Hotlanta (22 page)
“How is it going to be okay, Lauren?” Sydney asked as she ran her fingers over the window. “The last few days have been absolutely surreal. I don't know if I'm coming or going anymore, if I even am who I thought I wasâif any of this is what we ever thought it was. How do we make sense of all of this?”
“You got me on that one,” Lauren whispered. “One minute we're thinking Altimus is an overprotective killer, the next he's buying us luxury condos and stuff. I mean, what can we do? How do we figure out the truth?”
Just then, Lauren stopped looking at the Atlanta skyline and focused instead on the reflection in the glass, which
revealed a dark figure approaching them. Sydney grabbed Lauren's hand to signal her to stop talking; both flinched when Altimus wrapped his arms around the sisters.
“The prettiest girls in the room,” he said, squeezing the two. “I have to be the luckiest father in the world.”
“And you know this,” Lauren said, shaking her weave.
“I love you two as if my blood runs through your veins, you know that, right?” Altimus asked. “That's why I work so hard. That's what real fathers do. They set up a future for their families and their families' families, so that everyone can eat and be comfortable and enjoy life. I do what I do because you are my hearts. And I need you both to know that I'm going to always take care of you and your mother, by any means necessary,” he added quietly.
Sydney and Lauren looked at each other's eyes in the reflection.
And Hotlanta swirled at their feet.
DENENE
For God, who keeps opening windows for me when it seems all doors are closedâwithout His grace, I am surely nothing. For my husband and darling daughters, Mari and Lila, and my son, Mazi: It is for you that I do what I doâthank you for your constant encouragement, support, and love, which makes each of my words tumble easily to the page, even the stubborn ones. With you all and Teddy by my side, all things are possible. For my parents, Bettye and James Millner, and my brother, Troy Millner: Thank you for loving me hard and strongâyou all helped mold me into the woman I am today. For Angelou, James, Miles, Cole, and my in-laws, Migozo
and Chikuyu: Thank you for helping Nick and I find our way and providing us with the family structure and friendship that has surely added 20 years onto each of our lives. For my fabulous niece, Imani, and all her sister-friends: Thank you for the Georgia Peach prototypes; your insight into The A helped us find what we think are authentic ATL voices. For Victoria Sanders, my agent extraordinaire: Thank you for keeping me working and constantly challengedâyou truly are my Dreamgirl! For our fabulous editor, Abby: Thank you for the deft touch, the deep understanding of all things cool as hell, and especially the laughterâit truly was a joy to work with you. For Andrea Davis Pinkney: You have been a constant source of inspiration for this writerâa mentor when you didn't even know it. Thank you for showing me the way.
And for Mitzi, who keeps me young, fresh, and fly: You are a true star who deserves her own spotlight and theme song, fo sho. Thanks for being my partner.
And finally, thank you to the great state of Georgia, for welcoming my family with open arms and helping us find peaceâ¦there's no place like home.
As always, I begin by dedicating this book to God, Yemaya, all the orisha and guides who have helped me safely arrive at
this point in life. Every day offers a new opportunity. Thank you for continuing to open the doors.
Mommie, achieving greatness often requires large leaps of faith. Thank you for always being there on the other side.
Melissa, being your older sister is the hardest job I've ever wanted. Thank you for your patience.
Daddy, the most powerful statements are often unspoken. In case I don't say it enough, I love you.
Roy, loyalty is a priceless trait. You are the bestest cousin ever!
Mommy Sally, words can't express how grateful I am to you and your loving family for accepting me as one of the fold.
To the rest of my relativesâthank you for your love and support.
Joan, you are the fabulous big sister/mentor I've been searching for all these years. I'm so glad I got you in the divorce.
Rhea, sometimes it takes a lifetime to get to know certain people. And then there are others with whom it seems you've already shared a lifetime. I'm so glad you're my girl.
Mali, Carmen, Shayla, Toya, Lisa, Daina, Kenya H., Carla, Dara, Karina, Geoff, Betina, Nicole W., Jen K., and all the rest of my fabulous friends: thanks for the love, support, and inspiration.
Denene, it is such a pleasure working with such a dynamic writer. Thanks for staying focused, making me laugh out loud, and always keeping it moving.
Andrea, Abby, and the entire Scholastic team, thank you for making my
Hotlanta
dreams a reality. From start to finish you guys have been nothing short of phenomenal.
Victoria, thank you for your continual professionalism throughout the project.
Drama, you may not be able to read (or bark), but I know you understand every single word I say. Just think, every day we're a little closer to a big backyard just for you!
And a special shout out to Satonja, my ride or die homie since FAMU. Thank you so much for answering all my late-night pleas for direction (literally). You are truly one of the great ones!
Also by Denene Millner and Mitzi Miller
(with Angela Burt-Murray)
The
Angry Black Woman's Guide to Life
The Vow
Also by Denene Millner
The Sistahs' Rules:
Secrets for Meeting, Getting, and
Keeping a Good Black Man
Dreamgirls
Also by Denene Millner
(with Nick Chiles)
What Brothers Think, What Sistahs Know
What Brothers Think, What Sistahs Know about Sex:
The Real Deal on Passion, Loving, and Intimacy
Money, Power, Respect:
What Brothers Think, What Sistahs Know
Love Don't Live Here Anymore
In Love & War
A Love Story
The editors would also like to thank the following for their contribution to the cover image:
Photography: Symon Chow
Model: Danielle Austin
Hair: Stephano, Edris Salon
Makeup: Romy Parscale
Fashion styling: Dorcia Kelly
Jewelry by Annie Basulto for Cubannie Links
Trademarks used herein are owned by their respective trademark owners and are used without permission.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., Attention: Permissions Department, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.
Copyright © 2008 by Denene Millner and Mitzi Miller
Cover photos: sunset (front cover background) © John Foxx/Stockbyte/Getty Images;
model photos and additional photo illustration by Symon Chow;
panorama Atlanta (back cover) © Panoramic Images/Getty Images.
Cover design by Steve Scott.
All rights reserved. Published by
POINT
, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.,
Publishers since 1920
.
SCHOLASTIC, POINT
, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Millner, Denene.
Hotlanta / Denene Millner [and] Mitzi Miller. â 1st ed.
p. cm. â (Hotlanta)
Summary: Living a privileged life in Atlanta, wealthy and beautiful African American twin sisters, Sydney and Lauren, must deal with family secrets and scandal when their father is released from prison.
ISBN-13: 978-0-545-00308-7 (alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-545-00308-3 (alk. paper)
[1. Sisters â Fiction. 2. Twins â Fiction. 3. Wealth â Fiction. 4. Fathers and daughters â Fiction. 5. African Americans â Fiction. 6. Atlanta (Ga.) â Fiction.] I. Miller, Mitzi. II. Title.
PZ7.M63957Ho 2008
[Fic] â dc22
2007027283
First edition, April 2008
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E-ISBN: 978-0-545-23163-3