Report card day. The day of truth. Joe was nervous. If he flunked Calculus, his football dreams were as good as dead. Coach Wilson had assured him, he was passing, but he didn’t see how. He brushed his teeth and went into the kitchen. Mama was reading her Daily Devotion and eating oatmeal. She put her spoon down and leveled her gaze at him. “Today you get your report card, don’t you?”

  Damn, he was hoping she would forget. “Yes.”

  The phone rang. Mama got up to answer it. Her voice sounded weary when she asked, “You can’t get anyone else?” There was a pause then Mama said, “Okay.” She hung up the phone and told Joe, “I got to work this evening.”

  Praise God. He had just been granted a twenty-four hour reprieve. By the time she got home, Joe would be long asleep, and she couldn’t scold him about his grades when he was asleep. Trying to contain his relief he said, “Okay.”

  “Don’t look so happy about it. Have Darryl bring you by work so I can see your report card.”

  No. Joe frowned. “Darryl doesn’t like the nursing home. He might not want to bring me.”

  “You tell Darryl I said, and he will.”

  This was true. Mama had a way of getting what she wanted, when she wanted it.

  Still hoping for a loop hole Joe said, “Mama, Darryl is mad at me. He might not even pick me up this morning.”

  “Why is he mad at you?”

  “Because I am taking Danita to homecoming and he doesn’t approve.”

  The look on Mama’s face surprised Joe. Happiness filled her eyes. She smiled and said, “That is wonderful. Danita is such a sweet girl. I’m glad you finally noticed.”

  Joe blushed.

  “You sweet on her?” Mama shook her head, “You don’t need to say, I can tell.”

  “I gotta go.”

  “Not before you give me a hug.”

  Reluctantly he went to her and hugged her.

  Outside a car horn honked. It sounded like Purple Bomb. Mama said, “Sounds like your ride is here.”

  Joe nodded and headed out the door. The morning sun was blinding. He couldn’t see a thing. When he reached the car he was surprised to find Danita in the front seat. He grabbed hold of the back door handle and pulled. The sweet smell of Danita’s lilac perfume wafted out of the car. He slid into the seat behind her, before he could even close his door, Darryl gunned Purple Bomb. Joe was thrown backwards. He grabbed for the door and slammed it shut.

  Danita punched Darryl. “You trying to kill Joe? You did that on purpose.”

  Through clenched teeth Darryl said, “Yeah, just like you missed your ride on purpose.”

  Joe saw Danita color with embarrassment.

  Darryl took a wide turn that threw Joe sideways. Usually Joe didn’t bother with a seat belt, but this morning, he wanted to live. He clicked it shut, just as Darryl took another wide turn.

  Danita punched him again. “Stop it Darryl, or I’m telling.”

  “Tattle Tale.”

  “I mean it Darryl. You drive right.”

  Darryl just shrugged.

  When they reached the school, Darryl took a corner like an Indie racer. Joe’s head whacked against the window. A faint buzzing noise sounded in his head.

  Danita shouted, “You big stupid jack ass.”

  Darryl shouted back, “You watch your mouth girl.”

  “Like you ever watch yours you big crap colored dip stick.”

  In the parking space Darryl came to a slamming stop. Danita was thrown forward, then her head came back with a jerk. She tore off her seatbelt and got right in Darryl’s face. “Daddy is going to hear about this and Daddy is going to ground your sorry butt.”

  The anger drained out of Darryl. “Please don’t do that.”

  “Why you got some hot date?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Who?”

  “You don’t need to know.”

  “You don’t tell me, I tell Daddy.”

  For several seconds Darryl considered this, then he said, “Go ahead and tell.”

  “I will.” Danita got out of the car and slammed the door closed. With glaring eyes focused on her brother, Danita waited for Joe. As soon as he got out, she wrapped her arm through his. Joe could feel the vibration of her anger. It seemed to crackle and pop all around them. She stuck her tongue out at Darryl and said, “Let’s go.” She pretty much drug Joe along as they made their way to the gym. Once they reached the gym doors she said, “Could you call me tonight. Mama wants to know what our plans are.”

  “Okay.”

  “Don’t forget.” It sounded like a warning. She let go of Joe’s arm.

  When she disappeared behind the gym doors, Joe shook his head. Man, she had some kind of temper. He hoped he never got on the wrong side of it.

  *

  At Lunch the roar of the cafeteria was deafening. Hesitantly, Joe sat down beside Darryl. Darryl glared at him and said, “This is all your fault. I had major plans for Saturday night. Now I can’t go. You have totally screwed my weekend.”

  “Maybe I could talk to Danita.”

  “Maybe you could not. Maybe you could stay the hell away from my sister.” Darryl bit into his burrito. As he chewed a light flickered in his eyes. “Maybe I was too hasty. Maybe you could talk to her, she would listen to you. Tell her to forget this morning.” Darryl pointed toward the snack machines. “She’s over there.”

  Joe got up and approached Danita. The guy in line behind her moved, and Joe saw Christy Thorton. Before he could turn around, Danita saw him, she asked, “Darryl kick you off your table?”

  “No, could you not tell your dad about this morning?”

  “Why?”

  “Because, it would make things easier for us if you don’t.”

  Danita’s eyes rolled up in her head, then came back to him. “For you, I will keep my mouth shut.”

  “Thanks.” Joe turned and made an OK sign at Darryl. Darryl nodded and took another bite of his burrito.

  Danita asked, “Want to sit with me?”

  The invitation was tempting, so tempting. “I want to say yes, but I better say no. Darryl wouldn’t like it. And, he’s mad--”

  Danita cocked her head. “So?”

  “Uh—it’s just that—“ Joe could feel Darryl’s eyes on him.

  “It’s okay. I know. Go make the big dummy feel better. I will talk to you tonight.”

  “Okay.” He turned. Darryl’s eyes glanced away.

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  Back at the table, Joe said, “She’s not going to tell.”

  “Good.” Darryl picked up another burrito and shoved it in his mouth.

  *

  The grades from Monday’s Calculus test were posted on the bulletin board. Joe scanned the list for his student number. He had gotten a 69.

  After everyone was seated, Coach Wilson passed out the envelopes with report cards in them. He handed Joe his envelope. His eyes looked--Joe wasn’t sure. Worried? Upset? Coach didn’t say anything to him, he just moved on. Morrow ripped open her envelope. She breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Joe. “I didn’t fail. But this is going to cost me the National Honor Society. How did you do?”

  “I don’t know. I’m afraid to look.”

  “I can look if you want me to.”

  Joe handed her the envelope. “If it’s bad, nod don’t say it out loud.” He couldn’t even watch her open the envelope so he closed his eyes and sent up a useless prayer. A prayer that lacked the power to change whatever was on the paper.

  Morrow touched his arm. She whispered, “Joe, you passed, but just barely.”

  Just barely didn’t matter. Joe opened his eyes. Football was safe and that was all that mattered. Of course Mama wouldn’t see it that way, and-no he wouldn’t go there now. He would just enjoy the fact that he could still play football.

  *

  When practice was over, Joe reluctantly asked, “Uh, Darryl, could you take me by the nursing home?”

  Darryl glared at him. “Why?”

  “My mom wants to see my report card.”

  “Let me see your report card first.”

  “No.”

  “You don’t show me, I ain’t taking you.”

  “Why do you want to see my report card?”

  “Hand it over or you walk.”

  Joe didn’t want to test Darryl’s word. He handed him the envelope. Darryl pulled out the report card and shook his head. “Your mama is not going to like this. Come on, I want to hear her yell at you.”

  Joe swiped his report card away from Darryl. “You are not going inside. You hate that place.”

  “Today, I make an exception. Come on. This is going to be good.” Darryl headed for Purple Bomb.

  All the way to the nursing home, Darryl sang songs in Spanish. Angrily, Joe asked, “Do you even know what the hell you are singing?”

  “Sie Senorita. It is about a Mama who kills her only son because he is so stupid.”

  Usually Joe would have punched him for a crack like that, but things weren’t usual between them. Darryl parked in front of the glass doors. He hopped out of the car and ran to the door and held it open for Joe. The delight in his eyes was sickening. He marched through the hall to the front desk and loudly asked, “Is Ms. Aaron here, Joe wants to show her his report card.”

  It took all the control Joe had not to deck Darryl right there.

  Clarice, the receptionist, called Mama to the front desk. She came out of one of the patient rooms. Darryl said, “Hey Ms. Aaron.”

  Mama smiled at Darryl and then her smile faded because she figured out why Darryl was so happy to be there. She went straight to Joe and asked, “Is it that bad?”

  Joe handed her the report card. He watched her open it. She frowned hard. Her lips twitched. She was trying to control herself. He hoped she succeeded.

  “Son, this Calculus grade is bad. Who’s your teacher?”

  “Coach Wilson.”

  “Figures. Well, you are getting a tutor.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me, Josaih. A tutor. I won’t have you failing Calculus.”

  He protested, “But I’m not.”

  “You are one point away. One point. Do you want your future hanging on one point?”

  He mumbled, “No Mama.”

  “Well, I will call the school. You get on home.” She looked at Darryl and said, “Bye.”

  “Bye Miss Aaron.”

  As they walked back to the car, Darryl snickered, “I hear Perlman Jenkins tutors. Maybe you will get him.”

  “Isn’t Danita good at math?”

  Darryl’s eyes flared with anger. He spat out, “Yeah, but you ain’t going there man.”

  “What is your problem?”

  Darryl pushed through the doors. He climbed inside Purple Bomb. Fearful he was about to be left, Joe ran to the passenger side. Before he could even get the door shut, Darryl gunned it and they slid backwards, Joe almost fell out. He screamed, “What you trying to do kill me?”

  “Maybe.”

  *

  In the past hour, Joe had picked up the phone, and put it back down, seventeen times. He needed to call Danita, but every time he started to dial, he froze. He did not want to talk to Darryl, but he really wanted to talk to Danita. Why hadn't he thought to get her cell number. Joe punched speed dial. He listened to the beeps and boops and then heard the ring. His heart started racing. Silently he prayed, Please don’t let Darryl answer.

  The second ring sounded. Then, the deep voice of Mr. Bowen said, “Hello Joe.” Damn caller ID. Before Joe could even say hello back, Mr. Bowen called out, " Darryl its Joe.”

  In the background Joe heard Darryl shout, “Coming.”

  This was bad. Joe wanted to tell Mr. Bowen he had called to talk to Danita but couldn’t. After Darryl’s reaction to the whole Danita thing, he was afraid of what Mr. Bowen might think, so he hung stupidly on the phone and prayed his heart survived the next few moments.

  Darryl growled, “What do you want?”

  Joe gulped hard. “To talk to Danita.”

  “Really. Give me ten bucks and you can.”

  “I am not giving you money.”

  “Okay, five.”

  Joe was tempted to hang up.

  There was a muffled sound over the receiver, then Darryl yipped. The next voice that spoke was Danita’s. “Sorry about the caveman. I’m glad you called.”

  Joe’s mind went blank. He didn’t know what to say. This was stupid. He had known Danita for years, talked to her a million times.

  “You there?”

  He cleared his throat, “Yes, I’m here.”

  “I’ve been thinking about you all day.”

  Wow. “Really. Me too, I mean, I’ve been thinking about you.”

  She giggled, and Joe felt his brain begin to thaw.

  “So, Joe, what are the plans?”

  Joe started talking, it was easy, comfortable, perfect. The sound of her voice swirled around him like warm honey. This was going to be so good