Hot Summer

by Judy Powell

  “Jennifer, there’s someone special I’d like you to meet.” Lance pulled Summer forward. “This is Summer Jones from Chicago. Summer, please meet Michelle’s mom, Jennifer Davis.”

  Summer extended her hand and was surprised at the strength of the warm hand that enclosed hers.

  “Good to meet you, Summer.” The woman’s accent was thick, much deeper than Lance’s, or even Derrick’s. “I hope you enjoy your visit to the island. This is your first time here?”

  “No. Actually, this is my third trip. Last time I spent almost a week here.”

  “Really? But I bet this is your first time to such a rural part of the island, right?”

  “I drove through the country once. We stopped in Linstead. But I’m mostly familiar with the touristy parts like Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. And I’ve been to Kingston, of course.”

  “Well, come on in. I’ve prepared some lunch for you.” Jennifer took Summer by the hand and walked her up to the little house. “As long as you are Lance’s friend you are welcome in this house.”

  Jennifer had prepared mackerel and boiled green bananas and slices of yam. It was served with a strong black brew that she called ‘cocoa tea’ but it was nothing like any cocoa that Summer had ever tasted. It was almost bitter but Jennifer and Lance seemed to be enjoying it immensely, even going back for seconds. When Jennifer saw the face Summer made when she tasted it she laughed and poured her a glass of milk.

  “You jus’ like Michelle. Can’t take the taste of this strong Jamaican cocoa tea.”

  “But everything else is delicious,” Summer said quickly, hoping she hadn’t offended her hostess.

  For answer Jennifer only looked across at Lance and they both laughed. After that Summer decided to stay quiet and ate her food.

  After lunch Lance strolled down to the bottom of the garden where a goat was tied. Two goat kids frolicked around her but she just continued clipping away at the grass at her feet, not seeming to notice them at all. Summer stayed behind to help Jennifer wash the dishes and she watched Lance through the kitchen window as he knelt to stroke the goat’s back.

  “He really loves animals,” Jennifer said when she caught Summer staring at him. “He always did. Even when we were in primary school.”

  “You’ve known him since that time?”

  “Yes. Lance and Trevor, my late husband, were in the same class from the second grade right up to the sixth. They were one grade ahead of me and they never let me forget it.”

  “I imagine Lance must have been a rowdy little boy,” Summer said, trying to picture him.

  “Not so much rowdy as bossy. Boy, that Lance used to boss me and Sophie around. Man!” She shook her head as if still suffering at the hands of the child tyrant.

  “Who’s Sophie?”

  “His younger sister. She and I were in the same class at primary school. She lives in Atlanta now. Their mother lives with her.”

  “He never mentioned a sister.”

  “Lance is private that way. But me, I don’t have that kind of problem.” They both giggled at that. “She was actually an Olympian. She got a silver medal in eighty-nine. In the two hundred meters.”

  “Wow. He’s from an athletic family.”

  “You see how tall he is? Well, she’s nearly as big. They’re from a tall breed.”

  “Hmm,” was all Summer said as she stared at the man, wondering if their children would be tall like their father or petite like she was. She caught herself and looked guiltily across at the other woman as if she could read her thoughts but Jennifer was busy tucking the dried plates into the cupboard above her head.

  When they had finished with the dishes Jennifer said, “Come. Let’s go keep him company.” She opened the back door that led to the garden.

  “But what about Michelle?”

  “Michelle is alright. She’s fast asleep. We won’t hear another peep out of her for another hour, maybe even two after that long flight. Come on.”

  Summer needed no further encouragement. She slipped out the back door behind Jennifer and followed the dirt path which led to the bottom of the garden.

  There, she joined Lance in stroking the goat’s rough hide. She tickled the goat kids with a tiny stick and bent to admire the fragrant flowers in Jennifer’s garden.

  Suddenly, a terrible sound came from across the fence and Summer jumped and moved closer to Lance. “What was that?”

  He laughed and rose, then hugged her close to him and kissed her on the mouth. “That was only a donkey. You’re so cute when you’re scared.”

  “I wasn’t scared.” She pouted.

  “My apologies, ma’am.” He lifted one eyebrow as he looked at her. “That wasn’t you who just scampered over to me when the donkey started braying?”

  “Okay, you got me.” She punched him on the shoulder. “But it was only because I wasn’t expecting it.”

  “Alright, I’ll accept that,” Lance said, then called out to Jennifer who was busy with a long bamboo, jabbing mangos down from the tree. “Jen, we’re going to run now. I want to get back to Kingston by five.”

  “Just give me a minute. I’m trying to get some mangos for you guys.”

  “Sounds good. You know Julie mangos are my favorite.”

  The trip back to Kingston was a hair-raising experience for Summer. On the way to Highgate she’d been fast asleep but throughout the journey back to Kingston she was wide awake to the see the narrow winding roads and precipices. She clutched her seat and stared straight ahead, trying hard not to show her fear. She had embarrassed herself enough for one day and was determined not to feed Lance’s amusement any further.

  She breathed a sigh of relief as they arrived at Manor Park which was at the outskirts of Kingston. Lance drove them straight to their hotel.

  As they were checking in Lance said, “I’m sure you need some rest. Let’s meet in the lobby around seven, okay?”

  “Oh, I’m fine,” she said, not wanting to seem like a wimp. “I’m not tired at all.”

  “Well, in that case, I’ll take half an hour to freshen up then we’ll hit the road.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  Summer could not have asked for a more enjoyable evening. Lance drove her out to Hellshire Beach which was just thirty minutes away. There they sat on a bamboo bench under tall palm trees and ate fried bammies and escoveitched fish as they watched the waves beat against the shore. The beach was practically deserted except for a small boy and two fishermen who were bringing their boats in for the night.

  Summer rested her head on Lance’s shoulder and watched the setting sun as it sank slowly behind the horizon. She had never felt so peaceful in her life. She wished she could stay just like that, in Lance’s arms, forever.

  The evening ended too soon for Summer. When Lance told her it was time to go she begged him to stay a while longer.

  “You know we’ll have to be up by three in the morning. Again.” Lance reminded her.

  “I know,” she sighed.

  “I want you to get some rest.”

  “Just fifteen minutes more and then we’ll go, okay?”

  “Alright, honey,” he acquiesced. “Whatever pleases your little heart.”

  Summer relaxed against him again and closed her eyes. This was her heaven.

  The flight back to Chicago next morning was uneventful. Summer had been home only a couple of hours when the telephone rang. It was Lance.

  “Good news, Summer.” His voice was edged with excitement.

  “What is it?”

  “Monisha’s album was nominated for the World Music Awards. I just got the news.”

  “Wow, that’s great.”

  “Do you know what this can do for us? It’s our best P.R opportunity yet.”

  “Don’t I know it,” she agreed. “I’m going to start working on a plan right now.”

  “Hold on, little Missy. You’re off today. Don’t let me hear you say another word about work until you get into office tomorrow. Understood?”
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br />   “Yes, sir, Captain, sir.”

  “And no more of your cheekiness or else I’ll have to come over there and punish you.”

  “Anytime,” she said then chuckled as he groaned and hung up the phone.

  21

  Lance hung up the phone and turned to Derrick who lounged in the couch in the corner. An unlit cigarette hung from the side of his mouth. He raised his eyebrows and looked pointedly at Derrick.

  “Don’t tell me you’ve taken up smoking again?” Lance’s tone was disapproving.

  “Not really.” Derrick plucked the offending item from his lips and held it between his second and third fingers. “I’m just experimenting with it again. Looks cool when I’m kicking it with the honeys.”

  “I’d suggest you stop acting like some freshman trying to impress the senior girls. You know how Aunt Jean feels about you smoking. That’s what got you in trouble in the first place.”

  “Aw, Mama worries too much. A couple of cigarettes are not going to kill me.”

  “I think her biggest worry is that it will lead you to do other things. Like last time. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten that quickly.”

  Derrick shook his head and had the decency to look ashamed.

  “I promised your mom I’d keep your nose clean,” Lance continued. “You’ve been doing pretty good. Don’t let me down now.”

  Derrick nodded and flipped the cigarette into a nearby trash can.

  “Derrick,” Lance said, leaning forward, “I get on your case because I care about you. Even if I hadn’t made any promise to Aunt Jean I would still be on you. You know that, right?”

  “Yeah,” Derrick said, with a sigh. “I know it. I’ll stay out of trouble. You’ve got my word on that.”

  “Good. Now let’s talk business. When are you leaving for the Kingston show?”

  “Monday. What about you? You should be heading to Los Angeles soon, right?”

  “Yeah.” Lance nodded. “Leaving Monday, just like you.”

  “Think we’re gonna bring it home?”

  “I think we have a pretty good chance,” Lance replied. “We put a lot into Monisha’s album. There aren’t many companies that do that much for one singer.”

  “Yeah, but we’re up against some big names. You think we can beat them?”

  “Let’s just say, I think we can give them a good run for their money.”

  “You know I’ll be watching from Jamaica. Good thing practically everybody has cable. I’m looking forward to seeing you and Monisha on TV.” He rose to leave then paused. “By the way, you’re taking Summer too, right?”

  “Can’t. It’s come down to the crunch for her and that thesis she’s working on. She’s got to turn it in next week or they won’t grant her the degree.”

  “Ooh, I know she’s pissed. After working so hard on promoting that album she’s got to be going crazy about missing the show.”

  “Naw, she’s okay. One thing you should know about Summer – she doesn’t get all excited about stuff like that. I wish she could come but she’s cool about it.”

  Derrick sat down again and said, “Don’t say I’m nosy but I know you and Summer have been seeing each other. Things going okay between you two?”

  Lance paused before answering, trying to read Derrick’s expression. He knew his cousin had been taken with Summer and he didn’t want to hurt him if he didn’t have to. But Derrick seemed not to have suffered from having lost Summer. His expression was open and curious, and there was no trace of bitterness on his face.

  Lance cleared his throat then spoke. “Actually, things are going pretty good between us.”

  “Yeah? So you’re doing the steady thing with her, then?”

  “It’s…it’s more than that.” Lance tried to keep his voice calm but lately, even the mere thought of Summer got his heart to pounding. “It’s a whole lot more than that.”

  “And what the hell is that supposed to mean?” Derrick gave him a puzzled look.

  “She got me, Derrick. But good.”

  “You sound serious,” Derrick said.

  “I am. I’ve fallen for this girl. Hard.”

  “You? No way. Not you, the lady killer.” Derrick sounded doubtful. “The man who swore he’d never be caught dead tied to only one woman?”

  “I said I’d consider it – after I’m forty.”

  “Well, you’re still some ways away from forty, my good man.”

  “I know, but this girl…” he put his hands up, as if helpless. “…this girl, man, she just grabbed my heart and ran away with it. There wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.”

  “I can see you’re a lost case,” Derrick said, then frowned. “Wait a minute. What about Monisha? Didn’t she have a thing for you?”

  Lance shook his head, slightly embarrassed at the reminder. “She never loved me, man. She was infatuated with me. And I guess I couldn’t turn down such a pretty package. But she’s okay. She’s seeing that guy from Alexis Agency.”

  “No kidding.”

  “Yup. He’s got the dough and she’s got the flow. They make a lovely couple.”

  “I guess. Anyway, man, I gotta run. Catch you later.”

  Lance watched him leave then leaned back in his seat and tapped his pen on the desk. Soon he was lost in thought.

  Now why in the world had he told Derrick all that? Some of the stuff, he hadn’t even thought about. It just came out. When it came to Summer it was as if he couldn’t help himself.

  ******

  “Now it’s my turn to go under the knife?” Monisha’s tone was sarcastic. “Do we really have to do this?” She rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed.

  “Monisha, all I’m trying to do is get to know you,” Summer said. “Just give me a little of your time. Please.”

  “Oh, alright,” Monisha finally said, “but I just want you to know you’re being a pain.”

  Summer sighed. She would really have preferred not to have to do this and the thought had even crossed her mind to ask Lance to let her skip over Monisha but she killed it as soon as it came into her head. Her sense of responsibility prevailed. She had a job to do and she would execute it, painful or not.

  “Come on, then,” Monisha said roughly. She stepped out of the office and down the hallway, not waiting for Summer. She pressed the elevator button and Summer had to rush to jump in before the door closed.

  The chauffer was waiting for them downstairs. They climbed into the Hummer and sped off to Burn Ridge, where Monisha’s parents lived. The driveway curved past a stately house with long, white columns that rose into the air. The lawn was immaculate and roses filled the huge flowerbeds that were under the windows.

  When they got out of the car Monisha let her in the front door.

  “Good day, Miss Monisha.” A tall young woman in black slacks and a white blouse approached them.

  “Tell my mother she’s got a visitor,” Monisha said curtly and walked off, leaving Summer standing in the entrance, staring at the woman.

  “Please follow me, miss,” the woman said pleasantly, and walked ahead of her into a huge, sunny sitting room. “Please have a seat. I will get Mrs. Stone in just a moment.”

  As Summer sat she looked around the elegant room and could see that this was a home that was well cared for. The mahogany paneling gleamed in the light. Everything had a polished look.

  “Hello.” A deep female voice startled her. A slender woman in a floral lounge suit entered the room. Her black hair was caught on top of her head in a bun and her face was perfectly made up. She was like an older version of Monisha.

  Summer stood up quickly. “Hello, Mrs. Stone.”

  “I understand you are here to interview me?”The woman looked at her enquiringly.

  “Yes. I’m with Munroe Productions. I’m sure your daughter would have explained that I’m trying to do a story on her, and I’d just like to gather as much information as I can.”

  “Okay, I’ll see if I can help,” the woman said. “Have a seat.”
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  Summer sat down again and Mrs. Stone settled down in a sitting chair across from her.

  “Is your husband available also?” Summer asked, not wanting to start without him.

  “No,” she said, shaking her head. “He’s away on business at the moment. You may speak to me.”

  “Thank you.” Summer nodded and pulled out her notepad. “I just wanted to find out what Monisha was like as a child growing up here?”

  “Oh.” The woman seemed relieved. “She was a cute little girl, always running around in ribbons and ponytails. She was a talented child; started playing the piano when she was five. That’s when we started sending her to do voice training, too.”

  “That’s interesting.” Summer scribbled on the pad. “And she got all of this training here in Chicago?”

  “No, we also sent her to finishing school in Europe, and that’s where she really blossomed.” The woman spoke proudly. “She was a straight A student and we always made sure to stay on top of her so she wouldn’t slack off in her studies.”

  “That’s great,” Summer said. “Now, can you tell me what her likes and dislikes were, as a child?”

  “Well…” the woman was silent for a moment and seemed to be thinking hard, then she said, “…I guess like any other child she would have liked dolls and candy, and things like that. I’m not really sure. The nanny took care of all that.”

  “Yeah, that’s right.” The sharp voice came from the entrance.

  They both turned to see Monisha standing in the doorway. She came into the room and said, “Tell her about my likes and dislikes, Mom – if you can really say anything from the little you know about me.”

  She turned to Summer. “They were always shipping me off to boarding school in New York, London and Paris. I was supposed to be anywhere but here at home.”

  “We were only trying to give you the best…”

  “Yeah, right.” Monisha scowled. “Always trying to improve me. I was never good enough, Mom. So now somebody comes and asks you a simple question about me and you can’t even answer because, guess what, I was never here.”