Happy New Year, Baby Page 11

  “Stop that. They’re the idiots, not you. Eric for letting his stupid politics get in the way of holding onto a fantastic woman, and Robert… Honey, we don’t have time to list all the things wrong with that sorry excuse for a man.” Terrilyn gave Shani a pat on the shoulder and started the car.

  “But I chose them both, Terrilyn. What does that say about me?” Shani turned to her desperate for an answer.

  Terrilyn turned to her. “It means you can make a mistake like anybody else. I’ve been there.”

  “But in this case, my heart was stomped on. Twice.” Shani wiped her eyes with tissues from a dispenser in Terrilyn’s car. “But I’m not going to walk around feeling sorry for myself. They can both get stuffed.”

  “Good for you, girl. And to start to top it off, let’s have a blast at one of the finest parties in town. What about it?” Terrilyn winked at her.

  Shani sniffed a couple of times. “Why not? Sure. Count me in.”

  “Fantastic! We’re going bring the New Year in right, girlfriend.”

  Shani smiled at her. Terrilyn chattered about the parties being given and how they could attend more than one. Shani nodded in all the right places, but her mind was far away. The way Eric’s eyes had clouded with contempt when he looked at her cut like a knife. Any deep secret hopes that she and Eric could be together were now dashed. But she would go on without him. She had no choice.

  ***

  “We’ve got a serious problem.” Paulette closed the door to Shani’s office. “My’iesha.”

  Shani felt a stab of fear. She knew what Paulette was going to say, but she asked anyway. “She saw the article?”

  Paulette nodded yes. “She’s convinced you know.”

  “I don’t understand.” Shani frowned at her.

  “That she was in on the stealing around here. She was giving the merchandise to her last no-good man for a while. And he would fence it. She’s ranting and raving that you stabbed her in the back.”

  Shani’s eyes were wide with shock. “My’iesha is stealing from the center?”

  “Not now, no. But in the first two months after she started the program. Then she left that low life and started to straighten out her life.”

  “Just when you think things can’t get worse, they do.” Shani closed her eyes and massaged her temples.

  “Now she’s all paranoid. She’s still smoking weed, I’m afraid. I hope we can work through this—” Paulette spread her hands. She was cut short by My’iesha’s entrance.

  “You paid me back, huh? Told a damn reporter all that stuff.” My’iesha stood with feet apart in an aggressive stance just inside the door.

  “The article didn’t say you gave them information for one thing.” Shani spoke in a calm voice. “Most of it came from those conservative legislators. It said so in the article. Let’s talk about this without shouting or accusations.”

  My’iesha strode farther into the room. “You been runnin’ around with one of them legislators, too. Didn’t think I knew. Yeah, I know that and a lot more. You been feedin’ him all that crap.”

  “Why would I do something to hurt the center? You know how hard we’ve worked together for everything we have here. It doesn’t make any sense.” Shani could see by the wild look in her eyes that logic would not pierce the fog of suspicion.

  “My’iesha, please. You need to go into detox like we talked about. There’s a bed available.” Paulette moved between them.

  My’iesha grabbed Paulette by the arm and yanked her out of the way. She jabbed a finger at Shani. “LeVar been right about you all the time. Now he’s gonna be after me thinkin’ I ratted him out to the cops. I gotta find him so he’ll know the truth.”

  Shani didn’t go closer. My’iesha would feel cornered and might lash out with violence. “If LeVar does think that, then you should try to stay far away from him. He won’t believe you, My’iesha. When the police don’t come after him, maybe he’ll know you didn’t inform on him.”

  “I’m through listenin’ to you. LeVar been the only one I could count on. He’s gonna take good care of me.” My’iesha walked backward looking from Shani to Paulette. “You two are always plottin’ somethin’. Well, it won’t work. You hear me? I’m not gonna be your chump no more!”

  Shani took one cautious step toward her. “My’iesha, let us help you.”

  My’iesha spun around and stomped out. The sound of her pounding footsteps echoed down the hall. Paulette and Shani stood still for a full minute before they both slumped down into chairs with despondent sighs.

  Paulette looked at Shani. “You think he’ll hurt her?”

  “You kidding? He’s beaten her up for less than this.”

  “I knew the answer. Guess I was hoping you’d say something different.”

  “And I don’t think she’ll have to go looking for him. LeVar will find her. We’ve got to do something. But I don’t know what.” Shani raked fingers through her hair.

  “Let’s get some of the other staff in here. They’ve hit bottom before.” Paulette referred to several counselors who were recovered addicts. “They might have some ideas.” Paulette dialed the phone.

  “Okay,” Shani said. She stared down at the newspaper article. “Eric Aucoin should know just how dangerous playing politics at the expense of these people can be. He and his kind are despicable. If something happens to that young woman…”

  Shani could only think of how self-involved she had been. Thinking only of herself and how much she missed him. The real consequences of his actions hit home now. She must see Eric as another foe. Paulette’s voice, low and urgent, brought her back from her somber thoughts.

  “They’ll be down in about ten minutes,” Paulette hung up the phone.

  “Okay. But I intend for Senator Aucoin to take responsibility for his part in all this.” Shani punched the buttons on the phone. “Yes, may I speak to Senator Aucoin. This is Shani Moore. Hello, Eric. I’m ready to talk.”

  ***

  Eric sat across from Detective McElroy Landry in the most popular coffee house in town. The Coffee Cafe was buzzing with activity as early morning customers came in for cafe au lait or strong dark roast south Louisiana coffee. Mac and he had been good friends since they played college football together. Now Mac was a respected narcotics cop.

  “How’s it going, Mac,” Eric said.

  “Doing what I can against the forces of evil. I haven’t seen you since the last time you were on duty doing your reserved police officer thing. How’s it going?” Mac straddled a chair making it look child-sized under his tall frame.

  Eric grinned. “Pretty good. I managed a few rounds over the past months. But I’m going to have to give it up though. Too busy.”

  “The hazards of being an emerging statesman I guess,” Mac teased.

  When they both got coffee orders, Eric got down to business. “What do you know about a LeVar Stewart, Mac?” he said in a low voice leaning both elbows on the table.

  Mac’s thick black eyebrows went up a notch. His pleasant ebony face was transformed in an instant to a solemn mask.

  “He went from a nobody to drug king pin just a few years short of his twentieth birthday. He did it by taking out anybody who stood in his way.” Mac shrugged. “The man is a one-man crime wave.”

  “Damn,” Eric said.

  “You planning to make him and his kind a political issue?”

  “It’s personal.” Eric shook his head when he saw Mac’s eyes go opaque with worry. “Not me. Someone close to me is afraid he’s going to hurt a young woman.”

  “You got a name?”

  “Yeah, My’iesha Campbell. She was in a drug treatment program until recently. You saw an article in the paper about the community centers?” Eric stared down into the creamy liquid in his mug.

  “Uh-huh. You did some kinda investigation about theft and bad management. I skimmed over it before going to the sports section as usual.” Mac grinned.

  “Well, my former assistant gave a lot of the info
rmation for that article without my approval. He even went so far as to mention this young woman,” Eric said.

  “Not good.”

  “It gets worse. This Stewart guy now thinks she informed on him.”

  Mac let out a low whistle. “That is very bad news, my brother. LeVar is vicious when he even thinks someone’s done him wrong.”

  “Look, Mac, I feel responsible for her being in danger. I should have kept Trumaine on a short leash,” Eric said tapping the table top with a large fist. “But now that the damage is done, I’ve just got to do something about it. Can you help?”

  Mac rubbed his chin. “Give me a minute.” He got up and went outside to his car. Once inside, he started talking into his cell phone.

  Eric glanced around the bright dining room. Early morning sunshine splashed through the wide windows giving everything and everyone a golden, happy glow. He thought of Shani’s smile, a smile he had not seen for some time now. At least not for him. How his spirits had risen when she called only to plunge at her words of condemnation. Eric still felt the sting of hearing her controlled voice stabbing through the phone. In that moment, all his explanations about the report and his party actions shriveled up into nothingness. A young woman’s life was in jeopardy because he had been careless. Staring out to the parking lot, he prayed Mac would find a way to save My’iesha. The tall man turned a few female heads when he came back into the restaurant.

  Mac placed the cell phone next to his now cold mug of coffee. “I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is LeVar is wanted on a warrant, and we’re already looking to take him down. This time he could get a hefty sentence if he’s convicted. That’s a big if, but better than nothing.”

  Eric checked his rising hope. “What’s the bad news?”

  “There was a drive-by shooting. Three guys shot, two dead and the third one is in critical condition. Word is, LeVar and his gang are responsible. He’s on a revenge rampage.”

  Eric hung his head. Like Shani, he wanted a way to stop the killing. Somehow leaders along the political spectrum must agree to approaches they could all support.

  “And one of his former girls is supposed to be a target.”

  “My’iesha?” Eric’s head jerked up. He felt anxiety tighten in his chest at Mac’s sober nod. “What can we do? There’s got to be a way to help her.”

  “Maybe she ought to leave town for a while. That way we won’t have to worry about her getting killed before he’s caught.”

  “Shani doesn’t know where she is. In fact, My’iesha is looking for LeVar. She thinks she can explain herself to him,” Eric said.

  “Definitely a bad idea. That’s like helping a rattlesnake sink his fangs into a major artery.” Mac sat in thought for several minutes. “I’ve got an idea, but it involves your friend. Does she have any clue where My’iesha could be?”

  “Maybe. But I don’t want Shani put in any danger, Mac.” Eric felt even greater fear at the possibility that she could be hurt as well.

  “What’s your idea, Detective? I’m Shani Moore. Sorry I’m late.” Shani ignored the stunned look on Eric’s face.

  “What are you doing here?” Eric pulled out a chair for her next to him. A faint whiff of her fragrance stirred sweet memories.

  “You told me about meeting here with Detective Landry, remember?” Shani turned to Mac. “Now, about that idea?”

  Eric’s cell phone beeped. “It’s my office.”

  While Eric walked off to call in, Mac explained his plan to Shani. She listened and interrupted only to ask a couple of questions. Mac paused mid-sentence to stare at Eric with a frown.

  “Something is very wrong. Eric looks like he just got hit by a truck,” Mac said.

  Eric came back, his face stiff with grief. “My mother has been taken very ill. Dad’s at the emergency room with her. I’ve got to go.”

  Shani put a hand on his arm. “I’m so sorry, Eric. Can I do anything?”

  Eric’s hand closed on hers. “I’ll call you later?” His eyes searched hers for comfort.

  “Of course,” Shani replied.

  “Let me know how your mama is doing, man. You know how I feel about that special lady.” Mac put a hand on Eric’s shoulder.

  Eric could only nod in gratitude before hurrying off. Shani and Mac watched him leave. Both wore frowns of concern for him and his parents.

  “Like my grandma says, if it ain’t one thing, it’s two,” Mac said.

  Shani sighed. “And that’s the truth.”

  ***

  “She’s going to be all right, son.” Dalton gripped Eric’s arms tight. “It was a very mild stroke.” His face showed the strain of fear at losing the woman he loved.

  “But she couldn’t talk or move her right arm,” Eric said. His insides churned at the thought of his mother suffering.

  “Her speech came back though it’s still a little slurred. And she can move her arm, just not too much.” Dalton let go of Eric and twisted his hands together as he talked. “She’s going to bounce back. Of course she’s going to need physical and speech therapy. She’ll be back to her old self in no time.”

  Eric could see that his father was trying to reassure himself. Dalton’s hand shook as he wiped his brow with a monogrammed linen handkerchief. For the first Ume, Eric realized how much his parents were a part of each other. All day, Eric had waited with his father for the test results. Now in the twilight of early evening, the white lights of the small waiting seemed eerie and forbidding. He put his hand on Dalton’s back to console him.

  “Of course she will. Mama is a fighter.” Eric hoped his face did not show the uncertainty he felt. “Let’s go in.”

  The hospital room door swished open and Dalton went inside ahead of Eric. At first it seemed Adeline was asleep in the darkened room. The only light came from the television.

  Dalton scowled. “Now who left that on,” he said in a harsh whisper. He reached for the remote that hung over the bed rail.

  “Me. Don’t to-ouch it,” Adeline said. “It’s Wednesday and I never miss m-my favorite shows.” Her lips curved into a mischievous smile. There was a slight droop to one side of her mouth. “Come on in here you two, and give me some sugar.”

  Dalton leaned down brushing a tendril of hair from her face as he did so. He pressed his lips to hers for a long moment, his eyes closed. Eric almost felt a need to leave them alone. The tenderness and love between them was a palpable thing filling the air, making the antiseptic hospital atmosphere seem less impersonal. Seeing the bond between his parents, Eric felt a pang deep inside. How he needed to make things right with Shani. There was no doubt in his mind that she was the one he wanted, needed, to share his life and his heart.

  “How’s my sweet thing feeling?” Dalton continued brush her hair with his fingers.

  “Like a weak kitten. I hope you didn’t forget to bring my blue nightgown. Soon as they take out this IV, I’m going to wear my own things. There’s my baby.” Adeline held up her left arm to welcome Eric.

  “Hey, darlin’. You look marvelous.” Eric smiled and kissed her cheek.

  “Don’t lie to me, Eric Paul Aucoin. I look like hell.” Adeline shook a finger at his nose. She gazed at him, then Dalton. “But so do you. Both of you got those smiles plastered in place trying not to look scared.”

  “We were, but now we’ve gotten the good news that—”

  “That I ha-ad a str-roke? What do you call good news?” Adeline said with a grunt.

  Eric cleared his throat and forced cheer into his voice. “Well, not that of course. But it wasn’t as serious as it could have been. The doctor says—”

  “That they can remove the blockage and reduce the chance of another one. I know. They’ve been poking and pulling on me since I got here. They took so much blood, I was beginning to wonder if Dracula wasn’t on staff here.” Adeline shifted on the raised bed.

  Eric gave a low laugh. He was encouraged to hear his mother joking. “Those lab techs do only seem to come at night or
early in the morning before the sun comes up. Seriously, Mama, Doctor Mills is very optimistic you can make a full recovery.”

  “Yeah, sweetie. We’ll be doing the swing out by the spring fraternity dance. You wait and see.” Dalton held his wife’s hand.

  “Now there’s a reason to have some therapist ordering me around. Going to that dance so I can watch Odessa Trahan paw you at every opportunity.” Adeline pursed her lips. “She’s tried to get her hands on him since we were in college. But I snapped him up.”

  Dalton gave a groan. “You gonna start on that. It’s been over thirty years, Adeline.” His eyes were alight with amusement to share this old argument they’d had for years, never in anger but to tease each other.

  “Well, she can just retract those claws because I’m not going anywhere for a long time.” She caressed her husband’s jaw. “So get that worried look off your face.” Her voice was soft.

  Dalton held her hand to his cheek. His eyes filled with unshed tears. “We’ll be fine, you and me.”

  “Yes, dear. Just fine.” Adeline’s eyebrows came together, giving her a severe look. “Now there is some unfinished business between you two.”

  “Adeline, don’t you let that weigh on your mind. You’ve got to concentrate on getting well.” Dalton blinked. A look of guilt crossed his rugged features.

  Eric took his father’s cue. “Yeah, Mama. The most important thing is your health.”

  “Hu-ush up. Dalton,” she said, fixing him with a look of censure. “You owe your son an apology.”

  “Now, Adeline, don’t get worked up.” Dalton patted her hand.

  “Dalton Augustin Aucoin, tell him,” Adeline said in a voice of quiet strength.

  Dalton took a deep breath. “Forgive me, son. I had no right to interfere the way I did.” He stared down at the floor.

  “And?” Adeline urged him on with a sharp nod.

  “And … I was wrong to go behind your back and help Trumaine feed all that stuff to the news reporter.” Dalton scratched his head with a nervous movement of his hand.