THIRTY-SEVEN

The next morning, Coco tarried at home, not wanting to go to school. Her mother tried to get her out of bed twice but both times Coco just pulled the covers further over her head and buried herself deeper seeking comfort in her dreams.

“Coco you’ve gotta go to school. Wake up, girl. You know Miss Katie wouldn’t want you laying up in no bed just…” Mrs. Harvey begged. “Doggone you Coco. You’ve got to go to school now, girl c’mon get up.”

Slowly, Coco dragged herself into the bathroom.

“See ya later, mom.” Coco yelled and was out the door.

She managed to catch the bus. Coco knew she was moving but her mind was in a fog. She spent the morning session at school in a shell, functioning on autopilot. Josephine caught up to her smoking a cigarette at lunch.

“What’s good Coco? You look like it’s the day after…” Josephine said covering her mouth with her hands.

“I’ll be ahight, yo. Just give me a few minutes,” Coco requested. Josephine knew something was seriously wrong. She had never caught Coco crying before.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. Soo sorry oh…” Josephine’s voice was shaky. She reached out and embraced Coco. They hugged and sobbed together.

“She was like a mother to me… Jo, she was fam,” Coco whispered.

“I know y’alls relationship was real and tight, Coco. God bless her soul.”

Lil’ Long watched their movements from the back of a cab. He wanted to make an attempt at the girls but changed his mind when he saw the gray sedan parked across the street from the school. The occupants were also observing the girls.