The Joneses by Shelia M. Goss Page A

discounts to avoid them going to one of our competitors.”
    I laughed. “Mom, I’m an accountant, not an advertiser.”
    â€œYou’ll be what I need you to be. I’m having brochures made. You just need to make sure they get out into the community. Give some of your associates some, or pay some kids in the neighbor-hoods a few bucks and get them distributed.”
    â€œHave you checked with Dad about this?”
    â€œRJ’s is as much mine as it is his. I don’t need to check with him about anything.”
    â€œI don’t think he’s going to be too happy about these discounts you want to offer.”
    â€œAlso, a reporter wants to interview the family for a feature on the evening news. I will let you know the date and time. I will need all of you present. We have to show the city that the Joneses are a united front.”
    I laughed. “Mom, you act we’re the Ewings from Dallas or something.”
    â€œWe are the Joneses of Shreveport and we have an image to uphold.”
    It wasn’t that serious. My mom was too busy trying to fit in. I really didn’t want to be a part of her plans. “I’ll have the brochures passed out, but that’s it. I’m not talking to my boys about doing anything else. I might be many things, but a criminal is not one of them.”
    â€œSon, you are the company you keep. You might not want to admit it to yourself, but if you’re doing business for any one ofyour low-life friends, then you’re just as guilty as they are in the crimes they commit.”
    My phone rang. “That’s one of my low-life friends now. Mom, I’ll talk to you later.”
    She stood up and pointed at me. “I’m counting on you.”
    I didn’t respond to her. I gave the caller my undivided attention. “Slim, what’s going on?”
    â€œI got my girl calling you on the three way. They got me, Man.”
    I swiveled my chair around. “What you need?”
    â€œMake sure my attorney gets paid. I need for you to give my girl a bank card for the account.’ ”
    That was a code word for the bank account he had set up specifically for her to take care of his kids just in case something happened to him. It didn’t house the majority of his money, but it was enough for her to live off on comfortably.
    â€œI’m on it.”
    â€œLJ, don’t give anybody any information. I don’t care who they are,” Slim said in a stern voice.
    â€œMy lips are sealed,” I responded. I knew the rules of the street. I also knew Slim wasn’t one to cross.
    I had just hung up the phone when Shannon burst through my door. “Cuz, when are you going to hook me up with your boy, Slim?”
    â€œShannon, Slim’s on vacation, so that’ll have to wait. Besides, he has a girl.”
    â€œShe’s just his baby mama.”
    â€œI don’t know why you want a thug like Slim when there are plenty of other guys who would love to go out with you.”
    â€œI heard Slim knows how to take care of his woman.”
    â€œShannon, Slim’s a player. He will chew you up, spit you out, and won’t think second about it. But again, he’s on vacation. Rightnow, freedom is on his mind not who he wants to hook up with next.”
    â€œWell, what about your boy, Big Willie?”
    â€œOh, hell no. Girl, you better chill out. Big Willie is known to beat his women. That’s what you want? You want to get your ass beat?”
    Shannon held her head down. “Those are just rumors. You can’t believe everything you hear.”
    â€œI’ve seen him do it. I had to stop him from killing one girl. One more blow and she would have been one of our clients.”
    â€œSo you don’t have anybody you can introduce me to?”
    â€œActually, I do. His name is Stephen Carter and he just opened up a practice on Jewella. You need some counseling, and I’m sure