BOMAW 12-14
Page 46
Holding each of his hands, his granddaughters pulled him towards their grandmother and the grey haired woman sitting in a recliner, as he made his way around to the front of her, she sat forward to turn and look up at him.
Swallowing his pride and everthing else, Bart put on a smile to greet her. Standing now directly in front of her, he knelt down on one knee before her so she wouldn't have to look so far up at him and spoke with his rich Southern drawl and deep voice that his youngest son inherited the most of, "I'm having to beg your apologies ma'am - not been a good day and well - thought I'd best show myself anyway. It's ah, nice to meet you, I'm... Bartholomew - father of this crowd here." He nodded, smiling at her.
Mama Jojo on the other hand, froze with her eyes growing wide.
Chills raced all over her body, electrifying every portion of her being.
She knew that voice.
She knew this man.
His height, build, carriage, drawl - she knew it all. She'd seen it before. Her eyes then went to Jake and stared a bit and then back to Bart, with the two together - she knew this man. There was no coincidence this time, no way. Her younger brother - looked most like him. Her older brother looked most like her mother.
All of a sudden her heart started going faster in her than she could breathe to bring under control, she started taking several deep breaths hoping that by breathing in deep it would help, she felt hot all over and started growing dizzy.
"Mama Jojo, you okay? Shawn get over here!" Gert called to him.
Bart stood, his face quizzical, "Ma'am, you okay?" He asked also concerned.
Shawn and Jake were the closest and was there at Mama Jojo's side in an instant.
"I - I need to lie down - just a - a bit, maybe done - too much - too much." She tried to explain to Bart, not wishing to be rude, but she didn't feel good right then.
Bart stood aside, quiet, nodding his head that he understood.
"You sure, need to go to the doctor?" Shawn asked, trying not to panic.
"I just - need to get to my room, lie down a bit - I be okay... maybe, get me some water - somethin'." She was trying not to panic herself, but the rush of memories, voices, and what she feared came on so quickly it was making her head spin.
Shawn and Jake almost carried her to her room; Sylvia ran ahead pulling her covers back - and removed her shoes once she sat on the edge of her bed. Gert was in the room as well with some water for her, concerned - uncertain of what had just taken place.
"Mama Jojo you sure you just need to rest, maybe we should take you to the doctor."
"I done too much is all - got too excited, I just - need to lie down, rest just a bit, ya'll gone back out now, eat and celebrate - save me some cake."
Shawn was reluctant to leave her, Mama Jojo turned her rheumy eyed gaze to him, "Gone chile - I be fine, just need to rest a bit, gone now."
"Go on, we'll sit with her a bit, go feed your father." Gert pointed them to the door. As they went out, Vivian came in, Shanna behind her, and Angela standing in the door.
Sylvia propped up her pillows, feeling her head and contemplated calling someone out, "Mama Jojo, I really think we should take you in-..."
"No no no, look all'o'ya, gone out... let me rest a bit, I be okay."
They all looked worried, not sure of what to do - "Gone, I mean it. Gertrude..." Mama Jojo called to get her attention.
"Yes ma'am?"
"You sit wit'me a while, let the others go?"
"Yes ma'am... I will. Gone now, you all hear'ah - I'm here with her. Go see to the men and make sure they eat, put Mama Jojo a plate to the side."
Reluctant to go, but sensing other things in the air, Shanna, Sylvia, Vivian and Angela obeyed the older women and went out closing the door. Angela took off to report while the three stood a frozen moment looking at each other, for Shanna to whisper for their ears only, "What just happened?"
Table of Contents
Chapter 294
Chapter 295
Chapter 296
Chapter 297
Chapter 298
Chapter 299
Chapter 300
Chapter 303
Chapter 304
Chapter 305
Chapter 306
Chapter 307
Chapter 308