“Ms. Tracie,” a voice yelled.
Tracie wasn’t surprised to hear her name, but she was surprised to hear it in a female’s voice. She thought Marcus might’ve spotted her and was chasing her with many explanations. Those thoughts erased when she turned around and saw an old young friend.
“Oh Lynette, how are you doing?” Tracie greeted.
“I’ve been good, I thought that was you,” Lynette said as they hugged.
Tracie broke away and looked at her watch, “why aren’t you in school?”
“I’m in this DECA tournament thing. It is not going so good so far,” Lynette replied.
“Oh no what happened?” Tracie asked. She was still kind of uncomfortable after what she saw, but she wanted to catch up with Lynette.
“Well I stumbled on some words in my mock interview,” Lynette replied.
“It’ll be alright, you look real nice. Girl, where did you get that business suit from?” Tracie asked.
“It was my mother’s. Oh I never got a chance to thank you for all you did for my mother in her last days,” Lynette stated.
Tracie put her hand on her own chest, “girl I never got a chance to thank your mother. Your mother was the kindest and realest person I ever met.” The women fell silent.
“Let me give you my number Lynette and let me get yours,” Tracie stated.
“Okay, I do have a quick question,” Lynette said as she pulled her phone out of her purse.
“Shoot,” Tracie said holding her cell phone.
“Well how do you know when you’re in love, and who to trust?” Lynette asked.
“Wow! Girl I’m going to need about an hour,” Tracie joked.
“Well I know you are married, so I just thought I ask because I like somebody a lot, but I’m not sure about a lot,” Lynette informed.
Tracie wanted to rip her rings off. She always wore the rings out of respect and acknowledgement of her husband. Right now she felt ultimately disrespected and just wanted to be a divorcee. She couldn’t believe her heart was breaking again.
“Well you got to take your time just a…” Tracie had to fight tears from falling.
Lynette was confused, “Ms. Tracie I’m sorry.” Lynette reached for Tracie.
“Oh no problem girl, just make sure he has your best interest at heart,” Tracie forced out.
 “Okay, oh how could I’ve forgot. How is your baby?” Lynette asked.
“He is doing good. He is a busy body,” Tracie replied.
“I got to come and see him. My number is…” Lynette and Tracie exchanged numbers. They said their goodbyes and Tracie left.
Lynette made her way to the food court. She was a little disappointed in her performance. With a little more studying and better preparation she felt she could’ve had a shot at winning. Right now that was neither here or there this was her last year, so she wouldn’t get another shot.
When she approached Mr. Randall she saw him sitting with Devanté and his mother. The last thing she wanted to be was among the company of Devanté. She didn’t want to be involved in anymore childish rumors.

“Lynette!” Mr. Randall called.
If he wasn’t looking at her Lynette would’ve stomped her foot. The last person she wanted to be seen with by her peers was the next person she was about to be beside.
“Yes Mr. Randall,” Lynette answered.
“She’s pretty,” Ms. Williams told her son as if he hadn’t long ago noticed.
“How did you do?” Mr. Randall asked.
“Okay, not like I wanted to,” Lynette said as she stood with her hands leaning on the empty chair at the four chair table.
“You can sit baby girl nobody’s sitting there,” Ms. Williams suggested.
“Okay, my name is Lynette I am Devanté’s classmate,” Lynette said.
“She’s well spoken too,” Ms. Williams chimed. “I’m Ms. Williams Devanté’s mother.”
Devanté felt uncomfortable with Lynette right in front of him, his mother in his ear, and under the watchful eye of his mentor. “Was the marketing sales test hard?” Devanté asked Lynette. He was a little in disbelief that he had just spoken to Lynette.
“A little bit but that interview was rough. How was yours?” Lynette asked. Politely Lynette maintained the conversation.
“I didn’t have to do one,” Devanté replied.
“What? What are you doing?” Lynette questioned.
“Marketing math,” Devanté stated.
“Dang, I should’ve done that,” Lynette replied.
“The test was three hours long though,” Devanté informed.
“Then again,” Lynette joked.
Everyone chuckled at her facial expression. “Lynette, where do I know you from? Were you the girl Devanté threw dirt in her hair?” Ms. Williams recollected.
“Mom that was ten years ago,” Devanté stated.
“Yes that was me I never even knew why he did it,” Lynette’s curiosity was at its peak.
 “Girl, he liked you like crazy. He had drawn pictures of you and everything. I thought you two were boyfriend and girlfriend,” Ms. Williams informed.
“Mom!” Devanté interrupted.
“Well if he liked me so much why he threw dirt in my hair?” Lynette asked dying to know the answer to a ten year old question.
“Can I tell her?” Ms. Williams asked.
Devanté threw his hands up in a forfeit motion, “you then told everything else.”
“Well baby, Devanté’s daddy had got sent to prison a day before that. He said you were coming back from a vacation and couldn’t stop bragging about your daddy. I don’t condone what he did, but that’s the real reason why he did it,” Ms. Williams informed.
Lynette felt like a life long questioned was answered. She never forgave Devanté for that. “He never told me that,” Lynette stated.

 

 

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