by Tyora Moody
“You’re not kidding and as a former detective, I know you know more than anybody. Are you going to church in the morning?”
“No. I have something that I need to take care of tomorrow.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t you worry about it. You get some rest, Eugeena. Answers will come when it’s time.”
“I know you’re right. Goodnight, Amos.”
“Goodnight, Eugeena.”
I felt a bit better. But I knew what would really help me sleep. I sank to my knees and prayed specifically for protection for Pat. Lord, you know what Pat has been through and you know her heart. Please bring her back safely to us.
On Sunday morning when I stepped inside Missionary Baptist Church, I immediately noticed the Brown sisters were missing. It was almost ten o’clock. Since the twins had a key, they often opened the church doors making them the first arrivals at church each Sunday. No one owned a church, but Willie Mae and Annie Mae pretty much kept reign over most of the church boards including the usher board. I really expected them to greet me in their own special way when I entered the vestibule.
I walked down the aisle of the sanctuary, thinking it was so quiet without the twins chattering on about a non-issue from the back of the church. When I reached the middle of the aisle, I heard my name. I turned to see Pastor George Jones walking toward me.
Like most of the younger people at church, I’d watched Pastor Jones grow up under the leadership of our previous pastor and his father, Tennessee Jones. Pastor Jones wiped his brow with a handkerchief before asking, “Sister Eugeena, how are you this morning?”
“Not too good, Pastor. Have you heard from the Browns?”
Pastor Jones was tall and massive in size. While he appeared calm, I noticed his eyes were not. He didn’t look directly at me. “I talked to Sister Annie Mae this morning. Sister Willie Mae isn’t doing too well. You know I’ve never known either sister to be sick.”
I exclaimed, “Well I can’t blame them. They’re worried sick about Sister Pat.”
“I know, it’s upsetting, but I told them it’s only been a few days. We can only pray that Pat will return safely. Now I have a favor to ask of you. Since Sister Pat isn’t here, would you mind taking over her Sunday School class this morning?”
I hesitated for just a moment because I knew Pat taught the middle school class. I looked at the pastor. “If that’s what you need me to do.”
Pastor Jones patted my shoulder. “I know you’re the best one for the job. Thank you, Sister Eugeena.”
I was glad I reviewed the Sunday School lesson. When I entered the classroom, there were only five students in Pat’s Sunday School class and they all stared at me as though I was some alien. A young woman who wore her hair in braids asked, “Is Ms. Pat going to be here today?”
The sadness in her face dampened my spirits just a little. I swallowed, “Not today, honey, but we’re going to have some fun like Ms. Pat would want us too.”
Sunday School passed quickly and I enjoyed being around the teens although I could tell they missed Pat. That spoke volumes to me about the kind of person Pat was if the young people were looking forward to her teaching.
Not seeing the twins sitting in their special corner, where no one else dared to sit was a little unsettling. Despite the missing Brown family, I appreciated Pastor Jones’ word, “Do not despair.” We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. 2 Corinthians 4:8
After I arrived home, I changed out of my church clothes and then picked up the phone. I had to know what was going on with the Browns.
“Hello. Pat?” Willie Mae sounded worn down and as if she anticipated hearing her daughter’s voice instead of mine.
I was so sorry to disappoint. “Willie Mae, it’s Eugeena. I noticed you and Annie Mae were missing from church today. No word on Pat?”
Willie Mae sighed deeply into the phone. “No, I’m afraid not.” Willie was quiet for a second, before continuing. “Annie thinks she’s regressed.”
“Pat was disappointed about the way things were going with her job, but your daughter was not willing to go back to drugs. She really cared for her patients.”
“I know,” Willie Mae sniffled. “When I woke up the next morning and realized Pat had not come back home, I knew I shouldn’t have argued with her. I should have listened to her.”
“Willie Mae, Pat left me some voicemails. I never got a chance to ever get back in touch with her. I think Pat was trying to tell me something about the nursing home and Louise. Is it possible that Pat gave you a hint about what was bothering her?”
Willie Mae said, “She told me the new director had fired some of the nurses, really accusing people of things they had not done. Pat was afraid she was next because she was always speaking her mind. I told her she needed to keep her mouth closed.”
I really wished I could have heard the conversation Pat had with Ms. Saunders. What did Pat have on her mind? I tuned back into Willie Mae and realized I missed something she had said. “Willie Mae, did you just say Pat left to go somewhere on Thursday. Where was she going?”
“I believe she was going back to the nursing home.”
“This was on Thursday when you last saw her. At what time?”
“She left before noon, I think.”
That was strange. When I talked to that Lexi girl, she’d said Pat hadn’t been back to work since Wednesday. So did Pat ever make it to the nursing home on Thursday after arguing with her mother?
I wanted to question Willie Mae more, but my front doorbell rang. I looked at the clock. Who was that? My first thought was Amos, but since he was so mysterious about what he was up to I figured we were skipping Sunday dinner today.
“Willie Mae, someone is at my door. You and Annie Mae don’t worry. Pat will be fine and we’re going to get down to the bottom of what’s going on at that nursing home.”
I said goodbye to Willie Mae and shuffled over to the door.
When I peeked through the peep hole, I can say I was pleased to see the tall, lanky young man at the door. It had been some time since I’ve had a surprise visit from him.
Chapter 21
Cedric Patterson peered at me over his gold wire-framed glasses, looking very much like his father. My middle child was once awkward and skinny for the longest until he seemed to morph into the handsome man that now stood before me. Cedric had always been more of a ladies’ man than I would have liked, but he was also a well-respected doctor who delivered babies.
I eyed my missing-in-action son. “So what brings you here, stranger? You used to just come in when you wanted to. When did you finally learn to start ringing the doorbell?” I crossed my arms. “Let me guess. You forgot your keys.”
Cedric grinned. “We’re all adults, Mama. I don’t need to be barging in on you. Besides, I thought you might have company.” He stepped inside and reached down to pet Porgy who was running around in circles.
I closed the door and called to Porgy, “Calm down, doggie.” It amazed me how that dog remembered everyone. “What do you mean by company? It’s just me and Porgy. Have you and Junior been talking?”
He strode into the living room over to what had to be the most popular chair in the living room, with Porgy right on his heels. “Sources have reported you and Mr. Amos have been spending many Sunday dinners together.”
I rolled my eyes. “Sounds like that source would be your sister, who along with her children, were well fed last week.”
Cedric sat down in his father’s chair. “She might have mentioned something about being here last weekend. I also heard William was killed.”
I sat down across from him on the couch. Porgy sat by my feet, keeping his eyes on Cedric. “It sounds like you’ve gotten pretty caught up despite being out of town for a weeklong conference.”
Cedric looked away. “I’m sorry; I probably should have mentioned that to you.”
“You’re a grown man, Cedric. You don’t need to tell me anything.”
“I like Carmen.” I raised my eyebrow. “She really would be a great daughter-in-law too, on a more official basis.”
Cedric’s caramel skin had a rosy glow creeping up around his ears, appearing as though I caught him in the act of doing something he wasn’t supposed too. “I have missed talking to you. You have a birthday coming up soon.”
I loved how my son subtly changed the subject. “Yes. Wednesday.”
“Any plans?”
“Nope. A nice quiet birthday works for me.” I watched Cedric rub his hands across the top of his head. “Did you come to ask about my birthday or was there something else on your mind, son?”
He laughed and then stood. “That’s why I miss talking to you, Mama. I can never really hide anything from you. You could always tell when something is up.” He stopped. “Carmen is like that too. I can’t hide anything from her.”
“She has good instincts and I can tell she’s in tune with you.”
Cedric started to pace. The eeriness of his pacing was too similar to when his father, Ralph, would do the same thing in that almost very spot.
I had to ask, “Cedric, you and Carmen have only been living together a few months. Are you having second thoughts?”
Cedric stopped pacing and turned to look at me. “I am having second thoughts, but not about what you think?”
“Okay. Cedric, you lost me.”
“Let me show you something.” Cedric reached in his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
I held my hand to my chest and pointed. “Is that –” I watched as Cedric flipped the top of the box open to show a diamond.
I clapped my hands together and then lifted my arms in the air. “Praise the Lord! Cedric, that’s beautiful. Carmen is going to love it. So when are you going to pop the question?”
He snapped the box closed. “Soon. I just need the right time. I’m glad you’re happy, but I’m not sure what Carmen’s answer will be.”
“Of course, she’s going to say yes. Why wouldn’t she?”
“I always thought I would marry her. To be honest, the moment I met her it was the first time marriage entered my mind. It’s like we were meant to be.”
“But…”
“I don’t know if she’s ready. I mean, I don’t want to pop the question and get that silence or even a flat out no?”
“What would give you the impression that Carmen would consider saying no?”
“She’s been pre-occupied for a while now. Carmen has been on a quest to search for her biological parents, which I totally support. I was hoping when we moved in together we could search together, but her friend Jocelyn has taken center stage now.”
“You sound like you’re not that fond of Jocelyn.”
Cedric shook his head. “No, I wouldn’t say that. Carmen is really close to her. They are really like sisters in a lot of ways. It’s just that, I get that impression that Jocelyn has not always been a good influence on Carmen.”
“Oh, I have met Jocelyn a couple of times. She seems like a sweet girl, well-intentioned like Carmen can be.”
Cedric looked at me. “You don’t know that much about Jocelyn’s history, do you?”
For some reason, a vision of Detective Wilkes all-knowing look flashed in my mind. What was it she said?
People aren’t always how they appear.
I closed my eyes. “Cedric, please don’t tell me after thirty years of teaching, I have become that bad of a judge of character.”
Cedric laughed. “Mama, calm down. I’m not saying Jocelyn is a murderer. Far from it, but according to Carmen, Jocelyn has been in trouble with the law. From my understanding it was petty theft and she was caught with marijuana when she was in high school.”
“Mmm, I guess having a record made her more suspicious to the police. She’s an adult now and seems settled in her job. I forgot what Jocelyn said she did for a living.”
Cedric looked at me and shook his head. “You do know Jocelyn works at Hooters?”
“Hooters?”
Cedric turned a shade of red that I don’t think I’ve seen before. “Please tell me you know what I’m talking about.”
“Oh!” Then my mind started doing all kind of funny things. “Oh my word.”
“Mama it’s not that bad.”
“No, no. Would you say that’s the kind of place William would go?”
“William Hopkins? Probably.”
I slapped my thigh. “Maybe that’s where he saw Jocelyn.”
Cedric frowned. “Why are you asking? You’re not up to that snooping thing you were doing this past summer, right? I mean you’re not planning to show up at Hooters?”
“Why? Have you been going there?”
Cedric answered back. “I haven’t in a very long time.”
“You and me both know that Carmen would whip your tail.”
Cedric stood. “I agree. With that said, I’m going to head home now.”
“You didn’t stop at home first.”
Cedric held out his arms. “You’re still my number one girl, Mama.”
With the kind of week I had, I so needed to hear that and I gladly accepted my hug. Who knows when I would get another one? Children become so stingy with affection the older they get.
As I watched Cedric walk down the porch steps, I thought about what he said about Jocelyn. I really did find sincerity in the young woman, but I wanted her to be more honest about her activity up until I found her by Louise’s bedside last Sunday. Louise seemed at the center of all the mysteries of the last week, but Jocelyn was a catalyst.
I went back in the house and turned on my laptop. I noticed that Jocelyn had accepted my friend request on Facebook. Since I didn’t have a phone number for her, I sent Jocelyn another message.
Jocelyn, we need to meet soon. I have so many questions and I truly want to help you, your mother and Louise connect.
Chapter 22
On Monday morning, I found a message from Jocelyn on Facebook. I thought it was a good sign that she wanted to talk to me too. After my conversation with Cedric and hearing his thoughts about Jocelyn, I felt like it was imperative that I talked to her again, maybe with a bit more of an open mind. Earlier this summer I let my guard down unknowingly with a person and missed catching significant clues about their character.
Jocelyn and I agreed to meet at my home around mid-morning. Normally, Amos and I would have gotten together, but he was still on a secret mission. I noticed his truck was missing when I peeked out the living room window. I told myself I wasn’t spying on Amos. Still, who stands by the window peeking out the blinds? Besides it was not any of my business what Amos did with his time. It would have been nice for Amos to finally meet Jocelyn in person and give me his expert opinion.
When the doorbell rang, I opened the door to find Jocelyn dressed in a navy sweatshirt, jeans and white sneakers. I thought she looked more subdued than the last two times we had met in person. She was at least twenty-six years old, but somehow she seemed so much younger. I opened the screen door. “Well, I was wondering if you knew how to get here. Come in.”
Jocelyn didn’t step inside right away, but looked over her left shoulder to Louise’s house. She turned to me looking sheepish. “I’ve been in the neighborhood before.”
I eyed Jocelyn. Now that didn’t occur to me. “I imagine you’ve been searching around for Louise for some time, haven’t you?”
Jocelyn nodded. “She’d been in that house for so many years. It seemed like a good place to start.”
“That’s a good point. Did you ever run across William while you were here in the neighborhood?”
“No, not here.” Jocelyn looked down at the porch floor as though something was more interesting to her.
She didn’t really answer my question. “Why don’t you come inside? It’s a bit chilly out
there this morning.”
Jocelyn stepped inside and I closed the door behind her. I had purposely left Porgy out to examine the guest. I have learned to monitor the dog and how he reacted to people. His comfort around my family and Amos spoke to his behavior and doggy thoughts of people. He sniffed around Jocelyn, but he didn’t bark at her.
Jocelyn didn’t seem to mind. She reached down and scratched Porgy behind the ears. “Such a cute dog.”
“He’s a good little watch dog. I inherited him this past summer.”
Jocelyn smiled. “I miss having a pet. My family always had a dog.” She looked around the living room. “You have a beautiful home, Ms. Eugeena.”
I don’t know why, but Jocelyn seemed nervous. “Thank you. I have some questions, so I appreciate you stopping by so we can talk.”
Jocelyn bit her lip. “I knew you probably had more questions after we talked over at Carmen’s last week. I thought it might be best for you to talk to other members of my family.”
“Your mother?”
“No, no. My aunts. Most of the information I have and that my mom knew came from my aunts Thelma and Ruth.”
“I would love to meet them. When would be a good time?”
“Now. That’s if you can come.”
“Honey, I’m retired. I’m can come and go as I please. Let me get Porgy settled, and I will be ready to meet your aunts.”
About ten minutes later, I climbed into Jocelyn’s car. As she drove off, I hoped to get Jocelyn to talk more about herself. I really hadn’t learned much about her. “I don’t know why at my age I’m surprised by such a small world, but that’s nice you have a friend like Carmen.”
“Carmen is the closest person I have to a sister. One of the few people who has stuck by me through thick and thin.”
“Jocelyn, you didn’t tell me where you worked?”
Jocelyn kept her eyes on the road, but her skin grew reddish around the ears similar to my son’s when he was embarrassed. “I haven’t been as successful as Carmen. We both took the same college-level classes and I went to College of Charleston for a while.”