She was so excited about her big date that she decided to share the news with her big sister Janett, whom she secretly looked up to. Janett was the eldest and prettiest of all of her sisters and the smartest. In Sara’s eyes, Janett was the total package; the beauty and the brains. Even though she treated Sara like crap, she still valued her big sister’s opinion. “Hey Janett guess what?” Sara perked as she poked her head in her sister’s bedroom. She scanned around the room looking at all the boxes scattered on the floor. Sara wasn’t too thrilled that her big sister was moving out of the house to go live with her lame boyfriend. He claimed he wanted to keep his family in close quarters and that way he could be a better father to his son. Little did he know, just by them moving in with him would not make him a better father. Sara hated Jared, and she always made it a point to let him know that every time he came around. She was definitely going to miss her nephew though. She had gotten used to the little guy around the house; even if he did keep half the family up at all hours of the night.
Janett was sitting on her queen size bed rocking Jared Jr. to sleep. She looked up at Sara with disgust in her eyes. “What’s up?” She asked dryly.
Sara ignored her attitude as usual and proceeded to tell her the news. “I have a date on Friday night with this boy from my school named Michael Garner!” she exclaimed.
“Shhh! Can’t you see I’m trying to put the baby to sleep? Calm your little ass down girl.” She said rolling her eyes at her.
“I’m sorry, I just wanted to share my exciting news with you and ask for some pointers on my first date, that’s all.” Sara said now sounding a little disappointed with her big sister’s unenthused response.
“Whatever, why on earth is this boy interested in you?” she asked.
“What do you mean? He likes me, I guess.”
“I mean why does he like you? He must be a nerd lover.” She laughed.
Sara didn’t find the insult funny. In fact, she found it to be quite hypocritical coming from someone who was just as smart as she was. Janett always denied the fact that she enjoyed school. She would sneak in her room to read books and do all of her extra credit projects. She dumbed herself down just so she wouldn’t be ridiculed for her intelligence. She even turned down a college scholarship and instead when on to get a cosmetology license. Soon thereafter she met Jared and got pregnant with Jared Jr.
“Look, just go out with him and have a good time. Don’t do anything stupid and if he tries anything stupid; knee him in the nuts”, she advised obviously seeing the look of hurt in Sara’s eyes.
“Thanks, do you think a nice blouse and some jeans would be okay to wear to the movies?” Sara inquired.
“Yes, that’ll be fine, being that you’re just going to the movies. Now get out of here so I can lay him down and finish packing.” She said getting up to put Jared Jr. in his crib.
“Alright, well thanks again Janett.” Sara closed her bedroom door and went down the hall to her own room. With so many people in the house, Sara managed to still have her own room. None of the other kids wanted to sleep in the same room with her, because they said she was weird and boring. This was another reason why she couldn’t wait to get out of the house and go away to school. She already had academic scholarship offers from three different major Universities. It was just a matter of picking which one. She hadn’t even bothered informing her parents yet, because she wanted to make her decision first. Just thinking about it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand at attention. She sat on her twin size bed and day dreamed about dorm life and all the new people she would meet that loved learning as much as she did. She couldn’t wait! As for that moment, she needed to figure out which outfit would be best for her date with Michael Garner.
“Sara pick up the telephone!” Janice yelled from behind her bedroom door.
Who could be calling her at this time? It was almost 9:00 p.m, and besides no one ever calls her other than Jackie. She knew that’s not who it was, because she was at her Wednesday night bible study. She slowly picked up the receiver of her telephone. “Hello, this is Sara,” she said. She heard Janice press the talk button on her cordless phone hanging up on her and whoever was on the other end of the line.
She had heard his voice hundreds of times at school, but she didn’t realize how deep it was until now. “Hey Sara”, Michael said.
“Hey.” Is all she managed to get out.
“This is Michael. I’m sorry for calling you so late, I hope I didn’t get you in trouble.” He said with a sense of sincerity.
“Oh no, you’re fine. My parents don’t trip too much about us talking on the phone as long as we’re off before midnight.” Which reminded her; she needed to go open her bedroom door, because that was also a rule. No talking on the phone with boys with the bedroom door closed. Mama said she had enough unexpected grandbabies already and she wasn’t trying to have anymore.
“Cool, so what are you up to?” he asked.
“Nothing much; just getting my clothes together for school in the morning,” she lied. She had finally decided on the perfect outfit for their date in a couple days. However, she didn’t want to seem too thirsty.
“Oh okay, I should probably start doing that too. Maybe it wouldn’t take so long to get ready in the mornings.” He laughed at himself. I could tell that he was someone who took much pride in his appearance. He was always coordinated with his outfits which caught the attention of a lot of ladies in our class. “Anyway, I decided to use your number, because I had a feeling you wouldn’t actually use mine.” He said.
He was right; she hadn’t planned on using his number. They had exchanged numbers earlier that week as a security in case anything came up before their date. She was a nervous wreck just talking to him in person; she sure wasn’t going to go out of her way to call him on the telephone. She let out a nervous laugh, “I didn’t know you were expecting a call from me.”
“I don’t expect anything, but I know how shy you are around me, so that’s why I just took it upon myself to make the first call.” He cleared his throat, “Besides, I had to check and see if we were still on for Friday. I didn’t see you around school today.” He said.
“Yeah, I was in the counselor’s office most of the day reviewing college admission material.” She said. “Oh, and to cure your curiosity, yes we still are on for Friday.”
“Oh yeah, I will have my turn with all that good stuff next week. And thank you for reassuring me. I am definitely looking forward to spending time with you.” There was a knock in his background that quickly grabbed his attention. Sara thanked God for whoever was knocking. “I have to get going Sara, but it sure was nice to hear your voice. I hope to see you tomorrow.” He said.
“Yes, you’ll see me tomorrow in class and it was nice talking to you as well. Have a good night.” She said.
“Thanks; you too.” He hung up the phone.
Sara replaced the receiver on its base. She got up to close her door when she saw her twin Brother Sean standing outside in the hall. He was the only boy, with the exception of their six month old baby brother still making his first impressions on the Gibbs household. Sara had heard so many stories about twins and how close they were, how they know what the other twin is feeling and so on and so forth, but her brother and she had never been close. She remembered having to be near by him, because of the simple fact that they were twins, but they were nothing alike. Their six sisters adored Sean and would do anything for him. He was definitely the household favorite. He was just like one of the girls and was not ashamed of it. His sexuality had been questioned plenty of times, but mama and the girls have made it clear that they will accept him no matter which gender he preferred. Daddy just ignores it whenever he is home; keeping his comments to himself. Her brother was obviously battling his sexuality and it has become more and more of an issue for him over the past year now. She’s heard the rumors at school and has even had to take up for him on multiple occasions even though she knew he wouldn’t do the same for her. Unlike the rest of the family, she realized that blood is thicker than water and she’d do anything for them.
Sara held the door and returned his glare, “What can I do for you Sean?” She asked.
He smacked his lips; which is something he always does before he says anything. “So I hear you’re going out on a date with Michael Garner.” He said with major attitude.
“As a matter of fact I am. What of it?”
“You’re stupid, that’s what’s of it.” He folded his arms in front of his bare chest.
“And how am I stupid Sean? I really am sick of you and everybody else’s attitude around here toward me. I’m not asking anyone to be happy for me or even give a damn for that matter, but I really don’t have to put up with your shit.” She stated getting a little heated.
“No you don’t have to take our shit, but you have all of your damn life. Why stop now? He stepped closer to her as if he might swing on her. “Don’t let this so called date with Michael Garner gas you up too much sweetie.” He said.
Sara took a step back, “Whatever Sean” she sad as she slammed the door in his face.
“Don’t get mad Sara and don’t say I didn’t try to warn you. Michael Garner is the biggest locker room homo in the school! Good luck with that twin sis!” He laughed as he went back to his room and slammed the door.
Did she just hear him correctly? Michael Garner is homosexual? A locker room homosexual? She didn’t know exactly what that meant, but she decided to ignore Sean’s weak attempts to ruffle her feathers. Sara stretched out on her bed and resumed her day dream about their date and the possible sexual endeavors that could arise. If Michael Garner was a homosexual, she definitely had the cure for it.
Published by T. Nicole: W0rd Hustlin' Inc copyright © 2007-2008
