Read Online Can't Stop the Shine by Joyce E. Davis - Free Book Online Page A

has money, too,” said Asha.
    â€œYeah, but not like they have money. Their great-great-great-grandparents were rolling in it. Can you say the same?”
    â€œWell, no, but why does it matter?”
    â€œThe things that we’re concerned about, they never even think about,” said Mari. “Like, I’m afraid to ask my parents for a new car, but more than one of these lucky rich kids will come out of class on their sixteenth birthday to a brand-new BMW or Mercedes sitting in front of the school with a big red bow on top.
    â€œAnd they have no idea what chores are because they never have to do any,” continued Mari. “Their maids, which look like my grandmama, do everything for them. Some of the kids running around here, like Randy, have buildings on this campus named after their relatives. Their parents are like important government officials and CEOs of big companies. They just get all of these privileges like going to Italy and skiing in Switzerland during the holidays. Shoot, we just go to Louisiana where my mother’s people are from.”
    â€œOkay, so what does all of this have to do with Randy? It sounds like your problem isn’t really with him, but with wealthy people,” said Asha.
    â€œWhatever,” said Mari, slamming her locker door. “He just thinks he can come in and run the class, and I’m not having it. These rich white people get to have everything and do everything. It’s just not fair.”
    â€œYou’ve just got to learn how to beat them at their own game.”
    â€œMaybe.”
    â€œLike the way I’m going to run circles around you at the track,” said Asha, and crossed her eyes.
    Mari was in a much better mood by the end of track practice. She didn’t even let the fact that Asha beat her in the 200 dampen her spirits. But she did get annoyed after waiting outside the gym for thirty minutes for her father to pick her up.
    â€œYour dad’s not here, again, huh?” asked Asha, sitting beside Mari on the front steps of the gym.
    â€œYeah, and I can’t find my mother or my girls, either. I’ve called them all,” said Mari. “I don’t know how he keeps forgetting to pick me up. This is the third time in like two weeks.”
    â€œYour girls? You mean those characters who were up here a couple of weeks ago?” asked Asha, lacing up her sneakers.
    â€œDon’t go there, Asha,” Mari warned. No one had really brought up Shauntae and Colby’s visit since it occurred, and she really didn’t want to hear anything about it.
    â€œLook, you want my mother to take you home?” asked Asha, trying to make peace. “There she is. I’ll ask her.”
    Asha jogged to her mother’s Lincoln Navigator. After a few nods, she turned around and motioned Mari to the car.
    â€œMama, this is Mari,” said Asha, fastening her seat belt.
    â€œHello, Mrs. Wright,” said Mari.
    â€œIt’s nice to finally meet you, Mari. And listen, sweetie, Mrs. Wright was my mother. Just call me Roxie, baby. Everybody does,” she said.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” said Mari.
    â€œNo ma’ams, either. I know this is the Deep South and all, but we’re New Yorkers, and I just don’t need to get down like that, so it’s just Roxie,” said Roxie.
    â€œ Okay… Roxie,” said Mari. “Thanks for taking me home. I kinda don’t know where my family is. I guess I’m like an abandoned child.”
    â€œThey want you. They just want a short break,” joked Asha.
    â€œHa-ha. Very funny,” said Mari.
    â€œMari, Asha tells me that you’re giving her quite a challenge on the track,” said Roxanne.
    â€œUmm…yes,” said Mari, reaching around the headrest in front of her and nudging Asha in the back of the head.
    â€œ What? I did beat you today. Twice,” said Asha, pulling down the visor and sneering at Mari in the mirror.