Free Like Sheep Gone Astray by Lesile J. Sherrod Page A

talking too low for me to make out what he was saying.
    “But the first guy seemed confident. He said, ‘Anthony's already taken one and a half million dollars toward our cause. Two million more will go even further, especially for someone who already has the connections we need.’] Girl, I almost fell out of my seat.”
    “Are you sure about this?” Terri looked uncertain.
    “Look, I've been trying to get to this part. I have the proof from the horse's mouth, or whatever. Check this out for yourself if you don't believe me.” Cherisse pulled a piece of paper out of her handbag. “When they left, I noticed this on the floor. See, it looks like it was torn out of a date book.” She held up the scrap for Terri to see.
    “Girl, give that to me.” Terri snatched it, noted the date in black ink, and then read the slanted handwriting aloud.
    “'Anthony Murdock (410) 555–3793, meets at two, gets $2 mil, confirmed by'…I can't make out those initials.” Terri shook her head at the looped letters that ran together. “But that's Anthony's name, that's our home number, and it looks like it was confirmed. Oh my goodness, Cherisse?” The uncertainty was turning into shock. She flipped open her cell phone and dialed Anthony's work number. When the receptionist informed her that Anthony was in an important meeting with the company president, Terri's jaw dropped.
    “Important meeting? Okay, thank you.” Terri stared at Cherisse in disbelief as she hung up the phone.
    “See, I told you.” Cherisse danced in her seat. “You've got all the proof you need, Terri. Your husband has made you a millionaire.”
    “I guess the Lord really does work in mysterious ways.” Terri sat silent for a moment with a fork in mid-air. “And I thought we had a lot of money when he was working for Shaw Enterprises. I was never sure how much he was making there, although it seemed that Anthony was able to get any-and everything I wanted no matter the cost, especially right before he quit. Look at our house! But millions? Girl, I can't believe it!”
    Terri shook her head slowly. She took a bite of her now cold pasta primavera before continuing.
    “All this time I was upset about Anthony taking that poor man's job at Haberstick Associates. I guess it wasn't that poor after all He normally tells me about all the accounts he's handling, but I guess he was holding back on me. I didn't realize he was working so hard. He has seemed so preoccupied lately. I wonder why he didn't just tell me. After all I've been saying to him? Girl, I almost feel bad, getting on him the way I have been. Millions? Why didn't he tell me?”
    “Maybe he wanted to surprise you.” Cherisse beamed. Her plate was still untouched. “Girl, I've been trying to tell you that Anthony really is a good man. You were worried about nothing.”
    “I guess Anthony's been taking care of business all this time and just not letting on. Why didn't he tell me? Millions…”
    Terri sat speechless for a moment, listening to the endless chatter and clinking glasses around her. A pianist was thumbing quiet jazz notes near an exit leading to the courtyard. Slowly, like a cloud easing its way past the midday sun, the look of confusion and shock left her face.
    “Waiter, can I have a bottle of your best wine now, please, along with a new plate of pasta primavera. Make that two new plates.” She grinned at Cherisse, ignoring the snarls and raised eyebrows from the patrons the waiter was currently serving. “Girl, I'm about to ask that piano man to play my new favorite song, ‘We're in the Money.’] Both of them laughed loudly, singing the catchy chorus, complete with snapping fingers, stomping feet, and lots of giggles.
    “Terri”—Cherisse checked her watch—“it's two o'clock. Anthony should be getting that check in his hand right about now.”
    “Have a seat, Mr. Murdock.” Garfield Haberstick mumbled. “You have perfect timing.” His eyes never left his desk as he fumbled