by Faith
“Yeah, that is a little odd. I know Denard said he never showed up for the test results. And he said something was off about dude too,” Junior explained.
“Test results?” O looked confused.
“Yeah, man. Come to find out Deacon Watkins is his the pappy!” Eddie laughed.
“Jesus!” O exclaimed. His work phone went off. “This is Hudson… Where?... I’m on my way.” He stood up and said, “Well, I have got to go.”
“A’ight O. Thanks man,” Eddie said and got up to walk him out.
“Yeah, thanks O,” the fellas repeated.
Eddie returned to the den after walking O out and said, “I’m dreading how Elisea will take the news. She just bounced back from all of this.”
“Yeah, but at the same time she may be relieved,” Mud added.
“Elisea and I have become really close. I wouldn’t mind telling her,” Andrew suggested.
“Hold! How close are you getting with my sister?” Mud asked and mean mugged him. All the brothers stared at him, waiting on a response.
“Hold up! I have not crossed the line with E. But if I thought she would marry me today, I would.”
“But you haven’t touched her?” Mud was suspicious.
“Mud, leave the man alone,” Junior demanded.
“My brother has nothing but the best intentions towards E,” James said, backing his brother.
Muds tone softened. “I just don’t want to see my sister getting hurt again.”
“I love your sister, and I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. And, I’m aware she’s been through a lot. If she’ll let me, I’d give her the world,” Andrew pleaded his case.
Edem smiled and said, “You’re alright with me.”
“Yeah, as long as you treat her like a queen, I’m good,” Junior chimed in.
Eddie gave his input. “You’re a cool dude. I’m cool with it.”
Then they all looked over at Mud.
“Just make sure you give her the world!” Mud huffed. He didn’t have a problem with Andrew, but he was very protective of his sister.
“Well okay, Andrew. You can break the news to E,” Junior told him.
________
Andrew felt good about his conversation with the brothers. He understood their concern, but he was no punk. He walked into the living room and watched the women talking and laughing. He loved how close the Blanks were. He tapped Elisea on the shoulder, nodded his head and said, “Come take a walk with me.”
Elisea smiled at the suggestion. “Okay.” She got up and followed him out of the house.”
Andrew took her hand and started on their walk.
“So, what’s up?” she asked.
“I just wanted to talk to you about a few things.”
“Alright, what’s on your mind?”
“You’ve been through a lot, and I love your strength. I’ve watched you evolve right in front of my eyes. I admire that.”
“Drew!” Elisea looked at him lovingly.
“I’m serious. I know that we haven’t known each other long and we aren’t even technically dating, but I’m in love with you. And I want to spend the rest of my life loving you.”
Taken aback, Elisea was shocked by the confession. “Are you for real right now?”
“Yes, I am.”
“But you haven’t even kissed me.”
“Do you want me to kiss you? Believe me, I want to kiss you. I just didn’t want you to compromise your integrity.”
“I appreciate that. I really do.” Elisea exhaled. “I have a confession too.”
Andrew tilted his head. “And what’s that?”
She stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. “I’ve been fighting my feelings for you. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but I’ve been in constant prayer about you and this connection I have with you. I talked to Edem about how I was feeling, and he told me to be patient and it would all work out.” Elisea started to blush.
“Are you blushing, Miss Blanks?”
Elisea covered her face with embarrassment. He removed her hands and said, “Baby, you don’t ever have to hide your beautiful face from me.”
“I don’t know what you’re doing to me. “
“If you let me, I’ll love you forever. Will you let me?”
“You promise?”
“I promise you, and I promise God. Will you promise the same?”
“Baby, you had me at the foot massage!” she replied.
They both busted out laughing.
“Since we’re making this official, can I kiss you now?”
“Yes, you may,” Elisea said in a seductive tone.
Andrew held her face in his hands and planted a kiss on her that made the earth shift. Their tongues intertwined with each other’s under the Carolina sky. It had to be the longest kiss in history, because neither one wanted to let the other go.
“Jesus, please keep me near the cross!” Elisea said, looking up to the heavens. “That was intense!”
“Yeah, I can only imagine what—”
Elisea put her hand on his chest and said, “As much as I want to, I have to do it right this time.”
“I know. Like I said, you are a woman of integrity. But I’m a man that goes after what I want, and life is too short to waste any time.”
Elisea’s eyebrow went up. “What does that mean?” she asked.
Andrew dropped to one knee. “Elisea Blanks, I don’t want to live another day without you being my wife. I’ve been carrying this around for a week.” He dug in his pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened the box, and inside was a blinding 6 carat ring with diamonds cascading around the band.
“Drew! Oh my God!”
“Will you marry me?”
“Uh duh! Yes! Yes! Yes!” Elisea shouted and jumped up and down in excitement.
Andrew slipped the ring on her finger. Then they shared a kiss as equally passionate as the first one.
“You like it?” Andrew asked.
Elisea held her hand out. “This is my dream ring. How did you know?” But before he could answer, she answered her own question. “Lizzie!”
“Yeah, she helped me out a little bit,” he admitted.
They hugged each other. And as they held each other Elisea could feel his nature rising and quickly backed up. Good Gawd! she thought to herself.
“I’m sorry, baby. You just have that effect on me.”
“It’s okay. This is crazy! We go from friends to being engaged! I’m so happy!”
“I’m glad. I want to always make you happy. However, I do have something to tell you, and I want you to remain calm.”
“Uh oh! What is it? Are you already married?”
“No!” Andrew made a face.
“On the down-low?”
“What? What are you talking about?” Andrew laughed at her.
“I’m just staying, you got to ask nowadays.”
“No, E, it’s nothing like that. It’s about Damien.”
Elisea sucked her teeth. “What about him?” The mentioning of his name changed her energy.
He got straight to the point. “He’s dead. He and his mother are dead.”
Elisea became quiet for a moment, and Andrew watched her face waiting for a response.
“I figured it was his body they found when I saw his car on the news,” she said.
“Are you okay?” he asked slowly.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I didn’t want him dead of course, but he wanted me dead. Shoot, he wanted my entire family dead! I didn’t want my baby dead, but some things are out our control. I will carry my baby in my heart forever, but Damie? Nah, I’m over that.”
Andrew gave her a strange look. “Are you sure?” he asked.
“I’m positive. I just pray that God had mercy on his soul. When I said the prayer to untie my soul from his, I meant it! Thank you, God!” Elisea once again looked up at the heavens and winked.
Andrew started laughing. “Did you just wink at God?”
“J
esus is my homeboy!” she laughed.
“Woman, you are something else! I love you!”
“I love you too!”
They kissed again before heading back towards the house.
“How do you think your family will react to the news?”
“My family is intense, but they’re cool. They’ll be happy for us.”
“So, what kind of wedding do you want? A big extravaganza?”
“Ugh no! I don’t want a wedding.”
Andrew stopped walking. “Are you serious?” he asked.
“Yeah. Weddings are a waste of money to me.”
“I have plenty money, E.”
“I know you do, but a wedding isn’t important to me. I’d rather us focus on the marriage. But if you want one, we can have a small one.”
“Baby, if you don’t want a wedding that’s fine with me. But um… your family might not be too thrilled.”
“I don’t care. This is about me and you, not my family.”
“If you’re sure. I just don’t want there to be any tension.”
“Don’t worry about them. They’ll be alright.”
“Oka, cool. No wedding. What about a date?”
“Is tomorrow too soon?” Elisea laughed.
“Are you serious? Because you ain’t said nothing but a word. We can apply for the marriage license tomorrow.”
Elisea jumped up and down and said, “I’m so down for that!”
“Let’s do it!” He leaned over and kissed her again before they walked into the house.
Everyone was in the living room. The mood was somber. They felt the shift in the energy as they walked in.
“What’s going on?” Elisea asked, all smiles.
Mud jumped down Andrews’s throat. “You didn’t tell her?” he asked angrily.
“Mud, shut up!” Elisea yelled and rolled her eyes.
Andrew put his hand up to tell her to chill out. “I did tell her!” he snapped back.
The tension between both men was evident. Mud didn’t like the fact that he couldn’t put fear into him.
“Hey, now we aren’t about to have none of that! Junior?” Mama Eloise said, and pointed to Junior to handle it.
“Y’all chill out!” Junior jumped in. He liked Andrew and thought he was good for his sister.
Noticing the ring on her sister’s finger, Lizzie jumped up, ran over to her and grabbed her hand. “E, what’s this?”
“Oh yeah. Andrew asked me to marry him. And I said yes, y’all!”
The room was abuzz with congratulations.
Elisea looked over at her mother who said, “Let me see that ring.” Elisia walked over to her with her hand out. Mama Eloise inspected the ring thoroughly, and then looked at Andrew. “You did good, son. You did good. Congratulations!”
Elisea was all smiles. “Mama, it’s my dream ring!”
“I see. Andrew, just take good care of my baby now!”
“Yes, Ma’am!” Andrew was glad to get her approval.
Lacey rubbed her hands together and said, “Looks like we get to plan another wedding!”
“Yeah, about that…” Elisea interrupted.
The room got so quiet that you could hear a rat pee on cotton.
Elisea walked over, stood next to Andrew and grabbed his hand. “We decided that we didn’t want a wedding. We’re going to get our marriage license and go to the Justice of the Peace.”
“What!?” Lacey was disappointed.
“You don’t want a wedding, Elisea? Not even a small one?” Mama Eloise asked her.
“Nope!” She stood strong in her convictions.
“Ah hell nah! Is this your idea? What, you can’t afford it?” Mud snapped at Andrew.
“What, nigga?” Andrew approached Mud.
James jumped up and held his brother back while Eddie grabbed Mud.
“Nigga, who is you? You just popped outta nowhere!” Mud spat.
“Mud, stop it!” Lizzie shouted, now visibly upset by him disrespecting her future brother-in-law.
“Edmund Blanks, sit down and shut up! You will not ruin this moment for your sister!” Mama Eloise was not playing when she called you by your government name.
“Man, I’m out! Tricia, you coming?” Mud said angrily.
“Mud, come sit down,” Tricia said in a calm voice. She held out her hand for him.
“Chill out, Mud,” Junior added.
In a huff, Mud sat down next to his wife. She handed him the baby to distract him. Mud held his son in his arms, and as soon as his looked at his Daddy he smiled, which softened Mud’s heart.
“Look everybody. I was expecting a big extravagant wedding, but my beautiful fiancée here, “Andrew looked at Elisea and smiled, “Said she doesn’t want one, and I’m cool with that.”
“Yeah, it was my choice. Plus, I don’t need all the fanfare. A wedding is for everybody else anyway. I would rather put all of that energy into my marriage.”
“I can respect that, E,” Lacey said.
Everyone else nodded their heads in agreement.
“Well, baby, if that is what you want, I’m fine with it. You’re a grown woman and you can make up your own mind about things,” Mama Eloise said.
Everyone turned and looked at her like she was crazy. They were all shocked that their mother had actually said that.
Noticing the glares Mama Eloise said “What? An old woman can grow up too!”
Everyone in the room busted out laughing.
“Well, that settles it! Baby, help me get the glasses. Let’s celebrate!” Edem said to Ruthie.
They went into the kitchen and poured everyone glasses of Cristal, and placed them on a tray. Edem carried the tray into the living room and almost dropped it, and everyone gasped. Placing the tray on the table he looked up and said, “Calm down. I got this.” Then he and Ruthie passed everyone a glass before making a toast.
“Raise you glasses up. Elisea, we love you, and all we want is for you to be happy. And Andrew, I believe in my heart that you are that man. Love each other through the good times and the bad, keep God first, and—”
“Be fruitful and multiply!” Mama Eloise interrupted.
Edem looked over at his mother and added, “Yeah, what she said! Cheers!”
“Cheers!” everyone shouted in unison.
The couple hugged. They were elated by the love they received from the family.
Chapter 14
Officer Hudson entered the hotel room. The room was crawling with Greensboro Police. He made his way through the crowd, and when he saw the victim his mouth dropped open. Wow! He rubbed his temples. He couldn’t believe what he was looking at.
“Yeah, that’s why we called you,” a detective said to him.
On the bed was a Harlot sister, strangled to death with a scarf.
“Which sister is this?” Officer Hudson inquired as he stepped closer to get a better look.
“Her ID said Delilah Harlot.”
“Can you send her photo to my phone? You know there are three of them and they’re all practically identical. Remember, they played a bait and switch at the hospital before. I just want to make sure we have the right sister. This is crazy! I swear, they’re all crazy!” He shook his head at the demise of another Harlot family member.
“That’s true. don’t you have the contact information for the next of kin?” the detective asked.
“Yeah, I have it. He’s a little odd, so why don’t you let me contact him? He hasn’t left the city yet because he’s still here making arrangements for his mother and brother.”
“He might as well do a three-in-one funeral,” the detective joked.
“Really?” Officer Hudson said, giving him a disgusted look. Then turned to watch as they loaded her into the body bag. A’ight, I’m out,” he said. As he walked to the elevator he played everything over in his head. Could Poe be good for this? Jesus!
He checked his phone and examined the picture. Hmm, is this really you, Delilah? Eddie slept with Tamar, b
ut who did the other brothers sleep with?
He placed a call to Deacon Watkins. “Hey, Deacon, this O. I have a question for you. “
“Hey, O! How are you doing?”
“I’m good. I need to know if you remember any distinguishing features about Delilah Harlot.”
“Distinguishing features?”
“Yeah, like tattoos, birth marks?”
“Oh yeah, yeah. She has the number 2 on her ankle. One time I asked her about it. All the sisters have one in the same spot to signify the order they were born in.”
“Thanks Deacon. You’ve been a great help.”
“I try. You know God has been so good to me, you see.”
O rolled his eyes because he didn’t have time for Deacon today. “I know He has. But Deacon, I’m at work and I have to go now.”
“Oh, okay, O. You stay safe.”
“Yes, Sir.” He hung up and quickly called the detective on the case, and told him to check her ankles for a number 2 tattoo.
On his way to his car he made a call to Poe and asked him to meet him at the station. Just in case the weirdo was good for it, he didn’t want anything to pop off and be forced to put a bullet in him. Plus, that wouldn’t be good, with all the heat officers across the nation are facing, even for the good officers like him. Black lives matter, but hell, their lives matter too.
On the drive to the station he put on his gospel music, and played an imaginary piano with his fingers as he sang along. He had to stay prayed up to do what he did for a living. He also called his wife to tell her that he didn’t know what time he would off.
As soon as he pulled up to the station the detective called back and asked him to meet him at the morgue. He placed a called to Poe, who was in route to the station. The morgue wasn’t far from the station, so he asked him to meet him there instead.
When Poe walked into the morgue, Officer Hudson instantly got chills. Damn, this dude is weird as hell! he thought when he saw him. He stood and extended his hand. “Thank you for coming down so quickly. Have a seat.”
“You said it was important, so I came right over. So, do you have any news on who killed my family?”
“We’re still working on that, but there has been a new development.” He watched Poe’s body language change.
“I’m listening.”