“Jack Donaldson!” Dexter exclaimed rising from his desk with his hand outstretched.
There was nothing striking about the medium height, brown-eyed man except his carrot-red hair. But he was remarkable. He had believed in Dexter when Dexter had lost faith in himself. Those were dark, dreary days when Dexter was first released from prison and had been assigned to Donaldson’s heavy case load. Donaldson was not an ordinary parole officer, he took a keen interest in his clients.
“How ya doing?” Donaldson grinned, his deep Texas drawl unmistakable.
“Great. Come in. Have a seat,” Dexter beamed, indicating the chair in front of his desk. “What are you doing in this part of the world?”
“I took a few days off to visit with family. Thought I’d stop in. It has been a while.”
Dexter’s glance strayed to the young black woman who was clearly more interested in his conversation than what she was suppose to be doing, which was filing and answering the telephone.
“Uh, Tina. Will you please excuse us for a few moments? Why don’t you have a late lunch at the diner on me?” Dexter reached into his pocket and pulled out a five-dollar bill.
Tina Douglas, with her thick, curly, short black hair and shapely figure was not used to men ignoring her pale brown beauty, which was the case with Dexter Washington. Her curiosity was evident but she accepted the money without hesitation. Her lingering glance caressed Dexter’s bronze male features before she went out and nearly closed the door behind her. Yet, instead of continuing on she pressed her ear to the door. Dexter Washington may not agree, but everything he did was her business.
“How are the letters about the sports clinic going?” Dexter leaned over Anthia’s shoulder to view the computer screen. He absently caressed her nape with his fingertips.
“No, problem. I’m halfway there,” she said trying not to tremble from the brief contact. She was acutely aware of him every time he stepped into the small office. “It’s a great idea inviting well-known athletes to take part. It’s bound to influence the fellows.” Her dark eyes were momentarily locked with his.
Neither was aware of the intense gaze on them. Tina looked on in disgust. She didn’t like this new arrangement. Since Anthia had been working at the center Dexter extended too much attention her way. He seemed to be fascinated with her.
Dexter was the first to look away when he said, “I’ll be in the gym if you need me.”
“Karate?”
“Yeah,” he nodded. He had adopted an interest in the martial arts while in prison, finding the discipline and exercises calming.
Anthia went back to what she was doing. The upcoming sports clinic was too important not to give it her full attention.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Tina interjected a bit too eagerly.
“Answering the telephone is enough.” Dexter said, but his eyes lingered on Anthia before he left the office.
Occupied, Anthia didn’t look up from the computer screen when Tina hurried after him. Following him down the central hallway, Tina had to call his name in order to get him to stop.
“Yes?”
“I’d like to speak to you,” she said somewhat breathlessly.
“Something wrong?”
“I can volunteer in the evenings if you need help. You don’t have to impose on Ms. Jenkins.”
He smiled, “Thanks Tina. But that isn’t necessary. We’re not trying to take advantage of anyone.” She was one of the few paid employees who worked regularly at the center. He wouldn’t dream of asking her to volunteer during her off hours in the evenings, unless it were a real emergency. “What we need is another volunteer trained to do office work to take up the slack.”
“She’s here every evening.” Tina pouted.
“No, three times a week.” Dexter could see it bothered Tina, what he couldn’t figure out was why. “Is there a problem that I’m not aware of?”
Tina shook her head, before she said, “It’s just that we never seem to have time to talk anymore.”
Dexter stared at her in confusion. “What is it? Is it your mother? Is she still on you to get your own place?”
Tina beamed. It was the first personal inquiry that he had made in some time. “Some things never change.”
“Tina, why don’t you go back to school? I’ll be glad to help you in any way I can, either by finding you a job on campus or setting you up for a loan or scholarship money. You have the brain power to go to college and work toward a degree.”
Tina blushed, thoroughly pleased by his encouragement. “I’ll think about it. But like I’ve told you before, I’m not sure what I want to do.”
“If not college, there are also vocational schools. Focus Hope has some really great programs. You do have options. Tina, you shouldn’t spend all your time here at the center. You have your future to think about.”
This was not exactly going the way she would have preferred. “Ms. Jenkins volunteers and you’re not encouraging her to leave.”
“Anthia also runs her own business.”
“You like her, don’t you?”
Dexter shifted restlessly from one foot to the other. “Anthia is an old friend. I’ve got to go, but I really think you should start thinking about your own career goals.”
Tina wanted to throw something as she stared after him.
Whether he was willing to talk about it or not, he was more than a friend to Anthia Jenkins. Tina didn’t like it! She wasn’t sure what she could do about it, but she was not about to hand him over to another woman.
“Mom! Will you quit! I can’t eat another one.” Jeff Jenkins referred to the three pancakes she intended to place on his plate.
Anthia laughed, giving him a kiss on his lean cheek. “You are so skinny. Don’t they feed you at that college?”
Jeff grinned around a mouthful of food. It was good to be home. He’d come in so late last night that he tried not to wake her. She met him at his bedroom door with a hug and kiss then hurried him off to bed.
His roommate Sean had dumped his stuff in his bedroom before taking off last night. Sean like Jeff was from Detroit area, but unlike Jeff had his own car and came from a well-to-do family.
“I can’t believe you guys didn’t wait for daylight. It’s such a long drive.”
Jeff shrugged. “I tried not to wake you. But I’m not exactly the quiet type lately, got too much hardware.”
He shared the same even features and amber skin tone as his mother. Jeff’s hair was cut close to his scalp. He preferred the baggy look like most teenagers. He was six feet, while his upper body was strong and muscular his long legs since the accident were painfully lean.
Anthia saw his frown as he glared at his wheelchair propped against the wall in the back hallway. Jeff detested all the equipment that labeled him different from others.
“Anything could have happened between here and Augusta.”
“We only have the weekend, Ma. It wasn’t a problem.” Anthia sighed. Both young men were very responsible. Since Jeff didn’t have his own car and couldn’t drive yet he was lucky that his roommate and friend lived in the metropolitan area.
“How were your exams? Passing everything?”
He nodded, “Midterms. You better believe, I’m doing better than passing. No problems, nothing to worry about.” He grinned, taking a healthy swallow of orange juice. “You’re not eating.” He couldn’t help noticing how much weight she had lost since his accident, weight she could ill-afford to lose on her petite frame.
Anthia glanced down at her own plate. “Not too hungry. Had a late dinner with Dex.”
Jeff couldn’t hold back his grin. “Are you two dating?”
“Stop meddling. We’re still friends. He has been so swamped from telephone calls to learning a new computer system. I felt sorry for him. I’ve been helping out a couple of days during the week at the center. I don’t know how he managed to teach his martial arts classes and work with the guys when he is stuck in the office.”
“Something is up. Before the other day, you hadn’t mentioned him in quite some time. Suddenly the last two times we’ve talked, his name is in the conversation.”
“It had been awhile since I’d seen him. Moving day in fact,” she said taking a sip from her steaming coffee cup.
“That long. Why?”
She shook her head. She had no explanation. It had hurt knowing that Dexter felt he had no reason to come by since Jeff was away.
“Ma what gives? I thought you and Dex might have gotten something going by now. No, don’t look at me that way. I know you care about him.” He was watching closely. “I also know you’re not seeing anyone else. Well, if you are, you sure are keeping it a secret from me.”
“No secrets,” she whispered.
“Then what gives with you and Dex?”
“I’ve already told you that we’re friends... nothing more, nothing less. Why are you all up in my business, son?”
He chuckled, then took her small hand in his and squeezed. “I love you. You’ve been doing it all. You could use a nice guy like Dexter. You don’t want to be alone forever. What if I decide to settle in Atlanta after graduation?”
Anthia didn’t want to think about him not coming back home. Yet, more than anything she wanted him to be independent. She smiled reassuringly at him. “Wherever you move, you just remember to keep the sofabed ready for my visits, kiddo.”
He laughed, then sobered. She had always been there for him. She had suffered along with him through his recovery. She deserved some happiness. “We’re talking about you. Don’t you want a man in your life?”
“Of course I do. But that doesn’t mean Dexter Washington is the man for me. I’m fine just the way I am. In fact, I’m doing better than fine. You haven’t asked about the business.”
“You told me over the telephone, remember?”
“Yeah. I forgot. I’ve enjoyed volunteering in the office at the center. There is so much going on.”
He nodded. “They can always use extra help. Dex will look out for you.”
“I can look out for myself. I took care of you in the old neighborhood, didn’t I,” she said sticking out her chin.
Jeff roared with laughter. “No doubt about it. I know it was especially hard for you after Granny passed. Ma, I still have a lot of good memories about the old building. Granny taking me to the park. Hangin’ with the fellows. It wasn’t all bad.”
“No, it wasn’t. We had some good neighbors: Mrs. Rice, the Jones family. I stopped by to visit with Mrs. Rice last week when I dropped off some fabric at Dana’s. You remember Dana Gray, don’t you? Mrs. Rice’s granddaughter?”
“I remember. Dana still sewing for you?” Dana was only a few years older than he was, a very attractive girl who could have any guy she wanted.
“Yes, I couldn’t keep up with all the orders without her help. I can concentrate on the designing, sculpting and making the bodies.”
“Your business is really taking off. I always knew you could make a go of it. But Ma, I don’t want you going over there alone especially after dark. With me down at Paine who would know if something happened to you? It’s not safe.”
“I know my way around, kiddo. Besides I usually go over in the mornings. Dana is the best seamstress around. Her work is flawless. And she’s even designing now. I’d be crazy not to use her.” She speculated, “She should be in New York designing clothes for the runways. She would be if she hadn’t gotten caught up with Eddie’s brother, Jerome.”
Eddie Walker brought back painful memories. Neither of them wanted to recall how close Jeff had come to losing his life because of Eddie.
“Is she still hooked up with him?”
“Yeah. With two sets of twins, she has no time for much of anything let alone design classes.”
“Honey, it’s not a problem for me to drop off or pick up her work.” Anthia didn’t mention that she had bought Dana a new sewing machine with all the modern conveniences. It was something they both benefitted from. Nor did she mention her run in with Jerome.
“Well, you be careful.”
“Yes, son,” she feigned a meekness that had them both laughing. After filling both their coffee cups, she asked, “What are your plans for the day?”
“Chillin’, nothing constructive outside of computer games and laundry. Don’t worry, I won’t get in your way.”
“I can’t believe you dragged your dirty clothes through three states, kid.”
He chuckled good-naturedly.
“And you have never, ever been in my way.” She suggested as casually as she could managed, “Why don’t you call some of your old friends? Go to the mall, catch a movie. I have a couple of extra bucks I can donate to the cause.”
“Naw, but I can always use the cash.”
“Why not? It will do you good to get out and see your friends.”
He’s mouth tightened when he insisted, “I don’t have any friends.”
“Honey, don’t say that.”
“Why not? It’s the truth. Who can blame them? No one wants to hang around a cripple. I can’t go anywhere without my crutches or the chair.”
“Jeffrey Jenkins! Stop that right now. If Luis Bennett and Bob Howard cared about you before the accident then they care about you now. You are doing so much better. Have you forgotten there was a time when we thought you might never walk again? You’ve come a long way.”
“I know, Ma. It’s not that I’m not grateful.”
“If you took your chair you could outdistance them.”
“No!” he snapped. His eyes shooting sparks of impatience. “And it was not an accident. That store owner meant to shoot me. He thought I was robbing him, Ma.”
“Don’t raise your voice to me, young man.” Her tone booked no arguments, when what she longed to do was hold him close like she used to do when he was a little boy, make all his hurts go away. Even if he was all grown up, he would always be her baby.
“Sorry.” He jutted his jaw stubbornly when he tried to explain, “Things are not the same. I’m not the same kid who got into that car with Eddie. Nothing is the same. It’s time we both accepted it.” He got clumsily to his feet using his strong arms and hands to boost himself, reaching for the crutches propped against the kitchen wall.
“Don’t Jeff. Let’s talk this out.”
“There is nothing more to say. I’m not a little kid anymore. In a few years I will be out of school and on my own. I don’t need friends.”
“Honey, you’re wrong. Everyone needs friends... everyone.” When he didn’t speak, she sighed heavily, “Does this have anything to do with why you won’t talk to the guys at the center?”
“We’ve already talked about this. I have my reasons.”
“You can do some good there, son. Eddie got caught up with a gang and his life went downhill after that. He ended up using drugs and doing crimes to solve his money problems. Where did it get him but a guest room in a prison?”
“You don’t have to tell me about Eddie. I was there, remember? I know how drugs and guns can destroy a life. His brother, Jerome, is not doing much better for himself.”
“Another lost soul. The kids at the center don’t understand the consequences of that lifestyle. It’s too attractive for them. There are still a whole lot of boys without fathers or male figures to give them direction. They can so easily be caught up in that trap of self-destruction. It happens every single day.”
“If I thought I could make a difference then I’d go, but I know better. Nothing changes in the ’hood,” he ended dryly.
“How can you say that?”
He shrugged, slowly moving toward the door. “Excuse me. I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
Anthia swallowed her frustration, instead she said, “Okay, son.” She knew when she had hit a brick wall.
Unfortunately, that set the tone for the weekend. When she saw him off on Sunday, she hadn’t been able to change his mind about talking to the guys at the center.