by Eboni Snoe
“Where I come from attorneys have a better chance than many of their male counterparts,” Sasha replied.
“I can hold my own against your average Joe. It’s just fellows like Ellis that make it hard.” He was silent for a moment. “So, does that mean you would be interested in a guy with a profession like mine?”
Sasha looked at Jason Williams. On a scale of one to ten she would give him a six or six and a half. He seemed to be a nice fellow. “Maybe,” she replied.
“Well, maybe isn’t no…so, as an attorney, I will take that as an opportunity to present my case whenever I’m given the chance.”
“That’s up to you.” Sasha smiled slightly.
“Are you always this noncommittal?” Jason inquired.
“It’s been said before.” Sasha thought of Cay.
“Well, as long as I know I’m not the only fellow getting the runaround I can deal with it,” he remarked before he turned on the radio.
Chapter 16
Sasha had come to love the Bethel House, and spending the early-morning hours watching the sunrise from Hazel’s room had become a daily ritual. There was a touch of magic within the tiny structure. The first night she stayed at the house after the storm Sasha had been somewhat wary. Olive’s claim that she had seen Precious by the stones had unnerved her, and Sasha wasn’t a total disbeliever in the unusual.
There had been days after her mother died that Sasha believed she felt her presence. Once she even thought she smelled her mother’s favorite perfume in the middle of the night. Those experiences had compelled Sasha to search for books about people who believed they’d had encounters with deceased loved ones. She was shocked to find there were so many. Shocked, but at the same time comforted.
Yet Olive’s experience had been different. She believed she had seen Precious in the stark daylight! In her readings Sasha had not come across a single personal account that mirrored Olive’s. But considering Olive’s excitement over the chiccharney, Sasha wondered if she had an overactive imagination.
Sasha’s curiosity was piqued even further the day Baltron returned with Precious’s books. He brought the picture album with him.
“Here’s a photograph of Precious and Hazel,” he said after thumbing through a stack of pictures inside the back cover. “It’s not a real good one, though.” He peered at the small figures in the middle. “You really can’t see their faces. We were on our way to Big Pine Key when Precious jumped out of the car and asked me to take this picture. Hazel happened to be out in the yard that day. You can see the house behind them there. There is another picture that’s a good one.” Baltron flipped the pages.
“Wait a minute.” Sasha stopped him. “Isn’t that Cay?”
“Uh-huh. That’s Cay and Precious…Wally and Sherry.” He pointed to the figures as he called the names. “They were going on a trip to Key West when Olive snapped this picture.”
“Everyone looks happy except Wally.”
“It was kind of hard to tell when Wally was happy or sad,” Baltron replied. “I think it was hard for Wally to tell. He had everything going for him but didn’t seem to make the right decisions to take advantage of his good fortune.”
“And Precious appears to be older than I thought she’d be.”
“She had that kind of air about her.” Baltron looked at his niece’s face. “You’ve heard folks say someone was ‘born an old person’? That’s how Precious was. Actually, if she were alive today she’d be thirty-five.”
“So young,” Sasha commented as Baltron flipped the pages again.
“Now, here’s a good picture of Hazel. You can see why Mr. Ellis said you resembled her. Even though she’s much older than you, the family resemblance is there.”
Sasha was surprised by how much she looked like Hazel. She knew, with her pecan-brown skin, she didn’t look like her mother—who had been very fair. She had often wondered who she took after, and now she knew. It was her father’s side of the family. A side she’d thought she’d never meet.
With her thoughts in the present Sasha looked at the two pictures beside her mother’s large one. Precious and Hazel made such an unusual pair. Hazel was sturdy and bent with age, whereas Precious was as tall and thin as a willow.
After Baltron said his goodbye, Sasha settled in to examine the book more closely. When she was through, she rested her hand on its cover. She was amazed by the elaborate history the book painted of earth and humankind. It made her wonder if any of it could possibly be true. Sasha couldn’t help but think life would be so different if mankind believed it. The planet would be a more loving place, standing proud in a rich magical history.
A ringing phone jarred her philosophical meanderings. “Hello.”
“Hello. It’s Jason.”
“Hi, Jason. How are you?”
“I’m fine. I’m going to a wine-and-cheese gathering after work today and I wondered if you’d like to come.”
“A wine-and-cheese…What’s the attire? Dressy?”
“Not really,” Jason replied. “It sounds more elaborate than it is. Some folks who are interested in making improvements to the downtown area of Big Pine Key are having it, just to butter up all the attorneys around here. They want to make sure we don’t oppose anything they want to do. It will be the perfect opportunity for me to tell you what I’ve found out about the agreement.”
“If you’ve got something, I want to know about it right now,” Sasha said, looking at the articles of incorporation she had completed for her bottled water company. “I’d like to file for my incorporation papers as soon as possible.”
“I’ve just made a few contacts, that’s all. But it’s progress nevertheless.”
“Do you know when the property dispute will come up in court?”
“I can tell you all that when I see you, if you’re coming.”
“I’ll come. Where do you want to meet?”
“You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll pick you up.”
“No, that’s okay. I don’t mind coming over on my own now that I have my car back.”
Jason went silent. “I guess you feel if you come on your own, this will be less of a date.”
“I didn’t think this was a date,” Sasha replied. “Must our getting together have a label?”
“I think that’s your nice way of telling me you’re not ready to go out on a date with me but you wouldn’t mind coming to the wine-and-cheese party. Is that right?”
“Pretty much.”
“Okay, date or no date, meet me at the Big Pine Library in the conference room at seven o’clock. Okay?”
“I’ll see you then.”
“I’m looking for the conference room,” she told the ponytailed librarian. The library, located next to a supermarket, was small but modern.
“If you look straight ahead, there it is right back there.” The woman pointed.
Sasha followed the woman’s instructions and ended up in a room containing about thirty people talking, eating, and drinking. It was a mixed crowd, but the majority of the attendees were men. Jason was nowhere in sight, so Sasha made her way to the nearest cheese tray. After choosing an array of cheddar, Colby, and Swiss, Sasha heard a friendly “Hello. I’ve never seen you around here.” A good-looking guy with a toothy smile spoke as he reached for the tray.
“That’s probably because I’m new in the area,” Sasha replied.
“I thought so, my name is Edward Johnson, and I’m—”
“He’s the biggest flirt in these parts as well as a city attorney,” Jason broke in.
At first Edward looked surprised, but he recovered quickly and asked, “You two know each other?”
“Even if we don’t, she’s under my protection.” Jason put his arm around Sasha’s shoulders. “You have more than your fair share of women as it is.”
“I can’t believe you said that,” Edward replied.
“I’ve learned when I’m around you I’ve got to speak up quickly before it’s too late,” Jason ri
bbed him.
“So, I see you’ve got a new friend,” a familiar female voice commented. Surprisingly, Sherry appeared from behind a large man who held two hors d’ouevre plates filled to the brim.
“Actually,” Sasha began.
“I believe you could say that,” Jason replied.
“I was talking to Sasha.” Sherry gave Jason a syrupy smile.
“And you two know each other?” Edward pointed from Sherry to Sasha.
Sasha nodded.
“I’m going to leave you to it, man.” Edward made a face and a hasty retreat.
“What did he mean by that?” Sasha asked.
“Edward always thinks he’s got everything figured out. It’s a prerequisite for being a politician,” Jason replied, then he turned to Sherry. “What brings you to this kind of function? I didn’t think it was your kind of gathering.”
“Maybe I’m not as predictable as you think I am.” Sherry sipped her glass of wine.
“I don’t think that’s the case.” Jason smiled, but the smile didn’t light his eyes. “You know that agreement you Ellises claim proves you own the Bethel land?”
“Yes.”
“You might as well know I’m going to slaughter it in court.”
Sasha’s eyebrow rose. Jason had not discussed the issue with her, but here he was challenging Sherry with the legalities of it.
“Don’t speak too quickly, Jason. You better make sure you’ve done your homework.” Sherry swirled the sparkling liquid around in her glass. “You know, sometimes you like to jump the gun with unfounded conclusions.”
Sasha saw Jason’s jaw tighten. “I can assure you that is not the case this time.”
Silence swelled between them.
“I’ve got a great idea.” Sherry placed her index finger against her fuchsia lips. “Why don’t you and Sasha come to dinner tomorrow night so we can discuss this as old friends?” Her voice softened on the last two words.
Jason studied Sherry’s face before he replied. “I don’t mind coming over and discussing the matter, although settling this thing out of court might be the best thing for the Ellises. But it’s definitely up to Sasha whether she’d like to pursue this or not.”
Up to me, Sasha thought. She was certain there was an undercurrent flowing between Jason and Sherry that had nothing to do with her. “If you think it can be settled out of court, I’m open to that. I just want to get it done.” Sasha took a sip of wine and asked, “Is Cay back?”
Sherry’s pupils appeared to darken. “So you didn’t know. He’s been back for days. I wouldn’t dream of discussing this without him.”
“Really?” Sasha replied. She knew Sherry was playing up that Cay had returned but hadn’t bothered to contact her. It was a decent jab, and it stung.
“Really.” Sherry smiled prettily. “It’s settled, then. Let’s make it cocktails at seven and dinner at seven-thirty.”
“That sounds fine,” Sasha replied, but she wondered if Sherry was telling the truth about when Cay had returned. She had concluded Sherry was not a woman to be trusted.
“We’ll be there,” Jason agreed.
Sherry placed her empty glass on the table. “I better mill around and make the best of this. It’s not often that I come out to this kind of function.” Sherry looked at Jason, then disappeared into the crowd.
“I wonder why she had such a change of heart?” Sasha bit off some cheese.
Jason downed the remainder of his wine. “Perhaps she’s heard from some of the people I’ve been talking to. Or perhaps seeing that you’ve got an attorney did it.”
“Does my hiring you as an attorney have anything to do with it?”
“I wouldn’t think so.”
“I’m not blind, Jason. There was definitely something going on between you two that didn’t have anything to do with me and the Bethel property.”
“As I told you before,” Jason replied, “I know the Ellises, and I know them well. Some of the things I know about them, and the kind of influence their money has had on people, I don’t like.”
“This sore spot you have for the Ellises’ money isn’t going to be a problem for me in the long run, is it?” Sasha said, putting him on the spot.
“Absolutely not. If anything” —he smiled devilishly— “it might help.”
Chapter 17
The next day Sasha slowly opened her eyes and looked at the sun through the sliding glass door. She was startled to see how far it had climbed into the sky. “How long was I meditating?” she asked herself. She looked at the clock on the decorators table. Thirty minutes had passed, much longer than her usual session.
Slowly, the memory of what she had experienced impressed itself on her conscious mind. She gazed at the sky as the images renewed themselves. She recalled standing in the clearing outside the Circle of Stones on Guana Estate. Precious and Hazel were there, but they were inside the circle. Where they stood, the light was bright and beautiful. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. It gave her a warm, secure feeling just to be near it. Sasha tried to recapture the sensation. Their faces shone with joy. She wanted to know what could make them feel that way. What was the source of their happiness? That’s when they beckoned to her. Sasha clasped her hands together and realized it was only within the Circle of Stones that the light shone. Outside of it there were varying degrees of darkness. Then, suddenly, she understood that light meant truth and darkness stood for ignorance.
Sasha got up and began to walk around the room. This was a new experience for her. She had been meditating on and off for the last year, but had become more dedicated to the practice once her mother died. She was in need of the peace and solace the silence gave her.
“There had to have been a reason behind all that. Everything was so real,” she said to herself as she stood in front of the photographs. “I have to go back to the Circle of Stones,” she determined. “I’ll go there tonight after the dinner meeting at Guana Manor.”
“What would you like to drink?” Sherry posed in her smooth black dress.
“A screwdriver,” Jason said, leaning against the bar.
“And you, Sasha?” Sherry twirled her hand graciously. It was obvious she loved playing the hostess.
“Grand Marnier,” Sasha replied. She felt nervous. She wanted to get seeing Cay again over with right away, but it hadn’t happened. Olive was the one who’d opened the door, and later it was Sherry who’d welcomed them, alone. Part of Sasha felt good about that. It made Cay and Sherry less the man and woman of Guana Manor, but the other part of her was less enthusiastic. She didn’t want to be caught off guard by anything Cay said or did. Her feelings were too unstable for that.
Sasha heard footsteps approaching as she reached for her drink, then she heard his voice.
“Attorney Williams.”
“Hello, Mr. Ellis,” Jason replied.
She turned to see them shaking hands. Cay was inches taller than Jason, and he looked lean and appealing in his Italian shirt and pants. “Sasha.” He nodded toward her from across the room.
“Hello, Cay.” Her voice was resonant. “And will you be having cognac, Cay darling?” Sherry called.
“Yes,” he replied.
“I thought so,” Sherry sang. “It’s always been your favorite.” She poured for Cay and herself before crossing the floor. “There.” She passed Cay his snifter.
“I haven’t been seeing you around.” Cay directed the comment to Jason.
“I’ve been here. Been keeping busy.” He adjusted his tie.
There was a somewhat uncomfortable silence.
“Were you out of town for long?” Jason asked.
“I was gone for about two weeks. I thought perhaps I would be able to return early” —he looked at Sasha— “but it wasn’t possible.”
“Would anybody care to sit down?” Sherry jumped in to try to detract from Cay’s uncovering her lie.
“That’s okay.” Sasha held Sherry’s gaze long enough to let her know she’d heard C
ay’s comment. “I like standing.”
“Speaking of standing, do you like your new furniture?” Cay turned to Sasha and looked so deeply into her eyes she felt as if he were mere inches away.
“New furniture?” Sherry repeated, surprised.
“Yes, I do. It worked out fine. But I would have preferred to have been told about it before you bought it,” Sasha admonished him.
“Cay, I didn’t know you were so prone to keeping secrets.” Sherry attempted to keep her voice at an even keel.
“Yes, Mr. Ellis. I also found it rather unusual that you bought my client furniture.”
“I can’t see why my buying Sasha furniture has anything to do with anyone except for Sasha and me.” His voice was silky. “The furniture was a gift from one friend to another.”
“You never know,” Sherry chimed in. “You might be stepping on Jason’s toes in other ways as well. The two of them looked rather cozy at a wine-and-cheese party I attended yesterday.” Sherry sidled up to Cay.
“That’s right, Mr. Ellis, you never know, so perhaps you should ask a woman if she is open to receiving such a gift, especially when she suspects you of being the reason she was in need of new furniture in the first place.”
Cay looked at Sasha, but before she could comment Sherry had taken him by the arm. “I think we can go in to dinner now.” She began to move with him across the room.
Sasha and Jason fell in behind Cay and Sherry. Olive had prepared a delicious meal of turtle steaks, pigeon peas and rice, cabbage, and johnnycakes. Two candle arrangements made the china and silverware twinkle, providing an air of elegance to the meal.
“Everything looks wonderful, Olive,” Sherry said as she placed her napkin in her lap.
Olive’s thank-you was perfunctory. Afterward she rolled her eyes toward the ceiling.
Sasha and the others ate their food in silence. From time to time she could feel Cay’s brooding eyes on her. Sasha could tell Sherry was pleased that her innuendo about Jason was taking root. But Sasha wasn’t averse to planting seeds of her own.
“Sherry, I just want you to know Jason and I met when I hired him as my attorney, and so far that’s the extent of our relationship.”