“Good morning, Marcus.”
“Good morning, Carmen. I hope you haven't been waiting long?”
“No I had just sat down.”
“You look magnificent, Carmen,” Marcus commented enthusiastically as he walked along side of her.
“Thank you, Marcus. I was only trying to look stunning.” Carmen shook out her hair and laughed. She smiled at Marcus. Marcus wanted to say something clever, but he was too caught up in her smile to think of anything. So he just smiled back at her.
A high rise office on Auburn Avenue was the home Atlanta life Insurance. As always, traffic on the downtown connector was terrible, so Marcus and Carmen arrived late. Once they made it to the office, Carmen picked up a copy of Essence and made herself comfortable on the sofa. Marcus walked over to the desk and was greeted by the receptionist.
“Good afternoon, can I help you?”
“Good afternoon, Marcus Douglas to see Mr. Ferguson, please.”
“Would you mind signing in?”
The receptionist called for someone to escort them to Roland Ferguson's office. Once their escort arrived, he led them to the desk of Connie Talbert. When she saw Marcus coming, Connie stood up. Her eyes became as round as oranges when she noticed that Carmen was walking beside him.
“Carmen!” Connie exclaimed, as she rushed up to Carmen. She gave her a big hug. “It's so good to see you, Carmen. It's been how long.”
“How are you, Connie?” Carmen asked trying to free herself from Connie's vice like grip.
“Oh, I'm doing just fine. I didn't know you were in town. What brings you here?”
“I'm here to see Roland,” Carmen paused and glanced at Marcus, “with Mr. Douglas.”
“Oh,” Connie said as if some of the enthusiasm seemed to have been drained from her. “Well in that case, if both of you will follow me, please.” Connie led them into a small conference room, “Mr. Ferguson is on a call, but he knows you're here and he'll be with you as soon as he's off.” She said, closing the door behind her.
“What'd you think about that?” Carmen asked.
“About what?” Marcus replied, taking a seat at the table.
“That reception.”
“Seemed like Connie was real glad to see you.”
Carmen held up her hand. “Me and Connie aren't that tight.”
“She did seem surprised that you were here with me, but that's to be expected. So relax Carmen. There aren't bad guys around every corner.”
“Maybe just around this one,” Carmen commented as they made themselves comfortable in the conference room, where Roland kept them waiting until almost two-thirty. The door swung open and Roland Ferguson entered the room.
“Marcus, how are you?” Roland said, stopping to shake his hand.
“I'm fine, sir. How are you?”
“Not bad for an old man. And Carmen, this is a surprise. When did you get in?”
“I got here Tuesday night. I came to give a deposition for your trial.”
“I wish I had known that you were in town, you could have come by the house. I had a few friends over,” Roland said as he took a seat at the conference table. “Carmen, I never did get a chance to tell you how sorry I am about Desireé. I know the two of you were very close.”
“Thank you, Roland.”
“You know, Carmen, sometimes I don't know if I can go on without her. There were times during the past year that I wish she were there to tell me that everything will be alright. That we'll get through this together, like we do everything else,” Roland said sadly. “I don't really think anyone could understand that, Carmen. Except you.”
“I do understand, Roland,” Carmen said sincerely. “I've found myself thinking the same thing. I feel so alone without Dez.”