The Summer of Me (9 page)

D
ESTINY WAS SO PSYCHED AFTER MEETING WITH
Mrs. Robinson that she didn't want to spend the evening alone. Instead she called Bertice and arranged to meet her at her house for dinner. It didn't matter that she had to pick up takeout from Dreamland Bar-B-Que. Her friend had a lot of talents but cooking wasn't one of them.

“You're a good cook,” Bertice said, licking her fingers.

Destiny chuckled. “Yeah, well, I have to give all credit to my American Express card.”

Bertice laughed. “You're a trip.”

“Hey, I'm about to be a college-educated trip, so treat me with some respect.”

Bertice lifted her glass of tea in the air. “That deserves a toast.”

Destiny lifted her glass and tapped it against Bertice's.

“To my best friend and soon-to-be college graduate. You go, girl!”

Destiny took a swallow from her glass and then placed it
back on the table. “You have to meet Mrs. Robinson,” she told her friend. “She was so motivating. I really felt like she believed in me.”

“Why wouldn't she?”

“Yeah, but why would she? All she knows of me is my record and, believe me, it's not that impressive.”

“She knows more than that,” Bertice said. “She met you, talked to you.”

“Well, yeah, still.”

“Still nothing,” Bertice said. “I don't know when you lost your self-confidence but you need to get it back in a hurry.”

“I'm confident about some things,” Destiny admitted. “Just not school. When I was talking to Mrs. Robinson and answering all her questions, I realized how much I enjoy my work at the cosmetics counter and how much I enjoy doing hair. I also realized how good I am at it.” She shrugged. “I guess I never really thought about it before.”

“Well, you need to keep thinking about it. You are good, Destiny. Better than good. Keep listening to Mrs. Robinson. She's good for you.”

“I'm beginning to think so. Did I tell you that she owns a salon?”

“A salon? I thought she was a career counselor.”

“She is. She's worked at the college for almost twenty years but the salon is her passion. She says it also generates income for her retirement.”

“I see why you two hit it off. You have a common interest.”

Destiny nodded. She had felt an almost instant connection with the older woman. Her warmth drew Destiny in
and made her feel safe. Learning about their shared interest in hair care had solidified that connection. “She got me to thinking about what I want to do with my degree. Maybe I could open a shop one day.”

“I don't see why not,” Bertice said. “Now you're talking.”

“Not right now, of course,” Destiny said. “It's just something for me to think about as I go through my classes. Mrs. Robinson said I needed to look at my degree as something that will help me achieve my goals.” Destiny chuckled. “But first I have to come up with some goals.”

“Sounds like you had a very productive session. I'm glad it's working out for you, Destiny.”

“Let's not get too carried away. Classes haven't started yet. I could still flame out.”

“Don't say stuff like that. You've got to stay positive.”

“You're a good friend, Bertice,” Destiny said, remembering Mrs. Robinson's comment about her support system. “I don't say it enough, but I really do appreciate you and our friendship. I can't imagine my life without you and Natalie. You're like the sisters I never had.”

“Same here, girlfriend,” Bertice said. “You've been there for me, too. We've been there for each other. That's what friends are for.”

Destiny chuckled. “Please don't start singing. I love you but you're no Dionne Warwick.”

Bertice laughed. “Don't hate.”

Destiny got up and got some more potato salad from the bowl on the counter. “You want something?” she asked Bertice.

“Nah, I'm good,” she said, licking the barbecue sauce off her fingers. “So when do classes start?”

After Destiny was seated at the table, she said, “Monday of next week. It's perfect timing. Can you believe it?”

“Yeah, I can believe it. It was meant to be.”

Destiny was feeling the same way. “Of course, it's too late for me to get financial aid, so I have to pay for the two courses I'm taking.”

Bertice chuckled. “Well, since you have three jobs, I guess you can afford to pay.”

Destiny shook her head. “Three jobs and school. Can you believe it?”

“I believe it,” she said. “But I don't envy you. When does your job at the church start?”

“I'm not sure,” Destiny said. “I meet with Natalie and Daniel tomorrow after work. I guess they'll tell me then.”

“Girl, you're going to have money and a man. Somebody upstairs must really like you or you're living a charmed life.”

“I don't know about all that,” she said. Thinking about all the good things happening to her made Destiny want to pinch herself. Her summer had gone from bust to a bevy of riches in no time.

“You just don't know how to accept when good things happen to you,” Bertice said. “You'd better learn. You're going to miss out on something special if you keep up the negative thoughts.”

“I hear you,” Destiny said.

“I'm serious, Destiny,” Bertice said. “You have a great life
and this summer things are only getting better. You'd better appreciate these days and everything you have.”

“I do,” Destiny said, and she did. She wasn't taking anything for granted.

“Then stop looking for the negative. Believe you're going to do well in school. Believe Daniel could be the start of something good, a solid relationship. Believe your financial needs are going to be met, and then some, this summer. It's all lining up for you, Destiny. You and the kids will soon be moving into that house. Don't mess it up.”

“Okay, Mom.”

Bertice chuckled. “At least you didn't frown when you said it this time. What I wouldn't give to be there when you tell your mom about school and the job at the church.”

“That can be arranged, you know?”

Bertice shook her head. “I was only kidding. Ms. Patricia likes me better in small doses.”

Destiny wished she could tell her friend she was wrong, but she couldn't. Her mother had always had problems with her friendship with Bertice, though she'd become a little more tolerant after learning Bertice had bought a house. She'd had problems with her friendship with Natalie as well but all of those seemed to fade away after Natalie became a preacher's wife. Though she'd deny it until the cows came home, her mother was something of a snob.

Destiny looked at her watch. “I'd better get home,” she said, clearing the table of her plate, glass, and utensils. “I want to get there and get settled before the kids call.”

“How are they doing?”

“So far, so good. They're enjoying themselves, which is good for them. And they haven't forgotten me, which is good for me.”

“There you go again,” Bertice said. “Your kids are not going to forget you.”

Destiny stood behind the chair where she had been seated. “I know,” she said, “but I still worry.”

Bertice stood and gave her a hug. “We'll have to work on that worrying another day. Just try to be happy today.”

Destiny pulled back. “I'm gonna try,” she said. “I'm really gonna try.”

D
ANIEL WATCHED THE INTERACTION BETWEEN
N
ATALIE
and Destiny and concluded that their bond was similar to what he shared with Gavin, William, and George. The only wrinkle was the secret he knew Destiny was keeping about her work at HR Solutions. On second thought, maybe that was another similarity. He, William, and George were keeping a secret from Gavin in much the same way Destiny and Bertice were keeping a secret from Natalie. Of course, the men were keeping a secret about a crime they were trying to solve, while the ladies were keeping a secret about a crime they were committing, even if they didn't know it. Significant difference.

Daniel took a quick glance at Destiny out of the corner of his eye. He wasn't quite sure how he was going to pull this off. He was about to perpetrate a fraud on Destiny and he didn't like having to do so. But he didn't see any other way to protect her and Bertice. He wished he did.

Daniel caught the sly glance that Natalie exchanged with
Gavin before his friend cleared his throat. “I think Natalie and I have contributed about as much as we can to this project,” he said. “The two of you will have to take it from here.”

“You're leaving?” Destiny asked. “We're just getting started.”

Natalie stood when her husband did. “We've hashed out your salary and established the general parameters for both programs. You and Daniel can work out the details without us, can't you?” She glanced at her watch. “We had hoped to drop by the hospital and see Deacon Jones before it got too late.”

Daniel tried to catch Gavin's eye but his friend wouldn't look at him. Daniel began to wonder if this Deacon Jones even existed. He let it go. A quick glance at Destiny revealed that she wasn't buying the couple's act either.

“You two can handle it,” Natalie said, repeating her husband's words before giving Destiny a brief hug. “We have all the confidence in the world in you.”

Gavin turned to Daniel. “I know you don't want to hear it, but thanks again for what you're doing. These programs are going to make a difference in a lot of lives.”

“Ephesians 3:20,” Natalie said. “‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.'”

“What's that?” Destiny asked.

Natalie turned to her. “It's what this program is going to mean to people and it's the name Daniel and I thought about giving it. What do you think?”

“It works for me,” she said.

“Good,” Gavin said. “Now all we need is a roll-out sched
ule, and some materials that describe the programs and its applications.”

“That's all?” Daniel said, his words dripping with sarcasm.

Gavin grinned. “I'll see you tomorrow, Daniel.” Giving Destiny a hug, he told her, “I'll see you when I see you, which should be pretty often now that you'll be working around here.”

Daniel watched as the couple left his office. Destiny's laughter made him turn to her.

“If they weren't so obvious, this wouldn't be so funny,” she said. “They are the absolute worst matchmakers ever.”

Daniel smiled. “They mean well.”

“We have to give them that,” she said.

“To be honest,” Daniel said, “I appreciate their efforts. If it were not for them, we would not have met. And that would have been a loss for me. A big loss.”

Destiny responded to the sincerity she saw in his eyes. “Okay, they did good, but that doesn't mean we have to tell them.”

Daniel chuckled. “I'm with you. Gavin's head would be too big to fit through the door.”

Destiny laughed with him. “So would Natalie's.”

He stopped laughing and sobered. “In all seriousness, how are we going to handle working together and whatever else may be happening between us?”

She met his eyes. “I'm open to suggestions.”

“Let's agree that we want to get to know each other. That can start here at work and it can continue after work with our friends.”

“Natalie and Gavin?”

He shook his head. “No way,” he said. “We're staying clear of them. A buddy of mine is interested in your friend Bertice.”

Destiny chuckled. “What? Who? Is it somebody from church?”

Daniel shook his head. “No, he doesn't go here now but I hope he will start soon. He's somebody I met a while back and ran into since I've been here. All he could talk about was this Bertice woman who'd stolen his heart. Even though Bertice is a fairly unique name, when I met your friend at the cancer walk and heard her name, I wasn't sure your Bertice was Phil's Bertice. Turns out she is.”

“Talk about a small world,” Destiny said. “Who is this friend anyway and how does he know Bertice?”

“His name's Phil Harris. Apparently, he met Bertice through his work. He runs a temp agency downtown, HR Solutions. Do you know it?” he asked, even though he already knew she did. For some reason, her answer was important to him.

She nodded. “I've heard of it and him, too. In fact, Bertice recently introduced me to him. How do you know Phil?”

“I met him several years ago in my old job,” he said, pleased she hadn't lied about knowing Phil. He wanted his instincts about her to be right. He much preferred to think of her as a needy person who'd gotten caught up in a scam, rather than as a greedy person who'd been ensnared by her own greed. For him, intent made all the difference. “I wouldn't say that Phil and I are close friends but our lives seem to keep crossing.”

She looked up at him. “And Phil has this thing for Bertice?”

He nodded. “He's got it bad.”

She smiled. “I'm not surprised. I thought I detected some heat between them when she introduced us, but so much was going on that I forgot to follow up with Bertice about it. I can't believe my friend has been keeping this a secret.”

“She doesn't know how Phil feels. I know he hasn't told her.”

Destiny began to laugh. “So you're telling me that Phil has a crush on Bertice?”

He nodded, though she made the idea sound as high school as Phil had told him it was. He hoped she wasn't about to squash it before giving it a chance. He really didn't have a backup plan if this one didn't work.

“Phil has a crush on Bertice,” she repeated. “I can't wait to tell her.”

“Hold on,” Daniel said. “Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Has she said anything about him?”

“Not to me,” she said. “Like I said, sparks were flying between them when she introduced us, but that's all.”

“If she introduced you to him, she must be interested in him, right?”

Destiny lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug. “All I know is that he's helped her out with some part-time work in the past and she thought he might be able to help me out this summer.”

“Was he?”

She nodded. “Yes, he was able to find something that paid well and didn't conflict with my day job. And it won't interfere with my work here at the church either.”

“I just counted three jobs. When are you going to sleep?”

She chuckled. “It's not that bad. The job and the HR Solutions job are very flexible with working hours. That's the only reason I'm able to handle the three jobs.”

“Okay,” he said. “I can see how you can handle three jobs, but why would you want to? That's a lot.”

“I have some big goals this summer and I need money to achieve them. It's that simple.”

Daniel waited for her to tell him what her goals were. When she didn't, he changed the subject. “Well, it looks like God worked it out for you.”

“He definitely did. I had another well-paying part-time job lined up at the beginning of the summer but the offer was rescinded about a week before the job was to start. I thought my plans were going to die, but I've been given a second chance to make them come true. I'm more than blessed.”

“That you are,” he said. “That's the way I feel about this project. I didn't come to Atlanta with a plan to start these programs, but I believe God knew we'd be doing them. It was all part of his plan.”

“Is this matchmaking project of yours also part of a plan?”

Daniel chuckled. Sensing that she wanted to change the subject, he asked, “How about it? Do you think Bertice will go out with Phil?”

“I can't answer for her. He'll have to ask.”

Daniel tapped her on the shoulder. “Have a heart. Phil's sorta nervous about it. What if the four of us got together and did something? That way, it wouldn't be a big deal. Just four friends having a nice night out together. If something develops between them, so be it. If it doesn't, well, that's
okay, too.” Daniel realized his words also applied to him and Destiny. The light in her eyes told him she saw the connection as well.

“I'm game,” she said, after thinking about it. “But it'll have to be on Saturday or Sunday. With work and school, my weekdays are booked solid.”

“School?”

She nodded. “Yes, school.”

He grinned. “You really are a wonder woman, aren't you? You may not have any time for going out.” Shaking his head, he said, “Your schedule is fine with me. Let's try for lunch on Sunday, after church. That way I can kill two birds with one stone. I've been trying to get Phil to come to church; I think I've found the appropriate inducement. If Bertice will come, he'll come too.”

“I'm not sure,” Destiny said. “All I can do is ask her. She doesn't attend as regularly now as she did a few years ago.”

“What happened to make her stop coming?”

“What makes you think something happened?”

“There's usually a reason folks stop attending church.”

She looked at him as though she were debating what to tell him. “Well, she has her reasons, but it's time for her to put them aside. This double-date idea might be a good thing after all.”

Daniel put his hand to chest. “I can't believe you doubted my idea.”

She smiled. “It's just that I know you don't have the best role models when it comes to matchmaking.”

He smiled back, knowing she was talking about Gavin
and Natalie. “The good news is that we can't be worse at it than they are. So are you willing to help get the two lovebirds together?”

She nodded. “I'm in. It's about time Bertice came back to church anyway.”

“Good,” Daniel said. “Now that we've got that settled, how about we finish up the plans for these programs.”

She nodded. “Sounds good to me. I just want to agree with Gavin and say again how great it is of you to do this.”

“It's not me,” he said. “It's all Gloria. It's what she would want.”

“I think she's looking down from heaven with a smile on her face.”

“I hope so,” he said, thinking of the first time Gloria had come into his office at GDW Investigations for help with a financial adviser who had conned her nonprofit out of a hundred thousand dollars. Her visit had changed the trajectory of his life in ways he could not have imagined when he first met her.

“I promise you I'll do everything in my power to see that these programs live up to her memory,” Destiny said, as if sensing how much he loved his wife and wanted to honor her. “She'll be proud of the work the money is doing.”

“Thank you,” he said, “for understanding.”

She nodded. “I do have a question though.”

Daniel braced himself for a question about Gloria or their marriage.

“Which program do you want to start with—the small business development one or the personal finances one?”

He relaxed at the softball question. “Any chance we could launch them around the same time? If you're up for it, I can take the lead on the small business development one and you can take the lead on the personal finances one.”

Destiny wasn't sure she was the right person to take the lead on anything related to personal finances, but she guessed she was better equipped for that one than she was for the small business development one. “No problem. I have all the notes from our meeting with Gavin and Natalie. I'll sort those out and e-mail them to you by tomorrow. When should we plan to meet again?”

“We each have a lot of legwork to do, so let's say next week. You're welcome to come here to the office to work anytime you like. We don't have any extra space but I'm willing to share mine. I've asked Gavin about putting a second desk in here and he plans to get it done by next week. Until then, we can share my desk.”

Destiny began shaking her head. “I don't want to put you out.”

“You're not putting me out,” he said. “For now, this office is the home base for the two programs, so this is your space as much as it's mine. If we find sharing doesn't work, we'll come up with another option, but for right now, let's just go with it. Okay?”

“But it's your space,” she said again.

He put his hands on her shoulders and smiled down at her. “It's our space now. I want to hear you say it.”

She smiled back. “You win. It's our space now.”