This Time by Ingrid Monique Read Free Book Online Page A

off.
    â€œHi, I’m here for Lori DeCosta,” she told the guard.
    â€œGo on in.” He smiled.
    â€œThank yu’.” Kelee smiled at him and went in. She made her way through the courtyard of the building to the entrance. The courtyard was well kept with a small garden in a circle. Benches were sparsely placed against the far walls. Most of the buildings in that area were colonial style and well kept to maintain their colonial history.
    Kelee entered the lobby of the hall. A receptionist sat at a desk just below the wooden staircase. She was thin and pretty with a ready gap-toothed smile.
    â€œHi, I’m here for Lori.”
    â€œYu’ Kelee?” the receptionist asked.
    â€œYes.” She smiled at her.
    â€œYu’ sister waitin’ in the lobby.” She pointed toward the right.
    Kelee thanked the receptionist and headed towards the doors; she hoped Lori hadn’t been waiting too long. Kelee headed towards the lobby. She entered and interrupted Lori talking with three other women. Kelee had briefly met the women when she had dropped Lori off earlier. The women reeked of island high society with their upper crust attitudes accentuated by their designer outfits.
    â€œWha’ wrong?” Lori asked, concerned, when she saw the look on Lori’s face. The women looked on with interest.
    Kelee took a deep breath and started. “I was robbed and yu’ car was stolen.”
    â€œOh, my God!” Lori cried, grabbing her hands and looking her over. Yu’ a’right?” Lori asked, frightened. Kelee smiled at her, nodding her head.
    â€œYu’ weren’t hurt?” Mrs. Jackson asked; she was brown skinned with natural reddish blond hair.
    â€œNo,” Kelee told her.
    â€œYu’ sure?” Lori’s face was filled with worry.
    Kelee really didn’t want Lori to be worried in her state. “Yes, I’m fine. It’s just that my purse was snatched and the car was stolen. Lori, I’m really sorry about the car.”
    â€œI don’t care about the car.” Lori pulled her into her arms, hugging her tightly. Kelee hugged her sister and breathed a sigh of relief.
    â€œThis man was nice enough to help.”
    â€œYu’ have to be so careful nowadays,” Mrs. Wong volunteered; she was tall Asian/black with a short curly Afro and slanted light brown eyes.
    â€œIt can be dangerous downtown; yu’ have to be very aware,” Mrs. Johnson added.
    â€œLet me call the chief,” Mrs. Hill, a thin black woman with stunning gray eyes, said, and pulled out her cell phone.
    â€œI’m sorry about the car.” Kelee looked at Lori.
    â€œPlease, stop with the car. I’m jus’ glad yu’ OK.” Lori squeezed her hand. At that moment Kelee was glad she had her big sister. Everything would be OK.
    Mrs. Hill was kind enough to drive them home after reporting the car stolen to her brother, who was the commissioner of police. Mrs. Wong’s husband owned a car dealership and informed Lori she could have a car tomorrow until hers was found or replaced. Kelee was grateful for the support system the women offered. She had only seen them as snobby rich women, but they were more like a sisterhood. They supported each other, she could see that now, and was glad Lori had them as friends.
    Allan waited anxiously on the veranda as they pulled up to the house. They thanked Mrs. Hill for the ride, getting out of her BMW jeep. Mrs. Hill honked her horn before driving off.
    â€œYu’all OK?” Allan met them at the gate.
    â€œWe’re fine,” Lori told Allan as he started to fuss over her.
    â€œWha’ happened?” He focused on Kelee.
    â€œI have to sit down,” Lori announced. Allan gently led her inside.
    With Lori comfortably situated on the sofa Allan turned to Kelee for an answer. Kelee relayed the entire story to him.
    â€œI’m really sorry about the car. I guess I wasn’t careful