Free Diamond Revelation by Sheila Copeland

laughed.
    â€œHey…. What’s goin’ on out here? I was wondering where all of you were.” Keisha put the covers on all of the chafing dishes. “You’re not supposed to eat until you give blood. Now get in there, all of you. You’re supposed to be setting an example.”
    â€œI tried to tell them that,” Sean said as he shoveled more eggs into his mouth.
    â€œSure you did. That’s why you got egg all over your face?” Keisha forced herself not to smile as the others howled with laughter.
    Eric lifted a lid off the chafing dish. “What’s happenin’, people?”
    â€œMan, your woman is tough.” Kyle was all set to spear a couple of slices of French toast when Keisha shut down the food. He took Nina by the arm and picked up Niki, who was playing with Baby Doll and Chris. “Come on, baby. Let’s do this so I can come back and finish eating.”
    â€œBaby, why don’t you go first?” Nina suggested ever so sweetly. She glanced inside the club where tables and cots were set up.
    â€œYou’re scared,” Kyle realized.
    â€œI am not.”
    â€œAre too.”
    â€œWhatever.”
    Kyle laughed as he watched his wife march up to the table, close her eyes, and stick out her arm. She screwed up her face expecting to feel the prick of the needle.
    â€œHave a seat, Nina,” a female voice politely requested. “I need you to fill out these forms first and then the nurse needs to check your blood pressure.”
    Nina’s eyes popped open and locked on the face in front of her. “I know you,” Nina said out loud as she tried to recall how she knew the woman.
    â€œDr. Rosalyn Lawrence.” She held out a hand to Nina. “I’m Dr. Nichols’s research assistant. We worked with you guys on the very first Chocolate Affair.”
    Keisha’s father, Melvyn Nichols, a renowned hematologist, operated the largest research center in the country for sickle cell disease.
    â€œThat’s right.” Nina smiled, still thinking that wasn’t how she knew the woman. “Thank you so much for traveling all the way from Atlanta. We really appreciate your running the blood drive for us.”
    â€œNo, we appreciate you. Do you know how many lives you’ll save?” Dr. Lawrence stuck a needle into Nina’s vein and began withdrawing the unit of blood.
    â€œI know how important your work is. I thank God because my little girl hasn’t been sick since she was diagnosed. You will always have my support until you find a cure.”
    â€œIf more people thought like you, we’d have a cure. Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
    â€œNo, it wasn’t.” Nina’s BlackBerry vibrated. She checked it and smiled at the doctor. “One of my artists.”
    â€œAre you working in music again? If I remember correctly, the last time we were together you were working on your first novel?”
    â€œYes, I am back in music. I’m running Revelation Music.” Nina was surprised by how much the woman knew about her. She did work with Dr. Nichols, who was one of her foundation’s board members.
    â€œThat’s impressive and a lot of hard work, I’m sure. You must be extremely busy.” Dr. Lawrence quickly shuffled through a stack of paperwork.
    â€œI am, but I have an understanding husband and a lot of help.”
    â€œIsn’t Revelation Music Jamil’s old label?”
    â€œYes. A lot of people in the business can’t even remember that Revelation used to be called Suicide or either they still call it Suicide.”
    Dr. Lawrence laughed. “I read a lot when I’m not working. I’ve always been fascinated by the music business.”
    Nina took a business card out of her purse and handed it to Dr. Lawrence. “One of my artists will be showcasing here next week. I don’t know how long you’ll be in town, but give my office a call if