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  “Yasmin would have done anything to get in my bed. She’s pitiful. And Shauntelle St. Romaine is the same way, just more class.”

  “You dirty—”

  “I had Yasmin on her knees more times than I can remember.” Charles laughed. “And after you told her the so-called truth about me, all I had to do was touch her up. She forgot everything you said.”

  “You’re going down!” Lanessa shouted. “And I’m going put my foot up your behind and give you a push.”

  Charles stabbed a forefinger at her. “Don’t throw around threats you can’t keep! I’ll jam you up so bad your mama won’t recognize you.”

  “I don’t scare easily.” Lanessa came from around the desk. Now she was furious.

  “Really?” Charles stared at her for a few moments, and then a malicious gleam lit his light brown eyes. “Why do you think your business is in trouble?”

  “Not everyone is in your debt. In fact, quite a few folks despise you.” Lanessa shrugged. “I’m doing okay.”

  “Not for long. Maybe I’ll let those Commerce investigators think you were in with us.” Charles nodded. “Yes, maybe even make them think you were a key player.”

  “I’ve already told them exactly what my work involved.” Lanessa felt a cold finger of fear up her back.

  “Did they believe you? I doubt it.” Charles strolled to the door then turned to face her. “Better take my advice. Keep your theories to yourself.”

  “I’m no fool. No way am I going to let you frame me that easy.”

  Charles raked her body from head to toe with a leering gaze. “We could have been such good friends.

  Bet you’re the type who digs her fingernails into a dude’s back. I like that!”

  “Get out!” Lanessa yelled at him. She felt sick to her stomach.

  “Think about what I said. We might forgive you at this point.” Charles took a business card from his inner jacket pocket. He walked back and placed it on her desk. “You can call me anytime, night or day.”

  Lanessa picked up the small square with gold lettering and tore it in half. “Guess what my answer is.”

  Charles wore a look of fury. “Then it’s your choice. You’ll be very sorry!” he snarled. He stalked out without looking at Robyn as he passed her.

  “He’s something.” Robyn’s eyes were big as saucers.

  “Yeah.” Lanessa could not say more. She was shaky from the encounter.

  “The guy is creepy. I heard he’s into all kinds of freaky stuff. He—”

  “Please, I’d rather not talk about Metoyer or even hear his name anymore today.” Lanessa went back and sat down at her desk. The phone rang. She picked it up grateful for any distraction. “Hello.”

  “Hello, Lanessa,” Yasmin said in a stiff voice.

  “Yasmin, thanks for calling. I really want to talk to you.” Lanessa’s spirits rose. Her friend’s voice was a welcome sound. “We’ve been through so much and I—“

  “I called to say I left some things I borrowed in your garage. It’s in a big shopping bag,” Yasmin cut her off.

  “What? I don’t understand.”

  “Your red shawl, earrings, and a few other odds and ins. I don’t want you to say I kept them.” Yasmin spoke in a cold, sharp tone.

  “You could have kept them as long as you wanted.” Lanessa raked her fingers through her hair. “Why don’t I come over to your house after work and we can talk.”

  “I thought I’d made myself clear. You don’t have anything to say that I want to hear. Goodbye.”

  Lanessa heard the click and it felt like a slap in the face.

  “Lanessa, what’s wrong?” Robyn wore a deep frown of worry. “Yasmin still upset?”

  “You could say that,” Lanessa muttered. She pressed her fingers to her eyes.

  “She’ll get over it once she calms down,” Robyn offered hopefully. “We’ll get through this, boss lady.”

  “I’ve gotta get out of here.” Lanessa pushed back from the desk and grabbed her purse from a desk drawer.

  “Right. Let’s call it a day.” Robyn followed her to the outer office. “Tell you what, we can go to the mall then have dinner.

  “I don’t need a babysitter,” Lanessa snapped. Robyn halted and turned to face her. “Fine.”

  Lanessa sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s just… I’ve got so much coming at me. I need to be alone right now.”

  “Sure,” Robyn said. She wore a gentle smile. “But you’re not really alone. Remember that.”

  “Yeah.” Lanessa gave her a hug. “Thanks for trying” She let go and walked out quickly afraid she would dissolve into tears.

  Lanessa drove for over an hour. She finally went to the riverfront and sat on a bench overlooking the muddy brown water. As the sun went down, she wondered how she’d ever deceived herself into thinking she could be a success.

  “What a joke,” Lanessa mumbled.

  Lengthening shadows, dark and foreboding, matched her mood. The late afternoon reddish golden glow did not lighten her mood at all. Couples were scattered along the levee. Some strolled along holding hands. Others sat down with their heads together speaking low. The sight of them deepened her depression. She had to escape.

  Twenty minutes later, a familiar sight seemed to beckon to her once again. Jazz It Up had been a favorite hangout at one time. One of the nicer haunts she had frequented when she was still drinking. The bright green neon sign had caught her eye as she was driving by. Or had she come this way on purpose? She parked and went inside. This was third time in as many weeks she’d come to the nightclub. To hear the music, she tried to tell herself. Then why was she sitting at the bar? Lanessa knew the answer.

  Nothing filled her these days. Working long hours had not been enough. The whirl of social invitations she accepted only put off the inevitable. All too soon she was alone with her thoughts. That old voice was back whispering seductively. One drink would dull the ache in her soul. A few more and it would be gone. For what must have been the millionth time in the last few years, Lanessa argued with it. The start of a band playing a soothing blues tune could only help. She hoped it would be enough to get her through another night. Going back to an empty house was something she could not face just yet.

  Chapter 19

  “Drinking by yourself isn’t healthy.” A short man the color of copper spoke just at her shoulder.

  “Thanks, but when I want a medical opinion, I’ll see my doctor.” Lanessa glanced at him. He wore an affable smile that was not affected by her rebuff.

  “Just wanted a little friendly conversation is all. Sorry to intrude.” He lifted his glass to her then sipped from it.

  Lanessa regretted her rudeness. The guy was probably just lonely. Something she knew about all too well these days. “Don’t mind me. I’m having a bad day.”

  “No problem. I know how it is to get dumped on from every which way. Don’t worry about it.” The man held out a hand. “I’m Marty Brown.”

  “Lanessa Thomas.” She shook it.

  “Glad to meet ya. Let me buy you a drink.” Marty offered her a Marlborough cigarette.

  “Sure. Ginger ale is fine.” Lanessa shook her head and grimaced at the name on the pack. “Geez, how can you stand those things?”

  “Hey, I’ll get what you want from the machine. Let’s see, a classy lady like you… Benson and Hedges Menthol. Right?”

  “Yes, but—” Lanessa started to say she’d quit. But suddenly the craving came on strong. “Why not,” she said softly.

  Marty came back looking like a boy scout doing a good deed. “Here you go, ma’am.” He opened the pack and handed it to her.

  “Thanks.”

  Lanessa gazed at the long, slender cylinder of tobacco. It was so elegantly wrapped in white paper with one dark green border at the filter tip. When she placed it between her lips, it was as though she hadn’t quit a year ago. Marty lit it for her. She inhaled but not too deeply.

  “Say, you’ve been off these things for a while.
I can tell.” Marty chuckled.

  “What is it about cigarettes? They make you unwind with just one puff.” Lanessa inhaled again and let out a stream of smoke.

  “They’re like a good drink. Smoothes out all the rough edges. Sure I can’t get you one?” Marty held up his glass of bourbon.

  Lanessa did not look at it. “No. My edges aren’t that rough just yet.” She took a hard swallow of ginger ale.

  “Slow down. Remember you’re driving.” Marty grinned at her. “Don’t want the police smelling sugar on your breath.”

  Lanessa glanced at him sideways. He had the round face of a mischievous elf. Oddly he looked like every class clown she’d known in school. He seemed to be her age, about thirty-two. Not handsome, yet he was not ugly. Marty was plain, the kind of guy you’d have trouble remembering. Maybe that’s why he had a sense of humor, so people would take notice. Lanessa felt an affinity for him. Lanessa wanted to get into someone else’s life. A stranger was the perfect person.

  “So, Marty. What is it you do?” Lanessa turned sideways to face him.

  “Insurance.” He beamed at her.

  “Uh-oh.” Lanessa rolled her eyes. “I should have known these came at a price.” She tapped the pack of cigarettes on the bar.

  “Relax, I’m off the clock.” Marty leaned toward her just a bit. “To tell you the truth, I get sick of talking about it all day long. Then there are the evening appointments. Man!” He shook his head.

  “So why don’t you get another career?” Lanessa was amused.

  “Yeah, well… It’s not so simple.” Marty wore a long face. “Fifteen years I got in this company. I’ve got obligations, a pension.” He shrugged.

  “Nothing is simple, eh?” Lanessa’s throat felt dry. She signaled the bartender for another ginger ale. “You know the expression ‘Seemed like a good idea at the time’?”

  Marty nodded with vigor. “Exactly. You make choices when you’re just a kid. Then one day you wake up and boom! Twenty years have passed. And…” He shrugged again.

  “And those choices have you locked in to a life you don’t like very much.” Lanessa looked away from her reflection in the huge mirror facing the bar.

  “Hey, let’s downtrodden working folks unite. Right now we’re going to blow off bosses, day planners, and endless meetings.” Marty clinked his glass against hers on the bar.

  Lanessa laughed at him. “Sure. But my boss is a real pain. I’m self-employed.”

  “Good for you.” Marty took a sip as though in salute of her. “Nobody breathing down your neck. But you’ve got to do it all yourself.”

  “You got that right.” Lanessa nodded and took a drink of ginger ale.

  “What is it you do?” Marty leaned an elbow on the bar.

  “Research, mostly demographics. But I get into some specialized areas. Companies use the information; I’ve done work for law firms.” Lanessa wondered how much longer she’d be in business.

  “Say, I’ll bet you use the internet. Right?” Marty nodded and went on before she could answer. “Now there’s an innovative business. I mean, we’re living in the information age. Right?”

  “Right.” Lanessa smiled at his enthusiasm. “Nothing exciting like the insurance biz of course.”

  Marty laughed heartily at her joke. They went on to talk about politics, the economy, the state of black America, and more. Lanessa let the wreaths of cigarette smoke and the anonymity of talking to someone whose last name she did not know block out her troubles. She was able to dodge thoughts of losing her business, her friend and the man she loved. The mid-week crowd grew. As the band played, they improvised their own Karaoke night without the microphone. When the opening strains of Midnight Train to Georgia sounded, Marty started them off. Soon everyone was singing. Lanessa felt lulled by the camaraderie. She felt more and more relaxed as the evening went on. It seemed old friends surrounded her. Lanessa was now at the center of a group of people, some she knew slightly. They all shared war stories about the working world in between singing and telling jokes.

  “Let me get you another cool drink, Lanessa. Singing and having a good time is thirsty work.” Marty grinned at her.

  Lanessa handed him the glass. “You’re a good man Marty Brown.”

  Marty held up the glass in salute, then went through the archway that led back to the bar area. Lanessa waved to him gaily. A thumping, hip-hop version of an old standard drew her attention. Shebang the words to Killing Me Softly with gusto.

  Marty moved to the pay phones in a dim hallway of the bar near a door leading to restrooms. He took the compact cell phone that was clipped to his belt and tapped the number pads. “Say, man. I followed her to a bar. Decided to strike up a conversation. Uh-huh.”

  He broke off when a crowd of three women appeared. They chattered on taking no notice of him as they went to the ladies room. Marty waited until they went in and the door swung closed behind them.

  “Yeah, yeah, I’m still here. Nah, man she’s not drinking. Look, I tried. All right? She won’t touch liquor. But I’ve got another idea.”

  Marty listened for several minutes as the male voice talked. He gave an occasional grunt in assent. A stream of people walked by causing him to move further into a dark corner. Then Marty gave an ugly laugh at a comment from the person at the other end of the phone. The easy-going expression was gone from his face. He now looked like an evil elf.

  “Don’t worry. I have a back-up plan. ” He took a small bottle of clear liquid from his pants pocket. “Right. Bye.”

  With a jaunty whistle, he strolled back into the bar to get Lanessa a refill.

  ***

  Alex arrived at his ex-wife’s house a little after six. The sun was bright and the temperature still in the eighties. Tia and Nia were in the yard batting a badminton bird back and forth. They raced to him when he got out of the car.

  “Mmm, you two are sweeter than honey.” Alex took turns kissing them. He covered the soft, smooth brown skin on their faces while tickling them.

  “Eee! Stop, Daddy,” Tia said yet held on tighter to his neck.

  “I’m gonna get you back!” Nia squealed. She tried to grab his hand. “No!” She wiggled as he shook her.

  “Grrr, I’m the Tickle Monster.” Alex made a growling sound. After a few minutes he let them go.

  “Really, Daddy. That game is for babies.” Nia became fluffed her long dark hair.

  “You’ll always be my little girls.” Alex winked at her.

  Tia hung on his arm still. “Daddy, Mama got me a new paint set. I’m going to paint a picture for your office. Last year my teacher said I had promise.” She flashed her signature smile that melted hearts.

  “Wonderful. I needed a new masterpiece for a space on my wall.”

  “Oh please.” Nia looked at her sister with scorn. “Miss Sweetie Pie is just trying to get a bigger allowance.” She puckered her lips and made loud kissing sounds.

  “Well at least I don’t get grounded every two seconds like some people.” Tia stuck out her tongue at Nia.

  “Alright, that’s enough you two. I’m going inside to talk to mom,” Alex said.

  Alex waved at them as two kids from the neighborhood arrived on the bikes.

  He was not looking forward to this conversation. Still he liked the alternative even less. Shauntelle had to know. Besides, she was a levelheaded, sensible woman. Hadn’t he always said so? When she walked toward him smiling, his confidence slipped down another notch.

  “Hi there? You okay? Look at this hot new outfit.” Shauntelle made a complete turn. She wore a powder blue tank top and matching leggings that hugged her curves.

  “Very attractive.” Alex gave a whistle.

  “I’ve got new attitude, babe. No more shrinking violet.” Shauntelle did a sassy strut.

  “I’m glad you’re in a good mood.” Alex followed her around the house and through the patio doors. “I wanted to—“

  “Sure,” Shauntelle broke in. “I’m steppin’ out of the old ro
utine. My new social life has opened up a whole new world.”

  “Great. Just don’t move to fast.” Alex sat across from her in the sunroom.

  “Hey, life’s too short. Lanessa is right to be bold.” Shauntelle stopped smiling when she glanced at him. “Sorry, I didn’t think first. I heard about you guys from your mother.”

  “Naturally.” Alex gave a grunt of irritation. “She’s got her hopes up I’ll marry whoever she picks out for me now.”

  “Listen, maybe things will work out for you and Lanessa. I know how it is when you find the right one.”

  “Yes, well…” Alex’s frown deepened. Although his name had not come up, it was obvious Shauntelle was thinking of Charles Metoyer. “Shauntelle, I—“

  “Oh, come on. Don’t be like that.” Shauntelle gave his knee a pat. “Even if you can’t get back together, you can find happiness. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that.” Alex leaned toward her, his hands clasped together. “Shauntelle, the best way for me to tell you this is just straight out.”

  “Tell me what, dear. Wait, I made my special lemonade with raspberry flavoring. You love it.” She darted from the room into the kitchen before he could react.

  Alex sat tapping his fingers while she was gone. “Just tell her. The dude is a dog.” He shook his head. “No, no. You can’t tell her like that, dummy!”

  Shauntelle came back in with two tea glasses. “Talking to yourself in an empty room. Tsk, tsk. We’ll have to get you a new social life soon,” she quipped. She handed him a glass and sat down again.

  “Ha, ha.” Alex tried to force a smile. His face felt stiff.

  “Alright, Alex.” Shauntelle took a coaster from an end table and set her glass down. “I can tell when something is eating at you. Talk to me.”

  “Okay. There’s no easy way to say this. Charles Metoyer is seeing another woman behind your back. Her name is— Well that’s not important. The point is he’s been lying to you.” Alex sat back with a deep breath. It was a relief to finally have said it. He exhaled and drank from his glass. “Whew!”

  Shauntelle sat very still. Her eyes blinked rapidly. “Did you just say…” She shook her head slowly as though trying to make sense of the world.