Soulful Strut
Page 32
“Er, what is going on?”
“We’re about to enter the Twilight Zone, so buckle up,” Monette said dryly. She took a deep breath, let it out, and hit the button to open line four. “Hello caller, you’re on.”
“This is Winn Arthur Barron.” His deep, cultured, Southern voice held a slur.
Monette figured he’d probably already had a liquid breakfast. Not even his arrogance could have pushed him this far. “Good morning. You have a comment on our topic for today?”
“You mean the references to crooked public officials. It’s easy to toss out accusations when you have a forum, Ms. Victor. Even public officials will only take so much. Your totally baseless allegations about me are a perfect example. I note that the Pardon Board members didn’t buy your story,” Winn’s words sliced through the speaker.
A crowd gathered around the sound room. Chaz pushed through them on his way to Irvin’s studio. Seconds later the two men faced each other. Irvin shrugged as Chaz gestured, then paced around him. Monette ignored the commotion.
“But the governor approved my parole. And more people who know the truth are willing to talk.” Monette forced the words from her mouth. She hadn’t asked for this confrontation, but she wasn’t going to run from it. A charged silence fell on the crowd. Her guest leaned forward as though he wanted to make sure he wouldn’t miss anything. “I’m going to ask the board to reconsider its decision.”
Winn let out a laugh that dripped scorn. “You’re living in a dream world. I know how the system works, remember?”“Oh, yes. I remember how you worked the system and broke the law,” Monette cracked back at him. Anger beat out her sense of fear. “Don’t you forget that I got people to listen before. Two more witnesses have come forward. They’ve got very interesting stories to tell.”
“I’ve seen the quality of your witnesses. More lies. They’re no better than you are, Monette. So don’t pin your hopes on them just yet. I won’t sit by and let you slander my name or hurt my family,” Winn barked. A loud click signaled he’d hung up.
“Guess this is a good time to take a commercial break.” Monette pointed to Irvin. He gaped at her for a few seconds, as if dazed. Chaz jabbed a forefinger into Irvin’s shoulder, and the producer blinked rapidly, and then worked the controls. Music played as a woman talked about toothpaste and a brighter smile. The station employees who had gathered to listen in broke into applause. Monette unlocked the door to the studio just as Chaz reached it.
“Wow.” Her guest grinned at her and pumped her hand. “Thanks for having me on this show. You’ve got guts.”
“I got them the old-fashion way, I earned ’em,” Monette joked. She looked up at her boss. “I know, I know. Clear out my desk.”
“You almost caused me to have a heart attack, lady. If you ever refuse to follow my directions again, I’ll—” Chaz broke off and grinned at her as he rubbed his hands together. “But that was one hell of a show.”
“What about the station owners and the advertisers?” Monette raised an eyebrow at him.
His bright expression dimmed by a few watts. “Umm, we might have a few problems with our more conservative accounts. Once I show the owners our ratings figures they’ll be tolerant. This time, I mean. Don’t put me through that again.”
“I’ll try not to,” Monette replied coolly.
Nikki came in after Chaz left. “Are you going to be able to keep that promise?”
“Maybe.” Monette slumped against the back of the chair and closed her eyes. “I could use a much quieter life right now.”
Nikki laughed. “Please. Would you know what to do with one?”
Monette thought about it for a few seconds. “Probably not.”
***
At the end of the day Monette felt truly free for the first time since she’d walked out of prison. Gone was the anxiety that she could make it in the real world. She left the office of Second Chances, and Jayson waited for her as he’d promised. He gave her a light kiss on the cheek.
“Everything okay?”
“Very okay. I’m ready to celebrate.” Monette looped her arms through his.
“You heard about the pardon hearing.” Jayson helped her climb into the passenger seat of his Jeep.
“My attorney says we made history. Seems a majority of the board feels that the first decision was tainted. They were influenced partly by Winn’s statement, which they now believe was less than truthful.”
‘Translation—he lied like a dog and anybody with half a brain knows it,” Jayson put in.
“Right. In six months they’re going to reconsider my application and hold another hearing.” Monette laughed when Jayson did his version of the electric slide.
“Yes! Take that, Winn Barron.” Jayson swung a fist, as though taking aim at Barron’s head.
Monette shrugged away thoughts of the man. “Which brings us back to celebrating. I want to change into something casual. Let’s stop by the halfway house. I promise not to take long.”
“You got it. We’re going to have the best steak and drink toasts to each other all night; iced tea only, of course.” Jayson grinned at her.
“No, we can have the hard stuff. Real cola, maybe even with caffeine,” Monette replied. She accepted a brief but ardent kiss on the lips.
“Let’s rock and roll, sweet thing.” Jayson shut the door, and then sprinted around to climb behind the wheel.
Twenty minutes through rush-hour traffic passed pleasantly as they talked about small things. When they pulled up to the house, several women on the front porch waved to them. Monette promised again that she’d only be inside a few minutes.
“Goin’ out with your fine man again. Some women have all the luck,” Janet teased.
“Don’t hate, appreciate,” Monette quipped, then hurried inside.
Tyeisha walked out of the living room just as Monette reached the first step on the stairs. “Hey, girl. We rented some good old horror movies. We’ll wait for you.”
“Got a date,” Monette called back. She found Candi sitting on her bed reading.
“Hi,” Candi said and closed the magazine.
“Hey,” Monette replied in a breathless voice. “I’m in a hurry. Jayson’s waiting.”
Candi laughed. “I kinda figured that out. You heard about Yarva?”
Monette stopped in the act of taking off her blouse. “No.”
“They arrested her today. Turns out her boyfriend’s wife—”
“Hired a private detective, got the goods on them both, and then told the police where to look. The police put two and two together and got Yarva,” Monette said. “Did I miss anything?”
“Obviously you didn’t miss a damn thing,” Candi said with a wide-eyed expression.
“I try not to,” Monette replied.
“Anyway Yarva didn’t say anything about you, or me either. I was kinda surprised about that.” Candi lifted a shoulder.
“Maybe Yarva is going to change. It can happen to even a hard case.” Monette faced her and crossed her arms. “Look, Candi, you gotta decide which way you’re going to go. You can’t hang with players and expect to make it in a straight world. Just doesn’t work that way. They either change, you leave them behind or y’all stay together on the same road to nowhere. That’s the hard choice you gotta make.”
“I shouldn’t have tried to hold you back. You’re gonna soar like an eagle no matter what.” Candi wore a sad smile. Her eyes were shiny as tears welled in them. “We don’t all have strong wings. Some of us are just chicken-heads. Always have been and always will be.”
Monette shook her head slowly. “I don’t believe in that theory. You’re going to fly by the time you graduate from Opportunity Knocking.”
“But y’all kicked me out. I deserved it, too.”
“I’ve recommended we give you another chance. Wasn’t that hard to convince Danica. You know how those social workers are, girl. They’re pushovers for a sob story, and you know I can lay it on thick.” Monette winked at her.
“I ain’t so sure you should stick yourself out for me again.”
“Hey, Danica thinks you can make it. But me? I know you can,” Monette said firmly.
“Thanks for being on my side, even when I was too dumb to recognize a real friend.” Candi looked down at her hands.
“Come over here.” Monette hugged Candi when she walked over. Then she pushed Candi away and shook a finger in her face. “No more hookin’ folks up with fences or any other crap. Pull another trick like that and I’m gonna whip your behind.”
“My behind? You quit cussin’?” Candi batted Monette’s finger away playfully.
“You didn’t get the memo? I’m reformed.”
Candi smiled at her and nodded. “Guess you decided who you’re gonna be.”
“Yeah,” Monette said after gazing in the mirror. “Yeah, I did. I don’t have to run anymore. Or play games.”
“Hey, you played the system and got outta prison. Don’t knock it,” Candi joked.
“Yeah, but I’m giving that up. And I’m not going to use my past as a shield to keep people away.” Monette turned back to Candi.
“You mean Jayson,” Candi said with a wide smile.
“Oh, baby, do I mean Jayson. Speaking of which, I gotta go.” Monette yanked open the closet and selected an outfit.
“Have fun, girl. I’m gonna watch some corny old horror movies and pretend I’m scared.” Candi waved as she left the bedroom.
Monette took off her blouse and slipped on a dark red T-shirt. She grabbed a small purse and raced down the steps like a teenager on her first date. Jayson’s face lit up when she bounced over to the Jeep.
“You look beautiful, as usual. Let’s check out that new steakhouse on Government Street.” Jayson started the engine.
“I hope it’s not too noisy. We need to talk about that dinner with your family,” Monette said, pretending it was a casual remark.
Jayson let go of the steering wheel and pulled her close. “Seriously?”
She looked into his eyes. ‘Time to start the future off right.”
About the Author
Mix knowledge of voodoo, Louisiana politics and forensic social work with the dedication to write fiction while working each day as a clinical social worker, and you get a snapshot of author Lynn Emery. Lynn has been a contributing consultant to the magazine Today’s Black Woman for three articles about contemporary relationships between black men and women. For more information visit:
www.lynnemery.com
Read the other three Louisiana Love Series: City Girls novels
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Gotta Get Next To You
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Tell Me Something Good
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Good Woman Blues
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