Color Blind

Chapter 4

I didn't smile back. "And that's exactly why she doesn't trust you," I said matter-of-factly. In all actuality, that's why I still didn't trust him either.

"Well..." he looked back down the street as if expecting someone. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get you in trouble."

He looked like his heart had fallen and I struggled to think of something to say to make the situation a little better.

"Hey, don't worry about it. That's just how she is. I told you my mom doesn't like white people," I whispered, still aware that she was somewhere nearby and probably listening. "Why did you come over here anyway? I would have taken your word for it if you told me that your dad didn't want me around and just met you somewhere else."

"I don't know," he shrugged. "I just figured she was like my pops and would at least fake her way through a conversation."

"Nope."

"Well, Tia really did send me over here, but she wanted to call first and tell you to meet me outside." Now he was whispering, too. "But I told her it would be ok. Guess she would know her own family better than I do." He looked down the street, then back at me. "Well, will you at least come over to Tia's house so we can talk?"

This boy confused me like no other. "No, Scott. I can't get in the car with you."

He nodded. "I know, I heard. But for the record, I wouldn't do anything to you if you did."

"I know."

His eyes brightened at this and he asked, "So will you meet me down there, later? Or I could get Lafayette to pick you up...." He looked hopeful.

"Listen Scott," I looked around and lowered my voice even more. "I really do like you...a lot...but I already told you, we have nothing to talk about. I probably can't even leave the house at all now, much less leave to meet you somewhere."

He looked disappointed, but still optimistic. "Well, hopefully I'll get to see you at the party tomorrow night then."

One of the football players was celebrating the fact that his parents would be away for the weekend. For the most part, Scott got along with everyone, but he spent most of his time with Lafayette and/or Tia.

"Ssh!" I looked behind me and stepped further out onto the porch, closing the door a little behind me. "If you want me to go," I breathed, "Then don't talk so loud."

"Oh, sorry..." Scott whispered, and then kissed me on the cheek. Some people just never learn. "If you can, please try to come by Tia's house tonight," he said and walked back to his Jeep.

I wasn't chancing anything and decided to stay home for the rest of the night. Tia called a few hours after that and asked if I was coming over. I told her no and went to bed a short time later. My mother woke me up that night and asked me if I was dating the boy that came to the door.

"No Ma! He's white!"

"Good, honey. I know you think I'm trying to be mean, but you just don't know white people like I do."

"I know."

She had always said that to me, but never explained herself any further. When I was little I would always try to get the full story out of her, but now in high school, I had the good sense to just leave it alone.

"Look, that boy is cute." I looked at her, surprised. "Well he is." She reminded me of Scott when she said that. "But he won't ever take you seriously if you're together. He'll look at you as just another piece of trash to use and throw away." She saw the expression on my face and quickly added, "You're not trash, Rica, but that's how they always look at women. Especially black women."