CHAPTER ONE: BACK TO 1984

Caffco University was founded in 1967. By 1979, it had become one of the most prestige colleges of Maddocha, catering to the upper echelon of the city Dorinda. The school had been the idea of a school teacher by the name of Kathy Caffco. Her husband was a wealthy businessman. He along with several of his colleagues put the money together to start the college. It started out as a school for woman to hone their secretarial skills, but Mrs. Caffco saw that many of the women wanted to be more than secretaries. She went to her husband again and he helped her reorganize the school. By 1975, Caffco University began attracting wealthy businessmen's children because of its business curriculum. In 1979, it became a force in the world of science when its science department began growing by leaps and bounds.

The school sat on 406-acres. The facilities were state of the art. Caffco University prided itself on being the example for other business schools. The endowments given by the alumni of the school, helped with this endeavor. The school was able to receive grant money that made the school fastly become a school that attracted top professors. The list for professors applying for teachers was longer than the teaching positions available. The school offered top services to its students. Caffco University was the school that everyone wanted to get into.

The Fall of 1984 was a good year for Caffco University. It had become the top universities for business in the state of Maddocha. The enrollment had reached it's highest in the school's 17 year existence. Some of the top students from the state were attending this year. The campus bustled with new students eager to begin their college careers. Returning students were returning with anticipation of what the new school year held for them. This was going to be a great year for Caffco University.

Kourtnee walked on the campus of Caffco University on August 13, 1984. It was a sunny day. She was ready for her second year at the school. Her first year was filled with books, classes, books, and more classes. She had resigned herself to spend her freshman year studying and getting ahead. It hadn't been much fun, but she had made A's in all of her classes. What college freshman takes 15 hours their first semester?

Kourtnee was born Kourtnee DeShay Adams Shields. She went by Adams, much to the dismay of her father, Thomas Shields. Her grandfather, Themophilis Adams wanted her to bear the Adams name. She was often introduced as Kourtnee Adams, so that's what she went by.

At the age of 19, Kourtnee stood 5 feet 9 inches. She had blossomed beautifully into her full curvy figure. She was a beautiful dark skinned young lady. She was confident and self-assured. Her family, the Adams Family, had instilled that in her. She had to be confident and self-assured. She was the heiress to the Adams' family business, Shimmers Alot HairCare Products Company. Shimmers was a haircare product manufacturing company started by her grandfather. Themophilis Adams had anointed Kourtnee the heir apparent of Shimmers at her birth on September 23, 1965. She had been groomed by her grandfather to take over Shimmers when she was old enough.

Kourtnee had a normal childhood. Well, the normal childhood of a girl born into a wealthy family. Her father, Thomas, instill a good work ethic into her. Thomas made sure that none of his 5 children were spoiled. They had to clean their own rooms, despite the fact that they had a housekeeper. Thomas would often get upset with his father-in-law because he insisted upon spoiling his grandchildren, often taking them on shopping sprees. Her mother, Anna Adams Shields, had taught her to enjoy life. Anna made sure that all of her children knew that their family had worked hard to earn what they had earned and that they enjoyed it. Kourtnee had gone to museums, the opera, dined at fine restaurants. She had gone to basketball games, football games, and went to the park.

Kourtnee had worked hard to get to where she was. Despite her family paying for her education, she deserved to be at Caffco University. She had graduated number 8 from Cynthia Pitts High School. She had been the student council president. She served as the president of the Young Women's Business Association in the city of Dorinda. No one could say that her family's money had gotten her where she was. It had helped her, but she had earned her spot at Caffco University. Kourtnee planned to make it on her own at Caffco without using her family name. She had made it through her freshman semester without anyone knowing that she was the heiress to Shimmers HairCare. She hadn't made any friends last year, though. She mostly stayed in her on campus two bedroom apartment, went to the library, or went to classes. Her existence had been lonely, but she had accomplished her goal for the year. She had completed 30 semester hours and received all As. Accomplishing the goal was a bit shallow because she had no close friends to share it with. Her family was proud of her, of course, but they were always proud of her. She was still lonely at school. One of her goals for this year was to make a couple of friends. She knew that it would be a task because once people found out who she was it would be a hard to decipher whether or not they were true friends or something else.

A week earlier, Mrs. Mary Adams, Kourtnee's grandmother, had told her, “Prissy, try to make some friends this year. It will be hard, but ask God to bring true friends into your life and He will.” Kourtnee hated her nickname Prissy, which her grandmother still persisted in calling her. Kourtnee hugged her grandmother and said, “Thanks Mama. I will do that.” As Kourtnee hugged her grandmother she said, “Lord, bring some true friends into my life.”

Kourtnee promised herself that she would not be Prissy, the nickname her Grandmother had given Kourtnee because she always had to be in order. Kourtnee hated the nickname. She wasn’t prissy. She just liked order.

Kourtnee smiled as she brushed the right pant leg of her light blue slacks that match her light blue blouse exactly. He light blue shoes, earrings, watch, necklace, and bracelet matched her outfit perfectly. She shook her head as she thought, “Good grief, I am Prissy.” She continued her walk.

It was about 7:36 AM. Kourtnee liked to walk around the campus 30 minutes before class to clear her head and prepare for her classes that day. The brisk walk from her apartment to her first class always invigorated her. It helped her forget the crazy things that had happened the day before and focus on the new day that was in store for her.

That was the great thing about Kourtnee, she let things go easily. She didn’t hold grudges. She didn’t hold on to malice. She didn’t let failure side track her. She pushed negative things aside and thought about the positive thing that could come from the negative situation.

Kourtnee continued her walk to the Caffco School of Business building. It seemed as if this walk was taking longer than usual. Her books seemed a bit heavier than usual. She had a lot on her mind. It was the first day of her sophomore year. She had goals that she wanted to accomplish. She had responsibilities that she wanted to fulfill.

She had chosen to take a business statistics class this term. She was beginning to think that she had made a mistake. She had taken most of the basic classes that she needed last year. She was beginning to take her degree classes. She thought to herself, “Do I really want to major in Business and minor in Marketing?”

She pushed that thought from her head. She had a plan and she was going to stick to it this semester. She was taking only 12 hours; Business Statistics, Introduction to Marketing, Basic Chemistry, Physical Education, and the Basic Chemistry lab. She knew that Business Statistics and Chemistry was going to take a lot of her time. She chose a light class load because she was determined to have some fun this semester. She didn’t plan on running wild or anything of that nature, but she wanted to experience the fun side of college life. Her brother, Thomas, III, had told her about the fun he had at college and she wanted to experience that fun. Thomas had warned her not to get carried away having fun. He had said, “Girl, if I found out you are at that school acting a fool and embarrassing yourself, I will come down there and whip your prissy little $%^!”

Kourtnee brushed her brother’s deep voice from her head and headed inside the Caffco School of Business. She was all set to begin her sophomore year. As she walked through into the building; she couldn’t help but wonder what the year held for her.

Colt Austin finished his last sit-up. He completed number 100 without a struggle. He knew that he had to increase the number of sit-ups he was doing each morning. The hundred sit-ups that he had been doing had gotten too easy for him.

Colt was a semi-fit brown skinned six foot three man. He thought that he was fine. He had often been told that he was fine. He lay on the floor for a few minutes as he collected his thoughts. He was 22 years old, a graduate of Berkshire University, and a graduate student of the Caffco University Chemistry Department. Colt was on his way. His life was on schedule. He was doing what he had always wanted to do. He was going to be a scientist.

He knew that he couldn’t pay for his graduate studies, but as his mother had said, “The Lord made a way.” Although Colt was a spiritual person, he put more faith in science than he did in God. He knew that it was his hard work, grades, and studying that had gotten him the prestigious Portman Science Grant. Colt did give thanks to God for blessing him to be smart and to be able to live. The Portman Grant would pay for the majority of Colt’s graduate education. He had gotten a job as lab instructor for the Science Department of Caffco to help with various expenses. It didn’t pay much of anything, but it would give him a chance to study science and have a little spending money.

His mother, semi-famous painter and author, Monica Austin, had requested that he spend the summer at home in Absanie with her. Colt had wanted to start graduate school in the summer, but he complied with his mother’s wishes. His summer was filled with culture events that showcased his mother’s talent. It was also filled with young ladies flirting with him excessively. He did like the attention at first, but after awhile, it became irritating. Colt wanted a real relationship, not just someone to roll around the bed with. He laughed at himself as he looked in the mirror. He thought, “Boy, you are a real trip.” He brushed he newly grown mustache as he continued to primp in the mirror.

Colt had led a wonderful childhood. He was born to Thunder Stallion and Monica Austin. His father was one-fourth Indian, so he was fair skinned. His mother was deep dark chocolate. That union had caused Colt to come out a pretty brown color. He looked a lot like his father. Colt’s stature resembled his father’s stature. Colt even walked like his father. Thunder Austin had a swagger that was proud. He never let anyone talk down to him or belittle him. Thunder taught his son Colt the same thing. He would often tell Colt, “Son, people can only treat you like you allow them to treat you.” Colt loved his father dearly and respected him even more.

Monica taught her son the love of the arts. It wasn’t hard since Monica wrote, sang, drew, and painted. She played the piano also, although not as well as she did the other things. Colt was always going to some kind of art show or music show. He frequented museum and other cultural events. Colt could even speak French and Spanish, something that his mother made him learn. Colt could draw a little, but his talent failed in comparison to his mother’s talent.

Colt picked up his love of science from his paternal grandfather, Roaring Horse Austin. Horse, as he was called, taught Colt about the herbs and medicines of the earth each summer that was spent with Horse. Horse taught his grandson to think analytically. He taught his grandson how to combine herbs, leaves, and other things from nature to make brand new things. Colt would often go to the library and read up on the leaves, herbs, and barks that his grandfather taught him about. Colt’s love for nature grew as he grew.

Colt’ father named his son Thunder Colt Austin. Colt didn’t care for Thunder. What kid wants to be called Thunder? He went by his middle name. Colt’s name meant loud horse. His father said that he named Colt that because when the doctor slapped his behind, Colt let out the loudest noise he had ever heard. Thunder named him Colt because he was a baby and because he wanted his son to continue the tradition of his family. All of the men in the Austin blood line had the name of a horse as a part of their name. Colt’s mother had told him that she insisted upon Colt because she wanted something that was a bit more Americanized. She didn’t want her son to be teased about his name.

Colt had grown up to be a fine young man. He did have one flaw that he had disliked all his life. His bottom lip was a bit darker than his upper lip. When he first went to school, the children had teased him. He came home and told his parents. His father proceeded to tell him, “Boy, you go back to that school tomorrow and stand up to anyone that teases you about your lip. You WILL NOT let anyone tease you!” Colt went to school the next day. He got sent home for fighting, but after that day, everyone knew not to mess with Colt Austin.

Colt dressed for his first session as a teaching assistant. He put on a pair of black slacks, a white short sleeve dress shirt, and a red tie. He let his finger run over the tie. His mother had given him the tie. She told him that it was so that he would be successful his first day at his new school and job. His mother was so sentimental. It often time agitated Colt, but he knew that his mother did it out of love.

Col looked in the mirror. He looked good for sure. No one could have told him otherwise. He walked back into the bedroom from the bathroom of his crammed apartment and grabbed his hat. He looked at the clock. It was 7:50. He had 10 minutes to make a 15 minute drive. He was going to have to do something about his tardiness.

Colt put his hat on in the mirror. He tilted it to the right. He smiled at himself, ran back into the bedroom, grabbed his bookbag off the bed, and headed out the door to go to the Morton School of Science. He was the teaching assistant for Dr. Henry Caldwell, one of the leading chemists in the state of Maddocha. Colt knew that he was lucky to be this man teaching assistant. Colt was embarrassed that he was going to be late for his first class as the man’s assistant. He knew that he wasn’t going to make a good first impression being late.

Paula Brock sat up in the bed. She was still fuming. How dare her boyfriend of less than a year say something like that to her? She wasn't a good Christian. Since, Rick MaCulvie had accepted his call to the ministry early in May; he had become something of a nuisance, always talking about God. Not that Paula was a heathen or anything. She grew up in a Christian household. She was just tired of hearing sermon after sermon. When Rick got excited, he was very passionate about whatever he was excited about.

Paula rolled out of her bed. She smiled as she thought about how much she enjoyed seeing Rick's passionate manner. That's what she liked best about him. She brushed the pleasant thoughts from her mind. She wanted to be mad at him for a little while longer.

Paula went into the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. She picked at the moles on her beige face. She needed to stop messing with those moles. Her mother, Barbara Brock, was always telling her to stop picking at her moles. Paula's mother was a quiet woman, very soft and demure. It was so funny that Paula was the exact opposite of her mother. She was often described as loud and flamboyant. Paula liked her loudness and flamboyancy. She liked being the center of attention. Paula knew how to act like a lady, though. She knew how to sit, walk, and act. She did just that when she chose to do it.

Born Paula Darlene Brock, Paula's mother once said, "Girl, you wouldn't keep still in my stomach. Anytime someone got near me, you would start cutting up. I knew you were going to be active." Barbara was always telling Paula to quit acting silly and be still.

Paula washed her face. She ran her fingers through her short black hair. Her father, Chauncey Brock, hadn't wanted her to leave the small town of Good to come all the way to Dorinda. Her father was very overprotective of her. He treated her as if she was fragile, but she had proven more than once that she wasn't, at least she had tried to. Her father called very day. He always said the same thing, "Sweetie, don't put yourself in any dangerous situations. Stay with a group. Be careful." Paula had heard that so much that it had gotten on her nerves.

Paula had completed her freshman year at Caffco University. She was happy about her "B" average. It had taken some work to get that average. College was a bit more hectic than high school was. Paula had promised herself that she would study more. It was going to take some restructuring of her life. She was trying to get an education, have some fun, and date. Her life was full. If she wasn't always trying to be the life of the party, she wouldn't be spreading herself thin, but that's how she was; she always had to make sure that no one was excluded or made to feel left out. That's what Rick said first caught his eye about Paula. She seemed to care about everyone. She made sure that everyone felt like they belonged there. Being the life of the party was a taxing job, but Paula was capable of answering the call.

Paula picked her clothes for the day. She chose a pair of black slacks and a pink and blue blouse. She chose a pair of pair loafers to go with her outfit. She found her pair of pink pants socks. Paula liked dressing up. She had worked all summer to save up money to buy her clothes. She took very good care of her clothes as well. Her mother was so happy to see Paula actually being feminine, that she matched Paula's saved amount. Paula had twice the money to purchase her clothes. Paula's mother had shown her how to take care of her clothes. Barbara was very meticulous when it came to washing. Paula followed her mother's example exactly. Her mother's methods did seem to make her clothes look brighter and last longer.

Paula thought about her schedule for a moment. She was taking Business Statistics this semester. Her father suggested the class as a way of knowing how to analyze business data. He said that it would help her be a better Administrative Assistant. For some strange reason, that was what she wanted to be. She liked organizing things and tasks. Caffco University was the ideal place for her to be. She was also taking Typing 202, Introduction to Management, Technical Writing, and Aerobics. Her advisor told her to take a light load because she was taking statistics. Paula didn't want to take a gym class. She was perfectly happy with her full figure. She was a phenomenal woman and proud of it. Her advisor suggested the class to her to give her a break from the strenuousness of her other classes. This semester was going to be harder than her first two semesters, but she knew she could do it. If she got discouraged, she could always call Rick and he would pray for her.

Paula finished dressing. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her brown eyes sparkled. Her full length mirror told her that she looked fabulous. It was hard finding a mirror that was tall enough to show her full body. She stood five eight in stocking feet and taller in heels. Her mother was five feet seven and her father was six feet even. Paula had always been taller than most of the girls her age all her life. She wasn't teased too often though, because she had three brothers, who all stood over 6 feet and weighed over 190 pounds. All three of them had been football players. Two played defense and one played offense. Paula's mother expected her to be dainty. How was it possible to be dainty with three rugged, mean, tough boys always aggravating her? She couldn't be. She was the baby and the only girl, Terrance, Tolliver, and Terry made sure that she suffered at all costs.

Paula moved the clothes off the chair in her room. She grabbed her statistics book, folder, and calculator. She had a dorm room on campus, so it made it easy to come to her room and get her books in between classes. She made sure that she had at least two hours between each class. Her advisor thought she was crazy, but it made sense to Paula. She grabbed her all leather black bag that she had begged her grandmother to get her. It had her initials on the front flap. The gold PDB shined as Paula wiped it with the tail of the t-shirt that lay on the arm of the chair. She put her book, folder, and calculator in her bag. She had heard the professor of the statistics class assigned homework everyday, so she had read the first chapter of the book and did all the problems in both of the chapters. Hopefully, the professor wouldn't pull a fast one and assign some different problems. She would have wasted four hours doing 100 problems for nothing.

Paula took one last look at herself in the mirror. She ran her fingers through her short hair. She looked good. She knew that this year was going to be a great year for her. She smiled at herself. She made a mental note to call Rick and smooth things out with him. She put her bag on her arm and headed out of her dorm room to go to her statistics class. She was greeted by the sunlight as she pushed through the building doors. She said good morning to the day as she smiled and thanked God for another day that she was alive.