Free Second Chance by L. Divine Page A

had a joint on me, and they can’t prove I put the rest of it in my locker, since it’s technically public property. And, because my attorneys weren’t present when they searched it, we have a pretty good defense. Don’t forget, my dad’s rich and has powerful lawyers. This is a walk in the park for them.”
    â€œBut, I thought you said your dad was an honest man,” I say.
    â€œSo, are you saying I deserve jail time?” he asks, sounding a little hurt.
    â€œNo, of course not. I’m just teasing, silly. You know I got your back, baby.”
    â€œYeah, I know. But why would you think they’d arrest me? It was just a joint,” Jeremy says, sounding like it’s no big deal.
    â€œWell, it’s my understanding that South Bay doesn’t play, no matter who your daddy is. But, I guess I didn’t know who you were, until now,” I say.
    â€œAnd, who am I?” Jeremy asks, goading me.
    â€œYou’re the man lucky enough to be in Queen Jayd’s favor,” I say, feeling the power of my words.
    â€œIt’s going to take more than good favor for me to get out of this one, though. My lawyers need to be on top of it. South Bay High would love to make an example out of one of the Weiner boys.”
    â€œThe Weiner boys? There must be more to this story than you’re telling me,” I say, wanting to hear about his own legacy.
    â€œJayd, where the hell is my water?” Mama yells from her room. Damn, I forgot all about her herbs.
    â€œWho was that?” Jeremy asks, responding to Mama’s call.
    â€œMy mama. I’m sorry, baby, but I’ve got to go. I was in the middle of doing something for her when I called to check on you. I’ll have to talk to you at school tomorrow.”
    â€œI won’t be at school tomorrow. I’ve been suspended for two days. And, they’re only allowing me to come to school on Friday because of the hearing,” he says, sounding a little more concerned than a moment ago.
    â€œI’ll keep you in my prayers, Jeremy.”
    â€œI don’t believe in all that stuff, remember?” Jeremy asks.
    â€œYes, baby. But, lucky for you, I do. So, I’ll put in a good word for you that all goes well on Friday. It’ll take a miracle to explain why your ass had weed on you at school.”
    â€œWell then, I’m ordering a miracle, Queen Jayd. Pray for that,” he says, teasing me in that sexy little way of his.
    â€œOne miracle, coming right up,” I say. What he doesn’t know is that I’m serious. I passed a pop quiz on my spiritual work this morning, and Mama was so proud of me she’s letting me look through her big book of secret recipes as a reward. It’s got all of her good stuff in there: him-never-leave-me potion, good-luck serum, enemy-beware spray. You name it, she’s got it. It’s like looking at a big cookbook for manipulating the real world with some spiritual help. And, I intend to cook up a batch of get-out-of-j ail-free cakes for Jeremy tonight. I walk back into Mama’s room and finally deliver her herbs.
    â€œJayd, what took you so long?” she asks, after swallowing the cold concoction down in three swift gulps.
    â€œSlow down. You gone choke if you don’t watch out,” I say, taking the glass from her and setting it on the nightstand.
    â€œWhatever you’re planning to do,” Mama says, pulling back the covers on her bed and slipping her feet in between the sheets, “keep track of what you do, who you do it for, and of the outcome,” she says as she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand before lying down for a well-deserved rest. “That’s the first rule of prescribing.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” I say, trying to throw her off my trail. She always knows when I’m up to something.
    â€œI know that look, child. You’re up to something, and I know it’s got