7-19-97, 452PM

Kourtnee walked into my room without knocking. I didn't acknowledge her presence. She said, "I thought you said you had $150. This is only $140." I didn't say anything. If I would have, tears would have been the only things to come out. Kourtnee sat down on the bed, shook me, laughed, and said, "I know you're not sleep. Where's the other $10?" I still didn't respond. I laid there with my head in my folded arms, holding back tears. Kourtnee shook me and said, "Sit up." I slowly sat up. When she looked me in my eyes, I had tears in them. She rubbed my hair and asked what was wrong. I looked at the floor. She continued to rub my hair. I kept looking at the floor.

Kourtnee grabbed my hand, "Come on," she said pulling me up off the bed. I looked at her and said, "Where are we going?" She replied, "Put your shoes on. You are going to buy me some ice cream." I stopped, "We have ice cream here and I don't want to go anywhere." Kourtnee put her hands on her hips, "Must you be so stubborn? Put your shoes on and come on."

I put my shoes on and went down stairs to Kourtnee's room. She looked up at me as I walked into her room. She told me to go tell Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Austin that we were going out. No sooner than I had entered Kourtnee's room, I was exiting it.

I went into the kitchen and relayed Kourtnee's message to the two gossiping ladies, who nodded to me quickly and then went back to their nostalgia.

I headed out of the kitchen back to Kourtnee's room. Kourtnee met me in the hallway. She had on a rainbow colored sundress and some pink sandals that matched one of the colors in the dress. I stared at Kourtnee's feet, this being the first time I had ever seen Kourtnee in shoes with no heels. Kourtnee said, "Is there some reason you are staring at my feet?" I took my gaze off her shoes, looked at her face, and said, "This is the first time I have seen you without heels." Kourtnee looked down at her feet and smiled as she said, "Come on here girl. Bye Mona. Bye Monica." Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Jackson let out two quick byes at the same time.

Outside in the Neighborhood

I had never really paid much attention to the neighborhood of Valleybrook Manor. I rarely ever went outside. The Valleybrook Manor neighborhood was home to some of the richest families in the city of Dorinda. There were huge houses, fancy flashy cars, and expensive tastes all around the neighborhood. Security guards who knew each resident and was suspect of anyone who they didn't recognize protected the entrance to the gated community. There was a sticker that had to be placed on every car of residents of the neighborhood, so that security would let them through. Frequent guests and visitors can obtain a guest pass that had to be renewed every two months. (Paula has one of these stickers.) Guests such as repairmen had to have their names left at the security gate. If the resident forgot to leave your name with security, you weren't getting in the gate. Security guards also patrolled the streets of Valleybrook Manor.

As we walked through the neighborhood, I saw several kids riding their bikes. They were headed towards the Valleybrook Manor Park. The park had a 3-mile trail that went through the whole neighborhood. People could either walk, bike, or run the trail. Kourtnee & I passed the Valleybrook Manor Stables. This was an upscale stable in the neighborhood. From what I understand, several families in the neighborhood owned horses. I had often wanted to go to the stables, but I had never asked Kourtnee about it. I paused and looked at the people in the distance, riding the horses. I felt Kourtnee grabbed my arm, "Girl, come on here. Don't even think about asking me about a horse. I can't stand those creatures." Well, so much for that idea.

The ice cream parlor was in a section of the neighborhood that housed a number of stores that included; a jewelry store, a spa, a music store, and a bike shop. Kourtnee and I went into the ice cream parlor. The ice cream parlor resembled an old-fashioned ice cream parlor; with soda fountains, an old-fashioned juke box, and seats and tables that looked like something from the 1950s. Kourtnee and I took a seat at the counter. A young guy came up to us and said, "Hello, Mrs. Adams. Thanks for the scholarship. I am glad that you helped me get this job, too." Kourtnee smiled and said, "You're welcomed." The guy smiled and then said, "What can I get for you two?" Kourtnee and I placed our orders and waited for the guy to return.

Kourtnee was quiet for a few minutes before she said, "Are we gonna talk about what Monica said?" I looked at her and responded, "There is no need to talk about anything. She said everything that needed to be said."

Kourtnee: Did she really?

LaDawnya: Yes, Mame. Everything she said was self-explanatory. It doesn't need any further debate.

Kourtnee: Are you being smart?

LaDawnya: No Mame.

Kourtnee: Ok, if you say so. When we get home, I want you to bring me your bankbook.

LaDawnya: Why?

Kourtnee: I want to have my accountant look at it.

LaDawnya: Why?

Kourtnee: Do I have to explain everything to you?

LaDawnya: Yes, you do.

Kourtnee: Alright, I want him to look at it to see if you are getting a good interest rate. I want to be sure that your money is working for you. Is that explanation enough for you?

LaDawnya: Yes, Mame.

Waiter: Here you go ladies. Enjoy!

Kourtnee: Thank you.

LaDawnya: Thank you.

LaDawnya: Who is he?

Kourtnee: Nosey.

LaDawnya: I just asked.

Kourtnee: He is a college freshman who received a scholarship from the foundation.

LaDawnya: Mrs. Shields' foundation?

Kourtnee: Yes.

LaDawnya: Why did he thank you?

Kourtnee: Because I gave him the application and I helped him get the job here. Quit asking me questions and eat your ice cream.

LaDawnya: He's kinda cute.

Kourtnee: He's too old for you.

LaDawnya: Only a couple of years.

Kourtnee: He's still too old.

I gave her a sly grin.

Kourtnee: Whatever is on your mind, get it off of your mind.

LaDawnya: Who said I had anything on my mind?

Kourtnee: I know you do. Now quit that and eat your ice cream.

LaDawnya: Yes, Mame. What was his name again?

Kourtnee: LaDawnya!

We finished our ice cream and headed back to the house.

We made it back to the house. Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Jackson were still in the kitchen talking. I know Kourtnee and I had been gone for over 30 minutes and those two were still in the same spots that we left them in. I laughed.

Chapter Eighty-Eight

A Week In Kourtnee's World, The Week Is Almost Over

7-19-1997, 945PM

Kourtnee, Mrs. Austin, Mrs. Jackson, Colt, and I went out for dinner. We came back home. Colt was still upset because Mrs. Austin was staying at the house with us.

I was sitting in m room watching TV. Colt walked into my room. I looked up at Colt. Colt sat down on the bed. He didn't say anything for about ten minutes. He watched TV with me. Finally, he said, "Are we cool?" I looked at him, "Not particularly." He responded, "It's like that." After I didn't answer, we were quiet for a while longer.

Colt: Are we ever gonna be cool again?

LaDawnya: I don't know.

Colt: I am sorry that I said what I said. I was just upset because Kourtnee was being difficult. I was blaming you because I hadn't had any contact with her until you showed up. I know it's not your fault. Hopefully, you will forgive me soon.

LaDawnya: Do you still love Kourtnee?

Colt: I don't want to answer that question?

LaDawnya: Ok.

Colt: That's all I get is, ok.

LaDawnya: Yea.

Colt: Oh no. One-word answers. I heard that you are famous for those.

LaDawnya: I guess.

Colt: Do you want me to leave?

LaDawnya: No, you don't have to.

Colt: Ok.

LaDawnya: You are not funny.

Colt thumped my arm. I knew that if Colt had answered my question, the answer would have been yes. I started to feel weird about asking the question since Mrs. Austin had told me not to ask those kinds of questions.

Colt and I continued to watch TV. Kourtnee walked into the room. She looked at both of us. She didn't say anything. She walked over to the other side of the bed and sat down. All three of us watched TV for a long time.

I woke up at 10:22. I was under the cover. Colt and Kourtnee were gone. I turned over in the bed and went back to sleep.