Up to No Good Read Online Free PDF Page A

do anything and go through anybody, including me, to get some. Thank goodness my stepfather took my advice once they got married and transferred his job and my mother down to Richmond.
    I felt a hand on my shoulder.
    “I’m going over to the church. The bishop just called and said people are starting to arrive for the wedding. I think someone from our family needs to tell them the wedding is off.” My father was like that, all about appearance and family reputation. He didn’t want anyone at the church to think badly of us, especially since he was a big-time deacon there. Of course, everyone in the congregation knew he was the biggest whoremonger in the entire borough of Queens. But he still tried his best to keep the façade of a respectable family man.
    My father glanced at his watch, then looked toward me. “I’m assuming the wedding is off?” he asked. Asilent nod was my answer. “Crystal, you and Milton don’t mind—”
    “I’ll go with you,” I said quietly.
    “You don’t have to do this, son. I can handle it.” I know he was trying to be helpful, but why couldn’t he just do as I said this one time?
    “I know, but it’s not your responsibility. Those are my guests. I need to be the one to tell them.”
    “There’s a chance Keisha and her family might be there.” I could tell my father was reading my face to see if I still cared about her. Like Omar, he was one of those who had often suggested I sow my wild oats before I walked down the aisle. I wondered if he was feeling the urge to say “I told you so.”
    “I kind of hope she is there,” my sister said with a smirk. “’Cause I will beat her ass and you’ll have to bail me out next.”
    “Jamie!” my father snapped.
    “Leave her be, James. ’Cause if she don’t beat her ass, I will.” My mother placed one hand on her hip and her arm around Jamie’s neck. The two of them were displaying more attitude than a couple of street thugs. My father frowned, shaking his head as he glanced at me, then at Milton. I’m sure the three of us were thinking exactly the same thing: my problem had just become a family problem, and if we weren’t careful, that church was gonna be turned out.

James
5
    The ride to the church was solemn and felt much longer than the fifteen minutes it took. Both Darnel and Jamie rode with me, while Crystal and her husband followed behind us in his car. Regardless of what Crystal and Jamie had said at the courthouse, I don’t think any of us were looking forward to facing our guests or Keisha’s family—especially not Darnel, who was staring blankly out the window.
    I glanced at him as I drove, admiring his smooth chocolate skin and handsome features. He was a good-looking young man who seemed to be wearing my face from my younger days. I tried to hide a prideful smile. I couldn’t deny him even if I wanted to, but who would deny such a fine young man as his son? I just wished I could find the words to help him get past all this mess with Keisha. From the way he looked, I’m sure he felt like he had the weight of the entire world on his shoulders.
    “Your mother’s going to ask you to move to Richmond.” My words interrupted our silence as we pulled into the church parking lot.
    “I don’t wanna move to Richmond,” Darnel insisted. “I hate it down there.”
    I felt like I had just added another thousand pounds to the mental load he was already carrying. I had told Crystal this was going to be a problem. “Look, son, don’t kill the messenger. I’m just giving you a heads-up.” I pulled into a parking space about fifty yards from the church. “Your mother’s a mother; she wants to protect you from yourself. You can understand that, can’t you?”
    “I’m not a baby, Dad. I’m a grown man. I don’t need my mommy to protect me.”
    “You sure about that? ’Cause I’ve seen you suck your thumb.” Jamie leaned forward as she teased her brother. Caught off guard by the remark, both Darnel and I