“Thank you,” replies Mr. Thompson.
“Kelly and Cocoa, this is my son, Maverick.”
I don’t stand or shake their hands. My father gives me a look.
“Hi,” Kelly says, too excitedly for my liking. I don’t like preppy bitches.
Her daughter notices my slight disrespect and then turns her body slightly to ignore me.
“You left Montgomery a single man but come back married. How did that happen?”
“Kelly and I have been in a long-distance relationship for years. Three months ago, I decided to propose, and the rest is history.”
“Kelly and Cocoa, I hope you find our little town to your liking.”
“I do, I love it,” says Kelly.
“I do, too, Judge Carter,” Cocoa adds. “It’ll take some time getting used to since living in Los Angeles was so different.”
Her voice is beautiful. I wonder how her screams sound.
“Maverick, won’t you be hosting a pool party for seniors this Saturday? It’ll be a great opportunity for Cocoa to meet some of the senior class. She’ll be attending Montgomery Academy,” says Mr. Thompson.
“He would love to have her.” My father fake gushes when I know he’s burning inside. It does make me happy to know he’s upset.
She still doesn’t acknowledge me. I’m used to girls falling all over me.
“Michael Thompson, party of three. Your table is ready,” calls the hostess.
“We’ll see you in town sometime, Judge Carter,” says Mr. Thompson, as he and his new family follow the hostess.
“I look forward to it,” John says as he retakes his seat. I watch Cocoa as she walks away. I’m hypnotized by the sway of her hips and the jiggle of her ass. I want that.
“I can’t believe he brought that nigger-fucking bitch and her mutt daughter to Montgomery. Soon Montgomery won’t be livable anymore, with the trash moving in. Montgomery Academy is going downhill, letting anyone enroll. It’s bad enough scholarships are awarded to trash whose parents can’t afford tuition. I want you to stay away from her,” says John.
“I don’t know John, we could use a little color around here,” I reply, just to piss him off.
What did I tell you about calling me John in public?”
“I’ll call you whatever the fuck I want, John.”
“Listen, you little punk, you better start respecting me.”
“And if I don’t?” I challenge.
We start a staring contest. After a few minutes, John nervously looks away.
“John, I’ll do what the fuck I want, when the fuck I want. I’m not the scared little boy I used to be, so it’s you that better start respecting me.”
I continuously steal glances at Maverick from the table where I sit. If I thought the two assholes from earlier were attractive, they don’t compare to Maverick. His dark brown hair is long enough to rest across his forehead and curl around his ears. His fathomless eyes sit in a classically handsome face, with a strong jaw and full lips. Even though he didn’t stand like his father, fucking asshole, I can tell he’s really tall. He has big, strong, muscular arms and chest, showcased by his fitted white shirt. The boy definitely eats his Wheaties.
“Maverick is the quarterback of the Montgomery Wildcats,” Michael tells us.
Maybe I will go to this pool party. I plan on being a cheerleader, and I do want to make friends.
A few hours later, I hit Lo’s name on my cell phone. After a few rings, she answers.
“Hey, baby girl.”
