The Scammer(23)

Loren and I exchange a glance in the mirror.

Vanessa turns down the music, giving him an easy breezy smile. “Uhhh . . . the Kappas are having a party tonight. But you probably don’t want to come and see all the ratchetness, right? What d’you think?”

“I think you should stay home,” he says plainly. “All of you.”

Kammy slowly puts her eyebrow pencil down on the sink. She takes a deep breath and steps out of the bathroom.

“But it’s a Kappa party,” she says, as if it should mean something to him.

His face doesn’t change. It reeks of disappointment.

“Devonte, we’re freshmen,” Vanessa starts, slowly entering a lion’s den. “This is supposed to be the time of our lives.”

He sighs. “Well. I guess I was wrong about y’all. I thought y’all were different. Maybe I’m wasting my time trying to teach you the truth.”

Kammy twists her fingers. Loren looks to me and I don’t know what to say.

“Devonte,” Loren pleads. “We love everything you’ve taught us. We just hoping to have a little fun, that’s all.”

“How can you think of ‘fun’ when there’s thousands of innocent Black men in prison and families being torn apart. Do you really want to contribute to the capitalist machine and fill the white man’s pockets? None of the money that will be made this weekend will go to the people in need.”

He shrugs, not meeting our eyes, seeming wounded.

“But I’ll respect your wishes. Whatever you do is up to you. But if you really loved me, you wouldn’t go out tonight.”

The words hang in the air like a threat.

He glances at Loren. “And are you sure you want to go out, dressed like that?”

The light fades from Loren’s eyes. I want to step across the room and hug her, but I’m afraid it would come across as pity.

“If fun is all you care about, then go. Drink the white man’s liquor. But remember it came from a store that was specifically put in the hood, infiltrating our community to keep us from knowing the truth about ourselves. To keep us from succeeding.” He shakes his head. “After all I’ve done for you, taught you. This whole weekend is another trap by the system. And this time, I won’t be able to save you.”

Vanessa looks at us, her lips pressed in a hard line. We stand frozen, waiting for someone to make the first move. Finally, Vanessa nods toward the sofa.

Loren sighs. She shuffles her feet and sits on the very end, Vanessa plopping down next to her. Kammy blinks, unable to contain her shock, but she too moves in its direction. She looks back at me and I don’t know what to do.

Devonte stands up straight, the light of the bathroom behind me highlighting the youthfulness in his skin.

“How will you rewrite history, Jordyn,” he says in a low voice, “if you’re outside with the masses who don’t want to learn it?”

I glance at the girls on the sofa, sitting there sullen and shamed . . . and confused. Are we really going to just skip homecoming?

Principle number ten: The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.

I give him a wide smile. “You’re right. Of course you’re right. I’m sorry.”

Loren takes a deep breath. “Okay, so what should we do instead?”

Devonte gives us an approving nod. “I think it’s time we open up your minds.”



* * *




Loren’s candles flicker on the coffee table, casting shadows on the walls. As drumming music hums out of Vanessa’s speaker, Devonte doles out a special mix of tea.

“This is powerful, powerful stuff. Once you have it, you should lay down immediately on the floor, let the effects take you. Surrender to them.”

Loren and Vanessa slurp up their tea immediately. Kammy winces through her sips. I stare at the brown-reddish water with a sickening feeling.

“What is it?” I ask.

Devonte shakes his head with a smirk. “Always a curious one. It’s a powerful medicine that will clear the clogged-up thoughts in your mind.”

As I gather his meaning, my neck tenses. “We’ll be high?”

“High is too basic of a word. It’s transformative. Don’t worry. I studied with a great shaman in Mexico. I’ll be here to guide you through your fears. Trust me, I’ve been able to help Loren, haven’t I?”

I look at Loren, who’s already lying on the floor, her smile full of content.

This is not a part of the plan, my mind screams. This is dangerous, this is how you’ll get burned. But if I don’t walk through the fire, how will I gain the girls’ trust? His trust? How will I be one with them?

“Can I add some sugar to this?” Kammy whines. “It tastes nasty!”

With his back turned to reassure her, I quickly pour half of the cup into the corner of the sofa and shoot back the rest. It tastes like a mix of coffee and wood, bitter and mud-like. I have to take several deep breaths to keep from gagging.

Devonte smiles proudly, taking my empty cup. “Lay down and close your eyes.”

I do. And within minutes I’m awake.

But I’m not on the floor of my suite. I’m in my bed. The pure white walls of my room glow in a haze. I cuddle the fluffy lavender down comforter, the color matching my curtains, throw pillows, the bench at my vanity next to my walk-in closet. A whistle rings through the air.