by Emery, Lynn
“Oh. Hi, Gralin,” Savannah said. The meager attempt faded all too quickly.
“Hello. I know you’ve been busy here at the shop so I just dropped by to let you know that the trial is going well for us.”
“That’s good,” Savannah said.
“Simmons has done a fine job lining up witnesses. I think we have a shot at winning. And to tell you the truth, I had my doubts when we started.”
“That really is nice.”
“It’s great, believe me. I even hear that the Justice Department is going to conduct a national survey of chemical plant and waste sites to see if there is something to the charge of environmental racism. They want to see if there’s a pattern of how sites in minority communities are selected.”
“I see.”
You do know we’re in to the second phase of the trial now?”
“No. No, I didn’t.” Savannah was finding it hard to focus on his words. Her gaze kept drifting away from his face and out the window.
“Yeah, closing statements could come as soon as tomorrow afternoon. And from what Simmons has shared with me so far, his should pack a wallop.”
“That’s real nice.”
“Are you feeling okay?” For the first time, Gralin noticed her far away expression.
“Fine, I’m fine.”
“Look, I know… I mean, try not to let it get you down’” Gralin, in his typical shy way, said just enough.
“Thanks, Gralin. Listen, I really am glad you took the trouble to come over here. And don’t worry. I really am okay.” Savannah turned off the radio on the shelf behind the counter.
*****
Several days after the jury retired to deliberate the case against Batton Chemical, Savannah was home taking a day off from the shop at Antoine’s insistence. Since T-Leon was now going to school half a day and working in the shop half a day twice a week, her father told her to get some rest. Sure that Antoine would have plenty of help, she reluctantly agreed. It was almost noon, and Savannah still sat on the couch in the den flipping through catalogues and magazines. Tante Marie had been puttering around the house all morning. Savannah eyed her curiously. Strangely, and quite uncharacteristic of her, Tante Marie had not brought up the subject of her breakup with Paul. Savannah was beginning to think maybe she had escaped when finally Tante Marie cleared her throat loudly.
“Hump! I told your papa you was askin’ for trouble encouragin’ that what’s his name, Durwin.” Tante Marie slapped her dust cloth on the bookshelves.
“I did not encourage Devin in anything.”
“Then you stand out in front of everybody and say bad things to Paul, and you in the wrong.” Tante Marie placed a hand on one hip.
“Hey, you should be on my side. I thought blood was thicker than mud. How come I’m the one wrong? Savannah stood up to face her.
“Well, you got a point.”
“Thank you.” Savannah sat down again.
“Both y’all was wrong.” Tante Marie ambled out of the room mumbling to herself. She didn’t react to Savannah’s loud groan.
Later that night, Savannah sat in front of the television switching from channel to channel. The only sound was the soft babble of voices as one program changed after another within seconds of appearing on the screen. The loud thud of the back door told her that her father was home from the shop.
“What you doin’ still up, cher? It’s almost midnight.” Antoine had stopped in his bedroom only long enough to put on his house slippers.
“Watching television.“Savannah sat listlessly.
“That’s true enough. You watching the television, not any of them shows the way you whippin’ through them stations like that.” Antoine reached out to take the remote control from her.
“Get whatever you want, Poppy.” Savannah pulled the collar of the robe to her nose.
“Come out of there ‘tite tortue. I could always tell when you was feelin’ real low down and sad, you would cover up your little face just like a turtle. Then when I’d come ask what was wrong, all I could see was your eyebrows. And hear sniffles.” As he spoke, Antoine had pulled her to him. Feeling her tremble as she sobbed silently, he rocked her gently.
“I feel like such a fool, Poppy.” Savannah spoke hiccupping. Fumbling in her large pocket, she pulled out a wad of tissue to dab her eyes then nose.
“Now why you say that, cher? Tell Poppy.”
“First thing I do is fall for some sweet talking, no good man,” Savannah spat out the word as if naming a vile thing. “Oh, no offense, Poppy,” She added quickly between sniffles.
“None taken, cher,” Antoine said as he continue to pat her back.
“And he sells out to big business without any regard for what that damn company is trying to do us. Then he gets an attitude just because I have dinner with an old friend, even though I told him it was possible and there was nothing to it. And he accused me of being deceitful, of using people.” Savannah’s tearfulness was giving way to anger.
“It can go hard when a man and woman trying to work through to get to each other. There’s gone be up and down.”
“There won’t be another time for us to be up. He never completely trusted me. Finding out about my dinner with Devin just brought it out into the open.”
“So that’s it then? Maybe if you try to talk about it?”
“No, Poppy. It’s over.” Savannah sat back from her father. “And I plan to forget about him. Life’s too short.”
Savannah picked up the remote control from between the sofa cushions where it had fallen. She switched to a shopping channel where they were advertising cookware.
“You sure you gone be all right, cher. You know it hurts me to see you so torn up.” Antoine brushed her hair away from her face.
“Getting one of your special hugs has done the trick, sweet Poppy. You wait and see. I’m going to be better than ever.” Using both arms, Savannah squeezed him tightly.
“Well, I guess I’ll go to bed.” Despite his words, Antoine paused in the doorway.
“Goodnight. Oooh my,” Savannah said, yawning widely, “I’ll probably be going to sleep soon, too.” She sank back in a relaxed pose.
Savannah waited until she heard the slight sound of her father closing the door to his bedroom. Tiptoeing to the hall, she saw the thin line of light at the bottom the door go out. Wide awake, she returned to watch the large screen. Her face showed none of the optimism she had expressed to Antoine.
*****
Though the jury had been deliberating for the fourth day now, Savannah took little interest. She threw herself into the shop, decorating, attending a huge retailers market in Lafayette, doing everything she could to keep her mind occupied. Perched on a high stool with her back to the front door, Savannah carefully unpacked a box of ceramics shipped from a craftswoman in Mamou. In an instant the air grew still and seemed to thicken. The hair on Savannah’s arms stood up. Every muscle in her body tensed at the sound of a familiar voice.
“Well, why you not hanging down out at the courthouse?” LaShaun was inside the shop yet Savannah had not heard the bell.
Forcing herself to turn slowly, Savannah tried not to appear rattled. “Business has to be carried on.” She began putting the new merchandise on the shelves near the large plate glass window.
“Lord, thought a legal eagle like you would be all caught up in the case. Haven’t you been helping that white lawyer, Simmons?” LaShaun strolled over where Savannah stood.
“Some, Gralin is mostly doing the work.” Savannah moved away from her quickly.
“But I hear you’ve been gathering all kinds of helpful information. Got just stacks of research done. Burning the candle at both ends, so I hear. Better slow down, you need your sleep.” LaShaun followed her closely around the shop.
“My sleep is fine if it’s any of your damn business.” Savannah’s voice began to rise.Turning around shakily to face LaShaun, she gripped a corner of the main glass counter to steady herself. Savannah found she was
alone in the shop. With a start, she saw LaShaun outside walking away casually. Not breaking her stride, LaShaun waved over her shoulder as though she knew the instant Savannah would see her. Savannah closed her eyes to whisper a short prayer. Shaking herself, she got busy again.
An hour later, Leon came to work all raw adolescent energy and raring to go.
“Hey, Miss Savannah. Did those new ceramics come in? Did Mr. Antoine tell you she’s my fourth cousin on my mama’s side? Man, I bet these thing gonna move like crazy. Mr. Antoine says I can have a percentage of the sales, sort of a commission. We gonna have a booth at the festival, that was my idea, too.”
“Yes, T-Leon.” Savannah had to chuckle as he spoke in a rapid fire of words hardly noticing she barely had a chance to answer.
“Savannah, Gralin just called. The jury done reached a verdict.” Antoine rushed with Tante Marie close behind struggling to keep up.
“Y’all go on. Me and T-Leon can look after things here.” Tante Marie gave T-Leon a peck on the cheek.
“Come on, cher. We don’t wanna miss this.” Antoine stood at the door impatient to leave.
Savannah had indeed hesitated, unsure that she wanted to return to the last place of her painful exchange with Paul. Yet she could think of no ready excuse to avoid it. As they hurried the four blocks to the courthouse, another thought panicked her. Almost as if conjured by her, Paul appeared at the top of the steps heading inside ahead of them with the Trosclairs and Singleton. Naturally he would be there. If he could face it, then so could she. Antoine and Savannah could feel the crowd growing behind them as word spread through town that a verdict was reached. Because they had only been a few blocks away, they were able to get into the courtroom. They squeezed their way into space left at the end of a bench about midway up the aisle. Not long after that they heard the sheriff’s deputy announce that the courtroom had reached maximum capacity.
“Frank Junior, you let me in there.” Miss Lucille barked at the massive black deputy blocking her entrance.
“Now, Miss Lucille, I got to follow the fire marshal’s orders. It’s not safe letting too many folks crowd in here.” Frank’s voice pleaded with her for understanding.
“Fire marshal, huh? You see him in here?”
“Miss Lucille, Please—”
“You think he standing outside counting to make sure you not one over? Stop talking foolishness.” Miss Lucille came in the door. A young man gave her his seat.
“Et bien! He should have known better.” Antoine laughed along with everyone nearby.
Savannah did not hear them or her father. Her eyes scanned the crowd to locate Paul. Without thinking, she rose slightly from the seat. Devin was seated at his counsel table with the Trosclairs and Singleton. He was the picture of confidence. Turning to speak to Claude, he saw Savannah. Seeing her above the crowd, Devin gave her a dashing smile and wink. Savannah looked away without returning his greeting and found Paul’s gaze moving from Devin to her. Savannah plopped down in her seat in an attempt to escape the accusation she read there. The judge gave a succinct summary of the issues the jury had to consider before asking if they had reached a verdict.
“We have your honor. On the question of whether the facility is a legitimate recycler of hazardous waste, we find in the favor of the plaintiff.” The short stout woman foreman sat down as the crowd reacted with rumblings that grew louder.
“Does that mean we won?” Antoine spoke into Savannah’s ear so she could hear him above the noise around them.
“It does, now the judge will decide if Batton Chemical violated any laws. And they still have another hearing on alleged hazardous waste storage violations and air emission violations.”
“What does that mean?” Antoine almost had to shout.
“Batton Chemical could be fined over a billion dollars if found guilty on all 3,000 counts plus the over five years of operating in violation of the Clean Air Act.”
Judge Duplessis banged his gavel insistently to silence the audience. The loud shouts were a strange mixture of celebration and angry protests. The deputy had removed several men whose anger at the verdict was so great they would not sit down and shut up when ordered. Once the noise subsided, the judge began the business of setting dates for the penalty phase.
*****
Outside Savannah stood with her father waiting for Gralin and Simmons to emerge. The crowd had quickly dispersed aided by the deputies.
“I thought there was going to be a riot,” Savannah said glancing around them uneasily.
“You got what you wanted. Now we prob’ly gonna lose them jobs,” Manny shouted.
Surrounded by a group of equally scruffy looking characters, he glared at them as a deputy urged them to move along. Seeing Sheriff Triche’s patrol car pull up, they hastened away yelling insults as they left.
“That’s good, boys. Clear this area up fast so’s we won’t have no trouble out here. Lord, I knowed it didn’t matter what the verdict somebody was gone be might mad.”
“They’ll calm down some. He ain’t closed the plant yet.” Antoine nodded to the sheriff.
“I hate to be pessimistic, but dis here is going to be boilin’ for a good long time. Let’s hope it don’t boil over into nothin’ too bad.” Sheriff Triche tipped his hat to Savannah before moving away to talk to a group of his men.
Savannah and Antoine were soon joined by members of the Citizens for a Clean Environment. Savannah tried to feel their elation with the verdict but could not. The memory of her caustic encounter with Paul over a week ago in front the courthouse after his testimony cast a dark cloud over her, a bleak shadow that blocked sunshine. She could still see bitter dislike in his eyes. Nodding mindlessly to something that was being said to her by one of their neighbors, she saw the Trosclairs emerge from the courthouse. Claude appeared to be giving instructions to Devin and Singleton. By the grim expression on his face, Savannah could tell he was not at all happy with the responses Devin was giving him. Paul trailed behind them at a small distance. Claude turned and motioned for him to come closer. As Paul approached, Claude began an earnest discussion with him, Devin, and Singleton. Quentin Trosclair stood behind his grandfather looking strangely left out, a scowl twisting his face.
“Yeah, they steady plottin’. Already plannin’ what to do next.” A woman spoke with scorn misunderstanding the look of concern on Savannah’s face as she watched the men.
“Yeah, but they gone hafta do up some schemin’ to get outta this one.” Mr. Gaston, another member of the committee, gave a sharp laugh.
“Didn’t get a chance to say nothin’ to Paul, huh?” Antoine said as they walked back to the shop.
“Just as well.”
*****
While Savannah went about the shop dusting shelves that did not need it, rearranging already perfectly arranged merchandise, Antoine gave Tante Marie and T-Leon a detailed account of the events at the courthouse. Savannah finally went into the office.
“We plannin’ a celebration, child. Miss Lou done already called us before y’all even made it back here gettin’ the menu lined up.” Tante Marie sat heavily in the chair across the desk from her.
“That’s nice.” Savannah began to shuffle papers in front of her.
“You can’t enjoy ‘cause of breakin’ up with Paul. An’ quit rattlin’ them papers. You didn’t come in here to do no work.”
“Look, it’s over between me and Paul, I was angry—“
“And hurt, too.” Tante Marie broke in.
“Well he did say some things that hurt my feelings, but I’ll get over it. Life goes on.”
“Maybe instead of tryin’ to pretend you gone get over him, you oughta try to meet him half way and work it out. I watched y’all; there was something powerful between you. Reminded me of Antoine and Therese.”
“No! We were nothing like that,” Savannah said, her voice raspy with emotion.
“Cher, you listen to me—“
“No, Tante Marie. I have no plans to spend m
y time feeling bad about some man who doesn’t care enough about me to trust me. Now, let’s not waste any more time talking about it.”
“All right, Miss Know-it-all. I guess you know what you’re doing.” Tante Marie gave a short snort before leaving.
“As a matter of fact I do.” Savannah jerked a large accounts book to her and plunged into the figures.
Savannah was still sitting at the desk several hours later when the jingling of the bell brought her out into the shop. Devin stood smiling as he leaned against the counter.
“I wanted to—” Devin began.
“Gloat? Those little scenes you acted out in front of Paul at the courthouse were worthy of an Oscar nomination.” Savannah gave him a fierce stare.
“Act? I didn’t have to pretend, sweet. We did have dinner. It isn’t my fault you got caught.” Devin, wearing a smug grin, shrugged.
“I didn’t get caught because I wasn’t doing anything wrong,” Savannah said in a voice taught with fury.
“Then why didn’t you tell him we were going out to dinner?” Devin gave her an amused look.
“I did mention we might—,” Savannah falter acutely aware of her own complicity in giving Devin ammunition. “That’s none of your business. You deliberately behaved as though there was something between us,” Savannah snapped.“Isn’t there?” Devin looked her up and down with a leer. “There was a time—“
“Yes, was, past tense. There was a time I thought you were someone I could care for and trust. You even came close to convincing me that sabotaging my work was all Karen’s idea. Seeing you in action now, you know what I think? I think you used us both so you could be the only senior associate left when Clayton and the other senior partners decide on a new partner.” Savannah glowered at him. She was convinced Karen’s troubles at the firm came from Devin’s machinations.
“Seems losing your engineer has not only made you bitter, but paranoid. I guess dinner before I leave for Shreveport is out?” Devin cocked his head to the side as he regarded her. Seeing her wrathful expression, he gave a theatrical sigh. “I suppose so. Well, it’s goodbye then.” He turned to leave.
“Goodbye. And Devin,” Savannah called causing him to hesitate at the door. “With any luck the Trosclairs won’t take it out on your career because you were their lawyer when they lost a big case that could cost them a billion dollars. Oh, maybe not. Maybe at his age, Claude Trosclair’s famous long memory is failing. So long.” She smiled maliciously.Blinking rapidly, his smug look faltered as anxiety took hold. Her glee at shaking his composure was short-lived. Once again she thought of Paul. Somehow she had to take hold of her emotions and go on without him in her life. She forced images of his face from her mind. Frightened that stronger memories would plunge her into a paralyzing sadness, Savannah went back to her work with grim determination to think only of the tasks.