Stepping to a New Day Read Online Free PDF

What else did you do—if you don’t mind me being nosy?”
    She didn’t. “I took a fabulous nighttime tour of the monuments on a double-decker bus. And I saw the Native American museum.”
    â€œI didn’t know there was such a museum.”
    â€œThere is, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture will be opening in the fall and I’m definitely going back to see it.”
    â€œI’ve heard a lot about it. Saw specials on 60 Minutes and on C-SPAN.”
    â€œC-SPAN? I don’t know too many people who watch C-SPAN, TC.”
    â€œImpressed you, have I?”
    She laughed. “Definitely.”
    â€œGood.” He caught her eye in the mirror again, and Gen’s heart began a dance it hadn’t done in years. Surprised because she didn’t know Gary’s uncle from a can of paint, she forced herself to turn to the window and gaze out at the passing landscape lining the highway.
    When they arrived at the Jefferson place, he parked, came around, and opened her door. She stepped out, thanked him and waited for him to remove her suitcase from the trunk.
    â€œI’ll take this up to the porch for you.”
    Once that was accomplished, she handed him his tip.
    He declined it. “Not necessary. Ms. Brown pays me well.”
    â€œBut—”
    He was already on his way back to the car. “Pleasure meeting you, Ms. Gibbs.”
    Before she could respond, he drove away. Having enjoyed his company, she said wistfully, “Pleasure meeting you, too.”
    Putting him out of her mind, she stuck her key in the lock and went inside.
    Marie, wearing her signature cat-eye glasses, was seated in the front room watching All My Children .
    â€œI’m back,” Gen said cheerily. “How are you? What have I missed?” Because there was always something going on in Henry Adams.
    Marie shrugged. “Nothing. Same old same old.”
    â€œI had a really good time. You should have come.”
    No response. Gen sighed silently. Lately, trying to have a conversation with Marie was like pulling staples out of concrete. “I’m going up to my room and unpack. Do you want to do something later? Dinner at the Dog?” The Dog, formally named the Dog and Cow, was owned by their lifelong friend, Malachi July.
    â€œNo. I’m good. You can go if you like.”
    Swallowing her disappointment, Gen and her suitcase climbed the stairs. It was official. She was definitely moving out, and the sooner she did the better.
    That evening Genevieve checked herself out in her vanity mirror and nodded approvingly at her reflection. The new black velveteen jacket she’d purchased in Washington looked very classy with her red turtleneck, charcoal-gray wool pants, and black short-heeled boots. The simple gold chain around her neck matched the bangle on her wrist and the small hoops in her ears. She’d gone back to wearing her gray hair natural and she thought the elegant cut she’d also gotten in Washington set the tone for the image she wanted to convey: trim and fashionable yet classic. She and Clay had talked earlier on the phone and were going to have dinner at the Dog.In spite of their issues, she’d missed him and looked forward to the evening. They agreed on a time and that he’d pick her up—since Gen didn’t drive—something else she needed to remedy. She’d relied on other people to get her around all her life and it was time to step up. She wondered if Clay would be willing to teach her.
    When she got downstairs, Marie was still in front of the TV watching Wheel of Fortune . “Clay and I are going to the Dog for dinner.”
    Marie replied with a distant nod. Gen wished she could help her friend find peace but that seemed impossible at the moment, so she left her and stepped outside to await Clay’s arrival.
    He pulled up in his truck and she hurried down the walk to meet him.
    â€œHey,