the folks know that I won’t be returning to the office today. Then I’m going to go to Central with you. I might have to call on Victor. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.”
“John, I don’t want you to get involved. I can handle it.”
“I’m already involved.”
“Ohhhhhhh, wooooooooo.” Mimi sighed. She shook slightly, the weight of her secret, the burden she carried for the last nineteen years finally released. Then her mind wandered—took a second look. Had she done the right thing by confiding in John about something she had been unable to share with her own husband? What if her secret became airborne? What if John unintentionally shared her secret with others? “Gosh,” was the lone word that slipped from between Mimi’s lips.
“What is it, Mimi?” John asked.
“Nothing.”
“Okay, Mimi,” John said, as if he could read her mind. “Are you sorry you told me?”
The look in her eyes as they shifted back and forth, gauging the man who sat in front of her, said it all. Mimi dropped her head. “I don’t know what possessed me to open up to you like that. I haven’t seen you in years, and our first conversation after all this time was a mere ten minutes in passing in a parking lot yesterday.”
“Stop, Mimi.” John offered his napkin so she could catch the tears that began to form. “Your secret is safe with me. Let’s face this demon together.”
“Thank you, John.”
John waved the waiter over. “As soon as I pay the bill and make these few phone calls, we’ll go,” he said to Mimi. “No need to go it alone. Big brother has your back.” Mimi smiled and John smiled back, winked, and put the phone to his ear. “You’re welcome,” he mouthed.
20
Mimi walked to the passenger side of John’s gray Ford Explorer and hopped in. Only for an instant did she think about having John follow her home so she could drop her car off. Although the idea was tempting, it really wasn’t a good idea. She didn’t want her new neighbors to think that she was a loose woman entertaining a host of strange men in their quiet neighborhood. It would take two hours tops to complete her mission at NC Central, after which she’d pick up her car and head to her cozy condo, alone.
“All clear,” John said, offering Mimi an enthusiastic smile as he shut the lid on his cell phone. “I’m on your clock.”
“Thanks for going with me to clear up this matter for Afrika. I appreciate your friendship.”
“No need to thank me. I would have done it for you at the drop of a hat.”
John put the car in gear and gave Mimi another enthusiastic smile, while running his eyes along the smooth muscles in Mimi’s calves.
“Watch it!” Mimi shouted as John mashed the brakes to keep from hitting a car that was slowly moving in front of him. “Don’t make me have to jump out of this car and drive myself.”
“No need. The brother ain’t gonna let nothing hurt you.”
“Yeah, right. Pay attention.” They laughed.
“Okay, Mimi, I’m listening. That was a close call. Your legs shouldn’t have been looking so good, girl. They are a distraction, you know.”
“Then I’ll drive myself,” Mimi said, attempting to pull open the door handle.
“Okay, sister, close the door. I’m now on my best behavior. From here on out, my eyes are on the traffic in front of me.” They laughed again.
“John, I’m glad we got together today. I needed a little laughter.”
“Glad to be of service.”
They drove in silence for the next twenty minutes, observing the scenery for what it was, while taking quick glances in each other’s directions.
“Your colonel is a lucky man,” John said, taking a moment to look at Mimi while the light was red.
“He certainly is, but I’m equally as fortunate. Raphael has been very good to me.”
“Well,” John said changing the subject and moving forward as the light turned green, “we’re at our destination. Where to?”
“I want to go to the business office first. John…”
“What, Mimi?”
“John, I need to go by myself. I’m going to call my daughter and have her meet me. I don’t think it wise…to…you know…for you to be with me.”
“No problem. I’m here if you need me. I may pay Mr. Christianson a visit.”
“John, I appreciate you coming with me. I needed your morale support after talking with Afrika. It may make matters worse if you talk to Victor, especially if my theory is right.”