calling you Mother instead of the other way around.â
Shara laughed as she walked to her car. For just a second, she allowed her heart to feel a pang. Would she ever experience love like that? She shook the thought out of her head. She didnât have time to long for some Mr. Wonderful who didnât exist. No, Shara was content with her relationship with God, her friendship with Mother Hobbs, her church and her kids.
Wasnât she?
Chapter Five
K eeva flipped through the pages of her exam and smiled. She walked to the professorâs desk and laid it down, feeling like a weight had been lifted. It was her last exam and sheâd done well on the others, too. It wasnât enough to keep her in the program yet, but at least it was a start. Now, if she could just finish her Methods project and do well on the Foundations project with Shara.
She felt like celebrating. She thought about calling Mark to go out for drinks, but didnât want to chance spoiling her post-exam high. She thought of calling a couple of her girlfriends, but didnât feel like hanging out with them either. Maybe sheâd just celebrate by herself.
She walked out the door and found Shara waiting in the hallway.
âYouâre still here. You finished so long ago, I thought youâd be gone by now. Thank God itâs over.â Keeva gave her a genuine smile. âShara, thanks for everything. I would have never made it without you.â
âNo problem. Glad I could help.â
Shara had met Keeva every day in the library for the past week. In addition to letting her use her notes, her calm presence somehow helped Keeva concentrate. They took long chat breaks and had started to get to know each other. Keeva couldnât put her finger on it, but there was something about Shara she liked. She exuded this energy that made Keeva feel peaceful. And Shara kept her laughing by constantly pulling food out of her book bag and eating when the librarians werenât looking.
âYou want to go out and celebrate? Drinks or dinner or something? My treatâI owe you big.â
Shara looked at her watch. âI have to go to work for a couple of hours, but Iâll be finished by six-thirtyâseven at the latest.â
âPerfect. I could take a little nap. I havenât slept in a week.â
âPuleeze.â Shara studied Keevaâs face. âYou donât look it. When I donât sleep for a week, itâs obvious.â
âPuleeze. When do you not sleep for a week? Iâve never met anyone so ridiculously organized and prepared.â
They both laughed.
âWhat are you in the mood for? Drinks or dinner?â Keeva asked.
âI donât drink, but you know I love to eat, so dinner sounds good. It would also give us time to start talking about the project.â
Keevaâs eyes widened. âWhat are you, a machine? Iâm not trying to talk about any project or anything that has to do with school tonight. I need to clear my head and relax.â
âOkay, I promise, no school.â Shara said. âI donât eat out a lot, so if you have any suggestions on where to go . . .â
âWe could do Thai, or JapaneseâI could do some sushi right nowâor thereâs a cute little French Bistro . . .â Keeva stopped when she saw the expression on Sharaâs face. âWhat?â
Shara wrinkled her nose. âYou eat raw fish? Blecchhh! Iâve never had Thai, donât eat sushi and the only thing French I want is fries. What about some good olâ American food?â
Now Keeva wrinkled her nose. âEeeuuw! No way. There is this restaurant in Midtown Iâve been meaning to try.â
They made arrangements to meet at 7:00.
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Shara pulled into the church parking lot and headed around back to the track. As she turned the corner, she was dismayed to see the kids gathered in a circle jeering and screaming. She knew them well enough to