Needy Little Things(52)
“No. She most definitely did not mention a Jedidiah. I don’t think Dej could even say Jedidiah. You know she got a little lisp.”
“There is not one letter in Jedidiah that’s affected by a lisp.” But man, do I miss her voice.
“Said what I said. Why you asking anyway?”
“I don’t know. It’s stupid. His first and last name start with J, she follows him on Insta—”
“And you think he gave her that Valentine’s Day card you stole out of her bedroom?”
I sink low into my chair. “Honestly? No, not really. He lives three and a half hours away and has a girlfriend. I think I just needed you to talk me down.”
“Well, consider yourself laid out on the ground. Jedidiah don’t sound like her type.”
“Go look at his IG. JedJones14.”
A few seconds pass. “Oh dang, never mind. He’s everybody’s type. But I don’t know, girl. If you’re worried about it, talk to him. He’s probably your cousin. Ain’t everybody from Chefly, related?”
“Bye, Malcolm.”
I accept the follow request and request to follow Ella while I’m at it. Fitzgerald’s page is public. He hasn’t updated in years, but I can’t judge—neither have I, except to share info about Dej. Fitz only has two posts. One of a record player and one of him and a girl with their backs turned, looking at the sunset. Crystelle, his ex-girlfriend, soon-to-be fiancée, I assume. I follow him and he follows back right away, then sends me a DM.
Fitzdavy You’re spoiling me now. A phone call and social media contact all in the same week?
Jed was just telling me he found you on here Me
Is it bad I kind of forgot what he looked like?
Fitzdavy haha no. He spent almost every summer at football camp in South Georgia. I think y’all met like once.
A new message pops up at the top of my screen.
JedJones14
HOW COULD YOU FORGET A FACE LIKE THIS?
Me
You and Fitz are together, I see.
A few seconds later and I’m part of a new group chat with Fitz, Jed, and Ella. I catch up with all of them for a few, wondering how soon is too soon to ask Jed about Deja. The conversation transitions to Blueship track and field and I can’t wait any longer. I send him another private message.
Me
Fitz told me you helped hang posters for my friend, Deja. Thanks for that.
JedJones14
no problem! Really hope she turns up soon Me Just curious … did you ever talk to her? She follows you. DejaDej.
He takes over five minutes to reply.
JedJones14
Whoa. Hey, I had no idea she was following me. That’s wild. She never sent me a message or anything. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful.
Me
No worries!
I’m not even sure I can believe him, but if he’s lying about interacting with her at all, he definitely isn’t about to confess to a secret relationship with her. I choose to play it cool and return to the group thread. The escape with old friends is nice, but Jojo bursts my happy little bubble after only a few minutes. He stands over me, panting and sweaty.
“Ew, back up.” I shove him away. “You stink.”
“What do you expect? I was playing outside. I need to get conditioned for camp.”
“Conditioned? Josiah, it’s zoo camp, not soccer camp.”
“Yes, but the brochure said we’ll be taking field trips to the botanical garden and the aquarium and to be prepared to spend most of the day outdoors. There’s even an overnight day.” He paces excitedly. “We’ll be sleeping by the giant pandas. Giant pandas!”
Not if I don’t make the rest of the money to pay for it. I text Jude and tell him I’m ready. “Sounds fun, Jo. Did you need something?”
He stands there, hands on his hips, still panting, and suddenly I’m nervous.
“Josiah, did you take your medicine this morning?”
He gives me a vigorous nod.
“You need some water?” I’m in the kitchen filling him a glass without listening to his response. I pass it to him and he drinks it all without coming up once for air. “Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“I wasn’t. Not until I saw Deja’s mama.”
“You saw Ms. Jasmine? Where?”
“Outside. Around the corner. She was talking with a man.”
“What man? Mr. Derrick?”
“Nope.” He grabs a pack of Oreos from the cabinet. “That big man you told me not to talk to cuz he sells drugs to little kids,” he says, teeth black with cookies. “Ms. Jasmine looks like she does drugs.”
“Josiah!”
“What? I’m telling it like it is.”
“What do you know about drugs?”
He shrugs. “I been out in these streets.”
I snatch a pillow from the couch and chuck it straight at his peanut head. He runs away laughing and goes into his bedroom, Oreos in hand. I go to my own room and sprawl across my bed, taking a few deep breaths. It wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world for Ms. Jasmine to talk to that man. No doubt he sees and knows things going on around the city that most people don’t. I roll onto my side and grip Tibby. But then again, Jojo’s not wrong. Malcolm and I fought before we could start looking into her, but Ms. Jasmine has been setting off red flags for days. I won’t let myself be distracted from it for even one more.