Blessings From the Father

by Michelle Larks

  “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better are you?”

  “No, I think it’s good you’re standing your ground. Michael was one of those fine, bad boys. It’s time for him to grow up, if that’s what he wants to do. If you slip up, I won’t be mad at you. But you can’t send mixed signals. Michael will pick up on it, and he’ll have you back in the palm of his hand like he did back in the day.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right. I’m trying hard to do the right thing for Sasha’s sake. I’ve been trying to teach her about the importance of not having sex at an early age. God knows I don’t want her to end up like me.” Sonyell leaned against the back of her bed and closed her eyes.

  “You turned out okay, but you’re right. Outside of the Biblical connotations, there are too many diseases floating around. I know you want to do the right thing for her. I understand and support you one hundred percent.”

  “Thanks, Mari, I needed to hear that. I thought about calling Raquel on a three-way, but I could just hear her saying, ‘girl, are you crazy?’ She would never understand why I feel so strongly about not having sex with Michael.”

  Mariah laughed. “You’re right about that.”

  “I told Michael in no uncertain terms, sex is a no-go, not without a ring on it.”

  “Hmm, listen to you.” Mariah chortled. “I didn’t think you’d be able to stick to your guns with Michael up close and personal. You are full of surprises.”

  “In his own clumsy way, he proposed to me.” Deep inside, Sonyell was thrilled and petrified at the same time.

  “Get outta here. What did you say?” Mariah was all ears, soaking up the information.

  “Humph. I think he popped the question to get me vulnerable so he could get the goodies,” Sonyell replied candidly. “I told him we needed to take things slow and see how the relationship progresses. It seems like he’s been in jail forever. I don’t want to rush into something I might regret later.”

  Mariah nodded. She wholeheartedly agreed. “That was the right call. You have to give it time and see if Mr. Michael Fletcher has truly changed.” She unwrapped a stick of gum and popped the gum in her mouth.

  “Do you know, he had the nerve to accuse me of stepping out on him,” Sonyell informed her friend, incensed. “He also implied if he found out that I had been messing that our relationship is over.” Sonyell’s eyes widened with disbelief at the thought.

  “Girl, you must have really had him going for Michael to make those threats,” Mariah commented.

  “You got that right,” Sonyell agreed. “I had to remind a brother of the women who came to visit him back in the day. You know men; in his mind that didn’t count.”

  The doorbell chimed at Sonyell house. She glanced at the door. “Mari, hold on. Someone is at the door. It’s probably Michael. I’ll be right back.”

  “Take your time,” Mariah told her friend. She checked a text message as she waited for Sonyell to see who was at the door.

  After Sonyell opened the door, she nearly fainted. Her heart skipped a few beats. Two policemen stood on the front stairs along with Michael.

  “Officers?” she asked nervously. She gripped her trembling hands together. “Is there a problem?”

  The younger police man doffed his hat and said, “Ma’am, we found this gentleman loitering around your house. We asked him for his ID and asked him if he resided at the premises. He stated he didn’t have his ID on him, and stated he’s your boyfriend. We just want to make sure he is who he says he is.”

  Sonyell could see the look of rage on Michael’s face. His face was red and the vein on the side of his neck pulsated rapidly. She prayed he would keep his anger in check. Sonyell’s voice squeaked as she answered, “Yes, Officers, he is my boyfriend. He went outside for a smoke. No harm was done.”

  “Okay then, ma’am. We had to check his explanation. Better than safe than sorry. You two have a good night.” The officers departed.

  Michael walked into the house. He slammed his hand inside his fist. “Why do I feel like my rights have been violated?” he said with attitude.

  “Michael where is your ID?” Sonyell asked him angrily. She folded her arms across her chest. “When you don’t carry ID, you’re looking for trouble.”

  “I accidently left my wallet at my mom’s house. It’s not like I was breaking the law or anything. I was outside smoking like you said. I was trying to figure out how I was going to get home.” Michael paced the small area like a caged animal. Tension rose from his body.

  Sonyell walked to him, and patted his arm. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. I know that must have brought flashbacks.”

  “Yeah, it did. It’s not like I was picking your lock or something. I heard Indiana po-po ain’t nobody to mess around with.” Michael exhaled loudly and then went to sit in the living room. Sonyell followed him.

  “Actually, I’m glad they checked with me. It’s good to know the police are earning their keep. Why don’t you stay here tonight? I’ll drive you to the city before I go to work in the morning,” Sonyell offered trying to ease Michael’s shattered ego.

  Michael ran his hand over his head. “I guess so. I guess that means I’m bunking on the couch huh?”

  “Well, I do have a spare bedroom. You can stay there, but, no sneaking into my room in the middle of the night,” she informed Michael in no uncertain terms.

  “Lead the way, lady,” he said humbly. Michael knew realistically the officers were doing their job. His head was plaited in corn-rows. He wore dark jeans and a dark hoodie. Most of all he was a black man. He could see how the officers could mistakenly think that he was trying to break into Sonyell’s house. He followed Sonyell to the other side of the house.

  “In there.” She pointed to her third bedroom. “Oops, I forgot Mari is on the phone. Give me a minute and I’ll give you a towel and soap so you can freshen up. I don’t have any nightclothes for you to sleep in.”

  “Okay.” Michael went inside the room and sat heavily on the bed. The night had not gone like he planned. He’d assumed he would be spending the night in Sonyell’s bed. In his mind pajamas weren’t needed.

  Sonyell hurried to her bedroom and explained to Mariah what happened. After the call was completed, she went to the linen closet and removed towels, a bar of soap, and a spare toothbrush that she kept for guests.

  When she went back into the guest bedroom, Michael was still sitting on the bed, his head dropped between his hands. “Here you go,” she told him. “I found an extra-extra-large T-shirt. Perhaps you could sleep in it.”

  Michael stood up. “Sorry for what happened,” he mumbled. “If I hadn’t got upset about you turning me down, none of that would have happened. I hope none of your neighbors peeped that action.” He pulled his hoodie off and laid it on the bed.

  “I am not concerned about what people think. The police didn’t take anyone out of the house. No one was arrested.”

  Michael glanced at the door, and Sasha was standing at the entrance. “What’s up, baby girl?” he asked her.

  “Is everything all right?” she asked tentatively. Sasha rocked from side to side. “I heard the doorbell ring and then I heard the police talking.”

  Sonyell walked over to her daughter. “Everything is fine. There was simply a misunderstanding.”

  “I was scared my daddy was going back to jail.” She peered shyly at Michael.

  Michael walked to the girl and knelt down by her. “Of course I ain’t going back to jail. I have too much on the outside, right here inside this house, to ever think about going back and being locked up. I’m sorry the doorbell woke you up.”

  He stood up and hugged Sasha. “How about I tuck you back in bed?” He looked at Sonyell for confirmation. She nodded.

  “I would love that, Daddy,” Sasha said gravely as she held out her hand to her father.

  Tears sprang to Sonyell’s eyes as she watched father and daughter go inside Sasha’s bedroom. She closed her eyes. “See, Lord, that�
�s what I’m talking about. I want my daughter to feel secure and know that her father is there for her every night, to talk to, and to tuck her into bed and listen to her prayers. But will it happen?” Sonyell was besieged with doubts. She’d been there and done that.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  On Christmas morning, Mariah’s eyes flew open like a child’s. She turned and glanced at the clock; it was 6:00 A.M. She stretched her arms over her head and then burrowed back under the ecru-colored comforter. Mariah tried to go back to sleep, but sleep eluded her. She rose from the bed, put on her robe, and peeked out the window. A dusty covering of snow lined the sidewalk and street. Snowflakes twinkled on the branches of the trees. The scene outdoors looked like a Christmas card. Mariah smiled with contentment.

  She tiptoed to her closet, opened the door, and removed two large garbage bags. She sneaked downstairs and laid the presents around the elaborately decorated, brightly lit giant Douglas fir tree. She sat on the sofa with her legs crossed and admired the tree. She looked up to see Sonyell and Raquel walking down the stairs with similar bags. Mariah giggled.

  “Girl, what you doing?” Raquel asked. She and Sonyell stopped dead in their tracks when they spied Mariah.

  “The same thing as y’all: playing Santa Claus,” she informed her friends as she glanced at their hands. “The bags are a dead giveaway.”

  “Well, we’ve had plenty of practice. We’ve been doing this for a while,” Raquel remarked as she set her bags on the floor. “Since Sasha was a baby. Thank God, we still don’t have toys to assemble. I still have nightmares of us trying to put together her Barbie dream house.”

  “True. Remember how we ended up calling Marvin to come over around midnight? He ended up coming over to help us finish putting it together,” Sonyell added, as the friends chuckled.

  “And, here we are ten years later.” Raquel shook her head. “Still playing Santa Claus.” The women quickly spread the gifts around the tree.

  Sonyell said, “I’m going to run upstairs and get my camera. The tree is simply beautiful. You and Carson did a great job decorating it,” she complimented Mariah.

  “Well, he did most of the work. It was fun though.” Mariah beamed. “While you’re getting the camera, I’ll put on coffee. I have a feeling Miss Sasha will be up early. We had the hardest time getting her to bed last night, she was so excited. I want to thank both of you for spending the night with me. Sonni, even though you said it didn’t matter, I know you preferred to be at your house with Michael.”

  Raquel grinned as she sat on the sofa. “Girl, there’s no place I’d rather be.”

  “We visited my family earlier on Christmas Eve. Sasha, Mike, and I spent most of the day with Michael’s family. He had family members visiting from out of town. So, I know he’s in good hands. I know he’s enjoying himself with his family. We’ve been together through thick and thin. So where else would I be?” Sonyell started walking toward the stairway. “I’ll be right back.”

  When she returned a few minutes later, Mariah and Raquel were sitting in the kitchen. “Sasha was still asleep. I estimate we have another fifteen to thirty minutes before she will be up.”

  “We had fun last night, watching movies, eating of course, and just catching up,” Raquel told the women. “I really got a blast out of Sasha looking under the tree for her gifts. I thought we were going to have to pry that girl away from the tree.”

  “Yes, we did.” Mariah took cups out of the cupboard for the coffee.

  “So are you excited about Carson bringing his girls to dinner?” Sonyell asked Mariah. “That’s a big step.”

  “Definitely. I’ve gone skating and bowling with Carson and the girls a few times. Aaliyah is still standoffish, but Ashanti is a little darling. She is such a sweet girl. She greets me with a hug. Aaliyah barely acknowledges my presence. Carson has to literally make her speak to me. Ashanti more than makes up for Aaliyah’s behavior.”

  “Today is going to be interesting. Michael will be joining us for dinner, along with Carson and his girls. And you even invited Cassie. The evening will be interesting to say the least,” Raquel commented as she rubbed her hands together.

  “Let’s not forget your new friend will be at dinner too,” Sonyell reminded her friend.

  “Yes, that’s true. I couldn’t let you all have all the fun. I met Louis at a networking event in Chicago last month, and we’ve been kicking it. I’m not in love like you two. Louis and I are having fun.”

  “I’m not in love,” Mariah tried to protest halfheartedly.

  “Girl, save it,” Raquel sputtered as she held up her hand. “I know what time it is for both of you. Seriously though, I’m a little jealous. But I am happy for both of you. I must say, Michael is doing better than I expected. It’s been what? A week and he hasn’t landed back in jail yet.”

  “Now, you know that wasn’t a nice thing to say. He had a job interview last week. Reverend Dudley set it up for him, with a steel mill here in Indiana. The company receives a subsidy for hiring ex-cons. His interview went well. So we’re staying prayerful. Mariah was going to find something for him to do. But, I didn’t want her on the hook if things didn’t work out.” Sonyell gave her friends an update.

  Mariah stood up and checked the coffee maker. The aroma of hazelnut filled the room. She quickly prepared three mugs of coffee and set them on the table in front of her friends. With a cup of coffee in hand, she sat down and joined the women.

  “So does that mean that he’s going to move to Indiana?” Raquel asked. She sipped her coffee and set the mug on the table.

  “I think so. It will really depend on where he ends up working.”

  Raquel shook her head. “And he’s staying with you. I thought you said that was a no-no and you didn’t want to give Sasha the wrong impression.”

  “He is living in my house, staying in the spare bedroom. Since he hasn’t started working yet, this is a good time for him to spend time with Sasha.”

  “And, is he creeping in Mommy’s bed, when the chickie is asleep?” Raquel couldn’t help but ask.

  “No, I’m firm on that. There is no hanky-panky going on,” Sonyell stated decisively.

  Raquel shook her head and sucked her teeth. “I swear I don’t understand either of you. Especially you, Sonyell; it’s not you haven’t given it up to him before. Dang, he just got out of prison. I bet his hormones are raging like a teenage boy’s.”

  “That’s his problem, and not mine.” Sonyell sniffed. She was becoming upset by the conversation.

  “If he’s getting it from someone else, then I’d say that’s your problem,” Raquel proclaimed. She stood up, walked to the counter, and poured herself another mug of coffee. “Do either of you want a refill?”

  Mariah and Sonyell shook their heads.

  “And you, Mariah, I don’t understand you at all. Any other woman would have sampled the goods by now.” Raquel looked at her friends wide-eyed, like they were creatures from another planet.

  “See, that’s why you need Jesus. You need to spend more time in church to cool off your hot behind,” Mariah teased her friend. “Carson is okay with my celibacy. So, you need to get out of my video.”

  “Ditto that.” Sonyell chortled.

  Sasha ran into the kitchen in a pair of new red and green pajamas. “Mommy, come look. Santa Claus has been here,” she shouted excitedly. “You should see all the presents he left here. It looks like the trees at the stores.” She ran over to her mother, grabbed her hands, and pulled her away from the table. “Come on, Aunt Mari and Aunt Rocki, what are you waiting for?”

  They made an exodus for the living room. They women sat on the sofa, while Sasha scampered under the tree. “Can I pass out presents?” she begged Mariah.

  “We should really wait for Granny,” she said.

  “I’m up,” Rosemary said. Her hair was wrapped in pink foam rollers. She wore a red satin lounging outfit that Mariah had given her as a pre-Christmas gift. She walked into the room and sat o
n a chair. “I knew the little one wouldn’t sleep long. I’ve been up for a little while.”

  Sasha became more excited. “Can I pass out the presents now, Aunt Mari?”

  “Yes, you can do the honors,” Mariah told the girl.

  For the next hour, Sasha went back and forth, passing out gifts to the women. Mariah had given her grandmother a new coat and several outfits, along with a new pair of boots and a designer purse. Rosemary kept saying, “This is too much.” Still her face was filled with pleasure.

  Mariah gave her friends designer bags with hats and scarf sets. She also gave them iPhones and mini computers.

  Rosemary gave Mariah a lace tablecloth for her dining room table with matching accessories. Raquel and Sonyell gave Mariah a gift certificate to a spa in Lake Geneva. Sonyell also gave Mariah several hats, since she knew her friend loved hats. Everyone was pleased with their gifts. But none more so than Sasha. The young girl was in seventh heaven. When Sasha opened the box containing the Wii system she screamed with pleasure. She ran to Sonyell and showed it to her.

  Raquel gave Sasha a couple of Wii games and an iPod. Sonyell and Michael bought their daughter new outfits and computer games. Mariah also gave Sasha a small Coach purse, and an American Girl doll, complete with accessories. Rosemary gave Sasha a children’s Bible.

  Sasha hugged and kissed the women with great enthusiasm. “This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.” She held up a green velvet dress. “Mommy, can I wear this today for dinner?”

  “You sure can.” Sonyell nodded.

  Sasha sat down on the floor near the tree, and reexamined her gifts.

  “There’s nothing like children to bring about the real meaning of Christmas, the excitement and laughter. I just love to see their faces when they open a new gift.” Raquel sighed. “I think we outdid ourselves this year.”

  “I would have to agree with you,” Sonyell agreed. “Although, methinks Aunt Mari went a tad overboard this year. This is probably the last year we’ll be able to get away with her believing in Santa Claus. Sasha asked me many times if there was really a Santa Claus. I just want her to enjoy that myth one last year.”