Free Two Thin Dimes by Caleb Alexander Page A

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    â€œNobody ignores me! How dare you! How dare you! You pig!” Jamaica lifted a rock and threw it at him, missing him by several yards. “You pig! You uncivilized pig!”
    Tameer disappeared into the trees.
    Jamaica was furious. She began pacing back and forth near the colorful fabric and metal folding chairs. She stomped forcefully with each of her steps.
    How dare he , she fumed. He is an ogre, an oaf, a viking! He is an absolute nobody! And nobodies can’t treat somebodies like they are just anybodies! Especially if that somebody happens to be me, Jamaica Tiera Rochelle! Who in the hell did he think he is? Men fall all over themselves just to get an autograph! And this…this collegiate nature boy has the nerve to ignore the legendary Jamaica Tiera Rochelle!
    Jamaica kicked a rock into the lake, causing it to skip several times across the peaceful surface of the water, rippling it. Had I ever been fishing, she thought. Fishing! The nerve of him! I…I…I…I…Shit!
    Tameer had found the perfect spot. He had set himself up on top of a large boulder next to the lake, where he was able to fish quietly and enjoy the coolness of the whistling breeze. It was the rustling and crunching of the dried fallen leaves that alerted him to her presence. He smiled when he saw the fishing rod in her hand.
    â€œI overreacted,” she said softly. “I’m sorry.”
    Without acknowledging her, Tameer turned his attention back toward the lake, where his red-and-white fishing bob had begun to dip below the surface of the water.
    â€œI’m trying to apologize, could you at least talk to me?” Jamaica said softly.
    Tameer turned to face her. “My dad used to tell me that if you can’t say anything nice to a person, then don’t say anything at all.”
    Jamaica let out a half-smile. “Sounds like some good advice.”
    â€œYeah,” Tameer sneered. “My old man was full of knowledge.”
    â€œYou sound sarcastic,” Jamaica told him. “Is that aimed at me, or at your old man?”
    â€œBoth.”
    â€œI know what I did, what did he do?” Jamaica eased herself onto the boulder, seating herself next to him.
    Tameer turned and stared at her once again. “You’re a real Jekyll and Hyde, aren’t you?”
    Jamaica laughed. “I’m sorry.”
    Tameer turned back toward the lake. “Apology accepted.”
    Jamaica extended her hand to him. “Friends?”
    â€œLet’s just say it’s a truce.”
    Jamaica slapped Tameer across his shoulder. “That’s not nice!”
    Together they laughed.
    â€œOooooh, oooooh, I got a bite!” Tameer clasped his reel tight, and readied himself to wind in his catch. Jamaica’s interest was piqued.
    â€œReally? You caught one?” Jamaica’s eyes watched intensely as the brightly colored bob dipped forcefully below the surface of the water.
    â€œYeah, c’mere.” Tameer motioned for Jamaica to come closer. She did.
    Tameer rose from the boulder, allowing her to slide over to the center of the massive rock, and then he sat back down behind her. He spread his legs so that she was now seated between them.
    â€œHere, give me your hands,” he told her.
    Tameer took Jamaica’s tiny hands and correctly placed them around the padded grip of the fishing pole. The butt of the pole was placed against her right inner thigh, while her right hand was placed on the reel. Looking over her shoulder, with his hands over hers, Tameer slowly began to reel in their catch.
    â€œWe got him, Jai. He’s hooked real good.”
    Jamaica became excited. “Really?”
    â€œYeah.” Tameer nodded. “He should be coming out of the water real soon.”
    Together they reeled.
    â€œHere he comes!”
    At first sight, Jamaica screamed. Then came a joyful whoop. “All right! My first fish!”
    â€œYou did real good!” Tameer