Forever Love (Arabesque) (9 page)

She’d seen what love and marriage did to some women. A lot of her college friends were sinking in that boat. As soon as they said “I do” they were delegated to take a backseat in the marriage. They didn’t have a voice; they didn’t think and they didn’t have an opinion. They just vanished. That in itself was imprisoning as far as she was concerned. Nobody should have to exist like that—nobody.

Still, Gia nodded as her grandmother continued. When she finally stopped, Gia quickly jumped in. “Grandmom, trust me, I’m fine. My life is good—no, it’s better than good. So please don’t worry about me. You just focus on getting well.”

Julia sighed heavily. “All right, all right, I hear you,” she said. “But mark my words, one of these days you’re gonna hear me and know exactly what I’m talking about. Love doesn’t just come around willy-nilly.”

“Willy-nilly?” Gia repeated humorously.

Julia smiled. “Yes, exactly, willy-nilly.”

“Okay, Grandmom, one of these days, I get it. Now, can we change the subject?” Gia said, knowing that day would never come for her. Men like the ones Julia described didn’t exist anymore. Gia wasn’t sure if they ever really did.

“What’s this I hear about you and the mayor? I saw the news this morning,” Julia began. “Mayor Washington and OCC was all over it again.”

Gia smiled proudly. “The North Field Community Center town hall meeting is getting even more press than I expected. OCC sponsored it and all of the viable candidates showed up, including the mayor. We had been sending him information about our concerns on unemployment and education. He never responded, so we confronted him about his record. Three and a half years ago he ran on those issues and it’s time we made him justify getting our vote when he hasn’t done anything.”

Julia nodded. “But he has done a lot of good for this city, Gia, as mayor, a businessman and a private citizen. You’ve only been back in the city for three years. You don’t know—”

“Grandmom, I get that you admire him, but just because he’s rich doesn’t make him a saint. I’m not blinded by his family money. I mean...” she said quickly, then paused. She knew by the expression on her grandmother’s face that her comment hit her hard. “What I mean is that he could have and should have been doing a lot more for this city. I just want him to step up and do what he promised.”

“Gia, it’s not about admiration. Blake has mobilized the city and given it a new direction. Our last mayor was an easily corrupted egocentric, and his administration fed on fear and was strife with scandal. In contrast, this administration doesn’t have a scant perception of dishonesty.”

Gia shook her head adamantly. This had always been a point in which she and her grandmother vehemently disagreed. “Yes, but it shouldn’t be a comparison. Washington’s tenure should stand on its own, not be compared to the last mayor.”

“I can see you’re still very passionate about this.”

“I am.”

“Is that all there is to this?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, he’s a man of wealth, influence and power. He reminds me a lot of your father.”

“No, no way,” Gia said, knowing exactly where her grandmother was going with this. She stood and looked out over the balcony. “This has nothing to do with my father or my feelings about him and his family.”

“The ‘his family’ is also your family.”

“An accident at birth,” she said quickly. “I’m nothing like them and I never will be.”

“Gia, having money isn’t a crime. A lot of good comes from wealth.”

“I know that,” Gia said, turning to lean back against the balcony.

“Do you?” Julia smiled. Gia didn’t respond. “Just make sure you’re doing this for the right reason. This is about the people OCC represents. It’s their lives.”

“I know, and I am. This city needs jobs and a better education program that works and that will help develop and sustain those jobs. They need help, and OCC is the voice they don’t have.”

Julia chuckled. “I bet the OCC confronting Blake at the community center didn’t go over too well. I’m surprised you were able to be so successful, and I know his eldest son must have been furious.”

“Keith, you know Keith?” she wondered aloud.

Julia nodded. “He’s a good guy—intelligent, loyal, sweet and apparently extremely dangerous to the heart.”

“What do you mean, he’s a player?”

“No, at least I don’t think so, not intentionally anyway. He’s got his father’s charm and that’s like walking around with a loaded weapon. Single, straight man, attractive, intelligent and rich—he’s the golden fleece of bachelorhood. I know for a fact that women go to great lengths to get noticed by him. And I know of at least a few dozen women who would drop everything and sell their mama if he would have just smiled in their direction.”

Gia scoffed. “He’s not all that attractive.”

“And you know the media love him. As far as they’re concerned, he can do no wrong. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ran for office one of these days.”

Gia shrugged. “If he does, then he’d better keep his campaign promises or OCC will be knocking on his door, too. Did I tell you he stopped by the office Monday night? He wants us to meet with the mayor. I’d say that’s a huge step forward.”

“It certainly is,” Julia said, smiling.

“And we’ve gotten a lot more interest in OCC, too. Bill’s out right now taping a segment for one of the weekend news programs. OCC is right at the front of all this. Mayor Washington is going to have to step up his program. Leadership is more than ability, it’s responsibility. It’s time he and other politicians step up.”

Julia nodded. “I’m so proud of you,” she said.

“I am my grandmother’s daughter.”

Julia smiled and nodded. “Yes, you certainly are. You’re in charge now. You do what you have to do.”

“I am. I will. And speaking of which, I’d better get to work. I have a long day ahead of me.” She leaned down and kissed her grandmother’s cheek. “I’ll stop by later this evening.”

“I’ll call you tonight.”

Gia nodded. “Okay.” She walked to the door, sparing one last glance at her grandmother sitting on the balcony enjoying the autumn weather. She took a deep relaxing breath. Seeing her looking, talking and feeling better was a prayer come true. She needed to make sure she stayed that way.

A few minutes later she got into her car and headed to the OCC office. On the way she stopped by the local bakery and picked up donuts, Danishes and bagels before going into the office. As she walked in the office, her cell beeped. She saw that it was Bonnie calling. “Hello.”

Bonnie smiled with relief at seeing her walk in. “Hey, I was just calling you,” she said, hanging up. “How’s your grandmom?”

“Much better, thanks. She was sitting out on the balcony reading when I got there. She looks good, almost back to her old self again.”

“So she’s gonna be okay, then?” Bonnie asked.

Gia nodded. “Yes. I think so. She still has a lot of therapy to complete, and she needs a lot of rest to recuperate, but the doctor and the staff are very encouraged about her progress.”

“That’s good. But I’m glad you came in. We might have a problem.”

“Of course we do,” Gia said, expecting as much as she continued to her office. “Catch me up. What’s going on?” Bonnie followed closely. “And if this is about the parking problem on the side of the building, please tell the neighboring business that we are complying with the local city ordinances.”

“No, it’s not that, it’s Danny, he’s—”

As soon as Gia dropped her jacket and purse on her desk, Bill barged in, interrupting. “There you are.” His dark eyes were as wide as saucers. “What the hell’s going on around here? Where is everybody?”

“As I was saying—” Bonnie tried to continue.

“Bonnie, please, I’m trying to talk here,” Bill interrupted.

“Have you heard anything from Washington yet? Does he want to make a deal?”

“A deal. What are you talking about? What deal? We’re not making any deals with anybody.”

“Yeah, right, I know. I know. Sorry, wrong word choice. I meant, what was his deal? Did you talk to him? Does he want to meet with us?”

“I don’t know. I’m just getting in myself, and by the way, my grandmother’s doing fine, thanks for asking.”

“Gia, I’m sorry. This campaign thing is getting to me. Please tell Julia I asked about her the next time you see her.”

“Um, hello,” Bonnie started, waving. Bill and Gia looked at her. “Excuse me, but this is important.”

“What is it, Bonnie?” Bill said sharply.

“Danny went to the mayor’s press conference this afternoon.”

Gia’s jaw dropped as she stood. “He did what?”

“Now, that’s initiative. There, see, I knew we should have gone. What happened? What did he say? Is he back here yet?”

“He didn’t say a lot, but he does need someone to come down to City Hall and vouch for him.”

“Vouch for him for what?” Gia asked.

“He forged press credentials and disrupted the press conference, but that’s not the worst part. When security escorted him out, there was a scuffle. So now he’s officially being held.”

“You gotta be kidding me,” Gia said.

“What the hell? Did he tell them he was with OCC?”

Bonnie shrugged. “I don’t know, but he needs somebody to go down to city hall and vouch for him as soon as possible.”

“I’ll go,” Bill said distastefully.

He headed out the door. Bonnie and Gia followed, and then Gia’s cell phone rang. It was Julia. “Hi, Grandmom, can I call you back? We’re right in the middle of a—”

“This won’t take a minute,” Julia began. “Louise is getting in earlier than she expected and she can’t reach her nephew. She’ll need a ride.”

“Um, sure, when?”

“Right now. Her train arrives in about twenty minutes.”

Gia looked at her watch. It was already early afternoon. She picked up her purse and jacket. “Okay, Grandmom, I’m on my way.” It was obviously going to be one of those days already.

Chapter 9

Y
ou could barely hear the muffled echo of footsteps as hundreds of people walked the stately marble-and-slate corridors. Philadelphia’s City Hall, once the tallest inhabitable building of its time and currently the seat of the city’s political power, houses three branches of government. The lower levels are designated for the judicial branch and courts, the legislative houses the middle sections and the top floor is reserved for the mayor’s office and the executive branch. With close to seven hundred rooms, it’s still one the largest municipal buildings in the world.

Keith and Blake took the octagonal spiral granite staircase two floors down, walking the considerable distance between the mayor’s office and the press room. Megan Keats walked on ahead. She got to the press room door and quietly slipped in. Keith peeked in and saw Ryan Hadley, the appointed press secretary for the city of Philadelphia, already standing at the podium. He had read the prepared statement and was taking initial questions. Keith closed the door and waited with his father for Megan to let them know when Ryan was ready.

“Ryan’s still taking questions,” Keith said.

Blake nodded as he continued to scan his cell phone messages. “Your mother left a text message. I’m to remind you to pick up your great-aunt Louise at the train station this afternoon.”

Keith glanced at his watch. “Yes, I know. Her train arrives in two and a half hours. I have plenty of time and there shouldn’t be too much traffic down Market Street this time of day.”

“Just make sure you get there before she arrives. She’s over eighty years old. I don’t want her sitting around Thirtieth Street Station waiting alone,” Blake insisted.

“I’ll be there in time. There’s no way I would want to be the one responsible for her being let loose on the population of Philadelphia.”

“What do you mean?” Blake asked, turning his cell phone off and handing it to Keith.

“Mamma Lou and her matchmaking,” Keith said, putting his father’s cell phone in his jacket pocket. “If I’m late, half the city will be matched up.”

Blake chuckled, shaking his head. “Aunt Louise isn’t that bad,” he said, looking at Keith. Keith gave him a knowing expression. Blake chuckled again. “Okay, okay. Maybe she is, but you have to admit, her matches are very nicely done. Your cousins Tony and Raymond are deliriously happy.”

“True, but I’m definitely not aiming to be her next target.”

“Target? What makes you think you’re a target?” Blake asked.

“I’m single. Enough said,” he said simply.

Blake chuckled once more. “You’ve got a point there. But I don’t think you have too much to be concerned about this time. It’s just a short visit. She’s here to attend your sister’s benefit ball Saturday night and then she’s headed back to Crescent Island.”

“I think I’ll keep out of her way just in case.”

“What about the pact with your brothers?”

“What pact?” Keith asked.

“Cigars in the conference room at dawn. I believe you were left with the short one.”

Keith smiled, shaking his head. He and his brothers were never able to get anything past their father. Somehow he always knew exactly what they were up to, although this time Keith had no idea how he had found out. “Yes, I’m supposed to be running interference, but that’s not to say that I’ll be stepping into the line of fire. No target, remember?”

Blake nodded. “Right, no target.” He knew well enough that the target Keith was so leery of getting was already there. But he went along with his son’s illusion. “Of course not,” Blake said.

Megan stepped out into the hall. “Two minutes,” she whispered.

Both Blake and Keith nodded. “But right now we need to get this press conference over with. Are you ready?”

Blake nodded. “Yes, let’s do this.”

Megan stepped back out into the hall and nodded for Blake to enter. Ryan announced him to the customary warm applause. Blake walked into the crowded room, then stepped up to the podium. Keith followed, standing just inside the doorway. He eyed the members of the press to gauge their expressions of interest. For the most part they focused on every word his father spoke. Some nodded and others gestured or made near-silent comments to their cameramen.

The agenda was set—employment and education were the day’s main focus. The mayor would update the partnerships with a number of big businesses. Their goal was to expand and develop education and workforce training with a focus on luring more businesses to the area.

Dozens of media professionals from newspaper, radio, television and online venues attended. Blake greeted the media and began with a few brief opening statements. He announced a new appointment to his staff and then reiterated his commitment to employment and education. Afterward he opened the room up to questions.

One by one they stood in turn, announced their represented media, then asked a question of the mayor. Ten minutes in, everything was going as expected. Blake stood at the podium with Keith on one side and his press secretary, Megan, on the other. He was asked a number of difficult questions and he answered with forthright honesty. He was compassionate and understanding of his city’s plight and appeared to earnestly want to make things better.

All the while, one man, seething with contempt, listened in the rear of the room. The man stood and asked a question. Midway through the answer the heckling began. Soon after, he erupted with a barrage of angry insults and accusations as his personal vendetta to upstage the mayor quickly took center stage. He was loud and intrusive, refusing to sit down or give anyone else a chance to speak. Soon, all focus turned to him and he loved it.

Blake answered his first two questions, giving him some latitude, but after a while no matter who raised their hand and who the mayor called on, he continued to bulldoze and demand answers to his questions. It had quickly gotten beyond the point of ridiculous. Soon, by all accounts, what was supposed to be a standard press conference had turned into a three-ring circus, complete with ringmaster and cast of clowns. The press conference had officially been hijacked.

“No, don’t listen to him! He’s lying to us. They all lie—that’s what they do. They’re all criminals and thieves. They take our money, our homes and our families. He doesn’t care about this city. All he cares about is taking our money!”

Someone asked what media outlet he represented. When he answered that he was a blogger, security immediately moved in and escorted him out. There was a scuffle as he was ejected. Shortly afterward the press conference was cut short. Blake thanked the media for their patience and understanding. They applauded as he nodded, waved and walked out. As everyone filed out of the press room, the media immediately surrounded and began asking questions of the man who identified himself as also being a member of OCC.

“He’s a liar!”

Blake stopped and turned around, looking to the end of the hall. The same man who had disrupted and been ejected from the press conference earlier had waited in the hall to continue voicing his venomous opinions. He was yelling and screaming at the top of his lungs as the news media surrounded and bombarded him with questions.

“You’re a liar, Blake! Help the people you promised to help! Get my family back.”

Keith seethed as he followed his father down the hall and back upstairs to his office. Neither man spoke, but as soon as the office door closed, Keith began. “That’s it. First Monday evening and now today. Enough is enough. OCC has gone too far.”

“We’ll deal with it.”

“Did you see the media outlets surrounding that guy?”

“They’ll soon find he’s got no substance.”

“Yes, but when did that ever stop the media from focusing on them? This is the kind of thing that destroys political futures. One loudmouth stands up and after a while every nut job is gonna think it’s okay. It’s not.”

“We’ll tighten security.”

“I already did. The problem is OCC. They’re officially out of control.”

“Keith, calm down. It’s not worth getting all worked up,” Blake said calmly. “We can handle this.”

“That’s just it, we shouldn’t have to,” Keith said angrily as he paced the room. “It looks like every time you open your mouth in public we’re gonna have to deal with some crazy from OCC jumping down your throat. They’re a bunch of loose cannons going off over there.”

“All’s fair in love and politics.”

Keith glared as he watched the replay feedback. Megan had taped the press conference and immediately forwarded the feed to Keith. He watched on his computer pad. “I offered her an olive branch, a truce, and she does this. No, not this time. All bets are off. If she wants a war, she’s got one.”

“Keith, calm down. This isn’t a war and it’s not about getting even. The OCC is simply trying to assert their constitutional rights—freedom of speech. There’s no harm in questioning someone running for public office. It’s the American way. Our friend just needs to choose a more appropriate venue.”

“After my conversations with Gia, I was under the impression that we had come to an understanding. I suggested setting up a meeting with you. I assumed that meant she could call off her hounds. Apparently I didn’t make myself clear enough. I guess I have to be a bit clearer or more convincing,” he said, finally standing still from pacing.

“Convincing,” Blake repeated as he checked his phone messages.

“Leave it to me, Dad. I’ll take care of OCC. I’m heading back to the office now. Do you need anything?”

“Yeah, check your cell phone.”

Just then, Keith’s cell phone beeped with a text message. He opened and looked at the small screen. It was an urgent message from Marion Washington—
Mamma Lou took an earlier train and will be arriving in twenty minutes.

“Mamma Lou’s early,” Keith said, looking at his watch as he headed to the door. “I have to go. I’ll see you at the house this evening. And don’t worry about OCC. I’ll take care of them and get their endorsement. I’ll have my cell phone, of course, if anything else comes up.”

* * *

The drive from City Hall to Thirtieth Street Station was a straight line west down Market Street. With traffic lights, Keith, in his Mercedes-Benz sedan, got there in less than fifteen minutes. Now the hard part would be finding a place to park. He knew midafternoon it would be nearly impossible. But then he lucked out, finding a spot right out front. He parked his car and hurried to the main entrance. He walked to the center of the cavernous station and checked the display. The northbound train from Richmond, Virginia, was due to arrive in less than five minutes. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the inevitable.

Louise Gates was formidable, to say the least. She was over eighty years old but looked more like she was in her early seventies. She was spry and active with a determined get-up-and-go demeanor that constantly belied her years. She was often taken for granted, and that was a mistake Keith had no intention of making. She was his grandmother’s older sister. When she died, Louise had stepped into the role as substitute. No one could deny that she loved and adored her family.

She was kindhearted, generous and caring. Her one flaw was her annoying habit of playing matchmaker. Sure, she had matched both his cousins Tony and Raymond with incredible women, but he was sure she’d just gotten lucky. He needed her to understand that he had no intention of getting married, so she needn’t bother looking for anyone for him.

The announcement was made. The northbound train from Richmond, Virginia, was arriving at the station on track six. Keith walked over to the numbered platform stairway, joining a gathering of others also waiting for their loved ones to arrive. As soon as he got there, the escalator began to move and his cell phone beeped. He pulled it out and saw that it was his brother texting him.

Jeremy:
Hey, where are you? I thought we were meeting back here at the office after the press conference.

Keith:
Had to make a detour to the train station.

Jeremy:
Train station? You mean...

Keith:
Yep, the train just arrived.

Jeremy:
Do you have a plan?

Keith:
Sure. Keep my distance.

Jeremy:
LOL!

Keith:
Gotta go, the train’s here.

Jeremy:
Good luck...

Keith chuckled and nodded his response just before tucking the phone back into his jacket pocket. A second later they arrived. Just a few passengers at first; then the few soon became a mass exodus. Friends called to one another, and family hugged and kissed their relations. All the time, Keith waited patiently. Shortly the mass of departing passengers trickled to just a few. Soon he was the only person standing waiting. The escalator stopped.

He waited another minute or two, then turned to the information board in the center of the cavernous station. The train’s number had been removed from the board, giving way to the next arriving train from New York. A few seconds later he saw a conductor walking up the platform steps. “Excuse me, question.”

“Yes, sir, how can I help you?”

“Are there any remaining passengers from the northbound train from Richmond, Virginia?”

“No, the platform’s empty. Are you looking for someone?”

“Yes, an elderly woman in her eighties, gray hair, slight build, very friendly, probably carrying a few bags. She would have gotten on the train in Richmond and gotten off here.”

“Nope, sorry, I was the conductor on that run. I didn’t have any passengers fitting that description. Are you sure she was taking this train out of Richmond? You know, there was also an Acela Express that got in about forty minutes ago.”

“No, I’m sure. She gave this time of arrival.”

“Well, she might have just missed the train or maybe someone else picked her up.”

“I don’t think so. Is there a paging system here?”

“Yeah, there is. I’m on my way to the main office now. What’s the passenger’s name?”

“Louise Gates.”

“Louise Gates,” the conductor repeated, “got it. I’ll have her meet you here,” he said, then turned to leave.