by Mychea
Abruptly letting Damir go letting him fall to the ground, Kaden grabbed the few things he kept at his desk, stepped over Damir who was laid out on the ground trying to catch his breath and headed out of the building. He needed to speak with his wife.
Naima was enjoying her first day back at work. She’d finally stopped avoiding the place and came in, since she could move around a little more freely with her cane, she felt like she could move mountains. She had no idea how much she missed work until she stepped back into her office. Everything was exactly as she had left it. Looking at the photos of Namiyah and Kalani when they were younger brought a smile to her face. She and Kaden really did have some gorgeous kids and so what if she was biased. She was their Momma that gave her the right.
Sitting at her desk hearing the children’s laughter as they ran around outside kept Naima’s smile intact, soon she would be able to run around the yard with Kalani and she was so excited she couldn’t stand herself.
“God thank you so much for blessing me. Things could have turned out a completely different way. You’re awesome. Amen” she shot a quick prayer to the Man above. Talking to Him numerous times a day kept her sane.
“Mrs. Fairchild,” the receptionist buzzed in, “your husband is on his way to your office.
No sooner had she received the heads up when Kaden walked through her office door.
“Hi Baby, this is a nice surprise on my first day back.” She slowly rose to her feet in anticipation for his kiss, a kiss that was not forthcoming today.
“We need to talk.” Kaden said without a trace of kindness in his voice as he closed the door.
Oh oh, Naima thought, something bad must have happened.
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“What’s wrong?”
“You tell me. I got fired….quit my job. However you decide to look at it.”
“What! Why?”
“You mean besides assault? Damir figured out I knew Alanna, but that wasn’t the kicker,”
Walking over to where she stood at her desk with tears in his eyes, “the kicker was finding out my wife has been fucking my boss.”
The color drained out of Naima’s face. Damir had told Kaden about their one night together after all this time, or she wondered if he told him about when they were dating back in the day as well? She was banking on just the last time he knew about, she hoped that she was right.
“Baby, let me explain.”
“There’s no need, I don’t want to hear about it. I already forgave you.”
“Well, I am going to tell you anyway.” She felt she had to plead her case. “You haven’t been home lately and I felt neglected. It was only that one night; I got caught up in a weak moment.”
Sticking out her bottom lip, pouting, “You’re never around anymore and when you are you don’t want to be bothered, are you cheating on me?”
Coming around her desk, emerald green eyes collided with wet hazel ones, putting his hand under her chin, “Mocha, how could you think that? I haven’t touched another woman since you let me back into your life and I never will. I love you. Don’t you know that by now? If you had doubts why didn’t you come and ask me?”
Face completely drenched in tears now, Naima was ashamed of herself, she and Kaden had already overcome so much.
“Because I didn’t want to hear you say yes.”
“Mocha, the reason I have been so busy is because I have something big in the works. I can’t tell you what it is now, but I want it to be a surprise. You’ve been such a trooper through this whole experience and I want to show you how much I love you. You’re superwoman to me.”
He had effectively succeeded in making her feel like a bigger jerk than she already felt.
“Kaden, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it, it meant nothing to me.”
“I forgive you baby, how could I not? You’ve forgiven me for much worse, but from now on Mocha we have to talk about things that are bothering us. If something looks suspicious just ask me. I’m in this for the long haul. It will always be you and I tell the end. That’s where it all Copyright © 2010 Mychea
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started right?” Brushing his fingers lightly over her cheek, he fell in love with her all over again.
She was his and no one would ever break them apart.
“Ma, can I talk to you for a minute?”
Pushing the papers that she was reading to the side, Naima more than welcomed the distraction. “Sure Muffin, what’s on your mind?”
Sitting on the bed next to her mom, Namiyah laid her head in her lap.
“I’ve been doing some thinking after our talk about you and Aunt Emeri’s situation.” Waiting for her to get situated Naima waited patiently for her to continue. “And I’ve come to the conclusion that I hate her. I know you say it’s not right to hate people, but the thought of her being a part of our family disgusts me.”
At this point, Naima didn’t know what to say about the situation to Namiyah. Granted she didn’t find it acceptable to hate anyone but on the other hand, Namiyah was fifteen and temperamental, always had been and probably always would be. She couldn’t change her child’s way of thinking, all she could do was guide it to the best of her ability.
“Well Muff, you do know how I feel about the word hate, I know your Aunt has done some terrible things and doesn’t seem to learn from her mistakes, but it’s not our place to judge. Only God can do that, we discussed this, remember? Don’t you think I’m angry with her too? At one point, my anger for her was consuming my life. I had to place God on speed dial to get me through many moments from the incident, till now.” Pulling Namiyah’s head up off her lap forcing her to look at her face to face, “And you see I don’t hate her. You’ll forgive her in your own time, don’t feel you have to rush it, but if you pray for it, it will come.”
“She has to pay for what she did to you. She has to.” The tears streaking down Namiyah’s face were enough to break any mother’s heart. Her baby girl was tormented and she didn’t know how to help her. Namiyah’s hatred for Emeri was consuming her and she was entirely to young to be burdened down like this.
“How would you feel about seeing a counselor? Someone you could talk to, to get your real true feelings out into the open?”
“You mean a therapist like Aunt Emeri goes to? Ma, there is nothing wrong with me; I don’t want to see a therapist.”
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Naima placed a kiss on her forehead, “Think about it ok? Now go get your shower and get ready for bed. I’ll be in to say good night in a few.”
“Kay. I love you.”
“Love you too Muffin.”
Lying back on the bed, no longer interested in the papers she had been reading, Naima prayed for God to give her baby peace. Reaching for the phone on the night stand, she called the one person that would know what to do.
“There’s my baby, I just had you on my mind.”
Grinning as her spirits were instantly lifted, her mom was the best mood pick me up God ever created.
“Well hello to you too, how did you know it was me?”
“Chile, you know I keep caller id in full effect. Never know who will come calling here these days. How’s my baby?”
“I’m ok; it’s been a long day.”
“Your Momma could tell honey, probably why you’ve been on my mind. Want to talk about it?”
“Yes, I need to talk about it.” Taking a deep breath before continuing, “Namiyah just announced to me that she hates Emeri. She’s allowing her hate to consume her and I have no idea what to do. Mainly because I struggle with my own emotions about Emeri, but I want to teach Namiyah to do what’s right.”
“Well baby, we have all choked and burned where your sister is concerned and Namiyah is entitled to her emotions, they are something you ca
nnot control. All you can do is be there for her and pray God can heal our family as a unit.”
“I know Ma, but I think she needs more. You know that girl has a temper on her. I recommended counseling, what do you think?”
“That may be a good idea baby. What about that Coleen woman? Your Dad was fond of her even though she and Emeri didn’t hit it off, maybe she will be good for Namiyah.”
“Momma you are a life saver! That is an excellent idea, especially since Coleen is already familiar with our crazy situation. Can you have Daddy send me her information? I think Coleen and Namiyah will hit it off nicely.”
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“I’ll have your Dad send the information over first thing in the morning. Everything else going ok?
“Yes Ma’am. Everything is wonderful.”
“Ok Chile. Well you go on and tend to that family of yours, while I clean up before bed.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too. Night.”
Smiling as she hung up the phone, she couldn’t help thinking how much she loved her mom.
“Hello Namiyah, how are you today?”
“Upset.”
“Why are you upset?”
“Because, I told my mom that I did not want to see a therapist and she made me come anyway.”
“I can see how being made to do something you don’t want to do could upset you. Your mom is worried about you that’s all.” Shifting in a seat, “How about instead of therapy, we call this a friendly chat with two individuals and go from there?”
“I guess that would be alright.”
“Good.” Coleen was happy for that one small victory. Sensing that she was on shaky ground with Namiyah, she had to tread lightly. She honestly thought the direct approach would be better suited with her. Namiyah was very bright and didn’t seem like the type to play typical teenage games.
“Do you want to jump right in and talk about your Aunt Emeri? Or is there something else you would like us to chat about first?”
“We can talk about Emeri, I don’t mind.” She said quietly.
“What seems to be the problem?” Coleen sat back and waited for Namiyah to begin. She wouldn’t rush her, not that Namiyah seemed like the type to be rushed anyway. She would go at her own pace.
“I hate her.” She stated plainly, “I don’t think I have a problem. I think that Emeri has a problem, or you could say she is the problem. My mom doesn’t think hate is acceptable, which brings me here to you.”
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“Why do you hate her?”
Tears suddenly appeared in Namiyah’s eyes, “Because she almost killed my mom.”
“Do you think she intended too?”
“Mommy says she know she didn’t, but whether she intended to or not, she almost did. If it weren’t for her none of this would have happened in the first place. Like I learned in Chemistry class for every action, there is a reaction.”
“Is that what you are doing? Reacting?”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I’m doing.”
“What do you hope or think hating her will accomplish? Do you think it affects her in any way?”
Namiyah stopped to think. She hadn’t thought about it like that before. Hating her Aunt was affecting her more than it affected Emeri, but she still had to pay for what she had done.
“When you put it like that, I guess my hating her will accomplish nothing except continually pissing me off.”
“You’re a very intelligent girl; look at all we’ve covered already. What do you think it will take for you to forgive her?
“It would take my mom never being hurt in the first place and since that’s something that cannot be undone,” Namiyah’s green eyes met Coleen’s, “I will never forgive her.”
Coleen felt a chill go down her spine at Namiyah’s admission. “You just finished saying how hating Emeri wouldn’t accomplish anything, yet you’re basically telling me there is no room in your heart to forgive her?
“That is what I’m saying. What’s done is done.”
Observing Namiyah as she spoke, Coleen couldn’t help but see the comparison between her and the Aunt she despised. In some respects, they were just alike. Both strong willed and determined to have their way with hot tempers to add icing to the cake. The one visible difference between the two was Namiyah had a heart; she could still be saved.
Moving out of her chair to kneel in front of Namiyah, “Namiyah, I want us to be friends. How do you feel about that?”
“You’re an adult that my mom is paying to have “friendly chats” with me. We can’t be friends, because I don’t trust you.”
For her to only be fifteen, Coleen felt like she was speaking with a grown woman.
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“Fair enough. Believe it or not, our chats are strictly confidential. Nothing you say in here will get back to your mother. Everything said in here stays between you and me.”
That seemed to have gotten her attention. “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Cool. Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure. You can ask me anything.”
“Is that your son in the photo on your desk?”
Glancing over at her desk at the photo of her and her son Justin, Coleen smiled, “Yes, that’s my little monster. He’s three.”
“He’s so cute.”
Laughing she replied to Namiyah. “Don’t let the cuteness fool you, he can be a terror.”
“He reminds me of when my brother Kalani was that little. They have a similar smile.”
Coleen could feel her throat closing in on her. She had to relax. There was no way Namiyah could know anything she was just being inquisitive.
“What a coincidence. Well Ms. Namiyah,” she said her name to divert her attention away from the photo, “Our time is up for today. Will you be coming back to see me?”
Namiyah shrugged, “I guess so. It makes my mom happy to know I’m talking to someone, so I’ll come to keep her happy.” Grabbing her belongings, “I’ll see you next week.”
“Ok sweetie, see you then.”
Coleen sighed with relief as Namiyah shut her office door. Picking the photo of her and Justin up off her desk, she decided it would probably be best if she removed it when Namiyah had her sessions. No point in stirring up the pot, things had been going great with her and Justin’s Dad for the past four years and she wanted them to stay that way.
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Chapter 11
“What the fu-” Camille mumbled to herself as she sorted through her mail. If Coleen sent her one more ‘scared straight’ note, about Emeri she was going to have a fit and the two of them would have some serious issues. It not that she didn’t love her sister, Coleen could just be so extra sometimes. Always minding business that wasn’t hers. She had her own mess to deal with, so it was really in her best interest to mind her business.
Picking up the phone, she dialed Coleen’s number.
“Hello.”
“Can you please stop mailing these Emeri hate letters to my house? You starting to get on my nerves.”
“Well excuse me for being concerned about my baby sister. I do it out of love, I don’t want to see anything bad happen to you.”
“Nothing bad will happen, stop worrying all your life.” Camille cracked a smile, “and I love you too. But, you have to stop looking at me as if I’m a baby. I’m all grown up now sis. Embrace it, love it.”
Coleen laughed on the other end.
“Ok, ok. You’ve made your point. It won’t stop me from worrying, but I will send no more warnings through the mail.” She paused, “I’ll start using email instead.”
Camil
le shook her head at that, some things would never change and Coleen imposing on her life was one of them.
“When are you coming over? I want to see my nephew. I miss my handsome baby.”
“I was getting us all packed up before my new and improved ‘all grown up’ sister called me giving me a lecture about interfering in her life.” she said with a smile.
“True. Well, you get the point now. Come on over, we need bonding time.”
“You so silly. Me and Justin will be on our way in abut thirty.”
“Ok. See you in a little bit.”
Racing out to the car when Coleen pulled up, Camille could see through the window that Justin was all smiles. Opening the door to remove him from his car seat, she didn’t know who was more excited, him or her.
“Auntie Cam.” He said clapping his hands together.
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“Jay Jay.”
Looking at them in disgust, “Ya’ll need to stop. Acting as if you haven’t seen each other in years. We were just over here last week.” Coleen said.
“A week is way too long.” Camille replied as she hugged Justin tighter. Noticing all the stuff Coleen had in the car, she was baffled.
“I mean, are you moving in? What is all this crap?”
Laughing softly, “Girl hush. I didn’t know how long we would be here so I brought some stuff for Jay.”
“Yeah, like his whole room.”
“Whatever Camille.” She said still laughing. “Did you cook us lunch?”
“You know it! Can’t have my nephew starving. Who knows what you be feeding this child at home.” Camille poked Justin in the stomach, “if you feed him at all, look at him all skin and bones.” She tickled him under his chin to which he went into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.
Hitting her on the arm playfully, “My baby is not skin and bones. Hush your mouth. His Daddy would kill me if I starved that child.”