She continued to hold her mother’s pillow as she cried teardrops bigger than summer raindrops, quickly soaking the pillowcase. She and her mother had not always gotten along, but since Shaun’s murder, she, her mom, and her sister had grown closer. Shaun was the hero to all of them. When he was killed by the witch he had married, they all bonded, not necessarily by a familial love, but more by the common hate they all had for Lindsay.
“I’ve been going to church for a few months with a coworker. I believe in God. I believe God loves us all, including Shaun and Mama. I believe there are consequences for your actions. And I believe that we can still believe in God and not be perfect,” Francine said genuinely.
“I asked Mama a couple of weeks ago if she believed in God. She told me she did. She said she believed in God and she believed in Jesus. She said she was taught about God when she was a little girl and went to church occasionally with a neighbor. I need you two to believe me even if you don’t believe in God. I need you to believe that Mama is with God now that she is not with us anymore. I don’t know about Shaun, but I hope he is with God too. I hate Lindsay as much as the two of you do, but I have to believe that because she believed in God and Jesus, she somehow convinced Shaun to believe when they were together. I don’t know a lot about this yet, but I know we don’t have to be perfect to spend eternity with God. Mama was not perfect. Shaun was not perfect. But I have to believe they are with God. I can’t stand the thought of anything else now that they are both dead. I have to believe they are now together again.”
Francine lay down next to her sister and cried the same tears that she did. The Taylor family sat in Patricia’s room, mother and grandmother, and shared a grief that was palpable, a grief that seemed to have life and breath. They were being revisited by the same grief spirit that had come by a couple of years ago when Shaun died. They were all drowning in the same tear storm. At that time, they were unsure of who was Shaun’s killer. Now, however, they knew that the same person was responsible, directly and indirectly, for both deaths.
Chapter Fourteen
Both Cody and Lindsay agreed that the kids should stay home from school. Shauntae was very hard to consol once they returned home. She teetered between grieving Patricia’s death and being upset about Tameeka and Francine attacking her mother. There was also the guilt of having been out of touch with her grandmother for more than two years. On top of that, she was upset with Lindsay as well.
Li’l Shaun fed off his big sister’s negative energy. He had his own issues with seeing his mother attacked, but Lindsay was sure everything else he felt came from Shauntae’s stress.
Once Cody and Lindsay finally got the kids settled enough to fall asleep, the married couple found their way to bed as well. Both were physically, mentally, and emotionally drained. They agreed that they would discuss their issues the following day. They mustered just enough energy to make love out of the sheer necessity of needing to reconnect after their one-day estrangement.
Lindsay was the first in the family to awaken. She decided to clean the mess left in the kitchen last night before the emergency departure. Cody was the next member out of bed. He snuggled behind his wife as she stood at the sink rinsing last night’s dishes.
Silent tears fell from Lindsay’s eyes as she thanked God for bringing her husband home. She turned to face Cody, giving him a full-frontal hug.
“Thank you for coming home, Cody. I don’t know if you forgive me or not. I’m just so glad you’re here. Please give me an opportunity to make it up to you. Please.”
“It was made painfully obvious to me yesterday that you don’t owe me much of anything. According to Pastor Adams, I’m just as much to blame for this, if not more, than you are.”
Lindsay pulled out of the embrace. “Pastor Adams said that to you?”
“Yes. Your pastor scolded me good. After I talked to him, I talked to God, who told me that Pastor Adams was right.”
Lindsay started to ask for a further explanation but wisely decided against it. She realized the why and how were unimportant. The important thing was that Cody was home. Now she would just continually pray and ask God what she needed to do to keep him there forever.
“Pastor Adams wants us to start sessions with the church’s marriage counselor. I’ll call today and set our first appointment,” Cody informed her.
“Speaking of counseling, I think I’ll call Dr. Hooper to see if I can get an emergency session set up for Li’l Shaun and Shauntae. Their next regularly scheduled appointment is not for almost two weeks.”
“That sounds like a great idea.”
Cody helped Lindsay finish putting the kitchen in order; then the couple sat in the family room to continue talking.
“Lindsay, I have to apologize for not recognizing that I put you in danger with Sha’Ron. I was arrogant in my desire to save him, and I was blinded to his hate and the possibility of him having evil intentions toward you.”
“It’s okay, Cody. I don’t want to talk about the wrong or mistakes we did. I just want to know what we are going to do about it now. Shauntae and Li’l Shaun love him. I don’t want to just cross him out of their lives because he and the rest of his family hate me so much. I honestly believe the Taylors truly love my kids because they are a part of Shaun. I think their attack on me would have been far worse on me if it were not for the presence of their niece and nephew.”
“I don’t have all the answers right now, baby. I guess we’re going to have to pray and be very careful from now on. You’ll never ever be around any of them again, especially Sha’Ron, if it can be avoided. Don’t even think about going anywhere near Patricia’s funeral. If we can’t work out another way for the kids to go, then they simply cannot go.”
Lindsay hated the thought of forbidding the kids from attending their grandmother’s memorial. Shauntae would probably never forgive her if it came to that.
“I hear you, baby. I just pray that we’ll work something out. Perhaps Keva will attend. We could send the kids with her.”
Cody smiled at his wife. “The two of you are really becoming close, huh? I’m glad to see that, especially considering the history between you two. Your relationship with her is truly an act of God at work.”
“She has definitely been a godsend. She stayed with me all night when you left. Then she came running to my rescue last night. She reminds me so much of Shyanne in so many ways. I just pray that I have the opportunity to be as good a friend to her as she is to me. With Shyanne, it seemed as if I was the one always receiving, never giving.”
“I’m glad you have her. I’m sure things will even out.”
“Thank you for being a cheerleader for our relationship. Don’t you have to get ready for work, Counselor?”
“No. I’m taking today off. My family needs me.”
Shauntae came down the stairs just as Cody slid across the couch to kiss Lindsay. Her sad eyes were still swollen from crying. She slowly moved across the room from the kitchen to the family room at the pace of someone five times her age. Yesterday’s incidents had surely taken a toll on the otherwise very beautiful teenager. She seemed to have aged overnight.
Lindsay was very happy that God had sent Cody home before she had to explain his absence to her children. That would have been far too much for them to handle.
Lindsay got up from her seat and met her daughter in the middle of the floor. She hugged Shauntae as her body went limp. Lindsay half-walked, half-carried her to the sofa.
“Last night was horrible, Mom.” Cody slid over on the sofa. Both adults embraced Shauntae while she continued to grieve.
“Cody took the day off work, sweetie, so we’ll both be here with you and Li’l Shaun all day. I’m also going to call Dr. Hooper to see how soon we can get an emergency appointment for you two. Is that okay with you?”
Shauntae shrugged her shoulders indicating she did not care one way or the other.
Li’l Shaun came bounding down the stairs at a much greater rate of speed than h
is sister had. He ran to the couch and joined the family in comforting Shauntae. Lindsay wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into her lap. Aside from the grief that shadowed them, the group looked ready for a family portrait.
“Have you talked to Sha’Ron, Shauntae?” Lindsay asked.
“No. He hasn’t called me. I haven’t called him because I don’t really know what to say to him. And right now, Mom, I’m very upset with Aunt Meeka and Aunt Frannie for what they did to you. They didn’t have to act that way.”
“Don’t be too hard on them, honey. They were very grief stricken over their mother’s death. They were angry and hurt. I know what that feels like. I don’t think they would have attacked me, at least not in front of you two, if they were thinking straight.”
After explaining Tameeka’s and Francine’s actions, Lindsay realized how much she had grown personally. She actually held no animosity toward the sisters for their attack because she believed what she said to her daughter.
“Why don’t you call to check on your brother? I’ll call Dr. Hooper to see how soon she can see you two.”
“Okay, Mom.”
“It still seems like it’s not real, Shauntae. I’ve been in Grandma’s room about three times already this morning expecting her to be there.”
“Who’s there with you, Sha’Ron? Do Aunt Tameeka or Frannie still live there?”
“Aunt Meeka is here, but she doesn’t live here anymore. She just stayed last night. Auntie Frannie went home to be with her kids.”
“Then who is going to take care of you now, Sha’Ron?”
“I’m a man, girl. I can take care of myself.” Sha’Ron answered with much more bravado than he actually felt. “Besides, Uncle Bobby will be back later today. He’ll help me and tell me what to do.”
“Okay, big brother. I just called to check on you. Call me when you all know when Grandma’s funeral will be.”
“I will. Like I said, my aunties are waiting for Uncle Bobby to get back in town. Then we’ll start making arrangements.” A thought popped in Sha’Ron’s head. “Is your mom going to bring you to the funeral?”
Shauntae became unnerved by her brother’s question. Something in his voice almost suggested he was hoping that her mother did plan to attend their grandmother’s funeral. Suddenly the scene that played out at their dad’s funeral came to mind. Shauntae realized that a similar scene could take place if her mother went to Patricia’s funeral.
“No!” The word exploded from Shauntae’s lips more forcefully than she intended, but she meant what she said.
Sha’Ron noticed the irritation and mild hostility. He let the whole subject drop. “Okay. I’ll call you later today or tomorrow to let you know what’s going on.”
Sha’Ron hung up, realizing that he had scared his sister with his question about her mother. He thought about what killing the witch would do to her and his little brother; how much it would affect them, tear their world apart. And as much as he hated their mother, even more so since last night, that disturbed him just a bit.
While he was ready to see Lindsay’s life end, he wasn’t so sure he was smart enough to come up with a plan to take her out and not get caught. He would definitely talk with Uncle Bobby about this when he returned. He hated his former stepmom now more than ever, but he didn’t know if it was enough to risk life in prison.
Sha’Ron decided to check on his aunt who was still in bed in his grandma’s bedroom. He walked in to find her wide awake, sitting up, holding a Bible.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“It’s a Bible. Boy, I know you know what a Bible looks like.”
“Yeah, I know what a Bible looks like. I meant to say where did you get it?”
“It was right here in Mama’s nightstand. I guess she did believe like Frannie hoped.”
“Whatever,” Sha’Ron replied. “What time did Uncle Bobby say his plane was landing?”
“At twelve-thirty this afternoon. He said he has his car parked at the airport so we don’t have to pick him up. He’s coming straight here.”
“Cool. Do we have to call the funeral home to make an appointment, or do we just show up?”
“Uncle Bobby said he’ll handle everything when he gets here. He just wants us here when he arrives. Frannie said she and the kids will be here by 1:00. Do you think Shauntae and Li’l Shaun want to come over?”
Sha’Ron thought about it before answering. “Naw, they don’t need to be here. I’ll just tell them what gets decided.” Sha’Ron did not want them anywhere near when he and his uncle discussed their mother’s demise.
“What time is it now?” Tameeka asked.
“It’s ten-thirty.”
“Well, I guess I’ll run home, shower, and change. Are you going to be okay, Nephew, while I’m gone? Or do you want to come with me?”
“I’ll be cool,” Sha’Ron assured her with more confidence than he felt.
“All right. I’ll be back in a little while. I’ll bring a few things with me so I can stay for a few days.”
“Okay.” Sha’Ron was certainly happy to hear that.
“Dr. Hooper says this situation is urgent, so she’s going to stay after-hours. She wants me to have Shauntae and Li’l Shaun there at 5:00 P.M.”
“I’ll go with you. After the appointment, we can all go out to dinner and catch a movie. We need to try to en joy ourselves. This has been a very difficult weekend.”
Lindsay loved the idea. Shauntae, if no one else, definitely needed cheering up.
“But what about school tomorrow? This will end up being a late evening.”
“I think we can all afford to take one more day off. I’m sure the school will excuse the kids for bereavement.”
“You’re right. We need some family time. I’ll call the kids’ school ... Oh no. School! I totally forgot I was supposed to start classes today. Oh my goodness. So much has been on my mind this past week I let it all slip away. It’s eleven-thirty. My first class was supposed to start at eight-forty-five.”
“Oh,” Cody said dispassionately.
“Oh?” Lindsay repeated to Cody, a little surprised by his lack of interest. “I think I’m going to drop the classes this semester while I still have a chance to get our money back. I’ll just wait to start next semester.” Lindsay sat down, disappointment showing in her features.
“Honey, why don’t you wait before you drop the classes? Just take this first week off and see how things go. Perhaps by next Monday things will have smoothed themselves out.”
Lindsay decided her husband’s advice was valid. She would wait. If the way things were progressing between her and Cody was any indication to how things would work out, she would be more than ready to go to classes and get all A’s by next week.
Shauntae came to their bedroom and knocked on the door. “Mom, it’s me. Can I come in?”
“Of course, sweetie,” Lindsay replied.
Shauntae entered and sat on the bed between her mother and stepdad, forcing the two to unwillingly put distance between themselves.
“Mom, Cody, what is Sha’Ron going to do since Grandma has died? Who’s going to take care of him? I’m so worried about him.” Shauntae started to tell them about her feelings when he wanted to know if her mom was coming to the funeral, but she decided against it. She did not want to worry her mom or make Cody angry.
“His aunts can take care of him, Shauntae.”
“I don’t know, Mom. When I talked to him this morning, he said he was a man and could take care of himself. He said Uncle Bobby would help him, but I think he plans on living in that house by himself.”
“Shauntae, he’s not old enough to live by himself. The state won’t allow him to live alone.”
“How will the state know as long as he continues to go to school every day? How will anyone know?”
Lindsay was becoming a bit exhausted by Shauntae’s constant need to find things to worry about. She had seemingly started to become a chronic fuss bucket.
; “Shauntae, you are too young to be stressing yourself out like this. Tameeka and Francine will not allow Sha’Ron to stay by himself. You don’t need to worry about him. He’ll be fine, I promise.”
“Okay, Mom. It’s just so sad that he seems to be alone. No mother. No father. Now no grandmother. I feel sorry for him.”
Cody thought about how hard life had been for Sha’Ron and how he was being forced by those around him to grow up so quickly. Cody felt sorry for him too. But if he ever tried to hurt his wife, Sha’Ron would be the one to end up sorrier than he ever had been in his short little life....
“Call him again, Francine. It’s three-thirty. It doesn’t take anybody three hours to get here from the airport,” Tameeka ranted. She was stressed, and her nerves were on edge. She had run out of patience waiting for her uncle to show up so they could go and make funeral arrangements for her mother.
Uncle Bobby had always been a controlling tyrant as far as Tameeka was concerned. He loved to show his power and make people do what he wanted them to do by using intimidation and money to control them. He would make people sit around and wait for him simply because he could. He had the money and the connections. So folks just waited for him and on him all the time, including his family.
Robert and Patricia Taylor were the only son and daughter of Carmella Taylor. Their father, whose name their mother would never tell them, was a married black man. Their mother was his white trophy mistress.
Bobby was two years older than Patricia. By the time he was eleven, their father had stopped taking care of their mother. The small family ended up evicted from the nice home their father paid the rent on and was forced to live in a rough housing project on the east side of Detroit. After being there for three days, Robert fell in with a local drug gang and his lifelong career in pharmaceuticals began. Bobby had become the man of the family by age twelve, paying the rent and bills. Their mother had succumbed to the pressure of the drug life as well, but she was on the other end of the spectrum. She started using heroin when Bobby was thirteen. She eventually kicked her habit and lived until about two weeks after Shaun’s death when she died of a massive heartache. But because of her addiction, Bobby took on the responsibility of taking care of his little sister. He became addicted to power, and at age fifty-three, he still wielded that power like a Samurai wielded his very sharp sword.
Lindsay's Legacy Page 16