Chapter 7 #2
When the sun began to set, they reeled in their kites and stored them in the bed of his truck. They’d be going back to her place for the night, and she looked forward to extending their time together. On the ride back to town her phone sounded. The name on the caller ID made her sigh.
“Who is it?” he asked.
“My sister.” She opened the call. “Hey, Diane.”
“Hey. How are you?”
“I’m fine. What do you need?” Bernadine still hadn’t forgiven her for her antics at the wedding or the awful disrespect she’d shown Crystal.
“I just got laid off, so I’ll need to move back in with you until—”
Bernadine cut her off. “Not going to happen.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m sorry you lost your job, but you’re not moving back in with me.”
“Why not?”
Bernadine glanced at Mal. He shook his head at Diane’s well-known sense of entitlement.
“Because I’m done bailing you out, especially when you don’t appreciate it.”
“But I’m your sister. Mama would want—”
“Don’t you dare bring up Mama. You’ve spent your entire life showing me who you are. Have you apologized to Crystal for what you said at the wedding?”
“Well—”
“I’ll take that as a no. Are you planning to?”
“It’s not that serious. Stop tripping. I was just upset that you chose her over me.”
“Okay. I’m done. Good luck.” She ended the call and fell back against the seat in anger and frustration.
Tears mirroring both emotions filled her eyes.
She wiped them away. The phone sounded again.
Diane calling back. Bernadine silenced it and stuck the phone back into her tote. “I’m so done with her.”
“I understand.”
“Did I tell you how she showed her behind at our wedding?”
Surprise filled his face and voice. “No.”
She gave him a quick rundown and added, “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want her to ruin your day the way she tried to ruin mine. Her parting words were something like: She hoped you’d rob me blind.”
“Wow. Nice woman. Are you sure you were raised in the same house?”
“Have been asking myself that for at least fifty years. When she demanded that she walk me down the aisle instead of Crystal because Crys wasn’t my real family, I almost lost my mind.”
“She’s quite the piece of work.”
“And now, she’s out of work.”
“Nice coupling, babe.”
Bernadine smiled. Mal was good for her blood pressure. Diane was not. “I always wanted us to be close like sisters on TV or some of the families in our neighborhood, but she was all about herself. Period. She always had to be the center of attention.”
“I wanted siblings growing up, preferably a brother, but being an only is okay if they were going to turn out like your Diane.”
“I don’t see Tamar putting up with a child with my sister’s behavior. She would’ve checked Diane the very first time that ugliness showed itself.”
“You’re probably right.”
“But my parents fed that side of her for a long time. They didn’t realize how awful she was until the night she stole my prom date. That opened their eyes, but she and I were in high school by then. Too late for a leopard to change its spots.”
He pulled into her driveway and turned off the engine. “My heart broke for you when you first told me that story.”
“Broke mine too. In some ways it always will, I guess.” She stared out the window, knowing she had to let the memory go.
“A part of me wants to let her move in, but I know it’ll just come back and bite me in the butt.
Good thing I’ve been talking with Paula.
It’s helped me set boundaries, and Lord knows I need them to be as tall as the pyramids when dealing with Diane. ”
“Paula’s been worth her weight in gold to a ton of folks here, and I’m a member of that ton.”
“I definitely call her one of our blessings.”
“How about we go inside, call the Dog for some dinner delivery, and then I can whip you at Scrabble for the eighteen thousandth time.”
“You are so not a blessing.”
“I try, though.”
“Get out of the truck,” she demanded and laughed.
“Only if you kiss me first.”
Smiling, she complied, and they went inside.
After the pizza delivery, she indeed got whipped at Scrabble, and again for the eighteen thousandth and one time. It was okay, though, because later, when they finished loving on each other, she couldn’t spell her name, and neither could he.
THE LADIES AUXILIARY initially planned to hold the Welcoming Circle for Lucas and Jasmine Herman in late May, but they moved the date up hoping the celebration would counterbalance the town’s sadness over Jimmy Redding’s passing.
The first Circle had been held when Bernadine paired the five original foster kids—Crystal, Preston, Amari, Devon, and Zoey—with their new foster parents.
It took place in Tamar’s front yard. This one would be Friday at the Dog, and Tamar would lead the ceremony.
Friday evening, Tamar parked Olivia in the Dog’s lot and went inside.
The dining room was quiet. Rocky’s crew was still setting up.
None of the other participants had arrived yet.
Being alone gave her a few moments to gather her thoughts and reflect on the evening to come.
The sadness tied to Jimmy’s death continued to linger.
She knew he’d be glad that the gathering would be one of joy, because he was so filled with joy himself.
She doubted she’d ever forget him singing from Evita when she saw him for the last time at the hospital, but it was such a Jimmy moment that even now she couldn’t suppress her smile.
She did a slow tour of the buffet, nodded at the waitstaff going about their jobs, and thought back to that first Circle.
Her BFF, Marie Jefferson’s mother Agnes, had been alive then.
Zoey, who’d been so tiny and undernourished, had flipped Bernadine’s script on being placed with the Paynes and grabbed Reggie’s hand instead.
Amari had been over the moon about being paired with Trent.
Preston, on the other hand, had been underwhelmed at the idea of being raised by the hard-assed Marine Colonel Payne.
She remembered Devon in his little suit and clip-on tie, grinning from ear to ear learning he’d be living with his Ms. Lily, and Crystal and her awful gold weave couldn’t believe Bernadine actually wanted her as her daughter.
The kids and the town had come far in the years since.
Tamar hoped to be around long enough to see what else Bernadine’s life-changing blessings would bring.
At seven p.m., everyone began arriving. They were dressed in their Sunday Best, and as the elders used to say: All looked prosperous. Tamar let them chat and mingle for a few minutes before she moved to the center of the cleared floor. A hush fell over the room.
“Please make a circle. Families stand together.”
Once that was accomplished, she said, “We, the descendants of the Exodusters who fled the blood and violence of Redemption, gather to welcome our newest residents. Jasmine and Lucas Herman, will you please join me. Gemma, you and Wyatt too.”
The four members of their small family complied. Jasmine and Lucas appeared solemn. Gemma stood beside Jasmine, and Wyatt beside Lucas.
Tamar said, “Lucas and Jasmine, you suffered a terrible loss. We know it’s not something you’ll ever forget, just like you’ll never forget how much your parents loved you.
I firmly believe they led you to us, to be here for you in ways they no longer could be.
I also believe they picked Gemma and Wyatt to give you a home filled with safety, love, and caring so you could recover and learn to thrive and grow to be all your parents wanted you to be. ”
She saw Jasmine reach out and take her brother’s hand. Both had tears standing in their eyes.
Tamar’s voice softened. “They will never forget you and will always love you. Always. We will love you, too, and stand with you in ways that will let your parents know they made the right decision to send you here to us, so welcome to Henry Adams. Gemma and Wyatt, thank you for loving them and making them family.”
Tamar saw teary eyes all over the room. “I want you all to stand behind me now.”
They stepped back. Lily handed them tissues for their tears as Tamar continued, “Genevieve and Terence, aka Uncle TC Barbour, please come forward.”
Both looked so surprised, smiles appeared on everyone’s faces.
As Gen and her husband stepped into the Circle, Tamar said, “Genevieve, you’ve been looking for a partner worthy of your love for some time now, and you’ve found him.”
Applause followed. Gen kissed her husband’s cheek.
Tamar added, “I was invited to Pizza Saturday and found out that not only is Terence a superb driver for Henry Adams, he’s also taught our kids to make some pretty mean pizza.
Also, they seem free to be themselves when with him and, more importantly, are helping to raise each other.
” She looked Amari’s way, and he smiled in response.
“I’m hoping to be invited back for more pizza making soon.
In the meantime, thanks for loving our Genevieve, and welcome to Henry Adams.”
Cheers and applause followed. He bowed, wiped at his eyes, then he and Gen moved to stand with Gemma and her crew.
Tamar surveyed the Circle. “Reverend Paula and Chef Thornton Webb. Come on down.”
They stepped inside, and she said to Thorn, “We love this woman madly. She’s our spiritual leader, our healer, our blesser, our sister, and our friend. Honor her love for you.”
“I will. I don’t want you treating me like a lammergeier.”
“Because you know I will.”
“Yes ma’am. I do.”
“Welcome to Henry Adams, chef.”
“Thank you.”
Paula shook her head and smiled.
Tamar saw the confusion on the faces of the kids. “Everyone under the age of forty take out your phones.”
They appeared wary but complied. She spelled out lammergeier for them. “Google the word.”
Amari asked, “Why are you giving homework at the Welcome Circle?”
“Because all in life is a lesson.”
He sighed and typed.