Chances Are Read Online Free PDF Page A

hearts and souls are in this place.”
    â€œI know. We’ll find a way, Bren. Work on some more proposals, do some fund-raising. I’m not giving up.”
    Brenda clasped the hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know you didn’t want them to know how bad things really were. But—”
    â€œIt’s all right. You were right. They do need to know. It’s not fair to them to leave them in the dark. The reality is, if we can’t get some funding in here, we’ll have to start looking for placement for them.”
    Brenda sighed. “I’m not looking forward to that, but it’s a reality.”
    Dione squeezed her shoulder. “Something will work out. Go home and get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    â€œYeah.” Slowly she rose and Dione could see her wiping her eyes in the shadowed room.
    They both got their coats from the closet and walked out together to the front door.
    Just as they reached the exit, Kisha came running down the stairs.
    â€œMs. Williams, Ms. Frazier. Wait!”
    They both turned, fearing the worst, like a fight broke out upstairs or something.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, Kisha?” Dione asked, holding her breath.
    Kisha came to a stop in front of them. “We took another vote. We can’t let you lose Chances Are, Ms. Williams. It ain’t right.”
    â€œIsn’t,” Dione corrected with a smile.
    â€œIsn’t. But we want to help.”
    Brenda turned to Dione and a smile broke out across her face. She grabbed Dione and hugged her. “Amen!”
    Dione hugged her back as fear whipped through her. The racing of her heart had nothing to do with happiness.
    Â 
    That night Dione tossed and turned, her life, her youth, her lie tracking her like the most skilled of hunters. Everywhere that she tried to hide from the painful memories—there they were.
    She ran, darting behind her successes, her degrees, her small cluster of friends, the security of Chances Are, but still the memories sought her out and found her. All in the form of Niyah who held out the accusing finger. “How could you have done it—lied to me all these years? I hate you,” she screamed. “Hate you!”

Chapter 4
    W hen Garrett arrived at the studio the following morning Jason was already there setting up to shoot a public service announcement for the local historical society.
    Garrett poked his head in. “Hey, how’s it going?”
    â€œI should be asking you,” he said adjusting the teleprompter for the woman from the society.
    â€œNo luck if that’s what you mean.”
    Jason stopped what he was doing. “’Scuse me a minute,” he said to the woman seated in front of the monitor. He crossed the studio floor to where Garrett stood in the doorway. “I’m telling you, man, call her. Lay the cards on the table. Just be upfront,” he said under his breath.
    â€œListen, I ain’t begging nobody for nothing. We got this far without this project, we’ll keep going.”
    â€œYeah, doing the same thing day in and day out,” he hissed. “What about our plans, man? Huh?”
    â€œListen, Jas. If we could get one grant, we’ll get another. I’m not going to sweat this. If she decides to call and accept, fine. If not we’ll move on.”
    Jason tossed it around a minute and looked long and hard at his friend, knowing that once Garrett made up his mind on something that was it. “Yeah, all right, man. You’re the boss. Whatever you decide to do I’m behind you.” He slapped him on the shoulder. “Just don’t take too long to think up something brilliant.”
    Garrett chuckled. “Yeah, right. Thanks. No pressure. See you later. I’ll be in editing. Tom and Najashi in yet?”
    â€œTom is. Najashi should be here around noon.”
    â€œCool. Later.”
    Â 
    Dione had alternately been staring at the phone