by Amy Watkins
“Hell nah!” Quentin objected.
“Boy, you ain’t even going to let your own mama come in your house?” Naomi asked.
He shook his head and shrugged. “You ain’t comin’ in my house with that bullshit.”
Naomi wagged her finger at him. “Don’t disrespect me like that. I’m your mama. I raised you…”
Quentin cut her off. “You ain’t acted like my mama in a long time. You don’t talk to me except to cuss me out. You disrespect my wife and call her names. We have a child together—your grandchild—and you never bother to check on her. Now you comin’ here tryna start all this mess with Ethan. Go on with that bullshit. Get!” he shooed us away like we were dogs.
I looked around and he was right. Ethan’s car was nowhere in sight. He wasn’t there.
Naomi continued to try to argue with Quentin, “You know where Ethan is.”
Hand on his hip, he pointed and hollered, “Go on. Get!”
“Come on, Ms. Naomi. He’s not here. Let’s just go!” I implored.
We hopped back in the car. I sat for a minute, trying to think where else Ethan could be. Then it dawned on me—he had to be with Heaven. That’s where he stayed the last time he was in Kentucky. I hightailed it out of there and drove across town to Heaven’s apartment. Naomi and I both walked up to the door and knocked. She answered with a smile on her face as if she had been expecting us.
“Yes, how may I help you?” Her smile was sugar sweet, but her tone was all sass.
“Is Ethan here?” I asked.
She giggled, “Now, why would Ethan be here? And what do you want with him?”
“Look Heaven, I am not in the mood for games right now. We lookin’ for Ethan ’cause he got this here baby he needs to take care of.”
“What! That’s Ethan’s baby?” Heaven played at being surprised.
I looked at her sideways, “You know this Ethan’s baby. Everyone knows this Ethan’s baby.”
She shook her head and cocked a brow. “Oh, I’m not too sure about that.”
I could have killed her speaking like that to me in front of Naomi, but I bit my tongue.
“Look, do you know where Ethan is or not?” Naomi pressed.
She sighed. Heaven may not have been too fond of me, but she still respected her Aunt Naomi. She wouldn’t lie or disrespect her. “I know he was in Kentucky earlier today, but from what I hear, he’s already headed back to Virginia.”
“How long ago?” Naomi asked.
She shrugged. “About twenty minutes ago.”
“Come on,” I urged Ms. Naomi. I figured he couldn’t be too far up the road, so I could catch him if I tried.
“Tell Orin I said hi!” Heaven yelled as I tossed Trinity in the back seat without even strapping her in her car seat.
I aggressively squinted my eyes at Heaven when she smiled and waved. I grew more enraged and I took it out on the road. I put my foot to the floor and sped off. I hopped on I-24 doing ninety. I sped past cars, carefully looking in each one for Ethan or Angela. Naomi anxiously gripped her seatbelt and reached into the back seat to keep Trinity calm. I sped past a few more cars then I saw it; a silver Nissan, just like the one Ethan drove. He was about a half mile ahead. I had memorized Ethan’s license plate before I had Anthony run him off the road.
I was too far away to see the Nissan’s license plate. I swerved around a green van and pressed firmly on the accelerator. The speedometer rose, ninety-five, ninety-six, ninety-seven miles per hour. Naomi gripped her seatbelt tighter. I finally caught up to the Toyota right behind the Nissan and saw there were two people inside, a man driving and a woman in the passenger's seat. It could have been Ethan and Angela—it looked like it might have been—but I couldn’t tell.
I sped up again, but the Nissan took off faster and the Toyota followed closely behind. I caught a glimpse of the last two digits on the license plate, a six and a seven. It had to be them, so I sped up alongside the Toyota and turned on my blinker, but the driver would not let me over. I sped up but so did she. I took a chance and floored it, finally passing the Nissan. Checking my rearview mirror, I noticed both cars had slowed down—a lot.
Surprised, I turned around to look behind me and swerved, temporarily losing control of the car. It fishtailed, but I regained control. Checking my rearview mirror again, I realized why both cars slowed down; the tell-tail red and blue flashing lights from a police car lit up my rearview mirror.
“Fuck!” I muttered and pulled over into the breakdown lane on the side of the road. I watched closely as the Nissan passed and got a good look at the occupants of the car. It was not Ethan or Angela, but two strangers who shook their heads as they drove by. The woman in the white Toyota passed with a huge smile on her face, gloating that I that got pulled over and not her.
The officer tapped on my window and I rolled it down.
“Do you know how fast you were going?”
“No, sir,” I replied, my eyes wide and innocent.
He looked over the rims of his sunglasses. “We clocked you at ninety-eight miles an hour.”
“Ninety-eight? You sure your radar isn’t broken?” I tried to downplay my recklessness.
“License and registration,” the policeman sternly ordered.
I reached in my purse and pulled out my wallet. I had to thumb through a few credit cards in Ethan’s name while I looked for my license and hoped he didn’t notice, but he was looking very attentively. He looked around the car and saw Trinity was happily parading around the backseat instead of strapped into her child seat. I handed him my license and registration and he walked back to his car without a word. Naomi sat quietly in the passenger's seat, looking worried and white knuckling the seatbelt.
I wondered why it was taking the police officer forever to write my ticket. Then another police car pulled up behind the first one. In my side mirror, I saw three officers talking. I couldn’t believe they decided to have a happy little pow wow in the middle of this traffic stop. Why didn’t they just give me my ticket and go off and have their little social hour at a bar later?
Then all three walked up to the car. “Ma’am, I need you to step out of the car please,” the first officer ordered.
“Me?” I asked. “For what?”
“We need you to both step out of the car, please,” the second officer politely commanded.
I looked from one officer to the next. “What you need her for? She wasn’t even driving.”
“Ma’am, you have a warrant out for your arrest,” the first officer said as he guided me out of the car.
“A warrant? For what?” I cried as he started to pat me down.
His partner ticked off each charge on his fingers. “Fraud, identity theft, harassment…” then he motioned toward Trinity, who was now crying in the back seat, “…and reckless endangerment.”
What a horrible mother I must have looked like to him. Trinity was only wearing a onesie with a dirty bib hanging off her neck, there was dried food in her hair, and she only had on one sock. We didn’t take the time to clean her up or change her clothes before rushing out of the house.
I swallowed thickly, “But what about my daughter?”
“We will be taking her into temporary custody until arrangements can be made for her.” The second officer took Naomi’s license and ran it through their database as well, and then placed her under arrest with the same charges. I watched as the third officer picked up Trinity and tried to comfort her.
I took all the blame. I admitted I had done everything that Naomi and I were accused of. I told the officers that Naomi had nothing to do with it, but they knew that Naomi had given me Ethan’s social security number, which is why they charged us both. I ended up getting two years in prison and Naomi got six months. The DNA test proved Orin was Trinity’s biological father, so he and his mother assumed guardianship of Trinity. It would be years before I’d see my daughter again.
Chapter 27 – Ethan
I stood next to Mr. Taylor, anxiously waiting while Judge Wilcox skimmed through all the documents. He adjusted his glasses and looked up at both me and Tracy.
“Okay,” he tapped all the papers back into order. “Based on the Virginia State guidelines you should be paying seven hundred a month in child support.”
“And spousal support?” Mr. Robinson asked.
“Spousal support is not necessary.”
“That’s unacceptable!” Tracy blurted.
“You are able to work,” he stared at her over the rim of his glasses and wagged a finger at her, “you just choose not to. You guys have been separated for almost three years, now. The fact that you have not been able to get or keep a job is alarming.”
“Sir, seven hundred dollars a month is not going to cover all of Tracy’s expenses. And Ethan still owes a massive amount for back child support, spousal support, and legal fees. Please consider increasing this amount,” Mr. Robinson stated.
“Well,” Judge Wilcox rubbed his upper lip, “I could increase the amount of child support but there has to be some compromise. Would Tracy consider erasing the current debt for a higher monthly amount?”
Tracy shook her head no.
“Well then seven hundred a month is what the court directs and the matter is settled. And, since there is nothing else to discuss, I will be granting this divorce.”
Tracy wore red bottomed Louboutin pumps, was carrying a Michael Kors purse, and I don’t know what designer clothes she was wearing but the outfit looked expensive. Her hair and nails were freshly done, and her eye lashes were longer than her lies. I was wearing Walmart khakis and a button up shirt. She was dressed like a million bucks and I had no money. But she looked pissed, and I had never felt so free.
I rushed home excited to tell Angela about my freedom. Angela greeted me at the door with a kiss.
“How’d it go?” she held her breath.
“It went good. I’m free. Marry me,” I hadn’t planned to blurt it out all at once, but I meant it. I was so excited I couldn’t stop myself.
She laughed, “What?”
I got down on one knee, “Angela, I don’t have a ring or a penny to my name, but if you say yes, I will be the richest man in the world. And I promise, I will take care of you and never hurt you. Please, marry me.”
Angela caressed the side of my face and smiled, “Of course I will marry you.”
Chapter 28 – Angela and Ethan
“Hello?” Ethan prayed the unknown number was not Naomi or Caroline. He had not heard from them in several months and the paternity test was never completed. He hoped that his nightmare with them was over, but seeing an unknown number ratcheted his anxiety up several notches.
“Mr. Conner?” an unfamiliar voice enquired. Ethan was relieved to hear the caller was a man.
“Yes?”
“This is Mr. Bell from Mediprise. We would like to offer you a job as the clinic manager at our urgent care clinic. We are offering an annual salary of eighty thousand a year with a twenty-thousand-dollar sign on bonus. Are you interested?”
Ethan was overjoyed; he was just offered his dream job. He covered the phone with his hand and thrust his fist in the air, mouthing, “Yes! Hell yes,” and jumping up and down in excitement. He composed himself, cleared his throat, and calmly said, “Yes, sir. That sounds like a great opportunity. I accept your offer.”
“Awesome!” Mr. Bell enthusiastically responded, “When can you start?”
“Tomorrow, if you want me to.”
Mr. Bell chuckled, “How ‘bout we set your start date for the first. Is that good?”
“Yes, that’s perfect. Thank you so much.”
“Thank you. See you in two weeks.”
When Ethan got off the phone, he rushed downstairs where Angela and all three kids were watching television. Ethan kissed her all over her face.
“I got the job,” he said in between kisses. “I got the job.”
“Yes!” Angela jumped up and hugged and kissed Ethan back. The kids joined in the excitement, jumped up and began chanting, “He got the jo-ob! He got the jo-ob!”
“First paycheck, I’m taking you all out to dinner at the most expensive restaurant in town. Which one’s the most expensive?”
Angela laughed and shook her head.
Ethan whispered in her ear, “See, Angela? I told you I’d take care of you.”
“Never doubted you for a second, babe,” she winked.
A few weeks after he started his new job, Ethan took all of them out to a fancy steak house. Angela excused herself to go to the bathroom and Ethan took the opportunity to talk with the kids.
“You guys know I love you, right?” he asked.
“Yeah.” They chorused.
“And I love your mom.”
“Yeah.” All their heads nodded.
“And you know we want to get married, right?”
“Yeah.” David was stoic, but Abigail and Aaron were bouncing up and down in their seats.
“Well, I want to make this engagement official.” Ethan pulled a small black box out of his pocket and opened it, revealing a platinum, one carat diamond ring.
“Wow!” Abigail marveled. David and Aaron smiled.
“You think she’ll like it?”
They all nodded their heads in agreement.
“So, I have a question to ask you guys. Will you please be my stepkids.”
They nodded their heads even more enthusiastically. Aaron jumped up and gave Ethan a hug, followed by David and Abigail.
“What did I miss?” Angela asked. She stood behind her seat, curious as to why the four loves of her life were in a group hug.
Ethan unsuccessfully tried to hide the black box.
“What’s that?” Angela pointed.
“Well, it was supposed to be your surprise, but I guess now is as good a time as any.”
Ethan got down on one knee and opened the box, “Marry me.”
Tears filled Angela’s eyes, “Oh my God, Ethan! How’d you…”
“Well, will you?” he interrupted.
“Of course! Oh my God! Yes!” she cried as Ethan put the ring on her finger, a perfect fit. They hugged and kissed, and the patrons in the restaurant cheered and congratulated them. An anonymous patron even sent over a bottle of champagne to the happy couple.
Angela and Ethan were married on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in September. Quentin and Ricky flew in for the opportunity to stand next to their brother on his special day. Erica and Ty walked arm and arm down the aisle, followed by Ronda and her husband Cedric. Then all the children walked down the aisle, from youngest to oldest: Aaron, Devin, Abigail, Cierra, Jordan, Jasmine, and David. Ethan smiled, watching his beautiful blended family march in.
When Angela walked into the sanctuary, Ethan’s spirit was filled with joy; no smile was enough to express the feeling, and he shed a few tears that he didn’t bother wiping away. Angela wore a two-piece, red lace dress to represent Jesus’s love and sacrifice. Ethan wore a gray suit and his tie was the same shade of red as Angela’s dress. Paul gladly flew in from Spain to proudly walk his little sister down the aisle.
When Angela met Ethan at the altar her face lit up. She handed Ronda her bouquet and wiped Ethan’s tears away. They smiled at each other and held hands while Pastor Lenard proceeded with the ceremony.
Except for Naomi, Ethan’s entire family had driven up from Kentucky to witness the event, and most of Angela’s family was there, too. But Angela and Ethan only had eyes for each other.
“The bride and groom have prepared their own vows.” Pastor gestured for her to begin. “Angela?”
Angela cleared her throat, “Letter one hundred ninety-nine:
Ethan, seven kids just walked in ahead of me. Seven kids who will be bound as brothers and sisters today when we become husband and wife. Life is a lot like these seven kids. Beautiful, precious, delicate, and short. Life can end unexpectedly, and throughout life there are victories and failures, but the one thing in life that never dies and never fails is love. So today, I promise to love you with kindness, honesty, respect, support, selflessness, friendship, loyalty, and faithfulness. Today, I promise to love you every day like it may be our last.”
Ethan pulled a page out of the pocket of his lapel and shook it out. “Letter two hundred:
My dearest Angela, the last few years of my life have been interesting. A lot of highs and a lot of lows. I had a lot of stuff taken from me…my money? Stolen. My freedom? Stolen. I even had my identity stolen, but through it all, you were the only one who managed to steal my heart. I love you and I promise to always love you. Through failure and triumph. Through famine and prosperity. Through conflict and agreement. Through affliction and vigor. Even through imprisonment and freedom—I promise to love you no matter what obstacles life throws our way.”
The End
Acknowledgment
First and foremost, I would like to give thanks to God. His grace, mercy, and favour has been much needed throughout my life and throughout the creation of this book. I thank Him for the inspiration to write this book. I thank Him for providing the strong support system that has supported me throughout my life.
I’d also like to thank my support system for answering God’s call to be there for me through good times and bad.
My support system includes:
My mom, Donna, is an amazing woman. Without her, I would not be a success today. She taught me love, forgiveness, compassion, perseverance, hard work, and endurance. She provided a great example of how to survive with grace when facing turmoil. Mom, thanks for being my teacher and backbone all these years.