“Lindsay, come on. Be reasonable. Sha’Ron isn’t ready to be around you just yet, even if he doesn’t realize it. He actually referred to you as the woman who made him an orphan.”
Ouch! That stung, but again, his feelings were warranted and his statement totally honest. “What do you mean by, ‘even if he doesn’t realize it’?” Lindsay asked, suddenly realizing Cody had said those words.
“Sha’Ron didn’t seem hesitant about seeing you. But something in my gut, let’s call it the Holy Spirit, was not comfortable about that. He actually suggested he come by here to the house to visit with the kids.”
“Well, I think that’s a wonderful idea, Cody. I think the kids would be more relaxed seeing him after all this time if they were here on their own turf.”
“I understand your reasoning, Lindsay. But there is something you need to know before you get so gung ho about inviting him here to our home. Heck, before you give this whole reunion idea your final approval.”
“What’s that, Cody?” she asked hesitantly.
“Sha’Ron is in the drug game now with his great-uncle Bobby.”
Lindsay’s hand flew to her wide-opened mouth in horror. She wasn’t shocked by Cody’s revelation. More than anything, she was disheartened to learn about the destructive path her children’s brother was taking.
“How do you know that? Was he bold enough to tell you?”
“No. Do you remember Toni, Rhonda’s cousin?” Lindsay nodded that she did. “She told me. She’s the person I contacted to find out if the Taylors had moved or not. They are still in the same house, by the way.”
“Oh my gosh, Cody. That is horrible. I’m not sure if I even want the kids around him, if that’s the case.”
“I figured you would feel that way, but I’m not so certain we should let that stop him from at least seeing the kids.”
“What! Why shouldn’t it?” Lindsay asked incredulously.
“Let me ask you this. What reason would you give the kids for not allowing them to see their brother?”
Lindsay thought about it for a moment, debating about whether she would be completely honest with her children or would she give them the old parents-know-best speech; and if necessary, resort to the old because-I-said-so sermon. She definitely did not want to lie to them. Perhaps in being totally honest, her kids would be smart enough to decline seeing Sha’Ron on their own.
“I think the best thing to do, Cody, would be to tell them the truth. Sha’Ron is involved in a very serious and dangerous game. I would explain to them that I don’t want them around that kind of person.”
“Then you would sound like a hypocrite, Lindsay. Their father was that kind of person.”
“I ... but ... that’s different.”
Cody raised an eyebrow, communicating loudly that he wanted her to elaborate the difference to him.
“Cody, come on. Be serious. I was an adult, and Shaun was an adult. The three people we are talking about now are still children. Two, of which, I’m responsible for. I have to protect them.”
“Lindsay, you were not an adult when you started dating Shaun, remember? And you’re right. None of them are adults, including Sha’Ron. Maybe this could be an opportunity for us to help him.”
“Help him how? This is the only kind of life that boy knows.”
“Then this could be a chance for us, as Christian people, to show him something different. Something new.”
Lindsay felt like Cody was fighting dirty by throwing her Christian responsibility in her face like this. She was trying to be a good mother and protect her children. God would definitely understand that. Cody was being unfair and unreasonable.
“Cody, I understand your desire to want to help Sha’Ron. I do. But I am not willing to do that at the expense of my children’s safety. I know that family. Christ and Christianity are the last things on their minds.”
“Then whose job do you think it is to try to change that, huh, Lindsay? God has appointed us to introduce them to Christ, starting with Sha’Ron.”
Lindsay stared hard at Cody, trying to see if she could find something in his eyes that told her he was just kidding. She knew she wouldn’t see any such thing, but she needed to look anyway. She didn’t want Cody to be right, but she knew he was. Still, she pleaded her case, hoping he would back off his position as a saintly do-gooder. She would repent to God later for her unChristian attitude.
“Cody, please understand I am fearful of what the kids could be exposed to while being around Sha’Ron. You have to remember that my best friend was murdered simply because she was standing in the same spot as Shaun.” Lindsay knew she was now playing dirty. She immediately felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit as a result, but she kept quiet and hoped her last statement would quiet Cody’s insistence on helping Sha’Ron as well.
“Lindsay Vincini, are you serious? For real? You and I both know better than that.” Lindsay tried giving Cody the innocent “what are you talking about look,” but Cody kept talking. “Look, sweetheart. I do understand your fears, but God can handle those. We don’t have to trust Sha’Ron. We simply have to trust God. He will let us know if, and, when to pull back. Right now, He is telling me to help Sha’Ron. The kids wanting to reacquaint with him is a perfect opportunity to do so.”
Lindsay knew she was not going to win this battle against her husband. She decided to try, instead, to look at the positives of this situation.
“Cody, you have to promise me you are going to be there at every gathering between my kids and their brother. You also have to be sure you don’t allow the kids to go over to Patricia’s house. If the rest of the Addams Family wants to see the children, they are going to have to make similar arrangements as Sha’Ron. Agreed, Counselor?”
Cody thought about Lindsay’s conditions for a moment before agreeing. Realizing her request made sense, he said, “Yes, Your Honor.”
Though still not totally comfortable with the arrangement, Lindsay gave up the fight and gave in to trusting her husband and God. She also hoped Cody could actually influence Sha’Ron in a positive way.
“Well, I guess that’s it. You better get on your way to work, love.”
Lindsay stood from the sofa and waited for her husband to do the same. When he did, the couple embraced lovingly and on one accord.
“I’m glad you have agreed to do this for Shauntae, Li’l Shaun, and Sha’Ron as well,” he said while he held his wife. The two shared a passionate kiss just before Cody made ready to head to the office.
Sha’Ron prepared to call Uncle Bobby as he drove to school the morning following Cody’s visit. He adjusted the volume on the music in his barely used triple black Mustang convertible, purchased for him by his uncle. Wintertime in Detroit did not permit him to put the top down as he so desperately wanted to so he could display his impressive sound system. But when alone in his ride and not on the phone, he kept the speakers working overtime.
“Uncle Bobby, you are not going to believe this. My former stepmom’s new husband came to see me yesterday. He wants to put together a reunion between me and my little brother and sister.” Sha’Ron went on to explain the details as they were told to him.
“Wow, S-Man! Things are coming together pretty cool. This couldn’t be any better if we planned it ourselves. Okay, boy. I just want you to play it cool. Go along with their program. Learn what you can from them, even if you are only going to be hanging with that punk lawyer and the kids. You need to know about them too. Stay focused, S, and keep the goal in front of you.” Uncle Bobby hung up. That was always his style: all business; never any affection; never any sentiment. It was forever about making the most of every opportunity that presented itself.
When his father was alive, Sha’Ron remembered the bond they shared; the time his dad spent teaching him about life, but also the time he spent just sharing himself with him. His dad was his best friend. And even though they were men, Sha’Ron remembered that his father always told him he loved him.
When
ever Sha’Ron reminisced about his dad like this, he would always feel like crying. He hated the softness he felt inside. He hated the ache and emptiness in his heart, and he hated his former stepmother for killing his father and making him feel this way....
Chapter Seven
Two days before the sibling reunion, Lindsay sat with her mother in Ruby Tuesday’s restaurant having lunch. The pair had spent the better part of three hours shopping at Laurel Park Place Mall in Livonia. Lindsay was assisting her mother with getting her wardrobe together for a vacation to Phoenix she was taking with some friends from church.
Lindsay had been nervous about the kids seeing Sha’Ron ever since she and Cody made the final decision to let it happen. She had been talking her mother’s ear off about it nonstop while they shopped. And now that they had sat down and prepared to replenish their strength with a meal, the complaining continued.
“Mama, I just don’t get how people can have so little regard for the life of a child. Sha’Ron is only sixteen. Neither Patricia nor Uncle Bobby could care less that they are ruining his life.”
Sherrie Westbrook sat silently listening to her daughter complain about her former in-laws. She had been listening to Lindsay for hours go on and on about her fear of allowing her grandchildren to be around their older brother. For the most part, she just nodded and gave the occasional “hmm” or an “oh” as a reply. However, as they were seated and relaxed now and she observed the distress in her daughter’s voice, she realized she should perhaps exert her opinion.
“Nay, sweetie, listen. You are obviously very concerned about the kids spending time with their older brother. Sweetheart, knowing what he is involved in makes your fear totally understandable. If you were not afraid, you would not be a good mother. Heck, I am even feeling a little vindication in this because I feel like you are validating my parenting skills. I mean, you remember what you put me through when you were dating Shaun, right?”
Sherrie paused to give Lindsay time to reflect back on the time when mother and daughter had a knock-down, drag-out brawl because Lindsay had decided she was simply done with following her mother’s rules. She was going to be with her man at all costs.
Lindsay certainly understood why her mother would find the comparison appropriate, but in her mind, the situations were worlds apart.
“Mama, these are my babies. I have to protect them. Shaun and I were both grown when we made our decision to be with each other. We were old enough to live with the consequences of our actions.” Lindsay remembered this being the same argument she gave Cody when they began having this same discussion.
“Oh really? Grown, huh? Because I remember it just a bit differently. I remember it being your seventeenth birthday, which by legal standards, still made you my child.”
Lindsay rolled her eyes to the top of her head, realizing she could no longer argue with her mother’s logic. But she gave it the ole college try, as the saying goes.
“Mom, yes, I was still legally underage but ... but ... but it was different, Mama. Li’l Shaun and Shauntae are just little children.”
“Nay, I’m not saying I disagree with you. I totally understand your apprehension.” Lindsay sighed gratefully as her mother spoke in agreement with her. “However, I can certainly understand your husband’s reasoning as well.”
Now Lindsay’s eyes grew as big as saucers as she heard her mother quickly change her position over to Cody’s way of thinking.
Sherrie noticed Lindsay’s look of distress. “Let me explain, Nay-Nay. You say your kids are young. This is true.”
Before she could finish her point, the waiter appeared to take their orders. After giving him their selections of both their beverages and entrees, Sherrie and Lindsay resumed their conversation.
“As I was saying, baby girl, your kids are younger than you and Shaun were, but I want you to remember that Sha’Ron is also younger than you were too. I think Cody’s heart is in exactly the right place. He wants to make an attempt to help this young man. I think that’s honorable. You should be proud of your husband.”
“Mama, I am proud of his intentions. I just don’t want my kids to have to be part of his plans to save that boy. What if it does no good and Sha’Ron continues on his path of destruction until he lands in jail or in his grave? How will my kids feel then having to face another such loss?”
“Nay-Nay, that is totally in God’s hands. Cody will have very little to do with whether his efforts fail or succeed. You both just have to trust God. That is exactly what I had to do when you walked into this same situation at age seventeen. I was worried sick, but I had to let you go and give you to God.”
“But, Mama ...”
“Lindsay, there are no buts here. You either trust God, or you don’t.”
Lindsay knew she could no longer argue with her mother’s reasoning or her faith.
“Hello.”
Deep in the musings of her mother’s words, Lindsay had not even noticed the woman approach their table. Sherrie was also caught off guard by the beautiful stranger’s approach. She assumed that Lindsay was familiar with the woman. Otherwise, why would she have approached their table? The stunned and confused look on her daughter’s face gave indication that she was not very pleased by the woman’s sudden appearance. Lindsay just sat there staring and speechless.
“Hello to you,” Sherrie greeted her after realizing Lindsay was not going to open her mouth.
“Hi. I assume you are Lindsay’s mom since the two of you look so much alike. My name is Keva. I’m sure you have heard of me, all wonderful things I imagine,” Keva chuckled.
Sherrie immediately recognized the name and totally understood her daughter’s shock. Not wanting to be rude, even under the circumstances, she decided to converse with Keva. Lindsay interrupted, however, before her mother even began.
“Keva, I have told you more than once to call me Nay or Nay-Nay. What are you doing here? I thought you lived in Atlanta,” she stated very aggressively.
Sherrie prickled at her daughter’s tone, but Keva replied as if she had not been fazed by Lindsay’s abruptness.
“My family and I moved back here about a year and a half ago. That’s why I am so happy to see you here today.”
“Excuse me? What do I have to do with you and your family being back in Detroit?”
Sherrie understood all too well why her daughter had such animosity toward Keva. The two women had never done anything other than battle over Shaun since they were made aware of each other. Yet, Sherrie had hoped the bitterness Lindsay felt for this woman, or any other woman from Shaun’s past, would have been buried with the dead man responsible for it. Lindsay was a Christian woman who should have known all too well the power of forgiveness and the consequences of not forgiving.
“Nay-Nay, please stop being so rude. Keva approached you in a nonaggressive manner. God and I expect you to respond in kind,” Sherrie said firmly.
Lindsay definitely did not appreciate being chastised, especially in front of Keva. She expected her mother to understand why she was being mean to the woman her former husband cheated with and with whom he produced a child. But out of respect for her mother and God, as she so easily threw in, she decided to conduct herself in a more Christian-appropriate manner.
“Keva, have a seat.” Lindsay slid over on her side of the bench to make room, and Keva sat down. “I apologize for my rude behavior. Honestly. I guess I allowed some old feelings to resurface and control my actions. I should just put that crap behind me and let it go.” Lindsay was still not very comfortable in Keva’s presence, but she was determined to act bigger than her feelings.
Sherrie smiled at her daughter’s change of attitude.
“Nay-Nay,” Keva said carefully, “I understand your reaction to me. It’s not as if we were ever bosom buddies. Your mother mentioned God’s expectations of us, and I can only agree with her. It’s only because of God that I can approach you without the hatred I once felt for you.”
Suddenly, Lindsay
and Sherrie both realized that Keva had gotten saved sometime between their last confrontation and now.
“Good for you, Keva,” Sherrie said encouragingly.
Keva smiled at her in return. “Like I was saying, I moved back to Michigan with my husband and Kevaun awhile ago. We live in Westland now, and I’m about nine weeks pregnant with my second child.”
“Congratulations,” mother and daughter said in unison.
“Thank you. It seems like we are always running into each other in restaurants while I’m pregnant.” Lindsay caught her meaning, and they both laughed. “With that being said, Nay-Nay, I want Kevaun to get to know his sister and brother. Shaun’s funeral left my son so confused. Every now and then he asks about your kids and Sha’Ron; the last time being just two days ago. Seeing you here today, in this restaurant right around the corner from my house, made me believe that God orchestrated this meeting.”
Sherrie agreed with Keva’s faith, but at the same time, was concerned about Lindsay’s state of mind. Her daughter had been complaining all day about her children getting reacquainted with their older brother. Now, here comes Keva not only bringing up that sore subject, but adding even another child to the mix.
Lindsay sat thinking, Is God trying to tell me something?
“Keva, it’s funny you should mention Sha’Ron and your son wanting to know more about Shauntae and Li’l Shaun. My mother and I were discussing this just before you came over here. My kids told me just the other day they wanted to be reunited with Sha’Ron. Of course, they didn’t mention Kevaun because they don’t know him. With all that has taken place in their lives over the past couple years, I doubt Shauntae remembers little else about Shaun’s funeral other than her father being dead and her mother killing another person.”
“Right! Kevaun and I made our exit just before that happened. We were fortunate enough to miss all that drama.”
Keva and Lindsay sat quietly at the table going over that dreadful day in their minds. Sherrie, who was not present at the funeral-murder scene, tried to think of a way to lighten the mood. Or at least change the subject.
Lindsay's Legacy Page 6