Soulful Strut (29 page)

“Feels like I’m floating in a dream. But
where I come from is real.” Monette looked at him. “A tough, mean
place in more ways than one.”

“But you’re not tough and mean. A survivor,
yes. I admire how far you’ve come.”

His gentle touch and the way he looked at her
caressed away Monette’s reservations. She turned away from him and
gave a self-conscious laugh. “The neighbors are going to report
prowlers if we keep sitting out here.”

“Then let’s go inside, dance and whatever.”
Jayson sealed his offer by covering her mouth with his full
lips.Monette forgot about debates on politics and social class. She
only thought of the promise he was making to her. When their kiss
ended, Monette gasped. “Dance and whatever.”

“Yeah.”

Jayson pulled her from the truck and led her
into his condo. When the door closed, Jayson pushed her against it,
lifted her skirt and drove her insane with the tips of his fingers.
By the time they were undressed, Monette did not remember how or
when they’d ended up in bed. The world dissolved into taste, touch
and sound. The rhythm of their bodies matched a throbbing beat from
the stereo system speakers. From deep in her mind she heard an old
song from D’Angelo. “Brown Sugar.” Jayson lifted her up as though
the tune meant more than music.

At one masterful stroke that made her call
his name, Monette opened her eyes. She raked her fingernails along
his cinnamon-toast-like flesh. Monette panted, tried to say his
name again. Jayson looked into her eyes from his position on top
and thrust again, willing her to give in completely. But she didn’t
want to, not yet. Fascinated by what she saw in his cocoa eyes,
Monette clung to him. Without speaking, Jayson told her what she’d
always wanted to hear. With every breath he wanted only her. Each
sinuous motion of his body made a pledge that went beyond the
physical. No differences separated them. Only the present mattered.
When he groaned her name, Monette let go. Ecstasy sent electricity
through every inch of her. Apart from loving him, Monette did not
exist for a sweet time that ended much too soon. They held each
other, too shaken to move or make a sound. Finally another compact
disc started. Out- kast blasted out a tune.

Jayson kissed her shoulder, and then slid
over until his long body stretched beside her. “Remember jamming to
the beat back in the day?”

“After all that good ‘whatever’ I can barely
remember my name,” Monette admitted. She shuddered, stretched and
let out a slow breath. No need to pretend. Jayson had knocked any
memories of past lovers right into the trash bin at the back of her
mind. None of them could compete.

“Being inside you, wow,” he whispered and
brushed a finger along the outline of her mouth.

“Tell me this is real, Jayson,” Monette
whispered back. “Oh, it’s real, alright. Yes, indeed.”

Jayson kissed her again, turned her until her
back tucked against his flat abdomen, and fell asleep moments
later. Monette tried to feel anything but blissful. She needed to
test out the new sensation of not feeling let down, used or
discarded after sex. Nope. Her lover hadn’t lied. She’d found the
real deal.

Chapter 14

The next week Monette arrived at the offices
of Second Chances with her stomach in knots. Danica had come up
with the idea of having a grand opening, complete with media. At
Monette’s request, she did not mention Monette in the press
release. Kim, Danica’s second in command, rushed around, making
sure everything was in place. Monette had no worries about that.
The staff had done a fantastic job getting ready. The liaison with
Baton Rouge Community College worked with them so classes could
start. The women would learn basic writing skills and advanced
math, in addition to taking classes in using computer programs.
Although she hid it well, Monette’s nerve endings were raw with
worry. She kept her eyes on Candi especially. When a reporter
started interviewing her, Monette whispered a swear word and
started straight for them before she caught herself. The woman
scribbled notes while Candi ate up the attention.

“I came up hard on some mean streets. Now I’m
gonna make the most of this chance to right a lot of the wrong I
done.” Candi peered at the reporter’s notes. “Candi Lockhart.
That’s C-a-n-d-i. Be sure you get it right”

“Got it,” the reporter replied. “Exactly how
do you see this program helping you do that?”

“Once I’m on my feet financially speaking,
I’m gonna reach back and bring some young sister along. See, I
never had no mentors, not anybody showing me the right way, that
is. That’s what these young people out here need today,” Candi went
on. The reporter nodded and glanced up.

Monette listened to the truckload of bull
Candi was spreading. She lingered nearby only long enough to be
sure Candi would not take the chance to embarrass them all. Two
minutes of listening to Candi was more than enough. More than happy
to avoid reporters for once, Monette headed across the room to
where Lenore stood. Tyeisha was excitedly talking to one of the
other participants close to her age. Monette had to smile at them.
Their twenty-something eyes glowed with hope.

“I’m glad to see them so happy,” Monette said
as she nodded at the young women.

Candi joined them, gulping fruit punch. She
followed Monette’s gaze. “Yeah. She’s been chattering away like a
chipmunk on meth. Drivin’ me nuts all day.”

“Tyeisha’s mama and sister seem very
supportive.” Lenore nodded in agreement with Monette’s
assessment.

“I didn’t tell my sister and brother a damn
thing. They’d probably show up high and start a fight or
something.” Candi frowned, as though thinking about them made her
disgusted.

“Stop being so negative, Candi. Your cousin
Faye dropped by on her way from her night job. That was nice.”
Monette gave Candi a warning glance that her friend did not
notice.

“Admit it, Monette. You were scared Faye
would show up with a posse of thugs.” Candi nudged Monette in the
ribs with an elbow.

“No, I wasn’t,” Monette lied. “I’m offended
that you would accuse me of such a thing.”

“You ain’t foolin’ me.” Candi snorted loudly,
causing several dignitaries to start in surprise. She lifted her
glass to them and smiled sweetly.

“Don’t act a fool up in here,” Monette
hissed.

“Sorry. Better take off my ghetto personality
and get bourgie.” Candi lifted a pinkie finger from the hand
holding her cup of punch. She plastered on a fake smile. “I’m so
thrilled to be here.”

“I’m helping you out. Don’t make me regret
it,” Monette replied tightly.

“Hell, quit takin’ everything so serious. I’m
just kiddin’ around.”

“I better leave before my ghetto side comes
out,” Monette said low and started to walk away.

“Really, Monette. We’re gonna behave and do
you proud. Right?” Lenore darted a nervous glance at Candi.

“Certainly, darlin’. We don’t want to mess up
your game,” Candi looked at Monette.

Monette gazed back at her. Their relationship
had shifted, and not in a good way. Candi seemed to send her double
messages when they spoke. Tension simmered beneath even their
casual exchanges.

“This isn’t my ‘game.’ This is for you,”
Monette answered.

“Right, right. We’re real grateful. Hey, your
new man just showed up. Let’s move on, Lenore, so these kids can be
alone.” Candi lifted the cup to Monette, then left.

“Talk to you later.” Lenore wore a faint
smile, and then followed Candi.

Jayson strolled over wearing a large smile
and a fabulous blue suit His steel-blue tie and pale yellow shirt
made a wonderful contrast Two women stopped talking to a short bald
man to watch him go by. “Hi, honey. Finally managed to get away
from work to make it here.”

Monette felt tension ease from her neck
muscles. She needed to get a handle on her paranoia. “I appreciate
you taking the time, Jayson.”

“Of course I’m going to show up when
something big is happening for you. Can’t wait for our private
celebration later on.” He gave her a look that could melt
glass.

Sherrial walked over to them. “I guess you
won’t need a ride home with us.”

“No, she won’t,” Jayson said before Monette
could reply. “I’ll have her in early.”

“You better know it. I’ve got a long day
ahead of me tomorrow.” Monette felt uncomfortable as Sherrial gazed
at them.

“You got it. That’s what friends are for,”
Jayson replied.

“Having a life isn’t against the rules.”
Sherrial gave Monette a pat on the arm to reassure her.

“Hope your boss agrees with you.” Monette
looked at Trudy as she stood across the room talking to Monette’s
parole officer. Gwen Anderson smiled at Monette and raised her
glass in a silent toast.

“Gwen is impressed, girl. That’s not easy to
do, either. See those three folks chatting up the mayor’s
assistant? They’re members of our board. Trudy made sure they knew
about this.” Sherrial wore a look of self-satisfaction.

“Work it,” Monette joked. Then she looked at
Sherrial with affection. “Seriously, I really am grateful for the
way you both had my back from day one.”

“Just doing our jobs. Have fun.” Sherrial
gave her a quick hug and went off toward a group of women, who
waved to her.

“She’s the kind of social worker I could have
used years ago.” Monette watched Sherrial laugh with her
colleagues.

“You’ve done pretty good on your own,” Jayson
replied.

“Not on my own entirely. I had a lot of
help.” Monette spotted a smiling familiar face.

Lucy came toward them. “The lady of the hour.
Congratulations. Something came up at the last minute or Jim would
have come.”

“You are such a sweetie. Lucy Chen, this is
Jayson Odum. Lucy is one sharp young lawyer and future Supreme
Court nominee.” Monette laughed when Lucy took a bow.

“Hello.” Jayson laughed as well.

“From your lips to God’s ears, as they say.
Nice to meet you.” Lucy shook hands with Jayson. “Listen, I hate to
congratulate and run, but I have court tomorrow and a lot of
preparation left to do.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m just happy you made
it.” Monette accepted a peck on the cheek.

“I’ll get the scoop on this handsome guy
later. Bye.” Lucy waved to them before she hurried off.

“Bye, and no you won’t,” Monette tossed back
with a grin.

“You’ve got a lot a good people on your side,
babe.” Jayson placed their now empty plastic champagne flutes on a
serving tray nearby.

“Including you,” Monette said softly.

She leaned closer and felt the warmth from
his body. What had started out as a nerve-racking experience would
end on a definite high note. Never before had she felt so supported
by a group of people. Jayson’s presence made a good day perfect.
Then Candi, Lenore and Tyeisha came over.

“Gee, you guys look like the king and queen
of the senior prom. What’s up, Jayson?” Candi slapped him on the
back. “Looking mighty tasty in that badass suit. No offense,
Monette. Just paying your man a compliment.”“Good evening, ladies.
Congratulations on being accepted into the program. Monette is
happy she can share this with you.” Jayson smiled at them.

“Oh, yeah. We’re just all so thrilled and
thankful for Monette.” Candi bared her teeth in a less than genuine
looking smile.

“Great,” Jayson replied. If he noticed a
discordant note, he didn’t show it.

“Everybody is so excited. My mama says she’s
proud that I got into this program. Naturally my sister had to be
nasty, saying I got in just because of Monette. Mama told Neesha
she needed to stop being so negative.” Tyeisha beamed like a
spotlight. “Couldn’t believe it Wait gotta go tell ’em bye before
they leave.”

“Damn, that girl is manic today. Come on,
y’all. Sherrial is giving us hand signals that it’s time to leave.
Guess you got a better way to get home, huh?” Candi looked at
Monette, then Jayson, with a smirk.

“Yes,” was all Monette trusted herself to
say.

“Have a good night.” Candi flipped her
fingertips at them as she strolled off.

“See you later.” Lenore smiled at them and
headed toward Sherrial.

“Your friend Candi is something else,” Jayson
said carefully. He studied Candi for a few seconds, and then turned
to Monette.

“That’s one way to describe her.” Monette
squinted at her. She would confront Candi later about her
behavior.

“You have to admit that crack about the prom
was funny.” Jayson smiled as though trying to defuse a ticking
bomb.

“Yeah, real witty,” Monette said in a dry
voice.

“But I think you outshine any prom queen I’ve
ever seen.” Jayson grinned at her.

Monette gazed at him from head to toe. “Candi
did get one thing right, you do look tasty.”

Jayson leaned close, his head bent to her
ear. “You can have a great big helping later on. And I won’t keep
you out too late either.”

“Wow.” Monette sighed in frustration. “I have
to stay until most of the guests leave.”

“Half of them are gone and the rest are on
their way. It’s only six-thirty. We’ll have plenty of time for at
least one main course.” Jayson seemed to relish turning up the heat
while people surrounded them.

“Maybe I should pull the fire alarm. That
should clear the room fast. I need dessert, too.” Monette stepped
closer to him.

Jayson laughed as he draped an arm around her
waist. “Just pick what you want on the menu, baby.”

“I’ll be right back and then we can leave.”
Monette leaned forward and pretended to whisper something in his
ear. Instead she brushed his ear with her lips.

“Hurry up or I might grab you right here.”
Jayson breathed heavily when Monette pushed her hip against his
body.

She pursed her lips at him then left. Despite
the burning fire that made her legs feel unsteady, she managed to
walk across the room. First she found Danica deep in conversation
with another Second Chances staffer. Danica assured Monette there
was no reason for her to stay.