Up at the College Read Online Free Page B

Kleenex hunched down at the front part of the pump, where the top of the tissue was hanging over that hump
     in the middle of your foot.”
    “A hot ghetto mess is what that sounds like,” Yvonne said, and then asked, “So is yellow now the new black this season?” She
     stared out the window some more. “How did you know she got those shoes from Big Lots?”
    “Saw them when I was there looking for some inexpensive plant pots. The bin was right next to a row of some pretty pots.”
    Yvonne started laughing. “Girl, let me get out of their business, get off of this phone, and get some work done, so I can
     relax and enjoy myself at your house tonight.”
    “So this means that you’re coming, right?”
    “Yeeessss,” Yvonne answered.
    “And, Yvonne.”
    “Yes, Trina.”
    “Rochelle is staying with the girls, right?”
    “Yes, my little sister is staying with the girls—how else will I be able to come by myself?”
    “So we’re set, right?” Trina asked again. She knew Yvonne, and she knew that girl would start thinking about work and cancel
     to go off and mix up a special color of paint.
    “Yes, Trina,” Yvonne exclaimed in exasperation. Trina was really working her over about this.
    “Okay, then … uh … please don’t come to my house in your work clothes.”
    “But it’s just your house and just you, me, and my cousin. Why would I need to change?”
    “You need to get out of those clothes and into some cute jeans and a top” was all Trina said.
    “Well, okay. I’ll wear some ‘cute jeans and a top’ to make you happy. Now can I get myself off of this telephone and get to
     work?”
    “Bye” was all Trina said right before she hung up.

TWO
    Y vonne spun around in the middle of the kitchen. She said, “So, does this
ensemble
meet your approval, Mrs. Fountain?”
    “Umm-hmm,” was all Trina said as she dipped several pieces of fresh trout in her special homemade batter and then dropped
     them in a hot cast-iron skillet. It didn’t take long for the fish to turn a golden brown, the batter making it all crispy.
     She turned the fish over and got some more pieces ready to put in the skillet.
    Yvonne’s first cousin, Maurice Fountain, came in from the back carrying a tray of vegetables he’d just taken off the grill.
     “What up, Cuz?” he said, while putting the tray on the counter and then going right back outside.
    “Hand me that plate with the paper towels on it,” Trina told Yvonne as she started scooping out pieces of trout. She pulled
     the oven door open and checked on the crispy-baked home fries. “Answer the door for me.”
    “The door?” Yvonne said. “I didn’t hear the door.”
    “You hear it now” was all Trina said when the bell rang again. She hadn’t heard it the first time either. Just knew that Curtis,
     who was very prompt, would be at the house about this time.
    “So are you going to help me out a bit and answer the door?”
    “Uh … yeah,” Yvonne said and went up front.
    Trina just shook her head to herself, thinking, “The baby is so goofy at times. But that is what makes you love her.” She
     couldn’t wait to see Yvonne’s face when she came back in the kitchen with Curtis Parker trailing behind her, trying to sneak
     and look at Yvonne’s booty when he knew she wasn’t watching him.
    The doorbell rang a third time and was followed by heavy knocking. Whoever this person was sure did want to get into Trina
     and Maurice’s house awfully bad. “OKAY,” Yvonne yelled, before peeking out of a side panel to see who was on the other side.
    Curtis Parker saw Maurice’s cousin peeking at him and wished the girl would open the door—he was hungry and ready to eat.
     He stared back at her and rang the doorbell one more time for good measure.
    “Just hold your horses,” Yvonne hollered out and finally opened the door, stepping back almost three feet when Curtis Parker
     stepped inside and got too close for comfort. That good-smelling whiff of his