“This is intolerable!” she hissed.
“Why?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Are you saying I should have clutched my delicate members and proclaimed, I am a man of God!”
She snorted at this image. “Oh, all right, but you cannot tell anyone what happened.”
“And invite commentary on my manhood? You have my solemn promise. Now, make nice.” He turned her to face the crowd coming through the doors from the auditorium.
CHAPTER TWO
“Okay, why did everyone laugh when I mentioned the great deal I got on that apartment?” They were eating lunch at a nearby café. Daniel MacKenzie, (Kenann had finally learned his name) looked uncomfortable.
“What?!” She pressed.
“Okay, you met Mrs. Gage, right?”
“Yeah, short, energetic lady - frosted hair. So?”
“She owns most of the old homes in this neighborhood. She has more money than sense and rents them out for a steal.”
“I’m still waiting for the funny part.”
“Well, she has a penchant for reading novels of high intrigue and matchmaking, so she places her tenants like chess pieces and then tries to manipulate the game.”
“You’re joking right?”
“Nope. She’s harmless for the most part. People like to go to her fancy dinner parties for the food and fun and a few have even found their soul mates. She’s happy. They’re happy. But she can be a pain in the rear to a confirmed bachelor like me. I thought she had given up on me long ago.”
His implication did not immediately sink in with Kenann. When it did, she burst out laughing.
“No way. You don’t mean she has me picked out for you?” and burst into another round of mirth.
“Well, I don’t think it’s that funny.”
“No offense, Danny Mac,” in perfect imitation of the southern drawl most of the congregation had used that morning. “You’re too pretty for me.”
He made a pained expression, but she went on before he could speak.
“Oh, I know it’s just the packaging, but you turn heads. I’m strictly Middle America plain Jane. But even though I’m plain on the outside, I am pure grade gold on the inside. I can’t say what you’re packing yet.”
He raised an eyebrow and she laughed. “Oh, you know what I mean. This is your lucky day, my friend. I am the most uncomplicated person you will ever meet. I develop no lasting attachments to anything. I have no cumbersome obsessions. And I promise not to fall in love with you or scorn you for unrequited passion. Meet your new best friend.”
She thrust her hand across the table with a beguiling smile. He laughed despite himself and forgot all the things he had intended to say in refute.
They finished their meal in casual conversation. They were walking down the tree-lined street back to the house and their respective apartments when Kenann heard her name squealed in a familiar voice. She immediately began running toward the tall leggy blond racing to meet her. They collided on the sidewalk and jumped up and down in syncopation.
“Hey, Jude.”
“I can’t believe you’re here. Really, really here.” They were totally oblivious to the man approaching them pondering the mysteries of female behavior.
“When did you get here?”
“Last night.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“You said you had to go to some nursing conference in Mountain Home this weekend.”
“I did but you could have called my answering machine. Oh, Kenann, I can’t believe you are going to live here.” They began to jump and squeal again.
“Ladies?”
They stumbled to a stop holding each other from toppling over. “Oh, Danny Mac, sorry, this is my very best friend and partner in many crimes, Judy Crawford.”
Judy was beautiful in the way of models and actresses. Fine boned face, chin length golden hair and all legs.
“Guilty.” They grinned at each other over shared memories.
“And I am Kenann’s neighbor.” They turned their attention back to him once again. Judy’s face sobered slightly in cool appraisal. She obviously reserved her warmth for friends.
“He’s the preacher here.” Kenann offered, tossing her head toward the church building across the street. “Oh, man, wait till I tell you how we met.”
“Hey, I thought we agreed not to tell.” Danny Mac objected.
“No, we agreed you would never tell. Besides, Jude doesn’t count.”
“Well, please be generous.”
Kenann snorted and swatted his shoulder. He smiled at her and their eyes held for a moment at the shared memory. He stepped back continuing to smile and looked at Judy.
“Nice to have met you, Miss Crawford.”
She nodded in response and watched him go up the steps into the house. Then she and Judy turned to each other and began jumping and squealing.
Kenann said, “Let’s go see my great front porch.” The brick two-story house had a small front yard enclosed by a black wrought iron fence with a central stone path up the middle to the porch step. Flowerbeds flanked the walk. Large columns supported the tall porch roof. Two huge oak trees in the front yard shrouded the entire house. The white porch swing and rattan furniture with colorful pillows complimented the white shutters on the windows.
“These are great digs, Kenann. I know the rent. What gives?”
She described the circumstances surrounding the great deal. “So, you got chosen for tall, dark and handsome there?”
“I told you Mrs. Gage was nuts.”
“Do you get evicted if you don’t hit it off?”
Kenann laughed heartily. “I sure hope not. Let me tell you, he is a lot different than I thought last night. He was actually a little scary. Today, I find out he is mild mannered preacher boy. Come on. Let me give you the grand tour. Mrs. Gage furnished it with these great early American pieces after I paid the security deposit.”
The large central hall that rose to the height of both stories duly impressed Judy. A grand staircase lifted to a landing at the back wall framed by an impressive stained-glass window overlooking the extended portion of the first floor and the back yard. From the landing, separate stairs led up to the second floor on either side. Adjacent balconies overlooked the hall below. A huge tapestry hung on the wall above the front door and a chandelier was suspended from the ceiling above their heads.
“Whoa.”
“Pretty neat, huh?”
“Awesome.”
She swung open the heavy oak double doors into her apartment and stepped aside for Judy to view the lovely fireplace across the room. A plush couch and chairs formed a cozy sitting area in front of the fireplace. To their left and at the front of the house was a large bay window with a padded window seat. To their right was a small but elegant dining area with mahogany table and chairs, side board and china cabinet. Swinging café doors led into a well-equipped kitchen and half bath. The back wall of the kitchen was made up of tall, narrow windows looking out onto another porch and large yard surrounded by a tall wooden privacy fence. A line of huge trees formed the boundary at the back of the yard. A wrought iron circular staircase led up to the second-floor bedroom, bath and office space.
“It’s perfect, Kenann.” They had finished the tour of the second floor and Judy fell across Kenann’s queen size bed.
“It is, isn’t it?”
“You still have a week before you have to start your new job, don’t you?”
“Yep.”
“Lucky dog. What are you going to do?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Settle in, shop, read.”
“Fix your best friend dinner,” she added.
“Moocher.”
“Hey, I’ve eaten your cooking. I consider myself a martyr,” and was rewarded with a pillow bounced off the side of her head.
“Finish telling me the story about meeting tall, dark and handsome.”
“His name is Danny Mac.”
“Whatever.”
Kenann obliged and had Judy’s undivided attention until the end. Judy sat staring for a few seconds and then fell back in a whoop of laughter across the bed.
“Oh, Kenann, it’s like having Lucille Ball for my best friend.”
“I guess that makes you Ethel.”
The pillow barely missed Kenann’s head.
* * *
The phone was ringing when Danny Mac entered his apartment. He took a deep breath and put on his face.
“Hello?”
“You seemed a little distracted today, son.” It was one of the elders, Jake Taylor, and the main reason Danny Mac was now a preacher. Jake was larger than life, a grizzled man who instilled fear into the men who served under him in the Marine Corp but could now shepherd his flock of Christians with tender care. When Danny Mac’s life had seemed empty and beyond repair, he remembered Jake’s quiet serenity in the midst of their fiercest battles and had come to him for answers. He had never been sorry.
Danny Mac chuckled and told him about his meeting his new neighbor, omitting some of the more delicate parts, and of her stunned surprise to find he was the preacher.
Jake laughed. “That explains the look on her face when she saw you. Well, that may be part of it but it’s not all. Something has been bothering you for days.”
“What do you mean, Jake?”
“How long have I known you son?”
“Two lifetimes.”
“Exactly, and I know every shadow that crosses your face. Some of those I helped put there.”
“It was your job, Jake.”
“And it was yours. So, don’t let it torture you now. Are you dreaming again?’
“Some, I guess. But it’s not the dreams themselves that have me bugged. It’s Angelo.”
“He’s dead. He’s part of the past. Leave it there.”
“I want to. I have no desire to ever think that name again, Sir.” In his fervor Danny Mac reverted to his military etiquette. “I can’t seem to shake the feeling. You know we never found his body?”
“Are you suggesting he is still alive?”
“All I know is the hair stands up on the back of my neck at the strangest times and the first thing I think of is him.”
“I hope to God you’re wrong, son.”
“So, do I, Sir,” he looked out the window, “So do I.”
* * *
Kenann had looked forward to sleeping in the next morning after a late night of unpacking. She was extremely vexed by the sound of a bouncing basketball echoing off the hardwood floor of the foyer below her bedroom. Then the loud voices started.
“Yo, Danny Mac, time for our rematch. Hey, wake up!” She heard Danny Mac come out on the balcony of his bedroom across the way from hers.
“Give me a break, Blade. It’s 7 in the morning and it’s my day off. I want to sleep.”
“You promised. It’s great outside. Come on, old man, you can take you a little nap later after I whip your butt.”
“Who you calling an old man? Who kicked your butt last time dude?” Danny Mac challenged the grinning bi-racial child bouncing the basketball below him.
“If you guys don’t shut-up I’m gonna kick both your butts.” Kenann had stepped onto her balcony in her robe. She hadn’t bothered to smooth her hair from sleep.
“Way to go Blade. You woke up Medusa.” Before he knew what was happening, she ran down the stairs and was heading up the other side to his balcony growling the whole way.
Blade called encouragement. “Run, man, she looks serious.”
Instinct had him retreating back into his bedroom with Kenann in hot pursuit. She chased him back down the inside stairs and caught up with him in the foyer where, laughing, Blade grabbed him before Danny Mac could run out the front door. She was able to land a hearty punch on his shoulder before turning with great dignity to sashay up the center staircase to her bedroom.
“If you gentlemen will excuse me, I will begin my toilette.”
“Whoa, Dude. Who was that?” Blade whispered after she had closed the door behind her.
“I think it’s my new best friend.” He stood staring up at the closed door.
CHAPTER THREE
Kenann came out to the church parking lot cum basketball court with coffee for her and Danny Mac – juice for Blade.
“Who’s winning?” They both were eager for a break and joined her at the picnic table on the church lawn. “Hope you like it black?” handing the coffee to Danny Mac.
“Just like he likes his women,” Blade interjected. They both turned to look at him.
“Well, isn’t that what you white folks always say?” Kenann and Danny Mac exchanged glances and burst out laughing. Danny Mac put the young boy in a headlock.
“What am I going to do with you?
“Give me lots of money?”
“Dream on, Alice.”
“You say the weirdest things, man.”
“Oh, come on. You know. Alice in Wonderland - the fairy tale? Dream on?”
“That’s a white folks fairy tale. If you’re gonna hang with me, you gotta learn my language.”
“Okay, tonight at 5:00. You can tutor me.”
“No way, man, that’s a trick.”
“You know what your principal said. If you can pass some basic skills tests before school starts this fall, he will promote you to your next grade. Otherwise you have to take fifth grade over again.”
“Come on, man, summer just started. I don’t want to study now.”
“No study no basketball, my friend.”
“That’s cool. I can hang with other guys and play ball.”
“Okay. See you around, Blade.” The boy sat for a few seconds undecided what to do. He looked to Kenann for help. She merely looked back with what she hoped was an expression of friendly neutrality.
“That’s blackmail.” Blade stuck out his chin.
“Yep.”
Blade heaved a great sigh. “Oh, alright. I’ll be back at 5:00. Does my mom know?”
“Yep.”
“It’s a conspiracy.”
Danny Mac chuckled. “Anyone who knows about conspiracies needs to pass the fifth grade. See you tonight.”
Blade left grinning. He was cool with the whole tutoring thing. It just meant more time with Danny Mac. Ever since his Dad died, Danny Mac had been there for him. Danny Mac was awesome. But he couldn’t make it look too easy.
“Sorry for the Medusa crack.” Danny Mac looked at her sideways when they were alone.
“Hey, never apologize for a getting in a good jab. I should come with a warning label in the mornings.” She grinned, and Danny Mac was enchanted once again by her openness and total lack of pretense. They sat in companionable silence enjoying the warmth of the sun on their backs.
Danny Mac broke the silence. “What’s on your agenda for the day?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Get some groceries, I guess. I promised to fix Judy dinner. You want to come over and eat with us?”
“I wasn’t really hinting for a good home cooked meal.”
“Good, because you won’t be getting one. My cooking has been known to defy the natural laws of science. But I can guarantee stimulating conversation and all the antacids you desire.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
Danny Mac’s eyes never left Kenann’s as he said, “Brace yourself.”
“Excuse me?” Her heart fluttered in her chest.
She was answered by squealing tires at her back. She whirled around in time to see a small red sports car slide to a stop a few feet from them. A short, well-built woman in a white flowing pant suit, leapt from behind the driver’s seat with amazing agility for someone wearing ridiculously high heels.
“What a glorious picture you make.” Her voice was deep and melodious, rich with an Eastern European accent. Danny Mac was always reminded of old black and white movies when she spoke.
“Good morning, Mrs. Gage. You’re out early.”
“I’ve go
t a home to refurbish into a honeymoon cottage. Jim and Karen are getting married you know. Isn’t it wonderful? Young lovers. They are the nectar of my life.” Kenann heard the sigh in the words if not in her voice. You had to love this woman.
“Of course, you will both attend the reception I am having a week from Saturday at my house.” It was not a question.
“I trust you are settling in Kenann, dear? Anything you need, you call me, yes? Must run.” She blew them a kiss trotting lightly back to her car and was off in a squeal of tires.
Kenann spoke first. “Whoa!”
“Yeah, she fills up her space and yours too.”
“But she was so quiet when I inquired about the apartment.”
“She was sizing you up for me.”
* * *
Kenann kept her promise to cook or arrange takeout meals that week for Judy who worked late almost every night. Sometimes Danny Mac joined them in between his church duties. He seemed to thrive on it though. When he wasn’t helping old ladies cross the street, he was studying. Granny would love this guy, Kenann thought.
Danny Mac could sense how guarded Judy was with him, so he never stayed long when she was there. But he did make an effort to eat lunch with Kenann most days that week. There developed between them a companionable easiness. No demands. No expectations. Their comfortable relationship spilled over to Judy and by the end of the week she had started to thaw in his presence. Blade also began dropping by for hot chocolate before he went over for his tutoring session with Danny Mac. Danny Mac lodged a complaint. He saw Kenann first. Blade actually giggled.
On Friday night, Kenann, Judy and Danny Mac had enjoyed a simple, if rather bland, meal of Kenann’s creation, before heading to the front porch for some coffee. Danny Mac had just put his feet up on the railing to enjoy the evening breeze, when he leapt to his feet. In two long strides he was down the steps and almost to the front gate to meet the man whom Danny Mac had obviously spotted getting out of his car at the curb.
“What do you want?” Danny Mac resembled a snarling dog going nose to nose with the lanky man in the dark tailored suit. The man merely responded with a benign smile.
Once, a Long Time Ago Page 2
