"Scotty … would it surprise you to know that you scored high enough that you qualified for the honors program?"
Scotty shrugged not sure what that was.
Mr. Price folded his hands across his desk. "The top 7th graders are invited to join the honors program for their eighth and ninth grade years."
"I'm already in the eighth grade … so … "
"So, you've been invited to switch schools."
Scotty rubbed his hand through his hair, surprised. "Walnut Hills is for kids going to college, I mean … even if I don't drop out of school at sixteen I'm never going to college."
"Why Scotty?"
"Because it takes money, Mr. Price. And in case you haven't noticed-"
"Stop. It does take money and there are half a million grants that you could get very easily that would give you a full ride."
Scotty drew in a deep breath and looked at his teacher in astonishment. "You really want me to go to Walnut Hills High School? I mean … there are probably other kids that want it. I don't want it."
"Maybe not this second. But maybe two seconds from now you will. Maybe two years from now you will kick yourself for not taking this opportunity…this free opportunity." The older man paused, staring deeply into the boy's eyes. "Free opportunities don't come your way often, son. I know this from experience. Some people out there wouldn't give a shit about you. That's why you have to give a shit about your own damn self."
Scotty's throat felt tight and he knew that Mr. Price was one of those people that gave a damn. However, he had no plans of leading a straight life where he slaved away at a job where he barely made enough to get by. He knew how to make big money and he was going to follow in his brother's footsteps, and when he made enough to get a fine crib—maybe like Vanessa's and her mother's, then he'd move out of the ghetto.
"I see you got a plan in your head, Scotty. But it doesn't have to be like that. And education will get you out of the ghetto! I went to Walnut Hills High School and went on to college and got a degree and with it a career and not just a job."
Scotty shrugged. "You're still in the ghetto." Mr. Price looked like he was going to jump up in belt him. "When I get out of the ghetto, I'm getting out in a Cadillac!"
"Get out of here Scotty." Mr. Price's voice was soft. He turned his attention back to his papers and the young boy felt the sudden loss of the teacher's eyes on him.
Scotty turned to leave, but Mr. Price didn't stop him. So he stopped on his own. He looked at his teacher over his shoulder.
"What's Walnut Hills like?"
II
When Vanessa saw her cousin at recess Jalissa hugged her in a rare show of joy.
"This is going to be like being sisters."
Vanessa smiled despite her trepidations. "We're already like sisters."
Jalissa grinned and nodded and they discussed watching tonight's episode of Good Times and then Welcome Back Kotter the next night. After school the two girls walked the short way to Jalissa's house. She'd never had to walk to her cousin's home from school before and the number of children heading the same route was amazing. Swarms of children played and laughed as they rushed home in order to watch Skipper Ryle on television. After a snack they would go outside to play until it was time for dinner and afterwards would head back out for a few more hours until the streetlights came on. And that was the routine day after day in the projects.
Two boys rough housing soon got into a fight where fists went flying with lightening speed. Jalissa grabbed her arm and dragged her over to watch with the crowd forming a circle around the two fighting boys.
Vanessa watched in fascination at the power of those fists flying. She'd never been in a true fight although she'd hit someone that had hit her. She wondered what would happen if someone tried to beat her up the way these boys were fighting. They were blacking each other's eyes and noses were bleeding. And then a crossing guard approached and loudly broke up the fight, pulling the more aggressive boy off the loser.
They resumed their march home and Vanessa had to admit that this was much more exciting than driving up the hill with her mama.
When they got home aunt Callista was talking on the telephone in the kitchen and cooking something. She pulled the phone from her face briefly.
"Change your clothes and then go outside and play." She returned to her phone conversation.
Vanessa looked at Jalissa and whispered. "I thought we were going to watch Skipper Ryle."
Jalissa rolled her eyes. "Girl, don't pay no attention to her." She turned on the television, completely disobeying her mother and Vanessa followed her into the living room and sat down on the sofa with her.
Fifteen minutes later when aunt Callista was done with her phone conversation she bellowed out Jalissa's name.
"Didn't I tell you to change your clothes? Dinner is ready. Y'all come and eat." She disappeared back into the kitchen and Jalissa didn't acknowledge a word she said.
Vanessa liked Skipper Ryle just like the next kid but she didn't want to risk pissing off aunt Callista within the first hour of her stay.
"Come on," she whispered to Jalissa. "Your mother said its time to eat."
"I told you not to pay any attention to her," she said in a normal tone as if her mother wouldn't be able to hear her even though she was just in the next room.
Vanessa sat quietly not enjoying the show at all anymore. When it was over they went upstairs to her mom's room and changed into shorts and t-shirts. Jalissa and her mom lived in a one-bedroom apartment and aunt Callista got the one bedroom. Jalissa slept on the sofa bed and kept her clothing in her mother's room and her toys in the coat closet. It wasn't a bad apartment but it was obvious that aunt Callista's taste went to the extravagant. They had a purple sofa and red curtains on the walls and a gold fur rug beneath the glass cocktail table.