Blessings From the Father (18 page)
Read Blessings From the Father Online
Authors: Michelle Larks
“I know Sasha is enjoying that. So do you think Michael is ready to make a change this time? Is he a reformed man?”
“You know Michael.” Sonyell exhaled loudly. “He has the best intentions in the world for about two weeks after his release date. Then things change quickly. Sasha is older and she is already asking Michael hard questions. That's why I don't want you to feel obligated to help him. Let's just wait and see how he's acting by week three.”
“Girl, you know you're not any good.” Mariah laughed.
“Seriously though, I can put out some feelers. I have a few associates who own their own businesses. I can do some checking.”
“Miss Nedra has been talking to Reverend Dudley. Maybe he might be able to come up with something.”
“You didn't answer me, Sonni. Is Michael going to live with you?”
Sonyell tittered nervously. “I really haven't decided. Sasha asked me the same question. My heart wants to say yes, but my head says wait until week three is up.”
“That sounds reasonable to me.”
“I guess we both have some hard decisions to make. Like you talking to Granny.”
“I guess we do. I also sense Ms. Lola, that's Carson's ex, still has feelings for him. You know I don't want to have to deal with baby momma drama.”
“Don't let Satan steal your happiness. You better claim that man, because he has surely claimed you. I think he just wants to see how well you get along with his daughters. So be cautious, but still take the time to get to know them. Girl, you'd better claim that fine man God has sent to you.”
The friends shared peals of laughter.
“I'm going to let you go. Did you talk to Rocki?” Mariah asked Sonyell.
“I did this morning; she texted me this afternoon. She planned to hit the clubs with her cousins. I'm sure she's out having a good time right about now.”
“I talked to her this morning too. Okay, sista, I'm going to call Granny and then I am going to settle in for the night. Oh, I found some journals belonging to my father. When I get the time, I plan to read them.”
“Good idea. Where did you find them and how many did you find?”
“In the corner of the attic in a trunk. I think there are about twenty or more volumes. A part of me wants to read them. And, the other part doesn't. Silly, huh?” Mariah snickered nervously.
“No, not silly, just overly cautious like you tend to be. You know everything you want to know about your dad can be found in those books. Don't you?”
“Yeah. I've just been so busy I haven't had time to read them. I will get around to doing that soon.”
“Okay. Have a good night.”
“You too, Sonni. I love you.”
“Love you too, Mari.”
The friends ended the call.
Mariah laid her head against the back of the sofa. Then she sat up, swung her legs off the sofa, put her shoes on her feet, and went upstairs to the attic. She walked to a corner of the room and opened a black and gold antique steamer trunk. Mariah bent over and she removed a few journals from the trunk. She opened one journal to see the time frame of the book. It took her a few minutes before she removed two black leather-bound journals, labeled volumes 1 and 2.
She closed the trunk, turned off the lights, and returned to the living room. She laid the books on an end table and picked up the remote control. She clicked the television on and stared at the journals. “I wonder what secrets you hold,” she said aloud. Then she stared at the television until it stared back at her.
Chapter Twenty
On Tuesday, a week before Christmas, Mariah sat at her desk in her office at work. She was looking over the final version of the paperwork to be submitted to the city of Hammond for the transitional home. Attorney Cook had faxed the papers to her that morning. The office was silent save for Mariah flipping the pages as she read. When she was done, a rush of adrenaline surged through her body. She was another step closer to realizing her dream. Mariah picked up the telephone and called the lawyer. After they exchanged greetings, Mariah effusively exclaimed, “William, good job. I am quite pleased. I just hope we hear something favorable from Hammond in the not too distant future.”
“Thank you, Mariah. These matters take time, but I am sure we will hear something one way or the other within sixty days or so. We may have to make modifications to our proposal, but I know the transaction will eventually be approved.”
“That sounds good. I know the process takes time. I am impatient to get the project started.” Mariah tapped an ink pen on the desk.
“Just be patient.” Attorney Cook chuckled. “I planned to call you anyway to tell you that the attorney handling the estate of the house next door to yours called this morning to inform me the court finally approved the sale of the property. You should be able to close on the house next month after the first of the year.”
“That's more good news,” Mariah cried happily. “Don't get me wrong, I enjoy staying in my father's house, but it's too big for me. I am so ready to move into my own house.”
“I understand. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“I can't think of anything else at this minute. I will call you back if anything else comes up. William, have a great holiday,” Mariah told him happily.
“You too, Mariah. Merry Christmas.”
The telephone call ended.
Mariah pushed the button on the phone connecting her to Sonyell's office. Then she disconnected the call. She remembered today was the day Michael was to be released from prison and Sonyell had taken the day off. Mariah quickly dialed Carson's number. She told him the good news.
“That's great news. A celebration is in order. How about going out to dinner tonight?”
“I had actually planned to do some Christmas shopping. I've decided to have the holiday dinner at my house. I figured if the weather becomes inclement, everyone can spend the night there.”
“Do you want company? I should probably ask what kind of shopping you're doing first,” Carson teased her.
“Well, you may want to pass on joining me. I'm planning on going to Carson Pirie Scott to buy gifts for Granny, Sonni, and Rocki. Then I'm going to head over to Best Buy to get a Wii system for Sasha. I wanted to ask you about buying gifts for your girls. What do you think?”
“I guess so. Best Buy sounds like fun, and Carson not so much fun. I plan on finishing up around here at five o'clock. I can pick you up around five-thirty and after shopping we can have dinner. I have a taste for Mexican food. How about Pepi?”
“That sounds like a plan. I have an idea of what I'm buying everyone, so shopping shouldn't take long. The timing will just depend on the crowd.”
“Sounds like a plan. Uh, Mari, are you buying something for your mother? Do you plan on inviting her to dinner on Christmas?”
“I . . . I don't know,” Mariah replied guiltily. “I guess so. I will never hear the end of it from Granny if I don't get her anything. I'll have to think about it some more. I still have flashbacks of the disaster on Thanksgiving.”
“You should be patient, and most of all remember the scripture, be forgiving. Obviously something in the past has caused her destructive behavior. Once you figure that out, and confront her with it, maybe she'll get help. Who knows, maybe your relationship will get better.”
“I doubt that.” Mariah snorted. “I asked Granny again if there was anything she wanted to tell me about my father and mother, and she said no. But, I know she's keeping something from me. I guess she'll tell me in her own time. I don't want to pressure her too much considering her medical conditions: asthma and hypertension.”
“Okay, babe, I've got to run. I'll see you later.”
“Talk to you later.” Mariah pressed a button and ended the call. She sat back in her chair and felt a sense of contentment. Life was certainly grand. Her plan was making progress, even if it was baby steps. Her relationship with Carson was deepening. The only problem was Lola. She seemed to have no sense of boundary where Carson was concerned.
The couple had gone to a movie a couple of weeks ago, when Carson's cell phone vibrated. He excused himself and went to the lobby to return the call. One of the toilets in Lola's condominium had backed up and she wanted Carson to come over and look at it. Carson ended up sending Alex over to the house, much to Lola's chagrin.
Lola had dropped over at Carson's house unexpectedly a couple of times, causing Carson to cancel his and Mariah's plans. Mariah had made her displeasure known to Carson, and asked why he didn't put a stop to Lola shenanigans. Mariah was tired of Lola calling Carson at the hint of any trouble.
Carson had looked into Mariah's eyes and said his daughters were the reasons why. Mariah mustered up the courage to ask Carson if he thought Lola was still in love with him. He hesitated before he finally responded that he didn't think so. He further explained how Lola was territorial and she didn't want to let go. Carson reassured Mariah that he didn't love Lola in a romantic way, but he had feelings for his ex as the mother of his children.
He further explained about his ex-wife's competitive and jealous nature. That's what had broken up the marriage. In the past, Lola had run off a few women Carson had dated along with Aaliyah's help. Carson pleaded with Mariah to be patient with him; he planned on changing how he responded to Lola's requests. Mariah told him that she would.
Mariah closed eyes. Her body was relaxed as the smooth jazz sounds from the radio serenaded her. She opened her eyes and turned her attention back to her work, looking forward to her date with Carson.
That evening after filling Carson's truck with bags after a shopping spree at Carson Pirie Scott on Indianapolis Boulevard, Carson and Mariah feasted on tacos and chicken fajitas at Pepi's Restaurant.
“That was good,” Mariah proclaimed. “I haven't had Mexican food in a while.” She wiped her hands on a napkin and sipped from a glass of 7 Up.
“I agree.” Carson nodded after he swallowed his last bite of tacos. “So are you done shopping yet?”
“I have one more gift to get and that's yours. I haven't quite run across your gift yet,” Mariah told him.
“You don't have to go to any trouble you know. I'm an easy kind of guy.”
“I know. I just don't know what to get you. It's one of those situations where when I see it I'll know it's for you. Know what I mean?”
The young waitress returned to the table. “Can I get you anything else?” she asked politely with a smile on her face.
Mariah returned her smile and shook her head.
“We're good for now,” Carson replied.
“Then I'll bring the check shortly. Let me know if you need anything else.” She left the table.
“Now let's see, where we were? Oh, I remember, I guess I know what you mean,” Carson agreed.
“I am not a shopper by nature, but I do enjoy Christmas shopping. It's something about the music, and smiles on children's faces, that puts me in the spirit. That along with the birth of Christ,” she added quickly.
“I understand; same here. Say, I noticed you don't have any lights or decorations around your house. Do you want me to stop by and put some up for you tomorrow?”
“Sure. I meant to ask you earlier, but got caught up on working with William on the proposal for the city of Hammond. Growing up in the projects, there's only so much you could do on the outside of the house. Granny and I always put up a tree and decorated the living room. I noticed the lights on your parents' house on Thanksgiving Day.”
“Yeah, I guess having children makes a difference. When I was growing up, we always put up our tree on Thanksgiving night or the Thanksgiving weekend. So I've gotten into the habit of doing it then.”
“I hear you, traditions are nice. So is Christmas your favorite holiday?” she asked him.
“It is. What is yours?”
“Thanksgiving,” Mariah answered promptly. “I love the foods, even preparing some of them.” She wrinkled her nose. “My favorite hot holiday is the Fourth of July. The temperature for Memorial Day can be cool. I love warm weather, and unless it rains, the Fourth is always nice. Sonni, Rocki, and I would go downtown to the lake sometime to see the fireworks.”
The waitress brought the check to the table and set the leather folder containing the check in front of Carson. “Enjoy your evening, and happy holidays.”
“Thank you,” Carson replied. He took his wallet out of his jacket pocket and pulled out his American Express card. He checked the figures and added a nice tip to the total.
After his card was processed, he told Mariah, “I hate to rush you, but I have an early appointment in the morning. So I need to get you home.”
“I understand,” Mariah replied. She stood up and put on her coat. Soon the two left the restaurant and were at Mariah's house in no time.
Carson walked her to the door and opened it. Mariah disengaged the burglar alarm.
Carson brought Mariah's shopping bags inside the house. “I will be glad when you move next door. Sometime I worry about you being in this house alone. It's a big house,” he commented as his eyes scanned around the room.
“If it wasn't for the alarm system, I would be worried too. I'm fine.”
“That you are,” Carson agreed in a husky voice. “I'd better be getting on my way.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately.
“See you tomorrow,” Mariah said emotionally. “Carson, I just want to say that I appreciate all you have done for me. You've enriched my life. I feel like I'm a better person for having known you. Thank you.”
“I love doing things for you,” Carson began. “You are a phenomenal woman. I feel the same way; my life seems complete. We'll see where this thing goes. So far, my lovely, you're batting a thousand.”
Mariah hugged him. When they parted, she pointed to the door and said, “Go, I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Pleasant dreams,” Carson said as he walked to the door.
“Back at you.”
Mariah smiled to herself as she locked the door. She walked to the window and watched Carson as he pulled away from the curb. Then she walked to her bedroom. She knelt down, closed her eyes, raised her hands, and said, “Father, Carson is a good man. Thank you for bringing him into my life. Forgive me for my sins today. Continue to guide me, and help me to hear your voice clearly. Today was a good day, Father. I rejoice and I am glad. God, bless and take care of Granny, Sonni, Rocki, and Sasha. Lord, also bless Carson, and his family. Amen.”
Mariah showered and put on her bedclothes. She opened the Daily Devotional and read the message for today, along with the Biblical verses.
She sighed audibly as she caught sight of the journals on her nightstand. Mariah took a deep breath. Her hand shook slightly as she picked up volume 1. She opened it and read the first entry.
My name is Harold Wayne Ellison. I was born on August 23 in Gainesville, Florida. I never knew my mother or father. My earliest memories are being in a large room full of cots. I was raised in an orphanage. I never found a trace of my parents. Perhaps they perished together, and that's how I ended up where I did. Maybe my ma was an unwed mother. Those were questions that I never got an answer to. I always worked, even as child. We had chores at the orphanage, and from the time a child could walk, they were put to work. I don't remember anyone explaining to me about having any goals. In my heart I knew that one day, I would grow up and leave that place. Me and the other kids were farmed out like slaves for lack of a better term to help people in the area. The orphanage got the money and it seemed like all we kids got is a heap of misery. Some of the homes were nice and some not so nice. Most of the time, we worked for white families. I saw the differences in how Whites and Blacks lived. We were called Negroes back then. I knew that I wanted better for myself and that's what I strived for my entire life: better. On many levels I attained my goals, but others I failed miserably.
Mariah was mesmerized after she read that entry. She quickly closed the book. She knew if she continued reading she would be up the rest of the night, and that wouldn't do for the career woman that she was. She glanced at the clock on the mantle and saw that it was nearly ten o'clock. She hadn't talked to Sonyell all evening, nor had her friend returned the text message Mariah had sent her earlier. Mariah hoped Michael's homecoming celebration was a joyous one. Still she was bothered that Sonyell hadn't called.
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