August was slipping through their fingers. The days were still hot, but they were getting shorter. More kids talked about school clothes. Football practice took up more afternoons. And the easy, drifting vibe of early summer had shifted into a gentle urgency-only a couple of weeks left.
One late afternoon, after football practice at King Park, the crew walked back toward Portland Avenue—laughing, sweaty, arguing over a catch Reggie swore he made even though everyone else said it hit the ground. When they reached Reggie’s block on 40th and Portland, the group began peeling off toward their houses. Tasha and Terri headed toward Cathy’s. Tony headed toward his house down the block, Leon lived on 40th and Oakland, right behind Reggie’s house. Marcus live a couple of houses from Derrick, so the two of them headed over to 41st and Oakland Avenue. That’s when Cathy stepped back toward him. “Hey,” she called out to Derrick.
“Wait a minute.”
Derrick turned.
“Yeah?”
“Walk with me real quick,” she said.
Derrick blinked, surprised. Cathy was friendly, sure—but she usually stayed with Tasha or the girls. It was unusual for her to pull him aside alone. Still, he shrugged and walked with her down the block.
Cathy didn’t waste time.
“So,” she said, folding her arms, “I see you and Tasha getting close.”
Derrick nearly tripped over a crack in the sidewalk.
“What? No—no, we just cool, that’s all.”
Cathy gave him a look so sharp he felt it in his spine.
“Boy, please,” she said. “I live with her. I’m with her every day. And I got eyes.”
Derrick sighed, cheeks warming.
“It ain’t like that,” he muttered.
Cathy raised an eyebrow.
“You like her.”
He didn’t answer.
“Do you?” she asked again, softer this time.
Derrick swallowed.
“…Yeah. I do.”
Cathy nodded, not surprised.
“She likes you too,” she said.
Those words stopped Derrick cold.
“Wait—she does? How do you know that?” he asked, voice cracking a little.
Cathy smirked.
“Yes. I told you—I’ve got eyes, plus she tells me everything.”
They kept walking, but Cathy’s tone shifted—not mean, not harsh, but protective.
“Tasha’s been through a lot,” Cathy said. “More than you know.”
“I know some,” Derrick replied quietly.
Cathy glanced at him.
“Her daddy leaving… losing her neighborhood in St. Paul… moving… having to start over… that stuff don’t just disappear.”
“I know,” Derrick said.
Cathy nodded slowly.
“She’s happy here. Happier than I’ve seen her in a long time. She likes our neighborhood. Likes the park. Likes the girls.” She paused. “And she really likes you.”
Derrick’s chest warmed again, but Cathy continued before he could say anything.
“I’m telling you this because I care about her. She’s like a sister to me, and I don’t want nobody messing with her feelings.”
“I would never do that,” Derrick said immediately.
Cathy studied him.
“I know you wouldn’t,” she said. “That’s why I’m talking to you.”
They neared the corner of 41st & Portland. Kids were riding bikes. Music drifted from a house down the block—maybe the Delfonics. Cathy stopped walking and turned to face him fully.
“So, Derrick… what do you want with her? For real?”
The question stunned him. He stared at the ground, kicking at a small rock.
“I don’t know,” he finally said. “I just… like being around her. She’s… kind. And funny. And she makes me feel… I don’t know… good. Like I wanna do better.”
Cathy nodded slowly.
“That’s a good answer.”
Then she stepped closer—serious but gentle.
“You’re a good dude, Derrick. Everybody knows that. Even the grown folks know that. Just make sure… if you and Tasha get closer… you treat her right. She deserves that.”
Derrick looked her in the eyes.
“I will,” he said. “I promise.”
Cathy smiled—not big, but warm.
“I believe you.” she said. “But if you don’t…” She put her fist up. “You get this.” She said grinning at him.
As they turned back toward Cathy’s house, Cathy added,
“Oh—and don’t be scared to talk to her.”
Derrick blinked.
“What?” “
It’s obvious you trying to play it cool,” Cathy said. “But Tasha ain’t looking for a cool boy. She’s looking for somebody real.”
Derrick felt his stomach twist.
“I’m… trying.”
“Don’t try,” Cathy said. “Just be you. Trust me—she already likes that.”
He didn’t know what to say, so he just nodded.
When they reached Cathy’s house, Tasha was sitting on the porch, sipping a cold glass of Kool-Aid. She looked up when she saw them.
“You two talking about something?” she asked, eyes curious.
Cathy shrugged.
“Nothing major.”
Tasha narrowed her eyes slightly.
“What kind of nothing?”
Cathy smirked.
“Girl talk.”
Derrick nearly choked.
Tasha rolled her eyes.
“If you say so.”
Cathy winked at Derrick as she stepped past him into the house.
“Remember what I said,” she whispered.
Tasha tilted her head.
“What did she say?”
Derrick swallowed.
“Nothing.” Tasha smiled softly.
“You sure?” she asked.
Derrick met her eyes.
“Yeah,” he said. “I’m sure.”
But he wasn’t sure of anything except this. Summer was almost over. Football was heating up. School was coming. Things were changing. And Tasha? She was becoming the brightest part of all of it.