“For good reason,” Dana said. “I still remember the hoodlums who used to hang around here.” Then Dana smiled as she looked back at the building. “Imagine, this building is going to provide a new mindset for kids. And help them to choose education over the streets. This is God’s work.”

  “God’s work indeed,” Lisa agreed.

  Lisa then got back on her scooter and headed home with John and Kennedy. John and Lisa sat down in the family room to relax before dinner. Lisa rubbed her husband’s back, then leaned over and kissed him. “Thank you for keeping the secret. It truly blew my mind when I saw the sign.”

  “I wanted to tell you so many times,” he admitted. “But I couldn’t deny you the thrill of the moment.”

  John was leaning in for another kiss when they heard Kennedy scream.

  “I can’t believe it! I can’t believe it!” Kennedy kept screaming as she ran into the family room with an envelope in her hand. “Check it out,” she said as she handed it to John.

  John’s eyebrows lifted. “Columbia University, huh?”

  “Columbia!” Lisa sat up straight. “Is this your letter from Columbia Law School?”

  Kennedy jumped up and down in front of them. “Yes! I’ve been accepted.”

  Lisa reached for her cane, then stood and hugged her daughter. “I’m so happy for you, honey.” Immediately, concern about how they would pay for law school tried to creep in and steal the joy of the moment, but Lisa pushed it back. She would not allow doubt and worry to take anything away from Kennedy’s accomplishment.

  Kennedy said, “Thank God for my job at the law firm. I’m not sure how I will fit my classes in, but at least they will pay 40 percent of my tuition once I’ve been employed there for a full year.”

  John held the letter up. He pointed at the third paragraph. “Did you read this letter?”

  “ No, I got so excited after seeing I was accepted that I ran in here to show you.”

  Lisa took the letter from John as he said, “You are the recipient of a full scholarship by an anonymous donor.” John stood up and lifted his hands in praise. “You don’t owe them a penny!”

  Overwhelmed, Lisa sat on the sofa. All she could say was, “God is so good.”

  Chapter 42

  2018

  Dana had made some changes to the way Hair Fabulous went to market. Actually, the times had forced them to make changes. The mailer campaign no longer brought in business as it had before so many people turned to social media as if it was their lifeblood.

  Sierra had her iPad in front of her as she said, “The Facebook ad is doing well, and we have garnered some serious attention with the hashtags we use on Twitter.”

  With a roll of her eyes, Dana said, “I still don’t get the hashtag stuff or the people who use Facebook like it’s a drug.”

  “Drug or not, our ads are bringing in tons of orders.”

  “Score another one for you, Sierra.” One of the best decisions Dana made was when she hired Sierra to run the marketing department. They didn’t always agree about the best way to market Hair Fabulous products, but Dana was usually standing on the side of wrong when it came to marketing.

  “Hashtags are a way of categorizing our content—nothing more. It helps us reach the people who are interested in our products,” Kim said.

  Dana turned to Kim, who was seated to her right. Kim had started with the company as a receptionist. She was now the director of the production department.

  “I get that,” Dana told her. “I don’t like Twitter, but I do like posting pictures of my family on Facebook.”

  They ended the meeting, and Dana went to the break room to grab a drink of water. On her way, she was almost run over by Ebony as she, Jeff, and Judah entered the building.

  “Slow down, child.”

  “I’m sorry, Mommy. Daddy said we’re going to see Mrs. Coleman’s learning center today, and I wanted to come get you before you got stuck in a meeting.”

  “Don’t believe her. She hit me and took off running,” Judah said.

  Dana put a hand on Ebony’s shoulder as Jeff leaned in for a kiss. Ebony was twelve years old and full of energy. Judah had turned seventeen. He was neck and neck with his dad.

  “How was your day?” she asked Jeff after the kiss.

  Jeff sucked his teeth. “I lost at golf again. I’m beginning to think I need a new hobby.”

  “Babe, you started playing about six months ago. Maybe you need more practice.” Since handing Hair Fabulous back to her, Jeff was taking time to figure out his next move in the business world, and that was all right with her.

  “I don’t know if I’m suited for a life of leisure, but I’m enjoying hanging out with the fellows from time to time.”

  She nuzzled up to his ear and whispered, “Are you having second thoughts about being a kept man?”

  Jeff looked as if he was thinking it over, then laughed. “No way. I earned my keep.”

  “You sure did, babe.” She laughed with him, then they drove over to the brand-new Lisa Whitaker Coleman Learning Center. The first learning center on Halsey Street had taken off like a rocket, so they opened the second learning center on Bedford Avenue.

  The kids jumped out of the car moments after Jeff parked behind the building. “Now, if they were actually registered for this after-school program, do you think they would be running into the learning center like that?”

  Dana watched Judah swing the door open. “I’d like to think so. Lisa has created a learning environment that children love. I wish someone had thought of it when I was a kid.”

  Jeff and Dana went into the learning center. It was a smaller location than the first, but it still had study pods, test-prep areas, and a game room. Jeff and Dana hugged Lisa. “It’s looking good in here,” Dana told her.

  “I’m loving it,” Lisa said. “We didn’t have enough space for a cafeteria, but the small break room with snacks is adequate.”

  Jeff pointed to the game room. “I think I spotted the reason my kids couldn’t wait to get in here.”

  Lisa laughed. “They hugged me and then begged to go to the game room. I didn’t have the heart to deny them.”

  “Well, I’m going to make sure they play one game and then come out of there. My stomach is starting to growl. I need food.” Jeff headed to the game room.

  “He’ll be stuck in there, and I’ll have to pull all three of them out,” Dana told Lisa.

  “Same with John. He goes into the game room at both locations—tells me he’s supervising the kids.”

  “If Senator Barnes would get the funding approved, we’d be able to afford more staff for you; you need help looking after all the kids.”

  “We have thirty-five kids enrolled at this location.”

  Dana put a hand on Lisa’s shoulder. “And almost fifty at the Halsey Street location. I don’t know how you sleep. This is a lot.”

  “It’s a labor of love,” Lisa told her. “But Senator Barnes does need to come on with the funding. I would love to hire more employees and not have to work as many hours.”

  “I’ll schedule a meeting with him,” Dana told her.

  “Better you than me.” Lisa rolled her eyes.

  Glancing around, Dana observed the kids as they sat at the study tables with laptops or books open or discussing a subject with a study partner. “You’re doing so much with these kids, and you need more funding than I can give.”

  Lisa pointed upward. “God will provide.”

  “So true,” Dana agreed. They hugged. John and Kennedy stepped into the center. Dana glanced at her watch. “How much longer until you close up?”

  “We close at seven, but Terri can handle the last hour without me.”

  Dana pulled her children and her husband out of the game room, then the two families went to DeStefano’s Steakhouse. They had a cozy family atmosphere, and the steaks were cooked to perfection.

  The two families sat down. They laughed, joked, and had a good time enjoying the company of friends who had become more like family.

  When it was time for dessert, Kennedy came over to Dana. She tapped her on the shoulder. “Can I speak with you?”

  Dana put her napkin on the table. “Of course.” She got up and followed Kennedy outside.

  As they stood next to the building, Kennedy grinned at her.

  Dana looked to her left, then the right. “What are you grinning about?”

  “I finally discovered your secret.”

  She lifted her eyebrows. “What secret?”

  Kennedy nudged Dana’s shoulder playfully. “You don’t have to pretend with me. It all made sense when that woman in the financial aid office at Columbia Law School spilled the beans.”

  Dana’s hand went to her head. The checks she’d sent to Columbia University were written from her personal account.

  “Don’t be mad. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate what you did for me.”

  “She shouldn’t have blabbed to you about your donor. I must admit, I’m a bit taken aback by this.”

  Kennedy hugged her. “Please don’t get the lady in financial aid fired for divulging information about my secret donor. I’m happy that she told me.”

  Dana waved a hand in the air. “You didn’t tell your mother?”

  “No. I just found out today.”

  “I’ll make you a deal. If you keep my secret quiet, then I won’t make a fuss with your school.” Dana stuck her hand out, and they shook on it.

  “I won’t say a word, even though I’d like nothing more than to shout to the world what a wonderful person you are.”

  Dana was overjoyed at Kennedy’s words, but what she said next blew her away.

  “I wish my mother had a sister. I’ve always wanted an aunt who is as amazing as you are.”

  Dana’s eyes watered. She wiped the mist away as she told Kennedy, “I was an only child also, but your mother has always been a sister to me, so I would be honored if you considered me your aunt.”

  “Wait . . . wait . . . wait.” Lisa walked over to them. “If she gets to call you Auntie, then I want Judah and Ebony to call me Auntie too.”

  Dana swung around. “How long have you been out here?”

  Lisa said, “I just came out. Y’all didn’t tell us which dessert you want, and I didn’t want you two to miss out.”

  Dana put an arm around Lisa as they walked back into the restaurant. “I do want dessert. Thanks for coming to get us. And of course Judah and Ebony can call you Auntie.”

  “What else would they call you,” Kennedy said, “since you and Auntie Dana are like sisters?”

  Lisa stopped walking. She cocked her head to the left as she looked at Dana, then she pulled her into her arms. “I’m so grateful to have you back in my life.”

  “Ditto,” Dana said with a wry smile, then she winked at Kennedy, trusting that her secret was safe with her.

  Chapter 43

  Seven years had passed since they opened the first Lisa Whitaker Coleman Learning Center. The first and second centers had served more than three hundred kids. They were now fully funded by the government and donations. Dana and Lisa sat on the board of directors for the learning centers, and they were opening the third location in Brooklyn today.

  Dana was getting ready for the reception when Judah came into her bedroom. “Can I get the car keys?” he asked.

  Her handsome son was now nineteen and had received his driver’s license, but Dana wasn’t ready to hand over the keys so fast. “You can drive me to the reception, but that’s it.”

  “That’s not right. I’m in college. You and Dad are always telling me how responsible I am.”

  “Ohhh, he’s bringing out the responsible card. What is our son trying to get out of you?” Jeff asked as he entered the bedroom.

  Dana’s eyes brightened as she looked at her husband. Jeff had turned fifty-six this year. His hair was now a salt-and-pepper mix, and it had thinned a bit on the top. But if it was possible, the man was handsomer now than the day she met him. She was a blessed woman indeed. “Your son asked me for the keys to the car.”

  “Boy, go sit down somewhere. That driver’s license done went to your head.”

  Judah shook his head as he left their room. “Y’all not right.”

  Dana high-fived Jeff. “Thanks for having my back. Having teenagers ain’t for punks.”

  Jeff agreed. “I don’t know what we’re going to do when Ebony starts asking for the keys.”

  “Help us, Jesus,” Dana said, and they both laughed.

  She then headed to the bathroom. “Let me put my dress on before we’re late. Oh, and don’t forget about dinner tonight.”

  “How could I forget? We’re still going to Clover Hill, right?”

  “You know it.” Dana and Jeff loved this intimate, thirty-seat restaurant in Brooklyn Heights. They delivered French-inspired dishes in a seven-course tasting menu that was full of flavor and seafood. She couldn’t wait for Lisa to experience this place.

  With her hand on the bathroom door, she threw back over her shoulder, “Oh, and your son is driving us to the reception.”

  “Oh Lord. Let me get on my knees and start praying now.”

  Jeff kept a giggle in her spirit. Dana closed the bathroom door and jumped in the shower, laughing while Jeff prayed.

  * * *

  Lisa hadn’t been feeling well all week. John had taken her to the emergency room two days ago, but she was released once the tests didn’t show anything alarming to the ER doctor. The reception for the new learning center was in a few hours. John would be home from work in about two hours, so she went to the lower level of their brownstone and knocked on the door.

  Her daddy answered. “I thought you were getting ready for this big to-do tonight.”

  “I will in a few. I wanted to spend a little time with my daddy since I’ve been so busy.” Her dad was visiting for the summer, but he still lived in Florida.

  “Well, come on in. I’m going to enjoy this visit. After this new learning center opens, you’re going to be so busy, I probably won’t see you much this summer.”

  “Oh, I’ll make time. I like being around my daddy.” Lisa sat down in the living room and her father sat across from her.

  “I’m glad to hear it. When you were younger, I always felt like you would rather be anywhere else but with your old man.”

  Lisa laughed at the truth of the statement. “When I was a teen, I couldn’t wait to go off to college to get away from you. You were so demanding, and I never thought I would live up to your expectations.”

  David lowered his head. “I’m sorry I was so hard on you.”

  Lisa lifted a hand, waved away his remark. “You weren’t too hard on me, Daddy. I was a kid, and I thought I knew better than you back then, but I am so thankful I had you and Mom in my life. I may not have listened when I was younger, but your words spoke volumes to me when I needed them most. And I want you to know how special you’ve been in my life.”

  “I love you, Lisa. And I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thank you, Daddy.” She hugged him and then said, “These learning centers have been the defining moment of my life, but I never would have been concerned about the neighborhood if you hadn’t taken me to hear Representative Shirley Chisholm and if Elsie Richardson hadn’t spoken at our church when I was younger. I’m so grateful for the foundation you and Mom set before me.”

  Her father was crying. “I have a confession.”

  She wiped the tears from his face, then kissed his cheek. “Don’t cry. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

  “I did wrong by Dana.”

  Lisa raised an eyebrow, then scratched her head. “You haven’t done anything to Dana.” Then Lisa remembered something. “Are you talking about the time you wouldn’t let Dana and her mother rent this apartment?”

  “No. You were headed off to college. We needed to rent the basement apartment out to someone who could pay rent. There was no way I was going to let you down financially.”

  Lisa had nothing else. She couldn’t imagine anything her father could have done to Dana.

  “She called the house collect a few times after she got arrested. She also wrote you letters, but I thought she was a bad influence, so I never told you, but now I’m thinking Dana might have needed you at that time in her life more than I understood.”

  Lisa thought about it for a moment, then said, “I think God has a way of landing His children on the right road, no matter how many detours we take.” She then went back to the main part of the house. She felt like lying down. A nap sounded like the perfect thing.

  She was so tired lately. She set the alarm on her phone so she would get up in enough time to get dressed for the reception, then shut her eyes and drifted off to sleep. The moment her head hit the pillow, she was dreaming . . .

  “Lisa, girl, get up and out of bed right now. I don’t care if it is summertime, you’re not going to lay around this house all day.”

  Lisa heard her father call out to her, but her eyelids felt glued together. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and then glanced over at the clock on her nightstand. It was 7:52 a.m. on a Saturday . . . a morning she had planned to sleep in, but her daddy was screaming for her.

  “We need to get down to the store so we can pass out the hot dogs and hamburgers to our customers in the neighborhood,” Daddy hollered up to her. “It’s good business to give back to the community on a day like this.”

  Lisa popped up and flung the covers off. She opened the curtain and looked out the window. She saw the sanitation street-sweeper truck as it slowly drove down the street.

  A truck with DJ equipment was parked across the street. Two guys got out and started taking the gear out of the bed of the truck.

  How had she forgotten? There was going to be a block party on Halsey Street today.

  She rushed downstairs and went to the store to help her dad, but when Dana ran into the store, she took her break.