Between Madison and Palmetto by Jacqueline Woodson

Author:Jacqueline Woodson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group US

7

Maizon gone!“ Li‘l Jay said, running into the room.

Margaret glared at him. “Yeah, she’s gone home. I just got off of the school bus with her. And you’re gone too.” She took his hand and led him downstairs. Ms. Dell opened the door and smiled.

“Gone,” Li‘l Jay said.

“Can you watch him while I get some work done?”

Ms. Dell took Li‘l Jay in her arms and pressed his cheek against hers. “I was just thinking about him. Just thinking I’d like some company.”

Margaret kissed them both and bounded upstairs again, locking the door behind her before going to stand in front of the full-length mirror.

Scowling, she turned from side to side. Nothing had changed in the week since she had started her diet. She had read somewhere that a body could exist on grapefruit and water for weeks at a time and had eaten them for a week. There were still a couple of grapefruits stuffed in her dresser drawer, but the thought of having to eat even a tiny piece of another one made her sick now.

“Yuck!” She pulled the baggy sweater up and stared at her stomach. Above it the biggest bra Mama had bought her seemed to be stretching to its limit. “Go away!” she whispered.

“Margaret!”

Margaret jumped. She had not expected Mama to be home this early. On her way upstairs she had checked for the secondhand car Mama had bought right before Christmas. It hadn’t been parked on the block, which usually meant Mama wasn’t in the neighborhood.

“Coming!” she called, yanking the sweater down.

“Hey, girl!” Mama smiled, kissing Margaret on the cheek. Margaret was relieved. Mama only greeted her with a “Hey, girl,” when she was in a good mood.

Mama set two heavy-looking shopping bags on the table before taking off her coat. “Did a little food shopping after work. Figured I’d get to paint tomorrow,” she said, going to the living-room closet. “Li‘l Jay downstairs?”

“Yes,” Margaret said, feeling stupid. Of course the car having been gone had meant Mama was close by. She only took it for short trips like food shopping during the week.

“Ms. Dell wanted some company,” she said, staring cautiously at the bags.

“How come you didn’t go with him?”

“Had some homework and stuff.”

Mama raised her eyebrows. “You’re doing homework on a Friday?”

“Figured I’d get it over with.”

“Well, don’t just sit there looking, Margaret. Help me unpack this stuff.” Mama began taking the food out of the bag. “Got these cupcakes you and Li‘l Jay like. Figured I’d make tacos for dinner.”

Margaret eyed each item Mama handed her to be put away. Everything seemed to be so fattening. She carried a half gallon of ice cream and a container of milk over to the refrigerator.

“How was your day?” Mama asked, bending beside her to place a container of orange juice in the refrigerator. “Wait a minute! How come this turkey is still here?”

Margaret glanced at slices of turkey wrapped in plastic. She couldn’t think of an answer. She had meant to throw the turkey away before Mama saw it.

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