OFF-TANGENT(A Lesbian Story)

Chapter Five

After a night of toss and turning... thinking about the invitation, Mika decided that it would be stupid to turn down an opportunity to find out more about Vic Galang's plans for that sprawling tract of land on the edge of town. Granted she could not ethically use the information she would gather on her show (base on their agreement), it would still be helpful as background. Who knows, she might actually chance on a mine of information. If she can't expose it herself, perhaps she could point a casual finger and hint to others about where the skeletons lay buried.

After her stop at the post office on her regular morning routine, she directed her steps towards the Mayor's house instead of the radio station. She had no idea when the tour would start. Vic just mentioned that they would have it that morning. Fortunately, according to the planner she always carry, her entire morning was free.

That was a rare occurrence. Even when she did not have to fill in for another staff on the air, Mika seldom had a morning that was not cut up with commitments. Either she was looking for ideas for future shows, or she was working on advertisement campaigns to run in the coming weeks, or she was out in the community doing public relations work for the station. But she love her job... every long minute of it.

Mika glanced at her watch. Already the sun was high, and heat burned over the dusty streets. But it was fairly early. Surely, after the late barbecue the night before, her father would be having his second cup of coffee and reading the Dumagute Sunstar on the patio.

She was right. Manuel Reyes looked up warily when she came around the house, and waved a hand at the coffee pot. She poured herself a cup and sat down.

"Well, look who is here," Wensh said. She pushed aside a section of the newspaper. "It's the prodigal daughter in the flesh."

"I came to catch a ride with you this morning, Dad," Mika said as she stirred a little cream into her coffee.

The newspaper dropped briefly, "Mika, you live three blocks from the station. We live half a mile out in the wrong direction."

"I did not mean I wanted to go downtown. I meant that you must be meeting Vic Galang somewhere for your tour, and she forgot to tell me where."

"Why do I doubt that story, Mika."

"She did invite me. Don't you believe your own daughter now?" She said feigning hurt.

"Am I talking to my daughter? Or am I talking to the ace reporter of the radio world? Am I going to be quoted on the air?" The Mayor sounded really hurt.

Mika sighed. She hates it when her reporter's judgment collided with a daughter's respect for her father. But it was bound to happen now and then. Usually they would find humor about the clash. This time she was not sure if it could be possible.

"Don't mind him," Wensh said. "He's been like that since he got up. He is just a grouchy old bear this morning."

"You really are upset about last night, then," Mika said.

"What did you expect, Mika? That I would stand up and applause?" He said plaintively. "I have spent the best part of a year behind the scenes, trying to work out this deal. I am not irresponsible when it comes to public trust or the taxpayers' money. I have asked all the questions..."

"Then, if you have answers that satisfy you, you should not mind passing them on to those who are less fortunate than you," Mika said briskly. "There are some of us who have not heard it from the person herself. So why don't you join your protégé on On Point next week and tell the public about it?"

The Mayor groaned. "Why do I feel as if I am being manipulated?"

"Because you are, Ninong," Wensh butted in. "Mika, I have not seen you so upset at anybody since that little boy in elementary school called you Kapre and pulled your hair. I cannot think of what is causing all the fireworks but..."