Charley (29 page)

I looked … I was totally dumfounded.

“Ronnie is gay? Ronnie, I had no idea. I thought you and Wilma were a couple. So that’s why you and Mom never married. Damn, I wish I had known.” I kissed my friend tenderly on the cheek.

Shelby continued. “So we put the building in a trust, with the children of all three as beneficiaries.”

“And Ronnie?”

“Good question. If one of the partners was childless at the time the trust was liquidated, the childless partner would receive a child’s share of the proceeds.”

Ronnie interrupted Shelby and cut in. “That’s right, Charley. I wanted to give up my share, but they wouldn’t let me.”

“What about the monthly lease money?” I asked.

“The trust charged a fair market lease. After expenses, the three of us split the proceeds.  Jimmy and I sent you, Teresa and Randle to college. Ronnie has been hoarding his money, haven’t you Ronnie?”

“I don’t plan to retire broke. Might find me a partner to spend it with,” Ronnie replied and gently laughed.

Shelby explained, slowly and concisely. “The trust will be liquidated, and ownership of the building will revert to the beneficiaries, Ronnie, and you, and Teresa, once the oldest child is thirty five. Charley, you’re thirty-two now and Teresa is thirty-three. So in two years, the building will belong to the three of you.”

There was a long silent pause while I digested this unexpected news. Internally my heart was pounding, but my mind was actively running through the possibilities.

I can use the building for leverage, and open another place in Green Hills or Cool Springs, and Ronnie can run one, and PJ can retire from coaching and help me …PJ? … What does he think about this?

A wave of sadness seemed to immediately overwhelm the joy.

This might make it harder for us.

A sideways glance toward PJ confirmed my worries. “PJ what do you think?”

With a big stage smile, he took my hands and quietly said. “I think Randle would be happy for you.”

When he hugged me, I could feel coolness in his touch. He stepped back, and continued to smile as Shelby and Ronnie pushed forward to congratulate and hug me. I glanced at PJ. He was standing by the wall in the corridor smiling.

I caught his eye and whispered, “I love you”. I knew I had some work to do with him on our relationship.

Ronnie and Shelby were all smiles as we walked out of the Bank. “Come on Charley,” Ronnie cried. “You and PJ join us for a drink at The Captain’s Table. We need to celebrate.”

I looked at PJ and smiled. ‘You guys go on, PJ and I need to talk.” PJ followed me as I walked out of the bank Building and turned left toward Jimmy’s. “Are you okay? I got the impression you were less than happy about the way this turned out. Am I right? What’s going on in that brain of yours?”

“I don’t know Charley, but you’re right, I’m not as excited as you and the others seem to be.”

“Why did you say Randle would be happy for me?”

“Sometimes people just say dumb things. I guess that was my dumb thing.” PJ laughed, but not the har-har laugh he usually displays when he thinks something is funny. 

“Please PJ be happy for me.”

“I am happy for you. You’re going to keep your restaurant without taking on any partners and Shelby seems inclined to loan the money you need. You’re going to be able to build Jimmy’s into the kind of business you and Randle always thought about.”

I was feeling increasing uncomfortable and unhappy about the tone of the conversation. “Randle and I never planned on taking over the business. He hated the business and I did too until I was forced to run it.”

“I know Charley. I guess I’m a bit depressed because I know this ties you even tighter to Nashville. Don’t worry, I’ll get over it.”

“PJ, don’t feel that way. We’re going to figure this whole thing out, okay?” I was not as convinced as my words would suggest, but I prayer something would work out.

“Speaking of ties, I left mine at home. You guys have any decent places in Nashville to buy a tie?”

It was not hard to see PJ was ready to change the subject and I guess I was as well. It was the same problem and the solution did not seem anywhere in sight. “Come on, let’s take a short road trip, I want to show you a different part of Nashville.”

*****

We sped down I-65 south headed for my favorite shopping place, the Cool Springs Galleria. I knew we could get a bite to eat at the Sportsman Grill and then head over to Belk’s Department Store to get PJ a tie.

As we sat down at the Sportsman’s Grill, PJ’s spirits seemed a little better. Sportsman’s looks like a mountain retreat complete with antlers, stuffed animals and a huge rock fireplace that commands the entire back wall. The roughhewn log tables and wooden chairs complete the atmosphere. “You know this looks just like a place that Vincent would love to own and cook his special kind of steaks. I bet he and Marlene could make a fortune here.”

“Better not tell him. If he left the University, my boys would starve, they love his cooking.”

We talked about Vincent and Marlene and the University and the good times he had there. We even touched on Rachel Thomas.

“What is going on with Rachel?”

“Charley, she didn’t come to basketball practices that next week. I heard from Mary Lou she had a talk with Dr. Underwood and decided to drop out this semester.  One of her friends then told Mary Lou that Rachel had decided to transfer to Ohio State; something to do with Curtis being too small and confining.”

“I genuinely wish her well. She had some problems; I hope she gets them worked out.”

We walked into Belk’s and I led PJ to the Men’s department.

“How do you know your way around in the Men’s department?”

“An old friend of mine is on the Board of the local Boys and Girls Club. I met him when we did a joint project and a friendship just grew. Steve’s a good guy, you’ll like him.”

We rounded the elevator and stepped into Steve’s world of ties, shirts and accessories. Steve’s face brightened as I walked to him and gave him a huge hug. “We need a tie, my friend.”

Steve, at five-seven, looked up at PJ. “Who’s your friend, Charley?”

“Steve, I would like for you to meet PJ McCoy. He coaches the Curtis University Bulldogs in Ohio. PJ this is Steve Johnson, my good friend from way back.”

Both men smiled and extended their hands. Steve stepped back, “Say didn’t you play basketball for the Grizzles a few years back?”

“It’s been awhile, but yes I did.”

“I had some insurance business in Memphis and would take my clients to see you whenever you were in town. Even went to a Boys and Girls Club function in Memphis, I think you were the featured speaker. I followed you ever sense.”

“That’s where I met Charley, what a coincidence.”

“Well, I hope you get back to this area often. You have a lot of fans here. Now about that tie you’re looking for. How about a bow tie, it’s the style nowadays?”

As we were leaving, I asked Steve.” How is the novel coming on?”

“It’s slow, real slow Charley, a labor of love. But I work on it during lunch and breaks so I should have finished it by the Fall.”

“What is it about, Steve?” PJ asked, with an interested look on his face. “What’s the title?”

“The title is simply … Girl with Pearls. It’s a romance about a short, overweight old guy and a beautiful young woman. Kind of like Charley and me”

PJ laughed heartily.

“Steve, don’t talk like that. I replied jokingly. “We need to keep our romance under cover; can’t let everyone know!”

I kissed Steve on the cheek and took PJ’s arm. “Besides I’ve got a hot one on the line now.”

The heads of those nearest the entrance turned, as I strolled through the double doors into the Grand Summit Hotel ballroom. I felt truly elegant in my jet black strapless gown, gathered at the waist and flowing gracefully to the floor. I could see that my new hair coloring was a big hit as well. I had it pulled into a French Twist showing just a hint of neck. To complete the look, I wore three unequal strings of pearls around my neck. There was a distinct hum from the women, as they wondered out loud about the identity of the handsome man on my arm.

PJ’s athletic frame was dressed in an expensive black suit, starched white shirt and black sateen bow tie. When we walked into the center of the gathered business leaders, all eyes were upon us. I felt like royalty. “Good evening, Mr. Mayor. I would like for you to meet PJ McCoy. PJ, this is Ronald Lopez, the mayor of Nashville.”

Grasping PJ’s hand in the two handed politician’s grip, the mayor questioned him. “I remember a McCoy that played for the Memphis Grizzles. Any relationship?”

“He’s one and the same,” a new voice rang out from the back with a loud laugh. “
The
one and only! Good to see you again, PJ.”

Suspecting PJ may not remember the man behind the voice, I introduced him. “PJ, you remember Bob Wells? He’s the Head of the local ABC affiliate.”

Diverting his attention from the mayor, PJ smiled. “Sure I remember Bobby Boy. Only he was a cub reporter just learning something about basketball when I first met him. I see you’ve been moving up in the world. Gained a little weight and lost a little hair haven’t you? Good to see you again, my friend, how are you?”

“Great PJ. I was actually planning to see you when the Coach’s Convention was in town. On your last night in town, I was going to take you out and show you some real Nashville nightlife.”

“Sorry I missed that Bob. I had a nice quiet evening however.”

Bob continued. “I had intended to talk some business with you that night.”

Smiling, he turned to me and said. “Charlotte, can I borrow your young man for a few minutes, before he gets away from me again? I’ll bring him back before dinner, I promise.”

“Okay, Bob, but don’t be long, I need him. See you in a few minutes, PJ.”

A table for ten had been reserved up front for us. When PJ returned with Bob, everyone was now seated. I began more introductions. “PJ, you’ve met Mayor Lopez. This is his vivacious wife Delores. Bob, you already know, and this is his lovely wife Tony. The beautiful blond is Juanita Smelling. She and her gorgeous partner, Sharon Gasser, own a women’s gift shop in East Nashville, an area of town experiencing a dramatic renewal. This young man is Bobby Wagner and his talented wife Debbie. Bobby and I went to high school together.  He was the lead detective on the case when Randle was killed. Debbie is a concert violinist. Did I say it correctly this time, Debbie?”

“You got it right this time,” Debbie replied, laughing warmly. “Except that I really teach history, and play violin as a hobby but happen to get paid occasionally!”

Everyone else laughed.

 “I stand corrected …again! Everybody, this is PJ McCoy, former Memphis Grizzles basketball player, and now a successful coach at Curtis University in Ohio.”

PJ stood up briefly. “Hi, everyone, would you all wear your name tags, because I’m not sure I can remember all of your names. And ladies, please forgive me in advance. I really am looking at your name tags.”

“There will be a test later, Coach,” Sharon Gasser shrieked, giggling loudly.

They all seemed to know who he was. News certainly travels fast in Music City. The traditional seating was man, woman, man, woman, around the table. PJ sat between me and Delores Lopez. On my other side sat Bobby Wagner and his wife. I didn’t plan it, but how ironic? An old boyfriend on one side and current boyfriend on the other, all rubbing elbows at dinner?

All nine of us were old friends, and we attended many functions together. This Chamber of Commerce awards dinner just happened to be the current excuse. We talked and laughed our way through a standard hotel prime rib dinner. No flavor, cold and generally not very appetizing, but we didn’t care. The friendships were the important thing. PJ fitted in beautifully, talking sports and mildly flirting with the other ladies at the table.

Debbie asked. “How do you like Southern women then, PJ?”

PJ grinned and glanced at me. “You are all beautiful and charming!”

Debbie leaned forward, and with a twinkle in her eye she cooed in her best Scarlet O’Hara voice. “Why thank you sir, you are most kind.”

Everyone laughed when I faked a frown, and retorted. “Back off Apple Blossom, he is well and truly taken.”

Bobby, her husband, was looking bewildered, until Debbie leaned over and kissed his cheek, saying …” and mine is taken too.”

Sensing a little tension in Debbie’s remark, I looked at Bobby and I knew that he had told Debbie about us. They seemed to be working things out. Their tab at Jimmy’s was growing, so I assumed they were now finding more time for each other. Good!

The dishes were cleared and the program began. The MC for the year was Dr. Stephen Jackson, chairman of the History department at Vanderbilt University. Juanita and Sharon were jointly honored as business persons of the year. Through their persistence, a particularly depressed part of historic downtown, that had once been the economic center of Nashville, was now being amazingly revitalized. For the civil servant of the year, Mayor Lopez placed second. The award for excellence in economic development went to a young businessman, who had brought in three new companies with a combined one thousand eight hundred and forty seven new jobs. And so the awards continued …

Finally, the portly President of the prior year’s Chamber called for everyone’s attention. “Ladies and gentlemen. It gives me great pleasure to introduce the last of the Chamber honors this evening and that is the presentation of next year’s President of our Chamber of Commerce. Had she not been elected President at last month’s meeting, she would have been nominated for, and won, virtually every honor we have presented tonight. Without further ado, I am pleased to present the next President of the Chamber … Ms. Charlotte Howard.”

PJ leaned over and kissed my cheek, smiling. “I didn’t know, you should have told me. Congratulations.”

He stood with the audience and applauded loudly, as I approached the podium with a light step, almost floating across the floor. I knew the presentation was coming, but I couldn’t help feeling proud of myself. Poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks had finally made good and I beamed radiantly as the gavel was passed over to me. “Thank you, Dr. Jackson.”