Chapter 1

Ileaned against the counter at the bustling coffee shop, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the sweet scent of pastries. As I scrolled through my phone, the barista"s energetic shouts blended with the hiss of the espresso machine and lively conversations.

I"d just finished driving around the city for what felt like hours, searching for a temporary office space that met my needs. The building where I usually worked was going through renovations, so I had to find another place to work until they were done. The search was tiring, but I was relieved to find a place where I could work without converting one of my bedrooms into a home office.

I needed a shot of caffeine if I planned on getting through the rest of my day.

"Hey, excuse me."

I looked up from my phone and saw a man standing in front of me, smiling.

"Yes?"

"Zec Aldaine, right?"The man said.

"Correct."

"Awww, man!"The man"s smile widened. "I"m sorry to bother you."

"No bother at all."

"Do you remember that game you had against the Celtics when you shot that three-pointer from way behind the three-point line and won the game? That is still my favorite shot ever!"

"I do remember, and it"s one of my favorite memories as well."

"It"s nice to meet you, Zec! I followed your career from high school through the pros,"the man said while still maintaining his smile.

It had been ten years since I retired from the league, and I never got tired of people asking me if I remembered my basketball career. It was a compliment that anyone remembered me.

"It"s nice to meet you, too…"I paused for him to give me his name.

"Dexter. My name is Dexter."

I extended my hand, and we shook.

"Can I take a picture with you? My brother is not going to believe I met you,"Dexter said.

"Sure, Dexter."

I leaned into the cellphone"s frame and smiled.

"Aww, man. I just… aww, man. Thank you so much, Zec."

"My pleasure. Tag me if you post it."

"I certainly will!"Dexter said with a smile and walked away.

"Aldaine!"the barista yelled.

I grabbed my cup and headed to the other side of town.

Walking through the doors of the Woods Center, I was hit by a flashback of those long summer days — the ones that changed my life. I was twelve, dribbling on courts similar to these under Coach Thompson"s stern gaze, learning lessons that went far beyond basketball. I learned about integrity, perseverance and determination, which all carried me through my professional career.

After my basketball career, I felt a strong sense of duty to support the next generation of athletes. That"s why I dedicated my time to the center, coaching individual kids and providing guidance to any athlete in need.

My work with various organizations across the country and the establishment of the Noir Gala had been instrumental in raising funds for young athletes. This annual event, graced by renowned athletes, fashion icons, A-list celebrities, and local dignitaries, had become a Sable Falls tradition. It not only added glamour to the city but also significantly contributed to the funding of our junior sports programs. The Gala committee and I worked hard throughout the year, planning and executing the event. It was my pride and joy.

"Coach Zec,"Quantelle yelled as he jogged over to me.

"What"s up, Q?"

Quantelle was being raised by a single mother who worked two and three jobs to support her family. She didn"t have a lot of free time, which left Quantelle free to do whatever he wanted. Luckily, he"d found a love for basketball and wanted to be great at the sport. His dedication to learning and improving kept him in the gym and away from the streets. He was also a knucklehead who couldn"t get out of his own way sometimes. His attitude kept him in trouble. People around him didn"t necessarily understand his anger, but I did. I knew he was just a scared kid who needed reassurance that everything would be alright.

"I got an A on that paper in English,"Quantelle proudly announced.

I extended my fist, and we dapped.

"I"m not surprised. All it takes is you sitting down for a few minutes and getting the work done."

"Now my grades are good enough for me to practice with the team,"Quantelle said.

"I"m proud of you, Q. Keep it up, okay?"

"I"ll try, Coach."

Quantelle was just one of the many kids who had come through the Woods Center. Many of them arrived thinking they just wanted a place to play or hang out. But what they didn"t realize was that they were searching for something more: a sense of belonging. And that"s what we, as a community, tried to provide for these kids at the center: a place where they could feel safe, supported, and part of something bigger than themselves.

Every school night, we made sure no kid went home hungry—dinner was on us, no questions asked. We also kept a closet stocked with everything from notebooks to jackets. It was about making sure they had everything they needed.

"No, Q, you will,"I insisted, clapping him on the back. "We"re setting the bar high, just like on the court. You got this."

"Right. I will,"Quantelle amended.

* * *

Antonia smiled and said,"Thank you for having lunch with me, Zechariah."

"It"s my pleasure," I responded.

Ms. Antonia Couture was one of the most prominent businesswomen in Sable Falls and a member of the Noir Gala board. She owned several businesses and was known for her philanthropic work. When I approached her about being a part of the Noir Gala board, based on what I"d heard about her, I was fully prepared for her to say no. I was pleasantly surprised when she not only accepted the board seat but gave the position her full attention. Her consistency and dedication have been instrumental in making the Gala what it is today.

"I hope you like jambalaya. I had a taste for something Cajun today," Antonia said.

"Jambalaya is one of my favorite dishes."

Ms. Antonia"s house was on the southside of Sable Falls. The gated community was one of the older neighborhoods in the city. The neighborhood was filled with Victorian mansions with intricate woodwork, expansive porches, and ornamental details.

The inside of her home was a mixture of modern and historical elements. High ceilings and original hardwood floors were complimented by a modern fireplace and contemporary wall art. Her décor spoke to her unique and classic style.

While we were enjoying our food, Antonia asked, "How is your family?"

"My family is well. We"ve had a sort of baby boom in the family, which is cool. My sister, cousin, and sister-in-law have all had children within the last year or so."

"Congratulations. New family members are always exciting and so important; they are our legacy carriers and storytellers," Antonia said.

"Absolutely."

Antonia was an elegant and distinguished woman who commanded attention with her effortless poise. Her short, tapered hair was always freshly styled. She stayed dressed in the most exclusive fashion labels and wore large-frame glasses. She was beautiful.

"How is your family?" I asked.

"Everyone is everyone. I have a family full of alpha women. They"re strong and mean but fragile and sensitive. It"s a big ball of confusion," Antonia said with a chuckle. "Speaking of future generations, I have decided to step away from most of my duties with my companies. I have been training Billye to take my place since she was in my stomach. It"s time for me to worry about myself and live life a little more."

"Congratulations on that decision. I know it was more difficult to make since it"s your company."

"Somewhat… I woke up one morning. It was around 4:30 am. I looked at that alarm clock and said, "I"m tired of this." And that"s the day I made my decision."

"Just like that?" I responded.

"Just like that," Antonia repeated.

"I"ve had friends that retired from the NBA who said the same thing. One morning, they just knew it was time."

"It was a strange feeling. I didn"t go to bed thinking about being tired, but when I woke up, I knew. I"m not stepping away completely, just reducing my duties."

"Do you have other ventures planned?"

"I want some time to sit out in my rose garden and go to my country house and tend to my vegetables. Just soak up the sun and breathe," Antonia replied.

"That sounds nice."

"So, with my reduction in duties, I will also be stepping down from my seat on the Gala board."

"When I first asked you to be on the board, I didn"t think you would agree. You"ve given the Gala a lot of your free time. I"m happy and sad at the same time. I don"t know what the board is without you, Antonia."

"You"re the visionary. We are just the legs, Zechariah. Anyone can be successful when they"re following a great leader."

I smiled.

"Not to fret. If it"s alright with you, I would like to pass my seat on to someone else who I think is qualified to help you move the Gala into the future."

"Who would that be?"

"My daughter, Wilhelmina."