The next day it rained.
Beatrice and Courtney stayed inside while the adults in the house went to work. Linda's boss said she could use some help so Grace was hired.
Duncan called Courtney in the night. Courtney didn't pick up since she was still upset with him. He didn't even tell her that there were rumors in Belhaven. He never told her about any party. What girls did he dance with and flirt with, anyway? Were they better than her? How long did he know them for?
The fact that he drank and smoke didn't surprise her. Although she initially didn't believe him when he'd said he'd been to juvie 3 times, it became more evident as he inspired her to be less uptight. What did he go to Juvie for, anyway? She shook the thought out of her head. It was important, she'd find out.
The next day it was sunny again. Thankfully, the rain cooled things down a bit. Beatrice appreciated the change and it put her in a good.
"Good morning!" Beatrice shouted, practically for the whole world to hear.
It was 9:30 and Courtney was lying in her bed. She was grateful that the rain had stopped but frowned when she remembered she'd have to spend the day with Beatrice. Having realized this, she reluctantly got out of her bed. She went to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and splashed cold water on her face.
When she went downstairs, she found Beatrice making pancakes, eggs, and sausage.
"Good morning, Courtney!" Beatrice said to Courtney when she arrived in the kitchen.
Courtney gave Beatrice a small wave and asked, "Who told you to make breakfast?" Courtney sat down at a small table in the kitchen.
"Oh silly," Beatrice said. "Nobody told me to do anything. I just thought people could use a nice meal."
"Whatever," Courtney said, getting a cup and orange juice from the fridge.
"So what are we doing today?" Beatrice asked.
"We'll talk about that after breakfast," Courtney said, not wanting to think of the day ahead.
"Perhaps I could find friends my age?" Beatrice suggested.
"Maybe so," Courtney said. "I think one of my friends has a cousin your age." Deshawn did.
"Awesome," Beatrice said.
This was the second time they were having a conversation without sarcastic remarks or insults.
"Mhmm," Courtney said, sipping her orange juice.
"I bet my pancakes are much better than yours," Beatrice teased Courtney.
Courtney stopped drinking her orange juice. Beatrice just had to ruin the moment.
"Aww. And we were bonding," Courtney said sarcastically.
"What? You know it's true."
"You know what? I don't have time for this. We don't have time for this. We're going to be living in the same house for quite some time. It won't do either of us any good if we're always arguing. Can't we just at least attempt to get along?"
"Perhaps. Admit that I'm smarter, prettier- coo-"
"I'm outta here. Fuck this," Courtney took her orange and stomped angrily out of the kitchen.
She tried to be the bigger person. But clearly, Beatrice wasn't having that either. She usually refrained from using such vulgar language but, Beatrice was just terrible.
Linda came downstairs.
"Good morning mom," Courtney said.
"Good morning Courtney," Linda said. "Is Beatrice in the kitchen making breakfast?"
"Unfortunately," Courtney said. Linda shot Courtney a look of disapproval. Courtney shrugged.
"That attitude will get you grounded," Linda warned sternly, going into the kitchen. "Try me."
Courtney's mouth plummeted open.
"Close your mouth Courtney," Linda said from the kitchen, as if she already knew Courtney's mouth was hanging open.
Courtney decided to watch T.V. She flipped channels and stopped when she reached the news channel. The current story was about the Vietnam War and how tensions were growing. Courtney remembered how Duncan told her about his brother who was helping with the war effort. She shrugged off the thought, not wanting to think about Duncan at the moment.
John came downstairs and noticed Courtney sitting on the couch.
"Good morning dad," Courtney said.
"Good morning Courtney," John said. "Did ya greet your cousin this morning?"
"Unfortunately," She said. "I did."
John sighed. "Things will get better. I promise." He kissed her on the forehead and went into the kitchen.
Grace came downstairs shortly after and Courtney made sure to greet her first. It is always polite to greet any adults in your house before they greet you.
She heard chatter in the kitchen about the breakfast Beatrice was making. Courtney scoffed. She could make breakfast way better than Beatrice could. Or at least, that was what her pride led her to believe.
"Breakfast is ready," Beatrice shouted. Courtney reluctantly got up and went to sit at the dining table. It smelled deliciously of has brown, pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausages. Courtney would never admit this to Beatrice, of course. She once again took a seat right next to her cousin. Beatrice smiled at Courtney and she returned it with a small unauthentic smile. Beatrice's smile was probably unauthentic as well. Or was it?
John once again asked for everyone to hold hands so he could pray over the food. Courtney took Beatrice's hands first and once again they shared a brief moment of staring into each other's eyes. Everyone closed their eyes.
"Lord," John started. "We thank you for giving us another blessed day of life. This is the day that you have made and we shall rejoice in it. We ask that you bless this food and our lives. In Jesus name we pray, Amen."
"Amen."
"Beatrice this breakfast looks great," John said and Courtney saw Beatrice blush.
"Thank you," Beatrice said. Maybe she wasn't heartless after all.
"I see my sister taught you well," Linda said, taking a bit of hash brown.
"I learn from the best," Beatrice said.
"You guys may have to eat dinner without us," John said. "I think we're all working late today. Right, Linda and Grace?" The two nodded.
"Yes," Linda said. "And you know the rules. Doors and windows locked, no opening the door for strangers. AND ABSOLUTELY NO BOYS!"
Courtney froze. She knew Linda wasn't talking about anyone in particular. But she still felt as if the statement was targeted at her. Perhaps that was what lying was doing to her?
"What's wrong, Court?" Beatrice teased, whispering. "Got a boy to bring?"
"Shut up," Courtney whispered back, putting hash brown in her mouth.
"Absolutely no boys. Of course ya'll already know that," John said. "We're just reinforcing it."
"Yes dad," Courtney said.
"Good," John said. "And you know when your curefew is. 9:20, 30 minute grace period."
Courtney and Beatrice nodded.
Courtney wondered if Beatrice had boys over at her house while her mom was absent. After all, Linda was the more uptight sister. Beatrice glanced at Courtney and Courtney stared at her plate.
"So what're you guys doing today?" Grace asked. "The rain's stopped."
"We're going to hang out with Courtney's friends, right Courtney?"
Beatrice looked at Courtney and fluttered her eyelashes sweetly. That was so fake.
Courtney turned to Beatrice. "Yes Beatrice," She said. "We're going to hang out with DJ and Leshawna."
"10:00 O'clock already?" John asked. "I should be getting ready. Excuse me."
John went upstairs to get ready for work. Linda and Grace didn't leave until noon.
"You know one day we need to have a girls day out," Linda said.
Courtney was going to protest because of Beatrice, but then decided against it. After all, Linda did say that was the type of attitude that would get her grounded.
"That sounds wonderful, Linny," Grace said.
"I second that," Beatrice said, smirking at Courtney.
"Me too," Courtney lied.
"Good," Grace said. "Then it's settled. One of these days will be our day out."
Not good, Courtney thought.
"And make sure this house is clean before you leave!" Linda reminded the girls.
Duncan groaned, annoyed that the birds woke him up once again. He saw his dad leave again the previous night, but he was too tired to follow. Plus, it was raining. It was 10:30 and he was hoping to sleep for a little while longer. He went downstairs to the smell of scrambled eggs and pancakes. It didn't sound like anyone was cooking them.
Once downstairs, he noticed his dad reading the Jackson Newspaper. He had a neutral expression on his face. Duncan plopped unto the couch next to him.
"Good morning to you too Duncan," Mr. Meyers said. Duncan didn't care much for greeting adults in the morning…
"Good morning dad," Duncan said.
"I thought I would tell you," Mr. Meyers mentioned. "Danny called."
Duncan immediately sat upright. "Well what'd he say?"
Mr. Meyers shifted in his seat. "He said he'll be coming back in the next couple of months or so."
"Are you serious?" Duncan asked, happiness growing inside of him.
"Would I lie to you, Duncan?"
Yes, Duncan thought. "No."
"Then yes, he is coming back." Mr. Meyers tried to stifle a smile, but it was to no avail.
"Wait. I thought he was fighting?"
"No, Duncan. He was selected to help the militant advisors. Non-combating. Did you forget?"
"I probably did," Duncan said. "Well it's good news." He tried to stifle his excitement as well…
He went to his room and jumped in happiness. It wasn't something he normally did but, this called for a celebration. His brother was coming back; his brother was coming back. The years of fear and uncertainty would finally be coming to an end. He had to share this good news with someone. With that in mind, he called his best friend Geoff.
"Hello?" Geoff asked.
"It's Duncan," Duncan said. "I got some good news bro. Meet me at the usual spot. Around 12?"
"Got ya. What way doin' today?"
"I don' know. I guess, chillin'."
"Oh. I'm spendin' the day with Bridge after you tell me the good news."
"Cool."
"Why don't you spend some time with-"
"Shh! You idiot!" House phone, remember?"
"Right. Sorry, bro."
"It's all right. We're lucky the old man don' care that much. Anyway, I reckon she's mad at me."
"Why would she be? Oh don't tell me you did somethin' stupid to ruin this one-"
"Long story. I'll tell you when we meet up. Along with the good news."
"All right. See ya later, bro."
"See ya."
Geoff wasn't the brightest guy around, but he was still Duncan's best friend. He would be the first to know of the good news. He was the first to know nearly everything that happened to Duncan.
He wished he could tell Courtney but he knew she was still upset with him. He hoped that her anger would stop blinding her judgment. He did what he had to do to protect Courtney and himself. More things were being revealed to him about her personality. Obviously when she got mad, she got very mad. Just like it was hard for to admit she liked him, it'd probably be hard for to admit to being in the wrong. What a gal.
"Duncan!" His mom yelled to him from downstairs, snapping him out of his thoughts. Not even his mom's shrill voice could ruin his fantastic mood.
"Coming," Duncan answered. He opened the door and went down the stairs to find his mom in the kitchen.
"Yes mom?" He asked.
"You have been staying out of trouble lately," Mrs. Meyers said.
"Yes," Duncan said.
"What are you up to?" She asked, narrowing her eyes. "If you want something, you should just say it."
"Oh mother," Duncan said. He hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. "Can't I be good for the sake of bein' good?"
"You could," Mrs. Meyers said, smirking. "But you usually don't."
It was best not to attract any attention to him. Would staying out of trouble still attract attention to him? Would people think that it was weird that he wasn't in trouble? Man, He thought. His actions at the party dispelled the rumors. He didn't even feel like getting into trouble.
"Well I am," Duncan said, smiling. "But you never know, I could be brewin' up some trouble right 'bout now. Be on the lookout."
She smiled. "Whatever you say Duncan. I know that when Danny comes back this little good boy act will be done with. I reckon it's just the quiet before the storm…"
Duncan laughed, remembering him and his brother's shenanigans.
"Whatever you're doin' now, just keep on, all right? And make sure you clean that pigsty of a room before you leave this house!"
"Whatever you say ma'," Duncan said. With that he left the kitchen and went up to his room again.
He thought of calling Courtney again in the night. They'd have to reconcile someday. She couldn't stay mad at him forever, right? She better pick up, Duncan thought. They had to discuss what in the world they were going to do with Beatrice around. Courtney described Beatrice as "the she-devil." Duncan thought about what made Beatrice so bad. Why couldn't she know? What had she done to Courtney in the past? Duncan decided that he would indeed call Courtney in the night and if she didn't pick up, he'd pay her a little surprise visit like he did before.
He took a good look of his pigsty room. Clothes everywhere, plates under the bed, crumbs of food, school papers, and other miscellaneous items were scattered all over his room. This is going to take a while, he thought.
"Beatrice, are you ready yet?"
It was 1:00 and they'd finished with their chores. John had left earlier. Grace and Linda went to their job as well so the two cousins were left in the house. They were going to hang out with Courtney's friends and Beatrice was taking a long time to get ready, much to Courtney's chagrin.
Courtney busted into the guest room where Beatrice was staying and found her in a towel slowly putting on lotion. She rolled her eyes.
"I told you to get ready 45 minutes ago," Courtney said, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Courtney, always the practical one," Beatrice said.
Courtney rolled her eyes again. "Will you hurry up? I told Leshawna we would be at the usual spot at 12:30. It's 1:00 and you don't even have any clothes on!"
"Would you calm down?" Beatrice asked. "Your friends can wait, can't they?"
Courtney's blood boiled. "What are you, the queen of England? Beatrice if you're not ready in 10 minutes I swear I'm leaving you."
Beatrice laughed. "You can't do that. Your mama says you have to be with me all the time until I get used to the area. Whenever that is."
Courtney yelled in frustration. Beatrice was right, after all, and that made her angry.
"Just hurry up!" Courtney yelled, and slammed the door.
"Your mama wouldn't want you slamming the doors of her house!" Beatrice yelled from the room.
"Go to hell!" Courtney yelled to Beatrice and she laughed in return.
The phone rang, and it was no one other than Leshawna.
"Hey it's Leshawna," Leshawna said.
"Hi Leshawna," Courtney said flatly.
"Girl, I went to the usual spot and ya weren't there!"
"I know," Courtney said. "Beatrice is taking forever to get ready!"
"Then just come without her!"
"I can't do that, mama says I have to be with her until she gets used to the area."
The two sighed simultaneously.
"All right, just call me when the Queen of England is done getting ready."
"Got it."
Courtney hung up the phone and plopped unto the couch. Beatrice was a pain in the ass. Courtney was sure Beatrice was taking a long time just to spite her. There was no way that any human being would take that long to get ready for a casual activity.
She slouched on the couch. If Beatrice could just hurry up…
"Alright I'm done Courtney!" Beatrice yelled, opening the door.
"The Queen of England arrives!" Courtney said sarcastically.
"It makes me happy that you think of me as a queen, cousin," Beatrice said. She was dressed in a colorful fountain dress with designs all over. She wore a grey wool felt hat with black sunglasses and beige capiezo flats. Her light brown hair fell perfectly down her back.
"Let's just get out of here," Courtney said.
"Make sure to take your keys," Beatrice said.
"I've already got 'em," Courtney said. She was in her usual outfit: pink hip huggers, white tank top, black headband, and white sandals.
They left out the door and started for the elementary school. It was a fair day and the rain had indeed cooled the weather down.
"It's been a long time since I've seen DJ and Leshawna," Beatrice said.
"Right," Courtney said. "Well Leshawna looks the same except with bigger body frame and DJ's much taller with a deeper voice."
"He can't be that tall," Beatrice said. "Poor boy will never grow."
"Alright Beatrice, believe what you want," Courtney said. "But you'll be in for a rude awakening."
"Whatever," Beatrice said. "Say, I've been meaning to ask you this since breakfast. Do you have a boyfriend?"
Courtney froze. "No, Beatrice! Why are you asking me that again?"
"I don't know, when your mama said "no boys!" You looked a bit scared, although your mom has surely said that at least 1000 times."
"She just startled me with her outburst," Courtney said. "That's all." Beatrice was unto her.
"Whatever Courtney," Beatrice said. "If it's important, I'll find out."
"There is nothing to find out," Courtney said.
"You're a terrible liar, you know that right?" Beatrice said.
"Do you honestly believe I'm lying?"
"Maybe."
"What do I have to gain from lying?"
"Secrets," Beatrice said, more to herself than Courtney. "Don't worry, we've all got 'em."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Beatrice seemed to snap herself out of something. "Nothing! Just forget I ever mentioned it. Secrets? Not me!"
"Okay…" Courtney said slowly. What did that mean? Did Beatrice have secrets too? Or maybe, it was one of her tricks. If she got Courtney to think she had a secret of her own, then it'd be easier for Courtney to spill the beans! Courtney was onto her.
But something in her was telling her that Beatrice's statement implied something else. Especially with the way she rebuked herself for mentioning such a thing. Could it be? Either way, Courtney was still onto her.
"If it's important I'll find out," Courtney mimicked Beatrice and Beatrice scowled. "Goodness Beatrice, you can be so annoying."
"And you can be so uptight," Beatrice retorted.
"Better uptight than nosy," Courtney spat. "And I'm not uptight!"
"Yeah," Beatrice said sarcastically. "And I'm not gorgeous, which we both know is a lie."
"Whatever. The elementary school is just ahead."
When they arrived at the school, they saw DJ and Leshawna slouched on the benches.
"Leshawna!" Courtney said, and the slouchers immediately sat upright.
"It's about time!" Leshawna said, getting up with her hands on her hips. DJ followed.
"Beatrice?" DJ asked, surprised.
Beatrice looked to Courtney. "Who's the tall kid, and how does he know my name?"
Courtney shook her head in frustration.
"You idiota. It's DJ! I told you he was much taller!"
Beatrice took off her sunglasses and examined DJ closely. She recognized him by his shy smile.
"Oh! DJ!" Beatrice exclaimed. "You're so tall!"
DJ was at least 5 inches taller than Beatrice, Courtney, and Leshawna.
"Yeah, I grew a bit," DJ said.
"And Leshawna," Beatrice said. "Looking good."
"Hey girl!" Leshawna said. "Wow, you've gotten older!"
"It's been awhile," Beatrice said. "I didn't believe Courtney when she said DJ was much taller. I thought he'd never grow."
Leshawna and Courtney snickered.
Last time Beatrice was in the suburb, she teased poor DJ about his height since he was shorter than all of them. Back then, she was the tallest of the four.
"You look really pretty Beatrice," DJ said shyly, with a hand behind his head.
Courtney made gagging noises. Was everyone going to suck up to Beatrice? Or did DJ have a new profound crush on the she-devil?
"Woah, talk about the muscles!" Beatrice said, examining DJ's. "How much can puberty do?"
"Idiota," Courtney muttered.
"What was that Courtney?" Beatrice asked.
"Nothing," Courtney said, not wanting an altercation with Beatrice in front of her best friends.
"Thought so," Beatrice said, putting her sunglasses back on. Leshawna and DJ shared uneasy looks.
"So what's the plan for today?" Courtney asked.
"We're just gonna chill in Jackson. Deshawn and Katie are meeting us there."
"Cool," Courtney said. "The bus is coming soon. Why don't we start walking?"
Beatrice hugged DJ's right arm. DJ looked happy and nervous.
"Macho man," Beatrice teased DJ playfully. They continued walking, arms hooked.
Courtney made gagging faces again. They walked to the bus stop in front of Tougaloo College.
The bus arrived shortly and they took their seats at the book of the bus. DJ and Beatrice sat at the very last seats of the bus. Leshawna and Courtney were just a couple seats ahead.
"What up with them?" Leshawana asked, beckoning to Beatrice and DJ chattering away behind them.
"Oh," Courtney said. "She's probably just flirting with him. Probably to make up for teasing him so much."
"Right," Leshawna said. "Well you know her better than I do."
"Unfortunately," Courtney sighed.
"So have you talked to D-"
"Shh!" Courtney whispered. "Not with the devil around!"
"Ooops. Sorry, hon."
"It's okay. They seem pre-occupied." Courtney glanced at the two chattering away.
"Well?"
"I'm upset with him."
"What'd he do?"
"I'll tell you some other time."
"Girl, you betta be careful. Remember what I said. I 'ont completely trust that boy yet."
"No don't worry. Nothing to be concerned about."
"I hope so."
The bus stopped once they reached downtown. The four sat at the outside tables of a black restraunt.
"I remember ya'll used to look like twins!" Leshawna exclaimed.
Beatrice and Courtney shrugged. Although they had the same tan skin and large onyx eyes, they grew to have more noticeable differences. Beatrice's face was round while Courtney's leaned to the heart-shaped side. Courtney had at least seven freckles and Beatrice had none. Beatrice was a bit shorter with slightly wider hips and waist. Her hair was longer, straighter, and was light brown. Her lips were also bigger. Simply put, she was gorgeous. Of course, Courtney wouldn't say that to Beatrice aloud.
"So Beatrice," Leshawna said. "How are ya likin' Jackson?"
Beatrice smiled. "It's a change. I got to get used to the segregation. There is none in Puerto Rico…"
"Oh really?" Leshawna said. "Must be heaven."
"Ehh," Beatrice said. "I guess."
"So Courtney said you're staying for a month or so."
"Yes," Beatrice said. "Well supposedly. It might be more."
"Cool," said DJ.
Katie and Deshawn arrived at the tables.
"Katie!" Courtney said and hugged her friend.
Deshawn hugged Leshawna and high fived DJ. "Who's the chick?" He asked.
"Oh!" Courtney said. "I don't believe you guys have met. That's my cousin, Beatrice. Katie and Deshawn, Beatrice. Beatrice, Katie and Deshawn."
"Oh! Hello." Deshawn said. He seemed like he was trying his best not to check her out.
"Hello," Katie said. "Nice to meet you!"
Beatrice smiled. "Likewise."
The six decided to go to their pastime, Joes.
"So Danny's coming back and Courtney's upset with you," Geoff said.
They were at Geoff's dad's shop. Duncan told Geoff about the great news of Danny's return but the bad news of Courtney's anger.
Duncan nodded.
"Talk about bittersweet," Geoff said.
"I know. It sucks."
"So what're you gonna do about it?"
"Drive me to her house again today?"
"I would, but you oughta give her some more time to cool off. When chicks get mad they get mad."
"Ya know, for once you're actually right."
"Complement or insult?
"You decide, man."
"Both."
"You know what we can do tonight? Follow my dad!"
"Are you serious!"
"Yup! Sleep over at my house tonight."
After eating a hearty meal at Joes, the six pondered on what to do next.
"Isn't there a football game today?" Deshawn asked.
"There is!" DJ said.
"Everyone up for a game?"
Everyone in the group cheered at the same time.
"Wait," Courtney said. "Where's Beatrice?"
"Oh God is she drinkin at the white only fountain?" Leshawna asked.
"What? She's not that stupid, is she?"
Leshawna beckoned to the other side of the sidewalk. Courtney shook her head in frustration and ran to the other side as quickly as she could.
"Beatrice!" Courtney said to Beatrice once at the water fountain.
Beatrice stopped drinking. "What?"
"It says white only you idiota!" Courtney yelled at her cousin.
"Oops," Beatrice said.
"You're lucky no one was looking! You could've gotten into some big poop! And it would've been all my fault!"
"Excuse me. This is a white only fountain. Ain't no niggers allowed here!"
They turned around to see a tall white policeman with teal eyes and short black hair. Those teal eyes looked alot like... Duncan's! Courtney put two and two together: it was officer Meyers! The one who was so rude to them when they had to show evidence of a trespassing!
He stepped closer to the girls. "I could arrest ya'll. Violating Jackson city law!"
The two quivered in fear. "We- we, were just leaving, officer," Courtney said politely. Their friends watched in horror from the other side of the sidewalk.
The officer eyed Courtney down closely, as if trying to recognize her. Courtney hoped he didn't. The last thing she wanted was to run into him.
He shook his head and said, "Ya'll lucky. I reckon I'm in good mood right about now."
They continued quivering in fear.
He stepped closer to them. "But if I ever catch ya'll at that fountain yonder, ya'll ain't gonna be so lucky! Now git!"
Beatrice and Courtney walked away slowly.
A/N: Took me a while to get this chapter up. Sorry guys! I've kinda been on a writer's block. But I pulled through. Expect the next chapters to be long, as I plan to move out of the year 1962. I got some follow up questions for ya'll:
1. Do you like long chapters?
2. Do you like Beatrice's character so far? How did you picture her to look like before I described her?
3. Should Courtney be mad at Duncan?
4. Did Mr. Meyers recognize Courtney or not?
5. Are you happy that Danny is coming back?
Thanks for sticking with me!
-MAYFB