Read Online Betrayed by Suzetta Perkins - Free Book Online Page B

as she touched the keyboard, the phone rang and a smile danced across her face.
    â€œHey, Baby, it’s about time.”
    â€œHey, Mommy, I know I’ve been delinquent.”
    â€œDelinquent is not the word, but we won’t fuss about it now that you’ve called. How’s school going?”
    â€œIt’s going good. I’m more worried about you. How are you doing?”
    â€œWell, you took long enough to check on me. I’ve sent you several text messages.”
    â€œI apologize. I…I remembered what you said about having more than one friend in my life…”
    Mimi took a seat. “Something happened between you and Asia?”
    â€œNo, Mommy. We’re still cool. I have a new male acquaintance.”
    â€œOkay, Afrika Nicole Bailey. Remember what your goal is. You don’t need any distractions or stumbling blocks to keep you from reaching that goal.”
    â€œNo, Mommy. I’m going to be an icon on Wall Street one day. I haven’t lost focus. You can bet your bottom dollar on that—Wall Street jargon.” Afrika laughed.
    â€œWell, I’m not laughing. I don’t want to see anything but A’s and B’s for grades.”
    â€œNot a problem. But I didn’t call to talk about me. Asia told me that you were supposed to meet her mother today for lunch. How did it go?”
    Quiet ensued. Then Mimi took a breath and exhaled. “I didn’t meet her.”
    â€œWhy? What’s going on? You telling me to be careful about getting involved with Asia’s family puzzles me. Mommy?”
    â€œI’m a little apprehensive about seeing Brenda again; that’s all. I sort of skipped out on her when she may have needed me most years ago, but I had my reasons. I’m afraid that Brenda won’t forgive me and I don’t think I can endure the thought of it.”
    â€œBut, Mommy, she wants to see you. You should’ve seen how her eyes lit up when she realized that you were my mother and that you were living right under her nose. I believe she would’ve interrogated me all night if I had let her. Now, Asia’s father, Mr. Christianson, there’s something sinister about him.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Mimi asked, holding her heart and her breath.
    â€œIt’s the way he stares at me, like I’ve…”
    â€œWhat do you mean, he stares at you?”
    â€œI’m trying to tell you, Mommy. The first time I saw him oncampus, I understood that he might have mistaken me for Asia. However, the next time I saw him, at Asia’s house, his eyes…his eyes were spooky. Like they were lasers and he was drilling holes through me. Then the next day at the football game, there he was again with that twisted grin on his face, watching me like he was some kind of stalker.”
    â€œStay away from him, Afrika. You hear me?”
    â€œYeah, Mommy. You’re scaring me.”
    â€œI’m not trying to scare you. I never liked that man when we were in college. Even then, I couldn’t put my hand on it,” Mimi lied for Afrika’s sake, “but I’ve always thought he was up to no good. I don’t know what Brenda saw in him, but she said she was going to marry that man one day.”
    â€œBut what has that got to do with him staring at me? And what made you think he was up to no good?”
    â€œI can’t explain it, Afrika. If I could, I would. I don’t trust him as far as I can see him.”
    â€œWell, he gives me the creeps. He’s Asia’s daddy and all, but you don’t have to worry about me; I’m going to stay as far away from him as possible. So why didn’t you really want to see Mrs. Christianson?”
    â€œWho said I didn’t want to see Brenda? So many questions, Afrika.”
    â€œThat need answers. Something strange is going on, Mommy, and you opened the can on my curiosity by telling me to be aware of Asia’s