Up to No Good Read Online Free PDF

turned our heads in the direction of the backseat.
    “You need to stop it, Jamie!” I shouted. “You are way too old for this. What is wrong with you?” I gave her the eye, letting her know that we were going to have words later.
    She sat back in her seat and folded her arms across her chest. I loved her to death, but she could be so childish at times.
    “Sorry about that, son,” I said, turning back to Darnel. “I don’t think your sister had much sleep last night. I’m sure she could use a nap.”
    “She ain’t the only one,” he replied. “Look, like I was saying, I’m not a baby, Dad.”
    I placed my hand on his arm. “I agree, but you can’t stay in that apartment with Keisha, can you?”
    “No, but why do I have to move out? Why can’t she move out? The lease is in both of our names. Besides, she’s the one who cheated.”
    “She’s also the one with an order of protection against you,” I reminded him.
    “She didn’t ask for that order of protection. My lawyer said that they issue them out to everyone in domestic cases.”
    I wondered if he was really trying to defend Keisha.
    “That doesn’t change the fact that if you violate it, they’re going to revoke your bail and throw you in jail.”
    “So, what, am I supposed to be homeless? ’Cause I’m not moving to Richmond. God, I hate her!” With those words, he opened the door and placed one foot on the concrete. Before he got out of the car, I reached out and stopped him.
    “Son, why don’t you move in with me?” It wasn’t my idea of Disneyland, but it was the right thing to do, asking him to come live with me. I ’d just gotten Jamie out of the house not too long ago and, man, was I loving it. But this was my son, and as long as I had a roof, so would he. “Just until you get your head straight.”
    Darnel, who was usually so self-assured, suddenly looked a little lost, like he’d been caught off guard. I couldn’t blame him, I guess. I ’d always been there for Darnel, but he’d never lived with me before, and he probably never expected I ’d be making an offer like this, especially now that he was a grown man.
    “Come on,” I continued. “What do you say? You stay out of my way; I’ll stay out of yours.”
    “What about Ma?”
    “Don’t worry about your mother. I’ll talk to her.”
    “A’ight.” Darnel agreed much more quickly than I would have expected. Poor kid must have really been hurting. With the decision of where he was going to live now made, he even looked relieved for a few sec-onds—until we stepped out of the car and started to walk toward the church.
    Crystal and her husband joined us as we approached the door. The burden on Darnel was evident with everyslow step he took, his shoulders slumped and his head hung low. I would have done anything to bear that weight for him, but it was doubtful he would let me, even if he could. I moved in front of him, hoping to somehow buffer him from what I knew was going to be devastating.
    When I stepped inside the church, the photographer’s camera flashing in my eyes almost blinded me. White orchids and Casablanca lilies decorated the church, and the pews on both sides were filled with family members, church members, and friends of the family. I’m sure most of them had already sensed something was wrong from the casual way we were dressed. Darnel looked a mess after spending the night in jail, and as soon as people got a glimpse of him, I heard the whispers starting among the guests.
    I ignored them as best I could as I scanned the church. No sight of Keisha or her family. At least she had the good sense not to show up.
    I led our small group down the aisle. We were greeted at the altar by my good friend and pastor, Bishop T. K. Wilson. I ’d explained the situation to him earlier on the phone, and he’d promised not to say a word until we arrived.
    I waited a few seconds for Darnel to say something as we stood in front and he turned to face the people in the