Blessings From the Father (32 page)
Read Blessings From the Father Online
Authors: Michelle Larks
Chapter Thirty-nine
Two weeks later, Rosemary was released from the hospital. The heart attack she'd suffered was severe. She was put on a new regimen of medication, and a new diet. The cardiologist informed Rosemary that she couldn't return to work for at least three months. Mariah was hoping her grandmother wouldn't ever return to work. She planned to care for Rosemary, as Rosemary had cared for her as a child. The physician emphasized the importance of rest. If Rosemary's condition continued to improve, then she could resume normal activities within six months.
A week after Rosemary's heart attack, Sonyell and Raquel supervised the move from Mariah's father's house to her new one. The spare bedroom was prepared for Rosemary's recuperation.
Rosemary initially insisted on going home. But after talking to her doctor, she realized Mariah's house was the best place for her to be. Cassie didn't return to the hospital for a couple of days after Rosemary's attack. It was obvious to everyone when she did reappear that she had binged.
Rosemary became troubled. She begged Cassie to consider entering a rehabilitation facility. Mariah didn't want her grandmother to suffer a setback, so she found a highly recommended facility in Arizona. Cassie couldn't refuse her mother's pleas for her to go for treatment due to Rosemary's health issues.
A week later when Mariah and Carson went to pick up Cassie to take her to the airport for her flight to Arizona, Cassie was a no-show. Mariah had to bite her tongue, and refrain from saying to Rosemary, “I told you so.”
Rosemary again implored her daughter to go to Arizona for treatment. Three days later, Sonyell and Michael drove Cassie to O'Hare Airport. That time Cassie was on the nonstop flight to Phoenix.
Carson picked up Rosemary and Mariah from the hospital the day Rosemary was released. He drove them to Mariah's new home. He didn't stay long since he had a hearing for custody of his daughters that afternoon. He told Mariah he'd come by later.
“Well, Granny, I guess it's you and me again,” Mariah told her grandmother after Rosemary had settled into bed in the guest bedroom. “See, you couldn't get rid of me that easily.” She pulled the peach floral comforter over her grandmother's shoulders.
“I guess you're right, this time,” Rosemary admitted. “Don't get the idea that my stay here is permanent. As soon as I'm back on my feet, I'm going home,” Rosemary insisted.
“No, you're not,” Mariah shot back. “The coach house is ready for you to move into. I don't think you should live alone. I have a perfectly good house out back waiting for you.”
“I'll think about it.” Rosemary smiled. Secretly, she enjoyed being pampered by Mariah.
“It's not up for discussion,” Mariah chided her grandmother. “Are you hungry? Can I get you anything?”
“I think it's time for my medication. You can bring me a glass of water.”
“Fine, I'll be right back.” Mariah left the room and went to the bathroom and returned with a paper cup of water. She sat at the reclining chair near the bed.
“I like what I saw of the house. It looks real good,” Rosemary commented after she set the cup on the nightstand.
“Luckily, most of the work was done. The house was painted and new carpeting was installed. All that was left was to move furniture from the old house to here. Carson, Michael, and Alex handled that part with ease.”
“Carson is a great young man. I am glad God put him in your path. If anything had happened to me you would have been in good hands,” Rosemary commented. She shifted her body slightly. She glanced around the room. The bedroom set was oak. There was a wall-mounted television. Mariah had put her clothes in the closet. The room had an attached bathroom.
“Nothing was going to happen to you. It wasn't your time.” Mariah held up her hand.
“I know you want to talk about me and Harold and what happened. Just give me a little time, if you don't mind. I need to get clear in my head as to what I want to say to you.”
“That's fine. I plan to continue reading his journals. I'd like to hear his side too, if you don't mind.”
“Now that everything is out in the open, I think you should,” Rosemary said magnanimously. “I realize I handled the situation incorrectly. It was just a different era back then. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.” Rosemary looked ashamed.
“Consider it done. I'm going to fix you lunch. I'll be back in a sec.” Mariah left the room and went downstairs to the kitchen.
She smiled admiringly at the furnishings in the house. She loved her new place.
That morning Mariah had received a letter from the Hammond Planning Commission asking her to come in for a meeting. Mariah was hopeful her dreams would eventually come to fruition.
After Rosemary had eaten lunch and was asleep, Mariah returned to her bedroom and picked up a journal and continued reading. She was engrossed in the entries when her telephone rang.
“Hi, babe,” she greeted Carson. “How did the hearing go?”
“It went well. I now have sole custody of the girls. Luckily, I didn't have any problems. As soon as I got wind that Lola was going to be charged in connection with the robbery at my office, I called my lawyer. He prepared the necessary paperwork.”
“That's good. What's happening with Lola?”
“It looks like she'll get off with probation. She's spent all of a night in jail. The next day her father posted bail. I heard that Lola was ranting and raving like a madwoman. Her cousin, Javier, confessed she was the mastermind behind the break-in.”
“I don't want to speak ill of your ex, but what a shame. It's obvious she's still in love with you,” Mariah remarked as she shook her head.
“In her mind she is. In reality Lola just hates to lose. She has always been overly competitive. When she realized I was serious about you, her competitive nature went haywire.”
“And that is why, Mr. Palmer, I don't like to deal with men with children: too much baby momma drama,” Mariah responded.
“I'd like to think all exes are not like Lola; she's the exception to the rule.”
“Why is it we never hear about them, I wonder?” Mariah commented cattily.
“Why you ask? Because the media shoves drama down our throats. Look, at all the reality shows. Most of them are full of drama or so I hear,” Carson answered firmly.
“You could have a point there. So, are you up to being a single parent? I don't envy you that task.”
“Whether I am or not, I've got to get ready fast. Although, I think I am. It helped that Lola and I shared joint custody. So now, the challenge begins, taking care of my daughters every day.”
“Do you think you'll ever split custody with Lola again?” Mariah couldn't prevent herself from asking. She knew that her relationship with Carson had changed the minute he told her that he had taken the girls from Lola. She was aware that Carson spending more time with his daughters would leave less time for her.
“I'll cross that bridge when and if I have to. As part of her probation Lola will have to see a psychologist. I will have to wait for a clean bill of health from the doctor. If that occurs, then and only then would I consider joint custody with her again,” Carson answered truthfully.
“So where does leave us?” Mariah asked. This was one of those times she wished that life stood still and never changed. She loved Carson dearly. But due to Lola's drama and his having full custody of his daughters, she didn't think they would have time to take their relationship to the next level. Mariah wasn't quite ready for marriage. But she couldn't imagine life without Carson.
“Things will change to a certain degree, that's true,” Carson admitted. “But life always changes, Mari. Nothing stays the same. I care for you, and by that I mean I love you deeply. I just ask that you continue what we have and see where life takes us. I have plenty of family, that village it takes to raise children. And, my family will always be there to step in when needed and that time will be spent with you.
“I think we have that once-in-a-lifetime relationship that people dream of. God has blessed us. He will see us through any storms we may encounter. He was already on the case when Rocki went to the bar, and heard Javier bragging. So I suggest we stay on the status quo and see where life leads us. I already know where it will, if a certain businesswoman is willing to take a chance and follow her heart.”
Mariah exhaled loudly. “You're right, I'll have to be patient. I will put in the time to see where the relationship and God leads us.”
“That's all I ask,” Carson responded, clearly relieved. “So how are things going with your grandmother?”
“Pretty good. She tried to make a stand for independence about moving back to the Garden and I told her that I wasn't having it. The only place she could move is to the coach house.”
“How did she feel about that?” Carson chuckled.
“I think she's ready to stay here now that her secrets are out in the open.”
“Good. She should enjoy the fruits of your labor. Are you nervous about the meeting with the planning committee?”
“Nope. Not really. That meeting is one step closer to the transition home being a reality. Sonni and I are already on it. We'd already anticipated some of their questions. Sonni has put together a very compelling PowerPoint presentation. I meant to ask you, how do Ali and Ashanti feel about staying with you?”
“I couldn't tell them what had really gone down with Lola. So I simply told them that their mother is tired and needs a rest and that they're going to hang out with me for a while. Ali was upset as I knew she would be. I feel like Lola was becoming too much of a negative influence on her anyway. Shanti is fine with the new living arrangement. So we'll work through it.”
“One of my church members is a psychologist. If you think they need to talk to someone let me know. Zora has a great reputation,” Mariah offered.
“I will keep that in mind.” Carson looked up to see a computer technician at his door. “Say, I've got to run. My computer system is being installed today. I didn't need to upgrade, but with the check from the robbery, I decided why not. It won't hurt.”
“Good idea. I'll talk to you later. I'm going to look over my notes for the presentation, and read more journals. Talk at you later.”
“If you need me to run any errands let me know. I'll see you later,” Carson informed Mariah.
The call was ended. Mariah checked on Rosemary and then she went to her bedroom. She sat on the chaise longue. She turned on the nightstand light and picked up a journal and read:
After I got out of the service, I went to Chicago to pay my respects to Rosemary Green. I still couldn't believe that Jojo hadn't ever been found. It was like he'd disappeared off the face of the earth. I miss my friend. Rosemary was still grieving for her husband. I always knew she and Jojo shared a special love. All he talked about was Rosie, as he called her, you couldn't shut him up. I envied him for finding that special woman. I had saved up my money from the service, Uncle Sam saw to our every need, so I have a nice little nest egg saved. When I met Rosemary, she was sad like I knew she would be. Rosemary is a spunky woman. I offered her part of my money, and tried to explain that's what Jojo would have wanted, but she would have none of it.
Cassie was a sullen young woman. It was obvious that she was still missing her Daddy. I tried to engage her in conversation, but her answers were always short, monotonic. Sometimes I think she resented me, because I am still alive and Jojo's whereabouts are unknown. I think if she gives me time to get to know me, she might feel different, but maybe not.
Mariah skimmed over entries regarding Harold's employment and was drawn to the ones that mentioned her grandmother.
I know Rosemary doesn't make much money, so I leave little amounts of money at her house. I want to help her, but she still doesn't want to take money from me. So I leave it on the bottom shelf of the cocktail table where she'll find it. I go see her once a week, usually on the weekends. We talk about Jojo and Vietnam. It's not a subject that I really want to talk about. When I think of 'Nam, I feel horrified. It was a terrible place to be. We killed people, even children, and that will haunt me the rest of my days.
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