Page 180 of Pride High 2: Orange

“I thought I heard angels singing,” Keisha said as she strode across the floor toward her, “but I didn’t expect to see one in the flesh.”

Silvia blushed, which only increased the rate of her own pulse. “Keisha! Hi! It’s been a while.”

“I noticed.”

“Sorry. Things have been…”

“Crazy? Mindy mentioned that your father broke his leg. Seems to be going around lately. First it was a guy in my theater class, and now your dad. I hope it isn’t contagious.” She pushed herself up on her toes, as if trying to see over the counter.

“Both of mine are still intact,” Silvia said while laughing.

“Is he okay?” Keisha asked in more serious tones.

“Yes.” After hesitating, she added. “He won’t be returning to work anytime soon. I wish this had happened during the summer so I could put in forty hours a week.”

Keisha shook her head. “Workers’ comp should cover him while he’s out of commission.”

“Oh,” Silvia said, despite not sounding surprised or relieved. “Okay.”

“Has he filed for that yet?” Keisha pressed.

“I don’t think so.”

“That should help with finances.”

Silvia merely stared at her while squirming slightly.

All sorts of folks had visited Hartland Farms over the years. Keisha often enjoyed sitting down with them to learn their stories. She had met people who felt they couldn’t file for workers’ compensation and knew the reasons for their reluctance.

“The law is simpler than you might think,” she said. “Anyone who is hired to do work, no matter their circumstances, is entitled to compensation if they are hurt on the job. So if your dad is denied benefits foranyreason, my parents have a great attorney.”

“Is it you?” Silvia asked. “Because you’re surprisingly knowledgeable on the subject. It is, isn’t it? You’re a secret teenager lawyer.”

Keisha laughed. “No, but people do get hurt on a farm, so the issue has come up at the dinner table a few times. Just let me know.”

“Thanks,” Silvia said. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“No problem.” Keisha leaned on the counter, bringing them closer. “What inspired the choice of music?”

Silvia tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’ve been researching gay musicians lately.”

“Any particular reason?”

“Anthony has a birthday coming up.”

“Oh, so it’s not for you?”

Silvia opened her mouth. Then she shut it again.

Keisha pushed away from the counter. “Listen,” she said. “I can appreciate when people are trying to be polite. I’m a big fan of manners. But when someone has a booger in their nose, and after you tell them, they start digging around in the wrong nostril, that’s when you’ve gotta be more direct.”

Silvia quickly covered her nose with her hand.

Keisha laughed. She couldn’t help it. “There’s nothing there. You’re perfect. I’m the one who’s feeling exposed. Am I barking up the wrong tree? I thought we had a connection. Then you said you’d rather be friends, which I could make my peace with. Except now I feel like you’re avoiding me.”

Silvia dropped her hand. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to make you feel that way.”

Keisha shrugged. “I’m more interested in whatyou’refeeling.”