She went to the ATM and withdrew $120. Then she bought snacks to eat later on. When she returned outside, Carson opened the door for her, and Mariah entered the truck. They chatted and it didn't take long before the trio arrived at Mariah's house. Sonyell had certainly given Mariah food for thought during their conversation.
As Mariah exited the truck, she was filled with apprehension. What would she do if Carson put the moves on her? Or asked her for her telephone number? She felt comfortable with him, though she had just met him. There was an undeniable attraction between the two. The question in her mind was should she or shouldn't she act upon it?
Chapter Eight
Sonyell's landline telephone rang shrilly. She rose from the chair in the dining room and went toward the kitchen to answer the call. She looked at Sasha, warning, “I'll be right back. I want the last two math problems finished when I return, young lady.”
“I'm tired, Mommy,” Sasha whined.
“You're almost done; just finish those two problems, then we can call it a night.”
Sonyell walked rapidly into the kitchen, and removed the receiver of the gold wall phone. “Hello,” she said.
“You have a collect call from Marion Correctional Facility,” an automated tone informed her. “Do you accept the call?”
“Yes,” Sonyell said, as she smoothed her bangs off her forehead. A frown in the middle of her forehead marred her pretty face.
“Hey, baby girl, what's up?” Michael asked Sonyell. “How's Sasha?”
“We're both fine, Mike. She's finishing her homework. How are you doing?”
“I'm good. I haven't talked to you all week.”
“I know,” Sonyell replied. “You weren't on lockdown or anything, were you?” Her stomach muscles clenched sporadically.
“Naw, they're starting to process my release papers, and waiting to get phone time in this joint some days ain't a joke.”
“Hmm.” Sonyell removed her earring from her ear with her free hand. “I guess the time is right around the corner. Now, if you could just act right, and keep your nose out of trouble, it would be all good.”
“I promise, things are going to be different this time,” Michael responded ardently. “Sasha is growing up and I don't want her memories of me to be of me just behind bars. You and my moms have both told me that she's at the age where she needs me, and I promise I'm going to be there for her.”
“I hope so.” Sonyell sighed. “Unfortunately, I've heard that before.”
“I'm going to straighten up and fly right,” Michael asserted. “Hey, have you talked to my moms?”
“Yeah, I did last night. Miss Nedra is fine. I saw her at church Sunday.”
“She told me that your minister works with people with criminal records and helps them find jobs. I told her I'd talk to him.”
A thrill of hope enveloped Sonyell's body. In all the times Michael had been locked up, and released, he had never spoken of finding a job when he got out.
“She's right. Reverend Dudley has some city and state connections. He's been working hard to help men and women find jobs once they are released. I went to see him last week, and got some information from him on how the program works. I'll bring it up so you can look it over when I visit in two weeks.”
“So, you still plan on moving to Hammond?” Michael asked. He knew his time on the phone was growing short.
“Yes. Mari is moving this weekend, and Rocki and I will be moving into our houses the following weekend. I am really excited about moving to a new place, with a new job; it's like a fresh start,” Sonyell gushed.
“Do you think Mari might have something I can do?” Michael mused aloud. He turned and looked behind him. The line to use the telephone behind Michael had grown by leaps and bounds. The natives were getting restless.
“I don't know. . . .” Sonyell said doubtfully as she twisted the telephone cord. “I can talk to her about it.”
“It would look good on my papers if I can secure work before or right after I'm released.”
“I agree.” She nodded her head. “I'll see what she says, and tell you the next time I talk to you.”
“I got to go, baby girl. Tell Sasha I said hi, and I love her, and ditto that for you. Thanks, Sonni, for hanging in there with me. I promise things are going to be different this time.”
“Love you too, babe. I'll talk to you next time.”
They hung up the telephones.
Sonyell stood in the kitchen wonderingly for a few moments. She then rushed back to the dining room. Sasha's head was resting on her arms atop the table. Sonyell picked up her homework and noted her daughter had completed her math homework. The answers were correct. She gently pulled her daughter's shoulder. “Come on, sleepyhead, let's get you ready for bed.”
Sasha stood up and rubbed her eyes. “Was that my daddy on the phone?” she asked her mother.
Sonyell nodded as they walked down the hallway to the bedrooms, which were across the hall from each other. “He said to tell you hi and that he loves you.”
“I can hardly wait for my daddy to come home,” Sasha said enthusiastically. She walked into her bedroom and took her pajamas from a hook inside the closet. Then she walked to the bathroom.
“Don't forget to brush your teeth,” Sonyell reminded her daughter.
After Sasha closed the bathroom door, Sonyell walked to her bedroom. The house was overcrowded with boxes and her bedroom was no exception. She was looking forward to the move. She and Sasha felt like they'd been invaded by brown boxes.
Sonyell took an outfit out of her closet to wear to work the following day. She eyed the olive green suit critically and decided it needed pressing. She laid the suit and blouse on the bed. Then, she sat down. She closed her eyes and prayed. “Lord, please let Michael get it right this time. Anybody can change it they want to, and especially if they have you in their corner. I want so much for things to go right for us this time. Sasha is growing up and she needs her father. Father, please put it on his heart to get his life together. These blessings I pray in your Son's name. Amen.”
Sonyell went back into the dining room and looked at her cell phone. She debated calling Mariah, but she knew if Mariah needed her that she would call.
She laid the cell phone back on the table, when it chimed, indicating she had an incoming call. Sonyell glanced at the caller ID unit and saw that it was Rocki. She pressed the accept call button. “Hey, girl, what's happening?” Sonyell walked back to her bedroom.
“Nothing much. My feet are aching. I had a busy day at the shop. Tuesday is my last day at work and then I'm going to finish packing next week.”
“Good. I'm just about done. I have a few things to pack on the day of the move. Other than that, I'm moving right along. You may want to come over one day next week before you pack up your tools, and hook a sista and her daughter up.”
“I think I can manage that. Did you talk to Mari today? I called her, but she didn't call me back. She must have been busy. Mari usually calls me in the evening.” Raquel was sitting in her living room on the sofa. She picked up the remote control for the television, and channel surfed.
“I did.” Sonyell brought Rocki up to date on the falling-out between Mariah and Rosemary.
“That's too bad. I know Mari must be torn up,” Raquel commented as she turned to BET.
“You're right, she didn't take it well at all. I started to call Mrs. Green and ask her if she would reconsider. But, then I thought I should stay out of it,” Sonyell confided to Raquel.
“You're right, just stay out of it. Personally, if it was me, I wouldn't want my grandmother living with me. She would just cramp my style.” Raquel crinkled her nose.
Sonyell laughed. “That's true, but we know Mari isn't nearly the social creature you are.”
“Maybe without Mrs. Green hovering in the background, she will be,” Raquel threw in.
“Somehow I doubt that, but I guess one can hope. Mari's car broke down and a nice brother came to her rescue. He sounded fine over the phone.”
“He did? Dang, some sistas get all the breaks. I wonder if he has a brother or a good friend,” Raquel said. Her telephone receiver was nestled against her neck. She filed her nails with an emery board as she talked. “Did she tell you how he looked?”
“She did and he sounds like a keeper, after she learns some more vital information. She had me on the line with her, until she felt comfortable with him. She should be at her house by now. I'm going to call her when I get off the phone with you.”
“You're right about the vitals. Is he married, or does he have any children, does he have his own place, and most of all is he gainfully employed. We don't want her hooking up with a street entrepreneur.”
“You're right, and I don't think Mari would have let him wait with her until a tow truck came if he wasn't an okay brother.”
Raquel stopped filing her nails. “Yeah, you're right about that. Our girl is cautious if nothing else.”
“Mommy, I'm done,” Sasha yelled as she came out of the bathroom. She looked pretty in pink pajamas.
“Okay, Sasha, give me a minute.” Sonyell looked over at her daughter. She returned her attention to the telephone. “Rocki, I've got to go. I'll call you back if I have time; if not I'll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Have a good evening. Tell Sasha I said hey, and I'll talk to you.”
The call ended. Sonyell went into Sasha's bedroom. She tied a wrap scarf around Sasha's head. Mother and daughter sat on the side of the bed and talked for a few minutes. Later, Sasha said her prayers. Then she got under the covers. Sonyell kissed her daughter good night, turned off the light, and walked to her bedroom.
She removed her outer garments then went to the bathroom to shower. Afterward, she brushed her teeth and returned to her bedroom. She turned the radio to a soft jazz station, and pulled out her Bible to study her daily devotional. Later, she asked God to forgive her for her sins, and thanked Him for the blessings He had bestowed upon her.
Sonyell stood up and dropped to her knees. She clasped her hands together and closed her eyes. She prayed, “Lord, please be with my Mikey tonight. I hope he's trying as hard as he can to get himself together. But if he doesn't then he's history. Lord, I want so much for usâSasha, him, and meâto be a real family.” Every night since Michael's sentencing, sitting in the courtroom and learning her lover's fate, Sonyell said a special nightly prayer for Michael.
Unbeknownst to Sonyell, Sasha had sneaked out of bed and watched her mother pray on more than one occasion. And tonight was no exception. The young girl's eyes filled with tears as she listened to her mother implore God. Sasha scampered ever so quietly back to her room on the dark, carpeted floor, and returned to her bedroom.
As she lay under the comforter, Sasha's mind wandered back to a conversation she'd had with her grandmother, Miss Nedra, about her mother's nightly prayer. The young girl also opened up to her grandmother regarding her feelings about her father being incarcerated. Miss Nedra bade the girl to always love her father. And she told her how Michael meant well, but he just couldn't always control his impulses and deliver on his promises. Miss Nedra told the young girl that her father had been talking to a doctor inside the prison about his behavior, and that her father seemed to be doing better. She also told Sasha not to worry because her mother was strong. If need be, Sonyell could function as mother and father if Michael couldn't get himself together.
Lastly, Miss Nedra told her youngest grandchild not to even worry because she had a Heavenly Father who would always be with and for her. She explained to the girl how God sent angels to help us to through the rough patches of life. Miss Nedra promised Sasha that she would always be there to help guide her. Sasha closed her eyes and said her prayers again. Then, as she fell asleep, a smile filled her lips.
A half hour later, Sonyell walked from her room to her daughter's bedroom. She pulled the comforter over Sasha's arms and kissed her daughter's cheek. When Sonyell returned to her bedroom, she sat on the side of the bed. Then, she glanced at the clock on her nightstand. Sonyell wondered why Mariah hadn't called her. She arose from the bed and took her phone off the charger that sat on her dresser. Mariah quickly dialed Mariah's telephone number. Her body tensed and she held her breath waiting for Mariah to answer the phone.
Chapter Nine
Mariah waved good-bye to Alex. He tooted his horn lightly as he drove down the street. She was just getting ready to tell Carson good night when her cell phone sounded. She pulled it out of her purse, which sat under the glider on the porch. “Excuse me,” she told Carson, “this is one of my friends. I have to take this call.” Mariah walked to the other end of the porch.
Though the night was chilly, the stars twinkled in the clear sky, like blinking lights on a Christmas tree. A full moon showered the couple with a dim light, like a candle.
“Girl, what's going on? Is he still there?” Sonyell queried her friend.
“Yes, he is,” Mariah responded. “He's getting ready to leave now. I'll call you back in a few minutes.”
“You'd better. Don't have me get Sasha up and we drive out to Hammond to check on you,” Sonyell warned her friend before they ended the call.
Mariah pressed the disconnect button and dropped her cell phone in her jacket pocket. She walked back to the other side of the porch where Carson was sitting. He stood up. “I know you must be tired. Before I go I wanted to ask you if you are related to man who owned his house. Mr. Ellison? When you told me his address, I thought I recognized it.”
Mariah's body trembled. “Uh, yeah, I am. Did you know him?” She couldn't prevent her voice from cracking.
“Yes, Mr. Ellison was a mentor and friend to me. He passed not too long ago, and his wife a short time before he did. So how are you related to him?” Carson's eyes raked over Mariah's body. Then understanding dawned in his eyes. “You look like Mr. Ellison; are you his daughter?”
Mariah couldn't trust herself to speak. She nodded her head.
“Wow, it's a small world. Imagine me running into Mr. Ellison's daughter. He mentored me when I was a boy. He volunteered at the Boys & Girls Club in Hammond.”
“Did he really?” Mariah tried but couldn't keep bitterness from seeping into her voice.
“Yeah, he did a lot of good things for the community, especially for African Americans. He is still sorely missed.” Carson couldn't help but notice the look of distress on Mariah's face.
“That's good.” Her voice became tight. “Maybe I will learn something of the man. I never knew him and still don't.”
“He was a good guy. Everyone who knew him respected him. He did a lot for many people. He helped me start my business. In fact he was my silent partner. When he passed, he left me his share.”
“If he was such a good guy, then I wonder why he never did anything for me,” Mariah said sadly. She spoke her thoughts aloud before she could catch herself.
“I can't answer that, but I can tell you he was a good guy. He told me bits and pieces about his background, which I would be glad to share with you.”
“I would definitely be interested in hearing that story one day,” Mariah said. She yawned, covered her mouth, uncovered it, and then said to Carson, “I'm really tired. It's been a long day. I really need to get some rest. I have a lot of tasks planned for tomorrow.” She fumbled in her pocket for the keys to the house. Mariah felt them and pulled them out.
“I understand. Look, if you need any help with anything, feel free to call me.” He fumbled in his pocket for a business card and came up empty.
“If there is anything I can do for you, Carson, let me know. I appreciate all your help tonight. I don't know what I would have done had you not stopped to help me.”
“Oh, I'm sure you would have figured something out. I do have a request of you, though.”
“What might that be?” Mariah looked at him and then down at her feet. She couldn't mistake the look of interest in his green eyes.
“How about going to dinner with me over the weekend? I think that would even up the score between us.” Carson looked at Mariah hopefully.
“Not this weekend. I'm moving from Chicago to the house”âshe gestured behind herâ“this weekend.”
“All the better to have brunch or dinner with me on Sunday. You will still be in the process of unpacking, so going out for a meal will give you a break. If not this weekend what about the following one?” Carson extended his hands as he pleaded his case.
“Hmmm.” Mariah narrowed her eyes. “Let me think about it. I may be too tired to get dressed and go out to eat.”
“Fair enough,” Carson conceded. He pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. He wrote down the name of his business and telephone number. “In case you lost my number. I've written it down again. let me know what you decide. I'll be looking forward to your call.” he handed the paper to Mariah.
Her hands closed around the piece of paper. “Okay.” Mariah exhaled loudly. “I guess so, but let's say tentatively this Sunday, unless something comes up.”
“You got a deal.” Carson held out his hand and Mariah took it. He clasped her hand warmly.
Electrical sparks seemed to course up her arm. They weren't unpleasant at all.
A smile filled Mariah's face as she watched Carson lock the gate behind him. “Uh, Mariah,” he said.
“Yes, Carson,” she replied. Her eyes were twinkling.
“Two more things: can I get your digits, and is it okay if I come by Saturday to help you move?” He took his cell phone out of his pocket and looked at Mariah pleadingly.
Mariah recited her cell phone while Carson programmed the number into his phone.
“You really don't have to come here on Saturday. I have movers; everything is under control,” Mariah told him.
“You never know what might come up. You might need my help again.” Carson smiled engagingly at Mariah. His grin warmed her heart. She beamed his way.
“I guess so.” She turned to unlock the front door, and then turned back around. “Hey, Carson,” she said.
Carson faced her. “Yes?”
“You aren't married or anything, are you?” She gazed at him with a penetrating stare.
“No, I'm not married or anything.” Carson shook his head with a serious expression. “I'm not that kind of man. Give me time and you'll find out. Have a good evening, Mariah Green. It was a pleasure meeting you. I have a feeling we're going to become good friends.”
Mariah blushed and waved at Carson. She watched him get inside his truck, which was parked in the rear of the driveway. He waited for her to go inside the house. Then he honked his horn and drove off.
Mariah flipped on the light switch after she walked into the foyer. She set her bag from the store on the dining room table and walked to the living room. Mariah turned on the table light and sat on the sofa.
The contemporary living room and dining room set she had ordered had been delivered yesterday. She also bought a wall-mounted flat-screen television. She requested that the delivery men remove the television console from the room. She left the picture of Harold and his wife over the fireplace.
She looked at her father and his wife and shook her head. “How could you work with boys and girls and not do anything for me? I don't understand you at all.” She picked the remote off the cocktail table and turned on the television. She decided to sleep downstairs for the night. Mariah didn't have any nightclothes so she would have to wing it and sleep in her clothing and hope she didn't look too disheveled in the morning.
Mariah checked her phone for missed calls and saw that Rosemary had called a couple of times. She decided to call her back in the morning. Mariah didn't want to turn the heat on, so she ventured upstairs to get a comforter and blanket out of the linen closet.
When she opened the closet door, she saw a pair of pajamas, with the price tag still attached, folded on the shelf. Mariah had forgotten to put it with the other clothes she had donated to the Salvation Army. Based on photographs Mariah had seen of Dorothy, she appeared to be plus sized. Mariah held up the pajamas; they were a little large for her. Still Mariah was glad that she wouldn't have to sleep in her clothes. She quickly shucked her clothing off and put on the PJs.
After she put on the nightclothes, Mariah went back downstairs and set the burglar alarm. She had bought a bag of Goldfish Crackers and a bottle of 7 Up. She eagerly tore open the bag and munched on the snack. She took a pad of paper out of her purse and added grocery shopping to her to-do list. When she finished eating, Mariah relaxed her body against the back of the sofa, and thought about her day. She focused on Rosemary declining to move to Hammond, and then meeting Carson. She had to admit she felt a spark of attraction between them. He was very handsome, a pretty boy turned man. She had sworn off pretty boys a long time ago. They were way too much work. She wondered if he was interested in her for herself, or because of the money he must have known that she had inherited. “Only time will tell,” she told herself.
Mariah looked at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. She noted it was nearly ten o'clock. She picked up her cordless phone off the end table and dialed Sonyell's number.
“What took you so long to call? I was getting ready to put on my clothes, get Sasha to the car, and drive out there,” Sonyell scolded her friend after she answered the telephone.
“I talked to Carson for a little while. I was starving, so I ate the snacks I bought. I changed clothes and made a bed on my new leather sofa. Thank God, it was delivered today. So I'm just getting around to calling you.”
“Good. I really was worried, Mari. I'm glad everything turned out okay. You really took a chance depending on a stranger for help. He could have been a crazy.”
“He turned out to be a godsend. Can you believe he actually knew my father? You know I'm going to pick his brain.”
“Hmm, is that so? Do you plan on seeing him again?” Sonyell tried to keep the excitement out of her voice. She sat upright in the bed.
“Well, we have a date of sorts on Sunday.”
“You don't waste time.” Sonyell cackled. “What do you mean by a date of sorts? Either you do or you don't.”
“I guess we do,” Mariah said wonderingly. “We definitely do.”
“Cool beans. It's about time you got out and tested the waters again.” Sonyell lay back in the bed.
“I don't know about this, Sonni. He knows that Harold Ellison is my father. He spotted the resemblance. How do I know that he likes me for me and not for the money I inherited?”
“You don't. You're a smart woman, you'll figure it out. I've got to go. I have to go to work early in the morning. Since I gave my month's notice, they have found a million things for me to do before I leave. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Oh, did you call Granny?” Sonyell turned off the light on her nightstand.
“No, I didn't. I thought it was too late, that she was probably asleep. I'll call her in the morning.”
“You know that you're wrong. She called here earlier looking for you. I told her I would have you call her. Now, would you please do that?”
“I'll think about it. Good night, Sonni. Thanks for having my back.”
“That's what sista/friends are for. Sleep tight.”
The women hung up. Mariah held the cordless phone in her hand indecisively for a few minutes. Then she dialed Rosemary's number.
The older woman didn't sound like she been asleep. “Mari, I've been sick with worry. Why didn't you call me sooner? Where are you?” Rosemary asked tensely.
“I'm all right. I decided to stay in Hammond tonight. I had car trouble. I just got here a little while ago.”
“Praise God, you're okay. I'm sorry you're upset with me for not moving with you. But, I feel my decision is the right one for both of us.”
“I think I would feel better if you moved out the projects. Why won't you at least let me buy you a house? You could stay in Chicago, but just not in the projects.”
“I don't want you to spend your money on me, Mari. I am independent and I want to stay that way as long as I can. Now if something changes, then we'll talk about it at a later date. Can we call a truce?” Rosemary voice was full of trepidation. She clutched the telephone receiver tightly in her hand.
“Do I really have a choice?” Mariah sighed. “I guess so.” She shifted her body on the couch.
“Thank you, baby,” Rosemary said, relief evident in her voice. “I want you to enjoy your life and enjoy the new projects you are about to embark on. I know with God's help, you are going to make a difference in the lives of people in Hammond the way you have in the Garden.”
“I plan to. I know you have to go to work tomorrow. So I'm going to let you go. If I decide to stay here tomorrow I'll let you know.”
“Fair enough. I love you, Mari. I only want the best things in life for you and Cassie. I hope you'll still consider finding a good rehabilitation facility for her. Don't let your anger about the things she didn't do for you while you were growing up cloud your judgment. Praise the Father that you are in a position to help her. Maybe she might turn her life around.”