“Wait just a moment please, Caleb whispered in her ear. “I have to make an announcement.” Renea nodded, dropping his arm nervously. Caleb walked toward the raised area just in front of them. A man dressed in a white suit handed Caleb a microphone as he stepped down and away. “Thank you all for coming out tonight,” he began.
“Glad to see you finally made it,” someone near the back hollered out and chuckles went up around the room.
Caleb chuckled and shook his head a little at the man. “Come on Jack, ya know we all hate the stuffy functions anyways.” Everyone laughed harder at this raising the glasses in their hands in agreement. “As you all know, we are here to support the Children’s local Community Center. The children really need a building that is not falling apart on them and that they can really enjoy and stay outta trouble for a little bit. These children deserve the world and we can help them. This benefit will help fund the building renovations as well as a new gym for the kids to enjoy so they can play rain or shine. I was also told that a generous donation from tonight has been received that will fund an entire dance studio for the children and even pay for them a teacher for the next year as well.” Caleb paused as applause erupted from the crowd at this news. As he waited his eyes caught Renea’s and he winked at her and continued his speech. “I want to thank each and every one of you for your attendance tonight and helping these children have a place they can be proud of. It means more to them to show that we care about them than anything else. So again, thank you for coming and enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Caleb stepped down handing the mic back to the man in the white suit. He walked back to Renea with several pats on the shoulder as he passed people. “Would you care for a drink,” he asked as he returned to her side. Renea nodded her head yes with a tiny smile on her face, she could not seem to stop. Caleb offered her his arm again as he headed in the direction of the concessions table. Grabbing two flutes of champagne he handed her one and sipped on the other.
“I did not realize you were the organizer of such a useful event. You must really care for these children to go through all this trouble.” Renea fished for answers from Caleb.
Caleb glanced at her before looking into his glass solemnly. “I care that they do not end up like many of my friends did growing up. It is important for kids to have a safe place in their neighborhood in order to learn and grow and not turn down a life of what ifs when they end up on the wrong side of the law. I was lucky I had a family that cared enough about me that they noticed when things took a wrong turn and sent me straight down another path. Others were not so lucky and many ended up in prison because of simply not having anyone care where they were every day. This community center can change that. They can have an outlet to use instead of drugs, crime, and just ending up on the streets.
I grew up in a neighborhood in the south similar to that actually. My mom was a single mom after my father was killed in a gang related event. She worked three jobs to support me and my brother. She was not home very much and so I helped take care of my brother. By doing so, I turned to selling drugs in order to help my mom pay bills and buy groceries. I thought I could make it easier for her.
She found out two weeks later and nearly beat me black and blue for being such a fool. She instead got me a job at a local center for troubled children that helped me more than I helped the other kids. It was a difficult time for us and we made it through it. Others did not. Two months after I started my job my brother was killed in a drive by shooting at the community center. He was on the way to see me after school one day and they gunned him and five other kids down outside of our door. I ran to help but one of the bullets caught him in the head. He didn’t make it and died upon impact.”
Renea reached up grabbing his hand wrapped around the flute, “I am so sorry you had to go through that. I hate that you had to witness your brother being murdered so senselessly.”
Caleb shook his head, “It was a long time ago and those that did so were caught and are in prison. I really didn't mean to give you that much of my story, I just wanted you to know how much these fundraising projects mean to me."
“Don’t ever apologize for being who you are. It is a part of your story and I am glad you shared it with me. What made you move to California if you're from the south?”
“Well, my mom passed away a few years ago and there was nothing left for me there. I needed a new place to get away from the memories. So, I went further away and settled here on the edge of the city for work.”
“What type of work do you do now?” Renea sipped her drink as they walked around the edge of the room to mingle among the guests.
“I am the owner of a computer tech company. I manage day to day activities either in the office or from home and on the road. We handle anything from security for a companies' technology department, to producing simple apps for people to purchase or sell. It has allowed me to have more freedom for the benefits such as this one. I hold these several times a year to help fund multiple areas with community centers that children can be proud of and hopefully help keep them safe.”
“That is amazing. I love that you took your troubled past and made it a passion for your future.” she smiled up at Caleb as a man and woman approached them.
“Sorry to interrupt but may I borrow my man Caleb here for a moment?” the gentleman asked politely with a nod towards Caleb. “My name is Thomas and this is my wife Lea. I just need to ask him about a little business really quick and then I promise to return him to you.”
“By all means please, business comes first right.” Renea replied. “Nice to meet you Lea, would you like a drink? We can go grab one while the boys chat.”
“Yes, please. Once these boys get to chatting about business it could last for hours.” Lea chuckled. They backtracked around the crowd towards the tables slowly. “So how did you meet our dear Caleb? You're the first lady I have ever seen draped across him at one of these events. He must really adore you.” Lea gave her a knowing smile.
Renea wasn’t sure if Lea was teasing her or not but was genuinely surprised by her statement. “Has he really never brought anyone to these events?” she asked skeptically.
Lea shook her head no, “I have been coming to these events for the past two years and have never once seen him with a date.”
Renea choked on her drink a little at her response. “Umm well, we bumped into each other not long ago outside of Boulangerie Au Chocolat Noir.”
“Oh, I love that place!” Lea exclaimed. “It has the best chocolate cupcakes you will ever taste.”
Renea nodded in agreement. “Only the best will do on any given day! They have truly spoiled me with their chocolate treats.” It was at that moment that Renea felt a chill. She rubbed her arms and glanced around her at the crowd. Not noticing anything odd she turned back to Lea with a small smile. “Maybe we should get back to the boys and see if they have finished their chat. We will bring them a glass of champagne while we are at it.” Renea grabbed another glass and looked around again feeling the tingle of the air as if a set of eyes were following her movements.
Renea scans the crowd as she makes her way back to Caleb. A man bumps into her sloshing the contents of the glasses slightly. He mumbles something and then is gone before she can even register what happened. Her body was left with odd tingles though as she felt her senses screaming at her to run. Renea was confused and needed to get out of there as soon as possible.
She finally found her way through the crowds to find Caleb and hand him one of the glasses. Lea handed over her glass and they stood there as the boys finished their conversation and bid each other farewells with promises of getting together soon.
Caleb
As Caleb turned towards Renea he studied her a moment before tensing. He saw her rigid body and shifting eyes following those around her. Caleb grabs her hand, "Come with me." He leads Renea into an office off the right side of the massive ballroom. Caleb closes the door to the office and turns toward Renea, who is studying the office with disinterest, and her still very rigid posture. Caleb walks up behind Renea and places his hands on her shoulders gently, kneading them. Renea relaxes slightly into Caleb but is clearly out of sorts still. “What’s wrong?” Caleb turns her to face him, clear concern on his face at this point.
“I am not really sure,” Renea sighs. “I had this feeling of being watched and then some guy bumped into me and I got this odd, chilling feeling just racing through me.” Renea shivers under Caleb's hands. “Sorry, it was probably nothing and I am just over reacting,” Renea shakes her head.
Caleb gently lifts Renea’s head up by her chin so that she is looking into his eyes. “Never be sorry for how you are feeling. You will never have to feel like you are being silly or crazy with me Renea. I want you to be able to come to me and tell me these things. If you are not comfortable at any point then tell me. I would do anything to make sure you are safe and happy.” Caleb gently kisses her and then leans back slightly.
Renea looks at Caleb then nods her head slightly in agreement. Caleb pulls his cell from his pocket and types something in before placing it back. Wrapping Renea into a tight hug he captures her lips once more.
