After school, Portia made three stops. First and foremost was Jack’s Aquarium and Pets. The bells on the door clanked as she walked through the plate glass door. Bill was kneeling in one of the aisles, rearranging bags of dog food. He glanced up as she opened the door.
“Hello, Bill!”
“Why hello, Portia. How are you doing this afternoon?”
“Just peachy.”
“Have you come to accept the job?”
Portia nodded, with a grin as big as the Cheshire Cat.
“When do you want to start?”
“Whenever you want me.”
“How about now?”
“Oh…” stammered Portia.
“Too soon for you? How about this weekend?”
“It’s a deal.”
“I have something else for you,” said Bill.
He led her to the back room, which was a miniature warehouse and work office. At one corner sat an out-of-date computer with a dot matrix printer. Shelves along the far wall were filled with broken aquarium lights, half empty bags of animal food. A gray plastic tray full of flowers sat on the lowest shelf.
“Just as I promised.”
“Oh, I can’t possibly take these. I already bought hummingbird flowers. Plus, I planned on going to the community college and my boyfriends.”
“I’m pretty sure I can’t return them, either. If you want, I’ll drop them by your house tonight after I close the shop.”
“Um…I could probably come by and pick them up. What time do you close?”
“Jack’s closes at 9. I’ll be here until 10.”
“Nine it is,” said Portia.
They parted ways again – Portia still had to get to the Financial Aid Office to file her FAF. She texted Marcus. He should’ve been in class. He was at the courts, playing basketball instead.
“Can u pick me up?”
“Wer U at?”
“Ur apt.”
“Am Sho0tn ho0ps. B ther so0n.”
Marcus arrived in no time.
“Let me shower first,” said Marcus.
“Hurry up, I need to go to college.”
“School’s closed today.”
“Offices should still be open. I just need to drop off my FAF.”
“Okay,” said Marcus, “then we’ll pick up dinner and watch movies at my place.”
Marcus got ready and then took Portia to school. The campus was silent. No students in the mall, no cars in the parking lot. Portia ran up the stairs to the Financial Aid Office.
She arrived just before 6, when they closed. The secretary let Portia in and led her to the desk. She attached the FAF to a file folder and wrote ‘GATTEAU, Portia’ on the edge. Then, she took it to the drawer and filed it away.
“That’s it?”
The clerk nodded and Portia smiled confidently. Yet another task accomplished. She strode down the steps and across the campus. A girl walked towards her. It was Wendy, from the Admissions Office.
“Hey, what are you doing here?”
“Just turning in my FAF.”
“You need a ride home?”
“No, my boyfriend Marcus is just over there.”
Wendy glanced over at the parking area.
“Marcus Miller is your boyfriend?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh…uh, okay.”
“Do you know him?”
“Everybody on campus knows Marcus. He gets around.”
“What do you mean, ‘he gets around’?”
Wendy shook her head, “Nothing, really.”
“Well, I gotta go. I’ll see you around.”
Portia returned to Marcus’ car.
“Do you know her?” asked Portia.
“Hun-uh.”
“She knows you.”
Marcus shrugged his shoulders. “People know me. I’m on the basketball team and I get around.”
“That’s what she said.”
“I don’t know her. Let’s get dinner.”
Even though Marcus was obviously agitated by Portia’s questions, he tried acting as if he wasn’t. He took her to another high-end restaurant: steaks and fish. It was, however, laid back and casual. That was just fine by Portia.
“What are you in the mood for?”
“I just want something small – maybe this Ocean Perch.”
“Baby, get anything you want.”
“Fish is fine.”
Marcus ordered a plate of Beef Carpaccio for an appetizer. Portia nibbled a few pieces, but left most of the plate for Marcus, which he finished as he ate his Surf and Turf platter. Other than the sound of Marcus eating, he was silent throughout the meal.
“Marcus?” asked Portia.
“You would tell me if you’re seeing other girls, right?”
“What is that for? I’m not seeing anyone else.”
“I just mean,” she continued, “if you were seeing someone else, you’d tell me when you wanted to break up, right?”
“Of course, baby. Come on…of course.”
He leaned across the table and gave her a kiss.
“That’s all I want – your honesty.”
The ride to his place was silent as well. It ended in Marcus’ bedroom, a place where Portia gave Marcus what he ultimately wanted. Tonight, the glass of wine must have gone to her head. The apartment was dark and quiet – Darren was heaven knows where – and Portia was in the mood.
They landed in bed soon after Marcus unlocked the front door. He was eager and willing. So was Portia. She completely disregarded the fact he didn’t use protection. It was the best sex they’d ever had. There was no time for cuddling, though. It was a school night.
Marcus took her home immediately afterwards. She went inside and immediately went upstairs. Phoebe was in bed.
“Where have you been?”
“Out with Marcus.”
“Were you drinking?”
“No…”
Phoebe jumped out of bed and sniffed the air around Portia.
“You have too! I should tell mom.”
“Please don’t,” whispered Portia.
“If I do, you owe me big time.”
“Whatever you want,” said Portia.
“I want you to not do the solo.”
“Come on, Phoebe.”
“That’s what I want or I’m telling mom.”
“Okay, I’ll tell Mr. Tanner tomorrow morning.”
“That’s good enough for me.”
Portia went to bed with all her clothes on. Phoebe woke her late the next morning. Portia quickly stripped out of her clothes and showered the stink off her body. She cupped her hands under the faucet and drank faucet water, trying to cure her dry-mouth.
When she returned to her room, she found a tall glass of water, a bowl of cereal, and a bottle of aspirin on the vanity.
“Hurry up,” said Phoebe, “or we’ll be late for class.”
Portia quickly ate her aspirin and followed it with cereal.
“Drink he water, too. It’ll fix your headache.”
Portia did as commanded. She figured if anyone would know about hangovers, it would be her sister. They raced to school, making it to Mr. Tanner’s class just before the final bell.
At home, Alex was dealing with his new hand. He was also trying to deal with his work situation. It started with his mother.
“Can you watch Penny for me today?”
“Why can’t you watch her?”
“I’m going to the work site to talk to the foreman.”
“You can’t take her with you?”
“You don’t want to watch her?”
“That’s not the point. I don’t know why you can’t live up toyour responsibility.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take Penny.”
“No, I’ll take care of her. I just want you to appreciate what I’m doing for you.”
Alex did not argue. Instead, he grabbed the opportunity to take care of his self.
When he arrived at the work site, the foreman was in his trailer. It was the perfect opportunity.
“Hey Jim.”
“Hey Alex. How’s the hand?”
“It’s getting better every day. I was just wanting to know if I could pick up some shifts begeinning next week.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t.”
“I can still swing a hammer or pour concrete.”
“We’ve already got guys who can do that.”
“But you’re always hiring new laborers. You know I work hard.”
“I’m sorry Alex. I can’t.”
“Okay, then I’ll just take the last of my pay.”
“You’ll have to talk to the owner, Henry, about that.”
“Where is he?”
“He’s at a site in Cleveland.”
“Why can’t you pay me?”
“Company policy.”
Jim walked Alex to the fence line.
“I’m sorry, Alex, you’ll have to talk to the owner. My hands are tied.”
Alex had dealt with the owner before. He had a reputation as the shadiest owner/operator in Pittsburgh. Alex wrung his hands on the steering wheel during the drive home. He already knew he would never get his last paycheck from Henry, let alone another job.
At school, Portia tried keeping her promise to Phoebe. Before the first bell, she met Mr. Tanner in his office. She told Mr. Tanner she did not want the solo, but Mr. Tanner would not let her.
“Did Phoebe put you up to this?”
“No.”
“Come on, I’ve known the two of you since you were in grade school.”
“I don’t want to do the solo.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll come up with another solution.”
Mr. Tanner waved her off and closed the door behind her as she left. Portia truly wasn't sure she wanted the solo anyway. Like her father said, sometimes it's just better to get out of Phoebe's way. In the end, if she doesn't get her way, usually nobody does.
Before Chorus class began, Mr. Tanner unplugged the microphone wire and rolled it into a coil. He moved the microphone to the corner. He hoped that the old saying 'Out of sight, out of mind' ould apply. Throughout the morning, Mr. Tanner avoided picking any solosits at all. After class, Phoebe avoided Portia until lunch, when they met at their lockers.
"What else do you want Phoebe?"
Portia glared at her sister. Phoebe blatanly ignored Portia, packing her backpack as if nobody was there.
"Come on, Phoebe, I did exactly what you wanted."
"What I want is to sing solo in Philadelphia."
"Why don't you try talking to Mr. Tanner?"
"I will."
"Good," said Portia. She shut her locker and left school for the afternoon, taking advantage of the free pass the principal, Mr. Coffman, gave her.
She dropped by the pet store and picked up her tray of flowers. Then, she purchased a tiny shovel from the dollar store and used it to plant her new flowers. If her hummingbird garden didn't attract hummingbirds, at least there would be a beautiful view out her bedroom window.
By the time she cleaned up, it was 2:40. She decided that if she wanted to make it to class on time, she'd better start walking now. She left her backpack at home and got on her way. Meanwhile, the final bell rang and Phoebe was on her way to see Mr. Tanner.
She knocked on his door.
"Come in, Phoebe. Have a seat. What can I do for you?"
"Mr. Tanner, can you please tell me why you won't let me sing the solo?"
"I've already told you this several times. It's your histrionics. You move your arms around wildly when hyou sing, you vocalize like a pop diva, and you start fights with all my other singers. in fact, you've even picked fights with me."
"But I am the best singer you have."
"Just because you have the best voice doesn't mean you're the best singer."
"Just give me one last chance."
Mr. Tanner leaned back into his chair and gave Phoebe a long, thoughtful look.
"Okay, but just one more chance."
Phoebe pumped her fists.
"You'll be very proud of me, Mr. Tanner. Very proud."
"I hope so."
However, Mr. Tanner did not replace the microphone or wires. Instead, the ensemble only practiced the non-competition songs during practice. It infuriated Phoebe. She drove straight home. Not only Portia would be hearing about this at dinner, bu so would Mrs. Gatteau. Phoebe knew that if she complained to her mother, something would get done.
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