After All Page 3

  Michelle fought to keep her face from showing the excitement she felt. Ike Batiste and James Bridges had been among the most prominent Black businessmen in Baton Rouge for over twenty years. James Bridges had a thriving janitorial business frequently hired by Ike Batiste to clean up his newly constructed homes and vacant properties. Greg was right, both had powerful connections locally and around the state.

  “Close enough to break the rules?”Michelle looked at him.

  Greg nodded.”Real good buddies.”

  “And they get a lot of business from the Housing Authority? Are you saying they get a lot of business because of this friendship?”

  “I told you that's all I'm gonna say.”Greg shook his head.

  “That's enough, Greg.”Hooking the ink pen through the wires at the top, Michelle slapped the pad against her palm.”That's more than enough.”

  Chapter 2

  Anthony sat at his desk head down, the blueprints spread in front of him. He had been sitting in this position for thirty minutes.

  “What're you doing, man, trying to memorize 'em?”Cedric lifted one corner of the paper.

  “Just looking to make sure everything's okay.”Startled to see his partner standing in front of him, Anthony began to fold the blueprints.

  “Hey, we still need those out,” Cedric held the blueprints.”Your head is definitely somewhere else today. What's up?”

  “Nothing. I'm okay. The new library on East Boulevard is the biggest job we've gotten yet. I want everything to be done just right.”Anthony took a sip of coffee then frowned.”Cold.”He got up to refill his cup from the pot in the small kitchen down the hall.

  “Well, I ain't buying it. I've known you long enough to know that sitting around with a stupefied look on your face means one thing, you saw Michelle,” Cedric called out.

  “Bull. And lower your voice.”Anthony hurried back down the hall looking over his shoulder.”Keisha is supposed to be here any minute. She's taking me to lunch.”

  “So? She should have gotten the message by now. She's been chasing you for months and you haven't even been on a date.”Cedric clasped his hands to his chest and batted his eyes.”Oh, Anthony, do you like my hair like this?”He pretended to fluff his hair.

  “I know, but we've been working really close on the City-wide Church Committee. And she does have feelings. I just have to let her down easy.”

  “Okay, okay.”Cedric stretched his tall lanky frame in one of the black imitation leather chairs opposite Anthony's desk.”So how is Michelle these days?”

  “What makes you think I know?”

  “Quite playing games with me, man. I know you saw her at the station and she let you have it with both barrels.”

  “So you went over to Shantae's house to visit little Devonne, right? No doubt to give the little tyke some lessons on baseball or is it football?”Anthony tried changing the subject.

  “Don't even try it. Yeah, I'm seeing Shantae. And Devonne plays on both of the peewee teams I coach. The boy is gonna be an all round athlete. Now back to Michelle.”

  “Damn! I should have just said hello and walked away. No, I had to make a fool of myself trying to be friendly. She still blames Uncle Ike for her father's business problems,” Anthony said in a voice tight with exasperation.”And me for not agreeing with her.”

  “You still got a thing for that woman. Course I don't blame you. She's got the look.”

  “I don't have a thing for Michelle. I just hate that we broke up the way we did. All through high school we were so tight, remember? We even had a five year class reunion. Almost everybody showed except Michelle.”

  “Man, some of those bourgeoisie girls did give her the cold shoulder when her dad was having financial problems. Y'all was kinda stuck up.”Cedric stuck his chest out.”They only accepted me cause I was the star of the football team and so good-lookin'.”He chuckled.

  “We weren't stuck up. Maybe we were into our own clique, but that's normal for teenagers.”

  “All the same, she got treated differently after that.”

  “But not by me,” Anthony blurted.

  “Well--”

  “I didn't turn on Michelle, Cedric.”

  “Let's just say you kinda of backed off when she started talking about your Uncle Ike being a crook.”Cedric examined his fingernails.

  “We had a couple of big arguments about him, sure, but I wasn't going to stop seeing her because of it. We could have worked through that. She was just too angry to listen.”

  “And you were too proud to beg. I still say you ain't lost that lovin' feelin' yet, my brother.”

  “I moved on long ago.”Anthony refused to look him in the eye.

  “Hello, Anthony, dear.”Keisha swept in. She wore the long deep purple cape that matched her dress as though it were a queen's robe.

  “Hi, Keisha. How's tricks?”Cedric stood up.

  Keisha seemed to notice him for the first time.”Hello. I'm just fine.”She honed in on Anthony ignoring him.”Lunch time. We're going to Angelle's. You love their seafood gumbo.”

  Cedric made a face behind her back.”Nice seeing you, too. Later, Anthony. You gonna meet me out at the subdivision around two, right?”

  “Sure. See you then.”Anthony waited until he was sure Cedric had left.”That wasn't very polite.”

  “Cedric doesn't like me and I don't care for him. Now let's have lunch.”Keisha smiled sweetly, her tone saying the subject was closed.

  Angelle's was crowded as usual. It's location close to the downtown area and near the river made it ideal for working people. Keisha and Anthony waved at several acquaintances as they were led to a table on the second floor overlooking the Mississippi River.

  “We're lucky to get this view as crowded as they are.”Anthony sat down.

  “Luck had nothing to do with, sweetie. Mr. Earl over there reserved this table for us.”Keisha waved at the head waiter, an older black man who nodded smiling.

  “What's so special about today?”Anthony opened the menu.

  “We never officially celebrated your winning the bid last month to build the new library. Since I neglected you so, I'm making it up to you now.”Keisha put her hand on his.

  “You're too good to me, Keisha.”Anthony sighed. Looking over her shoulder, the smile froze on his face. Anthony's jaw muscles tightened. The sight of Michelle entering the restaurant on the arm of another man was an unpleasant shock.

  “You're welcome. What's wrong?”Keisha turned to follow his gaze.

  “Humm? Oh, nothing's wrong. I, uh, thought of a detail at work that needs to be taken care of.”

  “Isn't that Michelle Toussaint, the news reporter on Channel Twelve? I don't recognize that handsome man with her.”

  “Dosu Lemotey, he has a large export business. I guess Michelle is interviewing him for a story.”Anthony looked out of the window.

  “Not they way they're laughing and carrying on. Say, you know her, don't you? You have got to introduce us. Oh look, they're coming this way. Hi!”Keisha waved vigorously determined to get their attention.

  ***

  “A friend is speaking to you.”Dosu touched Michelle's elbow causing her to look around.

  “Goodness, she must know me, but I have no idea who she is.”Michelle smiled and headed for their table.

  She stopped short when she realized the man with his back to her was Anthony. Dosu reached for her thinking she had lost her balance. Just as his hand came up to Michelle's waist, Anthony looked at them. He turned away sharply.

  “How are you?”Michelle stood awkwardly not only because she was trying to guess who Keisha was, but because of Anthony.

  “I'm Keisha Grant. You know Anthony, right?”Keisha extended a hand.

  “Yes, hello. Dosu, this is Anthony Hilliard.”

  “How do you do?” Dosu said in his softly accented English as he reached out to shake hands.

  “I watch your news show almost every day. I just love those reports you do. Are you going to the Bla
ck and White Ball this year? I hear it's going to be fabulous.”Keisha

  scanned Michelle from head to toe.”Lovely outfit. Saw something just like in the Neiman Marcus catalogue.”

  “Really?”Michelle ignored the less than subtle attempt to find out where she shopped.

  “I believe we have mutual acquaintances.”Dosu spoke to Anthony.”Clarence Burrell and Darryl Beshears speak highly of your work, Mr. Hilliard.”

  “Thank you. I learned a lot from them. Have you known them long?”

  “Clarence and I met when I came to this country to attend Tuskegee Institute. We have been friends since then. Here is my card. I understand you may be building more homes and offices in the future. I import many items that can be used to furnish and decorate them.”Dosu handed him a gold lettered business card.

  “It may be another year before we get to that point but I'll certainly keep you in mind. So how have you been, Michelle?”Anthony wore a stony expression as he looked at her.

  Michelle stood awkwardly between the two men. She twisted the long strap of her purse.”Good. And you?”

  “Just fine.”

  “You two practically grew up together I hear.”Keisha grinned. Suddenly the light went out of her face as she looked from Michelle to Anthony.

  “We've known each other for a long time, yes. Michelle and I met in the seventh grade.”Anthony's gaze wavered from Michelle to the scene outside the window. A moment of uneasy silence followed.

  “It was nice meeting you, Ms. Grant.”Michelle nodded at them both before moving away ahead of Dosu.

  ***

  Anthony was lost in thought for the rest of their extended lunch. Keisha vainly tried to engage his attention, but his conversation was perfunctory and distracted. So Dosu Lemotey was the reason Michelle had given him the cold shoulder. Apparently getting over him had been easy. When they pulled up in front of the office, he got out of her Volvo without speaking.

  “Goodbye,” he waved to her, a vacant look in his eyes.

  “Hey, is that all?”Keisha pouted.

  “Humm? Oh, sorry. Thanks for lunch. It was nice. I better get going. It's almost two and Cedric will be waiting for me.”Anthony seemed to shake himself awake.

  “Okay. See you tonight?”Keisha's voice dropped low.

  “I'm going to be working awfully late. I'll call you later.”

  Anthony left before Keisha could say anything more. In the mood he was in, he did not think he could stand too many questions. He was angry that seeing Michelle with another man could shake him so. Not seeing her at all was bad enough, but now he knew there was someone else in her life. Anthony plunged into work for the rest of the day in an attempt to wipe the picture of Michelle smiling at another man from his mind.

  ***

  “How long were you together?”Dosu spoke softly breaking into her thoughts.

  “What?”Michelle blinked. She realized that she had hardly spoken since they had left Angelle's.

  “The way you so carefully avoided paying very much attention to him was very revealing.” Dosu's handsome face wore a gentle, wise smile.

  “We’ve known each other since we were about fourteen.”Michelle tried to dodge the real question.

  Dosu cocked his head to one side.”The tie between you is strong.”He seemed to be looking straight into her heart.

  “Anything we had ended some time ago. He stabbed me in the back.”

  “I think maybe you and he have hurt each other yet would like to mend that hurt. It is in his eyes, and yours.” Dosu parked in front of the station.

  “Our... problem is much deeper than you think, Dosu. It was more than a quarrel. We've both moved on since then, believe me,” Michelle said in a firm tone.

  “There is an African proverb, `Love is like young rice: transplanted, still it grows'.”

  “Love? No way. More like contempt. He defends and supports a man that tried to hurt my family. A man who has the morals of a vulture. Anthony Hilliard is beneath contempt. Be careful doing business with him.”Michelle's voice rang with animosity.

  “I will remember, Michelle. But you remember what I said also.”Dosu gave her a brotherly kiss on the forehead.

  ***

  Michelle sat at her desk going over the old notes, or least she appeared to be. Dosu had become a good friend whose counsel she greatly respected. That he saw something in her that reached out to Anthony filled her with anxiety. Thinking back she still felt the burning pain that seared through her six years ago. A pain caused by Anthony's betrayal. She remembered the look on his face as he defended Ike Batiste. As things became increasingly worse for her father, there was a distance in his voice and manner whenever they met. No, she was not that green college girl anymore. Anthony would never worm his way back into her life only to tear it apart again. Gritting her teeth, determined to push away thoughts of him, Michelle doggedly forced herself to focus on the words before her.

  “Well, here she is. Lois Lane, ace reporter.”Jennifer stood next to her desk, a smug look on her face.

  Michelle glanced up only briefly. This was the last thing she needed right now. She pulled the keyboard to her and began tapping out a rough draft of a report.

  “Working on the big story, I suppose.”Jennifer had something to say and would not be discouraged.

  Michelle pushed the keyboard aside.”Okay, let's get this over with. What is it?”

  “Nothing really. That is if you think my getting two plum assignments Nathan was leaning towards giving to somebody else nothing. I'll be covering the city council meetings for awhile.”

  “Big deal. Everybody is happy to have that rotated.”

  “And Weston,” Jennifer said, pausing dramatically.”After discussing it with Nathan, of course, he has decided that I'll be doing a regular feature on good news type stories. We decided to call it `Beacons of Hope'.”

  “What?”Michelle sprang from her chair. “That story on the community center was supposed to be only the first in a series! It was my idea.”

  “There was quite a positive response. Weston felt we should definitely go with it. And Jason felt you had your hands full, especially with this Housing Authority thing.”Jennifer waved her hand at the papers on Michelle's desk.

  “Where is Nathan? I have a few things to say to him, and Jason, too.”

  “I think they're both in Jason's office. But you're wasting your time, dear,” Jennifer called after her as Michelle stormed out.

  Without knocking, Michelle pushed through the door to Jason's office. Michelle was so angry that she stood seething for nearly thirty seconds unable to speak until they noticed her.

  “Not only didn't I hear you knock, I don't remember telling you to come in.” Jason sat back in his chair.

  “What the hell is this about Jennifer getting my feature?” Michelle managed to blurt out.

  “Mr. Lockport made the final decision, but I suggested it. Problem?”Jason raised an eyebrow.

  “You know damn well that I put in extra hours lining up interviews, tracking down sources for that idea.”Michelle stood feet apart jabbing an accusing finger at him.

  “Jennifer has been doing these little `feel good' pieces for awhile now. Besides, we decided to throw in some public appeals to help people who need assistance. We need to compete with Channel Seven's Madeline Mason with her `We're on Your Side' segment. I figure the combination will give us the edge. And viewers respond very well to Jennifer.”Jason wore a superior smile.

  “Oh, I get it. We're going to have a battle of the blondes. Play it safe, right? After all, minorities make up only twenty percent of the market share. I was going to spotlight efforts by poor people to change things in their communities. Jennifer is going spend her time hopping from society club soiree to the next.”

  “May I remind you that some of our largest advertisers give very generously to many worthy causes. Are you suggesting they don't deserve recognition?” Jason said.

  “They get plenty of press now, and you know it.
Most of the time when we have film from places like Easy Town it's showing young Black men being led away in handcuffs.” Michelle threw up both hands in a gesture of frustration. “There is more to those neighborhoods than that. I think we have a responsibility to show it.”

  “Jennifer will spotlight the minority community. In fact, she has a story on that African-American sorority that contributes thousands every year to the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation.” Jason shrugged and spread his arms wide.

  “Nathan, you know that's not where I was coming from.” Michelle turned to him, dismissing Jason.

  “What can I say, Michelle. I gave it a shot, but Weston thought his idea was stronger for the station; more broad in scope was the way he put it.”

  “But, Nathan, the closest Jennifer will get to poor neighborhoods is to speed past them on her way to the tanning salon,” Michelle retorted.

  “I'll review leads and make sure we get some of those stories, too. I promise. But this isn't my call, you know that.” Nathan cupped her elbow and led her out to his office.

  “Thank you, Nathan.” Jason waved them out of his office in gestured that indicated no further discussion was warranted or desired.

  Back in Nathan's office, Michelle paced the narrow area between his desk and the door. “I worked hard for this. I deserved to be given a shot.”

  “I know you did, but calm down. You've got some pretty good assignments, remember? That Housing Authority story for one. My gut tells me it's going to be big. A career maker. The kind of story investigative reporters dream of.”Nathan sat heavily in his old swivel chair.

  She gave a heavy sigh.”You may be right.”Michelle stood still and rubbed her chin wearing a thoughtful expression.”But it's going to take time to dig it out. It's like an iceberg, most of it's hidden beneath the surface.” She switched gears as the spark of her ambition was fanned.