Chapter 2: Rock You Like a Hurricane


I couldn't believe it. I slowly blinked as I stared at the colored man standing in front of me with my mouth gaping. I knew it wasn't proper manners to do so, but I really couldn't help it. Especially give the ruckus going on downtown at that very moment.

The man was sharply dressed in a suit coat and necktie as he tossed a football in his hands out of pure boredom. Now normally, I wouldn't act so out-of-sorts, but the problem was that this man was standing at my daddy's desk playing with our championship ball from last year. Of course, the man probably didn't know the value of the object. How could he? Although it did raise the question, who in his right mind would play with someone else's belongings? I was certainly raised better than to do that.

When Sheryl finally managed to stand on her feet once again, she tried to push me toward him. Thankfully, I was bigger. I stood my ground and didn't budge. She groaned before she side-stepped me and looked right at the man before us. "Who are you?" Sheryl blurted.

"Sheryl, that's rude," I reprimanded her, flicking her behind the ear.

She groaned and held her hand up to her ear before looking at me with her eyes narrowed. "Do you know who he is?"

"You know I don't." I rolled my eyes before I continued. "I've never even seen him before."

My younger sister folded her arms across her chest. "Then are you gonna ask who he is or not?"

"Now, if you'd just give me a minute to talk to him, maybe I'd be able to." Younger sisters could be so annoying sometimes. I then looked at the man in front of my daddy's desk. The man nodded his head toward us before he tossed the football once more in his hands. It was clear he had been watching the exchange between Sheryl and myself. I faked another smile.

I then pulled Sheryl directly in front of me and placed my hands on her shoulders. I dug my fingernails into her shoulders to keep her from going anywhere. She yelped in pain under my grasp, trying to swat my hands away, but I moved my grip from holding tightly onto her shoulders to yanking on the back of her overalls. Sheryl still tried to fight to get away from me, but this time she was trapped. She could only get a few inches before being pulled back toward me.

The man in front of us looked at us with an amused expression on his face, as if the scene was quite familiar to him. Since he wasn't going to say anything, I reasoned that I probably should. "I'm sorry for my sister's lack of manners," I apologized. "We're working on them."

"She's young yet," the man spoke as he shrugged his shoulders. "I got a girl about her age."

"If you don't mind me asking, who are you?" I was trying my best to maintain my composure, but at the same time, I was curious enough to want to know who he was.

The man in front of me moved to stretch his hand forward like he was thinking about extending it forward. Instead, he brought it to his head and scratched behind his ear. He then responded, "I'm Herman Boone, the new assistant coach. And you two young ladies might be?"

I bit my bottom lip before I responded. "I'm Julie and this is Sheryl." I pointed nodded down toward my sister before looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "And you're at my daddy's desk."

The man opened his mouth to speak before he simply nodded his head. He set the football down back on Daddy's desk and then took a small step away from it. "Nice to meet you, Julie and Sheryl."

"Wish I could say the same."

He must have caught onto my sarcasm, but wasn't sure if that was how I actually had responded because his brow furrowed as he questioned,"Excuse me?"

But I never responded to him. I looked beyond him and out the window. Through the blinds, I could see my daddy's truck pulling back into the parking lot. As much as this man standing in my daddy's office bothered me, I was quite curious to see what had taken place. Right now Alexandria drama seemed a little more interesting than a man who was threatening to change a stupid boys' football program.

I slowly inched backward, "Now, if you'll please excuse me, there's something I need to be checking into."

"No there's not," Sheryl said bluntly.

"Yes, there is," I said through gritted teeth before I faked a cough. "I got a tickle in my throat. I-I need a drink of water." I pulled Sheryl by her overalls out of the office, leaving the new coach standing alone in my daddy's office. I released my sister as we began to walk down the hallway.

She folded her arms childishly across her chest as we walked. "I know you're not thirsty," she muttered.

"You're right, I lied. But Coach is back and I wanna know what happened. Don't you?"

Sheryl's interest piqued as she ran in front of me as I walked to meet Coach. Once outside, we found Coach Tyrell waiting by the door that Coach was going to walk through. He tried to tell us to go back to Coach's office, but the door flung open before he could enforce what he was telling us to do.

Coach walked through the door with Alan, Gerry, Ray, and John. Alan noticed me standing there. He smiled and nodded his head at me. John and Ray simply nodded their heads, while Gerry ignored me. It was as if he only noticed me when no one was around. Although, right now he was just too pissed off to even notice me.

Sheryl and I ran to catch up with Coach, who was followed by Coach Tyrell and the boys. Not watching where I was going, I ran into Gerry, quite literally. He glanced over at me but didn't say anything as Coach Tyrell started talking to him while I passed him to walk next to my father.

"Gerry, son, your heart's in the right place, but you ought to know better than to embarrass the coach like that," Coach Tyrell spoke. I looked back at Gerry, but his face was like stone. He scowled for a moment before he began to talk.

"Hell, why don't you just kick them all off the team?" Gerry sneered. "I don't want to play with any of those black animals."

Gerry finished his sentence as we rounded the corner into Coach's office, only to find the man who had been waiting for Coach, still there. This man who claimed to be the new assistant coach was still standing there holding that damnfootball, , he must have picked back up.

The man must have heard Bertier because he was looking right at our group in the doorway. Everyone's eyes widened at the sight of him, well everyone except for Sheryl and me. Seeing as we had already met the man.

"Nice one, Bertier," I hissed.

"Shut it, Julie," Gerry scoffed.

Daddy stood the closest to the stranger in the office, while Coach Tyrell stood back a few steps with his arms folded across his chest. He was clearly trying to intimidate the man. "Who are you?" Coach Tyrell blurted.

"As I already told the young ladies, I'm Herman Boone. I'm the new assistant coach," the man spoke.

Daddy, Coach Tyrell, and the boys looked at myself and Sheryl. I grinned sheepishly as Daddy shook his head. "Julie, you and your sister go for a little walk," Coach said. I stood there and waited for him to dismiss the boys, but he didn't. Coach pushed Sheryl over to me.

My brown furrowed. "What about them?" I asked as I nodded to the boys.

Coach folded his arms across his chest. He meant business. "You're my daughter and that was an order."

While I probably shouldn't have continued to defy him, I didn't think it was fair that the boys would be allowed to stay but I had to leave. So, I pointed that out. "Fine we'll go, but what about them?"

Coach's jaw jutted. He wasn't pleased with my response. "You worry about you and your sister and do as you're told."

I rolled my eyes childishly and groaned, "This is completely unfair."

Coach shot me a look and I knew that was my last cue to take Sheryl and leave without facing repercussions. Hell, I was probably already facing them for acting disrespectfully in front of a complete stranger. But it wasn't fair that the boys got to stay in there and I wanted to make sure that he realized that. The women's suffrage movement hadn't been for nothing, not that he cared.

Sheryl and I walked out of the office and into the hallway. I leaned up against the locker closest to the door, knocking my head backward onto it. Sheryl leaned against the locker across the hallway from me with the same glum expression on her face.

I wanted to sneak back and figure out what was going on. But I couldn't do it if Sheryl was going to tattle on me. Plausible deniability was my best option. "Why don't you go for a walk or something," I suggested.

She raised an eyebrow at me. "I'm not going if you're not," Sheryl sassed.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Well, you're younger and should do as you're told."

"So should you."

Damnit. She had me there. I groaned, "Well it's not fair that he lets them boys be in there. I'm older than Alan and he gets to be in there."

"Coach isn't gonna be happy when he finds out you're listening."

.

"You're annoying, you know that?"

"So are you. But I'm nine, what's your excuse?"

"Fine, how 'bout this: we both stay here and listen and no one does any tattling? Deal?" I held my hand out.

Sheryl held her hand out and we both shook the air. "Deal."

"Good, now get over here and be quiet." I motioned for her to come to my side of the hallway quick.

Sheryl quickly tiptoed across the hallway and we both inched closer to the office door. She stood the closest and I stood behind her, leaning slightly over her trying to hear what they were saying in there. I poked my head around the corner to see into the office, but the colored man noticed me and raised his eyebrows at me. I quickly pulled my head back; there wasn't much of a prayer to get a good look in there. We were stuck just with listening.

"I won a couple of titles down in North Carolina," the new coach stated.

"That's double "A" ball," Coach Tyrell scoffed. "This here's Virginia. We play triple "A" ball."

"What an opportunity for me then…" the new coach started before pausing for a moment. "To learn…from the best."

"Well, I think that's enough for today," Coach said. "I'm sure we'll be in touch."

I could tell that Coach was trying to dismiss the man as civilly as he could, but I could tell from his tone that he was none too happy about the last part. I heard the man thank Coach for allowing him a moment of his time before his footsteps could be heard coming closer toward them. I quickly pulled Sheryl away from the corner and slid to the floor.

"Act natural," I hissed at Sheryl.

Sheryl nodded and followed my direction as she slid to the floor. I then slid her across the tile floor so that she sat in between my legs as I began to braid her hair which was already pulled back in a ponytail. The colored coach walked out and looked down both directions of the hallway before he looked down to Sheryl and me on the floor.

I pretended not to notice and focus on Sheryl's unruly hair while my younger sister sat with her head in her hands while I played with her hair. Sheryl looked up at the man and he nodded his head. "Your secret is safe with me ladies," the man stated.

"What secret?" Sheryl asked innocently.

"Don't know what you're talking 'bout, sir. I've been sittin' here fixin' my sister's hair," I added.

"You girls may be able to fool your daddy with that act, but you can't fool me," the man said.

"What are you gonna do about it?" I asked.

The man shook his head. I looked up to him and nodded my head. He pretended to have a hat on his head to tip forward before he walked down the hallway, headed straight for the door. Sheryl and I still continued to sit on the floor while I played with her hair. "That was close," I said.

"Yeah because you opened your big, fat mouth," she said.

"He already knew. He saw me trying to look in the office. What was I supposed to do, lie?"

"You don't seem to have a problem lyin' to Coach."

"I don't lie to Coach..." I began. Sheryl turned around and gave me a pointed look. "Much. I don't lie much."

"You still lie to him."

"A little white lie never hurt nobody," I said as I tugged a little extra hard at Sheryl's hair for effect.

Her hand flew back to her hair, but I moved it out of the way. "Ouch, that hurt."

"You should try brushing your hair."

Sheryl shot me a pointed look. "I brushed it this morning."

But I knew she was bluffing. I had watched her roll out of bed, head downstairs for breakfast, and then go right out the door. "Now who's the one lyin'?"

"Fine, I brushed it last night," Sheryl said wincing in pain. "Besides, I thought you said a little white lie never hurt nobody."

"Looks like I lied," I chuckled, but my sister didn't. She just groaned.

But the more I thought about it, Sheryl did have a point. I probably lied to Coach more than I should have, but what else did he expect? After all, I was still partially my Mama's daughter despite the lack of her presence in my life.

The boys began to walk out of the office, so I stood up to follow them to try and get some more information out of them. Well, by them I was going to get it out of Alan. He always had a soft spot for me and I could at least stand him. "Alan," I called as I jogged after him.

Alan stopped and looked back, but so did Gerry who held back Ray from walking any farther by placing his hand on his friend's chest. I tried to ignore Gerry's looks as I jogged up to Alan while Gerry stood only a few feet away with Ray.

"Hey Julie," Alan smiled.

"I was wonderin' if you could tell me what happened in there," I said sweetly.

"Well, Coach…"

"He won't find out that I know. And if he does, I'll just tell him Bertier told me."

I looked over to Bertier and raised my eyebrows, daring him to challenge me. He didn't say anything, but instead he walked over to where Alan and I stood in the hallway. Alan looked at us and even he could easily see the tension between Gerry and me. Alan placed his hands up in defense as he looked between Gerry and me. "I don't wanna cause any trouble," Alan stated.

"I promise you that any trouble won't be started because of you," I said glaring at Gerry who just shook his head.

"Well, I…" Alan fumbled for words.

"You wanna know what happened?" Gerry questioned, taking a step closer toward me and towering over me. He was trying to intimidate me. But I held my ground.

"Not from you," I scoffed.

"Well, I'll tell you what's not going to happen. I ain't gonna be playin' for no Coach Coon." Gerry looked rather angry. He had over a foot in height on me, but I was not going to be intimidated by him. Especially now that he was trying to make a show in front of Alan and Ray. He could be nice and sweet to me with only my father and sister present but throw anyone else in the mix and Gerry Bertier became an ass.

"You can play the tough guy Bertier, but just remember that I know things you don't want gettin' out," I hissed.

I knew I had probably just delivered a low punch to him, but I was sick and tired of his games. He quickly backed away and bit his bottom lip. He immediately knew what I was referring to. I had seen him cry so many times that I probably couldn't even count them all. Having his football teammates knowing that he was somewhat in touch with his emotional side could be easily embarrassing.

"My mama taught me right, so I'm not gonna get into this with you and simply walk away," Gerry said.

"A move you've perfected," I retorted.

"Julie Elizabeth Yoast," Coach shouted.

I groaned and threw my head back as I could hear my father stomping toward me. I was in trouble. He probably hadn't even heard the entire conversation. Probably only the bits where I had been nasty to Bertier. Through narrowed eyes, I looked at Bertier who was turning away attempting to hide the smile on his face. I then turned my head to see my father standing in between Alan and me with his arms folded across his chest and a stern look on his face.

"Apologize," Coach said sternly.

I looked at him and I could tell that he meant business. If I wanted any life outside of chores and going to football practices, I had to do as he said; and even then it wasn't guaranteed.

"Sorry," I muttered in Gerry's direction.

"Julie Elizabeth you know how to speak properly," Coach reprimanded.

"It's fine, Coach," Gerry said.

"No, it's not Gerry. Go on, Julie."

I folded my arms across my chest. I knew that there was no way of getting out of this unless I just grit my teeth and did it. So, I did. "I'm sorry, Bertier," I apologized once more through gritted teeth.

Coach shook his head and looked at me disappointedly. "Julie go wait in the truck with Sheryl while the boys and I carry some boxes out."

"Yes, Coach."

I looked for my sister and we walked out of the school to Coach's truck where I would soon be receiving my punishment for sassing Gerry Bertier. I don't know what it was about that boy, but something about him got me all riled up and I really needed to stop letting Gerry Bertier get the better of me.


Author's note: Chapter 2 is back up! Thank you to everyone who read/reviewed/favorited/followed this story. Means a lot!