Chapter Ten
Mariah had been on pins and needles the remaining days leading up to her moving date. By eight o'clock Saturday morning her stress level had rapidly accelerated. The weatherman had predicted rain in Hammond. When Mariah returned home Thursday evening after work, she resumed packing. As the day elapsed and Friday was upon her, Mariah reflected on how drastically her life was about to change and prayed that God would be with her every step of the way. Her mind like a needle on a vinyl record was stuck on the same melody:
Granny won't be living with me anymore
. Every time that thought crossed Mariah's mind, her inhalations seemed to slow down and get stuck in her throat. The thought of not seeing Granny every day caused a sensation to trickle through Mariah's body. Like a giant finger poked her in the middle of her back, that was sending her reeling into uncharted waters.
She had just put the last pieces of her clothing inside a box. Mariah left her room and walked into the bathroom. She verified that she'd removed all her personal belongings. She opened the medicine chest, and scanned it quickly. Nothing.
She had returned to her bedroom when the doorbell rang. When Mariah opened the door, Sonyell and Raquel stood at there with cups of coffee, bagels, croissants, and a fruit tray for breakfast. After they went into the kitchen, Sonyell removed the food from the bags. Rosemary came down the stairs; she was dressed in a blue sweat suit.
“I see you girls brought breakfast. I planned to fix my grandbaby her last morning meal at this house. Since today is the M day.” Rosemary brought her shaking hands up to her midsection and clutched them together.
“I'm afraid we don't have time for that,” Mariah informed her grandmother. “The movers will be here soon. Let's just eat what the girls bought. I'll come visit you one morning next week before you go to work, and you can spoil me rotten, like you did when I was a child.” She swallowed tears and then ran from the kitchen upstairs to her bedroom.
Rosemary looked toward the staircase; matching tears to Mariah's sprang into her eyes. Everyone looked at other in amazement. Raquel's mouth formed a perfect O, while Sonyell's eyes widened dramatically. Sasha looked dismayed. “Is Aunt Mari all right?” she asked Sonyell fearfully. Her knuckles appeared to be glued to her mouth.
“I guess I'd better go up and see her. Let us know when the mover gets here,” Rosemary finally said with a grim look on her face. She marched up the stairs while everyone watched her ascent. A chorus of babbling ensued in the kitchen between Sonyell and Raquel after Rosemary arrived upstairs.
Mariah stood at the window wiping tears from her eyes; she turned toward the door when Rosemary came into the room.
Rosemary walked over to her granddaughter and the women hugged each other tightly, for a long time. Rosemary led Mariah to the bed.
“Come on now, you're too old for this,” she tried to tease Mariah. “You're moving about fifteen miles away and you're blubbering like you're moving to Africa or someplace.”
“Granny, it just doesn't feel right, you not moving with me,” Mariah blurted out.
“It might not feel right today, but give it some time. You knew you had to leave the nest one day, and that day is today.” Rosemary nodded her head, while she wiped a tear from Mariah's cheek.
“I want you to come with me,” Mariah said stubbornly like she was a ten-year-old child.
“We've had this discussion. You're twenty-nine years old, Mariah. It's time you stand on your own two feet. I feel like a mother bird, pushing her baby out of the nest.” Rosemary tsked.
“I know you're right, I'm just afraid,” Mariah mumbled.
Rosemary took her granddaughter's hand. “You have nothing to be afraid of. Once you make up your mind to do something, you do it and do it well. I don't live that far from you. I promise I'm going to come and stay with you next weekend.”
The doorbell rang.
“That's probably the movers,” Rosemary said matter-of-factly. She stood up. “Mari, I love you so much. God has good things in store for you. Now it's time for you to embrace all the blessings He's going to send your way. You will be fine. I'm going to miss you like the dickens, but I know it's the right thing for me to do, to stay here and you move to Indiana. Now, go wipe your face, and then join us downstairs so we can get this party on the road.”
Mariah swallowed hard. She hugged Rosemary again and went to the bathroom. She ran a towel over her face, while Rosemary went to her bedroom and got her purse. She wiped a few tears from her own face. When she went downstairs, Mariah was instructing the men on what tasks needed to be completed.
“What do you need us to do?” Sonyell asked, with her hands on her hips.
“Not too much. If you just put my television and a few of the boxes in my bedroom in your car, that would be a big help. The boxes contain my cosmetics and books, those kinds of things,” Mariah told her friends.
An hour and a half later, Mariah went to upstairs to her now empty bedroom. For sentimental reasons she decided to keep her bedroom set. She planned to store it at the new house. She was astounded at how small the room seemed. She planned to take her granny shopping and buy new furniture for Rosemary's house the upcoming week. Mariah took one last peep inside the closet. She walked to Rosemary's room and removed her purse from Rosemary's closet. She had put it there while the movers were removing the possessions from her room. Mariah put the strap on her shoulder and joined the women downstairs.
“Is there anything else?” a mover asked Mariah.
She shook her head and looked around the kitchen and into the living room. “That's it.”
“Okay, then. We'll be on our way. See you in Hammond.” He departed the room and went out the door.
Sonyell grabbed one of Mariah's arms and Raquel the other one. She said, “Let's get out of here before she changes her mind.”
Rosemary threw back her head and laughed. “I know that's right.”
After the friends went outside, Rosemary pulled the door shut and locked it.
“Mommy, can I ride with Aunt Mari?” Sasha asked her mother hopefully.
“If it's all right with Mari, then you can,” Sonyell answered.
“Can I, Aunt Mari?” the young girl asked Mariah hopefully.
“I'm going to ride with Sonni and Rocki,” Rosemary informed her granddaughter. She knew that Sasha's constant chatter would keep Mariah's mind occupied. Mariah wouldn't have time to dwell on Rosemary not moving with her.
“Of course you can,” Mariah told Sasha while she and the girl walked to Mariah's silver Toyota 4Runner.
“I like Aunt Mari's new truck,” Sasha said as she got inside the vehicle.
Rosemary and Sonyell entered Raquel's midnight-blue Chevy TrailBlazer.
Mariah and Sasha chatted during the drive. The day was sunny and bright. Traffic slowed down due to an accident ten minutes into the trip. By the time Mariah exited the expressway, pricks of excitement danced in her stomach. Quiet as it was kept, she was truly excited about the move. Before long Mariah parked in front of her new lodgings. Raquel pulled in behind her.
The moving truck had not arrived yet.
The women exited the car and walked up the stairs leading to the entrance of the house. Sasha asked if she stay on the porch and swing on the glider.
“You can for a minute,” Sonyell informed her daughter. “It's cold outside. But, you're going to help Aunt Mari get situated. So don't get too comfortable.”
Mariah opened the door and the women followed her inside.
“Wow, you did a lot of shopping,” Sonyell noted as she looked at the stacks of boxes piled neatly in the living and dining room.
“Well, I thought the room needed lighter colors after the painter finished painting the exterior of the house.” Mariah beamed. “Come see what I did with the kitchen.”
Rosemary, Sonyell, and Raquel followed Mariah into the kitchen.
“I like it. The marble countertops and new appliances are great. Have you done anything upstairs?” Raquel asked.
“Not yet. I want to do some remodeling up there, particularly in the attic. Luckily there's a bedroom down here, and I'm going to bunk there temporarily. I plan to talk to construction crews next week and take some bids.”
“Listen to her,” Raquel commented. “I swear she sounds so professional. I need to go to the little girls' room; I'll be right back.” Raquel departed from the kitchen and to the powder room.
Beep! Beep! sounded from outside.
“That must be the movers,” Mariah exclaimed excitedly. She flew out of the house.
Rosemary and Sonyell chuckled. Then they followed their friend outside.
Mariah directed the truck driver to the driveway leading to the rear of the house. She turned to Rosemary and said, “I kept some of my dad's things and put them in the coach house. You know I've been going through his and his wife's things in my spare time.”
“Hmm, have you found anything interesting?” Rosemary inquired. She too was caught up in the excitement.
“Not yet. I had the coach house painted. It can be used by the director of the transitional home when the time comes,” Mariah answered. The women followed her into the small dwelling.
“It's so quaint, I love it,” Sonyell proclaimed upon entering the house.
They took a quick tour and then returned to the main house.
By afternoon, the movers had completed their work. Mariah had special ordered a dining set, and other furniture. She had visited the new house several times. Mariah had decided to order furniture for it now instead of later. That would be one less chore she would have to do later down the road. Plus, it wasn't like she had to move far from where she was staying.
The store called that morning to say the set had come in. She asked the movers if they would pick it and for a fee they agreed.
Sasha said, “I'm hungry, do you have anything to eat, Aunt Mari?”
“Oh no,” Mariah moaned, “I forget to order food.” She smacked her forehead and twisted her lips.
“Not to worry,” Raquel interjected. “I made a pan of lasagna last night, and brought Italian bread.”
“I made a salad. I also stopped by the Chicken Shack last night and bought wings and pop. So you're good for now. I suggest you go grocery shopping tomorrow,” Sonyell admonished her friend playfully.
“You're right,” Mariah said chastened. She looked downward, then up. “I didn't even think about buying groceries. I'm so used to Granny having dinner ready when I come home.”
The doorbell sounded. Mariah said, “I wonder who that could be.” She walked to the front door and peered out the peephole. “Reverend Dudley,” she cried out after she opened the door. “I didn't expect to see you today. Please come in.” She stood aside so he could enter the house.
“A little bird told me you were moving today. She also requested”âhis eyes darted toward Rosemary and he smiledâ“that I come and bless your new house.”
“You guys think of everything,” she told her grandmother and friends. She turned back to Reverend Dudley. “I would be so appreciative if you would bless my house. We're going to eat shortly. Reverend Dudley, you are more than welcome to join us.”
Mariah took Reverend Dudley on a quick tour. When the two returned to the living room, everyone stood and joined hands. They closed their eyes.
Reverend Dudley said, “Father above, thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon Mariah. We know that your faithful servant will continue to do great works in your name. Father, we ask that you bless this house and the many endeavors Mariah is about to embark on. Keep her safe from harm and danger. Let your light shine upon her. These blessings I ask in your Son's name. Amen.”
Mariah shook Reverend Dudley's hand. “Thank you, Pastor. This is a great start to my move. As I mentioned earlier we are about to eat. Would you join us?”
Reverend Dudley looked at his wrist. “I'd love to, Mariah, but I have an appointment in an hour. I need to start back to the city. The house is beautiful. I know you're going to enjoy living here. I'll see you at church tomorrow, Rosemary.” He nodded at her. “I'm sure you're going to be busy the rest of the day and probably tired. I'll see you next Sunday, Mariah.”
Mariah and Rosemary walked outside with the pastor. Meanwhile, Sonyell and Raquel walked to Raquel's car. With Sasha's help they removed beverages and snacks from the vehicle. They took them inside to the kitchen where they warmed up the food.
Before long the five of them sat in Mariah's kitchen, eating to their hearts' content. Mariah wiped her hands on a napkin. “At least it didn't rain, as the weatherman predicted. I think the move went well.” She balled the napkin up and laid it back on the table. She pushed her chair back, picked up a can of Pepsi, and sipped from it.