The Littlest Boss

by Janet Lee Nye

  “It’s just there’s this...nothing. It’s fine.”

  Kasey caught her by the elbow. “Oh. No, ma’am. There’s this what? What are you hiding?”

  “Nothing.” She glanced down at Lily and lowered her voice. “It’s the school project I told you about.”

  The slightly puzzled look on Kasey’s face quickly changed to sly deviousness. “Oh. The project. With the...”

  “Yes,” Tiana interrupted. She gave a slight head tilt in Lily’s direction. “The project.”

  “I thought you were finished with school, Mommy,” Lily piped up. “Why do you have homework?”

  “It’s a different kind of project, Lils,” Tiana said.

  “Very different,” Kasey added with a grin.

  Tiana made a face at her. “Gee. Thanks.” She hit the unlock button on her key fob. “Miss Kasey is being a silly pants, Lil. Climb on up.”

  “Bye, Lily! See you on Sunday,” Kasey called out as she moved to her own car. “I’ll call you to arrange details. Have fun on Saturday with c-h-e-m-i-s-t-r-y man.”

  Tiana waved a certain finger in the air. “Bye, Kay-Kay.”

  “What project?” Lily asked as Tiana buckled her into the booster seat.

  “Nothing, baby. Ms. Kasey was just being funny.”

  She climbed behind the wheel with a grin on her face. It felt good. The crushing fear of failure that had dogged her all through college was gone. She still felt nervous on the job, but that was normal and she was learning and feeling more comfortable every day. What felt good was getting back to being normal. Having friends. Doing things. Living a life that included more than studying and attending classes. She’d even begun reading for pleasure again.

  She shouldn’t have let the DeShawn thing slip out though. Kasey was too quick. And she never forgot a thing. “Ugh,” she said, slipping the car into gear and slowly backing out.

  “What’s ugh, Mommy?”

  “Nothing, love. Was just thinking of something I have to do later.”

  “Okay. I was at the library at school the other day and the librarian helped me look up stuff about taking care of kittens. Did you know you can train a kitten to use the bathroom on a toilet? So you don’t have to have those boxes you said you didn’t want?”

  “No, I did not know that,” she replied in a neutral voice. Oh, she was going to have a talk with this librarian.

  * * *

  DESHAWN WAITED OUTSIDE on the sidewalk, watching the busy Saturday afternoon shoppers scurry through the parking lot. With a grin, he remembered Tiana’s terse voice mail agreeing to meet him to talk about the school project. She still had those iron walls up high. Which only made him more curious as to what was beyond those walls. Was she like that with all guys? Or just him? He bounced on his toes to keep warm. She has a kid. Maybe that’s why. Ever think of that? And Mickie had a kid and Josh still went hook, line and sinker for that. “Aw, man,” he said out loud in a low voice. “You are getting way ahead of yourself.”

  With a glance at his watch, he frowned. She’d said quarter to eleven and it was almost eleven now. Scanning the parking lot, he spotted her. Finally. A smile spread across his lips. Then faded as... She brought the kid? He watched as Tiana helped the little girl out of the back seat. Then she paused as... Oh hell, she brought her mother too?

  He lifted a hand as they walked closer. She looked at him and shook her head, making the curls bounce.

  Letting go of her daughter’s hand as they reached the sidewalk, Tiana turned to her mother. “Go ahead and take Lily in for story hour. It’s starting now.”

  Once they were inside, she turned to him. “I’m sorry.”

  “What for?”

  “Being late. Once Lily found out I was coming to the bookstore, she wanted to come too. Then I had to get my mother to come to watch her so I could meet with you. And it turned into a drama.”

  “No problem. Come on, I’ll buy you a coffee.”

  Once they settled at a table inside, DeShawn with a bottle of water and Tiana with a cup of tea, he bobbed his head toward the bookstore. “I’m not allowed to meet them?”

  Her eyes were cool as she looked at him over the rim of her teacup. “Allowed isn’t the right word. I’m very careful with my daughter.”

  “Understood. She’s cute though. Looks just like you.”

  “Thank you. Now tell me about this project.”

  Okay. All business. He quickly outlined the idea of the project and the needs of the kids at the school for her. “I’m now looking for people of similar backgrounds to come talk to the kids and to be mentors.”

  “Where is this school again?” Tiana asked. When he told her, she nodded. “Corridor of Shame.”

  He leaned forward, not sure he’d heard her right. “The what?”

  “Corridor of Shame. It’s the area in South Carolina along Interstate 95. Predominantly black, very poor. The entire infrastructure is crumbling along with the schools.”

  “That’s...” He couldn’t find the right word. “It’s known enough to have a name but no one has done anything about it?”

  Tiana leaned forward. “Poor. Black. Rural.”

  “Now I’m mad. First I was shocked by the school conditions. But to know it’s a statewide problem? That just makes it worse.”

  “So whatcha going to do about it, Mr. Maid?”

  The words were a teasing challenge that came with a bonus of one of her smiles. “I guess I’m going to have to keep my promise to the kids at that school while I educate myself on what’s being done to solve the problem. Are you on board?”

  She put down the teacup and held her hand out. “I’m in.”

  He put his hand to hers, ignoring the heat the feel of her palm against his generated, and shook. “Great. Thank you.”

  “So, what’s next?”

  “Tuesday evening after work, we’re having a planning meeting to discuss the next steps. Can you make it?”

  Pulling out her phone, she tapped through to the calendar. “Yep. What time and where?”

  * * *

  FINISHING HER NOW cool tea, Tiana watched as DeShawn left the coffee shop. He’d thrown her for a loop by waiting outside. Her plan had been to get Lily settled in the children’s section and meet him in the coffee shop. But he’d handled it well. Her mother realized also and had smoothly taken over Lily and hustled her inside. Tiana didn’t think Lily had noticed.

  She shook her head, trying to get rid of the thoughts. Think about this project. The kids. It was a great idea. She’d come out of Corridor of Shame schools herself and knew firsthand what those kids were facing. Gathering her things, she made her way to the children’s section. The story reading was still in progress. Lily was sitting on the floor with her knees up and her arms wrapped around them. Her chin rested on her knees as she listened to the story. A warm feeling of love and pride flowed through her.

  “Your meeting all done?”

  She turned to her mother. “Yes. It’s an interesting project.”

  “Interesting man. What do you have to tell me about him?”

  “Nothing. He used to work for Josh... Wait. What do you mean by interesting? You’ve never even met him.”

  “Tee. I’ve got eyes, don’t I? Good-looking. Single. Wants to get involved to help kids? That’s interesting, don’t you think?”

  “I need a man like a fish needs a bicycle.”

  “That doesn’t even make sense. Of course you don’t need a man. But they are good to have around sometimes.”

  Tiana felt her cheeks burn. “I’m not even having this discussion with you, Mother. Besides, story time is over, and here comes Lily.”

  “You don’t have to shield her from everything.”

  Tiana turned away and waved at her daughter. Her mother just didn’
t understand.

  “Momma? Can I buy the book too?” Lily asked as she joined them.

  “Yes. And then we can go over to that place that makes your pizza just the way you want it for lunch. Hungry?”

  Lily wrapped her arms around her waist and flung her head back dramatically. “Starving!”

  While waiting in line to pay, Tiana’s thoughts drifted back to DeShawn. Her mother was right, although she’d never let her know that. DeShawn was drop-dead gorgeous. Educated. Good job. Army National Guard. And creating a project to help poor kids? If he was a churchgoer, her mom would have them engaged in a month. Yeah, that’s all great, but remember he annoys you by just breathing. She couldn’t forget all his snarky flirting from last summer. You liked it. That’s why you get so annoyed. She let out a huff of air, unsure who exactly she was angry with. Him or herself.

  “Why so mad?” her mother asked when she met them at the front door.

  “I’m not mad. I’m thinking.”

  “I’m thinking too. I’m thinking it’s about time for you to take time for yourself. Have some fun.”

  She got a light nudge from her mother’s elbow. “I’m having fun. We’re going to the bird show thing tomorrow.”

  “Grown-up fun.”

  Tiana pushed open the door and held it open for Lily and her mother. “Stop it, Mom. You’re kind of grossing me out.”

  “What’s grown-up fun?” Lily asked.

  Tiana shrugged. She wasn’t stepping in that. “Ask your granny.”

  “Her nana.”

  “What’s grown-up fun, Nana?”

  “I’ll tell you when you’re a grown-up.”

  Shaking her head, Tiana strode across the parking lot. Her mother needed to go home. Soon.

  * * *

  TIANA JOSTLED HER WAY through the crowd in Marion Square, trying not to drop the four plastic containers of shrimp and grits she was carrying. The Southeastern Wildlife Expo was in its final day and the Birds of Prey flight demonstration was one of the most popular events. Mother Nature had been kind enough to bless them with a mild midfifty-degree afternoon with lots of sunshine and no wind.

  She made it back to where Kasey was waiting with Lily and Claire. They’d come early so they’d have a front-row seat to the demonstration. The grassy center was roped off for the show. Around the perimeter of the park were booths where local chefs were cooking up samples of their menus.

  “Lord,” Kasey said as Tiana approached the blanket they’d spread on the ground. She jumped up to help with the containers Tiana had tucked into the crooks of her elbows. “They didn’t have a bag for those?”

  “No,” Tiana said as she sat down and began pulling spoons and napkins from her coat pockets. She checked her sleeves. This was her good coat. No spillage, thank God.

  The savory dish tasted extra good in the crisp air. Tiana practically gobbled hers down, she was so hungry. In the chaos of getting Lily up and out of the house, she’d forgotten to eat breakfast.

  “When do the birds start flying?” Lily asked.

  “Not too long now.” She checked the time on her phone. “Less than thirty minutes. I know it’s been hard waiting—you’ve both been very good.”

  They’d had the idea that the girls could play while they waited. A plan dashed once they saw the size of the crowd. Luckily for Tiana, Kasey was one of those über-organized mothers who traveled with a magical purse that held something for every emergency. Books, sketch pads and crayons. Juice boxes. Snacks. Wet wipes. She wouldn’t be surprised if there was a full change of clothes in there.

  After they’d eaten and gotten the girls cleaned up, Kasey volunteered to brave the crowd to dispose of their trash. As she left, there began to be some activity in the area roped off for the demonstration. People were moving in and setting things up. The crowd pushed closer.

  “Up, girls,” Tiana said. She gathered up the blanket and put the girls in front of her. “Spread apart a bit. We need to save room for your mom, Claire.”

  “That’s a hawk! That’s a hawk, Mommy! I recognize it from my bird book,” Lily said in her most outdoor of voices. Several adults nearby smiled.

  “Oh! Look! It’s an owl!” Claire said, pointing.

  “I see them. This is going to be fun, huh?”

  Kasey returned and took her place beside Tiana. She leaned over to whisper in Tiana’s ear. “Don’t look but there is one super-hot man back there checking you out. Like seriously checking you out.”

  “Where?” Tiana whispered back.

  “To your right, few feet back from the rope. Black leather jacket, red knit hat.”

  Tiana turned, trying to appear as if she were casually glancing around at the crowd but her gaze froze. DeShawn. Of course. That damn man showed up everywhere.

  “Ugh,” she said.

  “What? He’s hot.”

  “He’s annoying.”

  “Is he the project guy? C-h-e-m-i-s-t-r-y man?”

  Claire looked up. “We know how to spell, Mom. We’re six, not stupid.”

  Kasey stuck her tongue out at her daughter. “What did I spell then?”

  The two girls whispered back and forth. “Chimney,” Lily announced.

  “Close enough,” Tiana said. “Look! The birds are starting to fly.” She elbowed Kasey. “Stop looking at him.”

  “I’m not looking at him. I’m looking at that guy he’s with. The ginger. Yum.”

  “Oh, I’m telling your husband.”

  Kasey laughed. “I’m allowed to look. He’s coming this way.”

  Alarm rang through her body as Tiana looked over. Sure enough, DeShawn was weaving his way through the crowd toward them. She shook her head. No. He smiled and kept coming. She put on her fiercest nurse no-nonsense expression and shook her head again, adding in a quick head dip in Lily’s direction. That stopped him. The smile faltered as he glanced down and saw Lily. He nodded and retreated back to his friends.

  “What was that about?” Kasey asked.

  Tiana leaned in close. “Not in front of Lily,” she whispered.

  * * *

  “SHOT DOWN?” ERIC asked with a laugh as DeShawn returned.

  “Naw. She’s got her kid with her.”

  Malik shook his head. “Run, man, run. Women with kids? That’s way too complicated.”

  DeShawn ignored them and pretended to watch the graceful flight of the owls. They really were beautiful creatures. His gaze kept straying to Tiana. He should have known she’d have her kid with her. He felt a twinge of some unidentifiable emotion. Not quite pain, not quite sadness, something balanced between the two. He couldn’t stop watching. Tiana had her hands on her daughter’s shoulders, laughing and nodding at the girl’s excited gestures and exclamations. She looked like a mini Tiana except her hair was caught up in two puff balls at the sides of her head. Loneliness. The word rose in his mind, but that wasn’t quite right either. He wasn’t lonely. He had friends. They did stuff. It was more a lack of connection. He’d watched one of his best friends fall in love last summer. He wasn’t jealous, but it did show him a part of life he was missing.

  “Dude, stop staring at her,” Malik said.

  Turning his attention back to the show where hawks were now demonstrating their skills, he repressed a sigh. The fun was gone. A family. She had a family. Her mother. Her kid. She was a mother. What could he offer her? Nothing. You’ve got nothing. Let it go. Whatever you think this might be, just forget it.

  A nudge brought his attention back. Eric tilted his head toward Calhoun Street. “Let’s head over to Brittlebank Park and watch the Dock Dogs dive. We should still be able to get a good spot.”

  DeShawn nodded. Yeah, great idea. Get out of here. He glanced over one more time. And caught Tiana’s direct gaze. She was smiling at him. A real smile. A flare o
f warmth lit him up inside before it faded away. He lifted a hand and gave a little salute and turned to shoulder his way out of the crowd. What were you thinking anyway? That she’d want the likes of you? She’s going to want better than some crackhead’s kid.

  Eric stopped and waited for him to catch up. “You okay, man?”

  “Yeah, I’m good.”

  “So, who was she? You lit up like it was Christmas when you saw her.”

  DeShawn felt his face go hot. He shook his head. “We’ve met a few times. I don’t really know her.”

  “Sounds like you want to move that forward.”

  “I thought so. Not so sure anymore.”

  “Move on then. Come on by my place next weekend. We’re going to watch the All-Star Game. There will be lots of women there.”

  Forcing a grin, DeShawn slapped the palm Eric held out. “Sounds great, man,” he said. The words rang hollow in his ears though. The realization that he didn’t want to get with just any woman hit him. He wanted Tiana. He wanted to search for a chink in that armor of hers and find who she was behind those walls. Following Eric and Malik to the parking garage, he shook his head. Never going to happen.

  His mood lifted once they arrived at Brittlebank Park. The crowds were just beginning to form and they were able to grab a prime viewing spot. The Dock Dogs competition was one of the expo’s most popular. Dogs of all types competed in spectacular leaps off the end of the dock into the Ashley River. The air was humming with excitement and the yips and barks of the dogs as they waited.

  “When does it start?” he asked as they settled down on the grass.

  “Not for another hour. Good thing we got here so early.”

  DeShawn leaned back on his hands as he looked around at the crowd. It was growing larger by the minute. The remainder of his dark mood left him. It was impossible to be gloomy when the day was so perfect. Warm, sunny, the sky as blue as it could be without a cloud in sight. Good friends. Dogs jumping into the water. What more could he ask for?

  “So what’s going on with Josh?” Eric asked.

  “Huh? Nothing.”

  “That’s not what I hear. I hear he’s shopping for rings.”