“Miss Aurelia, is that you? It’s so good hearing your voice.” I felt like a teenager again, and I was happy that she was there to support her husband.
“Hey sweetheart! It’s good to hear your voice also. Rodney told me you reached out to him for support. I’m so glad you did. He needs all the help he can get. You will be attending the council meeting tonight, won’t you, Gemini?”
“Of course, I’ll be there, and Antoinette is coming also. As a matter of fact, I’m picking her up.”
“Lord, how is she doing?” Miss Aurelia asked. “I haven’t spoken to her since she got married. I have been so busy with the clinic in Africa that I haven’t had time to keep up with loved ones.”
“She is doing well; she works for me at the firm and helps to keep me in line.”
“She’s been keeping you in line ever since she was a little girl. The two of you connected the moment you met. Truth is, you needed each other. She needed a big sister with just as much fire as she had, and you needed someone who would always be truthful with you despite your illness.”
“You’re right, Miss Aurelia. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have her around. She has helped to keep me grounded at the firm and in my personal life. She really is my best friend, and I think of her as family. But enough about me. Would it be okay if I spoke to Dr. Rodney?”
Miss Aurelia had made it plain years ago that I never had to ask permission to speak to Dr. Rodney. But I did anyway, out of respect to her as his wife.
“Hold on sweetheart, let me get him and I’ll see you later at the meeting. You take care.”
A second later, I heard Dr. Rodney’s voice.
“Hey, Miss Gemini, how are you? Hope to see you tonight at the meeting. I may need your help.”
“What about Sydney Ingram? Were you able to get in touch with him?”
“Yes, I talked with him and he agreed to represent me. Then on Monday of this week, he called and said that he’d gotten a little behind in some litigation for another client and would have to pass on representing me. He offered the names of some other attorneys, but I didn’t bother to get anyone else. I’m going into the meeting tonight and will present my case to the council.”
“Antoinette and I will both be there, and if there is anything I can do to help, I will. I’ll even take a swing at First Lady Day, if that will help. I think Antoinette would be willing to help me, too!”
Dr. Rodney laughed and said, “That won’t be necessary, my Sista’. Just be there and say a prayer for me. Tell Antoinette to keep her boxing gloves and pistol at home. I know how she is when she gets angry. I still remember the time you and she jumped on Anthony Mack after one of our sessions.”
“The fool had it coming to him, and we both enjoyed it.”
We both laughed.
“I’ll get to the meeting early, Dr. Rodney, in case you need me. Don’t know how much I can help, but I might be able to help you with questions you may want to ask the councilmen.”
“Thank you, Gemini. God bless you and Antoinette. See you tonight.”
I hung up the phone and spent the rest of the day preparing myself emotionally for what would unfold later that day.
---
The council meeting from hell
The night of the meeting arrived, and I am on my way to pick up Antoinette from the office. The firm isn’t far from city hall, where the council meetings are held. I am a little nervous about returning to the place where I was shot at the hands of Mamie Wells, although she hadn’t pulled the trigger. I am still a bit shaken by the memory of her phone call, and I know we will talk again. I am counting on it. I have made it up in my mind that I am going to make her pay for what she did to me, Savannah, Ruthann, and Ruthann’s son, Milton, who was coaxed into shooting me. Finally, I would make her pay for what she did to my son through the horrible life she’d made him live, even though he appeared to come out of it okay. He could have been emotionally scarred just as Milton had been. I still hadn’t heard from my son, and I was starting to worry more, even though I knew Griff was with him. I needed to have faith; he’d promised me that he would call, and I had to keep telling myself he would.
Antoinette wasn’t out front as I pulled up, so I decided to park and go inside. No one was at the front door to let me in, so I used my key to open the door and made my way past the security desk to the elevator. Once I made it to the floor to go to my office, I heard laughter and froze in my tracks. I recognized the laugh. It was Bookie, and he was talking to Antoinette. I could hear her laughing, and the other person I guessed to be Nobel.
Gemini, I said to myself, now is that moment in time that separates the sane from the insane. Do you turn back and run to the elevator, or do you hold your head up and march into the office as if all is behind you?
I turned and made a mad dash for the elevator, and as luck would have it, the elevator was still there. I jumped in and closed the door. When the elevator got to the lobby floor, I ran out as if I’d robbed a convenience store, past the security desk, to the parking lot, to the safety of my car. I felt like an idiot the moment I sat down. I tried to convince myself to march back to the elevator and commit to my original plan, which was to get Antoinette. My mind was willing, but it did not have the participation of my heart. I knew I was being childish, but I wasn’t ready to see the two of them together. I decided that I would try to pick Antoinette for information, which wasn’t easy to do. As I sat in my car, I looked up and saw three people coming out of the front door—Antoinette, Bookie, and Nobel.
Somebody up there wants to see me sweat, I said to myself.
Antoinette saw my car first and said something to Bookie and Nobel. They stopped, looked my way, and then Bookie said something to Antoinette. She started to make her way towards me while Bookie and Nobel headed towards his car. I was hurt and relieved at the same time. I didn’t want to see him, yet I was hurt that he didn’t want to see me.
Antoinette got into the car and asked if I’d waited long. I told her no, then asked as nonchalantly as I could, “Was that Phillip and Nobel I saw you talking to?”
I must have sounded convincing, because she responded, “Yes, and he told me to tell you ‘hello, hope all is well.’”
I changed the subject, because I didn’t think I would be able to continue the charade.
“I hope we’re getting to the meeting on time to meet Dr. Rodney and Miss Aurelia. I want to be near him in case I can be of help.”
“I thought you recommended Sydney Ingram,” Antoinette said.
“I did, but I want to be there just in case.”
It wasn’t going to take us long to reach the city hall, and the drive there gave me a chance to view the changes that were taking place in the city. Since the opening of the Gilford Hotel, the city’s downtown area has seen an increase in business. The city had the forethought to build a crosswalk from the hotel to the convention center, which was built three years prior to the completion of the Gilford. As we approached the hotel, I looked up at the crosswalk and noticed that one of the safety windows was missing.
“I thought the city had replaced that window, at least that’s what the paper said.”
“I think they tried, but my husband’s brother Ken told us that they had to return the window because it was the wrong size,” Antoinette said. “He thinks it will be another two weeks before the walkway is finally repaired, but the hotel is still using it. Earth, Wind and Fire will be in concert this weekend, and I hear the hotel is booked. Did you know that Poo Poo will be performing at the hotel in the Lady Day Lounge?”
We reached city hall and there was a crowd of people waiting to get inside. I was reminded of the day that Milton Wilkes shot me on the steps, and my hands began to shake, reliving the incident.
Antoinette noticed and said, “This is a new day, Gemini. Stay strong. We’re here for Dr. Rodney.”
I found a parking space on the street and we only had to walk a few feet to reach the steps.
“Isn’t that Attorney Jones?” I heard a woman say as I approached. “She’s a good friend of Dr. Earls. What are you doing here, doing the devil’s work? We don’t want you here causing problems for our pastor.”
The woman stepped in front of me to prevent me from going any further. The crowd of people gathered around us, and this gave the woman the courage she needed. I could tell she was scared, not sure how I was going to respond.
“I have enough devil in me to make beating the hell out of you a necessary and enjoyable event. I suggest you get out of my way.”
Antoinette was standing beside me and said, “Sister Howard, I know you know that I would gladly assist Attorney Jones in beating you to the ground. Please move.”
The lady lost her nerve and moved aside to let us pass. We could hear her quoting Bible verses as we got to the front door. The security guard opened the door for us, as we were on a list of people who were permitted to go inside. He knew that Dr. Rodney was expecting us to join him.
I found the Earls waiting outside the chamber doors. The police were on hand to manage the crowd. As we entered the chamber, we saw that there were more people inside, most of whom were members of the Days’ congregation. I looked around for Uncle Artis but didn’t see him. I was glad that two of Dr. Rodney’s staff members were there. They had reserved two seats for the Earls, and two behind them for me and Antoinette.
“Did you get in touch with Sydney Ingram?” Antoinette asked Dr. Rodney after we’d taken our seats.
“Yes, I did, and at first, he said he could help me, but yesterday he called and said that he wouldn’t be able to represent me, as another more urgent case had come up. He said he would call me in a few days. I have not heard from him.”
There was a sudden burst of cheering in the room, and I looked up to see the Days entering the room. I also noticed Barney Austin, the reporter from the city newspaper, slither in and take a seat. He and I don’t like each other. He has a history of painting me as some sort of lunatic—as someone who is not mentally competent to practice law.
This is the first time I have had a chance to see this power couple in person. They are a handsome pair, I must admit. Tabitha reminds me of that actress from Indianapolis. She stands about five foot seven, fair skinned, with a very exotic look about her, slanted eyes, a small nose and full lips. She doesn’t need a lot of makeup; she is very beautiful woman. But she has a definite air about her and is as fake as a three-dollar bill, my instincts tell me. Her fuchsia-colored suit with silver buttons looks very expensive. Her shoes match the suit and her jewelry matches the buttons. Altogether, the Sister is put together quite well. Her wedding ring is the size of Texas, and I’m sure that if she were outside, it could be seen from far above the earth’s atmosphere. I have a watch like the one she is wearing, and it set me back a few thousand.
Pastor Du’Marcus Damon Day is by his wife’s side. He looks to be about six feet tall, skin the color of coffee, with short curly hair. Some people would say he has “good hair.” He has a mustache and no other facial hair. I can feel his presence, and I’m not the only one. Antoinette appears transfixed as he enters the room. We make contact, and I can see the sincerity in his eyes. He spots Dr. Rodney and Miss Aurelia seated in front of me and makes his way towards them. His wife tries to stop him, but he takes her hand and motions for her and the woman behind them to take a seat.
Dr. Rodney sees him approaching and stands up to greet him. The two men shake hands and step away from us for a chat. I have a better view of him, and my instincts strongly suggest that he is a sincere and Godly man. I can’t make out what they are saying, so my eyes wander over to where Tabitha Day is sitting. I am startled by the look of pure hatred in her eyes. She catches me looking at her and quickly turns her head. I knew in that moment that this fight was personal, and that if the pastor had his way, there would be a compromise. After they spoke, he walked Dr. Rodney back to his chair. He then turned his attention to me, and Dr. Rodney introduced us.
“Pastor Day, I would like you to meet Attorney Gemini Jones and her assistant, Antoinette Flowers-Clark.”
Pastor Day reached out his hand and took mine. His hands were manicured and warm. I was surprised that they weren’t soft, and I noticed a callus or two. His handshake was firm yet friendly.
“Attorney Jones, I finally have the pleasure of meeting you. I have been meaning to reach out to you before today. I have been praying for you since I heard you had been shot. I will continue to keep you in my prayers. God revealed to me that the storm you are experiencing is a test of your faith. That you must find closure in your life. But at the end, peace will come. All things will be made known to you and love will follow.”
“I am touched that you would take the time to pray for me,” I said. “I guess my father was right when he said the prayers of the righteous availed much.”
His words brought me comfort and I found that I was holding his hand a little tighter now. There was something about his words that filled my heart and soul with peace. I wanted to hold on to him, and I wanted to talk with him. To tell him my story from beginning to end. Especially the pain I was feeling about Phillip. I wanted to tell him about my son, the joy I felt seeing him, and the fear I felt for him. The tears in my eyes were starting to form and I fought very hard to keep them from falling down my face.
He sensed my struggles and turned his attention to Antoinette.
“Sista Clark, your presence at church is truly missed. I hope all is well?”
“I’m fine, Pastor,” she replied. “Thank you for asking.”
Pastor then greeted Miss Aurelia, apologized for not speaking sooner, and made his way back to his wife and the other woman sitting beside her.
I hadn’t paid much attention to the other woman before, but now I recognized her. Tracey Marshall was the intern for Dr. Rodney years ago when I joined the group. She came to work for him shortly after graduation and became one of his counselors. A year ago, I’d heard that she had abruptly resigned from her position and left town. No one would say why she left. I wondered if Dr. Rodney noticed her and I was about to say something, but Antoinette beat me to it.
Tapping the Earls on the shoulder she said, “Isn’t that Tracey Marshall sitting with the Days?”
Dr. Rodney confirmed that it was Tracey.
“I wonder what she’s doing with them?” I asked.
“I think I know,” Dr. Rodney said. “And if I’m right, this meeting is going to get ugly.”
“Rodney, you have nothing to worry about,” Miss Aurelia said. She placed her hand on her husband’s shoulder. “The accusations she made were false, and I’ll stand up and let the whole world know.”
I was about to ask for an explanation, but the council meeting was called to order.
The Gary City Council consists of six members representing each of the districts in the city, and three with the position of councilman at-large. The president of the council presides over the meeting.
The meeting went according to the order of business. It started with a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call of members, and reading of the minutes. It took them a little over an hour to go through the items on the week’s agenda. Finally, it was time for the council to address the main purpose. The president explained that the city was in the process of allocating city land for development, and that the land located south of The Fishers of Men Community Church was being considered. Three people had stepped forward and expressed a desire to obtain the land. Pastor and First Lady Day, representing the church, and Dr. Rodney Earls, representing his social services agency. All the interested parties were here tonight to express to the board their plans for the parcel of land and how it would benefit the city.
After a briefing of the purpose of this part of the agenda, the president in
vited Pastor and First Lady Day to address the board first. Supporters of the Days were quick to applaud and sing praises to God and them for their work. They were quickly silenced by the council president. As the Days walked to the podium, I noticed Barney Austin make his way over to Tracey Marshall and begin a conversation. That did not go unnoticed by Dr. Rodney and Miss Aurelia. They looked at each other, and again, I saw how much Miss Aurelia loved her husband and believed in him. Placing her hand on his back and rubbing it gently as if to say, Honey, it’s going to be okay.
I leaned over to Dr. Rodney and said, “I know that slimeball reporter. His name is Barney Austin, and he’s from the city paper. He is up to something, and I bet my last bit of sanity that Tabitha Day is behind it.”
“He’s the reporter that constantly berates you in the paper; I have read how malicious he is,” Dr. Rodney said. “He thinks that you’re insane and should not be allowed to practice law.”
“After the meeting, the four of us should meet some place and I want you to tell me about Tracey Marshall, and leave nothing out. I want to know what made her leave. If I remember correctly, she was good at her job and was very happy there. I want Antoinette there to take notes. I’m not sure what I am going to do at this point, but I want to be prepared.”
We then focused our attention on Pastor Day’s address to the board. The pastor gave a persuasive argument over why his church should be allocated the land. He explained that his church was in the process of finalizing plans to build a movie studio to produce religious movies. He explained that the market for this type of movies was new, and that they would be getting in while the field was small. He also informed us that this studio would create jobs, which were badly needed in Gary. He quoted Matthew 28:19-20, where believers should go throughout the world and preach the gospel of Christ. He said that the movies they plan to produce would be complying with the word of Christ. He then introduced his wife, who would complete the second portion of their presentation.
The Future of My Past Page 8
