A Time To Love

by Lynn Emery

  Kate nodded with approval. “Yes, smart idea hooking up our nickel and copper mines with a new company.” She turned her attention to Ted. “And you?”

  “Mother arranged a position at the company, loans and investments.” Ted squared his shoulders. “Tetris Corporation relied on me heavily in their restructuring this year.”

  “Really?” Kate’s arched eyebrows went up.

  “Yes. Warren Lassiter, the CEO, was very pleased.” Ted gave a curt nod. “I played a critical role in fact.”

  “They were very dependent on him.” Clinton smirked at Ted. “He made copies and fetched coffee.”

  “That’s a lie! He wasn’t even there, Kate,” Ted yelled. “He’s always trying to undermine me.”

  “Boys please,” Kate said in firm voice. “Clinton will you stop picking on him at every opportunity. It’s so childish.”

  “Thank you, Kate.” Ted shot a look of fury at his brother.

  “And stop stretching the truth, Ted,” Kate said.

  “I was a major player in that restructuring,” Ted muttered. He glowered at no one in particular.

  “No wonder mother despairs about you two. This is a time when we should be strong as a family. Bickering makes us weak,” Kate said.

  “And we know how much you and mother hate weakness.” Clinton lifted his glass and took a neat sip from it.

  “Don’t try it with me, Clinton. My bite is much, much worse than my bark.” Kate stared at him until his mildly amused expression melted into a somber one.

  Satisfied that the old order had been re-established, Kate sat back against the cushioned sofa back. “Mother has told me what’s happening from her point of view. But who are the players as you see them? Clinton, you first.”

  Clinton looked thoughtful for several seconds. “Old Miss Josephine Sterling seems to be on her last legs. Two of her granddaughters could get the land we’re interested in but one of them is her favorite. So I’d bet Neva Ross wins.”

  “Nonsense. Desiree is clever and willing to do whatever it takes. I’d say she’s going to be on top.” Ted was not ready to agree with Clinton on anything.

  “But once Neva was here, Miss Jo took control of the family store from Desiree and gave it to Neva,” Clinton said. He looked at his sister.

  Kate nodded. “Desiree has done something to put herself in a bad position with her grandmother. Why else would she favor the prodigal granddaughter over the one who’s been handling family business all along?”

  “Exactly,” Clinton put in. “Desiree’s management must have been poor. Though I don’t yet know the details.”

  “Cousin Hollis has a good... rapport shall we say with Desiree.” Ted wore a leering grin. “I’m sure we’ll get all the details we need as time goes on.”

  “Interesting.” Kate was silent for a moment. “But I’d prefer to have my own source as well, sort of insurance.”

  “Yes, Cousin Hollis might filter information for his own purposes.” Clinton looked at Kate in agreement.

  Ted glanced from one to the other in irritation. “What are you talking about? You’re keeping secrets from me.”

  “If you’d take time to really listen, you wouldn’t be so damn clueless.” Clinton laughed at him.

  “That’s enough.” Kate shot him a look of censure. “Ted, Cousin Hollis and Uncle Steve still haven’t forgiven Mother for siding with Uncle Theodore in that board fight five years ago.”

  “So what? If he stiffs us, we all lose out.” Ted looked at them both. “You two are chasing shadows.”

  “He can only understand simple things, Kate.” Clinton winked at her.

  Ted spun around. “I’m not stupid!” he shouted. “The property has to be used by the company to make the most money, and we all have an interest in it.”

  “He’s right,” Kate cut off a retort from Clinton.

  “There!” Ted all but stuck his tongue out at him.

  “The Sterlings don’t know about the clay deposits yet I take it?” Kate glanced at Clinton for an answer. “Or the possibility of oil or gas?”

  “No, they don’t. Unless Ted got drunk and shot off his mouth to someone.” Clinton stared at him.

  “What do you take me for, a complete idiot?” Ted glared at him.

  “You really want me to answer that?” Clinton’s upper lip curled in a contemptuous smile.

  “I’ve had enough of you!” Ted stomped toward Clinton but Kate blocked him.

  “Stop it!” Kate put a hand on his chest.

  “I’m going to beat the hell out of him. He’s long overdue!” Ted tried to shove past her.

  Kate yanked him back again. “I said no. Now sit down. Sit!” she commanded.

  “Look at him, he can’t keep his emotions in check or make a clear-headed decision.” Clinton still looked superior, but he stood across the room well away from his enraged older brother.

  “You keep quiet!” Kate whirled to face him. “We don’t need your smart-ass comments. You’re jealous.”

  “What? Don’t be ridcu–” Clinton blustered.

  “Jealous,” Kate said in razor-like tone. “Anytime Mother or I agree with Ted, you jump in with some insult to remind us of his mistakes. You want to keep your fair-haired boy position.”

  “Isn’t that what I’ve said for years?” Ted crowed.

  “Close your mouth,” Kate said pointing to Ted. “You’ve given him plenty of ammunition with all the dumb stunts you’ve pulled.”

  Both men sat nursing injured egos in the long minutes of silence she let ticked by. The housekeeper served late afternoon coffee. Having worked for the Bellows family for thirty years, she knew not to make small talk today. Sarah made a hasty exit out of the tension charged room.

  “Listen to me, with changes globally we need to shift into a new market with new products. Or else we’ll be just another old name clan living off meager interest payments from a trust fund shrinking in value.” Kate looked grim as she spoke. Clinton and Ted both looked up sharply.

  “But I’ve seen the preliminary report for last year. The company made millions,” Ted protested.

  “And had high debt obligations.” Kate sat down. “Neither of you has been able to see past the obvious. Robert says we will be in big trouble if we don’t do something.”

  “He’s a sharp businessman.” Clinton wore a worried frown.

  “Robert is much more, little brother. He’s put

  two major conglomerates back on solid ground in the last seven years,” Kate said.

  “So we could have money problems?” Ted looked more than worried, he looked petrified.

  “I’ve got other means thanks to Robert. But you two have all your eggs in one basket. Mother would have to die for you to get your hands on the trust.” Kate let that fact sink in.

  “And that’s not much. Only two million each. The interest would...” Clinton blinked rapidly.

  “The interest would be a fraction of the income you enjoy now,” Kate finished for him. “And don’t think the board wouldn’t sell off chunks of the corporation in a heartbeat to satisfy shareholders.”

  “But then we’d make lots of money. We could invest and still be rich.” Ted groped for some glimmer of hope.

  “Not if it’s value is down, Ted.” Clinton stared at his older sister. “So what do we do?”

  “Exactly what I tell you, that’s what.” Kate looked like a general ready to whip her troops into shape.

  ***

  “You’re sure this looks okay?” Neva tugged at the leather bomber jacket she wore. Suddenly she wondered if her jeans were too snug. Maybe she should have worn a longer coat.

  Chandler guided her to a seat. They were in the waiting area of the Baton Rouge airport. “Will you relax? He’s a kid.” He held her hand.

  “Right. And they notice everything. First impressions are crucial.” Neva dug in her purse. She took out a small mirror and examined her face.

  “He’s probably just as anxious about what you’ll think of
him.” Chandler took the compact from her hand and snapped it shut. “You look marvelous, trust me.”

  He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand.

  A tingle of warmth spread through her. “I feel better all ready.”

  The touch of his hand anywhere on her body made her feel soothed and electrified at the same time. Instantly she was transported back to the time when they held each other. Neva smiled. Of course she was being silly. They would get throw those first awkward moments and have a wonderful time. She smiled at him and squeezed his hand. The plane landed and they both stood.

  “Come on, babe.” Chandler hesitated when she let go of his hand.

  “No. I’ll wait here.” Neva patted his hand to ease the concern in his eyes. “It’s been months since you last saw him. I think just the two you should share that first moment when he comes off the plane.”

  “Did I mention that you’re magnificent?” Chandler hugged her tight before walking away.

  People poured through the door leading from the ramp. The throng of holiday travelers was met by a crowd that shared one thing, anticipation at seeing a loved one appear. Neva paid only scant attention to these joyous reunions. She kept sight of Chandler as he craned his neck anxious to catch sight of his son. When a wide smile spread across his face, Neva’s heart skipped a beat. Tariq was dressed in black pants and a Denver Broncos jacket. The young boy abandoned his hip demeanor when he saw Chandler. He launched himself into his father’s arms. The shared a tight hug before breaking apart. Both laughed a little, embarrassed by their emotional outburst in such a public place. Neva felt a swell of love that was wide enough to wrap itself around them both. Then Chandler looked up and the smile on his face froze. He appeared totally off balance. Neva followed his gaze to the woman he seemed stunned to see. Ten feet away she knew. A heavy lump of dread formed in her chest as she watched the stiff greeting between them. When they walked toward her, she wanted to run away. She felt trapped in a scene from a melodramatic soap opera.

  “Uh, this is Neva Ross,” Chandler said. He had one arm still around Tariq. “Neva this is Tariq... and his mother Alise.” He stared at Alise as though she were an alien from another planet.

  “So nice to meet you.” Alise held out her hand. She wore a slight smile. Nothing in her expression indicated that she was upset to see Chandler with another woman.

  “Hello.” Neva shook hands only briefly. Yet she knew at once that Alise held back a simmering resentment.

  “I’ve got my car. I’m not sure I can get all the luggage in since I wasn’t expecting...” Chandler took a deep breath.

  “Not to worry. I only brought one bag. You know I can travel light when I need to.” Alise spoke to him with an easy familiarity.

  “Yeah, well–” Chandler looked totally lost in this situation.

  “I’ve got a room at the Holiday Inn so don’t worry about that either.” Alise brushed back her short fluffy curls and beamed at him. “I’m going to visit my aunt in New Orleans. In fact, my parents are coming down. We decided to stage a mini family reunion.” “Tariq didn’t mention this,” Chandler said in a tense voice. He glanced at Neva.

  “No, I thought of it as a surprise about a two weeks ago. Surprise!” Alise held out both arms.

  “Yeah... Right. Well let’s go. The baggage claim area is down here.” Chandler wore a distracted frown as he headed toward the escalator.

  Neva trailed behind feeling foolish and out of place as she watched the trio. Chandler seemed to emerge from his daze in time to realize what was happening. He came back and took Neva’s hand. Tariq, who had taken it all in without saying a word, did not look at Neva.

  “This will be my first Thanksgiving down south. Should be a very different experience,” Alise said in a buoyant tone. She looked around her, appearing not to notice the angry glance from Chandler.

  “Yes, you’ve planned it to be just that I’m sure,” Neva muttered.

  Chapter 8

  Mama Jo reached for a tissue from the box on the table. She sat in the easy chair near the window of her bedroom. A photo album lay across her lap. At her feet were hat boxes, some decorated with flowers. Others were plain with only the name of a store long closed printed across the top. All were faded yet still sturdy. They held mostly happy memories. A few minutes before, Mama Jo had laughed with delight at pictures of Papa Dub mugging for the camera. The only man she had ever loved was here. Forever young, forever strong.

  Stacy stuck her head in the door. “You don’t mind, I’m going to take a break, Miss Jo.”

  “Fine.” Mama Jo waved her out impatiently.

  “Get you anything? Some tea or–”

  “No, just go on,” Mama Jo said still staring at the old photos.

  She uncovered another picture. Written in faded ink on the back with the date 1957 were the words “Rose Adele, age three”. She was named after both her grandmothers. Mama Jo’s mother was Rose, Adele was Papa Dub’s mother. Mama Jo only had smiles for memories of her husband. But the tears flowed now for her daughter Rose.

  “Jo, you in here?”

  Mama Jo blew her nose before answering. “In here Patsy.”

  “Honey, that Stacy got a screw lose. She out there gettin’ in touch with her karma or llama or some such crazy mess.”

  “Um-humm.” Mama Jo dabbed at her eyes.

  “These young folks today– Baby, what’s ailin’ you?” Patsy plopped down on the edge of the bed.

  “Must be gettin’ a cold or somethin’.” Mama Jo sat straight and put on a weak smile. “How you feelin’ today?”

  “Fine,” Patsy said. She looked at the box in Mama Jo’s lap. “Let me see.”

  “Just tryin’ to straighten up some. I tell you, didn’t know there was so much junk ‘round here till we tried to find room for Neva’s things.” Mama Jo stood up still holding the box.

  “I wanna see.” Patsy held out her hand.

  “Nothin’ but a few old pictures. Goodness, these old dresses gotta be twenty years old. Don’t know why I’m keepin’ ‘em.” Mama Jo went to an armoire.

  “Lord, Lord. Looka here.” Patsy sighed. She held up a picture of two couples standing in front of a car. “This musta been forty years ago or more.”

  “Uh-huh.” Mama Jo appeared more interested in something on a shelf at the top of the antique armoire.

  “That Studebaker was my Eddie’s pride and joy.” Patsy shuffled through more pictures. When she found the one of Rose, she glanced at her friend. “Rose Adele was a beautiful child.”

  Mama Jo went still for a few seconds then continued taking out an old sweater. She took great care in folding it up before placing it in a box. “Yes, she was.”

  “Had a laugh that sounded like a song, too.” Patsy stared at the photo. “And a strong will. Started demandin’ her way soon as she could talk.”

  “Rose needed a kinda understandin’ I never gave.” Mama Jo walked over and took the picture from Patsy.

  “Now, Jo, we been through this time an’ again. You didn’t push that girl into the life she led.”

  “Dub used to say we was too much alike.” Mama Jo eased down into her chair again. “I was too hard-headed to see orderin’ her around was the way to raise her.”

  “Look, you did a lot for that child.” Patsy bit off the urge to say more and pressed her lips together.

  “Go on.” Mama Jo looked at her old friend. Patsy could say things to her no one else could.

  “Dub loved that girl too much. Every time you tried to chastise her, he gave in behind your back.” Patsy folded her arms across her ample bosom.

  “You been sayin’ that for years.”

  “An’ it’s still true. You raise ‘em, teach the right way then when they get past a certain age.” Patsy raised both hands. “All you can do is hope they remember how they was raised.”

  “I tried my best. But then Rose run off to with that no-good man. Just one mistake piled on another.” Mama Jo closed her eyes.

 
“She was seventeen, old enough to know better.”

  “I talked until I was hoarse tryin’ to make her see where she was headed. So did Dub an’ her brothers,” Mama Jo said in a soft voice filled with pain.

  “You did much as any mama could do.” Patsy frowned. “I went through the same thing with Elton. We both did all we could.”

  “How is Elton?” Mama Jo looked at Patsy with sympathy.

  “Pretty good. He’s all into the prison rodeo. Least he’s got something to keep his mind occupied.” The two women sat in silence for several moments steeped in sadness over children lost to them. Children who went down twin paths of destruction. Elton was serving a life sentence for murder at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.

  “I don’t mean to get you upset, but you thought about tellin’ Neva the whole story?” Patsy spoke in a deliberate voice, choosing her words and tone with care.

  “No,” Mama Jo said sharply. She shook her head firmly. “Ain’t no need in tearin’ my baby up with that. She thinks the world of her mama.”

  “Neva ain’t no baby. She’s a grown woman.” Patsy raised her dark eyebrows. “An’ with all this mess over your business, somebody might tell her.”

  Mama Jo knew the “somebody” Patsy had in mind. “Shirley don’t know a thing,” she said.

  “You sure? She’s in the same club with my daughter. Maida says she’s been braggin’ on all the property she’s gonna get outta the Sterlings.” Patsy leaned forward.

  “Not much as she thinks,” Mama Jo retorted.

  “She’s a jealous hussy. Especially of Roy’s wife. Yolanda got a new car, Shirley got a bigger one. Yolanda got a new dining room set, Shirley had her kitchen done over completely.” Patsy rolled her eyes in disgust.

  “She’s always been like that. I hate to say it, but Desiree is just like her mama.”

  “An I’m sayin’ you better watch ‘em both.” Patsy lowered her voice. “Sounds to me like she’s figurin’ on a way to get more.”

  Mama Jo sat quiet for a time. “I can handle her.”