by Joy Redmond
“I can’t wait to meet my grandma. My other one wasn’t the kind you could get close to. I’ve always wanted a grandma, now I’m gonna have one. I’m sorry my grandpa passed. It sure would be nice to have one, and one who would know how to show love for a grandchild. My other one sure didn’t. But that doesn’t matter now. My old life is behind me and I’ve got a new life with a new family in front of me. God sure does work in mysterious ways.” She laughed, and then continued. “And He sure takes His sweet time.”
“That’s true, baby girl. But I try not to question. I just try to get through each day. Now I’ve got to start working on that reunion and big cookout.”
“Oh, that’ll be wonderful. I hope we can do it soon.”
“We will. Now, would you like to hear all about your ole daddy’s life? I can remember back a long ways. I’ll tell you all about your great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. We didn’t have much material wise but we always had lots of love and we had a lot of pride. We still do.”
Ali clung to every word as Clifford told his story.
Then she glanced over at Mr. Puss. He still hadn’t moved. She saw a small indentation in the loose dirt around Mama Jane’s grave. It was if he had tried to claw his way into the ground. She walked over and picked him up.
His body was limp in her arms.
“No, Mr. Puss! Please! You can’t leave me.” Ali buried her face in the fine fur and cried.
Clifford put his arms around Ali. She lay her head on his shoulder and cried until she could hardly breathe.
Finally, she gained control of her emotions. She stroked Mr. Puss and managed to whisper, “You promised you’d hang with me until I found us a new home. You did, so I guess you thought your job was done. Thank you for all the love you gave me, and for getting me through the hardest years of my life. You hung with me for twelve years. I guess it wouldn’t be fair for me to ask for any more. I’ll always love you. Say hello to Mama Jane and Aunt July.” Tears streamed down her face and her heart felt as if it would break in two.
Ali carefully laid Mr. Puss on top of Mama Jane’s gravesite, and then she ran into the house, where she flung herself across her bed and cried until she felt a warm glow spread through her body. She sat up, smiled, and wiped her tears. “Thanks, Mama Jane. I know you’re telling me that Mr. Puss is with you and you’re gonna take care of him. Thank you for stealing him from Mr. Jones and giving me the best birthday gift of my life. He was my life and he saved my life the night you lost yours.”
Ali wiped her nose and walked to the back door. Just as she was about to go outside, she saw Clifford placing Mr. Puss inside a shoe box. She stood transfixed, watching as he dug a hole, then buried Mr. Puss beside Mama Jane. She thought it was fitting.
She finally walked outside and stood by the fresh grave. “Thank you. I didn’t have it in me to bury him. I think he needs a cross too.”
“That’s a good idea, baby. I’ll be on my way and I’ll come back with one. Now, you stay here with him, say your final farewells, and I’ll take care of it.”
Every day, Ali picked fresh flowers, put them in a fruit jars, and placed them on the graves. Mr. Puss had a cross with his name on it, too.
* * *
Three week later, Ali was helping Clifford turn the chickens and pork chops on the barbeque rack when she heard the back door open. She glanced up. An elderly woman was making her way down the steps.
Ali tugged on Clifford’s arm. “Is that my grandma?”
Clifford wiped his brow and smiled broadly, “It sure is, baby. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
Clifford and Ali hurried across the yard. The woman’s face came aglow as Clifford said, “Mama, this is Ali. Your granddaughter.”
Grandma Johnson threw her arms around Ali and hugged with all her strength. Then she backed up a step and peered into Ali’s face. “My, my. Clifford said you were beautiful, but he didn’t accurately describe your kind of beauty. I’m so happy to meet you, my precious grandbaby.”
“You have no idea how happy I am to meet you. And boy, do you know how to give a grandma hug.”
“I’ve sure had enough practice, honey,” Grandma answered and gave Ali another hug as if she never wanted to turn her loose.”
Soon the house and yard were full. Clifford introduced Ali to her two uncles and two aunts. They all hugged her and welcomed her to the family. One by one, Clifford introduced Ali to her many cousins. They hugged Ali and welcomed her to the family.
Ali felt as if her heart would explode with pride and joy. She eyed her cousins. Some were dark, some were light, but none were as white as her. “I’ve got a rainbow family,” she mumbled. “The best family I could have ever dreamed of.”
* * *
Three months later, Ali squeezed Clifford’s hand as they stood in front of a door and Ali read, William S. Ball - Attorney at law.
“Are you ready for this, baby girl?”
“I’m ready! This is the happiest day of my life—so far.”
Clifford opened the door, stood aside, and Ali and Dorothy walked in front of him. They took a seat in the waiting room.
Ali giggled. “I bet Mr. Ball has been scratching his head since the first time we came in here. He’s still trying to figure out why two black people applied for adoption papers for a white girl my age.”
Clifford chuckled. “It’s none of his dadgum business. I’m paying him for his service; not to ask stupid questions. And I don’t figure he cares as long as he gets his money.”
“Yeah, we’ll just let him keep wondering.” Ali giggled.
Finally, the receptionist said, “Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Ball is ready to see you.”
Ali could barely feel her feet touching the floor as they walked down a short hallway and entered the office of Mr. Ball, where they were greeted with a big smile.
“Please have a seat,” Mr. Ball said. “I’ve got all the paperwork done. All I need is your signatures.”
Clifford and Dorothy signed the papers. It was finalized.
Mr. Ball smiled and held the papers toward Ali. “It’s a done deal, young lady.”
Ali held up the papers, smiled happily and tears welled as she said, “Thank you, Daddy. Thank you Mama Dot.”
Clifford hugged Ali to his trembling body. “I’ve finally got my baby girl. Ain’t nobody ever gonna take you away from me again.” He kissed her forehead.
“And I’ve finally got the daughter I’ve always wanted,” Dorothy said, and kissed Ali on the cheek.
They left the lawyer’s office, and as they strolled down the sidewalk Ali lifted her head toward the heavens and happily declared, “Ali Monroe-Johnson is no longer a bastard!”
About the author
After retiring from her career as a phlebotomist, Joy Redmond decided to pursue her passion for writing. She lives in Kentucky, and is a mother of three and a grandmother of seven. Anna’s Visions, her second novel was published in 2012. Give Me Wings is her third novel.
To contact Joy Redmond:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/joy.redmond.14
Twitter : @authorjoy
Other books by Joy Redmond
Give me Wings
Give Me Wings is a story with universal appeal. The main character is a young girl named Carnikko. She is visited by an invisible yet very real entity that she calls Purple Angel, who begins to help her slowly come to terms with her past, her present circumstances, and the possibility that her future can be bright, in spite of the obstacles life has placed in her path. In some ways, Carnikko represents every child—and every human being who is searching for answers to questions that can sometimes threaten to overwhelm them. It’s an inspiring story of unshakeable faith, coupled with a childlike determination and courage, ultimately proving that the human spirit can overcome anything in spite of great adversities. Told with candor and straightforward Southern sensibility.
The Dreamer
Julia is nine, and s
he lives in two very different worlds. One is the real world. The other is the life she lives in her dreams. In her dreams, she and Nana encounter a baby deer that can talk. They discover that the baby deer was born with clubbed hooves and will need an operation if he’s ever going to run and play with the other deer.
The Dreamer is a touching story of a young girl who sometimes has trouble distinguishing between reality and the world of her dreams. In her dreams, she helps Baby Deer learn to believe in himself. It’s a story that will challenge every young person’s concept of reality—and make them wonder if their own dream worlds might be just as real.
Anna’s Visions
Anna Morgan is a seer, and she sees visions of impending doom for her granddaughter, Tori Hicks, the day Tori is born. Through the years, she experiences more unnerving visions, but she can’t put the pieces together and figure out how to save Tori.
Tori is coming of age in a small town in Kentucky where no one locks their doors and everyone knows everyone. From her earliest childhood, she has lived a fairytale life with her best friend Jill. When she and Jill enter high school, Tori meets Wesley Asner, the love of her life. But when tragedy strikes, Tori and Wesley find their lives torn apart. Broken-hearted and desperate for a change, Tori sneaks off to Florida for what she hopes will be a romantic adventure that will take her mind off Wesley. On the beach, she meets Cody Baxter, a handsome young man who is hiding a dark and dangerous secret.