Hood Lemonade Jamika's Vendetta by T.J. Hope Read Free Book Online Page A

She was definitely sexy, every dark inch of her. Mark had actually been letting her win, so he could look at her. He wanted to remember her this way.
    “Did you hear me? I said that…” Jamika started. Before she could finish her statement, Mark picked up a spoonful of melted ice cream and flung it at her. It landed on her cheek. She jumped up and charged at him. They began to wrestle and laugh. They fell to the floor and Mark ended up on top of her. All of a sudden, their eyes were glued together like they were the day at the skating rink. Mark ran his fingers over her lips. Soon they were kissing and touching each other with a passion that they never knew existed between them.
    Suddenly, the door flew open and Mark’s mother stepped in. “What in the hell? Mark, I know you got more sense than to try to get this girl in my house. Jamika, I know you got more sense than to let Mark get you!” Jamika got off the floor, not realizing that her skirt had been pulled up from rubbing against Mark on the floor. Mark’s mother continued furiously, “Girl, pull down your damned skirt and go on home! I just may be giving your mother a call tonight.” Jamika pulled down her skirt in one violent tug, and ran from the house.
    She knew that Felise would most likely punish her for the whole summer for this one. She wasn’t supposed to be in any boy’s house without their parents being at home. Although she was afraid, she couldn’t help but smile. Mark liked her too. As good as he had been at hiding it; it had all come out that day. She smiled and touched her lips, where his kiss had been only moments before. Well, it was all too late for that. They would be moving to Parkway in three weeks.
    Later that evening, Felise, Jamika, and Rasheeda had just sat down to eat dinner. The townhouse was perfumed by the delicious smell of smothered pork chops with onions, yellow rice and green beans. Felise was going out on a date, so Jamika was feeling lucky that Mark’s mother hadn’t called yet.
    Before the thought could completely tantalize her mind, the telephone began to ring. Jamika’s heart felt like it would burst through her chest. “I’ll get it!” Jamika said quickly, moving towards the phone.
    “No, Mika, I’ll get it. Whatever little boy you’re waiting to talk to, can talk to you when you are finished eating your dinner.” Jamika reluctantly sat back down and hoped it wasn’t the call she’d been dreading.
    “Hello,” Felise said, answering the phone. “Yes, this is she, who’s speaking please? How can I help you? Yes? Um-hmmmm…What?” Felise looked at Jamika with a confused look, and Jamika braced herself for the punishment that would be following that phone call. “Oh, okay,” Felise continued. “No, she didn’t mention anything to me…most definitely…I’m going to have a talk with her now. Thanks for calling. Oh yes, what is that number again?” Felise began to scribble on the message pad near the phone. “I’ve got it, thanks again. Bye now.”
    Felise hung up the phone and looked at Jamika with a confused look. Jamika knew Felise was disappointed in her. She figured she’d just tell the whole truth and get it over with quickly. The one thing Felise tolerated least was lies. “Rasheeda, take your meal to your room, baby. I need to talk to your sister.” “Okay, Momma,” replied six-year-old Rasheeda, leaving the table to follow her mother’s order.
    “Mika,” Felise began, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
    Jamika wondered what kind of question that was. What would she say? Mom, I got caught in Mark’s house, kissing him, with my skirt pulled up to my waist. Be for real; she believed in being honest, but come on. She remained quiet to get this over with as quickly as possible.
    “I’ve always told you that you could tell me anything, I am your mother. I am here for you when the whole world is against you.” She’s taking this really well, Jamika was thinking. “I know it’s hard to