Good to Me Read online

  “I will.”

  “Would you mind greeting guests and having them sign the guest book at the entryway?”

  “No, I don’t mind. What a wonderful opportunity to be a blessing, and to bless each and every person that comes through the door.”

  Charity smiled. That’s why she recruited Harmony to work with her. She had such a sweet spirit and was so pleasant to be around. “Please do. I have some special people coming tonight, including my pastor, Reverend King from Damascus Road Baptist Church.”

  “Yeah. I’ve heard of him. I went to a revival he did a few years back. He was good. I’m sure I’ll recognize him while I’m hosting. By the way, I’m an excellent hostess. You know I used to be a waitress in my former life.”

  Charity glanced at her watch, hoping it would mask the scowl that appeared across her face. “Oh, look at the time,” she tried not to sound so obvious. “Guests should be here any minute, you’d better make your way downstairs. I’ll make sure everything is all right up here.”

  Charity watched Harmony walk toward the entryway. She was relieved that Harmony wasn’t offended by Iesha’s insensitivity, but she took offense at Harmony’s formerlife comment. I bind up that reincarnation mess, in the name of Jesus. She was a stickler for listening to the words that people spoke. Even though Harmony may not have meant anything by what she said, Charity knew that since she had spoken it, a door had been opened. And if a door had been opened, Charity would see to it that it be closed.

  “Harmony,” Charity called. “Two things. One, if you see Iesha while you’re down there tell her I said she’ll be guiding tours tonight. And two, remind me to bring up communication at our first staff meeting.”

  “Okay.”

  Charity made a mental note to speak with Iesha about how to talk to people and to remind Harmony to be careful about what she says.

  Iesha glanced at her watch. It was 4:50 p.m. The open house would begin in ten minutes. But more important, at 5:00 the building would come alive with men getting off work. She sashayed her way through Present Day Office Park in case any of them might leave their office suites early.

  Present Day Office Park was located within Charlotte Executive Park, a community of five high-tower office buildings. Of the entire park, Present Day was the only building that was black owned. The other buildings had professional names. Dead smack in the middle of Park Abbey, Gateway Village, Lincoln Heights, and Wendover Towers sat Present Day. Aside from the name and the owners—Doris and David Humphries—the building was a nice place.

  She stopped by the building’s directory just to see how many men she would have access to. The names were countless. Dr. John Webber, Ophthalmologist, Suite 303. I think I need my eyes checked. She grinned at the thought. Wallace Austin, Financial Planner, Suite 201. It’s about time I start working on one of those Y2K or whatever those retirement plans are called. Davis, Watson, and Blalock, Attorneys at Law, Suite 203. Now, if that’s an office full of men I see a bad check charge in my future. That thought made her laugh out loud. Dr. Donald Moore, Dentistry, Suite 412. I got a sweet tooth for men that needs—

  “Ma’am, do you need some help?” a male voice came from behind her.

  “Nah, I was just…” her voice trailed off as she spun around to meet face-to-face with a hazel-eyed redbone in black slacks, a white shirt that had to be dry-cleaned because can’t nobody iron like that, and a tie with zebra stripes. “I was just looking,” she said, referring to him more than the directory.

  “I saw you over here talking to yourself,” he grinned. “And I was going to direct you to the fifth floor where that new counseling center is. I hear they’re having an open house at five. You’d be right on time.”

  “I know,” she said, looking down. She was impressed that his patent leather shoes had a suede zebra print on top that matched his tie. “Exactly what I was looking for,” she said, looking up. “The counseling center, I mean.”

  His grin faded. “Oh ma’am. I didn’t mean any harm,” he apologized. “I’m very sorry. My name is Wallace Austin, my office is upstairs.” He extended his hand to her.

  “I’m Iesha.” She noticed that his hands were soft and moist. His nails looked manicured and there wasn’t a wedding band in sight. “I work at the new counseling center you were going to refer me to. I was just looking to see if we’d been added to this directory yet.”

  “Whew, what a relief,” he exhaled. “For a minute there I thought you were a client. I was getting ready to be gone.”

  “And now?”

  “Girl, don’t start nothing, won’t be nothing, with’cho fine self,” he said, admiring the full-figured cocoa beauty. It felt like he was eyeing her down with x-ray vision, but she didn’t mind. Those birth control injections she used to get blew her up in all the right places. Her legs and waist were still small, but her breasts, thighs, and behind were men’s eye candy.

  “Iesha! Iesha!”

  Looking around and seeing Harmony coming toward her felt like someone pouring a glass of water over hot charcoal embers. She didn’t know what it was about Harmony that she didn’t like, but she sure took the fire of pleasure out of working for her sister. And the last thing she wanted to do was to be seen with her. She turned to Wallace and said, “I’m supposed to be getting something out of my car. I’ll see you around?”

  “You bet,” he said slyly.

  Iesha walked away slowly. She knew where his eyes were. She walked toward the door so that Harmony would follow her outside. No need to be seen with her in public. They met at the door and as she impatiently received Charity’s message from her, she looked back at Wallace to see if he was still watching her. A lil’ trick I learned from Loretta Devine in Waiting to Exhale. When she saw him still standing by the signboard with a mesmerized look on his face, she knew what that look meant. She smiled, this is going to be my year after all.

  “Will you be okay with that?” Iesha heard Harmony ask.

  This chile just messes up my groove. “Yes, Harmony. I’ll be the tour guide. Now gone.” Iesha shooed her away. She knew she should respect her elders and she hated to be rude, but dang! Iesha walked to her sister’s Ford Explorer and opened the door with the remote. It was something about Harmony that made Iesha not want to be around her long. I can’t put my finger on it. Iesha checked her thoughts. She realized she felt the same way about the Humphries, the people who owned Present Day. Either they’re a little shifty or I’m just paranoid. Either that or Charity’s losing her touch. She used to be able to read people up and down.

  “Where’s that girl at?” Charity asked, looking at the clock hanging in the waiting area. “She should’ve been back here by now.” She walked out to the mezzanine and saw Iesha coming back into the building. Talking about some Missy Elliott and R. Kelly. Charity walked back into the suite. If I had known she was going to show up looking like a hoochie from a video, I would’ve told her earlier she was working an open house and not a grand opening. Charity shook her head and walked out of the waiting area. She gave it a nod of approval, as everything was in its place and ready for the event.

  She had to admit it, Iesha was wearing that outfit. Those suede tan-and-brown patchwork boots set off her brown cowneck sweater dress just right. The thigh-high split didn’t hurt it either. She even had a matching patchwork purse. You go, girl! Charity didn’t have to look at her sister’s nails to know they were manicured and perfectly polished. Only Iesha could pull off wearing the auburn Afro puffs she was sporting. Charity chuckled to herself, wondering how long Iesha’s hair really was. It was hard to tell because Iesha was always doing something to it—weaving it, braiding it, tucking a piece in it. The lifestyle of the bling, bling, she mocked Iesha. “Thank You, Lord,” Charity said aloud, remembering how God transformed her from her hoochie mama days. “God, if You did it for me, You’ll do it for my sister.”

  She continued walking through the office, making sure things were in place. Before she knew it she was thinking back on the other
things God had delivered her from, including a hellacious marriage. There was nothing that would make Charity turn her back on God. He’d faithfully provided for her since she came to Him two years ago.

  She remembered the exact day, time, and place she cried out to Him. “Lord, this man has put his hands on me for the last time,” she had prayed. She didn’t know how God was going to do it, she just held on to a promise she found in the Bible about God providing a way of escape. She knew it wouldn’t be easy. The only places her ex-husband, Emmitt, would permit her to go without him were to church and work. The Sunday after she made her vow, she and their four-year-old son, Xavier, went to church. She was inspired and comforted by Pastor King’s sermon, “Get Out of the Boat.” She left church determined that she was going to do something different. And sure enough, she found herself in the parking lot of the battered women’s shelter. She sat in the car for an hour, crying and cradling Xavier. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” she apologized to him. She wasn’t sure if she was apologizing for leaving Emmitt, or not leaving sooner than she did.

  “Thank You, Jesus,” she whispered, bringing her mind back to the present moment. “You work all things out for the good of them who love You, and have been called according to Your purpose.”

  When Charity turned the corner past her and Harmony’s offices, she could hear the buzz of several voices. She stepped into the foyer and was greeted by a crowd of people. She shivered as a feeling of peace washed over her. Thank You, Father. She knew that it was only the hand of God that moved so many people to support her. When she sent out the invitations to as many pastors, physicians, judges, and mental health providers as she could think of, she assumed that they’d all be too busy or too tired to attend an after-hours event. But, she daily confessed Proverbs 16:3, “I will commit my works unto the Lord and my thoughts will be established.” God had honored His Word. Charity made her way through the crowd, greeting people. By the looks of it, most of the invited had come. The suite was almost full, and when Charity made it to the entryway, she saw people coming in through the mezzanine, and pockets of people were socializing everywhere.

  Charity spotted Iesha leading a line of people on a tour on the other side of the room. She knew she’d have to relieve her soon, because Iesha was walking like her high-heeled boots were getting the best of her. Between shaking people’s hands and making small talk, Charity looked around for Harmony. She found her walking over to the food tables, where it looked like the crowd was getting pushy. Charity took that as a cue to get started.

  Charity shouted as loudly as she could so that she could be heard over the buzz of conversations. “May I have your attention, please?! May I have your attention?”

  Yelling at the top of her lungs didn’t make the slightest bit of difference. But when a man yelled, “Listen up, everybody,” the noise was hushed instantly like someone’d stuck a bottle in a hollering baby’s mouth. Lord, if I had known You were going to show out like this, I would’ve rented a sound system. Charity smiled and nodded at the man.

  “Good evening, everyone,” she said, greeting the attendees with a smile. “I’m Charity Phillips, and it’s so good to look out over this crowd and see so many familiar faces. I want to personally thank each and every one of you for your support and kind words. Your being here tonight means so much to me and the staff. Thank you all for sacrificing and taking time out of your busy schedules to come by and be with us on a Friday evening. I was told that an all-black counseling center wasn’t necessary. Naysayers said that we have enough things separating us as it is. But when I started practicing as a therapist six years ago, I became aware of the divisive devices they spoke of and have desired ever since to do something about them…” Charity stopped speaking to allow the applause that erupted through the crowd. “Thank you. The word ‘horizon’ refers to the line that forms the boundary between the earth and sky. That’s what we’ll strive to do for each person you refer to us. We want to help them realize that the line, the boundary, the barrier that stands between where they are and where they want to be is a thin one. It can be overstepped, overdrawn, and overcome. Horizons is a place where our people will be encouraged to come for help, a place where we will be validated, and a place where we can learn about ourselves and be challenged to grow.” The applause grew more thunderous than before.

  “At this time, I would like to introduce two very special people.” She scanned the room. “Iesha and Harmony, will you come forward and say hello?”

  Charity saw two places in the crowd open up as people stepped back to allow Harmony and Iesha through. Harmony, whose light skin radiated in an African-printed frock, walked toward Charity. It looked like her dreadlocks had been half dipped in gray paint. The black part was secured at the nape of her neck with a thick, red rubber band, and the rest looked like gray cords resting on her back as she slowly made her way to the front of the room where Charity stood. To allow Iesha the extra time she needed to sashay through the crowd, she motioned for Harmony to introduce herself.

  “Good evening,” she said slowly as if she was concentrating on the articulation of her words. “My name is Harmony Scott. I am an adolescent and family counselor. I have more than ten years’ experience and am excited to be working with Charity. I share her vision for Horizons and appreciate the referrals you will send to us. For the people you send, we hope to help guide them back to their spiritual source and help them open up their hearts and minds as they are challenged by large and small difficulties. We hope to help them find sacred footing on ordinary ground, and experience miracles every day. Thank you,” she said, bowing.

  Charity clapped along with the audience, ignoring the scowling expression on Iesha’s face once she saw Harmony bowing. Hoping that no one else would notice Iesha’s bad manners, Charity motioned for Iesha to introduce herself.

  “Hey, everybody, I’m Iesha,” she said plainly. “I’mma be the voice on the other end of the phone when you call. I’m the secretary.”

  Administrative assistant!

  “I’m excited about the center, too. Thanks for coming out.” She shrugged, letting Charity know she couldn’t think of anything else to say.

  “Staff, let’s give everyone a hand for coming out tonight,” Charity rescued her. The three of them clapped together. “Everyone, let’s give the staff a hand in advance for all the hard work, long hours, and sacrifices they’ll put in to make Horizons the best counseling center in Charlotte.” After the applause, Charity thanked her attendees again and invited them to take some of her promotional pens, pads, and business cards on their way out.

  The three Horizons staff members escorted people out of the building. As Charity walked and talked with a small crowd, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

  “Hello, Judge Fulton,” she said, turning around to hug the juvenile court judge she’d befriended years ago when she worked as an adolescent counselor. She hated being subpoenaed to court by her clients’ probation officers, but she took a liking to Judge Fulton because it was obvious that she cared for the kids in her courtroom. Charity watched judges sentence kids to detention centers and boot camps without asking any questions. Judge Fulton always asked questions. She’d talk to the family members who were present and would counsel adolescents right there in her courtroom. She was well-known for ordering family counseling, drug treatment, and community service at an orphanage, children’s hospital, or homeless or battered-women’s shelter. Charity would be subpoenaed time after time to testify against repeat offenders sentenced by the other judges, but Judge Fulton’s kids rarely came back through the system. It was Judge Fulton who encouraged Charity to open her own practice. “Long time no see. How are you?”

  “I’m well. I can see that you are.”

  “Oh yes, God is good. You know this wouldn’t have been possible without your prayers and support.”

  “Glory to God. I’m proud of you. You’re a young woman and you’ve got so much ahead of you. You’re opening the way for many others who’l
l come behind you.”

  “Aaaawww.” Charity hugged her again. “We’ll have to do lunch soon and catch up. I’ve got to run. The Humphries lock up at eight o’clock sharp. That gives me less than an hour to clean. I’d hate to be locked up in here.”

  “I know that’s right. Speaking of the Humphries, there was some talk in the courthouse about Present Day closing because of some financial or legal troubles or something. Is that true?”

  “I hate to think.” Charity frowned. “The black Taj Mahal closing? And I just gave them my whole life savings. That best be just a rumor.”

  “That’s what I said when I heard it. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open. If I hear anything, you’ll be the first to know it.”

  Even though Charity felt the information about Present Day’s closing was false, she had the same sinking feeling in her stomach that she’d felt when Harmony made mention of her former life.

  Chapter 2

  SHE BARELY LOCKED THE DOORS BEHIND HER before she had half of her clothes off. The only thing Charity wanted to do was to soak in a long, hot bath surrounded by candlight. It had been one of those days. She had had her share of smiling, entertaining, and pretending to be interested in other people’s opinions. She just wanted to relax and go to bed. Since now-six-year-old Xavier was with his father for the weekend, she planned to do just that.

  She hung her purse on the coatrack by the door, then kicked off her navy high-heeled sling backs and carried them to her room. She placed them in the shoe rack on the floor of her walk-in closet and hung her navy wool blazer and skirt up behind other winter suits. She pulled her silk, pink-blush blouse over her head and hung it between the shirts and blouses in the front of the closet. Leaning back on the edge of the bed, she extended her legs in the air and rolled her thigh-high hose off as if she were in a commercial shoot.