Them's Eve's Daughters

By Marrisa R. Dick

Eve and Don Paul shared a forbidden love over nineteen years ago. Through their children, Samantha and Blaine, they are reunited. Upon sight of one another they reminisced of the love they once shared. A love, if reunited, could cause the down fall of both their futures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 3, 2000
• ISBN: 9781469708300

Marrisa R. Dick

Ms. Marrissa R. Dick has been writing African American romance novels since 1996. She is the author of Angel Fire, Cousins, Déjà vu Desires, Letters, and Them’s Eve’s Daughters. Although a Bronx, New York, native, Ms. Dick received much of her inspiration for writing from the more than 30 years she has spent living in Greensboro, North Carolina. She began writing romance novels while attending Shaw University, where she majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and graduated with the distinction of Magna Cum Laude. Enthralled by the idea of lifelong learning, Ms. Dick pursued the master’s degree in Adult Education with a specialization in Training and Development at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is currently pursuing the doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations with a specialization in Cultural Studies and a minor in Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, attending church, and writing romance novels.

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Them’s Eve’s Daughters’

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Marrissa R.Dick

Writers Club Press

San Jose New York Lincoln Shanghai

Them’s Eve’s Daughters’

All Rights Reserved © 2000 by Marrissa R. Dick

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any

form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical,

including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any

information storage retrieval system, without the

permission in writing from the publisher.

Writers Club Press

an imprint of iUniverse.com, Inc.

For information address:

iUniverse.com, Inc.

5220 S 16th, Ste. 200

Lincoln, NE 68512

www.iuniverse.com

All the characters in this book have no existence outside the

imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to

anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even

distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown

to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

ISBN: 0-595-13606-0

Printed in the United States of America

CONTENTS

Dedication

Epigraph

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

About the Author

Dedication

For God, who blessed me with the gift to write.

For my parents, Charles and Joyce Dick, my brother, Charles W. Dick, Jr., my sister, Bartola Dick-Lisbon, my nephew, Arabian and my two nieces, Nubia and Shakiba.

Thank you, Deborah Lucas-Davis, Chiquita Tillman-McAllister, Naomi A. Randolph, and Veronique Ross-Spinks for your constant encouragement and loyal sisterhood.

Thank you, Dr. Shirley Hinnant-Bell, Shirley Johnson-McFarland, Cheryl Lucas Hepburn, Ursula O. Robinson and Sherry Rogers Moore for your professional assistance.

Thank you, Dwayne T. Nash for designing my book cover.

Epigraph

Fantasy Love & Romance: If you dare to dream. If you dare to love. If you desire passion, then step into the world of Marrissa’s Nubian Romance Novels where passions soar and dreams come true.

Introduction

Spiritual Lover

Greet me with wisdom and I will swallow my Pride.

Calm my mind as you tell me stories of Love.

Comfort my heart with kisses of hope as you cradle my head in your Lap.

Hold me as I Cry. It wasn’t supposed to be her you were lovin’, it was supposed to be Me.

Greet me with love and I will show you my Heart.

Grant me sweet blessings and I will end them with AMEN.

By

Bartola Dick-Lisbon

Chapter One

Samantha?

Yes, ma’am?

Where your sisters at?

I don’t know Mama, outside I think.

You think? You’re the oldest; you should always know where your sisters are. Go find’em now. I ain’t got all day to wait on them. Go find-’em and tell’em I said if they ain’t in this house in five minutes I’m gon come out there and whup their behinds. I done told them girls a thousand times I wanted to get to church early today. And check their shoes and socks Samantha. I don’t want them walkin’ into church with mud anywhere. Samantha? You hear me? Eve called to her daughter as she sat in front of her vanity.

Yes, ma’am, Samantha said, leaning against the door frame watching her mother prepare for church.

Who’s preachin’ today, Mama? Eve cut her eye at her eldest daughter through the mirror.

Reverend Cook, why?

Oh, no reason.

Uh-huh. Well, while you contemplatin’ come help me take my hair out. Don’t just stand there girl; get them hands to movin’.

You like the good Reverend, Mama?

Samantha why do you always ask so many questions, huh? Eve asked as if it exhausted her.

I don’t know, Samantha said, hunching her shoulders as she took the rollers out of her mother’s hair.

Oh, child, that feels good, Eve said as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of her daughter combing her hair. Girl, I promise you, Sam, I’m gon make sure you become a hair dresser and you gon own your own shop too. One touch of your hands takes all my blues away.

There you go, Mama. Eve opened her eyes.

Oh, Samantha! Eve said as she admired her hair-do.

Now Mama, don’t go throwin’ your head all over the place ’cause you ain’t got no more bobby pins.

Girl, that’s like tellin’ the Holy Ghost not to come to church. Eve and Samantha laughed. Aw, Samantha, look at you. Look at how beautiful you are. Samantha looked at their reflections in the mirror and smiled.

You look more like my sista than my mama. Eve’s antenna raised and she casually scanned her daughters reflection in the mirror for signs of pregnancy.

You tryin’ to tell me somethin’?

No ma’am. I just said you look like my sista. You ain’t but fourteen years older than me Mama.

Girl, you betta not be bringing no babies up in here! I got big plans for you, Samantha! Just because I had you at fourteen don’t mean it’s alright for you; times were different. You gon go to school and do some-thin’ with your life. I don’t want you sittin’ around this dry town gettin’ old before your time and I don’t want you to marry some old man just so you can have somethin’ decent either. Don’t make my mistakes Samantha, please. I’ve been married five times honey. Five and I ain’t but twenty-eight years old and got five daughters, Eve said, holding up her fingers. I want you to marry for the right reasons. I want you to give your body time to grow inside honey, that’s so important, Eve said, softening her tone as she took her daughters hand. When the time is right it’ll happen believe me. Now go find your sisters while I finish get-tin’ dressed, please.

Yes, ma’am. Samantha left the house and stood on the front porch with her hands on her hips.

Pandora! Get outta that tree! You know you ain’t got no business up there with your Sunday clothes on! Mama gon get you! Naomi! Where’s Camille?

I don’t know! Naomi snapped as she continued talking to Kato, a young boy she liked.

What you mean you don’t know? You’re her older sister Naomi; you suppose to always know! Samantha said, reiterating the words her mother had just said to her. Go find her! Naomi cut her eye at Samantha and told Kato that she would see him at church.

You make me sick, Samantha!

Well ain’t that just too bad! Jolean come on! Jolean ran to Samantha as soon as she called her name. Go to the bathroom, Jo.

But I ain’t gotta go.

Try Jo, we goin’ down to the home church today and you know you don’t like usin’ the out house.

Okay, Samantha.

Thanks Jo.

Jolean, honey, Mama want’s you to try and use the bathroom, Eve said, stepping onto the front porch.

I’m going, Mama.

Thank you, baby. Well, how do I look? Eve asked as she modeled a blue and white sleeveless dress that came barely above her knees.

Humph, that dress is fittin’ a little tight and almost above her knees too. I bet Reverend Cook won’t be able to preach, Samantha thought to herself. Beautiful as usual, Mama.

Thank you, honey. Are my lines straight? Eve asked as she slid her shapely legs out one at a time for Samantha to inspect her stockings.

Your lines are perfect, Mama.

Thank you, baby. Naomi! Didn’t Samantha ask you to find Camille?

Yes, ma’am.

Then why ain’t you done it yet?

She won’t come, Mama. I done told her. Eve stepped off of the porch calling for Camille.

Camille! Don’t let me have to call your name again; I ain’t playin’ with you!

Comin’, Mama!

Didn’t Naomi tell you to come on?

Yes, ma’am.

You hard of hearin’ or somethin’?

No ma’am.

Get on in here and change your socks and wipe off your shoes! I done told you about runnin’ in your Sunday shoes, Camille! Get the molasses out ya’ ass! Shoot got me cussin’ on Sunday! Camille increased her slow walk to a quick stride dodging an imaginary swipe as she ran past her mother and entered the house. Hurry up ya’ll we gon be late.

Comin’, Ma! all the girls said, in unison.

Well, now let me take a look at my ladies. My goodness ya’ll got to be the best lookin’ girls in town, and I ain’t just sayin’ that ’cause you my daughters. Humph, if you ugly, you ugly and shame on you, Eve said as she gave each of her daughters a pair of white gloves and money for the collection plate. The girls burst into laughter, and so did Eve. Come on now let’s go. We don’t wanna be late. Pick’em up and put’em down ladies. Pick’em up and put’em down.

Chapter Two

Mama! Mama! Mama! Wake up, Mama! Camille screamed as she shook Eve. Mama! Somethin’s wrong with Sam! Eve awoke abruptly to a familiar sound. A sound that only another woman giving birth could truly identify with.

Lord-have-mercy! Eve said, throwing the covers back.

It’s Sam, Mama! Somethin’s wrong! Hurry, Mama, hurry! Eve leaped from her bed and followed the familiar howl of pain down the hallway.

Sam? Honey? Mama’s comin’! she cried as she ran down the hallway. As Eve reached her daughters bedroom she was stunned. Lord-have-mercy! was all she could say as she stood at the threshold and watched her eldest daughter struggling to give birth to a breach baby.

Mama! It hurts! Samantha cried in agony. Help me, Mama, please! Eve gathered her senses and entered the room.

Alright honey, Mama’s here. Mama’s here.

I’m so sorry, Mama! Help me please! It hurts, Mama! she cried as she wreathed in agony.

I know, honey, I know. Lord-have-mercy child you bringin’ this baby in the world the same way I brought you here, feet first, Jesus. I should of known you was pregnant, Eve said as she laid one hand on her daughters stomach and the other on her forehead. Your hips ’bout big as mine. Lord-have-mercy them folk ain’t been out here to fix the phone. Camille, go and fetch Doc David and tell him that Samantha is having a breach birth. You got that?

Yes, ma’am, Camille said as she ran quickly to her room and put on her sneakers.

Wait for me, Mel.

No, Jo, you gotta stay here.

But I’m scared. I wanna go with you, Jolean whined.

No, Jo, you can’t, you gon slow me down, Camille said as she quickly tied her shoe laces. Jolean began to cry. Look Jolean, you gotta be a big girl for me now. I can’t take you with me especially because I’m gon take the short cut. You know you can’t jump over no fences yet, and you’re afraid of Kato’s dawg and I’m gon be cuttin’ through his yard.

No, Mel, no that mean ole dawg gon get you.

No, he won’t Jo; I’m too fast for him. He can’t catch me, but if you with me he will and I gotta move quick. At that moment, Samantha let out a howl that seemed to still the entire house.

Camille!

I’m gon, Mama, I’m already out the door! Be a big girl for me, Jo, and go help Mama. This way you can tell your friends you helped deliver the baby, huh. Won’t that be a neat story to tell?

Yeah, I guess so. Be careful Mel.

I will, Camille said as she slid down the staircase banister and bolted out the front door. Jolean took a deep breath and cautiously went back down the hallway.

Hold, on baby. Hold on, don’t push Samantha.

But I can’t help it, Mama! Oh God, Mama, it hurts!

Lord-have-mercy, Samantha. Hold on baby, help is comin’. Naomi, you and Jolean go and get all the pillows. I need something to prop her up with. Go on now.

Yes, Mama, the girls said, in unison leaving the room.

Pandora, go boil some hot water and get some clean towels. Hurry now.

Yes, Mama. Sam you alright? Pandora asked hesitantly leaving the room.

It hurts, Pandora. It hurts. Please always listen to Mama. Help me, Mama, please.

Help is on the way baby. Doc David is comin’, he’s on the way.

Here go the pillows, Mama, both girls said, rushing back into the room. Immediately, Eve began to gently push pillows underneath her daughters back.

Pandora, don’t just stand there; go and do like I asked!

Oh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Pandora said, swiftly leaving the room.

Hold on honey. Lord-have-mercy where is that man! Naomi, go and make sure your sista delivers the message right. I don’t know if Camille heard me.

Mama, ain’t no way in the world I’m gon catch Mel now. You know she moves like the wind. Besides, she’s probably jumpin’ over folks back yards and messin’ with that dawg. Doc David will be here by the time I get there.

Oh, Mama!

Breathe, Samantha, breathe baby like a dog. Like this. Eve panted and Samantha tried to emulate her mother, but the pain was too great. Lord-have-mercy where is that man!

He’s comin’ Mama! He’s comin’! Camille said, rushing into the room gulping in air and sweating profusely. I ran as fast as I could, Sam. He’s comin’.

Ain’t he with you? Eve asked with great concern.

Naw Mama, he and that car move too slow. He’s a couple blocks back. I ran as fast as I could Sam. You alright?

Sorta. Thanks Mel. Oh, Mama, I promise I ain’t gon never do this again! I’m so sorry! Oh, God it hurts!

Breathe baby, breathe. Breathe like Mama.

Eve? Eve? Doc David called as he entered the house.

Up here Doc David! In Samantha’s room! Hurry! Doc David climbed the stairs as quickly as his heavy set frame would allow him to move.

Lawd-have-mercy all these stairs, he huffed. I’m comin’ child. ’m comin’.

Hurry, Doc David! Hurry! Jolean coached him as she ran to greet him at the top of the stairs.

I’m comin’ Jo, lead the way baby. Jolean grabbed his hand and pulled him toward Samantha’s room. Motha Mary! was all he said as he stood in the threshold.

Don’t just stand there Doc David help my baby!

Lawd, Eve, she bringing this one in just like she came in. I need some hot water.

Here it is, Pandora said, coming into the room carefully carrying a pot of freshly boiled water.

Thank you, Pandora, pour it in the basin over there. Naomi, get some cold water and add to it, go on now.

Yes, sir, Naomi said, quickly following his directions.

I see you got yo’ self in a pickle young lady. You young girls ’bout kill me spreadin’ yo’ legs open for Tom, Dick, and Harry, Doc David said, disgusted as he rolled up his sleeves. You ought to be ashamed of yo’ self. Now look at the predicament you in. And where the daddy? No where to be found.

Now you wait just one damn minute, Doc David! Don’t you be comin’ up in here talkin’ down to my baby! She don’t need to be hearin’ no lecture from you at a time like this! And if there’s a lecture to be given it will come from me! You ain’t her damn daddy! Now you mind yo’ business and get to takin’ care of the business you here for! Can’t you see my child’s in agony and you wanna lecture! Doc David was stunned, but he immediately began preparation for Samantha. Pandora stood before him offering him a clean towel.

Here’s a towel, Doc David, Pandora said, with a warm voice trying to soothe the sting of her mothers words.

Thank you, Pandora. Now, Miss Samantha, your baby is comin’ feet first. What I’m gon do is put my hand inside of you and turn him around. Now it’s gon hurt and you gon feel like you have to make a bowl movement, but for God sake child don’t push. You hear me?

Yes, sir, Samantha moaned.

Alright now. Camille and Pandora watched Doc David closely as he gently inserted his hand inside of their sister. Pandora, open my bag and get the small knife. I have to cut her some, Eve.

Well you just make sure you cut right. Doc David cut his eye at Eve, and she stared him back in the eye with just as much authority. Clean it for me, Pandora. Wash your hands and pour some alcohol over it.

Yes sir. Here you go Doc David.

Thank you. Sam, you gon feel a cut now, you be still. Naomi and Camille hold her legs. Hold her tight now. The girls wiped Samantha’s legs down first because they were running with sweat then held her tightly while Jolean wiped the sweat running profusely from her brow and around her neck.

Take a deep breath baby and for God sakes don’t move. Samantha inhaled deeply and felt Doc David make his incision. I know, baby, Mama knows. Hold on, hold on, he’s almost through. Jolean ached for her eldest sister and shed tears with her.

Alright, Samantha, we gon try this again. Don’t push you hear me? Samantha just shook her head, yes. Alright now, there we go you’re doin’ a fine job baby girl. Just a few more seconds. Jesus, you small inside, Doc David said, more to himself than to anyone in particular. Alright now, we got’em turned around; now push. Samantha? Samantha? Push child. Eve shook Samantha sharply and brought her back to consciousness.

Hold on baby, Mama’s right here. We need you to push Samantha. Don’t you leave me girl!

I can’t, Mama. Eve got in the bed with Samantha and positioned herself underneath her daughter.

Bare back on me Samantha. Come on baby. Mama’s here. I’m gon help you have this baby. Me and you. Come on now lean back on Mama. As Samantha reared back on her mother, Eve raised off of the bed pushing her daughter forward.

Here it comes! Pandora yelled. Push Sam! Push!

Oh, Mama, help me!

Push back against Mama, baby, lean against Mama.

The head is out! Pandora shouted.

Just a little more. Just a little more Samantha, the worst is almost over. Just get the shoulders out and it’s all over! Doc David assured her. Come on baby girl, get the shoulders out, and we home free! Come on Samantha! You can do it child! Push!

Push, Sam, here it comes Sam! Oh, look, Jolean exclaimed.

It’s a boy! We got a nephew! Oh, Sam it’s a boy! Naomi shouted with joy. Everyone in the room cheered, and Samantha felt a sweet reprieve from the pain. She watched as Doc David held her son upside down and spanked him on the behind.

He ain’t cryin’ what’s wrong? Ain’t he suppose to be cryin’? Mama? Why ain’t he cryin’? Samantha asked with growing concern. Doc David took the baby and suctioned out his mouth and nose, but still no sounds were heard. Mama?

Eve, was all Doc David said.

Give him to me, Doc David. Doc David gave the lifeless newborn to Eve, and she placed him gently on Samantha’s breast.

Mama? What’s wrong with him? I know he ain’t dead. He can’t be.

Naw he ain’t dead baby, he’s just sleepin’ with God for a minute that’s all. Ya’ll gather round now we gon pray. And as we pray, Camille, I want you to rub his little legs and feet gently and give him just a little of your strength. Pandora, rub his little hands, ’cause I see right now you gon be a doctor. Naomi, you get down on your knees and pray. Jolean, honey, Mama needs you do somethin’ a little more special.

What Mama? What? she asked anxiously.

Honey, I need you to breathe in your little nephew’s lungs. Honey, you’re so special surely his body can’t resist the purity within you. You think you can do that for Mama, honey? You ain’t scared are you? Eve said as she cleaned the infants face.

No ma’am I can do it.

Samantha, honey talk to your son, tell him to come home, you waitin’ on him.

Doc David stepped back and watched Eve and her daughters go into action. He was amazed at how little Jolean breathed the breath of life inside of that dead body. Most children would be afraid to touch