“I’m so happy for you.”
“I feel pretty good about things myself.”
“I’m so glad you listened to me. You and your mother have been apart far too long.”
“It’s funny you should say that, sweetheart. As a matter of fact, I’m flying my mom to Detroit this weekend. She’s arriving tomorrow afternoon. We didn’t want another day to go by without seeing each other.”
“What a wonderful blessing,” Pearl murmured. “I’m so happy for you, Wade.”
“This feels good.”
“I’m sure.” Pearl swiped at a tear. She could hear the happiness in Wade’s voice and her heart leapt with joy. “Sweetheart, I have to work the morning shift tomorrow, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to go with you to the airport.”
“Great. I want you to be there with me. I can’t wait for the two of you to meet. I already told my mom that she’s going to love you.”
Pearl sat quietly listening as Wade talked about old memories, when his father was alive and they were still a family.
“This has been some Thanksgiving, huh? Opal and D’marcus getting engaged, you and your mother reuniting.”
“What about us?” Wade questioned. “Letting your family know that we’re a couple.”
“That, too. We have a lot to be thankful for.”
“Amen,” Wade murmured.
Pearl rode the wave of sleeplessness back and forth. She kept waking up every hour, it seemed.
Finally she gave up on the idea of sleeping and reached for her laptop, taking it off the nightstand and placing it in bed with her.
As if following some unseen guide, Pearl found herself on the Internet, searching the archives of Chicago newspapers. She was looking for any information on Jeff Kendrick’s death.
Why now, when Wade and his mother were reuniting? Still, Wade was in pain because of his brother’s death. That pain probably stemmed from Wade’s guilt that he didn’t die that day.
Pearl found an article on the shooting and began to read.
According to an eyewitness account, corroborated by the injured gang member, Jeff pushed Wade out of the way.
“He tried to save him,” Pearl murmured. “Jeff died saving his brother’s life. Wade never told me.”
Now she had a better understanding of why Wade blamed himself. He had allowed his brother to join the gang and then Jeff ended up saving his life.
What an awesome testimony, Pearl realized. If only Wade could see it himself. While what happened to his brother was tragic, Wade’s turning to the Lord was the gift in all this.
Pearl hoped that Wade would one day be able to share his experiences with the youth at church—they needed to hear his testimony. They would listen to him.
“Give him the strength he needs,” she prayed. “Wade needs to forgive himself and only You can help him.”
Pearl stopped by the church offices the next day before her shift at Milton’s.
“Is Pastor expecting you?” asked Barbara, who began her interrogation of Pearl the moment she walked into the administration building requesting to see Wade.
“I told him I might be stopping by,” Pearl replied. “I spoke with him earlier.”
“What do you need to see him about?”
Instead of answering her question, Pearl posed one of her own. “Is Pastor here?” She knew that Barbara had Wade picked out for her niece.
Pearl was positive that Wade would never be interested in someone like Marnie, who dressed too suggestively and boldly flaunted her sexuality.
“The Pastor is a busy man, Pearl. He don’t have no time for no foolishness. I’ve known you since you were a little girl, so I’m just offering you a tiny piece of advice. Pray and ask God to send you a husband. You don’t have to go running down the Pastor.”
“I’m not here for ‘foolishness’ as you put it,” Pearl replied as calmly as she could. “Sister Barbara, I know that you’ve been hoping that Marnie would catch Pastor’s eye but there’s one thing you haven’t considered.”
“And what’s that?” Barbara huffed, her hands on her hips.
“Pastor Kendrick has a mind of his own. He is the one who decides whom he allows into his life. Why don’t you ask him if he’s interested in your niece?”
Barbara didn’t respond.
Pearl continued. “He’s not some brainless man who will marry the first girl thrown at him. You should take your own advice. Let Pastor pick the woman he wants to be with. I’m sure he doesn’t need any help from you.”
“Humph,” Barbara grunted. “You seem to be the authority on Pastor.”
Pearl held her temper in check. “I’m not saying that at all. There is something you need to know, Sister Barbara. Wade and I are dating.”
“Excuse me?”
“We’re seeing each other.” Pearl folded her arms across her chest. “He’s already chosen someone.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Just ask him. He’ll tell you.”
Wade walked out into the waiting area, interrupting their conversation. “Pearl, I’ve been expecting you.”
Barbara’s eyes bounced from Pearl’s face to Wade’s, trying to examine their expressions.
“Is something wrong?” Wade inquired.
“I was just telling Sister Barbara our news,” Pearl stated with a grin.
“You always were a fast tail,” Barbara uttered. “Pastor, I hope you know what you doing.”
Wade’s eyes traveled to Pearl’s. “Why don’t we talk in my office?”
Pearl agreed, following him down the hall.
“We should leave the door open,” Wade whispered.
“No problem.” She pulled a CD out of her purse. “I wanted you to listen to this and tell me what you think. It’s the song I’ve been working on. I finished it.”
“I’m sure I’m going to love it.”
Their eyes met and held, locked in a heated gaze.
Pearl broke the look. “I—I need to get to Milton’s. My shift starts in half an hour. I just stopped by to say hello and give you the CD.”
“I’m going to see you in a few hours. You’re still going to the airport with me, right?”
“Okay, the truth is that I just wanted to see your handsome face,” Pearl confessed. “I couldn’t wait until later.”
“I’m glad you stopped by.”
Grinning, she took Wade by the hand. “Walk me out to my car?”
He led her out of his office. Pearl wasn’t surprised to find Barbara hovering nearby pretending to be busy.
“Have a good day, Sister Barbara,” Pearl said with a smile.
Barbara threw up a hand before stalking off, muttering beneath her breath.
Wade and Pearl waited until they were outside the building before breaking into laughter.
“Your secretary is so upset with me. She really wants you and Marnie together.”
“I know, but Marnie and I actually had a conversation. She knew that we never stood a chance.”
“Oh, really?”
Wade nodded. “I made it clear that I wasn’t interested.”
“I hope you weren’t quite so blunt. You did let her down easy, didn’t you?”
“She asked me a direct question and I gave her a straight answer.”
Pearl didn’t respond. She seemed preoccupied.
Kissing her on the cheek, Wade inquired, “What are you thinking about?”
Pearl glanced over at Wade. “I was just thinking that you should share your story with the boys at the church. You could really reach them if you do.”
Wade shook his head. “I’ve already tried that.”
They walked over to his car and sat inside. “You told them you were involved in a gang?”
“No, not exactly.”
“Sweetheart, those kids see you the way I used to—as a stuffy ol’ pastor who is beyond reproach. They figure you can’t relate to what they’re going through.”
“I don’t know if I can share that part
of my past with them, with anyone. It was hard enough to tell you that my brother died because I was a coward. I broke a promise to my mother and I only thought about saving my own skin. I didn’t look out for Jeff or T-Bone. I let them both down.”
“Wade, there is another way to look at this,” Pearl pointed out. “Your brother died saving your life. He saved you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Jeff jumped in front of you. He loved you so much that he died protecting you.”
“How do you know this?”
“Wade, you didn’t know?” Pearl paused for a moment then began again. “I thought you knew but were just feeling guilty about it. I did some research. There was an eyewitness and the other guy who was shot. They both told the police that your brother shoved you out of the way and got caught in the crossfire.”
Memories of that day instantly assailed Wade. He remembered hanging out with his boys on that day long ago. He recalled walking down the street laughing and talking with Jeff and T-Bone.
In his mind, Wade saw the slow, deliberate approach of a black car coming down the street. He stiffened from the memory, recalling the ominous feeling he felt as the car neared.
Wade remembered reaching for Jeff as his instincts drove him to seek safety, but in a matter of seconds, he felt himself being shoved to the ground. He could hear himself yelling…screaming for Jeff to take cover.
His words were drowned out by the loud cracking sound of rapid gunfire. Wade remembered covering his ears to block out the sound.
When it was over, Jeff and T-Bone lay on the sidewalk bleeding. Wade held Jeff in his arms until the paramedics arrived. T-Bone ended up paralyzed from the waist down, while his brother died en route to the hospital.
“Wade, are you all right?”
Pearl’s voice summoned him out of the past. “What did you say?”
“I asked if you were okay.”
“I remember everything,” Wade uttered. “I remember what happened the day Jeff died. It was never real clear in the past. All this time…”
“Wade, you can choose to blame yourself and live in the past or cherish the memory of a brother who loved you so much that he gave up his own life for yours. Honor him by helping other youth. Keep them from being seduced into the gang life.”
Chapter 18
Pearl eyed the clock. Wade would be picking her up for the airport in ten minutes.
“We’re going to get a quick bite to eat and stop by the florist before we head to the airport,” Pearl told her cousin. “I probably won’t be back until after eight tonight.”
“You’re not gonna hang out with Wade and his mother?”
Pearl shook her head. “I think they need some quality time together. This will be the first time he’s seen her in ten years.”
“I’m really happy for him. When you get back here, I want you to tell me every single tearjerking moment. Don’t forget to take tissue with you—enough for you and Wade.”
Pearl laughed. “You’re crazy.”
“This is a reunion, Pearl. I’m tearing up just thinking about it.” Paige wiped at her eyes.
Wade’s arrival curtailed their conversation.
“Are you nervous?” Pearl asked him as soon as they stepped on the elevator.
“A little,” he confessed. “The last time I saw my mother was at the cemetery and she was so angry.”
“She was grieving, sweetie. People grieve in different ways. Just remember that she loves you. She’s on a plane right now because she wants to see you, Wade.”
“I know. She was hurt. I hurt her by not protecting my brother. I understand it and I accept responsibility.” Wade stole a peek at Pearl. “I’ve made peace with my past.”
“I bet your mother is just as nervous about seeing you again.”
“It’s been a long time. I’ve missed her so much.”
“I’m sure she missed you, too.”
Wade grew silent as they neared the airport.
Pearl reached over and took his hand. “It’s going to be okay.”
He nodded but didn’t respond. Wade parked the car. “Her plane should be arriving in about ten minutes.”
Pearl gave him a reassuring hug before they walked inside the terminal baggage-claim area.
“Let me hold the flowers. You’re going to squeeze the life out of them.”
Wade gave her a tiny smile. “Thanks.”
Pearl led him over to some empty chairs. “Sit down, sweetheart. We can’t have you passing out. I don’t think your mom should see you all laid out on the floor.” Grinning, she added, “It’s just not the best impression.”
Wade’s breath caught in his throat when he recognized his mother’s thin frame as she walked down the escalator. Her hair was peppered with gray but otherwise she still looked the same. Time had been kind to her over the years.
“There she is,” he whispered to Pearl. “Arlene Kendrick. My mother.”
Arlene’s eyes traveled the area, searching.
“Mom,” he called out.
Wade strolled across the floor, rushing to meet his mother. He greeted his mother with a hug. “I’m so glad to see you,” he whispered in her ear. “God has answered my prayers.”
“Oh, baby,” she murmured, her voice filled with tears. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Wade placed an arm around Pearl. “Mom, I want you to meet a very special person. This is Pearl Lockhart.”
“Is this your girlfriend?”
Smiling, Wade nodded. “Yes. This is my girlfriend. She’s the one I was telling you about on the telephone.”
“It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Kendrick.”
She embraced Pearl. “I’m so happy to meet you.”
Five minutes later, the luggage was placed in the trunk and everyone was seated in the car.
“How was your flight?” Wade asked his mother while driving away from the airport.
“Good. I think I slept the entire hour I was on the flight.” She chuckled. “I’m so excited to be here.”
“Uncle Harold and Aunt Ivy invited us over for dinner tomorrow night,” Wade announced. “They want you to come, too, Pearl.”
“I work the afternoon shift so I should be off in time.”
She reached over and squeezed his hand. When Wade glanced over at her, Pearl winked.
Words couldn’t describe what he was feeling at the moment. Wade was surrounded by the two most important women in his life. His mother and Pearl had hit it off immediately and were fast becoming friends.
He smiled as he listened to them chat about shopping and where to find the best sales. It was Black Friday and his mother had spent most of her day catching sales.
“I’ve already got all of my Christmas shopping done,” she was saying. “This is the first year I’m actually looking forward to Christmas.”
“Same here, Mom.” Wade glanced over at Pearl. “All I’ve wanted is to share my life with you. God has not only answered that prayer but he has blessed me with Pearl.”
The fashion show and luncheon on Saturday was a success, much to Pearl’s relief.
“So what did you think?” she asked Wade. “Still questioning my sense of style?”
“I’m impressed, Pearl. I should’ve trusted you from the very beginning.”
“Yeah. You should have, but it’s okay. I thought about our initial conversation about clothing and I kept that in mind when selecting the clothes. I mainly wanted to give the teens some ideas on how to be fashionable without having to show all of their goodies.”
“You did a wonderful job, Pearl.”
“Thank you for saying that. I really appreciate it.”
Arlene walked over to them with Harold and Ivy. She embraced Pearl saying, “You did a beautiful job putting all this together. And that song you sang was beautiful. Just beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Pearl murmured. She hugged Harold and Ivy. “How was the food?”
“Delicious,” they said in unison.
Pearl glanced over at Wade. “You haven’t said anything. Did you like the food? I tried a new caterer this year. One of the sisters in the church started a business and I wanted to help her out.”
“I enjoyed it.”
“I’m glad to hear that because she’s going to be catering our church anniversary dinner.” Pearl spotted her sisters. “Excuse me, please. I need to catch my sisters before they leave. I’ll be right back.”
Pearl walked over to where Opal, Ruby and Amber were sitting. “Did y’all like the show?”
Ruby nodded. “Your friend has some wonderful designs. Congratulations, Pearl. You did well.”
Opal agreed.
“I’m thinking about ordering the entire line,” Amber stated. “I loved everything.”
“Looks like Pastor’s family likes you,” Opal said. “I talked to his mother a little bit before the fashion show. She thinks the world of you.”
“Mrs. Kendrick is a sweetheart. I’m so glad she and Wade have been able to spend this time together.”
“He’s changed since the two of you got together,” Amber commented. “I like this Wade Kendrick so much better. See what love can do for a person.”
Pearl eyed her baby sister. “Amber, I hope you don’t think you can change Dashuan Kennedy.”
“Let’s not ruin everything,” Opal interjected. “We’ll discuss that situation later.”
“No discussion needed,” Amber stated. “I’m grown. I can make my own choices.”
Ruby was the first to rise. “I hate to rush off but I have some work I need to finish. Great job, Pearl.”
Opal and Amber followed suit.
Pearl walked her sisters to the door, then glanced around the room, looking for Wade.
Justine Raymond walked up to her. “I thought you told me you weren’t interested in Pastor. I heard Sister Barbara over there saying that the two of you are a couple now.”
“We are,” Pearl confirmed. “But I didn’t deliberately set out to snare Wade. Our relationship just happened.”
“Do you love him?”
Pearl met Justine’s gaze straight on. “Yeah, I do.”
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