by Faith
Junior busted out laughing. “A’ight man. Let me get on back home.”
The two brothers stood and hugged each other before walking to the door.
“Ruthie, you can have your husband back!” Junior called to her.
“Thank you. Good night, Junior!”
________
The mass choir had the church caught up in the spirit as they sung:
“I am grateful for the things that you have done.
Yes, I’m grateful for the vic-tories we’ve won.
I could go on and on and on about your works,
Because I’m grateful, grateful, so grateful just to praise you, Lord.
Flowing from my heart are the issues of my heart,
It’s gratefulness…”
Junior took to the podium. He looked out at the empty seat where Lacey usually sat, but she was at home with the baby. “Today’s word is, ‘Stay in Your Lane’. Open your Bibles to Galatians 6:4. The amplified Bible says:”
“…But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another.”
“People spend too much time trying to keep up with the Joneses, upset they don’t have someone else’s anointing. Stay in your lane!”
“We get so caught up being stressed out or angry, worrying about how the next person is prospering. First, we need to remember that one can prosper without blessing. Drug dealers prosper. They drive fancy cars, have the biggest homes, and they have a pocket full of money. But there’s a big difference between being blessed and prospering. They are prospering, but they are not blessed. But see, when you stay in your lane, when you run your own race, you don’t have to worry about any of that. God will meet you on your journey. When you stay focused on what’s in front of you and not what’s going on in the next lane, you will be more equipped to handle the snares of the enemy.”
“So Church, today I challenge you to stay in your lane. Run your own race. Perfect what you are doing, and when people try to come into your lane—and they most likely will—you won’t lose focus. Because when you lose focus, you tend to miss the blessings God has planted along the way. Let me tell you how God works. When you stay the course, it’s almost like you have tunnel vision. Nothing fazes you. It doesn’t matter who is going faster than you, or how loud their music is; just stay in your lane.”
________
Officer Hudson was called to the scene at Country Park. When he got out of the car he said, “You have got to be kidding me!” He stared in silence before joining the other officers.
“Can you believe this? The lady over there was out for a jog, and she witnessed the entire thing,” and officer told him.
“What did she see?”
“She witnessed a woman sitting up in the tree. She thought it was weird, but she continued on her run. As she came back around, from a distance she saw the lady jump. By the time she reached her, she was gone. All of her belongings are scattered at the base of the tree, so we have her identification.”
“Oh, I know who she is,” Officer Hudson said, shaking his head in disbelief. He watched as the body of Tamar Harlot was cut down from the tree.
“Looks like she left a suicide note too,” the officer added.
“Interesting…” Officer Hudson went over to study the evidence of what was left behind for himself.
________
“Aa-a-a-argh!” Jezebel screamed as the contractions hit.
“Push, Jezebel! Push!” the midwife instructed.
The doula wiped the sweat from Jezebel’s forehead and placed a wet wash cloth on it. “You’re doing great, honey.”
Jezebel grunted as she pushed with everything in her.
“I see the head. There’s a lot of hair,” the midwife said, and took her finger and traced the edges of Jezebel’s vagina to allow the baby’s head to push through.
Jezebel screamed at the top of her lungs as she pushed her child into the world. The baby started to cry, and she fell back on the pillow. She was exhausted. She had been in labor for eight hours.
“You did great!” her doula told her.
The midwife cleaned off of the baby and put the baby on the scale. “Six pounds, six ounces,” she told her. “Here’s your daughter, Jezebel.” She placed the baby in her arms.
Jezebel held her daughter in her arms. She stared at the splitting image of her. She was even amazed at how much she looked like her. Thoughts of her sisters flooded her mind and images of them growing up through the years played like a movie.
“So, what are you going to name this special one?” the midwife asked.
“Athaliah.”
“Athaliah? Oh, that’s unique. What made you choose that name?”
“It’s a biblical name. It was the name of Jezebel’s daughter, and I can’t think of anything more fitting.”
________
Officer Hudson sat at his desk going over his paperwork.
Tamar Harlot left a suicide note admitting to killing her sister, Delilah. She also admitted to killing her mother and brother after walking in on what she described as a lovers quarrel between the two. She enlisted the help of her brother, Poe to help discard of the bodies, but the guilt of killing Delilah is what sent her over the edge. She said Delilah kept coming to her every time she looked in the mirror.
When the Asheboro police went to arrest Poe, he calmly went into the kitchen and stabbed himself. Fortunately it wasn’t fatal, so he’s in the hospital recovering.
Officer Hudson took a sip of his water and shook his head before picking up the phone to call his good friend Eddie.
Chapter 17
The Blanks family was having Sunday dinner as usual, when the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” A pregnant Lizzie announced on her way to the door. When she opened the door, there were two strange women standing there. “May I help you?” she asked.
“Yes. I’m Katherine Jenner, and this Julie Admoore. We’re looking for an Edmund Blanks. We went to the church, and they directed us here.”
Lizzie was perplexed. “Mud, it’s for you.” When she turned back around to invite them in, Julie was getting something out of the car.
Mud came up behind his sister. “Who is it?” he asked.
Lizzie shrugged. “These women are looking for you.” Being the nosy little sister, she stood there to hear what they wanted.
“I’m Edmund Blanks. Can I help you?”
“I’m Katherine, and this is Julie,” she said, and turned and point behind her.”
Julie was walking up the steps carrying a baby.
“What the…?” Mud’s eyes widened.
Lizzie stepped in and said, “Please, come in.”
The ladies entered the house.
Mud stared at the bundle that was covered up in a pink blanket. “What’s that?” he asked.
“Mud, where are your manners? Ladies, please follow me” Lizzie invited them into the living room. “Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
Mud stood as the ladies sat down. “What’s going on?”
“I’m a midwife, and Julie is my doula.”
“She’s your what?”
Lizzie elbowed Mud. “Ssh! Go ahead.”
“I’m sorry to say that Jezebel Harlot passed away soon after giving birth.”
Lizzie gasped. “Oh my God! Mama!”
“She’s dead?” Mud was in shock over the news.
“Mama!” Lizzie called out again.
“Girl, why are you screaming my name?” Mama Eloise asked, walking into the living room. “Who are you? What’s going on here? Is that a baby?”
“Mama, Jezebel died after she gave birth,” Lizzie told her.
“Sweet Jesus!”
Mud stood there looking crazy.
The baby started to squirm in Julie’s arms.
“Yes, Jezebel didn’t make it. Athaliah is fine t
hough,” Katherine explained.
“Atha—what?” Lizzie asked.
“Athaliah. That’s her name.”
Lizzie turned her face up at the name.
“Lord, Jezebel’s daughter!” Mama Eloise said, walking over to the squirming baby. “Give me the baby.” She extended her hands out, and Julie placed the baby in her arms.
Once in her grandmother’s arms the baby instantly calmed down.
Mama Eloise pulled the blanket back and examined the new edition. “Chile, you look just like your mother!” she exclaimed.
“Let me see.” Lizzie walked over to look. “Aww, she’s so cute! Mud, come here.”
The color looked like it had drained from Mud’s face.
“Mud, sit down son, before you pass out,” Lizzie said and helped her brother to a seat.
“Lizzie, go get Tricia,” Mama Eloise said, and sat down and rocked the baby.
Lizzie returned with Tricia. Mama Eloise told her to take a seat.
“So where did y’all come from may I ask?” Mama Eloise inquired.
“Jezebel had been hiding out at the farmhouse in Shelby. She was a mess ever since she saw the news of the death of her sister, Delilah. At the time we didn’t know that she was hiding out. We just thought she was really paranoid. I actually thought she was running from an abusive husband or something the way she kept the farmhouse locked up tight like Fort Knox. I knew she was lonely. I once asked her why she didn’t call her sister, Tamar, but she said she couldn’t. Her paranoia was on an all-time high. She would lie in her bed and watch the security monitor like she was expecting someone to come get her or something,” Katherine told her.
“After the birth, Jezebel had me take a bunch of pictures and asked me to mail them to you. That’s how I knew where to find you. She had been overly paranoid for some reason. We thought she was just grieving the death of her sister, “Julie added
“I know physically she was fine. I just don’t know what went wrong. I think she died from a broken heart. When she saw on the news that her sister had committed suicide, I don’t think her heart could take it. I know that she was healthy, but for her to die from a heart attack… I’m really sorry. I did the best that I could but nothing worked.” Katherine’s voice cracked as she spoke.
“Where is her body?” Lizzie asked.
“I assume she’s still at the morgue. They should have contacted you by now.”
“How old is the baby?” Lizzie asked.
“She’s three days old, and she’s a good baby,” Julie answered.
Mama Eloise asked the ladies everything Mud should have been asking. She interrogated them until she was satisfied that she knew everything she needed to know.
One by one the family members trickled in looking for one person or another. Needless to say, everyone was in complete shock.
The ladies left after about two hours, leaving a stunned Blanks family with a new addition.
Tricia was visibly upset. She had prepared herself mentally for a child, but not this.
Lizzie and James were off in the corner talking. “Are you sure, James?” Lizzie asked.
“If you think you can handle it.”
“I’m being led to do this.”
“Okay, then let’s do it.”
“Mud, James and I talked it over, and we’ll take the baby,” Lizzie announced.
“But Lizzie, you’re already pregnant. That’s a lot to put on your plate,” Elisea said to her.
“I know. But like I told James, God put this on my heart. And if He laid it on my heart, then He’ll make a way.”
“That’s right, baby girl,” Mama Eloise cosigned.
“What do y’all think?” Lizzie asked, directing her question to Mud and Tricia.
The couple looked at each other.
“She’s still a Blanks. Y’all are just getting into a good groove, and at least you know she will be loved and taken care of.”
“Me personally, I think it’s a good idea. So why don’t y’all pray on it and I’ll keep the baby here until yall figure it out,” Mama Eloise suggested. “Plus, I think she’s enjoying being in her grandmother’s arms.” She smiled down at the sleeping baby. “But somebody needs to go get a bassinet, formula, bottles, clothes etc., because the only thing we have is what’s in this little bitty diaper bag they left.”
“Lizzie and I can go,” Elisea suggested.
“I’ll go too. That way we can tackle the entire baby department at one time,” Felicia added.
“Oh, I’m definitely going. Why don’t we hit up different stores? Two take Babies R Us and Walmart. The other two take Caters and Target,” Ruthie said, getting up.
“That’s a good idea. Well, it’s settled then. Let’s roll. Lizzie, do you want to go to Babies R Us and Walmart? I know how much you love Wally World,” Elisea asked, and looked in the diaper bag to see what kind of formula she had. “Emfamil with iron is what we need.”
“Okay, y’all now get!” Mama Eloise shooed them off.
“Mud and Tricia, I know you two are shocked, but you might want to really think about letting Lizzie and James take her,” Junior suggested.
“Mud, you haven’t even looked at her. Hold your child, son. It’s not this baby’s fault the way she came about. And Tricia, no one is going to judge you if you don’t want to take this on. You have a new baby, and you’re pregnant again,” Mama Elouise said. She handed the baby to Junior, who placed her in Mud’s arms.
Mud examined the child’s face. “Dag! She looks just like her!”
“Yeah, she does,” Tricia agreed. “She’s a cutie. It’s not that I don’t think I can love her; it’s just in my mind I figured an every weekend type of thing, not a 24-hour kind of thing,” she added.
“Her name though… can’t I change it? I still have to fill out the Birth Certificate.”
“Mud, her mother is gone. Now we know she was a mess, but I think you should let her keep that ugly ol’ name. We don’t have to call her Athaliah. We can call her Liah, or Lee-Lee. Or we can call her by her middle name, once you come up with one,” Mama Eloise suggested.
________
Junior received a call in the middle of the night. He answered his phone in a groggy voice without looking at the caller ID. “Edwin Blanks.”
“Junior, I had the baby.”
“You did? Is she okay?”
“Yes. She’s healthy to be early,” Sheila said. She had to play it cool because Jamir was in the room with her.
“Oh, you have ears?” Junior asked.
“Of course!”
“Okay. I’ll be up there in the morning. Do you need anything?”
“No, we’re good. I just wanted you to know.”
“Alright. I’ll see you later, and congrats.”
“Same to you. Thank you.”
Junior ended the call and put his cell back on the charging deck.
“Who was that? Sheila?” Lacey asked with an irritated look on her face.
“Yeah. She had the baby. How do you feel?”
“How do I feel about my husband’s whore giving birth? All I know is that I’m going with you.”
“Okay if you think you’re up to it.”
“Guess I better get used to it.”
“Well actually, Sheila and her husband are moving to Texas.”
“Really?” Lacey frowned up her face. “How do you feel about that?” she asked.
“To be honest, at first I was angry because I thought she was trying to keep the baby away from me. But after some thought, I realized that it’s the best thing for both of us.”
“Wow! I didn’t see that one coming!” Lord, thank you! Lacey prayed silently. Now, you know that I would never treat an innocent child badly, but I am thankful that I don’t have to see her mother at church and play at being nice. I sound like a terrible person don’t I?”
“No, you don’t sound like a terrible person. You have every right to feel the way you do.”
“Thank you for unde
rstanding.”
“No, I need to be thanking you for not leaving me. It’s been a crazy year.”
“Oh, did I tell you that Elisea thinks she found me some help with the business? She said this person is a hard worker and has managerial skills.” Lacey snapped her fingers trying to remember her name. “Taylor’s mother.”
“Oh, Jackie? Yeah, I think she’ll be a good fit. She’s no-nonsense, and you’ll be able to relax and know she can handle things. Plus, I know your hands are full with the baby and I don’t want you to lose sight of your vision.”
“You’re right.”
“Now let’s get some sleep, because the alarm will be going off before we know it.” He leaned over and kissed his wife goodnight.
“Goodnight babe.”
The next morning, Junior and Lacey dropped the baby off with Felicia and took the kids to school. Then they proceeded to the hospital.
Lacey had been in deep prayer about her emotions regarding the situation. Her stomach was turning just thinking about laying eyes on her husband’s child. Lord Jesus, give me a clean heart, she kept repeating over and over in her head.
When they knocked on the door to the hospital room at Women’s Hospital, Jamir told them to come in. Both Junior and Lacey took a deep breath before entering. Junior plastered a fake smile on his face, and he and Jamir shook hands.
“Congratulations!” Junior said.
“Thanks, Pastor. She arrived a little early, but thank God she’s healthy,” Jamir said, all smiles. He was so happy to be a father.
Sheila was in the bed holding the baby, and watching the exchange between the men in her life. She turned her attention to Lacey, who looked uncomfortable. “Hey, First Lady.” She forced a smile on her face while thinking back to their last encounter.
“Hey, Sheila. How are you feeling?” Lacey asked her, putting on her famous ‘First Lady grin’ as she walked over to the bed.