Being an author is a dream come true, a dream God placed in my heart and faithfully brought to pass. Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings on me!
To my husband, Jean-Claude: You make me laugh, you make me smile, and for the last six years, you have made me one very, very happy woman. I love you, papito!
Baby Aysiah: Thank you for taking two-hour naps and for sleeping through the night. You are my number-one girl, and mommy loves you very much.
Mom and Dad: Words canât describe what you mean to me. You are everything I want and ever hope to be. Thank you for inspiring me, believing in me and encouraging me to pursue my dreams.
To the most beautiful woman I know: Bettey, youâre the best sister a girl could have. Intelligent, funny and caring, you continually show me what it means to be loved. Only God knows what I would do without you.
Kenny: Youâre the best big brother a girl could have. Your ambition is admirable, and I know you are just steps away from even greater success.
To the lovely Sha-Shana Crichton: I never imagined I would find an agent I not only like and respect, but consider a friend. We are going to have a long and prosperous relationship because Iâm never, ever letting you go!
To my editor, Mavis Allen: You are talented beyond measure, and working with you has helped me refine my skills. Thank you for your insight, your dedication to this project and your invaluable contributions.
Marsha and Delroy McCormack: God brought you guys into my life when I really needed a friend. Thank you for everything youâve done. I never would have finished editing this book if it wasnât for you!
âWake up, chile! I canât believe the day is half done and youâre still lazing around in bed. Humph! Itâs a wonder you ever get anything done keeping such peculiar hours.â
Ebony groaned. Cradling the phone under her chin, she forced her eyes open. She didnât know what time it was, but she knew it was too early for this. Sunlight streamed through the partially opened window, warming the cold, dark room. Birds chattered and a light wind ruffled the lavender satin curtains.
Reluctant to leave the comfort of her bed, Ebony dragged the duvet cover over her face. I donât want to get up now. Iâm tired. I want to sleep in. Is that too much to ask?
It must have been, because the next thing she knew, aunt Mae was roaring in her ear. âAre you listening to me, chile? I said, âwake up!ââ
Emerging from beneath the covers, Ebony peered at the alarm clock perched on the edge of the dresser. Blurry eyes prevented her from making out the numbers, 9â¦1â¦2. That canât be right, she thought, groping around the nightstand for her wristwatch, aunt Mae said it was noon. The silver hands on her diamond Rolex confirmed the accurate time. âItâs only after nine,â she croaked, shaking her head in disbelief. âAunt Mae, Iâmââ
âListen,â Mae ordered, cutting her off midsentence, âIâll be dressed and ready to go at five, so donât be late getting here. Iâm part of the setup crew so itâs important Iâm at church on time. People are depending on me, Ebony.â
âFor what?â
Mae released a heavy sigh. What was the matter with young people these days? she wondered, taking a sip of her tea. When she was a child, she listened when grown folks spoke. It was either that or get smacked upside the head. Her niece, as intelligent and as educated as she was, didnât know how to listen. And the few times she did, she still got it wrong. âTonight is the spring banquet at Jubilee Christian Center, remember? I mentioned it to you last Thursday when you came over for dinner. You agreed to buy a ticket and you promised to invite Opal and Kendall, as well.â
Ebony yawned. She didnât recall saying any such thing but she could have. She was prone to agree with her aunt Mae whenever she was put on the spot. Ebony loved her aunt to death, but the woman yakked too damn much. It was difficult keeping up with all the rambling she did. For the sake of argument, Ebony agreed with her auntâs memory of events. âOkay, Iâll buy a ticket to show my support. Iâll even drop you off at the church tonight, but Iâm not staying for the dinner. I have far too much work to do, aunt Mae.â
âThatâs not good enough, Ebony. The good Lord expects more from his children than their money. You could make all the money in the world, donate it to the church, and it still wouldnât be enough. He wants your time. This banquet is about Christian fellowship. Meeting new people. Making new friends. There will be singing and eating and mingling andâ¦â
Ebony was too tired to argue. If she couldnât outargue her aunt when she was sober, sheâd be no match for her in her present state. She wasnât going to the banquet, and there was nothing aunt Mae could say to change her mind. She didnât have time for fellowship. Or to meet new people. Or to make new friends. She had a business to run. And if she ever got aunt Mae off the phone, she was going to take a shower, get dressed and head straight over to the office.