by Tiece
Janay thought back at the dinner party. Mrs. Carter definitely seemed different. It was as if she was attempting to make amends, but she was still skeptical.
“Plus, dad and the rest of the family love you. I think that now you have to get out of your feelings and allow her to be good to you.” Janay looked at him, still unsure as she continued to wipe her tears. “Can you do it for me, please?” He sincerely asked.
Janay didn’t respond right away as she looked off into space. She didn’t know what to think or what she wanted to do at the moment.
Finn could see the pain in her eyes and it hurt him to see his wife so distraught, because all he wanted to do was help her.
“If you want to go home and be with your family until you feel better then I won’t stop you. I will miss you and Brice, but I’ll visit as much as possible until we can get things situated. I just want you to be happy and to feel better.” He sincerely said, feeling somewhat torn between his loving feelings for his wife and the close relationship he shared with his mom.
He just wanted them to get along with each other and now that it seemed that his mom was coming around, Janay was actually getting more distant.
“Look,” he said wiping her eyes, and then kissing her on the lips. “Go shower, fix your hair up, and get dressed in something really sexy. It’s almost four o’clock so we have the rest of the evening to spend together. I just want to show you a nice time and shower you with my love.”
Janay smiled. Finn always had that magic touch and knew exactly what to do to make her feel better. For him to be thirty-three to her now thirty-nine years of age, he seemed so much older than her. He was in tune with her needs and always took care of her. They were close to being married two years now, but it seemed like twenty. She knew him better than he knew himself, and he knew her better than she knew herself. Regardless of what his mom thought about their union, she felt that they were destined to be together.
“I think that would be good for me. I need to spend some quality time with my fine husband.” She said with a smile on her face as she leaned over to kiss his soft lips again. “I’ve been feeling really lonely, lately.”
“I know, sweetie. I know,” he said. “Now go wash up and I’ll get Brison ready.”
“Thanks my love,” Janay said, feeling so much better. She got up and headed into the master bathroom to get herself together. Once she’d disappeared and Finn could hear the water running from the shower, he picked up the cordless phone sitting next to him and called his mom.
“Hi son,” Mrs. Carter spoke in a cheery tone. “How are you? Have you made it back from Charlotte?”
“Yeah, I’m home now. I just got in not long ago.”
“Good, how was the sermon?” She pondered.
“It was good, mom. You know it was a packed house. Our church is steadily growing with a congregation of almost 3000 people. However, Saint John’s Baptist church has a congregation of about 6000 people, doubling what we have.”
“Oh yes, I know,” Mrs. Carter said. “Pastor Williams doesn’t live in that big old, seven bedroom house for nothing.” She said, having known him and his wife for over twenty-years. “He’s really good with the word too, but I know you showed up and showed out for them.”
“You already know it, mom. Dad would’ve been proud of me if he was there.”
“I know he would’ve been. Unfortunately, he had to tend to some things here. Plus, since he’s been feeling better all he wants to do is get back in the church. Even though they love seeing you fill in his shoes, they’ve missed him.”
“I know,” Finn said with a smile. He loved watching his dad preach. Since he was old enough to remember, he always sat on the front row of the church so he could take it all in. He idolized him and wanted nothing more than to be just like him when he grew up. He was like a celebrity in his own rights and it seemed that everyone loved him. This only trickled on to him as he grew of age. Over the years, he studied the bible from front to back and listened eagerly at his father’s sermons. At family functions, he’d show off his skills and the crowd loved him. He was gifted to follow in his father’s footsteps. So, when his father became suddenly ill almost two years prior, it was easy for him to step in until he was well enough to take back over his reign.
“So, what’s on your mind? Is everything good with Janay and the baby?”
“Yes,” Finn said not wanting to involve his mom in any of his personal affairs with his wife. She could easily take things and run with it. “I was calling to see if you would keep Brice for us. I wanted to take my wife out on a special date. She deserves it.”
“Sure,” Mrs. Carter said. She didn’t care too much for Janay only because Janay was still acting funny with her, but she loved her grandson. He was a replica of her son and anytime she was around him it always took her back to when Finn was a baby. “I’ve missed him. I just wish that Janay would allow us to see him more. Have you run this by her?” She pondered, knowing that Janay hadn’t once allowed her to keep the little one alone as of yet without her being present.
“Not yet, but she’ll be alright.”
“I don’t know about that. She really doesn’t like me much.”
Finn shook his head. “Mom, you threw the first blow, or shall I say blows. You treated her bad. You made it perfectly clear that you didn’t want her as your daughter-n-law. You have even tried to set me and Heather back up, knowing that I’m a married man.”
Mrs. Carter sighed. “Heather is a good, wholesome, church going girl. Not to mention, that she’s really pretty.”
“So is my wife,” Finn cut in.
“I just didn’t see what was wrong with you and her getting back together.” She said, ignoring him.
“Mom, I’m married. That’s a good enough reason.”
“Y’all always had such the sweetest relationship.”
“And, we still do. Just as friends, though. She has moved on and so have I. Have you forgotten that she has a fiancé in another country?”
She smacked her lips. “Y’all are just making decisions to stay out of each other’s way. I knew how you felt about her.”
“Those are the key words, mom.” He said with an irritable shake of the head. “You KNEW how I felt about her. Those feelings don’t exist anymore. Just continue to try and get along with my wife, because if you don’t then she’s going to continue to act the way she acts and with good reason.”
“I’m trying, son. I see that no matter what I say, your decision has been made.”
“Yes and please respect that. That’s all I’m asking you to do. If Janay wasn’t good for me, I’d know it because God would’ve told me already. We have our own little family and I just want you to be a part of it.”
“And, I want to be a part of it.” She said, knowing that if her son hadn’t budged by now that he wasn’t. “Oh, Lily is here and she says hey. She can’t wait to the see the baby.”
“Aunt Lily is home?”
“Yeah, she just got here this morning. Things aren’t working out in Virginia for her so she’s moving in with your father and me until she gets herself situated.” She replied.
“I think it’s good to have your sister back home with you. It may take your mind off of things that you shouldn’t be concerned with. Plus, I love me some Aunt Lily. Tell her hey and that we’ll see her soon.” He said. His Aunt Lily took to Janay instantly when they met and even though she only saw the baby a few times since he’d been born, she would call and talk to Janay at least a couple of times a month to check on them.
“I will and we’ll see you soon.” Mrs. Carter said as they ended their call.
Janay stepped out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a silk robe. She glanced over at her sexy ass husband as he sat on the edge of the bed smiling at her.
“What?” She blushed.
“You are beautiful,” he complimented her.
“Aww, thanks babe,” she responded, heading over to the dresser drawers. “You’re not too s
habby yourself.”
He grinned at her comment, but she definitely knew that he was way more than some shabby ass guy. He looked damn good and the tattoos lining the sleeve of his arms were sexy as hell to her.
As an Assistant Pastor, he was somewhat different. Not only was he young, but he still did some things that an older Pastor wouldn’t do or even believe in, like getting tattoos on his body. This actually seemed to be a better look for the younger generation. In terms of letting them know that God loved all mankind, regardless of their lifestyle as long as they genuinely served the Lord.
“I just spoke with my mom.” He told her as she glanced back with a displeased expression on her face. Before she could reply, the house phone started to ring.
“Apparently she’s calling back. As soon as she knows you’re home, she blows you up. I wonder what she wants now.” She rambled on. Finn didn’t respond as he checked the caller ID. “She probably wants you to come over and change a light bulb or maybe even cut the grass.”
“It’s Kerry,” Finny quickly said to hush her up. “Here, get the phone. I’m going to get Brison dressed.” Janay reached for the phone, feeling somewhat bad for going off so quickly about his mom. She knew that he only wanted for them to get along, but Mrs. Carter had made it so hard for her to do that. She half smiled; watching her husband exit the bedroom, and then she put the phone to her ear.
“Hey Sis,” Janay answered. “What’s up?”
“Nothing much,” Kerry responded. “I’m just sitting here needing an ass break because your sister has been doing my hair since nine o’clock this morning. I think my damn hemorrhoids might be trying to act up.”
“I get tired of this trick talking about them nasty ass hemorrhoids.” Lauren called out with a light chuckle.
“That ain’t nobody but Lauren’s big mouth.” She said, quickly picking up on her voice. “She must be doing some micro braids in your hair?” She asked since Lauren was the only sister out of the five of them that had a knack for doing hair. However, it wasn’t something that she wanted to make a full blown career out of.
“Yep, and she says hey.” Kerry responded.
Janay smiled. “Tell her hey,” she responded as she continued to dig through her dresser drawer looking for a black thong that matched her Victoria Secret’s black lace bra set.
“How are Brice and Finn?” Kerry asked.
“They’re good. Brice is steadily growing with his lil fat butt. That hair is getting thicker and curlier by the days. He may need to get a haircut before he turns a year old.”
“Noooo,” Kerry quickly cut in. “You know they say that if you cut a baby’s hair before he turns one that he’ll have speech problems.”
“Girrrrl stop,” Janay said with light laughter. “Anywho, Finn is good as well. He’s getting ready to take us out in a little bit.”
Kerry smiled. “Well, that’s good. I think you need to get out that house. You’ve been feeling a little down lately. I think that may lift up your spirits some.”
“Yeah I think so, too.” Janay agreed as she headed into the huge walk-in closet to find something to wear for the evening.
“Well, I was calling to let you know that we’ve decided to have a party for mom and dad toward the middle or the end of next month for their anniversary. Will you and the hubby be able to attend it?” Kerry asked. “We’d like to set a date that works with Finn’s schedule so he can come. You know mom loves her son-n-law.”
“Tell me about it.” Janay agreed, at the same time of settling to wear a cool, yellow Maxi dress that flowed down by her ankles. Finn loved seeing her in bright colors. He said it always enhanced her beautiful, silky skin tone. “I think around the end of the month would be better?” Janay pondered.
“Around the end of the month,” Kerry said. “I guess around September 26th, possibly since that’s on a Saturday. Or maybe we can even do it on the 25th if on a Friday works better for y’all.”
“Okay, sounds good. Let me talk it over with the hubby and see if his schedule is clear then I’ll get back with you. Either way, Brison and I will be there.”
“Don’t forget about it. We’d like to set the date as soon as possible. So, if you can call within a week and let me know then that’ll be great.”
“Okay, I got you. I’ll ask him as soon after he gets Brison dressed. I hear him in there crying now. Now, I gotta go so that I can get dressed, too.”
“Okay, we love you.” Kerry said.
“Kiss juicy jaws for meeeee,” Lauren called out.
Janay laughed. “I love y’all too, and tell her I will.” she responded, and with that they ended their call.
No sooner than Janay could hang up, Finn entered the room with a now happy Brison. His bright eyes lit up to see his mommy as she smiled at him.
“Hey mama’s fat baby,” she spoke as Finn laid him on the bed. Janay couldn’t help but walk over to kiss him. He was just too cute pass up. “Bae, I know your son is cute in anything we dress him in, but why does he just have on this?” She questioned, speaking of the blue jean, Baby Gap overall romper that he had on with the red shirt underneath it and a pair of very small, red Jordon’s on his tiny feet. “If we’re going out to eat then-”
“Well love,” Finn cut in so she didn’t go any further. “Brison is going over to mom’s house and I’m taking you out for the evening. I think we need some alone time tonight.”
“Say what now?” Janay asked with a frown on her face. “You know how I feel about your mom keeping my baby.”
“Listen at yourself. Just like you’re Brison’s mom; I’m his father. My mom is not going to hurt him. You should know that. He’s her grandson. Y’all are going to have to find some common ground and start acting like family. I don’t know how much more of this that I can take.” Janay smacked her lips. “You can pop your lips all you want, but we’re going to enjoy tonight and mom is going to keep the baby. Plus, Aunt Lily is home and she wants to spend time with him, too.”
Janay’s attitude changed somewhat after hearing that Aunt Lily would be there. “Weeeeeell,” she said with a slight sigh. “In that case, I guess its fine.”
“Good,” Finn said, feeling accomplished.
“Your mom and aunt are like night and day. One is so nice and the other one so damn mean.” Janay just had to add.
“Babe, what I tell you about your mouth?” Finn questioned, but a light smile spread across his face. She was surely his wife, the woman he’d chose to marry and regardless of what; he loved her wholeheartedly, flaws and all.
Chapter 3
Kerry looked over at the time on the DVR box. It was just a little after six o’clock. She was definitely feeling irritable from sitting on the wooden chair for eight plus hours. “See, if you had come by seven this morning, you would be almost finished.” She said.
“Girrrrl, don’t start that shit with me. I got a lot going on.” Lauren said with a huff. “I only have a patch left in the front. You’re the one that’s been getting up a hundred times to do shit.”
“I’ve been trying to give my ass a break.” Kerry chimed in.
“I told you to get a pillow and sit it in the seat. Nah, you don’t wanna do that. So, let your ass hurt then.”
“I don’t want to sit my ass no where I lay my head.”
Lauren grinned a little before speaking. “What are you saying, Kerry? Sounds to me that you don’t trust your own ass,” she responded.
Kerry laughed out loud. “Whatever,” she responded. “So, I know you mentioned Jamal had messaged earlier, but then mom came over and acted like she didn’t want to leave.”
“She was just trying to be nosy.” Lauren cut in.
“Tell me about it.” Kerry said, “But, what’s up with that text message? I’m just curious to know how that made you feel.”
“Honestly, I don’t know how to feel about that. I’ve moved on with Rich, but the minute I read that text message my heart sank down in my chest. I felt foolish for even feeling so we
ak.”
“Girl, you ain’t weak. Your heart just wants what it wants.” She said, feeling the same way about Justin a lot of times. No matter how hard she tried to shake him, she couldn’t.
“I mean, how do you do it?” Lauren pondered as Kerry glanced over her shoulder at her sister. “I’m saying, how did you get over Justin?”
“Well uh,” Kerry said, not knowing what to say. “You just have to busy yourself on things that you like to do. For me, going to the gym helps relieve a lot of my stress. Plus, the men there are hot and they take my mind off of Justin. You’d be surprised how many times I get hit on in a week by some muscular framed, sexy guy.”
“Hell, I could imagine with all that ass in those leggings you be wearing like your shirt is going to cover that up. I mean, I know I have some ass, but you can stand to pass me a little bit of yours, too.” Lauren said, always feeling like Kerry had the neatest, most hypnotizing shape out of all the sisters.
Kerry laughed, but quickly changed the subject. “So, what’s up with you and Rich? I see that he dropped you off and hauled ass in your car again. I guess it wouldn’t be a bad thing for Jamal to show back up and run his ass off.”
Lauren disappointedly shook her head. “I don’t know what’s up with that. I love him, because he makes me smile, but is that enough?”
“Hell no,” Kerry answered. “Plus, you don’t love him. You lust him and that’s a difference. He needs to be helping you foot some of those bills. If it wasn’t for you finally cashing the checks that Jamal was sending then you’d be assed out.”
“No I wouldn’t be.” She said with a playful pout.
“Yes, the hell you would be, because we all know that your lazy ass won’t work in a pie factory tasting pies.”
“Why should I work? I’ve always had a man that took care of me.”
“And, now you don’t.” Kerry cut in. “You’re turning thirty-five years old soon. I think that it’s time for you to go job hunting. You can’t look for men to take care of you all of your life.”