Ice (Shooting Stars 2)

Mr. Noble smiled.

"Please. Miss Goodman. We both know that a boy who has a crush on a girl. as Balwin has on you, will do almost anything the girl asks him to do. All I'm asking is you... lead him on a bit. I don't have to tell you how to get a boy to do your bidding, I'm sure. Only this time, you can earn some good money for it.

"I might even be inclined to throw in a bonus if you succeed in making a difference in a few months. It will be a nice graduation present and what harm will you have don't? Nothing. But you will have helped Balwin immensely. Wouldn't you like to do something good for someone and make money doing that as well?"

"I don't need to be paid to do something good for someone," I said.

I heard Mama's distinct groan and looked toward her bedroom, expecting her to make an appearance and be shocked at the sight of Mr. Noble. It grew silent again, however. so I turned back to him.

"My mother's not well, Mr, Noble. I'm sorry, but you should leave."

"Fine,' he said. standing. "Think over my offer and get back to me. You can continue to come to the house to practice your music, of course, and benefit that way. too."

He walked to the front door, opened it, and stood there a moment.

"Don't be so quick to condemn a father for trying to help his son," he added and then slipped out gracefully, closing the door softly behind him.

I stood there for a moment staring after him. Then I heard Mama behind me. I turned and saw her shaking her head.

"I raised a fool," she said. "I heard all that. You just went and threw out hundreds of easy dollars."

"I couldn't take money from Baiwin's father for something like that. Mama. I'd feel like a traitor or something," I said and started for the kitchen.

"Why? Who you betraying? Some fat boy? Believe me. Ice, you don't get a chance to take advantage of men much in this world. It's usually the other way around. Think of that Shawn Carter. Didn't he try to take advantage of us? Of you? It just comes natural to m

en, so why shouldn't you benefit from an opportunity, huh?"

I started to shake my head.

"If you don't want the money, take it and give it to me, for godsakes."

"I can't. Mama," I said. She smirked and nodded.

"Right, you can't. And what have you been doing over that boy's house anyway, huh? C'mon, tell me all of it"

"We've been practicing music for my audition," I revealed.

"Thought so. Your father know about this?"

"Yes," I admitted.

She pulled herself up.

"Well, that figures. too. Secrets. You and him keep secrets."

"No, Mama," I cried. "'He didn't find out until last night when I came home. I would have told you, too, but you didn't come home until very late..."

"Sure, blame it on that. He blames everything on me, too," she said.

She took a deep breath, turned and went back to her bedroom. I wanted to follow her and explain more. but I thought she would only close her ears as tightly as she closed her eyes. Later. I tried to get her to eat something and she finally relented and had some toast and jam.

"You take that money," she told me when I brought it into her. "Don't be the fool I've been. Take whatever you can while you can. It doesn't last long. Before you know it, they're looking at younger women and you might as well be invisible," she complained.

I went to my room to finish my homework. Just before ten. Balwin called.

"I guess you heard what happened," he began.

"I'm sorry. Balwin. I never wanted to get you into any trouble," I told him.