TER

A'S

ears l

My shoes made loud noises on the floor. People

inutes before work starts. I be

call my name. She's

you again, Sofia,

t think I can ever beat you

ld me about my day. "You have a big meeti

ts of work and making money. It wa

hter Velma sitting with Rodney. They we

ne's having

ug me. "I miss

, baby!" I said,

ooked just like her dad, Mike.

l fun toda

School is never fun.

ed at Rodney. "You took her fo

ed. "Just a

her," I said, b

wo years ago at a charity event. He remembered m

. It was embarrassing, but Rodney was nice abo

to thank you for

w about lunch? We

said, "How about dinner instead?

t! I'll come early to cook

!" I said

ner. Velma was telling Rodney how go

dinner, but it was a number I didn't k

enkins?" a ma

is this?

wyer. I work for your

ast. I didn't want anythin

you want?

Mr. Page said. "It's about the company. You

ldn't breathe. "W

to Los Angeles," he said

I just sat there,

d. "Clara, are you o

at Velma. "They... the

s got big. "

said. "To run my gra

nfused. "Mama,

ay. How could I explain

I said. "Mama needs to

ara, you don't have to do a

simple. This was my past

sat in my room thinking. Could I reall

they hurt me. But I also thought about my gr

ing, I called

But just to talk. I'm

Angeles. Velma was with me, and Rodney

What would happen in Los Angeles? Wo

nd. "It's okay,

was so brave. Maybe

waiting for us. It took us

d to Rodney. "My gr

. A woman met

Mr. Page's assistant. He's

I might throw up. Rodney must have

t this," h

rs opened, and t

he said, smiling

a long table. Other people wer

r. Page said. "We hav

side and Rodney on the ot

said. "I'm

, about how my grandfather had built it. T

take over," he said. "He thought you we

why? I left. I haven

ou could make it on your own. You built your own c

Part of me felt proud, bu

s all a tes

. "Not a test. A chance

ened. A man walked in,

as M

still handsome. Whe

d, like he coul

"What are yo

able. "Mr. Harris is one

was working for my grandfather's comp

n back at me. I could see

ring before he could

He took a step towards

today," Rodney said. "Clara

urse. Take all the time

ould feel Mike's eyes on

el room, I couldn't sl

ompany? Could I work with Mike

on my door. "

he sat next to

ou thinking

hat to do. This is such a

scared," Rod

not good enough? What i

e. You're amazing. You built your own co

g grateful. "Thank you,

hat's what fr

I made my decision

aid. "I'll take o

appy. "Excellent!

n one month. I need time

was playing with her toys, not knowing

said. "How would you

"Here? With the

ama's going to ha

a minute. "Will

t Rodney.

ant me to

Maybe this new start cou

to move. I sold my company back home

upposed to start my ne

k?" he aske

ut I knew we had to

fee shop. Mike

orry," he said.

anything. I

hrew away the best thing in my

. Could I forgive

have to work together now. And we have a

n I meet her? Pr

Okay. But slowly. She doesn

range. Like a chapter of my life was

ndfather's - no, my - company. Peo

the elevator. "Re

breath and s

happened. Four years ago, I was broken and alone. Now, I was

handle it. Because I wasn't that scared

pened. It was time t