Jan. 16, 2026

The DM That Changed Everything: Dubai Nights Chapter 1

The DM That Changed Everything: Dubai Nights Chapter 1
The DM That Changed Everything: Dubai Nights Chapter 1
No Tears For Black Girls
The DM That Changed Everything: Dubai Nights Chapter 1

She was twenty-three, drowning in student debt, and desperate for a way out. Then the DM arrived—a luxury modeling contract in Dubai. All expenses paid. Designer clothes. Infinity pools. Everything she'd ever dreamed of.

Destiny Clarke boarded that plane believing she was flying toward opportunity. But what happens when the dream becomes a nightmare you can't wake up from?

In honor of National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month, we're releasing Chapter 1 of *Dubai Nights: A No Tears For Black Girls Story* by J.C. Reedburg—a powerful novel that shines a light on the countless young Black women lured overseas with promises of a better life, only to find themselves trapped in a system designed to consume them.

This episode asks the questions mainstream media won't: What really happened to Destiny Clarke? And how many girls just like her have vanished without a trace?

**Dubai Nights is FREE on Amazon Kindle from January 16-19, 2026, and free afterward with Kindle Unlimited.**

Listen to Chapter 1. Then download the book and discover what happened next.

*Content Warning: This episode discusses human trafficking and may be difficult for some listeners.*


CREDITS:

Created, Written, & Produced by John Reedburg

Hosted & Narrated by Samantha Paul

Production Company: John Reedburg Media

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

https://www.youtube.com/@NoTearsForBlacksGirls

facebook.com/notearsforblackgirls

instagram.com/notearsforblackgirls

tiktok.com/@notearsforblackgirls

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Imagine this.
You're 23 years old.

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00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:09,360
Student loans are crushing you.
Your family is counting on you.

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00:00:10,120 --> 00:00:14,200
Then Adm slides into your inbox.
A luxury modeling contract in

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Dubai.
All expenses paid.

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Designer clothes.
Infinity pools.

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00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:22,960
A chance to finally breathe.
You board that plane believing

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you're about to become
everything you've dreamed of.

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But what happens when the dream
becomes a nightmare you can't

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wake up from?
Would you think about your

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family?
Would anyone notice you were

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gone?
What would you do to survive one

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more day?
What move would you make to

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extend your existence?
Destiny Clark's story echoes the

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00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:47,840
lives of countless young Black
women lured overseas with

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00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:51,960
promises of opportunity.
Women like Krista Pike, Sentoya

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Brown, and the unnamed girls who
vanished chasing a better life

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only to find themselves trapped
in a system designed to consume

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them.
Destiny had no choice but to

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find a way to survive, to find a
way to extend her existence.

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00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:10,920
But the real question deserves
an answer.

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What really happened to Destiny
Clark?

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Dubai Nights.
A No Tears for Black Girls story

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by JC Reedberg, released in
honor of National Human

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Trafficking Awareness and
Prevention Month, brings this

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hidden world to light, placing a
spotlight on the stories that

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never feature Black women,
girls, and children who

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disappear without a trace.
Dubai Nights is free to everyone

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on Amazon Kindle from January
16th through January 19th and

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free afterwards to anyone with a
Kindle Unlimited subscription.

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Now on with the books preview
chapter one final notice.

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Jamila Clark wakes to a text
alert, the phone's hard buzz

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rattling the chipped melamine of
the kitchen table.

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She's fallen asleep there again,
hunched over a sprawl of red

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letter bills and a legal pad
dents with her own scrawled

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numbers.
The glow through the east facing

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window announces morning.
But in their apartment, nothing

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00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:15,080
changes.
The air still stinks of last

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night's burnt toast and this
week's mildew.

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00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:22,040
On the far wall, Destiny's ring
light casts A luminous Halo

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around the living room, sagging
couch and the Hand Me Down

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bookshelf crowded with empty
beauty boxes.

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Her mother's voice lives in
Jamila's head.

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00:02:30,640 --> 00:02:33,000
Always first thing.
Get up.

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00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:35,280
Handle your business before it
handles you.

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00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:40,160
Jamila rolls her neck, vertebrae
snapping, then forces her

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00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:42,640
attention to the spreadsheet on
her cracked laptop.

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00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:48,200
Rent four days late, power due
yesterday, Destiny's phone bill

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auto drafted at the expense of
their groceries.

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She runs the math three times
and still can't see a way

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forward.
She adjusts the blue ink totals

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00:02:57,360 --> 00:03:01,040
with a growing sense of nausea,
tries to banish the vision of

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00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:03,880
the eviction letter she knows
will appear any day now.

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00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:07,760
In the living room, Destiny
orchestrates her morning

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00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:10,720
performance.
She shifts the furniture just

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00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:14,440
so, aligning the lens to frame
her in the only clean corner of

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the apartment.
The thrifted couch, pilled and

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sunken at the left arm, could
pass for Vintage with the right

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filter and a pillow from Target.
The battered coffee table

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covered in Destiny's makeup
arsenal and unopened PR packages

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00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:31,880
double S as her influencer war
desk.

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00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:35,800
Jamila watches as her sister
fusses with the tripod,

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adjusting the phone's tilt until
it eliminates the peeling paint

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above the window.
Destiny's hands move quick,

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expert arranging the props with
the care of a museum curator.

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The first take starts.
Destiny perches back straight,

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00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:56,040
head tipped, lashes blinking
slow as she channels what she

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00:03:56,040 --> 00:04:00,640
calls main character energy.
She holds up a foundation bottle

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label out and smiles.
Even from across the room,

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Jamila sees the minute tremor in
Destiny's left hand.

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The smile falters, but Destiny
reboots, reshooting the opener.

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She repeats the routine with
small, stubborn corrections

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until the segment plays back
flawless.

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Jamila scrubs her hands over her
face and stands.

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00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:27,040
Her feet ache from yesterday's
double shift shelving at the

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library, but she straightens her
T-shirt and wanders to the

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fridge, hoping there might be
milk left for cereal.

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There isn't.
She pours tap water into her mug

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and stares out the window.
The view is a weedy parking lot,

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a shut down Family Dollar, and
beyond that, the morning traffic

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creeps along MLK.
Behind her, Destiny's voice

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echoes with manufactured
brightness.

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00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:57,760
Hey angels, it's Destiny divine
and I am living for this new

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drop.
Jamila tunes it out, focusing on

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00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:03,800
the numbers in her head,
rehearsing how she'll break the

85
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news when the shut off notices
become real.

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00:05:07,280 --> 00:05:11,400
Can you keep it down?
She finally says, low voiced but

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00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:13,360
sharp enough to cut through the
recording.

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00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:18,040
Destiny's expression, visible in
the front facing phone camera

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00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:21,040
doesn't change.
Almost done.

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00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:24,240
She chirps, but her eyes flick
sideways in warning.

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00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:27,440
Jamila drops into the kitchen
chair.

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00:05:27,960 --> 00:05:31,720
She starts to gather the mail
into a neat stack, but her hands

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rebel, shaking worse than
Destiny's.

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00:05:34,840 --> 00:05:38,960
Instead, she grips her knees,
nails digging into skin until

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00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:43,360
the tremor passes.
Destiny finishes her take, taps

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00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:46,960
the screen, and exhales.
The mask slips.

97
00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:50,920
For a moment, her shoulders cave
in and she blows out a long,

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00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:54,760
unfiltered breath.
Jamila catches it, feels A twist

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00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:59,640
of guilt. 50,000 Now, Destiny
says, holding up the phone

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screen.
The number shines in cartoon

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digits above a flood of heart
emojis.

102
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Jamila blinks.
Thought it was more last week.

103
00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:14,720
Shadow band, Destiny says.
All business algorithm changed

104
00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:19,280
again, but it'll bounce my reels
AT200K views.

105
00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:21,520
Plus I got a brand DM last
night.

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00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:26,200
She peels a lip gloss sample
from its Mailer, uncapping it

107
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with a pop.
Some hair.

108
00:06:28,280 --> 00:06:31,520
Oil company wants a collab.
Real money this time.

109
00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:35,040
Jamila eyes the pile of unopened
bills.

110
00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:39,920
How much?
Destiny shrugs, a small movement

111
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that telegraphs more than it
conceals.

112
00:06:42,840 --> 00:06:46,000
If it goes through, could be a
couple 100, maybe more.

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00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:50,200
Plus they send product.
She watches her sister trace the

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00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:53,800
stick of gloss across her lips,
gaze locked on the phone's own

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00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,840
reflection.
Destiny has always been the

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00:06:56,840 --> 00:07:00,800
pretty one, the loud one, the
one who believes in miracles.

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00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:04,840
Jamila has spent her whole life
waiting for Destiny to learn

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00:07:04,840 --> 00:07:06,960
that luck is not their
inheritance.

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00:07:07,840 --> 00:07:10,360
Utilities called again.
Jamila says.

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00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:14,040
We're two months behind
landlords threatening late fees.

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Destiny frowns.
I told you, I'm waiting on a

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00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:20,840
brand payout from TikTok.
It's just slow.

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00:07:21,360 --> 00:07:24,760
It's always just slow.
Jamila snaps.

124
00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:27,640
She hears the edge in her voice
but can't blunt it.

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00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:31,720
What if it doesn't come?
What's your Plan B?

126
00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:34,680
Why you always got to be so
negative?

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00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:39,400
Destiny's hands still for a
second she looks like a

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00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:44,360
mannequin, lips perfect but eyes
as hard as the blue glass beads

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00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:47,440
she wore as a child.
I'm building something.

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00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:52,240
You act like it's a waste.
I act like reality exists.

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00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:55,840
Jamila shoots back.
She points at the Ledger, at the

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00:07:55,840 --> 00:07:59,440
unyielding arithmetic.
We need actual money, not just

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00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:03,080
dreams and DMS.
People make real money off this.

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00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:06,280
Mila, you wouldn't know you quit
after three posts.

135
00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:11,360
I quit because I have to pay for
school and keep us afloat.

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00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:14,600
Silence closes over the
apartment.

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00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:18,720
Somewhere in the building, a
baby starts wailing, the sound

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00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:22,720
cutting through the drywall.
Jamila massages her forehead,

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00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:25,480
willing herself not to cry or
escalate.

140
00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:29,600
Destiny checks her phone again,
thumb flicking rapid fire over

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00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:32,440
the notifications.
A junkie needing a fresh hit.

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00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:35,919
Jamila says, softer.
I just need you to help.

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00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:40,919
If you worked even a few shifts.
Destiny's jaw tenses.

144
00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:44,640
I am working every hour, every
day.

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You don't get it.
She packs her makeup into a

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00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:51,240
battered Sephora bag, the zipper
screaming as it catches.

147
00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:55,520
But you never do.
Jamila watches her sister

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00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:58,760
retreat down the hallway, the
ring light abandoned in its

149
00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:01,840
glow, phone propped in the stand
like a trophy.

150
00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:06,000
The apartment, emptied of
Destiny's performance, feels

151
00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,400
instantly smaller.
She pushes the stack of bills

152
00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:12,800
aside, then goes to the living
room, turning off the ring light

153
00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:16,560
with a click.
The air cools as if the entire

154
00:09:16,560 --> 00:09:21,400
apartment exhales at once.
On the couch, Destiny's phone

155
00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:25,160
blinks with a text notification.
Your rent payment is overdue.

156
00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:27,320
Please contact management
immediately.

157
00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:31,640
Jamila presses the power button
and lets the screen fade to

158
00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:34,880
black.
She returns to the kitchen table

159
00:09:35,160 --> 00:09:38,040
and lines up the bills in
descending order of threat.

160
00:09:38,720 --> 00:09:42,120
One envelope is already open, a
pink slip.

161
00:09:42,560 --> 00:09:46,400
Final notice in bold.
She traces the letters with her

162
00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:49,920
finger, then folds it into a
precise square and hides it

163
00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:53,800
under the legal pad.
Her hands don't shake this time.

164
00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:58,240
On the other side of the
apartment, Destiny's voice rises

165
00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:01,280
again.
Lower now, maybe rehearsing

166
00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:04,400
another script.
Jamila knows her sister will

167
00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:08,600
emerge in 15 minutes, face
reconstructed, optimism

168
00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:12,680
restored.
She always does, but for now,

169
00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:17,200
the apartment belongs to Jamila
and she allows herself a rare

170
00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:21,520
moment of control.
Just her, the cold light and the

171
00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:24,000
truth of numbers that don't care
who is watching.

172
00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:30,800
Delete AT-819-A knock raps at
the apartment door, short and

173
00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:33,800
double timed.
Jamila wipes her hands on her

174
00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:38,080
jeans and opens it to find Tevin
Colwin on the threshold, his

175
00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:41,680
teacher's bag slung across his
chest and a cardboard coffee

176
00:10:41,680 --> 00:10:45,400
tray balanced in one hand.
He's cut his hair again, she

177
00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:49,760
notices, shaved tight around the
edges, the top squared off like

178
00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:52,960
he's measured it.
He wears the blue polo from his

179
00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:56,880
charter school tucked into
slacks, a look that reads more

180
00:10:56,880 --> 00:11:00,560
after school program than math
teacher, but it suits him.

181
00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:05,680
Brought caffeine, he says,
holding out the tray as proof of

182
00:11:05,680 --> 00:11:08,720
good intent.
His smile is soft around the

183
00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:12,120
corners, the kind that makes his
students think they can talk him

184
00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:16,320
into deadline extensions.
Jamila steps aside and lets him

185
00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:18,920
in.
The air between them is easy.

186
00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:21,960
She's known him since destiny
brought him home senior year,

187
00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:25,000
and their friendship has
outlasted the relationship by at

188
00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:29,520
least three breakups.
Thanks, she says.

189
00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:34,720
The coffee is from QuikTrip, but
he's splurged on flavor shots.

190
00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:37,120
She takes the one with extra
vanilla.

191
00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:41,520
Tevin scans the kitchen.
It's chaos, the unpaid bills,

192
00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:43,680
the lingering smoke of burnt
toast.

193
00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:47,200
He doesn't comment.
Instead, he sets his bag by the

194
00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:50,320
door and takes a seat, bracing
his arms on the table.

195
00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:53,240
Destiny up?
He asks.

196
00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:57,200
In the Zone.
Jamila says, gesturing toward

197
00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:00,680
the living room.
Destiny, now in a different

198
00:12:00,680 --> 00:12:04,760
outfit, films another round of
content, this time demoing a

199
00:12:04,760 --> 00:12:07,760
hair straightener.
She repeats her lines and

200
00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:12,000
escalating pitches, the words
blurring into noise when she

201
00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:15,680
notices Tevin.
Her whole face changes, eyebrows

202
00:12:15,680 --> 00:12:19,800
up, smile wide, the performance
notched to Max.

203
00:12:20,760 --> 00:12:23,240
Hey, stranger.
She calls out, switching off the

204
00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:25,640
ring light.
She pockets the straightener and

205
00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:28,920
smooths her shirt, coming over
with the energy of someone who's

206
00:12:28,920 --> 00:12:32,080
just taken first place in a
contest no one else entered.

207
00:12:33,240 --> 00:12:37,240
Tevin stands self-conscious, but
Destiny pulls him into A1 armed

208
00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:40,280
hug.
Jamila watches the exchange,

209
00:12:40,560 --> 00:12:43,720
noting how Destiny's body goes
rigid the instant her hand

210
00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:48,720
touches Tevin's back.
Affection, yes, but calibrated.

211
00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:53,720
You brought coffee.
Destiny says, claiming the third

212
00:12:53,720 --> 00:12:56,080
cup and immediately popping off
the lid.

213
00:12:56,720 --> 00:13:00,440
She sips, then makes a face.
Sugar free.

214
00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:03,880
Trying to keep you healthy?
Tevin replies.

215
00:13:04,560 --> 00:13:07,200
Destiny rolls her eyes, but
drinks anyway.

216
00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:11,160
She perches on the edge of the
couch, one leg crossed tight

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00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:14,680
over the other, her knee
bouncing a high speed tattoo.

218
00:13:15,760 --> 00:13:18,880
They talk surface stuff for a
few minutes, Tevin's classroom

219
00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:22,400
drama, his ongoing beef with the
science teacher over shared

220
00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:25,520
supplies.
Jamila retreats to the kitchen,

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00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:29,240
watching as Tevin works his way
into the conversation, looking

222
00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:32,000
for a seam where he can say what
he really came to say.

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00:13:32,640 --> 00:13:36,520
He finds it fast.
Saw your story this morning, he

224
00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:39,000
says.
Looks like you're killing it.

225
00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:43,760
Destiny shrugs.
You know, just doing the most

226
00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:49,760
must be nice working from home,
Destiny bristles, lips pressing

227
00:13:49,760 --> 00:13:53,480
into a thin line.
It is work, she says.

228
00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:56,600
Editing, posting, dealing with
trolls.

229
00:13:57,040 --> 00:13:59,640
I spend more hours on this than
most people do at their desk

230
00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:01,640
jobs.
I know.

231
00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:05,760
Tevin raises his hands.
And surrender didn't mean it

232
00:14:05,760 --> 00:14:09,360
like that.
Jamila watches the tension coil

233
00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:12,200
tighter.
Destiny picks up the label on

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00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:14,480
her cup, not looking at either
of them.

235
00:14:15,440 --> 00:14:18,920
So what's up?
Destiny asks, tone flat.

236
00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:23,160
Tevin tries for gentle.
You told me last month you had

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00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:25,440
an offer coming.
Did that go through?

238
00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:29,200
Destiny bristles, then catches
herself.

239
00:14:29,880 --> 00:14:34,640
She nods, but the gesture is off
too fast, too shallow.

240
00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:38,520
It's in process.
These things take time.

241
00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:43,520
Just be careful, Tevin says.
I know how those companies work.

242
00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:45,960
The contracts aren't always what
they say.

243
00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:50,840
Destiny's jaw locks.
You saying I'm not smart enough

244
00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:53,880
to read a contract?
He shakes his head.

245
00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:57,840
No, just that these companies
don't care about you, Destiny.

246
00:14:58,120 --> 00:14:59,920
They care about what they can
get from you.

247
00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:04,120
She goes still, the statement
hitting a nerve.

248
00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:07,600
Jamila recognizes.
It's the same one she presses

249
00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:11,200
when she talks about money, but
from Tevin it lands different,

250
00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:17,080
more accusation than concern.
I'm not a child, Destiny says,

251
00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:19,480
voice low.
I know what I'm doing.

252
00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:23,840
Jamila moves to back her up, but
Tevin cuts her off.

253
00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:27,840
I'm just looking out for you,
OK, that's all.

254
00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:33,160
He smiles, but his hands fidget
on the table, fingers lacing and

255
00:15:33,160 --> 00:15:36,680
unlacing.
Destiny stands, gathering her

256
00:15:36,680 --> 00:15:40,120
phone and makeup bag.
I appreciate it.

257
00:15:40,200 --> 00:15:43,400
She says, but her tone makes it
clear she doesn't.

258
00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:47,800
Tevin tries again.
I could help you look over the

259
00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:50,520
contract if you want.
I'm good.

260
00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:53,680
Destiny says, backing toward the
hallway.

261
00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:57,760
Thanks for the coffee, though.
Jamila steps in.

262
00:15:57,760 --> 00:16:02,760
Then where are you going?
Destiny's voice is all sugar

263
00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:05,680
again, but it doesn't hide the
quiver underneath.

264
00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:09,960
I have a call brand partner in
Dubai wants to zoom, and the

265
00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:13,800
time difference is wild.
She forces a laugh, turning it

266
00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:17,720
into a cough.
This could be big for real.

267
00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:21,440
She vanishes down the hall,
bedroom door clicking shut

268
00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:24,840
behind her.
Silence settles, heavy as wet.

269
00:16:24,840 --> 00:16:28,600
Laundry.
Tevin looks at Jamila, his

270
00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:30,920
expression somewhere between
apology and worry.

271
00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:35,120
Was I out of line?
Jamila shakes her head.

272
00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:39,440
She's just.
She searches for the right word,

273
00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:44,360
settles on scared, Then after a
beat.

274
00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:48,880
Me too.
Tevin nods, glancing at the

275
00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:51,880
closed door.
You think this brand thing is

276
00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:54,920
legit?
I think she wants it to be.

277
00:16:56,240 --> 00:17:01,200
Jamila tries to smile, Fails.
She's chasing something.

278
00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:04,640
Tevin leans in, lowers his
voice.

279
00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:07,079
You still working those night
shifts?

280
00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:11,040
Jamila shrugs.
Library's the only thing paying

281
00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:13,319
right now.
I'm trying to get hours at the

282
00:17:13,319 --> 00:17:16,880
student center, but it's tight.
If you need anything.

283
00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:22,599
Jamila cuts him off, a reflex.
We're fine, really.

284
00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:27,160
They sit in the quiet, the smell
of coffee mixing with the

285
00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:29,640
residual sweetness of Destiny's
perfume.

286
00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:34,240
In the other room, the faint
sound of Destiny's voice carries

287
00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:37,680
animated, pitching herself to an
invisible audience.

288
00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:42,240
She's smart, Tevin says.
She'll figure it out.

289
00:17:43,320 --> 00:17:46,480
Jamila nods, but the hollow in
her chest says otherwise.

290
00:17:47,120 --> 00:17:49,520
He squeezes her shoulder.
Then let's go.

291
00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:53,880
They sit together, each with
their own dread, neither willing

292
00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:58,080
to say what they both know.
Destiny's ambition is a fire,

293
00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:00,960
and nothing will stop it from
burning straight through her if

294
00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:05,720
it has to delete.
The hallway is barely wide

295
00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:09,120
enough for two people to pass
without brushing, but Destiny's

296
00:18:09,120 --> 00:18:11,560
shoulders through with her
backpack and tote slung

297
00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:14,440
crosswise, making herself bigger
than she is.

298
00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:17,800
She's changed into her CEO mode
outfit.

299
00:18:18,120 --> 00:18:21,840
Knock off blazer, high rise
jeans, cheap heels scuffed from

300
00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:26,200
Goodwill but worn like armor.
She paces to the door, clutching

301
00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:28,560
her phone and makeup bag like
talismans.

302
00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:33,120
Jamila blocks the path, arms
folded, unmovable.

303
00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:38,080
You're just going to leave.
Destiny doesn't slow.

304
00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:43,280
Some of us have places to be.
She tries to slip by, but Jamila

305
00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:46,320
sets a hand on her arm, gentle
but resolute.

306
00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:51,000
Don't do this, Jamila says.
We should talk.

307
00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:56,440
Destiny twists her arm free.
We just did, remember?

308
00:18:56,760 --> 00:18:59,200
You made your point.
Loud as always.

309
00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:03,760
Jamila drops her hand,
frustration burning up her face.

310
00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:06,640
You're not listening.
None of this is safe.

311
00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:10,000
You're trusting strangers with
your money, your info.

312
00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:14,240
Destiny cuts her off, words
clipped, raw.

313
00:19:15,120 --> 00:19:18,120
Not everyone wants to spend
their life buried in criminology

314
00:19:18,120 --> 00:19:21,400
textbooks.
Some of us have dreams, Jamila.

315
00:19:21,720 --> 00:19:25,760
Not just safe little plans.
You think this is about me?

316
00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:29,360
I'm worried you'll get in over
your head and I won't be there

317
00:19:29,360 --> 00:19:33,440
to drag you out again.
Destiny shakes her head, hair

318
00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:36,520
flicking perfectly.
You act like I'm twelve.

319
00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:39,520
I survived Atlanta, I can
survive a Zoom call.

320
00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:44,640
Last time you said that you lost
$500 to a fake crypto sponsor.

321
00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:48,960
Destiny's eyes go glassy.
Why do you always got to bring

322
00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:52,200
up old stuff?
Tevin hovers behind them,

323
00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:56,080
uncertain, hands up as if to
split a playground fight.

324
00:19:57,440 --> 00:20:01,720
Maybe just take a breath.
Both of you stay out of it.

325
00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:04,800
They chorus, then glare at each
other and almost laugh.

326
00:20:05,760 --> 00:20:09,560
Destiny moves toward the door,
her hands shaking so hard her

327
00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:13,320
keys jangle against the knob.
She pauses with her back to

328
00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:17,720
them, chin tilted high.
Jamila tries one last time,

329
00:20:18,040 --> 00:20:22,080
voice softer, almost pleading.
You don't have to do this alone.

330
00:20:23,120 --> 00:20:26,400
Destiny looks over her shoulder,
eyes rimmed red.

331
00:20:27,120 --> 00:20:32,000
Don't worry, I won't be alone.
Then she opens the door, slips

332
00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,800
into the humid morning, and
shuts it behind her with a

333
00:20:34,800 --> 00:20:38,600
seismic bang.
The silence that follows isn't

334
00:20:38,600 --> 00:20:41,200
empty.
It thrums with everything

335
00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:45,640
unsaid, with the long history of
battles that always end the same

336
00:20:45,640 --> 00:20:48,640
way.
Jamila presses her fingers to

337
00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:50,880
her temples, steadying her
pulse.

338
00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:54,360
She'll be back for dinner, Tevin
ventures.

339
00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:57,920
Not if she lands a contract.
Jamila mutters.

340
00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:01,800
They drift to the window and
watch Destiny cross the lot,

341
00:21:02,120 --> 00:21:04,000
phone already pressed to her
ear.

342
00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:08,280
Even at a distance, you can see
the energy radiate from her,

343
00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:11,360
like she's tethered to a
stronger, invisible current.

344
00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:15,360
Always wanted to change the
world, Tevin says.

345
00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:17,960
She just never cared how it
changed her back.

346
00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:22,320
Jamila manages a half smile.
That's destiny.

347
00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:25,920
They stand together until
destiny vanishes around the

348
00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:29,280
corner, swallowed by traffic and
the city's morning noise.

349
00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:33,920
Inside, Jamila gathers the bills
into a rigid stack.

350
00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:37,280
The red final notice glares from
the top.

351
00:21:38,320 --> 00:21:41,800
She runs her thumb along its
edge, skin stinging where the

352
00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:45,480
paper cuts.
She leaves it on the counter, a

353
00:21:45,480 --> 00:21:49,800
dare for when Destiny returns.
Tevin starts to tidy the table,

354
00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:54,000
a teacher's reflex for order as
he moves a stack of junk mail,

355
00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:57,920
he catches sight of Destiny's
open laptop, the screen still

356
00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:00,120
glowing.
He reads aloud.

357
00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:04,800
Quick money opportunities
online, no experience needed.

358
00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:08,400
He looks up, worry naked on his
face.

359
00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:13,600
She's really going for it.
Jamila shuts the laptop hard.

360
00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:18,400
She's not the only one.
She takes a deep breath, tastes

361
00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:21,720
the stale air, the chemical
perfume Destiny always leaves

362
00:22:21,720 --> 00:22:24,760
behind.
Then she looks at Tevin, her

363
00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:27,880
voice clear.
I'm not letting her disappear,

364
00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:30,280
she says.
He believes her.

365
00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:34,400
He always has.
Jamila straightens, squares her

366
00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:37,480
shoulders and starts a new
column of numbers on the legal

367
00:22:37,480 --> 00:22:40,280
pad.
She writes out the first line,

368
00:22:40,800 --> 00:22:45,320
her own in destiny's place.
This time she will not let her

369
00:22:45,320 --> 00:22:48,080
sister fall, no matter what it
takes.

370
00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:54,040
That was chapter 1 of Dubai
Nights, a No Tears for Black

371
00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:58,480
Girls story by JC Reedberg.
Remember, this book is free on

372
00:22:58,480 --> 00:23:03,120
Amazon Kindle from January 16th
through January 19th and free

373
00:23:03,120 --> 00:23:04,920
afterwards with Kindle
Unlimited.

374
00:23:05,840 --> 00:23:08,680
Don't miss your chance to read
Destiny's full story.

375
00:23:09,240 --> 00:23:12,160
If you want to support this
show, there are several ways you

376
00:23:12,160 --> 00:23:14,600
can help us keep bringing these
stories to light.

377
00:23:15,080 --> 00:23:17,960
Subscribe directly through
Spotify via the link in the show

378
00:23:17,960 --> 00:23:21,200
notes.
Join us on Patreon for exclusive

379
00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:25,560
content and early access.
After reading today's free

380
00:23:25,560 --> 00:23:28,920
download, purchase any book from
the No Tears for Black Girls

381
00:23:28,920 --> 00:23:32,280
series on Amazon Kindle.
We have both ebooks and

382
00:23:32,280 --> 00:23:36,400
paperback editions available.
Stream the soundtrack to our

383
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stories by searching No Tears
for Black Girls soundtrack on

384
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any music platform.
And if you love this podcast,

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you can support us by giving us
a like, a follow and a five star

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Every positive review helps us

387
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reach more listeners and helps
more people hear the stories

388
00:23:53,560 --> 00:23:58,200
mainstream media ignores.
This is Samantha Paul for No

389
00:23:58,200 --> 00:24:01,200
Tears for Black Girls the cases
they ignored.

390
00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:08,320
Stay loved, Stay blessed, stay
safe, and remember, whenever

391
00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:11,640
you're trapped in a World of
Darkness, never allow fear to

392
00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:14,440
overwhelm you.
Just believe in your inner

393
00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:17,280
spirit and remind yourself of
God's first words.

394
00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:18,960
Let there be light.