by Emery, Lynn
“So this is Erikka. Gabriel, you hit the jackpot!” Vince fell more than sat into a chair. “But then you always seem to come out smelling sweet.”
“Uh, I’ll go get us that coffee.” Erikka glanced from Vince to Gabriel as she left.
Gabriel waited two seconds before he grabbed Vince by the shoulder. “Straighten up, Vince.” Gabriel said, working hard to keep his voice down.
“Least you got a woman still around. As usual you’re one up on me. Go on, rub it in.” Vince waved a hand and lost his balance in the process.
“You could have a nice woman if you didn’t get piss-ass drunk and act a fool,” Charles snapped.
“Vincent, what’s gotten into you?” Rachel snapped.
“Trish ended it. Took me by complete surprise. I thought everything was going fine. I mean, we had a few fights now and then. But we always made up and—” Vince inhaled, and let out a long breath as though to steady himself.
“Can’t say I blame her. Look at you,” Charles mumbled, and stuck both hands in his pockets.
“Right, shouldn’t have expected sympathy from any of you. I’m going to get out of your way.” Vince made two attempts to stand. On the third try he wobbled to his feet just as Erikka returned.
“Here’s your coffee,” Erikka said.
“Make mine to go. I’m the fifth wheel that’s a crowd,” Vince said.
“I’ll drive you home. You can get your car tomorrow,” Charles growled at him.
“I made it here, I can make it home.” Vince attempted to push past Gabriel. When Gabriel shoved back, Erikka got between them.
“Come on, Vince. Let’s go into the den. A little pie and coffee will make things right.” Erikka put a hand on his arm.
“Don’t baby him. What about your family, Vince? Think beyond self-pity for a change!” Gabriel blurted out.
Vince went rigid. “Listen to the wounded artistic soul. Our parents always put him first, even when he was screwing up. They made excuses for him.”
“Shut up,” Gabriel warned. Rage burned in his chest as he faced his brother.
“He’s become an angel. Look closely, and you’ll see his wings. He beats them in my face every chance he gets,” Vince spat.
Erikka put both palms on Vince’s chest to push him farther from Gabriel. “Okay, this isn’t the time for frank discussion and sharing.”
“How did you thank us? By running off and leaving the family to take the heat. We lost more money.” Vince pointed a finger at him.
“What are you talking about?” Gabriel said.
“Oh, Dad didn’t tell you?”
“That’s enough, Vincent. I mean it.” Rachel’s voice sliced through the tense scene.
“No surprise. Before our little sister relieved me of that burden, I ran the business. That’s right. I did. Dad sank into depression, couldn’t get out of bed for days. But we were all supposed to pretend you weren’t at fault.” Vince’s voice got louder with each word.
“Stop this,” Erikka pleaded.
“No, no. Gabriel values the truth. Well, here’s a great big whopping dose of it,” Vince went on. “A lot of folks just didn’t want to deal with the Cormiers. I kept the business afloat. Didn’t help my marriage either.”
“Screwing half the women in Lafayette didn’t help your marriage,” Gabriel struck back.
“We tried to make it work,” Vince shouted. “The stress got to Sonia. I spent so much time at work, with Mom. The whole time they were defending you and criticizing every move I made.”
“So, it’s all my fault that you swam in expensive liquor and cheap women.” Gabriel tried to ignore the roaring in his ears, a rage that blocked out reason. Vince had always been jealous of him to the point of paranoia. “You’re sick.”
“I said stop’,’ Rachel shouted.
“I have definitely overstayed my welcome,” Vince muttered.
‘True, but you’re still too drunk to drive. Charles, take Vincent to the car.” Rachel wore a hard expression as she frowned at her oldest child. Her posture dared him to argue.
“Yes, ma’am.” Vince shuffled down the hallway ahead of his father.
Rachel looked at Erikka. “I’m sorry you had to witness this unpleasant scene. I expected better from you under the circumstances, Gabriel.”
“I’m sorry, Mother, Erikka.” Gabriel took a deep breath and let it out.
Rachel smiled as she picked up her small purse. “Gabriel was right, Erikka. Your pie was delicious. I en¬joyed dinner. You must come to our home next time.”
“I look forward to it,” Erikka said, falling right into the pretense that this had been a routine “meet the family” night.
Erikka led the way, walking with Rachel to the front door. Gabriel trailed behind feeling the entire scene was surreal as the women chatted. He accepted his mother’s good-night kiss. Gabriel and Erikka waved to Charles, who stood by the car.
“G’night, Erikka,” Charles shouted. “Had a great time.”
“We’ll finish those jokes later,” Erikka said, in a cheery tone that sounded strained.
They watched the Lincoln disappear into the night before they both went back inside. Gabriel sighed and rubbed his eyes.
Erikka looped an arm through one of his. “I’ll load the dishwasher. You’ve done enough for one night.”
“I’ll help.” Gabriel smiled down at her.
They walked to the kitchen holding on to each other. Erikka put the plates in his dishwasher while Gabriel put away the leftovers. Neither spoke as they worked. Once Gabriel put the heavy pots in with the dishes, they headed for the den. Gabriel sat on the sofa while Erikka turned on the big-screen television.
“You have serious sibling-rivalry issues. Y’all make me and Jaci look like the Cosby kids,” Erikka said softly.
“Yeah.”
Gabriel held open his arms. When she came into them, Gabriel sighed. Her warm body felt good. For the first time the touch of a woman quieted his edginess. His head cleared quickly. Back in the day, his anger would take hours to go away. Erikka stroked his biceps with her hands.
He relaxed into the lush womanliness of her. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.”
Content to feel each other, they watched a movie with sound so low neither could hear the actors. Not that it mattered. Gabriel was just grateful not to face the empty night without her. Minutes passed before either spoke.
“How’s work?” Gabriel had enough of his family for one evening. He turned all of his attention to her.
Erikka lifted a shoulder. “Okay, I guess.”
“Really?” Gabriel felt her mood shift to one of unease.
“Don’t start,” Erikka said, and tried to pull away.
“Start what?” Gabriel replied, pulling her right back against him.
‘The ‘I told you so’ speech. Working with Lewis, Calder and Brinkhaus can cut years off my career climb. I’m making contacts in a world most of my classmates only dream about.” Erikka’s words came out hard and insistent.
“So I understand,” Gabriel said, and shut up. Erikka seemed intent on convincing herself there was no reason to worry. Lines of worry in her forehead said she hadn’t been quite successful.
“Believe it or not, accounting can be a contact sport. We go after the big jobs, so we have to deliver,” Erikka went on.
“So, the problem is,” Gabriel said, with a long pause.
To show he was being empathetic, Gabriel stroked the small of Erikka’s back. Her grateful sigh went through him and caused his body to stir. They swayed together gently. When Erikka kissed his neck, Gabriel’s desire for her rose.
“The problem is this one company. I don’t know. The three executives seem so cold-blooded.” Erikka gave a short laugh. “And that’s saying something coming from a bean counter.”
“Executives have to make hard decisions sometimes.” Gabriel breathed in the scent from her hair.
“My recommendations might mean reduced be
nefits. The alternative is a big layoff. I guess playing in the big leagues has a downside I didn’t expect.” Erikka pressed a palm to his cheek as she looked into his eyes.
Gabriel gazed back and saw how much she needed him. Before she’d wanted him, for sure. Tonight was different. She did not need him to suggest a solution. Moving and shaking in the big leagues was her game anyway. No, Erikka needed him to reassure her she wasn’t like them. He could see that in her eyes.
“You were hired to suggest ways they could cut back. How they do it is their decision.” Gabriel fingered the soft cotton T-shirt she wore with blue jeans. His hands moved down her back. The curve of denim over her delicious bottom turned up the heat.
“How did we get on accounting?” she whispered.
“If I could think straight right now, I might be able to tell you.” Gabriel had closed his eyes sometime in the last few moments. He guided her hands along his body.
Taking her hand, Gabriel led her into his bedroom. He turned the lights down. A soft yellow glow bathed the room. The bed was turned down. Erikka turned on the radio. They slow danced and undressed each other between kisses. Her tender touch smoothed away any leftover bad vibes from his fight with Vince. In fact, her loving sharpened his mind and senses. Before pushing everything aside but her, Gabriel made a vow. He would find a way to heal their decades-long rift, a gulf that needed closure. Vince and he would be old men before either of them knew it, and life was too short.
“Baby.” Gabriel sighed into her thick hair.
There was nothing more he could manage to get out. She’d given him so much in such a short time. He cupped her breasts and licked each nipple with a kind of reverence. As she tugged him along with her to the bed, Erikka moaned his name deep in her throat. Gabriel picked up the tiny foil square from the nightstand and tore it open. Erikka took it from him. Her fingers teased him higher as she unrolled it over his erection. Seconds later he entered her. His first thrust made her whimper for more, and he knew that long foreplay would satisfy neither of them. They made love hard, fast, and as though they had no time left.
Enjoying their mutual animal abandon, Gabriel watched her expressions. Her beautiful face yanked at his insides until he felt a wonderful pressure. Letting it build, he pushed into her faster, harder. No need to ask if he was hurting her. Erikka rocked along with him as though she could take whatever he gave. She shivered inside, pulled him along as she came. Seconds later, Gabriel seemed to black out, except he could feel. Every inch of his body came. The orgasm claimed his mind, traveled down the length of his body, and reached into his soul.
“Honey,” Gabriel said once he could breathe normally.
“Ummm.” Erikka still lay beneath him.
“Good job leaving the office behind.”
Gabriel rolled his weight from her. In one motion he lay next to her and tucked her bottom against his pelvis. Drifting off with her in his arms was sweet. The muted light faded to black. Then he floated in a suspended-time- and-place dream world.
***
The next morning Erikka smiled down to her toes as she hit the OFF button on the cordless phone. She’d only left him a few hours ago. Now he wanted to go for a Sunday afternoon drive. Heaven.
“Gabriel is very thoughtful. I’m happy for you,” Darlene said. She looked up from the pile of papers strewn on her dining room table.
“He’s my reward after suffering through a lot of fools,” Erikka said with a laugh. Her laughter died at the expression on Darlene’s face.
“Must be nice. I wouldn’t know that feeling.” Darlene went back to the work she’d brought home.
“Listen, I’ll stay here and help you. Gabriel will understand.”
“No he won’t, and I wouldn’t blame him. Besides, I don’t need help. Go have fun. Somebody ought to.” Darlene rubbed her back and winced.
“You were up when I got in this morning and now you’re at it again. Did you even go to bed?” Erikka sat down in the chair across from her.
“Oh I went to bed for about a minute. One thing about not sleeping, I get a lot done.” Darlene picked up a sheet of paper. She squinted at it before making notes.
Erikka glanced around the room. Darlene was right. The house looked so clean she imagined it was germ-free. A speck of dust would have felt guilty showing up anywhere.
“By the way, thanks for ironing my clothes while I was asleep,” Erikka said. She hadn’t even heard Darlene.
“Hey, Moms.” Malik bustled in. “Thanks for proofreading my paper. Man, my Sunday is free now. I’m takin’ a cruise with my boy Vondrae.”
“You know when to be home,” Darlene said sharply.
“Yes, ma’am, no later than seven. Bye, cuz.” Malik kissed the fingertips of one hand and waved them at Erikka.
“Bye, shorty.” Erikka winked at him.
“Dang, Darlene. Slow up. We’ll get fat and lazy with you doing everything for us,” Erikka teased, hoping to get a smile.
“I’m not doing anything different than what I usually do,” she asserted without looking up.
“Uh-huh.” Erikka drummed her fingers on the table. “Guess you haven’t heard from him.”
The faint scratching sound of Darlene’s pen moving across the paper stopped. Darlene sat perfectly still for so long Erikka held her breath. She’d waited for some storm of emotion to break, but Darlene was calm. Too calm.
“I’ve thought about just what I would do if Kelvin came back. Of course he won’t. So, doesn’t make sense to even think about it,” Darlene said in a toneless voice.
“Maybe you need to talk to somebody. That therapist I saw in Lafayette has two partners, and they—”
“What I need is to save the center and my job.” Darlene finally threw the pen down. She rubbed her eyes hard. “Half the people in town won’t speak to me. I know the board is getting phone calls demanding they fire me.”
“That’s not fair. You’re a victim, too,” Erikka said heatedly.
“Not in their minds.” Darlene pressed her lips together. “Anyway, so far the board hasn’t brought up firing me. Doesn’t mean they won’t, though.”
“I’m sorry you have to go through this crap.” Erikka looked at her aunt. Darlene’s skin seemed rougher. She had permanent lines of worry etched around her eyes and mouth.
“My biggest worry is Malik. He’s almost gotten into three fights at school defending me. I appreciate his principal being so understanding.” Darlene picked up her pen again.
“Let me look over the bank account. I can put together a plan the board will get behind.” Erikka tapped a clump of papers.
“I have to do this, Erikka. Thanks anyway. I don’t want them causing you problems.” Darlene seemed to regret her last words. She pursed her lips.
“What?” Erikka frowned.
“Small-town folks with small minds.” Darlene let out a hiss of air. “Some people implied that you maybe had something to do with the money being taken. They brought up your past.”
“Of course. I’m a liability to you right now.” Erikka chewed a thumbnail
“No, you’re not. Anyway, what counts is how I take care of this.”
“You’re not in this alone. Get me copies of those statements and checks. Overtime or not, I’ll look them over.”
“I already know what happened. Alexis sent me a copy of all the checks that went through. Someone took checks out of sequence, which is why I didn’t miss them. They forged Carmel’s signature. The bank wasn’t suspicious because the checks were written to businesses that we buy supplies from every month.” Darlene did not look at Erikka as she spoke.
“And you think you know who did it. Darlene, I don’t think you should protect this person. Call the Sheriff.”
“No,” Darlene said with force. She took a deep breath.
“You balanced the accounts faithfully and thought you had enough money. Some thief stole checks after you reconciled the bank statement last month. I understand this is a small town. You’ve known
the employees and the folks who come to the center all your life. But still—”
“Erikka, please. I’ve got to deal with this in my own way.” Darlene’s expression closed. She shuffled papers then went back to writing.
Erikka watched her work for a moment. She wished hard for the right words to make Darlene see reason or at least feel better. When nothing came to mind she gave up. Two hours later Gabriel arrived and rang the front doorbell. He must have seen the frustration on her face.
“Hi, babe.” Gabriel kissed her, and then stood back. He wore dark sunglasses. “Who made you so mad? And I’m glad it’s not me.”
‘Tell you later. Come say hi to Darlene. Be extra sugar on top nice,” Erikka whispered.
“Sure.” Gabriel took off his glasses when he came inside.
“Hey, Dar. Look who’s here.” Erikka hugged one of Gabriel’s husky arms.
“Good seeing you again.” Gabriel flashed his handsome smile at her.
“Hi, Gabriel. Y’all have fun today.” Darlene smiled back at him. The effort to be sociable seemed a strain.
“Such a pretty Sunday morning should be spent outside, not buried in work. Join us,” Gabriel said. He hooked the sunglasses on the chest pocket of his blue T-shirt.
“Normally I’d be at church, but these days,” Darlene fell silent. “Anyway, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but no thanks.”
“Oh, come on. There’s a crafts fair over in New Iberia. On the way back we can have lunch on Jefferson Island.” Gabriel used his most gracious manners.
Erikka would show her gratitude later. With such a tall, dark, and handsome incentive, Darlene seemed to waver, but only for a moment. Erikka saw only a brief spark that died quickly. She wondered if Darlene would ever be the same.
“No, y’all go ahead. I’d just obsess about this mess the whole time anyway.” Darlene turned her attention back to the papers before her.
Erikka exchanged a glance with Gabriel. He shrugged as if to say he’d tried. “Okay. I’ll be back in a few hours. We’ll talk more before I leave.”
“Sure,” Darlene replied, still reading.
Erikka lingered until Gabriel tugged her hand. She finally nodded and followed him out. Once they were in his truck, she still had doubts. Gabriel sensed what she felt.