by Pat Simmons
“What? Say it,” his nostrils flared as he dared her, “your brother? Try to disown me if you want. I might be our father’s son, but I’m not my father, little girl. I will tell you off and won’t worry about your hurt feelings if it will make you think twice.”
Kami was fuming at Pace’s tone. She was ready to retaliate with her own sass when her brother continued.
“I’m not finished. We’re Jamiesons. I might not be in the army or in law enforcement, but I was reared to protect my family and serve God. Don’t push me, little sister.”
The room took on a chill. Kami sensed all eyes on her, waiting for her comeback. Even Susanna looked at her with expectancy.
Before she could respond, Queen cleared her throat. “Let’s not ruin the evening talking about—”
“Well, I’ve got a lot to say ’bout the scum bag. I should have picked up speed when I hit him,” Grandma BB said, not one to be censored, so her aunt yielded the floor to Grandma BB.
“You could’ve killed him!” Kami jumped to her feet.
“Either that or you would’ve done it anyway if you saw him. He had hussies hanging all over him.” Grandma BB rolled her neck. “No one plays you for a fool. Not on my watch. The more I think about it, I should have broken an arm. He would’ve been one short, so them ugly gals would have to find a new sucker.” She tsked.
Kami’s heart dropped—no, it shattered. This confirmed coming to Tulsa had been a bad idea. She glanced at her tattoo. A relationship wasn’t supposed to be like this. She trusted Tango, but in the back of her mind, she feared something like this might happen without her around. Holding her head in her hands, Kami bawled. She refused comfort from her brothers and Susanna. She knew better than to reject Grandma BB’s affections.
Sniffing, she somewhat composed herself to throw up her hands. “Why is everyone in my business?” She had no words to describe her jumbled emotions. The only thing she wanted to know is if she had lost Tango. She had to sneak another call to him and hear his side of the story.
When Susanna abruptly announced she was going home, Kami said she was going to bed. Her brothers stood. Pace looked tortured as he extended his arms for a hug. Kami walked right passed him into her room and fell on her bed crying. Love hurts.
Saturday morning, Kami woke feeling déjà vu. She hadn’t slept well as she did the night of her first and only date with Tango. Thanks to Pace, she was reliving her agony. She couldn’t wait to talk to Tango about their silly rumors.
And if they are, what are you going to do? a voice questioned her.
“I have no idea,” she mumbled to herself.
For the sake of enjoying family, she didn’t mention Tango during the Fourth of July celebrations that were held throughout the villages in Gilcease Hills. There was a potluck barbecue at the clubhouse, and everyone brought side dishes or desserts. Kami was tempted to flirt with the guys on the basketball court to spite her brother’s control and Tango’s behavior. That wasn’t who she was—playing games. Kami felt like she was going crazy with these thoughts, and she was starting to scare herself.
On Sunday morning, her brothers rose early to catch a flight back home. Both were dressed nicely and looked handsome. They would step off the plane and head straight to church. Grandma BB had left early this morning with Chip and Dale for a road trip to California for a week before heading back to St. Louis.
Waking with mixed emotions, Kami was sad to see them go so soon, but happy to get rid of the bearers of bad news. Tuesday couldn’t come fast enough so she could call Tango at the salon.
Before leaving the house, Pace pulled her aside. “I love you. We all do, and we will hurt somebody over hurting you. You can take a girl out of the church, but you can’t take the church out of you. You belong to Jesus. Remember that.”
Then why was God letting things go wrong with Tango? Kami huffed and was quiet on the ride to the airport.
Once her brothers’ flight departed, she and Queen headed back to the car lot. “I miss that.” Queen sighed with a whimsical expression.
“What?” Kami frowned at her aunt.
“Family. I miss my brothers and their wives fussing over me. Your brothers adore you.”
“Right,” she said sarcastically. “I couldn’t tell this trip.”
“That’s because you’re blind to true love, but I could see it. They’re not afraid of affection and boast that you’re their sister. Ahh.” She sighed. “I need to move to St. Louis.”
“For real?” Kami’s spirit lifted instantly as she got into the passenger seat and clicked her seat belt.
“Sometimes the urge is strong and I’m ready to quit my job and start over without blinking an eye. Other times, I come to my senses. Tulsa has always been my home, and my roots are here.”
Her aunt didn’t sound convincing to Kami’s ear, yet she said nothing. Maybe, one day Queen would change her mind and make St. Louis her home.
On Tuesday morning, while Miss Pearl was busy with a client, Kami placed the call. “Tango, it’s me,” she whispered when he answered.
“Who?” He sound irritated.
“Kami, silly. You miss me? I really miss you.” She waited for his declaration, but none came. “Hello. Are you still there?”
“Yeah. I’m here and you’re there. Maybe this idea of us dating was a bad one. A man can get lonely over the summer, and somebody got to keep me company.”
“You mean besides me.” Her heart was breaking.
“I’ll see you when you get back and see if we want to pick up where we left off, but you’re going to have to sneak around and see me. I ain’t about no family drama.”
Before she could say okay, the call had ended and Kami felt her life slipping away.
Cheney studied her husband after Pace returned from Tulsa and reported on his sister: Their daughter was enjoying her summer—great; she no longer looked like a little girl with her hair style, makeup, and attitude—hmm; and she was still pining over Tango—that definitely wasn’t what they had hoped to hear.
How was Kami handling the news of other girls hanging around her boyfriend? The temptation was too great not to cheat. Cheney battled with depression and self-esteem issues following her broken relationship. She wanted to reach out to Kami to be there to console and counsel her daughter about love and relationships.
Tango was truly blessed to have only a limp around after Grandma BB scared him with her car. “I should have broken one bone in several places or gave him a concussion or put him in a coma...” Grandma BB babbled about endless possibilities for Kami’s revenge.
When Grandma BB had called them from the emergency room, she and Parke were about to head to Barnes Hospital. After learning Grandma BB had struck Tango—by accident—Cheney and Parke put the car keys back on the hook and enjoyed dinner without a care in the world, knowing he would recover.
Do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, God chastened their attitude. Have you not read Proverbs 24:17? He asked. Repent because it displeases Me and I will turn away My wrath from him to you.
As God spoke, Cheney listened and shared with her husband that Jesus had no favorites between Grandma BB and Tango, and both their names should be circled on her prayer list. Despite the cares of life, life did go on, and she and Parke were determined to weather any storm together.
For Friday date night, they decided to enjoy a romantic dinner not far from their home in historic Ferguson, then take a stroll through January-Wabash Park.
A couple hours later, Parke squeezed her hand. “You up to taking a road trip to check on Mom and Dad?”
Cheney chuckled. Three Jamieson families lived within miles of one another in North St. Louis County. “I think I can hang for an eight-minute ride.”
Parke V aka Papa P and Charlotte Jamieson didn’t seem to age in the fourteen years she and Parke had been married. They and the Lord were the inspiration for a happy marriage.
Nine minutes later, Parke turned into the Paddock Estates neighborhood. At
the door, they received warm hugs and trailed the couple to the screened-in sunporch in the back of the house where they fussed over them and enticed Parke to partake in a German chocolate cake that Charlotte had baked earlier.
“The summer will be over before we know it,” Papa P said. “We only have a few weeks before it’s August.”
“Yes, and our little Kami will be home. I hope the trip helped her think clearly.” Charlotte gnawed on her lips. Since that disastrous family night months ago, everyone was prayerful.
Cheney didn’t want to tell her in-laws to brace for a continuation of rebellion, but Parke opened up to his parents. “She won’t talk to us about it, so I don’t know where her heart is. My concern is she and Queen haven’t been going to church.”
“Ah, Queen. Yet another Jamieson who hasn’t embraced the love from God or a special man.” He chuckled to himself. “We know it’s a matter of time before the right man comes along for her.”
“Like I found the right woman.” Parke gave Cheney a loving look and squeezed her hand before bringing it to his lips. He wasn’t afraid to show his affection whether it be in front of the children, his siblings, or parents.
Papa P leaned forward. “Son, I’ve been thinking about our next family night. Times are changing. When you were small, our focus was to rear strong, competent, and savvy Black men. When you and Cheney began your salvation walk and led others in the family to follow Jesus, I felt strongly to incorporate Biblical wisdom.” He paused and a tortured expression flashed across his face. “After our last...”
“Fiasco,” Parke finished for his father.
“I think we should adjust our family game night to include a forum to hear what’s on our young folks’ minds. Instead of them listening to me, it’s time for us to listen to them.”
Cheney nodded as she snuggled closer to her husband. “I’ve tried to be all ears since the disagreement, but our daughter really isn’t talking openly to us—me anyway.”
“It’s not just you, dear daughter,” Papa P tried to console her. “I’ve done my own informal research on problems teenagers face. It doesn’t matter that everything is okay at home. They crave acceptance among their peers and that may entice them to indulge in risky behavior like sex, alcohol, drugs, and the list goes on. When they’ve tried all that and they’re still rejected, suicide becomes an option.”
“Yeah.” Parke nodded, then sighed. “With the recent high-profile suicides in the news, the devil is planting seeds, but I don’t get it. Kami has so much love from us. She doesn’t need to vie for acceptance from anybody.”
Cheney rested her hand on top of her husband’s. “I know that, you know that, but does our daughter believe that? Kami will leave the nest to explore and judge what we’ve taught to be true or false. People will plant seeds of doubt. We can’t let them grow. I’ve added fasting to my prayer life for her, the boys, and all those struggling with peer pressure. I doubt it’s only a teen issue.”
His father nodded and folded his hands. “I think God is giving us some direction. I decree all Jamiesons fast and pray the night before all our family meetings. We’ll show the devil how the saints do it.” Papa P got a five high from everyone. “We have to pray for the next generations of Jamiesons, so they will be blameless and not guilty of sin.”
“Amen.” Cheney nodded, recalling Acts 2:39, And this is the Father's will who has sent me, that of all that He has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. She bowed her head. “Praise God for His Word.”
“Yes. My hope’s in John 6:39, and that Jesus won’t lose one soul who is His,” Parke said softly, then sighed. “We have to encourage our children to trust Jesus no matter what they face. Failing is not an option.” He gritted his teeth.
“No, it isn’t. Our young people really need to know the Scriptures in their hearts, and I’m not talking about memorizing them.” Papa P paused. “We don’t want to repeat the scenarios in the Old Testament where the kings worshipped God, but after their deaths, their sons—the heirs to the throne—did evil in the sight of God.”
“That would ruin our Jamieson legacy,” Parke said.
“And their souls,” Cheney added.
Chapter Thirteen
Kami was excited to hear from Gabrielle, her Uncle Cameron’s wife. At the moment, she was her favorite aunt because she had new babies. Kami enjoyed cuddling and watching them grow. While on the phone, her aunt texted her photos of the twins, since she no longer had an Instagram account. Kami oohed and ahhed.
They were beautiful: The boy, Gabriel, had one dimple and the cutest laugh; Camille had long lashes and thick, black curly hair. Kami loved babysitting them, but after working this summer, she wouldn’t have to depend on babysitting her younger cousins for her only source of money. Thanks to Miss Pearl, she had real job experience now. Plus, with the money she had been able to save, she hoped her dad would still help her get a car.
“So what do you think about Tulsa, or are you ready to come back home? Tell me about the friends you’ve made. Do you like your job?” Gabrielle fired off one question after another until Kami giggled.
“I do like being here with Queen, but I’m ready to go home. Sometimes, my friend Susanna and I do things on the weekends, and I’ve learned a lot about hair, skin, and nails.” She eyed her toenails, which one of the pedicurists had polished with a summery pink, then added decorative jewels on the big toes. Queen had commented that Kami not only has gorgeous legs, but pretty feet.
“Hey, sweetie, before my little angels wake, the reason why I called is to let you know my brother is in Tulsa holding evangelism tent meetings.”
“Uncle Philip!” Kami had had a crush on him since the first day she saw him at her aunt and uncle’s wedding. Technically, he was her uncle-in-law, but he always treated her as his niece. He engaged her in conversations where she felt what she had to say was important to him. Although she knew what her family felt about her boyfriend, she wondered what Uncle Philip’s opinion would be about her parents separating her from Tango for the summer.
“I hope you can see him before he leaves,” Gabrielle said, breaking into her reverie.
“I will see him!” She would not miss the opportunity. Kami didn’t care if it was in a church-like setting and she was skipping church during her summer break. There was something about her uncle besides his hot looks that made Kami want to be in his presence.
“Good, because I haven’t seen my big brother in more than a year, and you tell him that too,” her aunt fussed jokingly, then chuckled.
“I’ll give him four hugs,” Kami said, grinning to herself, “one for me, you, and my twin baby cousins. Uncle Cameron wouldn’t hug him.” She giggled.
“I know, right? Sounds good. Love you, Kam.”
Gabrielle shortened her husband’s name, so whenever they were in the same room, she would call them Cam and Kam as if they were a tag team. “Love you back, Auntie.”
Before retiring to her bedroom for the night, Kami told Queen about the tent meetings and her uncle being in town.
Queen didn’t seem excited about the man or his purpose. “Who preaches outside in eighty-something degrees anymore?” She fanned her face. “They have megachurches now for those sort of things to draw a crowd.”
“My uncle does. He says that’s the only way to reach souls is to go out and find them. He always cites Ephesians 4:11: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”
He preaches to perfect the saints, God whispered. Read Ephesians.
Kami would, but not tonight. She was too tired.
Queen stopped applying her night cream to her face and stared in the mirror at Kami who stood behind her. “I’m open to inviting him to dinner after one of his sermons.”
She wanted to see her uncle, and knowing his busy schedule, she wanted to see him like yesterday. “Come on, Queen. It’ll be fun.”
“I never considered church fun.”
But reluctantly on Friday night, Queen drove back downtown near the Greenwood District. The vinyl covering was easy to spot.
Once underneath it, Kami secretly agreed with her aunt. It was hot. A church with central air would have been preferable to this heat, humidity...and mosquitoes. The tent was packed with people sitting in what seemed like hundreds of rows separated by a makeshift aisle. Large fans circulated the hot air.
Kami doubted her short skirt, sleeveless top, and sandals would keep her cool enough. On the other hand, Queen was still dressed in her business attire and heels—she refused to be seen in public with anything else on her feet. Kami craned her neck for a seat. Even if she and Queen had to be separated, Kami wasn’t leaving there without giving him a tight hug.
They were able to find two seats together midway from the front, despite her aunt’s protest she’d rather stand in the back. That wasn’t even a possibility when men were around. One look at her aunt, and a man would knock over his folding chair to give up his seat for her. Making herself as comfortable as possible, Kami kept her eyes riveted on the speaker.
“You will never fit in,” Phillip’s voice boomed from the microphone. “The house we call a home is a rental. We don’t own anything in this world—nothing. You may have a mansion and wealth today, but be bankrupt and living out of your car—if it’s paid for—tomorrow. You may have good health today and die from a heart attack before the day ends. There’s a better life for you.”
Philip paused to wipe the sweat from his forehead, then picked up his opened Bible. “Ephesians 4:14 says, we’re no longer weak in our faith, which means the devil and his captors can’t bully us anymore. God has raised up an army of saints who aren’t persuaded by false truths, but can discern lies, tales, gossip, and anything deceptive. These demonic spirits are cunning and seducers. Satan will use children, teenagers, or old men to perform his dirty deeds.”