Lady Guardians: Back Off Read online

  “I don’t kiss and tell, sweetheart. Besides, you’re the one looking flushed, not me.”

  “I have to go.” I finish the drink and try to stand up on weak legs. I push forward and grab my stuff off the table.

  I see the guys looking at me, but I say nothing and rush outside to my car and drive off. I just want to go home and think about Jonah and how to deal with him.

  10

  Carrie

  That damn jackhammer! The construction coming from outside is so freaking loud that I can’t get any work done. The hospital always has ongoing expansions and improvements creating noise or traffic headaches around the campus.

  I take the small stack of folders off my desk and my phone and walk to the file room. I will hide in there for a while. I close the door and exhale. Silence. The wall-to-wall file cabinets absorb any sounds from outside. I put the files on the table and sit down in the chair to sort through them. I don’t have a lot of filing, but I’ll drag it out until lunch.

  My phone buzzes. Jonah is calling me. He never calls me at work. “Hey, Jonah.”

  “Are you at lunch?”

  “Not until one. Why?”

  “I’m near the clinic, and I want to take you to lunch.”

  I bite my lower lip. He is really serious about us spending time together. “Okay, we can do that. The food trucks are in the area today.”

  “That’ll work. Where do you want to meet?”

  “Are you on your bike?”

  “Yeah. Do you have on a dress again?”

  I smile even though he can’t see me on the phone. “For your information, I’m wearing pants. Be at the main entrance. I’ll be down a little after one.”

  “See you then.”

  I hang up. Crap! This is really happening. Jonah and I are having a real date. I finish my filing and go back to my desk. I open the door and see Norma Jones, the human resources manager, snooping around my desk.

  “Hi, Mrs. Jones. Is there something you need?” I ask.

  “Good morning, Carrie. I called, but no one answered. I came down to leave you a note. I wasn’t snooping but looking for a pen.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m the only one here until later and was filing. What can I help you with?”

  “Your name was submitted for the office manager position. Sue guarantees you’ll run the department the same way she does. You have big shoes to fill,” she says. Her smile is warm and inviting.

  I’m elated by the news. After the hell I’ve endured the last few weeks, finally, good karma cometh my way. “I would. She’s been teaching me her job. She mentioned recommending me to you; I didn’t think she’d do it so soon.”

  “Why wait? Once Sue retires, you’ll step in without missing a beat. Your position will be filled at a later date.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Jones, for telling me personally. That means a lot to me.”

  “No problem. I love delivering good news.”

  I expected her to leave once she had her say, but she is sticking around. It’s not like we are buds and chat in the hallways. I hardly ever see her around the hospital unless she’s bringing bad news, which is usually around the end of the year.

  She taps a finger to her chin and says, “I heard you have a motorcycle club and you raised a lot of money for cancer research.”

  I smile. I love talking about my goodwill work. “Yes, the Lady Guardians. I’m planning to include local charities. The homeless shelters, food banks, and shelters for battered women and children, could use help too.”

  “You are so right. Well, my niece is part of a motorcycle club and raises money and rides to spread the word about injustices. But she isn’t getting the recognition you are.”

  I cross my arms over my chest. “Is that right? I don’t know how my name is out there. My club is small and relatively new. I’m looking at it as a blessing, though. As long as I can help people, I won’t give up riding for causes.”

  All of a sudden I get a bad vibe when Norma sits down at my desk and peers up at me through thick false lashes. My gut is telling me the mention of the niece was intentional. I continue to stand and wait for the other shoe to drop.

  “You know, a promotion would bump up your status in the company and your pay. Carrie, you’d be making an executive’s salary. Those positions call for a degree, and you don’t have one.”

  I nod. “I realize the position pays a lot of money and I don’t have a degree. But I’ve been in the department for five years. I go above and beyond for this department and will get a degree if necessary. I’m prepared to take on the responsibility if given a chance.”

  Norma crosses her legs. Her demeanor comes across as intimidating to a lot of people. As a woman of color, I understand she has to prove she’s earned her place. Thank God I’ve never had a problem with her.

  “That was a nice speech, Carrie. But let’s cut to the chase. The job you want so badly is yours. I have no doubt you can do it. Sue wouldn’t put her neck on the line if she didn’t believe in you. But, I need something from you first.”

  My leaping heart stops as her dark eyes penetrate right through me. Curiosity burns in my throat. “What do you need from me? An updated résumé?”

  “I don’t need your résumé.” She leans forward in the chair. “Motorcycle clubs have a tendency to get wild. Parties get out of hand with alcohol and drugs, things of that nature. There are rules you have to abide by even when not at work.”

  I’m a little confused, but reply, “I haven’t broken any rules. My tests come back clean.”

  “Let’s hope it stays that way. I’d hate to see you part ways with the doctors you’ve grown so attached to.”

  Norma’s not afraid to let support staff know she holds their jobs in her hands. She gets up and stands in front of me. She is so close that I smell the evil oozing from her pores. Norma is in her mid-forties, about my height, and keeps herself up well. What I didn’t know, is how conniving and underhanded she is. The expensive black power suit can’t cover that aspect up.

  “What do you want from me, Mrs. Jones?” I ask.

  “I’m Latrice’s aunt. I believe you know her as Tequeela. And what I want, is for you to give her control of the July event. In return, you’ll sit comfy with a new job that pays a lot of money. You’ll see everybody wins this way.”

  Is she really blackmailing me? And at work of all places. What makes her think I won’t go straight to the director and turn her in? A lump rises in my throat, but I swallow it down.

  “Oh boy, that is some request,” I say. “Can I ask you a question before I answer?”

  “The floor is yours, dear.”

  The cold confidence on her face makes me want to slap her across the room. “What makes you think I’ll agree to that? I could march upstairs and tell your boss about this.”

  Norma’s eyes narrow. “You won’t do that because you need the job, and money talks. You stand to double your salary, get an assistant, and a big office. To be black and financially secure at your age is quite an achievement. All you have to do is give Latrice what she wants.”

  I see red I’m so mad. “And if I don’t agree to your terms the job goes away?”

  “That or unexpected lay-offs could happen. The board is always asking us to find ways to save money. Your little secretary job could easily be outsourced.”

  “You know what you’re doing is against the law. You’re basically extorting me.”

  She smirks. “Okay. Maybe I have gone too far. Your people can still ride, but only as invited participants. Is that better?”

  I put my hands on my hips and stand my ground. “How about no,” I say, staring her directly in the eye. “I don’t have a fat bank account and would lose my apartment if I lost my job. But I’ll have a place to lay my head at night thanks to my parents. Even if I didn’t have their help, I’d rather be homeless and sleep on the streets before I give Tequeela a darn thing.”

  Her eyes are on fire with anger. She starts to walk away from me and stops.
“You’re making a big mistake, Carrie. I’ll give you until the end of the week to think it over.”

  I shake my head. “Nothing will change.” I go to my desk and grab my purse from the drawer. “I’m going to meet my lunch date.”

  “I never pegged you as a stupid woman, Carrie. You don’t know who you’re messing with. I’m trying to help you.”

  “How? By threatening me?”

  “Think of me as the voice of reason. The liaison for you and Latrice.”

  I scratch my head. “No, I see you bullying me on her behalf.”

  “You’re treading in thin ice, Ms. King.”

  Oh, I’m Ms. King now. Whatever! “I can swim,” I say. “Even if I don't go over your head and report your behavior, you still have more to lose than me.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Mrs. Jones, fire me; I’ll find another job. But you, on the other hand, will have a hard time climbing back on top once I talk to my friends in the media.”

  I’m sure she’s stunned by my boldness. “Are you threatening me now?” Norma asks. Her hands are shoved deep into the pockets of her suit jacket.

  “That’s your game, not mine. I’m pointing out a fact you mentioned earlier. I have received recognition from people in high places. Because of that, I’ve become close friends with many of them.”

  Norma pauses then asks, “How do I know you won’t run your mouth anyway?”

  The icy witch actually looks worried. We’re both standing at the door. I take the opportunity to hammer the nail all the way in.

  I shrug. “Hmm, I guess you won’t.” I want to get out of the office before my boss or Katie, the other secretary, arrives. Once I’m in the hall, I say, “Well, enjoy the rest of your day.”

  I take my time walking down the hall. She won’t come after me with all she has to think about.

  Outside, I scan the cars and people walking up to the main entrance of the hospital. I don’t see any motorcycles, and with the amount of traffic, Jonah could be stuck sitting somewhere. I step back on the curb to let a transport assistant pushing a man in a wheelchair go by me.

  The congestion around the door is insane. I decide to wait on the other side of the street where there are fewer people. Finally, I see a man on a bike in the distance weaving in and out of the slow-moving traffic. There is no mistaking it is Jonah. The jeans, black tee-shirt, biker vest, and boots are his trademark. He’s not wearing a helmet, and his dark brown hair is blowing in the wind. I can see the corded muscles in his arms as he holds on tight to the handlebars. My heart melts the closer he gets. I only have an hour for lunch, and will make the best of it with Jonah. He is what I need to restore my attitude and faith in people.

  11

  Jonah

  I spot Carrie standing on the opposite side of the street. I maneuver through the heavy traffic to get to her. What should have taken me ten minutes, took over thirty with the damn construction and bad drivers who can’t follow directions.

  I whisk around a delivery truck and stop in front of Carrie. “Hop on,” I command. She does as instructed, and we speed away from the chaos around the hospital.

  We pick up lunch and look for a secluded area to eat. Carrie suggests the Cultural Gardens. The scenic gardens are situated along East Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. They consist of thirty-one beautifully designed gardens, each representing a different ethnic group whose immigrants have contributed to the heritage of the United States over the centuries, as well as Cleveland. Unfortunately, on a beautiful day like today, the gardens are packed.

  I see an open bench in the African-American Garden and hurry to claim it. “Is this spot okay?” I ask before I park my bike.

  “Yes. I love this garden,” she replies.

  We find a spot not too far from the road where I can keep an eye on my bike. As we set up to eat, Carrie hands me my container of food. I see something in her eyes that isn’t quite right.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask.

  “Nothing. I’m just hungry.” She takes a bite of her burger. “Better eat yours before it gets cold.”

  I put the container down and lean back on the bench, watching her. I’m seven years older, more experienced, and since I’m around a lot of different personalities, I have learned to read emotions. I might not give a damn how a person is feeling, but I care about Carrie. If she is having a problem, I want to know about it.

  I take her hand. “Talk to me, Carrie. I know something is bothering you. Tell me about it.”

  She looks at me and exhales. “I might lose my job.”

  “What happened?”

  “Get this—my HR manager is Tequeela’s aunt. The woman pretty much gave me an ultimatum.”

  I’m flabbergasted. “Damn, babe. What can I do to help?”

  She shakes her head. “I handled it. Mrs. Jones threatened to jeopardize my job, but I did the same to her. If I go down, she’s going down too.”

  That lets me know she has the problem under control, and I won’t interfere unless she asks for my help. “So you’re cool going back to work this afternoon?”

  Carrie gives me an unsure smile. “Unless I get a call telling me otherwise, yes. I have my phone handy just in case.”

  I squeeze her thigh. “It’ll be okay either way. I’m here for you.”

  “Thank you, Jonah. I love my job but won’t be blackmailed. As long as I live, I will never give Tequeela credit for any of my hard work. I’ll live on the street first.”

  “You’re welcome to stay with me.”

  “That would be up my mom’s alley. She’s probably secretly planning our wedding behind my back.”

  “I might as well confess,” I say.

  “God, what did you do, Jonah?”

  She looks at me, and I feel guilty as hell. “I talked to Cliff about you. I didn’t ask permission to date you but if he would be okay if I did.”

  “Are you serious?”

  I nod. “Yup. He’s my best friend. If he has issues with us getting together, I needed to know ahead of time.”

  “I see. Not that it matters, but what did he say?”

  I chuckle then wipe my mouth. “He’s down with it as long as I treat you with respect. Otherwise, he’ll kick my ass. I believe him.” I look at her and really can’t read her face. “Are you upset I talked to him?”

  “Not really. But it feels funny we have kissed and done things I can never tell Cliff about. When did it change for you?”

  “I can’t say. I always felt a stir when you were around, but you were a kid then. What I want to know is how do you feel about me? Be honest, Carrie, am I wasting my time?”

  The sun ray’s bounce off her beautiful eyes creating a golden halo. She reaches up and caresses my face. “No, you aren’t wasting your time. I’ve been asking myself why I can’t let go and just give in to you.”

  I gently kiss the palm of her hand. “And your answer?”

  “I couldn’t find an answer other than you’re a friend. Then I was reminded friends make great lovers because we know each other so well.”

  I smile, something that I have been doing a lot of lately. “I could not have come up with a better answer.” I take her face in my hands and lean in to kiss her.

  As always, sparks fly between us when our lips meet. I can’t talk for Carrie, but life is on the upswing for me. I have a woman I’ll be proud to show off and one day settle down and have a kid with.

  Behind us, people are moving around. The crowd has found their way to our secluded area of the African-American Garden. I hear a woman express her regret at our public display of affection and in the garden we’re showing it.

  “The nerve of them doing that shit here.”

  Carrie pulls away, meeting the eyes of the woman. She smiles and takes my hand, and asks the woman, “Are those your kids?”

  “My grandkids.”

  “Cool. Instead of judging us and teaching them your bigotry, enforce how love comes in all colors.”

>   Ironically, the middle-aged black woman is with two small mixed-raced kids and an older white woman. The black woman shakes her head and snarls, “So sad another beautiful black woman has lost her damn mind to a white man.”

  I’m pissed and ready to give the woman my two-cents—until the elderly woman with her smiles at me and says, “Don’t pay attention to her. She can’t accept her daughter married my grandson. But she can’t deny these beautiful babies who have blessed our lives.”

  I nod and know I can’t change how people will feel about Carrie and me dating. I’m prepared for the evil eyes we’ll get from both sides. But let the haters hate all they want. I’m in love with this woman, and no amount of stares, snarls or vile words will take that away from me.

  Carrie bags up our trash and says, “I gotta get back to work.”

  “All right, let’s go,” I say, standing up. “Carrie?”

  “Yes?”

  “You know I’m serious about us starting a relationship, right? I’m not playing with your emotions just to get in your pants.”

  “Of course. Are you letting what that woman said get to you?”

  “I don’t give a shit about them. I want you to know what’s up.”

  “Jonah, I know what you want. I want the same, trust me. Once Tequeela is squared away, nothing will stand in the way of you and me.”

  I hug her hard. “You make me want to be a nicer person. Stop it!”

  12

  Jonah

  It is three days before the kick-off party. I’m up early ready to help Carrie finish cleaning and decorating the bar. She and her girls have been working non-stop to get the bar in shape. I asked her why she was doing so much. Her reply was that other than making a good first impression on her guests, the media was covering the event and the mayor of Cleveland had RSVP’d.

  I don’t know how Carrie does it all. She managed to get several corporations to commit to donating money, and a local motorcycle dealership agreed to sponsor the entire charity ride.