The Joneses (7 page)

That was a code word for the bank account he had set up specifically for her to take care of his kids just in case something happened to him. It didn't house the majority of his money, but it was enough for her to live off on comfortably.

“I'm on it.”

“LJ, don't give anybody any information. I don't care who they are,” Slim said in a stern voice.

“My lips are sealed,” I responded. I knew the rules of the street. I also knew Slim wasn't one to cross.

I had just hung up the phone when Shannon burst through my door. “Cuz, when are you going to hook me up with your boy, Slim?”

“Shannon, Slim's on vacation, so that'll have to wait. Besides, he has a girl.”

“She's just his baby mama.”

“I don't know why you want a thug like Slim when there are plenty of other guys who would love to go out with you.”

“I heard Slim knows how to take care of his woman.”

“Shannon, Slim's a player. He will chew you up, spit you out, and won't think second about it. But again, he's on vacation. Right
now, freedom is on his mind not who he wants to hook up with next.”

“Well, what about your boy, Big Willie?”

“Oh, hell no. Girl, you better chill out. Big Willie is known to beat his women. That's what you want? You want to get your ass beat?”

Shannon held her head down. “Those are just rumors. You can't believe everything you hear.”

“I've seen him do it. I had to stop him from killing one girl. One more blow and she would have been one of our clients.”

“So you don't have anybody you can introduce me to?”

“Actually, I do. His name is Stephen Carter and he just opened up a practice on Jewella. You need some counseling, and I'm sure he'll give me the friend discount.”

I laughed. Shannon didn't. She left me alone.

T
he family, minus Hope, was in Royce's office. We were waiting on the reporter and her cameraman to set up in another part of the funeral home.

“Where is your sister? I told her not to be late.” I brushed the stray hair I saw in Charity's head back with my hand.

Charity looked at her cell phone and responded, “I just got a text from her. She's on the way.”

“Why is she texting and driving? I've told her about that,” Royce said.

“That's your daughter.” I sighed.

Shannon knocked and then walked in. “Maxine said they'll be ready to start filming in a few minutes.”

“Come on, y'all.” I looked at Shannon. “When Hope gets here, escort her back. I hope she's dressed appropriately. I don't have time to inspect her.”

Shannon went back to the front desk, and we all walked to the room where Royce sometimes met with families to discuss funeral plans. Maxine and her cameraman were all set up.

Maxine looked at Royce and me. “We would like it if you two sat here.” She pointed to the other chairs. “And if we could have your children sitting behind you. Wait, we're missing one, aren't we?”

“She'll be here any minute.”

As if on cue, Hope burst through the door. “Sorry, I'm late.”

Maxine greeted her with a smile. I rolled my eyes behind Maxine's
back. Hope avoided eye contact with me. At least she was dressed in something decent. I wanted us all to wear shades of purple. Purple looked good on camera.

I looked at my family. Royce wore a pinstriped suit with a purple dress shirt and contrasting tie to match. My purple silk blouse matched his shirt; I made sure of it. Lovie left off his jacket and wore a light purple suit that complemented his Hershey-chocolate complexion well. Hope and Charity looked more like twins with the purple sleeveless dresses they wore. Hope's dress was shorter but decent.

Maxine said, “We're not live, so we may have to do several takes and that's okay. Don't be nervous. I want you to look at me when you respond. Any questions?”

We looked at each other. No one had any questions.

“Let's roll. On three,” Maxine said.

The cameraman held out three fingers and counted down.

“This is Maxine Griffin, and tonight I have the pleasure of interviewing the owners of RJ Jones Funeral Home. They have been a pillar of the community for over fifty years. Royce, can you tell us a little bit about you and your family and how you've stayed in business so long?”

Royce made me proud. In a clear, baritone voice, he looked directly at Maxine. “Maxine, it's by the grace of God and the people we serve that we're here today. We treat our customers like people and not just numbers.”

Maxine interjected, “Losing someone can be devastating.”

“Exactly, and I feel it's very important that we offer our customers compassion during the difficult time of burying their loved ones.”

“Mrs. Jones, can you tell me what your role is here at RJ Jones Funeral Home?”

“I don't have an official role, but I'm here just as much as any of his employees. I'm here to step in anywhere he needs me.”

Royce stated, “Lexi has been very supportive over the years. If one of my employees is sick, she steps in. And, I can't count the times she's been there for grieving families.”

I squeezed Royce's hand.

Maxine looked in Lovie's direction. “Are any of your kids working here with you?”

Royce responded, “Yes. I'm proud to announce that my son, Lovie, is working with me. He's been doing his own thing, but now he's working in the family business.”

“Lovie, how has it been working with your father?”

With my plastered on smile, my eyes remained on Maxine as we all waited for Lovie's response.

“I'm doing my best to learn as much as I can. This is my legacy. I hope to carry on the family business when and if my dad retires.”

Maxine looked at me. “Introduce these two beautiful young ladies.”

“Maxine, these are my two daughters. Hope is the baby of the family. Charity has her own business, Mahogany Event Planning.”

Royce added, “Hopefully, one day, Hope and Charity will be more active in the family business, but for now they are both doing their own thing.”

Maxine asked a few more questions before turning to the camera and saying, “I would like to thank the Joneses for taking time to speak with me tonight. What a lovely family. Who wouldn't want to be like the Joneses? This is Maxine Griffin reporting from RJ Jones Funeral Home. Tune in tomorrow, I'll be reporting live from Mansfield.”

The cameraman said, “That's a wrap.”

Maxine turned to us. “Thank you. This should air tonight. I'll
never forget how easy you made my mom's homegoing service, so I wanted to make sure I highlighted you during my hometown segment.”

I shook her hand. “We appreciate it too.”

Once Maxine and the cameraman were gone, I turned and faced my family with a sincere smile on my face. “Good job, everybody.”

L
exi insisted we watch our interview together. After pleasing my wife, I slipped out of the house to go hang out with Jason at our favorite bar. Growing up, people thought Jason and I were brothers because when you saw one, you usually saw the other.

“What made you decide to do the interview? I know you like keeping a low profile,” Jason asked.

“A happy wife leads to a happy life,” I said to Jason, as we talked about the interview that aired earlier.

“You did look good on there, man. Maybe that'll bring in more business.” Jason nursed his drink.

“I hope so. I need to get Lexi out of my ear. If I can get her back in the stores, she'll quiet down.”

Jason laughed. “I hear you. Well, why am I just finding out that Lovie's working with you?”

“I wanted to make sure he would stay around. You know kids are fickle.”

“So, what is he doing? Don't tell me he's doing embalming.”

“I'm teaching him the business. So, when I decide to retire or Lord forbid something happens to me, he'll be able to take over.”

“Oh, okay. For a minute, I thought my job was in jeopardy.”

“Oh, never that.” I sipped my glass of bourbon slowly.

“Business is slow for me, too, so I'm trying to hold on to all my current clients.”

“As long as I'm in business, you got my business,” I assured him.

“Here's to many more years.” Jason held his glass up.

I held my glass up and tapped his. I took a big gulp and motioned for the bartender to fill up my glass. I looked at my watch. “It's getting late. I better get home to my wife. She's in a good mood, and I want to take advantage of it.”

I stood up but staggered a little.

Jason jumped up and assisted me standing up. “Maybe I should drive you home.”

“I'm all right. Just needed to catch my balance.”

“No, man. I'll drive you,” Jason insisted.

I didn't feel drunk, but I didn't feel like arguing with Jason. So, I let him drive me home.

He pulled up in the driveway. “I got it from here,” I said.

“I'm going to walk you in,” he responded.

I fumbled with my key, opened the door, and staggered in. “Honey, I'm home.”

I ran right into Lexi. Lexi fanned in front of her. “I could smell you before you said anything.”

I sniffed. “Maybe I did drink more than I should have.”

“Hi, Lexi,” Jason said from behind me.

Lexi responded, “Thanks for driving him home.”

“No problem. You know I always got his back.”

“So you say,” I thought I heard Lexi say but wasn't sure.

I felt the room spinning. I held my head.

“Do you need any help?” Jason asked.

Lexi responded for me. “I got it from here. Just make sure you lock the door on your way out.”

I heard the front door close as Lexi led me up the stairs and to the bathroom.

“Baby, you need to control your drinking.” Lexi assisted me in
taking off my clothes. “It's becoming a problem if Jason has to drive you home.”

“Just a one-time thing. We were celebrating. I feel confident after our interview that business is going to pick up. I can just feel it.”

Lexi turned on the shower. “I'm surprised you can feel anything. Come on, let's finish getting you out of those clothes.”

I did as instructed. I stepped in the shower. The hot water felt good hitting my body. “It's no fun being in here alone.”

“The things I do for love.” Lexi removed her clothes and hopped in the shower with me.

I closed my eyes as she took the towel and washed my back. I loved this woman with every pore in my body. We'd been through several rough patches in our marriage, but we'd overcome them. I would do anything to protect my marriage. Nothing and no one would come in between us.

Two hours later, we cuddled up in bed together. I may have been a little drunk, but I could still take care of my business. Lexi was lying in my arms sleeping hard and snoring loud.

I gently brushed my hand to move the hair from her eyes. She shifted but remained sleep. I kissed her. “I love you, baby.”

I squeezed her tight and drifted off into my own dream world.

I
f business kept picking up like this, I would have to give my mom a commission check. My phone had been ringing off the hook ever since she mentioned the name of my business during our interview. Good thing I had the foresight to put up a website and Facebook page. I checked the calendar on my iPad. I was booked for the next few months.

My first event was coming up soon. I needed to figure out which companies I wanted to partner with. I was not only looking for the best price, but for companies who prided themselves on providing good services. My reputation would be on the line. I could not fail. The success of my business depended on word of mouth.

I knocked on Hope's door. “Come in,” she responded.

She was lying across her bed, looking up at the ceiling.

“So, do you have your half of the mortgage and the bills for the month?” I asked.

She got up off the bed, went to her purse, and counted out several hundred dollars. “Satisfied?”

“Where did you get this?” I placed the money in my bra.

“You should be happy that I have it to give you. That way you won't have to complain to dear ol' Mom about how you're taking care of your baby sister.”

Hope plopped down on her bed.

“I'm just concerned about you. You're rarely at home these days,
and contrary to what you may think I do care about you. I love you. You're my sister.”

“We would get along a whole lot better if you didn't always try to control me. I have one mother. I don't need two.”

“I take my role as the oldest very seriously. I'm only trying to teach you responsibility.”

Hope laughed. “Please. You're just as spoiled as I am. When was the last time you had a real job?”

I remained silent. I refused to let Hope spoil my good mood.

Hope continued with her rant. “Exactly, so get off your soapbox, Sis.”

I sighed. “The difference between you and me is that I don't mind working. No, up until now, I never had a real job but I've been working. My event planning business is off to a good start. Why not help me with it? You can be my assistant. I'll agree to pay you by the job and who knows? It may get to the point where I can pay you a salary. What do you say?”

Hope picked up her television remote and clicked the television on. “I'll think about it.”

“What's there to think about? You need a job. I will need help with some of my stuff.”

Hope rolled her eyes. “I said I'll think about it.”

I softened the tone of my voice. “I know I tease you about being nothing but a pretty face. You're more than that. I got to go. I got a date tonight, so I'll be looking for your answer tomorrow.”