Chapter Seventeen
Shania was already at home when Halle finally made it there. Getting Tracey to calm down after Bernard left hadn’t taken that long. Her friend was already convinced he was doing something he wasn’t supposed to and that she was going to wait for him to out himself. Halle had again tried to convince her to just go ahead and confront him, but for some reason Tracey hesitated. They had been married for twelve years; she supposed she could understand why Tracey wasn’t ready to just pull the plug on her marriage. Still, if Halle got proof before Tracey did, she wasn’t going to hesitate to give Bernard a piece of her mind and a foot to the ass.
Shania was in the shower when Halle got home, so she went into the kitchen and made a bag of popcorn and poured two cups of grape soda, Shania’s favorite, even though Halle hated the flavor, and sat on the couch in the living room. She pulled up her streaming service and clicked on Living Single. Halle’s mom had loved that show and she still felt connected to her whenever she watched it.
Shania came out a few minutes after Halle was settled. She wore a pair of gray joggers and an oversized white T-shirt. Her hair was pulled back tight in a ponytail and her face was freshly scrubbed. She fell onto the couch next to Halle smelling like the rose-scented body wash they shared in the house’s one bathroom. She grabbed a handful of popcorn and pointed at the television.
“Season one again?”
Halle nodded. “Yep, I thought I’d start from the beginning.”
“Even though you like season two the best.”
“Sometimes you’ve got to go back to where it all started.”
Shania nodded and reached for the cup of soda. Halle watched her for a few seconds before reaching over and running her hand over Shania’s hair. Shania smiled before pulling away.
“I’m fine.”
“Tell me what happened?”
Shania sighed and took another handful of popcorn. Halle let her munch and get her thoughts together versus pushing. After she’d finished the handful and washed it down with the soda, she spoke.
“Some boys on the team were talking about test tube babies. One of them said their mom called me that. They’d never heard that before, but once they understood the meaning, they thought it was funny.”
Halle clenched her hands into fists. “Did they say that to you?” She tried to keep her voice calm even though she was ready to find the kids in question and give them a lecture on feelings and what wasn’t appropriate.
“Nah, they were talking in the hallway. I overheard them.”
“What did you do?”
“Nothing. I didn’t know what to do. I mean, they aren’t like my best friends, but I thought we were cool. Me and Deandre played together in middle school.”
Deandre Brown. Halle knew him and his mother. She was definitely going to have something to say the next time she saw Natasha Brown.
“I’m sorry that you had to hear that. Especially from kids you thought you could trust.”
“I was upset, but then Coach Q came out of nowhere. He heard them and was all what did you say? And don’t ever let me hear you say that.” Her voice filled with admiration as she spoke, and a smile broke out across her face. “He said he wouldn’t stand for bullying on the team. He said we were all supposed to stick together and that he wouldn’t accept anyone getting in his business or gossiping about one another on his watch. It was really cool.”
It sounded pretty cool. She was impressed that he’d taken up for Shania. “What did the boys say?”
“Nothing really. They straightened up and apologized. I thought maybe it would come up at practice, but it didn’t.”
“Why are you frowning?”
“I don’t know. Coach Q was different. He’s never been overly nice to me, but he’s always been helpful. He seemed kind of... I don’t now...like he was avoiding me today.” Shania’s eyes met Halle’s. The concern in her daughter’s expression made her heart twist. “Do you think he’s regretting finding out that I’m his daughter?”
“I wouldn’t say that, baby. I mean, he did step in and defend you. Maybe he was just distracted today.”
Shania reached for more popcorn. “I hope so. It was fun hanging out with him at cousins’ day and having him come over to watch football. I mean, I just found my dad. I don’t want to lose him already.”
“You won’t lose him. He said that he wanted to be there for you, and I believe him.”
Shania nodded and gave a small smile. “You’re right. I hope so.”
“I know so. And if he isn’t telling the truth, don’t worry. I’ll deal with him.”
Shania laughed. “I know you will, but I think you’re right. Coach Q isn’t one to quit.”
“I agree.”
They watched three episodes before Shania disappeared into her room after getting a text from one of her friends. Halle got her phone and went into her bedroom. She called Quinton before she could stop herself.
“Halle?” his voice, deep and rumbly, came through the phone.
Halle’s stomach quivered. Damn, he sounded good over the phone. Focus, Halle! “Hey, Quinton, I wanted to talk to you about today.”
“What about today?” he asked in his easy, no-worries voice.
“Shania overheard what the kids in the hallway said. About her being a...test tube baby.” She whispered the last words and her hand tightened on the phone. She wished she could give those kids a piece of her mind.
“She overheard that? I didn’t know. Damn, I would have said something to her if I’d known.”
“It’s okay, she heard you handle it, and she appreciated it. A lot. That’s why I’m calling. To say thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me. I told you I’d protect her as much as I could.”
“I know you did. I just didn’t think I’d need you to have to defend her so soon.” School hadn’t even started. For the first time, Halle dreaded the first day.
“The word is getting out,” Quinton’s voice was determined. “I have to nip it in the bud before school starts.”
“Did anyone else say anything?”
“Jeremiah wants to make sure I don’t give her preferential treatment. Said the parents will watch me more.”
Halle rolled her eyes and sat on the edge of her bed. Jeremiah was a good principal, but he was also a worrier. Warning Quinton about preferential treatment was just his style. “Is that why you were distant with her today?”
Quinton was quiet for a second. She expected him to deny it, but he sighed. “Yes. Some of the coaches, no one in particular, already thought I was going easy on her. After Jeremiah’s warning and the talk with the boys, I thought stepping back would take off some of the heat.”
“She was worried you changed your mind about being in her life.”
“No. Never that. I didn’t realize I’d hurt her feelings. My bad. I’ll do better tomorrow. Is she okay?” He sounded regretful and worried.
“She’s okay. Don’t feel bad. I understand what you’re doing. We’re both still figuring this out. If we talk about what we’re thinking and feeling, then that’s better than assuming.”
“Call me anytime. If you have something you want to know I won’t hide it.”
“Thanks, Quinton. I’ll do the same.” They were quiet. She’d said what she needed to say, so she didn’t have to stay on the phone, yet she didn’t want the conversation to end. “Are you going to the Business Guild meeting tomorrow?”
“Yeah,” he said, not sounding excited at all.
“Why say it like that?” she asked with a laugh. “What’s wrong?”
“The mayor roped me into meeting with the editor of TravelMagazine. Talk about the football team and why I relocated here. She thinks it’ll help us win Best Small Town.”
Halle leaned back against her bed frame and nodded. “She has a point. Why the problem, though? Don’t you want us to win?”
“It’s not that. It’s the editor. I knew him in high school. We weren’t friends.”
“Oh, well, you’re adults now. Maybe things will be different.”
Quinton grunted. “Doubtful. But anyway, I said I’d help so I will.”
“I’m glad you’re helping.” She meant it. As high school football coach, Quinton was an important member of the community. “I’ll get to see you tomorrow at the meeting.”
“I’d like to see you,” he said in a low, easy tone.
Her stomach clenched. Heat blossomed in her cheeks. “Gregory will be there, too.” Not with her, but he’d mentioned he would be there to represent the community college where he also taught literacy classes. He’d hoped to see her. For them to try starting up again. She hadn’t told Quinton about their break. She was afraid. Not of Quinton, but afraid of her ability to pretend as if she wasn’t attracted to him if he knew she was free.
“I don’t care about Gregory. I’ll be happy to see you.” He spoke with a confidence that made her body tremble.
She cleared her throat. “Well, I guess I should go. I don’t want to keep you.”
A pause before he replied in a knowing tone. “Have a good night, Halle.”