Chances Are. Donna Hill

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      Dione had alternately been staring at the phone then at the proposal. Debating. Yes, the girls had re-thought the idea and had decided to go along with it. But what about her? She felt as if she were being squeezed like a lemon. There was no easy win. Either way she stood to lose a lot.

      All during her restless night, she thought about her options, and her level of participation. The bottom line was she only had to reveal as much or as little as she wanted. Niyah didn’t have to find out how ugly her beginnings really were.

      Resigned, she reached for the phone, just as it rang.

      “Good morning, Chances Are. Ms. Williams speaking.”

      “Hey, Dee, it’s Terri.”

      Dione’s face and spirit instantly brightened at hearing the voice of her dear friend Terri Powers.

      “Girl, it’s good to hear your voice,” she enthused, easily slipping into the sistah mode. “When did you sneak back into town?”

      “Just got in last night,” she said with her barely there Barbadian accent. “Clint and I were overdue for a vacation. We’ve been burning the candle at both ends.”

      “Yeah, I hear you. But it’s always extra nice when you have your own getaway resort to get away to.”

      They both laughed. Terri’s husband, Clint, had opened a small resort several years earlier in the Bahamas and it had really taken off. Between Clint’s uncanny business skills and Terri’s public relations savvy, their careers and their finances were set. They’d gone through hell and back before finally getting together; from the kidnapping of Clint’s daughter, Ashley, to the resurrection of Terri’s brother, Malcolm, who she’d believed had been dead for years—but they did get together and they were exceedingly happy.

      “So, what’s been happening? Any luck with the proposals?”

      “No,” she pushed out a long breath. “But we’ve finally decided to go with the documentary.”

      “Fantastic! I told you weeks ago it was a great idea. You know I’d be more than thrilled to put a promo campaign together for you once it’s done. No problem.”

      Dione smiled. “I’m going to hold you to that. We’ll need all the help we can get.”

      “If you hadn’t wanted to carry the weight of that place on your shoulders, I told you I would have worked out a P.R. campaign for you to pitch to those stuck-up funders.”

      “I know, I know. Don’t rub it in.”

      “When does it start?”

      “That’s the thing. I’m not sure. Actually, we just decided last night. We put it to a house vote. I haven’t even spoken to the producer yet. He may not want to do it at this point.”

      “He’ll do it. The story behind Chances Are is a gem. Your story especially.”

      Dione’s stomach fluttered. “That’s my biggest concern, Terri. You know that. Niyah doesn’t know everything.”

      “Dee, it’s time that she did. She’s almost eighteen.”

      “I know,” she said, a sad hitch in her voice. “I just don’t ever want her to feel the same worthlessness that I felt for so many years. Or that my bringing her into the world was the cause of—”

      “Don’t even go there. If anything, Niyah was and still is the catalyst for everything that you’ve become. Everything that you’ve done for so many other young girls who had no one and nowhere else to turn. That’s something to be proud of, Dee, not ashamed.”

      “And how many times over the years have I had this very conversation with myself? It’s just easier said than done.”

      “Well, sister-friend, it’s got to come out sometime.”

      “That’s what I’m afraid of. But I’ll work it out.”

      “You always do. Now make that call, girl. I’m itching for a new project.”

      Dione laughed. “I will and I’ll call and let you know what happens.”

      “Good luck.”

      “Thanks, Terri. Talk to you soon.”

      Slowly Dione replaced the receiver, a soft smile framing her mouth. She was blessed. That was certain. She was surrounded by people who cared for and believed in her. And they were depending on her. How would her life have been different if her parents had been there for her when she needed them most?

      She took a long breath, picked up the phone and dialed Garrett Lawrence’s number.