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  “We'd like to pick up the check for you. Why don't you join us over in the lounge area. Such lovely ladies should be pampered and complimented.” Gray jacket gave Laree an exaggerated wink.

  “That's nice of you.” Laree gave him a fleeting smile that faded as Michelle scowled at her.

  “We have to be somewhere soon. We can't stay.” Michelle spoke quickly.

  “I'm Fred Dorsey. You can call me Freddy D. The D is for dynamite lover.” He leaned close to Shantae. His friends hovered at his shoulder leering at them. “What do you say, glorious Nubian queen? Why don't I give you a call so we can get to know each other better.”

  “Sure, baby.” Shantae scoured him with a contemptuous glance. “Just dial 1-800-GET-LOST.”

  “Be like that. It's your loss.” His cocky grin evaporated. He and his pals sauntered back to the bar with wounded dignity.

  “Men,” Michelle snarled watching them.”See what I mean?”

  “You can't compare Anthony to... that.” Laree looked at the men with a sour expression. They were trying to pick up other ladies with no more success.

  “For sure. And you know damn well you miss the man.” Shantae shook a finger at Michelle.

  “Why did you have to say anything about his uncle? You could have let it pass and not hurt Anthony's feelings,” Laree said.

  “It came out before I knew it. But it's still how I feel,” Michelle grumbled.

  “Because you couldn't keep quiet, you've both been miserable for the last three days.” Shantae took a bite of fried catfish. “That's a cryin' shame.”

  “Yeah, I can see how upset you are.” Michelle watched her take a long drink of cola.

  Shantae ignored her dig. “Cedric says Anthony has been walking around with his chin on his chest. You were wrong on this one. Call the man and apologize.”

  “She's right, Chelle.” Laree folded her arms.

  “You her echo or something?” Michelle put down her fork. “I guess I did say more than I should have under the circumstances,” she grudgingly admitted.

  “Call him.” Shantae stared at her and pointed Michelle’s cell phone at the same time.

  “I’m not through eating,” Michelle said.

  “Here you go.” Laree pulled the cell phone from outside pocket of Michelle’s purse “Do it.”

  Michelle started to back out of calling, but her friends shook their heads slowly and pointed at the phone. She stood holding it for several seconds before dialing.

  ***

  Anthony eagerly accepted Michelle's invitation to her apartment when she called him. After an awkward fifteen minutes, they were in each other’s arms.

  “It was my fault. I don't like how your uncle operates but I shouldn't make put him down to you.” Michelle rested her head on Anthony's shoulder . “I didn't stick to our agreement.”

  “And I should know better than to get so defensive any time you criticize Uncle Ike.”Anthony took a deep breath. “I know he's no angel.”

  “Anthony, He really hasn't kept up repairs the way he should. It's not something I'm inventing to get back at him.” Michelle peered up at him. She was nervous at the effect her words would have on him.

  “Look, report what you see, babe. Just don't be so quick to assume Uncle Ike has malicious intent. He cuts corners to make a buck, but he's not a crook.”

  “Maybe so,” Michelle said in a weak voice. She felt torn.

  There was no question of her duty to get the facts. Yet she wanted to protect Anthony from the pain of learning his Uncle's true nature. Though communicating was her job, Michelle could not find the words to tell him she suspected Ike of much more than skimping on repairs.

  “I'm just glad we got through this.”

  “So am I.” Michelle rested her head against his broad chest. She fought to silence the troubling voice that told her worse would come.

  “I want you back in my life to stay,” Anthony said, his voice soft yet fervent.

  “At least this time we talked it out,” Michelle said.

  “Yeah, and we cut the time lapse down from six years to four days.”Anthony laughed softly.”But the best part of breaking up is making up.” Lifting her face, he covered it with tiny kisses.

  Michelle pulled away only to take his hand and lead him to her bedroom. Somehow she would hold on to him, Michelle swore to herself. She must find a way.

  ***

  “Congratulations! Weekend co-anchor.” Gracie hugged her. “I knew it could happen.”

  “It hasn't happened yet. I'm just filling in until they decide on Nancy's permanent replacement.” Michelle wore a happy smile despite her words.

  “You've got the inside track. Don't worry, it'll become permanent soon.” Gracie placed a cup of coffee in front of her.

  “It would be the best of all possible worlds. I'm not ready to give up reporting. This way I can do both.” Michelle leaned back and took a sip of coffee.

  “Still going after that Housing Authority story?”

  “It's going to be good, Gracie.” Michelle's eyes gleamed with the excitement. “The best work I've done yet. I've got invoices on repairs that were never done but paid for and great interviews with tenants. The big finish will be an exclusive interview with Earl's friend from HUD.”

  “When will you start?”

  “Not until the first of next month at least.”

  “That won't give them a very Merry Christmas. What about Anthony?” Gracie peered at her over the rim of her coffee mug.

  “He'll understand.” Michelle felt little confidence in her words.

  “Sure about that? You didn't speak to each other for years because of his uncle.”

  “Anthony loves his uncle, but he doesn't approve of how he operates. He told me so.”

  “Saying it is one thing. But watching you trash his uncle on the news for the whole city to see could put a serious strain on your relationship.”

  “What do you suggest I do? Back off? I can't do that, Gracie. Not even for Anthony.” Michelle sighed.

  “I'm not saying you should. Maybe you could give the story to someone else.” Gracie looked down.

  “Forget it! I've put in long hours on this story. I'm not handing it to anybody on a silver platter.”Michelle put her mug down with a loud thud.

  “I thought you'd say that.” Gracie nodded at her and leaned forward. “Look hon, I've lost friends and lovers when I refused to back off from stories. For a while I seriously considered giving up this career and selling real estate. But you know what? I found out that true friends stick by you no matter what. As for the lovers, well let's just say I didn't lose much.”

  “But what if Hal could get hurt? What if it your marriage was on the line?” Michelle looked at her closely.

  “I don't know. I'd like to think I wouldn't compromise my principals or ethics and that Hal wouldn't ask me to. But I just don't know.” She turned and began writing.

  Michelle stared morosely at the computer monitor filled with words. This should be the best time of her life. Not only was she working on the story that could establish her as one of the best investigative reporters in this region, but she had a shot at landing her dream job. Once she had been so sure of her goal. For years thoughts of making Ike Batiste pay for what he had done to her family had consumed her. Michelle had watched as her father battled to restore his reputation and business while Ike Batiste flourished. Her parents grew farther apart until the contempt and bitterness became a thick wall between them.

  The reason journalism had attracted her was the possibility of exposing men like Batiste. Though she worked briefly at a small public access station in Dallas, Michelle had every intention of finding her way back to Baton Rouge. And when she got a chance at a job, even at a radio station, she did not hesitate to come home. Until now Michelle had only done a couple of stories that were mere nuisances to Batiste. But in this report she had the means to tear him down. Revenge. She had always imagined how thrilling it would be. Now she felt as though th
e story was a grenade she held in her hand. The damage from the explosion could take her and Anthony down, too.

  A word on the screen caught her eye. Hope. That's what Batiste, Charlotte Kinchen, and all those milking the system were denying LaWanda and her children. No matter what her original motives, backing away now would betray them. The image of little Relondo playing near a broken electrical outlet jarred her into action. Michelle began to edit the text of her first report.

  ***

  Dominic climbed into the passenger seat of Buster's fancy black pick-up truck. He sank into the plush upholstery and gazed around the large well appointed cab in admiration.

  “Like it? Yeah, top of the line.”Buster paused

  before getting in to stamp dirt from his boots. “We gonna make a stop over to the Housing Authority. We do a little business with them, too. Fact, since you been doin' so good, I may just let you start handlin' it.”

  “I appreciate what you've done for me, Mr. Wilson.”

  “Call me Buster, son. Look here, for the past three weeks you been the best employee I had since I started this business. Keep this up and you gonna get yourself promoted.” Buster clapped Dominic's knee.

  “Thanks.”Dominic beamed proudly.”What exactly do we do for the Housing Authority?”

  “We got a contract to do some plumbing repairs for three projects. You know I was a master plumber myself for years. I got two crews, four men, that I use. Here we go.”

  Buster parked along a crowded downtown street and led the way to a four story brick building near the complex that housed city government offices. He was greeted warmly by several men dressed in city parish work uniforms as they entered the large lobby of the building.

  “Hey, T'aneka. How's it goin' sweet thing?”Buster perched on the secretary's desk.

  “Fine, Mr. Wilson.” T'aneka did not return his smile.

  “Now what I told you 'bout that Mr. Wilson stuff. You call me Buster, baby.”Dropping his voice he leaned over her typewriter.

  “Miz Kinchen stepped out for a minute.” T'aneka pushed her chair back from the desk.

  “I'm gone look up old Lonnie then if he's here.”Buster stood.

  “He just went back to his office.” T'aneka began to type a letter.

  “Wait for me, Dominic. I'll be back in a minute.”He winked at the young woman before swaggering down the hall.

  “You work for him?” T'aneka jabbed a thumb in the direction Buster had gone.

  “Almost a month now. How long have you worked here?”

  “Well, I started when I was still in high school. One of them programs to give kids summer jobs, you know. Then when I graduated Miz Conrad, she was here before Miz Kinchen, offered me a permanent job. It's okay.” T'aneka tone lacked enthusiasm.

  “It's obvious you don't like it that much.” Dominic sat in the metal chair closest to her desk.

  “What I'm sayin' is, it's a paycheck. See this?” T'aneka held up a lottery ticket.”When I win, look out.”

  “That's a long shot,” Dominic laughed.

  “Hey now, I won fifty dollars one time.” T'aneka smiled at him, then lowered her eyes shyly.”You gone be comin' over here a lot I guess.”

  “Buster is thinking about letting me handle this contract, yeah.” Dominic sat in awkward silence for several minutes listening to the soft clicking of the keys. “You wanna go out? I mean, if not, I understand.” Dominic shrugged looking down the hall as if seeing Buster.

  “What?” T'aneka's eyes went wide with shock. “No way! He's old enough to be my daddy. Here.” T'aneka gave him a pink business card with her name on it.

  “You're a hairdresser? When do you find time?”

  “On Friday nights and Saturdays. I plan to have my own business someday.” T'aneka looked at him steadily. “Give me a call.”

  Dominic's eyes lit up. “I will.”

  Buster came back. “What's this? Soon as my back is turned he gets next to my baby. Oh well, that's the breaks. Besides I don't think she ready for the big leagues anyway.”He gave Dominic a playful punch on the shoulder.

  “Here comes Miz Kinchen,” T'aneka said. She made a face behind his back when Buster turned to look.

  “Hey, Charlotte. Got a minute to talk? I wanna introduce you to my new man here. Dominic Toussaint, this is Miss Kinchen. Dominic just may be handling this here contract. After some trainin' of course. He's a fast worker. He's already started gettin' friendly with the staff.” Buster gave a coarse guffaw at Dominic's embarrassed expression.

  “Nice to meet you. Come on in.”Charlotte gave them a crisp nod and led them into her office.

  “Talk to you later,” Dominic whispered to T'aneka before closing the door to Charlotte's office.

  T'aneka smiled for several moments before continuing to type.

  Lonnie passed her on his way to the stairs. “I'm gonna be out making rounds for the rest of the afternoon. Beep me if Calvin calls.”

  “Okay.” T'aneka watched him leave then picked up her phone.”Joanne, catch the phone for me. I gotta go get something out the file room. Thanks.”

  Because it was after two o'clock the office was quiet. T'aneka went into the storeroom first instead of going to the file room. She pulled out a drawer in one of the old metal cabinets and stuffed papers from it into an expanding folder. Moments later, she came out again and shut the door quietly. Glancing around to make sure she had not been observed, she entered the file room. T'aneka fed papers through the automatic feeder of the photocopy machine.

  Chapter 9

  Lizabeth eyed her only child affectionately as he closed his eyes. Anthony chewed the chocolate cake slowly.”Like it, huh?”

  Anthony smacked loudly. “Ahh. Mama, nobody does it better.”

  “I've got some here for you to take home.” Lizabeth pointed to a plate wrapped in aluminum foil.

  “You’re too good to me. Save some for Thanksgiving though. I want Michelle to taste this.”

  “No, I thought I'd make a pineapple upside down cake.” Lizabeth smoothed a tiny wrinkle in the table cloth.

  “Have mercy. You're going to knock her socks off with that one.”Anthony's eyes were wide with delight.

  “Well, it's not every day my new daughter-in-law comes to dinner.”

  “Now don't start. Michelle and I are taking things one step at a time.”Anthony held up one hand.

  “Judging by the way you're acting, this is serious business. You've made up for lost time obviously.” Lizabeth's eyebrows went up.

  “We're doing okay, yeah.”Anthony blushed.

  “More than okay much time as you've been spending with her.”

  “We've been getting re-acquainted so to speak. Working out a few differences.”

  “Your Uncle Ike you mean.” Lizabeth nodded when he looked at her.”Oh I remember how hurt you were when all that happened.”

  “Michelle still hasn't gotten over it either. She's convinced Uncle Ike deliberately tried to ruin her father to save himself. I said some things, she said some things and bam! We didn't talk or see each other for almost seven years.”Anthony rapped his fork against the saucer.

  “You know how I feel about your Uncle Ike, Anthony. He's been good to us and he's a kind man in his way. But he's like your father in a lot of ways.” Lizabeth picked up the dishes and started for the kitchen.

  “No way, Mama. Uncle Ike doesn't run out on family. They may be brothers, but Uncle Ike can be counted on when things get tough.” Anthony spoke angrily as he followed her.

  “Anthony, listen to me. I’ve known that family for over thirty years. They may not have the same daddy, but they been close all their lives. Neither one likes playing by the rules. The difference is Ike takes joy in beating the system by getting to know important people. Your daddy never wanted to be tied down. Sonny liked to come and go as he pleased, hated being on somebody else's schedule. Even his brother's.” Lizabeth began washing plates in the kitchen sink.

  “No, he couldn't bother to be tied down b
y a little thing like supporting his family. Or pay child support so you wouldn't have to work two jobs to keep us from being thrown out on the street. I don't understand how you can say Uncle Ike has anything in common with that man.”Anthony still refused to call Sonny his father or say his name. “You sound almost like you're defending him.”

  “It's been so many years now, Anthony, that I'm not angry anymore. I was very bitter when you were young and I was struggling to keep us off welfare. But I learned to let go of it, son. Truth is, I knew Sonny wasn't the most responsible man around. That's part of what made me so crazy about him. How he could make me laugh.” Lizabeth paused to gaze out of the kitchen window above the sink. It was as if she could see the handsome man standing in the back yard.

  “Great sense of humor. Only the joke was on us.”Anthony remembered the smiling face that took him to fun places when he was a small boy. But the memories were tainted by Sonny's abandonment of his family.

  “All I'm trying to say is you have to learn to see people for who they really are, son. The whole person, good and bad.” Lizabeth dried her hands on a red and white dish cloth.

  “I know Uncle Ike has his faults. But he's not the devil either.”Anthony began drying the dishes and stacking them on the counter.

  “You think Michelle can put aside how she feels about Ike? Can you make it with him between you?” Lizabeth put a hand on his arm.

  “We are going to make it, Mama. Chelle is beginning to understand that Uncle Ike isn't so bad. In fact, we even talked about this a couple of times. I'm telling you when she gets to know him, things will be all right. Maybe we can even get this misunderstanding between him and Mr. Toussaint cleared up.” Anthony began putting the dishes away.

  “For both your sakes, I hope you're right, baby.” Lizabeth patted him on the back.

  ***

  “Dominic, even I won't defend you on this one. Why in the world would you take a job working for Ike Batiste!” Michelle folded her arms and glowered at him.