Free All That and a Bag of Chips by Darrien Lee Page B

studied. Why? What’s up?”
    â€œWell, I paged her about six-thirty last night and she didn’t return my page. I want to know what was going on over here that she couldn’t return my page.”
    Craig finally understood what was going on. “Why don’t you go ahead and ask me what you really want to ask me, Galen? First of all, I didn’t know Venice got a page from you or anybody else for that matter. You know I wouldn’t do anything to Venice that she didn’t want me to. Also, whether you like it or not, I do like her a lot and I plan to keep seeing her. Venice is woman enough to know what she wants to do. She doesn’t need you trying to make her feel like a child, Galen. You should know your sister better than that and I thought you knew me. Anyway, it’s none of your damn business what Venice and I were doing. I told you that when this thing first started. Let me ask you something, Galen. What would you do if I told you I made love to your sister last night?”
    Galen’s blood pressure shot up. He didn’t answer Craig. He just stared at the ground.
    Craig then asked, “Are you mad because Venice was with me or are you mad because Venice didn’t return your call?”
    Galen realized Craig was right. Once again his temper was out of control. He ended up apologizing to Craig, but explained how difficult it was to picture his sister sleeping with a friend. He knew Venice was capable of making good decisions, but she was still his little sister and his responsibility. Craig told Galen to relax.
    Galen said, “She’ll probably never speak to me again. I kind of pissed her off earlier. I jumped on her for not returning my call and I was a little rough on her. She got so mad at me that she cussed me out and threw her soda on me.”
    â€œYou’re a trip, Galen. You need to go apologize to her. She was a perfect lady last night.” “I will. Let me know the next time you have your card game. I’ve got to go find Venice and see if she’ll talk to me. See ya later.”
    The two gave each other a handshake and Galen got in his car. Before driving off, he said, “Don’t tell her I came by if you talk to her before I find her.”
    â€œNo problem, man. Go handle your business.”
    â€œCool!”
    Then he drove away.

Twelve
    V enice and Chanelle made it back to the dorm safely. Chanelle could see that Venice was furious. “Venice, Galen was wrong for coming at you like that. It ain’t none of his business who you decide to hang with.”
    â€œI knew he was going to try that daddy shit on me. I just didn’t think it was going to happen this soon.”
    â€œGirl, he’ll come crawling back to you to apologize. Just wait and see.”
    â€œI don’t have anything to say to that fool. I’ve never been so mad at him.”
    â€œWell, this is my floor. Try not to let this ruin your day, Venice. If you need me, give me a call.”
    â€œThanks for listening, Chanelle.”
    Venice gave Chanelle a hug and told her that she’d talk to her later.
    As the elevator arrived on Venice’s floor, the doors opened and there stood Galen waiting to get on the elevator. He’d just left her room looking for her. “Hey, girl, there you are. I need to talk to you.”
    â€œGet the hell away from me, Galen! Don’t you think you’ve talked to me enough?”
    Venice pushed past him and walked down the hall to her room. Galen followed. “I’m sorry I went off on you like that, Venice. I guess I didn’t expect you to really hook up with one of my boys.”
    He followed her into the room where she laid into him. “First of all, I told you that I forgot to return your page. It had nothing to do with the fact that I was at Craig’s house. Your mind is always on sex. That’s why you can’t trust me. I’m not like you, Galen, and it’s none of your