“All right. I won’t say I’m not disappointed, but I promise not to bring it up again.” Benita crossed the room and led Vaughn back downstairs.
“I appreciate that.” His clipped response came from behind her.
“Don’t mention it.” Benita waited at the foot of the stairs. She grabbed his shirt front to pull him down for a quick kiss. “Have a good day.”
“Thanks.” He regarded her warily.
Benita paused in the living room just long enough to grab her purse, then followed Vaughn out of his townhome to his car. She ignored the suspicious looks he kept sending her way.
Promising not to bring it up again to Vaughn didn’t prevent her from sending his script to the producer on her own. And, if the producer’s interest in Vaughn’s work finally convinced him to move to L.A. with her, well, that was just a bonus.
Benita pulled her spring jacket more closely around her shoulders. Outside, the weather was starting to resemble spring. Inside, Foster’s TFU office in Butler Hall was an icebox this Friday morning. Was he trying to ensure that she and Ms. Helen didn’t overstay their welcome? If that was the case, he shouldn’t talk so much.
“And so, Doctor Gaston, TFU would consider it a great favor if you would reconsider your opposition to a small celebration in recognition of this endowed chair.” Foster wrapped up his speech.
Benita was incredulous. The older man must have spoken for more than five minutes. Had her great-aunt even listened to all of that?
“You want me to let you host a celebration in my honor?” Ms. Helen summarized the university vice president’s five-, six-, maybe even seven-minute speech.
“That’s right.” Foster nodded as though in emphasis.
“No.” Ms. Helen’s response was swift and short.
Benita could have told Foster his long-winded speech wasn’t going to persuade her impatient great-aunt.
Foster’s lips parted in shock. “Doctor Gaston—”
“Foster, let’s wait until the donor arrives.” Benita checked her Movado watch. “She should be
here any minute now. Aunt Helen and I were early.”
“She’s here now.” A new voice joined the conversation.
Benita turned to see an attractive older woman stride confidently into Foster’s office. So this was Dr. Lana Penn, Ms. Helen’s protégé. Why had Benita expected a mousy woman with much less fashion sense? The research scientist was tall and slender with great clothes and even better shoes.
Lana’s thick cap of dark brown hair was layered around her diamond-shaped face. Her chocolate-colored trench coat hung open over a simple black dress. The pencil straight hemline ended at the chemist’s knees. Her matching black stilettos boosted her height by about three inches. A chunky silver necklace, bracelet, and earrings brightened the dark outfit.
“Thank you for convening this meeting, Doctor Gooden.” The woman stopped in front of Foster’s desk and extended her hand.
Foster was already standing. He returned her greeting. “Please call me Foster.”
“Thank you.” Lana gave the university vice president a gracious smile before turning to Benita. “You must be Benita Hawkins. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Doctor Gaston has told me wonderful things about you over the years.”
Really? Benita blinked. The first she’d heard of Doctor Lana Penn was when Ms. Helen had mentioned the endowment in the same tone Benita used to schedule a dentist’s appointment. Benita gave her great-aunt a look that assured her they’d discuss this later. Ms. Helen replied with a look that said only if she was in the mood.
Ms. Helen started to rise from her seat, but Lana approached her chair and rested a hand on her shoulder. “Please don’t get up, Doctor Gaston. It’s great to see you again.” She bent over to give Ms. Helen a hug.
“How many times do I have to tell you to call me Ms. Helen?” Her tone was querulous, but the elder chemist returned Lana’s embrace with obvious affection.
“It will take some getting used to.” Lana took the extra seat to Ms. Helen’s left. “So, why don’t you want a formal ceremony to announce the endowed chair?”
Benita tilted her head at the research chemist’s direct approach. Impressive. Ms. Helen couldn’t dismiss Lana’s question with another one-word answer.
“This endowment shouldn’t be about me.” Ms. Helen folded her hands in her lap. “Your donation will do a lot for the students and the department. Keep the focus there.”
“The students are the point of this endowment.” Lana shifted in her seat to face Ms. Helen. “But I want the second-year chemistry students, faculty, even staff to know you’re the inspiration behind this donation and why. Faculty members who apply for the chair have to be prepared to follow your example. That’s a big commitment.”
Benita stilled as she heard the brilliant, accomplished, successful woman express the impact her great-aunt had had on her. It was almost overwhelming.