Ties of a Family

By Ebona Hope

Ties of a family: is a true story about events that occurred in the lives of one black family. There are no million dollar mansions, struggles for power or millionaires. They are an ordinary family that has been rooted and grounded in unconditional love and faith in God. This family Faced everyday issues that most families deal with; told through the eyes of one family member. I wrote this novel because I feel that theres a message in the trails that this family has faced. I hope to reach out to someone whos facing a similar trail and if nothing else; give them comfort in knowing that God is real. He hears, sees and knows all that we face. He will never give you more than you can bear nor leave you alone but we in our daily walk often turn away from him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496921840

Ebona Hope

She is an ordinary Woman who has a story to tell that gives insight into the life choices and the presence of God as one family struggled to reach their goals. At the age of twenty two she sat in a chair holding a gun to her head, so depressed about life that she wanted to end it. God spoke: “write it down”. She started writing thinking that he meant to write a book about her pain. She spent every available moment with a paper and pen. Every evening before bed she would read from start to her stopping point and the tears would overflow as her wounds were exposed. Two years later she had finished. Sent it out to a publisher and was offered a deal to rewrite it in the third person. She read it from start to finish to figure out her approach and realized that she could laugh at the things that once caused her so much pain. She decided that if her writing could help her maybe she could help others.

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© 2014 Ebona Hope. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/19/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-2183-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-2184-0 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

To

The memory of

Lillian & Michael

T he year was 1964 Atlanta was the city; Rita Hart was married, twenty-three years old and the mother of four small children: Michael age six was a very well -mannered and quiet child. Deborah age four duplicated her grandmother’s personality and wisdom even as a young child. Lillian age three was high spirited, spontaneous and adventurous. Linda age one was a spoiled brat who loved to throw things at her siblings and run to her grandmother. Rita was a hard working woman; in which was instilled in her by her mother Mrs. Deborah Warland.

Mrs. Warland’s life displayed a strong faith in God and extreme love for family. She assured that every Sunday was family bonding day for the entire bloodline; with food for the soul, mentoring for the spirit and hope for the lost. Prayer began and ended each gathering. Rita didn’t graduate from high school, but had been blessed with a job at an airline company. The pay was good and the benefits were excellent for a family. David Hart was a proud family oriented young man who legally adopted Michael and Deborah Rita’s first two children from previous relationships. He was employed in the construction field. The pay was excellent but during the winter months the work often slowed to a complete stop.

David had a natural talent of repairing cars which allotted him a small flow of cash coming in during slow work periods. Long harsh winters discouraged him and crippled his ability to consistently provide for his family. David and Rita were constantly moving in or out of her parent’s home based on their financial status and Rita’s need to be assured that her children would not go without anything. This process created a sense of failure for David so he spent most of his winters drinking excessively to fill the void.

Rita’s ten year old sister Minnie was an aspiring actress who loved to act out different roles from her favorite television shows. The children were her audience. At the insistence of their mother Minnie moved back and forth with Rita to watch the children while Rita worked. Minnie would get the children off to school and daycare before going to school herself. Rita would dress the girls in matching plaid dresses and pretty pastel colored ribbons. Minnie was very devoted to Rita and her kids. She took on the task with pride although it limited her ability to enjoy just being a child.

Saturday was cleaning day for Rita. It was a slow work period for David so they were once again living in her parent’s home. She’d clean the entire house, washed, iron and folded all the laundry. She always started with the refrigerator completely removing all food and racks. She’d wipe down the walls and prop open the door allowing it to air dry. The girls were playing in the playhouse, which their grandfather Mr. Victor Warland had built for Minnie years earlier in the back yard. Michael was riding his new bike David had recently purchased. Mr. Warland was in the back yard tending his garden and stocking his vegetable truck for his next route.

Mr. Warland didn’t approve of David marring his daughter so he didn’t attend the wedding. David’s interactions with Deborah and Michael along with his observable love for Rita and their children gained his respect toward David. Lillian ran into the house. A few minutes later Deborah followed. Mama!! mama!! mama!! the muffled cries of Lillian could be heard throughout the house. Rita was running through the house in a panic. Where is my baby she screamed. Everyone ran to the house and started searching under beds, in closets and every corner.

Deborah quietly listened for her sister’s cries and followed the faint sound to the kitchen. Mama I think she’s in here Deborah said pointing to the refrigerator. Rita opened the door and there Lillian sat soaked in sweat and tears. Thank you Jesus, my baby could have suffocated Rita said as she held her. Everyone was relieved. It’s time for ice cream David stated as he scooped Deborah and Lillian into his arms. Lillian required a watchful eye for her spontaneous actions. She was always cheerful, full of energy and very adventurous. Deborah was very protective of Lillian because she was always getting into something. David’s drinking took full control as he and Rita argued and fought, often in front of the children. They’d sit on the sofa crying as they watched.

Michael and Deborah’s love and admiration for David created a sense of sorrow during Rita’s many victories. Rita at Michael’s insistence told him who his biological father was two years prior. Every attempt Michael made to communicate with his father was discouraged by the man’s hateful response to Michael. Michael tried to hide his pain and disappointment but Deborah clearly understood and aided her brother’s struggle to move on.

One Sunday as Deborah followed him Michael approached his biological father (the pastor’s grandson). I don’t want to be in your life and I am not your father!! he yelled at Michael. Deborah placed her arm on Michael’s shoulder He could never be the father that daddy David is to us Michael, I don’t ever want to know who mine is. David Hart is all the father we need Deborah said to Michael as they walked out of the pastor’s study. Tears filled Michael’s tiny face.

David had watched them from a distance. He walked over to them and placed Michael on his shoulders as he held Deborah’s hand. It’s time for ice cream and cake he said to them as they walked toward the