Sweaters by Heaven Evette Creater (chromebook ebook reader TXT) 📕

“You want to go to the nurse?” he asked.

“No thanks.”

“Well, it’s time to go outside, come on. Where’s your coat?”

“I don’t have one,” I replied as I stood up “my name is Sweaters, not Coats.”

“Oh, well you can’t go outside like that.” He explained. “I’ll be fine; I have on two sweaters and a long sleeve shirt, I walked here and I am fine.” I replied. “You walked?” he asked. “Yea.” I answered. “Well…I still don’t want you out there without a coat.” He said gently.

I was in no mood to argue with him so I didn’t say anything. I just sat and laid my head back down.

“Where’s your studio?” I asked him quietly.

He looked at me and smiled. “It’s across the street from Mason’s. It's a Clothing Store.” He replied as he sat next to me. “The building it’s in looks like a small apartment.”

“I think I walked passed there this morning.” I replied.

“Oh really, I’m there almost every day.” He said with a smile. “You should come visit me, if your parents don’t mind it.”

“Can I come today?” I asked.

“Sure babe, but make sure you remember to ask your parents.” He added.

“They won’t mind.” I replied.

When it was time to go home, I pulled Mr. Rodriguez aside and apologized for the way I was acting. I usually don’t apologize to anyone for anything...except Daniel. But I felt bad because even though I made Mr. Rodriguez mad, he forgave me and was still nice to me. He just smiled sweetly and gave me a hug. At that moment I completely froze. I didn’t hug him back but instead I simply stood there, while he hugged me. It felt weird, I’ve been hugged by Daniel many times, but Mr. Rodriguez’s hugs felt completely different. It felt like my mommy’s old hugs. It was strange coming from him. It felt like love and I wasn’t used to it. He let go and looked me in my eyes.

“It’s ok. We all have our bad days.” Then he smiled and walked me to the exit doors. We didn’t say anything to each other. 

“Will you be at your studio?” I asked when we finally got there.

 “Yes.” He smiled.

Ms. Marie spotted us and walked over.

“Hello Miguel.” She smiled.

“H...Hola Leelah.” he smiled back nervously. Oooh first names I see.

“And who’s this little cutie pie?” she asked with a smile.

“This is Secret. She’s one of my students.” He answered.

“Well, hello there Secret, that’s a pretty name.” she replied.

“Hi. I like your name too.” I smiled slickly. “Don’t you like her name Mr. Rodriguez?” I asked with a hint.

“Uhh…Yes…it…it’s beautiful.” He said as he nudged me a bit.

“Thank you both.” she smiled.

“You’re welcome.” He said.

“Um…should you be getting home?” He asked me.

“Nope, I’m in no rush at all.” I smiled.

“Oh, Sweetie what’s on your face?” she asked curiously.

I didn’t say anything. “She was scratched by a cat.” He answered for me.

“Oh, that’s terrible! Are you ok?” she asked.

“….I’m fine….I have to go now. Bye.” I said as I nervously walked out the doors.

“Bye, Secret! And oh, and bring your coat tomorrow, ok?” I heard him say from a distance as i got closer to the street.

I walked very slowly on the way home. I didn’t want to go home. I didn’t want to see their faces. I walked past the school playground where kids were playing and other were waiting for rides. I passed the school and passed by a local plaza. I walked past the clothes store again.

“Little girl…” a man said to me. He was standing by the shop door. “Here” He held out a red and black coat with black and grayish fur around the hood. “Try it on.” He said with a smile.

I didn’t move towards him. I just kept looking at him. I started to keep walking.

“Please,” he said “I won't hurt you or anything like that. I just want to give you the coat. That's all.”

The wind blew and I reluctantly walked towards him. I carefully and quickly took the coat from his hands and backed away a bit. I put the coat on, and it fit perfectly. He walked towards me. I backed away.

“Just wanted to button and zip it up for you.” he replied putting his hands up like he was surrendering to the police or something. “May I?” he asked.

“No thank you. I got it.” I replied kinda suspicious of his actions. I buttoned and zipped up the coat myself.

“You can have this.” He replied with a smile.

“Why’d you give this to me?” I asked softly.

“Well, it’s cold out here. And when the snow hits, you’ll need it. You said you didn’t have one.” He replied happily.

He was an old man with brown and a little gray hair. He was in good shape. His eyes were blue and his skin was an apricot color. I guessed he was in his 40’s, the early ones.

“Thank you.” I said to him.

“You’re welcome honey.” He replied. Then he pulled out a matching hat, scarf, and gloves set. After I accepted them, I asked his name. He said it was Mason.

“Mason... Is this your store?” I asked.

“Well, I hope so,” He smiled. “has my name in it. If not, I've been at the wrong store this whole time!" He laughed.

I backed up to look at the sign. It said in big fancy yellow letters, “Mason’s Clothing Store”. I smiled at the man. I took my mother’s locket off and handed to him.

“Thank…Thank you mason.”

He took it in his hands and examined it.

“What's this for?”

“You gave me something, so I’m giving you something.” I replied simply. He gave me the biggest smile and handed it back.

“I think you need this, seems very valuable. I have everything I need here. I have a successful life, and it’s time I give back.” He explained.

“Well then take my favorite ring at least.” I said. “It’s not worth anything, but I found it in a cereal box when I was smaller and I’ve had it ever since.” I said taking the ring off.

He took the plastic ring with the red jewel in it and held in his hand. “I’ll treasure it always.” He smiled. I smiled back and thanked him again.

“Hey, where's your mother? She know you walking around in the cold alone?” he asked. 

"Don't have one.”

“Oh, what’s your name?”

 “Secret, Secret Stone” I answered.

“Well Secret…What happened to your face?” 

“A cat did it.” I replied simply as I walked to Mr. Ming’s Chinese restaurant.

It felt good to be given something for no real reason. No bribes, no conditions, no “you’ll get it if you do what I say’s. Just to be given something, because they want you to have it feels amazing. I loved the coat. It was warm and soft. I got to Mr. Ming’s restaurant and said hello.

“Hello Sweaters. I like your new coat.” Sandra said.

That’s Mr. Ming’s wife. She wasn’t Asian though, she was a black woman. No one really cared because they were cute together but there were some people in the neighborhood that didn’t and wouldn’t accept it. What's wrong with two different people being together? Their windows were broken by rocks with threats on them all the time. No one ever took it seriously because nothing ever happened.

“Thanks, Mr. Mason gave it me.” I smiled.

“Oh how thoughtful.” She replied with a smile.

“Where’s Mr. Ming?” I asked.

“Oh he’s visiting his parents in China. They’re getting really sick.” She answered.

“Oh. That sucks.”

"Yes it does.” She said giggling.

“Here you go cutie.” She handed me a small box of shrimp fried rice, my favorite Chinese food, and ten fortune cookies.  “Mr. Ming said you’re one of his favorite people and that you can have a free meal anytime you want.”

“Thanks!” I said with a smile. I’ll need it if Daniel keeps letting that bitch cook! “But can I pick it up later?” I asked.

I didn’t want them to take it from me.

“Oh sure, we’re staying open late tonight. We close at 10. I have to stay to count, order, and sort the inventory and everything.” She said slouching in the chair behind the counter.

“Everything?” I asked.

“Everything. From fortune cookies all the way to take out boxes.” she replied

“Oh dang that sounds boring. Where's Chu, did he go with Mr. Ming?” I asked.

That’s his cousin, he does the deliveries and picks up the inventory.

“Yea he went with him. I just hope everything’s alright. Haven’t gotten a call from him yet.” She answered.

“When did they leave?”

“Yesterday Morning.”

“Oh, he'll call soon.” I assured. I stood up and glanced at the clock. “I gotta go Ms. Sandra. Gotta get home.” I said as I ran for the door.

“Bye hun.” She waved through the window.

I finally got home and went to my door. I tried to open it but it was locked. I already knew who was behind it because Daniel never locked the door without a note or something on it telling me why. I knocked harder. Finally, the bitch opened the door. “

What?!” she yelled in a whisper.

“Can I come in? I do live here…” I retorted.

“Watch that attitude. Go in your room and say nothing. I have clients.” She shot out.

“You aint gotta worry bout me, I’m not stayin here anyways.” I said coldly.

“And where you goin?” she asked with an attitude.

“With my teacher, if you don’t mind.” I said flatly.

“Girl, I’ll slap the---.”

“You touch me, and I’ll tell my teacher.” I said bravely when actually deep, inside I was scared as hell.

She glared at me and pulled me in.

“Ladies, this is my fiancé’s daughter. Isn’t she adorable?” she introduced.

Man, she phony as hell. They all said hello. I wish I could punch the fuck out of her in front of all these people.

“Don’t mess this up or you’ll be sorry.” She whispered as she secretly pushed me aside. “Refreshments anyone?” she asked them. “Secret, dear, why don’t you refill the lemonade pitcher for mommy ok?” she asked. Mommy? "What the fuck ?" is all I could think. I looked at her and she gave me this “Do it.” Face. I went in my room and took my coat off.

She just made me mad with that "mommy" bullshit. She's gonna pay for that! I paced around for a minute or two thinking. Then I took the water bottles that I had filled with pee and hid them under my coat and came back in the kitchen. Devil was talking to the women with her back towards me. No one saw me. I took the pitcher she had filled with lemonade and poured the pee in it. I stirred and added more ice. I set it on the counter to let it set.

After that I went to use the bathroom. I turned the sink on to make it seem like I washed my hands but I stuck one hand in the pee filled toilet, shook it off a bit, and then I came back out and touched almost all of her food that she had set out. I even spit in her dip for the chips. I washed my hands in the kitchen sink and went to put my coat on. I grabbed my book bag and opened the door.

“Leaving so soon?” Devil said with a phony smile.

“Yes ma’am. Enjoy your party….mom.” I said with a phony smile and headed out the door.

I walked out of the building and ended up meeting Daniel outside. We just stopped and looked at each other. I kept walking and didn’t say anything.

“Secret….” He said. I turned around but didn’t say a word. “Y…you wanna…go to the park?” he asked.

“No.”

“Oh…where you goin?”

“To see my teacher.”

“Where'd you get that coat?” he asked.

“A man gave it to me.” I answered annoyed.

“A man? You taking stuff from strangers now?” he asked sternly.

“Yea Daniel, just like I do at home.” I said flatly.

I was scared. I thought he was going to threaten me for talking back or hit me...but he didn't.

“Oh…ok. I’ll just see you later then.” He said scratching his head.

I just looked at him. “Kay.”

I turned my head so