Free Avenging Alex by Lewis Ericson Page B

senior. She welcomed the companionship and why shouldn’t she? With the exception of the three elderly women she met with on occasion to play bid whist, all the friendships she’d cultivated over the years were now dissolved back in boroughs of the Bronx. There was no telling what was made of her disappearance. And there was absolutely no reason she couldn’t try to make the best of this fortuitous encounter.
    â€œAde, I would like very much to have dinner with you.”
    â€œWhere would you like to go?”
    â€œWhere would you like to take me?”
    â€œWell, there is a very nice restaurant not too far from here. The Café Mundial. Have you been there?”
    â€œNo, I haven’t as yet.”
    â€œI have a car. I could pick you up. Is six o’clock too early?”
    â€œMy daughter has to work. I don’t think she will get home until seven.”
    â€œThen shall we say seven-thirty?”
    â€œThat sounds lovely.”
    Jamilah’s acceptance seemed to put Ade at ease. He leaned back on the bench and she opened her book and found another sonnet to read to him. He closed his eyes and was quieted by the warmth of her voice.

8
    It was nearing closing time at La Bella. Other than a few words about various business transactions, Margot had done her best to avoid conversing with Alex for most of the day; which had not gone unnoticed by Celeste, the silver-haired, cosmetically enhanced trendsetter who owned the boutique. She cornered Margot in the stockroom when she went to collect her purse from her locker.
    â€œMargot, are you feeling all right?”
    â€œYes. I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
    â€œYou’ve not been your usually bubbly self today, that’s all. There seems to be quite a bit of tension between you and Adriane. Is there anything going on that I need to know about?”
    â€œNo. Everything’s fine. Do you need me to hang around until you lock up?”
    â€œIt’s all right. I’ll take care of it.”
    The two women emerged from the back room as Alex was headed for the door.
    Celeste waved. “Good night, Adriane.”
    â€œGood night, Celeste. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Margot hurried to catch up to Alex as she stepped out onto the sidewalk. “Adriane, wait up.”
    Alex stopped and turned toward her.
    Margot fidgeted with her chunky necklace. “I, uh, I wanted to . . . I wanted to apologize for the other night. After I thought about it I felt so embarrassed about the way I acted. I thought that you might have said something to Celeste. I really can’t afford to lose this job.”
    â€œYou don’t have to worry about anything like that with me. What you do when you’re not at work is your business. I thought you were giving me shade all day because I skipped out.”
    â€œThat’s funny,” Margot responded. “I thought you left because of the things I said to you.”
    â€œI’m a big girl, Margot. Why don’t we just chalk this up to miscommunication and leave it at that?”
    â€œThat works for me. Thanks for being so cool about it. So, I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
    Alex nodded and proceeded to her car. She was surprised to find John waiting for her there. “Two Chases in one week,” Alex scoffed. “I must’ve hit the lottery.”
    John’s brow furrowed at Alex’s sardonic comment. “What do you mean two Chases?”
    â€œYour wife was here shopping a couple of days ago.”
    â€œLorraine?”
    â€œUnless you have another one hidden away somewhere. Petite, red hair, blue eyes. I have to say she was not quite what I expected.”
    â€œYou mean because she’s white.”
    â€œIt does seem to play into every stereotype I ever heard, a good-looking black man, a perky white trophy wife.”
    John flashed back on what had transpired between him and Lorraine in the middle of the living room floor. He