Cheyvonne Riley, is an unemployed, senior, banking professional from the Caribbean, who migrates to New York on a visitor's visa seeking employment but her six-month allotted stay period is about to expire. CheChe, is affectionately nicknamed by her beloved now deceased grandmother who also raised and molded her from birth. She is on the verge of a major promotion when the worldwide financial crisis forces a merger of her bank and she is let go. Almost, simultaneously she discovers that the foundation of her common law ...
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Cheyvonne Riley, is an unemployed, senior, banking professional from the Caribbean, who migrates to New York on a visitor's visa seeking employment but her six-month allotted stay period is about to expire. CheChe, is affectionately nicknamed by her beloved now deceased grandmother who also raised and molded her from birth. She is on the verge of a major promotion when the worldwide financial crisis forces a merger of her bank and she is let go. Almost, simultaneously she discovers that the foundation of her common law relationship with her daughter's father is grounded in a lie. The emotional devastation of this one-two punch and dwindling savings convinces her to leave her little girl behind with an unstable grandmother and to seek work in New York City like the many who have gone before her. New York proves to be an environment more hostile than her West Indian surroundings. The work place, when she manages to find a domestic gig, is full of prejudicial predators and back-stabbers. Living with US-born relatives proves more painful than accidentally walking on an ants' nest. But for prayer taught to her by her grandmother, loneliness and depression would be CheChe's only companions. Eventually, CheChe finds a permanent position as a Private Aide to a wealthy retiree who has dementia. In the home of this generous man, she gains the opportunity to build a home for her daughter and possibly amass enough savings to return home quicker. She also finds a different love that can help to heal her distrust. Overnight the blessing seems to morph into a curse but CheChe cannot run away again. The 24/7 job, caring for a sick stranger is stressful in and of itself. CheChe has the added burden of attending to her boss's adult, free-loading children who, threatened by her unfettered access to their father, devise ways to torture her day and night. Major issues arise with her house construction and promise to leave her penniless. CheChe is also daily tormented by the physical and mental well-being of her child who is shuffled between relatives and friends. Try as she may to purse a new passion, and exile her ex, he does not leave her alone. With little support, it is only the Godly instructions of her saintly grandmother that keep CheChe from losing her mind. Toiling in a foreign country and almost buried by the weight of the responsibilities she bears, CheChe unearths her grandmother's devious secret that could take her over the edge. Will Cheyvonne be able to forgive all the hurt and pain inflicted on her and find the strength to embrace a new love? Will she give up the fight and return to her island home? This debut novel by a new novelist brings a unique and fresh style that will make you laugh and cry and turn the pages when you know you should put it down and get on with your day."
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