Craving Temptation by Deborah Fletcher Mello

shortcomings. He needs to let people know that he would do things differently. He wouldn’t award contracts to his friends. He wouldn’t underfund the schools or the police department and the incumbent has done all those things and more. You’ve heard the rumors about his other dealings.”
    Amina blew a deep sigh. “It’s only been alleged that the current mayor has done those things, Basil, which is why Father doesn’t need to risk making them issues without definitive proof. Father’s campaign needs to be about the strengths he brings to the table that will benefit the citizens of Memphis. We do not want to run a negative campaign.”
    Basil shrugged his shoulders, his eyes rolling skyward. “I don’t agree.”
    â€œYou don’t have to,” Amina responded. She looked toward her father, waiting for him to respond.
    Nasser looked from one offspring to the other. “I am personally offended, Amina, by the mayor’s actions. He’s cut services for our youth and the elderly while giving incentive packages to a number of corporate interests. I agree with Basil. I think voters need to be reminded of that and I think I can point those shortcomings out and show how I’ll govern differently at the same time.”
    Amina wished she could smack the smirk off Basil’s face, his grin wide and full. She blew another deep sigh, feeling that her father taking such a position was a mistake and would not serve his campaign well. She told him so.
    Nasser nodded. “I appreciate your opinion, Amina, but that’s the direction I plan to go in.”
    â€œI still don’t agree that attacking the current mayor is a good thing. And what about the other candidates and their positions? Do you plan to attack them, too?” Amina questioned.
    Basil interjected a second time. “What other candidates? The mayor is Father’s only true competition and only because he already has the job.”
    Amina rolled her eyes. “Basil, that kind of arrogance will not get Father elected. There is a very worthy list of candidates all vying for this position and you cannot take that for granted. He’s going to have to beat out a field of twenty-five people who have declared their candidacy, including Mark Prentiss, who’s the Shelby County public defender, and attorney Troy Elliott, who has an impeccable public reputation.
    â€œHis reputation is not that impeccable,” Basil chimed.
    Amina bristled ever so slightly. “Do you know him?”
    â€œWho, the public defender?”
    â€œNo, Troy Elliott.”
    Basil shrugged. “Not really but I’m sure if we dig deep enough we can easily find some dirt on him to knock him out of the running. Like I said, Father has no true competition.”
    Amina threw her hands up in frustration. She turned to her father. “May I speak with you privately, please?”
    Nasser nodded, waving a dismissive hand at Basil. Her brother hesitated for a brief second before turning an about-face and moving to the other side of the room.
    Amina reiterated her concerns one last time.
    Nasser smiled, pressing a warm palm against his daughter’s face. “You need to trust in me, Daughter. I will keep everything you’ve said in mind but I must follow my instincts.”
    â€œThere’s something else, Father,” Amina started, pausing for a brief moment. “And I know you’ll think it’s inappropriate for me to be bringing this to you.”
    â€œWhat bothers you, Amina?”
    â€œBasil. I am offended by some of his behavior. He mistreats Rasheeda. He tries to bully me. Basil is a tyrant and that kind of behavior is not only oppressive, it’s barbaric. He’s verbally and emotionally abusive to us both and it’s not right.”
    â€œI disagree, Amina. Your brother is only asserting his position as a man. Rasheeda understands that. And as a Muslim woman you need to be more