by Zuri Day
Chapter 27
Julian felt he’d lived four lives in less than a month. So much had happened. Everything had changed. The rift with Nicki. Vince showing up in PC. The all-hands-on-deck push for his brother during the final week of campaigning. An endless round of parties after Niko won. All this while still handling a full roster of patients. Counseling other people while feeling he needed therapy. Or a vacation, at the very least. Instead he sat in Niko’s office having just agreed to take on more work.
“I know you’ve got a lot on your plate, Doctor, so I really appreciate you agreeing to serve as a consultant.”
“I’m still trying to figure out how you got me to do it. I came here totally prepared to say no—had a list of valid reasons and everything.”
Niko chuckled. “Power of persuasion. Can’t be a successful attorney without the ability to present a compelling argument. Plus, I know how passionate you are about the problems facing the health-care system. As the most populous state in the nation, I feel an even greater need to make sure the proper plans remain in place for agencies such as Medicare and Medicaid, no matter what’s happening in Washington. Because of our large immigrant population, we have a lot of little ones who need access to preventative services and the area on which you’re most focused, mental health.”
“I must admit that’s the driving factor in my decision to be a part of the Committee on Health. To be able to help contribute to bills that will decrease America’s dependence on prescription medication. To expand the definition of post-traumatic stress beyond military personnel to one that includes average citizens growing up in American neighborhoods with worse violence than those in the Middle East is an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”
“Being part of the solution.”
“Exactly.”
“Speaking of solutions, what’s going on with you and your lady?”
“Nothing much.”
“You haven’t talked to her?”
“Not really.”
“Why not?”
“She’s been out of town. Went to LA right after the election. Was there a couple weeks working on the dance. After that she went back east to sublet her place and spend Thanksgiving with her mom.”
“Her phone doesn’t work outside PC?”
“We talked a few times, but there’s a lot going on. Especially with her back working, choreographing the show...”
Niko eyed him intently. Julian fought the urge to squirm under his older brother’s intent gaze. Like Julian, Niko was keenly intuitive and paid as much attention to what someone didn’t say as what they did.
“So y’all haven’t talked because she’s working?”
“We’ve both been busy. On top of my usual workload, I’ve been back and forth to San Diego, fulfilling a promise I made to Dexter’s wife Faye about counseling teens who’d been treated at her clinic. And I’ve been helping the state’s new senator.”
“Ah, no. Don’t put any of that on me, bro. I’m never too busy to talk to Monique. My wife and I talk every single day. No matter what. No matter where. What about the ballplayer? He still in PC?”
“No, he left.”
Julian purposely left out details on that exit, the persuasion used to ensure that Edwards left town. Terrell had refused to provide specifics regarding what happened. All Julian knew was that the solution had involved one of Ace’s contacts from his old neighborhood in Oakland—someone whose background matched that of Nicki’s nemesis. Someone who spoke a street language Vince understood.
“I don’t know the whole story. It’s not my business at all. But what I do know is how happy you were when you were dating Nicki. How in love the two of you appeared not long ago in New York, and here. Is what happened between her and that guy so egregious you can’t get past it?” Julian shrugged. “I don’t think so. Because if what happened had been a deal breaker, the two of you would have officially broken up by now.”
“It’s about a betrayal of trust. Of lies and deception. I love Nicki, no doubt. Wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. All she needed to do was tell me what was going on. Tell me the truth. Why did she lie? That remains a question in my mind.”
“Have you asked her?”
“Of course.”
“And...”
“The guy was extorting her. She didn’t want me to know. Knew I’d handle the situation but was concerned about how I’d handle it.”
“I can kind of understand that, brother. You know what they say. Gotta watch those quiet ones. Plus, you are a third-degree black belt. Sounds like her actions were to protect you.”
“I’m sure that’s the way it plays in her mind. For me, though, what most stands out is the broken trust. I don’t know if I can get past that. Or if it’s something I can live with.”
“Only you know that, bro. But ask yourself this. Is Nicki the kind of woman you can live without?”
Julian’s ringing cell phone broke the silence. He pulled it from his pocket. “My assistant,” he explained. “Yes, Katie.”
He paused, listened, watched Niko begin to check his phone. “Excuse me, what? Dr. Johnson?”
Upon hearing that name, Niko looked up.
“Where’d you hear this?” Julian leaned against the chair back, his face a mask of concern. “No, I appreciate you calling. Both of them? All right, Katie. Anything else?” He listened, nodded. “Right. No, I’ll be heading home shortly, just waiting for rush hour to die down a bit, and in the office first thing in the morning.” Julian continued to listen. “Put it in my inbox. I’ll take a look at it. Okay. See you then.”
He ended the call, stared into space.
“What’s going on, man?”
“Something crazy.”
“I heard the name Johnson. He get busted again?”
“No, his daughter Natalie just got arrested. She got pulled over for speeding. The police searched her car. Found a large stash of prescription drugs. Threw on the cuffs.” A pause and then, “She wasn’t alone. Ashley was with her and got arrested, too.”
“I didn’t know even know they were friends! So instead of the doctor, his daughter was dealing pills?”
“Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute is how they were charged. Is there evidence to prove it?” Julian shrugged. “I knew they were very close and believe Natalie used that friendship and Ashley’s blog to come against me. The doctor wasn’t charged, but announced his immediate retirement.”
“Brother, your business is going to boom.”
“Doesn’t feel good making money on someone else’s misfortune.”
“Someone has got to service those clients. It might as well be you.”
“At least now Natalie’s actions make more sense. The fewer patients her dad had on his books, the fewer medications it would appear he needed, and if she was stealing inventory...wow, that’s really too bad. Ironic that I get this news while in your office. This kind of drug proliferation is the very reason why I agreed to be a consultant for the Committee on Health. We’ve got to do something about prescription-drug abuse.”
“That’s why I asked you to come on board, bro. You are the man for the job.”
Julian looked at his watch and stood. Niko did, too. “Heading out?”
“I think traffic’s lightened up enough to make it a quick drive. Are you getting a place here? Commuting? How does that work?”
“Monique and I have talked about getting either condos or townhomes both here and in DC. I’ll actually spend more time in Washington than I will here in Sacramento, which of course is fine with Monique. She has friends and colleagues on the East Coast and will likely travel with me on those occasions. It’s a new chapter in our lives, one that we’re going to write together.”
“I always saw you two as the family’s pow
er couple.”
“That title would probably go to London and Ace.”
“They’d definitely get the paparazzi couple award.”
Niko chuckled. “Yes, and our baby sister loves every minute of it.”
The two men hugged. Julian walked toward the door.
“Ju.”
He turned around.
“Call Nicki. Talk to her. Work it out.”
“I hear you.”
“Don’t go with your head on this, bro. Go with your heart.”
It was just over seventy miles from Sacramento to Paradise Cove. Julian spent sixty-five of them thinking about Nicki, Niko’s instruction to call her and, even more, his question about living a life without her. In many ways it was as though his life officially began only after she’d come into it. Could he live without her? Yes. It would be difficult, but there’d never been anything Julian couldn’t accomplish when he put his mind to it. What really mattered was the question he now asked himself.
Did he want to?
Chapter 28
Nicki stood front and center in the Drake Community Center auditorium. She faced the stage, head high, arms raised with the focus of a conductor. Fifteen pairs of eyes were on her. Excited young teens who attended the center, talented and lucky enough to have been chosen to be a part of the Valentine-themed show’s finale. Paige had flown over to help with rehearsals and because A Hair’s Tale was on break could be in the show!
“Cue the music! Get ready, guys. One, two, three, four! Pow! Big movements. Smile. Turn. Pop. Two. Three. Four. Step. Step. Good!” She directed the dance with her body and soul. Shouting out counts. Steps. Encouraging them on. Joining in on the parts they’d all dance together. It was only the first two eight counts with several missteps, but considering these girls were not professional dancers, had only seen Ngo Xhe’s show on tape and had only practiced the intricate dance steps for just over a week, they did well. Nicki didn’t coddle them because they were beginners. She set high expectations and demanded their best. She assured them that excellence lived inside them. Helped them believe. In return they worked to prove her right. Over and over they practiced. Individually. In groups. And then back on stage. Finally, an hour later, she announced that practice was over.
She walked to the center of the stage. Paige joined her. “Gather round, guys.” The teens and Nicki were joined by the ten professional dancers from Ngo’s troupe at the heart of the ninety-minute program. The group formed a circle and grabbed hands.
“Okay, ladies, good job today. One of the things I want everyone to focus on during tonight’s visualization are the transitions from one formation to another. One line into two. Right now that’s real sloppy. Understandable—it’s only been a week and this is a new way of dancing. But it’s important to remember that the steps, transformations, music all work together, so we need to see that happening in our minds. Then it becomes easier for our bodies to follow. Everyone understand?” She raised her hand as a sign for their answer. All around her hands shot up in the air.
“You all are visualizing, right? For five minutes before you go to sleep? Seeing the dance and you doing it perfectly?” Some teens responded audibly. Others nodded. “Well, a couple of you might want to add another five minutes, because clearly no practice outside here has been done. I’m not calling out any names—Carissa, Michelle, Angelique—I’m just saying...”
The group laughed along with her. “Those ladies know why they got pointed out, but we all can and will improve. That’s why it’s called practice. The more we practice, the more perfect we become. So have a great weekend, everybody. Get in a little rest and a lot of practice. Next week we’ll add on the next set of eight counts to what was learned this week. Any questions?” She looked around the circle. “No? Then that’s it. Good job, dancers.”
The group of excited teens began to disperse. Several of them came up to hug Nicki. Others chatted or checked their phones as they left the auditorium.
Paige strolled over. “I love this type of dancing, Nicki. It’s such fun!”
“Isn’t it? I’m so glad you’re here. Just wish you could stay the whole time.”
“I wanted to, but with Mike a long stay was a no go.”
“Problems?”
“No. But I’d promised him that my break from performing was to spend more time with him. Instead I’m here. With you.”
“Performing,” they said together.
“I’ll watch the tapes and work on my dance. That and a week of rehearsals right before and I’ll be ready to shine.” Paige turned to leave. “You heading out?”
“No, think I’ll work on my dance a little bit. What time is your flight?”
“First thing mañana. That’s why I wanted a hotel close to the airport tonight.”
“Devante will take good care of you.” They hugged. “Love you, girl. Text me when you get home so I know you’ve arrived safely.”
Once alone, Nicki sat and went through a series of stretches, then walked over to the sound system. Soon a mellow, piano-driven jazz piece filled the air. It was the solo piece that would anchor the program’s first half. The stage bare save for Nicki and a spotlight. She walked to a point on the stage just beyond the curtain, raised to her full height of five feet, eight inches, and assumed ballet’s fourth position. She wore denim-inspired dance pants and a faded, cropped, long-sleeved tee emblazoned with the words Live Your Life. On the next downbeat, she took a step. Leg straight, toe pointed, then into a twirl. Her moves were fluid, flawless, her body an instrument of beauty as she executed a series of steps. Split leaps. Pirouettes. Elevating the basic steps of Xhe’s original lulu when the song’s tempo quickened into a midtempo beat. She felt herself get lost in the music and movements. In this moment, nothing existed but the dance. Worries took a back seat. Problems faded. She was one with the music.
The routine crescendoed and then eased back into the romantic melody from which it began. Her movements became graceful, sensuous, expressing the emotion of love with her body better than others could do with their voice. As the last notes faded, she floated to the ground and ended with legs stretched, back arched, arm touching the floor behind her. The song ended. She held the position, ignored her body’s complaint at being contorted. Stayed until she heard a single clap.
Her eyes flew open as she sat up abruptly. Another clap happened. And another. And more. She looked out, unable to see past the first few rows.
“Tangie?”
It would make sense for the dancer from Ngo’s company serving as her assistant to have stayed to watch her work on the dance. The claps increased as a person walked into view. It wasn’t Tangie.
“Julian.”
He continued clapping until he stood directly before her. “Girl, you were born to be a dancer. That was...magic.”
“Thanks. It’s a work in progress, but I like how it feels.”
“I don’t see how it can get any better.”
“How long were you watching?”
“I saw it all.”
Her voice was calm but her heartbeat skipped and jumped with excitement. Had she manifested this man on the strength of desire? Could he feel that he was the muse who’d inspired her movements? Did he know that it was her love for him at the heart of the dance?
“I like your top.”
Nicki looked down, then back up with a smile. “It’s one of my favorites.”
“Our first official date.”
“Prudential Center. Newark, 2011.”
“Rihanna was all of that, man. And when that song started up and T.I. came on stage...madness.”
“Pandemonium. Everybody went crazy! I still don’t know how you managed to keep the shirt hidden until the show was over and we were back in the car.”
Julian nodded, said nothing. His eyes narrowed,
thinking. Nicki wished she knew what about. For a time, mere seconds, they’d been back in the couple flow. Easy camaraderie. Julian had almost smiled. Then a return to uncomfortable silence.
“I’ve hardly seen you here lately.”
“I’ve been back and forth to Sacramento doing work with my brother, and to Faye’s clinic in San Diego.”
A few seconds passed. Then a few more. Nicki tried to read his face. Julian looked beyond her to a space on the wall.
“Has he settled in yet?”
“Taking to it like a duck to water.”
Nicki reached over for a towel and a bottle of water. She blotted the perspiration on her forehead, took a long, healthy swig.
“How was Thanksgiving with Miss Marie?”
“Unorthodox.” Julian raised his brow. “Chinese food and a guided tour of the African American museum in DC.”
“Nice. Just you two?”
Nicki shook her head. “There were about fifteen or twenty of us.”
“Surprised they were open on a holiday.”
“I was, too. While there I learned that Christmas is the only day that they’re closed.”
The small talk continued, punctuated by pauses. Unlike Nicki’s dance it was stilted, unsure. She knew why. Hard to have a conversation around the elephant standing between them.
“Julian, can we sit and talk, really talk, for a minute?”
“Actually, I was on my way out. Just happened to hear the music and came to see what was happening.”
“Just a few minutes. We’ve hardly seen each other in almost a month. Living here with us not talking is driving me crazy.”
“You’ve barely been here.”
“I’m here now. I know you needed space and time and all that. But I want to make sure you understand everything. And then after that...the next move will be on you.”