At the Adams-Shields Foundation

Kourtnee drove to the Adams-Shields Foundation. Hopefully, her mother would have an answer for her. When Kourtnee reached her mother’s office, her mother was sitting in her office. Kourtnee walked into her mother’s office and sat down.

(Ms. Shields and Kourtnee)

Ms. Shields: You are back again, I see.

Kourtnee: Mother, I have really caused some confusion this time.

Ms. Shields: I already know. Colt called me. He was furious. He really cares about LaDawnya.

Kourtnee: I know he does. He told me.

Ms. Shields: He talked to you.

Kourtnee: Yes, right before I came over here. He really tore into me.

Ms. Shields: He should have.

Kourtnee: That’s you, Paula, and Colt. How many other people are going to bawl me out today?

Ms. Shields: Everyone who finds out should bawl you out.

Kourtnee: I feel horrible enough.

Ms. Shields: Wait until your grandparents find out.

Kourtnee: You are not going to tell them are you?

Ms. Shields: I am thinking about it. I would love to see a Stakarski vase sitting on the fireplace at my house.

Kourtnee: You would pick one of the most expensive stores in Maddocha to want to be bribed from.

Ms. Shields: If you don’t want me to tell your grandparents, the vase will work, nicely.

Kourtnee: What am I going to do about LaDawnya?

Ms. Shields: What did your grandfather do the last time you were mad at him?

Kourtnee: He took me to the mall and bought almost everything in the mall.

Ms. Shields: Did it work?

Kourtnee: Yes, but that won’t work with LaDawnya.

Ms. Shields: Why not?

Kourtnee: LaDawnya is not as materialistic as I am.

Ms. Shields: You could try.

Kourtnee’s cell phone rung. Kourtnee answered and said, “Hello.” LaDawnya’s voice answered back, “Kourtnee, I am hungry.” Kourtnee smiled and said, “Do you want me to bring you something?” LaDawnya paused before she said, “Can you take me somewhere to get me something to eat?” Kourtnee responded, “Yes, meet me outside the front entrance in ten minutes.” LaDawnya said, “Ok. Bye.” Kourtnee said, “Bye.” They both hung up the phone. Kourtnee said goodbye to her mother and the the foundation.

7-16-97, 1:22 PM

Kourtnee was driving me to Rose’s Chicken and Such, which was all the way across town. There was not one near Shimmers. I could have chosen one of several places near the plant, but I felt like being difficult. Kourtnee did not object to my suggestion. We rode in the car, quiet. She didn’t say anything to me. I didn’t say anything to her. The silence was so loud that everyone could here it.

We reached Rose’s Chicken and Such. We went into the restaurant. We ordered our food and sat down. The restaurant was crowded. Kourtnee was being extremely nice to me. I was entertaining the idea of milking this moment for everything that I could. Kourtnee interrupted my devious thoughts when she said, “Smile.” I glared at her and said, “I don’t want to smile.” I was really overstepping my boundaries. I knew better than to act like I was acting with adults. Mrs. Johnson was probably turning over in her grave. An elderly lady walked by the table and said, “You are too pretty to be frowning like that.” When I looked up at her, she looked exactly like Mrs. Johnson. I stared at the lady. A few seconds later, the lady went back to looking like herself. Kourtnee said, “It’s impolite to stare.” I stopped staring at the lady.

Me and my conscious, Mrs. Johnson said that she wouldn’t be in my life always, but she was going to be in my life forever. Everything that she had imparted to me would remain with me forever.

“Baby, when you have a call on your life, you can only do so much wrong. Every time you try to do wrong, God will make you uncomfortable in your wrong.” - Mother Ima Jean Johnson