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P rologue 3-Clementine

Two years ago…

“Well?” I asked standing in front of both my parents.

Josef and Meredith Aziz were one of those formidable couples nothing and no one could ever break up. Not that I would ever try.

I’d been working for my father in his cyber security unit ever since I finished college, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life.

I knew it would be difficult, but I was ready for the challenges of running my own non-profit. My heart squeezed with memories of Andrew Rami, the poor boy who’d been killed as a result of his callous parents’ refusal to accept him and their lack of communication.

They thought he was something to be fixed. But really, Andrew had only craved acceptance.

The guilt I bore for that tragedy was still there and it still hurt. That was why I was there today.

After spending months on a proposal, I’d come to Mom and Pop for their advice and their help. I was lucky, see, I knew I could count on both.

Unlike Andrew.

“Clemmy mine! This sounds incredible,” Mom said with tears in her eyes.

They were the same green as mine, but I hated making her cry.

“If this is what you want, Honey, we are all for it and we will help you in every way we can,” Pop added.

Warmth filled me as I embraced my parents and thanked them. It was true. Maybe even an under exaggeration that I was one of the lucky ones to have family like this. Family who supported and protected each other.

It was my dream to help those who didn’t have the same. And with a little luck and some work I was going to do just that.

“So, this is a big deal. Anyone special to help you with it all,” Mom inquired after Pop left the room.

“Mom! I don’t need a man to help me build my dream,” I scoffed, even as my heart squeezed with yearning.

“I know that,” Mom said. “But don’t close yourself off. Steven was an asshole.”

“Mom!” I said, shocked that she would even mention that jerk.

He was my one real relationship, but it had been over years ago. Sure, I wanted love, but my father left a pretty big impact on me. He was so in love with Mom, and I knew I would never settle for less.

Steve had been less. And I was so much better off without him.

“Look at me, Clementine. It is true a woman doesn’t need a man to be complete, but let me tell you from experience,” she said with a grin, “Life is a helluva lot more entertaining with one. Now, give me a hug and get going. You have a nonprofit to build!”

I sighed and squeezed my mother saying a prayer of thanks that she was healthy and whole and with me now. There was a time I thought we’d lost her. But she proved stronger than cancer, and she amazed me every single day.

Having her and my father to help me realize my dreams made all the difference in the world to me. But not everyone had that. And I wanted to provide a place for those in need.

That’s what Drew’s Place was all about.

“I love you, Mom,” I said, hugging her closely.

This was going to take hard work and dedication, but I was ready.

And what about finding a man?

I wasn’t going to hold my breath.