Chapter 45 Maverick
CHAPTER 45
MAVERICK
Y ou’re gonna want to see this.”
Bolt wrongly assumes that I want to see anything after the day of marathon meetings I’ve just finished. And it’s day one of a two-week trip in Tokyo. A company here is developing some incredibly cool technology for the health-care system. I’m specifically interested in how it might be applied to improve maternal mortality. LaTanya heard about it first and urged me to investigate further. The US needs all the help it can get with that, especially in marginalized communities.
I lean back, dropping my head to the couch and stretching my arms out, glad to finally be back in my hotel suite.
“Unless it’s about my daughter, my dad, or Hendrix,” I say with a yawn, “it can wait.”
“Yeah.” Bolt glances up, his eyes somber. “Like I said, you’re gonna want to see it.”
“What’s up?” I sit forward, my body already tensing.
“The Aspire Fund is being sued.”
“The fuck did you just say?” I snatch his phone and read the headline plastered across the screen. Court Blocks Atlanta-Based Venture Capital Grants to Black Businesswomen.
I blink at the screen, certain I can’t be reading this bullshit right, but the more I read, the more my blood boils. An Atlanta circuit court has issued a temporary injunction on all Aspire Fund’s grants, claiming racial discrimination.
“This group, Citizens for Equality, is claiming Aspire violates the Civil Rights Act of 1866.” I clench my teeth and keep reading. “They’re targeting the small grants Aspire issues. It’s not the venture capital investments. And these grants aren’t even that large in the grand scheme of things, but it could make a huge difference to a small business just getting started.”
“So why target such a small fund like Aspire?” Bolt asks.
“It’s not about the money or the size of the fund. It’s a broader agenda.” I check the time on my phone. “It’s like seven o’clock in the morning there. I’m gonna call Hendrix.”
“You haven’t eaten.”
“Huh?” I ask absently, pulling up Hendrix’s contact.
“Food, Mav.”
“Yeah. Sure.”
She answers on the first ring.
“Mav, hey.”
I’m instantly on alert at the soberness of her tone. I stand and prowl over to the windows overlooking the city.
“Hey.” I focus my tired eyes on Tokyo’s skyline, a palette of steel and glass, light and glitter. “I just heard about the lawsuit.”
“Sorry I didn’t call.” She sighs heavily. “I knew you had important meetings there and the time difference is—”
“Nothing’s more important and you can call anytime. I hope you believe me when I say that.”
“I know. I’m not used to being—”
“My priority?”
“I was going to say ‘in a relationship.’” She manages a truncated chuckle. “But okay, that then.”
“I’m saying it. Are you hearing that you are a priority for me, Hendrix?”
A few seconds pass that vibrate with need, mine at least to be with her, hold her, assure her I’ll do everything in my power to help.
“Okay,” she replies. “I hear you.”
“Now what is this bullshit?”
“They want to shut down our grant program for Black businesswomen. They’re weaponizing the very laws that are supposed to be closing wealth gaps to make it harder for us. It’s disgusting.”
“And you know this is about more than just Aspire, right? If they can set precedent, they’ll use it in other areas and industries to dismantle equity efforts.”
“I know, which only makes us feel the pressure even more.”
“How are Nelly and Kashawn?”
“Pissed. We all are. Preparing to appear in court in two days, so I’m flying to Atlanta in a few hours. We’re petitioning to continue operations, still be able to award grants while the lawsuit moves forward.”
“Do you need a nurse to come for your mom and Aunt G? I can send someone.”
“Thank you, but no. Mrs. Redmond and some women from their church will come through while I’m gone. Aunt Geneva is a little more mobile now, so that helps. It’s only for a day or two. I’m coming right back, but I want to be in court with Nell and Shawn.”
“At least let me send my lawyer down.”
“We have a lawyer.”
“Guarantee mine is better,” I say. “Baby, this is important. It’s not just about you wanting me to help or not. This has implications for all of us. They’re targeting you guys because they think they can pick you off easily. I want them to know there is muscle and money behind you.” I squeeze the back of my neck, the need to be with her making my skin feel tight like it’s Saran-wrapped. “I want them to know that I’m behind you. Are you okay with that?”
“You mean…” She clears her throat. “You’re one of our investors. We can easily say you’re involved because of that.”
“We could, but I also don’t mind if everyone knows how personal this is for me. That I’m with you, Hendrix.”
It’s quiet and I can almost hear her independence weighing my words.
“Okay, Mav.”
I let out a breath, relieved that she’s not fighting me on this. “Can I have my lawyer reach out? See how she can help?
“Yeah. Nell and Shawn would kick my ass if I turned that offer down.” She chuckles.
“Good. Hendrix, I got you.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“I’m beginning to see, yes. Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. You’re my girl. Head up, Gorgeous. We’ll get through this.”
“I need to go. I have a lot of stuff to pull together and a flight to catch.”
“Of course. I…”
The words lodge at the base of my throat. I should tell her now, but how fucked up is that? She’s dealing with this court shit and focused on defending Aspire. I’ll tell her later. When I can hold her hand and look her in the eyes. I want her to see the love all over my face, not just hear the words for the first time from the other side of the world.
“You?” She prompts me to finish the sentence.
“I miss you, Hen. I wish I were there.”
She answers with a breathy sigh. “I miss you, too, and I don’t even want to be here, but I wish we were together.”
“I’ll send my lawyer to you.”
“See you when you get back. I know it’s a big trip. Hope all goes well.”
I hold the phone for a few minutes after she hangs up, thinking of all the things I should have made sure she knew.
“Hey,” Bolt says, stepping aside for dinner to be wheeled into the room on a loaded cart. “You ready to eat?”
I brush past him toward my bedroom suite, ignoring the food. “Find out all you can about Citizens for Equality and report back.”
“Already on it.” Bolt gestures toward the neglected cart. “You don’t want to eat?”
“Nah.” I hurriedly yank clothes from the closet and look around for my suitcase. “We can eat on the plane.”