Try a Little Tenderness Read online

  Sonic and the female were laughing as they ate cheese fries loaded with ranch, ketchup, and turkey chili. As they finished their meal, Sonic and the young lady got up and threw their waste in the trash. They stepped outside. Moments later, they hugged and the young lady got in a blue Kia Rio and drove away.

  “Thanks for covering that shift for me.” Doug came with a new cash drawer, relieving Mateo from his duties. Doug brought up the manager’s screen and typed in a code to take Mateo off the register.

  “No problem.” Mateo smiled. “I appreciate getting the extra hours.”

  “Well, a full-time first shift position will be coming up in a few weeks. You’d only get paid a quarter more, but you would be guaranteed thirty-five hours a week, and if you do well after a few months, you maybe could move up to shift leader. Plus, they are opening a new store in South Asheville in six months. We could probably have you ready for management by then.”

  Shift leader. That meant a small management role and a chance to lead a small team. That also meant Mateo would be eligible for benefits. Mateo didn’t want to jump for joy, but he knew this opportunity was a small step in the direction that could lead him back to school or being able to land steady employment. He inwardly praised God for this small favor.

  “That first shift sounds nice,” Mateo replied. “I probably could make that work. What about my felonies?”

  In the back of his mind, he thought about the two hours overlap between that position and what he’d normally do at the motel. Mateo figured he could talk Hammer into working around his schedule, especially since he encouraged all of the employees to seek outside employment. The first shift position was a step toward independence and getting his own spot.

  “You would have to wait four more years before you become assistant manager, but I wouldn’t worry about that now. Even if you become shift leader, you know you could still pick up some overtime hours too,” Doug pointed out.

  “Anything that will keep me out of trouble.”

  A few seconds later, Mateo was logged off, and he followed Doug back to the manager’s office. He watched as Doug poured the coins into a coin counter and ran the bills through a bill counter similar to the ones he’d seen at the bank. “Perfect drawer, that’s what’s up.”

  That made Mateo feel good. He didn’t like his drawer short, and if it was over, he wanted it to be because a customer told him to keep his change or because he had a tip that was left for him. Mateo left the office and walked to the front counter where another manager was signing one of the night crews onto a new drawer. Mateo quickly clocked out and headed to the lobby. Sonic was standing on the side of the building.

  “Who’s that girl that you were just with?” Mateo asked as he walked up to his boy and gave him a pound.

  Sonic chuckled. “That’s Iesha.”

  “Oh, word? That’s the girl who works at Wendy’s, right?”

  Sonic smiled and nodded his head. Mateo looked at him again. Something was off. It wasn’t the fact that Sonic was talking to a woman. He looked again. “You trimmed the dye from your head?”

  “Yeah,” Sonic confirmed. “It’s time for me to do something different.”

  Sonic looked different without the dark blue tips at the end of his hair. Instead of looking like a punk rocker, his African features really stood out and made him look like one of the college students who attended an HBCU.

  “Well, if you like it, I love it,” Mateo told him as they headed toward Sonic’s car.

  “I want to sell the car,” Sonic said once they got inside and he turned the ignition.

  Mateo looked at him like he was crazy. “Boy, you just got this car almost a year ago.”

  “I know. I need to do something different. I’m thinking about getting an older F-150 or another truck. Something different.”

  “That girl got something to do with you wanting a truck all of a sudden?” Mateo quizzed.

  “Naw, Iesha has nothing to do with the truck. She and I are just cool. Seeing where things are going.”

  “Where’d you meet her at?” Mateo asked.

  “His-Love.com. I told her about my past before we agreed to meet up, and she was cool with it. Told me everyone deserved another chance. She just got out of rehab and is looking for a fresh start too.”

  Mateo was proud of Sonic. He was happy his boy was meeting a woman who was willing to look past his past and see the God in him. His phone vibrated and he saw Amirah’s number. He picked up the phone and read the text message.

  Are you close by?

  No. Mateo typed. Where are you at and do we need to come get you? I’m with Sonic. Just got off from work.

  I’m at the school. I’ll wait on you.

  Mateo sensed that Amirah was in trouble. “Ay, can we go to Shiloh real quick? I think something is up with Amirah.”

  “Yeah, no problem.”

  Sonic left Burgers & Fries and turned on Patton heading toward the I-240/I-26 intersection. Fifteen minutes later, Sonic pulled up in front of Shiloh Christian Academy, and Mateo was leading the way to Amirah’s classroom. Mateo and Sonic passed by a few high school students who were hanging around waiting on the basketball game to begin, or leaving club meetings.

  When they arrived, they saw Amirah and Sarai sitting at her desk.

  “What’s wrong?” Mateo walked up to Amirah and gave her a hug.

  “Turner came into my classroom today.”

  Mateo could feel his anger rise. His heart beat a little faster and his senses became heightened.

  “Where is he now?” Mateo asked.

  “He left a few hours ago,” Amirah answered. “He told me I could do better than you, and that he had a room at Heaven’s Inn.”

  “That dude . . .” Mateo walked around, slamming his fist in his hand. “He always wants to try me.” Fuming, Mateo wished he still had his Glock.

  “Naw, man, we can’t do it like that.” Sonic tried to get Mateo to a calm down. Mateo eventually took a seat. “Turner is just doing this so you can come looking for him—and he can have a reason to put his hands on you.”

  “Yeah,” Sarai cosigned. “No need to chase the devil when you don’t want his attention.”

  The words sank in, and Mateo realized that Sarai was right. It wasn’t about wanting to kick Turner’s butt. He was tired of Turner trying to bully him and Sonic and run their lives.

  “What is it going to take to make that man stop coming after us?”

  “I know what it will take.” Sonic stood up and walked toward the window. “I don’t want to do it, but I’m going to have to talk to him.”

  “Naw, I’m not with that,” Mateo responded.

  “I’ll talk to him and make him understand that what we had is over. Let him know that I rock with Jesus now and that I’m happy with Him being my Lord and Savior.” Sonic continued to stare outside.

  “What is that going to do?” Sarai asked.

  “It’s not about what that’s going to do,” Sonic said. “It’s about me standing up for myself and letting him go once and for all.”

  “Sonic, last time we tried to stand up for ourselves, Turner and his goons crushed us. We were the ones in the hospital, while he and his boys rode through the town.” Mateo was agitated. He wanted another physical confrontation with Turner, but he didn’t want Sonic in the middle of it.

  “This time, we pray before we see him. He won’t be able to surprise us if we bring it to Him,”—Sonic pointed upward—“first.” Sonic was sure of himself.

  “If it’s any help, he’s in room one twenty-four—but I don’t want y’all to do nothing crazy,” Amirah shared.

  “I’m not going to do nothing crazy,” Sonic promised. “I’m just going to talk to him. See if we could settle this like men.”

  “I don’t think he’s trying to talk,” Sarai suggested.

  “I agree,” Mateo jumped in.

  “He wants you back,” Sarai continued. “And he’s going to do anything and everything possible to make sur
e he gets you back.”

  “That may be true,” Sonic admitted, “but Turner is just going to have to accept the fact that he can’t have everything he wants.”

  Everyone in the room knew what Sonic said to be true. Equally, they knew how violent and possessive Turner could be about things and people he viewed to be his possessions. Mateo was furious because Turner brought the battle somewhere he’d hoped the man wouldn’t step foot, but Turner just showed him how vengeful he could be. Next time, Amirah could be hurt or find herself with a couple of days at Mission Hospital courtesy of Turner and his goons. Or worse, they could be visiting her at Hart Funeral Home down the street from the hospital.

  “Let’s pray before we get out of here.” Sarai stood up and motioned for everyone to gather around her. Everyone complied, and Mateo’s face lit a smile as he grabbed Amirah’s hand.

  “Father God, we need your help. We have an earthly enemy that needs to know you and know that you, God, are in control. Please give us all safe traveling mercy as we make it to and from our destinations. And we trust that you have our backs in whatever we do—and that what we do will be in line with your Word and your will. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. That is your word, God, and we are trusting and resting upon it. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

  “Amen,” they all said in unison.

  Mateo gave Amirah a hug before he and Sonic left the room. He knew what he was going to have to do, and he was thankful that Sarai thought to pray for him to have the strength to do it.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Get out the Way

  The students walked in and grabbed the test from Amirah as she stood at the door. During test time, her students knew what to expect. They read the instructions first so they could find out whether the test was going to be written, performance, or both.

  Amirah learned to mix the test around to keep her students from guessing what they were going to be doing. She was notorious for giving her first class one type of test, her second class another type of test, and the third class a completely different test altogether. This was done to keep the students from cheating or discussing the test in between classes.

  The copy of Secrets and Lies by Rhonda McKnight sat on the edge of her desk. She was tempted to pick it up and read it. That way she could be ready for the upcoming book club meeting, but during test time, she had to keep her eyes on the students at all times. Amirah made sure no one had answers written on a sheet of paper or on themselves, and that all electronic devices were put away. For the students who were doing performance-based tests, she made sure the students using the computers didn’t have access to the Internet.

  Amirah cared about whether her students learned and possibly could apply the material being taught, especially for the accounting class. Her goal for the accounting students was that they could gain a head start for those wanting to be business majors in college and/or gain jobs as bookkeepers for those looking for work.

  The students sat at their computers and got to work. Soon, she could hear students reading passages and their words appearing on the screen. She was pleased as she heard some of the students dictate the user commands to correct errors and to fix other issues with what they typed.

  Amirah got up from her desk and walked around so the students could see that she was watching them. From what she could see, the students understood the concepts and had a mastery of the speech recognition device.

  Xen raised his hand as she approached him. “Can I go to the bathroom?” Xen stood up. Amirah pointed in the direction of the small clipboard that she used for a hall pass. Xen’s smile said thank you, and he walked and grabbed the pass from the board.

  After checking on all the students, she went back to her desk. There, she could no longer resist temptation, and opened the pages of Secrets and Lies. She looked over the pages of the opened book and found none of the students staring back at her.

  A ding alarmed her that one of the students had finished their test early. Amirah clicked on the program to acknowledge receipt, and the student returned to his assigned seat and picked up the textbook so he could read the upcoming chapter on spreadsheets.

  As each student completed the test, Amirah would stop and acknowledge receipt of their test. She moved through the pages of the book and began writing discussion questions for the literary group.

  The knock on the door almost startled her. She knew it wasn’t Xen knocking. Her class policy was that if you had a hall pass when you left, walk in and put the hall pass back on her desk. Amirah left her door unlocked so that she wouldn’t be interrupted when she was giving instruction. Amirah put down her book and went to answer the door.

  “The school is on lockdown,” the school resource officer stated. “Is there anyone missing from your class?”

  “Xen Anderson,” she replied. “He’s supposed to be in the bathroom.”

  “Keep an eye on your e-mail and watch the school channel for updates.”

  “Thank you.” Amirah received the instructions. She wanted to peep out of the window, but she knew she couldn’t. As she had been trained to do, she reached into her desk and grabbed two yellow index cards and placed them on the window of the door and on the window facing the office. The yellow cards let police and administrators know that she was missing a student.

  Amirah turned on the television, which she usually had off when she gave tests, and she turned it to the school channel. An announcement scrolled at the bottom of the screen that second period would be extended until further notice.

  “We will be staying here for a little while after the bell rings,” Amirah told the students. Some showed displeasure, but others were silent.

  Amirah looked up and said a silent prayer for Xen and his safety. If Xen were to knock on the door, she wouldn’t be able to let him in until lockdown was over.

  “Where’s Xen?” one of the students asked. Amirah looked around and noticed that all of the students had completed the performance test she had for her second period.

  “He stepped out for a minute,” Amirah answered. Not wanting to think the worst, she hoped that Xen was okay and that an administrator or one of the police officers had him in a safe place.

  Thankfully, none of the other students asked questions—for a moment.

  “Did one of the students get stabbed?” another student asked.

  Amirah’s heart raced fast. She wanted to avoid the feeling she’d gotten that something had gone terribly wrong with Xen. “I don’t know. What makes you ask that?” Amirah questioned.

  “My mother just texted me.” the student said as she held up the cell phone.

  Great! Amirah thought as she walked over and looked at the message the student’s mother had sent. The students will find out more from their parents and outsiders before we’ve had a chance to process anything.

  “We don’t know what’s going on.” Amirah tried to keep a straight face, praying that the news she’d just received wasn’t true.

  “My aunt just sent me a message asking the same thing,” another student offered. “I told her I was okay.”

  “Please don’t tell them anything else,” Amirah warned. “I’m not trying to be mean, and I understand your parents are worried about you, but we don’t have any information, and the school will notify the parents and let them know what’s going on once they have information they are allowed to send.” Amirah hoped her students would heed her request. The last thing she needed was for the students to know any more about the situation than she did.

  The bell rang and the students remained in their seats. “While we wait to be dismissed, go ahead and finish reading your chapters on spreadsheets. Tomorrow, we will review the information and start our unit. We may even get to try to operate the spreadsheet program with the speech devices.”

  The students continued to read their
materials while she walked by and did a visual head count. Amirah walked to the door and stood. Not being able to resist temptation, she took a peek out of her window. She could see Xen’s body being placed on a stretcher. From what she could see, he’d lost a lot of blood. She watched as the emergency crews held him in place so they could bandage around his wounds.

  What in the world did Xen get into? Amirah wondered as she turned to face her students. There was no way she was telling them that one of their classmates had been injured. She knew they would talk about it and ask her a bunch of questions she wasn’t ready to answer.

  The emergency crew wheeled Xen’s injured body past their door, and she could see his face. He strained to keep his eyes open and fight back tears. Their eyes met, and Xen quickly looked away.

  Amirah said another silent prayer, hoping that no other students got hurt and that Xen would survive and make a speedy recovery.

  “Good afternoon, students,” Mrs. Ingle said over the intercom and on the television screen. “We are going to dismiss school in thirty minutes. We will be coming to each classroom to release you individually. Unfortunately, due to the events that took place, we will not be able to permit you to go to your lockers. You will be escorted by our school resource officer, Asheville City Police, and your teacher. We do apologize for the inconvenience.

  “Parents and guardians have been notified and will meet you at a safe point away from the school. Those of you who ride buses will be able to get on your bus and arrive home from there. Please pray for your fellow students and get home safely.”

  Thirty minutes later, the television screen went blank and the end-of-school bell rang. A few minutes later, she heard a knock and saw the school resource officer along with four police officers. The students lined up and were dismissed.

  A police officer pulled her to the side and asked her questions about Xen and what he had been dismissed for. After she answered all the questions, the police officer did confirm that Xen had been one of three students who were stabbed in the boys’ bathroom.