The instant she was spotted inside the noise-proof facility, Trenna was bombarded by the welcoming sounds of children’s voices ranging from squeals of delight to boisterous laughter, petulant whining and cries.
Her chest swelled with pride as she looked at the warm and bright learning environment that she had created for the children. It had taken years of planning and a tremendous amount of hard work to ensure that every child was safe, secure, loved, and confident enough to spread their little wings and soar.
“You’re back!” Tasha Redman said, Trenna’s assistant only worked part-time because she was taking a full schedule of classes at Wayne State University. The younger woman found that she enjoyed working with the little ones so much that she decided to major in Early Childhood Education.
“Most days I’m glad we met at the Women’s Crisis Center. But today, not so much,” Tasha teased.
“What happened?” Trenna had been volunteering in the Saturday afternoon mentoring program for close to two years. Like several of her friends, she enjoyed helping the teen girls in the foster care system’s independent living program. When the founder of the mentoring program Laura Murdock Kramer moved to Chicago, Trenna had taken over mentoring Tasha and recently become her employer.
“Marjorie was sick after lunch and threw up all over both of us. I helped her change and then called her mother.”
Before Trenna could respond, Tasha reported, “And Billy’s in the time-out chair because he was upset when Lena knocked over his blocks, so he grabbed her doll and deliberately threw it on the floor as hard as he could. He put a big dent in the forehead. It was her favorite and she was inconsolable. Oh, and you had a call from Anna Prescott Gaines, the caterer. They’re having a problem with the menu.”
Trenna nodded but was close enough to Tasha to wrinkle her nose. She offered, “You’re welcome to use my office bathroom to shower and change. There are clean tops in the closet.”
Her office had all the comforts of home, including a sofa that let out into a queen-size bed, a private bath, fully stocked with fresh towels and toiletries. In a pinch, Trenna could spend the night in relative comfort. Once she had worked very late, finishing a report only to go out to the car and find her tire was flat. Another time she had hosted the Elegant Five, her book club, after hours at the school. After two glasses of wine, she didn’t trusting her driving skills and ended up staying over.
Bad weather was the main reason she had outfitted the office like a studio apartment. Normally, she avoided driving in the snow or ice. She could never forget the time it had started to snow while she was more than halfway home. Although she was a nervous wreck, through much prayer she managed to get there in one piece. It was a miracle, considering how difficult it was for Trenna to drive in Michigan’s harsh winters.
Suddenly, she realized she was shaking, still annoyed with herself for letting today’s encounter with Darrin Morgan throw her. Having been on her own for nearly five years, she had thought she was prepared for almost anything.
Kaleea Prescott yelled, “Miss M! You came back!” the instant she spotted Trenna. The three-year-old wrapped her little arms around Trenna’s hips and held on. Trenna worked with all the children in the school and it was not unusual for a child to become attached to her.
“Hi, Kaleea,” Trenna smiled, before she squatted down to hug the little girl. Trenna silently mouthed the words, ‘ten minutes,’ to her assistant.
Since the arrival of her baby sister, Kaleea had become clingy and insecure. Kaleea’s father, Wesley Prescott, played football for the Detroit Lions and traveled a great deal. Her mother, Kelli Prescott, although a stay-at-home mom, worked out of their home.
Her parents enrolled her in nursery school, hoping that being around other children would boost her confidence. It had taken several weeks, but Kaleea was starting to bloom. She enjoyed school and had become close friends with Nina Johnson. Unfortunately, Nina had the flu and wasn’t in school today. Clearly, Kaleea was feeling the loss.
“Tired, hmm,” Trenna surmised, smoothing a hand over Kaleea’s back as the little girl rested her head on Trenna’s shoulder.
Kaleea vigorously shook her head no, even though her eyelids were drooping.
“Come, I’ll read you a story.” Trenna led her over to the wooden rocking chairs. “Go pick out a book.”
Kaleea smiled, heading over to the child-size bookcase.
Once she was settled on her lap, Trenna set the chair in motion, she read, “Brown bear, brown bear what do you see?” By the time, she reached the color green, other children joined had them, and were sitting on the colorful area rug, but Kaleea was asleep.
Trenna kept reading but signaled Connie Underwood, one of the teaching assistants, to take the sleeping child into slumber room where cots had been setup. Despite the administrative demands of her job, Trenna finished the picture story, and then read another before she sent the little ones off to the art room where Kathy Donavan was waiting to show them how to sponge paint leaves on the trees they had draw previously.
For Trenna, the nursery school was a dream come true. It was her special blessing, the one that had taken years to receive. In the meantime, she had prayed for and prepared for it. It was something she would never take for granted because it meant too much. And now, here they were, licensed to service children that ranged in age from six-weeks-old up to five years old.
Trenna hadn’t taken time off between her undergraduate and graduate program. She had wanted to teach, but her husband objected. Martin didn’t want her to work outside the home. She’d completed her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and was working toward a doctorate in Administration when Martin passed. She worked hard and was confident in her abilities. She had planned every aspect of the nursery school long before she was able to make it happen.
She was thrilled that Little Hearts had succeeded far beyond her expectations. The school offered more than the basics, and they’d worked hard to insure all the children’s needs were met. Because of that hard work, their first year was very successful. Word of mouth had done much toward filling their slots and creating a waiting list. The facility was privately owned, attracting the area’s most affluent and wealthy.
She wanted the facility to be available to everyone, especially low-income families. It had become important to her, and she developed a scholarship program….so important that she used part of her inheritance to establish her foundation. This past fall, she had given away scholarships to two of her students. She took as much pleasure as their parents did that the children were flourishing.
The first thing she did when she reached her office was call their caterer. Anna Prescott Gaines and her team produced healthy, yet delicious meals that appealed to the children while staying within the school’s budget.
Trenna gave the okay to substitute oranges for nectarines on Wednesday’s menu. ”Thanks Anna. I appreciate the call. Will there be a problem getting the bananas for the two children with citrus allergies?”
“None. We have the bananas ready to go. And no, I should be the one thanking you. You guys have done a remarkable job with my niece, Kaleea. She loves school and wants to go every single day. “
“Kaleea is a sweetheart.”
Anna laughed. ”We love her but that does not make us blind to the facts. She has been spoiled rotten by all of us. And for the first time since she had the new baby, my sister-in-law, Kelli, has been able to get some rest. As you know by now, Kaleea can be just as stubborn as her father. Since he was hurt and unable to play football, he has been impossible to be around. You have worked wonders with Kaleea and she loves you.”
“Thank you. And we all love her.”
As soon as she ended the call, her cell phone rang. Trenna said, “Hi, Maureen.”
“Busy?”
“Always, just like you.”
The best friends laughed. These days the two were business owners, responsible employers with specialty clientele, requiring them to put in long days. They’d met at Spellman College in Atlanta and were roommates their freshman year. By the end of that first year they were close friends. Over the years, they managed to remain close in spite of living in different parts of the country at the time.
Maureen was a counselor and in her element at the Valerie Hale Sheppard Women’s Crisis Center, which she ran with Mrs. Hale, her grandmother. The Center catered to the needs of sexually assaulted and abused women and children.
Trenna and Maureen had a lot in common. They were both only children of very successful parents and hated not having siblings. They loved to read and shared books. They had grown up attending their local AME church and shared a love for God. They agreed they were blessed and talked about someday being able to give back. Surprisingly, during their second year in college they had both been engaged.
Yet, Trenna was the loner and Maureen was an extravert. Trenna was comfortable at home or in company of close friends while Maureen made friends easily and loved dining out, concerts and dancing.
Over the years, they had shared much. Trenna had held Maureen and dried her tears when she found out the truth about her fiancé and had been forced to break off the engagement. Maureen had been Trenna’s maid of honor, despite her belief that Trenna was making a huge mistake by rushing into marriage. Plus Maureen had been there for Trenna when she lost her husband.
They had encouraged each other to follow their dreams. Even though their interests varied, it was no surprise to them that they became business owners or that they were dedicated to their clients. They now also lived in the same neighborhood with their offices barely a mile apart. Because of their busy schedules they rarely found time to have lunch together.
“I’m calling to make sure we’re still on for tonight…dinner and a movie?”
Trenna smiled, “Absolutely. I will meet you at seven. Will it be just the two of us?”
“Grace and Vanessa are joining us. That okay?”
“Of course. It’s always good to see them both. How is Grace? She still volunteering at the Women’s Center?”
“Yeah, she has done well considering what she has been through. Because of her willingness to share her experience, she has been a true blessing to the other rape victims.”
“She’s a good person and shouldn’t have to live in fear,” Trenna said vehemently.
Maureen had been assigned to Grace’s case at the hospital the night of her rape. And she took Grace on as a client at the Women’s Crisis Center. As Grace progressed, she eventually agreed to take part in group counseling.
After completing counseling, Maureen had introduced Grace into their circle of friends. Like their? other friends, Grace began to volunteered at the Women’s Center, mentoring the teen girls who were in foster care.
Maureen said, “I can’t argue with that. We both know Grace is a wonderful person.”
Both Trenna and Maureen had been in the courtroom to support Grace during the difficult trial, along with Darrin who played a decidedly different role. Trenna refused to let her mind remain on that dark thought for long. “Tell me how you managed to convince Vanessa to join us tonight? Normally she and that gorgeous husband of hers are practically joined at the hip.”
Maureen laughed, ”I didn’t have to do any convincing. Ralph recently had a late night out with the guys—a Piston’s game I believe. It’s Vanessa’s turn to have an evening out. It has been a while since we’ve spent time with her.”
Trenna sighed. “I can’t remember the last time. I must I sound like a broken record but, the three of us haven’t talked books since our last book club meeting, which was right before Laura married and moved to Chicago.”
Maureen admitted, “Yeah. I know what you mean. We aren’t the Elegant Five anymore, not with both Laura and Brynne living out of the state.”
Trenna reminisced, “It was a blast. Laura could really pull a book apart. And the five of us really had a good time together. When we selected the name we were all single, sassy and some serious reading sisters.”
“Of course,” Maureen laughed. “It was Brynne, who started our downfall when she fell for her ex, Devin Prescott, and then married him.”
“For heaven sake’s, they made a baby together! You make it sound as if we blame her.”
“No, I didn’t mean to. Brynne and Devin had been apart for years. I just hate that he plays for the St. Louis Rams and not the Lions. I miss Brynne and sweet Shanna.”
“Those Prescott men must be irresistible because Vanessa was next. She fell hard and married Devin’s cousin, Ralph. With that love bug going around, we should not have been surprised last year when Laura succumbed while on vacation and married her hotel mogul, Wilham Kramer.”
“And he wasn’t even a Prescott!” They laughed.
Maureen admitted, “I am glad Laura and Wil are relatively close in Chicago.”
“Which leaves only you, me and Vanessa in the book club. We’ve turned into the Pitiful Three,” Trenna quipped.
“I tried to talk Sherri Ann into joining but she turned me down.”
“As an attorney, Sherri Ann doesn’t have much time to read for pleasure. Plus she works for Darrin Morgan. That can’t be a picnic.” Trenna revealed, “I thought about asking Grace to join our club but decided against it. Since the trial, she has had a hard time dealing with that awful man’s release.” She paused, and then asked, “How’s Mrs. Hale?”
“My grandmother is fine. Why did you change the subject? What aren’t you telling me?”
”Nothing important.”
“You know I’m going to find out sooner or later, so you might as well tell me.”
“I ran into Darrin Morgan today. And I mean literally. I bounced off his chest like a Ping-Pong ball.”
“What? Were you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine. He caught me before I landed on my behind. Evidently, I pushed the wrong button and got off the elevator on the wrong floor.” When Trenna heard her friend’s snicker, she snapped, “It’s not funny!”
Maureen grew up playing with the twins and had attended the same schools. The Hales and Morgans were long-time friends and neighbors.
Laughing, Maureen said, “I wish I could have seen your face.’’
“It’s not funny.”
‘It’s hilarious!”
“Goodbye, Maureen.”
“Don’t hang up! I was only teasing. Okay, okay, I’ll stop. Tell me why you’re upset?”
“You know why.” Trenna shivered recalling Darrin’s intense masculine charm. “He asked me out. Again. Why can’t he get it through his thick skull that I’m not interested and leave me alone?”
“You sound so angry. Why? What terrible thing has he done besides ask you out?” Maureen didn’t wait for a response, instead rushed ahead, saying, ”Come on, Trenna. Darrin has been interested in you since you opened the nursery school. Why don’t you go out on one date with him and get it over with? Then, the two of you will realize there’s no chemistry between you and we can all move on.”
“Absolutely not!” Trenna frowned. If only it were that simple. “How many times do I have to say, I don’t like him?”
Sighing, Maureen said, “But why? You haven’t given yourself a chance to get to know him.”
“Why bother? He has enough women running after him, he doesn’t need me.”
“That may be true, but he’s still interested in you.”
“Maureen, I don’t like him!”
“Careful. Have you forgotten, ‘Thou shall love thy neighbor as thy self’?”
“That was low, Maureen Sheppard!”
“Nope, my friend. That was from the Most High.”
They couldn’t help but laugh, they attended the same bible study class. “Well?” Maureen prompted.
“I’ll try,” that was as far as Trenna was prepared to go.
“Fair enough. The Morgan twins are not afraid to go after what they want. They’ve brought in millions since their father passed and Darrin’s been at the helm. You and Darrin should go out to lunch and talk. It could be a good thing, right?”
“Maureen, are you listening to me?”
“Trenna, are you listening to yourself? You’re interested in Darrin. Only, you’re just too stubborn to admit it. I’ve seen the way your eyes light up and sparkle whenever you hear his name.”
“Don’t you mean sparks fly? He makes me see red. Why are you trying to fix me up with him? Never mind! I’m hanging up. I will see you at seven-thirty.”
”Wait! Before you go, ask yourself why you’re protesting so strongly. After all, we’re talking about spending one evening with a sane, single, and gainfully employed male, who openly admits to finding you attractive. There’s no harm in that.”
“Be that as it may, we’re talking about Darrin Morgan. I can’t forget the way he tore into Grace on the witness stand. It still makes me shudder. He was ruthless! And because of him, Grace’s rapist has been walking around free.”
“No!” Maureen said sharply, “We both know Todd Marks raped Grace. And Marks had enough money to hire the best. Darrin’s the best.”
“I get that, but I’m not you. Logically, I know that Darrin was not responsible for what Todd Marks did to Grace. Emotionally, I can’t help resenting him.”
“Are you sure you’re not using this case as an excuse to keep Darrin at a safe distance? He makes you feel things.”
”You’re wrong.”
“Well, there’s enough blame to go around. The prosecutor lost her case. She didn’t do enough.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Trenna, I’m sorry but I have to run. My client is here…”
Trenna quickly hung up. She didn’t have the answer. She certainly did not feel things for Darrin Morgan, but Maureen was right about one thing. There was enough blame to spread around. But that didn’t change the fact that the female prosecutor didn’t raise Trenna’s blood pressure just by walking into a room.
It was close to eleven when the four friends walked out of the movie theater together. They had loved the movie and were discussing Hidden Figures until they reached Vanessa’s car. She and Grace had driven together. They hugged each other and waved goodbye.
Maureen and Trenna linked arms as they continued on across the parking lot.
“That was fun,” Maureen said. “I really enjoyed the movie. I haven’t seen a really good one, not since Belle. And you know how much I loved that one.”
“I agree. Did you download the book?”
“Not yet. Have you read it?” Maureen quizzed.
Trenna nodded. “Loved it.”
“What’s the title again?
“Belle: The Slave Daughter and the Lord Chief Justice by Paula Byrne.”
“Thanks. Grace mentioned a new author that she has been reading, but I can’t remember the name. Everyone knows it’s always better to read the book first…” Maureen stopped suddenly, “Are you listening to me?”
Since Maureen was taller with a long stride, Trenna had no choice but to stop. Not only had she not been listening, she had also been oblivious to their surroundings. Her cheeks were hot with embarrassment when she said, “Sorry. You caught me.”
“On top of not listening, you weren’t looking around either! Coach says”—Maureen referred to the self-defense instructor, Michael Jameson, who taught at the Women’s Crisis Center—“a woman walking at night, talking on the phone or unaware of her surroundings has set herself up for disaster.”
“I said I was sorry. What? Are you gonna sue me because I was lost in thought?”
“It’s Friday night and the parking lot is well lit and busy or your behind would be toast.” Tugging her along, Maureen warned, “Beside, if I was going to sue you, it wouldn’t take you three guesses to figure out whom I would hire…the best, Darrin Morgan.”
“Don’t start!”
“Trenna, admit it! You’re still annoyed with me for pointing out the truth.”
“The truth? That’s not how I see it.”
Maureen quirked a beautifully arched brow before she said, “It’s not nice to hang up on your very best friend.”
”Stop! I said goodbye before I hung up.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Uh-oh. Are you having problems with that ‘having the last word’ thing again?”
“Again?”
They both laughed. They reached Trenna’s car first. Maureen’s was parked several rows over.
“Get in. I’ll drive you over,” Trenna said as she activated the keyless entry. When she eased the car to a stop, instead of getting out, Maureen caught Trenna’s arm. “I’ll follow you home.”
“Why?”
Maureen said, “It’s time to talk.”
Trenna instantly understood. Firmly, shaking her head, she said, “There’s nothing to discuss. We made a pact to leave the mistakes we made in the past. Why bring it up now? And why don’t you admit, you’re no more comfortable talking about this than I am?”
“True,” Maureen acknowledged, “But if it will help you recognize that all men are not cut from the same cloth, then I’m willing to go there.”
“I’m not! Look, I will say this and then we’re done with this subject. It happened when we were young and foolish. We fell in love for the first time with the wrong guys. Just be grateful that you realized it was a mistake and you didn’t compound the matter by marrying, like I did.”
“I am grateful.” Maureen was worrying her bottom lip when she asked, “Why can’t we talk? What are you afraid of? There’s nothing wrong with me telling you that I think Darrin is a decent man. Who knows? He might be good for you. Please, I might be able to help you work through...”
“I’m not one of your clients!”
“Martin may be gone but that doesn’t mean…”
“Stop!” Trenna shouted. She had been over this hundreds of times in her head and couldn’t bear to talk about it. From the first, it was a mistake. Martin had been a family friend and their attorney. When her parents passed Martin had been appointed as her legal guardian. She was eighteen. He had gone from being her guardian, to her friend, and then her husband and tormentor.
“Trenna…”
She took a deep, calming breath. “I don’t want to talk about Martin anymore than you want to talk about …”
“Okay! Okay! I get it. But you need to remember that Darrin is not like either of them. You must see that Darrin …”
Trenna finished the sentence, “...is a good-looking womanizer, who has never had to work for anything in his entire life. It’s disgusting the way the women in the building practically fall at his feet when he looks their way. Even the married ones don’t attempt to hide their fascination with him. They act as if he’s God’s gift to womankind. Why would I want to join that group?”
“You should ignore the rumors. They don’t matter. But what if he really cares for you? Can you ignore that?”
“Maureen, I get it. He’s an old family friend. You and your grandmother adore him and his whole family. I agree they are wonderful people, but that does not mean Darrin Morgan is right for me. He’s not! What about our pact?”
“Trenna, you have always wanted babies. You would make a wonderful mother. This may be your chance.”
“At one time I wanted a family,” Trenna said candidly. “But so did
you. It’s not going to happen for me, not unless it’s a miracle birth like the baby Jesus, or I adopted a couple of the foster care teen girls from the mentoring program.”