by Lynn Emery
“Yes, and you know who owned Lilly? Nathaniel William Claiborne,” Neva murmured just above a whisper.
Chapter 15
Neva came into the house and took a deep breath. Having more customers was a both a blessing and curse some days. Her day had been more than hectic, it had been crazy. She looked forward to kicking off her shoes and a hot bath. The sound of voices, Mama Jo and another female, came from the living room. Neva groaned.
“Not company tonight,” she grumbled low.
Maybe she could slip into her room. The visitor might be gone by the time she finished a long soak. Neva halted on her way down the hall. Mama Jo spoke in a voice that sounded strangled. She seemed to be pleading with someone. Then Neva recognized the other voice. Neva dropped her purse and jacket on the table and strode to the living room. Desiree sat in the chair across from Mama Jo.
“Hi, Desiree.” Neva glanced from her to Mama Jo. “How are you?”
“Fine. Just fine.” Desiree’s expression was smug. “Come on in. Let’s chat.” She shot a look at Mama Jo.
Neva approached them slowly, sensing that this was no ordinary visit. She sat down on the end of the sofa nearest Mama Jo. Somehow she knew her grandmother needed support. “Sure. What’s up?”
“How is life back Solitude treating you? Must be hard living here after the excitement of New Orleans.”
Neva could see Mama Jo tense. Her knuckles bulged as she gripped the arms of the rocker. “Not at all. The slow pace is a nice change,” she said. “Mama Jo, you okay?” Mama Jo only nodded.
“I hear you’ve done a fair job of running the store. That’s good.” Desiree nodded in condescending approval.
“Thanks.” Neva would have been amused at this understatement had it not been for the distress she saw on Mama Jo’s face. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Mama Jo and I were just talking about the business. Weren’t we, Mama Jo?” Desiree’s voice had an edge of steel to it.
“Yes.” Mama Jo sat very still.
“About how hard work should be rewarded. Isn’t that right?” Desiree seemed to use her words like a weapon to prod her grandmother.
“I don’t think now is the time–” Mama Jo began to shake her head.
“I think it is!” Desiree cut her off.
Neva waited for her feisty grandmother to put Desiree in her place. Yet Mama Jo sat silent with a trapped look about her.
“Somebody tell me what’s going on right now,” Neva said.
Desiree sighed dramatically. “Well I guess Mama Jo doesn’t have the heart to tell you. I’ll have to,” she said with a false note of regret. The smirk on her face made it clear she was not at all sorry.
“Tell me what?” Neva looked at Mama Jo then back at Desiree.
“Mama Jo realizes she made a mistake.” Desiree sat forward. “So I’m now the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Enterprises, which includes the store and the land.”
Neva sat stunned for several moments, unable to speak. Finally she turned to her grandmother. “I want to hear from you,” she said in an even tone.
“Well?”
“Desiree worked for a long time doing her best. I shoulda given her more time. I realize maybe I wasn’t fair with the way I treated her.” Mama Jo spoke in a mechanical fashion as though her words were rehearsed.
“I don’t think you’ll have to change much about the way you’re running the store. Of course we’ll need to meet soon.” Desiree brushed the lapels of her blazer.
“Neva, baby, it might be better all way round.” Mama Jo could not look Neva in the eye.
“In fact, we’ll probably meet once a week for a while. Just to make sure we’re on the same page.” Desiree stood. “I’ve got to go. It’s a long drive back to Baton Rouge this time of night.”
“This is incredible,” Neva said more to herself than to the two women. It was as though she’d stepped into an alternate universe to find people she recognized but did not truly know.
“Have Lainie prepare a report of sales and expenses for the past few months.” Desiree gazed down at Neva. “Nothing fancy, simple spreadsheets will be fine for now.”
“Sit down.” Neva looked at her. “I said sit down!”
“You take orders from me now, sweetie. Get used to it,” Desiree snapped. “We’ll meet Wednesday at the store. Six-thirty sharp.”
“You can’t...” Neva struggled with words to express her mixture of confusion, outrage and resistance to an impossible turn of events.
“I can and I have. Goodnight, Mama Jo.” Desiree bent down and kissed her grandmother’s cheek. She only smiled when Mama Jo did not respond but sat rigid as a stone figure.
“Mama Jo, say something.” Neva could not understand what was happening.
“Sleep well, Neva.” Desiree tossed one parting shot before leaving. Her high heels sounded like small drum beats across the hardwood floor down the hallway.
Neva sprang out of her chair to follow. She caught up with Desiree just as she reached the front door. “I don’t know what’s going on, but this isn’t over. You almost ruined the Fish Shack once. I’m not going to let you do it again.”
“That store is mine,” Desiree snarled. “So watch it or you’ll be unemployed. Of course you can always string beads again for a living.”
Neva pushed down the need to lash out. It would only escalate a fight with Desiree, something that was not a good strategy at this point. “Okay, so you’re in charge. There’s no reason we can’t work together.”
Desiree eyed her with suspicion. “Well that’s a start.”
“We’re a family business, with family being the important part of that. I know Lainie feels the same.” “Just be ready Wednesday. There are a several areas I plan to address.” Desiree walked out and got in her car. “Too bad I can’t see Lainie’s face when you tell her,” she called back with a laugh.
Neva shut the front door with a bang and stomped back to the living room. Mama Jo was not there. She went down the hall pushed through the closed door of her bedroom.
“Not more tonight. Please,” Mama Jo said in a voice raw with emotion. “Please, Neva.”
Neva entered the room despite her plea for solitude. She needed answers. “I gave up everything to come back and live here. But I wanted to because you needed me.”
“I know, baby.”
“You asked me to take over the store. Now all of a sudden you think Desiree deserves another chance? I don’t buy it.” Neva sat down on the bed next to her grandmother.
“I always did say I wanted y’all to work together. And she was so hurt.” Mama Jo spoke without much conviction in her voice.
“That’s not what you said a few months ago. What changed your mind? It had to have been something pretty big. You were so–”
“It’s my business, ain’t it? I can still make my own decisions!” Mama Jo voice rose. “Now quit worryin’ ‘bout who’s in charge. Long as we keep Sterling Enterprises going strong it shouldn’t matter.” She sat up straight with her familiar commanding presence. It was clear she did not mean to be questioned further.
“You’re right.” Neva drew back from her. “Goodnight.” She walked out of the bedroom and gently shut the door behind her.
Much as she hated to admit it, Neva very much cared who was in charge. She turned over the new situation in her mind. There were things being kept from her. Mama Jo was not telling the truth. Somehow Desiree held power over her. Neva resolved to find out what it was very soon.
***
Chandler watched Tariq race around the basketball court of the recreational center. What a relief to see him smiling again. Both avoided the subject of Chandler’s imminent departure.
“Way to go, champ!” Chandler shouted when Tariq sank the ball in the net. Tariq gave him wide grin before chasing after the other boys.
“Man, this is the best thing they ever built with our tax money.” Another father standing close kept his eyes on the game as he spoke to Chandler.
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“Yeah. Perfect for kids.” Chandler glanced around the gymnasium. There was a swimming pool and meeting rooms in another part of the complex.
“I’m Larry Mason.” He shook hands with Chandler. “You from around here?”
“I grew up in Detroit.” Chandler nodded.
“Then join our men’s group. We have special events for fathers and their kids. And some of us mentor kids who don’t have dads.”
“Sounds great. But I don’t live here anymore. I’m just visiting to spend extra time with my son.”
“Well here’s a pamphlet. You’re welcome to take part whenever you’re in town.” Larry handed him bright green folded sheet of paper.
“Thanks.” Chandler read about the Dads N Kids Club and the mentoring program. “This community center has really added to the neighborhood.”
“Sure has. A lot of it came from the Million Man March. A bunch of guys did a lot of the landscaping and construction.”
“Really?” Chandler was impressed.
“Yes indeed. Keeps families together, too. And a lot of men have really stepped forward.” Larry waved a hand around. “We’ve even had guys in our men’s discussion group admit how selfish they’ve been. Excuse me.” He walked toward of group of teenage boys who’d come in.
His words pricked at Chandler. Larry might have been reading his thoughts from the last few days. Doubts about his decision to move away gnawed at him daily. Tariq said he understood, that he was okay. Yet he’d said it before. He was still a child after all. Chandler wondered if he had convinced himself of his son’s maturity as a way of excusing his self-centered actions. Tariq came toward him, beaming with victory. Chandler shut out the dark thoughts and smiled.
“Beat ‘em again! This time you were here to see it.” Tariq panted with excitement more than exertion.
“You go get cleaned up and we’ll get some ice cream,” Chandler said. He tried not to think of how many games he’d missed.
“A banana sundae for me.” Tariq headed for the boys locker room.
For rest of the day they talked about everything except their impending goodbyes. Chandler was amazed once more at how much his son knew. Tariq was learning how to build web pages and design graphics. They talked computers, sports and fishing. The sun was going down when he pulled into the driveway of a house that was no longer Chandler’s home.
“When you visit me again, we’ll go on that swamp tour at Alligator Bayou.” Chandler clapped him on the shoulder.
Tariq bit his lower lip and was quiet for several seconds. “Yeah. Come on. Mom has her super fine, melt in your mouth Salisbury steak for us.”
“Nah, I better get going.” Chandler saw the disappointment shadow Tariq’s dark eyes. “Hey, remember I’m your old man. They don’t call us that for nothing.”
“But she made it especially for you.” Tariq’s voice held a note of pleading. “Just this once.”
His exchange with the dedicated activist father he’d met at the gym flashed back. “Sure. Why not. That little ice cream cone didn’t stick long.” Chandler rubbed his stomach.
Tariq gave him a quick hug then drew back. He glanced around to make sure they weren’t being observed. “Let’s go, man.” He made his voice as deep as he could, part of his attempt to cover his burst of emotion.
Chandler suppressed a smile. “Sure, dude.”
“Aw, man. Nobody says that anymore,” Tariq teased. He jumped from the rental car before Chandler could respond.
“Okay, so I’m a little behind!” Chandler yelled. He ran after Tariq who unlocked the door to escape. The two were still wrestling with each other when Alise came down the hall from the kitchen.
“What is all the racket?” Alise stood smiling at them. “Honestly, two unruly boys.”
“Sorry, Mom.” Tariq giggled as he ducked a swat from Chandler. He went up the stairs two at a time. “I’m going to check my e-mail,” he called back.
“Dinner is almost ready,” Alise said to his retreating back. “Don’t make me come up there, young man.”
“The information age. You know he’s made friends with a kid in Japan and New Zealand no less.” Chandler shook his head as he followed Alise to the kitchen.
The large oak table near a bay window was set with dishes they’d bought together from an import shop. They were white with a dark green leaves circling the rims of the plates. Green and navy plaid cloth napkins were stuck in wooden rings. Chandler swallowed hard. Had she done this on purpose? This was how they had spent family nights many times. Those few evenings when Chandler was not working late.
Alise glanced at him then went straight to the stove. She lifted the top of a sauce pan. “Don’t worry. You can sit next to Tariq.”
“I wasn’t–”
“Yes you were. I could see that panic stricken look. You don’t have to stay you know.” Alise pulled on an oven mitt. She took a pan of hot rolls from the oven. Sour dough, Chandler’s favorite.
“Tariq asked me to.” Chandler immediately realized how that sounded. “I mean....”
Alise dumped the rolls into a basket and covered them with cloth. She faced him. “Of course. It was sweet of you to come. But you do have another life now.”
“Tariq is part of my life, always will be. I’m not doing him a favor by showing up.” Chandler took a deep breath. “Let’s not do this.”
“Do what?” Alise put the basket rolls on the table. She filled a bowl with French cut green beans from another sauce pan.
“Fight. Not now that he’s doing better.” Chandler looked over his shoulder to be sure they were still alone. “I thought we were doing better, too.
Alise stood still with her back to him for a moment. “Sorry. You’re right of course.”
Chandler combed his fingers through his hair. “It’s not all you. I’m being too touchy.”
“What do you mean?”
“When Tariq has a problem, I wonder if it’s because I didn’t spend enough time with him.” Chandler fidgeted with one of the napkins.
“You were better than most of the other fathers around this neighborhood.” Alise touched his hand.
“Remember I know those guys. That’s not saying very much.”
Chandler’s friends, some of them presidents and vice presidents now, had virtually lived separate lives from their families. Many of their children were now troubled teens.
“No way. While they were out drinking or on the golf course, you were with your son.”
“Thanks. I’ve been flogging myself even harder for the last day or so.” Chandler wore a look of appreciation.
“Whatever differences we’ve had, I never thought of you as anything but a good father. Maybe I was too demanding.” Alise looked at him with a steady gaze.
Chandler gave a slight shake of his head. “There was enough blame to spread. And you’re a fantastic mother.”
“Thank you. This is the closest we’ve been in a long time. You think it took a divorce to bring us back together?” Alise stroked the back of his hand with the tips of her fingers. “We grown since then. I know I have,” she said in a soft voice.
“Alise, I....” Chandler pulled his hand away and sat back against the chair. He searched for the right phrase.
“Yes, it’s not so simple. We can’t just exchange apologies and go on,” Alise put in quickly. “But there was something solid, something good about our life together, Chandler.”
“This is so tough....,” Chandler began then fell silent.
He cared for Alise. But how to say it without sounding condescending? The old “We can still be friends” routine would be a slap in the face. He did not want to destroy the delicate balancing act of being on good terms with her. Yet the only woman he longed to be touched by and to touch was Neva. Alise sat quiet for time.
“Baby, I know our lives have been turned upside down.” Alise moved to the chair beside him.
“It’s not that–”
“Seeing you with our son these last few da
ys, I know you want it, too.”
“I didn’t give you what you wanted and–”
“I know I put all the blame on you sometimes. But you were good to me. I didn’t appreciate it. Now....” She put her arm around his shoulder and placed her forehead against his.
“All right Mom and Dad!” Tariq bounced into the room with a grin. He was obviously delighted to catch his parents in an intimate moment.
Alise drew away from Chandler and straightened her sweater. She wore a look of censure. “How long were you standing there, young man!”
“Long enough.” Tariq winked at Chandler as though they were two men of the world.
“Don’t jump to conclusions.” Chandler felt like a fifteen year old caught necking. He was embarrassed. “You could have made yourself known.”
“And miss the good stuff? No chance.” Tariq gave a snicker.
“Don’t be disrespectful,” Alise said. Her tone indicated she more amused than annoyed. “Parents do need time alone without nosy children snooping around.”
“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll go to my room early tonight.” Tariq winked at him again.
“Cut that out. Let’s eat,” Chandler said in a clipped tone.
As they ate, Chandler only joined in the conversation occasionally. Alise and Tariq were light-hearted. All through the meal and while they all joined in to clean up, Chandler reflected on how warm a family picture this seemed. Except for one big problem. He tried not be downcast, but he could not share in their banter. There were too many emotions holding him back. He did not want to hurt either one of them. What could he do?
“See you. I’ve got homework.” Tariq tapped fists with Chandler.
“Night, son. Go hit those books like a linebacker.” Chandler rubbed Tariq’s head in a gesture of affection. He watched him go upstairs before turning back to Alise. “Listen, I better go.”
“I was hoping we could talk one on one again.”
Chandler wanted to talk to her, but he was too tired after the day he’d had with them both. He needed time alone to sort through his thoughts and feelings. “I’m leaving Saturday. Let’s plan on time alone tomorrow evening after you get off.”