Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

me for Pink Willow on Sunday night. I’m waiting her out. So what if she’s mad about my nagging.
    At lunch, B.T.B. is all excited. “You’re coming tonight to youth group, aren’t you? Mary Carlson had them order pineapple, jalapeño, and ham pizza, which is my favorite.” He pauses.
    I hadn’t planned on going. I’d planned on a Lost Girl marathon in my favorite flannel pajamas, pouting about Dana, and making myself sick on nachos. But I can’t freaking say no to his smile.
    â€œI’ll come for a little while. Just long enough for pizza.”
    â€œOh, but they’re showing a movie.” He seems perplexed I’d want to miss that.
    Across the lunchroom, I spot his sister at the drink machine. She’s by herself, concentrating hard on the choices between flavored waters. She scratches her hair and it poofs up a little. I smile. There’s something off-kilter about her.Like even though she’s hanging with the popular kids, she can’t quite get it together. My mind plays out a fantasy. I walk over and lean against the drink machine and smile at her. She smiles back. I tell her I like her hair. She blushes. She tells me nobody ever likes her hair and she can’t do a thing with it. I reach out my hand and finger comb the strands until it lies flat. She starts breathing a little faster. And then . . .
    Fantasy crushed. Some tall boy in a letter jacket actually plays it out in real time. The leaning-on-the-machine part, anyway. Mary Carlson takes a step away from him. But the boy doesn’t seem dissuaded and says something that makes her laugh, then hands her the drink when the beverage door opens.
    I nudge B.T.B. “Is that your sister’s boyfriend?”
    He looks and his expression darkens. “No. That is Chaz.”
    Of course. If not Trey, it would have to be Chaz. B.T.B.’s actually working his own pretty good glare. “I’m guessing you don’t like him?”
    B.T.B. shakes his head hard. “He is a mean boy.”
    â€œHow so?”
    He’s scowling. “He thinks I should play football because I’m big. But I don’t want to play football and he calls me names.”
    â€œHe’s bullying you?”
    B.T.B.’s mouth locks in a tight frown and he shakes his head again in an equally tight motion. “No more talking about him. I don’t like the words he uses. They are wrong.”
    He’s getting agitated, so I switch the subject. “So I should stay for the movie tonight?”
    B.T.B.’s smile lights up immediately. “We’re watching Soul Surfer . It is very scary but very good. You can sit with me.”
    â€œDeal.” I pat his hand, then climb out from between the lunch table and attached stool. I wonder if his sister will be there.
    That evening, at the church, I park and wind my way inside. There’s no escaping Pastor Hank tonight, as I’ve somehow gotten my times turned around and arrive at five instead of five thirty.
    â€œJoanna Gordon,” he says, “I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to talk on Sunday, but I didn’t overlook you. Glad you’re here early this evening so we can chat. Any friend of B.T.B.’s is a friend of mine.”
    This is getting sort of crazy. Does Pastor Hank think I’m B.T.B.’s girlfriend, too?
    â€œElizabeth used to help me lead youth groups on Sundays. She’s a bright star. You’re lucky to have her in your life.”
    So maybe he’s not making assumptions. “Yeah, I guess.”
    He gives me the thoughtful look that is the universal therapist, counselor, pastor, pre-insightful-comment gaze. I freeze. I don’t need another person telling me how great Three is. Whatever he sees in my face must change his mind about delivering platitudes. He clears his throat. “Help me set up the room as long as you’re here.”
    This I can do.
    By the time the other kids arrive,