The Littlest Boss

by Janet Lee Nye

  Lena looked at her. “That’s a great idea. When we fixed the room at the mission, we had the kids put their handprints along the wall. Gave them a sense of ownership.”

  Feeling her frustration slip away, Tiana nodded. “A class project, perhaps?”

  “Definitely. We’ll put it on the list.”

  The men came back with boxes. Putting her hands on her hips, Tiana looked at Henry. “We’ve had an idea.”

  Malik laughed as he set down a box. “Why does that sound so ominous?”

  “Paint. Who would want to come in here? Looks like a room in a haunted house,” Tiana said.

  Henry looked around, nodding. “You’re right. I’m so used to looking at it that I don’t really see it anymore.”

  “Can we get the kids involved with it?” Lena asked.

  “Absolutely. I’ll work it out and get back to you.”

  “Great,” Tiana said. “Now. Anyone have any idea how we should sort the books? I know fiction and nonfiction.”

  Henry pushed a box against the wall with his foot. “Just leave them. I’ll catalog and store them until after we get the painting done. No need to shelve them twice.” He reached out and grabbed DeShawn’s hand. “Thank you for coming up with this idea. I think we’re really going to do some good here.”

  DeShawn ducked his head and his cheeks darkened. Tiana raised her eyebrows. What’s this? Humility? Shocking.

  “Naw,” DeShawn said. “Having an idea is easy. It was all of us who made it real.”

  Dammit! Stop being perfect! She tried scowling at him, hoping that would remind her heart that she was not going to fall for this man. But her heart didn’t seem to want to listen.

  Henry turned to her. “So, we’ll be seeing you two Tuesday to kick off the program?”

  She quickly rearranged her face into a smile. “Sounds good.”

  * * *

  “WHAT ARE YOU going to talk about?” she asked as they got on the road home.

  “Well. I was going to talk about how I lived with my grandmother. That she encouraged me to excel in school and made me promise I would graduate from college. But neither she nor I had any clue about applying for college or getting scholarships or grants. I was lucky to have had a good guidance counselor at school who helped me with all that.”

  Tiana nodded. “And were you ready for college?”

  He laughed. “Hell no. I wasn’t top of my class but I was in the top ten percent. Even then, when I got to college I realized I was behind in math. Had to take remedial courses to catch up. That’s why it took me five years to graduate instead of four.”

  “That’s exactly what happened to me. I had to go to a community college for a year just to get caught up, then transferred to the nursing program at the University of South Carolina.”

  DeShawn pulled a pen from his shirt pocket. “Got paper?”

  She did that thing. That parent thing where she managed to reach into the back seat without taking her eyes off the road and produced a picture of several brightly colored fish. “From the fish doctor phase,” she said as she handed it to him.

  “You sure you don’t want to keep it? Put it on the fridge? Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?”

  “Man, my fridge isn’t big enough for her fish pictures. Point number one—good grades do not equal college readiness. Be prepared to catch up.”

  She tapped the paper and he began to write, using the dashboard as a desk.

  “Point two,” he said. “Use your school’s guidance counselor. Don’t take no for an answer.”

  “Why’d you live with your grandmother? Where were your parents?”

  The question took him by surprise. She usually tried to distance herself from him.

  “My parents had substance abuse issues. Momma G just sort of took over caring for me.”

  “You were lucky.”

  He didn’t feel very lucky but he merely nodded. “I was. What’s point three?”

  “Feeling like you don’t deserve to be there.”

  “God, yes. That’s a big one.” He shook his head. “Tell me more about the Corridor of Shame. You mentioned it before.”

  Tiana gathered her thoughts. He smelled amazing, as usual. She cleared her throat.

  “It refers to the swath of South Carolina along Interstate 95. Like I told you, it includes the poorest, blackest, most economically isolated counties in the state. The schools are literally falling apart. No supplies. No technology. Barely any books.”

  “Worse than this school?” he asked, sounding surprised.

  “This school is in pretty good shape. My fifth-grade classroom didn’t have glass in the windows. Boarded up in winter and screens nailed over them in the warm months.”

  “I... I can’t wrap my brain around that. I grew up outside of Charlotte. We were poor but our schools weren’t falling apart.”

  “Welcome to South Carolina,” she said.

  “Why do you stay though? You have a kid. Wouldn’t you want to get out?”

  She shrugged. It was a question she’d asked herself many times. “It’s home. My family is here. I got my daughter out of that small town. She’s in a good school. She has more opportunity in Charleston than I ever had. It’ll do for now.”

  They each fell silent for several miles. DeShawn shifted in the seat and faced her. She cut her eyes at him. “What?”

  “Why do you always go defensive? I was going to ask if you had any ideas about how to get the kids out to see us doing our jobs in the real world, like we talked about. I might be able to get permission to have one of them follow me on the job.”

  The comment stung a bit and Tiana held her tongue. She didn’t always go on the defensive. Just with him. Because she wanted to get to know him. In all sorts of ways. Her curls bounced as she shook her head. Job. Lily. Get your mother to go back home. That was enough for one person. She did not need anything—or anyone—else in her life right now.

  “I know I can’t have a kid come into the emergency department,” she said as she fiddled with the heat setting. “I talked to the simulation lab manager. I can setup a tour for the kids interested in the medical field. All I need is a date, time and headcount.”

  “Do you do most of your work in the ER?”

  She side-eyed him again. Why does he have to be so interested? It’s really unfair. “Yes.”

  “Do you like it?”

  “Barring nights like the horrible one I told you about, yes, I do.”

  He shifted again to face forward in the seat. “All right. I’ll shut up. I don’t know why making ordinary conversation is a problem with you.”

  Pressing down hard on the impulse to apologize, Tiana focused on the road ahead. Thirty more minutes and this would be over. As the miles ticked by, the silence began to feel decidedly uncomfortable. “It isn’t a problem,” she said firmly.

  “Okay,” he replied and the neutrality in his tone irritated her.

  “Look, DeShawn, you seem like a really nice guy. But I just started this job—I’m working crazy twelve-hour shifts. I’ve got a six-year-old in a new school. I’ve got a mother who has moved in and won’t take any hints about going home. Now I’ve got this project with you all, and while I’m excited about it, it is another thing I have to do.”

  “And what does any of that have to do with having a conversation with me while we are in this car right now?”

  She pursed her lips and felt her cheeks go hot. Nothing. It had nothing to do with it.

  “I know I’ve been teasing you,” he continued. “But truth is, I’ve just moved back to Charleston. Most of the people I hung out with here have moved on to new jobs. You’re funny and smart and I thought maybe we could get to know each other a little better.”

  She frowned and stared at the road. What
a load of bologna. Especially after that kiss? Just want to get to know each other my giddy old auntie. From the periphery of her vision, she saw him lift his hands, palms up and shake his head. The international I-give-up sign.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, forcing the words out. “Yes. I like working in the emergency room very much. It’s very challenging.”

  It took a moment, but he responded. “I’d probably pass out when I saw the blood.”

  “Blood doesn’t bother me. Snot. Snot bothers me.”

  His laugh was beautiful. Rich and deep and real. “You and Josh, both.”

  “He needs to get over that. That child of Mickie’s is the snottiest kid I’ve ever met. I don’t know how she affords the amount of tissue she must go through.”

  “What a man will do for love,” DeShawn said with a laugh.

  “Wipe a baby’s snotty nose apparently.”

  “I saw him have to do it once and he gagged.”

  “Dear Lord. Wait until the kid pukes on him. He’s gonna die.”

  They both laughed and Tiana felt the tension ease. It wasn’t like her to keep people at a distance and she didn’t mean to be grouchy at him. But he was an itch that she so wanted to scratch and she had too many real grown-up problems to deal with. She didn’t need a man, not even this one.

  “So, what do you do as an engineer?”

  “Right now, I’m doing the preliminary planning for a new highway interchange.”

  “Sounds... I got nothing. Not even a clue what that would involve,” she said with a laugh.

  “Measuring and taking pictures mostly.”

  “I’m sure it’s way more than that.”

  “Math. It’s mostly math and look, I can see your eyes glazing over already.”

  “Yeah. Me and math. Not really friends. I barely made it through algebra. Took one look at a calculus book and...nope. No way. No how.”

  “I love math. It’s straightforward. Once you know the rules, it’s easy. There’s no waffling. No endless circle of discussion over meaning. Neat. Clean.”

  “I guess that’s why they say there’s something for everyone,” she said as she turned into his apartment complex.

  As she pulled into a parking space, DeShawn undid the seat belt and paused as he opened the door. He extended his hand. “Friends?”

  She shook his hand with a smile. “Friends.”

  “Thanks for the ride.”

  She put the car in Reverse. “Bye, DeShawn.”

  As she drove away, she glanced at herself in the rearview mirror. There was a stupid, goofy smile on her face. She scowled at herself. “Don’t you start thinking anything.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  THE CROWD WAS still gathering inside the Circular Congregational Church for the Sunday Sound of Charleston concert when Lily tugged on her sleeve.

  “Mommy? Is that the dog jump man?”

  Tiana looked down at Lily. “Shh. Honey. Use your library voice.”

  Lily lowered her voice to a whisper. “The dog jump man.”

  Tiana frowned. “I don’t know what you mean. What dog jump man?”

  Lily pointed to the pew ahead of them and, sure enough, DeShawn scooted down to sit in front of her. “Tiana,” he said with surprise in his voice and a wicked twinkle in his eye. “What a surprise.”

  She scowled at him. “Are you following me or something?”

  Her mother leaned forward. “Bookstore man.”

  Lily shook her head. “Dog jump man.”

  DeShawn’s smile widened. He held out a hand to her mother. “DeShawn Adams.”

  “Vivian Nelson. I’m Tiana’s mother.”

  “A pleasure to meet you. You’ve raised a fine daughter.”

  Lily got to her knees on the pew and leaned forward with her hands on the back of his row. “I’m Lily!”

  “Hi, Lily. I’m DeShawn.”

  “I know. I remember you. You’re my mommy’s kwantence not friend.”

  “Acquaintance, Lily,” Tiana corrected.

  “Wow. You remembered all of that? You’re pretty smart,” DeShawn said. “I remember you wanted to be a fish doctor.”

  “Now I want to be a cat doctor.”

  Tiana rolled her eyes and DeShawn laughed. “Cats are great pets.”

  “Do. Not. Do. That,” Tiana ground out from behind clenched teeth.

  “Kittens are even better pets,” Lily announced.

  “Okay, Lily,” Vivian soothed. “Not now. DeShawn, have you been to any of these concerts before? It’s our first.”

  “Yes, ma’am. This is my home church.”

  And that did it. Vivian side-eyed Tiana hard. Brushing off a churchgoing man? There’d be hell to pay later. “Your home church?” Vivian echoed. “Tiana is still looking for a home church.”

  He looked back at Tiana. “I’d be more than happy to escort her to services any Sunday of her choice.”

  “Can I come too? I like this church. It’s round.”

  “Of course you get to come too, Lily.”

  “Mommy, can I sit with Mr. DeShawn?”

  Tiana froze. The request was so out of the blue, she wasn’t quite sure what to say. He must have seen it in her face because he shook his head.

  “I’m not sitting here. I only came over to say hello. My friends are all the way over there so it’d be best if you stay with your mother.”

  He stood and gave a head tilt to Vivian. “A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Nelson.” He pointed at Lily. “Team Kitten!”

  “Go away, DeShawn,” Tiana said. He was not helping not one bit. She glared at him as he left. A hard finger pop on her shoulder grabbed her attention. “Ow. Mom, that hurt!”

  “Educated. Churchgoing. Good-looking man and you’re brushing him off like he’s a nuisance?”

  “I like Mr. DeShawn,” Lily declared.

  Tiana turned away from them, sliding down in the pew with her arms across her chest. “Concert’s about to start. Y’all need to hush up now.”

  * * *

  DESHAWN LINGERED AT the entrance after the concert. Waiting for Tiana and her family. He’d been surprised to see them there. Hesitant to approach her when her daughter was with her after how she felt at the Wildlife Expo. But her mother was another story. Mrs. Nelson, he had wanted to meet. What was it like to have had parents so strongly committed to your success?

  At last, they appeared in the crowd. Lily was between them, holding each of their hands, swinging her arms and singing snatches of the gospel music they’d just heard. Tiana’s mother smiled at the sight of him. Tiana? Not so much.

  “Did you enjoy the concert?” he asked Mrs. Nelson.

  “Yes! I didn’t know quite what to expect, but it was wonderful. I’ve not heard some of those songs,” she said, putting a hand on his arm.

  “Those go back to pre–Civil War and the old slave spirituals. It’s one thing I like about this church community. They don’t pretend the past didn’t happen. They elevate the lost voices.”

  He didn’t miss the pointed look Vivian gave Tiana. Nor the withering look Tiana shot at him. Maybe he was laying it on a little too thick.

  “Thank you for the history lesson,” Tiana said. “I’ll see you tomorrow for the talk at the school.”

  She started to move away, but he walked with them. “I was going to offer to buy you all some dessert. Kaminsky’s is just around the corner.”

  “Dessert!” Lily yelled. “Can we, Momma? Please, please, please?”

  Tiana stopped. “It’s a school night.”

  “No school tomorrow. Teacher’s workday,” Vivian added.

  He suppressed a grin. “What’s your favorite ice cream, Lily?”

  “Strawberry. What’s yours?”

 
“Mint chocolate chip. I don’t know if they have strawberry ice cream, but I know they have a strawberry milkshake.”

  “I don’t want ice cream,” Tiana said. A little desperation sounded in her tone. She was losing this battle and she knew it.

  “Well, something sweet would be nice. Tee, they have dessert martinis,” Vivian said.

  DeShawn smiled at Tiana. “Vote is three to one. Looks like you lose.”

  She looked at her mother. “Dessert martinis?”

  “Mmm-hmm.”

  “Are we going?” he asked.

  Lily slid her tiny hand into his and he felt a jolt of emotion he’d never felt before. Awed and humbled by her trust. “I am,” she declared.

  He smiled at her. “It’s your mother’s decision.”

  Tiana shook her head. “Fine. Whatever. Dessert it is.”

  “Yay!” Lily said.

  “Yay!” he replied.

  Lily stayed with him as they walked around the corner to the dessert shop. Tiana and Vivian walked behind him. Lily peppered him with questions. Where did he live? Where did he work? Did he like cats? Did he like unicorns? He answered all her questions, expecting Tiana to interrupt at any moment.

  At the small shop, they lucked out with a booth. Sunday nights weren’t prime tourist time. While Vivian nibbled on her pastry and Tiana sipped on her martini, he and Lily slurped down milkshakes, trying to outdo each other on straw-sucking sounds.

  “So, DeShawn,” Vivian asked. “What’s this project you and Tiana are working on?”

  He glanced over at Tiana. Her face was pure stone, giving away nothing. “It’s for a guy I know from my college job. He’s a teacher at a rural school. We’re going to try to mentor the kids there. Let them know college is a reality, even for them. If what Tiana has told me is true, you have some experience with this.”

  “Only with my own. Got all three of them through college.”

  “That’s quite an accomplishment. I’ve been studying up on the Corridor of Shame. Seems like it’s a problem all over the nation.”

  “It is. It’s terrible. But we have to keep fighting for our kids.”

  “That’s what I’m trying to do.”