Original Date: 4-12-97

On the next day of my first weekend with Kourtnee, we went to a picnic that she had planned for us. It was fun. She had invited a few people. I got to me some of her friends and their children. I met Paula MaCulvie, Kourtnee's personal assistant and best friend. Paula was nice. She was funny, but she was also loud. She had everyone cracking up at the picnic. Her long black hair dangled every time she leaned back to laugh. She had a crooked evil smile that made you wonder what was really going through her mind. Her long fingernails looked dangerous as she waved her hands in the air while she talked. You could tell that she didn't care if the world knew that she was a "Phenomenal Woman".

Paula was very cordial. She loved to talk about herself. She told me all about her husband who was an evangelist, Rick MaCulvie. His ministry worked with youth. Paula helped him in the ministry. I guess that's why Paula was so friendly to me.

I asked Kourtnee, "How did you and Paula meet?" Before Kourtnee could answer, Paula interrupted, "We met in college." Kourtnee protested, "She was talking to me." "Whatever, as I was saying," Paula replied, "we met in college. Kourtnee was a little stuck-up something. She thought she ruled the world. You know money will do that to you." Kourtnee grimaced, "I was not stuck-up." Paula looked at her and made a face, "We were both at this party and she got stranded. We both lived in the same apartments and she looked so loss that I gave her a ride home. After that, we became good friends."

Kourtnee tapped Paula on her arm and laughed. Kourtnee told me her version of the story. "We were at this party; Paula didn't have the money to get into the party. She asked me to pay for her to get in. I looked at her crazy. She wasn't going to take no for answer, so I gave her the money." "See I told ya, money can mess you up," Paula interrupted. "Would you let me finish," Kourtnee continued, "Paula didn't even talk to me anymore that night. I didn't know anyone at the party, I had just heard about the party. I decided to go. I was really lost. All night, guys kept asking me to dance, so I was able to dance most of the night. I found out later that Paula kept sending guys to dance with me. She was alright. When it was time to go, I didn't have a way home so Paula gave me a ride back to the apartments, since I had walked over to the party. We went out and ate, of course, she made me pay for the meal." Paula laughed very loud. Her hair shook again. I put my hand on my head and I laughed at her. She looked at me and said, "It wasn't really that funny." Kourtnee came to my defense, "Leave her alone. It was funny. Anyway, the next day, Paula came over to my apartment and asked me if I wanted to go get something to eat. This time she paid for lunch. After that we became friends. It was about 3 months before she found out who I was. My grandfather came to visit me at the apartment and Paula answered the door. She almost fell out. She ran back in the room and hollered, 'Girl, the richest black man in Maddocha is standing at your door asking for you.' I looked at her and said, 'Oh, that's my grandfather.' She let me have it when my grandfather left because I hadn't told her who I really was." Paula took over the story, "Can you believe that? I was hurt. She told me that she never tells anyone because usually they don't believe her. I eventually forgave her." They kept on reliving the past. I had gotten bored and walked off.

Paula and Kourtnee kind of fought with each other the whole afternoon. It was a friendly kind of fighting. I guess since they had to be boss and employee all week, they needed some time to just be friends. Paula was obviously the dominant friend in the relationship.

I had walked off exploring when Paula came up behind me and yelled boo. I had to catch myself because when I turned around, I was in a fight stance ready to hit whoever had came up behind me. Paula stepped back and said, "So, you are gonna hit me?" I looked at her and said, "No, mame. You just scared me." Paula said, "You look like you might be able to fight." I said, "I can. Did you want something?" I tried to change the subject. I don't like talking about being able to fight. She didn't go for it. "Why are you trying to change the subject? So, how did you learn to fight?" I looked at her, then I looked off and answered her, "A friend of mine at the orphanage taught me how to fight." I had to fight back tears because my friend, Necca Harris, who had taught me to fight, had left the orphanage a few months earlier because she was 19. I missed her so much. She was my best friend although she was 5 years older than me. Paula saw me misting up and she hugged me and told me, "Come on. Kourtnee invited all these people here to see you and you are off somewhere by yourself."

Paula and I walked back over to the table. I still had tears in my eyes. Kourtnee looked at me and then at Paula. Kourtnee was about to say something when Paula gave her a wave that let Kourtnee to leave it alone. Paula and Kourtnee went back to talking and fussing with each other.