OMARI

10: YANDI

About a week later...

"Mrs Tembow!"
"Miss," Yandi corrected her colleague, Gary Morgan, for the nth time.
"Right. It's good to have you back and ready for some of the clients you'd need to represent..." he began rambling, she subtly rolled her eyes as he went off about the week's work and anything she may have missed since her absence.

"Senior Morgan," she cut in, "while I do appreciate your updates, I would much rather have my PA brief me about it. But thank you so much for letting me know," and with a quick pat on the arm, she turned in the direction of her office.

Yandi was just one of the big guys in the firm, or at least she liked to believe she was. She believed the only issue was that she sat at a table of predominately white partners- men at that. Gary being one of them too.
It was hard to be herself because of the way she was viewed. Sure she had the best record of cases she'd won in the firm, but when it came to things like board meetings, briefings and the like, they'd always allocate certain tasks to her because she knew her people better.

"Good day Ms Tembo," her PA, Lindi, greeted with a warm smile, following Yandi into her office.
"Good morning to you too, Lindi," she sat in her chair and slid closer to the large table as Lindi gave all the reports as required.

The day was going to be a long one.

***
"I want to switch firms," Yandi said bluntly.
"Again?" Laurie curled her lip.
"This Minchin Brown and Co. thing e no do," Yandi added an accent for effect.
"But honey, you just made partner!" Laurie sat across from her by the kitchen nook.
"Well I want to unmade it," Yandi snapped.
"What's happening there?" Laurie rested her chin in her palm, concern on her face.
"You mean what's not happening," Yandi sighed, "Babes, I'll be honest. Since I made partner, alot is not going the way I thought it would. They treat me like they would a coconut. I'm supposed to be the black comrade with some whiteness on the side. I need to be professional, but be a sista on the side so I spearhead black client's files.

I really dreaded coming back from Ghana because of the same nonsense I have to deal with day in and out at that firm.

Yes, I really wanted more than just being at attorney for Minchin, but now I feel like my place there is viewed differently from why I wanted to be partner to begin with."

"Hm, I know the feeling," Laurie frowned.
"You should start a practice."
"Hm," Yandi sat up. She hadn't thought about that as strong.
"Yeah..." Laurie nodded, "Especially since you're specialized baby you can be working on deals and agreements, consultancy and research if that's your vibe. Limitless."
"Girl why haven't you started your own?" Yandi slumped, Laurie giving out ideas like that sounded like something she shouldn't invest in first.
"I'm a legal advisor for the family company on the side, remember? But I get it, I should have started mine. I would but I am just waiting on the right time I guess. And even if you start before me, you'd be doing what you enjoy," Laurie assured.

The door clicked open and in came three squealing kids, Laurie's children. Amir followed behind them, closing the door.

"Hey babies!" Laurie beamed, hugging her last born daughter, Hadassah. Her other two sons, Jairo and Jesse, simply yelled hi and ran up the stairs.
"Say hi to aunty Yandi, baby," Laurie encouraged. Hadassah was only four, but she was a sweet yet sassy little girl.
"Hi aunty Yani," she waved her tiny hand at Yandi.
"Hello Hadassah baby," Yandi melted, reaching for Hadassah's hand and shaking it softly.

"Hey Amir," Yandi smiled at him as he passed the kitchen nook.
"Hey, Yaya. Hey baby," he bent over to kiss Laurie. "I'll be upstairs with the kids," he said, picking Hadassah from her mother's arms and walking to the stairs.