Page 57 of My Secret Snowflake
“I’m going to Raphael’s after work,” she says. “Kevin has piled a bunch of work on me—probably so I can’t spend any more time investigating this hack—so I need to get through that first, and then I’ll go. And since Raphael refuses to pick up his calls, I will go to him. Maddie is coming with me.”
“I’ll come with you too, if that’s okay,” I say.
“Sure,” she says.
“Are you still going to the Big Brothers Big Sisters event this afternoon?” I ask. “I’m meeting my little sibling today.”
“I’ll probably be late, but I’ll definitely stop by,” Iris says. “Did you sign up for the ice skating later this week?”
“I’m a terrible ice skater,” I say. “I don’t think anyone needs to witness me ice skating. I’m much better at skiing.”
“You’ll make the kids feel better.”
“I’m sure the kids skate better than me.”
“I’ll hold you up. I’ve been directed to go.”
“You definitely can’t hold me up,” I say, “but I’ll come.”
Dream’slargestconferenceroomis crowded with teenagers and employees grouped in clusters along the one long white conference table. I stop on the threshold. Jazmine approaches me with Aaron in tow.
“I’m so glad you signed up. We need more men as mentors,” she says. “I also convinced Aaron—you guys met in the canteen.”
I nod hello.
Jazmine waves at us to follow her to a corner where several teenage boys are hanging out.
“Jamal, this is your big sibling, Sebastian. Sebastian is a lawyer,” Jazmine says.
Jamal ducks his head in a hello, and I hold out my hand to shake his. Maybe that’s too formal. But Jamal shakes it. He’s got a good grip.
Jazmine introduces Aaron to his little sibling. “You should each take a get-to-know-you questionnaire and sit at this corner here. I think it will be easier if it’s the four of you together.” Jazmine gestures to some empty chairs.
We move to the end of the table as directed and take turns asking each other the ice-breaker questions. We bond over playing basketball.
“Maybe we can meet some time to play hoops,” I say. “I sometimes play with my friends on Riverside and 76th. We’re a bunch of old men compared to you guys, but we’re always looking for more players. Just don’t hurt us.”
“I’d be up for that,” Jamal says.
“I also play squash, so I could teach you how to play,” I say. “Have you ever played tennis?”
“We tried tennis and badminton in gym, but I like basketball more,” Jamal says.
We proceed through the rest of the get-to-know-you questions. It’s almost a pity Ernest didn’t sign up, because this exercise could suggest a Secret Snowflake gift for him.
Iris enters and sits with her little sibling. Her skin looks flushed, like she’s in a rush.
Raphael’s departure does not make sense. If the company proves he did something unauthorized, it wouldn’t have to pay him severance, which seems like a win when we’re looking for cost-cutting options—unless an investigation would cost the amount of his severance. Still, with what Iris said, it sounds like Raphael figured out something Kevin didn’t want known. Let’s hope we get some answers when we go to Raphael’s tonight.
Jazmine claps her hands once and says, “You’re welcome to go back to your desks with your siblings to study, but before that, we’re looking for volunteers to help decorate the gym for the Alice Walker High School holiday dance. We need a theme. Faith here”—she points to Iris’s little sibling—“is leading the project.”
Jamal’s hand shoots up. “I’ll volunteer to help out.”
I raise my hand as well.
“Great, you’ve got Sebastian and Jamal,” Jazmine says, “and Nora and I are also happy to help.”
“Let’s go discuss it with them and see how we can help.” Jamal gets up and hurries over to sit next to Faith.
