After All (10 page)

“
What?” Michelle traced a
line on the table top in a pile of sugar.

“
That we still care
something about each other. It means...” Anthony placed his hand on
hers.

“
I don't want to rush into
anything, Anthony. The distance between us has been more than just
miles and time. Maybe the best we can hope for is to be friendly
acquaintances who speak politely if we happen to meet.” Drawing her
hand back, Michelle avoided his eyes.

“
Why can't we be friends who
get together occasionally for lunch or dinner? I know you're seeing
someone. I'm not trying to get in your business, but if he has a
problem with it I'll understand.” Anthony's jaw tightened and he
gripped his coffee mug.”I mean, if y'all agreed to not see other
people.”

“
Dosu isn't like that at
all. He's the most secure person I've ever known.”Michelle had no
intention of telling him that her relationship Dosu was more of a
trusted confidant than lover.

“
Then what's the
problem?”

“
It's even more than that.
Eventually we'll be arguing about your Uncle Ike again.” Michelle
bit her lower lip. Anthony's bond with Ike ran too deep. Maybe
deeper than his feelings for her?

“
We're adults now. We don't
need to keep fighting the battles of our families. If we
concentrate on us, then we can get past it.” Anthony tugged at her
hand to get her to look at him.”At least give it a try.”

“
Let me think about
it.”

“
Okay.” Anthony held her
hand for a few moments before letting go.

The rest of the evening was less tense
and they talked about what each had been doing for the past five
years. Watching him, Michelle was struck by how he had changed yet
remained the same. Though he was more self-assured, he could be
just as boyishly enthusiastic about his interests. His eyes lit up
as he talked about his volunteer work with teenage boys. He totally
lost all self-consciousness as he described the outreach programs
his church had instituted. Michelle felt growing admiration for the
man he had become. With a mixture of dismay and satisfaction, she
admitted that she indeed wanted to be with him. But, she told
herself firmly, only for friendship. Nothing else was
realistic.

“
Well, I had a really nice
time.” Michelle unlocked her front door and turned to face
him.

The scent of his cologne beckoned to
her tantalizingly, an invisible magnetic force she had to pull
against. Michelle gave a slight shake of her head to clear it. His
deep, rich voice sent a tremor through her.

“
So did I. See you soon?”
Anthony's eyes smoldered with fire.

Michelle couldn’t move or break away
from his compelling gaze. “Yes,” she breathed. Realizing she was on
the brink of promising much more, she shoved the door open behind
her.”Goodnight.”She had to get away fast.

“
Goodnight,
Chelle.”

Shutting the door behind her, Michelle
stood in the middle of her living room trying to slow her
breathing. With each passing minute. She tried to convince herself
that she could keep him at arm’s length. No ma'am, she told herself
sternly. You are going to stick to the original plan and keep him
out of your life. Even as the words rang in her head, Michelle felt
a tickling of doubt that she could or truly wanted to be without
him.

***

“
Girlfriend, jump on it is
what I say.” Laree lifted a fork filled with salad. Waving her
hand, the lettuce swung crazily. “Honestly, I don't know why you
even have to think about it.”

“
Amen. I mean, he's fine,
successful, smart, and goes to church. Honey, if you don't jump on
it, somebody will.” Shantae dabbed wiped her mouth with a napkin
before taking another bit of her shrimp po-boy.

“
Y'all know perfectly well
what happened. I called his Uncle Ike a scumbag, more than once. It
kind of put a strain on the relationship last time.”Michelle picked
at her salad.

“
So? The man told you all is
forgiven and apologized for the way he acted. What more do you
want?” Shantae lifted a shoulder slightly.

“
Yeah, what's the deal?
Besides, all that stuff happened a long time ago,” Laree
said.

“
The deal is Ike Batiste
sucked my father into a business deal that almost ruined him. When
the you-know-what hit the fan, Ike Batiste came out smelling like a
rose. He didn't lift a finger to help him. Daddy paid a huge fine
that sent him into bankruptcy, and Ike Batiste kept right on making
money.”Michelle put her fork down.

“
Michelle, you won't be
dating Ike Batiste. Anthony didn't have anything to do with what
his uncle did,” Shantae said.

“
Shantae, I can't just
pretend everything is cool. Every time I see the man, I get ticked
off all over again. And Anthony is still real close to his uncle,”
Michelle said.

“
Lots of people don't get
along with their boyfriend’s relatives. But you can get around it,
girl.” Shantae tapped the table with one long, fuchsia colored
fingernail.

“
I doubt it.”Michelle shook
her head.

“
Yes you can. Naturally you
can't attack the man every time you see him, but you can learn to
put up with him.” Shantae leaned forward.

“
Michelle has a point.”Laree
screwed up her face.

“
Say what? You just finished
saying it was no big deal.” Shantae's mouth dropped
open.

“
Yeah, but the more I think
about it, the more I think Chelle is right. I read this article in
Essence Magazine--”Laree stopped eating.

“
Here we go,” Shantae
blurted.”This woman plans her whole life on magazine
articles.”

“
No listen, this noted
African-American clinical social worker wrote about factors that
contribute to a relationship or marriage not working. High on the
list was conflicts with in-laws.”Laree held up a
forefinger.

“
It just so happens I
remember that article, thank you. She also said that two mature
adults committed to each other should make it clear to both their
families that their relationship comes first. And if possible,
avoid subjects and situations that lead to arguments.”Shantae
smiled at Laree smugly.

“
I'm so confused,” Michelle
groaned.

“
Bottom line, do you want
him?”Shantae sat back and eyed her intently.

“
I--, we--” Michelle
stammered.

“
Yes or no,” Shantae
demanded.

“
It's not that simple.”
Michelle turned to Laree for help.

Laree's eyebrows arched. “Don't look at
me.”

“
Uh-huh, that's what I
thought. Like I said, jump on it.”Shantae resumed eating dismissing
Michelle's attempts to protest.

Michelle breathed deeply. “Thanks a
lot.”

“
Michelle, you know what you
want to do. You just don't want to admit it.” Shantae had not the
slightest look of sympathy for her.

“
She's right, girlfriend. If
you didn't have strong feelings for the man, we wouldn't even be
having this discussion.” Laree changed sides again.

“
Y'all don't get it. This
isn't some Luther Vandross love song video. This is real life. I
don't think the past can just be swept under the rug. No, friends
maybe but that's all.” Michelle stabbed a cherry tomato with force
as she pretended not to see the skeptical looks Laree and Shantae
exchanged.

***

Michelle paced up and down. At his
request, she had agreed to meet Greg Matthews at the Greyhound Bus
Station. He had been reluctant to explain exactly why he needed to
see her, which made her very worried. So far, she had done three
stories profiling residents of public housing. She wasn't at all
sure how long before even Gerald Mansur would begin to question her
progress on the investigation into the Housing
Authority.

Glancing at the large clock above the
ticket counter, Michelle whispered a curse word. Greg was now
twenty minutes late. She became uncomfortably aware that a group of
three men were eyeing her movements. The oversized sweater she wore
did not entirely disguise the soft curves beneath it. Michelle
tugged at the hem to make it stretch wider. One spoke low to the
others then came towards her. To her great relief, Greg came
through the glass doors behind them.

“
Hey, Greg. Over here,
honey!” Michelle waved enthusiastically to him. As he approached,
obviously puzzled at her reaction, she grabbed his arm. “Thank God
you finally showed up.”

“
Oh, yeah. Sorry.” Greg gave
the man a warning stare until he and his buddies retreated to a far
corner.

“
My wife had to work
overtime which meant I had to pick my son up from football practice
after school.”

“
Next time let's meet at the
public library, okay? Now, what's going on?” Michelle sat next to
him in the garish blue vinyl chairs. There were only a handful of
people waiting in the large lobby.

“
My friend says she's going
to need more time before she can get the copies. Seems Ms. Kinchen
has hired on some new office staff. They're always around since
she's training them. My friend can't get to the files without
somebody wondering what she's up to.” Greg sat hunched forward as
if cold.

“
How much more
time?”Michelle's heart sank.

“
Maybe another week, maybe
more. If Ms. Kinchen takes them out to the different housing sites
it could be next week, but my friend isn't sure when that's gonna
be.”

“
Damn. No way she could do
it after hours?”

“
Nope. Could be she's a
little paranoid 'cause of what she's planning, but she thinks Ms.
Kinchen is watching everybody,” Greg said.

“
She may be right, Greg.
I've done some reports on residents in the projects. They may
suspect something else is coming.”Michelle's brows drew together.”I
don't want her to take any risks with her job. Guess I'll just have
to be patient.”

“
Yeah, it's worse than
that.”Greg twisted his hands nervously.

“
How?”

“
There's some rough dudes
working at the Authority now. James Bridges has been taking guys
outta prison and getting 'em jobs there. At least ten of 'em
working in maintenance now.”

“
Nothing wrong with giving
brothers a break. Or is there?”Michelle was even more intrigued at
this news.

“
Yeah, except these guys are
sorta like enforcers. I hear they been strong arming people into
giving them money, radios and stuff to make sure they get repairs
done. Ain't nobody talking 'cause they too scared. Maybe even
dealing outta the apartment complex for old people on Gracie
Street.”

“
Those no good--, tell your
friend to take her time and get me everything she can. We're going
to do this right so we can nail as many of them as we can.”Michelle
was angry and disgusted.

“
I hope so. Nobody's been
able to do it before. Listen, ma'am, you better be careful
too.”Greg's eyes were full of concern.”They can get pretty
nasty.”

“
I'm not worried. They may
get really mad about reporters, but even most criminals know it
doesn't pay to bother us. It just makes reporters start nosing into
their business.”Michelle smiled at him reassuringly.

***

As it happened, Michelle had an
interview the next day with LaWanda Sibley, a young single mother
of three living in a subsidized apartment complex in the northern
part of the city. LaWanda had struggled to finish a nursing
assistant course at a local vocational school and was still trying
to get a job. Greg had given Michelle her name. At LaWanda's
suggestion, Michelle came in the mornings since most of the young
thugs and drug dealers slept until early afternoon.

“
Hey, girl. You was kickin'
it on TV the other night. You gone be in charge down there 'fore
long.”LaWanda met her at the screen door with Relondo, her two year
old baby boy, perched on her hip.

“
Thanks, but I don't think
so.”Michelle grinned as she tickled the baby. His plump brown face
dimpled with mirth.

“
You know you will. Anyways,
that was good. When you gone show me?”LaWanda put the baby down on
the worn sofa next to her. He stood on wobbly legs, one hand
clutching the front of her blouse, the other stuck in his
mouth.

“
Next Tuesday.”Before
sitting down, Michelle had to push a heap of toys from the sagging
chair. She helped LaWanda toss them into an empty cardboard box
that held other toys.”How've you been?”

“
Same old same old. I got
applications in at all the hospitals but I ain't heard nothin' yet.
So, I just been catchin' up on all my favorite soaps.”LaWanda
jerked a thumb over her shoulder at the television.

“
Don't be discouraged.
You'll get something.”

“
I guess.”LaWanda brushed
her hand over Relondo's bushy black curls. Her expression said she
was used to disappointment. In her life, not getting a job barely
above minimum wage was certainly not the biggest one she had
experienced.