Free In Times of Trouble by Yolonda Tonette Sanders Page B

the point of why I’m here.”
    The words “please do” seemed to be painted all over Stacie’s expression.
    â€œI’m sure your son is a very decent young man. . .It’ll be best for him to stay away from Chanelle. She starts college in the fall and needs to focus more on preparing for school and less on boys.She doesn’t need to be entangled in any relationship right now.”
    â€œWhy don’t you just come out and say what’s really on your mind?”
    â€œTruth is. . . .Chanelle already has a boyfriend. As a matter of fact, she’s dating Justin Scott, the starting running back for Ohio State.” She couldn’t blame that lie on Olivia’s advice. She’d blurted it out all on her own. She’d pray and ask Jesus to forgive her in a minute. Right now the lie seemed a necessary evil.
    â€œIt’s funny that you don’t mind her dating this Justin dude, but she can’t date Kyle. You know. . .I’ve been trying to be cool and all because you’re Chanelle’s mom, but I get what you’re saying. You don’t think Kyle is good enough for Chanelle, do you?”
    â€œNo, that’s not what I’m saying at all!” That was an even bigger lie than the first one she had told! “It’s just that Chanelle’s behavior has gotten progressively worse recently, and her coming home drunk was the final straw.” Somehow the tables had turned and Lisa found herself on the defensive.
    â€œLet’s get one thing straight,” Stacie said with more swerve in her neck than Lisa had ever seen from a white girl. Finding herself even uneasier, she fiddled with her necklace. “My son did not make Chanelle get drunk.”
    â€œI’m not saying he did. All I’m trying to say is that—”
    â€œI heard you loud and clear. No need to explain yourself again. I’ll tell Kyle that he needs to stay away from Chanelle. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of stuff to do yet, and I’d greatly appreciate it if you’d get up out of here.” Her eyes glared with fire and Lisa could tell that she’d practiced great restraint not to swear at her.
    â€œStacie, wait—”
    â€œGood-bye!”
    Without further hesitation, Lisa got up and walked out. Hermission to permanently remove Kyle from Chanelle’s life had been accomplished, but she felt horrible. W.W.O.D.—what would Olivia do right now? Lisa wondered if she should go back in and apologize. Liv would most likely tell Lisa to “shake it off” and keep moving. Despite the nudging guilt of having hurt Stacie’s feelings, Lisa did exactly that. Besides, she didn’t have time for drama. She had a guest coming for dinner.

CHAPTER 10
A Step Further
    L isa called and updated Liv immediately upon leaving Stacie’s house, disclosing everything except that their children were now supposedly dating. Despite the twinge of guilt she had previously felt, by the time Lisa got home she was feeling much better. It was a little shy of five when she walked in and found a note from her mother on the dry-erase board: Went to pay on my furniture. Chanelle’s with me. We’ll be back well before your minister friend gets here. Love, Mama.
    Lisa quickly jumped in the shower before preparing dinner. She began getting more excited about this evening and now appreciated Eric’s insistence. At thirty-eight, it was ludicrous that she had been sneaking around with him like they were engaged in some type of forbidden affair. It was about time things were out and in the open.
    Her mother and daughter got home around six. Chanelle came in and kissed her on the cheek and then ran upstairs to finish her homework. About an hour later, the ringing doorbell announced Eric’s arrival. It was as if Eric was peeking through the kitchen window and waited until the oven timer went off because he and the homemade