But Ms. Helen was shaking her head. “Don’t put me in the limelight.”
Benita glanced at Foster. The vice president of academic affairs looked almost hopeless. She sensed his fear that the endowment was slipping from his fingers. “Aunt Helen, you have to agree to this ceremony. I came all the way back from L.A. for it.”
“I told you before you came that I didn’t want a fuss. Don’t you remember?” Ms. Helen sighed her exasperation. “And you say I’m going senile.”
Benita’s face filled with heat. “I never said you were senile.”
Lana chimed in. “Of course you’re not senile, Doctor Gaston. That’s ridiculous. What you are is unreasonable.”
“Because I don’t want a party?” Ms. Helen sniffed.
“You’re putting your discomfort with this tribute ahead of students’ needs.” Lana locked gazes with Ms. Helen. “That’s not the Doctor Gaston I remember.”
Benita’s eyebrows rose. Oh, Lana Penn was good.
Foster raised a hand. His manner was urgent. “Lana, perhaps we can find a suitable compromise.”
The researcher gathered her coat and purse, and rose to her feet. “I’m not compromising on this, Foster. The endowment is a considerable donation that I want to ensure is invested appropriately.”
Foster lowered his hand. “I agree with your concerns, Lana—”
“The applicants for the chair have to fully appreciate the commitment required. We can’t ask that of them unless we showcase Doctor Gaston’s deeds.” Lana turned to Ms. Helen. “I do hope you reconsider.”
After Lana left his office, Foster broke the silence. “Our chemistry department could really use this funding, Doctor Gaston.”
“I know.” Tension vibrated from Ms. Helen in thick waves.
Benita looked from Foster to her great-aunt. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” Ms. Helen smoothed the thick chignon at the nape of her neck. “Lana is making me out to be some kind of patron saint of chemistry. I was far from that. I was just a teacher, doing the best I could for my students.”
“What bullshit.” Benita sighed.
“Benita!” Ms. Helen’s sharp, dark eyes were wide with surprise.
“You were a black woman who earned a doctorate in the nineteen-sixties so she could teach chemistry at the college level.” Benita willed her great-aunt to recognize her own accomplishments. “You earned a doctorate during Jim Crow and before women were even allowed to vote.”
Ms. Helen frowned. “I know—”
“I don’t think you do,” Benita continued. “You were raised at a time when women were taught to be humble and modest. The meek shall inherit the earth. Well, forget that.”
“Benita, have you lost your mind?” Ms. Helen’s scowl darkened.
Benita spoke over her great-aunt. “This is about more than students and academic endowments. It’s about celebrating your accomplishments, Doctor Gaston. You achieved them during some of the darkest days in our history and inspired our next generation to succeed. Now, what are you going to do?”
Ms. Helen sighed. “Let me think about it.”
“I trust you’ll make the right decision.” Benita scooped up her belongings and stood. She turned to Foster. “We’ll be in touch.”
Foster stood and shook their hands. “Thank you both for coming. Doctor Gaston, I look forward to your decision.”
Benita mentally kicked herself as she escorted her great-aunt to the parking lot. Why had it taken a stranger to put her great-aunt’s accomplishments in perspective? All of these years, her aunts, uncles, and cousins had dismissed their elderly relative and her dedication to their small hometown. Benita knew the former university professor was special. Seeing her through a stranger’s eyes made Benita even more determined to keep her great-aunt safe—even from herself. And that meant she had to convince Ms. Helen to move into a senior residence.
Running footsteps sounded behind her on the jogging trail in Freedom Park Saturday morning. The footfalls were barely audible above her heavy breaths. Benita shifted farther to her right, allowing the other jogger to pass on her left. But the jogger didn’t pass. Instead, the presence remained steady on her left.
“Morning.” Vaughn didn’t even sound breathless.
At the sound of his voice, Benita stumbled over nothing. Vaughn’s hand shot out, grasping her elbow to steady her. His quick reflexes still stole her breath.