Sinclair had the upper hand when it came to answering questions in the courtroom properly because Desmond had coached her many times before. She knew the rules about answering lawyers’ questions. Give them what they ask for and nothing more. That is unless they ask for more. She was so focused on answering the questions she didn’t even notice that Kingston had slipped into the crowded courtroom.
“Ms. Madison, how it is that you average maybe ten clients per day and yet you say you rely on donations? Isn’t it a fact that the services you offer are nothing more than public information? And you expect the court to see you as an expert in this field? You don’t have any formal education or a degree in social services or any degree for that matter. So why should we consider you an expert?” The prosecutor had begun her rant as she stood with her arms folded.
This is what Sinclair despised the most, rude attorneys. “First off, I never said I was an expert, you did.”
“Answer the question Ms. Madison.” The prosecutor shouted at her.
“Objection!” The defense attorney jumped to her feet. “She is badgering the witness and Ms. Madison was not called to be an expert witness, but rather to be a character witness.”
“Sustained. For the record Ms. Madison is not to be considered an expert.” The judge said as he turned to Sinclair. “You may continue answering the other questions now.”
She took a deep breath before she began. “You are absolutely right Ms. Tartron; I don’t have any formal education. And if you must know, I only have a high school diploma.” Sinclair heard a gasp from someone in the courtroom.
“I opted not to take drugs to wash away the pain I felt from my daily struggles of being homeless. I opted not to commit crimes just so I could have a warm bed and three square meals a day; instead I slept in a cardboard box in an alley. Refusing to sell my body for food, I ate out of the trash or simply went hungry. Determined not to let my circumstances become my future, I read anything and everything I could get my hands on to help myself. When you checked out my background, you should have dug deeper because you would have found that I was a foster child myself and I too aged out the system. I might not have a degree, but my experience outweighs any degree that could ever be bought.” Sinclair had reached back so far in her life that she had to fight back her own tears.
There was not a dry eye in the courtroom, including both Ronald and his attorney. Realizing she was defeated, the prosecutor had no further questions. Sinclair was excused from the courtroom and went straight to see the judge in his chambers because he too was touched by her story.
Kingston was blown away at what Sinclair had just revealed. He now knew why she had rarely spoken about her past, because it hurt her so much, yet she put it on display to help a stranger out. He thought to himself she was truly a special woman indeed and she would make a perfect fit in his life.
THE BOARDROOM
“Here ye, here ye, the Carter Market Monthly Business meeting will now commence. I will note for the record all board members are in attendance. Calvin Carter, Louise Carter, Jamison Carter, Chelsea Carter and Kingston Carter,” the brunette haired, blue eyed woman said as she took her seat with her note pad in hand.
The conference room was lavished with a long mahogany table. Surrounding it were leather chairs that had high backs to make the long meetings comfortable for everyone. Placed in the center of the table were fresh flowers straight from Louise’s garden. She believed every table should have a nice inviting center piece to make people smile .
“This meeting is to follow up on our opening a new store.” Calvin said as he sat at the head of the table in his normal chair. With his wife Louise right beside; him, he continued.
His children began applauding as his secretary Selma wrote down the notes of the meeting.
“This is a huge step for us because it means we can bring more to the community. It means that Carter Market will soon become a household name like the other food store chains.” Calvin proudly said as he took a sip of his green tea. “So where are we are far as finding a location and the finances? Jamison, tell me what you got?”
“Well,” Jamison replied pulling out a map. “I thought if we focus our attention in locating a building near or around the Metro system we can profit more because of the public transportation. But on the negative side the cost of that would be much higher.”
“I totally agree with you there, son. Financially speaking we would have to determine whether investing a ton of money to be near the Metro is more feasible than investing less money but not be accessible to public transportation,” Louise added in.
“What if we built a smaller store but made it a specialty store?” Chelsea piped in as she began using her hands and gesturing as she was known for doing. “Like where you can get three or four different kinds of Fig Newton’s so that son of yours can get his jollies on and we can stop ordering the low selling items,” Chelsea joked.
“Hey now,” Kingston pointed across to his sister sitting opposite from him. “Leave my Fig Newton’s out of this. We are looking for a location, not to go insanely mad. Please leave my Newton’s alone.” Kingston said as he opened the package Fig Newton’s that sat right in front of him.
It was a well-known fact that Kingston had to have his Fig Newton’s all the time and everywhere. Since he was a child he always he had to have them. His parents actually brought him home a box every week from their store. At every board meeting there was Fig Newton’s for him while everyone else snacked on various pastries and fruit that sat on the table.
“I happen to think that is a great idea,” Calvin put in while sipping on his tea. “A smaller version of our store but selling only specialty items. Hmm.” Calvin was starting to like that idea.
“I think it’s a great idea as well. But there is a problem,” Kingston said while looking at the huge map lying on the table in front of Jamison.
“What is the problem?” Chelsea asked while trying to steal a Newton from Kingston but he slapped her hand back before she could touch any of his precious cookies.
“The problem is,” Kingston continued and stood to his feet while his suspenders lay at the way side of his navy-colored slacks. “I really do like the idea of the specialty store but, I see a problem. With us being in College Point now wouldn’t it be a disservice to have our customers travel to maybe DuPont Circle or U Street for one or two items?” Kingston pointed out on the map.
“Kingston, you do a have point there but how can we rectify that?” Jamison asked drinking from his coffee cup.
“I suggest we add a few specialty aisles to our store now and see how that works? If that works then maybe the store just might work, but if it doesn’t then we have to try another plan. It breaks down to us losing money rather than profiting if we go with a smaller version of our store.” Kingston pointed out to his family as he offered a Newton to his smiling sister. “I know someone in real estate so I’m going to try and reach out to him to see about a location.”
“Okay, here’s the thing.” Calvin said after hearing everyone’s input. “Everyone has good ideas as far as the new store is concerned. I am a little reluctant in building a new store only because DC is such a small area. Although well-populated it’s still a small area.” Calvin said while adjusting his tie.
“That’s true, it is a small area,” Louise agreed as she sipped on her tea.
“And let’s not forget the tight restrictions on building any structure in DC now that could really pose a problem. I would consider a current structure where we can expand the size of the building to accommodate our needs. That way the community doesn’t feel like we are tearing down their history. The community is our customers and if we focus on that point I am more than sure we can come up with something to work. And with that said this meeting is adjourned.” Calvin said as he pretended to bang a gavel on the table.
“Everyone is excused with the exception of Kingston. Kingston, I need to talk to you in my office,” Calvin said as he and Kingston
began walking out the conference room together.
“Yes, Pop what’s up?” Kingston asked as he plopped down in the leather chair adjacent to his father’s handcrafted Maplewood desk.
“I told you so.” Calvin said while retrieving a soda from his refrigerator and pouring it into his empty tea cup.
“Mom is going to kill you if she finds out you were drinking soda.” Kingston said looking at his father suspiciously.
Taking a gulp of the soda, Calvin continued. “It’s not about me, it’s about you. Now didn’t I tell you she would come to you?” Calvin quickly changed the subject.
Kingston crossed his legs and held his head back thinking about his date with Sinclair. He was still awe struck at not only her beauty, but her spirit.
“Yes, you did Pop. You surely did. I thought it was a done deal but when she showed up at the church I almost fell over in disbelief.” Kingston was smiling like a kid in the candy store when he saw Sinclair at the church.
“So how was your first date with her?” Calvin was very interested in knowing.
“We had a five hour long date and I didn’t want that to end. She is an amazing, beautiful and talented woman.” Kingston could barely get the words out just thinking about Sinclair.
Calvin could tell by the look on his son’s face that he did have a good time. “So what does she do for a living?”
“She is the owner and director of a non-profit agency. She helps former foster kids now turned adults transition to independent living,” Kingston explained while adjusting his blue and white tie.
With a confused look on his face Kingston knew he had to further explain what Sinclair did.
“Here is how she explained it to me.” Kingston started using his hands like Chelsea to speak. “When you turn eighteen you age out of the system because you are now an adult. As an adult you are expected to care for yourself, so you no longer qualify for those services.”
“So what happens to them if they don’t have anything?” Louise asked coming into the office and replacing Calvin’s soda disguised as tea with a bottle of water while not missing a beat. “Soda in a tea cup? Nice try Honey.” She said to Calvin’s and Kingston’s surprise.
“Most of them end up homeless. For some it leads them to a life of crime just trying to survive. And trying to get any government help is almost impossible if you don’t have an address. Sinclair provides her clients with information on where to get food and shelter from. She also gives them a book bag filled with everything from clean socks and underwear to personal hygiene products. She does whatever she can to help them, including going to court and speaking on their behalf.”
“Oh my God I never knew that.” Louise said while reaching for her water on the table next to her husband’s desk. “Who does Sinclair work for? Maybe we can help out?”
“Mom, Sinclair owns the non-profit agency and I am more than sure if we donate anything she will be very appreciative.” Watching the faces of his parents light up as he spoke about Sinclair he knew they approved of her even though they hadn’t formally met her yet.
“Her parents must be so proud of her taking on a huge task like that,” Calvin said as Louise nodded in agreement.
Kingston took a deep breath before he replied. “She doesn’t have any parents. She was a foster child herself.”
Louise rose from her chair and walked over to Kingston. “Of all the women that you have dated none, and I do mean none of them have what Sinclair has. And what she has is a pure selfless heart. Sinclair had nothing and rose up past her obstacles to turn back around to help others. Only a truly special person could do something like that. God put her in your life for a reason so you better treat her like that queen she is because there is always someone waiting to take your place.”
Kingston’s mother’s words rang in his head as he drove home later that night. He didn’t know where the thing with him and Sinclair was going, but he intended for it to be a nice journey for them both.
********************
It had been raining since the night before and thankfully it had finally stopped even though it was still a bit cloudy. The pavement was still slick, but Sinclair had no problem speeding across the highway. For an early Sunday morning there was very little traffic on the interstate which made it perfect. She could easily get to her destination without getting tied up in traffic.
“NO!!!!” She screamed at the top of her lungs as her car made a loud sound and a heavy jerking motion. Her car started to slow down even though she still had her foot on the gas.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she said out loud while trying to coast her car to the shoulder of the highway.
Sinclair could not believe it; her car was having problems yet again. She got out of her car and opened the hood to see smoke billowing from it. This was not the time for her to be having car troubles. She cursed as she tried to figure out what she would do.
She would have called Robyn, but she was away with Desmond for the weekend. She couldn’t even call Kingston because he was at church. Wearing a blue and black skirt suit, she intended to fix her car in her three inch heels.
Just as she was about to lean in to the car, her cell phone started ringing.
“Step away from that car right now.” Kingston demanded of Sinclair.
“What? How did you know?” A confused Sinclair asked as she backed away from the car as she was told. She looked around trying to figure out how Kingston knew what she was doing.
“I just passed you on the highway and I know those attractive legs anywhere. I’m swinging back to get you, I’ll be right back.” Kingston replied as he headed for the next exit ramp to get off.
Just as the smoke started to disappear from Sinclair’s car Kingston pulled up.
“Are you all right?” Kingston asked Sinclair as he stepped out his black Lincoln Navigator. “I know you were not about to try and do anything to a smoking car? That’s dangerous.” Kingston asked, looking into Sinclair’s gorgeous eyes as he folded his hands in front of him.
“Look, it wasn’t that bad,” Sinclair went on. “Besides, I’ve done it before.” She answered as they waited for the remainder of the smoke to go away.
“You’ve done it before?” Kingston asked strangely. Sinclair had many traits about her that he did indeed like, but this stubborn do everything by herself thing definitely had to stop. “So now you are a mechanic too among the other hats you wear? From now on you are not to try and repair your car yourself. Got it?” Kingston told her as they went over to the car which had finally stopped smoking.
“I got it.” Sinclair simply replied. She knew she would have been able to fix her car herself or at least do a patchwork job until she got to the mechanic. Just having Kingston there banning her from doing it brought a small smile to her face. She could get used to this treatment.
“Now what seems to be the problem here?” Kingston asked looking into the hood of her car.
“I don’t know, but I think it needs water. My car started making a weird sound and then it just stopped and smoke came out of the hood when I opened it. Kingston, I’m in a bind right now. I have a client who has a job interview in less than two hours and I have to get her these clothes. I need to get to Somerset like now or she will not make her two-thirty interview. What am I going to do?” Sinclair rambled on since she was so upset.
“Sinclair, relax, everything is going to be fine.” Kingston took Sinclair’s hand into his and looked into her distressed eyes. “This is going to work out.” Kingston replied, trying to calm Sinclair’s rattled nerves while he rubbed her arm.
“I’m sorry. This is just a bit much right now so forgive me. This girl has been through so much. Getting this job would mean she can afford to rent a room and not have to stay at the shelter anymore.” Sinclair said to Kingston, who was still looking inside the engine.
“It’s no problem, I totally understand. Now here is what we can do. We can call AAA and tell them we will leave the car on the side of the
road. They can take it to your mechanic while I drive you in my truck to deliver the clothes. We will even drop her off at the interview and wait until she is done. Now grab your stuff and let’s go,” Kingston instructed Sinclair as she grabbed what she needed and jumped into Kingston’s Navigator.
“I still cannot understand how in the world you got us all the way to Somerset in less than thirty minutes,” Sinclair said in pure shock.
“My best friend Simon owns a limo company and a lot of his clients are high profile politicians. He has to be able to drive quickly and safely to be able to get away from any harm at any time. He basically showed me how to get there fast and safe. My parents don’t like when I drive like that because it scares them.” Kingston said with a chuckle.
“I am not condoning speeding, but it did come in handy today. And your driving didn’t scare me at all. What scared me was the thought of not being able to deliver the clothes on time. That’s what really scared me the most. I really, really appreciate everything you did for me today. If it was not for you, Samantha would never have gotten the job. So thank you.” Sinclair said from the bottom of her heart.
“You’re very welcome. Now I have a question for you. Do you always do business on Sundays? I thought Sundays was a rest day for you.” Kingston quizzed Sinclair while they drove to a gas station to fill his tank.
“Actually I wasn’t going to rest until later.” Perfect timing Sinclair thought. “I was going to surprise you and come and hear you preach this morning.”
Seeing the large smile on Sinclair’s Kingston knew he had heard her correctly. “Really?”
“Yes, really. I don’t know what it was that made me get up and say I’m going to church today but I got ready. I had such an amazing time at your church last time that I was going to surprise you.”
“Well I am glad you enjoyed yourself. It was nothing but God that made you one, get up and two, think to come to my church of all churches.” Kingston could not help but smile. He sat across from the beautiful Sinclair Madison the woman that he was falling for as each and every day passed. God was surely sitting in his corner.
The Pastor's Heart Page 5