Chapter 21
That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress.
—Amos 5:9
“You got back in great time,” Mattie said as Lawrence strolled back into the office.
Lawrence smiled as he stopped by her desk to pick up his messages. “Did you have doubts?”
She smiled coyly. “How long have I worked with you?”
“Mattie, is that supposed to be some kind of a trick question? You’ve been with me since day one.”
Mattie nodded one time in a matter-of-fact way. “Sho’ you right.” Mattie pronounced the word “sure” as though she was saying “show,” but only when she was alone with Lawrence. It was her way of acknowledging her roots, having grown up in the country, raised by a grandmother who didn’t always speak perfect English, but whose heart was made of pure gold. A grandmother who would say “sho’ ’nuff” when she wanted you to know that she was more than sure. Lawrence loved that about Mattie; how she could still easily transition between the two worlds. Mattie handed him his messages. “And don’t you forget it. I’m one person you know will always have your back.”
Lawrence quickly scanned through the five messages. “Sho’ you right,” he said with a laugh. “Well, you know where I’ll be if you need me.” He went into his office and closed the door.
Mattie was typing when the man first cleared the doorway. She couldn’t help but grin. He was a nice tall “drink of water,” as her grandmother would have said. Refreshing and more than pleasant on the eyes. He’d better be glad I’m in my fifties and not a cougar like my friend Janice, she thought. Or I might give this twenty-year-old something a run for his money. Sho’ you right!
Mattie continued to smile. “Hi there. May I help you?”
He smiled back. “Why, yes. I’m here to see Representative Simmons. I have an appointment.”
Mattie pretended to look at her appointment book even though she knew exactly who he was and what time he was scheduled. “You must be Dr. Morgan.” She held out her hand for him to shake. Just as he was strolling toward her desk, her smile suddenly dropped.
Dr. Morgan shook her hand, but looked over his shoulder to see what had caused Mattie to go from a warm smile to a cold stare.
“I’m sorry,” Mattie said, releasing Dr. Morgan’s hand quicker than she had originally intended. “Can I help you?” she said to the woman who had come in.
The woman smiled. “Oh, I’m good,” she said as she sat down as though the office belonged to her.
Dr. Morgan went and sat in the seat next to her. Mattie figured this woman had that kind of an effect on most men she came in contact with. Of course men would fawn all over her. Seeing them sitting next to each other, she could see the two of them being attracted. But she was going to fix this real quick.
“I’m sorry,” Mattie said to the woman. “But the representative will not be able to see you today. He’s quite busy and quite booked. When you called earlier, I told you as much. I’m pretty sure that was you I spoke with. I remember you and your voice from before. Your name is Gabrielle, isn’t it?”
Gabrielle nodded with a smile and an assurance. “Did you happen to even tell Lawrence that I called?”
That really irked Mattie. The level of disrespect this woman was showing by calling Representative Simmons by his first name totally disrespected the office he held. Then attempting to make her look bad in front of this possible donor. Mattie figured this woman was merely trying to rattle her. But Mattie had tangoed with the best of them. She knew how to take off her heels, and she kept a jar of Vaseline in her top drawer, mostly to use when she was ashy or needed to moisten her lips. But if she had to grease down her knuckles and fight, she remembered how to do that as well.
No, Mattie, she said to herself as she stood and took steps toward Gabrielle. Lawrence has told you that you can’t be going alley on folks. Keep your cool. Handle your business in the professional way. Don’t do anything to run this donor away.
“Ma’am, I’m quite efficient at what I do,” Mattie said. “But I’m sure you know that Representative Simmons is an immensely busy man. Now, I’ll be glad to make an appointment for you. But I can already tell you that he’s booked until at least the end of next week. And even with an appointment, you never know what emergency may pop up and cause the appointment to be canceled or rescheduled.”
Mattie smiled. She knew Dr. Morgan had to be feeling quite special right about now. He’d called yesterday and had gotten an instant appointment for today. Mattie was sure that would possibly earn Lawrence some extra points with him. Powerful people love to feel they’ve been treated as such. He crossed his leg, locked his fingers in place around his crossed knee, and lifted his chin up even higher. Yes, he was making a note of all of this, and she was definitely making an impression.
Gabrielle leaned back comfortably. “It’s okay. I don’t mind waiting.”
“Okay,” Mattie said with a forced smile. “Suit yourself.”
Mattie glanced at the clock on the wall and walked back around to her desk. She then buzzed Representative Simmons. “Your one thirty is here.” She smiled at Dr. Morgan. “He’s ready to see you.”
Dr. Morgan stood up. Gabrielle Mercedes stood up as well. Mattie’s smile grew bigger. Thank You, Lord. She’s going to leave. Because Lord, You know I didn’t want to have to sit out here with her. Thank You, Jesus!
Dr. Morgan walked toward the office door. Gabrielle was right there with him. It dawned on Mattie that this little sneaky woman was trying to muscle her way in ahead of Dr. Morgan. Oh, she’s a slick one! But she doesn’t know who she’s messing with. I don’t play that!
Mattie quickly stepped out from behind her desk and before Gabrielle. “I’m sorry, but I was speaking to this gentleman here.” She smiled at Dr. Morgan.
“Oh, I know,” Gabrielle said.
“So, you can’t go in there.” Mattie positioned her body right in front of Gabrielle. She was prepared to physically stop her if she had to.
“Excuse me,” Dr. Morgan said, his deep voice almost causing her to suck in air too fast for her body to process.
“I apologize for this. But this woman—”
“Is with me,” Dr. Morgan said.
Mattie’s upper body jerked back. “Excuse me?”
Dr. Morgan smiled, grabbed Gabrielle by her hand, and said, “This woman . . . she’s with me. We’re together.” He pulled Gabrielle gently along with him as he opened the door.
As soon as the door closed, Mattie regained her composure and hurried back to her desk. She picked up the phone and pressed a button. “I need you to get in here. Now!” she said. “We have a slight problem!”