Chapter 2: Playing Dress Up

"What are you doing here Claude?"

"I'd like to talk to you outside in the parking lot," Claude says before walking off.

Letha looks at him exhaling heavily before following. Once outside Letha folds her arms. Claude observes her before chuckling.

"So, this is what you're doing now huh? I can't say that I'm proud." Claude says looking at the twenty-five-story building.

"What do you want?"

"You need to return to New York and get back into the business."  

"I'm through with that life. I have a child to think about and I don't want her involved put into jeopardy."

"Look at you trying to sound like an educated woman. Even when we were together you loved playing dress up. No matter what you put on you will always be a nigger in the eyes of the white man." Claude says sternly placing his hands in his pockets.

"If they think I'm a nigger at least I'll be an educated one."

"What's so funny?"

Claude calms down and looks up at Letha.

"You think being educated makes a difference to them, but it doesn't. But you'll always dance to the beat of their drum. Now you said you have a daughter to think about when you and I both know before her there was our son."

"Where is he?"

"Why are you acting so concerned suddenly? You haven't cared for him since he was born. I was the one who took care of him. But if you must know he lives at home with me and he's doing well for himself."

 Claude nods his head.

"You know your reputation is still stellar in New York. You're a very well-respected figure there. The offer will always be open as long as you're alive"

Letha enters his personal space.

"Well, I will never accept it. Now get out of here and never come back."

Claude smiles nodding his head before walking to his car. Once inside the elevator Letha places her face in her hands and begins sobbing.

Vernon is in the conference room of Gauger & Brody. The walls are lavender with black baseboards. In the middle of the room is an oak wood rectangular table. Around it are ten executive chairs. They are filled with African-American males wearing gray, black, and blue suits with black ties and white business shirts. Vernon is sitting on the right side across from one of the founding partners. Jared Gauger and Leonard Brody are sitting at the head and tail of the table. Jared is sixty-six years old.

Jared has brown skin with short gray hair, brown eyes, and a beard. He is wearing a navy blue suit, a white business shirt, a black tie, and black dress shoes. Leonard is sixty-five years old. He has ebony skin with brown eyes. He has a thick gray mustache and gray neck-length hair that is combed back. He is wearing a black suit, a white business shirt, a black tie, and black dress shoes.

"Alright everyone let's get this meeting underway. Our newest client is looking for legal representation. He will be arriving on Friday at ten o'clock in the morning. Vernon Clairmont our senior associate in our litigation department will be representing them in court next month." Jared says proudly in an Arkansas accent looking over at Vernon who is smiling at him.

This causes the room to erupt in applause to which Vernon looks out and nods his head.

"So, our client will pay us one million dollars to represent him in this murder case. I believe they're innocent, but the prosecution says differently. In other words, it would be financially detrimental if we lost this case. This has made national news and we have to do damage control quickly. Now our phones haven't been ringing off the hook yet but once they do Jared and I only want Vernon to answer any questions.  With that said coming down south will do our client a world of good and work in our favor reputation-wise." Leonard says smoothly in a Texas accent.

"Leonard is right. Our client needs to be in a place where it can protect him. His parents are one of the ten richest families in this country. They have a vested interest in their child being acquitted of all charges. With that said our meeting is adjourned." Jared says.

Everyone gets up and leaves the office.

Vernon returns to his office and closes the door. His walls are gray with black baseboards. On the walls are certificates and degrees. In the center of the office is a black metal desk. On it are a black desk lamp, a gold nameplate, a utensil cup, and a black telephone. In front of his desk are two black leather cushion chairs with oak wood armrests. Behind the desk is a chocolate brown leather executive chair.

There is a set of white blinds on the back wall. Vernon goes and sits down behind his desk. As he starts working on the documents on his desk a knock comes on his door.

"Come in."

 The door opens revealing Jared.

"Hey, Vernon," Jared says shutting the door.

"What's going on Mr. Gauger?" Vernon asks as Jared takes a seat in the left chair.

"I came to talk to you in more detail about our new client."

Vernon drops his pen and gives Jared his full attention.

"What about our new them?"

"Well, the client is a seventeen-year-old black male. He's quite dashing in the looks department. He has a history of being in compromising situations and he's rumored to be funny."

"Funny how?"

"I've been to dinner with him and his parents on occasion and I have a hunch that him being homosexual may be true."

 Vernon nods his head understandingly.

"I don't care if he's homosexual. There's one million dollars at stake. His being gay is bad but his being black makes it far worse but this is a case his mother wants us to take up. So, I say let's do this."

"I understand that completely but I don't want Gauger & Brody to be the firm that defends faggots. We don't want that disease here in our great state of North Carolina. We are a proud people but I will make an exception this once. Don't make me regret it, Vernon." Jared says sternly before standing to his feet.

"You won't sir, I guarantee it," Vernon says as Jared leaves his office.

Vernon resumes doing his paperwork.

Lady Alpha Middle School is a red brick building with eight windows on the front of the building. Upon entering there is a large hallway that has white plastered flooring. The walls are brown brick. On the left wall is a glass case bulletin board. It is filled with upcoming events. Up against the right wall is a three-shelf trophy case. The bottom row has the larger trophies, the middle row has second place, and the top houses third.

The entry hallway leads to a two-way hallway. That wall has a poster depicting a white female and male wearing a black evening gown and black tuxedo. They are holding hands and smiling. Turning right leads to the auditorium, cafeteria, administration office gymnasium, and classrooms. Turning left leads you to more classrooms, restrooms, a library, and the gymnasium. It's thirty minutes after ten and Bossier is in the auditorium in theatre class. She is onstage sitting next to Tron Preston.

Tron has fair skin with short dark brown hair that's styled in a mop cut. He has light green eyes and developing biceps. He stands at five feet eight inches. He is wearing a white t-shirt with two lions on their hind legs ready to attack, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes.  

Their theatre teacher Mr. Remington is sitting in the middle section in the front row. He is a white male with sunken skin, liver splash, and thin gray hair. He stands at five feet six inches. He is wearing a light yellow polo shirt, white slacks, and yellow dress shoes. On his left wrist is a silver watch. His brown eyes are covered by a pair of black rectangular eyeglasses. He is holding a folder looking in it momentarily before looking up at his students onstage.

"Listen up everyone. The play is six weeks away and the administration just greenlit auditions. So, starting today after school through until Friday auditions will be held." Mr. Remington says in a northern California accent looking at his students.

"So Bossier are you going to audition for the lead role of Meadow Parker?" Tron asks in a booming East Tennessee accent looking over at her.

"I most certainly am. To be honest the only reason I'm auditioning is because it's not a musical. I despise musicals. Let's just get a rise, fall, and resolution and be down with it." Bossier gripes making Tron chuckle.

"Yeah, I agree with you. Well, I have football practice after school so I won't be able to see you audition."

"Why would you want to see me audition anyway?"

"You're my best friend and I want to support you. Plus, I want to see your acting skills." Tron says making Bossier laugh.

"I appreciate that. It's a good thing you won't be there. It'll kill some of the nervousness I'll already be feeling." Bossier says punching Tron playfully in his right arm.

Natalee is in English class reading a story in her textbook. The walls are white brick and covered in math, science, and social studies posters. The chalkboard is dark green with a brown desk in front of it. Natalee is sitting in the middle row with her face resting in her right hand. As she enters another paragraph, she starts laughing getting her teacher Mr. Langston's attention. Mr. Langston is in his early thirties. He has fair skin, brown eyes, and a medium Afro. He is wearing a blue business shirt, black slacks, and black dress shoes.

"Natalee is everything okay?" Mr. Langston asks getting her attention.

Natalee ceases her laughter immediately and looks at her educator with a neutral expression.

"Everything is fine. I'm sorry Mr. Langston." Natalee says before giving her attention back to her textbook.

Kathy and Tiffany are in English class silently reading a passage. The walls are gray brick and are covered in poems, sonnets, and inspirational quotes. On the left wall is a horizontal window with the blinds elevated to the top. The chalkboard is black and the flooring is laminated plaster. Kathy and Tiffany are sitting in the back row across from each other. Their teacher English Todd Lancaster is standing at the board looking around the classroom. He has fair skin with short dirty blonde hair that's styled in a gelled parted pompadour. He has blue-gray eyes with freckles.

He is wearing a white long-sleeved business shirt, a black tie, black slacks with a black leather belt, and black dress shoes. His eyes then land on Kathy.

"Kathy, would you mind telling me why the narrator sounds so irritated by her family's pestering?" Mr. Lancaster asks.

Kathy stands to her feet.

"All she wants is to be heard and her family is depriving her of that."

Todd nods his head smiling.

"That's a very astute observation Kathy thank you."

 Kathy retakes her seat.

"Sounds to me like you're Mr. Langston's favorite student." Tiffany whispers and Kathy blushes.

"I am not. It's just he knows that English is my best subject." Kathy says glancing at Tiffany.

"Mmmhmmm I'm sure that's the reason." Tiffany retorts sarcastically.

"Anyway, since it's homecoming week and tomorrow is celebrity day who are you coming dressed as?"

"It's a surprise and you?"

"Same here. I want to do something shocking." Kathy says giddily clasping her hands together.

"I'm sure that whatever you do it's going to be shocking," Tiffany says proudly.

 Kathy looks down at her textbook.

Yorkshire is sitting in Calculus class in the back row. The brick walls are white and filled with mathematic posters. The chalkboard is green and filled with equations.

"I'm never going to get this shit." Yorkshire dreads placing his hands on both sides of his face.

Sitting on Yorkshire's left is Dante McFarlin. Dante is sixteen years old. He has fair skin with heterochromatic eyes. One iris is gray while the other is gold. He has neck-length blonde hair that's styled in a bouffant. His eyebrows are definitively arched. He is wearing a pink polo shirt, white slacks, and pink tennis shoes. Wrapped around his shoulders is a white long-sleeve sweater. On his left wrist is a diamond watch. He looks over at Yorkshire smiling coolly. 

"Don't worry Yorkshire I can help you," Dante says sweetly in an effeminate southwest Louisianan accent.

"I don't need help from a faggot so fuck off!" Yorkshire hisses.

"The olive branch will be there if you need it," Dante says before giving his attention back to Mr. Loughlin.

Mr. Loughlin is in his early forties. He has pale skin green eyes and short black hair. He is wearing a white long-sleeved business shirt, a dark blue sweater vest, black slacks, and black dress shoes.

"Dante, can you come up to the board and show your classmates how to execute this Calculus equation please?" Mr. Loughlin asks in a gravelly voice holding a piece of chalk.

"Most certainly sir," Dante says confidently getting up and walking to the board.

As he walks down the aisle Delorian Porter, the captain of the football team extends his foot causing Dante to fall to the floor. Delorian has fair skin, short dark brown hair, and dark blue eyes. He is wearing a white jersey with the number one in the center, a letterman jacket, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes. Yorkshire and the rest of the class erupt in laughter.

"You should watch where you're going queer!" Delorian jeers.

 Dante slowly gets to his feet dusting himself off. He looks down at Delorian smiling.

"I feel sorry for you," Dante says before resuming his journey.

"I don't need a fairy's sympathy!" Delorian snaps.

The class breaks into hysteria once more.

Dante takes the chalk from Mr. Loughlin and heads to the board. As he executes the equation the laughing ceases immediately. Mr. Loughlin stands there speechless his mouth wide open.

"That's correct Dante, superb job." Mr. Loughlin says looking the teen in his eyes.

"Delorian you will be serving detention today and tomorrow." Mr. Loughlin scolds.

Delorian glares over at Dante who meets his eyes.

"You know you're going to pay for what you did to Del right?" Yorkshire asks threateningly.

"He did it to himself. I guess being a funky donkey does pay." Dante says before looking out the window.

Galleria is in chemistry sitting in the front row. Her classroom walls are blue with white baseboards. She is sitting behind a white rectangular table with a black surface. On top of the table are beakers filled with chemicals. Next to her is her best friend Linda Florentine. Linda has bright skin with mid-back length black curly hair. She has brown eyes. Her face is made up of black eyeshadow, black eyeliner, and red lipstick. She is wearing a white long-sleeved knee-length dress and white suede go-go boots.

"So, who are you taking to the homecoming dance on Saturday?" Linda asks in a North Carolinian accent not looking up from her instruction sheet.

"Delorian Porter. He's such a hunk and he's the captain of the football team. Then to compliment that I'm a ten-time pageant winner. It only makes sense for the beauty queen and football captain to go to homecoming together." Galleria says confidently making Linda chuckle.

"Our school is all about reputation and social status. You're not exactly wealthy but you're not poor by any means."

"I am upper middle class. But one day I will be in the top one percent!" Galleria exclaims.

"How will you acquire your wealth?"

"Marrying into it of course. These pretty fingers weren't made to be worked to the bone. Like my mother before me, I will marry into money and live well."

Linda looks at her concerned but resumes doing her lab assignment.

It is noon and Letha is in her office having lunch. She is eating a chicken salad with a bottle of sparkling water. As she chews her food the conversation from this morning replays in her head. When it finishes her eyes water.

"I had dreams and that damn child was nothing but an anchor trying to pull me down. I did what I had to do. Besides who the hell is Claude to talk to, he wasn't there for him either." Letha says frustrated before sipping her water.

Lady Alpha Middle School's cafeteria has brown walls with several windows with outside tables. The interior tables are long with black trim and an oak surface. The seats are spinning stools.

Bossier is sitting at a table alone. On her white foam tray is Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, cut green beans, sliced peaches, and a carton of chocolate milk. She picks up her fork and starts stabbing her steak and the sauce splatters onto her face. She then laughs maniacally when Tron approaches her table.

"How's your day going?" Tron asks as places her napkin in her lap.

"Good as to be expected and yours?" Bossier asks opening her milk carton.

"I'm just excited about auditions after school today," Bossier says excitedly.

"I hope you get the leading role," Tron says flashing a smile before sipping her milk.

"Thanks, Tron and so do I," Bossier says before cutting into Salisbury steak.

"You're welcome," Tron says placing some peaches in her mouth.

Kathy, Tiffany, and Algier are sitting outside the cafeteria on a medium patio under an umbrella. The table is circular with white marble and brown trim. The chairs are stools with brown cushions. The interior tables are white benches with black trim and black cushion stools. Kathy has a chicken sandwich, French fries a mixed fruit cocktail, and a bottle of water. Tiffany has a slice of pizza with a peach and a carton of chocolate milk. Algier has a home-cooked lunch of broccoli and chicken Alfredo, a yeast roll, a granola bar, and a glass bottle of sparkling water.

"So how has your day been baby?" Kathy asks picking up her chicken sandwich.

"Pretty good and yours?" Algier asks before placing some Alfredo in his mouth.

"Other than the fact that Tiffany thinks I'm a teacher's pet in Mr. Lancaster's class it's been pretty good so far."

Tiffany looks at her.

"Well, shit you are. Every time he asks you to answer a question you stand the fuck up and answer them like bullets firing from a pistol." Tiffany says brazenly.

"That's because Mr. Lancaster expects great things from me. He's told me that I'm one of his best students. I don't want to disappoint him." Kathy says before sipping her water.

"Yeah okay," Tiffany says.

Kathy smiles shaking her head.

"I'm going to go and check on Natalee. I'll see you guys later." Kathy says before kissing Algier.

She then takes her trash and leaves the table.

Natalee is sitting at a table alone. On her white foam tray is Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, cut green beans, sliced peaches, and a carton of chocolate milk. She picks up her fork and starts stabbing her steak and the sauce splatters onto her face. She then laughs maniacally when Kathy approaches her table.

"Hey Natalee, how are you feeling?" Kathy asks sitting across from her.

"I'm doing fine Kathy. Can you just leave me the hell alone!" Natalee says irritably.

 Kathy sighs sadly.

"I'm worried about you Natalee. You haven't been taking your medication as directed."

"Would you stop talking about that damn medicine!" Natalee shouts getting everyone's attention.

"What the hell are you all looking at?! Mind your goddamn business!" Natalee says before turning back around.

"Natalee you are not well, you need help."

"I don't need help. What I need is to get the hell away from this family!" Natalee says before getting up and storming away.

Kathy's eyes water while shaking her head.  

At twelve-thirty when the bell rings the trio throws away their trash and heads back inside. Tiffany parts ways with them and heads to biology while Kathy and Algier head to world history. As they walk down the hallway students are looking at them in disgust. As Delorian passes by, he slaps Kathy's books to the ground. Algier gathers Kathy's textbooks and hands them to her. He then steps in front of her and stares Delorian in his eyes.

"What is your problem? She didn't provoke you in any way. Now apologize to her!" Algier shouts.

The other students stop and stare.

Delorian grabs Algier by his shirt and sweater lifts him off the ground and slams him into the red lockers behind him. He brings his face inches away from Algier's.

"You don't scare me shrimp. Besides that, this white girl has no business with you. You need to fraternize with your kind nigger!"

"Let him go right now!" Kathy shouts grabbing Delorian's shoulder.

 Delorian looks at her smirking before looking back at Algier.

"Your girlfriend is pleading with me not to hurt you. It's cute." Delorian says.

Algier palms him causing him to release him.

"You son of a bitch." Delorian exclaims clenching his fists.

"I'm not afraid of you," Algier says looking Delorian in his eyes.

When Delorian doesn't make a move Algier goes to join Kathy and they resume their walk to class. Delorian grunts before walking in the opposite direction.

At two-thirty Wolf Colony High School dismisses and Tiffany is walking through the school doors. When she enters the parking lot a group of white girls surround her. Kathy is in Mr. Lancaster's math classroom. The walls are painted purple with formula posters and inspirational quotes on the wall. The chalkboard is black and there's a gray metal desk in the front of the classroom with a gray cushioned chair behind it.

"You know Kathy you're slowly improving. I have to say I'm very proud of you." Todd says proudly making Kathy smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Lancaster, but I don't think I've progressed that well," Kathy says modestly putting her backpack on her back.

 Soon a student comes rushing into the doorway panting.

"Tiffany is being jumped by some girls in the school parking lot." the boy says.

Kathy expeditiously rushes out of the classroom.