MC: LaPonte

by L. Ann Marie

  "Fuck." I whisper. We can't cut anything, another center closed just last quarter, we have more area to serve and we're running tight as it is. "Let me make some calls." I start a mental list while they continue with the meeting. When they get to the clients now housed in the shelters, I listen in again. Fuck, all but high security are doubled up. Once the meeting is finished I start making my calls.

  "Babe, everything ok?" He makes me smile.

  "Not really honey. I just got out of the meeting. We need to move the center. The lease is up and the landlord is doubling the rent."

  "Fuck, you just took on the clients from the last center closing." He is pissed on our behalf; I can hear it in his voice. I love my husband.

  "Yeah, that's only part of it. All the shelter houses are doubled up except high security. I was thinking of using my house but I wanted to talk to you first." I think he'll say it’s up to me, but after our conversation about talking to each other about the big things, I need to show him what I mean. I didn’t care about the officer thing but still, I'm talking about giving a house away.

  "K it's your house." He says simply.

  "No it's part of our assets. I want to do this, but I need to know you'll be ok with it. I don't just want to use it. I want to give it to the center." I explain.

  "Got it." I hear the smile in his voice. "I think it's the perfect thing to do. It won't hurt us to lose it as an asset and it is a worthy cause. Go for it baby."

  I'm dancing in place. "Thank you. Could you get the house ready for a family?"

  "I was just thinking about what I need. Can you coordinate the toys and house shit again. I'll check the schedules and get the guys on it asap. Have them send the bill to me."

  "Yay! I'll get Doc on it right away, thank you my awesome husband."

  "Love you baby." He's smiling again.

  "I need to find us an office big enough for classes and centrally located. I think it's going to be a busy day."

  "Don't do anything about the office today. Let me talk to Ben, we have some buildings right here that are empty and ready. I'll call you back."

  "That would be perfect. We'd be almost exactly in the center of the county. Thank you! I'll wait for your call." I’m so excited I hang up. I bet he's holding his face laughing. I go in and tell the rest of the office. Everyone is back to smiling without this looming over our heads.

  I'm in the middle of a class when our receptionist, Anita, comes in with a message. I excuse myself and read the note. Ben set up a meeting in our conference room for today at five. Holy crap! I hug Anita and turn back to my class giddy with excitement. I bet we have an office and if I know Ben it's being readied right now. As I'm finishing up Anita comes in with an emergency. She doesn't want to hand it off, it’s a bad one. Fuck! I race to the hospital in the next city. Hoping I can make it back in time.

  I'm stuck in traffic, Fuck! I call Anita asking if she can set up the conference room with coffee and the pastry the Bakery sent over. She's got it covered. I love that woman. I make it to the office five minutes late. Anita tells me everyone's already here. Shit!

  I drop my briefcase on my desk as I walk by it to the conference room. I stop short in the doorway. The table is just about full. Ben, Danny and Doc are on one side, Jamie, Mitch and Kevin Baxter on the other. There are two men I don't know along with our chairman. "Wow, I didn't expect this. I'm sorry I'm late." I say nervously. The men stand, Danny pulls the chair on the side of him settling me in. Mitch introduces her lawyer and Ben who will be my liaison at Baxter's.

  The chairman, my boss Jerry, starts, "Kate you know I'm retiring at the end of the year. I’ve decided to move that up. The Baxter’s are appointing you chair. I'll work until the office is moved and you're up to speed on the director/chairman job, but you're new position starts tomorrow." Holyfuckinshit! He gets up and leaves. I don’t think he’s happy about this. My mouth falls open.

  The table chuckles. Danny rubs his hand down my back. "Am I qualified to do this?" I ask anyone.

  "Let me answer that for you." Mitch says. "You were late today because you we're at the hospital with a woman and her daughter. You stayed with the daughter because she was terrified and in shock after being beaten and raped by her father. Her mother was still unconscious, there was no one to hold her and let her know she was safe. You pitched a fit worthy of a mention on the local news because a male doctor didn't understand your request for a female doctor. 'After all, she was just a kid right?'" She does the finger movements with a frown. "With you not budging through the whole rape kit and body exam because she needed to hold your hand, you pitched another fit because a male cop showed up. Finally getting out of the hospital and settling mom and daughter in a house you had specially stocked with presents and a cake for the girl's birthday tomorrow, you wouldn't leave until the CNA you hired, with personal money, showed up to spend the night. You are not only qualified, but in one day you showed us why you're needed as the chair."

  I look around shocked. I look at Danny, he's smiling at me but I can see the sadness in his eyes. I look back at her. "How do you know all that? It just happened."

  Kevin answers. "This center is important to Mitch, therefore, important to all of us at Baxter's. When Jamie got the call from Ben James, I put eyes on the staff."

  Jamie picks up, "In order to make a decision, we needed to see what a day looks like for the staff. You are not only understaffed but you're filled to capacity doubling up at the shelters. Anyone else would have scaled back. With the clientele you serve, we understand why you turn very few away." He looks at Ben.

  "We watched all the staff including the chair. Your staff are hard workers, we were surprised by the level of commitment and compassion they display. There were two people that stood out. You, and your chair. You are amazing; you demand what is right and fix what is wrong. There is a difference between you and the rest of the staff. You're fighting for your clients as if they are your family, as well as, taking calls from your coworkers to give advice and guidance.” He smiles at me. It strikes me that these freakin guys are all unbelievably handsome. And again, this shit just happened today. “Then there is the chair, he played golf and spent the rest of the day at the club bar. He wasn’t available to take calls from his people. He left that to you." Ben says on a growl. Fuck, he always says he's so busy.

  The lawyer, Paul, speaks up. "Mitch added five million dollars to the trust today. With that, you're yearly budgets will be met by the annual disbursements. I'll send over approximate disbursement amounts tomorrow, the accountant is getting the numbers for us tonight. The Baxter's have two houses within the gates of their compound that are sitting empty. They are offering them up as shelters. Ben James and the MC signed over an office building and four houses. The landlords of the remaining houses will be met with. Ben assures us he will get long term leases on each shelter. The paperwork will all be recorded and ready before you open the new office."

  "Holy shit. We don’t have to turn anyone away?" I look at Doc. "We can do this Doc, we can do more, help more." He smiles and nods. I can’t believe this.

  Mitch cracks us up bouncing and clapping her hand and robotic. "Yay! I would do a happy dance but this is a serious meeting and I’m in a time crunch." Everyone laughs. She has the most beautiful smile. "Kevin will set the new offices up with computers and programs. Ben will have furniture and solar panels in place. Our company doctor, Steve, will set you up with rotating counselors. The MC has all aspects of security being covered and the new shelters being readied. Call my golden eyed Ben here if you need anything else. I'm so happy for you Kate and can't wait to see the new offices." She claps again. “Everyone deserves a future. We’re going to make sure you give it to them.”

  "Thank you. I feel like I'm in a dream. I don't think that covers it but thank you." I'm still in shock.

  "I know just how you feel Kate. I'm sorry we can't stay but my boys have a soccer game tonight. This is definitely not a dream." She says while the guys stand, I do too. J
amie holds his hand out to her. I go around and give her a hug whispering a thank you to her. She squeezes me back telling me I can do this. Jamie, Kevin and Ben hug me too. Ben hands me a card telling me to call him tomorrow. The guys all shake hands. Mitch hugs Ben telling him to give Jess a message about an unveiling next month, saying she’ll know what to do. Then they're all gone just like that.

  Turning around I see the guys looking at me. Danny smiles, "I'm so fuckin proud of you. We saw the video of you ripping down that doctor and cop." Doc laughs, Ben smiles. "I had no clue your job was so emotionally draining. Thank you for what you do. I don't think many people could do it daily and still give me that beautiful fuckin smile every night." I walk around to him and give him a hug.

  "He's right Kate. I can't believe what your normal day consists of. Doc is ready to step in on the MC side. For anything. He'll handle whatever you need and coordinate with Ben at Baxter's." Ben says as he pulls me from Danny and hugs me. “You are nothing short of amazing." He turns and leaves.

  Doc opens his arms, I walk into them. "Unfuckinbelievable Kate." He hugs me to him, pats my back and releases me. "You know where to find me. We need more staff, when you wrap your head around all this call me, we need to get moving on it." He walks out the door.

  I look at Danny, "did that really happen? Is this a dream?"

  "My beautiful chairwoman K, it happened, everyone is in awe of your ability and compassion. Kevin showed the video a few minutes before you got here. You kept those assholes from doing more damage to that little girl. You spend your money on the most important things without batting an eye. Simply amazing is what Jamie said. Mitch was in tears. Simply, fuckin amazing. I love you my beautiful K." He kisses me long and slow. “Baby I want to lay you across this table…”

  “NO!” I laugh cutting him off. “Anita won’t leave until everyone is settled for the night. Karen is still out with a late delivery and the night staff will be here any minute, plus there's video.”

  He looks devastated. “Fuck, is nowhere safe anymore?”

  I laugh pulling him out. Anita smiles as we walk over to my desk. She heard. Danny picks up my briefcase while I write a quick note in my log and bring it over to her. “We need to have another staff meeting. I want all staff here for this one. Post it tomorrow and we’ll meet the next day, make it early and see if you can get two fill-ins to cover. They’ll be needed for court transportation.” She nods. “Pull the recent applications and get an add ready; we’re in desperate need of social workers. You know what we’re looking for. We’ll also need a receptionist.”

  “Am I not doing my job?” She looks hurt.

  “You do your job so well I want you to be my assistant. You know more than anybody in this office. I’ll need your help, your compassion and work ethic. You get a raise and a new title starting tomorrow. Get business cards for both of us as Director and Assistant Director. I’ll give you the new address in the morning.” I give her a huge smile. She screams scaring the shit out of me then gives me a bear hug. She turns to Danny and throws her arms around him, shocking him. He moves his hand quick and laughs. “Have a good night and see you tomorrow. I have to get some logistics before I come in, but I will be in. Leave my number with the night staff and take Jerry’s name and number off all lists. I don’t want any more missed calls.”

  “All right Kate, congratulation, thank you and good night.” She says with tears in her eyes.

  Walking to the parking lot Danny asks, “Is she qualified to be the assistant director?”

  I snort a laugh. “She’s qualified to be the director. She was abused, went to school as a social worker, kept going to school at night for everything. That woman has more degrees, but she was beaten down, on top of that she’s black. She isn’t like Mitch and Jess. I want her to be, but she’s been held down for so long because of her color she lacks of confidence.”

  “Being black shouldn't be an issue anymore Kate.”

  I stop short. “Racism isn’t shown out in the open here, but it is alive and kicking. There just aren’t many black people in this area that it’s noticed as much. My boss knows Anita is more than qualified to be a social worker but he hired her as a receptionist. She has worked here since the place opened, as a receptionist. She very rarely gets raises; I think she makes a little over minimum wage right now. She applies every time there is an opening but never gets a shot. She already does the assistants work, my boss has been dropping it on her for years. She might as well get paid for it.”

  “Fuck, what the fuck is wrong with people? I’m glad you’re giving her a shot. I can’t believe that asshole held her down.” He says genuinely shocked.

  I kiss him. I don’t know what else to do, so I kiss him. “I love that this bothers you. It’s another thing we can make right. Let’s go celebrate, you can tell me where my new buildings are and when they’ll be done.”

  He smiles, “We could go to Newport.”

  I crack up. “I’m not going back to the Wharf.”

  “Just kidding baby, I got the perfect noodle place.” He helps me into the truck and takes me to the perfect place.

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Church - Sunday

  Ben walks in. "Brothers, Baxter's gave me a tip on an ATF search warrant. We need to get our Brothers up north to get the trucks out of our fuckin warehouse. Tiny hit Hammer. Let him know what's going down and that we need those trucks moved today. Kevin says ATF's going to the judge tomorrow."

  "On it Pres." Tiny says walking out the door with his phone to his ear.

  "We'll need two decoys, and double the security so we can get Hammer's loads out. VP, get with Tiny and work that out. Give me High Security and an officer with each truck, they need to move today. Geek, get me transport logs and paperwork for all four."

  Geek is typing away on his laptop. "Just about done Pres." He looks up and smiles.

  "Fuckin show off." VP says.

  "Danny and Rob check the inventory in the holding cells. Make sure everything there has the bill of sale to match. VP will get you the file. If it doesn't have a bill of sale, it goes in the safe room."

  "Got it Pres." I say, Rob nods.

  "Don't let the Prospects anywhere near my fuckin room. Who knows what those motherfuckers with play with? They could blow the whole fuckin block." VP says. I just nod. I have no fuckin clue if he's kidding or not which makes me nervous. I'm leaning toward not.

  Tiny comes in. "If we can get the trucks moving toward him, he'll have security and drivers meet up with us Pres."

  Pres looks at his watch. "Church is about to start. VP, Danny and Rob, head over to security. VP, get back here so we can get this moving within the hour." We get up and head out.

  "Tiny find four drivers out there." Tiny follows us.

  At security Steve hands me a file. "No fuckin Prospects."

  I make a show of looking around then nod. "Only me and Rob here VP." He smiles walking out the door. I call Kate and let her know I'm hung up today. She's good hanging with the old ladies. We get the inventory done with only one trip to the safe room behind the old evidence rooms. Locking everything up we set the alarms and check with the security office making sure we got it right.

  Pulling into the clubhouse we notice the bikes are still here. We walk in looking around. Tiny comes up to us, "we need a driver, you know anyone?"

  "I had my CDL but didn't renew it when I tested out for the patch. If you can't get anyone else, I'm willing to drive. I'd need someone to make sure my right is clear." Tiny smiles.

  "Tiny, find someone else. Putting him in a truck could be fuckin dangerous." Rob says.

  Fuck I'm all for staying safe but the Brothers need help now. I keep my mouth shut. Tiny goes to Pres. He looks my way then starts walking over. "Brother, can you drive back roads with an escort? We'll keep bikes with you clearing your way. The trailer is empty."

  "I need someone in the truck, someone that pays attention. I won't be able to see anything on the right." I hope they give
me someone that doesn’t talk my ear off.

  "How about Rob? It will keep you two away from the loads." He looks from Rob to me.

  Rob nods but doesn’t look right. Fuck, "Ok. I'm in." I tell him.

  He slaps my back. "VP, Tiny, we got a driver set him up with security. Keep everything off his right."

  VP comes up, "got it Pres. Casper, get him on crew four. Tiny can watch his six."

  "On it VP, Danny come on over to four." I walk over to the side of the bar. "What do you need?"

  "I can't have cars on my right. Can you keep it clear?" He nods. "Rob will ride with me to navigate the right and help with distance. Don't ride up on me just in case."

  "We'll keep you clear and give you room." He tells me. I nod.

  "Listen up Brothers, we got our fourth driver. We're ready to roll." Pres says turning and walking out the door.

  "Danny, Rob you ride with me." VP tells us. He drives us up with Geek following on his bike. Geek will drive his truck to pick us up. When we stop he hands me papers. "You’re taking a drive, about an hour and a half. End outside the city airport. Geek will be waiting. This doesn't work for you, drop the trailer in a lot, take the truck and meet Geek. Yeah?"

  "Yeah. Thanks VP." That relieves some stress.

  "Follow the bikes." He says as he gets on his bike. I lift my chin.

  I walk to Casper. "Crew four you're in the blue Kenworth. You're out first, following Tiny. Crew three, red Kenworth, out second following VP. Crew two blue Freightliner, out third following me. Crew one red Freightliner, follow Pres and Doc last out."

  I walk to the truck and climb in. Fuck it has been forever, my heart is beating double time. I start it up for my air to build. I climb back out and do a check. Lines are in, trailer is hooked, tires look new, and lights are good. Lock is on the door. Climbing back in I check the mirrors. "I'll need you to move the mirror. It has to come in to me quite a bit." Rob moves the mirror. "Perfect. The distance isn't working for me. I'll need help with that, as I'm going around corners watch the back tires. When they reach the corner tell me, I'll know my turn is done." He nods. "You ok Rob?"