Beale Street Blues

by Angela Kay Austin

  "Is this really about the job?" Annette asked, laughing softly. "Or about the fact that the man is gorgeous and you can't stop thinking about him?"

  "What do you know? Who said I can't stop?" If Annette knew about her dreams, she'd have absolutely no leverage what-so-ever.

  "You did." She laughed, again. "I'll call you back later. I'm about to hop on the train."

  Darling popped the trunk of her car, carefully reached in and pulled out the wedding dress that for some reason, she hadn't been able to part with. The lace and beads were hand-stitched. Back then, she weighed about twenty pounds less. She remembered with pain the day she saw the dress. She'd been out lunching with her mother and Annette. After lunch, they did some window shopping. When they passed the bridal shop, they all looked at each other with one thought. What the heck, why not take a look? Who knew they'd actually find something. The moment they saw it, they knew it was the one. The thing was she'd bought it before Steve had proposed.

  Annette stored the dress at her house for months until Steve actually asked her to marry him. Now the thought made her laugh. Maybe that should've been her first clue that there was something crazy going on with her. She had been absolutely obsessed with him since they first met. No one could ever live up to the type of fantasy she'd created.

  She put the dress back into her trunk. As soon as she could, she'd put it back in storage. Instead, she grabbed the other bags of clothes she no longer had a need for: evening gowns, shoes and extravagant purses, then walked into the consignment store to make her monthly drop off. Plus, she could use a few more reasonably priced suits. They always had a great selection.

  An hour later, with cash and new suits in hand, Darling drove the streets of Memphis with no place to go. The city seemed strange and different, now. Her high school friends were just that. They were so far apart in who they were now that it made it difficult for them to relate. And her family, her parents, she didn't want them to know how far she'd fallen, because she and Steve couldn't agree on anything. Every extra dollar went to her lawyers and her part of the mortgage until things were finalized.

  Just how had that happened? He left her! Why did she have to continue to pay the mortgage?

  For some reason, she ended up in front of her high school.

  Her high school had been a big deal when she was a kid with both a junior high and high school on the same campus. They provided more college preparatory classes than any other public school back then. Now, the junior high was some type of weird annex and the grounds didn't look as beautiful as she'd remembered. Through the eyes of a child, she'd thought the place was huge. Because she'd taken the bus to school, it seemed like it was on the other side of the world. But, it was only about fifteen minutes from her parents' house. And now, it seemed small and old. Falling apart.

  Just like me

  She looked over at the bags resting on the seat beside her and cried.

  CHAPTER SIX

  The stench of the weight room at the hotel—an odd mix of sweat and rubber—didn't bother Jaxon as he loaded more weight onto the bar. A weird sense of relief flowed through him as he laid across the bench and braced himself for what was to come. He gripped the warm metal and forced the bar to move with his will as much as his strength. The ache in his muscles increased with each pump and he welcomed it every time. Sweat rolled down his arms dripping onto his face. Into his eyes.

  He rested the weights and grabbed his towel to wipe away his perspiration. As soon as he dropped the towel back to its resting place, images of Darling flooded him again. Nothing he did allowed him to push thoughts of her out of his mind. Damn! The metallic ringing and the grunting sounds of the men and women tackling the weights around him alerted him. He sat, doing nothing. The mirror across the way reflected what he already knew. This woman knocked him off his game and he needed to figure out why.

  After unsuccessfully trying to focus, Jaxon gave up on the weights and hit the showers.

  Just as he reached his car, his phone rang. "Hello."

  "Hey, it's your mom."

  "Mom, I know it's you." He laughed. She'd only been using a cell phone for a few months and wasn't very tech savvy. She kept forgetting her cell number would show on his screen.

  "Oh, sorry. I forgot." She paused. "How much longer do you think you'll be in Memphis?"

  "I'm not sure. There are some things I'm trying to straighten out down here." He knew he was lying to himself, more than to her.

  "Is there a lot wrong?" she asked with concern.

  "No, ma'am," he assured her. "I've decided to restructure one of the departments and I want to make sure it's handled smoothly."

  "I know you will take care of it." She paused. "You've made the company more successful than even your father did when he was alive."

  That may be true, but it wasn't something he'd done intentionally. He'd fired many of his father's cronies because he didn't like them and they'd shielded his father and his cheating from his mother. The increase in sales was a benefit, but unexpected. Apparently, his father's most trusted board and executives had been screwing him while his father was whoring around. "Thanks mom. I think things will be better soon."

  "Well, I've been nominated for an award." Her voice was filled with barely controlled excitement. "They're going to announce the winners at the Women of Excellence dinner."

  His parents divorced when he was a child and since that time, there had been only two things his mother had dedicated herself to: him and volunteering. When he left for college, her home was empty and it broke her heart because she feared he would never return. He'd actually thought about it. But, when his father died, someone had to take over the family business. That was six years ago. Each year, it grew harder for him to walk in his father's footsteps, but it was important to his mother. So, even if it had been hands-off for the most part, a Slater ran Slater Enterprises.

  At the reading of the will, he met the stewardess his father had left them for. However, he'd never begun a new family with her. Her disappointment at the reading of the will was obvious. Bitterness filled him as he remembered how she'd then come on to every other man in the room.

  "Women of Excellence," he repeated. "That sounds like a big deal."

  "Oh, it is, and I'd love for my successful handsome son to be my escort."

  He couldn't remember the last time his mother had been on a date, or mentioned a man, romantically. He and his father owed her. His father broke her hear, and Jaxon had become her whole heart. She deserved more—grandchildren—to love and spoil. He'd been so busy living that he hadn't thought much about her or anyone else. Definitely not as far as starting a family. "Of course, mom." He smiled into the phone. "When?"

  "March 10th. But, I want to be sure you put it on your calendar."

  "I'll be there." It was a promise he couldn't break. She was the only woman he'd ever been able to be completely honest with. No matter what he did or didn't do, she stood beside him. How could his father ever have left a woman so beautiful and kind? How could the damn man have left his son? What kind of husband or father would he make with a role model like that?

  "And maybe you can wear one of your wonderful dark suits with a green shirt to match your eyes. I'll wear a full-length gown." She paused. "We'll have a glorious time."

  Jaxon paused before he walked into the staff meeting. Rumors about why the two groups were merging had swirled around the office. Rodney reported them all, partly because of his concern for his own job and because he seemed to like gossip.

  People were sitting in groups according to their respective divisions. He did however, notice a few of Barbara's group had defected to the so-called enemy blending with Darling and her staff.

  "Hello everyone." He paused. "Before we get started, let me say I appreciate everyone in this room for what you've contributed to the company. And although there'll be some reporting differences, there will be no job losses."

  A shared sigh breezed through the room. Stiff tense postures relax
ed as people waited to hear what he'd say next.

  "Collectively, your units contribute more than thirty percent to the company's numbers. With this realignment, we're hoping to be able to increase that." When he finished with what he had to say, he turned the room over to Rodney and Darling.

  While Rodney spoke, his words seemed to be directed specifically to Barbara.

  As a contrast, Darling's focus had been more on the direction of the department going forward, and her desire to keep confusion to a minimal during the transition.

  Jaxon noticed that Barbara glowered in a corner throughout Rodney's entire speech. Women like her and the stewardess, that caused Jaxon's father to break his mother's heart, were never satisfied. He could've fired her and promoted someone else into a modified position, but Rodney had begged him not to.

  Even though she still had a job, she sat in obvious unhappiness, filled with resentment and anger.

  Not sure of what he might see, he chanced a quick look at Darling. Surrounded by staff from both units, he allowed himself the opportunity to watch.

  She moved her gaze from one person to another as they vied for her attention, her long black hair brushing her shoulders each time she turned her head.

  As the crowd dwindled away, he caught her eye. The beautiful smile she gave him warmed him with its intensity. Then, with a tiny nod, she broke eye contact and focused on the people around her.

  He felt the loss of contact immediately, its warmth replaced with pain. Something was going on between them and he couldn't let go of it.

  Whatever it was, it grew stronger each time he was around her. Not fading away.

  Darling watched as Jaxon ducked out of the room, leaving her with her new team. Everyone congratulated her, except Barbara, who practically ran from the room.

  As soon as Jaxon finished speaking, after slapping Darling on the back and a quick handshake, Rodney left too.

  Maybe the whole thing wouldn't be as bad as she'd originally thought. If Barbara could accept the changes and not provoke any problems, everything might just be okay. Feeling pretty good, Darling headed toward Rodney's office to ask a few questions. Some of her new team members hadn't had their travel schedules approved for the remainder of the year and that needed to be done if she was going to begin working on her end of year budget.

  Darling stopped at the sound of voices coming from Rodney's office, their tones were hushed and angry

  "Rodney, this is BS!" No mistaking Barbara's voice.

  "Baby, calm down." There was a pause. "We'll figure this out together."

  "This is your fault," she raged. "She comes in from nowhere and suddenly, I'm reporting to her. No way in hell!"

  "Baby, she does have a lot of experience. The two departments should be together. It makes a lot of sense."

  "Then why doesn't she report to me?" Barbara demanded.

  "Her department is doing better—"

  "I don't care," she interrupted. "I've been here longer."

  "Mr. Slater reviewed the numbers and made the final decision. Shit, Barbara, the economy is bad. We could've lost jobs, but we didn't."

  "I don't care. I'm not reporting to her."

  The voices stopped and Darling attempted to flatten herself against the wall behind her.

  Barbara stormed from the office, and bolted down the hallway.

  As she watched the angry figure stomp down the hall, she knew Barbara would soon become a bigger pain in the butt. She didn't have anything against the woman, but clearly, Barbara wasn't going to just accept the new structure. If the woman searched around enough who knew what she'd find. If the night she and Jaxon spent together was discovered, it could hurt his company—him. Or, Barbara could leverage her relationship with Rodney to ruin the company.

  Jaxon should've done something about it a long time ago, but his attempt to manage the company from a distance had allowed his absence to be manipulated. Darling may not have had anything to do with it, but if she stayed, this would definitely become more about her than anything else.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Darling sat in the coffee shop of the bookstore people watching. The older gentleman that eased onto the bar stool beside her glanced at the menu briefly before ordering. Darling couldn't take her eyes off the man and not because he rivaled Sean Connery. His tight thin lipped expression as he sat stiffly reviewing the menu gave him an unapproachable air. As he read the menu, his eyes darted across everyone at the counter, not long enough to establish contact with anyone, but as if searching for something—someone.

  God, was that going to be her life, now? Would that be her future? Would she turn into him?

  While he waited for his food order, he shoved his hands into his pockets and ambled through the aisles. Now and then, he'd pause to read the back cover copy of books.

  Although her own marriage had been a failure, her parents had been together forever. Her parents lived their own lives, but spent as much time as possible together too. Maybe there was no reason for her sadness over the jacket-clad older man. Maybe his wife waited at home for him to return.

  Darling closed her eyes to block out the sight of him. When she opened them, he stood next to her checking out his order: one pork chop and a side of greens with a roll. Definitely not enough to share.

  Would she one day, at sixty-five or seventy, stroll through the aisles of bookstores or order lunch or dinner dressed in her afternoon best because she had no one to go home to? Would strangers become her only friends?

  The weeks since his conversation with his mother passed with a blur. He didn't know if his time in Memphis moved quickly because of the work he was doing, or if it was because he tried to squeeze every moment out of every day he spent near Darling.

  The forty-five minute flight to Nashville didn't give Jaxon enough time to catch a nap before he met his mother. He raced from the plane straight to the car waiting for him. There hadn't been much need to bring any luggage since he was hopping right back on a plane to Memphis when the event was over. He might not be able to be with Darling when he returned, but he could be near her.

  He had no idea how long he could stretch out his stay in Memphis, but he'd done a good job of it so far. Something about Rodney and Barbara convinced him that as soon as he was out of sight, Darling might have more problems than she could handle. Of course, if she knew he extended his stay because of her, he felt sure she would be irritated.

  The driver dropped him at his condo, then he jumped into his car and kept going. He knew his phone would ring soon, because his plane arrived a little late, and Elaine Slater was always punctual. As he swiped the card to open the gate to his mother's community, his phone rang. He smiled as he answered it.

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "Honey, where are you?" his mother asked.

  "We won't be late." He knew that was her unasked question. "Pulling up in a minute."

  "Well, don't park, I'll be right out."

  "Okay."

  The retirement community where his mother lived provided everything she could possibly need. Landscapers cared for each lawn, a community organizer arranged neighborhood events and his mother had regular engagements with neighbors. The neighborhood resembled any other affluent Nashville community, except you rarely saw children during the week. Grandchildren usually only visited on the weekend.

  As he navigated the winding well-loved streets, he wondered how his mother managed the twists and turns in the darkness when he had problems himself. He turned from one street named after a plant to another street named after another plant until he neared his mother's house. Eventually, he would have to talk her into moving out of the huge empty home to something smaller and closer to him. The door to his mother's home opened just as he pulled up.

  His mother looked gorgeous. The tasteful green dress she'd chosen fit her petite frame. Her beautiful silver hair was cut into a short bob that highlighted her high cheekbones.

  Jaxon hopped out to grab her door. "Mom, you look beautiful." He kissed h
er on the cheek.

  A slight pink colored her cheeks. "Thank you."

  After he slid back into the driver's seat, he asked, "Who nominated you for the award?"

  A smile crossed her face. "Different civic organizations throughout Nashville nominated people they knew to be doing good work in the communities."

  "So, you didn't have to bribe anyone." He winked.

  The look on his mother's face couldn't be described as anything other than priceless. Slowly, her face flushed. "I would never—"

  "Mom, I'm joking. Relax." He laughed. "You are such a wonderful person. I'm surprised it took this long for someone to nominate you."

  "You are so awful." She smiled.

  "I'm proud of you, mom," he said. "You deserve this."

  As they pulled up to the hotel where the event was being held, he kissed her on the cheek. "You are such an easy target." He laughed and handed the keys to the valet.

  The woman Jaxon's mother led to the table wore a black evening gown that hugged her toned body well. Her blonde hair brushed the top of her tanned shoulders slightly. He rose from his chair as they neared.

  "Honey, this is Melanie Jones," his mother told him. "She's volunteered with me in the past and was also nominated."

  "Hi, Ms. Jones, nice to meet you." It never failed. At every event, his mother introduced him to some woman, a potential wife. He would never break his mother's heart and let her know that he always took advantage of each introduction. Just not the way she'd hoped. Some things you just didn't tell your mother.

  "Please, Melanie is fine." She smiled.

  "Honey, sit. I wanted Melanie to meet you because she's originally from Memphis and I know you've been spending a lot of time there."