by Sewell, Earl
Langston and Olivia were both silent.
“I think, um...” Langston swallowed. “This is... I mean, there will be questions.”
Olivia looked into Langston’s troubled eyes.
“We have to stop seeing each other and...”
“No we don’t, Langston. We could—”
Langston stopped her by putting his index finger to her lips.
“This has to be done. It’s what’s best for both our sakes. There will be bigger consequences if we don’t.”
“Consequences? Langston, what are you talking about? We’re adults and have the right to see who we want.”
“Olivia, it has to be this way for reasons you don’t fully understand,” Langston said.
“You’re damned right I don’t understand. Help me get it, Langston.”
“It will work out better if I don’t,” Langston said.
Olivia barely remembered him walking with her out of the restaurant. He hailed a cab for her, gave the driver a hundred-dollar bill and told him to make sure she got home safely. He gave her a goodbye hug and shut the door of the cab.
* * *
Langston was all over the local news for the next several days. Reporters were asking questions about his personal life and his integrity. They were on a witch hunt, looking for anything they could sensationalize. Olivia attempted to call him a few times, but got no answer. She sent him text messages and emails, but they all went unanswered. When she tried to catch up with him at the hospital, she learned that he had stopped volunteering there. Finally, she had no choice but to accept the fact that Langston was no longer interested in her.
The school year wrapped up and, as expected, she lost her job. Her school closed down even though the teachers and community leaders had put up a heck of a fight. In the end, it all came down to what was financially best for the school district. The bottom had fallen out of Olivia’s world. She’d lost her job and the man she cared for deeply.
* * *
In order to keep herself from falling into a pit of depression, Olivia threw all her efforts into getting her nonprofit back up and running. The school board agreed to lease the elementary school to her for a respectable rate. It was still a price she couldn’t afford without grant money. Since no one else was looking to lease the space, she worked out a deal with them to give her more time to find funding. Olivia filled out more grant applications that supported what she was doing. She also contacted businesses and corporations and asked for their support. The summer months rolled on and the deadline for Olivia to sign the lease was approaching. She hadn’t heard from any of the prospective donors, so she called to follow up with them.
Finally, in mid-September, she received a reply regarding one of the grants she had applied for. She sat down on her sofa, opened the letter and read it.
Dear Ms. Harris:
The trustees of The Project Hope Foundation are pleased to inform you that a grant has been approved in the amount of $250,000.00 for your Gift of a Good Start Program, which will be run through your It Takes A Village Foundation.
This letter and its attachments outline the terms and conditions of accepting our grant. Please read all the terms and conditions carefully, sign, and return along with this signed contract letter no later than October 15. After we receive your signed contract, we will mail you a check within two weeks.
The funds must be used specifically for the designated purpose(s) by two years from the date of this grant. You must submit a written request to us in advance if you wish to change the purpose of the grant or if the funds are not expended within the next 24 months.
Upon signing this contract, your agency states that you agree to notify us if there is any change in your public charity status. In addition, we will request a report on the expenditure of our grant after six months and a final report after one year. When available, please furnish us with a copy of any audited statement of the finances of the project.
This contract also gives the Foundation your permission to use photographs, logos, published/printed information and any other materials you supply, without further notice, in press releases and/or publications.
Congratulations on this recognition of your important efforts. We look forward to working with you during the coming year.
Chapter Eleven
By early December, Olivia’s foundation was up and running. She hired a small staff of retired and recently unemployed teachers and worked with the local schools that needed the support of organizations like hers more than ever. She offered tutoring in the core subject areas at her facility, area hospitals and churches. She also received donations of school supplies from businesses and generous people within the community. Olivia’s dream of giving underserved kids the gift of a good start had been realized.
Olivia was in the supply room at her new facility, sorting school supplies, when she heard a familiar voice.
“I have a box of school supplies and a few refurbished computers that I’d like to donate. Can I give them to you?” Olivia spun around and saw Langston, looking more handsome than ever, standing in the doorway holding a large box.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her heart beating a tattoo inside her chest. Her hands automatically went to her hair and she tried to smooth it, wishing she’d taken the time to put on some makeup that morning.
“You look beautiful.” Langston ignored her question and responded instead to the messages she was sending through her body language.
“Ha! I think you need to have your eyes checked,” Olivia said.
“My eyes are perfectly fine,” Langston assured her.
“Why don’t you set the box over here on the table.” Olivia pointed to a spot where it could go. “Well.” Olivia looked at him and tried to suppress how happy she was to see him. “I never thought I’d see or hear from you again.”
“I know that’s what you thought, but I had my reasons for cutting you off. I felt I had no choice,” Langston explained.
“Langston, it’s been nearly six months since I’ve heard from you. Forgive me for being blunt, but you’re full of crap. And don’t try to weasel your way back into my life with a conversation about misunderstandings.”
“I suppose on some level, I deserve that.” Langston exhaled. “Is there a place where we could sit and talk? I apologize, but I do have a huge misunderstanding that I need to clear up with you.”
“Well, I’m kind of busy right now,” Olivia said, not wanting to open herself up to being hurt again. It had taken her a long time to get Langston out of her system, and until this moment, she thought she’d finally succeeded.
“I promise I won’t take up too much of your time.” Langston’s eyes pleaded with her.
After an awkward moment of silence, Olivia gave in. “We can go to my office,” she said and led the way. Once inside, Olivia took a seat behind her desk and Langston pulled up a chair in front of her.
“I’m very proud of you and what you’re doing, Olivia,” Langston said.
“I still have a lot to do around this place, but I’m happy things are moving in the right direction.”
“So am I.” Langston smiled.
“So what are doing here?” Olivia placed her index finger to her temple. She tried not to prejudge him without listening first.
“Are you seeing anyone?” he asked.
“That’s a rather bold question.”
“It’s a very bold question,” Langston agreed.
“It’s none of your business,” Olivia said.
“Okay. I can appreciate that,” he conceded.
“Why didn’t you return any of my phone calls or text messages?” she asked him.
“Olivia, I didn’t return your calls and messages because I was protecting you,” Langston explained.
“From who? Th
e media? In case you didn’t notice, I can handle myself in front of the media pretty well,” Olivia pointed out.
“You really have no idea, do you?”
“Idea about what?” Olivia’s attempts not to let her irritation show were failing miserably.
“I know you could’ve handled the media. Probably better than I did,” Langston joked.
“You’re right about that,” Olivia agreed.
“The media isn’t the reason I had to stop communicating with you. Well, let me rephrase that. Had I not stopped communicating with you, the media could have ruined everything for you.”
“Langston, you’re not making any sense at all.” Olivia was completely perplexed.
“I’m a member of the Board of Trustees that granted you the two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar award to start this foundation.”
Olivia felt as if she’d been kicked in the gut. “What?” she whispered.
“Right around the time the media started questioning me about my relationship with you, I received a copy of your grant application.”
“It would have been a big red flag and a major conflict of interest if the media got wind of it.” Olivia quickly filled in the blanks.
“Exactly,” Langston said.
“So, you’re the reason I got funded?” Olivia’s perspective and gratitude had just shifted.
“Well, let’s just say that your organization was worthy,” Langston said.
Olivia didn’t know whether to hug him or slap him.
“I know you’re busy, so I won’t take up much of your time. I hope the school supplies help,” Langston said as he rose to his feet and headed for the door. “I’ll see you around, kiddo.”
“Langston,” Olivia called.
“Yes?”
“I’m not seeing anyone.” Olivia smiled nervously. Langston held her gaze and walked toward her. He stood in front of her and placed her cheeks in his hands. Drawing her in close, he kissed her. Olivia felt her legs buckle beneath her. She had missed him more than words could possibly hope to express.
“Yes, you are, baby. And if it’s okay with you, I’d like to take you on a date tonight,” he said.
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
Parents and children today are facing obstacles that many of us cannot imagine. During challenging times, those who are struggling often turn to family for support. For those who must turn to their community, people like Elizabeth Roelfs and the dedicated volunteers of the Diller Community Foundation are a light of hope. Whether it’s promoting community development or supporting families who are unable to purchase school supplies, the volunteers work tirelessly to enhance the quality of life of their neighbors.
It truly has been a blessing and an honor to participate in the More Than Words program, which recognizes those who selflessly take it upon themselves to make a difference in the lives of others.
As an author, I hope this story will touch readers in some way. Perhaps it will motivate someone to do more in their community, or provide hope and optimism.
Warmly,
Earl Sewell
Two more FREE ebooks await!
In Red at Night, author Katie McGarry honors the work of Nikki Berti, cofounder of the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation in Las Vegas, a group that provides 10,000 pairs of shoes to impoverished children each year.
And in You Are Here, author Liz Fichera honors the work of Cheryl Sesnon, executive director of the Jubilee Women’s Center in Seattle—where troubled women can learn to leave homelessness behind forever.
To access your free ebooks visit www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com.
ISBN-13: 9781460317945
THE GIFT OF A GOOD START
Copyright © 2014 by Earl Sewell
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