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“No, but they would if they had any concerns about your mental capability and the stress this job brings you.”
I glare at her. “Is that a threat?”
“No, mija. It is an honest statement of fact.”
“Why did you come here today?”
“I came to discuss the annual fundraiser.”
Pressing my fingertips to my temples, I bow my head and close my eyes. “What about it?”
“We’re moving it.”
“To where?” I ask, my head jerking up.
We always have the fundraiser dinner here at the foundation. A small auditorium is transformed into a dining area for the night. Our staff and volunteers do an amazing job of transforming it into something glamorous.
“The Black Imperial,” she says, referencing an upscale hotel part of the Black Hospitality Group’s chain of hotels and boutiques.
The hotel was opened two years ago by one of the sons of founder Victor Black. Greyson Black has a reputation for opening boutique hotels, unlike the large, lavish hotels and resorts his father is known for. The Black Imperial is the first hotel that he’s opened that compares with the ones his father owns.
“We can’t afford that,” I reply instantly.
She frowns and says, “Yes, we can. Why are you always so frugal, Yaya?”
“Mamá, why are you always so eager to spend our money?”
“It’s not like we can’t afford it.”
“At the rate that you’re going, we won’t be able to for long.”
“Listen! I ran this foundation for the last fifteen years before you stepped in, and I’ve never made a decision I regret. We’re in the black and will continue to be in the black.”
“Mamá, why the change? Why now? We don’t even have a large enough guest list to warrant that.”
She smiles at me, and I know something’s up.
“We didn’t before, but we do now. Besides, this decision is what’s best for the foundation!”
“What’s that supposed to mean, Mamá?”
“It means we’ve landed additional sponsors, expanding the guest list. I met with Shantel Stokes at the museum and Leiti Powell at the Lennon and Sara Kennedy Foundation. They both want to donate a substantial gift to the foundation.”
That’s good news. It’s always good news when we get new sponsors, but I don’t like it when they try to worm their way onto the board and change things.
“Does this substantial gift come with a seat on the board?”
My mother rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Huffing out a breath, she narrows her eyes and speaks in rapid, fluent Spanish to me.
“Why do you always underestimate me? I would never sell shares on the board or jeopardize the integrity of this foundation! This is my parents’ legacy, and it means everything to me. How dare you insult me that way! I’m unsure what’s happening with you and Nicky, but I won’t tolerate your disrespect.”
When she calms down, I breathe a calming breath of my own.
“This has nothing to do with Nicky and everything to do with making sure that they’re not trying to change what and who we are.”
“They love our work in our community and other Hispanic communities here in Charleston, Yaya. Would you, for once, stop being so suspicious of everyone? Maybe then you can help the foundation grow as well. And for the record, it won’t cost a dime to rent the space out at the hotel.”
My eyes widen with doubt.
