Strength and Mercy

Rock The Boat

Thankfully, Amadi hadn't tried to reach Ava since last week. Ava fulfilled her promise to handle her anxiety and went to Dr. Chesney for an emergency appointment. Her therapist gave her much to think about and encouraged Ava to keep letting the feelings flow since she's kept them bottled up for so long. She also suggested that Ava keep herself occupied by her work so she could channel her feelings in a more adaptive manner. Ava was happy to oblige and accomplished much. She gathered five members for her core team and they seemed more than capable. Asia was the co-facilitator, two young people named Ethan and Tonya were the information gatherers, and Deshawn and Nathan held the administrative role. Within the span of a week they had gathered an overwhelming amount of information and were sorting through it all. They made headway with Kross Construction and set up a meeting with their preconstruction department as well as the project executives. However, every negotiation tactic they could think of had a possibility to be twisted to the other side's advantage to gain control of the building.

"Look, all I'm saying is Kross Construction is too big for us to tackle," Nathan said.

Tonya agreed, "They're an owner-builder kind of business meaning that they build buildings only for its own ownership, either to sell it, rent it, or occupy it. They've probably made so many connections from that which means they got more money, more resources, and more lawyer power than us. "

"Listen," Asia started, "all we have to do is talk to them and see what our options are. For the moment let's feel them out and see if we can find a loophole."

Ethan cleared his throat, "One of the only ways we can be sure they won't seize the mortgage is if we stay above water financially and don't get shut down due to building violations."

Tonya sucked her teeth, "That's what we been doin' but safety has become an issue since this surge of crime in the neighborhood. And don't get me started on the finances."

"Well, so long as we keep to the code and don't make many mistakes we'll be alright. And if there are violations, then we won't report it." Ethan shrugged.

The roundtable fell into a mass of giggles and shoves. Ava laughed right along with them until she thought of the manilla folder she received over a month ago. She finally showed it to Asia but she insisted on keeping it quiet just in case this went up higher on the food chain. What Ava couldn't figure out was why the money would disappear and reappear yet the shelter was still struggling. 

"What if we could find out what Kross does with the other buildings then maybe we can have him cited and they'll leave us alone," DeShawn posed.

Everyone was quiet for a moment which made DeShawn uneasy.

"It was just a suggestion," he said, sheepishly.

"It's a fabulous suggestion," Ava smiled.

"But we tried that," Ethan and Tonya whined.

"But you didn't get it from the horse's mouth," Ava said in a teasing tone.

Asia raised an eyebrow, "What are you suggesting?"

"Someone needs to infiltrate that office and crack that wall of silence. It's just a matter of how."

Tonya's hand shot in the air, "Ooh, I'll do it!" Almost everyone gave her the side eye. "What?"

"Why you so eager?" Nate asked.

"You know why." Ethan winked. "It's cuz somebody likes white boys." 

Tonya shoved him, "So what if I like a little cream in my coffee. Besides, someone has to take one for the team!"

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