Large and in Charge Read online

  “Stop, Nathan!”

  Devyn put the mirror down and frowned as she tried to locate the voice. “What’s the problem now?”

  “He keeps leaning over and singing something about ‘come and feel him.’” Clarissa glared at Nathan, sitting at the desk beside her.

  Nathan innocently shook his head. “I wasn’t singing.”

  “Well, he was rapping in my ear,” Clarissa clarified.

  “Nathan, why are you being disruptive?” Devyn sighed.

  “I wasn’t tryin’a be disruptive, Ms. Douglass. I was just tryin’a let her know ‘I been wit’ supermodels even before I was signed, and she tall and beautiful and beyond hella fine. But I had to let her go. I couldn’t be tied down because chasing money was more important than me staying around. You tryin’a be wit’ me, you betta show me just how much you wanna be by my side because it takes a whole lot for you to get on this ride. Now come and feel me.’”

  “That’s my jam.”

  “You did that, Nate.”

  “He snapped on that jank.”

  While Nathan’s classmates clapped and showed their enthusiasm, Devyn remained stoic, unmoved by his impromptu performance. She wasn’t amused or entertained.

  “Apologize to her. Now,” Devyn told him.

  “Awww, Miss Douglass, I ain’t do nothing. I was just playin’.” Nathan shrugged. “She just trippin’. It’s just a song by this rapper named Touché. It’s called ‘Come and Feel Me.’”

  “I don’t care if it’s a song. It’s disrespectful. Apologize,” Devyn repeated.

  Nathan stared at Devyn for a moment, then cut his eyes toward Clarissa. “I’m sorry that you’re so sensitive that you can’t take a joke. That’s why nobody wanna come and feel you.”

  Once again, the class erupted in laughter. Devyn closed her eyes and tried to count backward from ten, hoping that by the time she got to one, the profanity-filled tirade she was on the brink of releasing would be gone.

  “Aye, what’s going on in here?”

  The noise in the class subsided as Officer Jeff Baker, the school security officer, walked in. Devyn slowly released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding as he approached the center of the classroom. He was good-natured and friendly, but the students knew not to play with him.

  “I can hear y’all all the way down the hallway. I know you wouldn’t be acting up like this if Mrs. Hughes was up in here, now, would you?” He looked around at the students. When no one answered, he repeated his question, “Would you?”

  “No, sir,” a few students murmured.

  “That’s what I thought.” He nodded. Just as he was about to say something else, the ringing of the bell stopped him, and the class began shuffling and moving as they grabbed their belongings and got up to leave. “Wait, I ain’t hear Miss Douglass say anyone was dismissed.”

  All eyes were on Devyn, including Jeff’s. Devyn exhaled and told them, “Class dismissed.”

  “You good?” Jeff asked when the last student was out the door.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just hot in here, and they were a little out of pocket,” Devyn explained. “I really could have handled it. But thanks for assisting. I appreciate it.”

  “I know you could handle it. You’re one of the best subs we got around here. But you’re right. This classroom is a furnace. Mrs. Hughes got low iron, so she keeps it warm in here. Not to mention, she’s the only one with a key to the thermostat.” Jeff pointed to the small case on the wall secured with a lock. “I’m surprised the windows weren’t locked too. That’s probably why the class was off the chain. They ain’t used to getting fresh air in here.”

  “Well, if they plan on having me cover for her while she’s out, they’d better hurry up and find another key,” Devyn smiled. “You don’t know how close I was to cussing them kids out today.”

  “Oh, I could tell. When I got to the door, I heard that li’l rap performance, and as soon as I saw your face, I knew you were not happy at all,” Jeff teased.

  “I was not,” Devyn agreed as she gathered her belongings and stood. “I almost ran out of the room with them.”

  “I feel ya. Well, at least the day is over. You got plans for the weekend?” Jeff smiled.

  “What? Isn’t today just Tuesday?” Devyn asked, confused by his question and wondering why he was concerned about the weekend already. She barely knew what she was doing the next day, let alone the weekend. Girl, don’t even trip. You know the only weekend plans you have are the same ones you have every weekend: watch Lifetime movies, make herbal tea blends, and sleep.

  “Yeah, it is. But if you aren’t busy, I was gonna invite you to a card party at the crib. It’s gonna be fun. You should come,” Jeff suggested. “I got someone for you to meet.”

  “I’m not really a card player, but thanks,” Devyn shrugged as they walked toward the door.

  “Fine. You don’t have to play cards. Just come, have a few drinks, get a plate, and meet new people. My boy is a chef, and he’s about to open his own spot.” Jeff remained by her side as she walked down the hallway toward the school’s front office to sign out.

  “I’m good.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m inviting you. I only invite good people to my crib, feel me? So, you should consider yourself special.” Jeff winked at her. “And I’m not just saying that because you’re gorgeous, and my boys would be impressed that you showed up and give me mad props. I really think you’re cool people, Dev.”

  Devyn laughed. Jeff was one of the few people at the school that she liked. And it wasn’t just because he also happened to be Black, another anomaly at their place of employment. He always checked in on the classes she worked in and made sure she had lunch. He always tried to set her up with a cousin, classmate, or homeboy that he just knew would be “perfect” for her. Devyn kindly declined each one. Jeff was an all-around nice guy, but she didn’t know him well enough to trust him with her love life.

  “Thanks, Jeff. You’re good people too.” Devyn reached for the door handle of the office but stopped upon hearing the haunting, familiar words.

  “You tryin’a be wit’ me ya betta show how much you wanna be by my side because it takes a whole lot for you to get on this ride. Now come and feel me.”

  Devyn looked down the hallway to see Nathan once again rapping. A couple of his friends bobbed their heads to the beat and served as his backup crew, laughing as they strolled away.

  “You okay, Dev?” Jeff’s voice came from over her shoulder. She’d been so caught up in her mind that she’d forgotten that he was there.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” Devyn finally said. “I hate that fucking song.”

  Chapter 2

  Asha

  “I’m sure they didn’t mean anything by it, Dev. It’s just a popular song right now, that’s all.” Asha pulled into the parking lot of the Convention Center. “But I get it. You know I do.”

  “I’m not going to be able to do this much longer, Ash, I promise. Those kids are terrible, and it’s hot as hell in that classroom. You know how bad I sweat now that I’m fat.” Devyn reminded her just in case she forgot all about the extra twenty-three pounds Devyn’s body now contained.

  “Girl, shut the hell up. You’re not fat.” Asha shook her head even though they were on the phone, and Devyn couldn’t see her reaction. She only had a few minutes to spare before she had to be inside for a meeting, and there was no way she was going to spend them trying to convince Devyn that there was nothing wrong with her weight. It would be a waste of time anyway. Her best friend was convinced that because she no longer weighed the one hundred and twenty-three pounds, she was obese. Of course, this was far from the truth, but Devyn refused to think otherwise. As far as Asha and anyone else with good sense could tell, there was nothing wrong with her body. Devyn was still beautiful, and though she was slightly larger than the average woman, mainly due to her stature, she still had a gorgeous, modelesque body that most women, including Asha, would love to have.

/>   “I am, and we both know it. Look, I understand that Mrs. Hughes is going through a tough time with her divorce and all, but—”

  “Wait, who the hell is Mrs. Hughes?”

  “The chemistry teacher I’m subbing for.”

  “Chemistry? Oh hell, those kids gonna fail. You can’t calculate how to tip 15 percent properly, and they expect you to teach them children formulas with chemicals? That’s dangerous,” Asha sighed. “Wait, she’s going through a divorce? How do you know all of this?”

  “Whatever. I’m a good tipper, and you know it. And I know because the kids told me all about it. She found out her husband was sleeping with her sister’s hairstylist,” Devyn explained. “She went to the salon and tore shit up when she found out.”

  “Oh snap, was she arrested?”

  “If she was, they didn’t mention it. So I think she wasn’t.”

  “Probably not because Lord knows they would’ve spilled that tea right along with the rest of it,” Asha laughed.

  “Girl, they probably would’ve pulled up her mug shot and tried to show it to me. I kept telling them to stop talking and do their work.”

  “Whatever, Dev. You know your nosy ass was probably all ears while they were talking.”

  “Only for a second before they started with the dumbness and disrespect. They’d better be glad Jeff walked in when he did,” Devyn commented. “He set them straight.”

  “Oh Lord, not the stalker.”

  “He’s not a stalker, Ash. He just has perfect timing,” Devyn told her.

  “Because he’s stalking you,” Asha murmured as she looked toward the entrance of the building. Several young ladies were walking in carrying folders and portfolios. “Oh snap, looks like they’re having a casting call.”

  “Who?” Devyn asked.

  “I don’t know. You want me to find out so you can come?” Asha asked jokingly but slightly hopeful that Devyn would be curious. She’d been subtly trying to encourage her friend to get back into her passion but hadn’t been successful yet. Still, Asha wasn’t going to give up.

  “Hell no. I’m good.” Devyn gave the same answer she always had when Asha mentioned modeling.

  “I’m just asking because you were the one who said you needed to find something else other than substitute teaching.”

  “Well, that ain’t the something I wanna do, and you know it.”

  Asha looked at her watch and saw that it was almost time for her appointment. “I gotta get inside to meet this client. We still meeting up for Taco Tuesdays at Pablo’s?”

  “See? You’re such a bad influence. I just told you I was fat, and here you go inviting me to eat tacos and drink margaritas,” Devyn teased.

  “Who said anything about margaritas, heffa?” Asha laughed. “I’ll see you at seven.”

  Asha ended the call and grabbed her laptop bag before hopping out of her Acura SUV. Her long strides across the parking lot allowed her to make it to the front of the glass door within moments. Being nearly six feet tall did have its benefits. Once inside, she looked around, expecting to find the client she was meeting but didn’t see anyone. She ventured further down the corridor toward the ballrooms of the Convention Center.

  “Miss Bailey, what brings you to our fine establishment today?”

  Asha turned around to see Gail, one of the sales managers, walking toward her.

  “Hey, Gail. I’m supposed to be meeting a client, well, a potential client, this afternoon. But I don’t think they’re here yet,” Asha said.

  “Oh, okay,” Gail nodded.

  Asha motioned toward the row of ladies sitting outside one of the ballrooms. “Casting call for an agency?”

  “No, they’re candidates for a beauty pageant,” Gail told her.

  “Beauty pageant?” Asha was surprised to hear that, especially in her line of work. Usually, her firm was the first to know about large-scale events in the area, and no one had mentioned anything about it.

  “Yeah, it’s a big deal, and the first time it’s being hosted here this year. Miss Teen Elite.” Gail imitated a sophisticated pose. She was an older woman in her late fifties who reminded Asha of Rose from the TV show Golden Girls.

  “Miss Teen Elite,” Asha repeated, glancing at the beautiful but nervous-looking young ladies waiting to be called inside.

  “They’ve been lining up all day, I can tell you that much,” Gail said as they went back toward the front of the building. “The woman in charge, Marcia Thompkins, is a piece of work. She has everyone around here stressed.”

  “I’m sure you say the same thing about me,” Asha laughed. She’d worked with Gail on several occasions, and they’d bumped heads a time or two.

  “We’ve had our moments, but working with you is always enjoyable. This woman isn’t pleasant at all, and knowing that I have to deal with her for the next six weeks is giving me anxiety,” Gail sighed.

  “Yikes. Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think,” Asha suggested.

  “Let’s pray that it’s not.” Gail shrugged. “Do you need anything while you wait? Water or coffee? I have some snacks in my office.”

  “No, thank you. I’m fine,” Asha told her.

  “Grace!” a stern voice called.

  Asha and Gail both turned around. A slender, blond woman dressed in a dark business suit walked toward them with precision and intensity. One look at her blouse tied at the neck in a perfect bow, long, blond tresses, a glammed face, bleach-white teeth, and the word “pageant queen” instantly popped into Asha’s head. The only thing missing was a crown and sash announcing the title she probably held in her glory days.

  “Oh Christ,” Gail murmured, “Here comes Satan.”

  “I told you we’d need more chairs outside the room. I would hope you wouldn’t expect my ladies to stand while waiting,” the woman said, her voice as crisp as her blouse.

  “Of course not, Mrs. Fisher. My apologies. I was just over near that area, and there were a few empty seats,” Gail told her. “And it’s Gail.”

  “Well, there aren’t any now,” the woman responded, then added, “. . . Gail.”

  “I’ll call maintenance and have them bring some right away,” Gail nodded.

  “I need them now,” the woman said before turning back around and walking away.

  “Five weeks, four days, three hours.” Gail closed her eyes and inhaled when she was gone.

  “Damn, she is a handful.” Asha gave a sympathetic look.

  “It was nice seeing you again. Let me get these chairs before Cruella returns.” Gail rushed off, and Asha took out her phone and dialed her office.

  “Great Expectation Events, this is Libby,” the administrative assistant answered in her bubbly voice.

  “What’s up, Libby? It’s Asha. Did my four o’clock call?”

  “No, I haven’t heard anything. Sorry,” Libby answered.

  “Okay, thanks. I was just checking to be sure before I left.” Asha exhaled. This was her last appointment for the day, and she wanted to get home in time to shower and change before meeting Devyn. She wanted to be comfortable while eating her tacos and drinking tequila.

  “That’s odd. When he scheduled the appointment, he was the one who specifically asked if you could meet him at the Convention Center instead of here at the office. Are you sure he’s not there, and you didn’t miss him?”

  Asha went back to the front of the building. She looked around the lobby and then toward the front doors. The only person she saw was a maintenance man in grimy coveralls near the entrance along with a couple of other women, who, she assumed, were there for the pageant. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

  “You want his number?”

  Asha checked her watch once more. It was almost four thirty. At this point, she was ready to go. By him not showing up, she had a chance to beat traffic and get home early. Knowing she had no intention of calling, she told Libby, “Sure, send it to me.”

  “Sending it over,” Libby said.

  “Thanks, Libby. See you in t
he morning.” By the time the text came through with the name Max Transportation and the phone number, she was already out of the parking lot.

  Almost forty-five minutes later, she pulled into the driveway of her town house directly beside a late-model pickup truck that she hadn’t expected to be there. She stepped out of her SUV and called out for the owner of the truck.

  “Sully? Are you here?”

  A few seconds later, the gate leading to her backyard swung open, and Sully emerged, pushing her garbage can. “Yeah, I’m here. I thought you had a meeting?”

  “I was supposed to, but it didn’t happen. What are you doing here?” she asked as she watched him push the large plastic can with her address painted on the side to the edge of the driveway. When he finished, he walked over and kissed her cheek.

  “I came to take the can to the street. And I wanted to make sure I put out those bags of leaves I raked this weekend to be picked up.” Sully smiled.

  “Oh, I forgot about those,” Asha said.

  “I figured you would. That’s why I came to do it for you,” he winked.

  “Thank you, handsome. I appreciate it.”

  Calvin Sullivan wasn’t someone Asha would’ve ever considered dating. He was attractive, hardworking, dependable, and the man could fix damn near anything. They’d met at the hardware store one Saturday afternoon. Not only did he help her find the tool she needed to fix her faucet, but he also repaired it, in addition to mounting her television, installing her ceiling fan, and painting the accent wall of her living room. He’d retired from the army, owned his own business, and was a deacon at his church. He was the most consistent man she’d ever met. She enjoyed spending time with him, and he was everything most women look for in a man. There was just one minor detail: at 51 years of age, Calvin Sullivan was a whopping twenty-three years older than she was. But for the most part, their age difference didn’t matter to her, and he didn’t seem worried about it either. They liked the same movies and restaurants. Asha wasn’t a party girl like she’d been in her younger days and spent most of her time working. The only person she hung out with was Devyn, who was just as much of a homebody as she was these days. Unlike guys her age, Sully didn’t require much.