Haley stepped out of the shower and toweled off, then walked back into her bedroom and pulled on a T-shirt and boi shorts. Now wasn’t the time for pants.
For some reason, her thoughts wandered to her mother. They really hadn’t had the chance to talk much the past week. Haley fished her cell phone out of her bag. It was just a little before seven, but her mom was an early riser.
The phone rang twice.
“Yeah?” Jeb greeted.
Haley cringed. “Where’s Mom?”
“Went to the twenty-four-hour Walgreens ta get half-and-half. She left her phone.”
“Really? You saw it was me; what was the point in answerin’?”
Jeb huffed. “See, this here is why we don’t get along. You’re so damn disrespectful.”
“That’s not the only reason. Hard to respect somebody who isn’t very acceptin’.”
“Well…when ya change your ways, we’ll have somethin’ to talk about.”
“Ditto, Jethro.” She was taking her taser next time she visited.
“Who? What did ya call me?”
“Nothin’. Just tell her I called.”
“That’s what I thought y—”
Haley hung up. She wasn’t a kid, and thank God she didn’t live at home anymore. Haley understood that a child, even an adult one, shouldn’t have a say in a parent’s love life. But she didn’t get it. What kind of woman marries a man who’s against someone she loves? Through all her mother’s other marriages, Haley had felt that at least she mattered. She was really beginning to wonder if that was the case anymore. Her good mood went down a peg or two.
She plopped down on the couch and fired up her Xbox. Haley smirked. Tang was online, and as she loaded up Modern Warfare 3, her thoughts scattered, then zeroed in on something, someone, else. Tonya. It had been two days, and she couldn’t get Tonya off her mind. It was starting to wig her out.
Instead of logging on to the server, Haley picked up her phone again. Yeah, it had only been a couple of days. Wasn’t there a three-day rule or something? Screw it, that was probably something men made up anyway. Haley glanced at the time. It was after seven o’clock, and she was sure Tonya was on her way to work.
The phone rang five times before going to voice mail. She listened to it but hung up before the beep. Haley stared at her phone and made the immediate decision to call back.
Tonya answered on the second ring. “Hello?”
“I didn’t think you were gonna answer.”
“I wasn’t.”
Well. Haley didn’t know what the hell to say to that, so she winged it. “Yeah, most people don’t answer unknown numbers.”
“I knew it was you. It’s very rare someone calls my phone that’s not already a contact.” Tonya’s tone was crisp and kind of aloof.
This was an interesting start. Not. Haley was crashing and burning without even taking off. “Okay. Why, then?”
The seconds ticked by.
“Maybe it would be better if you focused on why I answered instead,” Tonya said, softer, hesitant.
Haley gripped the Xbox controller tightly as her stomach did an unexpected flip-flop. “Why?”
“You seem genuine and open. It could have more to do with your age, but—”
“Don’t. Don’t do that. I’m not twelve and tryin’ to make friends with the big girls.”
For several seconds, no one spoke. Haley wondered if she’d gone too far, and then decided she’d gone just far enough. Age wasn’t going to be an issue—not for Haley, at least. Tonya was going to have to find something else to poke her stick at.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to…sorry.” Tonya cleared her throat.
She was nervous. Haley wasn’t sure why that made her heart beat a little faster, but she accepted the apology. There was no reason to dwell. She’d made her point. “Okay…so how are you? I know you’ve probably been asked that fifty million times.”
“Not really, but I’m okay. There were some positives and some negatives to come out of the whole thing. Either way, I’m sure I’m doing much better than they are.”
“I have to agree with you there. You gonna go to their sentencin’?”
“I think I’ll pass.”
“Don’t blame you.”
“Where are you from? People from here don’t have Southern accents.” Tonya wasn’t subtle about changing the subject, and Haley decided to just roll with it.
“Gulfport. We used to come here a lot when I was a kid. Just made sense to settle down here. It’s like a second home. I live in a double shotgun at the corner of North Claiborne and St. Roch. I’m not far from Melba’s and her fried chicken, and I’m positive that I’m right next door to the frozen-cup lady. The kids line up. She does these cool-lookin’ rainbow patterns. So the area is all right compared to some of the others close by.”
“The 7th Ward?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s mighty bold of you. I’m sure you stick out.”
“I do, but I’m not the only one. There’s a white guy who lives on the opposite corner. I’ve lived here over a year, and everyone has been neighborly for the most part.”
“I grew up in a house over on Elysian Fields. We had a candy lady at the end of the block. So I heard.”
“No kiddin’. Was there a huge difference in the neighborhood when you were a kid, you think?”
“Yes…I didn’t get out much.” Tonya’s voice went from strong and enthusiastic to soft and tentative. This was obviously something else she didn’t want to get into, and Haley saw no reason to push.
“That happens. So, tell me, do you like your snoballs plain or with condensed milk?”
“I’m sorry…what?”
Haley repeated the question.
“Piña colada and cherry with condensed milk and wedding cake with evaporated milk.” Tonya sounded sure again.
“Piña colada, huh? I’m more partial to bubblegum and cotton candy.” Haley paused. “No kid jokes, please.”
Tonya chuckled.
Haley smiled, and her heart picked up speed again. “You like your po’ boys dressed?”
“Yes, oyster fried hard or shrimp extra pickle and with hot sauce.”
“Well, of course. Can’t forget the hot sauce.” Haley sat the Xbox controller on the table and got comfortable on the couch. Tang could wait. “Gumbo with ok—”
“No. Okra is a throwaway food. It adds absolutely nothing to a dish.”
“You sound passionate about that. Not even fried?”
“Not even hot and pickled. It’s not the taste of it, really. It’s the texture.”
“Well, aren’t you special.” Haley laughed.
“Maybe.”
“You suck the head?”
There was total silence on the other end.
Haley coughed to cover it up. “On crawfish.”
“Oh…Oh! I’m from New Orleans.”
“Yeah, that was probably a stupid question. So, how’s Al?”
“I can only speak in generalities, but he’s stabilizing. I’ll let him know you asked about him.”
“Thanks. I just wanted to ask, but this is more about you than him.”
Tonya didn’t respond, and Haley wondered if it she was flustered, embarrassed, or just plain uncomfortable. She didn’t want to know. “Okay…this is the most important question. Popeyes or Church’s?”
“Raising Cane’s.” Tonya’s reply was quick.
“What? That’s not even chicken; it’s just bits.” Haley sat up and her voice rose about three octaves.
“Now who’s passionate?” Tonya teased.
“You’re laughin’ at me. Aren’t you?”
“A little bit, yes. I was just kidding. Popeyes, but when I eat it, I add an extra fifteen minutes to my workout.”
“I work out too.” Haley rolled her eyes. Like nobody could tell that from a mile away.
“I haven’t noticed.”
“I’ll make sure my T-shirt is tighter next time.”
/> “I appreciate that.” Tonya paused. “I meant…thanks for informing me.”
Haley grinned. “Uh-huh, and just to let you know, I was gonna erase and block your number if you said Church’s.”
“How do you know I’m going to be the one calling next time?”
“Doesn’t matter, as long as I get to talk to you.”
“Yes, well, I’m at work, so…”
“This was nice,” Haley said softly. “Thank you for answerin’ the phone. Have a good one, Tonya.”
“Um, you too.”
Haley held the phone until she heard it click. That was really nice, and she was more wigged out than before. She didn’t usually do things like this, but Haley liked the hell out of it.
* * *
Tonya nodded hello to some of her crew as she got on the elevator. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, but her heart was still quivering in her chest. She had enjoyed that entire conversation, even the awkward parts. Haley was funny and bold one minute and sensitive the next. It was a nice combination, and talking to Haley was the easiest thing she’d been a part of in a long time. It was nice to have something be simple even if it was just for a few moments. It was great to feel that flutter again. It had been a while. Not that it had ever ended with anything to shout about. Tonya pushed those thoughts away. She was being presumptuous.
It was just one phone call, but dear God, it felt incredible to just…be. Maybe this was her chance to grab hold of something just for herself, to enjoy life for once. The idea was scary and exhilarating all at once.
The elevator dinged and opened.
She was jumping ahead of herself. This could all just be a case of some young butch trying her hand at an older woman. Tonya dismissed the thought as soon as it came. It wasn’t like the age gap was astronomical. Plus, she wanted to see all of this as a positive, and that meant not creating or fishing for the negative that could be nonexistent.
Tonya headed straight for her office. Before she could get it open, Stephanie appeared.
“You didn’t answer my text. Does that mean you were on the phone?”
“I was driving,” Tonya reminded her. It wasn’t exactly a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either.
“Have you heard from her yet?”
Tonya entered her office, Stephanie right behind her.
“We’ll have to talk about this later.”
Stephanie screeched. “I knew it!”
“Jesus, we’re at work.” Tonya tried really hard to keep her smile at bay and barely succeeded.
“Oh please. No one can hear us.”
“Still.”
Stephanie huffed. “Fine.”
Tonya thought that was the end of it. She turned to put her things away. Her purse started to chime, and it wasn’t just once. There was a succession of sound. She opened her bag and pulled out her phone.
Four texts, all from Stephanie.
Her phone sounded again. Tonya turned and glared.
As if feeling Tonya’s gaze, Stephanie looked up. “What? It’s the perfect solution. No one can see or hear.”
Tonya sighed. “I’m not going to text you. You’re standing right in front of me.”
“But we have to keep up the shield…you know? Of professionalism.”
Tonya smiled. It was too late to pretend like she hadn’t.
“I saw that!” Stephanie said.
“Fine!” Tonya sat down, scrolled through the texts, and answered them all.
Did she call?
Yes. This morning.
Were you nice?
Yes.
She was dead set on answering as many as she could with a yes or a no.
What did you talk about?
Snoballs and po’ boys.
Did she make you laugh?
Yes.
Are you gonna talk to her again?
Yes. I think so.
Sometime 2day I’m gonna need more than one word answers. Details girl!
Was she that predictable? Tonya looked up. Stephanie was smiling and her eyes were twinkling with amusement.
Obviously, she was.
“Fine,” Tonya said, but there was no vehemence to it. She actually wanted to share everything with Stephanie.
A couple hours later, Tonya was putting the finishing touches on a progress note. When she was done, she glanced at the time at the bottom of the computer screen. It was at least twenty minutes until her next patient. Buoyed by the events of the day, Tonya opened the desk drawer and got her phone out of her purse. She didn’t want to put this phone call off any longer. “This isn’t going to be easy.”
Tonya scrolled through her most recent missed calls. Tracy’s name was front and center. She pressed her thumb against it.
Her sister picked up almost immediately. “I’m in class. Let me step out.”
Tonya didn’t reply. She just waited.
“Okay,” Tracy said a few seconds later. “You called me.” She sounded surprised as well as pleased. “I mean…I know we’ve never been all that close, but I don’t understand this. Did I do something wrong?”
Tonya leaned back in her chair and pressed the phone closer to her ear. She had no idea where to start or how much she could let herself say. Either way, she needed to dole out an apology first. “I’m sorry, and no…you didn’t. You’re more of a product of your—our—environment. I think I lost sight of that.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Just, what do you remember about Mama and the stuff that went on in our house in general?”
“Not much from when I was young, but when I got older, I thought the whole thing was weird. Not being allowed in her room most of the time. You and Daddy were like the police, and then there was the shouting I’d hear her in the middle of the night sometimes. When I did get to see her, I could tell something was really wrong just by the way she looked at me and acted. I tried to talk to Daddy about it, but he would shut me down every time. I was scared to ask you because, hell, you were weird too. When it gets down to it, Mama didn’t exist to me for a long time, and then, it just seemed like one day she was better. There was a lot of lost time to make up for. Didn’t count on cancer interrupting that.” Tracy paused. “I wish…never mind.”
“No, tell me.” Tonya got lost in her sister’s words. It hurt to know that she wasn’t able to protect her from it all.
“I wish everything that happened brought us closer, but you were invisible a lot of the time too. It carried over even though we’re not kids anymore. I’ve tried to close the distance between us, but nothing has ever worked. It just seems like you tolerate me like I’m some problem you have to…fix.” Tracy’s voice broke on the last word.
Tonya closed her eyes.
“Why? Why are we talking about this now? We should’ve done it a million years ago.”
Tonya tried the swallow down the lump in her throat, but it refused to go anywhere. “I don’t know if I can answer that without sounding like I’m just giving excuses.”
“Let me guess…” Tracy sounded tired and fed up. “It’s just the way we are. We talk around things. Am I right?”
“Pretty much.”
“I don’t think I want to anymore.”
“Me either, or at least, I’m trying,” Tonya said softly.
“This thing between you and Daddy, though…”
Tonya stiffened. “It’s in a category all by itself.”
“Yeah, for real. He’s hurting. I can hear it in his voice, and I know he loves you. It—”
“Why can’t he tell me that, then?”
“Why can’t you?” Tracy asked.
“I’m trying, but he hasn’t even bothered.”
“There’s a lot for him to take in—”
“He’s had plenty of time to swallow,” Tonya said firmly.
Tracy sighed. “Okay…okay. You’re right.” She paused. “But we’re sisters. No more of this surface shit between us. We need to talk more, be more.”
“I
want to try that too.” Tonya meant what she said. She wanted to make the effort, but she hoped she wasn’t going to be spreading herself too thin. It didn’t matter. She had to make concessions for the important things.
“Good. I’d better get back to class.”
“Okay,” Tonya said.
“You’re going to answer next time I call?”
“Yes.”
“And text?” Tracy asked.
“Yes, I promise.”
“Okay, bye. I lo…later.”
Tonya didn’t call attention to the way Tracy stumbled over her words. One step at a time. “Later.”
* * *
Haley shoveled a forkful of pasta into her mouth as they started another episode of Fringe.
Jen groaned with pleasure. “You put capers in this?”
“Mm-hm.”
“How do you think to do things like that? I mean, it’s just crawfish pasta.”
“It’s jazzed-up crawfish pasta,” Haley said.
“You need to cook more. You’re really good at it.”
“Shhh!” Nate waved his hand at both of them.
“We’ve seen the whole season already,” Haley reminded him.
“I know that. I don’t remember this episode, and we have to be ready for the final season.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me that they’re cancellin’ it.”
“I’ll just lie to you, then,” Nate said.
“You do that.”
“Shhhh!”
“You know we can pause it, right? That’s the beauty of binge-watchin’.”
“I know that. Hell, we practically invented binge-watchin’. Remember those Battlestar Galactica DVDs?” Nate asked.
Haley laughed. “Yasss, I think a whole weekend passed before we knew it.”
Jen rolled her eyes. “God, you two were stuck together like someone dipped you in extra-strength superglue.” She chuckled. “With you lookin’ the way you do, Haley, I can totally understand why his parents thought he was gay.”
Haley grinned. “Before they saw my tits.”
Nate groaned.
“Hey, those were your dad’s words, not mine.
He reached for the Xbox controller and paused the show, then stood.
“Where you goin’?” Jen asked.
“To get another beer and a glass.”
Between the Lines Page 11
