by Lynn Emery
“Yes.” Neva gave a slight nod. Owen was a deacon at her church. He’d worked as the grounds-keeper for over forty years.
“Well he’s had to water every day. My flowers would have wilted otherwise.” Hollis smiled. “A hobby of mine.”
“How nice. I was thinking of the poor farmers.” Neva made the comment without inflection. “Their livelihood depends on it.”
“Of course.” Hollis let him smarmy smile slip a bit. He’d gotten the message. “So good of you to meet with us on such short notice.”
“No problem,” Neva said. She put down her cup and assumed an attentive pose.
“We wanted to discuss a business proposal that could benefit us all.” Hollis put on a serious face to signal the southern social niceties were over.
“I see.” Neva lobbed the ball back in their court.
Marian could keep quiet no longer. “We want to buy a large tract of land,” she burst out. A frown of agitation showed she wanted to get on with it. “Our company can best exploit the resources and you would get an excellent price.”
“Ahem.” Hollis made a discreet hand movement at her. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’m sure Ms. Ross would like more details.”
“Not really. My cousin mentioned it to me two days ago," Neva said. She watched them exchange a glance. “The land is not for sale.”
"Ms. Darensbourg is willing to sell," Kate said.
“Why continue to pay taxes on undeveloped land?” Hollis said.
"Bellows-Claiborne is prepared to offer you a more than fair price per acre," Kate put in.
"No." Neva gazed at them with a composed expression.
“Let’s get straight to the point. You could be a wealthy young woman, Ms. Ross.” Marian stared at her. “I’m sure we can meet whatever price you require.”
“Marian, please!” Hollis could not disguise his annoyance. “We’ll pat a price in line with the market.”
“Your company could use a boost. Profit have been the last six quarters," Neva said.
Hollis sat straight. “Means nothing. We restructured debts. That’s when–”
“I know exactly what it involves,” Neva cut him off. “That accounts for part of it. But then problems in the Latin American economy didn’t help.”
“You’ve done your homework,” Kate said. This was not intended as a compliment.
“Oh yes.” Neva nodded. “If we decide to allow dredging for shells and gravel, it will be on our terms.”
Hollis looked infuriated. “I’ve done research, too. Sterling Enterprises doesn’t have the capacity to develop such an operation.”
“We could lease or sell dredging rights to the company we choose. One that will not destroy the habitat.”
Hollis tried another angle. “Desiree, I mean Mrs. Darensbourg, is in charge I believe. She wants to sell.”
“Desiree won’t be in charge much longer,” Neva said bluntly. “So don’t count on anything she told you.”
Marian leaned forward. The skin on her face was pale, giving her a sick look. “How much do you know,” she said just about a whisper.
"Mother!" Kate exclaimed.
“I don’t think this is the time!” Hollis raised his voice this time.
“Let’s stop playing games,” she barked at him then turned to Neva. “Well?”
“Mrs. Bellows, I don’t care about what happened over a hundred years ago.” Neva felt the weight of Marian’s dread. She could almost pity the woman. Her world could tumble down any moment.
“My God. You know everything.” Marian’s breathing was raspy as she sank back in the chair.
“I know my ancestor, Lilly, was a slave. She gave birth to a baby boy. Old stories say that baby was substituted for dead child of her mistress. Your great-great-great grandfather fathered Lilly’s baby.”
“What are you going to do about it?” Marian’s voice was strained.
Neva paused. The ticking of the antique clock on the wall ticked loudly in the silence. “Nothing.”
“And the cost for this ‘nothing’?” Marian asked with a twist of her thin mouth.
“Stop blocking my efforts to get financing.” Neva stood up. “And tell your offspring the game is over. They can go back to pulling the wings off butterflies for fun.”
Marian gazed at her with a mixture of fear and loathing. “I’m sure we’ll be hearing from you again. That’s how blackmail works.”
“Just stay out my way and I’ll stay out of yours.” Neva looked at them all in turn.
“I don’t believe you.” Kate stood to face her.
“And I don’t care what you believe.” Neva tucked her purse under her arm. “But believe this, we won’t be bullied.”
Marian went rigid. “How many people know about this?”
“Lilly’s story has been in our family for years. Most of the younger members don’t remember or care. But the old folks remember.” Neva shook her head slowly. “And they haven’t rushed to claim you. Doesn’t that tell you something?”
“That they’ve got sense,” Hollis said. A threat laced through his words.
“Who has more to lose?” Neva wore a fierce look. “Think about it.”
“Don’t get too cocky, Ms. Ross.” Hollis spoke in a deadly calm voice. “We haven’t prospered for generations because of luck.”
“Neither have we, Mr. Claiborne.” Neva raised her eyebrows. “And we had it a lot tougher. Goodbye.”
On her way out, Neva gave Ms. Quigley a patronizing smile. Despite her confident pose, her legs were shaking all the way out to her car. Now she had to face down Desiree. That was sure to be an even uglier scene. An unbidden thought popped into her head. It would be so wonderful to find comfort in Chandler’s arms tonight, a small voice whispered inside.
“No,” Neva said with vehemence. She sat in her car for a few moments to recoup. “I’m not going to be weak anymore.”
The drive back to Solitude was spent tossing aside thoughts that distracted her from the coming battle. Neva wanted to rid herself of the past, including a painful recent past.
***
Chandler sat with Tariq on the small patio behind his townhouse at dusk. A wooden fence surrounded the patch of ground that was Chandler’s backyard. Chandler had opened the wide doors in the fence so they could look out on a pasture behind the complex.
They’d eaten grilled fish. They could hear the faint noises of neighbors nearby. Tariq had only been here for a day when he asked the tough question. Chandler had answered him honestly. Now Tariq sat prodding broccoli on his plate.
“I thought you were coming home,” Tariq said.
“Son, what happened between your mother and me doesn’t affect our relationship.”
“Yes it does! We don’t live together anymore.” Tariq wore a stubborn expression.
“But we spend time together. I look forward to seeing you.” Chandler patted his knee.
“It’s not the same,” Tariq said. His stubborn expression deepened to one of censure.
“No, but in some ways it’s better. There was a lot of arguing and tension. Now we can relax when we do see each other.”
“You just want to date that other woman. I know what’s really going on.” Tariq glanced at him. “Mom told me.”
“Exactly what did she say?” Chandler thought of Alise. He could see her planting these seeds of discord to get her way.
“That you wanted to get some play, that maybe family life bored you.” Tariq crossed his thin arms. He looked like Alise’s father now. The man had never really warmed up to Chandler.
“That’s a–” Chandler controlled his temper. He’d save it for Alise, the real cause of this trouble. “Listen, I do care for Miss Neva. I won’t lie to you about it.”
“How much?” Tariq demanded.
Chandler felt a familiar ache. “She’s means a whole lot to me.”
“You love her?”
He did not answer immediately. A warmth washed over him. Their separation had tau
ght him only too well the answer. It was an answer that came from deep in his soul.
“Yes, I do.”
Chandler let out a long breath. There it was, the simple, unqualified truth. Suddenly questions rang in his mind like a dozen bells. Then why haven’t you told her? He touched his brow hoping to quiet the voices.
“Mama is right! You’re selfish!” Tariq’s face screwed up in anger.
Chandler’s last nerve snapped. “Who are you talking to? I’m grown!”
"You don’t think about anyone but yourself.” Tariq stood, his hands balled into fists. “Mama said–”
“Don’t quote your mother to me!” Chandler stood and towered over him. “Alise is not going to manipulate me anymore.”
“You’re mad cause she’s right. She’s telling me the truth,” Tariq shouted.
“One thing is sure, you definitely need my hand to discipline you!” Chandler glared at him. “Now get inside. You can forget that trip to Avery Island!”
“I don’t care. I want to go home!” Tariq’s voice trembled. It was a sign that his anger was a thin veneer covering pain.
“No way. You’ve got two weeks and we’re going to spend it together!” Chandler stuck a forefinger in his face. “And by the way, these dishes have your name on ‘em. That goes double for the grill.”
“But–”
“Maybe a few days of real work will sweat the spoiled baby out of your system!” Chandler whirled around and went inside.
He came back out a few minutes later with the brush and cleanser he used to scrub the grill clean. He banged down a tray.
“It’s not fair,” Tariq mumbled.
“Did I ask for your opinion?” Chandler said in a sharp voice. “Listening to Alise is the trouble with both of us. Now clean up this mess.”
Chandler stomped back inside and banged the patio screen door shut. It was the only other outlet for his anger. After a few minutes of silently haranguing Alise, he started on himself. The fact was he’d hurt everyone with his senseless vacillating. Was it guilt that had made him push Neva away or something else? He wondered if some unconscious fear of risking his heart had surfaced. Maybe he was afraid that he’d lose the competition with Neva’s new love, business success. His divorce had hurt him in a more profound way than he’d shared with anyone. He needed to be loved and Alise’s devotion was conditional on material success. Now Neva seemed to have the same goal. Chandler was disgusted with himself.
“Tariq is right about one thing, I’m damn selfish!”
Unable to face his son, Chandler sat on the sofa in front of the television without seeing it.
***
Ted finished his fourth beer. He leaned against the bar and ignored the woman rubbing against him. Swamp rock blared from the sound system but the crowd made just as much noise. The Sweet Patootie Lounge was one of those places that was not a dive, but not quite respectable either. It catered to a thirtyish group that included people from both sides of the track. It was a particular favorite among the younger set from the old families of West Feliciana Parish. Those who wanted a bit of excitement but with none of the risk of wilder places.
“Come on, Teddy. I wanna ride in that new sports car. You promised.” The woman flipped a lank of her long blonde hair back from one shoulder.
“Harry, give me another one.” Ted held up the empty glass mug.
“Hey, man. I heard about Lester and them.”
Ted glanced over to his left. “Yeah, they don’t have much use for you. Not the way you chickened out on them, Dave.”
Dave looked around quickly. “Keep your voice down,” he croaked. “Let’s go over there and talk.” He jerked a thumb at a booth near the back of the saloon.
“Wait a minute, don’t walk away from me!” The blonde woman yanked on Ted’s shirt sleeve. “I’ve been hanging around here for hours while you slurped beer. I wanna go riding.”
“Get lost, Kristy,” Ted tossed at her without a glance. “Listen, I may not be one of those society gals, but you can’t treat me any kinda way.”
“Sure I can, just like half the male population in this parish.” Ted let out a rude laugh. “Now get out of the way.” He shoved her hard.
“I’ll get you for this,” Kristy hissed at him.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Ted grabbed his beer and took a deep swig of it.
Dave and most of the other patrons did not even glance at the minor altercation. He walked quickly to the booth and sat down. Ted, weaving slightly on his feet, followed him. He dropped down on the bench opposite Dave.
“Sick of this place, sick of her.” Ted mumbled more complaints. He muttered a few profanities about what everyone could do to themselves.
“Lester and Billy ain’t said nothin’ about me to the sheriff, have they?” Dave disregarded Ted’s grievance. His concentration was on his own worries.
Ted looked at him with contempt. “About to pee in your pants, eh? No guts! I shoulda taken care of it myself.” He thumped his chest.
“Listen, I’m all ready on probation. Judge said he gonna lock me up and throw away the key he hear one more thing I done.” He leaned across the table, his face tense. “Now just tell me what you heard.”
“Far as I know, they haven’t talked. But then Sheriff Tyson is on leave right now.” Ted shook his head. “Another idiot.”
“You told us you had connections with the sheriff’s office,” Dave whispered. He glanced over his shoulder. “We wouldna done it otherwise.”
Ted bent over the table and his glass of beer to whisper back. “Well, I didn’t count on Tyson being such a dumb crooked cop.” Ted sat back and cackled. Dave did not seem to appreciate the joke at all.
“What are we gonna do?”
“Nothing we can do, Dave old boy.” Ted drank more beer and burped. “‘Scuse me. What am I saying? You don’t care about social niceties.” He gave a short laugh again.
“At least give me my money.”
“For what? You didn’t even stay to finish the job. Forget it.” Ted’s voice was low and mean.
“I need money to get outta town, man.” Dave grimaced. “Or Deputy Sykes will know about that night, and more.”
The two men stared each other down. Both seethed with anger, both calculated the next move. Finally Ted’s face relaxed into a lop-sided smile.
“Course you need money. Ah, don’t mind me. I just get testy when I drink.” Ted waved a hand. “You did at least part of the job. I owe you something.”
“Damn straight you do,” Dave said. His tense posture relaxed a bit.
“Don’t you worry, pal. I’ll settle up with you. Meet me down on Dyer Road in about two hours.” Ted started to slide from the booth when Dave put out an arm to block him.
“What we goin’ out there for? Give me the money now.” Dave looked around again. “Ain’t nobody here payin’ attention.”
“You think I’d bring that kinda money to this part of town?” Ted pushed past his arm to stand.
Dave’s eyes lit up at the mention of money. He stood also. “Six hundred.”
“So the price has gone up?” Ted stared into his eyes.
“Stakes went up,” Dave said.
“Yeah, I agree. Eleven o’clock at the pond.” Ted walked out of the bar.
Chapter 20
Neva did not take the large brown envelop from his hand. She did not trust her cousin’s lover. Why should she? After so many hurts, too many heavy doses of reality, she was no longer the dreamer ready to accept everyone at face value.
Ivory had insisted on meeting her at store. They were in Neva’s office with the door closed. It was still light out even though it was after six o’clock. With a kind of cloak and dagger voice on the telephone, he’d insisted she let him in through the rear door of the store. He’d driven around to the back. Despite his request, Neva was not alone. Jeroyd and Lainie’s husband Charles were inside the store. She had no intention of being foolish after the last incident. Besides this could be a trick arranged by
Desiree. Though at first he’d protested, Ivory soon accepted it. Besides it was too late, he was here now.
“Why are you giving this to me?” She watched him.
Ivory shrugged. “I debated and figured you had the most to lose.”
“You never impressed me as the charitable type,” was her curt reply.
“Maybe I’m reformed,” he said. His gaze swept over her. “I admire the way you handle business.”
“Okay.” Neva let her voice reject this subtle attempt to come on to her. “So you expect nothing in return.”
“Well....” He tilted his head. “Not right away. But I figure you could use my expertise as a project manager real soon.”
“I doubt it. There is no project to manage.” Neva did not add he was a long shot for any such position if there were.
“After you see the potential in this, there will be.” Ivory waved the envelope. “You could go way beyond this place.”
“Lots of potential for one thin package.” Neva was intrigued but kept her voice skeptical.
“Like the old folks used to say, good things come in small packages.”
Neva still did not show any more interest in touching the envelope. “You know what? I think you’re wasting my time. Goodbye, Mr. Tate.” She started to rise.
“Marian Bellows just about keeled over when you went to see her.” Ivory sat forward. “And it had more to do than with her great-great-grandfather being a mulatto.”
“How do you know that?” Neva said sharply.
“Desiree and I were very, very close,” he said with a sly grin.
“Apparently. But you’re offering me what I all ready know.” Neva watched him carefully.
“Uh-uh, baby. You don’t know what’s in here.” Ivory leered at her. “We could clean up.”
“Is that so?”
“You’re one fine lady. Smart, too. I’ve got what you need in more ways than one.” Ivory struck a pose that apparently had worked with women before. He sat with his chest out.
Neva sat back down. Her need to find out what was in that envelope overcame her. She pushed down the urge to throw this repulsive man out on his backside. His greasy attempt at charm sickened her. Yet Neva did not to let her loathing show.