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Misha continued to be impressed by Jay. He was a Christian with a strong work ethic and a willingness to give of himself to the younger generation. The man was wasted in this predominantly White community when he’d be such a good role model to Black teens in a different type of neighborhood.
But even as that crossed her mind, Misha realized it was wrong of her to think of him that way. It was true that Jay would have been a real asset in a neighborhood like the one where she’d grown up, but he wasn’t wasted in Serenity Point. He was making a difference in the lives of young people there.
She was still working to try to accept that she could play as impactful a role in Serenity as she would have in Atlanta. Knowing that they had struggled to fill the female doctor position in the clinic helped. Taking charge of the free clinic helped. They needed her there in Serenity.
It was hard to believe that God couldn’t have found a way to use her in Atlanta, but this was clearly a door that had opened for her. Just like Serenity was where God had led Jay.
She needed to accept that God had brought her to the place where He wanted her to be, even if she’d thought He could use her better in a place like Atlanta. Jay appeared to have accepted that. The attention he paid to the teens he interacted with—like the young man in front of him right then—showed that he cared for them and what was happening in their lives.
“Let me know how things go,” Jay said after a couple of minutes, then held out his hand.
The teen fist bumped him with a grin. “I will.”
After they said goodbye, they left the building, stepping out into the cool night air. Even though it was early May, the nights were still cool, and Misha was grateful for the sweatshirt she wore.
“Do you know all the teens around here?” Misha asked.
“Not all,” Jay said. “I spend more time with the teen boys than the girls, so I know most of them. They all know who I am though, so sometimes they’ll talk to me even though I haven’t interacted much with them.”
“They seem to find you approachable.”
“I’m glad. I know it’s important at that age to have someone who’s willing to listen and sometimes give advice.”
Though the age gap was much more significant, Doctor Martin and his wife had been that for her. They’d encouraged and mentored her, and she knew it was only because of their presence in her life that she’d achieved her goal of becoming a doctor. And who knew the impact that Jay’s interactions with these teens would have on their futures?
“Do you think your mom will be okay watching Ciara for a couple of hours on Sunday?” Jay asked. “Though you could bring her along if you have a carrier.”
“I used to have one when she was smaller, but I haven’t used it in a while. Her stroller gets more use these days.”
“It might be better for you to do this hike on your own, then you can bring her along another time.”
Even though she hadn’t even gone on the hike yet, Misha was already glad to hear that there might be another time. She was getting in too deep with her feelings, but it was hard not to when she thought she sensed a corresponding interest in Jay.
Or was it just her naïveté showing?
She wasn’t quite as confident in her assessment of things between them as she’d been before seeing his previous girlfriend. But even so, her heart couldn’t help but want him to be as interested in her as she was in him.
She’d had little time for relationships over the years. But with the few guys she’d dated, she hadn’t had to guess how they felt. They’d just come right out and asked her on a date, so really, she had little experience deciphering a man’s interest. Those dates hadn’t led to much since she’d been dealing with her job and Ciara, along with the threats that were hanging over her head.
None of that was very conducive to building a relationship.
But things were different in Serenity, and her mom would definitely watch Ciara for a couple of hours if Misha was going to be spending that time with Jay. She had become his biggest fan.
“Guess I’ll see you on Sunday,” Jay said as they stood next to Misha’s car a short time later.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Misha unlocked her car, then opened the door. “Thanks for another workout. I appreciate you sticking it out with me.”
“It’s definitely not a hardship,” Jay said with a smile.
“It still boggles my mind that someone feels that way, but I’m glad you do.”
“Hey, given enough time, you too might come to enjoy exercise.”
Misha wasn’t sure she would ever reach that point. However, shedidenjoy being around Jay. “You never know.”
They then said goodnight, and Misha headed home.
“What’s that?” her mom asked, eyeing the box Misha carried.
