Chapter 39: Cute Little Billy Jones

The best thing about not having to keep my age a secret from my mom was that I got to wear my best clothes and my makeup without being grounded. Mom stayed home from work, which concerned me. I didn't want this to upset her life, but it was going to upset her life…

On the school bus Bernice talked about all the people who didn't like me. I was beginning to wonder if I should put her on the list. Evidently she thought I was too cute, too cool, and was probably gay.

"DeMarcos is supposed to come back to school tomorrow. I'm sure he ain't going to stand for none of that mess from Cheryl and her crew."

I had to change the subject. "Girl, did you hear about the Tylenol—uh, about all those people dying in Chicago?"

"Yeah, that is crazy. Somebody poisoned them, but they don't know how. You can't trust nothing anymore, not even the food they make for us."