Blessings From the Father (14 page)
Read Blessings From the Father Online
Authors: Michelle Larks
Later that night with the television turned low, Mariah returned to the living room and resumed reading her book. She had talked to Sonyell and Raquel on three-way earlier. The women were looking forward to the move over the weekend. Afterward, Mariah headed to her bedroom and prepared for the night. She tossed and turned most of the night, trying to figure out what Cassie implied about Rosemary. She wondered what other tidbits Carson knew about her father. It was the longest night. She was glad when daylight finally broke. Yesterday was over and done. Today was another opportunity to start anew.
Chapter Sixteen
Time sped and the winter season was quickly approaching. Light snowflakes were falling in the Midwest on Thanksgiving Day. Originally Sonyell and Raquel planned to join Mariah and Rosemary at Mariah's house after dining with their families. Sonyell decided to spend the weekend in Marion, Illinois to visit Michael in prison. Instead Raquel opted to go to Michigan with her family to visit her grandparents. Mariah, too changed her plans. She decided to have dinner with her grandmother at Rosmary's home.
Sonyell's and Raquel's moves to Indiana had gone without a hitch. The two women were comfortably settled in their new houses. All three new houses were beginning to feel like home.
After Cassie's disastrous visit to Hammond, Mariah had given Rosemary $1,000 and asked her to give Cassie twenty dollars a week. So far Cassie hadn't made any more impromptu visits to Indiana. For that Mariah was grateful.
Mariah had presented Reverend Dudley with a check for $250,000 two weeks ago. The two had previously decided the bulk of the money would be allocated for building improvements and to further the homeless ministry. A nice percentage of the funds were allocated to the Sunday School ministry, The rest would be distributed to other ministries.
Raquel, with Mariah's blessing, had renovated the hair salon. She'd added a day spa complete with manicures, pedicures, and massage offerings. Though Raquel managed the salon and barber shop, she still set up her own space in the salon and did brisk business.
Mariah had visited several local high schools and offered internship opportunities for junior and senior students at the beauty and barber shops. The salon offered ten dollar wash and sets on Wednesdays to women who resided in senior complexes. The barber shop offered similar haircuts to senior men. Business was thriving and the local newspaper had written an article on Mariah.
Though she was initially averse to doing so, Mariah acknowledged her father publically where business matters were concerned. Sonyell had audited the various businesses that Mr. Ellison had owned. She made recommendations for the businesses to run more efficiently. A few were sold. Mariah hired Carson's company to make minor repairs in the apartment buildings that she now owned. Mariah wasn't sure how she and Carson would get along from a business perspective. As it turned out, her worrying was for naught. She was impressed by his business acumen. Being a local Hammond businessman, he helped her when she ran into local roadblocks.
Their romance was also blossoming. All was well in Mariah's world.
Raquel's involvement with Alex was short-lived. She crossed the border back into Chicago for excitement. Michael would be released from prison the following month. Sonyell thrived in her position as Mariah's business manager. She proved to have a sharp, analytic mind. Mariah felt blessed to have her and Carson on her team. The three were a force to be reckoned with. At Carson's urging, Mariah joined several business organizations.
Mariah stood in her bedroom in front of the dresser mirror and fussed with her hair. She pulled a few tight twists loose. She wore a burnt-orange two-piece pantsuit with a cream-colored shell with gold accessories. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand. It was nearly three o'clock. She needed to get going to make it to Rosemary's house by three-thirty. Originally Rosemary was going to have dinner at Mariah's house, but this changed when Sonni and Rocki changed their plans. Either way it went, Mariah was running late. She removed two bags from the kitchen, grabbed her purse, put it on her shoulder, and hurried out of the door.
Thirty minutes later, she opened the door to Rosemary's house with her key. Appetizing aromas teased her sense of smell.
“Is that you, Mariah?” Rosemary called from the kitchen. She paused washing dishes.
“Yes, it is,” Mariah answered as she walked into the kitchen. The room was warm and cozy. She walked to the sink and kissed Rosemary. She set a case of soda on the floor. “It sure smells good in here. Do you need me to taste anything?” Mariah asked her grandmother hopefully.
Rosemary shook her head and smiled. “No, not really. I think I got this cooking thing down pat. I just took the turkey out of the oven. You can see if my stuffing is up to par.”
Mariah rubbed her hands together and grinned at Rosemary. She had stopped by a local baker the previous day and purchased a red velvet cake and sweet potato pies. She took the desserts out of the bag and put them on the counter. Mariah then took a saucer out of the cabinet, walked to the stove, pealed a corner of the foil back, and put a small bit of stuffing on the plate.
She blew on it, and gobbled it down as Rosemary watched her with an amused twinkle in her eye.
“It's so good, Granny. The stuffing doesn't even need cranberry sauce. You haven't lost your touch. Is there anything I can do?” Mariah put the saucer in the dishpan.
“You can set the table. The food is just about done. I suppose you're hungry?”
“Yes, I am,” Mariah responded as she took plates and glasses out of the cabinet. Before long the table had been set. The two women sat at the table and bowed their heads.
“Father, God, we come to you content to see another Thanksgiving Day. You have blessed Mariah so abundantly this year, Lord. She in turn has shared her blessing with her family, friends, and even strangers. Continue to guide her to do the right thing. Bless us for the food we're about to receive. All blessings in your name. Amen,” Rosemary said and opened her eyes.
The women passed the bowls and platter between them and within minutes began to partake in the meal. They conversed about local happenings while they ate.
Thirty minutes later, Mariah wiped her mouth and hands with a napkin and pushed her chair away from the table. “That was so good, Granny. I can't eat another bite.”
“Yes, I agree with you, the meal was good. It's time you learned to cook more. Who knows, you may have to cook for Carson's daughters one day.” Rosemary took a sip of iced tea as she waited for Mariah to reply.
“Uh, I hope not. I'm not a homemaker,” Mariah protested haughtily, like cooking was beneath her. “I always wanted a career. My life is simply amazing.”
“There's nothing wrong with doing both. Would you cut me a piece of pie?” Rosemary asked.
Mariah stood up, walked to the counter, and cut a slice of potato pie. She put it on a saucer and handed it to her grandmother.
“You aren't going to have dessert now?” Rosemary cut a tiny portion of the pie, and put it into her mouth.
“No, not right now. I'm too stuffed. Plus, I've got save room for dessert at Carson's parents' house.” Mariah rubbed her tummy. “I hear you about doing both. Although I don't know, I hear a lot of women complain about how tiring and stressful trying to be Superwoman is.”
“Anything worth having comes with work and stress. Nobody promised life would be easy,” Rosemary responded sagely. “I'm glad you and Carson are hitting it off. It's time for you to settle down. You're not getting any younger.”
Mariah sat upright in her chair. “I'm not even thirty yet. There's plenty of time for me to settle down.” She crinkled her nose.
“Sometimes love only comes around once in a lifetime, and good men are so hard to find. There was only one man for me in this life and that was your grandfather.” Rosemary sighed. She had finished eating the pie and put the saucer on top of her dinner plate.
“Is that why you never remarried? Because Gramps was the one?” Mariah asked as she stirred the sugar in her iced tea.
“Partially. Cassie was a handful even as a child. She was always a bundle of nervous energy. Then there was you; there just wasn't enough time. Now, I'm in my sixties and that part of my life has passed by.”
Mariah shook her head. “It's not like you're that old. I bet there's still some romantic life left in you.” Mariah folded her arms across her chest.
“No, I'm good. I cook at the school during the week and teach Sunday School on the Sabbath day. Alma and I go to the movies or shopping, so by and large life is good.” Rosemary switched gears. “So how do you feel about meeting Carson's folks? Are you nervous?” She put Mariah's empty plate on top of hers and gathered the eating utensils.
“Just a little bit.” Mariah's voice trailed off as she looked away from Rosemary.
“I don't see why.” Rosemary shook her head as she squirted dishwashing liquid into the plastic dishpan. “You're gorgeous and independent. You have a kind, loving heart, everything a man looks for in a wife.”
“Now, don't you think you could be a wee bit biased, Granny?” She held up two fingers close to each other. “You know my rule is never to date a man with children. But Carson is such a good man, I bypassed my rule. I've enjoyed the time we've spent getting to know each other. The only dark spot I can find is that his ex-wife calls a little too much for my taste. Even though they've been divorced for a while, I think she's not ready to let go. Plus they have children, so she'll always be around.”
Rosemary looked at Mariah. “Haven't you been listening to me? Once again, that same rule applies as before: nothing worth having ever comes easy. You're doing the right thing by giving the relationship time. Y'all would make some beautiful babies. After marriage, that is.”
The doorbell rang. Mariah glanced at her watch. “I wonder who that is. Are you expecting anyone else?” Although Mariah asked the question, she knew it couldn't be anyone else except for Cassie at the door. Her stomach churned like she had acid reflux.
“It's probably Cassie,” Rosemary said guiltily. “I invited her over for dinner.” She wiped her wet hands on a dish towel. “I'll get it.”
Mariah's good mood deflated like a balloon. After her last encounter with Cassie, she hoped she wouldn't have to see her mother for a long time. She watched her grandmother walk into the living room, peer out the peephole, and open the door.
Rosemary kissed Cassie's cheek when her daughter stepped over the threshold. “I'm glad you could make it.” She beamed at Cassie.
“Well, I ain't staying long.” Cassie slipped out of a down jacket, opened the closet door, and hung the jacket on a wire hanger. She actually looked presentable. She wore a green sweater that clung to her thin frame. She had a pair of wrinkled jeans and a pair of scuffled Timberland boots. Her eyes were clear though.
Mother and daughter walked into the kitchen.
“Cassie.” Mariah bowed her head grudgingly.
“Mariah,” Cassie said in return. She sat on one of the kitchen chairs.
“I tell you I feel so blessed today.” Rosemary grinned from ear to ear. “Both of my girls are here.” She looked at Cassie. “Can I fix you something to eat?”
“Just a little stuffing and turkey,” Cassie replied. She looked down and folded her hands in her lap as Rosemary bustled about the kitchen fixing her plate. Rosemary closed her eyes and thanked God for her daughter and granddaughter's presence on the holiday.
Mariah watched her mother wolf down the food with her hands. She couldn't prevent herself from asking Cassie, “Did Granny fix you enough food? Do you want more?”
Cassie cut her eye at Mariah and answered, “If I want more, I know how to ask.” She made a sucking sound with her lips.
“Sorry, I was just asking. You seem to be hungry.” Mariah shrugged her shoulders.
After Cassie finished eating, she pushed her chair back, and said, “That was good, Ma. I forgot how well you can cook. That's one thing I miss.”
“Thank you,” Rosemary replied modestly. “So what you been doing with yourself, Cassie? I hope you been staying out of trouble.”
“I been good, since you been giving me money. I been real good.” Cassie smirked at Mariah.
Mariah rolled her eyes and commented, “I hope you haven't been spending all of it up your arm.”
“Whatever I been doing with it,” Cassie said tersely, “is my business. I don't remember you saying what I have to spend it on. I'm taking care of myself and you would do well to keep your nose out of my business.”
“What business?” Mariah snorted. “To my knowledge you don't have any.”
“Girls,” Rosemary interrupted the two with a distressed expression on her face. “Can't we just have a nice visit without any arguing? It's Thanksgiving Day. We have so much to be thankful for. We're all gathered together as a family. It's been a long time since we've been together.”
“Sorry,” Mariah mumbled toward her mother. “I didn't mean that the way it sounded.”
“Thank you.” Cassie wiped her hands on a napkin. “I been all right. Nothing is new with me; same ol', same ol'.”
“Good.” Rosemary nodded at her approvingly. “I hope you've been giving some thought to what we talked about the last time you were here, going into rehab.”
“I thought about it, and I'm not going to do it. There is nothing wrong with me. I have my life under control. Everything is fine,” Cassie replied. She refused to make eye contact with Rosemary or Mariah.
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