Free Catt Chasing by Shana Burton Page A

he had even less to say to her. There was little else to do but sit back, delve into her new Michelle McKinney Hammond book, and pray that the time passed quickly.
    Accordingly, there was no shortage of prayers being lifted on Catt’s behalf. When she announced her imminent departure to her father, he immediately recruited a group of prayer warriors to encircle her and cover her in prayer. The unspoken concern was not that Catt would be out of town for nearly a month, but that she would be out of town with a strapping young man. Catt led a disciplined, God-directed life, but Jeremiah knew that she was subject to falling into temptation and sin just like everyone else. Some divine intervention could always put a crutch in the devil’s plan before it had a chance to surface.
    Toria, on the other hand, was a little more practical. Her going away present to Catt was a free hairdo along with a box of condoms.
    â€œJust in case . . .” Toria cautioned her.
    Catt balked at the idea of sleeping with Jamal and left the condoms at the hair salon.
    After nearly five minutes of driving in silence, Jamal was the first to speak. “You wanna stop and get something to eat?” he asked without looking at her.
    â€œJust because I’m a big girl doesn’t mean I’m always hungry,” Catt replied, then held in her stomach, daring it to growl and contradict her.
    He cringed. “I just asked. I don’t plan on stopping until we need gas or until we get to Philly, whichever comes first.”
    She rolled her eyes. “What if I have to pee?”
    â€œThere are some paper cups in the back. Knock yourself out.”
    Catt turned the page in her book and eyed the GPS. They had only gone seven miles, and she was already ready to strangle him.
    â€œYou wanna stop or what?” he asked again as they approached a chain of fast-food restaurants.
    â€œI don’t care.”
    He sighed heavily and pulled into the Waffle House parking lot. “We’re not going to be in here all day,” he warned her, thrusting the gear into park. “Just long enough for some coffee and an omelet.”
    â€œDon’t I get a say in the matter?” asked Catt as she climbed out of the car.
    â€œNo.”
    After they sat down and placed their orders, the conversation that passed between them was limited to terse statements and one-word answers. Catt knew that if the next three weeks were going to be bearable, it would be up to her to at least make an effort to be cordial to Jamal.
    She took a deep breath and said, “Tell me something I don’t know about you.”
    He didn’t look up from his scattered hash browns. “I don’t like to talk while I’m eating.”
    She smacked her teeth and stirred cream into her coffee. “I’m just trying to make conversation.”
    â€œNo one asked you to do that.”
    â€œI just think that we should get to know each other better, don’t you?”
    â€œWe work together all day, every day. We already know everything we need to know.”
    â€œNot really. For instance, what’s your favorite food? When’s your birthday? What college did you go to?”
    â€œCatt, I’m not about to play twenty-one Questions with you. That’s some adolescent, high school mess. I’ve got better things to do.”
    â€œLike what?” she asked defiantly, cutting her pecan waffle into bite-sized pieces. “What better things do you have to do for the next three weeks than deal with me?”
    â€œLook, I’ve got a lot on my mind right now. I’ve got at least four hours of driving ahead of me; I’ve got to make sure everything is ready for this first stop; and I’ve got to deal with a self-righteous, Bible-thumping know-it-all for the next three weeks. I just want to enjoy these last few minutes of peace I have right now.”
    Catt was thinking of a snappy comeback when her cell phone rang. She