Humbled Read Free Page B

worries me, Mother,” Don said as he dropped his gaze and closed his eyes momentarily. He was praying for his words to be taken seriously by his mother, but the probability of that was low. “You can’t push her, or Tamara will be on the first plane, fleeing the country. She’s done it before, and if you push, Tamara might do it again. Is that what you want?”
    â€œOf course not. I love my daughter.”
    â€œI’m not talking about love, Mother. I’m asking you to give her space. Can you do that?” Don could tell his mother was fretting, but he was okay so long as she was hearing him.
    â€œWhat you’re saying makes sense, but you have to understand how much the two of you and DMI mean to me. Having all of us here together is my dream. After your father passed, I vowed not to let Sherry and Joel get their hands on anything else belonging to me and my children. I aim to keep my vow. If it means giving Tamara more time, fine. I think I can. But don’t think I can wait forever. I don’t have years to waste. Your father didn’t, and who knows? I might not, either.”
    Don wasn’t feeding into the mortality rant his mother was on. She was too stubborn and outspoken to go anywhere anytime soon. God had too many repairs left to do on her heart. She had time. They all did. He was convinced of it.

Chapter 4
    Joel crept along Lake Shore Drive, unable to absorb the city view along the waterfront. He was too weighed down with confusion to concentrate on simple pleasures. He eased in front of a tall residential building and parked. Joel would have sat there longer, but the valet approached his door rather quickly, so he got out.
    â€œGood afternoon, Mr. Mitchell,” the valet said as Joel stepped around the car and went inside.
    He received greetings and nods from both the doorman and elevator operator as he made his way to the penthouse suite. He reached the private lobby while being consumed with unrest. Joel stood in front of the double doors leading into the unit, not ready to enter. He gobbled up an ounce of solace, attempting to corral his thoughts. Partially successful, he knocked on the door. His friend opened the door, which was sort of surprising, since the butler usually answered.
    â€œWhy didn’t you use your key?” his friend Sheba asked.
    â€œOh, I don’t know. I wasn’t even thinking,” Joel said, plopping into the first seat he saw. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt whatever you were doing.”
    â€œCome on. You’re never an interruption. Surely you know that by now,” she said, taking a seat next to him on the love seat situated in the long entryway.
    Joel nodded in affirmation and let his head flop back.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Sheba asked.
    Joel didn’t bother concealing his despair. Sheba was the one person with whom he could openly share his concerns without feeling pressure. She got who he was, both his complicated and simple characteristics. Their two-year friendship had seen him at the pinnacle of success during his reign as head of DMI. She’d also been Joel’s source of compassion during his journey through the bowels of failure. She didn’t judge. She didn’t ask questions. She just didn’t. Sheba was exactly what he needed when he needed it. When he sought professional advice, she was insightful, having successfully built an international chain of designer boutiques. He basked in her presence, soaking up each snippet of whatever it was she provided. Joel rested his forehead against the back of his hand and breathed heavily.
    â€œAre you all right?” she asked with such sincerity that he had to respond.
    â€œI have a situation that has come up with Zarah.” He paused and then told her the news. “She’s pregnant.”
    Sheba pulled away from him. “When did that happen?”
    He couldn’t imagine what she was thinking, but he