Divine Encounters

Chapters 21-30

Swept. The weather finally started cooling off and the Texas version of fall was underway. The drop in temperature was slight, but most residents were grateful for even that. Nonetheless, though October was in full swing, Houstonians were still comfortable wearing shorts and t-shirts. Such was life in H-Town.

Amaya's front door was open and the nicest breeze was sweeping in from the foyer. Nika sat across from her at the dining room table, eyebrows raised. They had been on a phone conference for the last twenty-five minutes with an agent for a major cable network. They were expressing interest in turning I Am into a two- or four-part miniseries, but thus far the discussion had not gone too well.

"Why don't we table it for today," Amaya said, much to Nika's chagrin if the frown on her face was any indication, "and we can reconvene in a week or two if the execs are still interested after you relay my concerns to them?" Nika widened her eyes as if to say, Have you lost your mind? But she kept quiet. The agent, Sydney, was surprisingly agreeable and told Nika she would contact her the early part of the following week. Once the call was disconnected, Nika placed both hands on top of her head.

"I can't believe you just did that!" she exclaimed, her tone semi-humorous.

"Nika, I know what you're thinking," Amaya said, rising from the table to get a bottle of water, "but out of everything I've written, I Am is closest to my heart because... well, it just is. So if they're gonna make a series out of it, then I insist they stay true to the spirit of the story if not the letter." Nika went to speak, but Amaya cut her off. "Money doesn't mean more to me than what God did for Chelsea in that book. Her spiritual transformation is the crux of the whole story. Without that scene, it's just another 'Look what I did' piece that doesn't glorify God, or if it does, that part is swept to the side so that it's easily forgettable." Amaya touched her assistant's shoulder. "Writing about the goodness of the Lord is the ministry God has given me, Nika. I'll never put money above what I believe," she said, her voice passionate, "and if that means no movie, then no movie." Before she could respond, Amaya's phone vibrated. The smile that lit up her face was telling. She grabbed her phone, excused herself, and headed to her bedroom.

When she returned ten minutes later, Nika could not resist teasing her. "So, how is The Divine Doctor these days?" she asked and nudged her boss.

"He's fine... we're going out to dinner tonight. Maybe."

"Why maybe?"

"Because we've tried almost every night for the last week, but he keeps either getting called to work or working so late that we end up not going. He works all the time."

"Oh, and how was his birthday dinner last Saturday by the way? Did you cook one of your gourmet meals or did you guys go out to eat?"

"Well," Amaya said, looking up at the ceiling, "we had reservations at Brennan's but Chalk's flight back from Connecticut was delayed due to weather and he didn't get home until very late that night. He offered to come out so we could at least get some dessert, but he was exhausted so I told him to just go to bed."

"Aw man! Bummer, that was his big 4-0, huh?"

"No, that's next year."

"I see," Nika said, putting her pointer finger to her lip. "So, this is what it took... a rich, debonair, celebrity doctor sweeping you off your feet to get you back in the dating game."

Amaya laughed and said they were just friends. "In his own words, we're just two adults who run errands together and grab a bite to eat occasionally. That's all there is to it, my dear." Nika chose not to respond, but the look on her face said Amaya was full of it.