Free The Summer of Me by Angela Benson Page B

than coincidence. You put some bad mojo on me.”
    Bertice chuckled. “You’re joking, right?”
    Destiny wasn’t so sure. Bertice had put the thought out there first. She believed in thoughts and ideas in the air taking shape in the world. “I’m kidding,” she said to reassure her friend. “If I thought you were bad luck, I definitely wouldn’t be down here with you trying to find work. You’re more like my good-luck charm.”
    â€œThanks for saying that,” Bertice said. “Sometimes Natalie can be so negative about the things I do, but I’d never do anything illegal.” She grinned at Destiny. “Nothing big, I mean. Besides, we aren’t doing anything illegal, not really. This job is going to work for you for the summer just like it’s worked for me for the last year.”
    â€œA whole year?”
    Bertice nodded. “Off and on. When I need some extra cash for a special project or something, Phil hooks me up. Where do you think I got the money for all the new furniture in my new house? I saved up the down payment, but this job helped with all the extras.”
    Destiny rolled her eyes. “I believed you when you said you had a windfall from playing the lottery. I can’t believe you lied to me and Natalie.”
    â€œI had to lie,” Bertice said. “I told you about Natalie and her negativity. I know her. She would only find fault and try to make me feel guilty. She even tried to make me feel guilty about the lottery. She’s gotten a bit too self-righteous for me.”
    â€œI don’t think that’s true,” Destiny said.
    Bertice turned to look at her. “Are you going to tell her that you’re working with me?”
    Destiny shook her head. “Not right away. She’d worry and I don’t want her to do that. I’ll tell her later in the summer when I finalize my moving plans.”
    â€œWhat about your mom?”
    â€œYou don’t even have to ask; you know I’m not telling her until the last possible moment. I still haven’t told her about my plans to move to Gwinnett.”
    â€œI think you’re too hard on your mother,” Bertice said. “She’s not that bad.”
    Destiny just stared at her friend.
    â€œWell, she’s not,” Bertice repeated. “And you are too hard on her.”
    â€œI’m in too good of a mood to even debate you on thatpoint. Besides, I’ve got some news to tell my mother that should keep her off my back this summer.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œI’m going back to school.”
    â€œWhat? That’s great news. When did you decide?”
    Destiny shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just tired of being afraid.”
    â€œAfraid?”
    â€œYes, afraid of going back to school. I wasn’t that good a student the first time around. Who knows if I’ll be any better now?”
    â€œWell, I think it’s a good decision. And I know Natalie and your mom will be all over it. You’re going to have a full plate this summer.”
    â€œThat’s the point,” Destiny said. “I want to fill up every minute of my day while the kids are away. If I don’t, I’ll go crazy with missing them. I miss them so much already and they’ve been gone only a couple of weeks. I welcome the challenge of school if it’ll help keep my mind off the kids and what they’re doing.”
    Bertice snapped her fingers. “Hey, I just thought of something. If you’re going back to school, you’ll be eligible for a loan. If you need to explain any extra money before you’re ready, you can always say you took out a school loan.”
    Destiny glared at her friend. “You can’t be serious.”
    Bertice shrugged. “Please. I know folks who live off student loans. A girl I work with bought a car, a used car, with her student loan money.”
    â€œAnd