B. Episode 3

Previously - Episode 2

A breeze swept gently across Be’s face bringing a slight smile. Still holding tight to her pillow and the warmth of a tattered down comforter; a single tear rolled down her cheek lingering at the corner of her mouth before making its mark on the sheets. The soft hum from the air conditioner met with the rattling of the train on the nearby railroad track. Be was used to those noises and had learned to sleep right through. Even the midday conversations from neighbors in the breezeway did not faze her. The phone was the only sound that could get a reaction from Be when she was sleeping this hard, and it hardly ever rang.

Just as she began to shift her fetal position to the right, the telephone rang. Be felt around for the phone with her left hand, knocking it off the cradle on the night stand before picking it up to look at the caller I.D. The number did not look familiar, and since she did not want to make a bad impression of sounding like a drunk in the middle of the day; she allowed the call to go into her voicemail. Be stared anxiously at the phone until the red signal began to blink; indicating that a message had been left.

"God, I hope it’s him. Please let this be the answer I have been waiting for," was her only morning devotion.

Not quite ready to check her unknown caller's message, Be went into the kitchen and poured herself a blend of orange juice and Sprite. She then straightened up the kitchen, putting clean dishes into the cabinets and wiping the counters and knobs. On occasion she would stop and stare off into space.

Be walked a short distance back into the only bedroom in her small apartment. After removing the books from her bed and stacking them neatly on the corner bookshelf, she carefully made her bed, tucking in the corners, fluffing pillows, and neatly arranging the decorative shams.

Then she picked up the cordless phone and carried it into the bathroom .

“I am a winner, “ Be began to recite in the mirror. Her mouth was filled with toothpaste but she kept on quoting her daily mantra. “I am successful. Things work out for me. I am a winner.”

Once her face was washed and she had combed her hair, Be sat down on the toilet seat and checked her message. With each press of the keys, her stomach tightened.

Finally, a man’s voice could be heard :

“Belicia Foster, my name is Mr. White. I believe you have been trying to locate me. I will be at the W Hotel downtown tomorrow at 3PM. Your name will be left at the concierge desk. Bring your picture I.D. and bring the gift. ”

B. Episode 3