And This Too Shall Pass

by E. Lynn Harris

  Yes, MamaCee was still in Chicago, turning his kitchen into a small restaurant, cooking everything from fried chicken to stuffed cabbage and sweet potato pies. She was enjoying taking care of her grandson, looking at cable television, and renting videos. She’d watched Imitation of Life four times in two days, crying each time, and had figured out how to work Zurich’s CD player so she could listen to his Kirk Franklin and the Family gospel disc. She had also become hooked on talk radio, listening every morning to “The Deborah Crable Show” on WVON. MamaCee had tried several times to call in and offer her advice but always got a busy signal. Every time she heard the busy beep she muttered to herself that this was a place that could use that call waiting thing. So she just talked back to the radio.

  “I told him I would go, but now I’m having second thoughts.”

  “Tamela, I think you should do it.”

  “So you really think I should go, Desiree?”

  “Yes, girl. You said he seems like a perfect gentleman and sounds like from your work load you could use a night of rest and relaxation,” Desiree said.

  “And you don’t think it’s too early?” She knew it was too early but wanted someone to tell her it was all right.

  “Honey, like you said, you don’t have to sleep with him. It’s a suite, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, anyhow, if push comes to shove you just get outta there. Get in your car or cab or whatever and you’ll be home in minutes. It’s not like you’re going out of town or on some out-of-the-way island,” Desiree added.

  “Yeah, you’re right,” she said as she realized she was spending too much time talking and thinking about a man. There were more important things in life. “Well, enough about me and my little old life, what’s going on with you? Any good leads on permanent jobs?”

  “I’ve got an interview later this week for a part-time job teaching dance out in Evanston, and I’m talking to some people about doing some choreography. And you know, Tam, the temp work isn’t so bad. It’s something new every day. As long as they don’t send me on a job where I have to wear a shirt with my name on it,” Desiree laughed.

  “I know that’s right,” Tamela laughed.

  “Now to the important stuff. Tell me about that fine-assed client of yours. Have they arrested him yet and more important, do you think he did it?”

  “No, they haven’t arrested him and you know I can’t talk about my case or my client,” Tamela said.

  “Aw, come on. Just tell me what he’s like,” Desiree pleaded.

  “He seems like a nice man. Did I tell you I met his grandmother? She’s sweet and a hoot. She brought me some of the best fried chicken I ever had up to the office the other day. It was sweet and funny. I get this call saying there’s a Miss Cora at the front office with a package for me. At first, I didn’t know what to do. I mean you could smell that chicken all the way down the hall. The receptionist was looking at the both of us like we were some kinda fools. But I tell you when I got home late that night, dog-tired, that fried chicken was a gift from heaven,” Tamela said.

  “Honey, I wish I had somebody cooking for me. Tell me, Tamela, has anyone said anything to you about my not having a regular job?”

  “No, like who?”

  “I was wondering, I mean I haven’t talked with Karen and Stephanie since I called them and asked them was there anyone at their office who should get my resume. I mean usually those divas will call me at least once a week to go to lunch or to the health club,” Desiree said. “I can’t believe they are throwing me all this shade.”

  “Naw, they ain’t said nothing to me and if they did I would get them straight. Honey, we all living from paycheck to paycheck,” Tamela said.

  “I know that’s right.”

  “How are you doing with money?”

  “Of course, I need some, but I’m doing okay. I did have a little savings. And, heaven forbid, I could go to my mother for money. But these bill collectors are calling every other day,” Desiree said.

  “What are you telling them?”

  “What I used to hear my mother tell them: ‘You can’t get yours till I get mine,’ ” Desiree said.

  “All right now. Well, darling, I’ve got to get back to work if I’m going on this overnight date.”

  “I think you’re going to have a great time. And just remember ’cause a brother wines and dines you don’t mean you got to give it up.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  Mia sat cross-legged in the middle of her bed, looking at her reflection in a hand-held mirror. Her face was healing, the colors fading, and the contours of her normally smooth skin were reappearing. She had at least another week before she could talk to the station manager about returning to work, even though she knew she would have to apologize to Cheryl.

  She was reconsidering LaDonna’s offer to visit Los Angeles and thought she might look into the job possibilities out there. She was also thinking of getting out of sports and switching into regular news. She knew no matter what happened with Zurich, it was going to be difficult to go in the Cougars’ locker room again.

  Just as she moved from her bed to put the mirror back on her dresser, the phone rang. She had gotten her phone number changed to avoid the constant calls from an annoying reporter and the police, so she knew it could only be her mother or LaDonna. She’d started to keep her number a secret from everybody, including her mother and LaDonna, but changed her mind. She thought that the solitude of silence she had created might help connect the fragments of her memory.

  “Hello,” Mia said.

  “Hey, girl. How you doing? Enjoying that vacation?” LaDonna said.

  “Yeah, but I’m getting bored. Funny you should call because I been thinking about coming out there to visit you.”

  “Come on out here, girl. Have you talked with the police yet? Have they arrested that animal?” She knew Mia didn’t like to talk about the incident, but as a friend she felt the need to be the voice of reason.

  “Come on, LaDonna. I don’t want to talk about that. What’s going on out there? Got any good gossip?” When Mia changed the subject, LaDonna was certain she was deep in denial.

  “Same old, same old. Nothing really big. There are a couple of movies opening soon, but not a lot happens in the fall,” LaDonna said.

  “You know what? I’m thinking about getting my hair cut,” Mia said.

  “Your hair cut? What for?”

  “Oh, just to have something different. I’m sick of taking care of this mane. You know, I was thinking about getting it cut like Toni Braxton and Halle Berry,” Mia said.

  “Have you thought about this? Your hair is beautiful, Mia.” LaDonna knew how proud Mia was of her hair; why did she want to cut it off?

  “I haven’t made any final decisions, but I’m seriously thinking about it.”

  “Mia, are you sure you’re all right?”

  “I’m fine. Like I said, I’m just bored out of my mind.” She was getting annoyed at all the questions. If she wanted questions, she would talk to the police.

  “You haven’t heard from Derrick, have you?”

  “No, but I ain’t hardly worried about Derrick, honey,” Mia laughed. A laugh that sounded artificial, yet Mia wanted LaDonna to believe she was okay.

  “What about the test?”

  “What test?”

  “Come on, Mia, didn’t we agree that you should have an AIDS test? You did say you don’t remember if that asshole used a condom, right?”

  “Yes, LaDonna, I’ve talked to my doctor, but he said it takes about two to three months before something would show up, so I’m going to wait to take the test then. Why are we talking about this shit?”

  “I just want you to know I’m here if you need me. I still got some vacation time, and I could be up there in a plane ride,” LaDonna offered.

  “I know, darling, I’m fine. Look, I hear someone at my door,” Mia lied. She was tired of talking about AIDS tests and condoms.

  “Okay,
call me soon,” LaDonna said.

  “I will, take care.”

  After hanging up the phone, Mia looked for the yellow pages. She wanted to find a beauty salon for her new look. She didn’t dare go to her regular salon because she knew full well that her stylist would talk her out of cutting or even dying her hair. When she located the book and turned to the beauty section, a large ad for a shop called Therapy caught her attention. The ad stated that it was unisex and offered a wide range of services including pedicures, massages, and even a formal dress rental. From the address Mia could tell it was in a posh neighborhood and away from the station and her regular salon. Mia picked up the phone and dialed the number. She was impressed immediately with the telephone manner of the woman who scheduled her appointment and asked her what she wanted to get done, how she had heard about the shop, and even if she needed directions or transportation to the shop. She also suggested that since it was Mia’s first time visiting the salon, she might want to allow an extra half-hour so that she could talk to a few of the stylists to discuss the look she wanted to achieve. Mia agreed and scheduled an appointment for Friday at 2 P.M. sharp.

  Sean felt he had come up with a brilliant idea that might help his money crisis and allow him to see Zurich Robinson again. But first he wanted to see what Gina DeMarco thought and if she would help him. Sean picked up the phone and felt it was a good sign when she took his call immediately.

  “Hi, Sean, I thought you’d forgotten me,” Gina said in her normally cheerful voice.

  “Oh no. I just figured you had your hands full with Zurich and all,” Sean said.

  “Well, it’s kinda quiet right now with him. We’re still trying to see what the DA is going to do and if they are going to have a preliminary hearing to see if there is enough evidence to bind him over for trial,” Gina said.

  “So it must be serious. When I talked with Zurich, he didn’t really seem bothered by it,” Sean said.

  “You know that’s his personality, really low key. Am I right or am I wrong? But he says he didn’t do it and I believe him. His grandmother is here to support him, and he has a pretty good lawyer,” Gina said confidently.

  “That’s good. Gina, the reason why I’m calling is to share some good news and some bad news. Which do you want first?”

  “Give me the bad. Let’s get that over with,” Gina said.

  “First, ST canned the story I was working on. They said with Zurich’s reputation being in question that the story I outlined wouldn’t fly, plus it seems like most of the black quarterbacks are having a tough year, you know Randall and Vince. Warren is playing okay, but there have been more than a hundred profiles on him,” Sean said.

  “So we won’t get the story right now. They will come around.”

  “Yeah, I think you’re right. Which brings me to the good news. I talked to the editor who assigned the story about another idea and he seemed interested. I proposed doing a piece on the number of black athletes being accused of crimes, like rape and dare I say double homicide, and what would happen if one of these guys, say for instance like Zurich, were falsely accused,” Sean said.

  “I like the way you talking, Sean,” Gina said. Sean had her hooked and now he began to reel her in.

  “Yeah, the story could take on different angles. You know one of the things Zurich said in our interview has really stuck with me.”

  “What was that?”

  “I talked with him after the New Jersey game and he said how some of his teammates were quite proud of his alleged rape and beating of this woman. I think that’s a chilling commentary on what black men, and especially men we’ve put on a pedestal, feel about black women,” Sean said.

  “I know that’s right.”

  “In my conversations with Zurich, I somehow get the impression that their reaction bothers him more than the allegations. To steal a phrase, am I right or am I wrong?” Sean laughed.

  “Sho you right,” Gina laughed.

  “So if I could get him to talk about that and his feelings, I think he could garner some sympathy if this thing goes to trial. And if ST doesn’t buy the story then I was thinking maybe you and I could put our heads together and seek out some publications that might be interested,” Sean said.

  “That’s a great idea, Sean. I love it! And I do have several contacts with some other newspapers and magazines. What can I do?”

  “Do you think Zurich would talk to me and, if he would, open up a little more about his background. One of the premises of the story will be that a lot of this behavior goes back to that thing we call home training. And how a lot of athletes at some point go through some type of socialization to believe and expect that all women are supposed to be sexually compliant. They grow up learning that being a star includes having any woman you want, regardless if she doesn’t want you.”

  “I will definitely talk to him about it and convince him to do it. You know his grandmother is here, and she’s a real piece of work. I know she would love to talk to you. Actually, she loves talking to anybody and everybody. I mean when you meet her, Sean, it will become clear that Zurich got, how did you say it, home training,” Gina said.

  “So you will plead my case?” Sean asked.

  “Of course. I think Zurich likes you. It’s this one little sawed-off police beat reporter that’s bugging us. Let me make sure I have your number. What am I talking about? Of course I do. Sean, let me talk to Zurich and I’ll give you a call later on this evening. Would you want to conduct this interview on the phone or would you be coming back to Chicago?”

  “I know he’s busy with practice and all, but I’d like to do it in person,” Sean said.

  “Okay, I think you should. That way you can meet Miss Cora in person,” Gina said.

  “Great. I look forward to your call. Thanks, Gina,” Sean said.

  “Take care, Sean. I look forward to seeing you,” Gina said.

  Sean hung up the phone and smiled to himself at the thought of seeing Zurich Robinson. His smile didn’t last that long when he thought about the cost involved in going to Chicago again. ST had only expressed an interest and was not offering an advance or travel expenses. Sean hoped he had enough miles to get a free ticket and find a cheap hotel. Sean thought about calling his mother or his older brother and asking for a loan, but quickly nixed the idea since he had always assured them that his life in New York was going smoothly. He looked around his apartment to see if there was anything he could sell or pawn. He couldn’t sell his laptop, fax, or printer. But maybe he could do without his camera and the Rolex watch his father had given him when he graduated from college. All this, Sean thought, just to go to Chicago and be in the presence of Zurich. Was it worth it?

  On his way home from practice, Zurich stopped at a pay phone and called Gina. He needed her help. It was late so he was relieved when Gina picked up on her private line.

  “Gina DeMarco speaking.”

  “Gina, this is Zurich.”

  “Oh, I’m glad you called me, I got something I need you to do,” Gina said.

  “I have a favor to ask you too, but you go first,” Zurich said. “How was practice?”

  “It was okay, but that jerk of a reporter was there asking me the same questions,” Zurich said.

  “My favor deals with a reporter, but I think it’s one you like,” Gina said.

  “Who?”

  “Sean Elliott, the guy from New York. He said he talked to you when you guys played in New Jersey.”

  “Yeah, I like Sean, he’s good people,” Zurich said. He felt Sean was easy to talk to and allowed him to say things he had kept to himself. Gina told Zurich about Sean’s story proposal, and he quickly agreed.

  “That was easy. Now what favor do you have for me? Let me tell you I don’t know that little police beat reporter, but I can find out who his boss is,” Gina said.

  “No, I can handle him. It’s MamaCee I need your help with.”

  “How can I help?”

  “You know I love my grandma, b
ut I need a break. I need some solitude. And she’s not leaving until this mess with Mia is cleared up,” Zurich said.

  “What do you need me to do?”

  “I don’t know; I was hoping you had some suggestions.”

  “I know. How do you think MamaCee would like a day of beauty?”

  “A day of beauty?”

  “Yeah, I could arrange to take her to the place where I get my hair done. We could schedule her to get her hair done, nails, toes, and if we plan it right, it could take all day. Maybe we could end it with my husband and me taking her to dinner,” Gina offered.

  “That sounds great! But you know how MamaCee is about restaurant food. And, to be honest, I don’t know if MamaCee has ever been to a beauty shop. But that sounds really nice,” Zurich said. He felt a sense of relief at the thought of some private time in his apartment and the image of MamaCee in a beauty shop being treated like a queen.

  “We could take her to this soul food restaurant over on the South Side. Army and Lou’s has pretty good food, or we could take her to Gladys’s. You’ve been there, haven’t you?”

  “Yeah, actually, I’ve been to both. She might like that. But who’s gonna tell her?”

  “I could call her and convince her,” Gina said.

  “Thanks, Gina. Could you do it now, like, before I get home?”

  “Yeah, I can, but first I have to pull some strings at the salon. It’s a really popular place and it might be hard to get an appointment. But leave it to me. I’ll also check with a friend of mine, Robin, who works over in publicity at the ‘Oprah Winfrey Show’ and see if I can’t arrange for MamaCee to go to a taping.”

  “That would be real cool. MamaCee loves Oprah.”

  “I can’t make any promises, but let’s keep our fingers crossed. How are things working out with Tamela?”

  “Oh, everything is everything. Just waiting to see what the DA is going to do. I’m ready for this to be over for a lot of reasons. I want my life back,” Zurich said as he looked at his watch.