Let The Truth Be Told: 1, #1

By Antoinette R. Davis

"Let the Truth be Told" written by Antoinette Davis is a powerful fiction novel with a twist of realness that deals with love, lust secrets, and generational curses. When the Ellison Family walks into the sanctuary all eyes are on them especially the matriarch of the family Mrs. Coretta Ellison. Mrs. Ellison and her five children grew up in the church and they appear to be the family that has it all together from the choir to the pew however what people can't see is what may destroy each one of them. Claudia Ellison has finally graduated from nursing school and she is using her career to take her mind off of being in a relationship. After dating losers, one after another Claudia has decided to just focus on making money so she can move out of the family home and be out on her own. That plan quickly changes when her long-time love Terrence Madden is released from federal prison with plans of his own that definitely include Claudia. All the drama will begin and end with what Claudia wants for Claudia. The Ellison family will find themselves gripped by lies, deception and curses some relationships may survive and some will be damaged forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ARD Writing with you in Mind
• Release date: Sep 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393685432

Antoinette R. Davis

An Entertaining and Compelling Fiction Author From Baltimore  In today’s fast-paced world where everyone is always busy and technology is king, sometimes it just feels good to sit back, take a break, and read a good novel. Hi, I am Antoinette Davis, and I am a fiction author that aims to spread the magic of reading in the world. At ARD Writing, I do my best to keep the world of books alive by writing wonderful fiction stories. To make sure that people enjoy my works, I always write with my audience in mind. By incorporating my thoughts and imagination with what my readers want, I am able to create beautiful and thought-provoking narratives that keep them entertained and compelled to read more.

Book preview

Let

The

Truth

Be Told VOL1

___________________________________

This book was just a thought in my head for two years before I actually started writing it.

I found a way to channel my Drama Queen personality into this book and hopefully many more to come.

I’m asking you to take this journey with me into the life of Claudia Ellison and her imperfect family.  You may find yourself, your family member, or a friend.

Enjoy.

Prelude

The Family

We don’t get to choose our family members, only our friends.

Claudia Ellison the second from the youngest of five children.  There is Charles Ellison Jr., the oldest, Charmaine Ellison, the second oldest, Cynthia Ellison, the third and the middle child, Claudia, the baby girl and finally Christopher, the Babyboy of the bunch.  All five of the Ellison’s are very close however at times they do bump heads.

Claudia still lives at home with her widowed mother until she graduates from the University of Maryland with her medical degree in Psychology; she can’t wait to be out on her own and be her own woman. 

Claudia is balancing college, work and trying to have a social life.  Claudia’s prospects for dates are few and too far between ever since the love of her life Terrence left her for prison life.  So, for right now she’s a full-time college student and a part-time employee at Nordstrom’s shoe department.

The Ellison family along with their spouses attend church every Sunday; with Mrs. Coretta sitting at the end of the pew

Mr. Ellison, God rests his soul died a few years ago but he is not forgotten by his family, nor is his words of love for family and family unity.

Chapter 1

It’s Sunday Morning and Claudia is preparing for church.  She’s particular about what she wears; to church that is, she’s 5’5, 185lbs, and has a shape that can be the envy of other women and she doesn’t want any drama in church.

Claudia treats herself as a queen by shopping for the latest fashion and making sure her nails, hair, and accessories are always on point.

Most people love being in her company because she’s funny and witty and at times compassionate, however, there are times when the last place a person wants to be is in her presence and that’s usually after they’ve pissed her off.  Just as she is good, she is bad, and her tongue can go either way.

Her mother would remind her, You can’t serve GOD and the devil with that mouth.

Her sisters are a little different, there’s Charmaine, a church-going holly roller who is married with one child;  Cynthia, spitfire Cynthia, far worse than Claudia could ever be once you got on her bad side. The Ellison women have been known to turn a few heads around Baltimore but Mr. and Mrs. Ellison raised them to value themselves.

The Ellison men are very protective of their sisters especially Charles Ellison Jr., he took on his father’s role once his daddy died.  Christopher was typically in his own world but when his sisters called on him, he would be right there.

Claudia dreamed of being a wife to Terrence Madden until he decided to make a change in careers from an accountant to a drug dealer.  Claudia still can’t believe that he broke the law.  It left her ashamed and embarrassed.

Just when you think you know somebody they go and do something stupid, thought Claudia.

Terrence was her first true love. He was everything she loved in a man because he reminded her of her father; six-five and a ripped body.  They met through her girlfriend Angie who attended Morgan State University with Terrence.  Terrence majored in Accounting and graduated at the top of his class; he started working for a well-known accounting firm.

Claudia!!!!!!!!!, her mother yells, Can you come and help me please?

Mrs. Coretta, now seventy-one and retired from the City school system is home all day watching her soap operas and reading the bible.  Occasionally children in the neighborhood stop by to get candy from her.

Baby girl, can you help your old mama put this dress on, says Mrs. Coretta as she walks into Claudia’s bedroom

Oh mama you ain’t old,  sure I’ll help you. Claudia stands up from the side of her bed.

What are you in here doing?

Just sitting here thinking about my life.

Claudia and her mother are very, very close. Their bond is different than with her other sisters. 

Well, child let’s go, you know I don’t want to be late for church.  God ain’t ever been late getting to me and you know how your sisters can become impatient.

Claudia rolls her eyes up in her head, who cares about them, says Claudia to herself.

Claudia rushes to finish getting ready, she quickly flat irons her cold black bob cut hair and dashes a little makeup on her face, not that she needs it.

Claudia! Mrs. Coretta is impatient after looking at the kitchen clock on the wall.

I’m coming mama, Claudia walks down the staircase.

Why is it taking you so long?

I have to get ready too, Mama.  You’re not the only one who once to look nice.

Watch your tone with me, little girl.

Claudia checks her attitude.

They arrive at church, Claudia lets her mother out of the car right in front of the church, and for sure Cynthia, Charmaine, Christopher, and even Charles Jr. are all waiting for them to arrive.

Claudia looks at every one of her family members standing in front of the church waiting, They never offer to come to pick her up and bring her to church, selfish bastards, Claudia thought to herself.

Mrs. Coretta gets out of the car with a navy blue suit on, navy blue shoes, and a beautiful navy blue and white hat sitting perfectly on her head to match her shoes.  The women in the church love to see Mrs. Ellison strutting her stuff when she comes to church and she loves to show herself off. 

Claudia looks at her mother walking and chuckles, I guess that’s where I get it from.

Chapter 2

Out with the old, in with the New.

Pastor Taylor is a wonderful teacher and his congregations have grown by leaps and bounds   He refuses to put a debit machine in the church for the congregation to pay their tithes.

The Ellison family have been members of his church since Claudia’s parents were married back in the 1960s. They Ellison child was baptized by Pastor Taylor and he did the nuptials for Claudia’s two older sisters Cynthia and Charmaine.

Pastor Taylor announced a few months ago that he would be stepping down as head pastor because it was time for a younger generation to teach and to draw younger people to the congregation.

The last thing we need is a young single good looking Pastor. Lord please let him be married and not so attractive, so the women in Baltimore don’t come running over here taking up the pews. Claudia thought to herself.

Once Reverend Taylor announced he was retiring, the buzz was who will be coming?

Well, they soon found out. Rev. Taylor introduced the new Reverend Bernard Caraway.  Talk about fine, this man is too fine for his own good. All Claudia kept thinking was let there be a wife. There she is, Lisa Caraway. 

Rev. Caraway comes to us from Great Southern Baptist church, in Durham, NC. Along with him is his lovely family, his wife Lisa and daughter Ayreon, says Pastor Taylor.

Lisa was a beautiful woman, short haircut, about 5’8, a nice shape, and appeared to be in her thirties.  She appeared to be pleasant.

I know the heffas in the church are mad because the new Rev. of the house has a wife, thought Claudia smiling

Once the introduction was over, Pastor Taylor went to the sermon.

He talked about marriages, preached from the book of Esther, about how to treat your spouse. As she listens, Claudia thinks, Here I sit with no husband, and no prospects, GOD what am I doing wrong? When will the right man come along; maybe when I graduate I can focus more on a relationship.

She often thought about what her life would have been like if Terrence was not in the penal system. We could have had children by now, a big home and...

Claudia, Claudia, Mrs. Coretta shakes Claudia, are you listening to the Pastor? Stop daydreaming and focus on the word."

Claudia shakes her head and snaps out of her daydreaming.

After service, everyone got the chance to introduce themselves to the new first family. 

Rev. Caraway would be preaching next week and then the trustees would be voting him in.

Once again, the entire family decided to go back to Mrs. Coretta’s house to eat.  Claudia hated when all her siblings and nieces and nephews came over for dinner, they left the house a mess.

As she thought about what a mess the house was going to be her mind wandered off. Mama wants to have a surprise party for me graduating nursing school and she thinks I don’t know about it. She should know her children can’t keep a secret. Cynthia told me the day mama planned it.  Who will I invite; let me call my crew.

Claudia calls her two closest friends Angie and Joann.  Mrs. Coretta comes in Claudia’s room just as she is making phone calls.

Oh mama, I didn’t see you standing there.  I’m just making a few phone calls.

Well here’s your mail, says Mrs. Coretta, you gotta letter from Terrence.  I wonder how he’s doing.

Claudia's rolls her eyes at her mother, Oh mama please, the man is in jail, how do you think he’s doing?

Well, are you going to read it? Mrs. Coretta ignores her spoiled daughter and continues asking questions.

Claudia is really annoyed now, Oh my God are really going to stand there and ask me about a jailhouse letter.  I have lots of time to read it, it’s not like he’s coming home tomorrow.

Well Okay, Mrs. Coretta leaves the room and closes the door behind her. She smiles and hums hymns as she walks down the hall and into her bedroom. 

Claudia starts calling her friends.

Hello Joanne, what’s up girl? My mother is throwing me a graduation party. It’s at the lodge on Saratoga Street on Friday.  Did you rsvp?

Joanne laughs, Girl your mother called me two months ago, how did you find out about the party?

Like yawl can keep something from me, girl please, so everybody knows?

Yes and including you now.  I’ll be there.

Claudia and Joanne hang up.

Claudia is anxious about opening the letter however she is trying not to be.

It gets the best of her,  Well, I don’t have to call anybody else so I can read it now.

Dear Claudia,

I hope this letter reaches you in the best of health and spirit. I am so sorry it took me this long to write to you and to say that I am sorry for everything that happened. Greed will make a man do some crazy stuff,