Letting Misery Go

by Michelle Larks

  “If you’re sincere, Daniel, then God will see you through this dilemma, and life will get better for you and your sons,” Ruth felt compelled to say.

  Daniel nodded at Ruth gratefully. “I hope so. I’ve taken God for granted, and it’s time I stepped up to the plate and do things correctly, like I should have been doing all along.”

  He continued to speak as everyone listened. His voice would rise and fall emotionally and break at times. Everyone listened intently, drawing their own conclusions as to the change in Daniel Wilcox. There was a period of silence, and then the doorbell sounded. Brian again went to answer the door.

  Sarah didn’t mention inviting anyone else. All heads turned toward the door with anticipation in their eyes.

  Chapter Twenty

  Brian called from the foyer, “Sarah, its Monet Caldwell. She has that peach cobbler you asked her to bake for you.”

  “Coming.” Sarah swatted her forehead and smiled apologetically at her relatives. “I’ve been so busy that I forgot I asked Monet to make a cobbler for dessert. I’ll be right back.”

  Ruth’s heart thudded. She wondered if Aron had come with Monet. Then she quickly pushed that thought back into the recesses of her mind. She had mentioned the dinner to Aron, so she assumed he probably wouldn’t come with Monet, but she was wrong. Monet walked into the dining room, carrying a brown bag, while Aron trailed behind her, holding Faith by the hand.

  “Hello, everyone,” Monet said, grinning brightly. “I hope we’re not interrupting dinner.”

  “You’re right on time,” Brian replied easily as he took the bag from Monet. “We just finished eating the main meal, and most of us are having dessert.” He introduced Aron, Monet, and Faith to everyone. When Brian introduced Daniel as his father-in-law, Aron’s senses were attuned to the man who used to be Ruth’s husband.

  Sarah retrieved the bag from Brian and laid the peach cobbler on the buffet with the other desserts. She sniffed deeply and said, “Monet, the cobbler smells heavenly. Would you all like to join us for dinner or dessert?”

  Aron looked around the table and noticed how Daniel was staring at him. The men nodded at each other. He glanced at Ruth, as if to ask if he and Monet staying would be all right with her.

  Ruth felt tongue-tied. “Hello, Aron,” she finally managed to murmur.

  With a smirk on her face, Sarah gazed at her mother. Alice had the same expression on her face. Daniel didn’t miss the byplay, and his gaze returned to Aron.

  “You know what? I think we’ll pass on staying, Sarah,” Monet answered, feeling awkward. “Marcus is home with the boys, and I know they must be driving him crazy right about now. Those sons of ours can be a handful sometimes.” Her eyes flitted on her father.

  Faith removed her hand from her grandfather’s hand and walked around the table to Ruth. She threw out her arms. “Hi, Pastor Ruth,” she said in her high-pitched little-girl voice.

  Ruth gathered Faith into her arms and pulled her onto her lap. “How are you doing, young lady? You’re getting so big.” Ruth kissed her cheek.

  “I’ve been good. I help my daddy take care of the boys, and when school starts in the fall, Mommy says I can go to kindergarten. I go to preschool now.” Faith’s nose crinkled. Her heart-shaped cinnamon face was all Monet, but her features were a carbon copy of her father, Marcus. She was a thin child, full of nervous energy. Her reddish brown hair was parted in the middle, and her long braids had come loose.

  “That’s wonderful. I know you can hardly wait to start school. You’re such a good girl, helping your mommy and daddy with the boys,” Ruth told Faith. “Monet, are you sure you all don’t want to stay for dessert? We have plenty, more than enough to go around.”

  “Well, maybe we can stay for a few minutes,” Monet conceded, looking at Aron, who nodded at his daughter.

  Maggie walked into the room. “I’m the unofficial hostess, so I’ll take your coats.” She looked at Faith. “Would you like to come to the den with us kids? We’re watching a movie.”

  “Yes.” Faith hopped off Ruth’s lap and followed Maggie to the foyer, where she hung up the coats, and then they went into the den.

  Monet cut a slice of red velvet cake for herself, and a slice of chocolate cake for her father. Aron sat down next to Ruth.

  “Your sermon last Sunday was simply rousing, Pastor Ruth,” Monet said, sitting at the table. “We’ve heard some rumblings that the church is facing financial difficulties. Marcus and I will be more than happy to help in any way we can.”

  Ruth dipped her head. “Thank you. We’re doing okay for now, but we need to make changes before we have problems. Any suggestions would be appreciated.”

  Monet sliced and chewed a piece of cake. She nodded. “We’ll come up with something. A good many people are experiencing tough times.”

  “So, Mr. Reynolds, what do you do?” Daniel asked Aron. He felt annoyed that Aron was sitting across the table, next to Ruth.

  “Actually, I work at the church as the maintenance engineer. And I’m active in my community. I also work part-time with the city, helping communities plant vegetable gardens. What do you do?”

  “I’m retired.” Daniel instantly dismissed Aron as being the object of Ruth’s affections. The Ruth he knew would never date a janitor. Aron could call himself by any fancy title he chose, but the bottom line was that he was just someone who picked up after others.

  “If it keeps you busy, then go for it. Like I said, I’m retired from the Chicago Transit Authority, as a bus driver and looking after my youngest boys,” Daniel said.

  Naomi, who was drinking water, nearly choked. Montgomery thumped her on the back. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  Naomi nodded. Same old Dad, she thought, always giving himself more credit than what is due. She wiped her eyes with a napkin.

  “That’s good you’re actively involved in your sons’ lives. More than at any other time, children today need a parent’s guidance. How old are your sons, Mr. Wilcox?” Aron asked.

  “My oldest is eight, and I have twin sons. They’re six. They’re little rascals, and they keep me busy.” Daniel puffed out his chest, as if to signal how potent he still was.

  “My hat goes off to you.” Aron dipped his head. “I have grandchildren younger than that, and the little ones can wear me out.”

  There were sounds of an altercation and then glass breaking from the den. Brian and Daniel jumped from their seats and rushed to the den, with Sarah hot on their trail.

  Damon was on the couch and had David in a headlock. The younger boy’s face was red and he was gasping. The lamp on one of the cocktail tables lay on the floor, and the bulb from the lamp lay in tiny pieces.

  Daniel rushed to separate the boys, while Brian knelt down and picked up the pieces of glass. He glared at Joshua, who was on his cell phone. Joshua told whomever he was talking to that he had to go. He quickly disconnected the call.

  “I thought you two were keeping an eye on the boys?” Brian asked his children.

  “We were. Everything happened so fast,” Maggie said, trying to explain.

  “Damon, I thought I told you to behave,” Daniel said to his son sternly, pulling the boys apart.

  “I was acting good. David started it.” Damon scowled at David, as if daring him to dispute his account of what had happened.

  Darnell’s thumb climbed into his mouth, but he pulled it out. “Pops, I don’t feel too good.” He promptly vomited on the floor.

  Sarah rolled her eyes upward. “Come on, Darnell, let’s go to the bathroom.” She took his hand and led him out of the den to the powder room.

  “Joshua, get some cleaning aids out of the kitchen and clean that up.” Brian sucked his breath as he cut himself on a shard of glass.

  “Do I have to?” Joshua complained. “I didn’t do it. Why doesn’t Gramps clean it up? Darnell is his son.”

  “Did you hear what I said?” Brian said to Joshua firmly and pointedly.

  The young man walked out of
the room with attitude in his step.

  “Pops, I want to go home. I don’t like this house, and I don’t like these people. Why couldn’t we go to Aunt Felicia’s house? I didn’t want to come here, anyway,” Damon cried, sticking out his lip.

  Brian took the broken glass to the kitchen, while Joshua returned with a pail of water and a rag. He knelt down on the floor and began cleaning up the vomit.

  When Brian returned to the den, Daniel had taken his sons’ jackets from the closet. “I think we’re going to go home now. The boys are probably tired,” he said.

  Brian nodded and walked to the dining room with Daniel. Sarah returned to the dining room with Darnell.

  “I think this little one has bad nerves. I gave him a bag; so if he feels sick on the way home, he won’t mess up your car, Daddy,” Sarah said.

  “Thank you, Sarah,” Daniel replied. “It was nice seeing everyone again,” he told the family.

  Queen Esther walked into the room, leaning heavily on her cane. “What was all that noise? I woke up and heard kids screaming, and it sounded like something got broken. Sarah, what kind of house are you running? In my day, children were seen and not heard. You might want to take note of that.”

  “I sure will,” Sarah answered. She and Brian walked Daniel and his brood to the door.

  Daniel stopped in his tracks and turned around. He said, “Ruth, would it be okay if I call you this week? I have something I want to discuss with you.”

  “Sure, you know the number at the church. Feel free to give me a call,” Ruth replied.

  Daniel smiled smugly, giving her a smile that would have melted her insides in the past. She wondered what Daniel wanted to talk about, and why he seemed to be paying her attention like he was romantically interested in her. She didn’t miss the admiring glances he’d given her when he thought she wasn’t looking.

  Fred leaned over and whispered to Alice, “I think my brother is going to have to step up his game.”

  “I think your brother is out of his mind. There’s no way that Ruth would ever contemplate a relationship with him. That ship has sailed,” Alice said.

  Monet’s cell phone chirped. She stood up and went into the kitchen to take the call. When she returned, she remarked, “I think we’d better go too. Marcus has a meeting to go to later on. Sarah, thank you for sharing dessert with Dad and me. Mr. Brooks, it was nice meeting you,” she said, glancing at Montgomery. “Naomi, it was nice seeing you again. Congratulations on your upcoming graduation.”

  Aron and Ruth stood up. “I’ll get their coats,” Ruth told Sarah. The three walked out of the room to the foyer. Monet stopped in the den to get Faith.

  “I hope we didn’t impose on private time with your family,” Aron told Ruth as he slipped on his jacket.

  “Of course not. As you could tell, it can get pretty hectic in my family. Sometimes it’s like a three-ring circus,” Ruth quipped. “It was good seeing you.”

  “You too, pretty lady. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I’ll talk to you later.”

  Ruth looked down at her wrist. “I should be home in a few hours,” she said, yawning. “It’s been a long day. My mother is spending the night with me, and I’m taking her back to the home Monday morning. We were lucky; today was a partially good day. I spoke to her doctor a few weeks ago about changing her medication, which he did this week, and she seems to be responding to it very well.” She crossed her fingers.

  “Great, anything that makes your life easier makes me happy.” His caring hazel eyes seemed to hypnotize Ruth. He had to stop his hand from caressing her cheek.

  Ruth blushed. Then she noticed Sarah and Monet standing in the living room, chatting, giving them time to talk. They noticed a lull in the conversation and walked toward the foyer.

  Monet walked into the den and returned with her daughter. “I wasn’t ready to go, Mommy, I’m having a good time. The movie isn’t over yet,” Faith whined.

  Monet put one of Faith’s arms into her jacket. “I’ll rent it and you can finish watching it at home. Tell Pastor Ruth good-bye,” she said.

  “Wait a minute,” Faith said, “I have to tell everybody else good-bye.” She skipped into the dining room, her braids swinging in rhythm, where she courteously told the adults good-bye. Then she went back to the den to say her farewell to Maggie and Joshua.

  When she returned to the foyer, she took Aron’s hand. “I’m ready, Mommy. Oh, I forgot to tell Pastor Ruth good-bye.”

  Ruth bent down and hugged and kissed Faith. “Tell Marcus I said hello, and kiss those babies for me,” she told Monet.

  “I will.” Monet and Faith walked outside the door.

  Sarah headed back to the dining room, while Aron paused and turned around before he stepped over the threshold. “Take care, Ruth, talk to you later,” he said.

  “You too,” Ruth said, with a smile on her face. She closed the door, locked it, and strolled back into the dining room. All eyes honed in on her. “What?” she asked, returning to her seat. “Why is everyone staring at me?”

  Everyone was quiet, until Naomi stood up and did a little cabbage patch dance. “Momma’s a player. She got two men after her. You go, girl.” She and Sarah exchanged high fives. The room erupted in laughter.

  “What does Naomi mean? How is Ruth a player? She can’t be a player, or whatever you called her. My girl is a pastor.” Queen Esther looked confused.

  “Don’t worry, Queen, it’s all good.” Naomi folded her arms across her chest.

  Ruth sputtered, “I don’t know what you mean. I don’t have anyone after me.” She held up her hand and shook her head furiously.

  “It’s all good, Momma. I’m proud of you. It’s about time you got your groove on. Mr. Reynolds still got it going on for an older man. He’s cute,” Naomi said.

  “For someone who’s about to get their master’s degree, you can be silly at times,” Ruth said crossly. “Sarah, let’s straighten up. I know Queen is probably getting tired, and I want to get her home and settled.”

  “I’m not tired.” Queen’s jowls shook as her head flipped from side to side. “What did Naomi mean about you getting your groove on? Ruth Ann, you and I are going to have a talk when we get to your house.”

  Everyone laughed. Except for Bishop and Ezra not being present, it felt like old times.

  Alice stood up. “I’ll help you clean up. Then Fred and I are going to go. I had a wonderful time, Sarah. You put on a pretty decent spread, but not as good as me and your mother.”

  Sarah cracked up and began stacking the plates.

  Maggie came into the dining room. “The movie is over. Do you need me to do anything, Mommy?” she asked.

  “No, Maggie. You were a big help to me earlier. It’s nearly six thirty, Why don’t you relax now. I hope you finished your homework.”

  “I did, but I’ll check it again later. I have a history test on Monday, and I’ll study some more before the weekend is over.” She went upstairs to her bedroom to call one of her friends.

  While the men went into the den to see if a sporting event was on television, Sarah, Ruth, Naomi, and Alice quickly and efficiently removed the food from the dining room and began putting the leftovers in bowls.

  Naomi scraped the plates and put them in the dishwasher. “So, Momma,” she sneaked a peep at Ruth, “what do you think of Montgomery?”

  “He seems like a nice man. Of course, I’m going to need time to get to know him better. You could have warned us that he was white. Not that it would have made any difference,” Ruth added quickly.

  “I didn’t think it would.” Naomi put detergent into the dishwasher slot.

  “I want you to be happy and have a good life, and if Montgomery makes you happy, then I’m happy for you. Somehow, I didn’t picture you with an older man from another country. I always assumed you would date men closer to your own age, a year or two age difference.”

  “I think that’s what attracted me to him. He wasn’t like the men I’d been dating. He wa
s a refreshing change. We met at the car wash, of all places. He invited me to have a latte with him, and we’ve been talking since then.” She reached inside her blouse and pulled out her engagement ring. She put it on her finger and waved her hand. “Monty and I are engaged. I wanted you to meet him before I told you the news.” Naomi looked at Ruth with a beseeching expression. Though she talked a good game, Naomi really craved her mother’s sanction of her impending marriage.

  The women surrounded Naomi and they all hugged. Ruth’s eyes filled with tears.

  “You’ve really been holding out on us, Naomi. Congratulations. I hope you haven’t already set a date without talking to us first,” Ruth said.

  “We haven’t. I want to get graduation out of the way, and then we’ll visit the topic. Monty doesn’t want to wait too long. He’s thirty-five years old, and says he doesn’t want to be ancient before having children.”

  Ruth swallowed a lump in her throat, Alice’s eyes were moist, and Sarah just took in the scene. Naomi had come so far and seemed to be doing fantastic.

  “I’m so proud of you, Naomi. I know Bishop and Ezra would be too.” Ruth brushed away a tear from her eye.

  “Hear, hear. Ditto that for me. I can’t believe you’re the same little girl who didn’t seem to have much direction in life. Look at you now,” Alice added admiringly.

  Sarah stood back and watched her mother and Alice heap praise upon Naomi. She knew then in her heart that Naomi was her mother’s child, and not her own. The deception had begun years ago, and it would continue the rest of Naomi’s life. She felt rancor in her heart for a minute for Queen’s misguided direction. Then she thanked God for allowing her to share her sister /daughter’s life. Not many women were that lucky or blessed.

  She put a smile on her face; then she said amicably, “We’ll all help you plan the wedding.”

  “You’d better.” Naomi flashed a smile to Sarah.

  Sarah walked over to her and hugged her tightly; Ruth and Alice looked on approvingly. Ruth wiped another tear from her eye.