NAZARETH HEIGHTS I
The
Adventures of Adrianna Williamson
by
Camille Kleidysz
Smashwords Edition
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Published on Smashwords by:
Joie Books
824 Corporate
Way
Atlanta, GA 30339
Nazareth Heights I
Copyright May 2009 by Camille Kleidysz
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
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Table of Contents
Can Any Good Come From Nazareth Heights?
The Transformation Of Terrance Francis
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“Adrianna…Adrianna! Look me in my face when I’m calling you. What’s the matter? You can’t hear…or are you just as stupid and retarded as you look?”
Braxton Hill held her balled fist in the air, viciously mouthing the words, “You and me at three o’clock! You’re going to wish you never messed with what’s mine!”
Fear paralyzed Adrianna’s entire body; her stomach began to twist and ache. Adrianna wanted to run, but her legs felt heavy and numb, preventing her from escaping Braxton’s malicious threats. Adrianna stood frozen against her locker, continuing to stare into the sea of rushing students. A conniving smirk spread across Braxton’s mouth. She quickly spun around and walked away with her signature sassy strut.
Adrianna’s eyes slowly followed Braxton’s rhythmic steps until her figure disappeared into the crowd. Adrianna suddenly buckled over, grasping her throat, and desperately panting for air. She struggled to stand. Her short, shallow breaths immediately became deep
and fluid when she recognized a welcome sight in the distance.
Lacey methodically arrived at Adrianna’s locker everyday at exactly 10:50 a.m. “Adrianna, come on - we’re going to be late for class! Why are you just standing there staring into space? Hello…earth to Adrianna…we do still have class.”
Adrianna continued to gaze at the thick crowd of bustling students. She slowly opened her locker door and shoved her tattered science book into her book bag. “Lacey, I’m in trouble…this is the end for me!” Lacey immediately grabbed Adrianna’s arm and pulled her down the school hallway.
“Okay, so share your troubles with me while we run…we’re gonna be late!” Adrianna’s legs shook with each step. “Lacey, `wait! I need you to listen to me...Braxton Hill and her entire crew can’t stand me! She wants to beat me down at three o’clock!” Adrianna stopped in the middle of the hall and clutched her chest. “Lacey, what am I going to do?” Lacey shook her head in disbelief. “Okay, okay, let me think, I usually perform well under pressure, but nothing’s coming to mind…I’m so sorry, Adrianna, I know we have to think fast!”
In that moment, Lacey’s eyes blazed with excitement. “What? What? Lacey…tell me, please! We don’t have much time.” Lacey ran towards the girl’s bathroom and thrust her petite frame through the heavy door. “Okay, Adrianna, we’ve been here before - remember when we were in the third grade? When, for some idiotic reason, Big Tommy and Carlos got the bright idea to try and steal the violins our music teacher let us borrow? Well…remember when they threatened us after school because they wanted to sell our violins to the pawn shop?” Adrianna exhaled with frustration, “Yes, Lacey…this better be good.”
“This is good…we’ll just use the same plan that we used on Big Tommy and Carlos.” Adrianna nervously tapped her foot against the gritty tile floor.
“That’s it?! That’s your big plan?! Lacey, please! We hit them in their knees with our violin cases and took off running down 150th Street like a bunch of scared squirrels to the nearest subway station...and, let me tell you…the only reason why they lost us is because it must have been senior citizen shopping day…because we hid in the middle of a bunch of senior citizens and their huge shopping bags!”
Adrianna grabbed her head as if she were trying to squeeze out a better solution for her complicated problem. “Lacey, if that’s your grand plan, that’s not going to work! We’re freshmen now; we’re talking about Braxton Hill! She rules Nazareth High School. We can’t run this time…they’ll never let us live it down!” A tear rolled down Adrianna’s flushed cheek.
Lacey snatched a sheet of rough brown paper from the rusty paper towel dispenser dangling from the marred bathroom wall. She began to slowly wipe away the tears rolling down Adrianna’s face. “Adrianna, listen, we’ve always been outcast, and that hasn’t seemed to change, even here at Nazareth High.” Lacey clasped Adrianna’s cold, moist hands. “We have each other, Adrianna…just like we’ve always had, ever since the third grade. We’ll face this, too…God always helps us come out on top - no matter what.”
The nervous movement in Adrianna’s stomach paused. “Adrianna, maybe I can appeal to her intellect…you know, I can kinda talk her out of being so angry with you.” Lacey frantically squeezed her hands together; she was eager to find a way to fix Adrianna’s problem.
Adrianna threw her head back; her forehead throbbed with intense pressure. “You can’t be serious? Lacey, what intellect? Who needs intellect when you look like you just stepped out of a music video! She’s basically destined to succeed just on her looks alone!”
The determined look in Lacey’s eyes began to fade. “I mean, her biggest concern is keeping her nails and hair perfect, wearing the perfect clothes, and sporting her perfect boyfriend! Appeal to her intellect…yeah, right - we’re losers!” Lacey shook her head, rejecting Adrianna’s harsh description of them.
“We’re not losers! We’re smart and fearfully and wonderfully made! At least that’s what they kept telling us at youth week of prayer.” Adrianna hung her head. “I know…I know…but it’s just so hard to believe that’s really true when you’re constantly being laughed at all the time; it seems to me that Braxton Hill is the one who is fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Adrianna ran to the mirror. “I mean, look at me, I’m so skinny…and not in a good way either. I’m no ‘boom, boom Benita’…I wish I was, but I have no shape!
“Boom...Boom Benita?’ What are you talking about, Adrianna? You’re fourteen! You’re definitely not ‘boom boom’…and, anyway, looking like ‘boom boom Benita’ - whoever that is - should be the least of your worries right now!”
“I’ll be fifteen in two weeks, thank you…look! Are you here to support me or what, Lacey? I’m just saying…my clothes don’t fit me right, and I personally would like to see a little ‘boom’ in my clothes! I know that skinny is supposed to be in, but come on! The guys in Nazareth Heights haven’t gotten the memo yet; to them, I’m invisible!” Lacey stood in the corner of the girl’s bathroom with a look of boredom plastered over her once hopeful expression.
“Look at my glasses, they’re awful! My hair is a bush; all I can do is put it back in a ponytail.” Adrianna began to tug on her thick, bushy hair. “It only looks half way decent when I can afford to go to Josephina’s shop and get her ten dollar blow dry special!”
Adrianna thrust her face close to the mirror “Yuk! Look at these bumps on my chin.” Lacey looked down at her watch. “Are you finished beating yourself up Adrianna? Because its 11:30; we’ve missed half of our science class already.” Adrianna’s mouth dropped open.
“This isn’t happening, Lacey - we’ve never missed a class before!” Adrianna threw her books to the ground; everything she once knew as normal was slowly unraveling before her eyes. “I can’t believe this, Lacey; we have to stay in the bathroom now - if the hall monitor sees us, we’ll get after school detention!”
Adrianna rested her back on the crusted cement wall and slowly slid down to the cracked tile. “I’m sorry, Lacey, I know how much you love science. I’m ruining everything!” Lacey dropped her books to the floor and gradually sunk her body on top of the scattered books. “You’re my best friend, Adrianna. Don’t be sorry. In the third grade, we made a vow to stick together to the end. We’re the L.A. Sisters, Lacey and Adrianna forever.” Lacey and Adrianna began to perform the secret handshake they created when they were little girls, during their recess period in the third grade.
“Adrianna, you never told me why Braxton Hill wants to beat you up.”
“Okay…well, you know how we go to Josephina’s shop to catch the ten dollar wash and set special?” Lacey stared at Adrianna, anxiously awaiting her next word. “Well, after Josephina finished blow drying my hair out, do you remember we said whoever Josephina’s finishes first would be the first one to go to Sal’s pizzeria to get Italian ices? Because you know it was really hot that day, and I couldn’t remember if you said you wanted the lime or cherry ice…”
Lacey threw her hand up to stop Adrianna’s detailed account of her story. “Please get to the point, Adrianna; you know when you’re nervous you add a little too much info.” Adrianna rolled her eyes and continued her story.
“Well, for a brief moment I had my glasses off when I was on my way to Sal’s, and Langston passed by.” Lacey gasped and pressed her hand against her mouth. “The…Langston…Rivera?! Braxton Hill’s perfect looking boyfriend, Langston?” Adrianna vigorously shook her head; she looked as if she were going to explode with the rest of her information.
“Yes, Lacey…the…one and only Langston Rivera… so I come out of Josephina’s, and there he is…of course, I’m embarrassed and hoping he wouldn’t see me.” “Why, Adrianna? You always look so beautiful after Josephina does your hair.” Adrianna began to glow with happiness. “Really? Well, he saw me…and he said, “Adrianna, is that you? I barely recognized you.
What’s up?”
The L.A. Sisters grabbed their hearts. “I don’t believe Langston spoke to you, Adrianna - this is huge!
“That’s not all, Lacey; he looked back and actually smiled at me.”
“Wow…that’s why Braxton’s so mad; she thinks we’re just geeky peasants…if she knew that Langston actually spoke to you…she would…”
“Beat me up?”
Lacey’s face became strained; she immediately took her eyes away from Adrianna’s sad expression.
“Yeah, I ‘m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring that up, but it makes me mad…we shouldn’t be afraid of her! We’re missing class and stuck in the girl’s bathroom like two guilty criminals because of her! I ought a give Langston and his stank girlfriend a beat down! Adrianna…why didn’t you mention Langston to me before now?” Adrianna stood by the clouded bathroom window; she could see a small crowd of students gathering in the school’s courtyard.
“Lacey, I didn’t tell you about Langston because I didn’t think it was worth mentioning - that is, until Braxton Hill approaches me in math class and starts yelling at me in front of everyone, saying that she heard I wanted her man. That’s not true, Lacey, come on…like someone like Langston Rivera wants me over Braxton Hill?”
Adrianna walked slowly towards the murky mirror once again and peered into the dingy glass. “Me versus Braxton Hill…Lacey, that’s just a no-brainer.” Lacey shook her head with disgust at her best friend’s ability to abuse herself with her persistent self-doubt.
Silence permeated the girl’s bathroom. The L.A. Sisters continued to stand by the bathroom window; they carefully observed the students congregating in the courtyard. Lacey and Adrianna admired their seemingly carefree existence. They appeared to have escaped the challenges that the L.A. Sisters had encountered throughout their entire lives. Their longing stares became broken when suddenly the lunch bell blared throughout the school’s atrium.
The L.A. Sisters quickly gathered their books and steadily walked towards the cafeteria. Their eyes vigilantly scanned the hallway for the slightest sign of Braxton Hill.
* * * * *
The lunchroom immediately filled with the melody of energetic conversation. The cliques of Nazareth High School gathered around their self-assigned tables. The Rhyme-masters positioned themselves in front of the lunch room and began rehearsing their latest impromptu rap lyrics. They consistently entertained the lunch room crowd with their passionate, political rhymes and infectious bass beats that were often pounded out on the cafeteria tables.
The crew’s music enticed some students to clap and dance to the homemade party, while other students sat and attentively listened to the hip-hop poetry about the social tensions that continued to plague their community.
The Sugar Hill Gang convened at a long table that sat directly in the center of the cafeteria. The location of the table coincided with their hierarchy within Nazareth High School’s society. The Sugar Hill gang specialized in intimidating those who were not a part of their group. They relentlessly taunted those who did not dress or have a particular style or look that appealed to their shallow standards.
The obnoxious clique became invincible, devouring every innocent and noble student in their path. Their perception of themselves became severely distorted over time, and they began to believe that their rude behavior was completely beyond reproach. The Sugar Hill gang was going to learn valuable life lessons from an unassuming group named the Faithful Four.
The four bright students made a vow in the sixth grade to make God the center of their lives and to remain members of the honor society. Their academic achievements were to become their stepping stones toward their dream of attending Ivy League universities. This was an extremely ambitious goal for sixth grade students from the inner city to obtain; however, the Faithful Four possessed a strong faith that rivaled most adult’s convictions. Together, these unique and bright students were going to become an unstoppable force.
Terrance Francis was born in New York City, of Trinidadian parentage. His father, Dr. Claude Francis, began to serve the community shortly after completing medical school. He made the decision to establish a medical practice in the heart of Nazareth Heights, in response to a great need for a family clinic in the most impoverished area of the neighborhood. The residents of Nazareth Heights trusted and respected Dr. Francis for the quality healthcare he provided for the neighborhood.
Terrance’s mother, Mrs. Jocelyn Francis, was a compassionate and courageous lawyer who worked for many years in the legal aid department for the city.
Despite his seemingly picture perfect existence, Terrance Francis was not exempt from the trials he encountered while growing up in Nazareth Heights. Terrance went to great lengths to disclose the negativity he received every day while attending Nazareth High School. Terrance was the Francis family’s only child, and he was aware of his parent’s efforts and dedication to giving him the best life, with fewer obstacles than they had to face when they were young.
He succeeded in fulfilling his parent’s dreams; he excelled in academics and music, and he was an excellent scholar of the Bible. His stellar GPA would have permitted him entrance into the most prestigious prep schools in the city, yet he chose to attend Nazareth High School.
Terrance Francis refused to leave his neighborhood’s school because of his devotion to and love for the Faithful Four, and most of all for Adrianna Williamson. His love for Adrianna was a treasure that was tucked away in the depths of his heart. He hid his secret love for Adrianna and only revealed his heart’s desire to God. On the surface, Terrance appeared completely oblivious to Adrianna’s delicate beauty and subtle charm. He absolutely adored what Adrianna failed to realize in herself: her poise, grace, intelligence, and innocent perception of humanity made him feel altogether confident and exhilarated.
Breeana Cruz was the recurrent voice of reason and a shining light of the Faithful Four. On the days when it appeared that all hope was gone, Bree never failed to coach and cheer the Faithful Four to success. Breeana was born to her Trinidadian mother and Cuban father in Spanish Harlem. Sarah and Antonio Cruz moved to a larger apartment in Nazareth Heights when Bree turned four years old. Bree was an excellent student and an outstanding singer. She was the beautiful church girl who was extremely kind and gracious to everyone. She sang solos in the church choir that would make one weep and wish that they were in a better place. She had a never ending smile that was contagious.
Breeana Cruz was what everyone aspired to become. She was completely irresistible because of her confidence and her solid identity as a Christian young woman. Most teenagers continued to grope in the darkness for a healthy self image, but Breeana Cruz was totally aware of her divine purpose and position in the universe.
Bree’s father owned Antonio’s Auto Repair on the corner of 178th. Sarah Cruz worked long hours as a secretary in a small, dusty insurance office on 175th Street. Mr. Cruz would always come home from a long day at the auto shop, dancing through his apartment door, absolutely excited to reunite with his family once again. His hands were always stained with traces of car oil, despite his efforts to wash away the daily grime from his labor.
Mrs. Cruz would arrive in the evenings from working overtime at Nazareth Height’s only insurance office. She always held a brown bag full of sweet treats, fresh vegetables, or flowers to enhance the already cooked dinner that was always prepared in the early morning hours while her family was still fast asleep.
In spite of the Cruz Family’s hectic schedule and the chaotic tone of Nazareth Heights, they never failed to sit down together as a family to have dinner, fellowship, and pray.
Lacey Santiago was the comedian, energy, and driving force behind the Faithful Four. She was bright, witty, independent, defiant, and simply adorable. Unlike Adrianna, Lacey enjoyed being extremely smart. Lacey believed that her brilliance was her only redeeming quality and continually used her intelligence like a double-edged sword against those who hurt her the most. She became jaded after the violent death of her father and the constant ridicule she received while attending school. The tragic event of her father’s murder created Lacey’s fighting spirit. She discovered at an early age that the world was a very cruel place. Lacey refused to become a statistic, and she made a personal vow to overcome her harsh surroundings.
Lacey was raised by her grandmother and mother in a small apartment on the corner of 172nd Street and Main.
When Lacey Santiago turned seven years old, her grandmother dropped her off on the steps of Ethan Temple church for their annual Children’s Vacation Bible School. When Lacey completed Vacation Bible School, she continued to be that child who was brought to church every week and left without a guardian. Some of the elderly women of the congregation noticed that Lacey always came to church alone. Sister Loretta Green began to take a special interest in little Lacey. Sister Green would take Lacey by the hand, escort her to classes, and sit with her during church service. After church, Sister Green always prepared a warm and nutritious meal for Lacey every week.
One day, after Lacey finished having dinner with Sister Green, Lacey’s grandmother was finally approached by the mothers of the church and asked if she was interested in assisting with the church daycare and teaching Spanish classes. Lacey shared with the elderly women that her grandmother used to teach small school children long ago when she lived in Puerto Rico.
Lacey’s grandmother gladly accepted the invitation, and a year later her grandmother became a member of Ethan Temple. Over time, Lacey and Rosa Santiago became permanent fixtures of the Ethan Temple congregation.
Lacey’s beautiful mother, Maria Santiago, became a widow at an early age. She battled with deep depression and developed a strong anger towards God; she believed that God failed her when the life of her husband, Carlos Santiago, was snuffed away. Maria found comfort in a liquor bottle to numb her never-ending circle of pain.
Lacey always felt obligated to be the constant joy in her mother’s life, so she distracted her mother from drinking by transforming into a comedic one-woman show. When her mother would return home from working long hours at the post office, Lacey would always greet her mother with a string of jokes or present her academic achievements.
Lacey believed that her accomplishments and humor could heal her mother’s pain. Despite Lacey’s desperate attempts to maintain her negative environment, there was still a major element missing in Lacey’s life. Lacey Santiago failed to understand or believe that God actually loved and cared for her. Lacey believed that she had to earn God’s love and favor.
Under the multiple layers of humor, confidence, and quick witticisms, Lacey’s anger and resentment continued to simmer in the depths of her soul.
Adrianna Williamson was the peace and calm of the Faithful Four. She was brilliant, yet somewhat ashamed of her God-given intelligence. She lacked confidence and suffered from a very poor self-esteem. Adrianna’s boldness and strength only inflated when she was in the presence of Lacey. She failed to develop a strong identity and longed to find her true purpose in life.
Adrianna Williamson was extremely sensitive and learned at an early age that having a tender heart was not necessarily a good quality while growing up in Nazareth Heights. Like her fellow L.A. Sister, Adrianna did not understand how God could love and accept her.
Adrianna Williamson’s father abandoned her when she was only eighteen months old. The only family involved in Adrianna’s formative years were her mother and grandmother. When Adrianna was a baby, her parents, Rene and Samuel Williamson, formed a popular R&B band. Rene Williamson’s amazing voice was showcased in bars and night clubs throughout the city. Their band became very popular and began touring throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe.
Rene Williamson’s life was exciting and became extremely fast-paced; she appeared to have everything she dreamed of while growing up in Nazareth Heights. Along with her extravagant lifestyle, the drug and alcohol abuse soon followed.
Fifteen years ago, on a frigid evening in late December, Rene and Samuel Williamson finished playing four two-hour sets in a famous night club in Atlantic City. When Rene and Samuel finished playing their last set in the night club, they returned to their hotel room and performed their ritual of reckless substance abuse.
On that cold December night, the atmosphere in the hotel began to feel tense and unfamiliar. The adoration from her fans and the money she made from touring left Rene’s soul still feeling empty and unsettled.
Rene watched the talented musician and man she loved with all her heart crumpled in the corner of their hotel room. His eyes were glazed over from his drug-addicted haze. Rene felt restless and guilty for the first time in years. She desperately wanted to feel peace and calm like she felt long ago when she was a little girl.
Rene sat frozen at the hotel table as she watched her husband shivering against the wall. She continued to frantically drink and shove pills down her throat until her vision became blurry. The alcohol and drugs left her feeling swollen, numb, and dazed; she could barely hold her head up.
Rene Williamson slowly slid off her hotel chair until she crashed to the ground. The entire right side of her face dug into the prickly carpet. Her face became bruised and puffy, but she was unable to feel the throbbing and stinging pain from her fall. Rene’s entire body began to shake when she started crawling to the television. Her hand trembled as she tried to turn on the large black television in her hotel room.
In the early morning hours in Atlantic City, their hotel television showed a repeat of a Billy Graham crusade. The commanding tone of Billy Graham’s voice made her drop the bottle of liquor in her hand to the ground. The dark, strong liquor poured out onto the carpet, and the repugnant smell of alcohol began to fill the hotel room.
Samuel Williamson begged Rene to turn off the television. He began to yell and shout, “God never did nothing for us, Rene! Don’t get caught up in religion - that’s for weak people. Look at us now: we finally made it…don’t even think about turning back now!”
Samuel’s slurred shouts and threats did not stop her from listening to the compelling sermon. The power of the Holy Spirit came to her in the early morning hours and persuaded her to listen. When she continued to hear Billy Graham preach about being free and experiencing true love from God, it was as if she discovered liberty for the very first time.
A warm, peaceful sensation swept over her body, and a voice told her to walk away. In that moment, Rene Williamson escaped her self-destructive lifestyle. Rene pleaded with her husband to leave their old way of life and seek help, but his craving for his addiction came before anyone, including his family, and he refused to follow.
The rebirth of Rene Williamson took place on that wintry night in Atlantic City. After her return to Nazareth Heights, she began a ritual with her baby girl. She would gather her tiny and helpless daughter in her arms in the middle of the night and begin to pray over her for strength and courage. Rene Williamson’s prayers also included the request for Adrianna to grow up and have an abundant life and for God to restore her faith.
The Faithful Four were all beautiful butterflies undergoing a spiritual and physical metamorphosis. Throughout their challenging maze of youthdom, God will continue to reveal His divine plan and destiny for each of their lives.
* * * * *
“Look at them…laughing and talking…like nothing’s going to happen at three o’clock.” Adrianna sat at the cafeteria table with a scowl on her face; she pushed away her food tray of cold fish sticks and limp, thick French fries. “What’s happening at three o’clock?” Terrance asked with a puzzled look. “Oh, you didn’t hear? Braxton Hill is supposed to beat up Adrianna after school, in about three hours.” Lacey relayed the troubling news, and then proceeded to chomp down on a fish stick smothered with thick yellow tarter sauce. Terrance’s stomach began to turn, Bree’s eyes widened with astonishment.
“What! Why?” Bree shouted. “She can’t do that! Can somebody please tell me why Braxton is even in Adrianna’s face?” Lacey suddenly chimed in with her typical jovial responses in times of great distress.
“I know, right? It’s not enough that she’s the most beautiful girl in school, but now she’s gotta be Layla Ali and add women’s boxing championship to her list.” Bree quickly turned towards Lacey. “Lacey…seriously…I just need to know why in the world Braxton Hill would want to beat up Adrianna.” Terrance slowly dragged his fries across a mound of ketchup piled in the middle of his plate. He sat with a stoic look while he attentively listened to the Faithful Four girls’ conversation.
“C’mon, Adrianna, tell us…so we can get you out of this mess. I don’t want you getting beat up by the Sugar Hill gang!” Bree continued to plead for an explanation. Adrianna began to slowly slump down in her cafeteria chair. Her forehead began to wrinkle from the mounting stress that was promised to her at three o’clock. She felt embarrassed to tell her friends the real reason behind Braxton’s anger. Terrance finally broke his silence.
“Well, Adrianna… We’re waiting.”
“Okay…alright...I’ll tell you… Braxton heard from her girls that I wanted her boyfriend.” Terrance’s new friend, Liston Brown, sat with the Faithful Four during their lunch hour. When he heard the reason for the fight between Adrianna and Braxton, he immediately fell back in his chair and laughed uncontrollably. “Even if that was true…there’s no possible way Langston would even think about leaving such a beautiful creature like Braxton Hill for…”
Adrianna cut her eyes at Liston; Bree and Lacey simultaneously hit Liston in his arm. “Hey…what are you trying to say, Liston? You mean someone like me? Oh…don’t hold back now…just say it.” Adrianna’s brown almond eyes began to sting from her unwanted tears. “But you know what? Liston’s right…it’s so stupid…Braxton’s tripping over nothing. Langston and I….it’s impossible.” Terrance gradually lifted his head. “It’s not impossible, Adrianna.” The words spoken from his mouth were serious and resolute. Terrance realized that his feelings may have been revealed from his comment; he quickly scrambled to revise his statement. “I…I mean nothing is impossible…anything’s possible, Adrianna.”
Bree slammed her broken fish stick onto her plate. “I’m sorry…I don’t agree with Liston at all! Liston, I want you to know that Adrianna is fearfully and wonderfully made…and she is beautiful, too.” “Yeah…I’m fearfully and wonderfully made, Liston.” Adrianna moved her neck from side to side in defiance of Liston Brown’s thoughtless remark.
Liston Brown smirked, then slowly turned around and began to stare in Braxton Hill’s direction. His stare soon turned into a dreamy gaze. He became lost in the soft lines of her face. Braxton Hill’s creamy skin was the hue of golden caramel; her light coppery brown ringlets were laced with streaks of light gold that cascaded down to the middle of her back. Her eyes dazzled with confidence, and she was completely aware of the power she had over those surrounding her.
“Yeah...okay...whatever you say…but let’s just be real…Braxton and all the Sugar Hill girls are really…really…hot! Or, like Bree says…fearfully and wonderfully made…you can tell God is an artist…just look at her face…that hair...her bod….”
The Faithful Four girls gasped. “Okay…we got it...Liston, we heard enough… you’re not helping us at all!” Lacey shouted. “Please…just leave! Don’t you have a chess game to play? Or a calculus problem to solve…or something?” Lacey waved her hand at Liston as if she were dismissing an annoying child. Terrance began to speak once again.
“It’s time for the Faithful Four to devise a plan.” Lacey sat on the edge of her seat and immediately raised her hand, as if she were in a classroom waiting to be called by her teacher. “Oh…oh, I know…I have a plan, teacher!” Terrance smiled at Lacey, awaiting her sarcastic remark. “This better be good, Lacey.”
“Trust me, Terrance…this is as good as it gets...how about I take my fist and plant it right in her kisser?”
Lacey held her fist up to her mouth while trying to perform her best Bogart impression. Bree threw her hands up in frustration. “Lacey…once again, this is no time for jokes…come on…right in her kisser? You all are not going to fight Braxton - that’s just ridiculous!” Lacey looked irritated. “Why not? Why can’t we fight her?” A look of shock shot through Bree’s eyes. She placed her right hand in front of Lacey’s face, then slowly turned towards Adrianna.
“Adrianna …you can’t fight Braxton…I mean, that’s not even an option. You are going to stand up to her and the Sugar Hill gang…look her square in the eyes, and tell her ‘No weapon formed against me will prosper.’”
The Faithful Four table sat in complete silence. Bree moved closer to Adrianna and grabbed her arms to pull her closer. “Let God take over…that’s all there is to it.” Lacey’s eyes brightened.
“Oh, yeah…that sounds great Bree…then we can all stand in a circle…hold hands with the Sugar Hill gang and sing ‘Kumbaya, my Lord!’ I mean, come on, Bree…I believe in God and everything, but God helps those who help themselves! Everyone here already thinks we’re strange - do you really want to add to that?”
Adrianna carefully listened to Bree and Lacey’s suggestions. “Bree…your plan actually sounds good when I really think about it…but.” A look of hopelessness suddenly washed over Adrianna’s face. “Okay…just so we’re clear…so in the midst of the fight you want me to quote a Bible verse?”
Adrianna quickly turned toward Terrance with a look of desperation. “Terrance, why are you so quiet? I need your help…I need your logic!” Terrance’s mouth was stuffed with cold French fries; he rushed to swallow the last morsel of food. “Adrianna…Bree’s advice sounds really good….because…you really don’t know how to fight, and besides that…it’s just the right thing to do.”
Terrance folded his hands on top of the table and leaned closer to Adrianna. “Look, Adrianna, I know you’re scared, but we study the Bible, right?” Terrance directed his attention to Lacey. “Including Lacey…but sometimes I wonder if any of it really sinks in…what good is it to read the Bible if we don’t follow it?”
The Faithful Four girls were motionless while they listened to Terrance’s sound council. Lacey and Bree grabbed Adrianna’s hands; the tone of the Faithful Four’s table became somber. The brief moment of peace was broken when Lacey waved her hands in the air and yelled, “Preach it, Terrance!”