The Summer of Me: A Novel

by Angela Benson

  “Well,” Bertice said, “I don’t consider going to Red Lobster a real ladies’ night out.”

  Destiny chuckled. “I don’t know, Bertice. Red Lobster sounds pretty good to me. An exciting night out for me is any night I don’t have to cook.” She turned to Natalie. “Maybe we are sticks in the mud.”

  As Destiny and Natalie laughed, Bertice began shaking her head. “You two are pitiful. When did you lose your interest in fun?”

  “I haven’t lost mine,” Natalie said.

  “I lost mine soon after giving birth to the twins. Raising two kids slows you down some.”

  Bertice threw her hands in the air. “I give up. You two are hopeless. But since I love you, I’ll go for a group meal. But Red Lobster is out. We’re going to that new place downtown, Five.”

  Natalie chuckled. “Gavin took me there a couple of weeks ago. I guess I’m not such a stick in the mud after all.”

  “Okay, smarty-pants,” Bertice said. “I’ll have to find another place. If we’re going to do a ladies’ night out, we have to do something that’s new for all of us. When are we having this evening of female bonding and adult fun, anyway?”

  “With school and work, weekends are best for me,” Destiny said.

  “Gavin has a speaking engagement in Cincinnati on Sunday so we’ll be out of town this weekend,” Natalie said. “How about one day next weekend?”

  “Sounds good to me,” Destiny said. She turned to Bertice.

  “I’ll clear my calendar,” Bertice said. “Unlike you two, I prioritize my girlfriend time.”

  “Please,” Natalie said, “you just don’t have a date that weekend.”

  “You got me,” Bertice said. “My social life has slowed down a bit recently. Too bad I don’t have a friend trying to set me up.”

  “Oh no you don’t,” Natalie said. “It’s not like I haven’t tried before.”

  As her friends bantered, Destiny realized she had the perfect opening to tell Bertice about Phil’s feelings for her. She passed on it though because she preferred to speak with Bertice when they were alone, after Natalie had gone. She didn’t want to give her friend any more matchmaking ideas and she didn’t want to discuss the connection between her, Bertice, Daniel, and Phil. Keeping the secret about her work at HR Solutions from her friend was making her feel more uncomfortable each day. She really didn’t like hiding things from Natalie. Shaking off her discomfort, she handed Natalie a mirror and said, “I’m done.”

  Taking the mirror, Natalie said, “I don’t have to look. I know you did a good job. You always do.” She looked anyway. “You hooked me up, girlfriend. Just like always.”

  “I’m glad you like it,” Destiny said.

  “Like it? I love it. You’re so good at this, Destiny. It’s a gift.”

  “According to Mrs. Robinson, doing hair is my passion.”

  “Who’s Mrs. Robinson?” Natalie asked.

  “The career counselor she talked to at the college,” Bertice offered.

  “We need that ladies’ night out more than I realized,” Natalie said. “We have a lot of catching up to do. So school is going well?”

  Destiny nodded. “Let’s just say the meeting with Mrs. Robinson got things off on the right foot.”

  “She and Destiny are kindred spirits,” Bertice said.

  “How’s that?” Natalie asked.

  Destiny glared at Bertice, who just shrugged her shoulders. “She owns a salon,” Destiny explained.

  “I think Destiny wants to be her when she grows up,” Bertice said.

  Destiny shot another glance at her friend. Bertice was right though. The thought of owning her own shop like Mrs. Robinson had crossed her mind. That was way down the line though.

  “Good for you,” Natalie said. “You’re really good at what you do, Destiny. There’s nothing wrong with turning it into a real business. Who knows? You could be the next Madame C. J. Walker.”

  Destiny chuckled. Her friends didn’t know it but Madame C. J. Walker, the orphaned daughter of slaves who became the first black millionaire, was one of her idols. Marshalls had given away copies of On Her Own Ground, her biography done by her great-great-granddaughter, as part of a cosmetics promotion during Black History Month a few years ago. Destiny had read the book several times, developing a strong affinity for the woman who shared her belief in the importance of pride in appearance. Madame Walker had turned her passion into one of the largest black-owned manufacturing companies in the world. While Destiny admired her, it never occurred to her that she could be her.

  “Now you’re talking,” Bertice was saying. “Just don’t forget your friends when you become rich and famous. We’ll put you in charge of all ladies’ nights out. For our first trip, you can fly us to France, first class of course, for real French food.”

  Natalie gave Bertice that “Not now” look before turning to Destiny. “I’m serious, Destiny,” she said. “You should talk to Daniel about opening a salon. He has a lot of experience with small business start-ups. Heck, you should even consider applying to the church’s small business development program.” She winked. “I’m sure you’d get in since you have the inside track.”

  “Slow down, Natalie,” Destiny said. “I’m not ready to open a salon.”

  “Not today,” Natalie said. “But it’s never too early to start learning and preparing. You know, I thought you and Daniel could be a love match but maybe God had a different idea. Maybe he and Mrs. Robinson were brought into your life to serve as mentors.”

  “Now you’re reaching,” Destiny said, though the idea of Mrs. Robinson as her mentor did appeal to her. She wanted more than mentorship from Daniel.

  “Don’t do that, Destiny,” Natalie said. “I’m not reaching. Look, you go back to school and your counselor tells you to follow your passion. Then you learn she shares that passion and owns a salon. Then you end up working part-time at the church with a man who not only built his own successful business but who is also starting a small business development program to help others start businesses. All of that is more than coincidence.”

  “She may be right,” Bertice said. “A lot of things are lining up for you this summer.”

  Destiny wondered if her friends were right. Were all the things happening to her this summer—the kids going away, Kenneth stopping the child-support payments, going back to school, and the job at the church—God at work in her life? And where did HR Solutions fit? Was that also part of God’s plan? “Well, first things first,” she said, pushing the questions aside. “Let me make it through these summer classes before I become a business mogul.”

  Natalie chuckled. “Okay, I hear you,” she said. “But I’m going to nag you about it. I don’t want you to miss out on your blessing.”

  “I won’t nag you,” Bertice added. “I’ll just keep reminding you of how much I’d like to have a rich and famous friend. I really do want to go to France.”

  “France will be first on my list,” Destiny deadpanned. She really didn’t know how else to respond. She looked at her friends and realized again how blessed she was to have them in her life. She felt the flutter of excitement bubbling in her stomach at the thought of someday owning her own salon. Was it possible? Could she really do it? The smiling faces of her two friends told her that they believed she could.

  Looking at her watch, Natalie got up. “I’ve got to run,” she said. “Gavin and I are going to a reception for one of his friends.” She leaned over and pressed a kiss against Destiny’s cheek. “Thanks for doing my hair, Madame Destiny.”

  “Okay, now you’re going too far.”

  Bertice laughed. “No, I like the sound of it. Madame Destiny.”

  “Madame Destiny,” Natalie repeated, “entrepreneur extraordinaire.”

  “Actually the name sounds more like a fortune-teller,” Bertice said. “Miss Cleo. Madame Destiny. They both have a certain ring to them.”

  Natalie brushed a kiss across Bertice’s forehead. “You’re too much, but I love
you anyway.”

  “Back at you,” Bertice said.

  “Are you heading out, too?” Natalie asked Bertice as the three of them made their way upstairs from the basement. “I can give you a ride home.”

  Bertice shook her head. “I’m going to hang out here a little while longer. Destiny, I mean Madame Destiny, will take me home later.”

  “If you don’t stop calling me madame, I’m not taking you anywhere.” She turned to Natalie. “Drive safely.”

  Natalie nodded. “I will.”

  After Destiny closed the door behind Natalie, Bertice asked, “You don’t mind me hanging out with you tonight, do you?”

  “You know I don’t,” Destiny said, turning to follow her friend back downstairs. “I appreciate the company. I told you this place is too quiet without the kids.”

  “I’m thirsty,” Bertice said, walking past the basement stairs and heading toward the kitchen.

  Destiny followed her friend. When they reached the kitchen, she took a seat on one of the bar stools at the counter, while Bertice opened the fridge and grabbed herself a can of diet soda. “Well, just make yourself at home.”

  “That’s what I’m doing,” Bertice said, dropping down on the bar stool next to hers. “We really should go out clubbing one night this summer while your kids are away. Don’t you want to let your hair down and have some fun?”

  Destiny grinned at her friend, seeing another opening to bring up Phil. “That may be a good idea.”

  Bertice’s eyes widened. “You’re really going clubbing with me? Don’t tease me.”

  “A low-key club could work.”

  “We’re on,” Bertice said. “We’re going to have a great time.”

  “Somebody wants to come with us.”

  “Who?” Bertice asked. “I know you don’t mean Natalie. No way is she going clubbing with us or anyone else for that matter.”

  Destiny shook her head. “Daniel.”

  Bertice’s eyes widened. “Daniel? He asked you out? Why didn’t you tell Natalie? She’d be over the moon to know that her matchmaking efforts were paying off.”

  “Hold on a minute. He did more than ask me out.”

  “What? I don’t understand.”

  “He asked us out.”

  Bertice scrunched up her nose. “He wants to go out with both of us? The guy is sounding kinda freaky. I knew there was a reason that pastors as dates made me uncomfortable. I can’t believe you’re going along with the idea.”

  Destiny began shaking her head. She was making a mess of things. “Daniel doesn’t want to go out with both of us. He wants to go out with me and Phil wants to go out with you. He wants us to double-date.”

  “Phil? A double date? What are you talking about?”

  “Daniel says that Phil has a crush on you.”

  “Crush? We’re not in high school, Destiny.”

  “Well, let’s just say Phil is very attracted to you and he wants to take you out.”

  “He hasn’t asked me.”

  “Daniel says he’s really shy.”

  “He doesn’t seem shy to me.”

  Destiny agreed. “After all that flirting you two were doing, I didn’t think he was shy either.”

  Bertice waved her off. “Oh please, that meant nothing. Phil flirts like that with every woman he meets.”

  “Well, maybe it’s you who makes him feel shy.”

  Bertice eyed her skeptically. “Are you sure this isn’t just a slick way for Daniel to get you to go out with him?”

  “Why would he go to such lengths?” Destiny asked, though the thought had briefly crossed her mind.

  Bertice inclined her head toward the door. “Because of that woman who just left your house.”

  Destiny shook her head. Subterfuge wasn’t Daniel’s style. “I don’t think so. I really do think this is about Phil.”

  Bertice smiled, showing off her pearly white teeth. Then she rubbed her palms together. “All right then. Why don’t we make a little wager? If Daniel is interested in you, I’ll treat you to dinner on our ladies’ night out. If Phil is interested in me, then you can treat me. Deal?”

  Destiny nodded. “How would we settle this wager?”

  “Like grown-ups,” Bertice said with a smirk. “I’ll call Phil and see if he wants to go out.”

  “Just like that?”

  “Just like that. I’m not much for double-dating, to be honest. If Phil wants to take me out, then he can take me out.”

  “I guess that’s easy enough, though Daniel was thinking of us going to lunch after attending church together.”

  “I’ll bet he was,” Bertice said. “No, I’ll handle Phil on my own. And since he wants to impress me, he’ll be open to answering any questions I have about you and Daniel.”

  “There is no me and Daniel.” Yet, she added silently.

  Bertice wagged her finger at Destiny. “But there could be. Let me see what I can find out from Phil.”

  Chapter 19

  DESTINY SMILED AS SHE LOOKED AT THE YOUNG WOMAN, Leslie, seated on the stool in front of her. “So what do you think?” she asked.

  “Is it really me?” Leslie asked, looking up at Destiny with wide eyes.

  Destiny nodded. “It’s really you.”

  Leslie looked back at her reflection in the mirror. “It is me, isn’t it?”

  Destiny’s heart filled. These were the moments that made her job so much more than a job. Leslie had called a week or so ago saying she needed a makeover because she had to have some professional photographs taken. She was a first-time author and her publisher wanted a picture for the back cover of her book. She had been very anxious when she’d sat down. The difference in her now was magical.

  Leslie gave a self-deprecating smile. “It’s amazing what some face paint will do, isn’t it?”

  Destiny shook her head, unwilling to feed the woman’s insecurity. “The makeup only brings out what’s already there. You were beautiful when you sat down in this chair, Leslie. The makeup just makes that beauty obvious to everybody else.”

  Leslie didn’t look as though she believed her. “I’ll never be able to do this on my own,” she said.

  “Oh yes you will,” Destiny said. “I’ll make sure of it. If you stop back by here after you have your pictures taken, we’ll wash it all off and you can reapply it.”

  Leslie began shaking her head. “No way am I washing this off today. No way. After I finish having pictures taken, I have to go show my new look to my mom and a few friends. I sure do wish I had somewhere to go tonight.” She smiled up at Destiny. “I just may have to invite some folks over for dinner.”

  Destiny chuckled. She’d seen this kind of excitement before, so she wasn’t really surprised. She handed Leslie one of her business cards. “Okay. Call me when you want to come back for a lesson. We can do this multiple times until you get the hang of it.”

  “Thank you so much, Destiny,” she said. “I’m going to have to dedicate my next book to you.”

  “That’s not necessary. I didn’t do anything to help with the book.”

  “You did a lot to help with the author photo that’s going to be on the book. I’m probably going to sell a few thousand copies on looks alone.”

  Destiny could only shake her head. Leslie was getting carried away now. “You’re going to sell a lot of books because you’re a good writer. You don’t have to dedicate your next book to me, just make sure I get a copy of this one.”

  Leslie slid off her stool. “You’ll be one of the first people to get one. I’ll autograph it and everything.”

  “You’d better.”

  Leslie looked at her watch. “I need to get to that photo session upstairs, but first, why don’t you put one of everything you used on my face in a bag for me.”

  Destiny laughed. “You don’t have to buy everything.”

  “Oh yes I do,” Leslie said. “I want to look like this all the time.”

  Destiny held back her laughter this time. “Maybe not all
the time.”

  Leslie looked at her, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Most of the time?”

  “That’s more like it,” Destiny said, collecting the requested items. After she rang up all the purchases and bagged them, she said, “I have a card on you that I’ll keep here at the counter so anytime you need something, I can look at your card and make sure we’re consistent with the shades and colors.”

  Leslie handed Destiny a credit card. “You’ll never know how much I appreciate it, Destiny,” she said. “Writing a book comes naturally to me. I find it easy to sit around my house and make up characters. How I look really doesn’t come into play. But having my picture on a book, going on a book tour, meeting readers, those things are out of my comfort zone. I’ll still be self-conscious and nervous but at least I know I’ll look good in the process.”

  “Now that’s what I like to hear,” Destiny said, tucking the receipt in the bag and handing it and the credit card back to Leslie. “Here you go.”

  Leslie glanced at her watch again. “I really do have to go,” she said, “but I will call you next week about coming in for a practice session. In the meantime, I’ll see what kind of magic I can work up on my own with the goodies you’ve sold me.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Destiny said. “And stop by anytime you’re in the mall. You don’t need an appointment to visit.”

  “I’ll do it,” Leslie said, backing away from the counter. Waving she said, “I’ll be back.”

  Destiny looked after the young woman with a smile on her face.

  “So this is what you do every day?”

  Destiny turned around and faced the other side of the makeup counter. “Mrs. Robinson?”

  The older woman shook her head. “We’re not at school,” she said. “I’m Annie.”

  Destiny wasn’t sure she’d feel comfortable calling the older woman Annie. Her southern upbringing had been pretty thorough. “I’m surprised to see you,” she said. “Are you out shopping today?”

  Mrs. Robinson nodded. “And I remembered that you worked here. I decided to drop by and see how you are doing. I hope you don’t mind.”