No Ordinary Romance

by Smith, Stephanie Jean

  It was times like this that she missed Momma Lettie the most. Connie thought back to the first parent/teacher conference Momma Lettie attended on her behalf. Momma Lettie arrived just before lunch and stood in the hall as Connie's class left the classroom. It became apparent how much older Momma Lettie was in comparison to the other kids' mothers.

  The teacher had the children line up in the hall, and Connie never made eye contact with Momma Lettie. She ignored Momma Lettie as if she were a complete stranger. She did not want anyone to know that the old black woman was there for her. That is until some of the kids started to make fun of Momma Lettie's fat legs and old woman's shoes.

  Connie felt ashamed for not acknowledging Momma Lettie, so she ran up and hugged her. Momma Lettie immediately hugged her back and kissed her on the head. The teacher told Connie to get back in line and invited Momma Lettie into the classroom. Connie got back in line, daring anyone to say anything else about her momma.

  If the kids thought it was strange that her momma was black, and old they did not say anything to her. She had gained a reputation for fighting first and asking questions later when she first came to the school months prior. Several of the mean girls picked on her until she finally told Momma Lettie about the abuse. Momma Lettie told her to mop the floor with the leader of the "mean girls" group and the followers would leave her alone. Connie laughed to herself and pushed on, deciding that the day was looking up already.

  ***

  Connie had a busy morning, she had ten walk-ins and one of her clients had difficulty receiving year-end reports. She thought that was odd considering that she sent year-end reports in December. She was getting herself another cup of coffee when, when the mailman came through the door.

  Both Beth and Carrie Ann were busy with customers, so she went to collect the mail. "Good morning Clark."

  "Hey Connie, just a few items, plus I have some priority mail. Just sign on the line and I'll get out of your hair."

  Connie sign for the priority mail wondering if the property deed had arrived. "Thanks Clark! I was just about to get myself some coffee; do you want me to top off your container?"

  "Not today Connie, I'm trying to cut back on caffeine. Have a great day ladies, I'll see you tomorrow."

  "Thanks Clark! I hope you have a fabulous day as well." Connie waved at Clark as he departed. She ripped off the taped and pulled the documents out of the envelope. As she suspected, it was the property deed from the swap, and proof that it was recorded with Douglas County's register of deeds.

  She made plans in her head about developing the land and the type of structures that would enhance the property. It was still the dead of winter, but she wanted the plans to be finalized soon as the ground was thawed enough to begin development.

  Connie was trying to determine what she would eat for lunch when one of her employees from The Purple Feather arrived. "Chad I was going to call you earlier, but I got busy. What brings you here?"

  Chad Roberts adored Connie, she was a great boss, and she never had anything unpleasant to say about anyone. "I got your message that you wanted me to call. I decided to stop by on my way to work." He had to admit that wasn't the only reason he stopped by, lately Beth had been giving him the cold shoulder, and he couldn't figure out why. He followed Connie back to her office giving Beth a wink as he walked by her desk.

  Connie was excited to see Chad, he is such a good worker and a great architect, or should she say budding architect. "Can I get you anything to drink?"

  "No Connie I'm good. What's up?" Chad took a seat, he was curious, Connie was all about business, and he was rather surprised to hear from her."

  "I know this is relatively short notice, but I would like you to consider taking a job with the foundation. Negotiations for the sale of The Purple Feather are going well, and I expect to sell any day, especially if the price is right."

  Chad had to admit that he was intrigued; Connie was straightforward with her employees about the sale of The Purple Feather. He realized that he would have to look for another job soon, but the chance to continue working with her in any capacity was too good to pass up. "I'm all ears Connie, although I don't know how I could benefit the foundation."

  Connie laughed. "Chad you are so modest, your work is excellent. I've seen your designs and purchased some of your paintings at the Starving Artist Sale. Your internship last summer with Showls & Heptner the largest architectural firm in the Midwest is mightily impressive. The Cabbage Patch Foundation acquired a sizeable piece of property, and I want you to design the new campus."

  At first, he didn't think Connie was serious, but the opportunity was too good to let it pass. "Are you serious? Connie this is the opportunity of a lifetime. I took the NCEE examine, but I probably won't receive my PE license for another month. It's illegal for me to design buildings just yet."

  "Chad you and I both know that you aced the architectural exam, and it's just of matter of time before you receive your license. If you feel uncomfortable, we can postpone the actual designs until you receive your PE license. You certainly don't need a license to look at the land and start sketching the property specs.

  "When can I check out the property? I want to contemplate what I'm dealing with."

  Connie was caught up in Chad's enthusiasm, "Thursday morning works for me if you don't have class." I don't want to put too much on your plate. The sooner you get your designs together the better. The campus I want to create is going to be a welcome mat for kids with no place to go."

  It was then that he knew that his plan to get close to Connie was the correct one. Maybe one day he'll gather the courage to tell Connie of his true identity. Until then, he'll work closely, hoping she wouldn't hate him when he told her about his family. "When do you want me to start?"

  "I want you to start right away; you can set up in the office across the hall. Of course, we'll have to get creative with scheduling at The Purple Feather. Whoever the new owners are, I'm hoping that the staff's positions will be maintained."

  "We all knew the possibility that we would lose our jobs with the sale. The fact that you're trying to save our jobs speaks highly of you."

  Connie really liked Chad, he's a good worker and protective of his friends. "Don't turn me into a Saint Connie, if I can save 75 jobs it my obligation to try."

  Chad stood before her, proud of whom his big sister has become. One day soon, he would tell her the truth of about him, but for now, it was enough to remain close to her. "See Connie that's where you wrong, most employers give less than a damn about their employees losing their jobs. If it's not too intrusive, may I ask why you're selling The Purple Feather? It's a goldmine."

  "Chad, I inherited The Purple Feather to continue my friend's work at the foundation. I cannot allow the image of The Purple Feather to undermine the Cabbage Patch Foundation in any way. The foundation is moving in multiple directions, and I refuse to let any ne'er do wells to deflect our accomplishments. Selling The Purple Feather will allow the foundation to move forward: homes for the homeless, help for pregnant teens, jobs for those trying to attend college. "

  "Your friend placed her trust in the right person. I know many people who would have taken the money and run. Well, anyway I need to go to work. Thanks for the opportunity Connie; I promise not to let you down."

  Connie grabbed his arm and walked him to the door. "You have a very creative mind Chad; I have faith in your abilities to envision a spectacular campus for the foundation." She pulled a slip of paper out of her pocket and handed it to Chad. "Here's the address I'll meet you over there at 8:00 am on Thursday."

  Chad laughed aloud, "You were very sure that I would agree to this project."

  "No Chad I was hopeful. See you Thursday."

  ***

  Jimmy Lee came into the trailer with a little fear. His lover of a couple of months was in a strange mood today. Nothing he did seemed to please her until he went to get more beer. As he entered the home he shared with his lover, he couldn't miss the cloth
es and trash littered all over as if a five year old threw a tantrum. "What are you reading in that paper that has you in such a tizzy? This place looks as if a tornado landed."

  Crystalline looked at him with her steely blue eyes and total distain. "That bitch is living in high style. She's out there hobnobbing with those high society whores while I waste away in this goddamned trailer park."

  Jimmy Lee set the case of beer on the table, opened it and handed a beer to her. Crystalline snatched the can out of his hand, popped the top, and gulped down the beer before Jimmy Lee could sit down. She popped the top of another can of beer before she finished the first one. He picked up the newspaper and studied the photo that had Crystalline up in arms. "Who is she?"

  She was quiet at first; she didn't like talking about the past, especially if it involved Tina. "She's my kid. Tina's living like a damn queen. I won't let her get away with it; I won't hide in the shadows anymore!" Crystalline didn't like thinking about the past it made her feel guilty. Far as, she's concerned, she didn't have anything to be sorry. Tina should have died in the fire with David. .

  Jimmy whistled. He couldn't take his eyes off the sexy woman in the picture. Ain't no way in hell this classy woman was Crystalline's daughter. "She's one fine piece. You never told me that you had a sexy daughter like this roaming around. Damn I would love to make her acquaintance. I wonder if she's as good between the sheets as her momma."

  She jumped at him knocking Jimmy Lee out of the chair. She was doing her best to scratch his eyes out of his head. "Don't you ever compare me to her, not ever. Do you understand me?"

  Jimmy Lee tried to shield his face; Crystalline could be vicious when she got in one of her tempers. "I'm sorry!" He grabbed hold of her wrists and pushed her onto the floor, holding her down with his body. "What in the hell has gotten into you? Crystal you're becoming more trouble than you're worth. If I let you go, I want your promise to stop attacking me."

  Crystalline forced herself to calm down; she couldn't afford to lose Jimmy Lee at this stage of the game. He was a decent lover, he allowed her to move in with him when she had nowhere else to go. "I promise to behave. It's just that seeing Tina living so well that pissed me off."

  Jimmy Lee helped her off the floor, both of them taking seats at the table. "Why don't you just explain what happen between you and your kid?"

  Crystalline picked up the can of unfinished beer before responding. "I had two children a precious little boy named David and Tina. I left them alone to go to work, Tina set a fire, and David died. I rushed back to the house only to see firemen carrying out their bodies. I took off when the police questioned the crowd about my whereabouts. I didn't know what to do, I couldn't turn myself into the police, they would have arrested me for child neglect, probably more since my children died, or so I thought. My fiancé convinced me to run off with him and start a new life.

  At first, everything was perfect, my fiancé made a good living. We got a cute little house in Des Moines, and the pain of my losing children was becoming a faded memory. That is until the police arrested us for the distribution of drugs. I knew my fiancé was dealing, but I never thought he'd be caught. I was in jail when I found out that Tina was still alive."

  "So that's why you did time in Polk County, drug sentences even as an accessory are really stiff in Iowa."

  "Well lucky for me the prosecutor cut me a deal for testifying against my fiancé and gave me a bonus to sign my parental rights away for Tina. She was caught up in the Nebraska foster care system, and I was angry that she survived the fire. I got a sentence of 3-5 years, and I never saw Tina again until I saw her picture."

  "How did you recognize her? She would have been a child when all this happened."

  She finished off her beer, "I didn't recognize her at first. Her name that caught my eye; Tina's full name is Constantina. I took a closer look at her features and recognized her as my kid Tina."

  Jimmy Lee began rubbing his chin; he was always looking for an opportunity to make money. Crystalline's kid was like a godsend. "Well what do you intend to do about your kid?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "If she's as rich as you say, she wouldn't appreciate her momma hanging around gumming up the works. How much do you think she'd be willing to pay to keep you quiet?"

  "I'm sure she would give me money because I'm her mother not to make me go away."

  "When is the last time you saw your daughter?"

  "Tina would have been around seven or eight. Why?"

  Jimmy Lee gave her a sardonic smile, "she's a grown woman now, and she doesn't have any allegiance to you. As far as she knows, you dumped her into foster care. A classy woman like this is not going to appreciate her trailer park momma showing up and ruining things. She owes you for setting that fire; let's find out how much she's willing to pay to keep you quiet."

  Crystalline opened another beer and pondered her options. She was tired of living like some homeless person screwing any man that comes along for a place to lay her head. Tina did owe her, she owe her for taking her baby and ruining her life. "Okay, I think fifty thousand is a good amount to start with."

  Jimmy Lee whistled, "fifty thousand is a nice chunk of change. Okay let's set a plan in motion, I have a few more scores, and then we'll head to Omaha. I have some relatives we can stay within Carter Lake until we make contact with your daughter." He pulled Crystalline out of her chair into his lap. "It's been a long day, and I'm in need of some loving."

  Crystalline played along with Jimmy Lee; she'd known many men like him. Men who treated her like a whore then discarded her when they were done. She would go along with the plan to blackmail Tina, but once the money was in her hand she would take off to start a new life.

  ***

  Chapter 10

  Connie had second thoughts about agreeing to meet Chad this morning. It was zero degrees and all the melted snow from yesterday had turned to black ice. She had her phone out to call him when his car pulled in behind her car. She rolled down her window as he approached her car. "I'm sorry Chad we could have rescheduled this viewing."

  "Don't worry about it, there's no reason for you to get out the car. Just tell me where the markers are."

  Connie pulled out a schematic of the property and showed it to Chad. "It's five blocks North and West to the orange property markers."

  Chad took the schematic from Connie and took out his field glasses. "Wow! This is a nice piece of property. How did you manage to secure this location? You must have an angel on your shoulder."

  "A friend helped me with a land swap, remember the property we were trying to build a group home."

  "You mean the one where the neighbors and shop owners grabbed their pitchforks, garlic, and burning crosses. Yeah, that was pretty hard to miss."

  "Well a friend convinced me to swap that property for this one. It was a great move for the foundation, a great move."

  Chad lowered the field glasses and glanced at the area. "This is a good balance of commercial and residential property in this area. You can make your own neighborhood now; whoever this guy was that convinced you to swap has keen insight."

  Connie gave Chad her brightest smile, "now what makes you think it was a man?"

  Chad smiled at Connie in return, giving her a knowing look. "I'm not an idiot, you've been seen around town with Thomas Galvin, and the picture of you two in last Sunday's paper confirmed my suspicions."

  "If you must know Thomas did bring the land swap deal to me on behalf of a client. I ran it by my lawyer, and we both agreed the deal was too good to pass. The foundation will do extraordinary things out here Chad and I'm thankful for Thomas for providing an opportunity."

  "You might not want to hear this right now, but Thomas cares for you a lot. I could tell, by the way, he was looked at you in the photo. I think you could do a lot worse in the love department, but that's just my opinion". When Connie didn't respond to his observation, he figured it was time to move on. "You don't have to wait around Connie; I'm goi
ng to look around some more before I leave."

  Connie smiled to herself, Chad was lost in his own world right now, and she could see that he was already visualizing his designs. "Okay call me later and tell me what you think."

  "Sure Connie. I'll call you later."

  "See you Chad." Connie waved good-bye to Chad, but he didn't even notice. She couldn't wait to see the plans Chad had for the property. Chad also brought something to head that she'd considered herself. Did Thomas bring her the land swap deal to help the foundation or gain a place in her life? "Wow! It's too early in the morning for such heavy thinking.

  ***

  After a long tedious day, Connie decided to go to bed early. Unfortunately, she was still awake hours later. She was flipping the cable channels when the phone rang. She picked it up without looking at caller ID, thinking it was Jenna or Mike with news about the baby. It wasn't uncommon for Jenna call if the baby's movement deterred her sleep. "Okay, are you on the way to the hospital or is junior keeping you awake."

  "Neither. I just wanted to hear your voice."

  Thomas's throaty purr buzzed in her ear, quickly taking her mind back to their weekend together. "Thomas!" She hadn't heard from him since he left town.

  "Were you expecting someone else to call this time of night?"

  "I expect a lot of things, but I rarely get them. To answer your question, my good friends are expecting their first child. Junior's been really active lately, and sometimes Jenna calls me when she can't sleep."

  "You seemed really surprised to hear from me. Are you mad at me for not calling you sooner?"

  Connie sighed into the phone; she hated "us" conversations. "I don't have the right to be mad; I figured you'd call if you wanted something or when you got back into town."

  Thomas wasn't used to answering to anyone else, and he had to tread slowly to keep from messing up. "I'm sorry I didn't call sooner, I've been working long hours trying to secure contracts with influential partners."