Bring on the Blessings (11 page)

She groaned inwardly at the pun. The mischief in his eyes equaled the wattage in his crooked white-toothed smile. Once he was freed, he stuck out his hand, “Amari Steele.”

“Bernadine Brown.” She knew right there and then that this handsome charmer was going to be trouble with a capital
T
.

“Whose jet is that?” he asked gesturing in its direction.

“Mine.”

“How fast will it go?”

Bernadine studied him. “Why?”

“I’m into engines.”

“You’ll have to ask my pilot.”

“Can I ride up front with him.”

“Pilot’s female and, no, all passengers have to sit in the cabin.”

He looked disappointed.

The policemen were shaking their heads.

“Are you ready?” Bernadine asked him.

“You sure I can’t ride up front?”

Bernadine gave him the same look her mama used to give her when the discussion was closed.

“Okay. I get it.”

“Good.”

The male police officer produced a small rolling suitcase. “Here’s your stuff, Amari.”

“Thanks.”

He gave the officers a smile and wave and walked with Bernadine to the plane’s lowered steps.

As he got on and took in the laid interior he whistled long and low. “Man! Now this is the shit.”

“Watch your mouth,” Lily warned sternly.

“Sorry. Didn’t know this was a noncussing flight.”

Behind him, Bernadine coughed to hide her laugh.

Lily fought to keep a straight face.

“I’m Amari,” he said to Lily, and walked up and stuck out his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

“I’m Ms. Fontaine. I work for Ms. Brown.”

He glanced at the other kids.

Crystal asked, “Why were you with the po-po?”

“Car theft.”

Devon said, “And the thief shall make restitution. Exodus two, verse one.”

Amari turned and stared at Devon then looked him critically up and down. “Who’re you supposed to be, Creflo Dollar’s Mini-Me?”

“I’m Devon. This is Zoey.”

“She looks like that girl from
The Addams Family.
Tuesday? Wednesday?”

Crystal said, “Her name’s Zoey. She’s mute. Hurt her feelings and it’ll be me and you.”

Amari tossed back. “It ought to be you and a hairdresser. Those tracks look like something Amtrak runs on.”

Crystal jumped up in defense of her blond weave. “You little mother—”

“Crystal!” Bernadine snapped.

Crystal had fury in her eyes. “He can’t talk to me like that. He don’t know me!”

Amari was grinning. He ignored her and turned to Zoey. “I’m sorry, Tuesday. Wasn’t trying to play you. You, too, Creflo.”

The young ones stared back but didn’t respond. Amari shrugged and took a seat.

Lily and Bernadine shared a look that said silently, “Do you believe this?”

Crystal was still shooting daggers at Amari.

Bernadine said to her, “Sit down, honey. Tell Katie we’re ready.”

“Katie, we’re ready,” she snarled, and sat.

When they reached the small airport outside of Milwaukee, Bernadine was surprised to find a short, overweight kid with braids waiting alone at the prearranged pickup point.

When she approached, she asked, “Are you Preston Mays?”

“Yep. You Ms. Brown?”

She nodded and took a quick look around the hangar area in a search for his social worker. “Where’s your worker?”

“She didn’t want to be late for court, so she dropped me off.”

“She was supposed to stay with you until I got here.”

“Welcome to the zany world of foster care,” he offered cynically.

“I’ll be calling her supervisor.”

“Doesn’t matter. Nice jet.”

“Thanks. Come on,” Bernadine urged, still irritated that the child had been left to fend for himself. “Let’s get you settled.”

“Are we really going to Kansas?”

“Yes.”

“You got cable?”

“Yep.”

“Good.”

On the plane, Preston looked around. “Nice,” he said to Bernadine in an impressed voice. “Real nice.”

He checked out the other passengers. “I’m Preston.”

Amari introduced himself and added, “This here is Creflo and Tuesday.”

Devon said, “Our real names are Devon and Zoey.”

Preston nodded. He looked at Crystal, who was still sulking.

Amari said, “The blonde’s Crystal.”

“Hey, Crystal.”

“Hey,” she said disinterestedly, then turned back to the view outside her window.

Preston said, “Okay, then.”

After his introduction to Lily, he asked, “Where should I sit, Ms. Brown?”

“Wherever you’d like.”

Amari called out, “Back here, man.”

Preston looked pleased and hurried down the aisle to take the seat next to Amari. Bernadine watched them exchange a handshake and grins. Pleased, she retook her own seat, glad to be heading home.

Once they were airborne and Katie had the jet leveled off, Bernadine and Lily passed out lunch. Sandwiches, with a choice of ham or turkey were joined by bags of chips, raw baby carrots, and juice boxes.

“Juice boxes are for babies,” Crystal pronounced, turning down the drink. “What else you got?”

“Water,” Lily replied flatly.

She huffed. “Give me the box then.”

Lily handed it over and shook her head. Looking on, Bernadine did the same. While eating her lunch she discreetly checked out her kids. Zoey and Devon looked so
small in the large white seats, but they seemed to be getting along well, as were Amari and Devon, who were talking a mile a minute about everything from sports to video games and wolfing down food right and left. Between them they ate three sandwiches apiece, went through four juice boxes, more chips, and all the rest of the carrots. From her social worker training and from the foster care videos she’d seen, she knew that children in the system often gorged themselves at meals because they weren’t sure if there’d be another any time soon. Hopefully they’d find out that food was as plentiful as love in their new lives.

Crystal on the other hand ate nothing but the meat in her sandwich. She didn’t like the lettuce, tomatoes, or the brown bread. She’d also not spoken a word to anyone since the terse greeting she’d given Preston. Until Hurricane Amari’s arrival, Crystal had been in charge of their little adventure and had appeared to be enjoying her role. Bernadine doubted anyone had ever been in charge of Amari, and she guessed Crystal was having problems with not being able to boss him around. This was typical of teens, she knew, and that the pecking order issues would be resolved over time.

After lunch, she and Lily went to the small galley kitchen at the back of the plane to take care of the cleanup. When they returned to the cabin, all of the children were asleep, even Crystal.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Lily said, with soft emphasis, “Hallelujah!”

“Amen. Let’s enjoy this peace and quiet for as long it lasts.”

B
ernadine had arranged for the kids to be taken back to town in a sleek stretch limo. She knew it was over the top, but she wanted them to feel special because there’d been so few special moments in their lives in the foster care system. Because the kids had slept during the last leg of the flight, Amari and Preston were energized by the sight of the long shiny black car, but Zoey and Devon were so groggy they had to be helped in. It was plain that Crystal was impressed by the vehicle as well but she played it off as if she’d had limos at her disposal her entire life.

Amari looked around the interior and asked, “Ms. Brown, you think anybody famous ever rode in here?”

“I have no idea, Amari, how about you ask the driver?”

The driver, an elderly gentleman with snowy hair replied with pride, “I had the governor a few years back.”

“Naw, man,” Amari said, “famous famous like Paris Hilton or Flava Flav or 50 Cent.”

The man’s puzzled eyes were reflected in the mirror. “Who?”

Amari waved him off. “Never mind.”

Crystal drawled, “Boy, you are truly ghetto.”

“Tell that to your hairdresser, Ms. Amtrak.”

Amari and Preston rolled with laughter, making Crystal jump up and yell, “Shut the hell up!”

Lily grabbed the back of her shirt. “Everybody! Freeze!”

Lily’s mama’s voice impressed everyone. Even the once-groggy Devon and Zoey were sitting up at attention.

Lily looked around and upon seeing the rigid faces of the little ones, said softly, “Devon and Zoey, you two relax. You aren’t in this. But you three,” she said, turning flashing eyes on the main culprits, “Ms. Brown didn’t go through all this trouble and spend all this money for you act like you don’t have any damn sense. Crystal, you started it, so apologize.”

She opened her mouth to protest but the look in Lily’s eyes must have changed her mind. She mumbled a terse, “Sorry.”

“Amari. Same thing.”

His voice was clear, “Sorry, Crystal.”

“Now,” Lily said with finality, “Until we get home, we’re going to play Peace and Quiet, understand?”

Bernadine figured they must have because no one made a sound.

However, a few moments later Amari started asking questions:
Ms. Brown, how come I don’t see any MacDonald’s? Hey, driver what kind of tractor is that? Ms. Fontaine, do any trees grow here?

He must have asked ten questions for every mile they passed. It was so nonstop Bernadine could feel a headache starting, but she and Lily answered as many as they could, patiently and with a plastered-on smile.

When the questions finally stopped, a relieved Bernadine leaned over and said softly to the sullen Crystal, “You shouldn’t let Amari push your buttons, otherwise he’s gonna make you crazy.”

“I hate teenage boys. Give me an old man any day. You know, somebody in their twenties.”

Bernadine knew Crystal had no idea how naive and silly that statement sounded, so she just nodded.

“How come there are no houses?” Preston asked as they continued to pass acres and acres of open land.

“It’s called the American plains. Not a lot of people live out this way.”

“Looks like nobody lives out this way.”

“I felt the same way when I first got here,” Bernadine told him truthfully. She had no idea how the urban kids were going to like being out on the Great American Plains, but she couldn’t worry about that now. She looked over at Devon and Zoey seated next to each other. “You two doing okay?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Devon said, answering for them both. “Thank you for the plane ride.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Zoey thanks you too.”

“You’re welcome, Zoey.” The little girl and the little deacon seemed to have bonded, and Bernadine saw that as a
positive sign. Something told her that Devon might be just the friend Zoey needed to get her talking again if it were at all possible.

When the limo turned into Tamar’s yard and Bernadine saw all the people standing around, she looked to Lily in confusion.

The kids were staring out of the one-way tinted windows as well.

Amari asked, “Are we here?”

“Yes,” she answered before asking Lily, “Is this part of Marie’s birthday party?”

“Not that I know of. Party’s not until tomorrow.”

The driver parked. As he came around and opened the door, Bernadine stepped out and heard a band of horns begin playing, “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Applause broke out. She stared around at all the smiling faces, then froze at the sight of the long white banner strung above Tamar’s porch that read in big letters:
WELCOME
, along with the names of the kids. Tamar stood beneath it beneath wearing a big grin and Bernadine realized this was a party, but for the kids. She wanted to kiss everybody for this kindness.

Grinning over at the musicians, who included Malachi, Trent, and Clay all dressed in black and wearing shades, she motioned for the kids to get out, and as they did the applause started again.

“Wow!” Preston said, looking around. “This is crazy.”

As she and Lily and the kids made their way to the porch, people Bernadine had never seen before came up to
shake the kids’ hands and welcome them to town. Others patted them on the backs and told the children how glad they were to have them there. The enthusiastic welcome left her speechless. By her guesstimate there had to be fifty or sixty people in Tamar’s front yard, and they were all clapping and cheering.

Crystal tugged on Bernadine’s sleeve. “Is this for us?”

Bernadine smiled, “Yes, ma’am. See your name up on the banner?”

Echoing Preston, all Crystal could manage to say was, “Wow.”

Feeling like a mother duck, Bernadine shepherded her ducklings to the porch, where the band was playing. Malachi blowing on a sax caught her eye and winked. She grinned.

Lily said, “Is this cool or what? I had no idea they were going to do this.”

Bernadine looked out over the crowd and was blown away, “You know I didn’t, but it is cool. Real cool.”

Tamar cut off the musicians and in the silence that followed said in a loud voice. “It’s not often that we get new residents, so I want to thank you all for coming out to meet our new kids. They and Ms. Brown represent the Henry Adams of the future.”

More applause. Tamar looked to Bernadine and said, “Would you do the honors and introduce them.”

So one by one, she introduced the children, and when their names were spoken each was given another rousing round of applause. Devon and Zoey looked uncertain,
Crystal waved like a Texas beauty queen, Preston grinned and bowed, but Amari struck a rapper’s pose, arms crossed, chin up. The crowd roared. All Bernadine could think was
Lord help us.

Tamar rolled her eyes at him and said, “We’re going to get these kids fed and home so they can relax. We’ll see you all tomorrow at Marie’s.”

Still wondering where all the people had come from, Bernadine directed the kids over to her trailer, and they went inside.

Inside, they looked around. Crystal said, “A trailer? I thought you lived in a mansion?”

“I told you I didn’t.”

“It’s nice though,” she said, looking around at the beautiful furniture, the art on the walls, and the sweet light fixtures and lamps.

“Thanks, Crystal. Make yourselves at home. We’ll be having dinner next door with Ms. July. After that, Crystal and Zoey will sleep here and the boys with Ms. July’s grandson, Trent July.” She saw Amari and Preston share a glance. Zoey and Devon shared one too, but none of the kids said anything.

She directed them to the restrooms and the bedroom where her big screen hung on the wall. “Go on in and get comfortable. And you older kids, nothing inappropriate on the tube. Devon and Zoey aren’t old enough for drama.”

Crystal shot a look at Amari, “Don’t worry.”

He rolled his eyes, and he and Preston headed off.

By the time everyone arrived for dinner, Tamar’s house
was hot and bursting at the seams. Luckily the meal would be held outside, where it wasn’t much cooler but at least there was a breeze. Joining the kids were Clay and Bing, Malachi and Trent, and Agnes and Marie. Trent brought in an old-fashioned ice cream churn and set it the shade near the house.

Introductions were made. The kids were polite but didn’t say much, as if they were waiting to see what kind of people the old people were going to turn out to be.

Bernadine looked over at Devon sitting in a lawn chair next to Zoey. “Would you like to bless the food?”

“Ye, ma’am.” He stood up and said, “Join hands, please.”

Tamar and the others stared at him curiously for a moment but did as instructed. Crystal changed spots so she wouldn’t have to hold Amari’s hand and went to stand between Trent and Lily. She looked up at Trent and asked coyly, “Are you going to be one of the foster parents?”

Lily glanced over. “Change places with me, Crystal.”

She poked out her heavily glossed bottom lip but did as she was told.

Preston snickered.

“What are you laughing at, Bubble Butt!”

“You don’t want to mess with me,” he warned her calmly.

“Why, you gonna sit on me?”

“Not unless I get shots first.”

Amari hollered ecstatically, “Yeah!” He broke the circle walked over and gave Preston five. “My man!”

Malachi looked at Trent, Trent looked at Bernadine, who looked at Tamar, who asked, “Are you three done? Do you see this boy standing here waiting to say grace?”

The three shrunk.

“Apologize, Crystal,” Tamar demanded.

“Why?”

“For calling Preston out of his name. And Preston, you apologize for that shots remark.”

They both looked mutinous.

Tamar folded her arms. “We’ll wait.”

They mumbled apologies in voices that could hardly be heard.

Tamar wasn’t through. “We are all family here in Henry Adams, and as family we don’t dis each other.”

“Did she just say, ‘dis’?” Amari asked surprised.

Bernadine smiled and nodded.

He looked Tamar up and down. “Who are you, Tyler Perry’s Madea?”

“Madea’s fiction. I’m not.”

“Oh.” From the look on his face it was easy to see that he had no more questions.

“Anything else?”

“No, ma’am. Not from me.”

Tamar turned to Devon. “Go ahead now, Devon.”

“Dear God. Thank you for this gathering today. Bless the food that we are going to eat and bless the hands that prepared it. Please stretch out your hand to the poor and to those who lift them up, so that your blessing will be complete. Amen.”

“Amen.”

It was a great meal. Lots of barbecued chicken and ribs, coleslaw, Marie’s prize-winning baked beans. Throw in some of Ms. Agnes’s light-as-a-cloud biscuits and you had a meal the kids kept getting more helpings of. It was obvious to Bernadine that the senior citizens had been cooking all day, and she loved them even more.

The ice cream was a big hit.

“What is that?” Amari asked when Trent dragged the churn and its tub over to the table.

“Ice-cream churn.”

“What?”

He took the top off and drew out the paddle, which was covered with the thick cold dessert. He grabbed one of plastic spoons and dipped out a small portion and passed it to Amari. “Taste.”

With all the skepticism of his age, he asked, “What is it?”

Clay told him, “Ice cream, man. You think we’re going to poison you your first day here?”

Bing tossed out. “The poison comes next week.”

Amari grinned, and while the other kids looked on, he popped the spoon into his mouth. He swooned, “Oh, this is the shit.”

“Amari!” Bernadine warned.

“Sorry, but this is good.”

So good in fact, that when Preston tried to go back for his
third
helping, Malachi said, “You’ve had enough, son. Too much and it’ll give you nightmares.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“You ever had homemade ice cream before today?”

“No.”

“I’ve had it all my life. Too much will give you nightmares.”

It was easy to see why the twelve-year-old was overweight; the boy was a heavyweight eater, and because of his asthma he probably got very little exercise. The disappointed Preston walked slowly back to his chair. Bernadine caught Malachi’s eye and mouthed a silent, thank you.

He nodded and put the top back on the churn. Tamar and the other ladies seemed taken by Devon and the silent Zoey, and so they spent most of the evening seated near the two, making sure they had enough to eat and were comfortable. They seemed to be, although with Zoey it was hard to tell. Bernadine had noticed the happy swing of her little feet in the green flip-flops when she’d been eating the ice cream, which let her know that underneath the traumatized surface was a child who could still be reached.

Crystal, on the other hand, continued to sulk. Marie tried to draw her out but was rebuffed, albeit politely, so folks just left her alone.

With the meal over, everyone pitched in to help clean up, and when they were done, everyone prepared to leave. Tamar had one last thing to say, though. “We’re all glad you children are here. Everybody in town is going to help with your raising, so if you need something, just ask. See you tomorrow.”

The kids said good night and Bernadine and Lily escorted them out.

Trent had the boys grab their stuff, and they left to
spend the night at one of the new trailers he’d claimed. Malachi, Clay, and Bing tagged along.

After Lily and Marie said their good-byes, Bernadine was left alone with Zoey and Crystal. “Guess that leaves us, ladies. Let’s go see your room.”