Bring on the Blessings

  When he walked into Tamar’s, the boys were watching TV.

  Seeing him, Amari stood and asked, “Where’d you go?”

  “Had to take a friend to the airport. You all ready to head home?”

  Tamar came out of the back. “Yes, take them home and let an old lady go to bed.”

  They grinned.

  She added, “And boys, thanks for your help with the cleanup. We all appreciated it.”

  “You’re welcome,” Devon said.

  “See you tomorrow,” she told them. “’Night, Trent.”

  “’Night, and thanks.”

  The boys took their showers, and while Preston and Devon climbed into their sleeping bags, Amari stepped outside, where Trent was sitting on the steps smoking a cigarette.

  “You smoke?”

  “Trying to quit. First one I’ve had in over a week.”

  “That’s good. You stressed?”

  Trent turned and studied him silently for a moment. “Maybe.”

  “I had a foster mother who was trying to quit, but every time she got stressed she’d light up. What’s up with you and Ms. Lily?”

  Trent stared at this remarkable boy. “Nothing. Why’d you ask?”

  “Because you watch her all the time when you think nobody’s looking and I saw you two arguing when we were cleaning up.”

  “You’re pretty observant.”

  “When you steal cars for a living you have to be.”

  Trent chuckled and stubbed out the cigarette. “Tell you what. Can you keep an eye on things here while I make a quick run to talk to her?”

  “You gonna be gone all night?”

  “No. Just a few minutes, then I’m coming right back.”

  “Is it about what you were arguing about?”

  Trent nodded.

  “Okay then, sure, I’ll hold down the fort. Ms. Lily’s hot, you know.”

  Trent’s shoulders shook with amusement. “Go inside.”

  “You don’t think she’s hot?”

  “Go inside, Amari.”

  “You think she’s hot too. You just don’t want to admit it.”

  “Now.”

  Amari finally went inside, and the chuckling Trent walked over to his truck and drove off.

  Agnes and Marie were already in bed, but Lily, still blue from her encounter with Trent, was mindlessly watching TV. When the knock on the door sounded, she stared at the time on her watch and got up to see who it could be.

  Opening the door she saw Trent framed against the moonlit darkness. Her jaw tightened. “What do you want?”

  “To talk. Can you step out here for a minute. Promise I won’t keep you long.”

  She nodded and joined him on the porch. “What?”

  He didn’t speak for a moment, as if trying to get his thoughts together, then said, “Came over to apologize for the way I acted.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “You were trying to set things straight and I acted like an ass.”

  She shook her head. “And you had the right. What I did—my friends did…” The memory came back and she was once again standing in her dorm room. He’d come up to visit. Her new friends ridiculed him for the way he dressed and spoke, but instead of coming to his defense she’d laughed right along with them. “It was wrong, Trent. So wrong.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, it was.”

  She had no defense and knew it. “My excuse, if you can call it that was, was that I was trying to fit in. I was hanging out with these big city kids, and I felt so cool…”

  “And then I showed up.”

  Her lips tightened with her shame.

  “Me with my high-water pants and country haircut.”

  Her heart broke. There was nothing she could say, except “I’m so sorry.”

  He sighed and whispered, “Loved you like I loved breathing back then, Lily flower.”

  The intensity in his gaze caused tears to well in her eyes. The endearment almost made her crumble. “I know.”

  He reached out and brushed away a tear sliding down her cheek. “Just wanted to apologize and to tell you I accept yours.”

  “Thanks,” she breathed.

  “See you tomorrow.”

  “You too.”

  He stepped down off the porch, but before leaving, he stopped, turned, and said, “Glad you’re back.”

  “So am I.”

  He drove away.

  As the silence of his leaving settled, Lily Fontaine sank into the chair on the porch, put her head in her hands, and cried like a baby.

  CHAPTER

  16

  After lunch the next day, two big moving vans drove up to the two unused trailers, and the kids gathered on the back porch of Tamar’s house to watch them be unloaded. There were boxes and pieces of furniture, exercise equipment, and more boxes. Some of the stuff went into one of the vacant trailers while the rest went into the one next to it.

  A big black car like the one they’d taken from the airport rolled up and parked in front of the van. Four people got out. One was a tall, kind of heavyset lady with a short natural who stood with a short guy wearing glasses and jeans. They were joined by a brown-skinned lady of average height and a tall dude in a green uniform.

  Preston announced, “I am not living with the army.”

  They watched Bernadine give the new people hugs.

  Amari said, “Now, I’m really voting for Trent. Mr. Army looks like a hard ass even from here.”

  Devon and Zoey were looking on as well, and while the older kids continued to speculate on the possible personalities of the foster parents, Zoey saw the movers bring out something from the back of the truck that made her go absolutely still.

  Amari cried out, “Wow! Look at that piano.”

  “Reminds me of the big shiny one Alicia Keys sings with,” said Crystal.

  “That, my friends, is a baby grand,” Preston tossed out proudly. “Somebody paid large cash for that.”

  Zoey watched intently to see which trailer the piano went into and which of the people went into it too. Once she knew, she settled back in her chair.

  That evening, everyone, including the new foster parents, the kids, and the Henry Adams residents gathered for dinner in Tamar’s front yard. Introductions were made and the kids and the Garlands and Paynes got their first up close look at each other. Afterward they all waited anxiously as Bernadine prepared to announce the pairings of children and parents. Bernadine prayed the matchups she and Lily had worked out would be a good fit.

  Everyone, including the adults, was nervous.

  Bernadine looked out over the gathering and said, “First, would the parents please stand.”

  The Garlands, Paynes, Lily, and Trent rose to their feet. She saw Amari’s face widen into a grin when he saw Trent standing with the group.

  “First, Amari, will you go stand by Trent.”

  She expected the boy to yell out his excitement but in keeping with the tone of the evening, he stood and walked silently to Trent’s side. The two smiled at each other.

  “Zoey Raymond.” But before Bernadine could ask her to go stand with the Paynes, Zoey walked over to Reggie Garland and took his hand. Reggie met his wife’s surprised but smiling eyes, then looked down at Zoey. She didn’t glance up. She simply stood by him, then placed her free hand on top of the one already entwined with his as if to further stake her claim.

  Bernadine was more than a bit taken aback. It was plain to see that Zoey had made her own choice, and Bernadine had no idea what might happen if she forced the girl to go with the original plan, which was to place her with the Paynes. So, she let it go.

  Sheila looked disappointed, but she gave Bernadine a smile that seemed to say, it was okay, so Bernadine moved on.

  “Devon Watkins,” Bernadine called quietly.

  Dressed in his suit and tie, he stood.

  “Please go stand by Ms. Fontaine.”

  The responding smile lit up his little brown face. He walked over and took Lily’s
hand. Lily smiled down warmly.

  “Preston Mays.”

  Preston stood up, his face was void of emotion.

  “Please stand with Colonel and Mrs. Payne.”

  Disappointment flashed across his face but was gone so quickly Bernadine thought maybe she’d imagined it. He walked over, shook both their hands, and stood between them.

  “Last but not least by any means, Miss Crystal Chambers.”

  Crystal stood. Beneath all the makeup she was a pretty young woman, and folks could see that now that Bernadine had convinced her she only needed two layers of paint as opposed to the six she usually buried her skin beneath.

  “Come stand by me.”

  Crystal’s hand flew to her mouth. Disbelief widened her eyes. She walked over to Bernadine and grinned before placing her hand over her mouth once more.

  Everybody had a home now. One that Bernadine hoped would be permanent, loving, and nurturing.

  “Tamar.”

  Dressed in flowing robes of red and black, her wrists heavy with silver bracelets, Tamar stood. “Form a circle if you would please. Agnes, come stand by me.”

  Malachi was passing out fat white candles to the people in the circle.

  Tamar lit her candle and used its flame to light the one Agnes held, before saying, “Many years ago, our ancestors came to Kansas and founded this town with a lot of hard work, perseverance, and dreams. Now, we pass on those dreams to another generation of pioneers. Would each of the children come forward and light their candle from mine or from Agnes’s, then light your parents’.”

  One by one the children stepped up. Bernadine watched Amari and Trent. Their twin smiles filled her heart. Then came Zoey. In the light from the candle the determination on her face could be seen as she lit the candles held by the Garlands. Preston lit the ones held by the Colonel and Sheila, who had tears in her eyes. Devon lit Lily’s, who gave his shoulders a loving hug. Bernadine held up her own so that Crystal could light hers while she offered up a silent prayer that all would go well. Soon they were all standing behind wavering points of flame, and the darkness around them glowed.

  After a moment of silence, Tamar said, “Any time there is doubt or worry or pain call up the memory of this night to remind you that you are not alone. We are your family, you are our family, and we hold each other up. May the spirit of the ancestors see that all of our dreams come true.”

  She blew out her candle, and everyone followed suit.

  The short but moving ceremony seemed to have touched everyone. Amari and Preston shared a long, involved handshake, and the adults congratulated each other. Crystal standing beside Bernadine asked, “Did you really want me?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  Crystal shrugged. “I don’t know. Nobody wants teenagers.”

  “Do I look like your average everyday nobody?”

  She smiled and shook her head.

  “Good. Go and see if Tamar and the ladies need help with the dessert. You’re the big sister around here now, so get to acting like it.”

  The gentleness of Bernadine’s tone made the girl look in her eyes for a moment more, then, smiling, she went into the kitchen to see if Tamar needed help.

  The new families went home after dessert.

  When Preston and the Paynes entered the place they’d be calling home for now, he looked around. Boxes were piled up everywhere. Even though the couple seemed nice, he figured life had given him the short stick again. Why couldn’t Trent have been his foster dad instead of the U.S. Army?

  Mrs. Payne’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Preston, we’re very glad to have you here.”

  “Thanks, but I don’t know why you picked me. All you’re gonna do is send me back.”

  “Why?”

  “Because that’s the way it works. I act out, you can’t handle it, you send me back. I’ve been in eight different homes in the last year. Proud of myself.”

  Sheila looked at the boastful young man, then at her husband, who’d taken on the icy glare of the drill sergeant he’d once been. “Why are you proud?”

  “Because I won and they lost. All they wanted out of me was the money anyway. How much are you all getting?”

  “Not a dime,” Barrett replied.

  Preston seemed stunned. “Stop lying.”

  “I’m not. Ms. Brown isn’t paying anyone to do this.”

  “No way you’re doing this and not getting paid. If you are, you’re crazy.”

  Sheila saw her husband smile the smile of a crocodile, but he didn’t bite, instead he said. “Let’s show you your room, Son. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

  “Whatever.” Grabbing up his old suitcase he followed the colonel out of the room.

  Sheila watched them leave and shook her head. Preston had no idea what he was in for, but on the other hand, she didn’t think her husband knew either.

  Barrett Payne said to Preston, “We’ll put you in here for now. I know it’s kind of bare, but soon as we move to the new house, we’ll fix it up the way you like.”

  “Thanks.” Preston looked around. The room held a bed and a dresser and a nightstand with a lamp.

  “So what kinds of things do you like to do?”

  Preston shrugged. “Play video games.”

  “Ah. Anything else?”

  “Nope.”

  “Somebody your age should have more than video games in their life. Once we get you settled we’ll see about broadening your interests.”

  Preston didn’t think his interests needed broadening, but he kept that to himself. “Look, I’m real tired. I’ll see you in the morning. Okay. Thanks for taking me in.”

  “You bet. See you in the morning.”

  As Preston lay in bed, he wondered why he always wound up with the wack foster parents? He couldn’t wait to be eighteen so he could lose the foster care system and chart his own life.

  Because Lily was staying with Marie and Agnes, Devon was given the guest bedroom upstairs. Lily was thrilled that Bernadine had decided to let her and Devon have one of the five new homes being built, but for now they’d stay with the Jeffersons. Devon was lying in a four-poster bed, and she noted that he’d put the old flowered pillowcase on the pillow beneath his head.

  “Is this a special pillowcase, Devon?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Belonged to my grandma.”

  “I see.”

  “How long do you think I’m going to live with you?” he asked.

  “Until you get big enough to go to college.”

  His eyes widened. “I’m going to go to college?”

  She nodded. “Or trade school or the military. It’ll be up to you. Would that be okay?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Lily could almost see his young mind trying to wrap itself around the concept. “But that’s many years away. Right now, just know that me and Agnes and Marie and everybody in Henry Adams is your family now, and we’re going to love you and look out for you from now until now on.”

  He smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “How about we go shopping tomorrow?”

  “What for?”

  “Anything you might need. Socks, shoes. That kind of stuff.”

  “Okay, but I don’t have any money.”

  She caressed his cheek. “I know, baby. You won’t need any. Me and Ms. Bernadine got your back.”

  Lily thought about the semiprivileged upbringing her son, Davis, had been given once her life started moving up. Whatever he’d needed, whether it had been a baseball uniform for Little League, a new backpack for school, or help with his homework, she’d provided it, along with love, trips to the library, and lots of discipline. Every child should be that fortunate, she thought, so Devon had nothing to worry about. Gifting children with experiences and with as much of the world as a parent could offer was a mandatory thing. “You get some sleep now. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Can I give you a hug?”

  Lily felt tears sting her eyes. “Sure, if you want to.”
>
  “My grandma always gave me a hug before I went to sleep.”

  So he gave her a strong hug. “I know God is watching me, but I was scared after my grandma passed.”

  She held him close. “I know, baby.”

  “I’m not scared anymore. God bless you.”

  “You too, Devon. Now go on to sleep. My bedroom is right across the hall. If you need anything, you just let me know.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Lily.”

  “’Night, Devon.”

  “’Night.”

  Lily turned out the light, wiped at the tears running down her cheeks, and quietly left the room.

  Reggie and Roni sat in the bare living room after putting Zoey to bed and looked into each other’s eyes. “She’s a sweetheart,” Roni said.

  Reg nodded. “She really surprised me the way she claimed us.”

  “Me too. Maybe she knows something we don’t.”

  “Apparently. I felt bad for Sheila Payne, though. She looked so disappointed.”

  “I noticed too, but you know I’m a believer in things happening for a reason. We’ll just have to see what the reason is. You gonna be okay being mama to a little white girl?”

  “Yep. Like you said. Stuff happens for a reason.”

  Reg looked down at his wife cuddled against his side. “Did I tell you today how much I love you?”

  “I think you did, but no harm in telling me again.”

  “Good. I love you, baby.”

  She kissed him. “I love you more.”

  Malachi asked Trent. “Do you think that boy asks questions in his sleep?”

  They were sitting outside on the trailer’s steps. “I hope not. I understand now why curiosity killed the cat. I’m going to want to shoot myself before this is over.”

  “Malachi chuckled, “He’s something.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “We’ll be good for him, though.”