My Cousin Lenore

By Teresa D. Patterson

Twelve year old Jaileesa Johnson is not thrilled about having to share her room with her cousin, Lenore. She knows nothing about her cousin from Detroit and wants to keep it that way. However, Big Mama tells her she has to be nice to Lenore, so she’s trying her best to obey. Lenore doesn’t make it easy because she’s sullen, moody and withdrawn...and she keeps locking Jaileesa out of her own room!
Is there any way at all that Jaileesa can end up liking her cousin, Lenore?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teresa D. Patterson
• Release date: Apr 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476283142

Teresa D. Patterson

Teresa D. Patterson came onto the literary scene with her debut novel, Project Queen, which was published by a small independent publishing company. It wasn't long before she realized having complete control over the creation and distribution of her books suited her better, compelling her to publish her own future works.Her first independent published novel was Ex-boyfriend. She went on to write several novels in multiple genres, which includes contemporary fiction, erotica, inspirational fiction, juvenile fiction, romance, and urban lit. She has written twenty-eight novels and co-authored one.

Book preview

My Cousin Lenore

Teresa D. Patterson

Copyright 2012 by Teresa D. Patterson

Published by Edit Again Publications at Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means including electronic, mechanical or photocopying or stored in a retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages to be included in a review.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, placed and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

My Cousin Lenore

(Jaileesa’s Story)

I peered from behind the curtain, unobserved by the crowd below. I watched as my twin brothers, Jailial and Jameel, helped unload the trunk of the car that had brought cousin, Lenore to disrupt our lives. I wasn’t down there helping with her luggage, because I didn’t want her around. She was a stranger invading our home, and I was determined to make sure she knew it.

Jaileesa, come welcome your cousin Lenore, Big Mama called up the stairs. I was tempted to just ignore her, but decided against it. My grandmother could make a snake uncurl and slither back under a rock with one look. I didn’t want to cross her for any reason. Leesa, child! You hear me? she yelled.

Yes ma’am, I called quickly, hurrying down the stairs.

I saw the person called Lenore sitting on the couch. I have to admit, she was one of the most beautiful girls I’d ever seen. I’d heard Big Mama brag to everybody about how pretty Lenore’s mother had been, but she’d never mentioned how lovely Lenore was.

Girl, what are you gawking at? Cat got ya tongue? Go on over and introduce yourself to your cousin, Big Mama instructed.

I edged towards her, reluctantly. Hi, I’m Jaileesa, I said dully.

Hi, I’m Lenore, she replied then looked away. That was it.

Can I go to Katrina’s house? I asked, instantly forgetting all about my cousin.

No young lady, you may not, Big Mama replied. You don’t want to leave ya cousin Lenore here by herself, now do you?

Jailial and Jameel are here, I reminded her.

I know that, but I just bet Lenore would prefer your company to theirs. Right Lenore? Big Mama stared at Lenore waiting for a response.

Actually, I’d prefer to be left alone, Lenore finally answered quietly. No one has to be nice to me because I don’t need kindness. She sounded almost angry. I looked at Big Mama wondering how she’d respond. No one ever talked that way with her and got off lightly.

If that’s what you wish, Big Mama shocked me by replying. I gazed at the twins and they both looked just as puzzled by her answer as I was. Jaileesa run along.

So, I can go to Katrina’s?

Go on, didn’t I say? She waved me off, like she was a little annoyed. I didn’t mind though. I always aggravated Big Mama until I got my way.

Maybe ignoring Lenore wouldn’t be necessary. She didn’t seem to pose much of a problem- so far. I didn’t even give her a second glance as I rushed outside.

At Katrina’s house we were having fun until her brother Eric popped up with his friends and ruined everything. Eric was seventeen and had dropped out of high school. Most of the kids he hung with were also dropouts. They came to Katrina’s house because they knew her mom would be at work until late at night. Usually, they never bothered us, but that day was different.

Eric, your little sister is growing up, one nasty looking guy said. His hair was knotty like it hadn’t been combed in weeks and he needed to shave. He stared at Katrina with his bloodshot eyes. Then his gaze rested on me. Who’s the little friend? Cute. I didn’t like the way he was looking at me because it made my skin crawl.

Curtis man, my sister and her friends are off limits! Eric threatened. They’re just kids.

Man, I didn’t mean nothing! Curtis’s laugh sounded hollow. I got up to leave.

Where you going? Eric asked.

H-home, I stammered.

You don’t have to leave. Don’t pay Curtis no attention. Stay here and keep my sister company while I take care of some business.

Eric had always been pretty nice to me whenever I came over, if he was around. I figured I could do him that favor. I didn’t know what type of business he referred to, but I wasn’t going to ask.

Okay.

Let’s go to my room, Katrina suggested and I quickly agreed.

I could feel Curtis’s eyes boring into my back as we left. I didn’t like him for some reason. He just gave me the creeps!

Later, when I left, I ran into Curtis in the hallway.

Hi Pretty. Where you going off to in such a hurry? he asked and touched my hair. I flinched. What’s the matter, huh? I won’t hurt you.

I slipped past him