The People Talking in My Head

By Adriana Jai Wynn-Yeldell

Aira is at it again yall. The ex-school teacher is now happily married and a full-time mother. She and Adam has provided love and security for their family in the big house nestled between trees on the land he had always dreamed of owning. Is there a such thing as happily ever after? Or is it more realistic to take it day by day? They wanted it all and went after it, and Aira's journal became thick with her ideas, poems and stories of The Mayfield's and their big crazy family.

Still grounded in traditions, her friendship with Mercedes and Debra, she describes in her special way the detail of their lives, and the bond that helps them all through the changes and adversity we all journey through each day. They are wild, loyal and generous just like the people you know.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 5, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452059495

Adriana Jai Wynn-Yeldell

Adriana Jai Wynn-Yeldell published her first novel, "Climbing Trees and Hiding in The Bushes" in 2009 and followed up with the sequel, "The People Talking In My Head", in 2010. Currently she is working on her fourth novel. Born in Ohio, she now lives in Texas with her two teenage children.

Book preview

Contents

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Dedication

To Jordan and Jade

I love you more than fried chicken on a rainy day.

Mommy

In Memory of Gale Renee (Miki) Kennedy

In life we make friends yet some of the fondest memories and most enduring friendships are made in childhood. Hopscotch, four squares, jacks, jump rope, hide and seek, kick ball, kick the can and flying home when the street lights came on. Our friendship was filled with so much fun that when we saw each other after years of separation we’d start laughing before we even said hello. I loved riding in your brand new green Mustang down through Mill Creek Park and the crazy parties at your Momma’s house. Miki remember that summer when we were riding on the old big red bike with the fat tires? We use to call it the Big Red Bomb; the kickstand was loose so every time you’d pedal it would make a hard clicking sound that created a beat that would have us rocking our heads. Lulu would be pedaling, I was in the basket, Tootsie was on the bar, TeeTee was on the seat and you rode the back fender. We use to be flying down Jacobs Road, grinning hard and holding on tight. One time we were riding off somewhere we didn’t have any business and when we came to a hill, Lulu had to pump harder so we could make it all the way up. We all shouted, Let’s make the big hill! And that day we made it and everyday after. Today I’m thinking of you smiling down at us because you made the big hill all by yourself, and you were the littlest one. We miss you Miki but we’ll see you again, at the top of the big hill.

SHARONLINE FOREVER…..

Introduction

August 10, 2009

Well here I am and it has been awhile since I’ve had your attention. Things are going well for everyone and I heard that you needed an update on what was happening in Texas. First, Adam and I are happy, our marriage is good and all the children are adjusting well. Antoine is living with us, yet Brent goes back and forth between our place and Deanna’s. She divorced her husband about a year ago, so I guess Brent feels like she is lonely and needs someone with her. Antoine is into his music and playing sports, Justin is getting taller and playing basketball with the church league sponsored by Brian’s athletic store, thanks God for that because we can’t keep him in shoes that fit. Nadia has her dance and acting classes, and at first she was riding her bike along the trail that Adam made along the fence line, but one day she decided to tag along with him and she loves running now. Justin and Nadia calls Adam Daddy, and Antoine complains about not having a lock on his bedroom door. The last time Brent was here he and Justin were fighting and Adam whipped them both. Justin was crushed but I didn’t baby him, I let him know that Adam was the head of the household and the number one rule was no fighting in this house, period! When Nadia came flying down the stairs yelling, They fighting! I yelled upstairs but I still heard all this commotion so I walked up and they were going at it. Brent was getting the best of Justin, but that boy kept going back for more. I didn’t get in the middle of it, I called Adam from his office and he stopped them. Brent was angry at Justin over a video game. Antoine had been ignoring them, but came out his room when he heard Adam’s voice. He whipped Brent first and when he went into Justin’s room, Justin was crying before he touched him. I watched from the hallway, sad but I knew they both had to be punished. The game was taken away for a week and Adam talked to them both. I went on back downstairs with Nadia who told all the details of who hit who first. I think Brent is maturing, but maybe jealous that Antoine and Justin can spend more time together. Everything is a competition with them like Junior and Sedrick was with Adam. Adam said he was proud of Justin for defending himself and was going to talk with Deanna about the boys that Brent is hanging with. Without Timothy in the house he got away with more things than he should have. He was a teenager now and though Justin’s voice was deeper, Brent was taller and stronger. The time changed between the two states, but nothing changed with Adam’s rules which he enforced whether he was here or in California.

Brian’s store took off slowly at first, yet during the past year it had become a good business. Mercedes moved her store’s location out to Sugarland and it was doing very well. Her clientele had expanded, and she purchased the building next to the boutique to expand her production room and storage areas. Mercedes and Brian loved having the children over every other Thursday and Antoine went with them sometimes, because he had worked that first summer for Brian. Yet the kids extracurricular activities eventually decreased their scheduled time with them.

Mercedes’s new store location was an old furniture store with large open areas. The floors were a stained concrete and the front entrance boasted two tall round columns. The square shaped windows were staggered in height on all three sides except in the front. Two large windows on both sides of the entry provided an excellent area to display her latest fashion creations. Business was good, she paid her employees well and everyone got along good now that Gracey was gone. Mercedes had to let her go because her personality clashed with her other employees. She didn’t expect everyone to become best friends, but you should be able to communicate or work with people. When she heard about the mess Gracey was generating she talked to everyone involved and decided to cut her from the staff. There was no way she was coming into her business everyday and having to hear about negative drama. Leslie was fed up and Mercedes depended on her manager to run the store when she was not there, basically if Leslie wasn’t happy than there was a problem.

Adam, Brian and Sedrick formed a partnership, ABS Realtors Incorporated, and purchase two condemned apartment complexes and fixed them up. It took a lot of convincing to get Debra involved, she purchase the furniture if needed, the fixtures and appliances, but once she got going she loved it. Big Curt had basically given Sedrick the landscaping company and during the summer had gone on a cruise to St. Croix with Clarisse, Leon and Lucille. Everybody was working hard and enjoying life.

I loved being married and Adam and I we have had our share of problems. Between you and me he is needy but I am not going anywhere. We are good for each other and I love him with all my heart, but some days I catch him looking at me like he’s getting ready to change a page in a book, but had to reread the last paragraph one more time before going on. You know how sometimes it can be so good; you just have to read again what may happen on the next page? It’s cool though, my man works hard for his family and now that I agreed to accept help in keeping this big house clean I can have more time to myself. I am feeling really blessed yall I have to tell you.

So as I said we hired a lady name, Joon to come in and clean about three days a week. That darn laundry shoot was giving me the blues, everyday I can hear the clothes being pushed down to the laundry room and I want to give up. Those kids go through more clean clothes in a week than I could keep up with. With the summer vacation nearly at its end, I have already purchased the children’s school clothes and enough supplies to last the year. My sister in law Rita and I still talk and this year Benji’s parents sent birthday cards for Justin’s and Nadia’s birthdays. Dwight and Lily are out of jail, yet James Jr. still have more time on his sentence for trying to kidnap the kids and extorting money from us. One of Lily’s daughters Pumkin got pregnant while Lily was in jail, Lily told everyone that it was my fault and that I hadn’t heard the last of her. I ain’t worried, she can’t fight.

What else is going on? Greg is still with Roxy and they found out that one of their boys Sean, have ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder that’s why his butt bad. He looked like a normal little boy, but his emotional and social skills were wearing Roxy out. You have to tell him three, four times and then watch him. He could read well, yet he didn’t understand a word of what he had just read. His brother Tyson was bad too, except he didn’t have a learning disability. I think they are going to be alright but all the punishments had them confused.

Hurricane Ike had scared us to death, the winds were strong and loud, we had water coming in through the back door and many shingles were blown off the roof. Mercedes and Brian’s house suffered a lot of damage and they stayed with us for two months until their house was repaired. My father’s fleet of trucks were destroyed and everyone in their subdivision loss trees and had lots of broken windows. But like Pastor Miles said, God’s work is good.

#

Quinton’s first year at Arkansas State University was great. His team had a good season, going into their conference game with only five losses and twenty wins. Yet as the cameras rolled, the bricks hit the backboard so hard and often it was amazing that they lost by only fourteen points. The buzzer sounded loudly ending the game at 97-83. Their opponent swarmed the court headed to the conference championships. We thought throwing a big welcome home party would lift his spirit but there was nothing that could cheer him up.

At my wedding, Rachel and Brian made peace with each other. Joseph didn’t dislike Brian he just didn’t have any thing much to say to him. They left soon after the ceremony was over. Since then there had been plenty of family functions where they were all together. Out of loyalty to their brother Quinton, Malik and Xavier were respectful to Brian. But Quinton little sister Colby loved her some Mr. Brian.

Rachel was in love with her husband, yet Joseph disposition changed whenever Brian was around. She thought once he got use to Brian and Quinton’s relationship that his insecurities would lessen. She was still waiting.

When they first got married Joseph wanted his new wife all to himself which was normal. He didn’t question it when Quinton stayed with his grandparents because he was always over at their house and he was a cool little dude. With Rachel going to nursing school and Joseph’s new job at the plant they were free to be newlyweds but he thought Quinton would eventually live with them but that never happened.

Joseph met Rachel at a house party given by one of her girlfriends. Everyone there was partying hard. It was mostly their friends there, yet a girl who lived downstairs from Rachel’s friend Shay came upstairs and wanted to party with them. Everything was going fine, good food, plenty drinks, some weed and a wild game of spades. Well Rachel had taken her sunglasses off because it had gotten dark outside, next thing he knew Rachel is arguing with the girl who had too much to drink. She was accusing the girl of stealing her sunglasses. Shay snatched her neighbor’s purse and pulled the sunglasses out. Rachel was ready to fight; she had an audience telling her that she was right so she had her fists up ready to throw down. From the back of the room Joseph walked up and pulled Rachel to the side. Shay and her boyfriend Kevin walked the girl to the door and put her out.

Don’t fight that girl, you got your glasses back and she drunk, he said

Oh hell naw, I’m gonna kick her ass, Rachel argued.

I can’t let you do that, you too pretty to be cussing like that. You must think you bad?

Ain’t nobody gonna steal from me and get away with

What’s your name?

Rachel Leigh Thomas, who are you?

Joseph Lee Andrew Barnes. Why you got to roll your neck like that. I swear you think you bad

Forget you, she laughed.

See you laughing; you know you don’t need to be fighting

I don’t fight all the time, but my sister told me not to let anybody mess with me

She gone now, ain’t nobody gonna mess with you with me around

I heard that. How old are you?

I’m twenty four, why?

I wanted to know

How old are you?

Grown, I’m eighteen

Grown huh, I thought you were at least twenty-one. What you doing hanging with Shay? I graduated from high school with her?

We friends, I met her at the day care center

Oh so you got a baby?

Yes I have a little boy named Quinton. Do you have any kids?

No, none that I know of, he smiled.

Real cute

No seriously I mean that, I hope if I made a baby I would know

Rachel you okay girl? Shaye asked walking up to them.

I ain’t tripping off that, thanks for getting my glasses back

I didn’t even know that girl. She kept saying she was sorry, but she was too drunk to be all up here in everybody faces. Joseph who cut your head it looks good?

I let my cousin do it for me, it’s alright?

Yeah, but I can hook you up better than that. Come to the shop next time

Awright I’ll give you a try

Rachel, this here my boy he ain’t one of those silly immature boys you being dealing with, said Shaye.

He cool?

He wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t, she said walking away. Rachel and Joseph stood in the corner of the room and talked. She talked about college and her son. He talked about his new job. At the end of the party, he offered to drive her home which she accepted. When Joseph got in front of her house he parked but left the car running.

Rachel I really had a good time tonight

Me too Joseph, thanks for driving me home

I’m off tomorrow you wanna hang out; maybe go to a movie or something?

Sure, here’s my number. Don’t call after ten o’clock or my Dad will cuss you out! She writes her number down on the back of a receipt she found in her purse

Okay I’ll call you around two o’clock okay. You don’t want my number?

You said you was gonna call me right?

Yeah I’ma call alright, I see how you playing it

Joseph you have my number and you know where I live

Talk with you later then

Bye. Rachel got out the car and quickly went through the unlocked front door. She cut the light off on the porch and locked the door. She wanted to peep out the window to see if he was still out front but her father walked up behind her.

Rachel, tell that boy to stop calling my house if he can’t talk on the phone right. Calling here talking about where’s Rachel?

Who Daddy?

I don’t know his name. Who dropped you off?

I told you Shay gonna bring me home, the baby sleep?

What you think it’s two in the morning

Okay Daddy I just asked. I’m going to bed

And don’t wake him up!

I won’t goodnight.

Thomas Lewis checked the locks and looked outside. The street was empty. He shook his head from worrying over his youngest child. Ever since she graduated from high school this past May, she been going out with that older girl Shay. His wife liked her but he didn’t, and he really didn’t like her boyfriend. He didn’t look like he had a job, but he had a new car with big speakers playing loud every time they pulled up in the front of the house. He knew what the young kids did for money but Rachel was always tagging along with them. She better not come home pregnant again. Thomas walked down the dark hallway and went into his room. He was tired of staying up late waiting for her to come home, tired of Rachel’s foolishness. Quietly he got into bed, he heard Rachel in the bathroom, and he listened for her throwing the pillows off her bed against the closet door. His heavy eye lids blinked slowly giving in to the sedated pull of sleep. Rachel was safe at home in her bed. What else could he do to get through to her? He had to do something.

#

Sedrick and Debra had another boy last December and they named him Ethan Paul. He had a head full of hair that Debra keeps braided. We were all shocked that Sedrick allowed that, but that is how it was with the last baby. He looked like Debra spit him out, yet he wasn’t some ordinary baby. He been here before and David loved him more than onions. When Ethan was born Debra was in the kitchen cooking home fries with lots of onions for David. They were the only ones home and the baby wasn’t due until November. She had been having pains all day, yet they weren’t that unbearable and Debra didn’t think much about it. She had carried four of Sedrick big babies before. When she felt water running down her legs she turned off the stove, fixed two hotdogs and a plate of fries for David and went to her room to shower and then call Sedrick. By the time he and the other kids arrived, baby Ethan had been born on the bathroom floor with David holding the phone talking to his father throughout the whole thing. Christopher was a teenager now and Sedrick left him in charge while he drove Debra and the baby to the hospital. They stayed long enough for Debra’s procedure and the necessary time needed for the newborn’s observations and two days after that they all came home.

He is so cute, he started walking at nine months, normally that’s a sign that he’s getting out of the way but Debra had gotten her tubes tied. He saw something that David was eating and walked towards him. Nadia went to reach for him but I held her back and we watched him slowly make his way to David. He did it and Debra and I began cheering and clapping. His hair is long and curly but they aren’t in a hurry to cut it.

The good news is Adam and I will be expecting our first child together in November. It’s a little girl and needless to say Adam is very excited and my parents have already furnished and decorated a room for her. We added two additional rooms on the main floor of the house and a playroom above them on the second floor. Beside my writings I have become more active with the youth at the church, plus Adam and I teach Math and Reading classes there on Thursdays.

So far today I have eaten cold fried chicken wings, potato chips, yogurt, bacon, two scrambled eggs, vanilla soy milk and a banana and it isn’t even noon yet. I feel fat! I like spreading mustard on my steaks and between Aunty Lu and my mother I will never fit into all the clothes in my closet ever again. My belly got big fast and I’m breathing funny, doing anything from the waist up I’m good, but below and above that I’m in trouble.

I found out that I was pregnant on our first anniversary when we all were at Adam’s parent’s house to drop Nadia off. Antoine and Justin was at home, the next thing I knew I had fainted in the hallway. Aunty Lu heard the fall and when I came to, Adam was carrying me to the sofa in the family room. I knew that I was pregnant cause I had taken a pregnancy test that morning; I wanted to tell Adam later on that evening after we had dinner with Brian, Mercedes, Debra and Sedrick. I hit my shoulder and left ear on the wall when I fell, but I was okay, just embarrassed. You know my man tried to take me home, but I convinced him that we should still go out to eat. Uncle Leon kept saying please let it be a girl, please.

We danced all night at Rico’s, after the restaurant closed. You remember Adam’s friend Frederick Marshall he’s the owner and allowed us to stay. While his crew cleaned up we sat around laughing and joking. Frederick’s wife Cynthia and I had become pretty close. They have a son; Malcolm in high school, Antoine tolerates his rich boy’s attitude. Adam doesn’t force the friendship because Malcolm has a mouth on him, and allows Antoine to pick his own friends. But we can tell that Frederick wished that his son was more focused on school and not the girls that call at all hours of the night.

My pregnancy has been good, less stressful than before, there were no secrets. I feel good, I’ve gained over twenty-five pounds already and my thighs are touching. Without having to work outside the home I feel the changes in my body the second it happens. Today we watched as our baby’s feet rolled across my belly, it didn’t really hurt. Adam hand was on my stomach when she moved and he started to sing the song I made up for Nadia called Brown Babies. It was nice at first but then she really started kicking or dancing, the way her feet was moving, I told him to stop.

Greg helped Adam find a used truck for Antoine. It’s about five years old and they put some nice rims on it. Antoine picked out a pretty burnt orange color and Uncle Leon paid for it to be painted. Adam warned him that the first time he didn’t go straight home after football practice the truck would sit for a month. He had made the varsity team as a wide receiver this year. We were all surprise that he wanted to play football and equally surprised that he was fast and had great hands.

Twice a week Nadia’s dance classes had me car pooling her and two of her friends, Crystal and Ebony. Crystal’s mother was a physician and worked at the hospital with Rachel. We met Ebony’s parents at Family Day at the school. She had two brothers, one younger and one older. Nadia’s teacher introduced us because the three girls had to be separated several times already and she wanted the parents to meet thinking if they had outside activities together after school then maybe they wouldn’t socialize and disrupt the class. Marissa’s mother agreed to the girls getting together, but the father was too busy trying to figure out who Adam was. Crystal was an only child and her mother, Zoe was single and really needed help with Crystal because of her hours at work. Crystal mostly stayed with Zoe’s mother Carol, and since Carol’s husband had passed away the little girl was company to her grandmother. Aira liked that when Zoe was off work she planned activities for the three girls. She had a Dodge Nitro and last week she took the girls to an Etiquette class where they learned proper table manners and how to communicate when there was several people at the table. They were all dressed up and looked so cute.

Antoine often flew by himself to California to visit with his mother Deanna and his brother Brent. This time Deanna moved out the house and she and Brent moved into a spacious townhome closer to her parents and her job. It was hard for Brent without Antoine, but with his friendly nature he made friends at his new school and was adjusting well, we thought.

Antoine’s has a girlfriend named Jalen who he goes to our church. I’m curious to what they talk about because they stay on the phone because they only see each other on Sunday and at Choir rehearsal on Tuesday.

Antoine’s first year in the public school was difficult for him socially. At his old school the majority of his friends he had started with in kindergarten. Adam suggested that he run for class president. He didn’t win, yet putting his name on the ballot helped, soon the kids began to know or recognize the tall lanky boy and his popularity grew. Last year the school bus picked him up at the end of the long driveway each morning and dropped him off at 3:00 in the afternoon. Adam would be in his office or gone by that time and Antoine and I would talk while I prepared dinner. His grades were good but Adam pushed him further so after dinner he would disappear into his room with his face deep in a book. We went to the high school and spoke with his counselors about more challenging classes. Antoine took a test that placed him in the AP classes in all his subjects, his score was high enough where he could have been promoted, but Adam said no and the tone of his voice let me know that it was final, don’t ask again.

My Justin is great, he and his friend Scott are still tight and everything is basketball or video games. He’s good too but needs better ball control, he will try out for the team this year, Adam wants him to play AAU. Wow I talk a lot I know but I had to bring you up to date. Now that you are caught up sit back and listen to the rest because Pastor Miles is speaking.

Chapter 1

PASTOR MILES

And even in the mist of it, God is there. You think cuz you saved that you not suppose to have any problems or troubles at all? If you think that then you ain’t reading your bibles church. And to help you with your studying of God’s word we have bible studies. That’s what Tuesday’s nights are to help you understand. Yall don’t hear me. The congregation responds.

I remember a time when people use to think that anytime bad things happened in your life it was because of something you did. That’s old folk’s way of thinking. Bad things happen to good people everyday. Don’t we all say when a little baby dies or a young person so full of life passes on, that they were only angels? Or we say the good die young. I had a Sunday school teacher when I was a young man and all us kids loved Mr. Spence. He would tell us stories about when he was growing up and it seemed that everything he was trying to each us he could relate to because he had done it. Half the time we didn’t believe him and would get so loud the somebody would come in and tell us to keep it down. Mr. Spence explained how similar things were now and back in biblical times and he showed us that nothing changes. Then one Sunday we were sitting in class wondering where he was, and our Pastor came in to tell us that Mr. Spence had died. At fourteen years old I knew about death, but I never really knew anybody who died. They cancelled Sunday school and we all gathered upstairs in the sanctuary. People were crying and moaning, trying to console each other. I sat next to my mother who was rocking me in her arms, just rocking me. I was hurting bad in inside, and I was trying to figure out this pain. I was sitting there thinking that there was no God because he let Mr. Spence die. Now the deacons were at the front of the church and they began singing, and they left a spot open where Mr. Spence use to stand and I just started crying uncontrollably. I left my mother’s arms and went to the altar and fell on my knees in that empty spot and hugged that old long hard wooden bench and I just boo hooed. But you know what, when I got up, I felt better. I was still sad but the heaviness was lifted off of me. Everybody began singing and shouting. I needed relief from the pain, you know how it is when you in pain or trouble you don’t need a temporary fix you want something to sooth you and make it to go away. I needed something to take it off me. All while my mother comforted me she was saying give it to Jesus, give it to Jesus, the pastor was talking about how our days aren’t promise to us, and how somebody else could go to sleep tonight and not wake up. But when we opened up our eyes, where will we be?

"I thought about Mr. Spence everyday for weeks, and it got easier. And I noticed that as his face faded from my memory so did the anguish and pain of losing him. We all need something real, an object or a person to hold onto. That morning at the altar I asked God to help me. My momma tried, the pastor and friends tried, but it was my new relationship with God that changed everything. I went down on my knees for help, but I came up with something else. Peace and understanding that surpasses all that we will endure. It wasn’t until many years later that God called me to the ministry. I didn’t kick and scream like some, cuz by then I knew that He was ordering my steps. I knew that when God chooses you there ain’t nothing you can do except go. Each of us has a testimony, an event of some kind that changed you, something that made an impact or difference to the point you had to tell somebody what you knew or felt. We ain’t talking about gossip, we talking about the Gospel. Hahahaha. Turn to the book of Galatians 6:2

And read with me church. Bear ye one another burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

The church was packed and so was the overflow area. Giant screens were placed on either side of the pulpit. Clarisse was at home fighting a terrible cold, and Mercedes sat four pews behind Aira and Adam. This was the third Sunday and Adam always sat with Aira. Her belly was nice and round and her nose had spread a little. The maternity dress hit right above her knees and she wore low heel pumps with her hair pulled back in the top with a large decorative barrette and the rest hung down her back and shoulders.

When the usher led a middle age woman to Mercedes’s pew she slid over to make more room because she saw that the lady was carrying an infant. Mercedes smiles at her and rearranged her purse at her feet. The lady smiled back and mouthed Thank you, as she placed the diaper bag next to the purse. The infant appeared to be four couple months old, as the blanket was removed from its head. A mop of curly jet black hair moved slowly turning and turned its neck towards Mercedes. Yawning, the eyes opened and Mercedes could smell the baby’s breath, pure and sweet. Dressed in a yellow and green romper with sailboats all over it, his head bobbled and he flicked out his tongue. How adorable she thought and turned her attention back to the services. Every now and then she would hear him cooing and she would turn and smile at him.

Uncle Leon was too funny making all these faces and clapping all wild standing on the last row in the choir stand. Aira looked back at Mercedes and they laughed. When she saw the lady going for a bottle in the bag, Mercedes helped her and noticed that the baby was smiling at her.

He’s a good baby? she said to the lady.

Yes he is, the lady answered.

Is he your grand son?

No I’m a foster mother; we are tying to find Mr. Brice a home.

Mercedes only nodded and watched as he began to suck the bottle. Junior came in late and sat in the pew across from Mercedes. He licked his tongue out at her, she pointed to the choir and laughed; Junior saw his father and raised his hand to his face to hide his expression. The old man always has been a trip. Mercedes turned her attention back to the front.

My mother comforted me but my pain was beyond her repair. I couldn’t understand why, why Mr. Spence? II Timothy 4:7 says I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Mr. Spence was a faithful servant. God said at the right time in due season. He will lift you up to where he wants you to be. Mr. Spence never hurt anybody if you had a problem he was there for you, for anybody who needed help. When the Deaconess were in the kitchen preparing the anniversary feast they would call him, Brotha Spence taste this and tell me what you think. The congregation laughs. He never tired, I never knew him to be sick and he was always in church, but he had burdens just like you and me. I was a child but I had to learn that Saint’s take some journeys alone. And you know he wasn’t perfect, and if you read your bible you know that Moses, Paul, Luke, and Solomon weren’t perfect. But during their season they shined and were made an example for all men to see. They knew who to trust, who to call upon. And they cast their cares upon God, you got to throw or give up all your doubts, all your fears and tribulations to the Lord. Am I right church? Galatians 6:5 says For every man shall bear his own burdens. How you gonna help someone when you haven’t experience troubles of your own? Sometimes to have compassion you need to know and feel what the other person is feeling. I ain’t gonna be long yall but I need to know do you hear me? The Deacons stood up telling the Pastor to go on. I Peter 2:2, As newborn babes desires the pure milk of the word, that ye may grow by it It’s time to grow up and know God for yourselves. Momma and Daddy can’t get you in heaven. You got to make your own reservations. It’s your desire! God’s word applies to everything you do, so let him get you through the hard times because it’s coming. Who in here know what I’m talking about? Divorce, foreclosure, laid off, repossession, insufficient funds, homeless, pregnant, sickness. Who in here cheating or getting cheated on? I know for a fact some of yall still smoking weed, pay attention! Hahaha I’m here to tell you we all have our seasons. But when he brings you out and lift you up ain’t no better joy than when God saves you. He takes away the debt, the fears, the anxiety; he will dry your eyes and create in you a new creature. When I was in college my roommate’s mother sent him care packages. I went home every weekend so I didn’t need that. But one evening after studying he was boiling water on the hot plate. I said man what you cooking? He said some noodles. I was like noodles? I knew what they were, plain white spaghetti looking stuff. No big deal. But when he added the spices and stirred it up, I wanted some! Remember when Jesus first stirred you up? Changed you from plain to spirit filled, from ordinary to something special, you were a heathen and became holy. And we shall be made HOLY! he shouted and jumped around and then ran back to the pulpit’s mike. I Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy He will change your lust into love, fellows all you have to do is marry her. Huh you hear what I’m saying, God told me to tell somebody that. Stop buying stuff you don’t need, wait. Get out of so much debt, that’s not being holy. Pay your tithes, save some money or find the store with a layaway plan. There is no better feeling than having what you need, waiting on the wants and stacking paper. Try it! I rather be heaven bound with old stuff than to have all the material wealth of the world and lift up my eyes in Hell. What do you want? God owns it all. I ain’t going to hell; I don’t wanna go cause ain’t nothing there for me. What about you, chose ye this day it may be your last. The doors of the church are now open. Somebody needs a church home, somebody needs to be saved. Is there one?"

The lady told Mercedes her name and said she was invited by one of the ministries to give a three to five minute talk after the message. The baby was asleep on her lap, and asked if she wouldn’t mind holding the baby, when she said yes she eased him from her laps to Mercedes. Mark Eric began to play the organ softly and Pastor Miles is humming in the mike and beating softly on the podium. Big Curt, Leon, Deacon Gaels, Deacon Johnson and old Deacon Wilber stands near the altar welcoming the three new member that Pastor hugged like they had been lost, maybe they were.

Sedrick comes out the left office door and passed a piece of paper up to the pulpit, Pastor Miles read the note during the offering and when it was done he went back up to the mike. Church we have a very important visitor here today with a special announcement. Could our visitor please come up?

Her name was Waynetta Benson and she talked about the DePelchin Children’s Services and their foster and adoption programs. There were twenty children needing foster families to love and care for them. Ten were infants or toddlers and the rest ranged in ages from seven to seventeen. The adoption agency was sending representatives, those who were foster parents to speak with the local churches and let them know that children needed homes. There was state funding to assist with the cost, and single adults were eligible. Mrs. Benson talked about being a foster parent; she and her husband had raised four children of their own and over the past five years have shared their hearts with eight children. There were flyers that she would pass out after church and she told us about the little boy she was caring for now named Brice. Mrs. Benson have had him for two weeks now and described how much joy he was to have in her home. Brice moved on Mercedes lap. He was a tiny, looked like he was wearing preemie size clothes. She could barely feel his weight on her thighs, but she felt how warm his body was. He had the cutest little pouty mouth, his scent floated into her nose. Mercedes thought he was beautiful, a beautiful baby boy.

The congregation applauded and Mrs. Benson returned to her seat. She saw how content the baby was and left him in Mercedes care. After church Mercedes remained seated as several members came up to speak with Waynetta. When Brian walked to the pew, he stood and admired the baby like the others. His wife was speechless; she sat still as a mannequin on display in the window of her store. Nadia came from behind Mercedes and kissed her on the check.

Aunty whose baby?

Mercedes eyes met Brian’s and Nadia question went unanswered.

Thank you so much, I think I better change him before we go, said Waynetta. Mercedes gently put him in her arms and stared at him.

Aaah what do we have here? asked Adam walking up with Aira.

He’s precious, said Aira

He’s little, whose baby? Nadia asked again.

I’m taking care of him now, until we can find him a home

May my wife and I have a flyer? said Brian.

He doesn’t belong to anyone? Mercedes voice sounded like she was scared.

Hard to believe but it’s true. They will be holding an adoption seminar this week, why don’t you come, she said to Brian and Mercedes.

We already completed the entire process over a month ago, said Brian.

Brice’s biological mother is in her third year of college, and the father finally gave up his parental rights. He’s only been in the system a short time. It’s difficult to place African American boys right now and he will be in foster care until he’s placed in adoption. I don’t know how long that will take

Yeah the paperwork was outrageous, said Mercedes

Go call your case worker, tell them that you’ve met Brice. Again thanks for your help. Everybody watched as she disappeared, the baby looking back at them.

That was amazing, said Mercedes.

Girl you should see your face, Aira sat down beside her.

Is that how our baby gonna look? Nadia asked.

He was real little Nadia, I hope ours will be bigger, said Adam.

I cooked yall, Sedrick and Debra went to her parent’s house for dinner

What you cook? Brian grinned.

Mustard greens, spicy roasted chicken, rice, slice tomatoes, and cucumbers, butter pound cake, corn bread and 16 bean soup, Brian started walking towards the front door.

Hold up man, I’m riding with you, said Adam. Justin and Antoine ran out behind them. Mercedes stood up and Aira and Nadia followed her out.

#

THE LEWIS’S

But Daddy all we are saying is don’t make Quinton feel guilty because he’s gonna wanna spend time with Brian, Rachel commented.

Ain’t nobody doing that, he only coming home for a few days and everybody pulling on him to come here or there. Let the boy rest while he home, Thomas Lewis said.

But what about his friend from high school, Turtle gonna be coming home that weekend too? Cheryl Lewis asked.

We having a family dinner right, he needs to be here with his family

And we all agree with you sir, Sedrick said. But he told Brian that his car is acting funny, plus he’s gonna be hanging out

Yall always fussing over Quinton that’s why he stays away so much, said Xavier Rachel’s youngest son.

Who told you that? Joseph asked.

He did, Malik answered.

Oh Lord I need to talk with him he shouldn’t have this type of pressure on him, Rachel picked at her food.

What pressure, he got a free ride to that there college. If he had of listened to me instead of that so called father putting it in his head to go away to school

It was Quinton’s decision, Sedrick said firmly and wiped his mouth. He took the baby from Debra and feed him some mashed potatoes. Ethan reached for the half eaten chicken leg and smacked his lips.

No disrespect Daddy but you can’t control Quinton like you always done. He’s grown, be proud of him, he’s handling his money right, washing his own clothes and his grades were good last semester

I must didn’t have enough control, you still got in trouble!

Thomas that’s enough! We teach our children and when the time comes they either sink or fly. He’s flying and the girls have done wonderful for themselves, Cheryl was pissed off.

Mommy you in trouble? Colby asked.

Not anymore honey, Rachel kissed her on the forehead.

Let’s finish dinner, who wants some more mashed potatoes? Cheryl picked up the large bowl and place more on her husband’s plate.

I didn’t ask for any

Put something in your mouth because I don’t like what’s coming out of it!

The children finished first and were excused from the table. Felicia and Briana took Ethan and Colby followed them to the front porch. The boys Malik, Xavier, Christopher and David went in the other room to watch TV. Debra was proud of Rachel for standing up to their father. Nobody was putting pressure on Quinton except him. Joseph was a pretty cool dude, he and Sedrick got along good. He was always working so they didn’t get to hang out much. He loved sports and drove a custom Ford 150 truck and he played the lotto everyday. He hit the number from time to time but never any thing over $1,000. Rachel couldn’t get him to church for nothing so he and her father was the same in that aspect. Joseph was the type who listened and he let you talk. He was good to Rachel and he said he would never retire because two months after his father retired he died. Thomas started complaining about not feeling well and he went to his room to lie down. Rachel checked his blood pressure, it was 112/72, he was fine. Thomas told Rachel that he was sorry for what he had said at dinner. She stayed to talk with him and made sure he took his medicine and kissed him goodnight. She had prayed for forgiveness a long time ago and she was over it, and done being controlled.

Debra was helping her mother clean up when Rachel walked into the kitchen

How he doing? her mother asked.

Fine, keep trying to get him to walk around the block twice a day

He did walk to the corner with Colby

Maybe that’s it we can use the kids to get him walking. I’ll come by more and see if he will walk to the park with David and the girls, Debra said wiping the stove down with Lysol cleaner.

He has eight other grandkids to take a better interest in. Need to let Quinton be

You right Maw I’ll come too if the other kids are around more than maybe he won’t be so mean and sad

Tommy asked me if I wanted to move into one of those assisted living places. He said I needed to get settled in some place where I wouldn’t have to worry about nothing in case something happened to him

Mom you want to move? Debra asked.

No, that’s him talking

It’s normal for a person suffering from a heart attack to be depressed. His friend Mr. Wilson still comes by?

Yes, he even went bowling with him last week, but after a couple of days he starts saying things like going to some old folks home. Shoot I’m thinking of taking aerobic classes at the community center. I ain’t that old

Good for you Mom, I will take you to get you a couple workout outfits, smiled Debra.

I already bought three outfits the other day

Let us see them, Rachel said.

I put them in the spare bedroom I am so tickled come on and tell me what you think.

#

CLARISSE AND BIG CURT

Do you need anything else? I can bring that chenille throw for you?

No dear I’m fine like this just glad to be out the bed. Aira said she’s coming by this morning once she gets the children off for school

Did you like the oatmeal?

Curt go on and do what you gotta do, I’m fine

What about dinner you want me to take something out to cook?

I’ve had enough of your cooking, Clarisse smiled.

You still mad about the spoon?

No I am not! But baby why would you think that I would use a big mixing spoon to eat with?

To put more down faster I just grabbed it out the drawer, I wasn’t paying attention. Clarisse be nice to me okay?

As soon as you go out that door

Bye

Bye, she said. Clarisse had been sick for four days with a bad cold. She got her yearly flu shot but then caught the worst cold she could remember ever having. Since Aira was pregnant and she didn’t want anyone to get sick, it had been just her and Curt. Than man had drove her nearly crazy. Being ill made her easily irritated and he talked and talked. A few times she played sleep to shut him up. She felt good yesterday but last night’s rest had her feeling like her old self. Clarisse turned the channel to The View to see what Whoopi and Sherry was talking about today.

Big Curt was in the driveway washing Clarisse’s car when Aira pulled up. He waved hello with the big soapy mitten still on his hand.

Hey Daddy

Hey yourself, how you feeling?

How do I look?

Fat and happy

That’s me, Aira laughed.

Where is knuckle head?

He had a meeting this morning

Me and Leon suppose to go fishing out in Clear Lake in the morning. Suppose to get real cold tonight

I can’t wait to taste some redfish, got me a new bottle of hot sauce

I’ma put your name of the first big one we catch I already rinsed my poles off

Thanks Daddy, where’s Mom?

In there she waiting on you

Okay I’ll see you inside. Aira went through the back door and stopped. Frighten she caught her breath and put her hand to her racing heart. She had just seen her Grandmother Julia Thomas standing by the stove and then the image disappeared quickly. Her Granny had died a year after Justin was born. She went to sleep and never woke up, that was the first and only time she seen her father cry when he had to bury her next to his father and brothers. The funeral procession wrapped around the church and down two whole blocks. Julia was a remarkable woman, and was still missed.

I seen you Granny, Aira said and headed to the sun room. You looking good how you feeling?

Hey baby, I’m well and glad to be up and about

Good because I just seen Granny

Where?

By the stove

Time to clean?

It’s not bad, crumbs on the counter, open sugar jar and floor need mopping

What color was her hair?

Blue, Aira and Clarisse laughed.

I can clean up the kitchen for you and cook dinner, what do you have a taste for? She wiped the happy tears from her eyes.

Do your bake chicken for me

You like that? I will do you some squash and rice, that’s light and will be good for you

Thank you. You look bigger that’s going to be a big girl. It looks like you hurting

I don’t hurt but look at my nose Mommy Adam was teasing me this morning

I’ll pinch him real hard for you. I could use something warm to drink I need to take a pain killer my back is sore from coughing so much

I can get them but you sit and I’ll clean.

#

AIRA’S SURPRISE

Standing outside in the airport baggage claim area he is waiting for Aira’s surprise. It didn’t take much to convince Rita Jacobs to come. Aira began talking to Benji’s parents again about two month after they had gotten married. Rita and Conrad stayed after the wedding because they waited until Dwight and Lily were out of the hospital and transported to jail where James was already awaiting a pre-trial hearing.

He talked to Conrad first about Rita coming down to surprise Aira. He like the idea and when he told her she was screaming loud in the background. That happened last week and now he was on his way inside the airport to see if Rita had made it down to the baggage area to claim her bags.

Here I am Adam here I am, Rita shouted from across the large room. Adam waved and walked quickly toward her. Rita had on a two piece sage polyester pants suit. With an ugly brown and green flowered blouse and beige shoes. She was pretty as could be, but country loud to the fifth power.

Rita I am glad you could come, Adam hugged her.

I am too, thanks for everything, first class to Houston. Oooh wee I had a nice flight and the waitress was really nice

That’s good, here hand me your baggage claim ticket and tell me what color it is, I’ll get your luggage.

Their ride home was hilarious Rita was a sweet person with no shame at all in her excitement of being in a big city. Adam drove down the freeway and when the city line came in to view Rita got louder.

I didn’t see this the last time, did I?

You hungry we can stop and get something to eat?

I sure could use something, I didn’t tell the waitress but what she gave me to eat wasn’t very good. Not like there was a real kitchen behind that curtain

I like to go to a placed called Shoney’s for their breakfast buffet

We got a Shoney’s I think, I ain’t never been Conrad don’t like eating at restaurants. But I take my kids to McDonald’s. Adam took her to his favorite Shoney’s by Reliant stadium. The food was fresh, hot and plentiful. Adam and Rita sat right next to the buffet and ate and laughed until they were beyond stuff.

Aira and I use to pig out like this when we were younger, she eats like a bird now. This was great we gonna sneak out to another buffet before you leave. Do you like Chinese food?

I love Chineses!

Chineses?

Yeah it’s more than one of them ain’t it? Adam burst out laughing.

#

When Aira got home the music was playing in the family room and she could hear Adam talking to someone. A huge pork butt roast was sitting on the counter already seasoned and stuffed with garlic cloves and onions covered in plastic wrap. He must be getting ready to put that in the oven, she thought.

Adam I’m home, Aira pulled a water out of the refrigerator and twisted the cap off and threw it in the trash when she looked up Rita was smiling at her with Adam showing all thirty two of his white teeth.

Rita?

Surprise, Aira I flew on a plane to see you, give me my hug girl. Aira was shocked but elated to see her. The women hugged and begin talking at the same time, a mile a minute.

Well my job is done, said Adam putting the roast in the oven.

Adam thank you honey, Aira went to hug and kiss him. He kissed her back with a loud smack on her lips.

That’s better, Rita grab you a seat Aira told me you like beer, Coors Light right?

Give me a beer and let me watch you cook. Ain’t never had a man to do no cooking Conrad can’t even make toast

You want a glass Rita? When Aira turned her back Rita looked at Adam and made a funny face. Laughing and talking for the next hour they were still in the kitchen when Justin and Nadia came through the door. Rita was glad they still recognized her they came right to her and hugged her back. Antoine had football practice and wouldn’t be home until 6:00 o’clock. Aira complained about her back hurting from sitting on the stool and she and Rita went into the family room and the children ran upstairs to change clothes and start their homework.

This has been the best surprise having you here

It’s the same for me, your Adam is a wonderful man Aira you are truly blessed. Your mansion is beautiful. I’m going to like sleeping here tonight

This isn’t a mansion but thanks we are blessed and I try not to take anything for granted

I met your maid

Joon is not our maid

That’s what she said

We only have her out when I need help

Still a maid, ain’t nothing wrong with it, looks like you need help to keep this big place clean Rita scanned the high ceilings.

Yeah, I thought if I never let things go then maintaining it would be easy but it can take up half my day cleaning

I heard that, hey did I tell you that some of those other Jacobs came to the family reunion?

The other kids?

Yup, they look like Jacobs too. Since James still in jail everybody acted nice

Lily out of jail, where was she?

Lily don’t come around much and Dwight trying to find work

I heard and James has to do his full five years

Sure do, he ain’t changed. I told him the last time he called to stop calling all the time I’m sick of accepting charges and all that fussing and cussing. His oldest daughter Jaimya, they call her Crazy J got locked up. You know she suppose to be pregnant and fighting some woman in the Dollar store over some man they both sleeping with

How old is she?

Jaimya got to be about twenty-two. She acts just like him too always trying to get something for nothing. It’s starting to smell good in that kitchen. How long before we eat?

That pork butt will take a while. I’ll check on the kids and you can help yourself to anything in there. I’ll be back in a few.

#

Aunty can you braid my hair like you did before? Nadia had finished her homework and came into the family room with a comb in her hand.

Nadia you remembered me corn rolling your hair?

Yes Maam, when you were here last time for the wedding. I didn’t have to have my hair done for days I liked it huh Mommy

I learned a couple new styles; you want to wear it in a ponytail too?

Yes, can you put beads on it?

No beads Nadia, said Aira. While Rita parted then braided small sections of Nadia’s hair, Rita and Aira talked and let Nadia watch Nickelodeon. Rita fingers moved quickly in the braiding technique that Aira watched amazed at how neat and professional it looked.

You go to school for that?

Naw, learnt how to do this when I was a girl I did some of my daughters friends hair and they Mommas pay me ten dollars a head

They charge more than that in the salons

I heard they do, I can’t afford no beauty salon I have to do my own

"You do your own hair and it looks