The Realest Ever - By Keith Thomas Walker Page 0,51

out of the shop the day after Donovan’s breakup (which she still didn’t know anything about). With her car came a huge slice of freedom that was better than Kyra ever imagined. No longer did she have to wait in the hot sun for a city bus that was filled with all sorts of strangers, some friendly, some not. Quinell’s school was only ten blocks away, but Kyra now had the option to take him or pick him up on bad weather days.

Best of all Kyra didn’t have to ask her aunt for a ride to the social services office or to the grocery store. Aunt Ruth was a little riled up about that, but Kyra began to care less and less about offending her shifty relative/landlord. When she was in her car, Kyra felt like she could drive anywhere. She felt like she could get away at anytime. She still didn’t have anywhere to go if things reached the boiling point with Aunt Ruth, but at least Kyra could pack up all of her things and leave at a moment’s notice.

And that felt good.

The only thing better was a phone call Kyra received on Wednesday, September 24. It was Robyn Powley, the principal at J.T. Elder Elementary. She invited Kyra to the campus to interview for an office clerk position. Kyra called Donovan when he got off work that day. Donovan confirmed that he spoke with the vice principal at J.T. Elder and asked him to pull Kyra’s file.

Kyra was a nervous wreck when she interviewed for the position, but Mrs. Powley was funny and friendly. She put Kyra at ease, and she didn’t stumble when explaining her spotty work history. She and Mrs. Powley hit it off, and the principal offered Kyra the position before she left the school. Kyra went to the administration building on Thursday for more paperwork and a background check, and she started work at J.T. Elder the following Monday.

It was such a humbling experience, all that had happened since she returned to Overbrook Meadows. Kyra felt like her life was essentially over in Little Rock. Her eyes welled with tears each time her daydreams took her back to those dark and reckless days. She knew things had to be better in Texas, but Kyra never imagined she’d have a job and a car within two months.

She knew she didn’t deserve the favor God continued to show her. And there was no doubt Donovan was an extension of His holy grace.

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On Saturday, October 11 Donovan pulled into Aunt Ruth’s driveway and parked behind Kyra’s Ford Escort. He got out and walked around her car, quickly inspecting the vehicle before he went to the door. The Escort had an okay paint job and nice tires. It needed a trip to the car wash, and Donovan saw that one of the screws holding the back license plate was loose. He knelt and tightened it as best he could with his fingers.

Donovan knocked on the door and was greeted by a handsome young man with a broad grin on his face.

“Hello, Mr. Mitchell.”

“What’s up, Q?” Donovan rubbed the top of his head as he stepped inside the house.

A moment later Kyra appeared in the hallway looking like a ray of sunshine, as usual. She wore a purple cocktail dress that had a cinched waist and a low neckline. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail, drawing Donovan’s eyes to her lovely face. She smiled at her best bud as she put on one of her earrings.

“Hello, sir.”

Donovan wore a blood red button-down with faded jeans and casual loafers. He was clean cut. His jeans fit him just right. Kyra didn’t think he could get any more handsome, especially when he smiled. She loved to go out with Donovan.

“You look lovely,” he said.

“Thanks.” Kyra blushed. “Let me tell my aunt I’m leaving.”

“Alright.”

Kyra disappeared down a different hallway, and Donovan took a seat on the couch.

“How you doing in school?” he asked Quinell.

“Fine, sir.”

“You play ball?”

Quinell shook his head.

“You look like you’d be good at football,” Donovan said. “You ever played?”

He shook his head again.

“If you want, I’ll ask your mom to bring you to some of my games,” Donovan said. “My team isn’t any good, but they’re fun to watch.”

The boy smiled.

Kyra entered the room again a lot less cheery than she was a moment ago. “You ready?”

“Yeah.” Donovan rose to his feet. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. We’ll be back,” she told Quinell. She gave him a kiss