Chenae’s POV

She’s back. Tallulah showed up on campus today and was waiting on me when I got back from practicum. I stopped and stared. She’s lost some weight and she looks good. I hate her less. Mrs. Jacobson was right. I’m responsible for my own hell. If anyone had treated Momma the way I treated Lula, I’d kill ’em and ask Pierre to hide the body.

“Chenae.” She stands and smiles and, for some reason, I smile at her.

“Lula. What’s up?” I nod at Mrs. Baker, the residence hall manager. “My future sister-in-law.” Mrs. Baker nods and I wave for Lula to follow me.

“Not much. I hear you’re in a pinch.” Continue reading →

Chenae’s POV

Antoine called and said I should be ready to go when he arrives to pick me up for Fall Break. The schedule works out for him because he’s trying to land a major distribution deal, and I’m beyond ready to go home to Momma’s.

I asked Momma why Antoine seems to want to spend so much time with me. She said that he told Pierre he’d take over. He told Momma that he hopes to help reconcile me and Pierre before I dig myself into a hole with my big brother that I can’t get out of. I’m confused by that. I know Pierre is angry with me but I don’t think he’s that mad.

After my last class ends on Wednesday, I pack up my books and laptop and head to the gate. I’m ready to go and I’m glad to see Antoine’s already waiting on me. He steps out of the car and he’s mobbed. Continue reading →

A/N: Like Lula and Tank, this started life as a one-shot, but so many of you seem to enjoy Chenae’s humbling that I decided to expand it. Also, please pay attention to how certain themes tie back to the main story.

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Chenae’s POV

First sorority committee meeting of the year. I’m the president and I’m being humiliated by everyone.

“Soror Chenae, you’ll be in charge of the fundraising committee again this year, right?” Soror Christina asks, smirking. Bitch. She’s enjoying this.

“Unfortunately, Soror, I cannot. I have to concentrate on finals.”

“Nearly all of us have to concentrate on finals, Soror Chenae. It’s a tiresome fact of life in college,” she says. “You’ve done such a brilliant job the past two years. I think you can handle it another year. All in favor?”

Continue reading →

Lula’s POV

Mrs. Carol Jean cooks a traditional Louisiana breakfast the next morning and gives me another reason to love her. I swear, I wish this woman had been my momma. She cares and she knows how to smother shrimp and grits in cheese and butter.

“Have I met all the family? I remember you mentioning your mother-in-law. Is she still alive? Is your mother still alive?

Mrs. Carol Jean shakes her head. “My momma dead of cancer. Never knew my daddy. My mother-in-law is still alive but that’s like asking ’bout Tank’s daddy. He never goes to see her, doesn’t talk about her and doesn’t acknowledge her. She believed her son, never believed Pierre was Antoine’s. Don’t open that can of worms.”

Got it. I won’t make the same mistake twice.

Continue reading →

Lula’s POV

I need to talk to Steph. I got decisions to make and I want to do this right. I’m never gonna do this again.

“Now, I like colors and you like colors too, Lula, so we need to start thinking about yo wedding colors. You give it any thought?”

Nope. I’ve obssessed over it and I spent the past two weeks admiring my ring and handling Tank. Daily. Nightly. In our apartment. Everywhere in our apartment. In the RangeMan apartment on the temporary dining room table. Bobby’s still blushing red but I’ll bet he’s learned to knock first.

I can feel Tank cringe next to me. Before I can say anything, Tank cuts in.

“No pink, Momma.” He looks at me. “I know, it’s your wedding, Lula Bear, but I don’t do pink or any shades of red.” I’m ready to go rhino when he lifts and kisses my wrist. “I was a Crip, baby, and even though I put that part of my life behind me, you still won’t catch me in red.”

Continue reading →