The Summer of Me (13 page)

S
TOP!'”
D
ESTINY SANG ALONG WITH
N
ATALIE AND
B
ERTICE
as they ended “Stop! In the Name of Love” by the Supremes, the last of the three karaoke songs they'd sung tonight.

The audience clamored for one more, but Destiny looked at her two friends standing on the karaoke stage and shook her head as they did. Three was their limit. “That's it for us,” Natalie said, continuing her Diana Ross role and speaking for the group. “Thanks, everybody.”

The three women made it back to their table amid the applause from the gathering. Before they reached their seats, another would-be crooner took the stage. “Now that was fun,” Natalie said, once they were seated.

“It was,” Bertice said. “I had my doubts though. Karaoke was not exactly what I was thinking about for a ladies' night out, but it was much better than our original plan to only have dinner.”

Destiny leaned into Bertice's shoulder. “Admit it,” she said. “You were all over those songs.”

“Yeah,” Natalie said. “You sang ‘Survivor' like you thought you were Beyoncé getting ready to leave Destiny's Child.”

Destiny laughed. “Yeah, girl, you belted that one out.”

“You can't talk about me,” Bertice said. “You thought you were T-Boz on ‘Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg.'”

“What can I say,” Natalie said, blowing on her fingers as though she were at a craps table in Vegas. “I got skills.”

All three women laughed.

“Gavin married you for your singing voice,” Bertice teased. “You know all first ladies have to be able to belt out a gospel tune at the drop of a hat.”

“Please,” Natalie said. “Gavin married me for more than my singing.”

“Tell it,” Destiny said.

“No, you didn't go there,” Bertice said. “This first lady is coming out of her bag, or should I say, her pulpit.”

“Just telling it like it is,” Natalie said, not backing off.

“Excuse me, ladies.”

Destiny looked up to see the waitress standing at their table.

The young woman inclined her head toward the bar. “Those guys over there would like to buy your next round. What are you having?”

Destiny looked at her friends.

“I'm married,” Natalie said, lifting up her ring finger so the men could see it. “It's up to you two.”

Destiny and Bertice shared a knowing look. “Tell them
thanks, but we're fine,” Bertice said. She lifted her glass toward the men and gave them a smile. Destiny did the same.

“Well, well,” Natalie said. “Destiny held true to form, but you surprised me, Bertice. You were supposed to take that free drink.”

“Didn't want to give the guy false hope.”

Natalie leaned in. “Spill,” she said. “You've been holding out on us. You're seeing somebody, aren't you?”

After taking a sip from her soda, Bertice said, “Maybe, maybe not.”

“Don't be coy, Bertice,” Natalie said. “It's too out of character.”

“Give her a break, Natalie,” Destiny said, guessing Phil Harris was the man who had changed Bertice's tune. She also guessed Bertice didn't want to discuss him because it might lead to a discussion of their work at HR Solutions, which they still weren't ready to tell Natalie about.

Natalie turned to Destiny with a teasing glint in her eyes. “Okay, we can talk about you then. What's up with you and Daniel?”

Bertice laughed.

Destiny rolled her eyes.

Natalie lifted her arms in frustration. “Well, somebody has to tell me something. Or do I need to share some of my marital wisdom with you?”

“Please don't,” Bertice said, holding up her palm toward Natalie. She sighed. “I've started seeing somebody.”

Natalie leaned forward. “Do I know him?”

Bertice shook her head. “I don't think so, but Daniel does.”

Natalie sat back. “Oh. Now that is interesting. I see some double-dating possibilities here. So who is he and have you asked him anything about Daniel and Destiny?”

“You never give up, do you?” Destiny asked Natalie.

Natalie waved her off. “Hush,” she said. “I'm talking to Bertice.”

Destiny listened as Bertice told Natalie a little about Phil Harris, praying silently she didn't give her too much information. As she did, she realized the energy involved in keeping her HR Solutions gig a secret. Was it worth it? It might be easier just to tell Natalie everything and try to ease any concerns she might have.

“So have you asked him about Daniel and Destiny?”

Bertice giggled. “You know I have, but it turns out I knew more than he did. I ending up piquing his interest though, so he said he'd feel Daniel out for me.”

“Good,” Natalie said. She sat back in her chair and looked at her friends. “My babies are growing up,” she said.

“Please,” Destiny said.

“Let me have my moment,” Natalie said. “If you act right, we could have a couples' night out with the three of us. Wouldn't that be fun?”

“Hold on, Miss Matchmaker,” Bertice said. “I don't want to scare the man off. Let me get to know him a bit more first before I bring him out for your inspection.”

“He'll pass, won't he?”

Bertice nodded. “I think so.”

Destiny wasn't so sure.

“He'd better,” Natalie said. “My friends deserve only the
best.” She glanced at Destiny. “The best has been served to you on a platter. You'd better take him before someone else does.”

Destiny laughed. “You're crazy, Natalie. You know that, right? You're talking about the man like he's an item on a buffet table.”

“Well,” Natalie said, “I've heard some women around the church describe him as delicious. Maybe he's an item on a dessert bar.”

“I ought to tell Daniel how you talk about him,” Destiny said.

“Please,” Natalie said. “He knows how the women talk about him. Gavin makes sure he does.”

“Men can be such gossips,” Bertice said.

“Hey, that's my husband you're talking about. He's not a gossip. I prefer to think of him as an information provider.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Bertice said. “He's still a gossip.”

When Destiny started laughing, Natalie said, “Don't laugh yet, missy. You still haven't answered my question about you and Daniel.”

“There's nothing to tell,” Destiny said, deciding not to tell her friend about her and Daniel's plans for lunch on Sunday. Doing so would be like giving red meat to a starving dog.

“Nothing to tell yet,” Natalie clarified. “So how's school coming? You can tell me about that, can't you?”

Destiny rubbed her hands up and down her glass of soda. “It's coming a lot better than I thought. I may turn out to be a good student after all.”

Natalie bumped her shoulder into Destiny's. “Just say it, Destiny. You like school. Come on, it's not hard to say.”

Destiny bumped her friend back. “Okay, I like it, or it looks like I'm going to like it. I haven't been a student but a minute.”

“We're happy for you, Destiny,” Bertice said.

“Thanks for being such good friends,” Destiny said. Then she sighed. “I have a favor to ask.”

“Anything,” Natalie said. “You know we have your back.”

“Yeah, we're here for you,” Bertice added. “Just tell us what you need. As long as it's not tutoring help.”

Destiny chuckled. “No, it's not tutoring. Mrs. Robinson has been talking to me about getting my natural hair care license and I've decided to take her up on it.”

“That's great news, Destiny,” Natalie said. “That's the first step to opening your own salon.”

“Not so fast,” Destiny said. “I'm taking this in steps and only focusing on the license for now.”

“How are you going to do it all, Destiny?” Bertice asked. “I know you're Superwoman, but you have a lot on your plate this summer.”

“That's where the favor comes in. Mrs. Robinson is willing to let me apprentice in her shop. All the hair I do in the salon will count toward the hours needed for my license.”

“Bertice has a point,” Natalie said. “When are you going to have time to go to her salon?”

“Easy,” she said. “If you two are willing, instead of me doing your hair at my house, I'd do it in the salon. That way,
I'm not really increasing the work I do. I'm just changing the location. What do you think?”

“I think it's a great idea,” Natalie said.

“Mrs. Robinson thought of it. I think it's a good idea, too, but it means you two will have to come to the shop in order for me to do your hair. It won't be as convenient for you.”

Natalie waved her off. “Please, that is not a problem. We're glad to do it, aren't we, Bertice?”

Bertice nodded. “When you write your Madame Destiny book about how you became rich and famous, just remember to include us and say that we were there from the beginning.”

“Count on it,” Destiny said.

“We can read the book when you take us to France for our celebratory ladies' night out after it becomes a bestseller.”

Destiny began laughing.

“If we're lucky,” Natalie said, with a wink, “it will be three couples making that trip to France. You know what they say, France is for lovers.”

“You really don't give up, do you?” Bertice asked, shaking her head.

Before Natalie could answer, Destiny said, “Right now the only trip I'm thinking about is one to California to see my kids.”

“Are you going to be able to go?” Natalie asked.

“I'm working on it now. The most I can swing is a long weekend because that's all the time I can get off from the store. It's not much time and the trip will be fairly expensive, but it's worth it to me.”

Natalie rested her hand atop Destiny's. “Gavin and I would still like to gift you the flight. Please let us do that for you, Destiny.”

Destiny shook her head. “It won't be necessary, Natalie,” she said. “You've done enough by hooking me up with the job with Daniel.”

“But I know how much that pays and it's not a lot, especially not when I know you're also trying to save the money you need to move to Gwinnett.”

Destiny glanced at Bertice, a question in her eyes. It was time for them to tell Natalie about their work with HR Solutions. Bertice nodded her agreement.

Destiny cleared her throat. “Well, I was able to get a second part-time job.”

Natalie's eyes widened. “Second part-time job? Where? When? Doing what?”

She inclined her head toward Bertice. “One of Bertice's friends runs a temp agency and he found something for me.”

“The company is HR Solutions and the friend is Phil Harris, the guy I'm dating,” Bertice explained. “I've been working with him for a while now.”

Natalie turned to her. “So this is the business opportunity you've been talking about?”

Bertice nodded.

“Why didn't you two tell me?” Natalie asked.

Bertice shrugged, and then turned to Destiny.

“We didn't want you to worry,” Destiny said.

“What she means is we didn't want you to worry because of
my track record. I promise you this is not a pyramid scheme. It's perfectly legal.”

Natalie's expression said she was skeptical.

“It's a lot of pay for what so far has been a little work,” Destiny added, “but it's on the up-and-up.”

“So what are you doing?” Natalie asked.

This time Bertice looked at Natalie, who then described their job duties in much the same way that Phil Harris had explained them to her.

“That sure is a lot of money for doing a little work. You know the old saying about something being too good to be true.”

Bertice frowned. “This is why we didn't tell you, Natalie. We knew you were going to be negative. Why can't you see the opportunity as a blessing? Do you have to be negative?”

Natalie sat back in her chair. “I'm sorry,” she said. “I was just thinking out loud. You know, I'm always happy when good things happen to you two. I love you. You do know that, don't you?”

“We know, but you worry a lot,” Bertice said.

“And this time we think the worry is unnecessary,” Destiny added.

“I hear you,” Natalie said, “but I'm always going to worry about you two.”

Bertice nudged Natalie's shoulder with her own. “Maybe it's time you and Gavin start putting out some little Natalies and Gavins. Then you could worry about your babies and not have to worry about us.”

Natalie laughed. “Okay, okay. If you drop the baby talk, I'll back off. Gavin and I are practically newlyweds. Babies are still a few years away.”

“If you say so,” Destiny said. “But babies don't always come according to plan. That I know from experience.”

“Speaking of your babies, if this job is going to make it possible for you to visit them, I'm all for it.”

“Group hug time,” Bertice said.

When they all huddled together, Destiny squeezed them tightly and said, “I love you guys.”

“Love you, too,” Bertice and Natalie both said.

“So, Destiny,” Bertice said, “I'd love to go to California. Do you need somebody to carry your luggage?”

Destiny chuckled. “My mom beat you to it.”

“Your mom's going?” Bertice said, eyes wide. “Well, that leaves me out. I guess I'll have to wait on France.”

D
ESTINY WATCHED AS
D
ANIEL REVIEWED THE PROGRAM
materials she had developed since their last meeting. This was the first time she'd seen him since that meeting, as their plans for Sunday lunch had fallen through. She wasn't sure who was more disappointed. He'd already apologized several times and, of course, she'd accepted his apology. He was a minister and there would be times the ministry would come first. Sunday afternoon had been one of those times.

Daniel looked up from the program materials he was reviewing. “As usual, you've done good work, Destiny. The application for the small business development seminar is perfect. I just made a couple of minor changes. Look them over, and if you agree, let's run the application by Gavin and Natalie. After we get their approval, it's ready to be printed.”

Destiny took back the application he handed her and glanced at the notes he'd made on it. As he said, they were
minor. “I'll make these changes and get the document to Gavin and Natalie. It shouldn't take long for their approval. We should have the application ready for distribution at Sunday services. I hope we can also get a notice in the church bulletin for Sunday. It goes to press on Friday.”

“That would be great,” Daniel said. “But if we can't, we'll just wait a week. That won't be a problem. I've adjusted my time expectations since our last meeting to something more realistic. ‘The race doesn't go to the swiftest, but to him who endures to the end.'”

She smiled at his scripture recitation. “Sounds good to me. Next, we need to make some decisions about the teams we want to send to training to lead our Dave Ramsey personal finance seminar.”

“Yeah,” he said. “I talked to Gavin about it and he has a couple of folks he strongly wants us to consider. They've been good stewards in the church and they're the kind of people he's comfortable putting forth as examples.”

“Makes sense,” she said.

“I don't know any of these people personally,” he said, handing her a sheet of paper with a list of names.

Looking over the list, Destiny said, “I know four of the eight listed here. Do we have to narrow it down to four or should we send all eight to training?”

“Let's just send all eight,” he said. “It's better to have more people prepared than not to have enough.”

“Sounds good to me,” she said. “Do we contact them or should Gavin do it?”

“He wants us to do it,” he said.

Destiny made a note of it. “I'll draft a letter of invitation and we'll both sign it.”

“Let's have them meet with us as a group before the training,” he said. “That way, we can all get on the same page.”

Destiny nodded. “What time frame are you thinking?”

“My schedule is pretty open,” he said. He met her eyes. “Maybe Sunday after church. Is that too soon?”

She shook her head. “Not at all. The folks on the list are regular attendees at the Sunday service so it shouldn't be a problem. Instead of a letter, it might be better if you call and invite them. Having one of the pastors call would make it clear how important the church sees the program.”

“Good point,” he said. “I'll have Doris get their contact information for me and I'll call them tomorrow.”

She smiled up at him. “This is going pretty smoothly, isn't it?”

He smiled back. “We're a good team,” he said.

“I guess we are.”

He leaned toward her. “I really am sorry about Sunday, Destiny. I was looking forward to spending some time with you.”

“You don't have to keep apologizing, Daniel. I understand. Really, I do.”

“Then can we try it again this Sunday, after we meet with the team?”

She began shaking her head. “I have an even better idea. Why don't we have a luncheon meeting after church on Sunday? We can either provide food here at the church or we can make reservations somewhere.”

Daniel nodded. “That's a great idea. I like the idea of providing food here at the church. We can ask Eve to cater it for us. Do you think she'll be able to pull something together on such short notice?”

“I don't see why not. It's such a small group, she should be able to if she doesn't have another event lined up for the weekend. I'll check with her as soon as we're finished here.”

“I hope she can do it. Did you know that Eve was the inspiration for the small business seminars?”

She looked up at him. “No, I didn't.”

“She brought lunch over for me and Gavin one day and Natalie told me that she was trying to get her catering business off the ground.”

“And from that you came up with the idea for the seminars?”

He nodded. “That and the fact that I have some experience starting a small business. I know what it's like to dream about building something and to not be sure that you can pull it off. If I can help somebody else through that maze of insecurity, I want to do it.”

“We'll have to make sure that we get Eve in the first small business session. Is there some way you can use her as a case study in the workshop? You know, show the class how to get started by getting her started?”

“You're just full of great ideas today. That's certainly something I can do. We should talk to Eve about it soon. If she can cater the event on Sunday, let's talk to her afterward.”

“I'll let her know. She'll be so excited.” She met his eyes.
“Daniel, these programs are going to be the answers to so many folks' prayers. Gloria will be so pleased.”

“Thanks for saying that,” he said. “I hope you're right.”

“I know I am,” she said, pulling out a sheet of paper from the stack in front of her and handing it to him. “I had the deacons and Gavin and Natalie come up with a list of folks needing help now.”

“This is not a lot of money,” he said after he'd looked over the list.

“Not to you,” she said, “but it is to them.”

“You're right,” he said. “It's just hard to imagine that so little money can make such a big difference in somebody's life. I say we fund each one. We just have to do it in a way that allows the recipients to keep their dignity.”

Destiny was pleased he'd remembered her suggestion from last time. “It'll probably be easiest if everything goes through the deacons. That way, it will still feel like a private matter.”

He nodded. “That was easy. Anything else?”

“No more business, but I do have a question.”

“Shoot.”

“You told me your inspiration for the small business seminars. What was your inspiration for the personal finance sessions and the associated loan program?”

He leaned forward. “You know, this is the kind of conversation we should have had over lunch on Sunday. Again—”

She lifted her palms to him. “If you apologize again, I'm going to be offended. Instead, tell me now about your inspiration.”

He released a deep sigh. “The business that I started with my friends was a cybersecurity firm. We handle a lot of cases of corporate fraud. It's been my experience that a lot of the folks who get caught up in those scams do so because they've mismanaged their own finances. While we can't force folks to make the right decisions, we can give them the information they need to make wise choices.”

“You have a good heart, Daniel,” she said.

He shrugged. “I'm just giving back what I've been given.”

“You accused me once of not being able to accept a compliment. You know you're just as bad at it, don't you?”

He smiled. “Maybe that's why we work so well together. We're so much alike.”

Destiny fought the need to turn back his praise. “Did you just compliment both of us?”

He laughed. “I think I did. Now that we both agree on how great we are, have we covered all the business for today?”

She looked down at her notepad and then back up at him. “There is one more thing. I'm trying to find some time to take a weekend trip to California so I can visit with my kids. Given how everything is lining up here, school, and my day job, it seems like three weeks from now would be good for me. I need to know if it will be good for you.”

“Whatever you need to do, Destiny. Just let me know. Family needs to come first.” He met her eyes. “You know, I don't know much about your kids. That's another topic we would have covered over lunch.”

“You'd better not be apologizing again.”

“I'm not apologizing, but I am expressing regret. Tell me about your kids.”

She reached over and picked up her handbag from the chair next to her. She pulled out a mini photo album and handed it to him. “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Daniel thumbed through the album. “They're cute kids. They're six, right?”

She nodded. “Six going on sixteen. They're growing up so fast. Too fast for me.”

He handed her back the album. “It's nice that they have such a good relationship with their father.”

She nodded. “Our relationship didn't work, but Kenneth has been a good father to the kids. I have to give him that.”

“He certainly chose a great vacation spot for them.”

“It's more like a work vacation. Kenneth's wife, Mary Margaret, is out there for a summer work project. Kenneth and the kids tagged along since it made for a very inexpensive vacation when you consider their out-of-pocket costs.”

He nodded. “I can imagine her company is picking up the tab for most, if not all, of the living expenses.”

“You got it. That's why it made so much sense for the kids to join them.” She went on to tell him all the activities Kenneth and Mary Margaret had planned.

“I would enjoy a trip like that.”

“So would I,” she said. “But there was no way I could afford it. The best I've been able to do is take the kids to Disney World in Orlando for a week.”

“I bet they enjoyed it.”

She smiled. “They had a ball. It's easy to entertain them at their age.”

“You're a good mom,” he said.

She met his eyes. “I try, but it's not always easy.” He'd been open with her about his life so she decided to open up a little to him. “I just want so much for them.”

“From the looks of them in those pictures, they're both healthy and happy. Everything is gravy.”

“I know,” she said, “but I want the gravy.”

He chuckled. “I'm getting lost in the analogy. What's the gravy?”

“Right now it's a house in Gwinnett County. That's why I'm working extra jobs this summer.”

“You want to move?”

She nodded. “Kenneth convinced me to enroll the kids in a school in his school district. It was the right decision since the school did have a better report card than the school they would have gone to here. But we spend a lot of time traveling between my house, Kenneth's house, and the school. It's a lot for the kids and for me. It would be much easier if we lived closer to the school.”

He nodded. “Or the kids could live with their father during the school week. I guess that's not an acceptable option for you.”

She shook her head. “No, it's not. Of course, Kenneth has suggested it. I see his point but I don't see my kids living away from me. That makes my best alternative moving to the district. I've already found a little house that's perfect for us. I have until August first to go to contract with the owners.”

“Are you going to make it?”

She nodded. “It was touch and go for a while, but with my extra work, I'll be able to swing it.”

He met her eyes. “You know, the loan program was made for situations like yours. You're—”

She began shaking her head. “Don't even offer. If I hadn't been able to find extra work, I would consider your offer a godsend. But since I have found work, I couldn't take money that some other family might need.” She smiled at him to let him know she wasn't offended by his offer. “I will be one of the first people to enroll in the personal finance workshop though.”

“I'm glad,” he said. “I ought to enroll myself. It makes sense that we both attend a full session. We can learn something while we're evaluating the session.”

“Makes sense to me,” she said, jotting down the idea.

He looked at his watch. “It's getting late. Do we have anything else?”

She closed her folder. “No, that's all I have. Unless you have something, I think we're done for the day.”

He leaned forward. “I do have one more thing. Given his work at HR Solutions, I spoke with Phil Harris about supporting these programs in some way and he had a great suggestion. He is a member of the DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce and is involved in the Southside Business Council, which includes the community surrounding the church.”

She nodded. “I've heard of it.”

“Well, they're having an open house and reception next Saturday night that he thinks we should attend. It will be
a good way for us to make some connections in the community, connections that might be useful with this program and with the church as a whole. I've already spoken to Gavin about it and he's on board with us going as church representatives.” He leaned closer. “I'd like you to attend as my date, not just as the church representative. I'd like to make it up to you for having to cancel last Sunday.”

Instead of giving a straight answer, she said, “I guess it's formal.”

“I have the invitation right here,” he said, pushing it toward her. “It says cocktail attire.”

“Cocktail attire,” she repeated, mentally going through her wardrobe for the perfect dress.

“So will you go with me?”

She nodded. “I'm looking forward to it.”

“Good. Phil and Bertice will be there as well. Phil mentioned going out to a jazz club or something afterward. How does that sound?”