by Emery, Lynn
“Damn.” Monette closed her eyes.
“Might as well talk to him, Monette.” Lenore lifted a shoulder, and then went inside.
Monette followed her after a few minutes. She sat by the window, waiting for him. Candi came into the living room, saw Monette sitting in the window seat and left. That suited Monette just fine. She only had energy for one last heart-to-heart. Jayson pulled up twenty minutes later. By that time Monette had her speech all figured out. She went out to the curb before he turned off the engine and got in the Jeep.
“You look fully recovered. That twelve-hour nap must have done wonders.” Jayson looked at her.
“Yeah. So, how are you?” Monette tried to change the subject.
“Worried about you. Now that I see you’re in good health, I’m feeling a lot better.” Jayson shifted into drive and pulled away from the curb. “Can we talk about us?”
“Wouldn’t do any good ’cause nothing has changed.” Monette let out a long breath.
“Let’s go to my house.”
“No,” Monette said so loudly that she startled him.
“Anybody would think I’m a serial killer the way you screamed.” Jayson stared at Monette.
“Sorry.” Monette lifted a shoulder.
“We can go down to the lake and take a walk if that makes you feel better.” When Monette shook her head, Jayson frowned. “I deserve a little more consideration after what we had, don’t you think?”
“It’s not that. It’s just…” Monette knew he was right, but being near him was torture enough. She was taking the easy way out for her own sake. “Sure. I didn’t mean to seem so cold-blooded about it.”
In spite of how much it hurt, Monette didn’t get out of the Jeep. Jayson drove down to the lake right behind the State Capitol building. A few people strolled along. He parked and they got out. Monette led the way to a paved walkway that led through a landscaped area. Pink and white azaleas bloomed. A seventeenth-century building was visible through shrubs that lined the winding path. The Old Arsenal was all that remained of a Spanish fort.
“I’ve never been in that little museum. Amazing to see stuff that people who lived over two hundred years ago once touched. History is interesting.” Monette heard herself rambling on and wondered what she was talking about.“Yeah, I’ve always liked history. Did we come here to visit the museum?” Jayson glanced at her sideways.
“Not really. Although in a way I want to talk about history. Mine keeps coming back to haunt me.” Monette sighed.
“Baby, I’m so sorry.” Jayson tried to hug her, but he stopped when Monette backed away.
“I can’t seem to start over, not the way I really want to anyway,” Monette said.
“Part of building a new life meant having your record cleaned up.” Jayson pointed to a bench beneath a wide canopy of oak branches. They walked to it and sat down.
“I was disappointed, of course. But it’s more than that, Jayson. I don’t want to feel out of place for the rest of my life. I don’t want to have to apologize for who I am. My friends will always be from a world you’re not used to. I thought for a while that maybe I could move on, but actually it’s part of who I am. I don’t understand society people or sorority teas. You know what I’m saying?” Monette gestured with her hands as she spoke.
“I think so, and I’m not liking it one bit.” Jayson turned to face her.
“For example, we were out having dinner. Everything was sweet. Then a reporter comes up. I felt horrible for you.”
“That’s ridiculous, Monette.”
She put a finger to his lips. “What if Lenae had been with us—or your father?”
Jayson moved her hand away. “Then I would explain it to Lenae. My father isn’t all that judgmental.”
“Things could get nasty any minute. I’m going through enough already. I don’t want to take you through it with me. Maybe when things calm down.” Monette sighed.
“When things calm down? Look, we have to hold onto each other when things get crazy and when everything is smooth. If your past bothered me that much, we wouldn’t be sitting here right now.”
“Jayson, you have no clue what this is about. I’m handing you a gift by getting out of your life. Take it, man,” Monette replied.
“That’s a load of crap. You can’t use me as an excuse to run away.” Jayson folded his arms.
“Now you’re being ridiculous,” Monette snapped. “I’m thinking of you and your family.”
“You’re scared I won’t stick around, so you’re trying to leave me first. I’m not going to make it easy for you. I’m going to send flowers, keep calling and tell you I love you. Okay, so facing my uppity family won’t be easy. They could use a dose of reality about what other folks have gone through. By the way, Saundra and I had a nice long talk with Lenae about her behavior toward you,” Jayson said. He nodded when Monette’s mouth flew open in surprise.
“She wasn’t all that bad,” Monette spluttered.
“Saundra heard her giggling on the phone with her friends. You should have told me.” Jayson raised an eyebrow at her.
“Oh, you mean in the ladies’ room. No big deal.” Monette shrugged. Still, Lenae’s remark had stung Monette more than she admitted to herself.
Jayson pulled Monette against his chest. “Get over it, Monette. Retreating to your old world because it’s familiar isn’t the answer.”
Monette looked into his eyes. The fire in them was a mixture of pain and anger. Jayson was so right He wasn’t making it easy. Monette made a halfhearted attempt to push away. When her palms touched his chest, they stayed there. The scent of his skin, all hot and spicy, made her light-headed.
“Well?” Jayson asked.
“The publicity—”
“I don’t care,” he said in a hoarse whisper.
“But your friends will say—”
“Let ’em talk. You’re gonna have to come up with something better to shake me loose.” Jayson slowly leaned closer as he spoke until their lips were almost touching. “Because I love you, Monette Elise Victor. Nothing and nobody will change my mind. Not even you. So leave me if you can.”
His full, sweet lips brushed hers with each word. Every nerve ending in her body tingled. Monette gazed at him, mesmerized and unable to move, much less leave. “I would, but I don’t think my legs would work.”
“Is it my fault?” Jayson whispered.
Monette could only nod. When she relaxed into his embrace, Jayson sighed. And all the drama dissolved into nothing. In a split second Monette drew on his strength to fight the fear deep inside; a fear that Jayson had named even before she had fully recognized it. Then it dissolved as well, no match for the love he poured into one kiss. Still, she had to face the real world.
“I still say let’s cool it for a while. Until I find out just how bad things will get,” Monette added quickly when he started to protest. “I really think it’s best for you, Lenae and the rest of your family. Please.”
Jayson gazed into her eyes for a few moments, then nodded. “Okay. You’ve got a few days. But take my calls or I’m going to come over and check on you,” Jayson warned.
“Hardheaded.” Monette smiled, overjoyed that he was so stubbornly in love with her.
Chapter 20
Monday dawned bright. Monette had ignored clever digs from Yarva all during breakfast. Candi sat across from Monette with her head down. She pushed the scrambled eggs around on her plate with the fork, Tyeisha and Lenore exchanged glances. They seemed to take turns glancing from Monette to Candi, as though ready for trouble.
“Too bad about all your troubles, Monette,” Yarva said around a mouthful of toast “Yeah, that’s real sad.”
“I’ll be okay.” Monette sipped coffee and did not bother to look at her. Without looking, Monette knew Yarva wore a smarmy expression.
“Heard that sweet community service gig blew up in your face. Something about burglaries. Be careful your parole officer don’t get wind of that. You don’t
want her to think you’re in on that,” Yarva went on.
“Why should she?” Monette said mildly.
“You just never know. Anything is possible.” Yarva shrugged. “They got all those forensics now. Just a little hair or the button off a shirt is all they need. Bam, a sista is on her way back to prison.”
“Yep, all this modem crime detection is amazing,” Monette replied in a composed tone. She gave Tyeisha a smile of reassurance when the younger woman looked even more anxious.
“Yeah.” Yarva chuckled.
“What the hell?” Candi snarled at her.
Yarva ignored Candi. “Like I said, you just never know what they might find at them crime scenes.”
“You need to stop talkin’ sometimes,” Candi warned as she glared at Yarva.
“I don’t know why you’re so on edge,” Yarva replied. Then she gazed at Monette. “We’re doing okay, but somebody else needs to worry.”
“Like Candi said, you like running your mouth. Don’t you?” Monette stared hard at Yarva.
“When I got somethin’ to say. Yeah, I can be a real chatterbox.” Yarva smirked at her.
“Remember all the stories you told us about your big-time gangsta life? Always bragging about how you were never arrested for some of your best-paying crimes.” Yarva’s smug expression slipped a bit.“Not sure I do.”
“You know, I don’t agree with Candi after all. I think it’s good that you talk a lot. I’ve learned so much listening to you.” Monette grinned when Yarva’s expression changed. “Always hooked up with some man to help you out. Usually married, right?”
“What are you up to?” Yarva hissed. “You don’t wanna screw with me. I can—”
Monette continued to smile. “See, a crime can be like a fingerprint. Even thugs are creatures of habit, doing the same thing over and over. You know; the old modus operandi. Why, I’ll bet you can read a police report and tell who might have done it, if you know how they worked in the past.”
Tyeisha and Lenore looked at each other. Then both stared at Yarva. The other women at the table sat very still. Candi glanced at Monette, then away. She rubbed her face with jerky, nervous movements.
Lenore stared at Candi. “Yeah, like using their friends to find out info so they can know layouts, about security and stuff like that.”
“But they wouldn’t do that to a friend, huh? Put her at risk for going back inside. Nah, only a low-down skank would do that to her girl,” Tyeisha said, head tilted to one side as she continued to look at Yarva.
“Cause if she did, then nobody would feel bad snitchin’ on her,” Lenore added.
“Every woman for herself. Hell, yeah,” Tyeisha added. The other women chimed in agreement.
“Screw y’all. I’m not up for fairy tales and a bunch of ‘what-ifs.’ Have fun with your little girl group, awright?” Yarva pushed away from the table so hard that the chair legs screeched on the hardwood floor. She tossed a paper napkin down on the table, and then walked off.
Monette followed her out. “Just a minute.”
Yarva paused, then turned slowly to face her. The swagger was gone. She fidgeted with her shirt as she spoke. “Yeah, what?”
“Police reports are so interesting, ya know? These twenty-first-century cops are very detail oriented. They followed up on everything, even the janitorial outfit that cleans up around there. Hey, don’t you and your boyfriend work for Super Klean Janitorial Services? They have the contract at that shopping center. Isn’t that a funny coincidence?” Monette gazed at her steadily.
“I wouldn’t know. My crew don’t do that job,” Yarva said.
“Still. Another thing about cops, they don’t believe in coincidences.” Monette allowed her words to sink in.
“Whatever. Like I said, I’ve got things to do.”
“I’m guessing there won’t be any more breakins at that shopping development. What do you think? I mean, nobody wants to go back to prison,” Monette said quietly.
“Shh—” Yarva stopped when Monette’s expression hardened. “Yeah. Whatever. Just stay outta my face.”
“Gladly. Have a nice day,” Monette tossed back. She raced upstairs, grabbed her leather briefcase, and went down again.
Candi waited for her at the front door. “I’ll walk with you to the bus stop.”
“I don’t have time to talk, Candi.” Monette passed her. When they were outside, Candi matched Monette’s fast stride down the sidewalk.“I’ll make sure Yarva don’t carry out that threat she made to say you were involved in those burglaries.”
“Maybe I’ll talk to the police first and tell them my theory. What makes you think I’m going to put myself out for you?” Monette stopped so abruptly that Candi kept going a few steps before realizing it.
“Look, it was stupid. Yarva had this plan to make extra money so we could start our own office cleaning business. Her boyfriend got master keys made and they pawned the stuff they stole.” Candi looked at the ground.
“I’m missing your part in the master scheme,” Monette snapped. She put a hand to her ear as though listening. “Huh, what did you say?”
“Kadeem sells hot stuff. You know, my new man. I hooked her up with him, but that’s it, Monette. I didn’t steal anything and I didn’t go with ’em. You gotta believe me,” Candi blurted out
“Uh-huh.” Monette almost ran to the bus stop, tottering on her pumps. She got there just in time. The bus was only three blocks away. “I’m getting too old for three-inch heels.”
“What are you going to do?” Candi yelled after her.
“Start wearing comfortable shoes, for one thing,” Monette said over her shoulder.
“But what about Yarva?” Candi panted when she caught up with her again.
“Forget about Yarva, Candi. I handled her.” Monette frowned and shook a finger in her face. “Matter of fact, you need to stop always looking for somebody to follow, including me. It’s your life. Take charge of it and quit looking for excuses.”
***
Forty-five minutes later Monette got off the bus and walked to the radio station. As expected, the place was buzzing. Early morning on-air staff left for home as the next shift for morning drive time came in. Monette prepared for her radio show with a sense of anxiety. All the publicity she’d been getting meant she was sure to get calls about her past. She’d assured Chaz once more that she would try to diffuse anything that might hurt KTQL, but Monette wasn’t sure she could deliver on her promise. She was mentally composing a resignation letter when Nikki came in holding a large travel mug.
“I hate Mondays. Hate, hate, hate.” Nikki dropped her purse into one of her desk drawers.
“Hello to you, too. You’re a little bit of sunshine this morning,” Monette quipped.
“Sorry. My weekend was too short and the traffic too heavy. More of this and my attitude will improve.” Nikki drank from the mug. “Thank you, Lord, for giving us the coffee bean. Has our jumpy station manager been in here yet?”
“No. Why?” Monette gathered her notes together and started to review them.
“He’s spent the last two staff meetings talking about ratings and constantly going over the numbers. Chaz is scared of any dip in those numbers he crunches every day. He’s driving everybody nuts.” Nikki scowled as she sorted phone messages already on her desk.
“You think the station is having problems because of me?” Monette shook her head. “Like I don’t know the answer.”
“Hey, I didn’t say that. We’re still doing pretty good.” Nikki tossed the messages aside and sat on Monette’s desk, swinging her legs. “Chaz worries about everything, down to how much we spend on notepads. I wouldn’t sweat about those news articles.”
Monette laughed. “I thought folks were too busy reading news on the Internet and watching cable television to bother with newspapers anymore. Damn, a sister can’t even count on technology to help her out these days.”
“Uh, apparently you didn’t see that story on Channel Two last night,” N
ikki spoke gently and flinched as she broke the news.
“No. Give me the highlights.”
“They talked about your past and how it must have worked against the board recommending you for a pardon. But at least it was just a few seconds, no more than a sound bite,” Nikki added as though that made it better.
“Wonderful. Well, I used the press when I needed them. Should have known that blade would cut both ways. Time for me to go.” Monette headed for the studio.
“Have fun even if it is Monday,” Nikki replied and let out a long sigh.
Irvin waved to her. “Morning. Your guest is settled in. Got him some coffee.”
“Great. Thanks.”
Monette went through her interview with a local community activist. “So you think that our political leaders haven’t done all they can?”
“Definitely not,” the man replied. “Half the time we have to go around them to get action. Sure, we can file suits to get things done, but the legal system moves slowly.”“Believe me, I know that firsthand.” Monette glanced up to see Chaz standing outside, observing through the glass wall. She smiled at him. “Let’s take some calls from the people.”
Some of the regulars called in to sound off. The talk turned to politicians and corruption. Chaz rubbed his hands together for a few minutes, then started to pace. Suddenly Irvin tapped on the glass and mouthed something. He gestured at Monette frantically. Finally he grabbed a notepad, wrote in short jerky movements, and then held up the sheet.
“Winn Barron on line four,” she read out loud. Monette’s throat went dry.
Chaz noticed Irvin and leaned forward to read the note. His eyes stretched wide, and he started shaking his head. When Monette ignored him, Chaz waved his arms wildly. She got up as if going to the door. Instead she locked it. Her guest blinked at her in confusion.