Second Chance Read Online Free PDF Page A

surfing crew. Crew, this is Jayd.” They all look at me and nod a cool “What’s up?” before returning to their individual trances.
    â€œSo what do you think?” Jeremy asks, as we sit down on the cold sand.
    â€œHonestly, this is the most peaceful I’ve felt in a long time. All night I haven’t thought about the drama of this past week at all. Thank you for taking me out. I’m having a good time.”
    â€œWell, I hope it won’t be the last.” Jeremy pulls me in close to him and wraps his arms around me. He smells like vanilla incense and Polo cologne. It’s at this moment I realize I could easily fall in love with him.
    I purposely turned off my phone when we left the house because KJ has been on my jock all weekend. And, I know my girls must be bugging out over the fact that I’m not at Byron’s party. They’ve probably been trying to reach me all night. I don’t want anything ruining our night, especially not any annoying phone calls or text messages. And, it’s perfect. I can’t wait to go home tomorrow night and tell Mama all about my date with Jeremy.

3
    Jaw Jackin’
    â€œYou ain’t saying nothin’ homie/You ain’t fresh azimiz.”
    â€”LIL’ BOW WOW
    Â 
    Â 
    O n our way back to Compton Sunday evening, my mom and I have a chance to talk about my date with Jeremy. I’m glad too because I’ve been itching to tell someone about it and Nellie and Mickey aren’t answering their phones.
    â€œSo, how was the party last night?” my mom asks as we merge from the 105 freeway to the 91. She drives like a race car driver in her little Mazda. I hope she teaches me how to drive before my test at the DMV in a couple of months. If I play it right, I can have my license by Thanksgiving. I’m saving up for a car, even though my dad promised he’d help me to get one when the time comes. But, I don’t know about trusting him to get the kind of car I need. That’s why I put a small portion of my paycheck away in the bank every month. But I will have to remember to ask my dad about my car situation next weekend when I see him.
    â€œWe didn’t actually make it to the party. We ended up having coffee and hangin’ out by the beach with some of his friends instead,” I say.
    â€œReally? And that was okay with you?”
    â€œIt was better than okay. I had enough drama at school all week long. I didn’t need any more from the same haters while trying to get to know Jeremy. I didn’t expect him to be such a gentleman. But last night gave me a good insight into his character. And, so far so good,” I say, smiling like the Kool-Aid man. “When he dropped me off last night, he didn’t even attempt to kiss me or feel me up.”
    â€œIs that right,” my mom says, not completely convinced of Jeremy’s chivalry.
    â€œYes, it is. He just walked me up the stairs and gave me a big hug,” I say, defending my man.
    â€œA gentleman, huh,” my mom says, glancing at me from the corner of her eye and giving a sly smile. “What’s your definition of a gentleman?”
    â€œWell, someone who opens the door for me, gives me compliments, and who doesn’t pressure me about sex from jump street,” I answer, realizing I’m comparing Jeremy to KJ. Not that KJ didn’t open a door for me once or twice. But, being complimentary ain’t his thang, and neither is waiting for the cookies. KJ tried to jump my bones the first time we kicked it during summer school and would do it now, if he had the chance.
    â€œWell, men who act the gentleman can also be control freaks. Your father was a gentleman, and look at us now,” she says as we exit onto Central Boulevard, only a few minutes away from Mama’s house.
    â€œJeremy’s nothing like my dad,” I say, hurt my mom would even make such a comparison after all the mess my dad put her