After dinner, Jeff ordered a whole cheesecake for the table. They each took a slice and dug in. It was creamy but not heavy—light and airy with a sponge-cake bottom.

  Dana took one bite and moaned. “This is simply the best cheesecake on the planet.”

  There was another slice left on the serving plate. Jeff said, “Why don’t you take the last slice to your mom?”

  Dana glanced around the table. “Does anyone else want another slice?”

  Jeff’s parents said no. Sheri said, “Girl, if you don’t hurry up and take this slice, I’m going to stick my fork into it.”

  Everyone laughed. Dana thanked Jeff for being so thoughtful. Her eyes misted a bit when the server brought the box for the extra cheesecake slice.

  Jeff leaned over and whispered to her, “It’s just a cheesecake.”

  She turned to him. A tear fell from her eyes as she put her hand on his face. “It’s not about the cake. I’m amazed at how good your heart is.”

  He wiped the tear from her face. “Hey, stop that. You have a good heart too.”

  “Not like you. Your parents obviously raised you and Sheri right. I wish . . .” Her words trailed off; she was embarrassed she was being so emotional over a dinner with her boyfriend’s family and a slice of cheesecake she could have bought for her mother herself.

  She stood. Glanced around the table. “It was so nice spending time with you all, but I did leave my mother at my apartment this morning, so I need to go check on her.”

  “We understand, dear. It was wonderful fellowshipping with you today,” Patricia said.

  Dana didn’t think she could stand in Patricia’s presence a minute longer without falling apart. If she had been raised by a mother like Patricia, things would have been so different for her. Yes, she finally made it, but there was a cost to every scrap of success that came her way.

  She tried to hold herself together and walk with her head held high. She made her way out of the restaurant with the small box holding a piece of cheesecake. Jeff came out of the restaurant behind her.

  He grabbed her arm and stopped her. “Hey, what’s going on? I thought you were enjoying yourself.”

  “I was. Please don’t let me spoil the time you have with your family. I’m not used to stuff like this.”

  “Stuff like what? All we’re doing is having dinner.”

  “Yeah, I bet y’all are the type of family that has dinner together every Sunday after church.” Horns were blowing as cars raced by them.

  “We do have dinner together on most Sundays. What’s wrong with that?”

  “Nothing is wrong with it. Nothing at all. But I don’t know what that feels like.” She turned away from him, then turned back. She loved this man, but it seemed like they were from different planets. “Do you want to know how I grew up?”

  “Of course I want to know. I keep trying to get you to open up to me, but you change the subject whenever I ask about your family.”

  People were walking up and down the street. Some were close enough to hear their conversation, but it didn’t matter to Dana. Right now, all that mattered was that she opened her mouth and said, “I don’t know who my father is. I’ve never once met any man who claimed to be my dad.”

  She tried not to cry, but at that moment, she admitted to herself how much that hurt. As the tears flowed down her face, she said, “It didn’t bother me at first. My mother and I had a good relationship, but when I was in the eighth grade, she got involved with this man who was all wrong for her.”

  Jeff reached out for Dana, but she pulled back, gulping back sobs. “He got my beautiful mother hooked on drugs, and nothing has been the same since. I can’t even say that she’s beautiful anymore. She looks scary to me with the way her cheekbones cave in.”

  Dana’s chest heaved as she fanned herself. It was hot outside and the temperature within her was rising. “I’ve got to go.”

  “Okay, but first I need you to calm down.” He pulled her close.

  In his arms, she felt safe enough to cry for the little girl who wanted a daddy . . . the little girl who lost her mother to drugs. In his arms, she felt safe enough to just be. She relaxed, wiped the tears from her eyes, and stepped out of his embrace. “I’m sorry I ruined the dinner.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t be. I’m glad you finally told me about your mom. But I want you to know everything wasn’t perfect in our house. You see my parents now, after they’ve weathered many storms together.”

  “I know.” She held up a hand. “I’m being silly. Please give my apologies to your parents.”

  Jeff was about to say something else when a woman bumped into him. He grabbed Dana and tried to move out of the way, but the woman stayed in front of them. She held out her hand. “Can you spare some change?” she asked.

  She was dirty, like Dana’s mother had been when she knocked on her door this morning. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she looked like the whole world had turned against her. It had been fifteen years since she’d seen her, but she still recognized Jasmine Parks, the streetwise kid who’d been down for anything. But the streets hadn’t been kind to her.

  “Jasmine?” Dana squinted, trying to make sure she wasn’t seeing things and this was truly the girl she hung out with back in the day.

  Jasmine had been looking at Jeff, but when she heard her name, she glanced over at Dana. Her eyes bulged and her head flopped back. “Dana? Girl, is that you?”

  “Yes, it’s me.” Dana’s eyes shadowed with sadness. She had been angry with Jasmine for many years for everything—introducing her to Derrick, stealing her camera, and driving away from the scene of the crime. A crime Jasmine was never arrested for since Dana didn’t snitch. But she wouldn’t wish what was standing in front of her on her worst enemy.

  “Hey, you’re looking like a million bucks. Life is sure treating you good these days,” Jasmine said.

  “How have you been?” Even as she asked the question, she could see for herself how her old frenemy had been. She’d always thought, of the three of them, Jasmine had gotten off easy. But the streets had a way of bumping heads and leaving lumps. So she added, “Is there anything I can do for you?”

  Jeff pulled at her arm. Moving her a few steps back, he warned Dana with his eyes. “Be careful.”

  Jasmine popped off. “She don’t have nothing to fear from me. Me and Dana went to school together. Right, Dana?”

  Dana nodded, still taken aback by the state Jasmine was in. Not knowing what else to do, she reached into her purse, pulled out two twenty-dollar bills, and handed them to her. “I hope this helps.”

  “Thanks, old buddy.” Jasmine smirked at Jeff as she walked away from them.

  “You know she’s going to get high with the money, right?” Jeff said.

  “I know, but I’m hoping she will at least buy herself something to eat as well.” She hated the way Jeff was looking at her, like she was a fool for caring about a drug addict.

  Dana wondered how many people had seen her mother out on the street and refused to give her any money. Maybe her mother wouldn’t be so thin if someone had offered her a meal. “I’ll talk to you later. Let me go home and check on my mom.” She hailed a cab and got away from him and his perfect life and his perfect family.

  When she arrived home, her mother was still sleeping in her bed. Dana took off her dress, jumped in the shower, and changed into a pair of pajamas. She’d left the house this morning before telling her mom about the cell phone she had purchased for her. She was tired of not knowing where her mother was or how to get in touch with her, so when she purchased her cell phone, she had also purchased one for her mother and kept it in her dresser drawer, hoping she would see her mom before the phone was out of date.

  Having a cell phone was a whole new experience for Dana. She’d seen others with the device but hadn’t had the money to get one for herself. Her money situation was right, so she was thankful to be able to purchase a cell phone and keep up with her mother.

  She opened the dresser, moved her T-shirts to the side, and pulled the flip-phone box out. She put the box on the kitchen counter and was about to take a nap on her sofa in the living room but decided she wanted to be close to her mother, like she used to be before everything changed.

  She climbed into her king-sized bed and lay on the right side, facing her mother’s back, remembering how she used to snuggle against her mom while listening to Vida sing a lullaby.

  “Close your eyes, go to sleep, my little baby.” Dana sang the words softly with tears in her eyes. Why was she so emotional today? Go to sleep, girl . . . close your eyes, she silently chided herself. Her eyelids got heavy, and she finally drifted off to sleep.

  * * *

  A few hours later, when she woke, she noticed her mother was no longer in the bed. Dana yawned, stretched, then threw the covers off. The robe she had given her mother was thrown on the floor along with her jewelry box. Her dresser drawers were hanging open with clothes spilling out. “Ma?”

  Dana rubbed her eyes as she tried to focus. What was going on? She got out of bed and walked into the kitchen. “Ma?” Still no answer.

  The flip phone was no longer on the kitchen counter. The contents of Dana’s purse were strewn on the floor with the billfold laid open on the sofa table. “Oh, Mom.” Dana’s heart sank as she sat on the sofa and started picking up the pieces her mom had left behind.

  Chapter 18

  Lisa had contacted the police about the identity theft situation she was dealing with. The police officer assured her he would investigate, but it had been months, and she still hadn’t heard a word from them. There was nothing she could do until the police found out who had stolen her identity. The creditors weren’t taking it off of her report. The only thing she was able to do was make a notation with each credit bureau that her identity had been stolen.

  For now, she was stuck working temp assignments while trying to find another job. She had to clear her name and get on with her life. After church on Sunday, she went down to the altar and prayed. What had been done to her wasn’t right, so God needed to come through for her. And she trusted He would.

  She and her family left church and went home for Sunday dinner. Lisa made a meatloaf with mac and cheese, green beans, and cornbread. This was one of her father’s favorite meals. She and John had to break the bad news about the house to him, so she fixed it for him. They had been putting him off with claims of saving enough money for the down payment. But after months with no further word from them, she was sure her father was suspecting something.

  “It’s smelling good in here,” her dad said as he entered the lower level of the brownstone.

  “All your favorites, Granddaddy.” Kennedy rushed into her grandfather’s arms.

  David Whitaker hugged his granddaughter, then bent down and kissed her forehead. “My favorite food and my favorite people.”

  Lisa walked into the living room. She noticed her father rubbing his knees as he sat on the sofa. “Did you enjoy service today, Daddy?”

  “You know I did. Pastor Jonathan set the place on fire today. I saw you at the altar.” He rubbed his knees again. “I’ve been praying for you, so I hope you got what you needed from the Lord today.”

  She couldn’t actually say yes to that. God hadn’t been showing up for her lately. But her parents had taught her to pray until something happened, so Lisa was committed to continuing to bring this issue before the Lord.

  John came into the living room carrying a glass of iced tea. He handed it to her father. “We’re happy you could join us for dinner, Dad.”

  “Y’all mention meatloaf, and I’m here. Lisa makes meatloaf like her mama used to make it.” He rubbed his hands together. “I can’t wait.”

  “Well then, why don’t we sit down at the dining room table and eat,” John suggested.

  Lisa turned toward the kitchen. “Give me a second. I need to plate the food.” She waved toward her daughter. “Come help your mama.”

  “Do I have to?” Kennedy whined.

  “Only if you want to eat,” Lisa joked with her daughter.

  Kennedy left her grandfather’s side and joined Lisa in the kitchen. “Get the serving bowls out of the cabinet for me.” Lisa pointed toward the cabinet next to the stove.

  Kennedy did as her mother requested. Lisa filled the bowls and then plated the meatloaf. They took the food to the dining room and set it on the table. “Let’s eat,” Lisa said.

  She sat down. John said grace over the food. Then they passed the food around the table and began eating.

  Her father took a couple of bites of the meatloaf, then rubbed his belly. “Tastes like home.”

  Lisa gave a nervous laugh as she looked at John then back at her father. “Well, you are at home, Daddy.”

  “Not for long,” he said and then went back to his plate. “This is so good.”

  Lisa put her fork down. Her stomach was doing flips. He had always been proud of her, so sure she would make something of herself. But he had also been hard on her during her formative years. Therefore, Lisa hadn’t told her dad about the identity theft or the problems with the bank loan. She kept holding him off, hoping something would change, but it had now been three months since her nightmare began.

  Right now, she felt like that teenage girl still looking for her father’s approval. How could she tell him she couldn’t buy the house?

  “Oh, did you hear about Councilman Brown?” her daddy asked her.

  “Please don’t tell me he’s in the news again.” He had been spending more time at his mistress’ house than at the city council. The police had been called to his house when his wife threw him out. It was all caught on film and handed over to the local news.

  “He resigned,” David told her. “There’s going to be a special election for his seat.”

  “Wow! I hadn’t heard anything about it, but I’m not surprised. His secretary took me off the mailing list after I called to complain about the lack of support the council was giving to Bed-Stuy.”

  “Don’t get on the team for the next one wanting to run for office.” Her dad pointed his fork in her direction. “You need to run for it yourself.”

  “I don’t know, Daddy. I don’t have the experience needed to run for public office.”

  John added his thoughts. “It’s not like you’re trying to get a senate seat. This is a local office. You’ve helped with the councilman’s campaign and the mayor’s campaign, so you have campaign experience and can pull on some of your contacts for help.”

  “I can’t even think about city council right now.” Lisa took another bite of her meatloaf.

  “Why not, Mom? You’ve always wanted to help the community. Have you changed your mind about that?”

  The way her daughter was looking at her made Lisa feel like she’d be taking something away from her if she didn’t run for city council. Like the person who stole her identity had taken from her. She couldn’t do that. “No, hon, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m not sure if I’m the right person for the job.”

  They ate in silence for a few more minutes, then Lisa cleared her throat. She had been looking over at John during the dinner, hoping that he would take the hint and start the conversation about the issue with the house, but he hadn’t said anything, so Lisa finally said, “Daddy, we invited you to dinner to tell you what’s going on with the loan for the house.”

  Her father put his fork down and pushed the plate up so he could put his elbows on the table.

  Lisa looked at John one more time. She ran her hand through her hair, stalling. John also put his fork down, then said, “Dad, as you know, Lisa and I were supposed to meet with a banker about three months ago to finalize the loan on the house.”

  David nodded. “I waited for you and Lisa to tell me when to come to closing, but Lisa said y’all needed to save more money before you could close on the house.” He glanced at his daughter. “I’ll admit, I was wondering why it was taking so long, but I figured you would tell me soon enough.”

  His tone told her that he expected her to be adult about the situation, but Lisa wasn’t equipped with whatever it took to be an adult about something like this. For it seemed to Lisa that her whole world was crashing in on her, and she hadn’t done a thing to deserve it.

  Somehow Lisa found her voice. “The bank notified us that there were things on my credit file that indicated I had defaulted on a lease and that I had two large credit card bills that hadn’t been paid on in the last two years.”

  David’s eyebrows furrowed. He turned to John and then back to Lisa. “Doesn’t sound like you at all. Did the bank pull the wrong file or what?”

  Lisa was grateful her father gave her the benefit of the doubt on this issue. She had worried he would accuse her of being irresponsible, as he had when she was younger. “It doesn’t look like a mistake. Apparently, I’m the victim of identity theft, but the problem is these creditors won’t take the items off my credit report on my word alone.”

  David’s jaw swelled as he puffed out a bit of air. “Don’t tell me they expect you to pay it.”

  “I filed a report with each creditor and with the police.” Lisa shrugged. “I haven’t heard anything back yet, so it looks like we need more time before we can buy the house.”

  Her dad shook his head.

  “I know you’re anxious to move down south before the weather changes, but do you think you can give us a little more time to get this matter with my credit straightened out?”

  Empathy was in her father’s eyes as he spoke to his daughter. “It’s not so much about the cold as it is about me climbing up and down those stairs. At this point I’d be happy with a one-bedroom flat, so long as I didn’t have to take those stairs night and day.”

  John held up a finger, looking like he was having a lightbulb moment. “Why don’t you take our apartment, and we can move into your side of the house?”