Back to You by K. Anthony Wilson

Author:K. Anthony Wilson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Young Adult, Contemporary YA, Inspirational, Multicultural, Family, Lifestyles
Publisher: K. Anthony Wilson
Published: 2019-05-22T00:00:00+00:00

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It’s after 10 p.m. before Mrs. Jourdan and I get back on the road. I listened to her friends talk about high school and growing up in Smalltown. Mrs. Jourdan was not born and raised here, but came from Louisiana while in high school. Following graduation, she studied in France which is where she met Mr. Jourdan and started their family. I knew all of this from JJ, but I listened anyway.

“So,” Mrs. Jourdan says and then yawns. “Did you have fun?”

“Yes ma’am. Thank you.”

“Oh don’t thank me, Dearest. It was my pleasure. However, I wasn’t just talking about Karaoke. Did you have fun at the party last night?”

My eyes bulge. I swear JJ tells his parents everything, but not in a snitch type of way. He’s just very open with them. I don’t know if I should answer. I’m almost positive he didn’t tell her everything.

We ride without talking for a moment.

“You know, Clove,” Mrs. Jourdan begins again. “I know you have your Gram, but if you need me or if you ever want to talk, I want you to call me, ok?”

“Yes ma’am.” A few questions come to mind, but I go with the first one that sticks out most.

“Was there ever a time you thought about dating one of your friends? Like, when y'all were going to school together?”

She ponders my question. “Mmmmm, not really. We’ve all pretty much been just friends. Mya and Jeremy dated for a little bit and realized that it just wasn’t right for them. Thankfully, they hadn’t gotten in too deep and it didn’t ruin the friendship.”

I’m grateful that she doesn’t ask me why I had asked the question. I change the subject.

“My dad doesn’t want to let me go to the dance and I don’t understand why. He went to dances when he was my age. He got to go to movies with girls and date and stuff. Why won’t he let me do these things?”

Mrs. Jourdan stops at a red light. “Your father is just doing what dads sometimes do. You’re young and pretty and he wants to protect you from everything, but you’re both learning that’s not possible. No one can protect everyone from everything. I can tell you do’s and don’ts but either you’ll heed them or experience them.”

I get that. Jessa had warned me not to hang out with Trevor. I chose experience as a lesson and it sucked. Apparently, it sucked way too hard because I feel like I have the mark of the beast on my neck. Mrs. Jourdan said nothing about the scarf I chose to wear tonight even though it's warm.

“How will I know if I’ve met the right person?” I ask.

She smiles slightly. “What right person are you looking for? You want someone to love you or like you? Hook up with or be friends with?”

I’m not sure that I’m looking for either of those things. But I understand that my usage of the word “right” wasn’t right.

I breathe in deeply.

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