After All Read Online Free PDF Page A

queen's robe.
    “ Hi, Keisha. How's
tricks?”Cedric stood up.
    Keisha seemed to notice him for the
first time.”Hello. I'm just fine.”She honed in on Anthony ignoring
him.”Lunch time. We're going to Angelle's. You love their seafood
gumbo.”
    Cedric made a face behind her
back.”Nice seeing you, too. Later, Anthony. You gonna meet me out
at the subdivision around two, right?”
    “ Sure. See you then.”Anthony
waited until he was sure Cedric had left.”That wasn't very
polite.”
    “ Cedric doesn't like me and
I don't care for him. Now let's have lunch.”Keisha smiled sweetly,
her tone saying the subject was closed.
    Angelle's was crowded as usual. It's
location close to the downtown area and near the river made it
ideal for working people. Keisha and Anthony waved at several
acquaintances as they were led to a table on the second floor
overlooking the Mississippi River.
    “ We're lucky to get this
view as crowded as they are.”Anthony sat down.
    “ Luck had nothing to do
with, sweetie. Mr. Earl over there reserved this table for
us.”Keisha waved at the head waiter, an older black man who nodded
smiling.
    “ What's so special about
today?”Anthony opened the menu.
    “ We never officially
celebrated your winning the bid last month to build the new
library. Since I neglected you so, I'm making it up to you
now.”Keisha put her hand on his.
    “ You're too good to me,
Keisha.”Anthony sighed. Looking over her shoulder, the smile froze
on his face. Anthony's jaw muscles tightened. The sight of Michelle
entering the restaurant on the arm of another man was an unpleasant
shock.
    “ You're welcome. What's
wrong?”Keisha turned to follow his gaze.
    “ Humm? Oh, nothing's wrong.
I, uh, thought of a detail at work that needs to be taken care
of.”
    “ Isn't that Michelle
Toussaint, the news reporter on Channel Twelve? I don't recognize
that handsome man with her.”
    “ Dosu Lemotey, he has a
large export business. I guess Michelle is interviewing him for a
story.”Anthony looked out of the window.
    “ Not they way they're
laughing and carrying on. Say, you know her, don't you? You have
got to introduce us. Oh look, they're coming this way. Hi!”Keisha
waved vigorously determined to get their attention.
     
    ***
     
    “ A friend is speaking to
you.”Dosu touched Michelle's elbow causing her to look
around.
    “ Goodness, she must know me,
but I have no idea who she is.”Michelle smiled and headed for their
table.
    She stopped short when she realized the
man with his back to her was Anthony. Dosu reached for her thinking
she had lost her balance. Just as his hand came up to Michelle's
waist, Anthony looked at them. He turned away sharply.
    “ How are you?”Michelle stood
awkwardly not only because she was trying to guess who Keisha was,
but because of Anthony.
    “ I'm Keisha Grant. You know
Anthony, right?”Keisha extended a hand.
    “ Yes, hello. Dosu, this is
Anthony Hilliard.”
    “ How do you do?” Dosu said
in his softly accented English as he reached out to shake
hands.
    “ I watch your news show
almost every day. I just love those reports you do. Are you going
to the Black and White Ball this year? I hear it's going to be
fabulous.”Keisha
    scanned Michelle from head to
toe.”Lovely outfit. Saw something just like in the Neiman Marcus
catalogue.”
    “ Really?”Michelle ignored
the less than subtle attempt to find out where she
shopped.
    “ I believe we have mutual
acquaintances.”Dosu spoke to Anthony.”Clarence Burrell and Darryl
Beshears speak highly of your work, Mr. Hilliard.”
    “ Thank you. I learned a lot
from them. Have you known them long?”
    “ Clarence and I met when I
came to this country to attend Tuskegee Institute. We have been
friends since then. Here is my card. I understand you may be
building more homes and offices in the future. I import many items
that can be used to furnish and decorate them.”Dosu handed him a
gold lettered business card.
    “ It may be