One Love (26 page)

After a few more words of comfort to
Yasmin, Lanessa headed to her office. After glancing at the clock
in her dashboard, she decided she had time. Maybe she would be a
bit late, but she’d call Alex. Her mind turned back to the riddle
of where Franklin Enterprises fit in with the rest of the bits and
pieces she knew. The urge to follow this new clue was like a fever.
The fifteen minute drive was a blur. Once at her office, Lanessa
plunged into maze of corporations, annual reports and Internet
document archives. She became totally absorbed. To most people this
would be tedious. Yet as she read and followed links along a trail,
she felt exhilarated by the chase. This was not going to be an
easy, straightforward search.

“
But I’m gonna get ya,
guys,” Lanessa muttered to herself. There was other sound except
the clicking of the keyboard keys. “You can run, but you can’t
hide.”

***

“
Daddy, let’s go. Ms.
Lanessa is too late,” Tia whined.

“
Yeah, why are we waiting
for her again?” Nia said.

“
Our discount to the
aquarium is for a family of four. Didn’t you tell her that?” Tia
put both hands on her slim hips.

“
She probably had some
important work to do.” Alex did not look at either of them as he
spoke.

“
On a Saturday?” Nia wore a
frown.

“
Not even Granddaddy works
three Saturdays in a row,” Tia raised an eyebrow at her
sister.

“
Yes, and he runs a gigantic
company.” Nia spread her arms wide in imitation of his
father.

He ground his teeth together. Once
again he was making excuses for Lanessa. She’d promised to be here.
It was over an hour past the time she was to meet them at his
house. They were to go see a new exhibit on the Louisiana gulf
coast habitat. Nia and Tia were excited when Lanessa brought a
picture book by C. C. Lockwood. Lanessa charmed them into forgiving
her for missing two other outings. Yet soon they would stop
trusting her. Alex wondered what had come first this
time.

“
Let’s go my two queens in
training.” Alex forced a light tone to his voice. He bowed as part
of the game he’d played with them for years.

“
But the discount,” Tia
protested. She sounded as practical as her mother. She picked up
her small round leather purse.

Nia cast a conspiratorial glance at
her sister before speaking. “Maybe Miss Karin can come. I remember
her phone number.” She wore the ghost of a sly smile look at Tia’s
wide-eyed reaction to her impertinent suggestion.

“
I don’t think so,” Alex
said in a dry voice. He picked up his car keys. “Let’s
go.”

Queens indeed! Each day he saw more
clearly the women they would become. Both would be a real handful
as adolescents. Alex followed them to his car. He wondered if he
should try to call Lanessa on her cellular phone. Maybe something
was wrong. No, he was not going to run after her. She should have
called by now. Well forget her. They would have a good time on
their own. He chattered with the girls about marine life and
ecosystems. The ride to New Orleans did not take long. The girls
were enchanted with every moment, including the ride through the
French Quarter. Once inside the Aquarium of the Americas, they
raced from one display to another. They were delighted by
everything, even exhibits they’d seen at least three times before.
In typical childhood fashion, the irritation with Lanessa earlier
was forgotten. Yet behind his smile, Alex stewed about her absence
for the rest of the day. No explanation short of a family crisis,
and it had better be a big one, would be good enough. Alex ground
his teeth again. He and Lanessa had would have to have a serious
talk.

Chapter 13

It was after seven in the evening when
Alex parked the Montero Sport in his garage. Tia and Nia were tired
but happy. They still sang songs though the lyrics were
interspersed with yawns. He gazed at them lovingly. Maybe tonight
there would be no arguments about bedtime. Once inside the house,
the girls selected a video to watch. Alex put their souvenirs from
the aquarium in their bedroom. He straightened the stuffed toys and
hung up small shirts tossed about. When the doorbell rang he was in
the laundry room putting clothes in the washer.

“
I’ll get it,” Tia shouted.
Seconds later there was the sound of her stocking feet slapping
against the hardwood floor.

“
Don’t run in the house. And
don’t open the door unless you recognize who it is,” Alex called
back.

Tia met Alex entered the kitchen from
the laundry room. “Daddy, it’s Miss Lanessa,” she whispered. Her
eyes were bright with anticipation. “She’s in the living room
waiting for you.”

“
There’s no need to whisper,
Tia.” Alex combed his hair with his fingers. “Now go back to the
den and watch the movie.”

“
I could bring you some iced
tea or cola.” Tia assumed an innocent expression.

“
How thoughtful, but no. You
girls shouldn’t interrupt your fun because of me.” He gave her a
knowing father look. “So go on.”

Tia’s face showed her disappointment.
“Alright.” She walked off but kept glancing back over her
shoulder.

Alex stood for several moments. He had
not thought through what he would say to Lanessa. All day his anger
had simmered. The last thing he wanted was an emotional scene.
They’d had more than enough of those in the past.

“
Might as well face it,” he
mumbled to himself. When he walked in the living room, Lanessa
sprang from the sofa.

“
Hi.” Lanessa wore a
tentative smile.

“
Hi.” Alex did not smile
back at her.

“
Listen, I’m really sorry.
After I left Jackie’s I made the big mistake of going to the
office. Yasmin gave me important information about
Paxton-Waite.”

“
Okay.”

“
I mean really important
information. It was still early enough that I thought I had time.
Well you know how it is when you get online. Before you know it a
couple of hours have gone by.” Lanessa spoke in a rush as she
watched his expression.

“
Uh-huh.” His simmering
anger began to boil. She was so glib. Their outing had been a
distant third on her list.

“
Yasmin took the news about
Charles pretty hard but I think she’ll be okay. It was two-thirty
before I knew it.” Lanessa walked close to him. “But I really am
sorry.”

“
Oh I believe you, Lanessa,”
Alex said sharply. “Every time you say it, I believe.”

She twisted her hands together. “I
don’t blame you for being mad. Tell you what; let’s do something
extra special tomorrow. Our own Sunday fun day. What about it,
baby?”

“
Sure. Why not? Let’s just
pretend.” Alex stared past her.

“
What do you mean?” Lanessa
said in a muted tone.

Alex looked at her. “You what I
mean.”

She was silent for several seconds as
though his words had stunned her. “You’re
over-reacting.”

“
Is that right?” Alex
snapped.

“
I know you and the kids are
upset that I’ve missed a few outings.” Lanessa sounded
conciliatory.

“
The girls can’t get to know
you if you’re never around, Lanessa.” Alex paced in front of her.
“We can’t build a life together only when you can pencil us into
your schedule.”

Lanessa grabbed his arm. “I’m not
putting other things ahead of you or the girls. It’s
just--”

“
There’s always a ‘but’ when
you’re telling me how important we are.” Alex took a deep breath
and let it out. He sat down on the sofa.

“
But you know how it is.
Owning a business is tough, especially for a black woman. I’ve got
to fight for a piece of the action.” Lanessa sat next to him. She
still held his arm.

“
Yes, I know.” Alex
understood very well what she faced.

Lanessa moved closer to him. “Honey,
I’ve got to spend extra time. It’s the only way I can make Info,
Inc. succeed.”

“
I know that, too.” Alex sat
straight staring ahead.

“
Now I hear a ‘but’.”
Lanessa let go of his arm.

“
I don’t think you
understand. These few outings as you call them are a lot more.
You’re missing valuable time with the girls.” Alex tried to put
into words what that meant. “We’re building memories, our bonds as
a family.”

“
I do understand, but--”
Lanessa cut off her own response at the look he gave her. “Okay,
okay. I already apologized to the twins when I came in. Starting
tonight I’m going to do better.”

Alex was not satisfied with her easy
answer. “I think we need to take time out to really consider what’s
happening here.”

“
Time out? I’ve been bad
girl so you’re punishing me?” Lanessa stood up.

“
We keep pulling in opposite
directions.” Alex was no longer angry. He wanted to give their
relationship a clear, realistic examination. “A quick apology and
another promise won’t do.”

“
I should be understanding,
but that doesn’t apply to you.” Lanessa pointed a finger at
him.

“
Let’s not get into an
argument.” Alex could see she was now the angry one. “Believe me; I
know what you’re going through. I had to make a lot of sacrifices
career wise for my family.”

“
And I’m used to being
selfish. Thank you Saint Alex,” Lanessa retorted.

“
I didn’t mean--” Alex shook
his head. “Forget it.”

“
I busted ass to get where I
am. You could be a bit more supportive of what I’m trying to do.”
Lanessa jumped from the sofa to face him.

“
I have been, Lanessa. But
it’s all one way. I’ve gone to the parties and explained your
no-shows to the kids. But do you really have to do it all? Like
today, you didn’t have to go to your office!” Alex tossed back at
her.

“
I lost track of time for
goodness sakes! And yes, I did need at least a few minutes at the
office.”

Alex crossed his arms. “When did you
go to your office? I’ll bet it was already after the time we were
supposed to meet.” Alex answered the question before she could
speak.

“
I made a stupid mistake and
didn’t watch the clock. I’m sorry. But this information was
critical,” Lanessa said. She seemed frustrated that he did not see
her point of view.

“
Critical information.” Alex
repeated her words in a flat voice.

“
Yes, very critical.”
Lanessa wore a determined look.

Alex was furious now. “I didn’t
realize being with me and my daughters was such a small thing
compared to your business.

“
Aw c’mon. You’re being
melodramatic.”

“
You don’t get it, do you?”
Alex could not help it. His voice rose in anger. “I thought you had
grown up!”

“
I’ve made a lot of
compromises in the past few months. All you do is complain when you
don’t get your own way!” Lanessa yelled.

“
This isn’t just about me,
Lanessa. I thought you wanted to be apart of my life. And right now
that means family.”

“
I’ve done a lot to reach
out to you and your children. But you haven’t done much to support
me. All I have to do is mention Info, Inc. and you get this look”
Lanessa wore an angry frown.

“
You’re trying to cloud the
real issue.”

“
Which is?”

“
You want it both ways. Me
dangling on a string waiting for you and the high life!” Alex spoke
with a fierce resentment that had festered for some
time.

“
Don’t’ flatter yourself!”
Lanessa said in a voice that rang with scorn.

“
Enjoy your hot career
running with the big dogs and the social life that goes with it,”
Alex shouted. “Because at the end of the day, it’ll be all you’ve
got.”

“
At least I won’t have
anyone giving nagging day in and day out!” Lanessa brushed back her
hair. “And don’t think I’ll be sitting by the phone waiting for you
to call either.”

“
Well hello. The real
Lanessa Thomas just showed up!” Alex turned his back on her and
found the twins standing in the door. Their eyes were
wide.

“
Daddy, we can’t find the
p-popcorn,” Nia stammered.

“
Are you okay?” Tia seemed
on the verge of tears.

The anger drained from him at the
expression on Tia’s little face. “Sure, baby. Everything is fine,”
he said in a normal tone. He crossed to her in three long strides
and picked her up.

“
Why are you and Miss
Lanessa yelling at each other?” Tia pressed her face against his
chest.

“
They’re fighting, dumb
bunny. Don’t be such a baby,” Nia said with scorn. She gazed at
Lanessa with a harsh look. “Miss Karin didn’t yell.”

“
Perfect! Just perfect!”
Lanessa mumbled.

“
Lanessa, wait here.” Alex
said in a curt tone. He led the girls down the hall and back to the
den. “Now don’t get upset. Adults sometimes argue. Just like you
two get into little fusses sometimes. Okay?”