Back to Me by Wanda B. Campbell

Author:Wanda B. Campbell [Campbell, Wanda B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, United States, African American, Christian, Women's Fiction
Amazon: B00OYAU232
Publisher: Urban Christian
Published: 2014-11-02T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Wednesday afternoon Paige found herself being elbowed and bumped up the stairs as she trudged into the school as students stampeded out. She’d planned to arrive well before the dismissal bell to avoid the foot traffic, but her appointment at the title company ran over. Now she had to race to catch Seniyah before she left the school. The other alternative was to drop by her house uninvited. She liked the first option. She pushed her way up onto the landing and into the building, then darted down the hall, toward the music room. Seniyah had choir last period.

“Seniyah,” she yelled once she spotted her exiting the music room and going in the opposite direction.

Seniyah stopped and turned around. But Paige gained not only the girl’s attention, but also the attention of several young men. Irritated but on a mission, Paige ignored the howls and whistles and proceeded to catch up with her star student.

“Seniyah, we need to talk,” Paige said, nearly breathless. “I was hoping you could go for a ride with me.” Paige took more than the usual glance at the girl. Sergio-Xavier was right; Seniyah’s nose had spread. She was also wearing the wool coat, and it was snug around her tummy.

“Hi, Miss Paige. I know I missed another DWAP meeting, but something came up. I meant to call you.” Seniyah nervously looked around, then back at Paige. “I have some errands to run for my mother, but we can talk outside for a few minutes.”

That was not what Paige wanted to hear, but it was better than nothing. “Okay. We can talk in my car. I’m in the faculty parking lot.”

Seniyah adjusted the backpack hanging off her shoulder. “I’ll follow you.”

“Fine.” Paige started back down the hallway. If her nervous giggle was any indication, Paige would blow this conversation before it officially got started. Real estate negotiations, she could handle, but a pregnant teenager was out of her league.

“Miss Paige, you look different,” Seniyah commented once they left the dimly lit building and stepped outside into the sunlight. “You look nice with your hair down and with make-up.”

Paige half smiled at the compliment, then remembered that Seniyah’s absence from the last session had all but sealed her fate with DWAP. Jasmine wouldn’t hesitate to vote her out during the next meeting.

“Thank you. I have DWAP to thank for this, but I’ll tell you about that later.” Paige continued on toward the car.

“Can we stand out here and talk?” Seniyah asked once they reach the vehicle. “I have been sitting most of the day. I need to stretch my legs.”

Paige inconspicuously attempted to inspect her lower legs. Even in sneakers, Seniyah’s ankles appeared swollen. Paige had witnessed swollen ankles on her sister when she was late in her pregnancy, but she didn’t think it normal for Seniyah’s pregnancy stage.

“Sure.” Paige waited until Seniyah leaned her back against the passenger door and stretched her legs before continuing. All the while she berated herself for not noticing the girl’s condition sooner.

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