Soulful Strut (37 page)

“What are you saying?” Jayson’s brow furrowed
as he leaned in, as though he couldn’t have heard her right.

‘This whole idea of meet the family is—I’m
not feeling it.” Monette swallowed hard and looked away.

“Meaning?” Jayson pressed. He continued to
stare at Monette.

“I don’t think it’s such a great idea,”
Monette said. She looked at him again and smiled. “What we have is
sweet. Why mess with perfection?”

“You make it sound like we’re just out to sex
each other. Little bit of this and that, no biggie.” Jayson’s eyes
narrowed.

“Of course we’ve got much more than the
physical thing.” Monette could not continue to hold his gaze. She
studied her tea glass. “Let’s keep it simple is all I’m
saying.”

“Monette, you’ve become an important part of
my world. And you know how I feel about family. I don’t see keeping
you separate.” Jayson huffed with frustration. He put an arm around
the back of her chair. “I thought we were on the same page about
where our relationship was headed.”

“Keeping it between us, sure. I want you and
all that.” Monette touched his strong hand.

“‘All that’ means planning a future together.
The first step is to become one as a family. Yours and mine,”
Jayson said softly.

“Honestly, I just don’t see your dignified
family and my rowdy relatives in the same room. Child, one day
you’ll thank me,” Monette said with a grin. Her attempt at humor
fell flat with him.

Jayson’s tight expression did not unwind.
“Listen, if this is about Lenae, then we should discuss it. We
can’t expect her to adjust overnight.”

‘Tell you the truth; I can’t deal with it
right now. I’m still sweating this pardon thing, trying to hammer
out another book, and that’s not all. More pressure is the last
thing I need.” Monette tried not to sound snappish, which was how
she felt. “We both need to feel comfortable about the whole thing,
right?”

“Right.”

Jayson took his arm down from behind her. He
gazed at his hands clasped together on top of the table. The
waitress came and left the bill when Jayson assured her they didn’t
want dessert. Once he’d paid, they left Kiva’s. Neither said a word
as they got into his Jeep. As Jayson drove off the parking lot,
Monette searched around for something to say. She darted glances at
his somber profile. When he didn’t make a move, she turned on the
compact disc player. Jayson put all of his attention into
driving.

“I hope this isn’t our first fight,” Monette
said after a few more minutes. The silence was worse than talking.
She almost wished he would yell at her.

“No. You’ve made your position clear,” Jayson
said in an even voice. “I misunderstood where we were headed.” “Can
we take it a little slower? For the past year my life has been like
the starship Enterprise going at warp speed. I’ve got so much to
live up to these days. I know I come across as the smart-ass
comeback kid, but I’m scared. About a lot of stuff.” Monette
blinked hard to keep from crying. “The idea of facing your family
and being judged by them as well threw me.”

Jayson slowed the Jeep as they approached a
traffic light, which turned yellow, then red. He sighed and rubbed
his face with one hand. “Yeah, I see what you’re saying.” Monette
exhaled with relief. “I appreciate you being patient with me.”

“Just tell me one thing.” Jayson looked at
her.

“Sure, baby.” Monette put a hand on his solid
thigh.“When will you be ready? Your past won’t change. Pardon or
not, my family will still know about Winn Barron and the rest.” The
intensity in his eyes did not waver. Despite his calm tone, he was
demanding an answer.

“Umm, maybe when I’m not juggling so many
things,” Monette replied.

He drove on when a horn behind them honked.
“Right.”

“Look, we’ll both have a lot less on our
plates one of these days. I mean, you’ve got the business and plans
to expand. Slowing down could be good for you—and especially
Lenae,” Monette said rapidly. The tightening of his jaw muscle
worried her. Jayson’s handsome profile seemed etched in stone.

“I’m ready. Lenae will get used to it faster
if she sees us together more. But I guess that’s out since you
don’t want us spending time together.” Jayson’s voice had a dead
quality to it.

“No, we can take Lenae out with us once in a
while,” Monette said.

Still, she dreaded seeing those intense
little eyes watching her every move and finding her inadequate.
Lenae saw right through Monette. She knew that Monette would fail
at being a stepmother the same way she had failed at being a
mother. Jayson must have heard a hint of fear in Monette’s tone. He
reached over and pried her fingers loose as they twisted
nervously.

“Honey, it’s okay. Slow,” Jayson said softly.
Compassion and understanding were reflected in his eyes when he
glanced back at her.

Monette felt a tear slide down her right
cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you back,” Jayson said, then turned
the Jeep toward his house.

* * *

Monday morning had been going pretty good.
Monette felt refreshed from the weekend. She’d left KTQL and gone
to Second Chances. Paperwork and phone calls had filled up two
hours. The frenetic pace had worn her out by lunchtime. She was
about to leave when Danica came in.

“Hey, girl. I was on my way out,” Monette
said. “Gotta get more work done on that book or those folks will
demand their money back. And we can’t have that.” Monette tossed
items into her briefcase. She laughed and glanced up. Danica wore a
grim expression.

“We might have a problem. There has been a
string of burglaries in the businesses around two of our job
sites,” Danica said, then stopped when the door opened. Kim came
in, looking just as gloomy.

“And?” Monette prompted.

“One of the businesses, a temp agency, is in
the same block where Candi and Lenore work. The first-floor office
is missing a computer, a fax machine and a copier. A secretary
blabbed to the investigating officers that two ex-convicts worked
in the next building.”

Candi worked as a clerk in a small
business-supply store, and Lenore was an apprentice assistant
manager at a spa. Both job sites were located in a busy, upscale
shopping complex. Danica had set up on-the-job training for them
using contacts she’d made through the Baton Rouge Chamber of
Commerce. Monette knew full well that any serious problems could
hurt Danica’s chances to use those contacts in the future. Still,
Monette’s first instinct was to defend her friends.

“Wait a minute. First, the office staff where
they work shouldn’t have gossiped about our participants with
anyone,” Monette snapped. “Second, we know how so-called normal
folks view ex-offenders.”

“That was my reaction in the beginning, too,
Monette. But Candi didn’t help matters either. Seems she got chummy
with the janitorial crew that cleans the buildings in that area.
That could be where it came from. I had to talk to her about it.
Apparently she started dating one of the men. He’s married. His
wife came to the office and made a big scene the other day.” Danica
held up both hands. “I’m just finding all this out.”

“Only a couple of secretaries were at the
office,” Kim added. “Candi persuaded them to keep it quiet. With
the police showing up to investigate the burglaries, more problems
came out.”

“Such as?” Monette thought of Candi. She
could see her permanent wise-ass expression as clearly as if the
woman was standing in front of her.

Kim and Danica exchanged a glance. Then Kim
spoke up. “Candi started balking at taking instructions from some
of the younger secretaries. Nothing serious. But the office manager
met with her twice and got attitude back from her.”

Danica sighed in resignation. “Lenore has
been messing up as well. Taking fifteen-minute breaks instead of
ten minutes. Talking on the phone too much. Hanging out with Candi
when they both should be working.”

“I get the impression that the office
managers were, uh, reluctant to tell us all this before.” Kim
cleared her throat.

Monette crossed her arms. “You mean scared of
them.”

“They didn’t come out and threaten them,” Kim
said.

“There are all kinds of ways to intimidate
someone.” Monette knew all too well the methods of bullying
employees without making a direct threat. She’d seen it done in
prison countless times.

Danica nodded. “Yeah. Those ladies begged us
not to say who told. I think they’re scared of Candi.”

“They need to straighten up their acts.”
Monette scowled at Danica and Kim as though looking at the two
culprits. “We’ll make damn sure they get the message. Still, that
isn’t a reason to accuse them of stealing.”

“They’ve been wandering all over buildings
they had no business visiting, Monette. Lenore and Candi put
themselves in a position to be suspects, if you ask me,” Kim said
bluntly.

“We should get all the facts first,” Danica
replied.

“And pray some reporter doesn’t get hold of
this,” Kim said with a frown.

Monette’s heart thumped hard enough to make
her chest hurt. “Baton Rouge has lots of burglaries. No reason
these should draw special attention.”

“Let’s hope not. We don’t need that kind of
press. I’ve spent four years building up relationships and a
reputation in this city.” Danica sat down hard and rubbed her
forehead.

“We need to find out about the police
investigation from Mr. Hargrove. He should have copies of the two
reports he filed for insurance purposes,” Monette said. She rocked
her chair as she talked. “Tell him to fax them to us.”

“Assuming they have a fax machine left,” Kim
blurted out.

“Don’t even joke about that,” Danica tossed
back with a grimace.

“I was just saying—” Kim started to
argue.

“Okay, ladies, take a deep breath and relax.
There is no reason to think the worst,” Monette said, forcing a
light tone in her voice.

“I’ll go get the police reports.” Kim strode
out wearing a serious expression.

“We have to jump on this thing fast,
Monette.” Danica’s tone said she wasn’t looking forward to it.

“I know. Get Candi and Lenore in here. I’ll
deal with them,” Monette clipped. “I talked you into giving them a
chance. I should have known better.”

Danica stood. “Don’t take responsibility for
their behavior. They’re adults. Besides, you didn’t talk me into
anything. I agreed that they were right for Opportunity Knocking.
So did Sherrial and Trudy.”

“Yeah.” Monette didn’t feel any better. Just
like with Jayson, she knew full well that her powers of persuasion
had made a difference. More than ever Monette wondered whether, for
all her big talk, she had truly changed.

“Don’t beat yourself up about this. Most of
the staff has gone to lunch, and the girls won’t be here until
around three o’clock.” Danica stood and tugged her short jacket
into place. The soft olive green suit she wore made her look ready
to take care of business. So did her determined expression. “Bring
them to my office.”

“Okay.” Monette tried to take some comfort in
her words as she went to the conference room, where Lenore and
Candi were joking around.

“Hey, Monette.” Lenore grinned at her.

“What’s up?” Candi snapped her fingers and
pointed at Monette.

“We need to talk. Follow me to Danica’s
office.” Monette stared at them without smiling.The women exchanged
a glance and stood. Candi shrugged, then walked past Monette.
Lenore chewed her bottom lip. She seemed about to speak but instead
followed Candi out. None of them spoke in the few moments it took
to arrive at Danica’s office. Monette had composed herself in that
time. When the three women entered, Danica nodded at them.

“Have a seat, ladies.”

“Wow, so formal. Kinda like that. About time
we get treated like ladies. Hello.” Candi sat down in one of the
chairs in front of the director’s wide desk. She crossed her legs
and gazed back at Monette with a bland expression. Her mouth worked
as she chewed a wad of gum.

“Hi, Danica,” Lenore said softly. She darted
a nervous gaze at Monette as she sat on the edge of another
chair.

“It’s a pretty day. Lenore and me was gonna
just hang out downtown since we got off early. How ya doin’?” Candi
said, as though she did not notice the tension in the air.

“I had a nice morning. The afternoon hasn’t
started off quite as well.” Monette looked at Candi as she shifted
in her seat.

“Who spoiled your day?” Candi bounced her
crossed leg and snapped the lump of gum she chewed.

“Nobody spoils my days, ’cause I don’t allow
it. But I may be about to spoil yours,” Monette replied in a cool
tone that concealed the white-hot fury she felt.

“Oh?” Candi did a perfect imitation of being
surprised.

“I’m pulling you both from the job sites.
We’ve had complaints of you two not doing your work, hanging out
and more. You’ll get the details in writing in the morning.” Danica
crossed her arms and waited.

“You can’t fire us. We were hired by those
companies,” Candi said. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Monette
defiantly.

“Wrong. You’re probationary and still under
our agreement,” Monette snapped.

“I checked the program description. Once we
finished that on-the-job trainin’ and started workin’, we don’t
have to be under you. Our office managers will keep us on.” Candi
popped her gum again and smiled.

Monette could have easily leapt across her
desk and slapped Candi in that moment. She tightened her crossed
arms to keep the ghetto girl in her from breaking out Monette took
in air and let it out slowly. She forced her arms to loosen as she
did so. A commotion would definitely draw notice.

“Don’t count on it. They have bosses, and
they don’t want you back. For now you can stay in the program, but
only if you work on the job-search module. We’re not paying you to
do nothing,” Monette said flatly.