ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 8

Keisha was in a very good mood that morning. She was almost literally bouncing on her tiptoes like some perky young ballerina as she came fully dressed for the day into the kitchen where her mother and two kids looked up at her in amazement. They weren't used to seeing her this happy in the morning hours. Keisha Duncan was not a morning person and since the accident it had been tough to even coax a grin out of her.

What they didn't know was her joy was inspired by memories of her dinner with Oscar the night before especially the softly timid kiss he had given her at the front door. And, by the good morning text she had just received from him moments ago.

Justin glanced at her in confusion as he held his English 101 textbook in his hands. " You're awful cheerful today, Mommy. "

Nicole also looked her at her mother but with suspicion but then carefully shifted her eyes back down to her plate of fried eggs, bacon, sausage, fried scrapple meat and buttered toast.

Harriet Duncan just smiled at her daughter. " I think it was the gentleman she was out with last night. When do we get to meet this one? "

It better not be that no good trifling Bullet Lane again, the older woman thought as she crunched on her crispy bacon. The only thing that heathen had ever done for her daughter was give her three wonderful babies. Too bad he wasn't more like his daddy Percival. Percival was a criminal just like his son Bullet but as a young man he had been very gentle and generous with his lady friends. He had even tempted her as a young girl but she was too much a good Christian to fall for any of his mess , charming or not. Now , Jenessa was a different thing. Lord , she did miss that woman. Gone too soon.

Keisha ignored her mother as she went to the kitchen counter and poured herself a cup of steaming hot coffee which she added a lot of cream and sugar to. She liked her coffee like she did her men. Very sweet, she laughed to herself as she thought of Oscar's shy eyes. " You said you visiting Jamal today, Mama ? Tell him I'm stopping by after work to see him. I'll bring him the muffins he likes so much too. Make sure he's doing his remote classes. I don't want him falling behind in his senior year. Justin, after your two classes today I want you doing some work at the cafe , you hear? We been neglecting it lately. " Then she glanced at her daughter who had been even more quiet and withdrawn since that day at the courthouse when she was acting the fool taking hostages and shooting a White man. Nicole was damn lucky they were so easy on her. Then she remembered that email she had gotten from Nicholas. The rich man who was starting to remind her of some fancy fairy godfather in a nice expensive suit. One of the rare billionaires that didn't seem evil as hell and out for only himself. " Nicole, I got an email that affects you. "

Nicole looked back up at her as did Justin and Harriet. The tension in the small kitchen seemed to increase with her words.

Keisha laughed. " Don't everyone look so glum ! It's not bad. It's actually good. Really good. The email was from Nicholas. Ariel's friend. His company is starting a scholarship program for low income students. Especially ones who are diverse in some way. He's offering you a full scholarship to that Barrington Academy here in Hyattsville. You start next week. "

Harriet began to smile and said happily," Praise the Lord ! "

Justin shook his head. " That's a good school. You lucky, sis. "

Nicole made a face. " Hell no. I ain't going to no bougie school with a bunch of rich White kids. All my friends go to public school. I ain't going. "

Keisha glared at her with her hands on her hips. " That is a good school. Do you know most if not all of those kids there end up in colleges like Harvard and Yale ? Their SATs are all perfect. I've checked online about them. I wish I had been able to send your brothers there. This is an excellent opportunity for you and you are not going to screw it up with your bad attitude, little girl. Besides everyone there isn't White or rich. DuBuis' niece Luci goes there. And, I'd rather have you hanging with her and her friends over those little girl punks you do now. "

" I'm not going. "

Keisha walked quickly over to her only daughter and leaned over to stare her straight in the eyes. " Girl , I don't know who you back talking. It ain't me though. You not only going to that good school but you gonna like it and learn all you can. And you are going to write a nice thank you letter to Mr. Volkouv today. You understand me ? I ain't studding none of that nonsense you saying. "