Read Online Coffee Will Make You Black by April Sinclair - Free Book Online Page B

them call me. Do you understand?”
    â€œYes, Mrs. Cunningham.”
    If I could just stall one more day, I’d have it made. Tomorrow was Friday. If I could just hold Mrs. Cunningham off one more day, I could go to the party on Saturday. Mama had already made my hair appointment at No Naps Beauty Salon. In fact, Carla’s mother was the one who was going to do my hair.
    I had made it! It was Friday afternoon and I was on my way home from school. Mrs. Cunningham had been out sick today and we’d had a substitute teacher. I had totally lucked out. The substitute had barely been able to keep the class from going crazy, let alone figure out I was supposed to bring my mother up to school. I couldn’t believe it: nothing was gonna come between me and going to Carla’s party now. I knew that chickens would come home to roost, as Mama always said. But let them roost on Monday, that’s all I asked. Besides, a lot could happen between now and Monday. The Russians could attack. We could be invaded by Martians from outer space. Mrs. Cunningham could fall and hit her head and lose her memory. Anything could happen.

chapter 6
    David met me at the door. I could tell something was wrong, because his eyes were so big. David grabbed my arm and started pulling me toward my bedroom. He was a head shorter than me and two years younger, but he was strong.
    â€œDavid, what are you doing? What’s wrong? Why are you grabbing on me?”
    â€œJean, you better change out of that dress and put on some long pants! Mama’s talking to your teacher on the phone! I can tell you’re in trouble just by how her voice sounds. Jean, you’re really gonna get it!”
    I set my books down on my bed.
    â€œHow long has she been on the phone?” My voice was shaking.
    â€œLong enough. I think they’re fixing to get off. I heard Mama thanking Mrs. Cunningham and saying she was sure she wouldn’t be having any more problems with you. Jean, you better hurry up and put a couple pair of pants on. I think I just heard her put the phone down!”
    I could hear Mama’s loud footsteps coming toward my room. She was still wearing her bank shoes. I looked at David; we both knew it was curtains now. The TV was blasting in the living room. Kevin was watching the Mickey Mouse Club. I would’ve given anything to be a Mouseketeer right now. Why couldn’t I be Annette Funicello, instead of Jean Stevenson?
    Mama stood in the doorway with her arms folded, looking mad. She hadn’t changed out of her navy skirt and white blouse.
    â€œI talked to your teacher and she told me everything! I’m not going to have it, Jean Eloise! I’m not going to put up with it!”
    David picked up my yo-yo off the chair and started playing with it.
    â€œDavid, put that stupid yo-yo down and go pick me a switch! And, boy, you better bring me something I can work with, cause I’m gonna tear her legs up!” David ran out.
    â€œHow could you be so low? How could you be so low? Reading out of some slut’s diary!” Mama shouted.
    I sat on my bed, frozen. Mama’s eyes looked like they were on fire. I was scared. I knew David would be back with a switch soon.
    â€œI told you that Jezebel would be your downfall. Mrs. Cunningham said Carla Perkins and her gang were behind everything! To think you could’ve been in the chorus, singing at the Children’s Hospital, knowing your father worked there. Jean, how could you cheat your poor, hard-working father out of being able to point and say, ‘That’s my daughter’?” Mama walked toward me and shouted, “How could you’ve been so selfish? I feel like knocking you down! I’m so mad I don’t know what to do!” I moved back against the wall to get further away from Mama, but I knew there was no escape.
    â€œWhy would you want to let somebody like Carla have an opportunity you should’ve had? And then to read