A Time To Love

by Lynn Emery

  Hollis gazed at her for several beats. “I’ll say goodnight then.”

  He strolled through the restaurant giving a courtly greeting to several diners and stopped to compliment an gray-haired waiter. His posture and expression said he was accustomed to having things go his way. She wanted to scream at them both that they would be disappointed for once.

  Chandler shook his head slowly. “I rest my case. You’re well rid of that school of sharks. Let them go after Desiree.”

  Neva turned back to him. “No way. First I’m going to knock Desiree off her high horse.”

  “Neva–”

  “And then I’m going to deal with those folks!” She jerked a thumb in the direction Marian and Hollis had gone a few minutes earlier.

  Chandler patted her hand. “But it’s not worth it, babe. Don’t let them change you.”

  “Nobody has changed me.” Neva brushed his hand away. “I’ve thought about this for a while now. I didn’t think I had my mother’s brains or my grandmother’s strength.”

  “You’re brilliant. Your strength is a quiet, calm kind that comforts. It’s just one of the things that attracted me to you.” Chandler gazed at her hair then back to her face.

  “But I needed to know it, Chandler.” Neva was growing more and more impatient with him. “Maybe I played the artist to hide my fear of being inadequate. I don’t know.”

  “Creating beauty counts.” Chandler took her hands and cradled them in his larger ones.

  “There are different ways of creating.”

  “Well of course but–”

  “I’m going to fight for the store.” Neva put force behind her words, all the force of the resolve she felt.

  Chandler squeezed her hands. “This isn’t you, baby. Let it go.”

  Neva stared at him with growing anger. “Did you listen to anything I said? What’s important to me means nothing to you?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Chandler, tell me straight what this is about.” Neva shook her hands free from his. “You act like there’s something more.”

  “No. It’s just... Alise and I have been talking a lot about how the divorce has affected Tariq.” Chandler took a deep breath. “I’ve made some tough choices and my son is paying. I need to sort things out. We need time together.”

  Neva felt a lump form in her stomach. “For weeks you’ve talked about how the divorce has affected Tariq. Maybe it’s affected you, too.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “You and Alise are talking a lot about the past. Now you need to ‘sort out’ things.” Neva laced her fingers together in hopes her hands would not shake. “Maybe you regret divorcing her.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” Chandler did not return her gaze. “It’s just that Tariq–”

  “Oh give it a rest, Chandler!” Neva’s voice sliced through the air between them. “Stop using him as an excuse.”

  Chandler sat still, the skin across his face seemed stretched tight. “If you had a child, you would understand.”

  Stunned as though she’d been slapped, Neva sat silent for several moments. The way he’d said it, as though she was deficient in some way, struck at a soft spot deep inside. Neva willed away the tears that tried to form in her eyes.

  “No, I don’t know what having a child is like,” she said in a quiet voice.

  “I didn’t mean it like that,” Chandler said quickly. “It’s just that Alise and I feel Tariq....” He is voice trailed off at the look on her face. “I’m saying all the wrong things.”

  Neva picked up her purse from the chair beside her. “I don’t think so. We’ve learned a lot about each other tonight. I’m ready to leave now.”

  “Neva, please,” Chandler said.

  “Take me back to my car.” Neva got up and walked toward the exit without waiting for an answer.

  Outside the night sky was a dark blue decorated with silver points of light. This was the kind of night Neva would have savored under different circumstances. A grave silence filled the inside of the car, crowding them it seemed. The ride back to Chandler’s townhouse took forever though it was a mere fifteen minutes. When they arrived, Neva opened the door before the car had come to a complete stop.

  “Neva, wait.” Chandler left his keys in the ignition and followed her.

  “We’ve said enough.” Neva searched in her purse.

  “No we haven’t.” Chandler reached for her hand. “Come inside.”

  Neva spun around to face him. “I’m sick of hearing you quote Alise. She’s been with us from the beginning, Chandler.”

  He took a step closer to her. “How can I explain? It’s not what you think.”

  “You keep looking over your shoulder, Chandler.” Neva move away from him. “I was married to a man tortured by the past. I won’t go through that again.”

  “I’m talking about my son, Neva, not Alise.”

  “That’s not how it sounds to me. There’s something more in your voice, your face, when you talk about the life you left behind. And it’s more than being a father.”

  “Ending my marriage was a hard decision for a lot of reasons.”

  “You think that you and she might belong together,” Neva said. A tight fist closed around her heart when he did not answer immediately.

  Chandler took a deep breath. “It’s not that....”

  She found her car keys and turned to open the door. “Goodbye, Chandler.”

  “You’re wrong,” Chandler said. He came close behind her and placed his hand on her arm. “Try to understand and stay with me through this.”

  “There is one thing I agree with, you do need to sort things out. And I’m in the way.”

  Neva could not bear to look in at him. Without facing him again, she drove off. She managed to get a few yards before the first tear fell. Served her right for ignoring the first tickle of doubt when she saw Chandler and Alise together. An ache filled her. Once again real love had proven to be just out of her reach. Chandler had deceived her. Or worse, he was one of those men who always wanted the woman he did not have. Either way she was well rid of him. At least she tried to convince herself.

  “They deserve each other,” she said. Still her voice broke.

  Neva wiped her face with one hard swipe of the back of her hand. She was not going to waste time or tears over him. The digital clock on the dashboard glowed a soft green. It was only eight o’clock. Lainie was probably still at the store. Neva thought of the pile of paperwork she’d left earlier. She made a right turn on the road leading to the store instead of home.

  “Might as well live up to my reputation as obsessed with work.”

  ***

  Lainie pushed the big box out on the floor. Only the florescent ceiling lamp from the deli lit her way, but it was more than enough. She stood looking down on the assortment of ginger cakes. They were made by a family that lived in the tiny town of Starhill. Customers snatched them up as soon as they were available. With a deep sigh, she started putting them on a shelf.

  “You wait until I see you, Neva Sterling Ross. Wiggled out of another dirty job.”

  She worked for another forty minutes before she noticed the time. With an uttered curse word, Lainie went to the office. A stack of flattened cardboard boxes and other trash littered the floor. Grumbling, she unlocked the back door. The security light atop a tall pole illuminated the back of the store. Lainie made several trips to the dumpster before all the garbage was gone. Cars still went down the road making her feel less alone. The crunch of gravel signaled a car approaching.

  “Perfect timing as usual guys. Show up after I’ve done the hard jobs.”

  She slapped her hands together to get rid of dust on her palms. Hearing voices, she walked around the side of the store then froze. Two men sprayed the walls with black paint. One had movements like an artist as he drew a large swastika. Another man swung a crowbar breaking a window.

  “Like I said, we oughta just put a match to the place,” the man with the cro
wbar said to his companions. He stepped over a large shard of glass to the next window.

  “I’m goin’ in.” One of the other men, skinny with stringy blonde hair, threw down his can of paint. “I’m gonna do some real damage this time.”

  Lainie looked around in a panic for some escape route. The blonde man disappeared through the window. Only seconds passed before she heard a loud crash then a whoop of joy. She backed into the shadows and inched away from the sounds of destruction. Lainie took a deep breath and stared at her car several yards away. The keys were in her jacket pocket. Holding her breath, she peeked around the corner of the wall. She saw no one. Yet when she turned to run there stood the man who with the crowbar.

  “Hot dammit!” he said through clenched teeth.

  The skinny blonde came out through the back door wearing a foolish grin. “Say, Billy, how’d you get this open?” He stopped when he saw Lainie.

  “We got us a problem.” The man with the crowbar advanced toward her and raised his arm.

  “No, please! Don’t!” Lainie threw up her hands to cover her face.

  ***

  Neva drove up and parked at the store. She wondered at the strange late model Chevy truck on the parking lot.

  “Wonder who–”

  A scream rang out. Fear cut through her like a knife when she recognized Lainie’s voice. Neva stood paralyzed for a few moments. Lainie shouted and screamed again. Neva started forward then stopped again. She needed a weapon. Neva ran to her trunk and searched frantically. Inside was the anti-theft she’d used while living in New Orleans. The long heavy metal bar was aptly name The Club. She picked it up and raced toward the sounds of a struggle.

  “Get your sweaty hands off me!” Lainie, now more angry than afraid, aimed a kick at the blonde man.

  “Keep it up and I’ll bash you upside the head.” The man hefted the crowbar again.

  “Ain’t this a sorry sight.” The third man, his pot-belly hanging over sloppy jean, stood watching him. “Just whack her, and let’s get outta here.”

  “Now wait a minute.” The skinny blonde pushed hair out of his eyes. “I ain’t no killer.”

  The man with the crowbar rubbed the scruffy beard on his chin. “Just gonna rough her up some. Have a little fun.” He leered at Lainie.

  “We too near the road and besides, I think she’s expectin’ somebody.” Pot-belly glanced around though he did not seem afraid.

  “Let’s take her in them woods.” He was breathing hard now. His gaze travelled down Lainie’s face to where her blouse was open. “Won’t nobody see us.”

  “Look here, Billy, I say we take off.” The skinny blonde darted a glance around nervously.

  “You jackass!” Pot-belly snarled. “Now you done said his name, we for sure got to take care of her.”

  “Then I’m leavin’.” The blonde hesitated despite his words. When the other men did not change their stance, he took off with long, loping strides toward the highway. “I don’t want none of this,” he called back over his shoulder. Soon he was gone.

  “Told you he wasn’t no count.” The pot-bellied man spat on the ground. “Okay, let’s go. Best use the truck. There’s a spot back near the creek.”

  “Ain’t nobody gone hear her yellin’ out there.” Scruffy beard let out a coarse laugh.

  The two men closed in on either side of Lainie. Neva lunged from the shadows and swung out. The Club landed across the shoulders of the scruffy bearded man. Neva hit him again fast, this time on the lower back.

  “Dammittohell!” His eyes were big as saucers as he dropped to one knee.

  “I got this one, you get her.” Pot-belly moved to Lainie with a grim look of determination.

  “I’ll give you some all right!” Lainie brought her knee up with force just as he came in close.

  “Oww!” Pot-belly howled and grabbed his crotch.

  “Lainie, I’m coming!” Neva shouted.

  Neva jumped on scruffy beard with both knees knocking him flat on the ground, face in the dirt. A thought flashed instantly, a blow to his head with the heavy device would kill him. Neva dropped the Club and punched him several times. Scruffy beard groaned. She left him writhing in agony.

  “Let go!” Pot-belly screamed.

  Lainie had her thumbs pressed into his eye sockets. Neva struck him several blows until he too was on the ground half-conscious. Still enraged, Lainie kicked him three times.

  Gasping for air, Neva stumbled to her cousin. “You okay?”

  Lainie nodded. “You?” They leaned against each other.

  “Yeah. Call the Sheriff.” Neva held up the Club. “I’ll watch these two.”

  “Let’s tie them up first. I’ll get rope.”

  Lainie went into the store and came back only a few moments later. Moving fast like a rodeo team, they soon had the men trussed up like calves. Rope tied their wrists together and a long length went down to where their ankles were bound.

  “Told you being in the Four-H Club would come in handy,” Lainie said.

  They waited twenty minutes for Deputy Sykes to show up. He brought another officer with him.

  The tall man walked over to stand over the two men. His junior deputy snickered at the sight. His laughter stopped at a sharp look from Sykes.

  Sykes put both hands on his hips. “Evening Billy and Lester.”

  “We was out and had trouble with the truck and these two crazy women jumped us,” scruffy beard burst out. He stretched his neck, straining to make his point. “I’m gonna press charges against ‘em–” He let out a long string of obscenities.

  Sykes nodded in seeming sympathy. “You boys been beat up on something awful.” He glanced at Neva. “What about it, ma’am?”

  “What?” Lainie yelled. “These scumballs tried to kill us. Just look!” She pointed to the damaged walls.

  Neva patted her on the back. “Calm down. Deputy, these men broke into my store and attacked my cousin.”

  Deputy Sykes strolled off. He inspected the walls then went inside the store. After a few minutes he came back outside. “Lester, Billy, I got to be honest. This looks bad.”

  “Let me out of this rope, Jessie.” Lester, with the pot-belly, gazed at Deputy Sykes. “We kin.”

  “Don’t remind me, Lester.” Deputy Sykes still gazed around at the broken glass and spray paint cans.

  “So we–”

  “Now Lester,” Deputy Sykes cut him off. “Before you go on better let Deputy Simmons here inform you of your rights.”

  “What you mean? You can’t be takin’ us to jail!” Billy squealed.

  “Course he is,” Lester said. “Got to do his duty.” He wore a sly look. “No problem, Jessie.”

  “They’re going to let them go,” Lainie said in a bitter voice. “I doubt they even have a trial.”

  “Get them in the car.” Deputy Skyes easily lifted Billy up from the ground. “Good roping, ladies. Fact we don’t need to handcuff these boys.”

  Concern clouded Lester’s face for the first time. “Hey wait-a-minute!”

  “Just kidding.” Deputy Sykes let his serious expression slip just a bit.

  The two officers untied their wrists and put handcuffs on them. Then they untied their feet. Deputy Simmons motioned for the men to march ahead of him to the cruiser.

  “We’re going to take care of those two.” Deputy Sykes closed his note pad and put it in the breast pocket of his khaki shirt.

  “Sure you will,” Lainie retorted.

  “Do we need to give a statement tonight?” Neva watched his expression carefully. She did not think Deputy Sykes was all he seemed.

  “No, I’ve got enough for my preliminary report. In the morning will do,” Deputy Sykes said.

  “They’ll probably be out having breakfast together.” Lainie gave him a hostile squint.

  Neva nodded. “Thanks, Deputy.

  They watched the officers leave just as Lainie’s son drove up. Jeroyd walked slowly to them with eyes wide.

  “Man, wh
at happened here?”

  “And where have you been? You and your daddy were supposed to get here at six-thirty!” Lainie shook a finger at him.

  “Dad got called into work and I–”

  “Never mind. Get this mess cleaned up,” Lainie snapped.

  “You all right, Mama?” Jeroyd brushed past her anger to stare at her with a worried frown.

  Lainie started to shake all over. She burst into tears. Her son looked at a loss when she fell into his arms.

  “Let’s get her inside. Come on, sugar. It’s all over now.” Neva consoled her as they went into the store.

  It took a good twenty minutes before Lainie calmed down. Telling Neva about the chain of events seemed to help. Jeroyd was in the store cleaning up and securing the broken windows.

  “They’re set on scaring us out, Neva.” Lainie wiped her face with a wad of tissues.

  “Seems everyone wants me to give this place up. Desiree, Marian Bellows and Chandler,” Neva said, her voice a tight ball of outrage.

  “Chandler? What do you mean?” Lainie wore a baffled expression.

  Neva heaved a deep sigh that came from her toes up through her stomach. “I’ll tell you about it later. Let’s just get this place straight and go home.”

  It was after eleven when they finished up. Not long after, Neva was in her bedroom. Mama Jo was asleep to her relief. She could not bear to face her grandmother tonight.

  Neva felt the weight of all that had happened in the last few hours pressing down. Undressing quickly, she took a shower. She set the shower to pulsing jets. The feel of hot water pelting over her soothed the tension in her muscles. But it could do nothing for the ache inside. Neva gave into the feeling of loss but only until she turned the faucet off.

  “I’m going on. Mama would expect it.” Neva whispered.

  By the time she’d dried herself and was in her robe, she had bolstered her will to press on.

  Chapter 18

  Clinton paced up and down while Ted sat quiet, a role reversal lost on the other family members since all were worried. The mood in his spacious and elegantly appointed office was grim. He came to an abrupt halt in front of Kate.