The Precious Prize: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

By Diana R. Williams

Joya Moore – a beautiful wife and mother – embarks upon a roller coaster week of self-discovery. She has mysteriously suffered each year with acute sadness for the entire month of June. To find her answers, she must confront the demons of her past as she revisits the deep secrets of adultery, backstabbing, betrayal, deception, envy, false relationships, jealousy, and tragedy. Joya is compelled to examine her faith in the Lord, her marriage, her career, and where life is leading her. By the end of the week, Joya is a wealthy woman with a brand new direction for her life!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543951240

Book preview

Williams

1

Monday

It feels so good to sleep a little later on a Monday morning! With our children, Xavier, six, and Ami, three, spending the week in Orlando with my parents, held at bay were the normal hustle, and bustle that starts our week. I stretch, pull back the covers and sit up.

William, my husband of almost ten years, has already showered and has the coffee brewing. Today is going to be such a good day. I can feel it in my bones! I’m finally going to get to the bottom of what has been wreaking havoc in my life. It’s been the strangest thing. Every year, in June, I become overwhelmed by deep sadness. Some days I can hardly get out of bed and function. But this year is different because everything is coming up roses! Today starts the last week of June and so far, so good.Some people think that if you’re a Christian, you don’t suffer from depression and if you do it is an indication of a lack of faith. Thank goodness there are people trained to deal with this problem from a Christian perspective. It gives me comfort to know that someone from the women’s intercessory prayer team at church is praying for me every single day this month.

Almost giddy with joy, I get out of bed and turn on the TV catching the last few minutes of local news before Good Morning America. As I make my bed, I compile a mental list of everything for which I am thankful. My life isn’t perfect, but it isn’t bad either. Why I succumb to an entire month of debilitating sadness every year, I don’t know. But Dr. Kim, the licensed pastoral care therapist recommended by my good friend Marsha, feels certain that she can help me today. She has planned to use a technique called narrative therapy and will see me two times this week.

I go into the bathroom to start my morning routine. As I brush my teeth, I notice a small zit coming up on my cheek. Could it be I’m more stressed about this week than I realize? Nah, zits happen. I chuckle at my silly pun, fluff out my head full of spiral curls, apply a light dusting of bronze powder and neutral lip gloss and head to the kitchen.

Good morning handsome!

Good morning, baby. You’re in a good mood this morning.

Yeah, why not? Life’s good!

You can say that again.

Okay. Life’s good! I say as I reach over and start tickling William.

Hey! Enough with the tickling! You are feeling good today!

You say that as if that’s a rare thing!

No, I just– we’re meeting at Chastain Park at six, right?

Yes, I can hardly wait. Aaahhh, that’s good coffee.

Joyaaaah, don’t be late. William draws out my name as if speaking to a small child or someone hard of hearing. The last time I met you for dinner, you showed up over twenty minutes late.

I thought I bought some blueberry bagels. Did you see them? I ask as I search the pantry.

I mean it, Joya. Don’t have me sitting there waiting! We agreed to be there at six o’clock, not a minute afterward. Everybody’s time is valuable. Give yourself enough time to get through traffic Tardiness is his pet peeve. Although I have apologized for that incident which occurred months ago, he refuses to let it go.

I reach up to kiss him again to stop the lecture that could go on and on if unchecked. William is a slender man at 6 feet with Adonis-like good looks, but he can look so intense when he starts to frown.

Here they are. Don’t worry; I’ll be there by six if not before. I put my arms around him and give him an extra tight hug. Although it irritates me when he nags, I want him to feel just how important he is to me. Want me to toast one for you?

No thanks, he answers with a smile. But I’ll take another kiss.

Squirming out of his arms, I decided against the bagel too.

Are you okay?

Yeah, why do you ask?

You seem a little preoccupied and indecisive this morning. Are you sure you’re okay?

I’m fine, William. I have a lot to get done today, plus I’m leaving early to meet with the counselor Marsha told me about.

What time is your appointment?

Now who’s preoccupied? I told you that I have a three-hour session with her at noon today.

Yeah, you did. I hope your talks with the counselor will help.

What’s that supposed to mean?

Nothing sweetie, don’t get prickly. I know how hard you are working to deal with your problem—

My problem!

Hey baby, I don’t want to make you upset. I want to give you another kiss to show my support. And the fact that you are going to see her for three hours today and Wednesday shows how committed you are to solving this problem. That’s all. We’re in this together, right?

William kisses me gently on the lips, looks me tenderly in the eyes and says, I love you.

My heart melts, I love you too, and I guess I am a little nervous about this whole process of digging deep into my past.

You’re going to be fine, sweetie. I’m heading out now. See you at Chastain.

I’ll be there on time!

I go back upstairs with my coffee and dress for work. After selecting a brand new ivory pantsuit with matching shell, I start to hum a praise song about the goodness of the Lord. Although I don’t usually pull out my designer digs for a simple day at the office, I want to feel empowered today for my afternoon session with Dr. Kim. This outfit will certainly do the trick.

Wow! It’s such a beautiful morning! Feeling fortunate that I don’t have to get on the highway in the midst of Atlanta’s horrible rush hour traffic, my commute takes fifteen minutes through residential areas to offices in the Perimeter Mall area. The sun is shining so brightly, and the greenery is so lush that it’s almost a shame to head inside. I pick up my pace and sing softly, I’m walking on sunshine and don’t it feel good!

When I get to my office, I see my secretary Anna smile my way.

Good morning, Joya. How was your weekend?

Good morning to you. It was good seeing my parents, and they are thrilled to have the children with them. How was yours?

Pretty good. I didn’t do much, just a little gardening and shopping on Saturday and church and dinner with friends yesterday. But you just missed Kelley’s call. She wants to see you in her office at 8:30. I sent you an email alert.

Thanks, Anna. Better push the 9:00 team meeting to 9:30. Please tell everyone. Oh, and I love that outfit on you, is it new?

Thanks for noticing. I picked this up on sale. It was almost as if they were giving it away!

Well, you deserve it! Good things happen for good people, right?

You are certainly in a good mood this morning. Is there anything else I can do for you?

Nothing for now, I said as I walk into my office. I look at my watch, annoyed with the fifteen-minute notice Kelley had given me. I have a blackberry that she fills up day and night with memos. She could’ve sent me an email earlier about this. She also knows I have Monday morning staff meetings with my team at nine o’clock each week. But, nothing is going to break my stride, and nobody’s going to bring me down!

Kelley has been my manager for the past year. The few times that she tried to be friendly made me uncomfortable because she shared romantic details about her life that were way more than I ever wanted to know. When I arrive at her office five minutes early, she remains behind closed doors, and her secretary asks me to be seated in her private reception area.

Kelley will be with you shortly.

Thanks!

Alrighty, then. I’ve got loads of stuff to get done instead of sitting here cooling my heels. But I’m determined to stay positive. While I wait, I sift through the magazines on the coffee table and decide to look at this month’s Essence. My eyes zero in on the article: Does Your Marriage Need a Tune-Up? I flip through the pages, hardly glancing at the photos of celebrities, luscious food, and vacation spots. Once I get to the article, it starts with a survey of nine questions. I decide to answer the survey questions to see what it says about my marriage.

Are you still physically attracted to your spouse? Do you enjoy your spouse’s company? Do you respect your spouse? Have you and your spouse remained faithful? Do you trust your spouse? Do you think your spouse is a good person? Do you still enjoy the sexual act with your spouse? Would you marry your spouse all over again? Do you want your marriage to continue?

If you answer is 1-2 no’s, schedule more couple time to reinvigorate your relationship. 3-5 no’s, consider counseling to work on trouble areas in your relationship. 6-9 no’s, start professional intervention immediately to avoid divorce!

Although the answer key has us needing merely to spend more time together, I become stuck on the questions about trust and infidelity. It makes me a little nervous because this survey causes me to consider issues of trust, forgiveness, and hope for my future. Should I be worried about the problem that crept into my marriage? Is my relationship with William at the root of my depression every year? Maybe God is trying to tell me something.

Finally, Kelley buzzes her secretary and asks that I come into her office. Thank goodness I’ve rescheduled my team meeting. I’ve been waiting so long that when I finally walk into her office, it is a little before nine. She offers no apology or excuse when I go in, so I paste on a smile with my morning greeting.

Thank you for coming in, Kelley began, getting right down to business. As you know, the Happiness Movement is projecting a budget of several million dollars this year.

Yes.

Also, there will be mini-conferences in Boston, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Washington, she continues without looking up.

Who is she telling? I’m the one who told her in my executive forecast, wait a minute, that’s what she’s reading to me! What kind of game is she playing?

With the type of revenue projected for this account, I will serve with you. We will meet with the teams at our regional offices where as senior vice president I will facilitate. Your input will be invaluable because you worked on the account last year. But what we want to do this year is take things to a new level. She pitches while finally looking at me.

Is she expecting a reaction? She knows that I did more than merely work on the account last year. The Jamieson account is mine! She is proposing an underhanded demotion. I made contact, but now she wants to move to the spotlight to shine in the reflected glory. I continue to look at her and do not speak.

I understand that you have an early meeting on Wednesday where you plan to introduce Mr. Jamieson to the team. I will attend that meeting as planned, but now instead of coming in for a quick greeting, I will be there to help. You seem a little distracted lately, so in the best interest of our client, I can provide support as you present our new structure for his account. May I see your agenda?

Certainly, I can make that organizational change and get back to you. But I wonder if we should change Wednesday’s function to more of a meet and greet until we are all clear with who the team players are and what their prospective roles will be. I fight hard to keep the disgust and disappointment out of my voice. I expect better of Kelley than this and what does she mean by that crack about me seeming to be distracted?

There’s no need to make any other changes. We can go forth with what you have planned. The only thing that’s different now is my direct involvement.

Okay, I’ll get you a copy of the agenda. Is there anything else?

I’ll wait for the agenda. We may have to go over some other things after I read it.

I look at my watch as she fibs. Oops, I’m sorry that I’ve made you late for your meeting. You can bring me the agenda draft after your meeting.

Poor thing, she must not know about me. I’ve dealt with her type before and can recognize game playing. I have twenty more minutes before my meeting starts, and I’ll have Anna shoot a copy of the agenda to her as soon as I get back.

Kelley picks up her phone and turns her back to make a call before I make it out of her office. That’s also a rude trick I’ve seen before. It will take more than that to upset my apple cart.

With minutes to spare, I make a few minor changes in the notes for my group. There has been a bit of tension lately between two members of the team that has become more evident during the last few group sessions. Neither party has formally complained about the other, but their actions have changed the dynamics of the group wherein people are silently taking sides.

Considering possible strategies to keep problems and office politics from growing out of proportion, I decided to confront all issues head on. Determined to no longer tiptoe around overblown egos nor sweep offenses under the rug, I head to the conference room with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.

Thank you for making the change to your schedule for this meeting, I tell the group with a smile.

The team meeting includes my secretary, Anna, and the four directors in my division. I give them the pitch from my executive forecast to lay out the timetable for the next year. The order of the four regional mini-conferences for The Happiness Movement will all build up the momentum that culminates in the three-day ‘Spectacular’ in Orlando during the Memorial weekend next May. We discuss the meeting for Wednesday morning, and I announce to them Kelley’s direct involvement from this point forward. The discussion moves on to the ambitious budget and some of the celebrity and sports sponsors who have committed to the events thus far.

I have a question, interrupts Jason, Director of Information Technology. Will my department develop the web presence as a filter for the client’s promotions?

Before I can answer, Regina jumped in, All promotional work has always come through my department!

Regina could be a more attractive woman in her mid-forties, but for her stern brow and perpetually puckered lips that seemed never to smile. She’s an unmarried artist with a flair for stepping to the beat of her own drummer. Our CEO discovered her artistic genius at one of Atlanta’s National Black Arts Festivals. Vivid colors and shapes have become her trademark, and she brought in a breath of fresh air when she started with the company.

I realize you do the artwork, Regina. My questions have more to do with the technology requirements, Jason snipes.

Before we get sidetracked, keep in mind that our project is unprecedented by the sheer size and developing multi-leveled components. Somewhere in the course of pulling it all together, we will revolutionize how we create a Spectacular. Therefore, each department will be vital to meeting the challenges ahead and creating the WOW factor for this event.

That’s why everybody’s got to stay in their lane, Regina chimes in emphatically with her arms folded across her chest.

Again, I persistently snatch back the reigns, "This will be an exciting time for us in unchartered waters. It will require a new level of creativity. We must think outside the box. I look forward to everyone’s input."

After a bit more discussion and final instructions for Wednesday, I adjourn the meeting. Some of the team comes up to me afterward and express their excitement about the project, but Regina makes it out before I can say anything to her.

Once back in my office I place a call. Hello Regina, will you come to my office please.

Now?

Yes, please.

I’ll be right there.

Thanks.

Before I can hang up, my private line rings with my big brother calling from Ohio.

Hey bro, this is a pleasant surprise!

Hey sis, how are you?

I’m doing OK. How are you?

I can’t complain. Well actually I could but I won’t, John chuckles. Because you know the joke about complaining, don’t you?

That’s my big brother; he always has a joke to bring a smile to my face.

Nah, what’s the joke?

Well there are ten people in a room, and one is complaining.

Okay?

Seven of the people were entertained by the tale of woe. Two were glad it wasn’t them. And only one person cared.

Wow! I giggle.

Yep and that one person who cared is the person complaining! Ha-Ha!

That’s a good one; I might use that sometime!

Feel free. I just called to make you laugh anyway! John kids, clearly amused by his joke.

Regina knocks on my door and walks in without waiting for my response. Most people would use the term Afrocentric to describe her appearance. She wears afro twists with shells interspersed throughout. Most of her outfits have Kinte cloth designs or accessories, and her office is full of African artifacts. I swivel my chair around, turning my back to her as I continue talking to my brother.

I’ve got to go, but is everything okay? I ask, thinking it a bit strange that he’s calling me at work to tell me a joke.

Sure sis, just wanted to remind you to keep laughing and everything will be all right. I’ll see you next week at the beach. Love you, girl!

You too.

When I turn back around, I notice that Regina has taken a seat and had a notebook on her lap. She has a grim expression on her face and looks as if she’s been sucking on sour lemons. When I received my promotion to vice president last year, I inherited Regina’s department and became her manager. Although she never embraced me when I joined the company five years ago, she has always exhibited professional indifference.

Thanks for coming in. We need to talk about today’s meeting. Is there something wrong that I don’t know about?

I have been working with all of the print material produced by this company for over eighteen years, and I don’t like how some folks around here are trying to change things now, she complained.

I thought about my brother’s joke to make sure to keep my voice light. The joke said it best; nobody cares about the complaining but the complainer.

We have a great opportunity before us this year to generate a tremendous amount of promotional material. We have plenty of work to go around for everyone.

I know we do, and I’ll get it all done. I resent the fact that some people come on the scene at the last minute and get all the credit for someone else’s work.

I know that can be frustrating

And I also resent it when some people see a good thing and want to hitch themselves on to it to get some of the praise. She plowed on without taking a breath.

Listen, Regina. We’re a team, and we’ve got the chance to do something brand new with this Jamieson account.

Her confrontational body language and clenched teeth speak volumes about her discomfort. She’s a wonderful artist, but she has a tough time accepting creative input from others and often takes professional critique as personal attacks.

What I’d like you to keep in mind is that Wednesday’s meeting is all about greeting the client and allowing him to meet the team players. At this point, we don’t know how much promotional work will be involved.

That’s why I said what I said, so there’s no mix up later!

We have the opportunity to work on the biggest series of events from a single client to date, and it’s going to be crucial that everybody is on the same page, I stressed using my company voice. We want to take the Happiness Movement to a whole new level. It’s key that each of us buries the hatchet on old issues and past grudges.

That’s what I’m afraid of here. Some of these people want to bury the hatchet right in my back! You don’t know these people as I do. You can’t trust them.

We have to start with trust and not suspicion if we want to build an effective team.

You would say that. Your career has been on the rise since you’ve been here. You don’t know how these people can overlook you and hold up promotions and raises. With hands gesturing wildly and bangles jingling, her agitation is apparent.

Instead of letting it get me down too, I surmise that her problems have nothing to do with me. She has a roller coaster emotional history with this company that she refuses to get over. Somewhere down the line, someone has hurt her so deeply and professionally that she takes it out on everyone with whom she comes in contact.

Lord, give me wisdom, I prayed silently so that my words could soothe rather than inflame the situation.

Regina, as management on this account, we are the leaders that others will look to for the examples to follow. There will be celebrities, CEO’s, and other wealthy people whose egos we will have to deal with to make sure everything runs smoothly. Can I count on you to help me?

My talk seemed to soften the atmosphere.

Yes, I will do my job, she states with a degree of professionalism back in her tone. I don’t hold grudges, but I don’t forget when someone tries to get over on me either.

Thank you. That’s all I can ask of everyone on the team. We want to do our jobs in a spirit of excellence so that when it’s all over, we’ve surpassed what we did at the last event in every category. I’m glad we had this talk.

Would you like me to prepare something for Wednesday’s meeting? she offered.

I decline her offer pleased that our meeting went better than I expected. Hopefully, by confronting the situation early in the project, we can all avoid any flare-ups later.

As I rise to walk her to the door, she suddenly turns to face me.

I promised myself that I’d stay out of it, but you never did anything mean to me and don’t deserve what’s going down. You need to watch your back because I overheard some folks around here plotting against you and trying to sabotage your job.

Is this something you heard, personally?

Some of it is, and some came to me through a third party.

Who told you that? I ask with my policy of naming names in place. I believe that if a person is not willing to be specific, then anything they say is in the category of gossip and not worth my time to pursue. It causes me to question the motivation of the person giving me the gossip.

I don’t want to get involved by telling you who; I’m just telling you to watch out. These people are vicious ‘round here and will do anything to get ahead. Nobody deserves what they are plotting, she warns in an ominous tone.

I don’t have the time to chase rumors or to try to decipher cryptic warnings. I need to make a few calls, grab a quick bite for lunch and head to my twelve o’clock appointment. If I were not so rushed, I’d spend a bit more time with Regina and squash this back-stabbing business once and for all.

The drive to my appointment took only twenty minutes. I wonder can this be depression I deal with every year, or maybe it’s stress from work.