Soulful Strut (31 page)

“We’ve got a problem.”

“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me, Kim.”
Monette gave a sigh of resignation as she stopped entering notes on
the computer. Before she could ask for details, her phone rang. The
moment she said hello, the caller launched into a list of
grievances.

“Is that Chancellor Ketchum?” Kim whispered.
When Monette nodded, she tiptoed to the door. “I’ll get
Danica.”

Monette nodded again as she listened to the
woman complain for a full minute without taking a breath. “I agree
totally. We will have a talk with them. Yes, Dr. Ketchum. Of
course. I assure you, we’ll handle it. Thank you for calling.”

Danica appeared a few minutes later. She
closed the door behind her and watched Monette’s grim expression.
“Did she threaten to end the classes?”

“No, she’s not at that stage yet I won’t let
anyone screw this up for the rest of the participants. We need to
have a talk with those women,” Monette said.

Monette and the counselor she’d hired had
weekly meetings with the participants. Dubbed Wrap Sessions, the
staff and the participating women discussed progress and any
problems. Three and a half weeks into the program, most of the
bumps had been smoothed out, but obviously the honeymoon phase was
over.

“I already told Kim to call them in,” Danica
said and rubbed her forehead with a sigh. Before she could go, Kim
returned.

“Everybody is here for an interviewing skills
session except Julianne and Callie. They’re at their jobs
today.”

“Yeah, well, they’re not causing any real
problems anyway. No good deed goes unpunished,” Monette muttered as
she stood. She smoothed down her blouse. “Friends or not, I’m going
to burn their behinds.”

“Maybe they’re going through a delayed
adjustment period.” Kim tried on a hopeful smile and failed. Her
worried frown came back in seconds when Danica shook her head
slowly.

“Bull. They know the rules,” Monette cracked.
She marched ahead of Danica to the small conference room. Kim
scurried to her office in the opposite direction.

“Hey, girls. What’s up? Uh-oh.” Tyeisha’s
jolly expression faded when Monette gave her a stony glance.

Candi looked back at Monette as though
refusing to be intimidated. “Look, Tuesday is my only day to kick
back because of these classes and stuff. I sure hope this won’t
take long.”

“I can arrange for your schedule to be free,”
Monette snapped. She stood at the head of the conference table,
hands on both hips.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Candi
maintained her casual slump in the chair.

“I just talked to Chancellor Ketchum. Seems
you’ve been smarting off to the instructors, coming to classes
late, spending time flirting with the male teachers and more. Say
the word and I’ll give your spot in this program to someone who
will take full advantage of the opportunity. I have a waiting
list.”

“All I did was question some of that material
this sociology professor was laying down. Them egghead researchers
been in school all their lives. Hell, I’ve been in the system,”
Candi replied.

“Contributing to a classroom discussion is
one thing. But you’ve been disruptive. You argue with every
request. You even caused a scene at one of the field sites.” Danica
spoke in a composed tone, in contrast to Monette.

“We worked hard to get local businesses to
take part,” Monette went on angrily. “Visits and job placement help
you, but they cost them money.”

“Somebody got it wrong.” Candi stared at the
other women. She seemed to be looking for the snitch.

“We go into any situation with folks
expecting the worst. We don’t get the benefit of the doubt because
of where we come from. Me included. So any problem we cause—no
matter how small—is a big deal. A lot of good people went out on a
limb to make this stuff happen. So if you don’t give a damn about
the impression you leave, get the hell out of the way and let
somebody else benefit.” Monette paced as she spoke. She looked
around at all of the women. “That goes for everybody.”

Lenore cleared her throat. “Listen, Monette.
I missed a few classes and—”

“Yeah, and you’ve been late for the one you
did decide to attend,” Monette cut in.

“Working and studying is hard. I don’t have
time for much else,” Lenore complained.

“Let me suggest you make this program a
priority and get your man on board, too,” Monette threw back at
her. She knew that Ramone’s influence was a factor.

“I’ll do better,” Lenore replied sullenly.
Her bottom lip jutted out as she sulked in silence.

“As for you, Candi, start completing your
assignments. Your first paper is due Thursday. Got it ready?”
Monette pinned Candi with a hard stare.

“Almost. I’m gonna work on it tonight after I
get off from the café.” Candi gave her a nervous smile.

“And Tyeisha.” Monette turned to her.

“I didn’t do nothin’,” Tyeisha protested, her
brown eyes wide with fear.

“Exactly. You’re putting forth minimal effort
in class. Get it together,” Monette commanded.

“Yes, ma’am,” Tyeisha mumbled.

“In a few weeks you are all due to be placed
on work experience assignments to reinforce classroom training. I’m
having second thoughts about that phase of the program. Straighten
up or it won’t happen.”

Monette looked around at the six women. The
two participants who had been referred from other sources were
quiet. They seemed to be taking in Monette’s warning so as to avoid
being called out in a similar fashion. All nodded except Candi. She
looked at Monette with resentment simmering in her dark eyes.

“We’re all under pressure,” Danica put in,
using a conciliatory tone. “Time management is a real challenge.
I’ve had to juggle school and a job myself. Just remember your
priorities. Some of the sponsoring employers could hire you. Maybe
even after the program ends.”

“Not at this rate, they won’t. I won’t let
the good suffer with the bad, my sistahs. Believe that,” Monette
said in a firm but now more composed voice. Her hot rage had
reduced from a boil to a simmer.

“Our doors are open. Come and talk to us if
you have any concerns, issues or worries. If you need to modify
your schedule, say so, and we’ll work with you,” Danica went on. “I
think we can get back on track. Let’s go over the proposed
schedules for on-the-job training.”

As Danica took control of the meeting,
Monette used the time to cool off. She glanced around the table at
the women. Most paid close attention to Danica. Lenore looked down,
as though embarrassed. When Danica wrapped up ten minutes later,
the women filed out. Lenore looked at Monette briefly, and then
followed the others out. Danica followed Monette back to her
office.

Monette let out a slow breath once Danica
closed the door. “Damn, that pisses me off. If we get one more
complaint I’m going to let them have it. They haven’t seen me
really lose my temper yet.”

“Don’t forget you’ve got to live with four of
those women,” Danica said quietly.

“Back at the halfway house we don’t sugar-
coat the truth. When one of us is screwing up, she gets called on
it. No dancing around the subject allowed.”

“Yeah, guess I have to get used to—” Danica
hesitated with a frown as she tried to find the right words.

“Jailhouse culture.” Monette gave a short
laugh.

“One way to describe it,” Danica said with a
grin.

Monette’s amusement petered out in seconds,
though. Nothing about what they were going through so early into
the program felt like a joke. She dropped down into the comfortable
chair behind her desk. More like the hot seat Danica had a good
point She did not need to fight with them here and at the halfway
house. Like it or not New Beginnings was home for them temporarily.
They were forced to cooperate and live together. Monette had made
up her mind to go back in and talk with the women again when there
was a knock on the door. Candi stuck her head in.

“Can we talk to you a minute?” She looked at
Monette.

“Okay.” Monette sat straight and propped her
elbows on the top of her desk.

Danica watched as Lenore, Tyeisha and Candi
filed in. She cleared her throat and started out “Uh, I’ll be in my
office.”

“No, you stay,” Lenore said quickly.

“Alright.” Danica hovered near the door, as
though she wanted a clear escape route. She glanced at Monette, and
then clasped her hands together in front of her.

“Look, we owe you both an apology. We’re
going to get it together and act right.” Tyeisha nodded.

“Yeah,” Lenore said. “You didn’t have to put
yourself on the line for us. Especially you, Monette.”

“Right,” Tyeisha agreed. “I’m embarrassed to
say much in class. I think everybody is looking at me, talking
about my past. I know y’all didn’t say anything to the other
students, but word gets around.”

“A couple of kids she went to high school
with are in the college. They saw Tyeisha a week ago. A few people
have made comments to us.” Lenore shrugged when Tyeisha scowled at
her for going into details.

“I say forget this school stuff. Just get us
some decent- paying jobs. We’re all grown-ass women,” Candi put in.
“We don’t have to take crap off some know-nothin’ snot- noses.”

“We don’t get to skip steps like rich kids
with connections. You want to work any kind of job these days you
gotta have skills. Math, good English to express yourself and
writing skills.” Monette ticked off each on a finger.

“Get me one of those maintenance jobs at a
plant. Don’t need all that to swing a mop.” Candi put on a smirk
that faded when Danica shook her head. “What?”

“Those maintenance jobs aren’t just mopping
up. You’ll be expected to help with cleanup in case of a plant
accident, ensure labs are free of contaminants and a lot more,”
Danica said.

“You think they’re going to pay you fifteen
dollars an hour to dust and sweep the floors? Please,” Monette
added.

“Ah, hell. Everything has a catch to it.”
Candi frowned.

“No, everything comes with a price. You spent
time learning how to peddle drugs, steal and then sell hot goods.
Put in the effort to learn something that won’t get you sent back
to prison,” Monette said bluntly.

“A unique motivational speech.” Danica
blinked rapidly.

Monette’s anger cooled when she saw Tyeisha’s
bottom lip trembling. “Hold your head up high. Be proud you’re
making a change in your life,” Monette reassured her.

“Sometimes people close to you don’t
understand.” Lenore had the skittish look she always wore when
Ramone was involved.

“Then you have a harder choice to make. Some
of us have friends, family or lovers who don’t want to be left
behind. Ask them to come along or say good-bye.” Monette gazed at
Lenore.

Lenore blinked rapidly. “I hear what you’re
saying.”

Tyeisha accepted a tissue from Danica and
dabbed her eyes. “I didn’t even like those fools back at Glen Oaks
High. Don’t know why I’m getting upset about what they think
now.”

“I think it brought back the pain of feeling
like an outcast. We can talk about it at our next group meeting.”
Danica patted her on the back as Tyeisha nodded.

“Like I said, we’re gonna do better,” Lenore
said and stared hard at Candi.

“Right. Guess I need to stop looking for
shortcuts,” Candi finally said. She smiled at Monette. “No more
attitude.”

Monette squinted at Candi. The smile seemed
bogus. For some reason she sensed an undercover agenda beneath the
mask of good humor. Not to mention the fact that she wasn’t sure at
all that Lenore could shake Ramone’s influence. Still, Monette
wanted them to succeed. The others looked to her for a sign.

“Hopefully future Wrap Sessions will be
celebrations,” Monette said.

“Right. Now we’re gonna get out of your way
and let you ladies take care of business.” Tyeisha grinned at
Monette.

“Thanks, Monette. You won’t have to worry
about us no more,” Lenore said before Tyeisha shooed her to get
moving.

“Back up, youngster,” Candi muttered when
Tyeisha started to put a hand on her elbow. She glared at the
younger woman before she left.

Once the door closed, Danica let out the
breath she was holding in. She looked relieved no blood had been
shed. “Things should smooth out now.”

“Let’s hope so. Just to be sure, I’ll meet
with Chancellor Ketchum face-to-face.” Monette stared out the
window. She still worried that the community college administration
might end their participation. One more tricky situation she did
not need.

Chapter 16

The next two weeks flew by in activity that
kept Monette’s mind off the hearing. When she wasn’t at work or New
Beginnings, Monette spent time with Jayson. By the morning of the
pardon hearing, Monette’s nerves seemed all bunched up in her
stomach. Lenore and Tyeisha fussed over her that morning as she got
ready. Lenore did her hair in an attractive, yet conservative,
style, a modified French twist. Tyeisha helped Monette rehearse her
presentation. Monette felt certain the board members would only see
her past. The perfect grooming or slick performance wouldn’t
matter. Still, she dressed in the same neat suit she’d worn on her
first day out of prison.

“Okay, go over the part about how you’ve
fashioned a new life out of the bits and pieces of hard lessons
learned,” Tyeisha coached from her perch on Monette’s twin bed.

“That’s good. Poetic, even.” Lenore nodded
approval. She sat on Candi’s bed on the other side of the room.

Monette squared her shoulders and composed
herself. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes. Although I was not guilty of
drug trafficking, I have to own up to those mistakes I did make. I
believe that I have fashioned a new life out of hard lessons
earned. I mean— Oh, hell.” She tapped a fist against her forehead
as she walked in a circle.