CHAPTER SEVENTEEN SEVEN #3
“God, we need You like never before. Thank You for bringing Watchful Eyes to us and the men outside. Despite the things we’ve done and engaged in, I know we are still Your people.
You cover Your people. Thank You for covering the Hendersons, the Semiens, and all of the other families connected to us.
Only You are able to protect us. You have chosen to do that through Watchful Eyes.
Thank You for Missus Taylor as well. She will be battling in the courtroom for us with Shy. ”
I took a deep breath as I felt heat around my ears and neck. I already knew what her prayers felt like from that night in the hospital when Grandpa died. It was like we could all feel the presence of God. He’d anointed Karima to be the family’s spokesperson when it came to getting a prayer through.
“Protect these men of honor as they protect us. We ask that this war moves swiftly. Keep our children, keep our spouses, keep everyone’s minds intact.
Help us to be mindful of who gets the glory.
Help us to acknowledge You in all our ways.
Keep PJ. Keep his mind, and keep him occupied.
It’s not good for man to be alone. Give him peace, comfort, and let him know just how loved he is.
God give us all strength, wisdom with dealing with the information discussed here, and most of all, peace. In Your name we pray, Amen.”
When I opened my eyes, I could tell the men of Watchful Eyes were stunned.
They’d never witnessed anything like this.
It was hard for me too the first time I witnessed it.
Karima was God’s chosen one. There was no doubt about it.
She went around the table, from Ali to Vegas, Jericho, and Mr. Shy.
She anointed them with oil. She then went to the other men of Watchful Eyes, and they all allowed her to anoint them too. ”
She spoke to everyone in the family, and when she got to me, she anointed me. I frowned slightly, wondering why she anointed me and not other members of the family.
“Keep frowning, and I’m gon’ pour the whole bottle on you. You need Jesus, boy.”
I rolled my eyes and chuckled, then she hugged me. “Congratulations on your lady . . . finally. She’s going to be good for you. I can see it already.”
“Thanks, Rima.”
She pinched my cheek, then Rhodes appeared behind her, leading her to her car. Once he came back inside, Uncle WJ said, “Thanks, Jen. We definitely needed that.”
She nodded.
“The Hendersons are a rising force. Whenever Black people began to own their own towns and function as their own providence, they try to destroy it. We govern Nome ourselves. We will soon have our own bank, schools, police department, courthouse, and other facilities. They feel threatened by us. That’s not our problem though.
It’s theirs. We will rise above this. In this administration, we truly have to stay vigilant.
They tried with ICE and weren’t successful.
They are going to come harder, but so are we . . . with God’s help.”
Everyone clapped and offered hugs and handshakes to everyone. As I was leaving, my dad stopped me. “Nigga, you wasn’t gon’ holla at me before you left? Yo’ ass get a woman and forget all about your family. You gon’ be one of those muthafuckas?”
“Man quit tripping. It ain’t like that. We been all scattered and shit, not hanging with each other. I guess since Uncle Marcus’s people are here, we can get back to normal,” I said, reiterating what Royal had said earlier.
“Actually, we need to get back to normal to bring those muthafuckas out the woodwork.” He lifted his hand, and said, “Aye everybody! We need to get back to normal. This being separated shit is for the fucking birds. See y’all at the diner tomorrow. Business as fucking usual.”
Everybody laughed and agreed. Turning back to me, he said, “Love looks good on you. I’m proud of you for learning how to love her.
It was kind of hard to teach you, because my ass had to learn as I went, but I hope I showed you how to love a woman through my actions.
I mean . . . my actions can be fucked up at times too, but for the most part, I believe I did right by your mama. ”
“You did, baby. I love you.”
Her arms circled around him from behind, and he smiled big, showing all his teeth. I gave them a tight smile.
“Thanks, Dad. Everything I am is because of you. I mean, Mama contributed, but you know what I mean. You taught me how to be a man. All the good parts and bad parts of you found me and inhabited me.”
I chuckled as he pulled me in his arms. “I love you, son.”
“Love you too.”
“Bring Iesha by for dinner Sunday, since things are back to business as fucking usual,” my mama said.
I chuckled as my dad bit his bottom lip while looking at her.
“Yep. That’s my cue to get the fuck out of dodge. I don’t need to see shit. I heard enough living there.”
I walked away as they laughed. In my heart, I knew all would be well with us. The Hendersons didn’t fold, and we had God on our side. Nothing and no one could stop us.