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CHAPTER TWELVE

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“Hope you don’t mind Sonjay and I tagging along with Anderson.” Klein grabbed the bowl of macaroni and cheese from Channing and Sonjay’s father Boyd that night.

“We’re always happy to see both our girls and you too, Klein.” Their mother, Odelia Mills, smiled.

Sonjay did her best to focus on her family but all she wanted was to be naked in Dex’s arms.

“Ooh wee.” Klein licked his lips. “Mama Mills, these smothered pork chops make me wanna slap everyone in the room.”

“Anderson?” Boyd smiled at him. “What’s life like as a big time journalist?”

He ate from the creamy glob of macaroni and cheese. “I’m nowhere close to the big time.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Odelia said. “We get the Boston Bulletin here so it has to be big news.”

Anderson snickered. “It might be but I’m not.”

“Don’t be so modest,” Klein said. “You got it going on and one day you’ll have your own news show.”

“I won’t hold my breath.” Anderson stirred his green beans.“ Klein invited me to Mayor Bordeaux’s birthday party next week. He says anyone who is anyone will be there.”

“Yeah, he always has a big bash at the Bombeck Hotel for his birthday,” Odelia said. “It’s about the only exciting thing that happens in this town.”

“The invitation extends to you and Boyd too, Odelia.” Klein smiled. “I’d love for you to meet the mayor.”

“Me and Boyd at the Bombeck Hotel?” Odelia wiggled, grinning. “Boyd, what do you think of us partying with the socialites of Thompsonville?”

“Nothing because it ain’t happening.” He grunted as he drank from his cup. “I’d rather have my teeth pulled out with pliers than to go to that man’s party. He should be ashamed. All the mess erupting around here and he’s throwing big ass parties on tax payers’ money.”

“It’s not on tax payers’ money,” Klein muttered. “It would be good if you came and maybe you could get to know him without judging him.”

Boyd picked his teeth with his pinky. “I don’t wanna get to know him.”

“Even Channing’s going,” Sonjay said. “I had to beg her to but if she can go, you can.”

Boyd rolled his eyes. “I’d rather have a root canal.”

“Come on, Daddy,” Channing said. “It might be fun. I hope it gets my mind off everything going on. You’ll have time to hang out with the important people.”

Boyd glared at her.

“So, Anderson?” Odelia smiled. “What made you get into journalism?”

“I wanted to make a difference.” He ate the salty collard greens, glancing at Channing. “It starts with education.”

“Isn’t that the truth?” Boyd said. “It’s funny how you think racism is gone until something like this happens.”

“Racism will never be gone.” Klein drank lemonade.

“That’s why it’s important we put the right people in office,” Boyd said. “Yet politicians are too scared to get their hands dirty.”

Klein stopped chewing. “Is that a crack at Mayor Bordeaux?”

“Actually, that was for you.”

“Daddy.” Sonjay sighed.

“It’s okay, baby.” Klein winked. “Boyd and I have this same song and dance every time we meet so why should tonight be any different?”

“You’re a black man who has the power to change things yet you tolerate it because you don’t want to lose your position under the white man.”

“Daddy.” Sonjay laid her fork in her plate. “Stop it.”

“Boyd.” Odelia patted his arm. “The kids never come over as it is. Let’s not give them another reason not to.”

“Has everyone forgotten that Presley, my grandbaby is fighting for her life because of Nate Lancaster?”

“What am I supposed to do about it?” Klein asked. “I’m not a judge or a lawyer.”

“You could get your butt out there and make noise.” Boyd huffed. “Like that Khadija girl.”

“Please.” Channing groaned.

“Please nothing,” Boyd snapped. “Nate ran over Presley and now his friends are harassing Channing like she did something wrong? Where the hell is the law? Nobody does jack but Khadija.”

“Stomping around like some low-grade Angela Davis isn’t doing anything but making Khadija famous,” Channing said. “That’s all she cares about.”

“So what?” Boyd leaned forward, glaring at his daughter. “She’s doing something is the point. There’s no damn way Lancaster should be walking around on bail when my granddaughter is lying in a coma because he got drunk. How can we stand for that?”

“Khadija Moore doesn’t give a damn about anyone but herself.” Klein sipped grape juice. “Is that what you want? Someone who is using Presley for publicity?”

“She’s making noise and that’s how change starts.” Boyd ate a piece of pork chop, gravy dribbling over his salt-and-pepper goatee. “We can’t get justice just sitting around.”

“I prefer doing things Anderson’s way,” Klein said. “It might not be loud but it makes people listen. Only nuts pay attention to what folks like Khadija says.”

“Well, I guess I’m a nut because I’m paying attention to her.” Boyd chewed and gulped. “I’m listening loud and clear. No offense Anderson, but we need to be out in the streets like Khadija is doing. Got this yesterday.” He reached behind him and grabbed the flyer off the dining room shelf. “LaDavion brought one by the restaurant when he picked up his momma’s fried chicken basket.”

“Lord, have mercy.” Odelia sighed. “Why didn’t they give that boy a real name?”

“Everyone’s been passing those around.” Sonjay waved her fork in a dismissive manner. “For Khadijah’s meeting at the Welmont Center tomorrow night. Someone put one on top of our cars at the school.”

“I’m going.” Boyd looked at Odelia over his square glasses. “You coming, baby?”

“Like I don’t have better things to do with my time.”

Boyd grimaced. “Delia—”

“Daddy, I don’t want you anywhere near Khadija,” Channing said. “She’ll use you guys to get in my business.” 

“Tulip, I can’t sit by while a soon-to-be member of our family isn’t doing his best to help our own. Klein cares more about his career than Presley.”

“Boyd,” Odelia said.

“I’m not taking this.” Klein stood, straightening his chair.

“Honey?”

“I got this, Sonny.” Klein focused on Boyd. “You’ve never wanted me with your daughter and I accept that, Boyd. But never say I don’t care about Sonjay or anyone in this family. What’s happened to Presley hurts me as much as it hurts you. I’m tired of you blaming me for things I can’t control.”

“You can control it.” Boyd squinted. “You got to get balls if you expect to make it in this family.”

Sonjay slumped over, groaning.

“I need some air.” Klein stomped out the kitchen.

“Thanks a lot, Daddy,” Sonjay said. “Why do you always treat him like that?”

He bared his teeth as he chewed meat. “The man’s a token.”

“Boyd.” Odelia scowled at him. “Put yourself in Klein’s shoes. This isn’t easy for him either.”

“Hell, tell him to put himself in Presley’s shoes. She’s the victim or have we forgotten?”

“I’m sorry you had to witness my dad acting a fool, Anderson,” Channing said.

“I understand where Mr. Mills is coming from.” He straightened the napkin in his lap. “I interviewed my first subject for the story today.”

Odelia beamed. “Who?”

“Dex Reinhardt.”

Sonjay quaked with anxiousness but then her nipples got hard.

“That fool,” Boyd said. “Dexter has been in our home many times eating our food and he’s gonna represent Nate Lancaster? Does loyalty mean anything to anyone in this town?”

Anderson smiled, sipping juice. “It was a very telling  session. He was honest, and I’m glad I spoke to him. I want to get varying opinions so the story can be fair.”

“Sorry but hearing about Dex after what he’s done is spoiling my appetite.” Sonjay stood. “I’ll get dessert.”

Channing stood. “I’ll go with you.”

They made it to the kitchen and Sonjay slumped over the island, exhaling.

“You okay?” Channing got the chocolate cake off the counter and removed the top from the container. “Momma hasn’t even frosted it yet.”

Sonjay got the chocolate frosting from the cabinet. “Pass me a knife.”

Channing handed her a case knife. “You look like you’re about to pass out.”

“I’m fine.” She spread frosting around the layer cake. “Glad you took a break from the hospital.”

“I’m heading back after I leave here.” Channing dipped her finger in the frosting and licked it. “I need to be there in case she wakes up.”

“What good will you be to Presley if you drop dead from exhaustion? You’re doing too much.”

“That’s easy for you to say. You don’t have kids.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t empathize or give advice.”

“I don’t need your advice with Presley.” Channing stole the knife and licked frosting off the tip. “When I want advice on how to cheat on my fiancé with his best friend, I’ll come to you.”

“Wow.” Sonjay’s bottom lip dropped.

“I’m sorry.” Channing grabbed her sister’s arm. “I didn’t mean that.”

“Bull.”

“Okay, I meant it, but I shouldn’t have said it. I’m sorry.” She hugged her. “I appreciate your concern about Presley and me, but I got it under control. Are you still sleeping with Dex?”

“Yeah.” Sonjay sighed as she sat at the table. “I tried to break it off yet again but couldn’t.”

Channing sat across from her.

“I had to see a parent about a student and all I could think about was Dex. Then, I ended up at his place. It’s like I have no self-control with him.”

“Sonny, this is a mess.”

“You’re telling me?”

“What are you gonna do?”

“I don’t know. What would you do? Oh, wait. Miss Perfect wouldn’t even be in this predicament would you?”

“You knew you wanted Dex before Klein proposed.” Channing grimaced. “You should’ve been honest with him from the beginning now you got me in this position. I love Klein and you have me hiding

this for you and betraying him. How long do you think this can go on?”

“Until I can tell Klein the truth without hurting him.”

“It’s too late for that.”

“What’s taking the cake so long?” Boyd yelled. “I thought you were just getting it not baking it!”

“Be right there, Daddy,” Channing answered. “Besides being gorgeous and successful, what is the hold Dex has over you?”

“You know that unspeakable connection everyone wants with someone?” Sonjay clasped her hands. “We have that. He understands my emotions and my reactions.” She closed her eyes. “He likes me for who I am. I don’t have to pretend or impress with him. Klein expects me to be his trophy and be perfect all the time but not Dex. He sees me, Channing. Warts and all. Not the woman I show everyone else, but the woman I am.”

“My god.” Channing sat back, touching her mouth. “You’re in love with him. That’s why you can’t break it off. You love him, Sonny.”

“Yes. I do.”

“Then why are you marrying Klein?”

Sonjay got the cake and left the kitchen without answering.