“Thank you, Michael.”
“You’re quite welcome, Karen.”
• • •
Damita and Karen were seated immediately after arriving at the restaurant. The white and bronze décor was aesthetically pleasing and Karen looked around, before nodding her head appreciatively.
They were given their menus and Damita and Karen both looked them over.
“Your boss was right about this place; very elegant décor. I love the Old World paintings and this wine list is world-class. It’s very nice.”
Her mother looked around at the plates of others in the restaurant. “Look at the presentation. The food looks like a work of art. Whenever I’m in a restaurant like this, I think about going to culinary school.”
“I don’t know why you don’t. You’re an incredible cook. You should do it. You deserve to do something just for you.”
Karen appeared deep in thought. “Maybe I will.”
Damita smiled. “Good; now I know what to get you for your birthday.”
Damita was happy that after their phone conversation, her mother was discussing something other than Neal.
After lunch was over, Damita asked for the check and was told it was already taken care of by Mr. Underhill. Her mother made a face that indicated she was impressed.
As they left the restaurant, there was a question Karen couldn’t resist asking. “Are you really that good?”
Damita smiled. “Yes, Mom, I guess I am.”
Karen did a quick happy dance. “I know that’s right! My daughter is a hot-shot executive. Your father would be so proud. I remember how he used to puff his chest out when you were a little girl. Every time you brought home an A or when you received an award of any kind he was so proud. You were his shining achievement, and mine.”
“I couldn’t have done it without the two of you.”
“I have something for you. It’s sort of a congratulations gift. I saw it and immediately knew you should have it.”
She reached inside of her handbag and pulled out a beautifully gift-wrapped box.
“Are you coming back upstairs?” Damita asked.
“No, I don’t want to interrupt your work any more than I already have.”
“You’re never an interruption.”
“It’s okay. I’ve never been one to overstay my welcome.”
“Well, if you’re not going to come upstairs, I’ll open it now.”
Damita ripped open the wrapping and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful bird pendant. She held it in her hand and gazed at it.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Like I said, it reminded me of you and that phrase about the phoenix rising from the ashes.” She stopped and took her daughter’s face in her hands. “That’s you, you know. You are the phoenix rising from the ashes. As the story goes, the phoenix is a mythical bird with fiery plumage that lives up to one hundred years. Near the end of its life, it settles into its nest of twigs, which then burns ferociously, reducing bird and nest to ashes. From those ashes, a fledgling phoenix rises, renewed and reborn. That, my beautiful daughter, is you. Don’t let anyone, and I do mean anyone, tell you anything different. Do you hear me?”
Damita smiled to hold back the tears. “Yes, Mom, I hear you.”
Damita hugged her mother and held on to her tightly, not wanting to let go. She couldn’t help but think how much simpler things were when she was little and could run to her mother or father when she was hurting and they would kiss it and make it all better. She was happy to see that there were those times when her mother could still do that.
As she was saying goodbye to her mother, she could see Tina across the street with a large box in her hands. She was being escorted out by security. Damita didn’t want to ruin the time she had spent with her mother with talks of Neal. But, as she saw Tina put the box she was carrying into the trunk of a car, she wondered if Neal had anything to do with why she was leaving.
“Goodbye, baby,” Karen said, as she headed for the subway.
“Bye, Mom. I’ll talk to you soon. I promise.”
After lunch, Damita stopped by Wendy’s office. “I shouldn’t be engaging in office gossip, but I have to know. Do you know anything about why Tina was leaving here with a large box and security in tow?”
“Of course I do. Apparently, she has developed quite the little drug habit and was caught embezzling money.”
Damita shook her head. “That doesn’t make any sense. With bonus and salary, she has to pull in six figures easy. She’s single, with no family. How much drug money could someone possibly need?”
Wendy waved her hand. “It would appear, a lot. From what I’ve been hearing it was a lot of money and the firm is probably going to press charges.”