Bluford Series 14: No Way Out by Peggy Kern & Paul Langan

Author:Peggy Kern & Paul Langan [Kern, Peggy & Langan, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781591941767
Amazon: 1591941768
Publisher: Townsend Press
Published: 2008-09-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Londell dropped Harold off at the corner of his block.

“Thanks for the ride,” Harold said. “And the money.”

“No problem. I’ll see you tomorrow after school.”

Harold bounded up the street, smil-ing to himself. For the first time in weeks, he felt like he was in control. Working for Londell didn’t seem that dangerous: the man he delivered to seemed pretty normal. Besides, it wasn’t like he was selling drugs to kids. And once he made enough money, he could quit and go back to a normal job.

Suddenly, Harold heard a familiar voice.

“Harold?”

He turned to see Cindy walking just a half block behind him. She was wearing sweatpants and a loose-fitting T -shirt. A SuperFoods shopping bag hung from her fingers, and Her forehead was creased with worry.

“Where were you? Grandma Rose said you were working at SuperFoods, but I went there, and they told me you didn’t work there anymore.”

Harold cringed. She had avoided him since he’d spoken to Londell. There was no way he could tell her where he’d been.

“I quit that job. Me and Mr. Marshall didn’t get along,” he lied.

Cindy caught up with him then. Her amber eyes focused on him like twin spotlights.

“Why are you doing that?” she asked, shaking her head sadly.

“What?”

“Lying,” she said, wiping her eyes as she spoke. “I saw you get outta Londell’s car. We both know what he does, Harold. Don’t treat me like I’m stupid.”

There was a sorrow in her voice that made him ache inside.

“It’s not what you think,” Harold pleaded. “He’s not that bad.”

Cindy rolled her eyes. “He’s a drug dealer, Harold! That’s all I need to know.”

“You don’t understand, Cindy,” Harold said defensively.

“No, you don’t understand!” Cindy yelled. “My mom used to date a drug dealer, remember? I saw what drugs do to people. I watched Bobby Wallace almost die in front of me from an overdose. Don’t tell me I don’t understand.”

Harold knew what Cindy was talking about, but Londell was different. He looked out for his boys. Harold pictured Bug munching happily on his cheeseburger.

“Londell’s not like that, Cindy. He takes care of us—”

“Us?” Cindy’s eyes widened with disbelief. “You mean you’re workin’ for him?”

“Look, he’s helping me, okay?” Harold admitted, thinking of the money in his pocket and the piles of bills he’d seen last night. “I need his help right now. I can’t explain it all. Just trust me.”

Cindy nodded and stepped away from him, as if she had just given up. Her eyes glistened with tears.

“Well, I guess you don’t need my help anymore,” she sighed, handing him the bag from SuperFoods and walking away.

Harold looked inside and saw two packages of the expensive bandages Grandma needed for her leg. He knew she’d bought them for him.

“Cindy, don’t be like that,” Harold called to her, but she rushed up the street and dashed into their building. “Cindy! ”

The door slammed, and Harold was alone on the street.

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