Her hair hung in a pony tail two thirds of the way down her back, banded every 2-3 inches in orange scrunchies. Sam thought she looked like an African queen. He was visibly flustered by her beauty. When she sat down a slit on the left side of the dress revealed a view of her leg from ankle to mid-thigh. It was toned and shapely and like the rest of her, flawless, perfectly smooth and lustrous.
They listened to her stories of her spring and summer abroad teaching English to underprivileged children in Nigeria. “What I was most amazed by is they have so little, but they have such bright spirits and high hopes. Sometimes we in America don’t understand that satisfaction comes in many forms and happiness is ultimately just a state of mind.” She smiled and held out her glass. “To happiness and satisfaction in the little things.”
“So true.” Replied Maggie, touching glasses. “I think dinner is ready.”
As dinner began, Taisha tried the chicken. “Delicious Ms. Turner. You’ll have to share the recipe.”
“Gladly, but please call me Maggie.”
“I’ll try, but that just doesn’t seem right. You’re my mentor and my inspiration in so many ways.” She said sincerely. “I would never have made it this far without your influence Ms. Turner.”
“You got yourself here Taisha. Don’t sell yourself short…”
“No, it’s true. Without your firm hand when needed I would have made some very poor choices. Don’t sell yourself short. You make a difference in so many lives and that’s why we love you so much.” She stared into Maggie’s eyes.
Maggie was speechless, and Sam tried to break the silence with an attempt of humor.
“Easy Taisha, we don’t want her head to get too big.” He smiled.
She turned quickly to Sam. “I’m Serious! Don’t you sell her short either. This woman saved my life!”
Sam looked down afraid to talk as Taisha looked back to Maggie. “You really did, Ms. Turner. I was runnin’ with the wrong crowd. Smokin’ weed and drinkin’. You made me stop and think. I could be livin’ in the projects with three or four kids right now. Trust me, most of my friends are there. You made me feel like I could do better and make a difference. Thank you.”
Maggie teared up and fought to hold back a full out blubbering cry. Taisha got up also teary eyed and bent down, hugging her neck firmly cheek to cheek. “I love you Ms. Turner.”
They hugged and cried, and Sam redeemed himself. “Damn now I’m cryin’ too.” He said sniffling.
Taisha held the hug and whispered in Maggie’s ear. “Damn, you still smell wonderful too.”
She broke the hug and sat back down wiping her eyes. “Sorry, I told myself I wasn’t gonna do that.”
Maggie dried her eyes. ‘Well now that you made me out to be a saint, let me tell you one of the selfish reasons I asked you here tonight.”
“OK,” said Taisha skeptically.
“I’m not sure of your job situation at the moment. Do you have something lined up yet?”
“No, frankly I was so busy in Nigeria I didn’t have the time to look in earnest. I sent a few resumes this week but nothing yet. Do you have something in mind?” She asked hopefully.
“Unfortunately, all the full time slots are filled. But I hoped I could add you to the substitute list and get you some part time work until something opens up. Where are you staying right now?”
Taisha looked a bit disappointed. “I’m staying with my Bibi. Grandma.” she clarified. “But she’s on social security and really can’t afford a free loader.”
“I hope you’ll listen to a proposal I have for you.” Said Maggie. “We have a fully loaded motor coach with two slide outs in back. You are welcome to stay there for free…”
“I can’t do that Ms. Turner. Where’s the selfish part you were talkin about?” She looked at Maggie exasperated.
“As I was saying, you can stay for free under the caveat that you put yourself on the substitute list and give me the right of first refusal to match any full-time job offers you get.”
Taisha smiled. “My caveat… We agree on a fair rent and I pay you back for unpaid rent once I land a job. She turned to Sam. “And you’re OK with this?”
“Absolutely.” He replied, eyeing her dark glistening cleavage.
As they finished desert, Taisha perked up. I almost forgot. I got something for you from Nigeria. I’ll be right back.” She went to her car and brought in a small shopping bag.
She sat the bag on the table near Maggie. Maggie placed it in her lap and pulled out and gold colored ornate picture frame. The picture was a cartoon like painting of what stuck Maggie as an African queen standing on the water in a river. The colors were vibrant and bold.
The queen had a tiara of gold with and orb shaped crown topped with a point. Resembling the shape of a mosque dome. A “V” shaped gold band wrapped down over her forehead. She had gold wonder woman like cuffs on her wrists and forearms and one around her neck. Her hair was long and flowing down past her breasts.
She had a bright yellow wrap around sleeveless bikini like tube top with a matching full-length skirt that V’d in the front, exposing well below her belly button. The waist band of the skirt appeared to be a wide gold belt that followed the same V pattern in front.
She was a beautiful back skinned woman with toned abs and shapely hips. Her left hand was raised above her head to the left with her fingers spread and curved down. She appeared to be magically pulling several fingers of water up and wrapping around her. Her right hand was down and to the right, palm up and fingers spread helping pull the swirling water with her powers. Behind her was a waterfall as she stood on the water in the middle of the river.
“Fascinating.” Said Maggie. “Is this a significant cultural figure?”
“She is the Yoruba Goddess Oshun. She rules over the rivers and lakes that sustain life. She also rules over love, flirtation, sensuality, fertility, beauty and the arts. She dwells within the sweet or fresh waters and helps heal the sick and brings prosperity and fertility to the needy.” Said Taisha looking knowingly at Maggie.
Maggie had shared with her on a recent call that she and Sam had been trying to have a baby for about six months with no luck.
“Thank you so much. I have never heard of this before. Thanks for sharing the culture with us.” Said Maggie.
“There’s more in there.” Said Taisha, pointing.
Maggie pulled out a carving of an African woman, Kneeling with a basket in her lap. She was topless with her hair pulled back in a large pony tail pointing off to the left. On her back was a baby in a shoulder hanging wrap.
“The carving is a depiction of a follower of Oshun giving thanks for fertility.” Said Taisha.
“It’s beautiful. The detail is remarkable.” Said Maggie handing it to Sam.
“Impressive, thank you Taisha.” He smiled warmly. “Can I show you the RV? I sell them for a living.”
“I recall Ms. Turner telling me. You are tops in the nation, aren’t you?”
He grinned as they passed through the kitchen and into the back yard. Sam had set up the RV for full sales pitch mode. Almost the entire passenger side was a slide out which included two recliner theater chairs, the kitchen counter and appliances all the way back to the bedroom dresser and closet. The other side had a slide out for the sofa and dining counter. It was far nicer than any place Taisha had ever lived. The cabinets were deep cherry and the counter was beautiful marble with a corner sink.