Red Clover by Florence Osmund

Author:Florence Osmund [Osmund, Florence]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Florence Osmund
Published: 2014-02-22T06:00:00+00:00

18 | “He’s Not Who You Think”

The ice-cold “brewski” Lee pulled from the refrigerator consoled him. He draped his lanky body out on the sunroom sofa, shoes and all.

Shaneta interrupted his thoughts about the day’s events. “So how are we feelin’, Mista...I mean Lee?”

Lee sat up and patted the sofa seat next to him. “Sit down with me, Shaneta.”

She gave him a puzzled look.

“C’mon. I think you know by now I’m fairly harmless.”

Shaneta eased onto the sofa. “Oh, I know that, but I’ve never...”

“I know. But things are different with me.”

“With all due respect, Lee, you’re not the one who signs mi paycheck.”

He laughed. “Good point. But I assure you whatever we talk about stays between you and me.” He held out his hand. “Deal?”

Shaneta hesitated, but finally shook on it. “Deal,” she agreed. “So let me ask you, how do you think your party went?”

“For me, it couldn’t have been any better. Thank you for all your help.” He gazed out the window where the clean-up crew was bringing the backyard back to its normal state. “And as for my guests, well, I think they had a good time, too.”

“And your family?”

“Not so good. What do you think?”

Shaneta’s smile said it all. “Oh, mi God. When Mrs. Winekoop had no choice but to sit between CJ and...what is Dr. Rad’s sister’s name again?”

“Adishree.”

“And Adishree...well, I guess she couldn’t have gotten any paler.”

“Did you get some good pictures?”

“Some real good ones.”

“You must show them to me when they’re developed. Maybe we’ll make an album. CJ was taking pictures too. We’ll call it Lee’s 1987 Memorial Day Emancipation album.”

“You know, Lee, I feel a little emancipated too.”

“How do you mean?”

“You know, always havin’ to act like...well, their servant, like I’m not a human bein’ first. Always havin’ to mind mi p’s and q’s, worried if I open mi mouth I might say the wrong thing.” She reached out and touched Lee’s hand. “You’re not like that, and I do appreciate that, but then again...”

“Then again, what?” He waited for a response but got none. “Well, I’m glad you realize I’m not like them. But did you see Bennett and his kids doing the water-balloon toss?”

“I sure did, and I got pictures to prove it!” The smile left her face. “How do you think they got that way, Lee?”

“Out of touch with reality you mean?”

“Somethin’ like that.”

“Well, Shaneta, that is their reality. My mother, she grew up in that same kind of family—wealthy, everything done for her, not much exposure to how regular people live—so that explains it for her. But my father, well, I don’t quite get that myself. His father was a Chicago policeman who had to moonlight just to keep his family fed and clothed. I don’t know. I was never very close to him.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Shaneta, this conversation we’re having right now, you and me—you could combine all the conversations I’ve had with my parents over the years and they wouldn’t amount to this one in terms of honesty.

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