After All Page 17

  Ike's expression relaxed into a genial grin. “But all in all, you did a fine job. Can't wait to see what you do next.”

  The smug sound of his voice scraped a nerve. Michelle smiled at him. “Thank you. I hope you find my future work as interesting.”

  Michelle left him abruptly to join Anthony. Laughing and talking, they moved from one group to the next. Anthony proudly introduced her to those of his acquaintances she did not know. Michelle caught Ike eyeing her curiously several times.

  “Thank you for a very entertaining evening.” Michelle was quite sincere. This was the closest she had been to Ike and the people of his world. She had much to think about.

  “Thank you, darlin'. I'm glad you decided to come. Say, I give a New Year's Eve blow out to beat any party in town. We'll have it at the Century Club this year,” Ike said proudly. “You be sure and bring her, Anthony.”

  The Century Club was a combination restaurant and private social club. Part of it was rented out for special occasions. Over two dozen prominent black business and professional men had founded it five years before. Ike took Anthony's coat allowing him free hands to help Michelle into hers.

  “Hey, that would be nice. You'd love that, babe.” Anthony took her hand after putting on his coat.

  “Yes.” Michelle fought the urge to sigh deeply. The thought of having to spend another evening resisting the temptation to wipe that arrogant smirk from Ike's face was unappealing to say the least.

  Later, at Michelle's apartment they listened to Christmas music. They sang “Please Come Home for Christmas” with gusto right along with Charles Brown and danced to Otis Redding's “Merry Christmas, Baby” until they were breathless. Turning the volume way down on the compact disc, the mood turned mellow.

  “Thanks, babe. I know tonight wasn't the easy for you,” Anthony called out to her. Michelle stood stirring eggnog in a small sauce pan on the stove.

  “Actually I had a pretty good time.” Michelle carried a tray with mugs of the hot, creamy liquid into her living room.

  “You don't have to say that. I know Uncle Ike's friends can be a little hard to take. But they're nice when you get to know them.”

  “I love Caroline and Macie.” Michelle giggled remembering some of their sassy talk. “And except for that little scene Mrs. Bridges made, it was very nice.”

  “They can get a little earthy sometimes. Not like your usual crowd of society folks. Mrs. Bridges barely hides her contempt.” Anthony sniffed the aroma that rose from his mug before taking a cautious sip.

  “Mrs. Bridges certainly has no reason to look down on anybody. I've seen her at some of the balls. Trust me; those `society folk' can be just as earthy.”

  “All the same, what you did tonight was greatly appreciated.” Drawing her close, he kissed her deeply.

  Michelle shivered deliciously at the sweet sensation of his full lips on hers. She cupped his face with both hands, eager for more. With a simultaneous sigh, they parted.

  “Merry Christmas, baby,” Anthony sang in a melodious voice, his eyes shining. He turned off the lamp on the end table next to the sofa.

  Sitting in front of her Christmas tree in the dark, they held each other and watched the lights blink on and off. Michelle lifted her face to his. The warm, happiness glowing in his mahogany eyes worked its own special magic. Michelle forgot Ike and the rest of the world.

  ***

  The Grand Oaks Hall was decked out in finery for the New Year's Eve Gala. The women of the Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha had seen to its professionally decorated splendor with an attention to detail that would put an army of interior designers to shame. The room swam in a metallic kaleidoscope of color splashing the formally dressed dancers with enchanted sparks of light. As if in a dream, they swayed beneath the large ball suspended from the ceiling.

  Michelle clung to Anthony relishing the feel of his muscular arm draped around her waist. The bass rhythm pulsated up through the floor beneath their feet. Its power flowed into her, causing her body to move as if a part of it. Burying her face in his neck, Michelle breathed deep. She found the spice and heat of his skin intoxicating. Anthony let go of her hand and wrapped her in a tight embrace with both arms. Their bodies melded together deliciously.

  “For the hundredth time, you look absolutely ravishing tonight.” Anthony spoke in a throaty voice close to her ear.

  “Thanks. And you can say it as many times as you like, sugar.” Michelle smiled up at him.

  “I thought you said these sorority dances were boring. This is great.”

  “Usually. Depends on who you're with I guess.” Michelle brushed her lips on his chin lightly.

  Anthony kissed her forehead. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he moved his hips with hers to the beat of the music. The song ended and they walked back to their seats unsteadily. Michelle tugged at the gold blouse afraid any sign of disarrayed clothing would tempt her friends to make bawdy comments.

  “Excuse me ladies, there are some business associates I want to say hello to.”Anthony was swallowed up in the crowd that gathered on the dance floor again to another song.

  “Girlfriend, that gold blouse is something else. Sheer sleeves, low cut. And with that black mini skirt, too. Flaunt your stuff!” Laree had crossed the room from her table to visit.

  “Well, look at you. Lady in red,” Michelle said. She gestured at the dress cut deep in the back with a saucy bow at the waist.

  Laree giggled. “Yeah, we both got it. Whoa, but looka here!”

  “Hello, dears. Kiss, Kiss.” Shantae strolled up with one hand on Cedric's arm. She wore a strapless royal blue gown. Cedric was handsome in his black tux.

  “My oh my.”Michelle gave a low whistle.”Don't you both just put us to shame.”

  “Don't hate us because we're beautiful.” Shantae waved her fingers in the air regally.

  “Y'all slum for while. Sit with us.” Laree got up to curtsy.

  “Well, I suppose the mayor can wait a little longer.” Shantae let out a cackle as Cedric pulled out a chair for her.

  “What took y'all so long to get here?” Michelle munched on a hors d'oeuvre.

  “We got sidetracked,” Shantae said casually.

  “Um-humph. I'll go get us some drinks.” Blushing furiously, Cedric beat a hasty retreat.

  “Shantae, you devil!” Laree winked at her.

  “Why did you bother to come? Wait, don't even go there!” Michelle held up a hand quickly seeing the mischievous grin on Shantae's face.

  They screamed with laughter, teasing each other with bawdy puns and comments the way they had since high school. When their men joined them, they exchanged conversations loaded with double meanings. At Michelle's insistence, the two couples abandoned plans to sit separately. They all crowded around the tiny table having a jolly time. Michelle was leading them in a chorus of a Mary J. Blige song when her smile faded. Keisha came towards them with hips swinging seductively. She turned heads with the form fitting jade dress she wore.

  “Hello, Anthony. My but you look handsome as ever.” Keisha batted eyelashes thick with mascara.

  Anthony stood to greet her “H-Hi,” he stuttered.

  Keisha put both hands on his face and kissed him full on the mouth. “Anthony, you promised to call me about that subject we discussed.” She turned back to Anthony clearly dismissing everyone else.

  “What? Oh, you mean the building renovations for New Jerusalem Baptist Church. Yes, Rhonda will call you to set up a meeting with the building committee.”Anthony spoke in a loud voice putting emphasis on each word. He turned to place a hand on Michelle's shoulder. “Keisha, you remember Michelle. And these are our friends--”

  “Yes, hello. We should meet before your plans are presented to the committee. Lunch on Friday?” Keisha placed a hand on his arm.

  “Well--”

  “Good. See you then.”Keisha strutted off with a wave.

  “Let's dance.” D'Andre grabbed Laree tugging her up from her seat.

/>   “But wait.” Laree tried to resist.

  “Now, Laree.” D'Andre pulled her away.

  “Let's go.” Cedric jerked a thumb in the direction of the dance floor.

  “My feet hurt.” Shantae ignored his hint. “Girl, who does she think she is?”

  “That's your aunt over there, Shantae. Let's go say hello. Now come on.” Cedric lifted her up and with a hand firmly planted in the small of her back, guided her across the room.

  “What was that about?” Michelle folded her arms and glared at Anthony.

  “Like you heard, it's strictly business,” Anthony said.

  “Does she always start off her business conversations by sticking her tongue down a business associate's throat?” Michelle snapped.

  “Keisha is the building committee coordinator for her church. It's a project I got the bid on months ago. Straight up business, baby.” Anthony held up his hand as if taking the oath.

  “She's got taking care of business on her mind all right. Swinging her butt in your face. And you ate it up.” Michelle jabbed a finger in the air near his nose.

  “Stop being silly,” Anthony said with a laugh he cut short when she scowled at him.

  “Oh, I'm silly.” Michelle spoke through clenched teeth.

  “No, I said you're acting silly.” Anthony frowned at her in irritation. “I thought you were more mature than this.”

  “Childish and silly. Unlike Ms. Keisha, I supposed.” Michelle turned away from him angrily.

  “Hold up. Let's not go there. Take time to reason this through before you go off on me.”

  “You let her kiss you, then tell me I'm being silly for getting upset. She makes a date to have lunch with you. Humm, have I left anything out?” Michelle fixed him with a withering stare.

  “You're so lovely when you're irate.”Anthony tried to joke her out of being angry. It backfired.

  “Don't patronize me.” Michelle stood up pushing her

  chair back so hard it made a screeching noise.

  “Chelle, come back here.” Anthony tried calling out over the rising clamor of the band starting a new song. He sighed in frustration at her retreating back.

  “I'm going to the rest room if you don't mind!” Michelle yelled over her shoulder.

  Michelle weaved through the tables set up around the dance floor. Her progress was slowed by friends and acquaintances she met along the way. Finally she reached the exit leading outside to a long dim hallway. The sounds of merriment became muted with the closing of the doors behind her. Michelle sat in a velveteen covered chair near the large glass windows that made up the front of the building. The sounds of distant laughter and the strains of the band's lead singer wailing a love song made her feel lonely. Michelle winced as an instant replay of the scene played out in her head. She did indeed feel silly.

  “I let that hussy play me. She's probably planting her rump next to Anthony while I'm out here,” Michelle muttered.

  Footsteps approached and she turned hoping it was Anthony. Instead Marcus loomed over her.

  “Hello, sweet thing. Got too stuffy in there for you too?” He sat in the chair next to her.

  “A little.”Michelle grew uneasy with the way his eyes lingered on her legs. “How have you been?”

  “Not bad. And you?” Marcus draped an arm around the back of her chair.

  “Okay. Anthony is here.”Michelle inched away from him.

  “Really? Damn, you look tasty.” Marcus smacked his lips crudely.

  “Thanks.”Michelle recoiled at the strong smell of alcohol on his breath. His eyes were glassy. She glanced around. For the first time she noticed how isolated they were from everyone.

  “I mean it.” Marcus began to rub her shoulder. “Wanna hook up sometime?”

  “I don't think so. Excuse me.” Michelle rose and walked away.

  “Nah, now. Don't be like that.” Marcus pushed up on unsteady legs to follow her. “Where you runnin' off to?”

  Michelle tried to stay one step ahead of him. Walking faster, she realized they were moving farther away from the crowded banquet room. They were alone in the shadowy hallway. Marcus clutched her upper arm and pulled her around a corner. He held her against a wall with his face inches from hers.

  “Wait a minute. Listen, we oughta slip on outta here. You and me.” He fingered the sheer material of her sleeve.

  “No, Anthony is looking for me. I have to go.” Michelle attempted leave, but he crushed his body to hers pinning her back.

  “You smell so good. Oh, baby lemme--” Marcus began too nuzzle her neck.

  “Stop it, Marcus. Stop!” Michelle shoved him with all her might trying to escape.

  “Come on, baby.” Marcus breathed heavily in her ear as he made a grinding motion with his hips against hers. His hands began pulling her skirt up.

  “No, get back!” Michelle punched the side of his face causing his head to jerk back.

  “I'm gonna give you a lesson you won't forget. When I get through, you'll be begging for more.” He shoved her into a small room with brooms and mops. “Get in there. Think you too good for me? Let's see what Anthony been getting.”

  Michelle stumbled over a wash pail as he pushed her into the dark. She kept herself from falling only by grabbing a shelf. She spun around to face him.

  “Listen, you got messed up and a little carried away. Let me out of here and we'll forget this ever happened.” Michelle tried reasoning with him.

  “I ain't too messed up give you something good.” Marcus fumbled with his pants zipper.

  “I said no!” Michelle slapped him. Frantic to find a way out, she clawed her way back against a wall.

  Suddenly a rush of air was followed by loud clattering. Mops and brooms fell across her as Marcus seemed to take flight before her eyes. Michelle swung out thinking he had intensified her attack only to find nothing in front of her.

  “You're dead, you bastard.” Anthony shouted. He shook Marcus like a rag doll then slammed him into the opposite wall.

  “Git your hands off me, man. She was beggin' me to--”

  The rest of his words ended sharply, his voice muffled by Anthony's fist pounding his face in two rapid blows. Marcus went down hard but immediately began to struggle back upright. He launched himself at Anthony by pressing both palms against the wall. Marcus swung wildly. Anthony's head snapped as several glancing blows fell on his head and chest.

  Michelle staggered out of the closet. “Anthony, be careful!” Michelle screamed.”Help! Somebody, please!”

  The two men hammered away at each other oblivious to the growing crowd around them. Marcus snarled as he tore at Anthony's clothes. He kicked Anthony in the knee. Anthony bent double but not before delivering a crushing jab to his left jaw. Marcus responded with another jab to Anthony's stomach.

  “Come on, man. Y'all gonna wind up in jail.” Cedric broke through the crowd with D'Andre at his heels.

  “Get back.” D'Andre blocked Marcus from another attack on Anthony.

  “It's over, man!” Cedric shouted. He grabbed both of Anthony's arms pinning them to his sides. “Let's go. All right? Let's go.”

  Marcus struggled to free himself from several men holding him.”This ain't over! You hear me? This ain't over! Get offa me. Man, I'll kill you!”

  A security guard appeared and cleared the area after making sure no one needed medical attention. The men with Marcus assured him he would be leaving with them.

  “I'm not through with you or her.” Marcus said, his eyes full of malevolence.

  “Maybe y'all should leave, too.” The security guard turned to Anthony. He nodded in the opposite direction Marcus and friends had taken. Checking to make sure Michelle had her purse, they headed for the exit.

  Cedric slammed a fist into his palm on hearing what led up to the fight. “I wish I'd known, man. I woulda helped you kick his butt.”

  “How you feeling, honey?” Shantae and Laree hovered around Michelle protectively.

  “I'm fine.” Mic
helle tried to sound brave. The slight tremor in her voice betrayed her.

  “You should press charges,” Laree said.

  “I just want to go home.” Michelle sighed deeply.

  They said their goodbyes and Michelle insisted Anthony let her drive them back to his apartment. Once there, she place a towel wrapped around ice cubes on his head.

  “Are you hurt?”Michelle stared at him with eyes large with fright.”You should see a doctor, Anthony. He hit you really hard.” She put her arm around him but drew back quickly when flinch with pain.

  “Just bruised up. Are you okay? Did I get there in time?” Anthony stared into her eyes.

  “Right on time.” Michelle kissed him tenderly.

  “Messed up my plans for the evening. But maybe-- ouch!” Anthony recoiled from an attempt to move towards her.

  “I've got an idea.” Michelle disappeared down the hall to his bathroom.

  “What are you doing in there?” Anthony gingerly got up from the sofa.

  “Come on in. I have a reward for my gallant rescuer.”

  The large sunken tub was filling up with steaming water. Michelle wore nothing but one of his pajama tops with the sleeves rolled up. She beckoned him forward and pointed to the tub. A wonderful scent came from the bubbling water.

  She held up a bronze bottle. “I found this bath foam in the cabinet. Now let me handle everything.”

  Michelle helped him undress. Angry blue bruises had already appeared on his shoulders. Yet the sight of his muscled thighs, narrow waist, and broad shoulders stirred her. She helped him into the tub carefully. Michelle massaged him gently with long, slow strokes.

  “There's room in here for two you know.” Anthony reached under the pajama top to brush his fingers along the underside of her breast.

  “None of that now. Not after the way you got knocked around tonight,” Michelle admonished him.

  “Hmm, I'm feeling better by the minute.” Anthony rose and pulled her to him.

  “You're getting me soaking wet.” Michelle made no attempt to pull away.

  “Good,” Anthony whispered.