Tender Touch Page 10

  * * *

  Steve Franklin swiped at his mouth with a linen napkin. “That guy bothers me, Mike. He’s always pulling on Bill’s chain about something.” He sat across from Mike Testor in the dining room of the exclusive City Club restaurant.

  “Let him. He doesn’t know squat.” Testor chewed on the portion of prime rib.

  “But he could get Lang to thinking about those certificates too much.” Franklin suppressed a burp then dove back into his pasta dish.

  “Look, Bill knows the deal. He’s more than willing to see this thing through. Now what have you heard from your people?”

  Franklin put down his fork and leaned forward. “Medicaid funding guidelines are definitely going to change within the next nine months. Disproportionate share is history.” He wore a sour look.

  “Damn! Couldn’t our man in Congress do anything about this?” Mike Testor drummed his fingers on the table.

  “No way. He wasn’t going to stick his neck out in an election year. Besides, once those other congressmen realized just how much Medicaid money we were drawing down, that was all she wrote.” Franklin lifted both hands in the air.

  “We were able to increase our Medicaid allocation quite nicely over the past six years. Too bad.” Mike wore a pained expression, like a child who’d lost a favorite toy.

  “Yeah. Calloway was a genius.” Franklin referred to the former secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals with a tinge of awe in his tone. “Only a few understand those Medicaid regs like him. He figured out how to get more Medicaid money.”

  Testor nodded. “The health care industry took off.”

  What he did not need to say was the private health care businesses raked in millions of dollars in Medicaid money and made their owners rich in a few short years. Now it seemed the party was over, thanks to a vigilant congressman and his staff, who realized what a huge loophole had done to the national budget. As taxpayers complained about the out-of-control welfare spending, Congress learned that a few states had parlayed nonspecific wording in the regulations into huge increases. They were shocked and not a little embarrassed. The benefactors were evenly divided between liberals and conservatives who owned businesses that profited.

  “Well, we can kiss that gravy train goodbye,” Franklin said with a grunt.

  “Maybe, but we can shift our focus so that we don’t lose much in the long run. We’ve still got home health, nursing homes and the psychiatric beds, you know.” Mike’s mood lightened. He sawed at the meat and put another small chunk in his mouth.

  “I guess so. We’re not having much trouble getting approval for admissions. But Chester Howard is a real bloodhound about waste in state government. What if he—”

  “You worry too much, Steve.”

  Franklin glanced over his shoulder. “Howard is eventually going to figure out that gaps in the system allow for less than meticulous decision making when it comes to eligibility.”

  “So what? Most of those are clinical decisions based on professional judgment. If your doctor says a kid needs sixty psychiatric inpatient days, who’s to say he’s wrong?” Mike continued to eat with gusto.

  “Yeah, but in some places extensions have been given so a kid has been in the hospital nine months. Longer in some instances.” Franklin lowered his voice even more.

  “Give me a break. Some little criminal who’s been stealing or selling crack is locked away. Nobody is going to complain. Trust me.” Mike waved his fork for emphasis.

  “I know but—”

  Testor put down his fork. “Steve, we go back what—fifteen years? I swear you’re getting downright timid in your old age. Relax.”

  “The climate has never been like this before, Mike. All that reform talk wasn’t just for the campaign this time. Governor Foster means it.”

  Mike chuckled. “The Department of Health and Hospitals is the largest agency in this state. And it’s such a complicated bureaucracy, it’ll take them the next four years just to find out which end is up.”

  “You’ve got a point,” Franklin said. His frown smoothed out a bit.

  “There are so many sections, rules, policies and stuff it’s like a jigsaw puzzle ten miles wide with ten million pieces.” “And by the time you get one part put together and try to see the whole picture, another part of the thing changes. All we need to do is step carefully and don’t get skittish.”

  “And Lang? He’s more of a wild card than I like.” Franklin’s frown deepened again.

  “He has his uses.” Mike wore an unpleasant smirk. “Bill is going to be more of a help to use than even he realizes. Let him think he’s in control.”

  “Lang is no dummy, Mike. He could figure it out.”

  Mike shook his head with a look of disdain. “We’ll throw him a few crumbs. They don’t need much in the way of money before they rush off to buy flashy clothes and a fancy car.”

  Franklin barked out a harsh guffaw. “Yeah, you got a point there. Man, did you see him strutting around in his silk suit the other day?”

  “But remember, they do have their uses nowadays, Steve. They still have their uses.” Mike raised his glass of iced tea laced with gin to Franklin in a mock toast.

  * * *

  “You’ve been seen running around with some young woman.” Oliver Knight got straight to the point. He stared at Damon hard.

  “I’m dating Jade Pellerin,” Damon said in a taut voice.

  They had hardly sat down in the elder Knight’s large den before his father blurted out his gruff comment. Damon was used to being grilled about the business during his visits to check on his father, but this probing into his personal life really grated. His parents never let him forget that they had opposed his divorce from Rachelle. Her father and brothers ran the most successful General Motors dealerships in the region. In addition, they had a thriving equipment rental business. To them, her affair was no more than a regrettable indiscretion of an immature young woman.

  “Pellerin... I know that name.” Oliver rubbed his chin.

  “Her father is Alton Pellerin, Dad.” Damon felt a prick of irritation at himself. Out of habit, he began to talk of her family. He’d always despised the preoccupation with pedigree of the black upper crust, old money. What did it matter who her parents were?

  “Hmm, yes, of course. Had his start in real estate. A few shotgun houses over in Easy Town. His daddy was a yard man.” Oliver’s heavy black eyebrows formed two arches over his deep-set eyes.

  “What is this about the yard man?” Damon’s mother came in and sat down in a billow of silk. The soft material of the burnished gold lounge dress could be worn out to dinner with ease.

  Oliver gazed at his wife with a pointed look. “We’re talking about Alton Pellerin, Marlene. Damon is dating their youngest daughter.”

  Marlene gave Damon her full attention. “Is that so? Well.” She brushed back her soft layered hairstyle. “Well, well. And where did you meet her?”

  “She’s the top aid to Bill Lang in the Department of Health and Hospitals. It looks like Gracie Street Center will benefit from grant funds to serve at-risk populations,” Damon said with resignation in his voice. This conversation was inevitable but had come sooner than he’d hoped.

  “Oh, she works for the state.” Marlene pressed her lips together and let her comment speak for itself.

  “In a very high-ranking position, Mother,” Damon said in a sharp tone.

  “Yes, well...” Marlene wore a stiff smile that faded after a split second.

  “Okay, let’s get this over with right now.” Damon looked from her to his father.

  “Oliver, do you know what your son is talking about?” Marlene ignored his question and looked at her husband. It was a habit she had when not pleased with the way she’d been ad-dressed that she spoke to a third party.

  “Mother, Jade Pellerin is intelligent, attractive and a good person.”

  “Yes, I’m sure she’s nice but...” Marlene let her expression finish the thought. Jade�
�s family background was unacceptable.

  “I don’t need to trace her roots back to some rich ancestor to know that she’s someone I want to be with.” Damon spoke with force.

  Marlene looked down at her manicured fingernails. “I see.”

  “Watch how you speak to your mother, young man. I can tell this Pellerin girl is already having a bad influence on you,” Oliver shot back at him with a scowl.

  Damon pushed down the rise of anger in his chest. “I’m no teenager in danger of hanging with the wrong crowd.”

  “You’re right of course, dear,” Marlene said, cutting off her husband before he could respond. “I’m just concerned about your happiness. You’ve moved in a certain circle all your life. Your friends and family come from the same background.”

  “Which has nothing to do with making new friends.” Damon heaved a sigh.

  “Don’t take it so lightly, Damon. Having experiences in common can become very important after the first flush of romance dies.”

  “Mother, I don’t see my circle, as you call them, very much these days. And it’s in Jade’s favor that she doesn’t fit the mold of those people,” Damon retorted.

  “Don’t be silly. The boys you went to school with are prominent men today.” Marlene lifted her chin. “And the young women have certainly made names for themselves socially and professionally.” She was quick to defend those she considered as her social clan.

  “They’re all snobs of the worst kind. And I could tell you stories about some of their escapades that would rival any Eddie hears down on Gracie Street.” Damon gave a wicked laugh. “In fact, you could probably tell me things I don’t know.”

  “Now you’re being downright uncouth—” Despite her words, Marlene had a gleam in her light brown eyes that said he was right. But she would never admit it and give him ammunition.

  “The point is, son, this young woman may not be right for you. Don’t let your hormones rule your head.” Oliver broke in, impatient to drive home his thought on the matter.

  “I’ll be the judge of that. And it won’t have anything to do with her family tree.”

  “I don’t know how much longer I’ve got on this earth. I’d like to see at least one grandchild before I die. And I’d like to know he’s got a solid foundation to build on in this world.” Oliver spoke in a grave voice.

  “Remember, Dad, I took you to your last doctor’s appointment. You’re making remarkable progress. An exact quote.”

  “Smart-mouth kids,” Oliver grumbled.

  Yet once again Damon was shaken by his father’s reference to his own death. Damon had been leaning toward a career in human services after taking several undergraduate courses in social work and sociology. The field placements he’d worked in a couple of social service agencies led him to discover a love of making life better for others. Naturally his parents had been appalled at this development. Only a deep sense of family loyalty, especially after Trent rebelled and refused to join the business, had brought him back to work with his father. And when Oliver became ill, all thoughts of another career were pushed aside. Damon had only mild regret. His work with Eddie and the Gracie Street Center gave him much satisfaction.

  “So don’t even try it. And no visit to the stores this week, either.” Damon turned the tables on his father and became the parent.

  “Damn, doctor. He’s as much a quack as his old man,” Oliver muttered.

  Marlene cleared her throat. “Damon, we have overstepped our bounds. You’re entitled to conduct your life as you see fit.”

  Oliver gaped at his wife. “Did I hear you right?”

  “Yes, dear. Damon is a grown man and can make his own decisions without you second-guessing him.” Marlene seemed to scold Oliver, as though she had not tried to interfere.

  “Me?” Oliver stared at her, speechless.

  “I’d love to meet this remarkable young lady. When can we get together? I think at the Century Club for dinner would be just the thing.”

  Damon felt a pinprick of suspicion. “Are you serious?” The Century Club was sacrosanct to the black society of Baton Rouge. Money alone was not enough to be approved as a member; family background was more of a factor.

  “Yes, talk to her soon. I’ll make the reservations.” Marlene gave him a warm, maternal smile. “If she means so much to you, I’m sure we’ll like her. Right, Oliver?”

  “Uh-humph,” was his father’s only reply. He shook his head.

  “I’ll let you know.” Damon kissed her forehead. “Mama, you can still surprise me.”

  He felt a glimmer of hope that his parents would see reason where Jade was concerned. If Marlene came around, Oliver would give in without much of a struggle. When he left for home, Damon felt a soaring lift of joy he had not felt for a long time. A beautiful, desirable woman was now in his life. And a battle with his family over their attempts to pick his mate seemed a thing of the past. The grant would bring a welcome boost to the Gracie Street Center, and Lang seemed to be a sincere brother trying to help. Life had never been better.

  * * *

  “Shaena, will you stop grinning at me like that,” Jade said. She sat down with a plate of low-fat gingerbread squares.

  The two friends had decided to eat in and watch a movie for their Wednesday midweek get-together. Cold, wet and windy weather made being inside with a nice fire going more inviting than fighting traffic to get to a restaurant. They headed over to Shaena’s elegant garden home, which was only ten minutes from Jade’s condominium. Shaena had cooked a simple chicken stir fry with vegetables. Now they settled in for dessert. Two steaming mugs of coffee sat on an oak serving tray.

  “I know you like a book, girl. When I saw you and Damon together, I said to myself ‘Self, he’s the one!”’ Shaena popped a piece of gingerbread in her mouth.

  “Do you have to be so obnoxious about being right?” Jade nudged Shaena.

  “Yes.” Shaena cackled. “Especially since you were so biggity about how he didn’t mean anything to you, and you weren’t impressed with him.”

  “All right, okay.” Jade smiled. She was too happy to really be irritated with anyone right now. “So maybe I was trying to convince myself that I wasn’t attracted to him.”

  “Honey, there was more electricity crackling between you two than in a power plant. Now tell me everything,” Shaena said with a gleam of interest in her eyes. She settled back with her mug. “Start from the beginning. What does his place look like? How long did it take for y’all to get in the groove?”

  “We did not get in the groove, I’ll have you know. We’ve only just started seeing each other,” Jade said in a prim voice.

  Shaena looked a little disappointed. “Oh, yeah?”

  “Apart from wanting to know a man is the kind of person I can stand to be with outside the bedroom, these days you have to be careful,” Jade said.

  “Yeah, yeah sure.” Shaena brushed aside the threat of a lecture from Jade on men and safe sex. “Don’t try to change the subject. You’ve got scorch marks still on your body, sugar. Some kinda heated activity took place. Now spill it.”

  “Well...” Jade leaned back against the plush overstuffed pillows with a secretive smile.

  “Girl, don’t do this to me!” Shaena bounced on the sofa with frustration.

  Jade giggled. “Much as I love seeing you squirm, I’m dying to tell you more.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Shaena, it was fabulous. Damon is all man.”

  “Go, girl!”

  Jade opened her eyes and stared into the flames. “I don’t just mean sex appeal. He’s got a depth that I’ve never know in a man before. He’s so much more than good looks.”

  “Whoa, this is heavier than even I thought it would get this fast.” Shaena lost her joking demeanor. “You’re really into this guy, aren’t you? In a serious way, I mean.”

  “Yes, and it terrifies me.”

  Jade had been avoiding men for that very reason. Not only did she fear being used again, she did n
ot trust her own ability to choose the right man. Look at how Nick had been so successful in deceiving her. She suspected her need to love and approval made her prey to wearing blinders when it came to romance. How else could she explain not seeing what was so obvious in Nick? And those little devils from the past were not gone simply because she now knew they existed.

  “I could lie to you and say from now on you won’t get hurt. But hey, love is a gamble—plain and simple.” Shaena shrugged.

  “Thank you for those words of comfort, Dr. Ruth,” Jade retorted.

  “However,” Shaena said in an exaggerated accent, “ven you give your heart, the joy it vill bring is worth the risk. Only ven vee love are vee truly alive.” She held up a forefinger for emphasis.

  “Don’t quit your day job, babe. Show biz ain’t for you.” Jade gave a shudder.

  “That’s gratitude?” Shaena wore a smirk. Then she turned serious. “But straight up, I’ve got a feeling this is a real special thing between you. I hear it in your voice when you talk about him.”

  “I’m scared, Shaena,” Jade said in a quiet voice.

  Shaena grabbed her hand. “I’ve been there, too. Don’t push away a good man. Happiness is too hard to find. I’m still looking.”

  “We’ve been through it, huh?” Jade patted her friend’s hand.

  They had comforted each other through painful breakups with men they thought would be in their lives forever. Shaena had said goodbye to a married man who’d promised to leave his wife for three years. Jade helped her gather the strength to end the affair that had no future or happiness. Not long after Shaena held a sobbing Jade when she learned of Nick’s affair and illegitimate child—a child that had been conceived and born within the first two years of Jade’s marriage to Nick.

  “And we survived,” Shaena said. “Stronger and wiser.”

  “I hope so, but I’m still not sure.” Jade wanted to believe more than she could express. “Am I right about Damon? That’s a question that echoes in my head at least once a day.”