Blessings From the Father

by Michelle Larks

  He was sitting forlornly at his desk. His chair faced the window; Carson stared aimlessly out of it, seeing nothing. Mariah walked over to him. She bent and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He held her arms. Then he stood up. Mariah hugged him. Carson set up one of the chairs that lay on its side. Mariah sat in the chair he had placed next to his.

  She leaned over, took his hand in hers, and squeezed it. “I know it looks pretty bad now. Once the offices are straightened up it won’t seem as bad.” She tried to console him.

  “I know that, but still I feel violated. I can’t believe this has happened,” Carson complained.

  Mariah nodded. “I understand. Unfortunately break-ins happened to me in the Garden at least once a year. So I feel your pain.”

  “I just can’t imagine who would do this. The economy isn’t great, but by the grace of God, the company was doing okay. My men make enough money to support their families, so I can’t imagine any of them doing this.”

  “None of them?” Mariah whispered. She wanted to know what Carson was thinking, especially as far as Michael was concerned.

  “If you’re asking me if I suspect Michael,” Carson responded candidly, “then the answer is no. Until I have proof otherwise, that’s going to be my position.”

  “You’re simply amazing, Carson, giving him the benefit of the doubt,” Mariah remarked. “Sonni is here. She’s with Michael now. I am ashamed to admit, the two of us are having doubts about Michael’s involvement.”

  “It would be easy to do that under the circumstances. He has assured me he had no part in this and I don’t want to stereotype him. He’s had a hard life. A good part of it was his environment and another part was of his own making. I think deep down inside, Mike is a good guy.”

  Mariah concurred. “You’re right, but this”—she waved her hand around—“is so Michael’s MO. It’s what he used to do best.”

  “I hear you.” Carson nodded. “He was pretty open about his record. I just had the feeling he was ready for a change. But, if I find out that he played any part in the robbery, I will not hesitate to press charges. I am pretty easygoing. I’ve helped more than one brother with a record in the past. But, I will not let anyone violate me or mine,” Carson said strongly.

  “I feel you. I’m the same way. Michael asked me about hiring him before he left prison, but I didn’t feel right. Plus, I really didn’t have anything for him to do. It’s not like he has a great resume. Sonni was initially wary and then pleased when you offered him an apprenticeship. Everything was going well and now this,” Mariah stated miserably.

  “Thank God I have insurance so the stolen items will be replaced. I made the mistake of not taking a few payments to the bank. That along with my petty cash was taken out of my safe.”

  “Will the insurance replace that?” Mariah wondered aloud.

  “I’m pretty sure they will. I just have to have proof. I will find out from the insurance company. A representative will be here shortly.”

  “Do you need me to do anything for you? I can stick around and help with the cleanup. After the police finish with Michael, Sonni is going to head back to the office.”

  Carson’s reply was interrupted by shouting from the other office. They sped from the office to find Michael responding angrily to the officer questioning him.

  “Whoa, buddy,” Carson said pulling Michael’s arm. “What’s the problem?”

  Michael tried to gather himself. “I don’t like the way this officer is insinuating that I had something to do with the robbery. He used his laptop computer and pulled up my record. He went from treating me like any other employee to me being the prime suspect.” Sparks of anger flew from Michael’s eyes. He held his arms tautly at his sides. His hands were curled into fists.

  Carson turned to the policeman. “Is that true?”

  The policeman held up his arms. “Hey, I’m just doing my job. Your employee has an extensive rap sheet. I had to question him a little bit more intensely than your other employees, based on his record.”

  “I tried to explain to him,” Michael said, pointing to the policeman, “that I’ve paid my debt, or should I say debts, to society. I have an alibi for last night. Sonni can vouch for me. Isn’t that right, Sonni?”

  Sonyell was torn. She bit her bottom lip. “I know that when I went to bed and got up this morning, he was at my home, Officer. So I can vouch for his whereabouts,” she stammered weakly.

  “Was he with you all of last night, ma’am?” the officer asked Sonyell.

  “Well, up until I went to bed. We don’t, ah, sleep in the same bedroom, so I, ah, don’t know that he was in my house all night. I didn’t hear any doors opening or closing, so I am assuming he was,” Sonyell said unhappily.

  “So, she can’t completely vouch for your whereabouts,” the officer surmised. He turned back to Michael. “Mr. Fletcher, would you mind going down to headquarters to answer more questions for us?”

  “This is bull crap,” Michael yelled. “And yes, I would mind coming down to the station. I’ve answered your questions truthfully.” He glared at Sonyell. Then he looked back at the officer and asked grimly, “Do I need a lawyer?”

  “I don’t think that will be necessary at this moment. But, it would be nice if you went to headquarters to answer a few more questions. It doesn’t look good that you are refusing to do so. I have your telephone number. I’m sure I’ll call you for a few follow-up questions. You are free to go.”

  Michael glowered angrily at Sonyell. He then stalked out of the office. Sonyell followed him.

  “Did you have to be so hard on him?” Carson asked the officer.

  “I’m merely doing my job. You know with his record, he automatically becomes a person of interest. I am not saying his is a prime suspect, but his story has to be checked out. We will also compare his fingerprints with the ones we were able to get in both offices.”

  Carson crossed his arms over his chest. “Problem is that he works here. So you will find his prints in some places in the office.”

  “We were able to get a few prints off the safe. We’ll see how his compare with them. It would behoove you to be wary of the man. If it were me, I would be.”

  “When you can show me proof positive, I’ll react accordingly. Until then, I will take him at his word.”

  “I hope that works out for you. I will be on my way.”

  Officer Janokowski walked up. He handed Carson his business card. “We’ll be in touch with you soon. I agree with Officer Hutchison; hiring ex-cons is a risky business. I hope the guy didn’t lapse into his old habits.”

  Carson took the card and nodded his head. The police team departed from the office.

  The policemen passed by Michael and Sonyell who were huddled in a corner of the entrance of the building talking animatedly. They departed the building.

  “You gave me little to no support back there, Sonni. Don’t you believe me?” Michael asked her indignantly.

  “Of course I do,” Sonyell answered reluctantly. “I can’t dismiss your past. You’ve been known to do things like this.”

  “Sonni, that was in the past. I’ve been on the straight and narrow because I love you and my daughter. I would never do anything to mess up things between us. I realize I am still in the doghouse, but I would expect you of all people to give me a break. You gave that officer reason to suspect me even more.”

  “Would you have me lie for you? Is that what you want?” Sonyell reacted angrily. “I don’t know what you do when I go to bed. I don’t get up in the middle of the night. I just know that you were in the guest room when I got up in the morning.”

  “I’m supposed to be your man aren’t I? Or am I?” Michael asked her ominously.

  “Of course you are, but I told you if anything else of a criminal nature occurred that I was done with you. And then this happens? I just don’t know.” Sonyell’s voice trailed off. She raked her fingers through her hair.

  “You know what, I think I’d better l
eave before I do or say something I may regret,” Michael said in measured tones. “I am going back to see if I can help Carson. If I can’t then I think I’m going to go to my mom’s house for a few days. I’m outta here. This is too much.” He left Sonyell with her mouth gaped wide.

  “Michael,” Sonyell said. But Michael kept walking to Carson’s office. Sonyell was too embarrassed to return to the office. So she went to her car. She sat for a few minutes waiting for Michael to return. When he didn’t, she put the car in drive, and drove to work.

  When Michael went inside Carson’s office, Mariah excused herself to look for Sonyell. She went to the parking lot and saw that Sonyell’s car was gone. She thought, what the heck is going on?

  She returned to the office. The door to Carson’s office was closed. So Mariah busied herself with straightening up the office.

  Michael came out thirty minutes later. He looked calmer, but it was obvious he still had an attitude. He told Mariah offhandedly, “I’ll see you later.” Michael then left the office.

  Mariah shook her head and returned to Carson’s office. “What just happened? When I went to the parking lot Sonyell had left. Michael looks madder than a wet hen.”

  “We talked. And for your information, he reassured me again that he had nothing to do with what happened. He is also upset because he feels Sonni didn’t support him.”

  “I understand Sonni’s position,” Mariah said unwaveringly, ever loyal to her friend. She sat down next to Carson.

  “I knew you would. I tried to explain to Michael that he’s been judged by his past. I also told him that if he’s innocent as he says he is, the evidence would prove it.”

  “You’re right. I guess we’re kind of stereotyping Michael. Sonni has just been down this road so many times before that she has all the steps memorized.” Mariah shook her head.

  “Understandably so, it just takes time for people to realize a person has changed. That’s what I explained to Michael. He just has to be patient.”

  “You really believe him?”

  “I do for now. He seemed sincere. We’ve had many talks. So I just hope for his sake that he is telling the truth.”

  “For his sake and Sonni’s.” Mariah waved her hands. “I think when he went to prison this last time she was ready to throw the towel in on their relationship. The only reason she didn’t was because of Sasha. She has really missed having a father in her life.”

  “If I don’t know anything else about Michael, I know that he is crazy about his daughter and I don’t think he’d do anything to jeopardize his relationship with her.”

  “I hope so. For a change I am really pulling for Michael,” Mariah remarked wonderingly. “Since the police are done, why don’t we clean up a little bit? After the police gave me the okay, I straightened up the foyer. The assured me they’ll share their findings with the insurance company.”

  “Good idea,” Carson responded. “Thank you and yes, Ms. Green, I would love your help.”

  Mariah bent over and began picking up items from the floor. Carson looked at Mariah intently, his eyes filled with love. His feelings for Mariah skyrocketed even more. Carson knew that if he were still married to Lola, she would only be concerned about the insurance payout he would receive. She wouldn’t deign to help him clean up. Carson realized Mariah was a good woman, he just hoped she felt the same way about him. When all was said and done.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Rosemary, who had not taken a day off work in over five years, called the school district to request a day off. She explained she had personal business to attend to. After she rose wearily from the bed, she showered, dressed, and listened to the morning news as she drank her first cup of coffee for the day.

  Afterward, she struggled to get her boots over her feet, put on her down coat, tied a scarf around her neck, and trudged out in the snow to the bus stop. Her friend Alma passed by Rosemary as she waited at the bus stop. Alma pulled over and asked Rosemary if she needed a ride. “I need to be by myself,” Rosemary replied. She put her gloved hands inside her pocket.

  Alma looked at Rosemary with concern gleaming in her eyes. Though she was loath to do so, Alma respected Rosemary’s wishes. “I’ll call you later,” she simply replied and drove to work. She stared at Rosemary in her rearview mirror until she could no longer see her friend.

  The bus was packed with people. Students headed to school, mothers dropped their children off at the babysitters’ houses, and men and women headed to work. Rosemary transferred buses at Eighty-seventh Street and before long she walked inside Christian Friendship Church.

  Rosemary walked into the sanctuary, and she sat in the back pew. She dropped her head and closed her eyes. She brought her hands together as in prayer. Why, Lord, why didn’t I tell my baby the truth when I had all those chances? Lord, I didn’t mean her any harm. If I had it to do over, I would do so many things differently. Help me, Father, I need you now. She rocked and moaned softly as she sat in her seat. Before long, Rosemary sobbed deeply.

  Rosalind was on her way to the ladies’ room when she heard sounds from the auditorium. She pulled the door open and peeped in. Her eyes widened when she saw Rosemary. Rosalind rushed back to the office and quickly explained the situation to Reverend Dudley.

  The minister looked alarmed and instantly left his office. He sat down on the pew next to Rosemary and put his arm around her shoulder. “Rosemary, is everything okay?” the minister asked her kindly.

  Rosemary put her face in her hands and bobbed her head up and down. “Pastor, everything is falling apart. I don’t know how I’m going to bear it when Mariah finds out the truth. She is going to hate me. I know it.” Rosemary began keening anew.

  Reverend Dudley sat quietly beside Rosemary until the storm had passed. Rosemary eventually began hiccupping. He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and passed it to her.

  “You know you really don’t have to carry this burden alone, don’t you? Just turn it over to the Lord, Rosemary. Let Him guide you.”

  Rosemary’s eyes were swollen. Her voice sounded nasal. “Pastor, I’ve been praying over this since Mariah’s father left her that inheritance. And, I still don’t know what to do.”

  “Is it that you don’t know? Or you don’t want to do what you should?”

  Rosemary closed her eyes and sighed. “A little bit of both I guess.”

  “Why is it so hard for you to trust Mariah to understand what happened?” Reverend Dudley asked Rosemary.

  “Because what happened those years ago was so horrendous. Every time I think of the part I played in it, I just want to die.” Rosemary began wailing again.

  “You didn’t do anything out of spite, Rosemary. You did what you thought was best at the time,” the minister reminded her.

  “I try to tell myself that,” Rosemary moaned and swayed in her seat. “When I rehearse in my mind what I want to say to Mariah, no matter how I try to make it sound not too bad, it is. It’s the worst thing that ever happened to my family. I feel like I should have done more to prevent it from happening.”

  “Even when the worst things happen that we can imagine, a murder, a person overdosing on drugs, God is still there to help us each step of the way. I pray you can turn to Him and let Him help you ease your burden. Isaiah 41:10 tells us, ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee, be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help you; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.’”

  “I know what you’re saying, Pastor. But you don’t understand. I can only fix this mess I’ve created by telling Mariah the truth. To set myself free, I may do harm to the person I love most in this world. And that is so selfish.”

  “No, I don’t think that at all,” Reverend Dudley disagreed with Rosemary. “I think God has forgiven you, but you haven’t been able to forgive yourself. You have raised a wonderful, compassionate granddaughter. Let it go and wait for Jesus to work it out. I promise you that He will,” Reverend Dudley strongly ur
ged Rosemary.

  He took Rosemary’s trembling hand. “Father, God. I ask that you stop by here today. Please help Sister Green to find peace. Help her to find the right words she needs to talk to her granddaughter. The family secret has been hanging over their heads for so long. By your will, Sister Green will be able to resolve it. Help Sister Green, I implore you in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

  Rosemary wiped her eyes with the handkerchief again. “Thank you, Pastor. I know that you’re right. It’s time for me to tell Mariah the truth. No matter how it might hurt her or me. I promise. I’m going to think about the way I want to tell her and then I will.”

  “Trust me, Rosemary, you will feel better in the end. Maybe not immediately, but eventually you will. You will feel like a burden has been lifted. I just urge you not to wait too long.”

  “I won’t,” Rosemary promised. “Thank you for seeing me today. I didn’t necessarily want to talk to you. I just wanted to be in God’s house and listen for His voice to tell me what to do. I believe yours was the voice He wanted me to hear.” Rosemary shook her head wearily.

  “If you’d like, I can make myself available for support when you talk to Mariah. You don’t have to go through the ordeal alone.”

  Rosemary pondered the suggestion for a minute. “That might not be a bad idea. Let me think on it.”

  “Take your time but just not too much. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

  “No. I guess I will go back home. I actually took the day off work. I haven’t taken off for a long time.”

  “Do you need a ride home? James Stewart will be here in a bit. He’s driving the church’s van to transport the seniors here today for their monthly luncheon. He can certainly drive you home if you’d like.”

  “I don’t know. . . .” Rosemary replied dubiously. “I’m not really dressed for church.”

  “I have a better idea. Why don’t you help the committee serve lunch? It will take your mind off your troubles. You can work in the kitchen and no one will see you. Then Jim can take you home when he takes the seniors back.”