Read Online What a Fool Believes by Carmen Green - Free Book Online

disappear from society and emerge years later, wearing an apron and, he swallowed, pearls.
    He tried to squeeze by their leader, who had her forehead to his chest, but her stout legs held firmly at a ninety-degree angle—enough to turn her into a steel girder.
    Every time she inhaled, his legs slipped a little, until his hamstrings were pressed solidly against the unrelenting table behind him.
    To gain the advantage, he exhaled and caved his chest.
    Another tactical error, Byron realized when the sumo’s body filled the space. Oxygen whooshed from his mouth. His lungs panicked and screamed for air.
    The woman received encouragement from her friends. “Go on, girl!”
    â€œHe ain’t nothin’ but rude!”
    â€œShow him who’s boss!”
    His brain received an instant message from his lungs: breathe now or die. “If you’d just let—” he said and stopped. He was going to pass out.
    Just before the silver stars in his eyes turned black, she popped through, and he gulped in air.
    â€œNo, you didn’t just call me fat!”
    Byron stared at her in disbelief. She’d almost killed him! “I didn’t call you fat.”
    â€œI heard you. You called me fat,” she told the indignant mob.
    â€œI heard him, too,” a woman said, although she was two tables away.
    â€œI never said that!” “I’m a cop,” he wanted to declare but didn’t. Who’d believe him in a mob of angry women?
    The instructor finally interceded. “It’s over now. Everyone, please take your seats.”
    Was that the best he could do? The little wimp wouldn’t even look Byron in the eye.
    Byron touched the chair the big woman had vacated. A purse landed on the plastic. “Taken.”
    He moved across the aisle. “Taken.”
    He touched another. “Taken.”
    He threw up his hands. “Fine. Which of these seats isn’t taken?”
    The lady at the fifth table from the front pointed to a chair in the back of the room.
    â€œThat’s just great.” Byron grabbed the seat and planted it firmly against the last table and sat.
    He leaned back, and the chair groaned. Forced to hunch forward, Byron couldn’t help but remember how little he’d liked school.
    The instructor approached him. “You should apologize for calling Pebbles fat.”
    Pebbles? What sensible grown-up would have the nickname of a cartoon character? A little white tag on the instructor’s breast pocket announced his name.
    â€œLook here, Fred. I didn’t call her fat, so I’m not apologizing.”
    Fred sucked up brownie points by showing his disappointed frown to the class.
    â€œDon’t you see what’s happening? If we don’t stick together, we’re dog food.” Byron tried to establish a sense of brotherhood with the man, but he knew it was a lost cause.
    â€œI’ll have to report your lack of cooperation,” Fred said loudly.
    And that would be all Captain Hanks needed to have his badge. “Wait.” Byron hated not having choices. He chewed the inside of his jaw before forcing his lips to move. “I didn’t call you fat, but I apologize if you misheard me.”
    He’d managed to elicit consternation from every person in the room.
    â€œHow is that a real apology?” Pebbles demanded.
    Even Fred looked confused. “Well, that’s a good beginning.” He headed to the front of the room. “My name is Fred, and we’re here because you’re all dealing with a similar issue. Making good use of your anger.”
    The door flew open and banged against the wall, and Tia Amberson walked in.
    Byron wasn’t the least bit surprised. If the big rock that was Stone Mountain were to shrink to the size of a marble, he wouldn’t have batted an eye.
    Surprise was the norm in his life lately.
    â€œSorry I’m late.” Tia hurried in, oblivious to the disruption she