After All Page 6

  “More advice, domestic quicksand ahead. Don't get sucked in. A bitter spouse can be a curse as well as a blessing. If she spends the next one or two interviews ventilating about him without giving you something that could lead to a story, you're wasting your time,” Michelle said.

  “And it was so promising.” Earl's face lit up with renewed eagerness. “But I have a plan. Maybe she'll give me the names of other people who might be willing to talk. Maybe somebody he's taken advantage of and wants revenge.” He rose.

  “Keep hope alive.”Michelle waved goodbye to him. She hated to tell him how skeptical she was at his chances.

  “Is Earl still dogging that James Bridges thing?” Rexanne strolled in and put her large leather bag on Gracie's desk. Sitting down wearily, she propped her feet on another chair.

  “Yeah, he's got my sympathy. I think she's a woman scorned who wants to cause trouble for her husband, but doesn't have one piece of usable information.”Leaning back, Michelle took a break from writing.

  “If anybody knows something, it's her. It's a matter of how much she really wants to stick it to her husband. She may want to keep him awake nights worrying. She probably made sure he knows she's talking to Earl. How's your big one coming along?”

  “I'm on the right track.”Michelle understood that she was referring to the one potentially big story she was working on.

  “Count your blessings. I've been chasing my tail all morning with this follow-up on Senator Jeansonne. He is one slippery rascal.” Rexanne raked fingers through her dark auburn hair.

  Kate hurried over looking anxious.”Hi, Rexanne. Say Michelle, Jason's been asking me if you've submitted any footage for editing.”

  Michelle barely opened her mouth before Rexanne interrupted.”Jason, how are you?”

  “Fine,” Jason said warmly, smiling at Rexanne briefly. With her standing at the station, he was careful to always be cordial and respectful. Then he turned to Michelle.”We need to talk. My office.”He walked away without waiting to see if she followed.

  “Sure thing, Jason.”Michelle spoke in a false light tone even as she made an ugly face at his back.

  Looking back at Rexanne, she got a thumbs-up sign of encouragement from her. Kate tried a brave smile. Nathan was already seated in one of the fine leather chairs in Jason's office. Michelle raised a questioning eyebrow at him. Before he could speak, Jason began.

  “It's been three weeks since you started on the Housing Authority story yet you haven't had one report on air. Problem?”Jason settled in his large executive chair and crossed his arms.

  Nathan spoke before she could respond.”Some pretty big names are being tossed around. Nobody is going to rush forward to spill the beans. As I've explained to you before, good investigative reporting takes time.”His voice indicated his patience was being tested to the limit.

  “What about the alleged solid contacts she had from a previous story?”Jason spoke to Nathan, but looked at Michelle.

  “She can't go on the air without information that's been thoroughly checked out. Even then, Taylor and his legal minions will have to put it under their microscopes first,” Nathan said.

  “Since you're talking about me, and I'm so conveniently in the room, why don't I just speak for myself thank you very much.” Michelle's voice rose with each sentence. She looked pointedly at Jason.” It so happens I have a source inside the Authority who is going to make copies of some very interesting documents over the next few weeks. Since this person needs his, or her, job this has to be done slowly and carefully. Furthermore, I was working on a series of preliminary stories about conditions in public housing; that is until you interrupted me just now.”

  “Wait a minute.” Jason held up a hand. “That's nothing but a rehash of the piece you did last year. I don't think so. Nathan, give her something else to work on. Maybe Jennifer can get an interview since she knows the director.” Jason picked up his phone and punched her extension.

  “When I spoke to Mr. Mansur this afternoon, he thought it was a great idea.” Actually, Gerald Mansur had said it had merit and he was willing to review it.

  “What?” Jason held the phone ignoring the voice at the other end.

  “He said he was looking forward my report.”

  “How dare you go directly to Mr. Mansur!” Jason's face was flushed as he clutched the phone.

  Jason never failed to remind the reporters that as Lockport’s assistant, he funneled ideas for news stories and features to him for consideration. It was not practice to skip the chain and go to the News Director. Skipping Lockport meant skipping Jason. And Jason liked control.

  “He passed me in the hall and asked how it was going. He is the news director; he can ask those things, Jason.” Michelle grinned at him.

  “Then that's that. I agree with him, by the way. I've got a lot of work, Jason. See ya.” Nathan gave Michelle a pat on the shoulder as he sauntered out.

  “Me, too,” Michelle said to no one in particular. “I have to set up some interviews, schedule one of the guys to meet me at the Mason Housing Project to shoot some video; I tell you, it never stops.”She followed Nathan out without looking back.

  ***

  Michelle left work but had a mission to perform. She rehearsed her speech for the entire drive to see her older brother. She parked in front of the modern single story suite of offices. Brian’s grey Mercedes Benz was in his reserved space. Typical of him, he was working later than his employees. He exchanged the usual greeting and inquiries into her health in a perfunctory manner.

  “What do you want from me, Michelle?” Brian, impatient to continue work, shuffled papers on his desk

  “Daddy listens to you. Tell him to give Dominic a job. Mama is beside herself. You know how she gets, especially when it comes to Dominic.” Michelle began to chew a fingernail, and then caught herself when she realized what she was doing.

  “Sure, Dominic could be standing over a dead body with a dagger dripping blood, and Mama would blame the dead man for soiling his precious hands.” Brian's voice held a tinge of bitterness.

  “Don't exaggerate.”

  “And you're just as bad. When will you both learn that bailing him out doesn't help? Dad's right, it's way past time for Dominic to stand on his own.”

  “I don't make excuses for everything he does, but Daddy won't give him break. He's treats his employees better than Dominic. He's the youngest and Mama went overboard spoiling him, it's true. But going to the other extreme is just as wrong. Brian, come on.”

  “Not this time little sister.” Brian went back to scanning the papers on his desk.”I've let you talk me into protecting Dominic for years, but no more. I've been burned too many times, especially when I get between him and Dad.”

  “But Dominic really wants to prove he can stick to something. You know how he feels about you. Your opinion means a lot.” Michelle watched for some sign that he would relent.

  Brian's head came up sharply. “Yeah, sure it does. Like the stunts he pulled in college. Using the money Dad was sending for tuition and books to party non-stop. It wasn't until the end of the second semester that we found out he wasn't even enrolled.”

  Michelle looked away. “Well he shouldn't have--”

  “Oh, and the time he took off for a fun filled week in Jamaica with a young lady, leaving behind her very large, jealous fiancé. Who was it convinced Dad to give him money for the trip because Dom said he was going to an academic conference in San Francisco? Me, that's who. Who saved his butt from getting beaten by that seven foot tall psycho? Me, that's who.”

  “Listen, Brian, I know you've tried but--”

  Brian cut in again. “As a matter of fact, Dad probably wouldn't listen to me anyway considering my track record of being such a sucker for the little con artist.”He shook his head.

  “Come on, all that happened a long time ago. Dominic says he's willing to settle down.”

  “Then if he's so grown up, why isn't he here speaking for himself?”Brian cross
ed his arms over his chest.

  “Now that you mention it, he's outside now. He didn't want to come, or for me to try talking to you either.”Michelle jumped to her feet and went to the door as she spoke.”Dom, come in.”Michelle pulled him into the room.

  “Hey, big bro. What's up?” Dominic had their mother's facial features but with a masculine cut to the planes of his face. Where Brian had the rough handsomeness of Thomas, Dominic had the boyish good looks that attracted all ages of women.

  “Hi.”Brian did not return his smile.

  “This wasn't my idea. Before I knew it, we were here.”Dominic, no longer smiling, glared at him.

  “Look, don't you two start arguing. Brian, Dominic just wants Dad to give him a job. He's willing to work his way up from the bottom. Right, Dominic?”Michelle nudged him.

  “Sure.”Dominic stared at the floor.

  “Then you go to him, Dominic. Stand up to him and show him you're ready to be a man,” Brian said.

  “I tried. He told me to go out and find a job on my own. If I could get and keep one for at least a year, he'd reconsider. He didn't even offer to help,” Dominic complained.

  “Sounds like a plan to me.”Brian looked from him to Michelle.

  “But Brian--”Michelle stamped her foot.

  “No. Michelle, I'm won't baby him.”

  “To hell with it then, Brian. I don't need you or him.”Dominic stormed out.

  “You could have been a little more diplomatic, dammit.”

  “Michelle, stop. Stop putting yourself between Dad and Mama, between Dad and Dominic. Live your own life. I learned the hard way.”Brian went to her.

  “You mean be selfish. You've withdrawn into you own little world of wife, two kids, and a dog,” Michelle spouted without thinking.

  “That's not fair and you know it. We can't have normal family gatherings with Mama sniping at Dad, Dad sitting around not talking at all to keep from arguing. I enjoy the peace and quiet of my own home. So sue me. I notice you don't live at home anymore. And I know why.”

  Michelle held her tongue for a moment, and then spoke. “I'm sorry. Okay, so their fights get to me, too. But a lot of it is Daddy's fault. Mama just wants to get his attention. Though why she bothers is beyond me. He's so cold and critical.”

  “Michelle, stay out of it. There are things between them that have nothing to do with you, things that only they can deal with.”Brian went back to his desk.

  “What things?”

  “All I'm saying is, you can't play marriage counselor.” Brian avoided returning her gaze. “And you can't make Dominic into a hard working adult. He has to do that himself.”

  For as long as she could remember, Michelle felt a need to be the glue that held them all together. Maybe it was her craving for order. Or maybe her love for happy endings.

  But she would not stand by and do nothing. She never had in any situation even as a child, and dealing with family difficulties was no different.

  “Fine. I'll talk to Dad.” Michelle took a deep breath.

  “Chelle, I want things to work out as much as you do. But maybe Dad is right.”

  “I promised Dominic I'd try. Bye, big brother. As usual, I can't stay mad at you any more than I can at Dominic.” Michelle gave him a fierce hug.

  “You're too hard on Dad.” Brian looked at her.

  “For the last seven years, Daddy has been even more critical and withdrawn than he was before. I think he could do a lot to make things better. ”Michelle picked up her purse.

  “Michelle, nobody is perfect. In any relationship, there are two sides to every conflict.” Brian kissed her cheek lightly before opening the door.

  The trip to her parents’ home was silent. Dominic sat brooding, his chin propped on his fist as he stared out of the window. Michelle, already exhausted from a long day at work, was in no mood for conversation either.

  Something about her exchange with Brian bothered her. Try as she might, she could not put her finger on it. On the surface, he had said nothing in particular that she could remember. She replayed their discussion in her head as though it were dialogue from a play.

  “Thanks for trying. Brian gets more like daddy every day.”Dominic continued to stare ahead morosely.

  “No problem, cher.” Michelle was still wrapped up in her own thoughts.

  “What am I going to do, Chelle?”

  “I'll talk to Daddy, Dominic.” Michelle tried not to sound irritated.

  But truthfully, defending him was practically a full-time job. The least he could do is make some effort to make it easier. Still, Daddy had been tough on Dominic since he was a little boy. Unfortunately, it had the opposite effect he was after. Dominic did not like following schedules or being on a time table. Efforts to change him were a source of constant conflict. It got worse as Dominic got older. Now, here they were. Adults and she was still fighting his battles. Brian's words came back to her. Maybe she was hurting him. Lately, it seemed she spent a great deal of time and emotional energy on either Mama or him. Maybe it was time she spent some of that energy on her own personal life.

  Anthony. That is what she meant, wasn't it? Until he walked into the newsroom and back into her life three weeks ago, all she thought of was her career. After all this time, a simple lunch was enough to set her dreaming like a love sick teenager. Sure she had felt a strong infatuation for him, but that was a long time ago. As he said himself, they had grown up since then.

  “What did you say?”Michelle snapped out of her reverie. Dominic's last words caused a kind of nebulous recognition, somehow associated with the puzzle of her older brother that had been nagging at her.

  “I said, Brian doesn't think much of me either. Though he doesn't say it outright the way Dad does. But you know Brian; most times it's what he doesn't say that counts.”

  That was it. It was what Brian hadn't said that troubled her. Brian had tried to tell her something without saying too much. Somehow she felt sure it was related to her parents and their unhappiness with each other. The vague disquiet caused by his words grew into a nameless dread that took root in the pit of her stomach.

  Chapter 4

  Michelle was enthralled with the saxophonist's masterful playing. The deep alto tones rolled out from him, a palpable force moving the entire audience and holding them all in the same magical place. The instrument spoke without words as the soulful rendition of an old Roberta Flack song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, seemed to touch everyone in a unique and powerful way. Michelle was acutely aware of Anthony seated so close next to her. She shifted trying move a little further from him. With each swell of the saxophone she felt a surge of heat. For a moment she was lost in the music, thinking of the real heat of his touch. The sweet taste of his mouth on hers. With a heart wrenching last note, the performance ended to wild applause. Michelle's eyes flew open wide, startled out of her waking dream. She glanced sideways to find Anthony regarding her steadily. He smiled shyly before turning back to the stage. Michelle was mortified; sure the ardent images of her mind were mirrored on her face. She made a fuss of gathering her cape and purse to mask her flustered state. Anthony did not make her efforts any easier. His hands rested on her shoulders momentarily after helping to wrap the cape around her. Michelle moved away on shaky knees.

  “That was really something else, wasn't it?” Anthony walked beside her in the crowd as they left the recital hall.

  “Every note that guy played sent chills through me. And the woman playing piano was just as fabulous,” Michelle said.

  “The trumpet solo was just as beautiful, don't you think?”He guided her gently towards his car.

  “Great, the whole quartet was simple wonderful.”

  “It certainly was, great.”Anthony unlocked the metallic gray Honda Accord with the remote control.

  “Yeah, it was great.”Now seated behind the wheel, Anthony turned to her.

  “Yes indeed.”Michelle smiled at him, then looked away.

  “Say, why don't we
go to Coffee Call for cafe au lait and beignets?” Anthony's face held a hopeful, anxious expression.

  “Sure.” Michelle quietly took a deep breath, relieved that the awkwardness of where they were to go next was resolved.

  The cafe was brightly lit and crowded even at ten o'clock that night. The clinking of ceramic cups as hot coffee was being served layered the sound of lively conversations filling the room. The aroma of coffee and the hot, delicious doughy donuts hung in the air welcoming all who came in from the crisp fall night. Threading their way through the tables, they finally found an empty one.

  “Umm.” Michelle took a long sip from her mug.

  “This is the first time I've been here since I got back home. Man, I forgot how good these things are.” Anthony shook powdered white sugar over the bowl of beignets.

  “I stay away from this place, too much temptation. And the camera shows every pound.”Michelle patted her mid-section.”As it is, I could stand to lose a few.”

  “I don't see it,” Anthony said after giving her an appraising look.

  Michelle felt a glow of pleasure.”Yeah, well these hips are a bit too generous by industry standards. You know the saying; you can never be too rich or too thin.” Michelle grimaced.

  “Then the industry is wrong.”

  “I tell you, it's only been recently that the pressure to be a size four has eased up. You would be shocked at the number of women who ended up being treated for an eating disorder because of it.” Michelle stared at a beignet.

  “Here.” Anthony pushed the bowl towards her.”You don't have anything to prove.”

  “What the heck, I'll just get rid of it later.”Michelle sank her teeth into one.

  “I hope you don't mean--”

  “Huh? Oh no, not me. I don't purge after eating. I meant I'll work it off at the gym. Don't worry, I refuse to let those skinny New York fashion mavens turn me into a basket case.”

  “You look fantastic and don't let anybody tell you different.”Anthony waved hand forgetting he held a beignet, showering her with powdered sugar.