by Faith
“Ugh, I can’t wait until you are back to normal. How long do these drugs stay in your system?” She looked at Delilah for an answer, but all she got was shrug. Jezebel stopped and got Biscuitville for the both of them before heading to a cheap hotel outside of Greensboro.
They settled in their room and ate their food. Jezebel was exhausted and Delilah, well, Delilah was only half there to begin with.
Chapter 20
Mama Eloise and Madear sat at Bernice’s bed. They rushed right over when Denard called and said she was awake. The doctors had almost given up on her, but she had a praying family. Although she was awake, the stroke had affected her speech and her hands were too weak to write, but she was alert.
“Bernice, we knew it wasn’t over, I didn’t care what those doctors said,” Mama Eloise told her.
Bernice had a wild look in her eyes. It was evident that she had something to say.
“Whamp!” Madear said, looking at her friend, and Bernice nodded her head.
“Bernice, after a while, you are going into a rehab center so they can get you back to yourself. So, we need you to cooperate, ok?” Mama Eloise knew her friend, and she was as stubborn as she was.
“That’s right, Bernice, we need you all the way back. You have already missed so much.” Madear told Bernice everything that happened while she was in the coma.
“Madear, I think she’s getting agitated. Maybe you gave her too much, too soon.”
“Ooops, I mean whamp! I’m sorry, friend you know how I run my mouth.”
Bernice was going crazy because she had to tell them what she found out about the Harlots.
“Oh, I know what will cheer you up.” Mama Eloise pulled her phone out to show her pictures of baby Faith and Edem’s wedding. After she scrolled through the pictures, her phone went back to her screensaver. It was a picture of Mama Eloise and her late husband, Pastor Blanks. When Bernice saw that, she grunted heavily.
“What is she looking at? She’s trying to say something?” Madear asked.
“It’s just a picture of me and Edwin.” Bernice continued to grunt.
“Is it Edwin?” Bernice nodded her head rapidly, looking like a bobble head doll. “What does Edwin have to do with anything?” Madear asked.
“I don’t know. I’m confused.”
“Okay, let’s figure this thing out. The Harlot sisters evoked the most grunts out of her before and now the picture of Edwin. What is the connection?” Madear rubbed her forehead, trying to think. “Eloise, go into your files, have you or Edwin ever crossed paths with that Lilith woman?” Bernice grunted again.
“My files?”
“Ugh, your memory files, Eloise, keep up, we have got to figure this out.” Mama Eloise was deep thought, she had run across a lot of women over the years. Bernice kept grunting. “Bernice, that’s’ the connection, isn’t it? Lilith has crossed paths with them before, hasn’t she?” Bernice nodded her head. “Okay, Eloise, its figure it out.”
“I’m trying. Do you know how many people, women I have crossed paths with?”
Madear looked over at Bernice. “Edwin is the key, though, am I right, friend?” Bernice nodded and smiled. “I knew it! Come on, Eloise, have you ever had a problem with a woman name Lilith? Think!”
Mama Eloise was deep thought once again. “I don’t recall a Lilith, only a…” Mama Eloise jumped up out of seat, grabbed her purse, and rushed out of the hospital room.
________
Edem and Ruthie had finally gotten the house the way she wanted it. He wanted to please his wife, so they were inviting the entire family over for dinner, plus, they had a special announcement to make. They worked side by side in the kitchen cooking together. The double oven came in handy. They were preparing a feast for the family.
“Baby, how do you feel?” He rubbed her back.
“I’m fine, Edem.” She looked at him lovingly.
“I just don’t want you to overdo it.”
“Baby, I’m pregnant, not handicap.” Ruthie chuckled.
Their visit to the doctor had confirmed that were, indeed, expecting. Edem was right and Ruthie had conceived on their wedding night.
“I just can’t believe we are going to be parents. You have made me so happy. I didn’t know love could feel this good. I am so glad I waited for my queen.” Edem kissed her.
“I’m glad you waited, too.” Ruthie chuckled. “Now, let’s finish this food because we still have to set the table and I want everything to be perfect.”
“It’s already perfect, our life is perfect.” Edem was all smiles. He turned on some music and started dancing. Keri Hilson’s Slow Dance blasted from the speakers.
“Edem, we have a lot to do,” Ruthie protested.
“Baby, it’ll get done, enjoy the moment.” Edem grinded on her. Ruthie gave in and slow danced with her husband as she sang along.
But I don’t want to come on too strong
But something happens when we slow dance
I try to be lady-like
But I got you here tonight
But something happens when we slow dance
Edem loved when Ruthie sang to him. The newlyweds slow danced in the middle of their kitchen. They had the best time enjoying each other’s company. As the song ended, they shared a loving kiss.
“Thank you for the dance, Mrs. Blanks.”
“You’re welcome, husband. Now, let’s get back to work because we still have to get ready.” Edem didn’t protest, he knew that his wife was right.
“I know you are excited to show your brothers your man cave.”
“I am, I am.” Edem smiled. Ruthie had free reign over the entire house, except his man cave. That was his project and he had the best time fixing it up just the way he wanted. The door rang, interrupted his thoughts.
“I know they aren’t here already.” Ruthie panicked.
Edem went to the door and was greeted by UPS with ten big boxes. He helped him bring them in and tipped the man a fifty dollars.
“Baby, what is all of this? “
Edem smiled. “Oh, it’s just my other surprise.”
“A surprise?” Ruthie’s eyebrow went up.
“Yes, a surprise, so don’t ask or you won’t be surprised.”
“These are a lot of boxes, babe.”
“I know, I’m going to move them into my office. Go on now, go cook. I’ll be in shortly.”
“Alright. Mmm, I can smell my apple cobbler.” Ruthie rubbed her hands together as she walked back into the kitchen.
After Edem moved all of the boxes into his office, his anticipation got the best of him and he opened one of them. Looking at the finished product gave him great joy. He couldn’t wait to show it to his family. He closed the box and set it to the side.
________
The family strolled in one by one, just in time. Ruthie and Edem had just gotten presentable after a quick round of loving. He just had to have it.
“Come on, everybody, let’s join hands to say grace. Hold up, where is Mama?” Edem asked.
“Oh, she texted me and said to get started without her, she had something to do,” Ruthie said.
“Yeah, she called me asking about the location of where Lilith is staying, but she wouldn’t tell my why she wanted to know,” Mud added.
“Oh, Lord, you don’t think she went over there, do you?” Elisea panicked.
“I hope not, those people are crazy. Maybe she wanted information for the police because Bernice is awake now,” Junior told them.
“Well, let’s pray, and I’m sure Mama is fine. If anybody can handle Lilith Harlot, Mama can,” Edem said before leading the family in prayer.
There were two long tables set up like buffet stations. There was so much food that family couldn’t fit everything on their plate.
“Tricia, are you alright? I notice that you keep rubbing your belly,” Lacey asked.
“Girl, these Braxton Hicks are kicking my butt today.”
“Are you sure it’s Braxton Hicks
? It could be the real thing? How long have you been hurting?” Felicia chimed in.
“Two days.”
“Girl, you might be in labor. How far apart of the pains?” Lacey inquired.
“Now it’s about every ten minutes.”
“Oh, wow. Well, say something when they get about five minutes apart,” Lacey told her.
“Ruthie, you put booth of your feet in this food, girl, it’s so good,” Lizzie complimented.
“Hey, I helped!” Edem laughed.
“Thank you, Lizzie, and your brother did help.” Ruthie shook her head at her husband.
“The house looks great,” Junior said, looking around. “I know Ruthie did all the work,” he teased.
“That is correct, all I focused on was my man cave,” Edem boasted.
They Blanks family sat around the table enjoying each other’s company, laughing and having a good time. Edem didn’t want to say anything, but he was worried about his mother. He kept checking his watch and had texted her three times, something wasn’t right.
________
Mama Eloise knocked on the door of Damien’s apartment. Lilith made Tamar go in the back bedroom and close the door before answering. Aggravated as usual, Lilith swung the door open, screaming, “Who is it?” Mama Eloise stood in the doorway. Lilith was shocked to see her, of all people, standing in front of her. “What are you doing here?” Lilith snapped.
“No hugs for an old friend, Lily?” Mama Eloise gave Lilith a look that could make hell tremble.
“I haven’t heard that name in a long time, come in.” Lilith had a devilish grin on her face.
Mama Eloise stepped inside of the apartment, but wouldn’t sit. She knew what this lady was capable of and she made sure she didn’t have her back to her.
“So, what do I owe the pleasure?”
“You know, I couldn’t, for the life of me, understand what you and your family had against my family. I would wrack my brain over and over trying to figure this thing out, but then it hit me. I know why I didn’t recognize you since I can see you have had some work done, but I should have recognized that spirit of yours. See, you change your looks, honey, but that thing that’s in you hasn’t gone anywhere I see.”
“Oh, Eloise, you’re so saved and sanctified, aren’t you? Oh, I’m Eloise Blanks, my family has money, a mega church, I have this, I have that, but it’s awfully funny all your kids are whores and just as dysfunction as the rest of us.”
“Baby, let me tell you something, I don’t walk around screaming I’m saved and sanctified. I live it, boo! Now, all the rest of that nonsense sounds a little like you hating, baby.”
“Ugh, I hate you!” Lilith snapped.
“Yeah, I know you do, but you know what? I don’t hate you. I hate what you have allowed the enemy to do to you. I warned you a long time ago that you had better change your ways, remember that?”
“Oh, the conversation when you were beating the hell outta me, miss holier than thou?”
“Oh yeah, I did beat the hell out of you, didn’t I?” Mama Eloise laughed. “I guess I didn’t beat you well enough because you, sweetie, are about to bust hell wide open.”
“You are a bitch!”
“Why is that, because I didn’t allow you to continue to sleep with my husband? Hmmm, interesting.”
“You stole my life! I could have made him love me!”
“Really? Even now after all this time, you really think that; you poor, delusional puppy you. You are too old to still think you can make a man do anything, let alone love you.” Mama Eloise shook her head at Lilith.
“You have it all figured out, don’t you?”
“No, I wouldn’t say that, but see, I know I don’t have to. I know who holds tomorrow. You know I pity you, I really do, and you are such a sad, sad creature. I can’t even bring myself to call you a woman, or a mother, for that fact. Yes, my children are flawed human beings, but I do my best to guide them, while you, on the other hand, direct your kids to be as hateful and grimy as you. The difference between us, I inspire my children to be great and you really think you deserve my life?” Mama Eloise busted out laughing.
The more Mama Eloise laughed, the madder Lilith got. Mama Eloise prepared for an attack. She growled a low growl and stepped closer to Mama Eloise. They were nose to nose. Mama Eloise didn’t blink.
“What you wanna do?” Mama Eloise did not have a scared bone in her body.
Lilith growled again and attempted to strike Mama Eloise in the face, but she grabbed her wrist and twisted it so hard that it brought Lilith to her knees. “You can growl all day and it won’t put fear in my heart. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19. Now this is the last time I plan on telling you, stay away from me and my family! Do I make myself clear?” Lilith still writhed in pain, Mama Eloise had a death grip on her wrist. Lilith couldn’t do anything but nod yes. “Huh? What did you say? Speak it! Yes, Eloise, I will leave your family alone.”
Defiant as ever; Lilith wouldn’t utter a word. Mama Eloise twisted harder and the sounds of bones cracking filled the air. “Since you are already on the ground, do you know how easy it would be to step on your neck, as the kids say, I’m just saying.”
Lilith knew Mama Eloise’s strength, so she relented. “Okay! I will leave your family alone.” Mama Eloise released her grip and backed up to the door, opening it. Lilith tried to get up, but had a hard time. “You broke my wrist!” Lilith hissed.
“Oh, did I? Sometimes, I don’t even know my own strength.” Mama Eloise backed out the door. “Oh, and, Lily? Don’t make me come back.” She closed the door behind her and strutted down the hallway to her car, singing at the top of her lungs.
Victory is mine
Victory is mine
Victory today is mine
I told Satan get thee behind
Victory today is mine
________
“Tamar, help!” Lilith screamed. “Tamar!” She walked of the room and ran down the hall after seeing her mother on the floor.
“What happened?” Tamar knelt down to help her mother up.
“The Blanks happened, that’s what happened. I need to go to the hospital, she broke my wrist.”
“Ok, Mama, let me get the keys.” Tamar got her keys and their jackets so they could go. “Should I call Damien?”
“No, just drive me to the hospital. I’m bringing out the big dogs for this one.” Lilith got on her cell. “I need you. I’ve been attacked by The Blanks, the entire family is after us, we need you, and your family needs you.”
Tamar listened to call and she knew who her mother called. Things just got real. She needed to call Jezebel. Tamar knew in that moment that Lilith was out for blood.
Chapter 21
Mama Eloise waltzed into the dinner all late, but everyone was happy to see her.
“Mama!” Edem jumped up to greet her. “Are you ok? I was worried, something wasn’t sitting right in my spirit,” he whispered in her ear as they embraced.
Mama Eloise kissed her baby boy on the cheek. “I’m fine, baby. I had a little dance with the devil, but it’s all good. Hey, everybody! Somebody make me a plate, let me go wash my hands.” Mama Eloise went into the bathroom and washed her hands. She looked at herself in the mirror. “Lord, I wanted to break more than her wrist, so thank You, Father, for self-control.” Mama Eloise returned to her family. She stood there for a moment watching them interact with each other, “They may be a mess, but they are my mess,” she mumbled to herself. “Alright now, I’m hungry, where do I sit?”
The atmosphere was jovial as they continued to eat and talk. Edem went into his office to retrieve a box. He returned back and sat it in his chair. “I have a surprise for everyone.” Edem opened the box and held up a book titled, Being A Godly Man In An Ungodly World, with him on the cover.
“Edem!” different family members screamed as he passed out his bo
ok to each of them.
“Oh, Edem! I am proud of you, son.” Mama Eloise was in tears as she flipped through the book.
“I knew you had it in you,” Ruthie told him.
“Well, you are the one who told me to write out my feelings, so I did.” Edem leaned over and kissed Ruthie.
“Oooooow!” the family teased in unison.
“Leave them be. I am so happy, Edem, your daddy would be proud,” Mama Eloise gushed.
“Thanks, Mama, but that’s not all, we have more news.” Edem grinned so hard, he could barely contain his excitement. “We are having a baby!”
The family erupted in an uproar of cheers and congratulations.
“You work fast, baby brugh. Ya’ll only been married what, three months?” Junior teased.
“Well, you know I’m Big Daddy! Especially since we conceived on our wedding night.”
“And, you’re just now saying something?” Lizzie asked.
“We just found out, I wasn’t sure I was pregnant,” Ruthie explained.
“Well, Hallelu! Another baby coming, I’m so glad the next generation of Blanks will grow up together, but I will not be babysitting them all at the same time, just so you know. Girl, this food is good, Ruthie baby, you did that,” Mama Eloise said as she stuffed her face.
________
Jezebel and Delilah stopped at a diner to eat. They left Greensboro in the middle of the night, but they were starving, so they decided to stop at a twenty-four hour diner.
“How do you feel today, Dee?” Jezebel poured salsa over her omelet.
Delilah shrugged. “I guess I’m alright, I’m glad to be out of there.”
Jezebel’s phone vibrated. She didn’t recognize the number, so she didn’t answer. Then, she received a text. IT’S ME TAMAR, ANSWER YOUR PHONE, RED EYE, RED EYE! Jezebel’s eyes widened. Red eye was a code the sisters set up years ago to warn each other that their mother was on a rampage. Her phone vibrated again, that time she answered.
“Hello?”