Jerks to Gentle Men: An Agape Story

By Hope J. Springs

Memphis, Tennessee, 1990. High School football star AJ Tallisdales journey from jerkdom begins when Victory Poindexter who he believes to be a virgin piques his interest. After developing feelings for her, he finds out that she is not the virgin of everyones report and breaks up with her. Feeling betrayed, AJ unknowingly feeds her to the wolves, namely his friend and fellow jerk, Yellow. After finding a new love in college, AJ regrets the damage done to Victorys reputation during high school and seeks redemption. Over the course of twenty years, AJ and Yellow suffer a wave of trials and tribulations that ultimately bring them to their knees and their destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 29, 2010
• ISBN: 9781465333834

Book preview

Copyright © 2010 by Hope J. Springs.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

All of the characters and events in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

65608

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

Dedication

to my husband

my father

my brother

my grandfather

my son

to all guys who have and will become better through tests of time

Chapter 1

AJ—Spring of Senior Year-1990

HE’D HEARD SHE was a virgin. By his account, a virgin at the age of seventeen with the beauty of a queen meant that she had turned all kinds of guys away. His friends confirmed as much, so the fact that he would be her first and maybe her one and only intrigued him. It was that desire that made him offer to take Victory to class on the other side of the campus in his mom’s Lexus LS 400. At the time, Victory didn’t have a problem with him doing so. Everyone knew who he was and everyone knew who she was. Memories of her were as strong as his beating heart. However, he'd try to rid himself of them through his early morning workouts.

The locker and workout room at Shadyside High was state-of-the-art due to its having generous contributions from NFL alumni. Ten treadmills, five stair climbers, two nautilus circuit trainers, and an array of free weights lined the mirrored walls. This was where AJ could stay all day. If he wasn’t at home or practice, one could find him there.

Okay, what’s going on, AJ? I haven’t seen you like this since we lost that game to East. You nervous about the press conference? Or is it Victory again? Have you called her? asked his friend Yellow.

Man, you ask a lot of questions. Have I called her? Yeah, I have called her, probably a hundred times since that stupid fight with Frescha, said AJ.

After all this time, you still like her, huh?

Yeah, I like the way she would… nah you don’t need to know that, laughed AJ.

What? Tell me everything man, he said eagerly.

Nah, she had some other qualities too. Smart, pretty long hair and chocolate skin that was just right. Not too dark not too light, boasted AJ.

Plus, she can dance her ass off. So why you stop going with her just to go back with Frescha?

Because I could? A girl like Victory was probably just wanting me because I am the best player on the football team. Before I was popular playing ball, honies like that wouldn’t give a nigga no play. It was probably just a matter of time before she started playing me, so I had to beat her to the punch, and I still got a girl, said AJ as he finished pumping his last set of 25lb weights.

Yeah, but I can tell it ain’t the one you really want.

AJ rolled his eyes at Yellow’s bold, but true remark. However, he wasn’t about to let Yellow know he was right because Yellow was supposed to be following his lead not the other way around. AJ was the football All-American and Yellow had a stretch to go before he got to AJ’s level. The next Deon Sanders is what they called AJ. Unfortunately though, AJ’s confidence on the football field hadn’t transferred to his love life. He underestimated himself when it came to females because his once tall, lanky body from junior high school had filled out through his strenuous workouts in high school. His dark chocolate skin contrasted sharply with other guys’ who were mocha or milk chocolate. So, the girls didn’t fall out over him like they did guys such as Yellow who was nicknamed for his skin tone.

Again I ask, why did you go back to Frescha and have her think she could call Victory’s house talking mess?

Look, I decided I ain’t letting Frescha go yet ’cause she wanted me when I wasn’t crap. My mom loves that girl. Plus, even though we had broken up when Victory and I hooked up, I thought I would eventually go back with her because I suspected Victory really wasn’t a virgin like she and everyone else was sayin’. I went back to Frescha ’cause I know I can trust her. I know Frescha was a virgin, but Victory lied to me.

Man how do you know?

I know because she didn’t… You know what… I don’t want to talk about her no mo’; let’s change the subject, demanded AJ.

But was it hard to get in? asked his friend.

Dude, you are so geeked, yeah it was hard, but that don’t mean nothing but that she hasn’t done it in a long time. The point is that she lied to me, AJ spat while doing his sit ups.

Whatever man, since you ain’t hitting that no more I think I will, joked his friend.

Try it. I’ll kill you, he spat again finishing his push ups.

Yeah right, you can’t be claiming two honies at one time. I’m getting me some of that. You just mad cause you can’t have it anymore, added Yellow.

Whatever. She probably won’t even give you no play ’cause she don’t like no high yellow dudes; she likes hot chocolate, said AJ pointing at his skin. She told me so. Plus, you are just a junior and since school’s ’bout to be out she probably on to them college dudes now.

Man you know you more like black coffee, laughed Yellow. AJ laughed too. Anyway, tell me everything man. What else happened between you and her?

I ain’t telling you nothing else.

Naw man, I’m hooked now. I’m going after that. What else?

AJ thought about how cold Victory was to him and wasn’t worried about Yellow getting anything from Miss Victory. She was much too smart for that, and he just knew that she would probably dis’ Yellow too when he tried to go for it. Feeling as if he could brag a bit and get away with it, he gave his playa’s version of their relationship.

As he finished his story, Yellow sat there with his eyes wide open, You lying!

No, I ain’t.

Man you’ll never see that again. That girl is mine. You’ll see, declared Yellow.

Yeah, we’ll see, challenged AJ. However, he knew that for some reason other than her looks, he couldn’t stop thinking about her and his feelings went deeper, he just wouldn’t or couldn’t admit that to Yellow.

black.jpg

Yellow wasted no time in his quest. The next day when he saw her on her way from 5th period class, he made his move.

Hey, can I talk to you for a minute? said Yellow approaching Victory.

Hey? Hey is for horses. What do you want? asked Victory casually.

I just want to know your name, that’s all, said Yellow.

That’s all huh, you should really already know my name ’specially since you’re on the football team. Don’t play with me boy, scolded Victory.

So, does that mean you know my name? asked Yellow.

Look boy, what do you really want? I gotta go to class, said Victory rolling her eyes and checking him out at the same time.

Your phone number, said Yellow.

You’re prettier than I am. What could you do for me? Besides that, I’m staying away from football players.

Well, what about basketball players? asked Yellow staring at her with his hazel-green eyes.

Laugh, Laugh, funny, funny, said Victory trying to hold back her smile. Alright, here, she said scribbling her number down on a piece of paper that he handed her.

Alriiiiiight, I’ma call you, said Yellow walking away as the bell sounded.

One of Frescha’s friends who saw Yellow talking to Victory yelled in his direction, I can’t believe you are talking to her, looking Victory up and down and rolling her eyes.

In her direction, Yellow yelled, Shut up and mind your own damn business.

Victory smiled triumphantly at the girl and dashed to class.

black.jpg

Two months after their Victory conversation, Yellow was screaming ‘victory’ to AJ. AJ had told Yellow that he didn’t want to talk about Victory anymore unless he actually got in those drawers.

See, I told you I would get her, and it was good too just like you said, chimed Yellow grinning like a hyena.

He cursed at Yellow and then said, You’re not even her type! You, with your high-yellow thievin’ ass.

Evidently, she thinks so. Aye man. We cool? I’m still your boy, right?

I guess man, it’s not your fault you are who you are. So are you gonna stay with her? Take her to the prom?

Oh noo, she doesn’t know this, but I don’t wanna spoil it for myself next year. She’s cool an’ all, but prom? That’s like marrying somebody with all the money you gotta spend. I’m gonna have to let that go dog.

I know what you mean ’cause, no offense, she just got with you to make me jealous, anyway.

Says who? I got what I wanted.

Come on think about it, why would she go out with you, an underclassman?

Cause she knows a good thing when she see’s it.

Nah, what she knew is that it would get back to me, and I know she thought you were gonna take her to the prom.

That bitch, said Yellow as he scowled at AJ.

I’m gonna show her, though. I’m going full speed ahead with Frescha and forgetting her, so don’t talk to me any more about her a’ight. I’m through, AJ declared, still secretly harboring feelings for Victory.

black.jpg

Yellow became consumed with the thought of Victory going with him just to make AJ jealous. He was using her, he thought, and could not stand for people to think otherwise. Fury overcame Yellow, as he watched Victory hanging with her friends the next day in the cafeteria.

Yo V, come here I need to talk to you for a minute, commanded Yellow.

Y’all I’ll be back, said Victory as she walked over to where Yellow was standing.

Why you ain’t call me back last night?

What for? You already told me that you aren’t taking me to my prom. So, you know what that tells me… you don’t wanna really be with me and don’t respect me. I’m through with you.

Nah, it doesn’t work like that. I’m through with you, and no I don’t respect you, especially now that I know you were just trying to make AJ jealous.

Victory opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, Yellow started in on her not caring that his voice was within earshot of her girlfriends’ table.

Yeah, I got your number; that’s why me and my boys talk all about you little bitches.

Not to be outdone, Victory yelled in his direction, Yellow, I told you in the beginning that you were too pretty to do anything for me, and as far as I’m concerned, you still haven’t done anything worth talking about with my friends.

Laughter filled the cafeteria at Victory’s comeback. As she watched Yellow turn beet red, look around the cafeteria, and walk out, she wished she hadn’t been so harsh, but Yellow was asking for it. Unfortunately, for Victory though, she’d started something she wouldn’t be able to finish.

Chapter 2

Victory—Spring of High School

Senior Year

SO, WHO ARE you going to your prom with? Lisa asked.

I’m not going, sighed Victory.

Stop lying, said Victory’s friend, Lisa, as she drove her mother’s Nissan Maxima through downtown Memphis trying to find a place to park. At two p.m. on a crisp, clear Saturday afternoon in March, there were a few more cars out than Lisa expected. Lisa’s mom allowed her to drive her brand spankin’ new 1990 Nissan Maxima wherever she wanted; however, Victory’s parents rarely let her drive their his and her Mercedes Benzes because they wanted her to earn a new car. While she was earning her new car, they gave her their old Pontiac Thunderbird to drive around. Some of her friends thought she should have been thankful to have a car that she could drive at anytime, but they didn’t know the strings attached, which were in the form of scriptures her parents had embedded in her conscious whenever she was about to go anywhere. Honor thy mother and father that thy days may be long on earth or train up a child in the way he should go so that when he is old he or she will not depart from it.

Lisa was one of Victory’s friends from junior high who she kept in touch with only periodically because they didn’t attend the same school anymore. The magnet school programs in Memphis allowed students to attend school wherever they liked if they met the required grade point average. Lisa opted for a different school after junior high, but they made it a point to find time to catch up on each other’s lives. After circling the block a couple of times, Lisa finally found a parking spot close to their destination on the renowned Beale Street. As they got out of the car, they continued their conversation.

No, I’m not kidding. You know I don’t have a boyfriend and my parents are not going to let me go with just anybody. You remember when I started talking to AJ? asked Victory.

Sort of, you went with him at the beginning of the school year right?

Well, it seems like yesterday for me because I’m still feeling the sting from it. I never told you the whole story, so you just don’t know the drama I have had to deal with this year. If I don’t have a fine brotha’ with a nice car as a prom date, I’m just not going. I’m not showing up by myself; that’s for sure! I refuse to let them embarrass me again ’cause that’s probably what they can’t wait to do. Not to mention their friends, I feel them laughing at me at this very minute.

You mean AJ is laughing at you?

Yeah, him and some, sighed Victory.

Why do you say that? They ain’t thinking about you, said a confident Lisa.

I say that because everybody in the whole school knows I lost my virginity to that jerk!

Victory, nooo! said Lisa aghast at what she was hearing about her friend who she knew walked the straight and narrow.

All I could see then was stardom and me wearing that damn red and white jacket. Victory’s voice softened as she continued, The sad thing is once I got past the hoopla, he turned out to be pretty cool. I started to enjoy being around him because he always seemed so sure of himself. He even sang to me one time. I couldn’t believe it.

Football players, Victory? I think you should have known; plus they usually aren’t too bright, said Lisa as if they were beneath her.

Excuse you. That is not true. My father played football. My cousins and brother all play sports right now, and they are very bright. On top of that, athletes at Shadyside have a required 3.0 minimum GPA. At the time he was flirting with me, people were talking about AJ getting an athletic scholarship to UT Knoxville, and he has since accepted that scholarship. Now, does that sound dumb to you? There was no way I could have seen what was coming.

As they strolled into one of the downtown boutiques, Lisa had her eye on some prom dresses while Victory browsed the accessories. When they were finished shopping, they perused Beale Street and stopped momentarily to listen and watch a blues band playing in B.B. King’s, a hot spot in Memphis. They continued on after a while and watched guys show off their cars with expensive sound systems that drowned out the sweet Blues melodies.

You hear that song? Victory said as Salt ’n Pepa’s ‘Tramp’ was bumping loudly from someone’s speakers. That’s why I don’t want to go, Victory started to explain.

Who’s a tramp? Definitely not you, argued Lisa while moving her body to the beat.

If you went to my school, you might not be so sure, and I also wouldn’t have to recount all the painful details to you, said Victory.

Well, you gonna tell me what you’re talking about? I’m trying not to be too nosy if you don’t wanna go into it, but it seems as if you are itching to tell me, said Lisa.

Let’s go in Alfred’s, said Victory as they approached the restaurant. I have to sit down with this story. Plus, I hear some hot wings calling my name.

It’s a beautiful day; would you ladies like to dine here or on the deck upstairs, asked the hostess.

No, thank you, this floor is fine, said Victory.

Lisa looked at her friend shockingly because Victory usually enjoyed the upper deck. However, Victory felt it just didn’t fit the mood for what she was about to discuss with her friend.

Victory? You okay? How are things on the Pom Squad coming, inquired Lisa interrupting Victory’s trance.

Well they were coming, I’m on probation because of my grades. Coach Frasier wants everyone to have at least a 3.0. I dropped to a 2.5. Calculus and Computer Programming are kicking my butt. I might not even be able to go to Florida with them.

Not you, Victory. What’s going on?

I put up a strong front at school, but I feel like a personal tragedy. My reputation has gone to crap because of one person.

And that one person is AJ?

Yes.

Will you get on with the story then Miss Drama? exclaimed Lisa.

Ok, Ok, it started with the first time we had… you know. Victory paused cringing at the memory.

Your first time right?

Victory nodded in the affirmative.

Oh boy, this is serious and a great story for the table, said a sarcastic Lisa. Hurry up before the food gets here.

He said to me after we finished, ‘I don’t think you were really a virgin because if you waaas then something else should have happened? You said you was a virgin,’ mocked Victory.

‘I was,’ was all I could say. I couldn’t go into details with him about my past. He would not have understood girl.

You’re right about that; guys are a trip; it’s okay if they have had sex but they want us to be virgins, but what is the ‘something else’ he was talking about? I know you were a virgin because we used to talk about you ‘holding out’ all the time.

Well I was, but… don’t look down on me after I tell you this, said Victory.

I won’t. Will you just tell me? To tell the truth, unless this happened before 7th grade I should know about this already.

I couldn’t tell you, I was too embarrassed. I knew what AJ was missing, and it happened with another boy when I was 15 and we were just foolin’ around. He wanted us to go all the way but I was so afraid when he tried to force himself on me that I just closed my eyes and prayed. When he finally left me alone, I promised God I would never go that far again.

Excuuse me ladies, interrupted the waitress with a southern drawl that could be heard in Arkansas. Yawl ready to awder?

After Lisa ordered the Suicidal Hot Wings, and Victory ordered the Medium Hot Wings, Victory filled Lisa in on the rest of her love life, and when the wings arrived, the young ladies tore into their bowls. Alfred’s on Beale fixed the wings just the way their customers wanted. Some liked them super hot and some just mildly spicy. Victory teased Lisa as she ate her suicidal wings.

I had those suicidal wings one time. I’ll never do it again. My lips were burning so much that I thought they would fall off. Forget the water, I just took a bunch of ice cubes and pressed them against my lips and it still didn’t seem to help.

Lisa laughed picturing Victory with the ice cubes pressed to her lips. They say that milk or blue cheese dressing will cool it down faster. Hey, I see these wings aren’t the only things that are hot… Hot Momma! You went through all that without telling me? I told you all about my ordeal, remembered Lisa.

Girl, your news topped mine. I guess I was also embarrassed about not doing it for real. Back then, I was confused about staying a virgin because it was an embarrassment with my friends ’cause I hadn’t gone all the way and an embarrassment with my family because I shouldn’t have gone that far. I couldn’t believe that you had actually gone through with it… but when you told me who it was with, I understood. Blake Hightower, only one of the cutest boys in school. I couldn’t figure out when it happened though. You didn’t even tell me about him before… bam! He was in there, said Victory laughing out loud.

Yeah, we can laugh about it now, but messin’ round with him is what got me put out of Oak Wood High. I was so sprung over his scrawny butt that I didn’t care about my grades, said Lisa.

Shocked was all I was when I saw your report card that year, I wanted to beat you myself, so I know your mom was upset. But I’m glad everything turned out like they did for you at your new school, being class president must be exciting.

It’s very demanding. Tell me though, what happened to make you not want to go to your prom? Guys dump girls all the time.

Oh do they? Well, do they spread all types of nasty rumors about them too? I already had to deal with the embarrassment of losing my virginity, but when one of my guy friends told me some of the things he’d heard about me, I couldn’t believe it.

I won’t even ask what was said.

Thank you! And do you know AJ still calls me? But that’s not all.

"His ex-girlfriend or who I thought was his ex – called my house threatening me, saying I should watch my back at school the next day because she and her friends were going to kick my butt because I was messing with her boyfriend. I was speechless except for telling her not to call my house anymore.

And do you know that fool called my house that same night and told me that he was back with her, and I shouldn’t call him anymore. I was thinking, ‘I didn’t call your black butt; you called me!’

I know you wanted to jump through that phone, said Lisa.

Girl, I did but before I could get anything out, he hung up in my face.

This is some ridiculous stuff. I wish you had told me that night. Where was I? What about your brother? What happened the next day? questioned Lisa as she crunched on the last of her celery.

You couldn’t help me; you were at another school and I really didn’t want my brother to get involved. He’s too young. It could have gotten ugly. When I got to homeroom, I told Marsha and a couple of others, said Victory confidently. But we never threw punches because I screamed at her so loud that I got everybody’s attention including the Assistant Principal’s. Mr. Davis just called us in his office and warned us not to throw a punch or we would definitely get suspended.

Your parents would have strung you up by a rope if you had gotten suspended.

It gets worse.

What else girl?

I went with his friend Yellow for revenge, but everything backfired. Yellow won’t take me to the prom, I went off on him in the cafeteria for everyone to see, and now all the good guys think I’m easy. I’m hearing all kinds of rumors ’bout me. Doubt any of them will want to take me now, said Victory.

Lisa saw Victory tearing up and went over to her side of the table to give her a hug.

It’s ok girl, I get why you don’t want to go now, but you have got to go to show them that you are not fazed. As pretty as you are, someone will take you. I’ll help you find somebody dammit. But, now if you was really some chicken headed tramp, you’d be on your own, proclaimed Lisa making Victory laugh.

Chapter 3

Senior Prom—Victory

WITH A WEEK and a half to go before prom night, Victory had no date or dress. Even though her friends had some prospects, Victory was not feeling any of them, and all of her admirers that she kept at bay before AJ had dates already. Feeling as low as anyone could, Victory felt like she was reaping what she had sown, so she would just have to get over it like she did everything else.

Just when it looked like all was lost, she saw her childhood friend, Ben, arriving home as she went to her mailbox. A tall