and as they got older. She was her best friend, her rock, her support, and her kidsâ godmother.
Harmony used to feel like there was nothing she could do for Jewell to compensate for her love.
âIâm not there for you to get something in return, Iâm there for you because weâre family,â Jewell would tell her.
Harmony still wanted to return the favors and when Jewell finally came to her a year ago for advice, she was more than happy to give it.
Even though it was relationship advice she was asking, something Harmony really wasnât qualified to give, she did it the best way she knew how, by being honest, raw, and straight to the point.
Jewell was torn between two men: her babyâs daddy and a white man, Evan, who treated her like a queen. After thinking about and talking about it constantly, Jewell ended up staying with King, her sonâs father, because to her, it was the right thing to do. Plus, she still loved him and for her son Tyson, keeping her family together was worth it.
âWhatâs the job? Is it at the law firm?â Harmony hoped not, because she didnât feel ready for that, it was over her head.
âWould it matter if it was?â Jewell asked. She knew why Harmony asked. âYou never give yourself any credit. Youâre smart, Harmony, if you donât believe it, no one else will.â
âNo, it wouldnât matter,â Harmony responded with hesitance in her voice.
âGood, Iâm glad to hear that. But itâs not, itâs at the Essence of Self Center.
âWhatâs that?â
âElise started a nonprofit organization. Sheâs going to be helping women and girls get ahead by offering workshops and having a place to meet.â
âShit, it sounds like the place I need to be. Iâm past ready to better myself and stop depending on a man.â
âGood for you, Harmony. But you know Shareef is a good man and you really shouldnât knock or belittle what he does.â
âOh, hell no! Iâm not knocking it at all. Iâm just ready to achieve something on my own, Iâm ready to upgrade. Iâm even thinking about going back to school.â
âFor real?â Harmony could hear the approval in Jewellâs voice.
âYep,â Harmony continued. âI think itâs time for me to get my GED and maybe even register for college.â
As Harmony said the words out loud, she found herself feeling both excited and anxious. To say the words out loud was one thing, to put action behind them was another, but she wasnât going to let fear stop her.
What if she failed the GED test? What if she found that she wasnât as smart as she thought she was? What if she turned out to be a dumb ass?
Harmony was fed up with being a statistic, with being just another black girl who had babies way too young by different men. She was tired of being a young black girl who didnât finish school and started fucking way too early. She didnât want to be another black girl that wasnât going anywhere in life.
âWhatâs the position?â
âAdministrative assistant.â
âDoes that mean I need to know how to type?â
âDo you?â
Harmony, embarrassed, answered honestly, âNot real fast, I have to look at the keys a lot.â
âWell, hereâs what you do,â Jewell advised. âGo to the library, get one of those learn-how-to-type programsâbetter yet, download one from the Internet and start practicing right now. You need to know how to type and not just for this job, but most jobs require that skill. Youâre also going to need it if you plan on going back to school.â
Harmony knew her cousin was offering good advice and she was going to take it.
âSo,â Harmony asked, âshould I call and set up an interview?â
âYes, sheâs expecting you.â
âThanks, cuz, this means a lot to