Everything is Everything Book 2 Read Online Free Page B

car filled with his friends was waiting for him at the curb and they shouted enthusiastically at him. Scotty smiled but there was one small part of him that wondered what it would be like to start his life anew. Right now, no more hustling. He had his GED and he could go to college and follow his dream to teach.
    But it wasn’t time. Soon, though, when he was sure that his brothers and sisters wouldn’t end up right back in the ghetto. He thought about Vanessa White, happy that she had made her way out of the projects completely. He prayed that she would make it.
     

     
    Miss Gloria gave him a huge hug when he entered the small house.
    “Scotty, baby.”
    “Hi Miss Gloria,” he said while holding her frail body against his. He didn’t release her first. He always waited for her to move away before he dropped his hands. He wouldn’t admit it to anyone but Scotty enjoyed the human contact.
    She brushed her hands against the stubble on his cheeks. “They don’t give you razors in that place?”
    His brothers and sisters rushed into the room and jumped on him. Even little Ty tried to climb into the foray. He hefted his little brother up onto his shoulders. He was four years old but a big sturdy four. Miss Gloria fed him better than their mother ever had and now the little boy with caramel colored skin, hazel eyes and a curly ‘fro was guaranteed to be a star football player if he ever decided to play sports.
    Phonso closed the front door after them and gave Miss Gloria a hug before he slapped Scotty on the back and led him into the house.
    “Grandma made a lot of food for you,” Ginger smiled up at him. Scotty lightly pinched her nose even though at the age of ten she should be done with such things. Unfortunately Ginger would always be much younger than her chronological years. She was a pretty redhead with freckles and green eyes. Whoever her biological father was, he had to be straight from Ireland. She was also autistic and though her abilities had been greatly enhanced by the special school she attended, she would always be developmentally behind other children her age.
    “Go wash up so I can feed you.” Miss Gloria directed. “Y’all kids get down off’n him and let your brother get cleaned up.”
    She sounded gruff but there was a merry twinkle in her eyes. Scotty leaned in and kissed her cheek once again.
    “Yes ma’am.”
    The house smelled amazing, like Thanksgiving Day. Scotty was starving and wondered if he would always feel like there was an empty hollow in the pit of his stomach waiting to be filled.
    His brother EJ made to follow him but Miss Gloria stopped him and told him to take out the garbage.
    “Yes ma’am,” the twelve year old said sullenly but did as he was instructed. He would be as tall as Scotty’s 6’3” inches but would probably stay wiry thin. The boy’s fraternal twin Erica was also tall and lanky though not quite as tall and not quite as lanky as EJ. She hugged Scotty happily before skipping off back to help set the table.
    Once everyone else had retreated to complete their chores Beady punched him lightly in the arm with a big smile spread across her pretty face.
    “Ow,” he exclaimed while rubbing the fake injury to his arm.
    “Welcome home, ‘bro.” She stated, following him up the stairs as if he was her hero.
    “You act as if you’re happy to see me,” Scotty stated while hiding a smile. They headed down the hall together.
    “You ain’t so bad … especially when you’re not around.”
    He tugged her short hair gently and she swatted his hand away playfully.
    There had been a time when the sight of him would nearly enrage her. It was back when she would try to attend the house parties that her other friends always bragged about.
    She could never make it to the best ones because Scotty would always be there glaring at her. Sometimes he’d be the only white guy in a sea of black and Hispanic faces. He’d watch her suspiciously, silently demanding that she