sound like Yolanda!
“You should have it tomorrow or the next day at the very latest,” Randy added.
    â€œI will make a note of that,” the computer-sounding Miss Espy replied.
She has probably heard such lies many times before,
Randy thought. And she probably didn’t believe him. But Randy didn’t care. He had bought himself a little time, and his dad would probably be home by morning. At least he hoped so.
    Randy finished his homework, turned off all the lights, and slid his large frame into bed. He listened to his alarmclock ticking and water dripping in the sink. The cat jumped onto the bed when Randy was almost asleep. She curled up into a tight ball at his feet. Randy didn’t try to kick her off.
    Randy fell asleep slowly. He thought of his dad and how close they had become. He tried not to let negative thoughts drift into his mind, but visions of his father hurt or bleeding or even dead kept slicing into the images in his mind. Randy pulled his covers up around his neck, but it didn’t help. He was afraid.

ten
    â€œH OW’S D OUBLE D UTCH PRACTICE COMING , D ELIA?” HER mother asked as they drove to school the next morning. “You’ve got practice after school tonight?”
    Delia gathered her book bag, her gym bag, and a small overnight bag from the back seat of the car as her mother pulled into the school parking lot. “Practice is cool, Mom. We’ll go to State for sure, probably even Nationals. You know we’re bad!”
    â€œI’m going to stop by and watch you again real soon,” her mother promised. “Tomorrow is Saturday. For once, I don’t have to work on the weekend.”
    â€œStay home and rest, Mom,” Delia said quickly. “You’ve seen us practice a million times. Put your feet up and enjoy an empty house for a little while. Dad will take me to Double Dutch after school and tomorrow, and you know he’ll be there with Jillian. That always upsets you, and when you get bent outta shape, I can’t jump well.”
    Delia’s mom sighed. Delia glanced at her, knowing the sight of Delia’s dad with his new wife still made her feel terrible. And she knew her mother was grateful to have a reason not to go to practice. Delia usually spent every other weekend with her father and Jillian. Delia didn’t like it much, but she knew she had to make the effort. She lovedher dad, tolerated her stepmother, and packed her travel bag every other weekend to keep everybody happy.
    â€œI love you, Mom,” Delia said as she kissed her mother on the cheek. She gathered her bags and got out of the car. “I’ll call you tomorrow. See you Sunday!” She waved once more and headed up the walkway to the school.
    â€œHey, Yo Yo!” Delia called when she noticed Yolanda’s bouncing ponytail a few feet in front of her. She was walking with Charlene.
    Yolanda turned and waved. “You got enough bags, girl?” Charlene asked as Delia trudged up the sidewalk toward them.
    â€œBook bag. Gym bag. Dad bag,” Delia said as she shifted the bags onto her other shoulder.
    â€œOh, yeah. I forgot it was your daddy weekend. How’s Miss Jillian?”
    â€œShe’s okay. She doesn’t hassle me,