The Summer of Me: A Novel

by Angela Benson

  “I’m not going to hurt anybody. I was arrested for fraud, believe it or not, the same charge you threatened to have levied against me. My cheating ways finally caught up with me.”

  “Have you been back here since you got out of prison?”

  She shook her head. “I bounced around a few places first. I’ve been back here about ten years. I was able to get a job at the college through one of the prison outreach programs. It was the best offer I had when I was released.”

  “And you never tried to see Destiny?”

  “Oh, I wanted to,” Annie said. “But prison does something to a person. I didn’t feel worthy of a child when I was first released. I had a lot of time to think about how irresponsible I had been. By the time I had forgiven myself and gotten back on my feet, I didn’t think it was right to disrupt her life. I did what I thought was best for her. Isn’t that what a good parent does?”

  Patricia could only nod. This was not the same selfish woman she’d known years ago.

  “I forced myself not to look her up. I knew that if I saw her, I’d not be able to stay away. She was a student at Hillman when I first saw her. She doesn’t remember meeting me, of course. And then she comes back into my life a few weeks ago.”

  “I didn’t know it,” Patricia said, “but I sent her back to you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Destiny had no interest in returning to school but I’ve been nagging her about it for years and this summer she finally relented.”

  Annie nodded. “Because her kids are spending the summer in California with their father.”

  “So she told you.”

  “We hit it off,” she said. “There was an easy rapport between us. It was as though we had a connection.”

  “You did,” Patricia said simply.

  “But she doesn’t know about our biological connection and she felt it, too. That is what was so magical about meeting her. We may have been separated for all of her life but we were still connected. I guess that’s a mother’s bond.”

  “I guess it is,” Patricia said, fighting down the resentment she felt toward this woman. She couldn’t love Destiny any more if she were her biological daughter, and she knew Destiny loved her, but their bond was strained. There were times she felt distant from her daughter. It wasn’t fair that this woman felt a bond with Destiny that she, who’d cared for Destiny all her life, didn’t share.

  “It’s all I have,” Annie said. “You had Destiny her whole life, so don’t begrudge me this. You have been her mother. You are her mother. I only want to be in her life. I can settle for being her friend. She never has to know who I am to her. I can live with that.”

  “Maybe you won’t have to settle for that. Destiny doesn’t know it yet, but she’s going to need you.”

  “What are you saying?”

  Patricia took a deep breath. “My cancer has returned, Annie. I haven’t told Destiny yet, but my cancer is back.”

  Chapter 27

  DESTINY TRIED TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT DANIEL was telling Mr. Crenshaw, the president of the DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, but her mind kept going back to the look Daniel had given her when he’d picked her up to bring her to this reception. She was used to quick takes, prolonged stares, and even leers from men but there was something more in the look Daniel had given her. She couldn’t quite find the words to describe it. It was easier to describe how the look had made her feel. Beautiful. Cherished. Appreciated. Important. Accepted.

  “Hey, girl.”

  Destiny turned at the sound of Bertice’s voice. “Hey, yourself,” she said, glad for the distraction. She leaned in to give her friend a hug. When she pulled back, she took in the simple deep purple cocktail dress her friend wore and said, “You look great. You’re working that purple.”

  “Thanks,” Bertice said. “You’re looking spiffy yourself in that black. I’d say we clean up well. I don’t think I’ve seen that dress before. It’s gorgeous. Is it new?”

  Destiny shook her head. “This dress has been in my closet for years. I got it on sale somewhere, but I’ve never had an occasion to wear it until now.”

  “I’m sure Daniel thinks it was worth the wait. Where is he anyway? We’ve been looking for you two since we got here.” She turned to Phil. “You remember Phil Harris, don’t you?”

  Destiny nodded. “It’s good to see you again, Phil,” she said. “Daniel tells me that you’re going to be a speaker at one of our personal finance classes.”

  Bertice turned to Phil. “You didn’t tell me that.”

  Looking down at her, Phil said, “We haven’t actually confirmed anything yet. Daniel has only mentioned it to me once.”

  “Well, you’re confirmed in our book, but don’t worry about it now. The sessions are a few months away at least. It’ll be a while before we can lock in dates and times.”

  “I guess I’ll have to sign up for one of these sessions then,” Bertice said to Phil.

  He smiled down at her. “You don’t have to sign up for a workshop to get advice from me.”

  Destiny watched as Bertice patted his cheek with her hand and said, “That’s nice to hear.”

  “What are you-all talking about?”

  Destiny turned this time to the sound of Natalie’s voice. “Hey, girl,” she said, leaning in to hug her friend. “I didn’t know you and Gavin were coming. He is here, isn’t he?”

  “Yes, somebody pulled him to the side as soon as we walked in. I decided to look for you. Where is Daniel?”

  Destiny glanced around. “He was right behind me. Somebody must have pulled him away, too.”

  “I see him,” Phil said. “I think I’ll go join him and leave you women to whatever it is you do when we’re not around.”

  “You have to meet Natalie first,” Bertice said.

  Natalie extended her hand. “You must be Phil Harris,” she said. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  Phil took her hand and shook it. “All good, I hope?”

  Natalie gave him her full smile. “Most of it.”

  Phil chuckled. “It’s nice to meet you, Natalie,” he said. “Bertice talks a lot about you and Destiny. I’m glad she has such good friends.”

  “And we’re glad she’s met a nice guy like you,” Natalie said.

  “Did you know that he was a friend of Daniel’s?” Destiny asked.

  “Yes, I remember Bertice telling me that,” Natalie answered. Then she turned her attention back to Phil. “How do you know Daniel? He and my husband go way back. Maybe you know him, too. Gavin Weston.”

  Phil shook his head. “Daniel and I had a work relationship some years back. I don’t think I met your husband though. The name is not familiar to me.”

  “Well, you’ll get to meet him tonight. He’s around here somewhere.”

  “I look forward to it,” he said. Then he turned to Bertice. “I’m going to go look for Daniel, okay?”

  Bertice nodded.

  “After you find him,” Natalie said, “have him introduce you to Gavin. Of course, you’ll have to find him first.”

  “I’ll do it,” Phil said, backing away from them.

  Destiny began to giggle. “He couldn’t wait to get away from us, could he?”

  Natalie grinned at Bertice. “You didn’t tell me he was a hottie.”

  “Hey,” Bertice said, “I’m into his mind, not his body.”

  Both Natalie and Destiny laughed. “Yeah, right,” Destiny said.

  “You can’t talk, Destiny,” Bertice said. “Natalie described Daniel as delicious.”

  Destiny looked at Natalie. “How is it the married woman is the one checking out and rating all the men?”

  “I don’t check out all men,” Natalie said. “Just the ones involved with my friends. I’m married, so I know marriage material when I see it.”

  “Yeah, right,” Bertice said. “What is marriage material?”

  Natalie waved her off. “It’s too complex to describe. Just believe me when I tell you I
have a radar for men who are marriage material. All I need is about an hour with them and I’ll know.” She looked at Destiny. “It goes without saying that Daniel is marriage material. I didn’t even need radar for that one.”

  “What about Phil?”

  “I haven’t been around him long enough, but I’m inclined to believe he is. Men who are marriage material tend to hang together. So if Phil’s a friend of Daniel’s, there’s a good chance that he’s marriage material, too.”

  Destiny shook her head. “I don’t believe we’re having this conversation. Nobody is thinking about marriage. This is the first date for me and Daniel. And Bertice and Phil have only been dating a few weeks.”

  “I knew it,” Natalie said. “Daniel told Gavin it wasn’t a date, but I didn’t believe him. I dragged Gavin out here tonight so I could see for myself.”

  “No you didn’t,” Destiny said.

  “Oh yes she did,” Bertice said.

  Destiny chuckled. “Bertice was right when she said it was time for you and Gavin to have some babies. You definitely have too much free time on your hands.”

  “When I get pregnant, which won’t be for a couple more years,” Natalie promised, “you two will be the first ones after Gavin that I tell.”

  Gavin walked up and put an arm around Natalie’s waist. “What are you going to tell and who are you going to tell it to?” he asked, looking down at her.

  “Girl talk,” she said. “You wouldn’t understand.”

  Gavin chuckled. “Hey, ladies,” he said to Destiny and Bertice. “You both are looking lovely tonight.”

  “You’re looking right handsome yourself tonight, Gavin,” Destiny said, taking in his basic black suit, tie, and white shirt. He wore it well.

  “Natalie deserves the praise. I had to get her okay before I could leave the house.”

  Natalie slapped him on the shoulder. “That’s not true.”

  Destiny laughed. “I bet it is.”

  “I know it is,” Bertice said.

  Natalie looked up at her husband. “See what you’ve done? You’ve turned my friends on me.”

  “I didn’t do anything,” Gavin said.

  “Sounds like you need some help over here, brother,” Daniel said, coming to stand next to Destiny. He rested his hand on her waist. “Are these women ganging up on you?” he asked Gavin.

  “Something like that,” he said.

  “Well, Phil and I are here to help you balance the scales.”

  “Phil is Bertice’s friend,” Natalie told her husband.

  Gavin extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Phil. I’m Gavin. And this is Natalie, my wife,” he adding, pulling her close to him.

  “We met earlier,” she said. “Did you know he’s also a friend of Daniel’s?”

  Gavin turned to Daniel. “You know Phil?”

  Daniel nodded. “We go back.”

  “Small world, isn’t it?” Gavin said.

  “It’s smaller than you think,” Natalie said. “Phil runs the temporary agency that found part-time work for Bertice and Destiny.”

  “And he’s going to be a speaker in the personal finance program we’re offering at the church,” Destiny added.

  “It seems we’re a pretty interconnected group,” Gavin observed.

  Destiny looked up at Daniel when the hand that rested on her waist squeezed. “Phil and I were thinking that we could go down to Peachtree Street for a late dinner and some jazz. How does that sound?” he asked.

  “Sounds good to me,” Destiny said.

  “Me too,” Bertice said.

  “What about you two?” Daniel asked Gavin and Natalie.

  “We wouldn’t miss it,” Natalie said.

  When Destiny and Bertice laughed, Daniel asked, “What’s so funny?”

  Destiny shook her head. “It’s a female thing,” she said. “I’ll explain later.”

  Chapter 28

  DANIEL AND DESTINY WALKED HAND IN HAND UP HER walkway from his car to her townhouse-style apartment. “Did you enjoy yourself tonight?” he asked.

  “I had a great time,” she said. “It was a perfect evening.”

  He shook his head. “Not perfect, but close to it.”

  “What was missing?”

  “Nothing was missing,” he said. “There were just too many people for it to be perfect. Perfect would have been just you and me. We’ll have to do that soon.”

  She chuckled. “The way we’re going, we may be destined for group dates only.”

  “I’m not going to claim that,” he said. “In fact, the next time we go out, it will be just you and me. I claim it. Now. In Jesus’s name.”

  “Now you’re being silly.”

  “Just a little,” he admitted. “All kidding aside, there is something affirming about being out with a group of friends who know both of us.”

  When they reached the courtyard near the front door, Daniel stopped. “Do you have to go in?” he asked.

  She shrugged. “You’re welcome to come in with me,” she said.

  He shook his head. “It’s such a beautiful night that I’d rather sit out here in your courtyard. That swing is calling my name. What do you think?”

  She smiled. “I think my couch might be more comfortable, but the view of the night is nowhere near as good as it is out here.”

  “Then come and sit with me,” he said, leading her to the wicker glider that was the centerpiece of the courtyard. After they were seated, he stretched out his legs, leaned his head back, pulled her close, and put his arm around her shoulders. “Now this is more like it,” he said.

  She kicked off her shoes, folded her legs on the glider, and leaned closer to him. Smiling into his shoulder, she said, “It’s not bad.”

  He lifted his head and peered down at her. “Not bad?”

  Her smile grew broader. “All right. It’s nice. Very nice.”

  “That’s more like it,” he said, leaning his head back again.

  It was nice sitting here with him listening to the quiet of the night.

  “You’re not falling asleep on me, are you?”

  She shook her head. “No way.”

  “I thought you said you lived in an apartment,” he said.

  “This is a townhouse-style apartment. It’s the only community I’ve seen that’s like it. It’s perfect for me and the kids.”

  “But you’re going to move away?”

  She sighed. “I don’t want to, but I have to for the kids. Kenneth is right. We can’t keep shuttling them across town next year the way we did this year. It’s too much and it’s unnecessary.”

  “What’s your schedule for moving?”

  “I wanted to be settled in before the kids get back from California. The move and the house will be my surprise for them. I want them to know that their mom was thinking about them when they were away. I’ve already decided how I’m going to decorate their rooms. They’re going to love them.”

  He squeezed her shoulder. “I’m sure they will.”

  She looked up at him. “What are you thinking about?” she asked.

  Looking down at her, he said, “You. Us.”

  She swallowed. Hard.

  “And this,” he said, lowering his head until his lips touched hers. The kiss was soft and so very sweet. When he lifted his head, he said, “I’ve been wanting to do that since I picked you up.”

  “So have I.”

  He moaned and then he lowered his head for another kiss, a kiss that was deeper and longer than the first one. When he lifted his head this time, he gave her a satisfied grin and then leaned his head back again.

  She giggled.

  “What are you laughing at?”

  “I’m just happy,” she said.

  She felt him smile. “So am I.”

  Chapter 29

  ARE YOU ALL SETTLED IN?” ANNIE ASKED DESTINY AS she completed the setup of her station for her first day at the salon.

  “Almost,” Destiny said. “All I need now is a customer.”
r />   “Do you have one scheduled?”

  Destiny nodded. “My friend Bertice is coming in. I’m leaving for California on Friday and I needed to get her and my friend Natalie done before I fly out. Natalie was coming today but something came up. I still hope to get her in before I go.”

  Annie nodded. “Sounds good. Just let Leslie know your schedule each week. If you’re around, you may be able to pick up a walk-in or two. You don’t have to, but it’s an option.”

  “Thanks,” Destiny said. “I mean that, Annie. Thanks for everything.”

  “Don’t thank me,” Annie said. “Just make me look good by doing well both here and at school.”

  “I’ll try,” Destiny said. “I really will.”

  “I believe you.”

  “There’s my friend,” Destiny said, looking over Annie’s shoulder and toward the front of the salon. “I want you to meet her.” Lifting her arm, she waved her hand to get Bertice’s attention and then beckoned her over. “I’d like you to meet Mrs. Robinson,” she said to Bertice.

  “Mrs. Robinson, this is Bertice Brown, a longtime friend.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Bertice said. “Destiny talks of you often.”

  “All good, I hope.”

  “Definitely,” Bertice said. “We consider it a miracle that Destiny met you. Look at how things are working out for her since then. You’re her good-luck charm.”

  Mrs. Robinson smiled. “I believe more in hard work than in luck,” she said, “but I know what you mean. I’m glad our lives intersected also. We have a lot in common.”

  “Maybe Destiny was switched at birth and you’re her real mom,” Bertice teased.

  Mrs. Robinson laughed. “How in the world did you come up with that?”

  “Bertice teases a lot, Annie. Don’t take her too seriously.”

  “I know it’s all in good fun,” Mrs. Robinson said. She turned to Bertice. “It really was nice to meet you. Destiny’s friends are always welcome here. I hope we’ll see you again.”

  “As long as my girl Destiny is here,” Bertice said, “I’ll be here.”

  “Then I’ll see you next time,” Annie said, making her way over to greet the woman who’d just sat in a station two chairs down.