NOTHING STAYS THE SAME

by Suzetta Perkins

  “Daddy, Daddy,” Kenny Jr. shouted. Kenny Sr. lifted him up by one arm and placed a kiss on his forehead.

  “Run on,” Kenny Sr. said, letting Kenny Jr. slide back down to the floor. He looked up into Sylvia’s agitated face and ended his phone call. “Baby, what’s for dinner?”

  “That will be the last time you walk into this house with a phone in your ear after being gone all day.”

  Kenny frowned.

  “Leave the office,” Sylvia continued, “at the office. It’s family time now, and don’t forget it.”

  “Okay, Mrs. Richmond, what got you all up in an uproar?”

  “First, it’s seven o’clock, and you should have been home. Second, it’s raining hard enough for Noah to bring out the ark for a second ride, but we would have missed the boat if they were going two by two. Well, me and Kenny Jr. would have been on it, but your tail would be left out somewhere, floating around trying to find safety.”

  “Okay, Sylvia, what’s this really about? I had a hard day at the office. It must be the weather because Marvin was acting strange today, too. Talking in riddles. It was crazy. Have you talked to Rachel? Is something going on with them?”

  “Now that you mention it, I just hung up with Rachel as you were coming in. Funny, she was asking if you had shared anything with me about something happening at the office today.”

  “Why would Rachel ask you that?”

  “Same reason you asked if I talked to her. She claims Marvin came home in an irritable mood. Said she’s never seen him act that way before. He even threw Roland out of the house.”

  “Marvin needed to throw him out of the house. Roland equals money. Rachel has some expensive tastes, and while the company is doing great, that doesn’t mean spend every dad-burn penny you’ve got. That’s why I like my sensible woman. She likes nice but doesn’t take it to the extreme. Come here and give your man a kiss.”

  “I don’t want a kiss if it’s going to be a repeat of what you walked in the house with. That was a waste of time.”

  Kenny drew Sylvia to him. “I’m going to show you what a real kiss feels like.” He squeezed her hard and placed a passionate kiss on her lips. “Kenny Junior, close your eyes.” Kenny Jr. did as he was told.

  “Remember when we first got back together after not seeing each other after all those years?”

  “Yes,” Sylvia said, her eyes closed, feeling the moment.

  “The passion and desire...”

  “I think that was all you, Kenny.” Sylvia opened her eyes and stared at him.

  “Maybe it was, but girl, I’ve got the hots for you, now,” Kenny whispered in her ear. “Show your man that you love him.” Kenny placed a long hard, hot kiss on Sylvia lips, and she returned it in kind. “Maybe it’s time for little Kenny to go to bed.” Kenny opened his eyes and looked at Kenny Jr. “Look at him, Sylvia. He still has his eyes closed.”

  They both broke out in a laugh, and so did Kenny Jr. Kenny Sr. scooped little Kenny up in his arms. “Time for bed, man. I’ll give him his bath and you need to be waiting for me in the bedroom when I’m finished,” Kenny whispered again to Sylvia.

  “What about dinner?”

  “I like leftovers, but right now I’m ready for dessert—creamy chocolate mousse.”

  “One dessert coming right up.”

  “Sylvia, there’s something going on with Marvin. I feel it in my gut. I don’t know what it is, but reflecting back on a couple of things he was saying, it requires some investigation.”

  “Well, take that phone out of your ear long enough to find out. Rachel thanks you in advance. Now, hurry up with Kenny Jr. and don’t keep me waiting.”

  Kenny stuck out his tongue, made circles with it, and licked his lips. “Bring your A game, girl, ’cuz you’re going to be singing like that rain outside.”

  “Bring it on!”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Mona, dressed in a sleek, black St. John pantsuit, black patent leather stilettos, and large, round, black earrings that matched her bobbed hair, stalked the aisles of the supermarket for the ingredients that were going to make her She Crab Soup supreme. Fresh crabs were flown in from Maryland, and the petite sirloins had just arrived from Nebraska in vacuum-packed crates kept cool by dry ice.

  Mona had looked forward to catering this event because the movers and shakers were giants in business and politics, and this was an opportunity of a lifetime, an opportunity that might make her part of the White House team who planned elegant and elaborate meals for the president and first lady, heads of state, foreign diplomats, kings and queens from nations all over the world. It excited her to no end that the invitation to the fundraiser came with a price tag of $1,500 a plate; she was already calculating her share.

  She moved swiftly down the aisle that housed the seasonings and picked up a can of cayenne pepper and a bottle of dry sherry. Now, her She Crab Soup would zing with a taste the diners would never forget. Reaching up again, she grabbed a few more seasonings that she would surely need at a later date.

  Finished, she wheeled her cart down the aisle in a hurry to get out of the store. Without looking left or right, Mona plowed straight ahead and suddenly hit a customer.

  “Damn, lady, where did you get your driver’s license? Mona?” Kenny asked as she peeled her hands from her face.

  “Kenny, are you alright? So sorry, brother, I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

  Kenny sighed and then they both laughed. “Girl, you better have insurance ’cause I’m going to sue you.”

  “I had lots on my mind. Trying to get ready for this fund-raising dinner I’m catering for Barack Obama. What are you doing in the store?”

  “Sylvia asked me to stop by on my way home and get some tomato paste for the spaghetti sauce she’s making. But look here, Mona. This might be my lucky day. I was serious when I said I’d like to be on the guest list for that event you’re catering.”

  “Kenny, I have nothing to do with the guest list. And if you were on it, you’d have to come up with fifteen-hundred dollars to get in.”

  “Sh—,” Kenny began and retracted his thought. He stood in the aisle a moment in deep contemplation. “What if I pretend that I’m one of your workers for the evening? I can serve drinks or something else that’s easy.”

  “This is important to you, huh?”

  “It would mean the world, Mona. And, I won’t sue your tail for causing me bodily harm with that grocery cart.”

  “Well, I haven’t turned in my final list of employees to the host yet. I have until day after tomorrow.” Mona screwed her face up and looked up at the ceiling in thought. “Okay, I’ve thought about it. If it’s that important to you, I’ll put you on the list. But your tail is going to work, and you will not ruin my reputation by pulling some crazy shenanigans while you’re there. Is that clear?”

  “Clear as a whistle. As always, it’s a pleasure doing business with you, Mona.”

  “Just remember what I said or there will be hell to pay.”

  “Got ya. Give Michael my best.” Kenny blew Mona a kiss.

  “Will do.”

  Kenny strolled out of the supermarket on a high. Whatever was eating at Marvin could wait. He was going to be in the big leagues—with some heavy hitters, and he needed to get home and do some strategizing with his broker to make the best of an unusual opportunity.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Marvin scribbled something on a piece of paper and set it aside. He blew air from his nostrils, then picked up the intercom.

  “Yvonne, please come in the office and bring your steno pad.”

  “Yes, Mr. Thomas.”

  Yvonne had been with Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics, Inc. for ten years and had begun her career as a receptionist and now was the administrative assistant to the boss. She was short and way overweight unable to get rid of the extra pounds even after trying fad diet after fad diet. But she was proficient in her work, and Marvin rewarded her accordingly. Yvonne walked into Marvin’s office with pen and pad, t
ook a seat at one of the chairs facing his desk, adjusted her glasses, and waited for him to begin.

  “Thursday, October 2, 2008,” Marvin began. “Leave the name of the addressee blank...no, put Mr. Harold Thomas—look up the address for me.”

  “Okay, Mr. Thomas.”

  “The body of the letter is as follows:

  “Dear Harold: It’s with much regret that I find myself writing this letter to you. Although our estrangement has been of a mutual nature, I find myself missing the person who was not only my partner and cousin but a friend whose friendship I truly once cherished. Circumstances beyond my control have brought me to this moment.

  “I have urgent business issues that I would like to seek your advice about, circumstances of which I do not wish to discuss in this letter. It would be much appreciated if you could give me a call at your earliest convenience at 404-551-5555, day or night.

  “Thank you in advance. I hope all is well with you. Sincerely, Marvin.”

  Yvonne stopped writing and looked at her boss over the top of her glasses. “Is there any way I can be of assistance to you, Mr. Thomas? I’ve been with you almost from the beginning, and I owe you a debt of gratitude for all you’ve done for me.”

  Marvin looked at Yvonne as if looking at her for the first time. She was an attractive woman, and if she lost about eighty pounds, she’d probably turn a lot of heads. “No, Yvonne. Sometimes you’ve got to handle some things by yourself. One more letter.

  “Office of the Attorney General—look up the address.” Yvonne looked up from her pad and acknowledged his directive.

  “Dear Sir, Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics, Inc. has experienced considerable growth and profits during its ten-year tenure. Our products have served the public well and as a minority company, we have competed with some of the top producers of electronic products. We have a little over one hundred employees whose loyalty and commitment to the company’s goals are second to none.

  “Read that back to me, Yvonne.” Yvonne read the first paragraph and waited for Marvin to continue.

  “In our rise to our present status, we’ve made some good and bad business decisions—more good than bad. However, some bad investments have now caught up with us, and I’m appealing to your office to give us some latitude as we attempt to pay the federal government the 1.5 million dollars we owe in back taxes due to company losses we’ve experienced. Sir, I ask your assistance in allowing Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics an extension in paying the taxes it owes. This appeal, this request is made with urgency as the company is also in the throes of a possible takeover.”

  As if a lightning bolt had hit it, Yvonne’s writing hand began to shake and the pen fell to the floor. “Excuse me, Sir,” she said, her voice nervous. She leaned over her chair and picked up the pencil.

  “Are you alright, Yvonne?”

  “Yes, sir.” Yvonne looked thoughtfully at Marvin. “Mr. Thomas, are we in trouble?”

  Marvin looked thoughtfully at Yvonne. He hated the desperate look on her face—the pleading and concern that begged for an answer. “We’re almost finished. Read back the last sentence.”

  Yvonne’s lips began to tremble. She adjusted her glasses and with the tip of her pen glided over her shorthand and began to read. “I’m also in the throes of a possible takeover.” She refused to look up at Marvin.

  “Alright. Beginning with takeover...let’s say and depending upon the outcome, the company may be subject to new leadership. New paragraph.

  “Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics is the company I built from the ground up. I’d like to preserve the legacy for my children. With your assistance, I’ve pledged to myself that I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the company afloat. New paragraph.

  “Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to your favorable response. Sincerely, Marvin Thomas, CEO, Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics.”

  “Okay, Yvonne, if you can have those letters transcribed and on my desk in the next hour, I’d appreciate it.”

  “Yes, sir.” Yvonne rose from her chair and turned around to face Marvin. She withdrew her glasses from her face. “Mr. Thomas, if this situation is going to affect my livelihood and position in this organization, would you be so kind as to let me know in time?”

  Marvin wrung his hands together. Thoughts ran through his head as he looked at Yvonne who was anticipating his answer. She seemed so sincere. He wondered if she had ever been with a man. In all the time that she had been employed with the company, there was never any mention of a husband, let alone a man. A dedicated employee, you could count the amount of sick days she had taken in the last ten years on one hand.

  “Yes, Yvonne, I wouldn’t leave you in limbo. Every employee at Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics deserves to know in advance about their uncertain future. I just don’t know how to go about telling them—I’m hoping that it will not come to that.”

  “What about Mr. Richmond? He doesn’t seem to have the same...same concerns as you. Every time he comes into the office, he’s always so chipper.”

  “Mr. Richmond isn’t aware of the financial trouble we’re in.”

  “But I thought you were partners?”

  “We are partners, Yvonne, however as the CEO, I chose not to disclose all company matters to Mr. Richmond, although he’s entitled to every bit of information I know. His expertise is in sales, and he pretty much leaves the rest of the company worries to me.

  “I hope I was able to satisfy your question. I’d appreciate receiving those letters in the next hour.”

  “Yes, Mr. Richmond. Thank you.”

  When the door had closed behind Yvonne, Marvin picked up the phone and made several calls before finally dialing Cecil Coleman’s office. He needed another meeting to sort things out because he was running out of time.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Girl, shopping does me a world of good,” Rachel said, as she and Sylvia continued to browse the racks at Neiman Marcus.”

  “Me, too. Remind me to pick up a white formal shirt for Kenny. He’s got a job with Mona, pretending to be a waiter at her catering affair tomorrow night so he can court one of the bigwigs with some proposal he’s got.”

  “Does he know who’s going to be there?”

  “Besides Barack Obama? Hell if I know. Kenny’s such a go-getter. He’d make a proposal to Mickey Mouse if he knew that there was a possibility that the big fake mouse would make a deal.” The girls laughed.

  “Marvin certainly needed someone like Kenny to help grow the company. Together our men have conquered the world. By the way, did you ask Kenny if he had noticed anything strange going on with Marvin?”

  “Yeah, Kenny said he went to his office yesterday to touch base with him and he was saying off-the-wall things—talking in riddles. Kenny wasn’t sure what to make of it.”

  “He seemed to be in a much better mood this morning. Well, I’m going to shop for myself to my heart’s content.”

  “You still upset because Marvin told you to cancel the drapes?”

  “Girl, Roland was some kind of mad. Called Marvin some kind of every name in the book and then some.” The ladies laughed. “Oh, Sylvia, this pair of Cole Haan shoes is calling my name.”

  “I think you’re right, Rachel. What’s the asking price?”

  “They say if you have to ask the price, you don’t need to be in the store.”

  “And I say, Marvin is going to whoop your ass. No drapes, no shoes.” Sylvia laughed at herself.

  “Girl, please. This pair of shoes is going with this diva housewife.” Rachel stopped and looked at the stake on the display that announced the price. She hit her chest with the palm of her hand. “Whew, a whopping three hundred and forty dollars. But girl, I’ve got to have them. I sure hope I put my Neiman’s card in my purse.”

  “Yeah,” Sylvia said, trying to suppress a giggle as Rachel clawed around in her purse for her wallet, “they don’t take that other plastic stuff unless it’s American Express.”

  “Here it is!
” Rachel shouted in triumph.

  “Hurry up and purchase your shoes, Miz Thang. I need to go to Macy’s and look for a few things.”

  “Don’t rush me, Sylvia. This is the fun part of shopping.”

  “Okay, Sis. Take your time. I’m going to mosey on over to Macy’s. You know where to find me.”

  “In the kids department. It’s not like Kenny Jr. needs another thing in his wardrobe.”

  “No, he doesn’t, but I saw a pretty dress last week that I want to pick up for Serena.”

  “Are you trying to say that I don’t buy my baby anything?”

  Sylvia was holding her sides. Rachel was so comical to watch. “No, big baby. Serena’s my godchild, and if I want to bless her with a new dress, that’s what I’m going to do.”

  “Okay, you crazy girl. I’ll see you in a moment.”

  Instead of the one pair of shoes, Rachel made it two. The second pair was on sale for one hundred and ninety-nine dollars—a steal. It felt good to be able to buy anything she wanted without worry. She just couldn’t understand Marvin’s sudden outburst about the drapes.

  “That will be five hundred, seventy-six dollars and seventy-three cents,” the sales clerk said.

  Rachel gave the woman her Neiman’s card with confidence and smiled when she was handed her bagged purchases. Looking around for something else to buy but not finding it, Rachel abandoned her search and headed for Macy’s.

  Swinging her package, Rachel spotted Sylvia. “Look at you with your arms full. Thought you weren’t getting anything for Kenny Jr.”

  “Okay, heifer. I’ve got a dress in my hand for your child, and you know better than to think that I wasn’t going to get something for my own. Couldn’t pass on these bargains. So shut up, and let’s shop.”

  Rachel stuck out her lip. “Ouch. I deserved that, but I’m down with getting our shopping on.”