Blessings From the Father

by Michelle Larks

  Chapter Eighteen

  Mariah walked upstairs to the second floor of Rosemary’s house. She was surprised to see Rosemary up reading her Bible. “Unless you need me to do something, Granny, I’m going to head back to Hammond.”

  “No, child. You go on back and enjoy your visit with Carson’s family.” Rosemary closed the Bible and placed it on her nightstand.

  “If you want to, you could spend the night with me. Carson invited you to dinner too,” Mariah reminded her grandmother. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, and fluffed her hair.

  “No, I’m actually going to try to catch some sales tomorrow and do Christmas shopping,” Rosemary told Mariah.

  “There are stores in Hammond too. We could spend the weekend together.”

  “I’m sure you have better things to do than spend time with an old lady,” Rosemary teased her granddaughter. “Seriously, I already made plans with Alma. I’m sure Carson will find something for you two to do over the holiday weekend. This is your first time meeting his family, so why don’t you go ahead. If things continue to go well with you and him, I’ll meet his family at a later date.”

  “Be that way,” Mariah pouted. “I’m going to meet a bunch of strangers for the first time. I could use someone on my side. I absolutely detest meeting the parents and family en masse. All eyes will be on me.”

  “Carson will be there. I’m sure he’ll take good care of you.” Rosemary laughed.

  “I’m glad to see you’re in better spirits. I thought for sure Cassie had ruined your day.”

  “I try not to give Cassie that much control over my life. I was a little upset. I read my Bible and prayed. Now I feel better.”

  “That’s good. Well, I’m going to head out and get the deed over with.”

  Rosemary rose from the bed. “I’ll go downstairs with you.”

  They walked downstairs. Mariah had prepared a doggie bag to take with her. She put on her coat and kissed Rosemary good-bye. “I’ll call you when I get in.”

  “Okay, just relax and be yourself. I’m sure things will go fine.”

  Mariah crossed her fingers. “I hope so.”

  She departed and within fifteen minutes, she was driving on the Bishop Ford Expressway headed to Indiana. Thirty minutes later, she exited at Kennedy Avenue and soon she parked the car down the street from the Palmer household.

  Before she exited the car, she picked up a bag containing a sweet potato pie from the back seat. She laid it on the passenger seat. Mariah wrapped her scarf around her neck; then she gathered her purse and the bag. She closed the car door, pressed the remote, and locked the car. By the time she put her foot on the first step, the door flew open, and Carson came out to greet her.

  “How are you doing?” Carson kissed Mariah lightly on her lips. “I’ve been peeping out the window for the past half hour looking for you.”

  “I’m good.” She smiled at him. “I enjoyed my time with Granny—well, that is, until Cassie showed up—but all in all my day was good.”

  Carson took her free hand. “Great! My family is looking forward to meeting you.”

  The couple walked inside the Christmas light–lit, two-story black-and-white frame house. A wreath was perched on the front door. An older tall man with peanut-colored skin dressed in a green and orange print dashiki opened the door. His face creased into a bright smile. As the couple stepped over the threshold into the foyer, Mariah heard a babble of voices. Then conversation ceased, as eyes in the nearby vicinity traveled to Mariah and Carson.

  Carson smiled at his father and said, “Poppy, this is my friend Mariah Green.”

  Mr. Palmer extended his hand and said in a dignified melodic voice, “Ms. Green, welcome to my humble abode.”

  Mariah dipped her head and said shyly, “Please call me Mariah. I’d like to thank you and your wife for inviting me to share your holiday.”

  An attractive, pleasing plump light-skinned woman dressed in a cranberry-covered two-piece pantsuit hurried into the foyer. She wiped her hands on a dish towel and slung it over her shoulder. She stepped in front of Mariah. “Hello, my name is Helen Palmer. You must be Mariah.” Her eyes traveled the length of Mariah’s body from head to toe.

  “Yes, ma’am. I am Mariah. I was just thanking your husband and you too for inviting me today.”

  “You are quite welcome,” Helen responded. She turned to her son. “Carson, take her coat and then introduce her to the rest of the family. When you’re done, then bring her to the dining room so she can eat.”

  After Carson hung Mariah’s coat in the closet, he put his arm across her shoulders. He led her to the dining room. An older couple sat on the love seat. “Mariah, these are my grandparents, Winston and Suzette Palmer. They are my father’s parents. Gram and Granddaddy, this is my friend Mariah.”

  The older man stood up gallantly. “Pleased to meet you, young lady. We’ve heard nothing but good things about you from Carson.” A fuzz of white hair covered his head.

  “You’re a pretty young lady,” Suzette observed in a quivery voice.

  “Thank you, the pleasure is mine,” Mariah replied. She had a feeling Carson’s grandparents would be the only relatives who wouldn’t give her a hard time that evening.

  The elderly couple asked Mariah a few background questions; then Carson whisked her off to meet other relatives.

  They walked downstairs to the basement. Carson introduced Mariah to his aunts and uncles. Some were listening to Christmas music, while others played spirited games of bid whist and dominoes. Children were playing a Wii game on a big-screen television.

  Mariah and Carson returned upstairs and strode into the dining room. Carson’s sisters looked expectantly at their brother for an introduction.

  He pointed each sister out. “That’s Michelle; she’s the oldest. Then, Veronica—we call her Ronnie—Nadia, and you remember my sister Tiffany.”

  The sisters were very attractive women who strongly resembled their brother. They were perfectly coifed and dressed in expensive clothing.

  Carson’s sisters scrutinized Mariah carefully. The women exchanged greetings. Carson pulled out a chair at the dining room table and Mariah sat down.

  “Say, are you hungry? My mom makes a mean caramel cake,” Carson told Mariah.

  Though she wasn’t hungry, Mariah nodded her head.

  “What would you like to drink?” Carson inquired solicitously.

  “Water would be good,” Mariah answered moistening her lips. Her heart sank as she watched Carson go into the kitchen. She took a deep breath and smiled at his sisters, who stared openly at her.

  “Did you have a good holiday? I had dinner earlier with my grandmother and mother,” Mariah volunteered.

  “Yes, we had a good time.” Michelle nodded. “We always spend holidays together. We rotate the holidays between our houses. Usually we have Christmas dinner here with our folks, but with Nadia being pregnant this year, we’ll have the holiday at her house.”

  “That sounds good. So, Nadia.” Mariah turned her attention to the obviously pregnant woman. “When is your due date? Are you having a girl or boy?”

  “My date is December thirty-first, so I’m almost done. My husband, Rodney, and I chose not to learn the baby’s sex ahead of time. We wanted to be surprised. It’s out first baby, so we’re excited.”

  “Do you have children?” Michelle asked Mariah.

  “Good gracious no. No, just a goddaughter, my best friend Sonyell’s daughter. Sasha is ten years old.” Mariah’s hand fluttered to her throat. She felt as if she were babbling.

  “You sound like you don’t want children,” Veronica said in a mocking tone. “You know that Carson has two daughters, don’t you?”

  “Yes, Carson has told me about his daughters.” Mariah thrust her chin up. “I guess I want children eventually, just not now.”

  The sisters’ eyebrows rose as they glanced at one another.

  Carson’s Uncle David walked into the dining room. He said casual
ly to Mariah, “Aren’t you Harold Ellison’s girl?”

  “Yes, I’m his daughter,” Mariah said in a prickly tone of voice. She folded her trembling hands together. The last name she expected to hear was her father’s.

  “I thought so, you look like him. You could have knocked me and the fellas over with a feather when we heard Harold had a daughter. A bunch of us used to go on a yearly fishing trip with him. He never mentioned having any children.”

  “Is that so?” Mariah looked up at him with her head tilted to the side. She didn’t want to admit to Carson’s family that she had never known her father.

  It seemed like an era had passed before Carson returned from the kitchen, though it had only been several minutes. He handed Mariah a bottle of water and sat in the seat next to her. “Sorry it took me so long. I brought some ice from the freezer in the garage for my mom.” He looked at his sisters. “I hope my sisters have been on their best behavior and not giving you a hard time.”

  The sisters rolled their eyes at him before Veronica replied sweetly, “Of course we have. We’ve just been chatting with Mariah, trying to get to know her better.”

  “Yeah, I was telling Mariah how me and the guys were surprised to know that Harold had a daughter. He had never mentioned having any children. And she wasn’t ever around him. . . .” David commented.

  The room became silent.

  Then Carson said in a hearty tone of voice, “Well, you know how that goes sometimes, Uncle Dave. Let me tell you, though, Mariah is definitely her father’s daughter. She’s put her stamp on the community. Mariah is doing great things for Hammond, much like Mr. Ellison did.”

  Mrs. Palmer strolled into the room and heard the tail end of the conversation. Veronica stood so her mother could sit in her seat. She said to her brother-in-law, “David, would you bring some folding chairs from the basement? We seem to have run of seats.”

  David made a hasty retreat out of the room.

  “So, Mariah, tell us about yourself? Do you have any sisters or brothers? How do you like living in Hammond so far? I love your idea for a senior hairstyle day. You’ve shaken up Hammond. I guess you have an entrepreneurial spirit like your dad?” Questions and comments spilled from Mrs. Palmer’s lips.

  “No, I don’t have any siblings; I am an only child. So far I love living in Hammond. I was raised in Altgeld Garden, so Hammond is a refreshing change. I think the idea of hair care for seniors has gone over well. I guess I’ve always wanted to own my own business; I just didn’t have the necessary funds. Thanks to my father, I am able to make some of my dreams come true.”

  “What a blessing.” The corners of Mrs. Palmer’s lips curved into a smile. “Do you have a church home or are you attending a church here in Hammond?”

  “I belong to Christian Friendship Church in Chicago. I’ve been going there since I was a child. I work with the Sunday School ministry.”

  “Great. My sister, Vivian, attends Christian Friendship,” Mrs. Palmer exclaimed. “I’ve worshipped there many times with my sister and her family. If I can do anything to help with your business endeavors, don’t hesitate to call me. I own a catering business, and have done business with many business owners in the area and beyond.”

  “Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind,” Mariah replied. “I am always looking for opportunities to network. I have joined several business organizations and made good business contacts.” She took a sip of water and set the bottle on the table. “What are your professions?” she asked the sisters.

  “I am the assistant principal at Morton High School,” Michelle said proudly. “In fact, I met with your business manager and several of our students participate in your internship program for hair stylists and barbers. I find your suggestions to be refreshing and look forward to any new ideas you may have to motivate our young people.” Michelle nodded giving Mariah her sign of approval.

  “I am a housewife,” Veronica announced primly. “I have a degree in library science. Before my children were born, I worked as a librarian at one of branch libraries here in Hammond. I volunteer at a local hospital a few days a week. I love reading, so becoming a librarian was a no-brainer for me.”

  “I am a bookkeeper. I freelance and work from home,” Nadia added to the conversation. “I also help keep Carson on track with his business. I am a CPA.”

  “I work for Carson. I’m a carpenter,” Tiffany admitted with an impish grin. “I was always a tomboy. I loved helping my dad when he repaired broken items when I was a child. I like working with my hands. So I became the first female on the crew. It helps when your brother is the owner.” She grinned at Carson.

  “You all have varied skill sets. That is so interesting. And not all of you took the traditional career path.” Mariah couldn’t help but be impressed by the sisters.

  “Luckily, our parents instilled in us a good work ethic. They encouraged us to go into field that would make us happy. It was easy for us to find our niches in life,” Michelle said.

  The women continued chatting. Carson entered the doorway of the room and found Mariah deep in conversation with his sisters. His mother would interject comments now and then. He felt good that Mariah seemed to mesh with his family.

  He glanced at his watch and returned to the living room to peep out the window. Lola should have dropped off the girls at least an hour ago. Carson hoped against hope that Lola would stay in the car and allow the girls to walk to the front door unaided. That hope was short-lived as Carson watched his ex-wife and his daughters walk on the path leading to the house. Carson reluctantly opened the door.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Mariah and Carson’s sisters heard the front door open and then close. Their eyes traveled to the dining room entrance. Tiffany looked at her sisters and shook her head. She gave Mariah an apologetic look.

  Carson strolled into the dining room holding the hands of his two daughters. Mariah caught her breath. The youngest girl was the mirror image of Carson. She had thick, wavy hair, with a gap between her two upper teeth. Her green eyes were a testament to her paternity.

  The older girl was breathtakingly beautiful. She smiled at her aunts. Then her gaze fell on Mariah. She looked Mariah up and down; her nose twitched in the air. She turned to her father and asked in Spanish, “Who is she?”

  “Now, Ali, we will not have that,” Carson firmly chastised her daughter. “Please speak in English. She’s a friend of mine. Please act like you were taught manners. I want you and Ashanti to meet Ms. Green.”

  Mariah rose from her seat self-consciously and pushed a lock off her face. She pasted a smile on her face.

  As he introduced the girls to Mariah, Carson’s ex-wife, Lola, stepped into the room. Gazing at her it was obvious to Mariah whom Carson’s oldest daughter had inherited her looks from. Lola was model thin. She looked as if she wore a size zero. Her shiny raven-colored hair cascaded over her shoulders. Deep dimples were carved into her high cheekbones.

  “Hola, everyone,” she said boisterously as she slipped off her black sable coat. Lola handed it to Carson. Carson sighed as he put the coat over his arm. Then, he walked to the closet and hung up the coat. He quickly returned to Mariah’s side.

  The smile on Lola’s face faded as her gaze fell on Mariah. Then she shrugged her shoulders and walked over to Carson, Mariah, and her daughters.

  “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure. My name is Lola Palmer. I am Carson’s ex-wife. Who are you?” Her dark eyes seemed to probe into Mariah’s soul.

  “My name is Mariah.” She thrust out her hand. “I am a friend of Carson’s. Your daughters are simply beautiful.” I will not let this woman intimidate me.

  All conversation seemed ceased in the house. Carson’s relatives’ attention was glued on Mariah and Lola. The family members knew that Lola considered herself a diva to the max.

  “Yes, they are.” Lola smiled down at her daughters. She ignored Mariah’s hand.

  Carson clasped his hand around Mariah’s waist. He told Lola smoo
thly, “Mariah is a very good friend of mine.”

  The light in Lola’s eyes dimmed at bit. Her lips turned down upon hearing Carson declare Mariah as a good friend. Lola had known Carson since she was fourteen years old. She was aware that her ex-husband didn’t invite just anyone into the inner sanctum of his parents’ home.

  Lola sashayed to the other end of the table. She began talking with her ex-sisters-in-law.

  Tiffany gestured to Mariah to join her in the kitchen, while Carson and his daughters chatted. The two women walked into the kitchen and stood by the sink.

  “In my brother’s defense, Carson didn’t invite Lola to dinner. She can be a bit overbearing. If you stand your ground with her, she tends to leave you alone. But at any sign of weakness, she will walk all over you.”

  Mariah smirked and waved her hand. “Carson and I are just friends. Lola has nothing to fear from me.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Tiffany exclaimed incredulously. “You are the first woman Carson has brought home since his divorce from Lola. You feel me?” Tiffany nodded her head.

  Carson walked into the room. “Tiff, are you telling Mariah all my secrets?” He scolded his sister.

  “Sorry, I just wanted to give Mariah a heads-up about Lola. You know how she can be.” Tiffany smiled guiltily at her brother. Then, she went back into the dining room.

  “I wish you had told me your ex was coming,” Mariah remarked unhappily. “I wasn’t quite ready for meeting your folks, your daughters, and her.”

  “Trust me, Lola’s being here wasn’t planned,” Carson apologized. “I was going to pick up the girls myself. Then Lola volunteered to bring them since she’s going to her parents’ house. They don’t live too far from here.”

  “I guess I’ll forgive you this time.” Mariah exhaled loudly. “Next time, just give me notice if there’s a possibility she’ll be around.”

  “I promise.” Carson pulled her into his arms. He leaned down and lightly kissed her lips. “Everyone seems to like you. I know you were worried about that. The only people I was concerned about were my parents. Although at the end of the day, who I choose to see is my choice. Anyway, I can tell they approve of you.”