“District property,” Blake said nonchalantly.
“Is the property already on the market or will this be a private buy?”
“Private buy,” he said, eagerly anticipating the next question.
“So, where is the property?”
“It’s the K Street bungalow,” he replied.
“The K Street bungalow?” she asked, stunned.
“Yes, and I don’t want to pay more than $335 million. Can you handle the deal?”
“Can I handle it?” she said, showing her delight. “I’ll get right on it and I should have the appraisal completed by the end of the day. Is that okay with you?”
“Perfect. Talk to you later, Naira.”
Blake couldn’t help but laugh. He knew Naira would make the deal happen and push the paper work with no problem. He also knew she was probably jumping up and down with the thought of her com-mission. At 6 percent, she wouldn’t have to work again if she didn’t want to.
Now with the ball moving, all Blake had to do was call Eli. But, before he had the chance to do so, Eli called him.
“Hey, Eli, you caught me just in time. I was just heading to the gym. So how did you know I was here at the office?”
“I didn’t really,” he said. “I just took a chance.”
“Yeah, I was on my way to the gym, but then realized I’d left my new BlackBerry on my desk. But, listen, you up for a workout? I could use a spotter today. Then we can grab a bite to eat and discuss the plan. I think I know exactly what direction we should take. In fact, you helped me realize it at dinner last night.”
Blake knew that once he told Eli he had helped him figure out the plan, it would arouse his curiosity and also make him feel important. Whether Blake liked to admit it, he knew that underneath Eli’s cool exterior, there was a little jealousy, but never enough to interfere with their business. It was just another thing he had compartmentalized to help him understand his associate better and in this particular in-stance, mentioning Eli’s role in the plan’s design just helped Blake make the plan seem more realistic.
“Sure, Blake. I’ll meet you at the gym in, let’s say, about thirty minutes.”
“Great. I’m on my way out now.”
Eli met Blake at the gym as planned. The men had often found a workout was something they both enjoyed when they had a lot on their minds. Afterward, they did what they had also done many times be-fore. For every calorie they burned off, they put them back on at Ben’s Chili Bowl, one of DC’s oldest Black-owned eateries.
“That was a good workout, Eli,” Blake said while browsing the menu.
“Yeah, it was,” Eli replied while doing the same.
“Man, your upper body looks like you’ve been putting in some hours.”
“Thanks!” Eli replied. “Not too long ago, I purchased that Bowflex machine and when I can’t get to the gym, I use it.”
“Well, it seems to be working. I might have to look into one of those machines myself.”
“It’s worth the money,” Eli replied. “Especially when you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home.
“I bet,” Blake said. “But, you know, your waistline could use a little more work.” Blake couldn’t help himself. He loved teasing Eli.
“Man, you got to be kidding,” Eli said, now animated. “I have the same waistline I had in college and trust me friend, I am not getting any complaints.”
“So you say.” Blake laughed. “I’m only kidding, Eli. Relax, man. You know you have a great body, so ease up. Anyway, let’s talk about your plan. We can sit here in Ben’s without any interruptions and go over it step-by-step. You up for that?”
“Yeah, sounds good,” Eli said. “But, first, can we eat? I’m starving.”
“Yeah, man.” Blake chuckled. “We can eat first. How about a couple of chili cheese dogs? But you should know that you laid the plan right in my lap.”
Blake could tell Eli’s spirits had lifted and it had nothing to do with their bantering or the high dopamine levels the workout had produced. His new disposition had to do with the fact that Blake had given him credit for the plan he was about to unveil. When Blake deferred to Eli on any matter, Eli’s chest always stood out like a rooster in a pen full of hens and today was no different.
After eating, the two men took in the local hue for a while. Ben’s Chili Bowl was notorious for tourists and Howard University students coming through. And even though Blake knew Eli was interested in discussing the plan, for some reason he didn’t seem interested in talking about it at Ben’s. Instead, small talk, people-watching and old college games were the topics of discussion. Before they knew it, several hours had passed and more and more people were coming into the diner and it seemed time for them to leave. Although the young waitress had left them alone and didn’t say anything, Blake understood her needs; as he and Eli made their way through the crowd, Blake placed a hundred dollar bill in the palm of her hand.
“It got really crowded in there, didn’t it?” Eli said as he threw his gym bag over his shoulder.
“Yeah, it did,” Blake replied. “So tell me something, Eli. Why is it that we have not tried to acquire Ben’s? It’s an all-profit business.”
“Come on, Blake. We don’t know anything about the restaurant business. Plus, acquiring Ben’s Chili Bowl would be more of a headache than what we’re used to. You like to keep your acquisitions quiet, private and hidden. Ben’s Chili Bowl is a news magnet. Too many people from presidents to foreign dignitaries want to eat at Ben’s, and your name, and the fact that you own it, would be in the press every time someone of great importance decided they wanted a chili dog.”
“I guess you have a point,” Blake said, laughing, as he opened his car door. “That’s why we are so successful. You keep me from making bad acquisitions based entirely on my appetite.”
“Yeah. Right. Whatever, man,” Eli replied as he stood outside the passenger door. “You and these corny jokes. You’re killing me. Let’s get down to business and talk about your plan for Guy Yeager.”
“Our plan, my friend. Our plan,” Blake replied, tapping the roof of his Range Rover. “It was you that gave me the idea in the first place.”
“Okay, let’s talk about our plan then.”
Blake went over everything as he drove. He told Eli to inform Yeager of his interest in acquiring the K Street property.
“So, what do you think?” Blake asked.
“That’s a great plan, Blake,” Eli said. “But I’m surprised you’re willing to give up so much.”
“With Guy Yeager, you have no choice. We have to go big and we have to play hard. There are no ties, no draws and you can’t play safe. In this situation, if we don’t go big, he won’t trust you and he’ll think you are weak. And he despises weakness. Plus, the timing for this is perfect.”
“What do you mean, the timing is perfect?”
“It’s perfect because Grey Jeffries has just been indicted. That means he’ll have to step down and relinquish leadership of his most coveted committees. That would include the Committee on Economic Development which is the committee that will oversee the historical preservation status of the K Street property.”
“Oh, I see,” Eli replied. “Yeager would move to take over the committee, allowing him to go forward on the landmark status without having to defer to or share the power with Jeffries.”
“Exactly!” Blake replied. “If we sell this right, he’ll know he can trust you. And once he trusts you, he’ll open up and tell you everything, including his deepest and darkest secrets.”
Blake could see Eli rehearsing the proposal in his head; based on his expressions, he was breaking the strategy down. As a tactician, Eli could find a needle in a haystack and if there were any weaknesses or gaping holes, Eli would find it.
“This is a great plan, Blake.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Blake replied. “And remember, you were the brains behind it. When you said to me that if I were to acquire the K Street propert
y, I would be the wealthiest independent landowner in the District, it stuck with me. It was then I knew that for our plan to work, we had to make Yeager want that distinction. Controlling interest and oversight of the property’s landmark status puts him closer to what he thinks he’s looking for, places him in the position to pour salt in Jeffries’s wounds and further solidifies his stature in the District — a true trifecta. I can see him now, walking around the District like a peacock.”
Even Eli had to laugh at the thought of Guy Yeager strutting around the District like a peacock, an image that would linger.
“Now that was funny, Blake,” Eli said as he tried to regain his composure.
“I know! Right?” Blake replied, still laughing. “But, seriously, man. We’re laughing now, but this is some serious stuff we are about to get into. This is my fight and you don’t have to risk your reputation for me. So, if you want to back out, now is the time to do it before we get in bed with this dude.”
Blake parked outside the entrance to the gym’s garage where Eli’s car was parked.
“This plan is flawless.” Eli said, “and I’m not backing out. Also, stop being so indecisive. I can handle Guy Yeager with my eyes closed. I’ll call you once I talk to him. And, oh yeah, one more thing. When you see my number, answer your phone. I hate feeling like you’re avoiding me.”
As Eli turned to walk away, Blake began to feel that warning feeling again. It was as if there were two Eli’s. One took pleasure in being his number two and then there was this other Eli — confident, savvy, orderly and methodical. Even his gait was different. This Eli was commanding.
As usual, Lauren was up early and this time, she was using the time to prepare breakfast for Teddy. She loved to cook and since Teddy had never experienced her culinary skills, she would use this opportunity and make her a southern-style breakfast to remember.
All she could think about was how grateful to God she was for answering her prayer and reuniting her with her old friend. She only wished they had more time together. Regardless, she was going to remain grateful and stay in the moment.
Her menu would consist of all the favorites: eggs, bacon, pancakes, grits, salmon croquettes and honey, fruit, sausage and grilled potatoes with onions cooked crispy. Lauren was cooking as if she were cooking for her band after one of her late-night gigs. Since being clean and sober, breaking bread with family had become extremely important to her. There had been too many nights eating alone and she had never gotten used to it. Now that everything was ready to be served, all she had to do was brew her special coffee, add a fresh cinnamon stick and wait. Soon, the aroma of the coffee and the food would summon its intended audience.
Teddy woke up feeling refreshed. The last thing she remembered was praying to God and asking Him to come into her life and for the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel any pain or have any thoughts of anguish or fear. It was as if she were brand-new. Not only did she feel good, the scents emanating from the kitchen made her realize she was hungry, too.
As she headed down the back stairwell toward the kitchen and all its aromas, she could hear Lauren praying. So as not to disturb her, Teddy stopped near the bottom of the steps and listened and prayed, too, while Lauren thanked God for everything under the sun.
Lord, thank you for waking me up this morning. You didn’t have to and I’m grateful. I want to also thank you for my band and their families. Together, we are doing the things we set out to do before our addictions took over. I want to thank you for my family, especially my momma. She has been good to me. And when she should have turned away and got out of my way, she turned further into you. I want to thank you for my friend upstairs. I’m so grateful you allowed her back into my life and I’m even more grateful you used me to help her accept you as her personal savior. I heard her praying last night and I got on my knees and prayed right alongside her. I know without a doubt she asked you to come into her life and you did. I don’t know what she has to do, Lord, but I know you will see her through it and you will protect her with your almighty hand. You said no weapon formed against her shall prosper and I believe it to be so. Lastly, Lord, will you bless this food? I’m getting hungry and by now, she should be downstairs. All this in one name I pray. Amen!
Teddy turned the corner and walked into the kitchen just as Lauren finished her prayer. When Lauren got up off her knees, she had a smile across her face that would make her enemies want to try again later. No words had to be said; the two old friends just embraced.
Lauren and Teddy spent the entire morning eating, laughing, reminiscing about their summers together and talking about their lives. Lauren’s story — although at times hard, sad and depressing — was full of feelings and her delivery was profound, poetic and philosophical. Clearly she told her story often because she had a knack of using the right inflections and intonations when she was trying to get her point across. In fact, there were times Teddy thought she’d be glad to do nothing all day but listen to Lauren’s stories, despite the fact that she had experienced some downright deeply dark days and disappointing moments.
As much as she loved to hear her friend talk — and boy, could she! — Teddy knew the world Lauren had left behind was now standing at the scratch line: that imaginary mark kids would draw to see who would take the first punch. And now it was Teddy’s turn at the line. She too had been punched, and the only thing left for her to do was cross over and finish the fight because the stakes were too high if she didn’t.
“Enough about me, Teddy,” Lauren said. “I want to hear what’s on your mind. I don’t know what’s troubling you but the one thing I can do is listen; so tell me, what demons have you so preoccupied?”
“I can’t, Lauren” Teddy said. “I want to, but telling my story is too costly. The less you know, the better. If I get you involved, you could get hurt and I would be devastated if something happened to you, too.”
“First, Winifred, I am not asking to get involved. God taught me a long time ago to stay in my lane. Don’t signal; don’t cross over; just stay in my lane. But you should know that you and I being together today, at this moment in time, is no accident. I’m supposed to be here in your life right now and I know my role. Whatever you got yourself into, you will need intercession. I know you asked God to come into your life last night and I know He did. But He also sent you some help because that’s what He does. We all have gifts and my gift is also my strength. I have the gift of prayer which is something you will need. I can’t do much else, but I can pray. So, no matter where you are, I can try to keep you safe through prayer.
“Now tell me everything and don’t leave anything out. You don’t leave until tomorrow, so we have all day and night. What? Why you looking at me like I went through your underwear drawer? I saw your itinerary on the frig door while I was cooking.”
“You’re right,” Teddy said. “I am looking at you like you went through my underwear drawer.” The two women laughed as if life had no worries. “After we eat, let’s sit out on the veranda and drink this won-derful coffee you made. Too bad I no longer smoke. A cigarette with this coffee would be absolutely fabulous.”
Even though she doubted her parents’ home was on anyone’s radar, Teddy’s plan was to get Lauren outside in the garden, somewhere safe from potential listening devices. Then, once outside and deep into the opulent estate, she would tell Lauren everything.
The garden had been designed by several horticultural students attending the University of Chicago while Teddy’s mother taught summer school. They’d been commissioned by the family to develop a garden that encompassed both African and Asian foliage and would be durable in inclement weather.
It had been years since Lauren had been in the garden and she found it absolutely gorgeous. Everything in the garden worked in concert with everything else, from the foliage, to the unique carved-elephant-enclosed fish pond and its exotic koi. Glazed ceramic stools, colorfully painted with animals and wondrous birds, were positioned throughout the garden, allow
ing its guests to sit and inhale the beauty as huge weeping willows danced effortlessly while providing shade.
Pathways had been carved through the spacious lot in an Asian design and directly over a bridge that crossed the pond was a courtyard pergola with a suspended bed decorated in weather-resistant fabrics, adjacent to a wall covered by a hand-carved natural stone and wood waterfall. Delicately designed beds of bonsai, bromeliads, carved-stone Buddha’s and elephants, created one visual palate. It was both breathtaking and dreamlike, a garden oasis and a bird’s paradise.
As they took in the sights and enjoyed the perfect weather, Teddy told Lauren everything, from her theory to her plan. And she told her about Kennedy. Lauren, listening intently, seemed to marvel at the differences in their worlds and at how two people once so close could have ended up on two such very separate paths.
“I met Kennedy at one of my mom’s contemporary art socials,” Teddy said.
“What’s a contemporary art social?”
“They’re these social events where you have to be invited and if you get invited, it’s expected you will make a donation.”
“Expected to make a donation?” Lauren said, somewhat surprised. “Man that sounds like a Chicago gangsta move. Is everything in DC crooked like Chicago?”
“Shut up, Lauren,” Teddy said playfully. “As I was saying, every year my mother would feature an artist who caught her attention. She really loved working with artists from disadvantaged backgrounds and Kennedy was the executive director of an organization that worked with blind artists, the Blind Artists Guild. As the ED, her role was to market the artist’s work in order to secure funding for support.
“One of Kennedy’s artists, a young Hispanic kid named Santiago Escobar, caught my mother’s eye, so she decided to feature him at her annual art social. It wasn’t just his art that caught my mom’s eye either; it was how he had become blind that captured her attention. I can remember her telling me the day before the art social that Santiago was destined for greatness long before he became blind. He was what she referred to as one of the art world’s chosen ones.”
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