The Only Exception

3

Letoya

I stared at the napkin for the 30th time alone today.

LakeShire Industries
2982 S. Realm Street
773-729-3910

My pride and thoughts went to war for a while before I just decided to go to the address. What's the worst that could happen anyways?

"Whatcha thinking about?" Kelly's voice came from behind me.

Jumping like I had actually done something wrong, I replied. "You scared the hell out of me."

"Mhm. What you over here doing?"

I held up the napkin and sighed. "You remember Jo? Jo Jackson?"

My best nodded. "Yeah, I remember. The Senator lady right?"

"Yeah. Her. Okay, so she came to the coffee shop earlier this week and I can't help but think that she was flirting with me."

Kel went and sat on my bed. "Ouu, I'm intrigued, you got my attention, I'm listening. Continue."

"She basically asked me things or what not, but then she handed me this." I handed Kelly the napkin and she studied it.

"Think she's trying to hollar or what?"

Frowning, I shook my head. "Nah, she can't be. She is not worried about little ole me."

Kelly shot me a look. "She better not be tryna holla. You not even gay."

"Exactly, so it is not like I'll be game anyways."

"Better not be." She mumbled as I pushed her shoulder causing her to laugh. "What? I am just saying."

"Whatever, Best." I grabbed my bag and headed for the door. "I'll be back later though, I have to go to work from 8 to 5 today."

"Okay, be safe and take this napkin back. I don't want it. Text me when you make it to work so I know that nobodies gotten you for your goodies."

Taking the napkin from her hands, I walked out of our dorm and headed to the bus stop. It would be pulling up in a few moments, I had long and learned the schedule of Mrs.Martha.

The bus pulled up in front of me and I smiled at the woman who was like my second mother.

"Morning Sweet Pea." She greeted brightly.

"Morning Momma Martha." I called back as I boarded the bus and sat down in the seat closest to her. Nobody was on the bus, per usual, she would pick me up and drop me off to work before starting her 8 am route.

"Heading to work, or did you just board the bus to talk to your favorite Momma?"

Giggling, I smiled at her tactics. "Actually, I need to go to LakeShire Industries."

I had lied to Kelly, I didn't have to work today. My mind was just made up on going see why Jo had given me this card and I refused to try to be talked out of it.

Momma M began driving as she spoke. "Hm, okay. Why you heading to the white folks side of town little girl? You ain't gotten yourself into no trouble have you?"

"No ma'am. I have to meet someone." I answered back vaguely. I loved Momma Martha, but I knew that she had some very messy ways when it came down to people's business.

"Okay, I'm just making sure." She shot me a look through the huge mirror above her head.

We chatted softly as she drove me to my desired destination. When the bus stopped, I got off and hesitated before just walking inside. The whole time, I just couldn't help but realize that I felt heavily out of place. I did not blend in with these uppity Caucasian and African Americans by any means.

The building held a certain upkeep and I was not up to par by any means. Walking up to the counter, the woman standing there shot me a dirty look. "The child support office is a block over ma'am."

I shook my head. "That's great to know, but I don't have any children. I am here to see Jo Jackson."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Well, not exactly." I mumbled back.

The lady scoffed. "Well it does not seem like you'll be seeing her today then."

"Can you just call her and tell her that Letoya is down here? It's pretty simple."

"Yeah as simple as you leaving." The woman shot back smartly. "You need to go. There is no place for your kind here."

My face furrowed as I titled my head. "Excuse me?"

She looked at me and repeated herself slowly. "Okay, maybe you have a hearing problem sweetheart. This is a place with high standards, I know what your kind does. Walk into this building looking for a hand out or a hook up, well you have the wrong place today. Now hop on monkey."

Letoya.... breathe.

"Did you just—?" My words stopped completely as I snapped and jumped over the counter. People around the lobby screamed as I began punching the woman. Soon, I felt someone yank me off of her.

She stumbled up as she pointed at me and yelled. "You attacked me!"

"Talk shit, get hit! Bitch!" I yelled back as the man who grabbed me picked me off of the ground and began escorting me out as I tried to get out of his grip. "Call me another monkey, bitch! I dare you!"

"Put her down." A voice commanded as the room fell silent suddenly.

All eyes turned to see that Jo had stepped off of the elevator and was sending me a death glare. I was placed on my feet and the receptionist spoke to Jo. "She just attacked me!"

"Bitch, lie again!" I yelled out again, instantly getting pissed off again.

"Shut up!" Jo raised her voice yet again and my lips immediately sealed tightly together. "Amber, take the day off. Korey, call Leslie so she can fill in Amber's spot, and you." She looked at me and I shrunk down a few inches mentally. "Come with me."

Putting my head down, I kept my gaze on my feet as I walked and followed Jo on the elevator. It was silent as she stood on one side and I stood on the other side with my head still down.

The elevator doors closed after Jo hit her floor number.

Lifting my head, I tried to explain. "I just came to see why you-."

"The damn number was on the napkin for you to use it Letoya. Shut up, I would like to not hear anything right now."

With her voice still being in such a rough tone, I put my head back down and followed instructions.

A ding announced to us that we had made it to the designated floor. She stepped off heavily and I followed behind kind of sluggish.

As we walked through the halls, people were glancing my way and I began to get anxious from the stares. I mumbled. "Why they keep staring at me like that?"

"Trust me, them staring is the least of your worries right now."