Intertwined

Chapter Ten

Scarletwas still uncomfortable with the how smooth things went with Ruby. She alsowasn't sure she could trust Carmine. Carmine was always digging in herbusiness. She pried into their relationship more than she got to know her.Scarlet wasn't sure if that was her way of bonding thru a mutual acquaintanceor if it was her trying to keep tabs on Rod. Maybe she was concerned and wantedto make sure he was in a good relationship. Whatever the reason Scarlet wasn'tsold on her as a friend but she was definitely an asset as the assistant to an assemblyman. 

The business plan for "Earth Angel" was complete. She sent a copy by courier to the members she asked to sit on the board of directors. She had the paper work ready to get the organization incorporated. The first board meeting was set for that Friday. She had a space in mind for the company to start. She was hoping that Rod could pull some strings with Bryce to help her thru any red tape she may encounter. In return she would sing his praise as someone wanting to help the community by bringing mentoring and training programs to at risks neighborhoods. As much as Scarlet wanted to wallow in the web her love life seemed to be weaving into she had more important things to focus on. By the time school came back she wanted to be up and running even if at just on a small scale. She wanted to facilitate some fundraisers and school supply drives. Time was limited and she really had to make it happen. She put her faith in Stone. He could have walked away but he chose to stay with no coaxing from her. That said enough.

The day at the office seemed to have way too many tasks and not enough hours to complete them but Scarlet was getting it done. She never minded working herself down to the bone. She chose to focus on the women who really had no where else to turn. The women who were abused and took a chance to get their life back on track. Some people in the social service field got jaded by those who were using the system. Living in New York wasn't easy. Many people wouldn't understand staying with people while trying to get your self together. Shelter life wasn't some luxury people were trying to drain. It was a resource for people who weren't financially secure enough to just get an apartment without government assistance. The government could always make it easier to get rental assistance and the shelters probably wouldn't be so overcrowded.

Scarlet giggled as she imagined being the person in charge. She knew she could make new York city run smoother than it did. Helping those in need without draining the resources of the city. But she chose social service instead of politics. Her job was to help make the best of a system designed for failure. She was very good at it. She sent off the last email on her to do list and was gathering her things when her office phone began to ring. She should have been out the office over an hour ago but she still answered.

"Good evening. Ms. Michaels speaking. How may I help you." She waited for a moment before repeating her greeting. "Hi Scar its me Ruby. I am sorry to call you on your work phone for something personal but I didn't have any other way of reaching you." She sound distressed. "No problem Ruby. How can I help you?" Scarlet didn't bother putting thought into trying figure out what she was calling for.  She just asked cutting to the chase. "I wanted to thank you for the kindness you showed my children yesterday. I think you are a good woman and I feel bad sitting down eating with you knowing some inappropriate things have taken place between Rod and I over the last week." Ruby paused and Scarlet just rolled her eyes. She saw the drama coming from the door.

"I respect that fact that Jerrod has chosen to be with you. It just seems ironic to me that he waited a week from when I suggested we put our family back together to tell me he didn't think that was a good idea. A week of us playing house. A week of late nights spent together. Now that I know it will not happen anymore but I wanted to be honest and say that we were behaving poorly for the past week. I'm sorry." Scarlet shook her head. "No worries and no apologies needed. It's all good between us. Let me give you my personal number in case you ever need to reach me for something personal." Scarlet didn't really want to hear anymore of what Ruby may have to say but, at the same time she didn't want her calling her work line every time she decided to be petty.