Breath of Scandal(40)

And she's real secret* businesses to suffer."

"What other businesses?"

Patrice lowered her voice. "Besides abortions, she has another sideline, although she's supposed to be a seamstress. If you don't have much money and don't want anybody to find out, Georgie's the one to do it. " She took another draug of her cigarette. "Look, I know this is a lot to take in.

can tell me to f*ck off and I'll f*ck off. It ain't no skin off my nose either way, see?"

'61 appreciate your offer, Patrice, but I've got to think about it. I'm not even sure that I'm . . . that it'll be necessary."

Patrice glapced down at Jade's midsection and shrugged. "Sure. I understand, kiddo. The first time 'bout shivered my gizzard, too. But my old lady said no way in hell was she gonna have a squalling brat around the house. Besides, Neal Patchett is such a prick, who in her right mind would want to have his bastard?"

Jade's stomach rebelled at the thought. "I'll let you know what I decide, Patrice. Thanks. " She rushed toward the nearest restroom. A few minutes later she left the stall. Weakly bending over the sink, she thrust her hands into cold water and splashed it on her face.

"It's not a baby," she whispered to her pale reflection in the mirror. "It's not anything. It's slime."

After that, each time Jade met Patrice in the hallway, Patrice raised one eyebrow in silent inquiry. Jade pretended not to notice, although Patrice had prompted her to admit that there had been another severe consequence of the rape. She was pregnant.

She still refused to think of the fetus in terms of an individual, a baby. She'd wanted to postpone making a decision about it until after receiving her diploma, which was only a few weeks away. But the life inside her was developing.

She was very careful about the way she dressed. Nevertheless, if Patrice had guessed, it was only a matter of time before others would. Her worst fear was that someone would



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Sandra Brown



Breath of Scandal



113



share his suspicions with Gary. He must never know. Pregnancy was irrefutable proof that she had been with someone other than him. Could she get through graduation without his finding out? Dare she try?



Despite everything, she had been named salutatorian of her class. Gary was valedictorian. She was so proud of him, although she didn't dare congratulate him personally. He was dating another girl, and when Jade happened to meet him in the hall, he always looked the other way.

The honor of being second in her class was a consolation prize in which she took pride. Years of study and hard work had gone into the achievement. With very little parental support, she had earned the honor. Damned if she was going to let Neat and his friends rob her of that, too.

When she stood at the microphone and addressed the audience at the commencement exercise, she wanted to look her attackers in the eye. They wouldnt see her cowed. They had raped her body and her reputation, but she was going to go out with her dignity intact.

But what if people snickered behind their engraved programs over the pregnancy she had tried unsuccessfully to conceal?

During prom week, while her classmates made big plans for that important weekend, Jade agonized over her problem. During a class change, one of the women counselors approached her.

"Who are you going to the prom with, Jade?" :'I'm not going, Mrs. Trenton."

,:Not going? No one's asked you?"

That's fight." Neal had, but Jade had hung up on him without even honoring his tongue-in-cheek invitation with a reply. He'd even had the gall to suggest that they double date with Hutch and Donna Dee.

Mrs. Trenton looked her over carefully. "I'd like you to come by my office and see me one day this week, Jade. I believe we need to talk."

She knows.

As Jade moved down the school corridor, she realized that the choice to act now or to wait had been taken away



from her. For that she was almost relieved. She wouldn't have to dwell on the dilemma any longer, or weigh her options. She merely had to act, go through the motions, and get it Over with as soon as possible. When classes were dismissed for the day, she sought Out Patrice Watley.

Jade had rarely gone into that Part Of tOWTI-aDd certainly never alone, TO get there she had to cross the railroad tracks and drive past the deserted depot and the cotton gin, which was no longer in operation. Only then was she officially in nigger town. 1,

Several years earlier, Velta had hired a black woman to do their ironing. Whenever they went to the lady's house, Velta would order Jade to stay in the car and not to speak to anyone. After a few months, Velta had decided that having the ironing done was too expensive. "Besides, " Jade overheard her telling a friend,

into that part of town. You nev "it scares me to death to go to do. " er know what they're going A child, Jade hadn't understood what Velta feared would



happen to them when they 'ventured across the tracks. No one had ever approached the car,

hibited the spoken to them, or exmerest interest or suggestion of threat. In fact, the ironing lady had always sent out several



teacakes wrapped in a paper napkin for Jade. Flaky, buttery, golden, sugar-sprinkled disks-they had looked and smelled mouthwatering, She'd never had an opportunity to find out how they tasted, though. Velta had refused to let her eat them and threw them away the instant they returned home.