Chapter 18
The New Ladies Fitness Center on Peachtree Street was a bustling hub of activity. Hard working, sweaty women clothed in spandex and fleece moved rhythmically to the sounds of the upbeat contemporary gospel music that blared through the facility.
From the looks of things, business was good. The place was packed. There were actually women waiting for machines. Crowds meant membership, and memberships meant profit.
Faith slid her attendance pass through a slot on the desk to register her visit. She put her handbag and water bottle in one of the small lockers lining the far wall and began stretching. She only worked out once or twice a week depending on her schedule because the downtown Atlanta location was a twenty-five-minute drive from her home. But from time to time she wanted a cardio workout in addition to her normal morning run.
After the prescribed thirty minutes on the interval circuit and another fifteen on the stair-stepper, she removed her things from the locker and went to Yvette’s office in the rear of the building.
“Knock, knock,” Faith announced herself as she moved through the open doorway. Her friend’s head had been intently studying the information displayed on a computer monitor, but she turned when she heard Faith, gave her a radiant smile, and popped out of her chair to walk around the desk.
“Hey, girl.” Yvette pulled her into a hug. “You’re early.”
“I need to get back in time to stop in at Eric’s school.”
“What for?” Yvette reached into her bottom drawer and pulled out a small handbag.
Faith sighed. “We’ll talk about it at lunch. I’m starving. Where do you want to go?”
Yvette shrugged. “Two ladies in workout attire. One still perspiring. I’d say the Underground food court.”
Underground Atlanta was exactly as it was called. Shopping, dining, and entertainment venues that were mostly under the ground at Lower Alabama Street in downtown Atlanta.
Faith and Yvette were fortunate to get a table. The food court was packed with other diners.
“So, what’s going on with my godson?” Yvette asked.
“He only has a month left of school, but his grades have been sliding.” Faith reached for her drink, took a sip, and put the styrofoam cup down. “I mean really sliding. He usually gets A’s and high B’s on all his assignments and quizzes. Lately I’m seeing low B’s, some C’s, and a couple of failing quizzes.”
“Maybe it’s baseball.”
It was a plausible explanation. One that she had considered. “I don’t think that’s it. Some of it is his attitude about school. It’s been getting worse over the past few months.”
Yvette nodded.
“I don’t know,” Faith said. “I’m hoping his teachers can give me some insight about what they think it is.”
“What does Eric say?”
Faith shrugged. “Nothing. He just says he doesn’t know or it was a hard test.”
“What does Jonah say?”
Faith gave her a look. “You know better than that. Jonah doesn’t know, and he doesn’t care.”
“That doesn’t mean you stop telling him what’s going on.”
“Girl, I’m just tired of the rejection.” Faith shook her head.
Yvette crossed her arms in front of her on the table.
“I’m a single parent and it’s getting old.”
“Maybe you two need to get away. Go on a trip. You might be able to talk through some things away from life, you know.”
Faith raised an eyebrow and picked up her fork. “Where did that come from?”
“Talk shows, girl. I’m telling you, they got all the answers.”
They both laughed, but Faith was thoughtful. She and Jonah hadn’t gone away on a romantic trip since their five-year wedding anniversary and she’d gotten pregnant with Elise then.
“Plan it this summer for your anniversary or something. Go to Jamaica. You know it’s a balm in Gilead for me.”
“So you think some Caribbean sun and Jerk pork can heal what ails us, mon?” Faith said, feigning a Jamaican accent.
They both laughed.
Yvette reached across the table and gave Faith’s hand a pat. “Seriously, it’s a start. You two are in trouble.”
Faith nodded. It was a good idea. Maybe a trip could get them on the right path. Lord knows they needed to try something.