Chapter 22

I finally finished my Christmas shopping. I now had presents for the most important people in my life. For the girls, as a group present, I bought KISS tickets to their January concert here in Detroit. Sammy Hagar would be the opening act. It was a miracle I was able to get five seats together on the floor, in the middle section, towards the rear of the floor.

For Lisa, I decided on a pair of bell-bottom jeans and a yellow tube top. I also bought her some white leather Go-Go boots. I also got some albums from her favorite artists. I found a mood ring that I thought she’d like, so I bought it.

Patti loved roller skating, so I got her a pair of new roller skates and some bib overalls, and a brightly colored halter top. She mentioned needing some new winter boots, so I decided to buy her some cute ones. I also found a pair of large hoop earrings.

Mary was a little easier to buy for. She got some tight-fitting jeans that would accentuate her ass. I also purchased a leather fringed purse and matching leather vest, a couple of Bee Gees albums, a bottle of Jovan Musk perfume, and a turquoise and silver necklace.

For Eve, I bought her a gold ankle bracelet, a mini skirt with a red tube top and some platform shoes, so very seventies. I also picked up a tie-dyed t-shirt.

I had the sales lady wrap all the presents and put them into separate bags with the girls’ names on them. This made delivery easier and much neater. My usual wrapping of packages looked like crap.

I was still having trouble coming up with ideas for a gift for Mrs. J. I wanted something unique and something she’d like but not feel like I spent too much money on her. I finally decided on a new Kenmore washer and dryer; they’d be delivered the Thursday the 23rd. I also decided to purchase something more personal. I could not think of anything that she would accept from me.

I finally asked Mr. J what she really wanted but would never ask for herself? What would he like to buy for her but couldn’t? I gave him $500 and told him to buy it. We’ll call it even. He asked me if I meant it. I said, of course!

He told me it would be their twentieth anniversary in January. He mentioned that they had never had a real honeymoon. She always wanted to go to Hawaii, but they could never afford it. He’d banked his vacation this year and now had two weeks available. All he wanted me to pay for was the airfare he would be able to manage the rest. I told him I’d do him one better I would pay for the airfare and the hotel for a week. His eyes started to glisten because men don’t cry. My Christmas shopping was now complete.

Tuesday morning, I met with the girls before class. We picked up from where we left off yesterday. The girls had gone shopping for their dresses the moment when they found out I would be out of the hospital. They revealed each girls’ color. Eve had a dark red mini dress. Mary’s is emerald green, and it was also short, and according to the rest, tight as well. Patti’s is sapphire blue and a full length formal. She was practicing for prom, I think. Lisa had purchased a white mid-length that stopped at her thighs. I was lucky. A Black suit with a red vest, a blue and white boutonniere, and a green pocket square would allow me to color coordinate with all the girls. The bell for the first period rang. I was off to world History.

Meanwhile, the girls went to Psychology, what a way to start your day. The rest of the day went by like a blur. I was looking forward to the Christmas break.

When I got home, Mrs. J told me Mr. Sawyer had called and asked me to meet him tomorrow morning at 9:00 am in his office.

Wednesday morning, I arrived at Mr. Sawyers’ office in time for the 9:00 am meeting. I was ushered into his office right away. Mr. Sawyer went right to business.

“Michael, I need to inform you that the city, county, and the Detroit Police Department have made an offer to settle the case out of court. This is a legitimate offer, so by law, I have to inform you of it. I have informed you that it exists.”

“Well, what is their offer?” I asked since it appeared that he would not be forthcoming with the information.

“One million dollars,” He replied.

“Each? Per year? Or what?” I asked.

“Total.” Mr. Sawyer deadpanned.

“Let me think about that ... Umm ... No! So, what do we do now?”

“We say see you in court,” Mr. Sawyer replied with a smile.

“I have some friends within the press that I have asked to keep this low key until I got a feel for what these idiots were going to play this. Now, I’ll tell them to blow the lid off this whole thing. Blast the airways, TV, radio, and the papers. I predict that after they get through, showing all of the evidence that my investigators have uncovered will prove their guilt. Then the other side will make a more reasonable offer. Even if they don’t, it will give us some ammo to use in court. I want to ensure this kind of racism is pulled up by the root.”

I knew that this particular case wasn’t really about racism, per se, but more about an assassin who was once again prevented from carrying out his mission. I also knew that the individuals involved had been bribed to perform the things they did. Of course, the fact that these things happened to a black male minor and the majority of those involved were white, sure looked racist. So, I did not dissuade Mr. Sawyer of his theory.

The Thursday morning “Detroit Free Press” had a huge headline and a full front-page story on corruption at the city jail. Channel 4 News ran a Breaking News story on racist cops falsely arresting a black teen. They followed up with the brutal details of the prison and not following procedures for minor offenders. A local radio station spent the ‘morning drive time’ slot on the story. Adding how the city is trying to sweep it all under the carpet and talking about police brutality and inmate safety while incarcerated. Then they opened the phone lines to callers who have experienced similar treatment.

The sharks started to smell blood in the water. The local chapter of the Black Panther Party decided to protest the police headquarters and City Hall. This brought out the KKK to protest the Panthers and to show support for the white police officers. This, of course, backfired because the black police officers decided to show their support of the Black Panther Party protesters by starting a sick out. This continued throughout the weekend.

The press had been standing outside the front entrance to the school. It was a madhouse. Luckily, by using the back entrance through the locker rooms, I was able to escape their attempts to interview me.

At lunch, the girls told me that they could no longer go to the dance with me. Their parents had forbidden them from going out with me. I had already reserved and paid for the rental of a limousine. I’d had to use my corporate checking account to get around the age restriction. I wasn’t asked many questions after they had the check. Oh well, I would probably have to eat the money or go to the dance stag. This news shouldn’t have been shocking to me, but it still hurt. If I had a daughter and she was interested in going out with someone who had been involved in as many sticky situations as I have been. I would not give her permission to continue the relationship either.

Many of the parents were afraid, they weren’t racist as a rule, but they were concerned for their children’s safety. Lisa’s parents were happy to be able to use this situation to regain control of her social life, which they disapproved of because of religious reasons. Patti’s father had called me last night and told me he was sorry. But he worked for the city, and the politics involved made a relationship with me and his daughter a bad idea. It could cost him his job if the wrong people were to find out.