One good reason, p.5
One Good Reason, page 5
After powering on my iMac, I shot my assistant an email letting her know I needed all of my calls forward to this location and for her to let the rest of the staff know I would be out of the office for the remainder of the week. I had a few business acquisitions that I needed to go over before hopping on my scheduled conference calls for the day.
After graduating from Howard University with my bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, I ended up going back to school to further my education and finished with my PhD in Computer Science. After completing my collegiate studies, I used the money that I had stacked from my illegal business ventures and opened up what was now one of the largest tech firms Atlanta had ever seen.
My company, Tech Law, employed well over one hundred people. With the age of social media being on the rise, the majority of our clients were those who desired to create social apps. The tech field was growing and becoming one of the most lucrative fields to dive into. My businesses granted me the opportunity to rub elbows with some of the more affluent people in the city.
On top being the CEO of my own firm, I owned a few buildings located around the city that served as startup office spaces. Those spaces were rented on weekly or monthly basis to individuals who worked remote or freelanced and didn’t have an office of their own.
My eyes were fixated on my computer screen as I read over the contracts that I needed to sign and return back to my assistant when I heard heels clacking across the marble floors. Peering down at the computer, I noticed we still had a few minutes before the staff was scheduled to arrive so when I tipped my head to the side, I observed Ms. Howard sauntering down the hallway with a coffee mug in her hand.
Being that I rarely came to this site, I was ok with Dahlia putting my office in the back of the building close to the breakroom. The mug Ms. Howard carried let me know she was on her way there. She was so busy strutting down the hallway, she hadn’t noticed me sitting behind the desk.
Pushing my chair back I stood, fixed my tie, and walked to the entrance of my office. Before I could step out in the hall, Talitha was walking toward me.
“Mr. Harvey.” She smiled. “Pleasure seeing you here this morning.”
“Good Morning Ms. Howard. Is there anything on your agenda first thing this morning?”
“No.” Her head shook. “I don’t believe there is.”
“Great.” I accepted and slid my hands into the pocket of my slacks. “Since we spoke the other day, I’ve been putting a few things together. I have a friend that’s a little more versed in the things you spoke about that’s going to stop by this morning. “
“Really?” she beamed.
“Yes ma’am.” I confirmed with a quick bow of my head. “I heard everything you said, and I want to make those things happen in house. Using the local colleges could work however, I feel as if you and the rest of the staff know the kids who attend the center better than anyone. You guys work with them five days a week. Why put their education in the hands of someone else? Especially when you can be the ones motivating them to give it their all. Wasn’t it you that said something along the lines of ‘having faith in our kids’.”
“Yes sir I did. I just thought,” she paused like she was unsure to express her thoughts.
“You thought what?”
“I just thought by having them to enroll at a junior college would maybe push them toward seeking a degree.”
“I’m not counting that out. I understand your plight. I’m college educated as well but going back to another thing that you said. Giving them societal experiences at this age could open the door for the unimaginable. The goal is for them to earn some sort of certificate, hell, if we decide to offer certain programs they could even finish with an associate.”
“Programs like what?”
“We can discuss it in detail when we sit down for our meeting.”
“I would really love that.” She smiled. “I’m headed back to my office. I forgot my creamer.” Talitha held out her mug. “I’m logged into the company chat; you can message me when you’re ready.”
“Will do,” I let her know before turning and going back to my office.
Now that I had put my thought process on her radar, all that was left was to sit down with Poppa and see what I needed to do on my end to make these things happen.
“And you are sure this ain’t another Dahlia situation?” Poppa quizzed, as he took a seat across from me at the conference room table.
“Not by a long shot. She’s only been here a few months. This was her idea and after thinking about it, the shit made sense.”
When Poppa texted me to let me know he was walking in the building, I left my office to meet him in the front. On the way to the conference room, I gave him a brief run-down of why I had requested this meeting with him. The nigga went from it being a good idea to him asking about Dahlia.
In the past, anything she asked, I made happen so I could understand why he asked that question. Outside of what I had read on Talitha’s resume, I knew nothing about her. I genuinely loved her idea and wanted to make it happen. Maybe a part of me felt guilty because the demise of my relationship had caused Dahlia to skip out on the center. I wouldn’t share that thought with anyone. But other than that, the idea was a good one.
“I know you Dutch. Something is up,” Poppa retorted after staring at me for a few seconds.
“You gotta hear her out. She came to me with an idea, and I took off with it. What she wants is similar to what I’ve come up with. My shit just on a grander scale,” I chuckled.
“Yeah cause we all know Dutch don’t half step with shit.”
“Aye.” Tossing my hands up in the air I conceded, “I’m with ya’ when ya’ right.”
“Where is the lady with the master plan?”
“She will be here any second. She was finishing up a call. And when she gets in here, kill all that Dutch shit. They don’t know nothing ‘bout that.”
“I’on need no sermon, Law,” he retorted smugly before laughing.
“Mr. Harvey,” Talitha announced her presence from the entry way garnering mine and Poppa’s attention.
The other day when I saw her, she wore a skirt. Today she was dressed down in a pair of dark denim jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and a navy blazer with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, showcasing her slender face.
One look at her had Poppa slanting his eyes at me. “Just like I thought,” he mumbled low enough for only he and I to hear.
Laughing him off, I invited Talitha into the room. After introductions were made, we got right down to business. Poppa and Talitha had basically spear headed the conversation. I only chimed in when it was necessary.
“I gotta agree with Law on this one Ms. Howard. I think what the center needs to do is build out. And not in the sense of construction… I’m talking about becoming a technical college. You can still run a youth center and do the trade programs, but if you’re wanting to offer programs on a grander scale of things, you’re going to have to seek accreditation. Why stop at just offering trades? You can do that and offer associate level programs as well.”
Slamming her back in the chair, Talitha pushed out a dejected sigh. “Accreditation? Shit. I’m having a hard enough time getting anyone to fund a trade program.”
“That’s where the accreditation comes into play,” I shared. “When it’s legit on paper, we can offer federal loans, Pell grants, and all of those things.”
“Precisely,” Poppa agreed. “I have a friend at the Southern Association of Colleges that owes me a favor. I can link y’all to him directly and he can let you know what the first step is to make it happen.”
“This is more than what I envisioned.”
“I’m sure it is. If you gon’ do it, you might as well take it to the next level.”
“I’m with Poppa. I loved your idea, but I think it can be more. I have limitless funds, Talitha. I can make just about anything happen.”
“He ain’t lying,” Poppa chuckled. “I do think the first order of business should be finding a location. If you’re going to open a technical college, you need a building. You operate the trade classes out of here… as far as everything else, you gotta go bigger. I’m talking labs, clinical sites, whatever it takes to offer those programs, you gotta have that space for your students to operate out of.”
“Is it too late to back out?” Talitha murmured.
“It most definitely is,” I retorted. “One thing you will learn about me Ms. Howard, when I’m presented with idea, I turn it into an opportunity. That passion that you had when we first spoke, I need you to dig deep down inside and pull it out. It’s time to get the ball rolling.”
“I’ll shoot my connects information over to you Law. Get with him and follow up with me.” Turning to Talitha, Poppa grabbed her by the hand. “Don’t stress about anything. This is your vision, we’re just here to see it through for you. I think you have something that could be major as long as you follow through with it. If I can be of any help at all, don’t hesitate to reach out. Law got my digits and he doesn’t mind calling me up any time of the night. I’m extending that same courtesy to you.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Patton.”
“Call me Poppa.” His slick ass was lowkey flirting. Knowing exactly where this could lead, I interrupted whatever it was that he was getting ready to say.
“Pop, let me walk you out.”
“Ummhmm,” he hummed and nodded his head.
“Talitha, give me a few minutes.”
“Will do.”
Poppa and I rose from the table and after he gave Talitha a final goodbye, we left the conference room.
When we were a good distance away from the door I asked, “You really think this could work?”
“Hell yeah! All you gotta do is set the foundation and employ the right people. I’m talking from admissions down to the advisors. This could work Dutch. Mark my word, this shit is getting ready to change the game.” Holding his hand up, he ran a finger down the front of it and asked, “How many of us you know that’s done opened a fucking accredited school up.”
“Shit. I can name a few,” I responded.
“And I’m not talking ‘bout no fucking beauty and barber school. They throw them muthafuckas up on every damn corner. I’m talking ‘bout some legit shit. You ‘bout to really pave the way for some shit.”
“Man,” I drawled. “I’m just trying to do my civil duty.”
“Yeah. And that pretty lil’ chocolate thing sitting in the conference room is all the motivation you need.”
“Ain’t nothing Poppa. You know me. If it was, I wouldn’t hesitate to say so.”
“Y’all ‘bout to be working together on this shit. If it ain’t nothing right now, it will be.”
“Nawl. I’mma keep it business. The last time I mixed the two, she fucked my crib up,” I chuckled, even though the shit really wasn’t funny. I’m just glad I could laugh about it now.
“All I’mma say is if you do take it there, be careful with that one Dutch. Something tells me she ain’t like Dahlia.”
“No need to adhere to your warning. I promise I’m not even on that.”
“I hear ya’. I’mma forward you that information. Now yo’ ass owe me.”
“Favor for a favor.” I accepted. After letting him know I would get up with him later, I ambled back to the conference room where I had Talitha waiting on me.
Rounding the conference room table, I sat down in my seat and gathered the papers I had sprawled out on the table.
“I’m going to reach out to Poppa’s friend, and I guess we can go from there.”
“Mr. Harvey, if I may.”
“Go ahead,” I urged.
“This is a lot. Like a whole lot, and I don’t know if I will have the necessary time needed to devote to a project of this magnitude.”
“Okay. I can understand that. I’m going to be with you one hundred percent of the way seeing as though it would be my name on everything. I fully plan to be involved.”
“No.” Her head shook vehemently. “You’re not understanding. Outside of work, I take care of my elderly grandmother. I have a nurse that’s with her during the day.”
“I see.” I nodded. Scratching at my beard, I thought of ways to make it easier for her to be involved with this project. “What if we have someone step in as interim director so you can use your days and focus on this?”
“I mean” She hesitated a bit before agreeing, “It could work but I would need your full commitment because doing it alone isn’t possible.”
“I’m committed. We can work out of here or go to one of my office spaces. The choice is up to you. But if we’re going to do it, the time is now.”
“Why do I feel like I just signed myself up for a mountain of stress?”
“Because you did.” I laughed, then offered, “Good stress though. What we’re getting ready to embark on is for the greater of the community. We got this and together,” I pointed between the two of us, “We’re going to make it happen.”
“We are,” she finally agreed. “I guess I need to find someone here that’s capable of stepping in for me.”
“Nonsense. Marsha’s head of human resources. She can find someone.”
“Well, can I at least call a meeting and let everyone know what’s going to be happening for the next however long it takes.”
“It’s your staff. Do as you may.”
“Thank you so much Mr. Harvey.” She smiled before standing.
“Law.”
“Huh?”
“Call me Lawton or Law. Mr. Harvey is so formal.”
Tucking her chin low, Talitha shook her head and smirked. “Just like Ms. Howard is. Everyone around here calls me Tali. But duly noted.”
“Be expecting a call from me Tali.”
“Will do.” Paying me one last glance, Talitha gathered her things and strutted out of the conference room.
A few minutes after she left, I was gathering the rest of my things and abandoning the room. I had an hour before I had to hop on my calls and since I skipped breakfast this morning, I needed to get to my office and place an order for delivery. As long as time permitted, I was going to reach out to Poppa’s connected. If I wasn’t able to make it happen today, that would be the first thing on my agenda in the morning.
CHAPTER 4
Talitha
“Gema!” I yelled through the house. “Are you ready to go?”
“Stop all that hollering,” she fussed. Rolling her bag into the living room, Gema pushed it over to me and grabbed ahold to the back of the couch. “I’on see why Litha wanna run up here now. Ain’t like she been trying to come.”
“Neither do I. But you gotta go. Uncle Willie Earl ‘nem waiting on you.”
“Willearl could’ve brought his ass up here. I’on got time to be hearing ya’ mama mouth. Bad enough she done let Joe Lee rent my house out to somebody I ain’t never even met.”
By the tone of her voice, one would think Gema was playing. I knew better. When I told her what my egg donor had done with her house, she was cursing up a storm. It wasn’t until I got Betty Jo on the phone did, she calm down.
Jalitha was the only person who didn’t see an issue with her having random people in my granny’s house. I told her ass if they tore anything up, her and that husband of hers that she worshipped so much better had fixed it or I would see their ass in court.
“You gon’ fuss the whole way back home or try to enjoy yourself?” I finally asked.
“I’m gon’ fuss!” she assured me.
Shaking my head, I zipped up the jacket of her jogging suit and smoothed out her edges. The weather was fair back at home, so I had packed her a suitcase full of two-piece jogging suits. That way if she got hot, she could take the jacket off and still be presentable. The entire time I was getting her dressed, she was fussing. I wholeheartedly believed had it been anybody else that was coming to pick her up, she wouldn’t have mind. The fact that my mama went against mine and Gema wishes and rented out her house had her on Gema radar, and baby she wasn’t happy at all. I knew for a fact she was gon’ give my mama an ear full the minute they pulled away from the house.
“One week Tali. I’m only gon’ stay for one week. By Sunday morning, you or Jessie better be on the way to pick me up.”
“Today is just Monday, Gema. What if they want you to stay longer?”
“One week Talitha,” she groused, letting me know just how serious she was.
“One week. You got all your medicine?”
“You would know. You the one packed the bag.”
“Well, I’mma do a quick sweep around your room to make sure.”
Grabbing her by the hand, I walked her over to the couch and waited for her to take a seat. I wanted to make sure she had everything she would need to make it through the next week. I had even packed her bible and a bag of candy that her ass didn’t need.
I didn’t need them depriving her of anything cause that’s exactly what my spiteful ass mama would do the minute she got her back to the country. I had gone out and bought her a cell phone and programmed my number along with Mrs. Jessie’s so she could call us, you know in case she decided she was ready to leave earlier than expected.
I know the only reason she agreed was cause the rest of her kids wanted her to come down. If it wasn’t for that, she wouldn’t be going anywhere with my mama and her husband. Make no mistakes, if my Gema called me and told me to come pick her up, I was blowing the highway down to get to her. I didn’t care what time or day it was. I would drop everything just for her.
Wrapping her phone charger up, I placed it along with her phone in her pocketbook and slung it over my shoulder. “You was gon’ leave up out of here without yo’ phone.”
“Chile, I had forgot all about that thang,” she laughed. “Ain’t like I got nobody to call anyway.”
