Soulful Strut (27 page)

“Listen, Candi. This goes for y’all, too,”
Sherrial said to Tyeisha and Lenore. “Don’t blow this chance. I’ll
help you get tutoring if the academic part is a problem.”“That’s
great, Sherrial. ’Cause I didn’t pay enough attention in class. You
know, it wasn’t too cool with my posse back then.” Lenore lifted a
shoulder.

“Mine either,” Tyeisha agreed. “Plus I was
more into hanging out with my boyfriend than studying for good
grades.”

“Well, this is another opportunity to do
good. All of you have brains. I’m not even worried about that. Just
keep your focus.” Monette started to mention that she had as much
on the line getting them in the program, but she decided that went
without saying.

Yarva came into the room still wearing her
work uniform with her name stitched on the shirt. She leaned
against the doorframe. “Hey. I missed the bulletin announcing this
meeting.”

“Monette got us into ha program at Second
Chances. It’s called Opportunity Knocking,” Tyeisha said. She
looked at Monette with a smile. “I’m getting excited the more I
think about it. Especially since I’ll be with y’all.”

“Whoop-dee-doo. A new sitcom called Ghetto
Goes to College.” Yarva shot a glance at Candi, who did not look at
her.

Monette swallowed the stream of four-letter
words she wanted to spit at her. Instead she ignored Yarva. ‘The
applications are short and sweet, ladies. Sherrial has already
printed out background summaries with her recommendation.”

“I also got your parole and probation
officers to fax over their approvals,” Sherrial said, taking
Monette’s cue to ignore Yarva.

“You counted on us saying yes. Pretty
sneaky.” Lenore shook her head with a smile.

As the women put their heads together to fill
in the blanks on the two-page form, Yarva gave a grunt of derision.
When no one paid attention to her, she grabbed a magazine, sat down
and pretended to ignore them. Monette helped Candi write in the
answers. They got into a good- natured quarrel as Monette teased
her about being the last one to finish.

“You can’t be lazy and expect I’m going to
hold your hand. So get that out of your head right now.” Monette
carefully slid the paperwork back into her folder.

“I’m not used to all of them big words.
Besides, ain’t you supposed to be our mentor?” Candi said in a
crabby tone.

“Don’t confuse mentor with me being your
chump,” Monette flung back at her.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m exhausted from all this
brain work. A warm shower is in my immediate future.” Candi
stretched.

“You’re gonna do good. I know it,” Monette
said.

“We’ll see,” Candi replied.

Lenore stared at the folder in Monette’s lap
as though she wanted to grab her application back. “I’m not going
to say anything to Ramone just yet. I mean, not until I’m sure this
will work out”

Sherrial cut in before Monette could speak.
“That’s up to you, Lenore. Of course if he really cares about you,
Ramone will be supportive.”

“Men don’t always see things the same way.
I’m not even sure taking classes is right for me. But I’m willing
to try.” Lenore gave them a weak smile.

Monette followed Sherrial to her office. Once
the door closed, she let out a noisy sigh. “I sure hope it’s not
this much work the whole time they’re in the program. I’m
drained.”

“Yes, I know what you mean, Tyeisha sees the
potential.” Sherrial frowned for a few seconds, and then her face
cleared. “I think once they get into Opportunity Knocking, Candi
and Lenore will see it too.”

Sherrial started in on finishing up the rest
of the paperwork. As she watched the social worker print out her
summaries, Monette decided she would buy into Sherrial’s optimistic
outlook. Getting her friends to agree had been the hard part,
especially Candi. Now all she had to do was make sure they did not
get discouraged. Minutes later they walked down the hall to have
the women sign the completed forms.

“Maybe you’re right. Everybody wants
something to look forward to in life.” Monette began to believe her
own words. “Once they all see the possibilities, they’ll buy into
it”

“Assuming they don’t listen to Yarva.”
Sherrial grimaced as though she could see Yarva’s permanent sour
expression.

“Amen to that, sister,” Monette agreed with
vigor.

“I’ve got an idea. Include Yarva in the
group,” Sherrial said low as they got to the door to the small
living room.

“Girl, that joke ain’t even funny,” Monette
retorted. She looked at Sherrial, who nodded eagerly. “No.”

Sherrial’s idealistic zeal made her brown
eyes light up. “The best way to neutralize an opponent is to make
her a partner. Yarva is so negative because she doesn’t have much
to look forward to, Monette.”

Monette snorted loudly. “Next you’re gonna
click your ruby slippers together and chant, ‘There’s no place like
home.’ Wake up, Dorothy.”

“I’m serious. Yarva could benefit like the
others.” Sherrial turned and almost bumped into Yarva.

“I got better things to do anyway,” Yarva
said.

“Quit bitchin’ about your job and the way
folks treat you. Apply and prove Monette is wrong,” Candi called
from across the room. Then she looked at Monette. “In your book you
said even the toughest case deserves a chance.”

Monette looked at Yarva. She felt sure Yarva
would always be her own worst enemy. Still, how could Monette
argue, when Candi was throwing her words back at her? Monette let
out a sigh. “Well, I did say that.”

“Screw that Mickey Mouse program. I’ve got my
own plans,” Yarva blurted out before Monette could say more. She
scraped Monette with a head-to-toe glare, then stomped away.

“We tried.” Monette gave a silent sigh of
relief. She had enough challenges without having to watch her back
at Second Chances, too.

“Maybe she’ll change her mind. You could have
put some effort into making her feel welcome,” Candi said in a
tight voice.

“Hey, she’s grown. Have you changed your
mind?” Monette returned Candi’s stare.

“Nah, I’m in,” Candi muttered with less
enthusiasm than before. She followed the same path Yarva had taken
down the hallway.

Sherrial gazed after her with a worry line on
her forehead. “I hope they do well.”

“Look, you give folks the opportunity. It’s
up to them to make the most of it.” Monette shrugged. Still, she
had to wonder if offering them a spot at Second Chances had been a
mistake. She’d find out soon enough.

Chapter 13

The rest of the week whizzed by. Monette
spent every waking moment working, either at Second Chances, the
radio station or on her book. When her lawyer called to tell her
that her pardon hearing had been pushed back, Monette surprised him
by being relieved. She hated being in the custody of the Louisiana
Department of Corrections. Yet, like most of the women in her
program, she did not look forward to having her hopes smashed.
Better to have room to breathe for a few more weeks, she explained.
The hearing would take place in another month. When Friday came,
only then did Monette realize she hadn’t heard from Jayson. She sat
in the living room with her AlphaSmart in her lap, writing
away.

“Don’t tell me you are gonna be sitting here
on a Friday night.” Lenore came in. She dabbed makeup on her
cleavage in an attempt to cover freckles. “Damn it.”

“I’ve done my share of partying. More boring
evenings at home would have probably kept me out of prison. Have
fun.” Monette smiled. Still, the chatter of several more women on
their way out reminded her she had nowhere to go.

“Hey, Monette. The invitation stands. You can
hang with us. We’re going to that free concert in the park
downtown,” Candi said from the doorway. Yarva and Tyeisha were with
her.

Yarva kept walking. “Come on. I don’t wanna
miss a note of that blues. Move it.”

Tyeisha laughed. “Yeah, I guess old school is
okay once in a while.”

“Youngster, please. You better recognize your
heritage. Where do you think hip-hop got its roots?” Monette
said.

“They got a little somethin’ for everybody. I
like the way they combine hip-hop with blues.” Candi did a passable
imitation of dancers they’d seen on music videos.

“Now that is a mixed groove that should be
nice,” Monette agreed. “But nah. I’ve got work to do. Besides, a
little quiet time won’t hurt me.”

“Let’s go, y’all. I skipped supper so we
could eat downtown at one of those food stands.” Yarva danced
toward the front door.

“I’m right behind you.” Tyeisha waved
good-bye to Monette, and then did a shuffle to a silent beat right
behind her.

Candi lingered a few seconds. “Sure you want
to wait around for him to call? That ain’t the woman I know.”

“Writing, not waiting,” Monette countered.
“I’ve got way too many deadlines.”

“You could break from that stuff a little
while,” Candi said. She started to say more when the phone rang and
another resident yelled to Monette.

“Hmm, phone call for you. Wonder who that
could be?” She grinned at Monette, who pointedly ignored her.

Monette was on her feet and past Candi before
she could finish. “You’ve got someplace to go. Bye,” she called
over her shoulder on the way to the phone.

“Glad to see you wasn’t waitin’ for Jayson to
call,” Candi whispered as she followed her. She laughed when
Monette made an obscene gesture with one finger.

Once the front door shut, Monette paused.
Candi’s comment had hit a nerve. She did not want to appear too
eager. Then she felt foolish. Miss Inelle stood over her with one
hand on her hip.

“You holding that phone for a reason I
guess.” Miss Inelle looked at Monette with a curious
expression.

“Call for me. Hello.” Monette gave her an
embarrassed smile, and then she spoke into the phone at last.

“Humph. Must be a man,” Miss Inelle muttered
and left.

“How was your week?” Jayson said.

“Crazy. Glad it’s over,” Monette said. She
tried to keep cool.

“Same here. I’ll bet you’ve eaten.”

“Not much,” Monette said, then decided to
clarify that statement. She didn’t want him thinking she’d lost her
appetite because of him. “I didn’t like what we had for supper
tonight.”

“Great. Sorry I didn’t call earlier, but I
had a couple of last-minute customers show up. I was thinking we
could get some Chinese food and just chill.” Jayson’s deep voice
issued a seductive invitation that implied wonderful things.

“I could eat some Chinese.” Monette grinned
so widely that her cheeks ached. “Give me twenty minutes to finish
up something and get ready.”

“You got it. Pick you up at seven-thirty.
Hey, you.”

“Yeah?” Monette’s fingers gripped the
receiver hard.

“Through all that mad drama of the week I
still had time to miss you like crazy,” Jayson said. “See you in a
bit, baby.”

His enticing words propelled her forward.
Monette was more than ready to get out of the halfway house. She
did take time to finish another page of chapter ten in her book,
and then she rushed upstairs, showered and changed. Off went the
sloppy drawstring sweatpants and faded but much loved Southern
University T-shirt On went her new denim skirt and pink cotton
pullover shirt When Monette went downstairs fifteen minutes later,
Lenore was on the phone. She spoke softly, her voice urgent.

“Alright, Papi. I said alright” Lenore said.
She noticed Monette and switched to Spanish. After she hung up,
Lenore sat looking at the phone for a few seconds.

“Everything okay, girl?” Monette said,
keeping her tone light.

“Uh-huh.” Lenore did not move. Nothing in her
posture indicated she was okay.

Monette glanced through the window next to
the front door. Jayson was not outside. “You don’t sound so sure.
Tell me what’s going on.”

“Nothing, really. I mean Ramone is just a
little upset ’cause I took too long getting to the phone. Like he
thinks Rachelle lied when he called earlier and she said I was
cooking. I tried to tell him I didn’t go nowhere.” Lenore bit her
lower lip. “He’s gonna be here to pick me up in a few minutes.”

“Ramone is a control freak.” Monette became
worried, because Lenore looked so anxious. “Don’t go anywhere with
him. Lenore, I noticed the bruise on your cheek.”

“I tripped. Fell against the door,” Lenore
replied in a dull voice. The explanation sounded like a well-worn
lie that came out automatically.

“What door? When?” Monette took a step toward
her.

“It was...” Lenore glanced up at Monette, “at
his cousin’s house. Loose rug on the floor.”

“Loose hands from Ramone, you mean. Look, you
better stop coming up with phony alibis to protect his ass. Press
charges if you have to, just don’t take it anymore.” Monette could
too easily see herself reflected in Lenore’s dark eyes.

“I can’t do that to him. Ramone would go to
jail for a long time if I called the police. He’s trying so hard.
Seems like everything is against him. This guy on his job isn’t
treating Ramone right.” Lenore twisted her hands together.

Monette bit back a tart reply. Ramone was a
classic abusive male. Everything wrong in his life would be an
excuse for taking his rage out on Lenore. Still, Monette knew that
if she criticized Ramone again, Lenore would defend him even
more.

‘Trying to make it in this world with a
prison record is rough on us all.” Monette could only bring herself
to make a neutral remark.

Lenore nodded eagerly. “Ramone is smart,
Monette. Every time he gets a job, his bosses end up being jealous.
They know he should be running things. They sabotage him.”

“Uh, yeah.” Monette walked with her to the
living room. “Work can be hard.”

“You know what it’s like.” Lenore sat down in
a chair. “Sure do. Let’s talk about what you want. Must make you
feel bad that Ramone is angry all the time when you didn’t do
anything.” Monette sat in the chair across from her.