April
Chandler
didn’t see or hear from Inaya again until April 1st. It was almost a
full month since their last date and he was starting to believe that she’d
given up on them. He received no calls, texts, or visits. She hadn’t even
overseen his CASA training. A male social worker named Mel Aspen had done that.
Any further information she had concerning the program was routed to his email.
If it wasn’t
for the fact that Chandler needed to observe a case hearing today, he probably
wouldn’t be seeing or hearing from Inaya now. After all, the ball was still in
her court and she hadn’t dribbled or even attempted to make one shot. How was
that for his nearly non-existent ego now?
Chandler
almost didn’t recognize Inaya today. It looked like her in the melon-colored
tie-front business suit, but it sure didn’t sound like her. Gone was the shy,
soft-spoken woman who blushed at the slightest compliment and became even more
introverted when offended. In her place was a firecat with flaming brown eyes
and a booming voice that needed no microphone to be heard clear across the
courtroom as she fiercely spoke on behalf of the three children whose case she
was assigned to.
Chandler
suppressed a moan at her alluring contrasts.
I do believe that I’m looking at a modern day Wonder Woman. And oh yes, she is
definitely someone worth waiting for. He couldn’t wait to see what she
would do and say next. If he had social workers like her back when he was a
child, he wouldn’t have been moved around so much.
Chandler continued
to watch in awe as Inaya provided positive school report cards, personal
comments from teachers about the equally positive changes in the children’s
behavior, and clothing receipts with corresponding pictures of the now
well-dressed children. The whole time she sang the high praises of the
children’s grandmother. It almost brought tears to his eyes. Some people in the
courtroom were actually crying.
By the end
of Inaya’s heartwarming disclosure, the judge decided to allow the three
siblings to remain in the home of their loving grandmother versus returning
them to the home of their promiscuous young mother. Although their mother tested
negative for drugs recently, she still hadn’t found a job after six months of
counseling and was living with yet another boyfriend.
“I agree
with you, Ms. Seabrook, that although the mother’s new boyfriend has a good job
and is willing to allow the children to live in his stable home with their
mother, there is no guarantee that this relationship will last any longer than
the others had. The fact that she didn’t bother to show up today is an added
strike against her. Therefore, the children will remain with their grandmother
until the mother has proven that she can maintain a stable, drug-free
environment for her children through her own
efforts and not those of another,” Judge Levy concluded.
There were
many happy faces at the end of that meeting. The grandmother was overjoyed and
couldn’t seem to stop hugging Inaya, who beamed with joy. Chandler had never
seen her happier or so in her element. He waited patiently on the sidelines with
his mentor as she shook hands with the judge and then hugged several colleagues,
who’d come to support and watch her in action today.
“Inaya’s one
of the best,” Mel said from beside him. “We all hope to be like her when we
grow up.”
Looks like you’re hoping for more than that, Chandler
thought, seeing the stars in his mentor’s eyes. Though he didn’t like that his
mentor had a crush on Inaya, he understood it. She was an amazing woman that any
man would be honored to have.
“I agree.
She’s definitely one to emulate,” Chandler said aloud. “Excuse me while I go
and personally congratulate her.” Unlike Mel, he would not be content to just
admire Inaya from a distance. He was too aggressive for the sidelines of life
and yet wise enough to know when to fall back. Now was the time for
aggression.
“Congratulations,
Ms. Seabrook. That was quite a convincing presentation you made back there. Very
inspirational, too. You should have been a lawyer,” Chandler said, standing
directly behind her.
Inaya heard that
familiar baritone voice and froze. She had no idea Chandler was here. She’d
been so caught up in her presentation that she hadn’t noticed anyone but the
judge with whom she needed to present her case. Now heat traveled in a wavy
pattern down her body like a rollercoaster ride she took on a church field trip
as a child. She felt exhilarated then. She felt even more exhilarated now.
Inaya slowly
turned to face the owner of that deep voice. “Thanks, Mr. Edenfield, your words
mean a lot to me.” Even though she spoke professionally to him, she couldn’t
control her racing heartbeat or suppress the joy of seeing him again. The ebony
blazer, triple-pleated taupe trousers, sky-blue dress shirt and matching silk
tie he wore had her hormones jumping and every cell in her body stimulated.
“Do they?”
Chandler looked intently at her.
“Yes.” She
hooded her eyes to hide the fiery attraction that she’d seen mirrored in his own.
“It’s still
there for me, too, princess,” Chandler leaned down to whisper in her right ear.
Inaya
shuddered at his delicious nearness. At his sexy boldness.
Chandler
made another bold move by pulling her to the side to speak more privately. “I
have so many more words to say to you, Inaya. If you’ll only give me the
chance.”
Inaya
blushed. “I’ve been thinking a lot about that and you should be hearing from me
soon. Real soon,” she promised in a
whisper.
“I look
forward to it.” Chandler smiled.
“So do I.”
Inaya suppressed a wide grin as she walked back over to her waiting colleagues.
© 2014 by Suprina Frazier
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