The Promotion

by Laura Domino

  Chapter 16

  Adam pulled onto Fourth Avenue. Benita had told him the parking lot was going to be full. And it was. People were already starting to leave their cars in the grassy lot across the street from the church.

  When Benita had said, “See you there,” he hadn’t expected them to go separately. But he didn’t want to make a big deal about it. He hadn’t even given her a twenty-four-hour notice. Something inside him was pushing him to get back in church. When he blurted out his plans in front of Dan, he hadn’t realized how much he needed to be back in church. His statement to Dan was a surprise even to himself.

  Adam thought he’d try to find that one empty parking spot. That place the last person leaving the parking lot had tiptoed out of. That one spot in the parking lot that no one else had seen. He drove down three lanes and spotted it. He checked to see if it was going to be a race, but he didn’t see anyone else looking for it. A line had formed in the street where cars waited to enter the grassy lot. Adam parked and got out of his car, and then he saw Benita pull into the lot. Good for her. Pretty smart move. She’s a risk-taker, not willing to follow blindly. Leaving everybody else in her dust. He waved her down. She drove to him, rolled down her window, and waved.

  Adam shouted, “If you’ll back up a little and let me out, I’ll give you my spot.”

  She mouthed, “Thank you,” obviously pleased that she could have his parking space. She didn’t argue.

  Without asking, he had the feeling she was probably wearing high heels and didn’t want to walk through the grass.

  After parking in the grass, Adam caught up with her inside the church’s front doors. Two women not five feet away walked to each other and greeted with a hug. His gaze went to Benita.

  She had just checked something on her phone and was putting it away.

  He wanted to greet her with a hug, but he thought it might be awkward. She probably wasn’t ready to hold hands like they had yesterday.

  Benita looked on edge about something. She whispered, “I should’ve picked you up this morning. We could’ve gone in one car. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  The service hadn’t started yet, and a few people in the church’s foyer smiled in his direction, seemingly interested in a new face. Adam thought he’d ignore them rather than embarrass Benita by waving.

  Through the big double doors leading to the sanctuary, he saw the brightly lit stained glass along the wall. Leaning closer to her, he kept his voice low and made sure he didn’t brush his face against her hair while whispering. “Where do you sit?”

  She lifted her lips to his ear. “I have a surprise. Don’t be unhappy. You’re going to help me teach Sunday School first. Church doesn’t start for another hour.”

  “Adults or kids?”

  Her intertwined fingers gripped together in front of her until white knuckles appeared. “Fourth graders. Come on.” Benita started down a hallway with him, hands at her sides. “My friend teaches that class, and she couldn’t be here.”

  “What happened? Did she get sick?”

  “No. She moved out of town. She scheduled someone else to teach the class, but they weren’t able to start teaching until next week.”

  They went up a flight of stairs together and turned down the hallway to the kids’ classrooms. “We’re teaching kids together this morning? Cool. Sounds like fun.”

  “It’s just today. And, yes, I know what you’re thinking. There are cookies.”

  “Oh! Thank you.”

  “I didn’t bring the cookies. My friend promised they’d be there.”

  “I wasn’t talking to you. I was thanking God for getting me back in a church. Not only am I back in a church, but this is also very well-timed. God has rewarded me with cookies. I feel like I’m the Prodigal Son, and I’m being fed the fatted calf.”

  XOXO

  Benita arrived at the Blueberry Bakery and waited just inside the front door, looking for Adam. She removed her backpack from her shoulder and pulled out her phone to look at the time. Adam’s last text popped up and said he was on his way. From the time stamp on it, he should already be there, waiting. She turned and peered through the window and down the sidewalk but didn’t see him on his way.

  It wasn’t horrible being the first to arrive. She got to pick out their table.

  After being seated, she perused the menu and ordered glasses of water for both of them. It bothered her that he wasn’t already there because she had texted him earlier that afternoon and told him to get a table at Blueberry Bakery for their group meeting at six-thirty. Although she knew she might be late, his tardiness took her by surprise. He was always on time.

  Mondays took a lot out of her. Beginning of the week meetings were important, but they usually ended up being pretty boring. She needed dinner, and she had limited options at home.

  She sat on the back side of the table so she could watch for Adam to come in. Scanning the customers already seated, she still didn’t see him anywhere. This was so unlike him. Lately, he seemed to be showing signs that he was interested in her by his choice of words and his emotional outbursts. If she were male, he would be acting totally different.

  It seemed to her a simple date would get the idea across pretty well. However, she couldn’t help but enjoy all the attention he gave her. He seemed to be building up to a romantic moment, and then he’d chicken out. Just a little more time or a little more encouragement from her should push him to take the leap of faith.

  She much preferred being asked out rather than asking a guy on a date.

  What if she was wrong? What if he wasn’t ever going to ask her out? Maybe he was interested in sharing the good deed project with her because they were just friends.

  The good deed project was going to help her get that promotion, at least that was one of the selling points he gave her. She needed all the ammunition she could gather. Maybe this would actually help. It couldn’t hurt.

  Benita saw the restaurant door open.

  It was Adam, smiling as usual. He walked over to her table. “Sorry for being the late one this time.”

  Holding a menu in one hand, she hit the table with her other fist. “I officially call this meeting to order.”

  “Good.” Adam saw Charlie and waved.

  Charlie was waiting on other tables, so another woman stepped up to take their order.

  After ordering, Adam sat back proudly. “It’s official. Today, I completed the mission of complimenting five people.”

  Benita had to laugh. “You only had three to go. It’s taken you a very long time.”

  “No. Five today. Five new people got compliments from me today. And I only had two to go.”

  That’s right. Benita remembered the third compliment. Adam had called her beautiful the day he came into her life. That was such a fun morning, and he had such a genuine way about him. It was hard to put him out of her mind. And now she was glad he persisted in their friendship.

  He raised his eyebrows. “You do remember, don’t you?”

  “Yes, Adam. You were saying?”

  “I gave five compliments today before I arrived here. Anyway—”

  “I thought we were going to do good deeds together.” Benita was surprised at his report, and surprised that he left her out of the fun.

  “We are. I just needed to practice before the meeting.”

  “Oh. Because you didn’t ever finish the first five?”

  “No. I did finish... I think. So, anyway—”

  “You did that because you were thinking of me? How sweet of you.”

  “I’m simply saying…” He paused and eyed her, probably waiting for her to interrupt him again.

  She laughed. “Sorry. I’ll let you finish your sentence.”

  “If I practiced showing concern for the community and being generous, I could be a better leader for you on this journey.”

  She silently counted to two before speaking. “I thought we were going to learn together. Isn’t that what you said?” Benita
hoped he was enjoying this as much as she was. “Besides, I’m already concerned for the community. I ran in the 5K fundraiser last spring.”

  Adam laughed and covered his face with his hands. The waitress delivered their plates and brought a pitcher to refill their water. When he stopped laughing, he nodded. “Yes. You are already concerned for others. Running in a 5K is very hard work. Those who benefited from the fundraiser appreciate you.”

  “But?” Benita knew he was going to get to his point eventually.

  “But if we’re going to grow this group and infect others with the desire to do a good deed every day, then we have to practice the easy stuff too.”

  “Not everyone can run a 5K. Got it.”

  The Blueberry Bakery had a pretty loyal following. One of the waitresses told Charlie to have a great birthday tonight. Then customers at a couple of Charlie’s tables shouted to her, “Happy birthday!”

  Adam swallowed his last bit of food and said, “I have an idea.”

  “I’m all for it.” Benita didn’t know his idea yet, but he usually came up with pretty good ones.

  Adam pulled out his wallet and paid his part of the bill. They’d agreed to pay for their own food each time they met at a restaurant for their small group meeting. That seemed to be fair. Then he looked at her and hesitated.

  Whatever his idea was, it must be so unusual that he wasn’t sure she was really all for it.

  “How much is your tip?”

  Benita always tipped well in restaurants. “Why?”

  He stared at the bill on the table in front of him. “Here’s my idea. It isn’t much, but it’s more usable than a birthday card.”

  Now she was really curious. “Okay. Keep going.”

  “We can give Charlie the same amount we tip the woman who waited on us today. You know, just paper money. We can round up. She’s not expecting anything from us, so it would be a birthday surprise.” His head remained still, but his eyes moved to meet her gaze. “So? What do you think?”

  Their bill wasn’t as much as a big vase of flowers. The tip was even less. Tipping Charlie the same shouldn’t cause any friction between the waitresses. “Yeah. That’s fine.”

  After tipping their own waitress, they walked over to Charlie, gave her the same amount, and wished her a happy birthday.

  “Our meeting is adjourned.” Adam held the door for Benita as they left.

  “Not yet. I have an idea too.”

  Adam walked with her. “And?”

  “Have you been to Zed’s?”

  “No.”

  “Stick with me, Adam.” They walked down to the corner store and went in. Benita didn’t know who Zed was, but it was a handy little convenience store, not far from where she lived. She took Adam right to the birthday card section. “It isn’t much, but we can add this to what we tipped her, so our gift isn’t so small.”

  Adam laughed. “You didn’t like my idea. Okay. I just didn’t know it was her birthday, so I wasn’t prepared.”

  “I don’t want anyone to think that we thought that was a good birthday gift. This is why we should do our good deeds together. You help me, and I help you.”

  “Great idea. Yes. I need you.” Adam quickly turned his head and became interested in something behind him.

  “Over here, Adam. The cards. Pick out one for her.” Benita began reading birthday cards and let him have a little space. He must have frightened himself with his own words. He needed to ask her out. Why was that so hard for him? There’s a proper order to a serious relationship. No jumping over the first steps.

  If she pushed him aside and took over the leadership of the relationship, Adam might feel rushed. He might feel offended. It was better to wait on him to be ready. Why was he not ready to date her?

  Adam turned after a couple of seconds of pretending to be interested in a display of gift bags. He picked out a card and handed it to Benita.

  She read it and handed him one she thought was appropriate. “The one you picked is for a sister, not a friend. Mine is the better option.”

  He nodded and put his back. “Ready to go?”

  “Not yet.” Benita walked with him to the small fresh flower display by the cash register. They weren’t as good as getting a few roses at a flower shop, but they weren’t bad. She picked out a small bouquet of flowers and handed them to Adam with the card. “It’s on me.” After paying for them, Benita wrote on the card, signed it, and gave it to Adam to sign.

  “She isn’t expecting flowers from us. I can tell you that. Or a card.” Adam held the door and waited for her to put her pen back in her purse.”

  Together, they walked back to the restaurant and asked for Charlie. She came out and looked curious. “Was there something I could help you with?”

  Adam allowed Benita to be the spokesperson of their tiny group. “Yes, there is. You could accept these flowers as your birthday gift.”

  Charlie laughed. “How sweet. I love flowers. Thanks, you two, but you really shouldn’t have.”

  Excitement bubbled up in Benita as she walked out with Adam. “Don’t you love to do the unexpected? Isn’t what the good deeds club is all about? Nobody does one good deed every day. Who does that?”

  “We do.”

  XOXO

  Benita opened her apartment door and closed it after Adam walked inside. Her clock on the mantel confirmed what she had already guessed. Not exactly seven o’clock, like they had planned. They might have to tweak the timing of the small group and the Spanish lesson.

  Adam pulled out two books from Benita’s bookshelves and sat on the sofa with them, flipping pages, looking for something specific.

  “What are you looking for?” She sat next to him and looked at the pages as he flipped through chapter after chapter.

  “There was a section of dialog I thought I’d go over with you tonight. I’ve lost it. I thought it was in this book. Or this one.” He picked up the other one and flipped its pages.

  “Maybe I can help. What dialog?”

  “It had a scene where the woman went to the market, and—”

  “She asked for fish?”

  “Yes. You kept getting that sentence wrong. Remember?”

  “Yes.” Benita laughed.

  “That was so funny. Today, I thought by now, you’d be able to get it right. I could give you an easy practice session.” Adam stared at her with a grin. “You’ve done so well. But there’s much more to learn.” He chuckled. “That was so funny.”

  She smiled back at him. “One of my favorites. I packed that book in my bag already.”

  “Packing? Going somewhere?” Adam stopped flipping pages and pushed the books aside.

  “Yes. I know I’m a little early, but why wait? The more I pack now, the less I have to do later.”

  Adam looked confused. “Where are you going?”

  “Spain. Spanish lessons. Spain?”

  Still confused, Adam held up a hand. “Wait. So you’re going on a business trip to visit the client?”

  Benita laughed. “Oh, Adam. No, no, no. I told you I needed to be fluent in Spanish so I could move there for the promotion. Remember?”

  “Move?” His face paled a little. “Promotion?” He ran his fingers through his hair, revealing his furrowed brows. “What do you mean?”

  “I told you about the job in Spain. That’s why I hired you.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “I need you.”

  “Job—in Spain? No.” He stood and paced to the bookshelf and back, head down, hand on his forehead. “You told me you needed tutoring in Spanish for work, not for a promotion to a job in Spain. You never said you were moving.”

  “Come take a look.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him into her bedroom where she’d piled stacks of sweaters and books on top of her neatly-made bed. “This?” She grabbed a sweater and put it into a large, blue piece of luggage next to the sweater pile. “This is me preparing to move up the career ladder. Unless...”

  “Unless what?”

  “My cowork
er Robert and I are in a competition for the job in Spain. One of us will be chosen to lead the new office, and I want it to be me. I’m doing everything I can to make sure I win the job, but he could win it instead. It’s possible that I could…not win.”

  With fire in his eyes, his voice raised in volume and pitch. “Not win? Of course, you’re going to win that promotion. I’ve worked hard. You’ve worked hard. The only reason you wouldn’t win the promotion is that it was never yours from the beginning.”

  Never hers? Benita knew that if Casey got to pick the winner, he wouldn’t pick Robert. But what if the higher-ups chose Robert? “Oh. I guess that’s a possibility. I didn’t think of that.”

  “I’m sorry. I just meant you don’t know if it’s a fair fight. If they’re really considering both of you…Benita, you’re amazing.”

  She looked into Adam’s intense eyes for a sign that he was willing to go to Spain with her. What was keeping him here? “Do you still support my fight for the promotion? Or should I unpack?”

  After a pained silence, he said, “I want you to be happy.” Then he grabbed another sweater, folded it, and gave it to her.

  Benita turned away from him just long enough to put the sweater into her bag on the bed.

  “I have to go.” Adam’s voice sounded far away and wounded, like he’d lost a battle.

  “What about my lesson tonight?” She followed him out of the room.

  He stood by the door with his hand on the doorknob, about to leave. “You’ve learned quickly. You’ll be fine. Congratulations on your win.”

  “No!” She pulled him away from the door. “I haven’t won yet. I need you, Adam.”

  He stood for a moment with a question in his eyes. He shook his head. “I should go.”

  “You are not quitting, Adam. Are you?”

  “Maybe. I’ll… Maybe.”

  “Okay. You get the night off, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He opened the door and stepped out.

  Benita stayed in her doorway. “Tomorrow, Adam. Don’t be late.”