“Um, doesn’t he still have a girlfriend?” Orielle wondered. She wasn’t sure, but that was important information to know.
Saleem nodded. “Yeah,” he replied dryly.
She didn’t want to get into why he answered like that, and honestly, didn’t care. She just wanted to make sure Najee wasn’t on no fuck-boy timing. Requesting another woman’s presence at such an event was questionable in her eyes, but she’d show up. Somewhere along the line, he must’ve considered her a friend because he damn sure didn’t consider her family. He let that be known back then.
“Hmm. Okay. Well, I guess he’ll see me then. I’m bringing a plus one or two. Let him know that,” Orielle said.
“That’s coo’. He’s not going to care. It’s this Saturday, but I’ma text you all the details,” he said, just as one of his employees called his name.
“Okay. Let me let you get back to work,” she said, and they hugged. “Love you,” she murmured into his chest.”
“I love you too, cuz. Be safe.”
Walking out of the juicery, Orielle didn’t wait until she got in the car to call her girls on FaceTime. Before they could pick up, another call interrupted it. Mrs. Ashley’s name flashed across the screen, and she didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Orielle. This is Mrs. Ashley. Sorry it took me a while to call you back. It’s been a hectic few days around here.”
“Hi, Mrs. Ashley. No worries at all,” Orielle said quickly. “I wanted to make sure I reached out before it was too late.”
“You can call me Ashley. And it’s not at all. I appreciate you for even considering,” Ashley said.
“Of course,” Orielle said, pushing the start button to turn on her car.
“Did your mom let you know what the charity event is for?”
“No. She just said someone from her church was looking for singers and told me to reach out.”
“Yes. Well, before I tell you about the event, I just want to let you know how talented you are. One of my youngest daughters listens to your music all the time, and so do a few of the ladies I work with. I had no clue someone with a voice like yours was right in our hometown.”
Orielle’s heart swelled. “Thank you so much. How old is your daughter?”
“She’s eighteen and just experienced her first heartbreak, which I hate, but we’ve all been there. Our entire family haslearned the lyrics to your songDriftingbecause it’s been on repeat.”
She heard the humor in her tone, but she also heard the protectiveness. Experiencing your first heartbreak was no joke. Orielle remembered hers. She was seventeen and thought she was so in love with a boy on the basketball team, only to find out he had been sleeping with one of her choirmates.
He played her like a fool, but she’d gotten through it, and she prayed Ashley’s daughter did too. That was why she wrote and sang. For the young girls like her who needed healing through words and from another woman who had been there, done that, and put herself back together one lyric at a time.
“Awww. Let her know that I said it’s going to be okay. It may hurt now, but it won’t hurt forever,” Orielle said, feeling tender as ever.
She had to tell herself the same mantra one too many times, and she was sure it’d be repeated for the rest of her life. It wasn’t a bad thing, but a gentle reminder that the bad times don’t always last.
“That’s nothing but the truth,” Ashley said in a warm tone. “I’ll let her know. But, back to the matter at hand. My husband and I run a domestic violence shelter for women. Every year, we host a gala in honor of the victims and survivors. We have a variety of speakers throughout the evening, along with entertainment. Your name came up in several meetings, as well as around the shelter among our clients, to have you as the singer of the evening.”
Orielle was taken aback. Her eyes watered before she realized it. “Wow,” she mumbled, clearing her throat with a racing heart. “That means so much to me.”
“Hopefully enough to get you to grace the stage,” Ashley teased, smiling.
Orielle chuckled. “Absolutely. It’d be an honor. Truly. My heart is so full knowing I have gotten them through some of their toughest days.”
“You most certainly have. Your voice is beautiful and so unique. Soulful, too. The community needs to hear that. We all could use a bit of healing.”
“Yes, we can,” Orielle agreed.
Her honesty and transparency were so refreshing. Orielle was so glad she decided to give her a call.
“The gala isn’t until next month, but I wanted to make sure I locked you in on the schedule. When we hang up, please send me your email address, and I’ll have the coordinator send you the contract and details. Does that sound good?”
