Three The Hard Way

by Glenn, Roy

"You like it?" I asked.

  "Yes," CeCe said as we followed Mr. Lightbourn around the house.

  "And it’s no wonder that you do my dear. This impressive modern masterpiece was designed by a noted Bahamian architect and offers luxury and comfort in a tropical setting. It has 10,426 square feet of living space on more than a half acre of land. An awe-inspiring great room embraces dining and television areas and a two-story living space."

  We followed Mr. Lightbourn through the great room to the back door. He opened the door and stepped outside. "It is uniquely positioned with 152 feet on the canal and a wide-open view." There was a small yacht anchored at the dock and a man standing on deck. He gave a friendly wave, and then returned to his duties on the ship.

  "Do you like the view from here?" I asked CeCe.

  "It is absolutely breathtaking. I could really learn to love living like this," CeCe said and went back inside the house. Mr. Lightbourn continued to show her around.

  Mr. Lightbourn led us upstairs and leaned over the rail that overlooked the great room. "The main house consists of four bedrooms with in-suite bathrooms, plus a one-bedroom one-bathroom apartment on the grounds." Once we had seen each bedroom he led us into the master suite.

  "It truly presents a treasure trove of the finest marble from Greece, Spain, and Portugal; custom interior doors and door frames of cypress wood; crystal dining room sconces and a chandelier custom-made in Austria. Etched-glass panels, marble treads, and stainless steel balustrades transform the grand staircase into an elegant work of modern sculpture," Mr. Lightbourn told CeCe and led us back downstairs. "The enclosed grounds sequester a 25-meter lap pool with cabana and sauna. A private dock extends into the water and can accommodate up to a 120-foot yacht in the deep water canal." Mr. Lightbourn turned to me. "Well, Mr. Black, what do you think?"

  "Are you thinking about buying this?" CeCe asked.

  "I am if you like it."

  "Me?"

  "If you don’t like it, we can look at some other places," I said and put my arm around her.

  "I love it."

  "I do too," I said and turned to Mr. Lightbourn. "So what are you asking for this?"

  "The asking price is ten million, nine hundred thousand dollars."

  "Nine, cash."

  "I think we can make that happen," Mr. Lightbourn said with a big smile on his face. We shook hands on the deal.

  I handed Mr. Lightbourn a card. "Call this number tomorrow and speak with Wanda Moore. She’ll put you in touch with April Dancer. She’ll workout the details with you."

  "I’ll do that tomorrow, first thing," Mr. Lightbourn said. "I want to thank you both for coming out. It has been a real pleasure doing business with you."

  "No problem," I said and followed Mr. Lightbourn outta the house to his car. We shook hands again and he drove off.

  CeCe turned to me. "Did you really buy this for us?"

  "I told you, I like it down here, and I wanted a place for us to come to. And with us making a move on this island, I’ll probably be down here more often."

  "Don’t you already have a place in Freeport?"

  "Yeah, but there are too many memories there that I don’t want to deal with."

  "Memories of your wife?"

  "Some good, some bad, but yes, that house holds too many memories of her."

  "This house is so beautiful. I can’t wait to come back." CeCe kissed me. "This means a lot, you know; it makes me feel like you really do want me to be a part of your life and that makes me happy."

  "Well, I’m glad you’re happy. Glad I could do something to make you smile. You been frowned-up most of the time since we got here; and you have such a pretty smile."

  CeCe laughed. "You show me a woman who doesn’t smile when her man drops nine million in cash on a house for her, and I’ll show you a fool. But there’s just one thing."

  "What’s that?"

  "How are we getting back to the hotel? I hope we don’t have to wait out here in this hot sun for our driver to come back?"

  "No. Come on," I said and took CeCe by the hand and led her around the property to the dock. "Kevon!" I yelled as I got close to the yacht anchored in the canal.

  Kevon came up from below with the ships’ captain not far behind. "Everything is ready for you, boss," Kevon said.

  "Excellent." I turned to the captain. "Permission to come aboard?"

  "Permission is granted, sir," he said and helped CeCe get on board the yacht.

  "Don’t tell me that you bought this, too?" CeCe asked as she took a seat on deck.

  "No," I laughed. "I just rented it for the trip back to the hotel."

  On the cruise back to Atlantis, we ate shrimp cocktail and caviar and sipped champagne to celebrate our purchase. CeCe felt like a queen. She looked at her king and allowed herself for the first time to think about a long and happy future with me.

  Chapter Six

  CeCe got up early that next morning, got dressed and left me sleeping in our suite. She went down to the lobby and talked to the hotel concierge who referred her to the hotel’s Tour & Excursion Centers. She wasn’t really all that interested in taking a tour or booking one of the many excursion packages that they had to offer, and she knew I wouldn’t be interested either. But what she did come away with was a list of things that she wouldn’t mind seeing while she was on the island. Her only hope was that I would want to see them, too.

  After we took Jamaica to the airport, CeCe waited until I asked her what she wanted to do before unveiling her list.

  "I was wondering where you had disappeared to so early this morning. Now I know."

  "So, now that you know, what do you think?"

  I sat quietly for a minute and looked at CeCe. This was the part about letting go that I’d thought about: Trying to have fun with CeCe and not think so much about Cassandra. "Why not; if this is how you want to spend our day, I’m all for it," I said and CeCe threw her arms around me.

  "I was worried that you would say no."

  "Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, you’re not talking about taking some kind of tour with a bunch of other people, are you?"

  "No, because I knew you would say no to that. It will just be the two of us, and Kevon of course; unless you want to give him the day off," CeCe hoped. Even though she had gotten used to Kevon’s constant presence in our lives, she still didn’t like the idea that we were never alone.

  "I will be so much like a ghost, you’ll never even notice me," Kevon said from the front seat.

  "I’ll make you a deal. Kevon goes with us, but he stays with the car. With the moves we’ve already made and the ones we’re going to make, I think having him close by is a good idea."

  "Deal," CeCe said and eased closer to me. I put my arm around her.

  "What do you wanna see first?"

  CeCe handed her list to the driver who looked it over as he drove. "Yes, ma’am, I am very familiar with all these places. And if you like, since I once made me living as a tour guide, I would be happy to tell you a little about them."

  "That would be nice," CeCe said.

  "Since we are close to downtown we will start at Parliament Square, which is the traditional center for government in the Bahamas."

  When we arrived at Parliament Square, the driver told us, "The pastel-hued buildings are good examples of colonial architecture from the early 1800s. Clustered around a marble statue of Queen Victoria are the Supreme Court, House of Assembly and Chambers of Parliament. Since you are not a part of a tour, I doubt if you will be permitted to go inside."

  "That’s fine," I said and got outta the car.

  "You’re right. I just wanna see it," CeCe said. "Not take the tour of the buildings."

  "Very well. Once you take a look around, our next spot will be Government House."

  When we got back to the car, the driver began telling us about the Government House. "Overlooking Nassau from its elevated position, this has been the official residence of the Governor General of the Bahamas since 180
1. The architecture of the impressive pink-and-white mansion blends island and American colonial influences, and the size and location testify to the power and esteem granted to the personal representative of the queen."

  We got out of the car and wandered around the grounds and stopped in front of a twelve-foot statue of Christopher Columbus honoring the explorer’s Bahamian landfall in 1492.

  After leaving Government House, the driver made a suggestion. "Why not have lunch at a restaurant called the Bahamian Kitchen?"

  "Is the food good there?" CeCe wanted to know.

  "Yes, very. I eat there quite often myself. The locals have known about this place for a while, and a few visitors to the island have now been let in on the secret."

  "What type of food do they have?"

  "They are known for seafood, but they also cater to the salad and sandwich crowd, if that’s your taste."

  After a fine seafood and salad lunch we went to Fort Charlotte, the largest of the three forts still on the island, built in 1789 to guard the western entrance to the harbor, then to Fort Fincastle and the Water Tower. We walked down the Queen’s Staircase, at the highest point of the island. The one hundred and two foot staircase was named in honor of the sixty-five years of Queen Victoria’s reign.

  The sixty-five steps were carved out of solid lime stones by slaves who were forced to cut through rocks with axes and other sharp hand tools in the late 18th century, between 1793 and 1794. Construction of this monument is still regarded as remarkable.

  After that, we finished off our tour day with a trip to the Nassau Botanic Gardens, and then to the Cloisters and Versailles Gardens.

  The next couple of days were filled with time at the beach, cruising the Caribbean on the yacht I’d rented, and me sitting around talkin’ and girl watchin’ with Kevon while CeCe shopped.

  When it was time to eat, we tried to choose places that featured true home-style Bahamian cooking. One of our favorites was The Shoal. Never having tried Bahamian cooking before, CeCe was surprised at how much she liked it. She tried the okra soup, creamy conch chowder, cracked conch, crispy grouper fingers, and well-spiced mutton, all served with the national dish of peas ‘n’ rice. Another place we frequented was The Poop Deck. The food was good, but the big attraction for us was an excellent place to enjoy our meal while watching the sun setting over the marina.

  Our nights were filled with dancing at trendy spots like Club Waterloo, Cocktails, Dreams, and Dragons, which was located in the hotel, and Fluid.

  "And we have to go to Señor Frogs," CeCe said. "I’ve heard so much about this place from so many people."

  "And I’ve never understood why. It’s just a bar," I told her.

  "Whatever; we at least have to have a drink there. Even if it’s just so I can say I’ve been there and it ain’t all that."

  After a day of bar hopping we went back to Atlantis and ordered room service. Since it had been a few days, I called Martin Marshall to check-in and see if he had setup the meeting between the Chinese and the Cubans.

  "I was starting to wonder if you were going to call me," Martin said. "I hope you’re not having second thoughts about getting involved in this?"

  "Not at all, Martin; I took care of the business I came here for. Now, I’ve just been having a good time, that’s all. I mean that is what you go on vacation for, isn’t it?" I asked.

  "You’re absolutely right. And I should actually do that more often myself."

  "You should."

  "Well, I’m glad you called. The meeting is all set for tomorrow afternoon."

  "Tomorrow?"

  "Yes, tomorrow. So I hope you don’t have any plans."

  "Okay, Martin. I’ll make arrangements to get a flight out in the morning," I said and CeCe frowned.

  "No need. The meeting is at The Westin Grand Bahama Island in Lucaya."

  "Martin, I’m in Nassau."

  "Nassau? What are you doing in Nassau?"

  "I told you. I’m having a good time."

  "But you always go to Freeport. So when you said you were going to the Bahamas, I just naturally assumed that you were going to Freeport. That’s the only reason I scheduled the meeting there."

  "Yeah, well I’m branching out. I even bought some property here, so I’ll be coming here more often."

  "That’s all well and good, but how is that going to affect the meeting? It’s too late to call our guests and move the meeting to Nassau."

  "Not a problem, Martin. I’ll be in Freeport tomorrow in time for the meeting," I promised and turned to CeCe, who had been hanging on every word.

  "Good man. I knew I could count on you. And believe me. We are going to make so much money on this deal."

  "Yeah, yeah. All you gotta do now is change American foreign policy."

  "Don’t underestimate the power of a highly-motivated black man."

  "Wouldn’t think of it, Martin; I’ll see you tomorrow in Freeport," I said and ended the called. I turned to CeCe, who by this time was smiling all over herself. "What are you smiling about?"

  "You are planning on taking me with you, right?"

  "Yes."

  "Well, I’ve been looking forward to going there with you, and now we’re going. While you’re meeting with Martin, I could meet with those seamstresses that Jamaica was talking about. And maybe you’ll introduce me to your mother and that adorable daughter of yours."

  "You can meet with the seamstresses, but let’s get one thing straight. Just because we’re goin’ to Freeport doesn’t change how I feel. I am not ready for that other stuff you’re talkin’ about. So don’t get your hopes up, ’cause it ain’t gonna happen."

  CeCe folded her arms across her chest. "Okay, if that’s the way it is, I guess I have no choice but to accept it. But do you mind explaining to me just why that is?"

  "Let’s start with my mother."

  "Yeah, let’s start with M."

  "You talk to Bobby too much."

  "I told you, Bobby likes to talk to me," CeCe smiled and kissed me on the cheek.

  "M is much too judgmental. And I just don’t feel like hearing her mouth sometimes."

  "Okay, see I could get with that because my mother is the same way, which is why I haven’t broken down her door trying to introduce you to her."

  "I’m glad we agree on that."

  "What else?"

  "Then it’s about Michelle. To be honest with you, it’s mostly about her."

  "Explain."

  "Let’s use Maria as an example."

  "Let’s not; ’cause I know you’re not about to compare me with her."

  "No, I’m just using her as an example."

  "Go on," CeCe said and rolled her eyes.

  "You are so cute when you do that."

  "Do what?"

  "Roll your eyes and poke those pouty lips out."

  "Whatever. Go on."

  "Let’s say I took Maria down there with me; and she becomes a part of her life and Michelle gets comfortable being around her. Then all of a sudden, Maria is gone and now here you come. Is that fair to Michelle—or Maria for that matter?"

  "I see your point."

  "Good. I just wanna make sure that the woman I bring around Michelle is going to be a part of her life for a very long time."

  CeCe kissed me.

  "What’s that for?"

  "Since you’ve explained it to me, I completely understand and agree with your reasons for doing it. Now I don’t have to feel like I’m not good enough to be around your people, and I can accept it a whole lot better than just being told no without an explanation."

  "I’m glad we settled that."

  CeCe got up and picked up the phone. "Who are you calling?"

  "The airport; to make reservations for our flight. Then I’m going to call The Westin Grand Bahama Island in Lucaya to get us a room."

  "And then you can call Kevon and tell him we’re leaving in the morning," I said and got up.

  "Where are you going?"

  "To bed."
>
  Chapter Seven

  It was just after noon when we arrived in Freeport. Jamaica met us at the airport and took us to The Westin Grand Bahama Island for the meeting. During the ride from the airport, I called Martin Marshall.

  "Black, where are you?" Martin asked.

  "On my way to the hotel. I should be there in twenty minutes."

  "Good. I’ll meet you in the lobby. We’ll meet with our Chinese friends first, and then all of us will meet with the Cubans," Martin advised.

  When we got to the hotel, as promised, Martin was waiting. While CeCe checked into the room, me and Martin took the elevator to the suite where the Chinese were staying.

  Martin’s man, Scotty, knocked on the door. When the door opened, a large, very muscular Chinese man stood in the doorway.

  "Martin Marshall to see Huang Chang," Scotty said and the man stepped aside to allow us to enter. When we entered the suite, two men and a very attractive woman all rose to their feet.

  "Mr. Marshall," one of the men said and extended his hand. "I am Huang Chang. This is my associate Wei Jiang. My assistant, Mei Ai Bao and you have already met Xiang Yong. He is, how you say—my bodyguard," Chang said and each bowed slightly.

  "This is my associate Mike Black. You’ve already met Scotty, and this is Mr. Black’s bodyguard, Kevon Bailey."

  "We’ll talk outside on the balcony if that is acceptable to everybody," Chang said and led the way through the sliding glass door. Once we were seated, Jiang closed the door and took his seat.

  Chang began. "Think of the nightmares possible in doing business overseas and in Cuba, in particular—tight government regulations, supply shortages, sky-high utility bills, and unmotivated workers. International companies doing business in Cuba face all of those issues and more."

  "I’m well aware that Cuba ranks among the world’s worst business environments. Only Iran and Angola rated lower for the past five years," Martin added.

  "In the 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of generous Soviet subsidies sent the island’s economy crashing. Havana cracked open the door to foreign capitalists. But foreign investment has always been more tolerated than embraced by the Cuban government," Chang said.