Page 6 of Signs and Signals

“Were you ever going to come to bed, Amara? We do have to wake up early for work. Some of us have responsibilities to take care of without the help of others.” He says the last part, looking at me. It is no secret that we dislike each other, but him being an asshole while Amara is in the same room is something new.

The look on Amara’s face is priceless. It’s the look that whoever is on the other end of it is going to regret speaking to her or even breathing the same oxygen. Oh yeah, she is about to let that fire loose on Trevor, and I am so glad to be right here to witness the whole thing go down.

“Excuse me, Trevor, I did not realize my father was here and was given a bedtime. You do realize that I am a grown-ass woman who answers to no one, right? I can go to bed whenever the fuck I feel like and still be up and ready at the same time every day, fulfilling every task thrown at me and doing it with a fucking smile on my face, while shining like the damn sun,making everyone I come into contact with day’s brighter just for being in my vicinity," she seethes up at him from the sofa.

Amara stands up, her eyes blazing. “Trevor, I’ve told you before, Indya and Haven are my family. If you can’t respect that, then you need to deal with it on your own time. Indya contributes more to this household than you can imagine, and she does it with grace and strength. So, if you have a problem with that, you can take it up with me.”

My best friend’s anger is palpable, her eyes blazing with fury. Trevor just stands there, taking the tongue lashing, his face and neck turning a deep, almost purplish red. He looks like he’s about to explode, but Amara isn’t finished with him just yet.

“Also, what in the fucking fuck do youmean, 'some of us have responsibilities to take care of without the help of others,'huh? You do realize that Indya works at the elementary school and is there every day from nine in the morning until two thirty in the afternoon. Not only that, she has to leave here no later than eight to get Haven dropped off at daycare to get to work with enough time to get settled and ready for the day. Then, when she gets off work, she has to make the drive to the daycare center to pick up Haven, speak with the caregivers about the details of the day, then drive the rest of the way home to get here at three.”

Trevor’s fists clench at his sides, but he doesn’t interrupt. Amara steps closer, her voice lowering but losing none of its intensity. “You have no right to belittle her contributions. Financial support isn’t the only kind of support that matters. Indya’s presence, her love, and her dedication are invaluable. If you can’t see that, then maybe you need to rethink your relationship with me.”

Trevor’s eyes flicker with uncertainty, but he remains silent, his anger simmering just below the surface. Amara’swords hang in the air, heavy with truth and conviction. The room feels charged, like a storm about to break.

Finally, Trevor mutters something under his breath and turns on his heel, retreating back to the bedroom. The door slams shut behind him, the sound echoing through the now-quiet living room.

Amara takes a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. She turns to me, her expression softening. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that, Indya. You deserve so much better.”

I give her a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, Amara. For standing up for me. It means a lot.”

She pulls me into a comforting hug. “Always. Now, go get some rest. We’ll figure everything out in the morning.”

As I head to my room, file in hand, I can’t help but feel a sense of relief and gratitude. Amara’s unwavering support gives me the strength to face whatever comes next.

Once in my room, I close the door and set the file on my mattress, changing into my pajamas—shorts, and a tank top. Before opening the file again, to take a closer look, I fall back onto the pillows, smiling so big at the ceiling. Then suddenly, I can’t help myself; I start kicking my legs and smacking the mattress with my arms in excitement. I get so overjoyed I have to place the pillow over my face to squeal like a teenage girl getting the news that One Direction is back together.

After finally pulling myself together and reminding myself that I am an adult and a mother, I open the file and start studying the information given to me. I grab my laptop and go to my good friend, Google, and research the charity, the event, and the hosts. I never research the clients on the internet, as I want to know them personally, in real life, not something someone else has to say about them. Even when I research the host of the event, I only write down their names and positions for the board of the charity.

The money raised at this gala is going toward scholarships for underprivileged children who are not academically challenged at the school they attend, and their families cannot afford for them to go to a school that is more advanced. This scholarship allows the child to finish their schooling at a private school until the day they graduate high school.

This is an amazing opportunity for those children. I wish that we had something like this in Washington, DC, when I was younger, because I did not feel challenged when it came to any of the work that I was given. I didn’t feel academically challenged until I began college, but I think I turned out okay.

After reading over the file and the information that I researched a couple of times, I set the laptop and folder on the nightstand and turned off the light. I am still overly excited at the opportunity, but I am glad that I get to be a part of something as extraordinary as the charity gala and what it stands for. I close my eyes, falling into dreams of starry nights and beautiful opportunities. I can still feel the smile on my face as I fall into slumber, looking forward to the sun rising and our new life to begin.

Chapter Four

Indya

After hanging up the phone with Mr. Moore, a wave of excitement washes over me. His wife, Patricia, exudes warmth and kindness, and I can’t wait to not only work with her but also to spend time together. We’ve already planned a salon day to help us bond and feel more comfortable with each other. This afternoon, I have an appointment at the boutique to find the perfect dress, shoes, and accessories for the gala.

It’s Friday, and the gala is tomorrow. I’m a bit anxious about finding something that fits my petite frame. At five foot three on a good day, finding clothes that fit well can be a challenge. Despite my efforts to gain weight, my body remains small and delicate. But I’ve come to accept and embrace my size, hoping the boutique will have something that suits me.

Fortunately, school is out today for teacher preparation, which means I have the day off as well. I spend the morning with Haven, practicing phrases, working on the light switch reaction, coloring, and doing other activities to keep my mind off the upcoming gala. Haven’s laughter and enthusiasm are infectious, making the morning fly by.

I’ve attended charity events for work before, but nothing as grand as this. The theme, “Starry Night,” promises an evening of elegance and enchantment. From my research, the venue isset to be a breathtaking display of twinkling lights and celestial decor, perfectly capturing the magic of a starry night. As I prepare for this extraordinary event, I can’t help but feel a mix of nerves and excitement, eager to see what the evening holds.

The gala promises to be an unforgettable evening. Multiple speakers will share their insights, and dinner will be served inside the venue.

Afterward, the festivities will move to the gardens, where the hotel has installed dark, clear flooring over the lush bushes and flowers. Twinkling lights beneath the dance floor will create the illusion of dancing among the stars. I can already imagine how breathtaking it will be; just thinking about it takes my breath away.

I decided to bring Haven along to help me pick out the perfect dress, shoes, and accessories from the charming boutique, Dress Me Up. The name itself is so fitting, as that’s exactly what they’ll be doing for me. As we drive across town, the sound of an incoming call comes through the speakers. I don’t need to see the name to know who it is. With a smile, I press the accept button on my steering wheel to connect the call.

“Hey, Silas, how are you?” I ask, glancing in the rearview mirror giving the sign for uncle. Haven’s eyes light up with delight, and I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement. This day is shaping up to be more special than I could have imagined.

“Hey, little sister! I’m doing great. How are you and my favorite niece?”

“She’s your only niece, and she’s phenomenal as always. She’s in the backseat right now. Hold on a second; let me pull into the gas station so we can switch to video. I think she wants to talk to you; she’s bouncing all over her booster seat.”

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