“We’ve seen Heddy before,” Leroy said. “Great gal.”
“Really? You never said.”
Leroy looked to the man in the corner, then reached into his pocket and tossed a roll of money onto her desk.
“What’s this?” Even from a distance, she saw the bills were hundreds, not tens.
“Rent.” This from the man in the corner.
“Rent for what? You could have a thousand private parties for that much money. We don’t charge—”
“We want to use the Starlight for...” Leroy glanced at the boss. “Business.”
“What kind of business?”
“Don’t you trust your husband?” The boss man had a smooth, arrogant voice.
“I’m sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Runner Jenkins.” He offered his hand, but Tuesday didn’t take it.
“Mr. Jenkins, the Starlight is mine and mine alone.”
“Bought with my money.” Leroy’s tone was harsh, no doubt saving face before his colleagues.
“You gave it to me, and you cannot take back a gift unless it’s surrendered. I am not surrendering the Starlight.”
Burt kicked the door open, carrying a tray of hot dogs and coffee.
“Let’s leave the room to Leroy, fellas. Go watch Heddy.” Runner took a hot dog and cup of coffee. The others followed suit.
“You embarrassed me, Tooz,” Leroy announced when they were alone. “If a man can’t manage his own wife, then how—”
“Manage?I don’tworkfor you, Lee. I’d give my right arm if you lived a life worth sacrificing for, but you don’t.” She stepped closer and tapped the desk with her finger. “How dare you come into my place,mysanctuary, and offer me dirty money to turn the beautiful Starlight into a thieves’ den.” She flicked her hand toward the bundle of money. “How much is that? A working man’s annual wage?”
“Ten years’ wage, Tuesday.” He reached for the last hot dog on the tray. “Don’t you see? This is my ship coming in.”
“Your ship?”
“Our ship. The SSLee and Tooz. Baby, with this money I can buy you the diamond ring you’ve always wanted and a gall dern new stove. Shoot, let’s get a new house and a new car. We can send the boys to some fancy Yankee school.”
“I’m comfy in the old house, thank you. LJ doesn’t want to go to college, he wants to fly airplanes. Dup loves to work with his hands. But you’d know these things if you lived with your family.”
“You’re starting to sound like a broken record. Listen, doll, we’re married. What’s mine is yours, what’s yours is mine.” Heoffered her the money. “Take it. Get what you need. Go shopping. Get your hair done, order new clothes. All we want is the rink at night after closing.” His eyes narrowed and expression darkened. “And we’re going to have it.”
She slapped the money away. “I don’t know what kind of tomfoolery you’ve devoted your life to, but you’re not the man I married.” She’d never said those words out loud before. But there they were, stinging her heart. By the look on Lee’s face, stinging his pride. “I’m not riding this train with you, and the only way you get the Starlight is over my dead body, Leroy George Knight.”
He peered at her with fire in his eyes. “I can take the Starlight anytime I want. Don’t forget it.”
“Are you going to stab me? Huh? Are you?” She shoved his chest. “Maybe shoot me? Are youthatgreedy?”
“Pa, you’re home.” Dupree burst into the room and wrapped his arms around Leroy. Forget being seventeen and on the verge of manhood. He was a boy who adored his father.
“Um, yeah, Dup, I’m home.” Leroy had sense enough to cool his ire and embrace his son, clap his hand on his back, tell him how tall and handsome he’d become and how he hoped he’d played the heck out of linebacker this year.
“You coming to see me play?”
“Of course he is. Aren’t you, Lee?” Tuesday said, a rod of steel in her backbone.
