Monday April 20, 1987
Chevonne walked into homeroom and sat down. She pulled out her pre-calc notes wanting to review them one last time before a quiz that day.
"Chevonne there is a memo here for you." Mr. Layfield told her.
Chevonne walked up to his desk and accepted the memo he handed her. It was from the acting Principal Mr. Flair and Coach Ritcher.
This is a memo to all the prom court candidates about their duties at the prom and the pre-prom assembly. The pre-prom assembly will be held Friday May 8, 1987 at 2pm in the auditorium. Prom court candidates will be announced with their biographies read. Coach Richter will be giving you forms to fill out for your biographies. A change this year, instead of ROTC cadets escorting the prom court, the ladies will be escorted by their fathers. Families are welcome to attend the meeting and can sign in at the office. The night of prom all candidates must be available for pictures after the crowning ceremony. As always no bribery tactics or slandering of other candidates will be tolerated and will result in immediate disqualification.
Chevonne ran out of the room, startling the other students. Mr. Layfield tried calling out to her but she ignored him.
When the homeroom dismissal bell rang, students filled the halls heading for their first period classes. Jimmy and Jey found Randy at his locker.
"Randy, have you seen Chevonne?" Jimmy asked.
"Not since we got to school this morning. Why?" Randy turned to them.
"Something upset her and she ran out of homeroom. She never came back. I gathered up her things." Jimmy said holding up her book bag.
"What upset her? She was fine this morning." Randy asked.
"Not a clue. She was fine. Then Mr. Layfield hands her a note and she takes off." Jey said.
"What was the note? She can't be in trouble." Randy asked.
"What's going on?" Naomi joined them.
"Have you seen Chevonne? She took off out of homeroom and never came back." Jimmy said.
"No I haven't seen her. I was just coming to see if Chevonne got the memo about prom court. Who knew we would have to do biographies?" Naomi chuckled.
"Memo….you got it in homeroom?" Randy asked.
"Yeah, right here." She handed Randy her copy of the memo. "We still have to get our dress suits. I was hoping maybe Judi could help us out."
"Shit…no wonder she…." Randy read over the memo. "I gotta go find her."
"Wait, Randy…what is going on?" Jey called after him as he ran off down the hall.
"Will someone tell me why everyone has lost their minds today?" Jimmy said.
"What the hell is in this memo, it keeps making people run away?" Jey asked.
"Just talking about prom court stuff." Naomi said. "Oh no….I should've seen this coming."
Down the hall, Randy walked into the auditorium. It was empty as students were now in first period. He saw Chevonne sitting alone down in the third row. Randy slowly walked down the aisle and took the seat beside her. She was crying and her make-up was messed up.
"They changed the prom court escorts for the assembly…..I saw Naomi's memo." Randy said.
Chevonne nodded. Randy sighed and wrapped his arm around her.
"Calm down. You know my dad would be more than thrilled to escort you at the assembly." Randy said.
"I know that. But I hate the glaring difference. He's not my dad or even a step-dad." She said. "This is a small town and everyone knows I am an illegitimate child but to have to show everyone like that."
"Chevonne, don't let this upset you so much. Screw anyone who gives a damn about your business." Randy said.
"It would be different if my dad had died or even if my parents were divorced…..but you know how people gossip and to walk out there in front of everyone with Bob….and them knowing I don't have a dad….." she cried. "I am just gonna withdraw from prom court."
"Hold it, you are not." Randy said and made her look at him. "Look I know people gossip and this town is full of small minded people…..but you can't let that stop you."
"But…."
"Chevonne, the people who love you don't care that you were raised by Mama Judi without a dad. It is not your fault that he abandoned your mom. You are gonna have a lot of support in that audience…people who really love you….me, the rest of the guys, your girlfriends, Mama Judi, my parents…not to mention that tall Samoan boyfriend of yours." Randy smiled.
"Maybe you're right." Chevonne said.
"Of course I am right. Now you are gonna come to dinner tonight and talk to my dad about the assembly and that day you are gonna walk out there with him and screw anyone who doesn't like it." Randy said.
"What if someone says something?" Chevonne asked.
"I'll break their nose." Randy said.
Chevonne chuckled. "You would too."
"Is this something I need to be jealous of?" they heard behind them.
They turned and saw Roman standing there with a small smile. Chevonne hurried to wipe her face but realized she was just smearing her mascara worse.
"No, just taking care of my sister." Randy said.
Roman walked over and sat down in the row behind them. "Are you okay? Naomi came and found me. She figured out you were upset about the pre-prom assembly."
"Yeah, I feel better. I just need to clean up before going to class." She said.
"I will walk you to the restroom." Roman said. "Guess you needed your brother."
"Roman…I wasn't trying…..I am used to taking care of her…." Randy started to explain but Roman cut him off.
"Randy, I am not mad. As long as she was comforted, that is what matters. You are her brother, I know that. I am glad you were there for her." Roman told him.
"You really are a good guy Roman. I am glad she is with you." Randy nodded.
It was obvious that Roman understood the sibling bond his girlfriend had with Randy and knew he didn't need to be jealous. And Randy respected Roman a lot more because of it.
"Thanks, Randy I will see you later." Chevonne kissed his cheek. "Thanks for coming after me."
"What are brothers for?" he smiled.
Chevonne got up and walked with Roman out of the auditorium. Roman wrapped his arm around her.
"Are you okay? Do you want me to drive you home?" he offered as he walked her towards the restroom.
"I will be okay. Thank you for coming to look for me." She smiled. "Sorry I look like a mess."
"You are the prettiest girl with runny mascara I have ever seen." He winked. "Not all girls can make that smeared black eyes look work for them." She laughed at his playful flirting. "There is that beautiful smile."
"You always know what to say." She hugged him as they stopped outside the ladies room. "Give me a few minutes to wash up."
"I'll wait here for you." He nodded.
She stood on tiptoe and kissed him, then hurried into the restroom to clean up.
(6pm)
Chevonne and Roman walked into the Orton home. They were having dinner with the Orton's.
"Mama Elaine, we're here!" Chevonne called out.
"I'm in the kitchen." Elaine called back.
Chevonne led Roman into the kitchen. Elaine was busy cooking.
"There is our beautiful prom queen." Elaine smiled.
"I haven't won yet." Chevonne hugged her.
"Roman, so nice to see you again." Elaine hugged him.
"Nice to see you Mrs. Orton. Thanks for having me over." Roman said.
"Oh I love having all the kids around. Especially now that they are grown up and so close to leaving us for college." Elaine said. "Dinner is almost ready. Randy is around somewhere. Bob was out in the garage but I think I heard him come in. And Roman, call me Elaine. You are one of the kids, no need to be so formal."
"Do you need help with anything?" Chevonne asked.
"Oh no, you kids go on in the dining room. I will have everything in there in just a minute." Elaine shooed the kids towards the dining room. "Randy….Chevonne and Roman are here!"
Roman and Chevonne took their seats at the dinner table. Randy came in and sat down as well.
"Feeling better?" he asked Chevonne.
"A little. I spoke with Coach Richter to make sure it would be okay for Papa Orton to escort me. She assured me it was." Chevonne explained. "I guess for a few years now parents have been asking staff to be more involved with prom."
"I am sure Coach Richter didn't mean to upset you. She is crazy about you girls. She works endlessly with our students." Randy said.
"Oh I know. And it is a very nice thing…daddies walking their daughters as part of their prom festivities. It hurts to think my own father didn't want to share in such special moments with me." Chevonne said.
"Hey….not being here is his loss. He is the one missing out on a beautiful young woman that is smart and kind and has so much going in her life." Roman took her hand. "It is him missing out not you. You have people who love you and love being part of your life."
"Thank you….that means a lot to me." She smiled at him.
"There is my favorite girl." Bob walked in the room.
"Papa Orton, where you been hiding?" Chevonne smiled as he kissed her cheek.
"Had to change the oil in Elaine's car." Bob said. "Roman, glad you could make it. You treating my girl right?"
"Yes sir. Glad to see you again." Roman shook his hand.
"Dinner is all ready, I made a huge lasagna." Elaine walked in and placed the main course in the center of the table. "Salad and drinks are already in here. Okay everyone, dig in."
Everyone began passing around plates and getting food. Elaine quietly chatted with Chevonne about prom plans and the girls' dresses, while Bob talked to Roman, trying to get to know him better.
"So Chevonne, Randy tells me you got something you need to talk to me about." Bob said. "Everything okay?"
Chevonne took a deep breath. "You know I am on prom court this year. Well today, we were told that at the pre-prom meeting when they announce the prom court…we're to be escorted by our fathers. Since you are the closest thing to a father I have ever had….I was hoping you would escort me."
"I would love to. I would be honored." Bob told her.
"I'll be there too. We're so proud of you." Elaine told her.
"Are you sure, Papa Orton? Everyone will know that I am not really your child. People may gossip about you." Chevonne said.
"After all these years of watching you grow up, celebrating milestones with Randy and you and the other kids, do you really think I am going to miss this one because people may gossip?" Bob said. "I don't care what people may say."
"Chevonne you know you are part of this family. Cruel words have never changed that and they never will." Elaine assured her. "Besides, this is a chance to see Bob in a suit. You know how rarely that happens."
"Besides, anyone says anything about my daughter they will answer to me." Bob said.
"Now you see where Randy gets it from." Chevonne told Roman with a chuckle.
"You just tell us when and I will make sure Bob's suit is pressed." Elaine said.
Author's Note- Thanks to Raign for the feedback. Hope everyone enjoys the story.