Chapter 12 – Momma's Rage

I traipsed to my room. Mom shouted, "Stop it, you've hurt my girl. She hit you one time. Angelica harmed you. You have wounded her a hundred times. You've murdered her spirit. She quit the sports teams and clubs she cherished. You are a bully. The kids at school shun her, tease her or shout nasty things at her. Words you wrote on your signs haunt her everywhere she goes. You ruined her opportunity to receive a scholarship. Her grades suffered because of the war you created. Her teachers dropped her from their AP classes as a result.

"I didn't want that to happen."

"School was her place to shine. She pukes every morning before she leaves the house. You got your revenge. You might as well as shoot her in the head and kick her dead body. The pain you evoked terrorizes her every movement. She is going to counselling. Her counselor claims she may have suicide tendencies. If she kills herself, I will come after you with a shotgun. I don't understand why she loves you. You are a monster.

"I am sorry Mrs. McGhee,"

"Don't tell me, speak to her. She will probably claim she wants to be alone. Hector, you are a good boy. The choices you make this moment will change your and her lives."

The knock on my door exploded. My crying intensified when he came in the room. I attempted to squelched it to no avail. His tears cascaded as much as mine. His face contorted and grew pale.

He said, "I'm sorry."

"The words 'I'm Sorry' means very little to you. For days I said, 'I'm Sorry' and you laughed at me. My Mom misunderstood when she said I loved you. I did love you, but you destroyed any affection I had toward you. I could never love anyone vindictive as you. You destroyed me. This time you are trying to manipulate me to placate my Mother. My reputation is shattered at Peabody. I applied at Humboldt High. Their bus stops at the corner, turns around and returns to Humboldt. If I am not accepted, I will drop out of school."

He left, and I heard Henry and Horace say, "Mrs. McGhee was right when she said you are a monster. You broke Angelica. You devastated her life over one mistake. You got what you wanted."

Hector said, "I don't know what I wanted. I didn't think this through. I'm a donkey's behind."

"Yes, you are."

Henry left to go to Amber's house, Hector went to check on his Green Houses.

Mom entered the room and said, "Horace and Amy strolled in the back. Your boyfriend went home. "

"He is not my boyfriend. I don't like him. You told him that I loved him. Why would you say that?"

"You exhibited anger, but your body language and gaze also spoke otherwise. Your eyes lingered when you watch him.

I snooped on Amy and Horace's conversation. The screened window prevented them from seeing me. However, I observed and listened to every word they exchanged.

Horace's face paled as tears slithered down his cheeks. "What you suggest provides me apprehension. Rodney's declarations of love, loyalty and support seem superficial based on his history. I believe he is deceiving you. He looks good now. His record declares disappointment, damage, and disillusionment."

"Like I possess a spotless reputation. I attempted to ruin Amber by redirecting my crimes to her. I hurt many kids at Peabody High School through bullying, intimidation, and extortion. I berated my parents for being patriotic and standing up to criminals."

"Does he love you?"

"He swears he does."

"I love you and can give you a stable life. I love your baby as my own.

"Rodney claims a new awakening transformed his life. He begged for forgiveness. A baby deserves two loving parents. Horace, I love you, but I'm torn over what is best for all of us. Whatever I choose sends chills throughout my body. Someone will suffer. You are the best man I know. Your strength and understanding gives you decency. You deserve better than me. Forgive me. I am going to marry Rodney."

"There is nothing to forgive."

Amy walks away as Horace back slides to the ground bracing an oak tree. He sits there half an hour. Hector must have seen him from the road. I saw the truck pull up beside the house. He went to Horace and asked, "Is everything OK?"

"Amy just dumped me. She asked me to forgive her. She's making a sacrifice for her baby. Her views are twisted."

"What can I do?"

"It is over. I don't have a choice.

Hector reach out his hand and pulled Horace up and embrace him. Both wept as they hugged.

Hector said, "You are spending the night with me."

They walked to Hector's truck. He opened the door on the rider's side. Horace pulled himself into the truck and they steered toward Hector's house. I watched the truck lights pull into his rear driveway.

Sunday morning and I sat on right side fifth pew back. The left side was full. Hector walked in and glanced at me. His face glowed and he tossed me a smile. I returned a grin. The only pew offering a place to sit was next to me. He sat in the vacant spot, surveyed the bulletin and his hand floated to my hand. I giggled and my mind floated. The congregation sang the opening hymn, The sermon ended and the pastor announce the closing hymn. I missed the content between the two songs. The service concluded.

Hector moved to the aisle. A lady stopped by me and commented on my dress. When I entered the aisle, Hector disappeared. I exited the church, and he sat in his truck in the parking area. I moseyed to the truck

Hector offered me a ride home which I consented. Mom swept dust and debris from the front porch. She walked to the truck and said, "I'm glad you two made up."

"How do you know we made up?

"You are smiling and holding hands. It's an obvious sign, Hector, join us for Sunday lunch."

"I don't want to sponge off y'all.

"We have plenty, and we always have leftovers. It's just fried chicken, St. Louis Style."

"Yes Mam, but I have to call Maria and tell her I won't be home for lunch."

I asked, Who's Maria?"

"My cook and housekeeper. She has been with my family sixty years. She worked for my Dad and Mother"

"I bet she spoils you."

"She does."

Dad and Hector conferred on greenhouse tomatoes and strawberries. They agreed the blacklights (ultraviolet type b lamps) enhanced the flavor of many plants. The conversation drifted to an adult tone as Hector spoke to my Father. He claimed commodity pricing in Chicago Exchange determined the wholesale rate on each item like tomatoes, carrots and onions. Additional variation of pricing created is based on delivery, packaging and variety. Certain items I comprehended, and others bore a mark of confusion. Daddy analyzed each word from Hector. They conversed as equals. Smiles emitted from both.

Dad and Hector respected the ideas of the other. Dad put his arm around Hector's shoulders. They continued to converse in the living room while Mom and I washed the dishes. My body relaxed at the sight of them. Perhaps Hector forgave me. Night fall peek through the windows. Mom and I joined the guys in the living room. "I Love Lucy" rerun captured our attention. The conversations ceased and the laughs increased.

Mom said, "You boys must take a break. Angelica and Joey should get ready for tomorrow's classes."

Dad pouted when Hector step onto the porch.

Hector said, "Yes Mam."

I walked to the truck with him, We held hands. He kissed me on the lips. The kiss lingered. My body beamed, bounced and braced as my balance broke. I would have sunk to the ground if Hector released me. My back hugged the front door of his truck. I gazed at my legs while they trembled and beat a melodic rhythm.

The next day at school on Hector's end of the hall presented a commotion. Laughter bellowed. I observed Hector as the center of attention. The students and a few teachers applauded his performance. Beth clutched my left hand, Amber tugged the right, Trish swung behind and pushed me toward Hector. All three insisted I go with them.

"I did not want to be humiliated again."

Amber said, "Angelica Mc Ghee stop the drama.

Beth said, "Quit acting like a coward."

"I am a coward. I want to run away and hide."

Trish said, "We support you. Tell him what you want. Kick him in his manhood. You'll never win if you don't stand up for your rights."

"I believed yesterday we declared peace. Evidently, I was wrong. Let go of my hands. I will walk up and blast him. The principal will kick me out of school, but I'll pay that price."

All three giggled and said, "Atta a girl."

"What I have in store for him will rock West Tennessee."