Tender Touch

by Emery, Lynn

  “Lucky friend,” Mike called after her as she went out.

  “Give it a rest, Mike.” Bill glared at him when the door shut. “Or I’ll encourage her to file sexual harassment charges.”

  “Just being sociable, nothing more. What about your motives for being so nice to Ms. Pellerin?” Mike’s dark eyebrows went up to form arches above his eyes.

  “You don’t know me that well.” Bill pointed an index finger at him.

  “Hey, don’t get so wound up about it. Take it easy, Bill.” Mike lifted both shoulders. “I’m sorry.”

  Bill sat back in his chair, but still wore a tight expression. “Well, what about the hearing?”

  “Scheduled for the week of June tenth like I thought.”

  “Good.” Bill nodded.

  “Representative Roubique will ask for information on the community centers. When that hits the papers, you know what will happen.”

  “Certainly, advocacy groups will make plans to pack the committee room. Are you sure those centers we talked about are included?” Bill stared out the window.

  “Yeah. Listen, Damon Knight will be pissed off to say the least. He’ll be there for sure to tell the legislators what he thinks.” Mike poured coffee into a paper cup.

  “Yes, indeed,” Bill said. He turned his leather captain’s chair around to get a full view of the state capitol building in the distance. “I’m sure he will.”

  Chapter 12

  Jade, Lanessa was just telling me she’s got a chance at a much better job.” Clarice gave Lanessa a proud look. “That’s my girl.”

  Lanessa gave a shrug. “I need more of a challenge. I’ve mastered everything there is to know down in the documents section. I’m bored.”

  Jade sat down on the large sofa in her parents’ den. She threw her purse onto the matching ottoman. “What job, Nessa?”

  “In the Secretary of State Office Archives section. They take care of important materials, some dating back to the Spanish colonial governors.” Lanessa gave a sharp flick of her wrist. “Pay is right, and I will pretty much work on my own. Perfect.” She leaned back and stretched.

  “Sounds like it. Congratulations. When do you start?” Jade could only marvel at the way Lanessa's skill at finding cushy jobs.

  “Not soon enough. I told that witch Jeanne all about it.” Lanessa chuckled. “The look on her face was priceless.” She made a face with eyes wide and her mouth hanging open.

  “I thought you got along great with Jeanne,” Jade said.

  “She didn’t appreciate Lanessa. I always said do,” Clarice broke in. “Probably scared Lanessa would get promoted ahead of her,” she sniffed.

  “Mama, Jeanne is not like that. Besides, she encouraged Lanessa to apply for top positions. Right, Nessa?”

  Lanessa gave a snort. “At first she was okay. But she changed. For the last year, she seemed to have it in for me.”

  Jade wore a frown of surprise. “Really? That sure doesn’t sound like the Jeanne I know.”

  “I think she was envious of my clothes, my car. Guess when her husband dumped her she got bitter.”

  “I saw her a couple of months ago, and she seemed fine. We had lunch and—”

  “What did she talk about?” Lanessa cut her off. She sat up straight.

  “Oh, I don’t know, the usual casual lunchtime chitchat. And she talked about her ex-husband as though they were on good terms. We even shared dating horror stories.” Jade laughed.

  Lanessa squinted at her. “So you didn’t talk about me?”

  “No, Lanessa. Believe it or not, we actually had other things to discuss.” Jade rolled her eyes. “Talk about vain.”

  “Yeah, she better not have been talking about me. I would sue her for breach of employee confidentiality.” Lanessa relaxed against the sofa cushions again.

  “Jeanne is a professional.” Jade stared at her older sister with an expression of puzzlement. “You’re awful touchy today.”

  “I’d think you would take your sister’s side in this. It’s obvious the woman is jealous and tried to use her position to punish Lanessa,” Clarice said before Lanessa could respond.

  “Mama, I’m not taking sides, for goodness’ sakes. I was only...” Jade let her voice trail off when she saw Clarice was not listening. “Forget it,” she murmured.

  “Anyway, Lanessa tells me she broke up with Alex. She’s on the dating scene again.” Clarice sipped her hot tea. “What you need, Lanessa, is a man who can give you security.”

  “I’m going to really take my time this go-around, believe me.” Lanessa took out her compact to examine the state of her makeup.

  “Too bad things didn’t work out with Alex. Such a distinguished family,” Clarice said.

  “Well, onward and upward is what I always say.” Lanessa snapped the compact shut, satisfied with the condition of her lipstick.

  Clarice gave a wistful sigh. “Such a fine old family.” She brightened. “Speaking of fine old families, how is Damon?”

  “Great.” Jade did not want to discuss her love life with Clarice at all. “We’re having dinner Thursday as a matter of fact.”

  “Such a dashing young man. Why, he’s dated all the most beautiful girls in town.” Clarice raised an eyebrow. “Quite a reputation after his divorce.”

  “So I’ve heard.” Jade clamped her mouth shut. Trust Clarice to remind her that Damon had his pick of glamorous women from old-money families. But he’s with me now. Jade tried to ignore the insistent self-doubt trying to take hold as usual when in her mother’s company.

  “So tell me, does he have a sexy brother for me?” Lanessa said.

  “He has a younger brother. But—”

  Lanessa raised and arched eyebrow. “Hmm, how much younger?”

  “Twenty-eight. And he—” Jade began.

  “Six years isn’t too bad. I’d love to meet him if he’s even half as fine as Damon.” Lanessa took on the look of a cat stalking prey.

  “Don’t get excited. He’s deeply in love, won’t even glance at another woman.” Jade held up a palm.

  “Sugar, some of my best boyfriends were deeply in love with someone else when I met them.” Lanessa winked at her.

  “Damon hasn’t met Lanessa, has he?” Clarice put in.

  “No.” Jade looked at her mother.

  “Then maybe we could have a get-together so we can all meet.” Clarice tapped a finger against her cheek. “Yes, that would be nice. Oh, of course his brother could come.”

  Jade felt a tightness in her chest. “Mother, what did you have in mind?”

  “Something simple, intimate. Lanessa, you could bring that wonderful crab dip you make.” Clarice grew animated.

  “Mother, I buy it from the deli department of a grocery store near my house.” Lanessa brushed her hair.

  “He doesn’t have to know that,” Clarice replied. “What about a week from Saturday?” She looked at Lanessa.

  “I planned to see a concert in New Orleans.”

  “Are you sure?” Clarice looked disappointed. “I don’t want to wait too long.”

  Jade felt as though they had stepped into a time machine. She was fifteen years old again and Lanessa was the most popular girl in her high school class. That year, Jade had a huge crush on Ronnie Johnson. Ronnie was a track star with a dazzling smile that left girls weak. Jade almost fainted when he asked her out. They met several times at the movie theater. Then Ronnie insisted that he pick her up for their next date. The moment Ronnie stepped through the door and saw Lanessa, Jade knew their budding relationship was doomed. Clarice seemed to be an accomplice. Two weeks later a tearful Jade went to her mother for consolation. Clarice said maybe it was for the best. He was too mature for Jade, according to her. Jade flashed back to the feeling of betrayal and anger as though the incident had happened yesterday.

  “Just what the hell is going on here?” Jade raised her voice over the back and forth planning of the two women.

  Clarice blinked at her in shock. “Jade! Wh
at in the world...?”

  Lanessa’s mouth formed a wide circle. “Whoa, Jade-girl, chill. You are tripping.”

  “Mama, why are you so hot to have Damon meet Lanessa?” Jade brushed aside their reproaches to get to the point.

  “I wanted him to meet us all and—”

  “He’s met you and Daddy already.” Jade’s eyes were hard.

  “But Lanessa wants to meet him...and his brother,” Clarice stammered.

  “But you really want her to meet Damon,” Jade persisted.

  “He’s a nice, mature young man. Why shouldn’t we all get together?” Clarice lifted a shoulder.

  “I see. He and Lanessa ought to hit it off,” Jade retorted. “She can ladle on that thick charm you’re so proud of. Is that why?”

  “Uh, Jade, is there a problem here?” Lanessa said.

  Jade did not hear Lanessa, only Clarice pushing her aside once again. “No, I’ll tell you why. You think he’s a better match for Lanessa. He’s too good to be wasted on me. Right?”

  “Don’t be silly!” Clarice gaped at her in astonishment. “I said no such thing!”

  Jade jabbed a forefinger at her. “So you want them in the same room so Lanessa can pull one of her old tricks like before.”

  “Now hold on, I never...” Lanessa’s voice died at the withering look from Jade. “It only happened a couple of times. We were kids back then!”

  “You’re right, Lanessa. But we’re not kids now. And Damon isn’t some horny teenage boy. Grow up! Both of you.” Jade snatched her purse from the ottoman. “Damon won’t run sniffing after you just because you wag your tail.”

  “You’ve gone too far, young woman.” Clarice stood up.

  Jade stood to face her. “Mama, I could put up with your favoritism toward Lanessa. I’ve always been proud of her; I even wanted to be like her.”

  “I do not play favorites,” Clarice protested.

  “Not being the center of attraction doesn’t bother me. But for once couldn’t you think about my feelings? Instead of being happy for me, you’re thinking up ways to get Damon interested in Lanessa.” Jade’s voice quivered. She was fighting the urge to cry but fast losing the battle.

  Lanessa reached for Jade’s hand. “Listen, honey, you know I’d never try to hurt you.”

  Jade gazed at her. “You never mean to, Nessa. But somehow you always think of yourself first.” Lanessa pulled back from her with a stricken expression.

  “Now this is too much. Jade Pellerin, don’t you ever speak to me like that again!” Clarice glowered at her.

  “Mama, I’m grown now.”

  “Well, being an adult doesn’t give you the right to insult your mother,” Clarice shot back. “You’ve got some nerve behaving like this in my house.”

  “Then I won’t visit your house until I get the same respect and consideration you expect me to give.” Jade turned to leave.

  “What nerve!” Clarice followed her. She grabbed Jade’s arm to stop her. “You apologize right now.”

  “Goodbye, Mama,” Jade said in a quiet voice as she pulled free and walked out.

  For the rest of the evening Jade tried to tell herself she’d done the right thing. Yet within a few minutes of closing her mother’s front door behind her, all the familiar self-doubts came rushing back. Jade felt like the plain little girl again, except for the first time in her life, she had stood up to her sister and mother. Hundreds of times she had wanted to say those things to them but had never found the courage. Unlike those girlhood fantasies of standing tall, she did not feel the least bit of satisfaction. What she felt was alone and unsure of herself. Was Clarice right? Maybe she was foolish to think Damon was serious about her. Wherever they went, attractive women did a double take as he passed by. Until now Jade had quieted her feelings of inadequacy. Could she be deceiving herself? Was she hiding from the truth like she’d done before? Stop it. It was you Damon made love to all night. You he took to Barbados. Don’t let Mama get to you the way she has all your life. Jade spent the rest of the evening bolstering her battered self-esteem.

  * * *

  “Where the hell is he getting all this garbage?” Bill shook the newspaper in his hand. He glared at Mike, Tavis and Steve Franklin.

  “Reporters are scum. They nose around like pigs in the mud then piece together half-truths to make a flashy headline. This’ll blow over.” Steve Franklin’s flushed face was shiny with sweat. He glanced at the other two men in a plea for confirmation. He was disappointed.

  “Hate to say it, Steve, but you shot off your mouth once too often.” Mike smiled at him without a trace of real humor. “They mentioned your name at least twenty times.”

  “Why me? My company operates in accordance with all regulations.” Steve mopped his brow with a linen handkerchief. “I’m going to sue that damn paper.”

  “Don’t waste your money, Steve.” Tavis looked at him in mild disdain. “We all know everything he’s printed is from public record.” He dismissed Steve and addressed Bill. “His article reads like a novel with an open ending.”

  “And the question is what comes next?” Bill stared at the newspaper as though trying to get the answer from it.

  Mike shrugged. “More expose on greedy health care providers. Dry boring stuff the public will ignore and the reporter will move on to another story.”

  “But only after the private company suffers.” Steve gulped in dismay. “They suggest we give back 2.3 million dollars at least. That would ruin us.”

  “Will you be quiet?” Mike said with scorn. “The department has always been willing to work with conscientious providers to arrange a reasonable payment schedule. Right, Bill—”

  “Step carefully, Bill,” Tavis broke in. “I hear Dumaine has serious questions about the last agreement we negotiated. Community Care, Inc. has paid pennies compared to the one million dollars owes. If that gets out...”

  “He doesn’t refer to any other companies by name.” Bill rubbed his jaw.

  Steve pointed to the newspaper. “Yeah, just me. I won’t stand idly by and be slandered. Like you said, other companies have problems and—”

  “Will you shut up?” Mike spoke through clenched teeth. “Babbling on like an idiot is what got you in this fix. Let’s keep Community Care out of this.”

  “You’ll give this reporter more reason to dig deeper. And you do not want him to get on that particular trail.” Tavis eyed him steadily. “You’ll have a lot more to worry about than unpleasant press.”

  Bill dropped the newspaper onto his desk. “Let’s not get carried away because of one article. No need to imagine all kinds of disasters at this point. We’ve taken measures to be within all regulations.”

  “Smooth.” Mike wore a wily grin. “No need to mention how the regulations have been...molded.” He gazed at Bill with admiration. “You’ll do nicely when that reporter finally calls for a statement.”

  “He already has. We meet Friday. He’s coming here.” Bill did not show one bit of concern. “We might wring some advantage out of the publicity.”

  Steve Franklin hopped from his chair with a look of horror. “What are you planning? You can’t just throw me under the bus and lay all the blame on me.”

  “Get a grip, Steve,” Bill snapped at him. He turned his back to the still shaky man. “Mike, have Errol in communications come down here. We’re going to have a nice string of press releases over the next two to three weeks.”

  “Press releases on what?” Mike wore a puzzled expression, his brows drawn together.

  “Our efforts at AIDS prevention, changes to improve health care for infants in low-income families, how much money we saved with rule changes—to name a few subjects.” Bill smiled at him.

  “Very good.” Tavis gave an appreciative nod.

  “John Savoie is one reporter who won’t be sidetracked,” Mike said.

  “We need lots of good press as a cushion just in case, and drown out Savoie.” Bill appeared relaxed now. He brushed a hand across the new
spaper still on his desk. “We need to act fast with the legislative session coming up.”

  “Excellent,” Tavis said. “You can’t stop him, but you can dilute the negative impact. By the way, I’ve got the information you wanted on—”

  “Good, stay here.” Bill stood up and took Franklin’s elbow. He guided him to the door. “Steve, relax. Everything will be fine.”

  “Easy for you to say. Two other reporters have called my office for quotes,” Franklin blurted out.

  “You did well saying you would work to correct any problems. Mike, set up a meeting with Errol for this afternoon.” Bill opened the door as an obvious invitation for the two men to leave.

  “Sure.” Mike walked slowly past Tavis. He raised an eyebrow at him then glanced at Bill. “You need me to come back?”

  “No, I’ll see you later.” Bill shut the door on them and turned to Tavis. “Well?”

  “Oliver Knight has very good friends in high places.” Tavis examined his designer tie. “The bid process was suspended quite a few times. He’s installed carpet in over fifteen state offices in the last twenty years at considerable profit.”

  “Tsk, tsk. Damon won’t be so quick to join the chorus of criticism when we let him know his father could get burned. But...” Bill formed a steeple with his long fingers.

  Tavis studied him for several seconds. “What are you up to now?”

  Bill leaned forward. “Jade might find it interesting. Let her see that Damon Knight isn’t Mr. Clean.”

  “Remember, he has influence independent of his father. Damon Knight is no pushover, Bill. Neither is his family.”

  “You should know about the Knight family.” Bill’s lips curved up.

  Tavis assumed a blank look. “Should I?”

  “Don’t bother with the innocent act, Tavis. You’ve been doing Marlene Knight for the last nine months at least.”

  “Eleven, but who’s counting.”

  “Talk about living dangerously. Oliver Knight may be sick, but he’s no fool. And he most certainly does have powerful buddies.” Bill rocked back in his chair to gaze at Tavis. “Hope you know what you’re doing.”