Read Online It Is What It Is by Nikki Carter - Free Book Online

pleading for me not to tell her secret.
    I clear my throat. “If he’s ballin’, I sure can’t tell. He must be giving all of the shopping money to his precious little baby.”
    â€œUmm ... my mom bought them for me,” Candy says with a nervous giggle.
    â€œWell, Gia, you need to pick up some fashion tips from your little sister,” Valerie says. “She’s looking flawless right now, from head to toe.”
    Candy smiles adoringly at Valerie. “Thank you, Val! I’m glad you like my outfit.”
    â€œDon’t get too thankful, boo. It’s not a good look. We are Hi-Steppers and we’re supposed to be fierce,” Valerie says.
    I stand up and grab my gym bag. “I’ve got to go. Mother Cranford is waiting. And Candy, you need to get to the house. It’s spaghetti night.”
    Candy scrunches her nose. “Is that all your mother cooks?”
    â€œJust be glad it isn’t tuna surprise night.”

10
    G wen is sitting at the kitchen table doing a crossword puzzle in the newspaper. This is great, because it means she’s in chill mode. I need her to be completely relaxed because I’m about to ask her about going to Cedar Point.
    â€œMom, I need to ask you something,” I say.
    Gwen places her pencil on the table and pats one of the chairs. “Come on in here and sit down,” she says.
    I sit at the table and take a sip out of Gwen’s glass. She snatches her glass of juice away from me and sips it herself. For a second, it feels like old times when it was just me and Gwen. No husband, no pilfering stepsister. Just the two of us.
    â€œWhat do you want to ask me?”
    â€œWill you please listen to the entire request before you say anything?” I ask.
    Gwen shakes her head. “Unh-uh! Nope. Whenever you say something like that, you’re about to ask me something ridiculous.”
    â€œMom! Just hear me out.”
    â€œGo ahead, Gia. But this better not be crazy.”
    â€œWell, most of the junior class is going to Cedar Point over Labor Day weekend.”
    Gwen twists her lips to the side and squints. “And? What else?” she asks.
    â€œI’d like to go. Ricky said he would drive if we gave him gas money.”
    â€œOkay, you can go,” Gwen says.
    â€œThanks, Mom, but that’s not all.”
    â€œThere’s more?”
    â€œWell, yes. If we stay until the park closes, it will be too late for us to drive an hour and a half coming back home.”
    Gwen crosses her arms like she knows what’s coming. I continue. “So Brother Bryan, the youth choir director, has agreed to chaperone us if we get a few hotel rooms and stay the night. We’d be back for Sunday morning worship service.”
    â€œIs that this coming weekend?” asks Gwen.
    â€œNo, it’s next weekend.”
    â€œWell, you-all sure have this all planned out, don’t you?”
    â€œPlease, Mom! Please, can I go?” I beg.
    â€œCan you go where?” Elder LeRon asks. He’s walked into the house and right up into a conversation where he was not invited.
    â€œHi, honey!” says Gwen. “Some of the young people from the church are going to Cedar Point on Labor Day weekend.”
    Elder LeRon frowns. “What young people?”
    â€œBrother Bryan is taking a few car groups,” I reply. I do not appreciate this interrogation. Not one bit.
    â€œIs Candy going?” he asks.
    â€œUmm, no!”
    Gwen asks, “Why can’t Candy go?”
    â€œYes, why isn’t your stepsister invited?”
    I can’t stop the groan that escapes my mouth. First of all, why is LeRon even a part of this conversation? I’m not asking him for his permission, I’m asking my mother for her permission.
    â€œShe’s not invited because she’s a freshman, and no freshmen are invited. This is an upperclassmen event,” I explain.
    â€œThat’s silly,” Gwen says.