Chapter 14 #2
As the week ended, Bernadine and the Julys continued to wait for word on Ellis from Protective Services. The agency was reportedly searching for a relative to take him in, but so far, no one had been found.
AFTER HER RETURN home, Tamar spent the time savoring sleeping in her own space and being surrounded by her own walls.
Despite the ongoing therapy, she still had issues with her leg, which made moving around a hassle, but there were no nurses waking her up in the middle of the night to take her blood pressure or give her pills to help her sleep.
Having Marie with her 24/7 didn’t help her mood, but she knew how up a creek she’d be if Marie weren’t there to cook her meals, do her laundry, and assist with all the rest of the chores that went along with life—like getting back and forth to the restroom—so she counted her as a blessing and didn’t complain.
On Saturday morning, she was seated on the old sofa on the back porch enjoying the sunshine when Marie opened the screen door to say, “Someone here to see you.”
“Who?”
Marie stepped aside to reveal Devon.
He was the last person Tamar expected to see, but she was delighted.
“If you don’t want any company, it’s okay,” Devon said.
She smiled. “No. I’m glad you came. Come. Sit. Thanks, Marie.”
He took a seat on the top step of the porch.
Marie left them alone.
“How’d you get here? Did your dad drop you off?”
“No. I rode my bike. I know Amari and Brain used to do it all the time. I just never knew it was so far, though.”
She chuckled. “There’s lemonade in the fridge, go get you a cup.”
“Thanks. Do you want any?” he asked, rising to his feet.
“No. I’m fine.”
He went inside, then returned with a red plastic cup.
“Do your parents know you’re here?”
“Mom does. Dad and Amari are visiting a college in Colorado so Amari can see the campus.”
“I thought he’d chosen Morehouse?”
“He has, but Dad wants him to see a few more places to be sure.”
“Makes sense, I suppose. So, what brings you out here? Did you come to see if I’m well enough to do your quest?”
“No. I came to make sure you’re okay. The quest can wait until you feel better, but if you don’t want to do it, that’s okay too.”
“Really?”
He nodded before taking a sip of his lemonade and setting the cup down beside him. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Yes.”
“Do quests always have to be led by a person?”
She studied him. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I feel like life has been leading me on a quest because of all the stuff I’ve been going through. Amari told me that you’re supposed to be a different person afterward, and I am different, or at least, I feel like I am.”
She understood now, and thought back on the conversation she’d had with Trent about this same subject. “How so?”
“I’ve grown up. I used to want to be the boss of everything and everybody. I didn’t know how awesome friends are, and I didn’t want to be me.”
“And now?”
“I’m trying not to be the kid who’s always trying to run stuff, as Zoey calls it. When my friends stopped talking to me, it hurt so much. Now I know how great it is to have good friends. And I’m doing my best to be okay with being me. No artifice.”
She smiled at his use of the word she’d taught him. “It sounds like life really has been leading you.”
“I think so, too, but I still want to spend time with you. Amari said the most valuable thing he got out his was his relationship with you. I want that too. But if you don’t, I’ll understand.”
Tamar felt tears sting her eyes. How could she resist getting to know more about this remarkable boy? “I’d love for us to be closer, Devon. Very much.”
“You would?”
She nodded. “Yes. I’d like to be as close to you as I am with your brother.”
“So, can I come spend the weekend when you think it’s okay? Just you and me?”
“Yes, just the two of us. We can go fishing, make a pie, fly kites, play checkers, or whatever else we’ve a mind to do.”
His smile brought out her own.
“Deal?” she asked.
“Deal!” He went quiet for a few moments.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
“That you making me stop wearing that dumb wig helped me a lot.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I think it was keeping me from thinking better, if that makes sense, so, thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. I heard about you wanting to have your school friend join your family. That’s a sign of maturity too.”
He nodded. “His name is Ellis, and he’s real nice. His mom is in jail for being a criminal. She stole Mr. Clay’s car and a bunch of other stuff.”
“I heard that too.”
“I’m worried about him. He must be really scared by all this.”
“I agree. You offering a hand should make him feel better and safer.”
“I hope so. We haven’t heard from Protective Services yet, though. Mom said they’re trying to find his family, but we don’t know if he has any.”
“These things take time.”
“I guess.”
Remembering his mother cautioning him not to visit too long with Tamar because she still needed lots of rest, Devon stayed only a little while longer, then stood. “I’m going home so you can rest up.” He picked up his now empty cup and stood.
Tamar asked, “Do you want Marie to give you and your bike a ride?”
“No. I’ll use my bike. I need to make my legs stronger so I can come see you more often.”
“Understood. Thanks for the visit. I’m looking forward to our weekend.”
“Me too.”
“Come give me a hug before you go.”
He did, and she placed a kiss on his cheek. “Be careful riding home.”
“I will. Promise. Bye, Tamar.”
“Bye, Dev.”
After his departure, Tamar, smiling, sat back content.
WHEN DEVON ARRIVED home, his Mom had good news. “Ellis is coming on Monday. One of the social workers is going to drive him here.”
“Yaay!”
“I already placed the order for the bunk bed. It’s coming on Monday too.”
Devon was so excited. “Do you think Ellis will be happy being with us?”
“Maybe, maybe not. Hard to know. His world is upside down right now. His mom’s incarcerated, and he has no way of knowing if or when he’ll see her again. That has to be difficult for him. He’ll have to adjust to how we do things here, what we eat, our family dynamics, all that.”
“I hadn’t thought about it like that.”
“That’s okay. He’ll be safe here, and that’s the important thing for now.
I want you to keep some things in mind, though, and you should share them with your crew.
Try not to ask insensitive questions like: How’s it feel having your mom in jail?
Did you help her steal from people? How many people did she scam?
What did she buy with the money? Are you ashamed of her?
Those kinds of questions won’t help him adjust to the new life he’s going to be navigating. ”
Devon nodded. “I’ll let Zoey and everybody know at lunch on Monday.”
“Good. We need to show him lots of grace and give him space. Making fun of him is not allowed.”
“Okay.”
“Now, let’s go up to your room to start moving things around to see where’s the best place to put the new bed. Do you mind having to sleep in a bunk bed?”
He shrugged. “I think I’ll be good.”
“Then we’ll break down your old bed, wrap it and the mattress in plastic, and store it in the basement or maybe the garage. We’ll see where your dad thinks it should go. He and your brother should be back sometime tomorrow afternoon.”
Upstairs in his bedroom, his mom visually evaluated the space. She thought placing the bunk bed against the wall where his bed was now would be the best spot for it. They discussed closet space and adding a dresser for Ellis and a desk and chair. “Do you know if he has any hobbies?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Okay, we’ll ask him. You and Amari are going to have another person sharing your bathroom, so keep that in mind too.”
“His clothes are really old, Mom. I don’t think he has a lot of them either.”
“Good to know. We can order some things online and maybe take a trip to the mall after he gets settled.”
Devon liked that idea.
Once they were done in his room, they went back downstairs. “Are you ready for dinner?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Do you want to order something?”
“Can I get a burger and fries?”
“Yes.”
She called in the order, and after they drove to the Dog to pick it up, they sat in the kitchen to eat.
“How was your visit with Tamar?”
“It was good. We talked about my quest.”
“Is it still on?”
“Yes and no.”
“Meaning?”
He shared their discussion about life leading his quest and what they were going to do instead. “She said she wants to be as close to me as she is to Amari, so when she feels better, we’re going to have a weekend together, just the two of us.”
“That sounds good.”
“My leg muscles are sore, though. Riding way out there is a lot harder than riding to school or to the Dog.”
“I’m sure it is. You’ll get stronger.”
“I hope so.”
AT LUNCH ON Monday, Devon told his friends about Ellis’s upcoming return and what his mom wanted them to keep in mind. They listened and agreed to be mindful of their questions and to assist Ellis with his transition as much as they could.
When he got home, Ellis hadn’t arrived yet and his mom was wearing her angry face. His dad, seated at the kitchen table, was watching her with amusement as she stomped around making dinner. Devon was almost afraid to ask what was going on, but if it concerned Ellis, he needed to know.
“Why’s Mom mad?” he asked his dad quietly.
She answered instead, “Because your dad won’t let me go to the furniture store that was supposed to be delivering the bunk bed and burn the place to the ground.”
Devon’s eyes went wide.
His dad, still looking amused, said, “Now, Lil.”
She looked his way and growled.
He chuckled.
Devon asked, “Did it not come?”
“No,” she said, “because they sold it to somebody else over the weekend and sent us a twin bed instead, and this was after your father broke down your bed and stored it and the mattress in the garage.”
“It’s no big deal, Lily.”
“It is. You went to all that work just to have to put the bed back together again.”
“We plan. God laughs.”
She growled again.