A Second Helping Read Online Free PDF

it.”
    Bernadine hid her grin. “Anything else?”
    â€œYeah. How long do I have to wait before my dad can legally adopt me?”
    She studied him for a moment. “Why?”
    â€œI think I’m ready to be a July.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYep.” There was pride all over his face.
    â€œHave you and Trent discussed this?”
    â€œNope. Wanted to talk to you first, and then Tamar.”
    â€œI see. Well, talk to Tamar and then all of us will get together.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œDid you enjoy your vacation?”
    â€œI did. Never went hunting or fishing before. Like the fishing part. Not the hunting. Seen enough shooting. Dad tried to tell me it was different, but the only difference seemed to be that the stuff dying wasn’t shooting back.”
    Bernadine also hailed from Detroit. Granted, she and Amari had grown up at different times and the city had been safer during her residency, but she understood his aversion. “Trent was okay with you not wanting to hunt?”
    â€œHe was. You know, he’s real cool. He’s the kinda dad kids like me always imagine having, till you get too old, and realize it ain’t never gonna happen.”
    The confession tugged at her heart. “But it has happened,” she countered softly.
    â€œYeah, it has. Got me an O.G. too.” In the vernacular of the kids of the day, O.G. stood for Original Gangster but Amari used it as a term of endearment. Trent often teased that O.G. stood for Old Geezer.
    â€œAnd Tamar?”
    â€œTamar’s pretty great too, unless you make her mad.”
    â€œSometimes you don’t get a second helping of life, Amari, but you have.”
    â€œI know. Barely had a first helping, so this ain’t bad, at all.”
    She smiled. “I missed you.”
    He squirmed like an eleven-year-old male. “Ah, Ms. Bernadine.”
    â€œI did, Amari.”
    He looked her in the eyes and admitted, “Missed you too. Guess this is what family’s about, huh?”
    â€œGuess so.”
    Showing her his grin, he gave her a wave and left.
    Chuckling, Bernadine started in on the mail.
    Â 
    As Amari climbed onto his bike and pedaled off to the rec to shoot some hoops, he wasn’t sure what Tamar would think of his plans, but he knew her vote could make or break him. Even though she could be tough, he got the impression that she liked him. Hadn’t she let him live after he stole Malachi’s truck last summer? In fact, she hadn’t said much at all about the incident. Which in a way sort of worried him because it would be just like her to be saving up the lecture so she could bring it up sometime in the future. All that aside, she was the most important person he needed to talk with about becoming a real, permanent member of the family, and there was no way getting around it. Without her approval, he might as well start packing for his next stop.
    Â 
    In Cleveland, Ohio, Ray Chambers was standing in line at Happy Hour Liquor to pay for a bottle of wine when an old acquaintance walked into the store. “Hey, Walt!” he called out. “That you?”
    Walt Hurley stopped. When he recognized Ray, his face split into a wide grin. “Ray Chambers?”
    Walt walked over and the two shared a quick grip. “Been a long time. You here visiting?”
    â€œNo. I’m back in town,” Ray said, holding his place in line. “At least for a little while.”
    They spent a few moments catching up and then Ray asked, “When was the last time you saw Nikki?” She was Ray’s ex and Walt’s baby sister.
    The people in line ahead of Ray moved up as customers paid for their purchases and departed.
    â€œNot in a while, man,” Walt answered, sadness in his voice. “That crack got her, and she wound up in the joint in Illinois. Got HIV too. My sister Jean went to see her a few months ago. Said she doubted Nikki would make it to the