Tender Touch (21 page)

“Unbelievable. You could go onstage with
that act,” Jade snarled at him. “Lanessa, tomorrow we’re going down
to the district attorney’s office.”

“No,” Lanessa said in a weary tone. “I said
forget it. Alex is right. Nothing happened. It’s over, right?” She
stared back at him with tears rolling down her face.

“Yes, it is. I didn’t want it to end like
this, Nessa. If you’d only—” Alex took a step toward him.

Jade blocked his path. “Get out. She’s lucky
to be rid of you.”

Alex sucked in air. He threw up both hands.
“All right. Goodbye, Lanessa. Think about what I
said...please.”

Lanessa turned her back to him. “Yeah,
sure.”

“She won’t need to call you. Now if you
don’t leave, I’ll call the police myself.” Jade stomped over to the
front door and yanked it open.

Alex paused before walking out. “You need to
open your eyes, Jade. Lanessa needs help. Serious help.”

“Yeah, and dumping you is a big step in the
right direction.” Jade glared at him. She slammed the door when he
was barely outside. “He’s got some nerve acting righteous. You
really need to haul his behind into court.”

“Hey, that’s more trouble than he’s worth. I
don’t need him always criticizing me. To hell with him.” Lanessa
put her head down on the bar and sobbed.

Jade crossed to Lanessa in two quick strides
and embraced her. “I know what it’s like having a man who
constantly browbeats you. He’s got to make himself feel big by
making you feel small.” She rubbed Lanessa’s back.

“He’s right, you know. I’m no good,” Lanessa
wailed. She slumped against Jade for support. “No good.”

“Now you listen to me, Lanessa Elise
Pellerin Hampton Thomas you’ve got more going for you in the tip of
one little finger than ten of him.” Jade put a finger under
Lanessa’s chin and forced her to look up. “You got that?”

Lanessa only nodded. She put her head back
on Jade’s shoulder. “I haven’t made good choices though. Even
you’ve told me that before.”

“Hey, I married Nick Guillory. I could be
crying my eyes out right along with you if I think about it too
long,” Jade quipped. “The point is we all make mistakes. It doesn’t
mean we’re bad people, Nessa.”

“You know, Mama is right. You’re the smart
one.” Lanessa gave her a weak smile.

Jade went to the guest bathroom and came
back with a box of tissues. “Here, wipe your eyes. Let’s go down to
Catfish Town to the Creole Cafe.”

The new favorite late-night hangout in the
downtown area stayed open all night serving cafe au lait, beignets
and other goodies. Lanessa loved going there. Jade hoped this would
help lighten her sister’s mood. But Lanessa shook her head
slowly.

“I don’t feel like being around people right
now. You go on home, I’ll be okay.”

“You shouldn’t be alone tonight. I’ll stay
with you.” Jade did not like the pale, shaky way she looked. “I’ll
fix us some nice herbal tea.”

“No, Jade. You’ve done enough for me. Go on
and get some rest. You have to get ready for your trip.”

“Hey, you know how obsessive-compulsive I
am. I’ve got everything ready— so I’m staying.” Jade started for
the kitchen.

“Jade, just leave me alone! I don’t need a
babysitter,” Lanessa said, her voice high pitched and tense. She
took a deep breath at the surprised, hurt expression Jade wore.
“I’m sorry; my nerves are stretched to the limit. Please, I need
time to get myself together. I’ll call you tomorrow, I
promise.”

“Sure. I understand.” Jade kissed her on the
cheek.

Lanessa hugged her tight. “Thank you, little
sister, for being here for me. I do love you.” Her eyes filled with
unshed tears.

Jade touched her face. They had never talked
about their feelings like this before. Not even through both of
their bad marriages. “I love you, too, big sister,” she whispered.
“One thing about it, Nessa. You’ve always been straight up with me.
I’d wrestle alligators for you, girl.”

“Oh, now don’t get carried away.” Lanessa
brushed back her thick hair. She wiped her eyes with a wad of
tissue. “Go get your rest. You’ll need it to whip more good lovin’
on that man.”

“What makes you think...” Jade felt like a
teenager caught with birth-control pills by her parents. “I
mean—We, uh...”

“Jade, come on. You glow whenever he’s
mentioned. That look means one thing—good sex.” Lanessa stepped
back and put both hands on her hips. She examined a flustered Jade
for several seconds. “Whoa! Make that great sex!”

“Everything about us seems to fit. Know what
I mean?” Jade gave up on the attempt to conceal how serious things
between she and Damon had become.

“Yeah, in tune, on the same wavelength kinda
thang,” Lanessa said with a sad smile. “I’ve felt that way only
once in my life.”

“But it worries me, Nessa. Look at Alex, a
perfect example of how wrong I can be about men. Not to mention
Nick. Maybe Damon is too good to be true.”

Jade went over their times together in light
of the scene she’d witnessed between Alex and Lanessa. Alex was—or
appeared to be—a kind, considerate man. Nick had acted as though he
cared about her, desired her above all women. Could she be
deceiving herself again?

“I see those wheels turning.” Lanessa put an
arm around Jade’s shoulders. “Now listen up, what did Mama teach us
as kids?”

“To eat our vegetables and never wear
chipped fingernail polish because it makes you look cheap,” Jade
quipped.

Lanessa gave her a playful swat on the arm.
“Funny. She drilled into us was that we should never condemn a
group of people for what a few have done. Even though she was
talking about race relations, it applies to men.”

“Lanessa, get serious. I’ve heard you
dogging men out a hundred times at least.”

“True, but that was just girl talk. Besides,
I’ve grown up since then.” Lanessa lifted her nose.

“Yeah, right,” Jade retorted. “Ouch!” She
jumped when Lanessa pinched her arm.

“I’m older and wiser, so pay attention.”
Lanessa sat down with her on the sofa. She wore a solemn
expression. “Don’t be too quick to judge Alex harshly. I’ve given
him good reasons to want out. So give this man a chance, and don’t
compare him to Nick for goodness’ sakes.”

“Maybe you’ve got a point. But—”

“Hey, don’t argue with me, missy. Now go
home and dream of all the ways you can make that fine man wanna
holler.” Lanessa gave her a sassy wink.

“Since you insist on kicking me out, I’ll
go.” Jade gave her a hug. “And thanks, Nessa.”

Jade thought about Damon driving home,
through her shower and as she sat before the television. She did
not see any of the programs that flashed by as she punched the
channel button on the remote. Lanessa was right. Damon should be
considered based on his own actions, not some other man’s. And so
far his actions had been right on time. Every touch and every word
told her he was the one. Now all she had to do was fight down that
nasty voice of suspicion that kept saying not to believe it. A
musical refrain from the television caught her attention. An
R&B singer sat at a piano crooning a romantic ballad as though
it was aimed at Jade.

For a magical moment, this was Jade’s song.
She sat caught in a haze of memory at the wonder of discovering how
beautiful making love could be—a discovery Damon had led her to
with sweet tenderness. At the last note of the song, Jade sighed.
She no longer had a choice in the matter. Her body and heart were
on automatic pilot. Destination Damon Knight.

* * *

“Hey, now,” Jade called out in a cheery
voice to her friend. She sat in a booth at Uncle Joe’s, drinking a
diet cola. “Haven’t seen you in a while. New love keeping you busy,
eh?”

“You should talk. At least we haven’t let
our Friday nights fall by the wayside. But other than that, you’ve
been scarce.” Shaena ordered then handed the menu back to the
waitress. “What’s up?”

“Just rushing around trying to get ready to
leave on Sunday. Every time I think all the loose ends are tied up,
one of ’em gets untied. It’s so aggravating.” Jade gave a resigned
shrug and sat back with a contented look.

“Well, you look awfully mellow. I know how
much you crave order. Or maybe this is the new you.” Shaena lifted
an eyebrow.

“Lanessa is right. I should learn not to get
so intense about things. Take it as it comes.” Jade took a sip of
cola.

“You’re taking advice on life from Lanessa?
Now I know your brain is fried from passion.”

“Lanessa has had her ups and downs, but
she’s got some good ideas.” Jade shook a finger at Shaena. “And
let’s not forget your track record.”

“Let’s do,” Shaena said with a grimace.
“You’re right, at least. Lanessa got great divorce settlements from
her mistakes. And then there’s Brad.” She shook her head in
dismay.

“Oh, no, Shaena. Trouble already?” Jade
tried not to think “I told you so” at the mention of the handsome
white attorney with an attitude.

“His family and mine are not taking this
well. His parents were cool but polite. But it’s his brother and
two sisters who are being real nasty about it. And Thanksgiving at
my parents’ house was a study in how not to entertain guests.”

“Not Mama Lula and Papa Jake. They’re so
sweet.” Jade was truly surprised.

“Papa took one look at him and whispered,
‘Tell me this is a joke, baby.’ Mama kept apologizing for my
sister’s kids being rowdy. She was so nervous around him, she just
clammed up. It’s been truly awful.”

“Well, both your families just want the best
for you. They’ll come around.” Jade tried to console her.

“I don’t know if what we feel is strong
enough to withstand all this pressure. Then there are the stares
and remarks from strangers.”

“Amazing, and to think we’re in the
twenty-first century.” Jade gave a grunt of disgust.

“The sad bottom line is we may be history
real soon. But this time I’m philosophical about it. I need to
accept reality; true love and happy ever after is not in the cards
for me.” For a few seconds the tough persona slipped, and Shaena
seemed vulnerable.

“Now it’s my turn to lecture you. It’s time
you examine if you want him enough to take the rough spots. Some
serious soul searching is in order.”

“I want him bad, girl. I’m just so afraid he
doesn’t want me enough to be shunned. This race thing is hard to
take. He’s had people who were friends for years act distant. And
it’s because of me.”

Jade took a deep breath. “Brad is going to
learn just how much secure status he may give up. Most whites don’t
have a clue until they cross the color line. On the other hand,
Brad Pittman is not known for letting others dictate how he lives
his life.”

“He is a rebel. That’s one of the things I
love about him.” Shaena’s lips curved into a smile of
affection.

“Then talk about what you two will face, I
mean long term. From the way you sound, this isn’t just a dating
thing. Sounds like the C word has come up.” Jade pursed her
lips.

“Yeah, and he brought up making a
commitment.” Shaena looked thoughtful.

“There you go. It may not be smooth sailing,
but then what relationship is?” Jade stopped long enough to let the
waitress put their food in front of them. “I’ve decided that love
is a crapshoot, and there’s no way around it. So go for it.”

Shaena blinked at her, dumbfounded. “Jade,
is that you?”

“I know, I know. It’s not easy, but I’m
going to give this thing with Damon my best shot.”

“Then if you can, so can I.” Shaena lifted
her glass. “A toast,” she said.

Jade held up her glass. “To giving love
another chance.”

“And to wonderful, thoughtful, sensitive
men,” Shaena replied. Their glasses clinked together.

“Hear, hear.” Jade took a drink.

“And sex hot enough to make you sing opera
high notes at the top of your lungs.” Shaena wiggled her
eyebrows.

Jade choked on the mouthful of diet cola.
“Girl, you almost made me spit this stuff three feet.” Both of them
giggled until tears flowed. Several minutes passed before they
could look at each other without laughing hard.

Shaena patted a napkin to her forehead. “My,
oh my, that felt good. I think we’ll need a sense of humor around
the office in the next few months.”

“What’s up?” Jade took a bite of her broiled
catfish skillet.

“Brad says there are a few tremors about
several department programs, especially in Medicaid-funded
services.” Shaena’s expression turned grave as she leaned across
the table. “Your boss’s name keeps coming up. You got a whiff of
anything stinky?”

Jade held her fork still in the act of
taking another bite. “Nothing. Bill has been going strictly by the
book. What exactly have you heard?” A lump of unease settled in her
midsection.

“Nothing too bad about him. Just that maybe
he’s being too nice to some of the staff left over from the
previous administration. Brad says right now the talk is that he
needs to reorganize more.”

“For crying out loud.” Jade frowned with
indignation. “The man can’t perform miracles in a few months. Some
of those folks have been in state government for years.”

“Shah,” Shaena whispered. She glanced over
her shoulder then turned back to Jade. “Some folks from the fifth
floor are one table over. You know how they are, ears like
high-tech radar.”

“But you know what I’m saying is true,” Jade
went on with no less heat but in a much quieter voice. “Bill really
is working hard to follow all the rules. Even the ones that don’t
make sense.”

“Hey, I’m just the messenger. I didn’t say I
thought the guy was up to something.”

“And those that don’t make sense, he’s
trying to change. We’ve been working our buns off. And this is the
thanks we get!” Jade sat with a scowl, her meal forgotten.