Once You'Ve Touched the Heart (31 page)

JD got up while Brian was talking. He was disappointed with the information he was getting. This was something he wanted for Tracy. JD wanted to give her a family. His idea of trying to reunite Tracy with her own family was not promising.

“JD, Lena Washington will do anything to get to Tracy’s money.”

“Damn, I was hoping Tracy would have a chance at reconnecting with her family.” He hesitated. “Your people will keep a lid on this information?”

“Jones and I handled this one. It won’t go anywhere.”

“Thanks, B.”

“You ready to roll?”

“Yeah, I need to hold Tracy for a while,” JD replied.

T
hat weekend began with a beautiful fall Saturday and JD was home alone. Physically, he wasn’t able to resume certain activities, such as his Saturday pick-up games with Calvin and the guys. Tracy and Ashley were holding their regular tutoring sessions at the local high school. Then they were off to meet Cynthia and Rosaline.

While putting away papers from his briefcase, JD ran across the written report Brian had given him on Tracy’s family. He wasn’t ready to give up on Tracy and her family; although her mother might not be worth reconnecting with, her sister and extended family might be. JD overheard Tracy talking to Ashley about the wedding. She was concerned about having no one there to give her away. The only person right for the part was Turk, and that wasn’t happening. JD thought she might have an uncle or male cousin who was not under the mother’s influence.

JD opened the file, and then searched through the papers. There was an address for the mother and sister in Norfolk, which was less than a two-hour drive away.
Why not
? JD thought. He looked at his watch, then put the file away. When he grabbed his car keys, the telephone rang. “JD, this is James Brooks.”

A little puzzled, JD asked, “Yeah, Brooks, what can I do for you?”

“I was wondering if you had some time today. There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

JD thought for a moment. He assumed Brooks wanted to talk about Ashley. JD was not sure if he was ready to have that conversation, calmly. But knew it would mean a lot to Ashley. “Where are you?” JD asked.

“I’m at the office.”

“I was about to take a short trip; you are welcome to ride along.”

“Yeah, I can do that. Should I come to you?”

“I’ll drop by and pick you up in about 10 minutes.”

“I’ll meet you downstairs,” James replied.

JD looked at the telephone as he hung up. He had to find a way to stop thinking of James as the enemy. Ashley liked the guy; there had to be something good about him. To be honest, the only reason he did not care for Brooks was that he tried to get with Tracy. Other than that, Brooks appeared to be a decent man.

James was standing outside the building when JD pulled up. James got in. “Nice ride.” James looked around the BMW. JD pulled off. “What is this, a V-6 engine?”

JD shook his head. “V-8. All the horsepower a man needs.” He beamed.

James smiled. “It’s nice, man. But you do know, you will have to give this up when you run for office.”

JD frowned. “Give up my ride, I’ll be damned. Why would I do that?”

James looked out the window as JD hit Interstate 64 toward Norfolk. “You will have to go American, to satisfy the public.”

JD laughed. “If need be I’ll buy a Suburban like Brian’s, but I’ll keep my Beamer.” JD laughed, then continued, “But, it’s a moot point. I have no plans on running for any office.”

James looked at him and laughed. “Everything you do says political-office bound. The DNC has been keeping an eye on you. You are an impressive young man, with a big future. If you don’t at least consider it,” James shook his head, “well, that will be an injustice to the citizens of the Commonwealth.”

JD thought about it for a minute. “I believe that was a compliment.”

James smiled. “You deal with the issues that everyday people need addressed: gang violence; making neighborhoods safe; the education system; making sure every child has access to quality education; the job market; setting up job fairs and adult retraining centers; family unity with special projects to get absent fathers connected with their children. If those aren’t political issues, I don’t know what is. Everything you do touches lives at the very core. You are what this state needs. Gavin is good people, but he is about the same old you-scratch-my-back-I-scratch-yours politics. People are craving something different. They need someone of substance; that’s you.” James laughed. “You may not be ready to acknowledge it, but that’s where you are going.”

JD shook his head. “I don’t see it, for the precise reason you just said. I’m in those organizations you mentioned because I like working with people; I don’t mix well with politicians. From what I see, most of them are not addressing the needs of their constituents, just their own desires.” JD laughed. “Man, I can see me in the middle of a General Assembly session going off because of the senselessness.”

James laughed. “Been there. Actually, on one occasion I saved them the trouble and put myself out of the chamber.” They both laughed.

This is a good thing
, JD thought.
Getting to know the man my little sister is in love with isn’t so bad
, he said to himself. “So is this what you needed to talk with me about?”

James knew the mood would change now. “No, I need to talk to you about Ashley.”

“What about her?”

“You realize we were having a pretty decent conversation there for a minute.” James smirked.

“Is that about to change?”

“That will be up to you. I just need to say my piece.”

“All right, let’s hear it.”

“I’m sure you are aware I’ve been seeing your sister.”

JD nodded his head acknowledging the fact. “Yeah.”

“I usually try to keep a certain distance, but with Ashley, I’ve gotten more attached than I planned to.” James looked out of the window. “Actually, I didn’t plan it; it just happened. But before things progress any further, I need to know where you stand on it.”

JD thought for a minute. “Brooks, when I first met you, I was under the impression you were interested in Tracy. Was I wrong?”

James shook his head. “No, you were right. Who wouldn’t be? She is a very intelligent woman, with a mind that very few men can appreciate, sexy as hell and my guess was untouched until you.” JD smiled. James laughed. “That’s what I thought.”

“But, since you can’t have Tracy, you turn to Ashley. I have an issue with that.”

James looked at JD. “I can understand that. Actually, Ashley caught me off guard and that is not something that happens to me often. I would have never approached a woman like Ashley. I always considered myself a conservative man. A free-spirited woman like Ashley would not have fit into my world, or so I thought.” He smiled. “Apparently I was wrong. As I got to know her I found Ashley’s outward persona was bogus. She is a very intelligent, confident woman who challenges me at every turn. And her mouth, I don’t quite know what to expect from her sometimes.” JD laughed, for he knew exactly what James meant.

“Some of the things she does drive me crazy, but then,” James hesitated, “she will smile and I feel it in my core.”

JD pulled onto the exit for Norfolk. “Are you in love with Ashley?”

“No,” James said quickly, “I’m not ready to concede that; no, no.”

JD noticed James became uncomfortable. “James, Ashley hurts easily and loves hard. I don’t want to see my sister hurt.”

James exhaled. “It is not my intention to hurt Ashley, but I’ve been through some things in my life that I have no intention of going through again. I don’t know where we are going, but I will promise you this. I will take my time. Wherever it goes, it goes.” James began looking around. “Where are we going?”

JD looked at the address on the paper. “We’re here.”

“Where?” James asked.

JD turned the engine off. “I believe this is where Tracy’s mother lives.”

James looked at the house. “I thought Tracy did not get along with her mother.”

“She doesn’t,” JD said, “but I plan to marry Tracy. I have to do all I can to try to bridge that gap for Tracy and our future.”

James warned, “You may be better off not doing this. Mothers-in-laws can be a bitch.”

JD laughed. “Coming from a man with experience.”

Brooks laughed. “Unfortunately, yes.”

JD stopped for a moment and looked around. “Well, no need putting this off. Are you coming?” James unbuckled his seat belt. “You might need some backup.”

JD looked at the house Tracy grew up in. He smiled at the thought of her sitting on the front porch reading. From the outside the small, three-bedroom rancher seemed cozy. JD knocked on the door. He was having second thoughts, but he had come too far not to follow through.

JD knew who she was the moment the door opened. Lena Washington was an attractive woman who did not look her age. She had light brown eyes, just like Tracy’s. Her hair was up in a ponytail, just like Tracy’s had been when he first met her. She was shapely, maybe a size 12, and very stylish.

“Ms. Washington, my name is Jeffrey Harrison. This is James Brooks.”

She looked from JD to Brooks. “Please come in.” She opened the door wider.

As they entered the living room, JD looked around. He noticed pictures of children, a young woman and man—could be husband, wife—, and pictures of Lena; none of Tracy or Al. “Please have a seat,” she said. “What can I do for you?”

James and JD sat down. JD began, “As I was saying, my name is JD Harrison.”

“I know who you are, Mr. Harrison; I assume you are here about my daughter. What I don’t know is why,” Lena stated.

“Ms. Washington, Tracy and I are getting married.” JD smiled. “We are planning the wedding. I thought it would be a good time to get to know her family.”

Lena smiled. “Does Tracy know you are here?” she asked with a touch of humor.

JD smiled. “No, she doesn’t, and I am not sure how she is going to react when I tell her.”

“Mr. Harrison, I haven’t talked with my daughter in years. Why would I change that now?”

“Because she is your daughter. She is about to go through a major change in her life. Wouldn’t you want to be a part of that?”

Lena looked at James, then back to JD. “The question is, does she?”

JD smiled. “I don’t know the answer to that, but I would like to explore the possibility of you two bridging this gap. Would you be open to that?”

Lena thought about it for a moment. “What would be in it for me?”

JD frowned. Lena saw his enthusiasm change. “I’m not sure what you mean,” JD replied.

“My life is fine just the way it is. How would I benefit from connecting with a daughter who apparently does not want to connect with me?”

James was looking around observing their surroundings. Something about Lena reminded him of his ex-wife. Unfortunately, James was not a man to play word games. He generally went straight to the point. James sat forward. “Were you speaking of monetary benefits or moral benefits, Ms. Washington?” he asked, indifferently.

Lena smiled. “Why not examine both. Judging by her friends, Tracy seems to be doing well.”

JD stood up.
Brian was right, this woman is about money
.
“Tracy is doing well, but that had nothing to do with either of us.”

James stood. “Just out of curiosity, what monetary amount would make it worth your while?”

Lena stood. “I would have to get back with you on that.”

JD hung his head. “Ms. Washington, Tracy is a wonderful person. I believe you had a hand at her turning out that way. As much as I want to make this connection for Tracy, there is no way in hell I’m going to pay you to talk to your daughter.” The frown on JD’s face told James he needed to interject before more damage could be done. Lena smirked at JD, and then opened the door, ending the conversation.

“Ms. Washington,” James began.

“Lena, please,” she said as she turned to him.

“Lena.” James smiled. “Thank you for your time, but we have to get back on the road now. If you ever find yourself in Richmond, please give me a call.” He gave her his card. He touched JD’s shoulder. “You have a good day.”

Lena looked at his card. “I might do that, Mr. Brooks. Mr. Harrison, I’m sure we will talk again.”

“Ms. Washington,” JD replied as he walked away. Lena smiled, and then closed the door.

JD got in the car a little dejected. He didn’t expect much, but this was over the top. “That woman is about money. I don’t care if she never calls,” JD said.

“Don’t let your emotions control your response to this. Yes, she’s a piece of work. But she can be handled. You just have to use a little finesse,” James said with a smirk.

JD looked at James. “What do you have in mind?”

“Well, let me work on her,” James said. He knew that what JD was trying to do was admirable, but his instincts told him they had just opened Pandora’s Box. “Are you going to tell Tracy about this?” James asked.

JD put his head back on the headrest. “I have to. I don’t keep things from her. I just hope she understands why I did it.”

James smiled. “She will and she will love you more for trying.” JD started the car and pulled off. James laughed. “Damn! I thought I had the mother-in-law from hell.”

♥

JD dropped James off at his office then called Tracy. “Where are you, babe?” he asked.

“I’m at my place talking with Cynthia and Rosaline about possibly handling the wedding. Can you come by?”

JD sighed. “I don’t want to.”

Tracy was quiet for a moment. “Will you come anyway?”

“What do I get if I do?” JD teased.

“A very grateful fiancée.”

“I’m downstairs, let me up.” Tracy smiled and buzzed the door open. JD kissed Tracy and whispered, “How grateful?”

She just smiled as JD spoke to everyone then took a seat. “So what are we talking about?”

Tracy looked at Ashley then at Jeffrey. “Jeffrey, I would like to hire Cynthia and Rosaline to coordinate the wedding. Would you be comfortable with that?”

“Will the end result make you Mrs. Jeffrey Harrison?”

Tracy smiled. “Yes.”

“Then I don’t care if Gandhi coordinates the wedding.”

Tracy kissed him softly on the lips. “Thank you.”

He frowned at Cynthia over Tracy’s shoulder. “Cynthia, there will be a contract, right?” he asked.

Cynthia looked at him. “Of course.”

JD looked back at her. “There may be one or two amendments to that contract. The final contract must be signed by Tracy and me. Do we understand each other?”

“What is it you think I’m going to do, JD?”

“What you always do, Cynthia, find some way to put Tracy down. This is her wedding; your place is going to be directing her wants, not yours. Now if you think you can do that, we are good.”