MORE THAN A FRIEND CHAPTER 6

Dec 14, 2007 - 21:01 PM PST

Over the next few weeks things began to get very busy for Cindy. Between helping Mavis with the kids and collaborating with Andre on the restaurant renovations, she hardly had time to be depressed about her failed marriage. As a matter of fact, staying busy seemed to be therapeutic for her.

Another form of therapy was being an eyewitness to marriage at its finest. Being around her parents again and also Mavis and Eric taught Cindy that a successful marriage was obtainable, but only if both partners worked at it with mutual love and respect. They gave her hope that one day she could have such a thing for herself.

Her family and their relationships weren’t the only inspiration of hope in Cindy’s life. She was in constant amazement as Divine Providence seemed to allow one good thing after the other to come together for her. The first good thing that happened was the sell of her house. Wilma sold the Florida house within a month’s time, just like her husband said she would. She even sold all the furniture. Cindy agreed with her father. Her mother was good. And she made sure she told her that every chance she got.

From the sale, Cindy received a sizable nest egg that afforded her the privilege of buying her own car – a beautiful teal, four-door Pathfinder, and more than enough money to live off of while she decided what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. Although Cindy was now able to buy her own place, Mavis insisted that she continue to live with them. This was fine with her. Cindy was having a ball helping her sister out with the kids.

Another good thing that occurred was a change in her church attendance. Out of gratitude for her many blessings, Cindy began to regularly attend worship services again, a practice that she allowed to fall by the wayside while she’d been married to Charles. She even volunteered to work in the children’s ministry. With her wealth of creative ideas and efficient organizational skills, Cindy quickly became a favorite assistant. The kids and teachers alike loved the innovative things that she did to help make learning the Bible fun.

Through her gift of service, Cindy slowly began to feel whole again. Somehow she’d lost herself in Charles, in his career, in his agenda. Now that she’d found herself again, she was not letting go. She even dropped her married name and reverted back to her beloved maiden name - Bloom. Cindy wanted nothing that belonged to Charles Kirkland. Nothing at all.



Almost by accident, Cindy stepped into the next phase of her life. It was now June, school was out and she had the kids for most of the day while Mavis and Eric worked. Her destiny began to unveil itself one morning when Mavis asked her to help plan a party for Ashley’s ninth birthday. Cindy’s creative juices were instantly stirred and she began to map out a spectacular birthday plan for her niece. Later that evening she showed it to her sister.

Mavis sat in openmouthed awe of her sister’s obvious creative mastery. “Cindy, these are some great ideas you got here. And it’s not going to cost a fortune, either. I think this can work, sister girl.” Mavis nodded, looking at the detailed report. Her fingers drummed repetitiously on the table, the way they always did when she was doing mental calculations.

“You really like it?” Cindy asked, still a little unsure of herself. She poured herself another cup of iced tea from the clear plastic pitcher on the table they sat at.

“Do I like it? I love it! Cindy, you have a true gift here. I think you should consider doing this kind of thing for a living. You know, event planning. I think that’s what they call it. Anyway, just this morning we talked about this party and by the time I come home this evening, you already have the theme worked out, the cost figures, expected attendance, just everything. I do believe you’ve found your niche, baby sis,” Mavis reassured her. Every word she’d said was true. The sheet of paper before her was proof positive of that fact.

“It was easy. I like doing things like this. I actually get a rush out of planning and making things come together, much like those five hundred piece puzzles I like doing so much.” Cindy was getting excited at the very prospect of making this her new career choice.

Yet despite Cindy’s excitement, she still had some reservations. After all, she’d gone to college for something totally different. And was there even a market for a business of this nature in Dayspring? It wasn’t like they were in a big metropolis like the northeastern city of Chicago where nearly everything in Illinois revolved around. A city where nearly seventy-five percent of the state’s twelve million population lived within commuting distance of.

Dayspring was a southern city near the Shawnee Hills, or the Illinois Ozarks as they are sometimes called. That region is an area of valleys, woods, river bluffs, and forested hills unlike the rest of the state’s gently rolling plains. And although Dayspring is not as rural as some of the smaller cities around them, would its large service industry and agricultural workforce have a need for such a business? They certainly appeared to love fine dining. How else could Andre’s restaurant be doing so well?

“Listen, baby sis, this is your thing. I just know it. Look at how well you planned events for your ex-husband’s company. You made that man look good in more ways than one. Now it’s time to put that energy into doing things for yourself. Things, that I should add, that you already enjoy doing. Remember how you encouraged me to became an accountant when you realized that I was more interested in doing math problems, than reading those sappy romance novels you used to love,” Mavis persisted.

“Hey, hey now. I still love those romance novels. I got a box full of them under the bed in my room now,” Cindy said in mock defense. She took a sip of her drink.

“Anyway.” Mavis rolled her eyes and continued. “Just think about it. From just looking at these plans, I know this party’s going to be a hit. You have all the elements of success here.” She pointed to the paper with confidence.

“I’ll think about it. I would love to get paid for doing the things I love. Just like you, big sister,” Cindy said as she reached across the table and pinched Mavis’ full cheeks. She loved having so many good people in her life.

Suddenly Cindy’s mind took her elsewhere. I wonder what Dre’s doing right now? She had been wondering that a lot these days.