Sam’s text didn’t help either. That evening, after I got back from the diamond mine, I noticed his message, which I had missed in the excitement of the day.
So how was the beast today? Do I need to take someone by the horns and toss them around a bit?
The beast was fine. It was me, apparently, who needed a good shakeup.
We didn’t kill each other today,I responded.So that’s something.
I was spared the humiliation of having to figure out how to talk to Derrick the next Monday when he was called away at the last minute for a temporary duty assignment in Mississippi and would be gone the entire week. I found myself relieved at the reprieve and yet, anxious. I’d have to see him again sometime. If only we could just get it over with.
The week was strangely quiet. I took Jade to all her appointments and without the arguing, even had time to slip a little fun. Mrs. Allen didn’t seem particularly interested in the Candy Choir, probably since she was sure Jade wouldn’t make the team. But all I needed was the go-ahead, so we chose a song and costume for the tryouts. Everything went as expected, and I came out another week closer to starting my master’s degree.
What I didn’t expect, however, was a text at nine-fifteen a.m. Saturday morning, a week after our little mining adventure.
Up for more pro bono work?
It took me several seconds to wipe the blur from my eyes as I squinted at the screen. Pro bono? Oh. Derrick. He must have gotten my number from his mother.
What did you have in mind?I typed back.
Be ready in fifteen. We’re on our way to get you.
I stared at the phone for another minute, trying to sort through my foggy brain, when I realized what he’d just said.
Be ready in fifteen.
I half-fell, half-jumped out of bed and riffled through my closet, muttering to myself as I did. He could at least have the decency to tell me what to wear if he was dragging me out of bed on my day off. I glanced in the mirror, but it didn’t matter what I saw. There wasn’t enough time to shower, so I made do with my favorite white baseball cap and a ponytail. Figuring I’d better be ready for anything, I threw on a pair of jeans and a faded but slightly dressy pink t-shirt before grabbing my socks and sneakers and stumbling through the door.
“You’re up early,” my mom said as I tore through the kitchen. I grabbed three of the chocolate chip blueberry pancakes she’d stacked on a plate. I wasn’t known in my house as a great lover of the morning sun.
“Apparently, I’m going to hang out with Jade and Derrick.” I stuffed the pancakes in my mouth, careful not to bite all the way through as I pulled on my socks and shoes.
My mother put her spatula down. “I thought you were only working on the weekdays.”
I took the pancakes out of my mouth. “This is pro bono.”
My mother narrowed her eyes at me. “Which means you’re working for free.”
I paused and took the pancakes out of my mouth. “Actually…I think it means we’re going to go have fun.”
She tilted her head at me, and for a long, rare moment, I had no idea what she was thinking. But to my surprise, she finally shrugged.
“Well, if anyone needs a little fun, it’s you. Just…don’t let them start using you as a free babysitter. Your time is worth more than that.”
I laughed. “I don’t think I’m going to have any problem with that.”
A car horn honked in the front yard. Grabbing a napkin for my pancakes, I kissed my mom goodbye and dashed out to the front drive.
Sure enough, a red truck sat just in front of the door, the door already open. Letting myself in, I dropped my purse on the floor and shut the door as Derrick gave me a reproving look.
“Pancakes? Really? I thought we’d established the rules for my vessel.”
“Your vessel can thank you for waking me up on a Saturday.” I took a defiant bite and smiled at him as I chewed.
“I want one!” Jade called from the backseat.
“No,” Derrick called over his shoulder. “You already had breakfast. And you.” He turned to me, “You can sleep in tomorrow, so stop whining.”
“No, I can’t. Some of us have responsibilities on Sundays. Like church.”
