“ Because I was going to handle it , Cynthia ,” Roberto said , looking ashamed and defeated . “ I ’ m going to handle it .”
Cynthia snapped , “ I hope you do , because I don ’ t want my son to grow up disrespecting women . He didn ’ t curse when he was at Gadson , or any time when he was with me .”
“ I can ’ t watch his every move while he ’ s in school ,” Roberto said , finally defending himself .
“ Obviously , you can ’ t do it outside of school either .” She folded her arms making sure she didn ’ t go up his head . Though he deserved it . “ They had to call me to get your attention . So much for you having things under control ,” she said , then directed her attention back to Sean , who was still slumped in his seat . “ Now , tell me what happened .”
Sean grunted , not wanting to explain but knowing he had to . “ I was in gym class …
* * *
Three days earlier , Sean had stepped outside to a beautiful sunny day , which had a foul swampy smell misting the air . The pavement and grass glistened in the sunshine from melted snow . Dressed in his gym clothes — a white T-shirt and blue jogging pants — Sean ran onto the pass the concrete field with his class across the street to play softball in the Carrasco Center , the bottom half of the building was made of dark brown brick and the top half was like the Georgia Dome . This build took up three blocks . Probably because it had two basketball courts and a turf training facility for the local high football and baseball teams . Sean had gotten so good at the game , that everyone started calling him Sammy Sosa , though Sammy was Dominican . Some people just didn ’ t know geography .
Stephanie , one of Sean ’ s classmates , was one of the shortest girls there , but she was also the prettiest . She wore a butterfly pin in her beautiful , light brown hair . Arched eyebrows accentuated her flashy brown eyes . Her eyebrows could either be drawn in for a mean look or lifted toward the sun . Her devilish smile often caught his eye . She wore gray jogging pants and a white T-shirt on her dangerously attractive shape .
Sean knew instantly that something was wrong . She usually wore tight black volleyball shorts and a navy blue shirt with a knot tied in the back , like some of the others in their grade . She was also very distant . If someone approached her , she was either very brief if they were friends or very mean if they weren ’ t .
As she stormed onto the field with a scowl on her face , she looked like she was ready to explode . She reminded him of his momma — when it was “ oil change ” time .
As they began the game , Sean ’ s friend Joshua was up first . Robert , the pitcher , sailed three soft pitches past Joshua .
Joshua walked back to Sean , forcing a smile , but everyone could tell he was angry . He normally talked a lot of crap about hitting the ball out of the park , but