Helping in the Yard

By Kimberla Gamble

A lavish lifestyle. A fight to remain relevant. A man who stands to lose it all.

Jase Montgomery is a successful Hollywood film distribution guru who lives for prestige, power, and money. His wife, Kelsie, sees things differently. She sees their good fortune as a blessing from God and feels they should show gratitude by giving their time to those less fortunate. Overconfident and conceited, Jase attributes his success to works of his own hands. Hands he won’t soil by working at church activities, like feeding the homeless. His main focus is landing a global distribution position in London.

But when his cockiness upsets a high-powered film buying company events are set in motion, which place his career, lifestyle, and marriage in jeopardy. As his life spirals out of control, he gets angry and questions the one he feels is responsible . . . God.

As Jase searches for answers, a mishap occurs which sends him reeling. Faced with a new revelation and a life-changing decision can Jase find the strength he needs to carry on?

Warm, uplifting, and inspiring, Helping in the Yard reveals how benevolence can bring forth unexpected treasures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kimberla Gamble
• Release date: Jun 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9780990481706

Kimberla Gamble

Kimberla Gamble is an author, blogger and freelance writer. She has been addicted to the written word since childhood, and spent many summer days, as a youth, trolling the aisle of the Washington County Public Library in Greenville, MS.Whether reading Winnie the Pooh, Nancy Drew mysteries or anything by V.C. Andrews, she enjoyed being transported off into adventures between the pages of a good book. It was those early childhood escapades that fueled her desire to create her own adventures. Helping in the Yard is Kimberla's debut novel.She is also the founder of the inspirational blog, Dash in the Middle.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

THIS MAN CAN’T BE TALKING TO ME LIKE THIS. Jase Montgomery placed his drink on the ledge of the balcony and took a step towards his boss. Sound spilled from Frank Devonshire’s mouth, but sound was all it was. An indistinct blur of noise, which Jase refused to let take root in his mind. Frank you may be my boss, but I’m a grown man. You will speak to me with respect or not at all. Jase locked eyes with the stocky old man. All of this, for what, me being good at my job?

Their intense gaze ended as Frank step back and peered over the balcony’s edge. He took a deep breath before facing Jase again. There’s no denying you’re good at what you do but ...

But nothing. You hired me do a job, a job I’ve done very well. Come on Frank. We both know the folks at Orion are crooked. They screw people over all the time. But with me, they’ve met their match. The deal is on the table. They can accept it or not.

To play hard ball with Orion is a dumb move Jase. Regardless of your feelings towards them you’ve got to back off. As things stand right now, Orion’s not the problem, you are. This time you’ve gone to far. You’ve pissed off the wrong people.

Frank, you didn’t recruit me four years ago to keep the peace. You needed someone who could deliver results. That’s why you hired me. Now all of a sudden you don’t like my style? Jase rubbed the back of his neck.

Don’t get ahead of yourself son. You are a good lawyer. That’s why you were hired. The fact that you structure lucrative film distribution deals is what keeps you here. Nonetheless, your cocky attitude needs to change. Frank took a sip of his cognac. The film buyers are our bread and butter. Without them we can’t survive. We live like kings on their dime. Heck, if it weren’t for them we wouldn’t be here at this party with all of these heavy hitters.

Jase stood quiet for a moment. Through the French doors he could see his wife talking to the mayor. Frank was right about one thing. The lifestyle was plush and he wasn’t ready to give it up. Signing on with Spectrum Films had been the best move for his career. Now his job might hang in the balance if he didn’t play political ball. So what do you propose I do at this point Frank?

Schedule a meeting with the folks at Orion. Make this right. I’m sure you can search that crafty little mind of yours and come up with something to entice them. Frank took another sip of his drink. You are an innovative young man. You’ll come up with a way to smooth things over.

I won’t apologize if that is what you are getting at.

Well you are going to have to do something, and do it fast.

Jase didn’t understand why his boss was so weak. Frank played good cop with all the buyers, but he coddled Orion beyond belief. Where is his backbone? Better yet, what does Orion have on him? He decided it didn’t matter. One day he’d be in charge and things would be different. Until then he had to play the game. Fine, I’ll call them Monday and change my approach.

Frank patted Jase on his shoulder. Good man. Sometimes it pays to swallow your pride. Sometimes it pays real well. Frank held up his glass and pointed towards the French doors. This job comes with many perks, and I’m not ready to give up any.

Jase smiled. These were more than perks. He’d landed in a goldmine, but he wanted more. More power, more prestige, even more money. Nothing would stop him from getting to the next level. "Since we are on the subject of perks, who’s replacing Terry? You and I both know the global market comes with perks on steroids.

Frank stalled for a moment as he rubbed beads of sweat off his balding head. You don’t play around do you? Terry’s desk isn’t cold yet, and you’re wondering if you got his job?

Jase didn’t care that he’d put Frank on the spot. He was the right man for the job. Nevertheless, he had to remain nonchalant. I only asked because time is running out. Terry leaves at the end of the month, and there will need to be a solid knowledge transfer.

Frank leaned in closer to Jase and whispered. "You didn’t get this from me, but there are two candidates in the running. I can’t say who they are. What I can say, though, is Parker will make the final decision on Monday.

Bill Parker is your boss, not ours. He doesn’t know what we do. So why would he be making the decision and not you?

Rest assured, Parker knows who you are and what you do. He’s quite aware of your track record and the large amount of money you bring in, which is nothing to sneeze at.

Jase stood straighter. You’re darn right it’s nothing to sneeze at. The deals I create bring in twice as much as the other distribution strategists.

True and the powers that be are aware.

When will the rest of us be made aware of Parker’s decision?

The person chosen will be told during the week. Everyone else will hear the news at Friday’s staff meeting.

Although he showed no enthusiasm, Jase was sure he had the position sewn up. As far as he was concerned, Frank was weak, but he wasn’t stupid. Just like him, there was one thing Frank loved . . . money and he brought in lots.

That’s enough shop talk for the evening, Frank said as he glanced down at his Rolex.

Jase picked up his drink from the balcony ledge. Yeah, I’d better get back into the party and find my wife before she has my head. I would suggest you do the same.

Frank pulled his cell phone from the breast pocket of his black tuxedo. I’ll be there in just a second. I need to make one quick call before going back in.

Suit yourself, Jase said as he turned and walked back into the mayor’s mansion.

CHAPTER TWO

LIFE DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS, Jase thought as he slid into bed. Kelsie, his wife of the past ten years, sat at her vanity across the room brushing her long black hair. Earlier she’d worn it in a sexy up-do, and the emerald green gown, which had draped her petite frame, now lay on the bench at the end of their massive king-sized bed. Jase smiled as he remembered how enticing she’d looked. He’d even caught the mayor checking her out a few times.

Did you have fun tonight, Kels? Jase folded his arms behind his head and leaned back against the headboard.

I did. The mayor’s wife, Nancy, outdid herself. Everything was beautiful. And the food . . . the food was divine.

Jase stared at the ceiling. Yeah, tonight was over the top. A string quartet, jazz singer and a rock band and they still called it a cozy event. I call it Oprah swag.

Cozy? That party was as grand as they get. I’ll give Nancy a call tomorrow and thank her again for inviting us. Kelsie placed the brush on the vanity and turned to face her husband. You were having a good time tonight hobnobbing with the mayor and all of his powerful friends.

Jase faced his wife again and smiled. He felt good about his life and how far he’d come in such a short time. Kelsie we are on top of the world, and no one can bring us down. I’ve worked hard since law school and look at how it’s paid off. We have high-powered friends, a gorgeous home, money in the bank . . . we are a young couple on the move.

We are definitely blessed, said Kelsie.  All praises to God.

For a moment Jase thought about his father and how hard he’d worked to support him, his mother and his brother, Robert. Immediately, however, he erased the thought from his mind. The night had been great, and he didn’t want anything to ruin it. Can a brotha get a little praise? I’m the one who did all the hard work.

He’d graduated top of his class from UCLA School of Law. Nonetheless, he’d hated his first job at Gillerman and Schwartz, an entertainment law firm in Los Angeles. Except for strategizing deals and negotiating contracts, he found the practice of law boring. Remember how happy I was when I left G&S and got my first taste of distribution strategy at Ajax?

You were very happy, said Kelsie.

Happy is an understatement. Being a film distribution strategist is what I was born to do. It’s in my blood. That’s why I am so good at it.

You are. . .

Jase interrupted his wife. That’s what I told Frank tonight. Matter of fact, I told him they were lucky to have me.

You didn’t say that, did you honey?

Of course I did. I bring in millions of dollars for them.

And through them God blesses you with a handsome salary, which allows us to live this wonderful life.

Jase agreed with Kelsie’s point. From their 8,000 square foot home, in an exclusive Encino community, to their fancy cars and designer clothes, they’d come a long way since he’d signed on with Spectrum. A God-debate, however, wasn’t something he was willing to have right then. The mayor invited me to play golf with him and some of his buddies next weekend. Jase was good at changing the subject to avoid conflict. I’m looking forward to showing him how it’s done.

Honey, remember you’re his guest. You don’t want to embarrass him.

Jase thought for a moment. To beat him at his country club would be a little crass, huh?

They both laughed, and Kelsie began putting away their clothes.

Leave those until the morning. Come and join me in this cold bed. He pretended to shiver.

I will in a second. I can’t sleep if everything isn’t in it’s proper place.

Jase realized he’d hit the jackpot when he met Kelsie at an art gallery near Trafalgar Square in London. The trip had been a present to himself when he finished his undergraduate studies. One he’d financed by working odd jobs on and off campus. Kelsie, on the other hand, had been there as part of a college exchange program. Seven months after their meeting they were married.

Despite her degree in Fine Arts, Kelsie didn’t work after Jase finished law school. He wanted a traditional wife and that’s what he’d gotten. He spent his days at the negotiating table, while she spent hers decorating their home with fine art, beautiful furnishings and unique candles. Jase brought home the money, but Kelsie always made sure he came home to a castle fit for a king.

Come on babe, I’m getting lonely over here. He continued to watch her dart in and out of their vast closet. When she’d finished she headed towards the bed, and his eyes fell to her mid-section. He beamed with pride. Kelsie was four months pregnant, and in a few weeks she’d begin to show. Then the world would know that the most beautiful woman God ever created would soon be having his child.

Kelsie smiled as she caught her husband gazing at her belly. That’s right baby, stare now because once I start to show, oh well . . . She threw her hands up in the air.

The grin on Jase’s face grew wider, Oh well, what? You’ll be the most gorgeous pregnant woman the world has ever seen. He moved closer to her as she slid into bed. Cuddling her in his arms, as they lay in bed, was his most favorite thing to do. They were a perfect fit, in every way.

It doesn’t get any better than this baby, he whispered. We are so lucky.

We aren’t lucky Jase, we’re blessed, she whispered back as she settled into his embrace.

Blessed, lucky, he wasn’t going to argue about it. Instead, he hugged her a little tighter. His silence hinting that life was good.

CHAPTER THREE

THE WAMRTH OF THE MORNING SUN BURST INTO JASE’S HOME OFFICE as he opened the shutters. He valued his Saturday morning quiet time. Time he knew he’d have to forego once the baby arrived. Peace and solitude would be replaced by feedings and crying.

Jase tried to take a sip of coffee, but it was too hot. Instead, he placed the cup on his desk and walked over to the open window. The view of Caballero Canyon never got old. The morning dew on the grass glistened like diamonds, while the branches of the sycamore trees swayed in the gentle breeze. This is the life, he whispered as he stretched and took in a deep breath.

He turned and headed back to his desk, but an old photograph sitting on the corner caught his eye. The picture had been taken by his mother twenty years earlier. He, his brother and his dad had just finished planting roses in front of their small house in Inglewood. It had taken them all day. But his mother wanted them. Her philosophy was that flowers brighten up the dreariest of circumstances.

Jase didn’t subscribe to sentimentality. He only kept the photo as a reminder of the life he’d come from. A life of lack and disappointment. A life of frustration and embarrassment. A life he vowed never to go back to.

Enough of that, he thought as he reached for his coffee. Now the perfect temperature, he took a long sip before sitting in the leather chair behind the desk. Thoughts of his own looming role as a father entered his mind once again. Was he really ready for this? For Kelsie’s sake he always put on a brave face. In secret, however, fear consumed him. Parts of his life would change and he wasn’t sure he was ready to make the sacrifices.

The first thing to go would be their spontaneity, unless he succeeded in convincing Kelsie to hire some help. He’d tried talking to her about it a couple of times, but she’d shot him down on each attempt. He remained hopeful, however, that she would change her mind once the baby arrived and started placing demands on her time and life. If nothing else, perhaps sleep deprivation would be enough to make her see things his way. Only time would tell though.

Although fear occasionally crept in, there was a part of being a father that excited Jase. He was thrilled his child wouldn’t suffer the same lack he and his brother suffered as kids. To be able to provide a charmed life for his child made him happy. His son or daughter would have the best of the best.

Jase glanced at the clock on the wall. Wow, where has the time gone? He gulped down the last of his coffee and turned on his computer. Kelsie would be up soon and he hadn’t even checked the accounts. He kept a close eye on his bank accounts and stock portfolio. One cent missed would dictate an immediate call to Bertram Katz, his financial advisor.

Once he’d logged into his computer it took him only thirty minutes to check all of the balances. Everything appeared to be in order, and Bertram could sleep in.

Ready to log off, he remembered that he hadn’t seen Friday night’s NBA scores. It was playoff time and he wanted to see who’d be advancing to the next round against the Los Angeles Lakers. Since he was a kid he’d loved basketball, and the Lakers were his favorite team. The fact that they’d made it to the playoffs again made him extremely happy. He was pretty confident they’d win another championship.

He’d finished going through the scores when it dawned on him he had not heard Kelsie puttering around. Another glimpse at the clock revealed it was after eleven. It wasn’t like her to stay in bed this late. Concern for her engrossed him. He knew he needed to check on his wife.

~~~

Jase entered the master bedroom only to find Kelsie still in bed. Honey, are you okay? he asked.

She opened her eyes and turned her head to face her husband. Her skin was pale. I woke up this morning with bad case of morning sickness.

Oh babe, why didn’t you call me? Jase stood over her and rubbed the top of her head.

I didn’t want to bother you. I know how much you enjoy your alone time on Saturdays. Besides, I ate a few of the saltines stashed in my nightstand, and I’m starting to feel better.

Jase hated when Kelsie wasn’t feeling well. Tell you what, let me go downstairs and bring you back some breakfast. You need more on your stomach than crackers. Before she could object, Jase kissed her forehead and left the room.

Kelsie sat up in bed, resting her back against a stack of pillows. She’d just grabbed the TV remote and began channel surfing when Jase returned to the room with a breakfast tray. That was fast, she said.

It’s not much, but it beats crackers. Jase placed the tray over Kelsie’s legs.

Mmm . . . hard-boiled eggs, applesauce and ginger ale . . . all my favorites. Thanks for making this for me. She took a sip of the ginger ale.

It’s my job to take care of you and my little man. Jase laughed as he sat on the bed next to his wife.

Because you’re being so nice this morning I’m going to let that slide, Mr. Montgomery. Besides, they say with boys there’s hardly any morning sickness. Girls, however, are a different story. At the rate we’re going, I’d say we better add some pink to the nursery.

Well, I don’t care what it is as long as it’s healthy and looks like me. Jase stroked his chin and gave his wife a mischievous grin. He could tell she was starting to feel better. The color had returned to her face, and she seemed more energetic.

So what do you have planned for the day? asked Kelsie.

Jase had begun to thumb through emails on his smartphone. I think I am going to go to the gym. At six feet four inches tall he was in great shape and enjoyed working out. However, he wasn’t crazy about the idea of driving to the lot on the weekend, but the free gym membership at the studio was a perk he couldn’t pass up.

Last week I was so swamped with the Orion deal I didn’t get to the gym like I wanted. Jase put down his phone and focused on his wife. What about you? What are your plans?

Kelsie ate the last bite of applesauce. Since I’m feeling better, I think I’ll get a mani-pedi.

"That