Authors: Faith
“Smells good, huh?” Mama Eloise chuckled. “There’s a paper plate at the bottom. Just put a little bit of everything on it.”
She then turned her attention towards Bernice. “Now friend, I love you dearly, and I’m about to get you right. But I can only do so much. Now, I heard you up here giving these good people hell. Stop it! Get it together! Have you come back from the brink of death to act a fool? Oh no, not on my watch! Now, I don’t know how it feels not to be able to talk, especially when running your mouth is a gift, and a curse.” She winked at Bernice, which made Bernice chuckle. “Now see? That’s my friend! We need you to get it together now. I personally need you back.”
She reached over and took the plate out of the nurse’s hand, and just like a loving friend, Mama Eloise spoon-fed Bernice a plate of goodness made with love as if she was a baby. And Bernice ate.
Mama Eloise turned to the nursing assistant and said, “See? Now that’s how it’s done.” She then looked the woman up and down and said, “Baby girl, you look like you could use a meal or two. Now there’s plenty, and there are some more plates at in the bag. Fix you a plate and maybe it’ll plump up that booty of yours. What’s your name, baby?”
“I’m Angie,” the nurse replied.
“Well, I’m Mama Eloise. Nice to meet you, Angie. Now go on and fix you a plate.”
“Thank you so much! It smells so good. I’m going to tear this at lunch.”
“Now friend, you’ve been missing the action. You know I got a little friend. He seemed really nice, but friend, I haven’t heard from him. I mean, I only almost died, and all got was one phone call. What is that about?”
Bernice put her hand to her ear, and made the sign for a telephone.
“Did I call him?”
Bernice nodded yes.
“Girl, no I didn’t call him. He’s the man; he’s supposed to call
me
! Shoot!” Mama Eloise said.
________
The next day, Mama Eloise was relaxing at home alone when the doorbell rang. She opened the door to George Bradley standing there.
“Well, hello stranger!” she mean mugged him.
“May I come in?” George asked with a pitiful look on his face.
“Yeah, come on in.” She stepped aside so he could enter.
He waited for her, and followed her into the living room and took a seat on the sofa.
“So, what brings you over here, considering that I haven’t heard from you?” Mama Eloise asked, giving him the evil eye.
“I owe you an apology. Eloise, I’m sorry. I really am. When I didn’t know if you were going to make it or not, I became so angry that I cursed God. I couldn’t believe He was doing this to me again when I had finally found someone so amazing. I was so angry that when I found out you would be okay, I couldn’t face you. You are a woman of great faith, and I allowed mine to be shaken.”
“Is that all?” Her left eyebrow raised underneath her glasses.
“That’s major, Eloise. What do you mean?” George asked, surprised by her response.
“I thought you were no longer interested,” she confessed.
He reached over and grabbed her hand. “I’m struggling with my faith; I’m not crazy!”
They both laughed.
“You crazy old man! Everybody struggles with their faith sometimes. Losing your faith is one thing; struggling with it in a time of crisis is called human nature.”
“You mean to tell me that a woman of God like you struggles with your faith?”
“I’m not God, George,” she laughed. Look a-here. I don’t expect you to fill my late husband’s shoes. He had a calling and an anointing on his life. That was his walk. You are a good man, you love God, and until here recently, you treated me great. So, I’ll give you a pass this time, but you need to work on your communication skills.”
“So you’re not kicking me to the curb?”
“Kicking you to the curb? Where did you get that from?” Mama Eloise laughed so hard she grabbed her chest.
“Stop laughing at me. My daughter told me to get over here and make it right before you kicked me to the curb.”
“Lord have mercy!” She shook her head and smiled.
“I’m so happy you are okay. I know I’ve been getting on Madear’s nerves asking about you.”
“Yeah you have, but I’m glad you stopped by.”
“Would you like to go out to dinner with a silly old man?” George asked and winked.
“As the kids say, that sounds cool!”
________
Andrew and Elisea both plopped down on the couch at James’ house. Andrew had been taking care of his niece, Winnie while the newlyweds were on their honeymoon.
“It’s been a long day,” Andrew said and yawned.
“Yes it has. Who knew a six year old had so much energy? My feet are killing me!”
“Well, let me help you out with that.” Andrew patted his thigh for Elisea to put her feet on his lap.
“Say what?” she asked in a smart tone.
“You heard me. Give me those feet.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Why are you so difficult, woman? Somebody must have hurt you terribly.” Andrew stared at her as if he was trying to figure her out.
Elisea sucked her teeth.
“See! That’s what I’m talking about. We’ve been hanging together for a while now, and the wall you have built up around yourself is a tough one. You may think you’re protecting yourself, but all you’re doing is hurting yourself.”
“And how is that?” she snapped.
“Your feet are hurting, so you say, and all I did was offer to rub your funky feet, because you didn’t have to spend the entire day hanging out with me and my niece.”
Elisea was taken off guard by his bluntness. “My feet aren’t funky for one. And secondly, she’s my niece too. How about that?” Then her voice softened, thinking about her past mistakes. “And you’re absolutely right. I guess I have put a wall up, but I have my reasons.”
“Let me see. Give me those feet. “
Reluctantly, she slipped off of her Michael Kors flats, swung her legs over and put her feet on his lap.
Andrew lifted up Elisea’s feet and sniffed them.
“What are you doing, crazy?” she chuckled.
“I’m sniffing these dogs.”
“Well?” Elisea smiled at him.
“Hmm… well, they aren’t funky. They’re actually kind of cute. I think somebody just got a pedi.”
“Just get to rubbing!”
“Yes, Ma’am!” he said, and began rubbing her feet.
It felt good and relaxing to Elisea, so laid her head back and closed her eyes.
“So, tell me E. What is it going to take for me to break down that wall of yours?” Andrew asked.
Elisea opened up one eye. “Just keep rubbing.”
Andrew laughed. “Okay, E. Whatever you say. But let me say this: you are beautiful, talented and sexy without trying to be sexy. You love God, and your spirit is mesmerizing. And although you’re a tough nut to crack, I’m up for the job. I just ask that you give a brother a chance. I’m not
him!
” Andrew intensified his massaging of her feet.
“Well, let me ask you something. What do you want from me? I already messed up once, so casual sex is off the table.”
“E, I’ve had my share of casual sex, and although it was good at the moment, I didn’t sell my company to find a woman to have casual sex with. Life was passing me by. I’m looking for a wife, not a cut buddy.”
“I hear you, and I commend you for having the courage to step out on faith. And may I add, your hands are magical!”
“Don’t start falling in love with me now! I can’t have you showing up at my door wanting a foot massage!” Andrew teased.
“You are so silly!” Elisea laughed.
“It’s good to see you smile. I’m glad that I had something to do with it,” Andrew said, looking at her.
“You’re a’ight. Thank you for the foot rub. Now, let me return the favor.”
Andrew perked up and asked, “You wanna massage my dogs?”
“Ugh no! But I will cook you dinner.”
“You can cook too?”
“I can do it all. You ain’t know? Let’s see what he’s got in this kitchen.”
“My kind of woman!” Andrew said, following behind Elisea and watching her booty jiggle as she walked.
He watched as Elisea made a chicken and broccoli casserole with the ingredients she found in the kitchen. He offered to help, but she wouldn’t have it. Instead, they enjoyed each other’s company and shared their life experiences with each other.
Chapter 9
James and Lizzie returned from their honeymoon. Lizzie had a glow about her that didn’t go unnoticed. The girls couldn’t wait to get her alone to get all the juicy details on how she enjoyed being a married woman.
Mama Eloise found herself staring at her baby, because she was a woman now. She had already had a talk with James, and felt that her baby’s happiness would be his first priority.
The family sat around laughing and talking when Edem’s cell phone went off. he removed himself from the room so that he could hear. When he returned and it looked like all of the color had drained from his face.
“Baby, what’s wrong? Edem?” Mama Eloise instantly became concerned.
“Baby brother, say something!” Junior demanded.
“It’s Lewis… he’s dead.” Edem dropped his head and walked out of the room.
Ruthie got up to follow him, but Junior stopped her. “I got this,” he said, and followed Edem outside where he found him sitting out on the patio with his head in his hands.
Junior sat down next to him and put his arm around his brother to console him. “Edem what happened?” he asked.
“They beat him to death.”
“Who did?”
“I don’t know!” Edem yelled. “I just know he’s dead! I told him everything would be alright, and he’s dead!” He started beating himself in the sides of his head.
Junior grabbed him trying to stop him. “Stop it! You did your job. This is not your fault. Lewis loved you and he confided in you, and more importantly, he listened to you. So stop it. You did him justice, Edem. Listen at me. We cannot stop the evils of the world. No matter how much we preach or how many songs we sing, evil will continue to exist in this world. It’s not our job or our responsibility to save the world. You are not Jesus. All we can do is help people understand that God loves them and wants a relationship with them. And you, baby brother, do that better than anyone I know. I’m not going to sit here and watch you beat yourself up for something that you didn’t do. I mean, come on man.”
Edem knew that Junior had a point. He was just so hurt that Lewis was gone. Lewis was young, gifted, black and full of potential.
“All you can do is your best, and God will take care of the rest,” Junior told him.
“I know. You’re absolutely right.”
Feeling good about their talk, Junior hit Edem on the arm. “A’ight, come on.”
“You go ahead. I just need a moment.”
Junior gave him a look.
“Really, I’m fine. I just want to sit out here for a minute.”
“A’ight.” Junior went back into the house leaving Edem alone with his thoughts.
Edem took the time to pray and reflect on God’s grace and mercy. After he collected his thoughts, he returned to the house and his family.
________
Denard and Poe had taken the blood test and was awaiting the results. They were called in, and Denard was a nervous wreck. His leg wouldn’t stop shaking no matter how many times Maria put her hand on him.
“Honey, calm down. Everything is going to be just fine,” she told him.
“Is it? I don’t know. That boy scares me.”
“He scares you?” Maria was confused.
“Yeah. There’s something missing in his eyes. When we had the test done, I got a chance to really look at him. There’s a lot of darkness in him.”
“Do you think he’s dangerous?”
“I don’t know. It’s not always what you see; sometimes it’s about what lies beneath.”
“Denard, I don’t know about this. Now you’re scaring me.”
“I didn’t mean to. I think he’s trying to be a decent person, but there’s something brewing in him. He could be fighting it, but it’s there. And it’s dark, and it’s heavy.”
“He sounds like a lot of people. We’re all in a battle between good and evil. I think he’s in a lot of pain. And pain can make you seem dark.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Denard said, and looked at his watch. “I don’t know where he could be.”
“Mr. Watkins?” the nurse called to him. “We’re ready for you now.”
Denard and Maria nervously followed the nurse into the room.
________
Jezebel was bent, over getting pounded by one of her sponsors.
Hell! My body needs this!
If I got to be here in this city, I might as well get some,
she was thinking to herself.
Sweat dripped off of the guy’s forehead and landed on her back as he banged her good doggy-style.
“You like this huh!” he grunted in pleasure.
“Yeah, Daddy! Work it!” Jezebel said and rolled her eyes.
Yeah, I like it alright! I like that bread you break off to me.
She began to grind on him hard. She threw it back on him and he started to lose his mind.
“You love Daddy, don’t you? Yeah, show Daddy how much you love him!” The sponsor twirled himself inside of her, thinking he was really doing something.
Jezebel closed her eyes, and thoughts of Mud flooded her mind.
Damn, he was good!
She hated that she messed that up. She contemplated getting in touch with him, but she knew he would probably have her arrested in a heartbeat.
The man grabbed her by her waist, put his leg on the bed and drilled into her hard.
“Yeah, now that’s how I like it!” Jezebel moaned, beginning to enjoy herself.
________
Tamar had been calling Poe, but he wasn’t answering his phone or returning any texts.
Delilah was knocked out on the bed, so she left the room for some privacy. She called Lilith’s phone, but didn’t get a response. She felt guilty because she worried about her mother. No matter what she had done, she still loved her. Tamar knew her sisters would kill her, but she decided to text her mother:
“Mother, it’s me, Tamar. I’m worried about you, and I just wanted to see if you were okay. I’m sorry for everything that happened, but things were getting out of hand. I understand if you don’t want to talk to me, but please text me back and let me know you are okay.”
“What you doing out here?”
Tamar jumped when she heard Jezebel behind her. She turned quickly on her heels. “You scared me!” she screamed.
“Ugh, I’m sorry! Damn!” Jezebel sucked her teeth and went back into the room.
Tamar called Poe one more time before she returned to the room. She wasn’t really in the mood to deal with her sisters. Baby Faith popped into her head. She must be getting big by now.
She reluctantly entered the hotel room. Jezebel was in the shower and Delilah was still snoring away. Temptation got the best of her, so she took the car keys out of Jezebel’s purse that was sitting on the table and slipped out of the door.
________
Junior and Sheila had met up for lunch at Smokey Bones. They both decided to focus on their friendship and just be friends.
“Eeew! I can’t believe you eating that!” Junior exclaimed.
Sheila chuckled. “What? Fried pickles are good. Here, try one.” She picked one up and waved it in front of his mouth.
He shook his head no. “Naw.”
“Come on, you big baby. They’re good.”
He gave in and took a bite out of the fried pickle in her hand. He made a face as he chewed. “It’s not terrible, but nah, you can keep that.”
“Whatever!” she said, and put the rest of the half eaten pickle in her mouth.
“Oh, I have something for you.” Sheila dug through her Jimmy Choo purse, pulled out an ultrasound picture and handed it to him.
Junior stared at it for a moment, and when he read that it’s a girl he smiled. “It’s a girl?”
“Yep!” she said proudly.
When he went to hand it back to her she put her hand up to stop him. “No, you can keep it I have two.”
“I don’t know how we’re going to do this,” Junior said, appearing to become angry.
“Do what? What’s wrong with you?”
“I don’t know how I’m going to watch another man raise my child… my daughter.”
Sheila sighed. “Look, we got to do what we got to do.”
“So telling Jamir is not an option?”
“Junior, we’ve been through this already. I’m not willing to risk my marriage, so no, telling him is not an option.”
“I just don’t like it, that’s all.”
“That’s because you want to have your cake and eat it too.” She rolled her eyes.
“Goldie, I’m not trying to argue with you. I’m just expressing how I feel.”
“I know the entire situation is frustrating, but can you imagine how I feel? I’m the one carrying our child, and I have to lie to my husband. He doesn’t deserve any of this.”
Junior reached over and held her hand. “You’re right. You really are. Goldie, the fire changed me. It made me want to be a better man, you know? I want to be a better husband; a better father. And that’s my baby girl in there.” He pointed to her stomach. “But I will respect your decision not to tell your husband. I do want you to be happy. Does he make you happy?” Junior’s voice was sincere, and he watched Sheila intently.
“He does make me happy. But, I have to admit, besides the lie about the baby in the back of mind, I kept hoping you would show up and choose me over Lacey.” The grip she had on his hand tightened as her eyes filled with tears.
“In a perfect world, right?” He hated to see her in pain. He really did love her deeply. “Don’t cry, Goldie,” he said, catching a tear as it fell with his finger.
“I’m sorry,” she sniffled.
“I just realized how much pain that I’ve caused you. I don’t know how I can make it right.” his voice cracked as he became emotional too.
“What was the point of it all? I mean, really? Our chemistry… our connection? I don’t understand. It wasn’t right, but I know it was real.” She wiped her eyes with a tissue she pulled out of her purse.
“The point is that beautiful little life you’re carrying in your belly. She was meant to be. Trust me, I have prayed about this many times, but then I would fall victim to my flesh. You are an amazing woman, Goldie, and you’re definitely the best friend any person could ever have, and I disrespected you. I disrespected my wife. And now, we have to deal with the fallout. Again, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. You didn’t put a gun to my head. You didn’t make me do anything I didn’t want to do.” She looked down at her belly and rubbed it. “This little one right here is definitely a love child. And now that I am 100% sure that we don’t have a future together, I can give Jamir all of me. We have both been selfish, and it’s time we rectify the situation. I do want you to be happy, Junior. I really do.”
“I know you do because I know your heart.” He managed a smile in the midst of his pain.
“And I know yours.”
They squeezed each other’s hands.
“Well, let’s make it do what it do. Focus on our families, and make sure this little girl is loved beyond measure.”
“I agree. That I can do,” Sheila said, and wiped her face one last time. “Whew! This conversation was long overdue, but I’m glad we’re on the same page. I need to get going. I have to go grocery shopping.”
Junior got up and pulled Sheila’s chair out for her. She grunted as she stood up. They hugged and kissed one another on the cheek.
“Talk to you later,” she said as she wobbled off.
“No doubt,” Junior responded and motioned the waitress over for the bill.
________
When Junior got home, Lacey was napping on the couch. The kids were with Elisea and Andrew. They were taking all the kids to a trampoline place.
He sat down next to her and watched her sleep. She looked so beautiful that he couldn’t resist touching her. He gently rubbed her belly.
Lacey stirred in her sleep and stretched as she woke up. “Hey, you!”
“Hey, baby, did you sleep well?”
Lacey groaned as she tried to sit up. Junior helped her out and pulled her in the upright position.
“Yes, I did. What time is it?”
“It’s almost 6:00.”
“Dag! I’ve been out for hours!” Lacey said, rubbing her eyes.
“You needed your rest, babe,” he said with a smile.
Lacey’s eyebrow went up. “What? Why are you smiling at me? What did you do?” she asked.
“Actually, I have something for you.” He dug in his pocket, pulled out a box and handed it to her.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“Open it.”
She opened the box, and inside was one of the most beautiful rings she had ever seen. “Junior! I love it!” She reached to hug him.
“I’m glad you like it. You deserve it.”
Lacey swung her legs around to the floor and positioned herself next to him on the sofa. “Okay, talk to me. I can see there’s something on your mind. What is it?”