Chapter 3: Dirty Cowardice

Tiffany's right fist connects to the girl's face in front of her before being pushed to the ground by the girl behind her. Soon the trio begins kicking and stomping her. Kathy makes it to the parking lot where she grabs the first girl and turns her around. She punches her in her stomach before uppercutting her to the ground. She then takes care of the other two girls in the same fashion. She goes to help Tiffany to her feet. Kathy assesses her face and notices a busted lip and a bloody nose.

"These aren't too bad but let's get them taken care of at my house. I have a first aid kit in my room." Kathy says warmly smiling at her.  

"Thanks for coming to help."

"You're my best friend. I wasn't going to let you go at it alone."

"These wimp bitches love to jump. That shit's not cool." Tiffany says angrily looking down at the girls.

"It's called dirty cowardice," Kathy says as Algier approaches.

"Is everything alright? I heard you were being attacked. I'm sorry." Algier says apologetically looking at Tiffany.

"Thank you and Kathy helped me," Tiffany says moving her jaw.

Algier looks over at Kathy.

"You're always loyal. I'll always respect and love that about you."

"It's all I know how to be. I don't like violence but I'm not one to stand idly by either."

 The same black luxury sedan from this morning pulls alongside them.

"Well, my ride is here. I'll see you tomorrow, Kathy." Algier says before leaning in and kissing her

When they separate, they gaze into each other's eyes.

"I love you, Sunflower," Algier says affectionately.

"I love you too Knight."

"You should meet my parents," Algier says as the chauffeur opens the rear right passenger door.

"How about this Saturday before we go to the homecoming dance. I think that's appropriate." Kathy says excitedly.

"That's perfect. I'll be sure to inform them." Algier says before separating from Kathy and getting in the car.

 Soon Natalee approaches Kathy and Tiffany and the trio walks home.

 Bossier is running down the hallway to the auditorium. When she gets there, she sees Mr. Remington standing onstage. She walks down the center section aisle to the front row. She sets her backpack in the neighboring seat and crosses her legs. Mr. Remington looks at her and comes downstage with a clipboard in hand and looks at her.

 "What are you doing here? You do realize that the heroine is a Caucasian female?" Mr. Remington asks confused.

 "I know and I want to audition for it anyway."

Mr. Remington looks at her surprised.

 "Alright." Mr. Remington says heading back to center stage.

 While getting comfortable someone sits down beside her. Seeing it's Tron shocks her.

 "What are you doing here? I thought you had football practice?"

 "I did but our coach cancelled it so I came here."

Bossier nods her head and looks back up onto the stage.

 Moments later other students began filling the auditorium's center section. At two forty-five Mr. Remington clears his throat silencing the chatter. He then looks down at his clipboard.

 "Alright let's get these auditions underway, shall we? First up we have Tron Preston and Bossier St. James." Mr. Remington says before walking offstage.

Bossier looks at him shocked.

 "You're auditioning?!" Bossier asks as they stand and walk to the stage entrance ramp.

 "Absolutely. I love theatre, not the musical type though."

 They walk to the center stage and look down at Mr. Remington.

 "Okay, so the scene I want you guys to portray is male lead Bowie James running after female Meadow Parker. She caught Bowie kissing Trisha Plateau in the rain." Mr. Remington explains.

Both teens nod their heads. They both walk to the curtains. Tron stands behind her.

 "And action!"

 Bossier runs out onto the stage crying with Tron pursuing her.

 "Meadow, wait. Just let me explain!" Tron yells frantically.

Bossier stops and looks back at him with tears streaming down her face. When he reaches her, he takes hold of her right arm. Bossier turns around and slaps him. Tron looks at her shocked.

 "Meadow, I love only you. What you saw in the church parking lot wasn't what you think. You have to believe me." Tron says tearfully cupping her face. Bossier avoids his gaze.

 "So…tell me exactly what it is I witnessed," Bossier says slowly meeting his gaze.

 "She was running out into the parking lot and tripped and fell into my arms. Her lips never touched mine. But in the distance and heavy rain it looks that way. I swear that I don't want her. You're the only girl for me, Meadow Parker."

A few tears escape Bossier's eyes as she leans forward and their noses touch.

 "And scene! After that Meadow and Bowie kiss each other. That was exquisite. That's all I need from you two, thank you." Mr. Remington sobs clapping his hands.

Bossier and Tron take a bow exit the stage and go retrieve their backpacks.

"Tron I'm so sorry for slapping you. I was just trying to heighten the emotion of the scene." Bossier apologizes while putting her navy blue backpack on.

"It's no big deal. But I have to say I was shocked. I wasn't expecting that." Tron says grabbing his forest green backpack and putting it on.

The two leave the auditorium and head outside to the parking lot. Soon Lynn comes out and joins Bossier.

"I'll see you tomorrow Bossier," Tron says waving and walking in the opposite direction.

"See you tomorrow, Tron," Bossier says waving back.

She and she and Lynn start walking.

"So, what have you all excited about?" Lynn asks.

"Tron and I just auditioned for the school play Meadow's Escape," Bossier says elatedly looking at her.

"Lady Alpha Middle School originated the play and Meadow Parker is white. Do you think the administration is going to allow you to portray her?"

"It doesn't matter because Mr. Remington wouldn't have allowed me to audition if that were the case. Even though he believes I'm talented it wouldn't matter because my color is an issue." Bossier explains as they approach the crosswalk.

"That's true on a social and civil level. I guess all you can do now is wait for the results. But in other news Tron is cute." Lynn says as they enter the crosswalk.

"I wouldn't know if he was or wasn't, besides he's my best friend." Bossier shudders.

"Tell that to someone else. I know that you two like each other." Lynn says coolly placing her hands behind her head.

"You don't know what you're talking about," Bossier says playfully dismissing her sister.

"Before the school year ends you two will be back pocketing each other," Lynn says before mimicking a smooching sound.

Five minutes they come to their street and enter the crosswalk. When they arrive, they see Kathy, Natalee, and Tiffany walking in the crosswalk across from them. When they meet up Bossier hugs Kathy which she returns. She then fist bumps Tiffany who returns it. They then start walking towards the St. James residence.

"What's new with you guys?" Kathy asks enthusiastically looking at her sisters.

"Bossier has a boyfriend." Lynn teases.

Bossier groans looking over at Kathy.

"Don't listen to Lynn. Tron and I just auditioned for the lead roles in the school play Meadow's Escape. Mr. Remington really liked our audition and chemistry."

"That's really risky Bo. Do you think the administration will allow you to portray a white girl?"

"Mr. Remington originated the play so it's his call."

"That's a good idea. So, what's this I hear about you having a boyfriend?" Kathy asks.

A blush quickly stains Bossier's cheeks.

"I don't have a boyfriend. Tron is nothing more than my best friend."

"If you ask me you want to go to Dean's Drive-In and fog up the windows." Tiffany comments slyly.

This makes Bossier blush even harder.

"Stop yanking my chain!" Bossier groans covering her face. The other girls laugh heartily.  

Ten minutes later they arrive home and they head onto the porch. Tiffany removes her backpack and sits on the right rocking chair near the front door.

"I'll go and get my first aid kit," Kathy says taking out her house key and unlocking the door.

Tiffany scoots back into the chair crossing her legs and looks off into the distance. Her peace is soon destroyed by Galleria pulling into the driveway. When she and Yorkshire walk into the porch Yorkshire heads inside while Galleria stares Tiffany down.

"What are you doing on my mother's property? Bull daggers aren't welcome here." Galleria taunts.

"That's none of your damn business now take ya ass inside girl."

"You have a lot of nerve." Galleria retorts offended.

"I'm not going to tell you again," Tiffany says irritably before looking back off into the distance.

 Galleria huffs before storming inside and slamming the door.

Moments later Kathy comes out on the porch with a glass of lemon iced tea and her first aid kit. She hands the glass to Tiffany before squatting and opening the first aid kit. She grabs cotton balls and a bottle of rubbing alcohol and pours some onto the cotton ball.

"Thanks for the tea," Tiffany says gratefully before sipping it.

"You're welcome," Kathy says before applying the cotton ball to Tiffany's top lip.

Tiffany remains still as the alcohol burns her lip. Kathy starts cleaning the wound.

"You're a real trooper, Tiff. Most people would have winced at the alcohol."

"This is nothing. I've had worse." Tiffany says making Kathy chuckle.

It's three-thirty and Letha is pulling into her driveway. When she comes onto her porch, she sees Kathy cleaning Tiffany's nose. She then locks eyes with Tiffany.

"What the fuck are you doing on my property?!" Letha asks rudely with her left hand resting on her hip.

 "I'm being nursed by Kathy, what the hell does it look like to you?"

 "And you kiss your mother with that mouth?"

 "And your husband puts his dick in yours?"

Tiffany's retort silences the matriarch.

 "You're going to sit there and let this abomination disrespect me?!" Letha asks looking down at Kathy.

 "You came here starting trouble and got exactly what the fuck you deserved! Kathy has nothing to do with this." Tiffany says trenchantly looking Letha in her eyes.

 "When you're finished playing Mammy with this thing bring your sorry ass in this house!" Letha barks before going inside slamming the door.

 Kathy puts the alcohol back in the kit closes it snaps the locks and stands up.

 "How do you live with her?" Tiffany asks before drinking more of her tea.

 "I don't live with her I fear her," Kathy says looking away from her.

 "Why? She's nothing but pure evil. Hell, if you ask me, I would beat her ass until God calls her soul home." Tiffany says handing Kathy the glass.

 "She brought me into this world and she can take me out of it," Kathy says sadly meeting Tiffany's eyes.

Tears stream down and Tiffany walks over to her.

 "I can't tell you how many times I heard that one. It's just a saying your parents say when they're upset with you." Tiffany says wiping Kathy's eyes.

"When she says it, I know she means it. She's very capable and unscrupulous. Sometimes I wish I knew who my father was. Maybe things would have turned out differently." Kathy sniffles as more tears escape.

 "It's never too late to try and find him. I wish I could take you away from here and live with me until graduation. But you do have Bossier in your corner so that helps a lot. So, in some ways, she makes it bearable."

"I do have Bossier so I should count my blessings. I'm still here so I guess God still has use for me yet."

 Tiffany smiles and hugs her which Kathy returns sniffling. When they separate Tiffany wipes her tears more.

 "No more crying, you're too pretty for that shit. I'll see you in the morning. I love you."

 "I love you too."

Tiffany walks downstairs and onto the sidewalk.

 Kathy walks inside locks the bottom lock heads to the kitchen and sets the glass in the sink. As she turns on the faucet Letha comes with a cigarette in her right hand. She walks over to the sink counter.

 "Hey half-breed."

 Kathy looks over at her.

 Letha blows smoke in her face before slapping her to the floor.

 "You let that thing talk to me like I was trash in the street. You're my child! You're supposed to defend me whether I'm right or wrong. You are a piece of shit who deserves loneliness and the most lonely, painful death imaginable." Letha says icily before walking away.

 Kathy sits upright holding her right cheek as tears stream down her face. Letha stops and looks back at her.

 "Throw that glass away. I don't want the sinfulness from that bitch's lips to infest Galleria, Vernon, or myself." Letha orders before leaving the kitchen.

 Kathy stands up and goes to the sink and grabs the glass. She goes and throws it into the trashcan. She then leaves the kitchen and goes to her bedroom.

 At six fifteen Vernon returns home and goes to the living room and sits down on the couch next to Letha. Letha is now wearing a sky-blue silk nightgown and a matching robe. Her hair is in rollers and covered by a white bandanna. Vernon removes his shoes and socks and Letha takes hold of them and begins giving him a foot rub.

 "So how was work today baby?" Letha asks.

Vernon leans his head back sighing.

 "It was great. I was given a huge case to represent a client in today. However, Jared suspected that the client was homosexual and didn't want me to take the case. But I convinced him and I'll be representing the client when he goes to trial." Vernon explains looking up at the ceiling.

 "I know exactly how he feels. That mulatto's best friend Tiffany DuPont had the nerve to disrespect me on my front porch when I came home. What did that bitch do? Absolutely nothing. She just sat there and let that walking prison sentence tear into me. I got her trifling ass in line later on though."

 "That girl will get what's coming to her. God says children are to honor their mother and their father. If not, their earthly days are cut short." Vernon says looking at Letha.

 "Well God isn't moving fast enough. Take that white trash bag out of here already," Letha says making Vernon laugh.

 "What's for dinner?"

 "I'm sure the sand bowl hussy will scare us up a mess of something," Letha says before looking at the television.

 One block down from the St. James home is the DuPont residence. It is a red three-bedroom bungalow with a cross-hipped roof. The front door is white with a shiny gold doorknob. Detached from the house is a flat-roof car port that is supported by four metal poles. Near the front door is a small garden filled with red-thorned roses, white daisies, and black lilies. Upon entering the home is the foyer. To the left is the foyer closet.

Hanging up above is a chandelier. The flooring throughout the house is hardwood except for the bedrooms which are red carpet. The walls are painted beige with white baseboards. To the right is an arch entry hallway that leads to Tiffany's bedroom, the guest bedroom, and Tiffany's bathroom. Straight ahead is another hallway that leads to the kitchen, dining room, and master bedroom. Going left leads to the living room.

The living room is furnished with a white living room set with a black coffee table in the center with. A brown television stands up against the back wall. To the far left is a gray fireplace with a bare mantle. Leaving the living room and turning left leads firstly to the kitchen. The kitchen counter is L-shaped with a medium-sized island counter in the middle. The countertops are granite and the appliances are white with chrome handles. Across from the kitchen bar is the dining room. There is an oak wood table with six picnic-style chairs with burgundy cushions.

Going down another hallway leads to the master bedroom. It is furnished with a white sleigh bed with matching nightstands. The nightstands both have lamps. The left nightstand houses a clock, a glass pitcher filled with water, and a glass. On the right nightstand is a family picture and an empty glass. On the left wall is a brown dresser with a body mirror standing in a corner. The master bathroom and closet are happy neighbors.

The bathroom has one sink with a Jacuzzi and a shower head. There is also another closet at the back of the bathroom. The countertop is granite. The walk-in closet is spacious and filled with clothes and shoes. Tiffany's bathroom walls are gray with white baseboards. The countertop is granite with wood drawers. Against the back wall are the bathtub and a showerhead. On the opposite wall is a linen closet filled with towels and hygiene products.

The guest bedroom walls are blue with white baseboards. Up against the wall is a brown sleigh bed. It is decorated with a black comforter and navy blue pillows. Up against the opposite wall is a cherry wood dresser. Next to the dresser is a sliding-door closet.

Lastly is Tiffany's bedroom. Her walls are brown with white baseboards. Up against the left wall is a mahogany four-post bed with neighboring nightstands. The bed is decorated in a red comforter with rhinestones. The pillows are red and black. The nightstands both have red lamps with white lampshades. On the left nightstand is a clock and a set of keys. Her closet is on the opposite wall and has white sliding doors. On the wall, nearest the door is a brown dresser. On it are perfumes and makeup accessories. Her walls are covered in posters of baseball players, basketball players, and vocal bands. Tiffany is lying in her bed reading a magazine when a knock on her door. Tiffany looks up and sees her father George DuPont standing there.

George is in his late thirties. He has reddish brown skin with short black hair that's styled in a pompadour. He has light brown eyes. He is wearing a navy blue jumpsuit with a white thermal underneath with black leather work boots. He stands at five feet seven inches.

"Hey Tiffany, can you start dinner?" George asks in a booming Georgia accent.

"Sure Pa."

Tiffany gets up and goes with her father to the kitchen.

Tiffany takes out a gray cake pan, aluminum foil, and a bag of brown potatoes. She sets the oven temperature and puts aluminum foil inside the pan. She then places eight potatoes in the pan and sets the pan on the island counter. She then puts the aluminum foil back in the island counter drawer.

"So how was school today champ?" George asks leaning on the counter.

"It went well until I got to Kathy's house. Her mother disrespected me and I told her off."

George's face morphs into seriousness.

"You can't go around disrespecting your elders Tiffany. You have to show them the utmost respect. I raised you better than that."

Tiffany looks down at the island counter.

"I know but that woman disrespected me first and you know how my attitude is. I'm going to give back exactly what is given to me."

 George chuckles nodding his head.

"Well, I can't fault you for that. No matter how many times I whooped you your respect for adults and authority was always underscored by your brazen comebacks. If anyone disrespects you first you do what you have to."

 Tiffany smiles at him.

"Thanks, Pa. So, how's Mama doing?"

George sighs heavily.

"No change she's still comatose."

Tiffany looks down at the counter as tears fill her eyes.

"None of that now. Your mother would want you to live your life and have fun. Everything's going to be okay." George says before kissing her forehead and leaving.

When the oven is hot enough Tiffany puts the pan of potatoes inside and closes the door. She then grabs a white kitchen timer off the island counter and sets it for forty-five minutes. She then sets it back on the counter and leaves.

At eight o'clock Kathy is setting the last plate on the table. She is wearing a blue spaghetti strap top and white and blue plaid flannel pajama pants with white slippers. She goes to the staircase.

"Everyone supper is ready!" Kathy yells.

Everyone comes downstairs and goes to the dining room table.

Kathy has prepared baked and fried fish, French fries, okra, homemade macaroni and cheese, homemade tartar sauce, and a pitcher of homemade sweet lemon iced tea.

Kathy takes her seat next to Bossier; Galleria and Yorkshire sit next to each other while Lynn and Natalee are seated side by side. Letha and Vernon are occupying the head and tail.

"This looks beautiful Kat," Bossier says excitedly looking down at her plate.

"Stop kissing up Bossier. The brain of a squirrel could have cooked this." Letha says smugly.

She then glances at Kathy who looks at her defeated.

 "Mother please." Bossier pleads.

 "Please what? Please stop attacking your precious sister? No one made her cook this shit so none of us are obligated to eat it."

Kathy looks down at her plate.

"It's okay Bossier," Kathy says weakly looking at her mother as her eyes water.

 Before another barb can be thrown a knock comes on the door. Letha gets up and goes to the front door.

 "Who is it?"

 "Your mother." the person says coolly in a regal northwest Florida accent.

 Letha unlocks and opens the door. Standing there is her mother, Ida Jensen.