Got to Be Love

by Vanessa Miller

  Gina hadn’t lived a blameless life. She had dated the guy she knew her best friend was in love with. And when that didn’t pan out the way she’d hoped, she bounced around from one guy to the next. In truth, she hadn’t been mad at David for kissing her back then, she allowed it because she wanted to brag about how she and David were dating. But just as he didn’t recognize her at the wedding, he hadn’t remembered the incident when she saw him on campus the next day.

  In truth, David was the reason Gina shied away from jocks during college. She realized pretty quickly that jocks like David didn’t care about anyone but themselves. But that didn’t stop her from partying. Gina did a lot of that in college. And then she really turned away from everything she’d been taught growing up in church once she left college and met Marvel. But God showed her grace anyway. The knowledge of that brought tears to her eyes.

  She hugged the Bible to her chest. “Thank You, Jesus. Things aren’t all of what I want them to be right now. But at least I have You.” Gina took a napkin off the table, wiped the tears from her face, then blew her nose. The Word was sweet, and it revived her spirit.

  As she put the Bible down Gina, was reminded of something. She had woke up to a brand-new year. It was now 2020 and she had a chance for a do-over, or at least that’s how the beginning of each year always felt to her. She went into her office and took one of her unused journals off the shelf and then went back to her study, sat in her comfy chair and began to write out some of the great expectations she had for the new year. She wasn’t writing resolutions because people broke those within a few weeks of writing them down.

  Gina’s first great expectation was to have a business that was flourishing. She wrote, “I am an asset to my clients, and they gladly refer other businesses to me. Enough money flows into my business so that I can pay my tithes, for my household needs, car and all other bills, and then have plenty left over to sow seeds into people and ministries.”

  The next great expectation was a little trickier. She didn’t know how God would work it out, given her track record with men. But after witnessing Toya and Jarrod’s wedding and seeing how in love they were, she didn’t want to miss out on something that could be wonderful, so she wrote down her next great expectation, “I am married to a man who loves me like Christ loves the church. My man would lay down his life to protect me. My man would never do anything to harm or hurt me.” Taking a deep breath, Gina nodded in affirmation, yes, that was what she wanted. And she believed that with God on her side, she could not only have a successful career but a loving marriage.

  She was just getting ready to write down her next great expectation when the phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number, but giving the journal she was working on, she had great expectations as she answered the phone. “This is Gina Melson, can I help you?”

  “Good morning Ms. Melson. This is Katie Perkins. I am David Pittman’s business manager.”

  A smile crept across Gina’s face. Yes, thank You, Lord. Keep doing what You do, she said silently to her savior, then to Katie, as calmly as she could, she said, “How can I help you?”

  “Mr. Pittman informed me that you were able to get him an invite on The Grind. Is this correct?”

  “Yes, it is. But if he’s going to do the show, they need an answer by today. And he will need to be there in two days.”

  “Why so soon?”

  “They had a cancellation, so they were just about to fill the spot when I contacted them.”

  “I just don’t understand how you were able to get him on that show so quickly. I have been sending information to those people for the past year trying to get David a spot, but nothing moved for him.”

  Gina was about to be coy and pretend that she was just that good and would even be able to deliver bigger shows if they signed with her. But she couldn’t bring herself to fake it. “Sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw. But in this case, I use to work for one of the producers of that show. So, I pitched an angel to her and she loved it. Now, I can’t promise that lightning will strike twice and that I’ll be able to get any other national shows to take notice, but if you give me a chance, I will do my best with Mr. Pittman’s PR campaign. I certainly can do a better job than what I witnessed yesterday.”

  Katie started laughing, “Yesterday was awful. I’m glad I wasn’t there, the clips I saw on his Facebook page were enough for me.”

  “Why on earth did he decide to use a firm that would focus on his previous career to get him publicity?”

  “It was a mistake, but I like your honesty, Gina. We’d very much like to work with you. Can you fax your contract and your retainer requirements?”

  Pumping her fist in the air, Gina was thrilled. Katie had said the magic word, ‘retainer’. “I will get it to you today. Would you like me to accept The Grind’s offer, or would you like to do that yourself?”

  “If you can send the information to me, I would very much like to make contact, then I will send the itinerary, flight and hotel information to you and David.”

  Gina didn't expect this. She didn’t want to be out of town for any long period of time. Not with her father needing an operation soon. “I didn’t know you’d want me to travel with Mr. Pittman.”

  “I just need you there for a day. You and I need to discuss the focus of David’s campaign. He needs more than just national appearances, and I think you’re the person to handle our needs.”

  “Great. I will see you tomorrow. Let me get my contract over to you.” They hung up and Gina danced around the house.

  A HAPPY CLIENT WAS a paying client was what her former boss and mentor once told her. And today, Gina made it her business to thank Lisa for helping her to get another paying gig. But Lisa wasn’t having it.

  “Don’t you thank me. You sent over a good package with a really good angel. But what I want to know is, how did you know we had a cancellation for the bacon competition?”

  Gina shook her head. “I didn’t. But when I bit into that sandwich, and I remembered how much you used to love BLTs, I gave it a shot and text you the picture.”

  “I thought you had actually done your research. But God must have been on your side with that one.”

  “Well, at least accept my thank you gift.” Gina handed Lisa the BLT that she had David make specially for her this morning before they flew to New York to tape the show.

  Lisa’s eyes bugged out. “Is that the sandwich you sent me a picture of?”

  “You know it. I had David make it for you this morning.”

  Lisa took the sandwich from Gina and then held onto it like she would protect it with her life if need be. “I’ve got to take care of a few things before the show starts, and I’m going to see if this sandwich is as good as you say.”

  “Okay.” Giggling at her former boss, Gina added. “One of these days, you’ll learn to take my word.” When Gina worked for Lisa, the one thing that drove her crazy was that the woman never accepted any of the information Gina brought her unless it had been verified by at least three other sources. But Lisa’s over-demanding habits had helped her when it came to researching her client’s needs.

  As she watched Lisa walk away, something struck her that she hadn’t paid much attention to when Lisa said it, but now it made sense. Her former boss told her that God must have been on her side since she was at the right place, ordering the right sandwich at the right time. For weeks now, Gina had been wondering if God was listening to her prayers. She didn’t need a lightning bolt to strike to prove to her that God was in the prayer answering business. She was supposed to run into David at the wedding because they were meant to help each other. She said it often, but didn’t mind saying it again, “Thank You, Jesus.”

  “What was that?”

  Gina turned around to greet a white woman with auburn hair and the prettiest green eyes she’d ever seen standing in front of her waiting on an answer to the question she’d just posed. “Oh, I was just being thankful.” Gina put a hand out to the woman. �
�I’m Gina Melson, can I help you with something?”

  “Hi Gina, I’m Katie.”

  “Oh, wow! Hi Katie.” Gina hugged the woman. “Thanks for taking care of the travel arrangements.”

  “Not a problem.” Katie looked back toward the area where David and the other two contestants were standing. “He’ll be busy here for a while, but I have procured a conference room where you and I can talk. Is that okay?”

  Gina really wanted to stay and watch David cook his heart out. She prayed he would win, but Katie was holding a folder that Gina thought might contain her check, so she wasn’t about to delay this meeting. “Yes, I’m fine with that.”

  They took the elevator to the third floor and went into the conference room that was two doors down from the elevator. They sat down and Katie put the folder on the table. “I printed out the contract, and David has already signed off on your retainer check.”

  Gina wanted to leap for joy. She always requested a five thousand dollar retainer. This would pay the two months she was behind on rent, the three months on the car, and if she could keep this gig for six months, she would for sure be able to take care of her father’s hospital bills. “Thank you for taking care of this. Now I can get to work on truly building David’s brand.”

  Katie lifted a hand, slowing Gina’s roll. “I noticed that your contract is for six months. But you need to understand that these next twenty-eight days are most important to us.”

  Gina’s hopes were dashing right before her eyes. “So, you only need my services for a month? There’s no way I could get him the kind of PR that would build a national brand in just a month. Are you being serious... or is this just because David and I got off on the wrong foot?”

  Katie opened the folder, handed Gina the check, then flipped through a few pages on the contract.

  Gina used the moment as her opportunity to plead her case. “I know David only gave me the job because I was able to get him on The Grind, but I can do so much more.”

  “I don’t doubt it, Gina. And believe me, I’m in your corner. It’s just that the decision as to whether or not David will get his own show on the Foodie Network will be determined at the board meeting at the end of this month. That’s why we really need to get his name out there in a hurry.

  “Now, if he gets his show approved, then we will need your help for several months to comes. Can you work with us on that basis?”

  Gina didn’t want to come off as greedy or ungrateful for this opportunity, but she had to make sure she could cover things for herself and her parents until she could get another assignment so she said, “I appreciate this opportunity, but if I am going to build the type of campaign you need for this month, I will not be able to take on any other clients so I will have to insist on having a guarantee of at least three months. Can you work with that?” Gina silently prayed that they could work with that because she was all out of answers.

  Please work with it, please work with it, was the chant going on in Gina’s head as Katie wrote something on the contract, signed it, then passed it to her. Katie had scratched out the six-month guarantee and scribbled in a three-month guarantee with a possibility to renew the next three months. “Thank you,” Gina said as the realization that she finally had another paying client sunk in.

  “Don’t thank me yet, I haven’t told you why we need your help.” Before I can discuss anything further, I need you to sign this non-disclosure agreement.”

  6

  AT FIRST, GINA THOUGHT she was being asked to not disclose the fact that she was doing public relations for David Pittman. That would be out of the question because she planned to get her next gig by billing herself as the PR firm that built David Pittman’s new brand. “Are you saying I can’t promote the fact that I am working with David. That would be very disappointing because this is just a short-term contract. But having this contract will help my firm, secure other clients.”

  Shaking her head, Katie told her, “We don’t want to stop you from growing your business; that’s not what this non-disclosure is about. David is dealing with some sensitive issues. I need to tell you about those issues so you understand our needs while putting together a public relations campaign that will get results.”

  “Okay, I’m listening,” was all Gina said, but in truth, she was a bit perplexed because she thought they needed a national campaign. Being a part of The Grind would give them that.

  “This information has not been released to the public yet; however, we did have to disclose it to the Foodie Network so we wouldn’t be in breach of contract.” Katie hesitated for a moment. Took a deep breath. “David is being blackmailed.”

  Gina was shocked, but she didn’t know why she was so shocked. The man she knew of in college lived in a manner worthy of blackmail.

  Katie continued, “A woman alleges that she was pregnant by David.”

  Gina rolled her eyes, “Is that all. In this day we live in it happens all the time.”

  “Not with David.”

  Gina wondered how Katie could be so emphatic about something like this. Men slip up all the time. Why was she so sure David had not impregnated this woman?

  “But the pregnancy is not our problem. The woman also claims that David became so angry when she refused to have an abortion that he beat her. She has paperwork that proves she was in the hospital and that she lost the baby.”

  No God, No. I didn’t just sign on to work with a monster just like Marvel. You wouldn’t allow something like that to happen, would You, Lord? If this was true, no amount of money would be enough for her to stay on this assignment. She put the five thousand dollar check in her purse because she was not giving that back. She did after all get him on The Grind.

  Gina signed the non-disclosure and slid it over to Katie. “I will not repeat a word of what you told me, but if this is true, I can’t in good conscious work for a monster like him.”

  “It’s not true,” Katie assured her. “The woman never mentioned David’s name when the police arrived at the hospital to take her statement. It wasn’t until three weeks after the hospital incident that she even contacted David with this scheme. So, we believe that whoever her abuser is, he is the one who convinced her to make these claims. They want money, and David is refusing to give it to them.”

  “And this woman knew about the network deal? Is that why she decided to blackmail rather than go to the police?” Gina was trying to wrap her head around this, was David a monster or a victim of some scheming woman.

  “As far as we know, she had no idea about it, but we still had to disclose it to the network. Because if something like that got out after his show was already airing, it would be the end of his career, period.”

  No doubt. David would truly look like a heartless beast. The same kind of heartless beast that she knew Marvel to be. So, she didn’t understand why he didn’t just pay the money and move on with his life... unless he really didn’t do it. “I need to speak with David before I can commit to going any further. Can you understand that?”

  “Completely.” Katie stood. “Let’s go see if he has managed to get himself a spot on the show.”

  DAVID HAD BEAT OUT one opponent and was now going for the win against his last opponent of the day. But the look on Gina’s face told him that Katie had spilled the beans. She looked as if she had already put him on trial and found him guilty. If that’s the way she felt, David didn’t want or need her on his team.

  He turned away from Gina’s disapproving glare and concentrated on the bacon-flavored ice cream he was creating. His opponent hadn’t made many mistakes with her other meal and now she was making a bread pudding with bacon. So, he needed to get his special chocolate muffin and bacon ice cream right if he was going to get in the grand finale.

  David took his muffins out of the oven and popped them out of the pan. It was soft and springy. He just hoped it was ooey-gooey goodness when the judges bit into it. David ran over to the ice cream machine, extracted his ice cream, then ran back to his
station. Two minutes left. He put the ice cream on his plate and then noticed the bag of cherries still sitting on his station, daring him not to put them on the plate.

  “Oh my God, I almost forgot.” Hitting his forehead with the palm of his hand, he grabbed a pan, put it on the stove, turned on the fire, then threw the cherries into the pan with some sugar, cinnamon, and a few other spices. Whisking the cherries around and mashing them into a sauce as the clocked ticked down. Sweat dripped from his head as he noted that he only had twenty more seconds. He wanted to blend the cherries to make sure it was smooth enough, but there was no time.

  He mashed the cherries one more time and then said a silent prayer as he drizzled the sauce over his muffin. The sauce inadvertently swam around the ice cream as well. The judges would either love it or hate it. Either way, he had no one to blame for leaving those cherries on his station but himself. He’d allowed Gina’s disapproving glare to knock him off his game.

  The bell rang and they stepped away from the prep tables. David and his opponent stood before the judges. Their food was brought over to the judging tables. He held his breath and waited for his fate.

  “YOU DID IT! YOU DID it! I knew you’d win,” Katie was jumping around, high-fiving everyone in sight.

  David turned to Gina, “What about you? Did you think I was going to win?”

  Caught off guard by his pointed question, especially since her mind was on something totally different, Gina turned to see if he was talking to someone else.

  “I’m talking to you, Gina.”

  “I’m sorry, I was confused because I’m the one who sent your information into the show. Why would I do that if I didn’t think you could win?”