Soulful Strut (34 page)

***

Sunday dawned bright. Birds sang, flowers
bloomed and even the other women in the halfway house seemed in a
good mood. Still, Monette stood in the living room, staring out the
window in dread. She wondered just how in the world she’d gotten
into this mess.

“Sneaky, Jayson. Very sneaky,” Monette
muttered to herself.

She let go of the curtain, then jumped when
she heard an engine roar. When the red car kept going down the
street, Monette exhaled in relief. Somehow, between the tender
sympathy from Jayson, spilling her guts and the best consolation
sex she’d ever had, Monette had agreed to finally meet his
daughter. The rest of the family would come next. Just the thought
of facing eight-year-old Lenae made cold sweat form on her top
lip.

“You lookin’ out that window like an
executioner is comin’ for ya.” Candi bumped against Monette and
laughed. “She’s just a little girl.”

“Great. You face her then,” Monette shot
back.

“If I had a fine dude like Jayson I sure as
hell could. I’d let the kid know I’m in charge.” Candi gave a sharp
nod.

“She’s a daddy’s girl through and through.
Jayson thinks Lenae hung the moon and stars.” Monette groaned. “I’m
dead.”

“Don’t take crap off some kid barely outta
training pants.” Candi snorted. “I sure wouldn’t.”

“Oh, so Kadeem’s kids are marching right in
step.” Monette glanced at her. One of the regulars that hung out at
Faye’s had become Candi’s latest hot date.

“They will if we ever meet. He don’t see ’em
that often. Their mamas be trippin’.” Candi shrugged and sat
down.

“How many kids has he got and by how many
women?” Monette looked at her.

“Four boys. That he claims. Three different
mamas.”

“I didn’t see Kadeem as the fatherly type.”
Monette heard a horn Mow. She knew it was Jayson without looking.
“All the times guys have stood me up, but not this time.”

Candi laughed again. She grabbed a piece of
hard candy in a glass dish. “Don’t embarrass me, gurl. Get out
there and use your charm. If that don’t work, bribe her.”“Thanks
for the wonderful advice. Can’t hide in here forever. See ya
later.” Monette plastered on a cheerful expression, grabbed her
wristlet wallet, and went to the front door.

“Have fun,” Candi called out in a singsong
voice.

“Kiss my—” Monette stopped when she realized
Jayson stood on the front porch. She rushed out just as he was
about to ring the bell. “I’m here.”

“Hi, honey.” Jayson leaned over to her.

208Lynn £M.eiy

“Not here.” Monette tried to dodge his kiss,
but he moved faster.

“Don’t be silly. Lenae knows we’re more than
pals. She also knows I’ve been seeing someone special.” Jayson
grinned when Monette flinched.

“Great.” Monette risked a peek around his
broad shoulder. A small, heart-shaped face stared from the back
window of his SUV.

“Come on. I’ll introduce you.” Jayson grabbed
Monette by the hand.

Monette followed him to the vehicle. Her lips
ached from stretching them to stay in place. She hoped her smile
hadn’t become a scary horror movie clown kind of mask. “Hello,
Lenae.”

“Hi.” Lenae’s voice had the musical
little-girl quality that melted the hearts of fathers all over the
world.

“Sweetie, this is Miss Monette Victor. I told
you about her. Monette, meet Lenae Anitra Odum. My sweet girl.”
Jayson beamed at them both.

“Pleased to meet you,” Lenae said in just the
right polite tone.

“I’m pleased to meet you, too.” Monette
smiled at her. Lenae looked at her father, then back at
Monette.

“Okay, we’re on our way for delicious Italian
food at Macaroni Grill. Maybe Lenae should ride up front with us so
we can all chat.” Jayson nodded at his grinning daughter.

“Yaaay. I get to sit with Daddy and play with
the radio.” Lenae started to unbuckle her seat belt.

Monette put a hand on his arm before he
lifted Lenae from the backseat. “Honey, remember the front-seat air
bags.”

“Oh, right. I’m so excited to have my two
beautiful ladies together that I can’t think straight. Sorry, sweet
girl. Play your game until we get to the restaurant and then we’ll
all sit together.” Jayson positioned the strap across Lenae’s
petite body again and snapped the buckle.

Lenae’s grin vanished. She gave Monette a
stony stare over his shoulder. “’Kay, Daddy.”

“It really is better for you,” Monette said
to her.

Even as the words came out, Monette knew the
safety ploy never worked with kids. Lenae’s dark eyes, so like her
father’s, bored into her with no sign of forgiveness. Monette got
into the front seat and faced forward to escape her judge and jury.
She’d failed the first test. The evening did not get better. In the
restaurant Monette winced each time Jayson reminded Lenae that they
were now a threesome. By the time dessert came, Lenae was sullen.
Jayson did not help by telling cute stories about Lenae’s exploits.
Each time Lenae reminded him she was not a baby, Monette chimed in
to head off another anecdote as well. When the waitress brought out
two slices of cheesecake and a cannoli, Monette’s lips were chapped
from smiling.

“Excuse me while I visit the ladies’ room.”
Monette threw her napkin on the table and stood to make an escape.
Even a few moments in the restroom stall would be a welcome
break.

“I’ll bet Lenae needs to go, too. I won’t
start until y’all get back. Forgot to order us coffee anyway.”
Jayson stood as they left the table. “Hold Miss Monette’s hand so
you won’t get separated, sweetie.”

“Oh, Daddy. I know the way better than she
does.” Lenae looked up at Monette. “Have you been here before?”

“No,” Monette admitted. She imagined Lenae
probably looked like her mother at that moment.

“See?” With that, Lenae flounced ahead of
Monette, expertly maneuvering between tables.

“Wish me luck,” she said to Jayson, then
hurried to catch up.

Inside the restroom, a few women smiled at
them when they walked in. They got in line to wait their turn. As
usual there weren’t enough stalls to go around. Monette searched
for appropriate small talk. Then a tall woman in front of Lenae
came to her rescue. She looked down at Lenae with a smile.

“You look precious in that little red skirt
and blouse. Love your hair, too. Your mama fixed you up so pretty.”
The woman looked at Monette.

“Thank you, but she’s not my mama. My mama is
having dinner with her sorority sisters. She just got out of
prison,” Lenae said primly. Then she glanced back at Monette.

“Oh, I see.” The woman’s smile slipped as she
looked at Monette. She seemed to wonder if she should call the
police on her cell phone.

The other women in the bathroom stole glances
at Monette. They all lingered to fix their lipstick or brush their
hair as they did so. One pretty redhead standing behind Monette
laughed. When Lenae headed to an empty stall, the woman behind
Monette spoke up.

“You must be Daddy’s new girlfriend,” the
woman said over Monette’s shoulder. “Been there, done that. The
prison crack is a new one, even to this ‘Dating Daddy’ veteran. You
have my sympathy.”

“Appreciate it,” Monette replied.

“Wish I could say it gets better. Just hang
in there and hope Mommy gets a boyfriend soon,” the woman
advised.

“Yeah. Then daddy’s little angel can
concentrate on making him miserable. Takes the heat off you,”
another woman chimed in.

Monette had to laugh with her sympathizers.
“Thanks. Long evening so far.”

“Good luck,” the women said in unison. They
gave her a sisterly wave.

Lenae came out of the stall, washed her hands
and left the restroom without looking in Monette’s direction.
Monette sighed as she took her turn. She also took her time getting
back to the table. Once she arrived, the frown on Jayson’s face and
Lenae’s pout told her things were about to get worse. Jayson stood,
and then waited until Monette sat down before taking his seat
again.

“Eat your dessert, Lenae. No sense in wasting
food.” Jayson picked up his fork and chopped into his
cheesecake.

Monette glanced from him to Lenae. She
cleared her throat. “Your dad says you start a new school with
drama classes and a children’s orchestra. That’s wonderful.”

“Um-hum,” Lenae mumbled around a mouthful.
She still did not look at Monette.

“Bet you and your mama are going shopping for
some great new school clothes,” Monette tried again. Lenae
swallowed and nodded.

“Lenae Anitra, you know better.” Jayson gazed
at her pointedly.

“Yes, ma’am,” Lenae said in a flat tone.

Dinner ended in silence as Jayson paid the
bill ten minutes later. They walked out with Lenae between them.
Jayson had her by the hand. Monette saw the other side of his
parenting style. Obviously Jayson knew when to lay down the law.
Lenae also seemed to sense that rebellion was a bad idea. She was
polite when responding to Monette’s two final attempts at
conversation. When Monette looked at her, Lenae stared back at her
blankly. Her expression reminded Monette of the way Talia used to
look when Monette had messed up once again. Monette wanted to
apologize for something, her existence, for barging in on their
lives. Any¬thing to get rid of that look.

Tense silence descended for the rest of the
ride to Leonie’s house. Jayson got on the interstate and exited at
O’Neal Lane. The long trip took them to an upscale subdivision of
lovely brick homes. Monette remembered that Jayson had helped
Lenae’s mother with the down payment. He turned left to a
cul-de-sac. Halfway into the circle sat a pretty house of
cream-colored brick. Four cars were parked in front of the house,
with more in the driveway and on the curb.

“Let’s go in. I’ll introduce you to Saundra.”
Jayson cut the engine and pulled out his keys. His sharp movements
and tone clearly said he was not in the mood to get anyone’s
approval.

“Uh, since Saundra is entertaining, now might
not be a good time,” Monette murmured. Meeting the adult version of
Lenae was the last thing she wanted to do.

“She won’t mind,” Jayson said promptly and
marched ahead with Lenae by the hand. He rang the doorbell.

Female voices were muted behind the walls but
rose when the front door opened. A tall, pretty woman with
startling green eyes smiled at them. Monette immediately saw the
resemblance between Saundra and Lenae. Saundra wore a lovely pale
yellow pair of Capri pants with a matching sleeveless vest and
high-heeled sandals. Real gold dangle earrings glittered as she
moved her head.

“Hey, there. Y’all back earlier than I
expected,” she said and put a hand on top of Lenae’s head. Lenae’s
response was to scoot by her into the house. Moments later, women’s
voices trilled as they made a fuss over her.

“Hi. She’s out of sorts,” Jayson said in a
controlled tone.

“O-kay.” Saundra instantly got his message.
She cleared her throat and looked at Monette. “Hello.”

“Sorry, I forgot my manners. Saundra, this is
Monette Victor.” Jayson pulled Monette up to stand next to him. His
arm rested around her waist

“Hi.” Monette felt conspicuous as she shook
hands with Saundra.

“Ya’ll come in for a minute.” Saundra
beckoned them inside.

“No, we don’t want to impose,” Monette
blurted out

“Don’t be silly. There is no reason for you
to rush off. Hey, everybody. You remember Jayson. This is his date,
Monette Victor.” Saundra swept a hand out.

At least a dozen pairs of eyes gazed at them
in frank curiosity. A round of greetings sounded from every corner,
where women stood in groups. To their credit, none of them
whispered. Monette put it down to upper-class etiquette training.
She was sure no such restraint would be exercised once she and
Jayson left. Saundra was beautiful, with light auburn hair pinned
up. She was indeed the grown-up version of her daughter, with a
heart-shaped face, thick hair, and a bow-shaped, full mouth.
Monette could not help but compare herself to Saundra and her
friends. The women were dressed in a rainbow of expensive
ensembles. Gold and silver jewelry flashed as they gestured during
animated conversations. Jayson managed to give Saundra a rundown of
the evening in a parent code she seemed to understand. After more
polite offers of coffee and polite refusals, Jayson and Monette
left Monette would have loved to go straight back to the halfway
house to recover, but she said nothing. Jayson drove on to his
condo. Once inside, he tossed his keys on the coffee table and
sighed.

“Want a drink?” Jayson headed straight to the
kitchen.

“Parole. Hello,” Monette quipped.

“Right. Sorry. Excuse me then, cause I need
this.” Jayson tilted his head back and drank straight from a bottle
of Heineken.

“Okay, now I know it’s not just me. This
evening was a big mistake.” Monette tossed her tiny handbag onto
the ottoman and fell into the matching stuffed chair.

“Nonsense.” Jayson lifted a shoulder when
Monette snorted. “Naturally meeting you for the first time was
bound to be awkward. Lenae isn’t used to having someone else around
when we’re together.”

“Face it; the kid hated me on sight.” Monette
rubbed a spot between her eyes. “Not that I’m good with kids
anyway.”

“You’re being a bit dramatic. Once she gets
used to the idea of us as a couple, Lenae will adjust.” Jayson’s
voice did not ring with certainty. He frowned for a second, and
then took another swig of beer.

“Yeah, right. You don’t even believe what
you’re saying.”

Monette rested her head on the cushioned
chair back with her eyes closed. Moments later, Jayson squeezed in
next to her. He put both arms around her and rested his chin on top
of her head. He couldn’t deny how badly the night had gone. And
Monette hadn’t even told him about the ladies’ room incident. All
Monette could think of was the way Lenae had looked at her. That
expression of hostility and anger was familiar and told Monette she
had no business trying to be a mother. This time Monette would be
the evil stepmother, at least in Lenae’s eyes. She gave a sad
laugh.