“My sales pitch, that’s what. Friends have told me that all I talk about is the home and the women there.” She shrugged. “Guess I’m just passionate about what I do.”
There it was again. Passion. Dr. Meyers’s passion for her work was evident in everything she did, as was Bentley’s passion for her agents and authors, her family, as she put it. And, of course, Trey’s passion for cooking. Perhaps if we didn’t follow our passions, we’d never achieve our purpose in life. I hated to think where all these women would be if Dr. Meyers hadn’t followed her passion. “Please don’t apologize,” I said. “I think it’s wonderful what you’re doing. I’d be happy to help in any way I can.”
“Welcome, everyone.” Pam’s voice cut into our conversation. Dr. Meyers shot me a smile before leaning back and focusing her attention forward. Pam was on the stage, leaning against the lectern, looking poised and beautiful. She’d chosen to wear a deep burgundy blouse today, which really offset her brown skin tone and dark hair. She must have applied a little extra makeup during her restroom break, because her dark eyes were sparkling. “Are you ladies ready to turn up the heat?”
A chorus of whoops rang out. I glanced around, a little surprised by the outburst, and wondered if perhaps Ms. Lambert’s idea of serving champagne samples to this already rambunctious crowd might not have been the best idea after all.
Pam slowly opened her book, the wicked little smirk on her face playing right into the crowd’s feisty mood. I dared a glance Mama’s way, wondering what she was thinking. To my dismay, she looked positively green. “Mama,” I whispered. “Are you okay? Is this upsetting you?”
“Is what upsettin’ me?” she asked, regarding me with a strange look.
Pam continued, “I’m going to start with a scene that unfolds between my two main characters: Joseph, the dark sultan, and the object of his desire, the innocent Sasha whom he’s abducted from a foreign village and is about to ravage. Let me warn you, ladies. This is some spicy stuff.”
“Bring it on,” someone cried out. Another round of whoops and giggles ensued.
I peeked at Zach and Jude, noticing that Zach was more focused than I’d ever seen him. So focused that his mouth practically hung open. I was surprised he wasn’t drooling. Jude must have sensed me staring, because he suddenly turned around and shot me one of his irritating winks.
Next to me, Dr. Meyers was covering her mouth to keep in the giggles. On my other side, Mama was also covering her mouth. Not to keep in the giggles, though, but out of shock. At least that was what I thought until she bolted from her chair and ran from the room. I went after her, following her down the hall to the restroom.
A few minutes later, I asked, “Mama? You okay in there?” She’d holed herself up in a stall and had been vomiting. I’d run some paper towels under cold water and waited for her to come out. “What can I do to help you, Mama?”
She finally finished, opening the door and crossing straight to the sink. While she splashed her face with cool water, I held the damp paper towels against the back of her neck. “I’m so sorry you’re sick. Let me drive you out to my place. I’ve got Trey’s car here and we can get yours tomorrow. Just stay the night with me.”
She wiped her face with a towel, a little color returning to her cheeks. “No need, sugar, I’ll just head home. I’m feeling a little better already. But I’ll take ya up on your offer of a ride. ’Fraid I’m not in much shape to be drivin’.”
Suddenly the restroom door flew open and Bentley came charging in. “Althea. I heard you’re not feeling well.” She came right over and placed her arm around my mother’s shoulders. “Do you need to see a doctor? I can get you to the best physician in town.”
“Thank ya, Ms. Duke. No need for a doc. Just a little too much rich food, that’s all. I’ll be all right with a little rest.”
I smiled at Bentley, grateful for her offer of help. “I’m going to run Mama home,” I told her. “She needs to get into bed.”
“Of course.” She turned to my mother. “And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask me, Althea. Okay? And, Lila, I know tomorrow is Saturday, but I’ve informed everyone that there will be a status meeting at ten o’clock sharp. There’s a lot on the table for discussion.”
I nodded dutifully, wondering if she meant Jodi’s case or the issue with Vicky and Olive or the roundup of the expo week. Or maybe all three. But for now, the status meeting was the furthest thing from my mind. I placed my hand under Mama’s elbow and gently coaxed her to the door. “Come on, Mama. Let’s get you home.”
Chapter 18