Good Woman Blues (12 page)

“Okay, okay. I screwed up. Name my penance.”
Hope winced, as though bracing for the worst.

“You know what, just forget it. By the way,
you drank too much last night at Lisa’s party and made a fool of
yourself. Just in case you were about to ask.” Erikka punched the
remote buttons, looking for anything that might lift her
spirits.

“I wasn’t,” Hope shot back. “And, by the way,
you jacked any chance of our friends having a good time with your
attitude. Besides, you could have driven to that hearing alone. I
told you I wasn’t feeling good.”

“Euphemism for hung-over,” Erikka
replied.

“Whatever. Look, don’t get up in my face
cause you got into trouble. I party responsibly.” Hope stood up and
stomped into the kitchen.

“Sure. Rubbing your pelvis against Damon
Bascomb’s crotch was real responsible.” Erikka followed her and sat
at the serving counter on a barstool. On the other side Hope froze
in the act of opening the refrigerator.

“Please tell me you just made that up to
punish me for making you late,” Hope pleaded, her eyes wide.

Erikka shook her head slowly. “No. Watching
me self- destruct should have been a warning to you, girl.” “Dr.
Damon Bascomb, noted African-American neurologist who is often
quoted on CNN.” Hope slumped against the counter. She gripped the
edge as though fighting to keep from falling.

“The most delectable single straight guy left
in New Orleans who isn’t on America’s Most Wanted. That Dr.
Damon.”

“No, no, no.” Hope covered her face with both
hands.

“I tried to stop you.”

Then Hope looked up with an optimistic
expression. “Maybe he was too drunk to notice or even care?”

Erikka felt a jab of aching empathy for her
friend. “Sorry.”

“Oh, Lord, help me. I remember talking to
him, and I maybe stood a little close, but—” Hope bit her lower
lip. “What did he do?”

“Damon was very gracious. He allowed me to
peel you off of him and laughed it off,” Erikka added quickly. “I’m
sure he understood.”

“That I’m a nutcase slut? Oh, I’m sure he
understands.” Hope yanked open the freezer and took out a gallon
tub of ice cream.

Erikka hopped off the barstool and went into
the kitchen. “Give me that.”

“Pecan praline swirl is the only thing that
will help. I’m swearing off alcohol.” Hope found a bowl in the
sink.

“You’ll be sober and three hundred pounds in
two months at this rate.” Erikka put the ice cream in the
freezer.

“You came into town to torture me,” Hope
wailed, as Erikka dragged her back into the living room.

“Right, sure I did. Sit,” Erikka ordered and
shoved her down on the sofa.

“Don’t tell me you like living out in the
swamps of Nowhereville.” Hope folded her legs beneath her.
“Actually, getting out of town sounds good.” She covered her face
again with both hands.

“I know you’re not worried about them. Your
pal Tisa got drunk and slept with her gynecologist. His wife
whipped her butt in the middle of Lakeside Mall. Our friend Clarice
resigned to avoid being fired for embezzling from her uncle’s
business. Need I go on?” Erikka crossed her arms.

Hope put her hands on both hips. “You’re so
right. Hell, we’re too good to party with those hoochies.” Erikka
threw back her head and laughed until her stomach hurt. “That’s why
I hang with you.”

“I know.” Hope laughed with her until they
both gasped for breath.

Erikka wiped her eyes with a napkin. “Thanks
for breaking me out of that funk I was in. Anyway, it wasn’t your
fault I was late for court. I could have gone on without you.”

“No, you were right. I promised to be there
for you, and then tried to punk out. Next time you’re in court I’m
there.” Hope burst into laughter again when Erikka sputtered.

“Girl, don’t put the evil eye on me. I’m
never going to court again. I’m going to be so sweet somebody will
nominate me for sainthood.”

“Yeah, sure you will.” Hope gave a loud
snort.

“I mean it,” Erikka insisted. “Hey, why did
we party with the likes of Tisa and Clarice last night?”

“Because they have money, can get us invited
to the best places, got us a ride on that Mardi Gras parade float
two years in a row, know all the right people—”

“And they’re superficial, snooty, gossip
about everyone, and keep all kinds of drama going,” Erikka broke
in.

“Right, a fun group to kick it with,” Hope
said. She went to the kitchen and got a glass of iced tea.

“I’m serious, Hope,” Erikka called out.

“So am I,” Hope replied, then came back and
sat down.

“I’m saying we should choose people with
better character.” Erikka sighed.

“Look, you make them sound like the worst mob
on the earth. Except for Clarice borrowing from her uncle—”

“She stole from him. Don’t try to dress it
up,” Erikka cut her off.

“Give me a break. She took a few hundred out
of his petty cash and went shopping. Lord & Taylor had a sale.
Perfectly understandable,” Hope explained with a shrug.

“If you really see it that way, then I’m
through.” Erikka waved a hand at her.

“Okay, okay.” Hope let out a slow breath.
“Listen, maybe our party friends could use a little cleaning up.
But we’re not that different from them.”

“I am now,” Erikka said quietly. She could no
longer afford to judge everyone by appearances.

“Those few little scratches are barely
visible. You look the same. I mean it.” Hope’s face softened with
affection.

“No, I don’t. But thanks for trying.” Erikka
brushed off the blues about her looks. “Anyway, we need to
straighten up our acts.”

“Whoa, speak for yourself. I’m just fine,”
Hope protested. “By the way, I don’t think it’s a good idea to keep
in touch with that girl from the crazy house. What’s her name?”

‘Terri. Remember, you hang around with me,
and I was in the ‘crazy house,’ ” Erikka pointed out.

“You’re different. I know you. She could be
an ax murderer,” Hope reasoned, not caring about her logic.

“Like we have such pristine associates. Girl,
please.” Erikka said.

“Hey, I’m practically a saint these days,”
Hope said, and pointed at her.

“Honey, you got drunk and groped a doctor. I
think we all use too much alcohol.” Erikka gazed at her.

Hope shrugged. “I agree, but I have done
better. I’ve only gotten drunk and groped a guy once in the past
two months. Progress.”

Erikka lost her attempt to remain serious
when she burst into laughter again. “I can’t argue with that one.”
Hope grinned at her, and then her expression became serious again.
She put the glass of tea down on the cocktail table. “Really
though, I hear what you’re saying. Karin has been preaching to me,
too. I had one too many glasses of wine on an empty stomach. I
really have stopped drinking as much.” “Good.” Erikka gazed at her
with affection. “I don’t want you to go through what I did.”

“I won’t, sis. Promise.” Hope held up one
palm. The cordless phone on the end table next to her rang, and she
picked it up. After saying hello she beamed at Erikka. “Who is it?”
Erikka whispered.

“Yes, Damon, dinner on Wednesday sounds
wonderful,” Hope said, and winked at her.

“Amazing,” Erikka said, then clamped a hand
over her mouth.

Hope tilted her head back and let out a
tinkle of laughter. “Oh, Damon, you’re too funny. Okay, see you
then. Bye-bye.”

“He didn’t.” Erikka leaned forward.

“Apparently you were right. The good doctor
didn’t think any worse of me for being a little tipsy last night.”
Hope picked up the glass and saluted Erikka with it before she
drank.

“I didn’t really believe it though, girl. I
was just trying to make you feel better.” Erikka’s jaw dropped.

“A true friend, but I don’t need consolation
anymore. We’re having dinner at Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro. How’s
that?” Hope wore a smug expression.

“You bagged Dr. Damon. Clarice, Tisa, and a
half dozen of our dearest friends will just hate you for it.”
Erikka giggled.

“Won’t they though?” Hope said, and gave a
satisfied sigh. Then she looked at Erikka. “I saw Vaughn the other
day.”

“Humph. Hope you’ve had all your shots.”
Erikka went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of tea.

“He did have the decency to ask about you,
Erikka. I mentioned you would be in town this weekend.” Hope winced
when Erikka spun around.

“How special of him,” Erikka said with a
grunt.

“The man really sounded concerned,” Hope
insisted.

“The truth is I haven’t really missed him. I
was into what he had instead of what he was on the inside.” Erikka
walked back into the living room.

“Well, yeah. The brother has a gold Jaguar S
Series, a house, and a great career. Even better, he can style and
still pay his child support. You say shallow, I say America’s Most
Wanted.” Hope made two snaps with her fingers.

“I’m not really down on Vaughn. He’s all
about success, and that’s good. But he didn’t have time for me when
things got tight.” Erikka still felt a prick of disappointment.

“You know what? You’re right. Forget him and
his Jaguar,” Hope blurted.

“I’ve moved on. It’s all good at this point.
I could see Vaughn and chitchat with him.” Erikka sipped from her
glass. “Let’s watch a movie.”

“Sure. I rented our favorite action flicks.
Hey, wait a minute.” Hope stopped in the act of going to the
entertainment system.

“What?” Erikka punched the big cushions to
get comfortable.

“I know how you love having a man in your
life. If I didn’t know better, I would say you’ve found a fine man
in Loreauville. Nah, impossible.” Still, Hope eyed her closely.

“I’m not dating if that’s what you’re asking.
Now put in a good movie,” Erikka said, and pointed at the stack of
DVDs on her shelf.

Hope looked at her a few moments then turned
around. “What about Bad Boys 3? I just love Will Smith and Martin
in that. Will Smith looks edible with his shirt open, baby. Have
mercy.”

“Bad Boys. Perfect.”

Erikka watched the intro to the movie and let
her mind wander right back to Loreauville. Gabriel came to mind for
some reason. He was a reformed bad boy according to what Darlene
told her. No matter what her aunt said, Erikka believed he was a
changed man. Something in his eyes told her so. To her surprise
Erikka looked forward to going back.

“What are you grinning about?” Hope broke
into her thoughts.

“Not all the men are named Leroy,” Erikka
said.

Hope wore a mystified expression, shrugged,
and went back to staring at Will Smith in admiration. Erikka sipped
her tea and thought about a man with a gentle worldly- wise gaze
and strong hands.

Chapter 7

Early Sunday morning Erikka visited her
mother before leaving for Loreauville. Sunshine came through the
bay window bathing Erikka’s baby sister in light. At twenty, Jaci
had the velvety skin of a girl with no worries. She wore her black
wavy hair pulled back in a thick braid. Large sterling silver hoop
earrings brushed her cafe au lait cheeks. She eyed the box of
sticky donut holes but did not touch them. Erikka smiled at her
discipline and licked icing from a finger.

“What’s going on, Erikka?” Jaci leaned
forward with both elbows on Roz’s breakfast table. She spoke in a
whisper.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ve got a job. Well,
it’s part- time contract work. My car is fixed. The best thing that
came out of all this is that they didn’t suspend my driver’s
license.” Erikka took a breath to go on.

“I’m talking about Mama and Daddy,” Jaci
said, with a trace of irritation.

“Oh. There’s a bit of tension. I think
they’re going through a phase.” Erikka looked over her shoulder.
Roz had gone to her master bedroom.

“No, this marriage is in serious trouble.”
Jaci frowned. She let out a slow breath in her typical dramatic
fashion.

Here we go, Erikka mused. Like mother like
daughter. “You’ve been away at college for nine months. Don’t come
in here stirring stuff up, okay? You don’t know what you’re talking
about.”

“Daddy packed a bag last night and left. He
hasn’t come back,” Jaci whispered again. Her dark eyes widened to
make her point that they should both panic.

“Mama says he went on a business trip,”
Erikka replied. At least that was her story, she said to herself.
Truthfully, Erikka hadn’t believed her. Roz’s eyes were
suspiciously puffy.

“On a Saturday night? I have some cheap
long-distance I can sell you,” Jaci retorted.

“Can’t we just have a peaceful girls’ day
out? I’m driving back to Loreauville in three hours, and I don’t
need my nerves jacked up.” Erikka stuffed another donut hole in her
mouth.

“We’re not babies anymore. Besides, Mama is
trying to cover up.” Jaci looked over her shoulder to make sure
they were still alone.

“You know how she is about this tradition.
She seems fine.”

“Humph. Shopping won’t fix a broken
marriage.” Jaci pursed her lips.

“We’re talking about our mother, darlin’.
Shopping is her answer to every crisis,” Erikka joked. Roz had
created the Sunday outing when Erikka was twelve and Jaci two.
She’d take them out to brunch after early Mass, and then they would
shop.

“Quiet, here she comes.” Jaci sat straight
and smiled.

“Like I brought it up,” Erikka mumbled around
another donut hole.

“Erikka, you inhaled five of those things in
the last fifteen minutes. Control yourself,” Roz said. She brushed
the front of her sky-blue cotton camp shirt.

“Six.” Erikka held up another one and stuffed
it in her mouth.

“I’m not paying for a health club membership,
so don’t come crying to me,” Roz warned.

“Don’t sweat it. I’m going to bench-press
little old ladies at the senior citizens’ center for months. That
should build muscle along with building my character.” Erikka wiped
her hands on a napkin. She ignored her mother’s frown of
censure.