Playing For Keeps by Deborah Fletcher Mello Page B

imagining what it might be like to have her wake by his side. They’d enjoyed their morning coffee before he’d kissed her good-bye, the two agreeing to meet up later in the afternoon.
    Inside the building, the sound system was on low. He instantly recognized the newest release from Meshell Ndegeocello. The song managed to combine several distinctly disparate styles at once, a bossa nova foundation with a country slide guitar and slinky soul vocals. Something about her intonation and the song’s melodious beat felt good, seeming to support the warmth and happiness he found himself feeling.
    Romeo was sitting atop a barstool, his requisite calculator, lead pencil, yellow-lined notepad, and financial ledger sheets in hand. They paid an accountant good money to keep their books and records but every month his friend insisted on running the numbers himself as an added system of checks and balances. It gave the man a level of comfort Malcolm didn’t understand but still supported. His smile was wide as he greeted his friend.
    â€œHey, Rome. You find any discrepancies yet?”
    Romeo laughed. “I’m still looking. How are things going with you?”
    Malcolm grinned. “I have no complaints.”
    His buddy nodded, shifting his gaze toward the back of the room. “I hope it lasts,” he said, his voice dropping ever so slightly. He gestured with his eyes.
    Malcolm looked where his friend stared and felt his body tense. He bristled when he saw his ex-wife staring in his direction, Shanell eyeing him anxiously. He looked back at Romeo and nodded. “How long has she been here?” Malcolm asked, his own voice now a soft whisper.
    Romeo shrugged his broad shoulders. “Ten minutes, maybe. Not too long.”
    Malcolm took a deep breath. He cleared his throat before moving toward the woman. As he came to the table where she sat he gave her a quick nod. “Hey, Shanell. What are you doing here?”
    She shrugged, the barest of smiles pulling at her thin lips. Ages ago Shanell Cobb had been the most beautiful woman Malcolm had ever known. He had honestly believed they were going to grow old together, the love they shared so solid that no one and nothing could have broken their bond. As he sat staring he couldn’t deny that those days were long gone. Shanell had found something she loved more than she had ever loved him.
    Shanell’s natural hairstyle was a tangled mess atop her head. She wore no makeup, her complexion sallow and blemished. Her clothes were well worn, and the hint of odor wafting off her body told him she probably hadn’t bathed in days. Romeo had made her a cup of coffee and a sandwich that she’d barely touched. She had chewed her fingernails down to the quick and her hands were shaking nervously. The transformation since the last time he’d seen her was drastic, and telling. He didn’t want to believe the truth but he couldn’t begin to deny what was right there in front of his eyes.
    He took a deep breath and held it before blowing it slowly out. Then he spoke. “You’re using again, aren’t you, Shanell?”
    The young woman shrugged her narrow shoulders. “What I do isn’t any of your business, Malcolm,” she snapped.
    He snapped back. “It is when it affects our daughters!”
    Shanell rolled her eyes at him “Look, you called me, remember? I got your message and since I was in the neighborhood, I stopped by. But I didn’t come here to get no lecture.”
    Malcolm took another deep breath. He had called her, wanting to have a discussion about their children. Seeing her face-to-face gave him answers to questions he hadn’t imagined he’d ever again need to ask. His sigh was loud and heavy.
    â€œDid anything happen with Cleo the last time you took them to Baltimore?” he asked.
    â€œAnything like what?”
    â€œI don’t know, Shanell. That’s why I’m asking the