The Other Side of Divine (19 page)

—Psalm 51:6

 

 

 

I
t was Sunday afternoon, April 24, 2011, the start of the week when meteorologists were predicting possible tornadoes across the South, including Alabama. Gabrielle hadn't intentionally chosen this day for this to go down in anticipation of impending bad weather (she'd set the date well before the forecast). She just knew it was time.

Time for Jasmine to know the truth about her birth father. Time for the family to finally meet. Time to get everything totally out in the open. Time to move forward.

She hadn't been certain of precisely how she should proceed. Whether she should tell Jasmine everything first, then see what Jasmine desired from that point. Or merely bring them together and lay everything out there. It was a choice between slowly and carefully pulling off the Band-Aid and ripping it off quickly.

Miss Crowe believed she should tell Jasmine everything with just the two of them present and see what Jasmine wanted to do after that, since the birth father had already agreed to go along with whatever Gabrielle decided. Always the one to stand by her side no matter what, Zachary offered that Jasmine was still a child and putting such a decision solely in her hands was not the way parents should parent.

Lawrence let it be known that he preferred being present when Jasmine first learned the news because he didn't want her to have time to hate him before he could show her he really did care. Deidra, Lawrence's wife, felt the whole family should be present for that exact same reason. In the end, Pastor Landris offered a powerful prayer and advised Gabrielle to wholeheartedly allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide her.

So here they were, Gabrielle and Jasmine, in the car, just the two of them on their way to meet people who, for better or worse, were about to become Jasmine's soon-to-be-newfound branch in her family tree.

Gabrielle only told Jasmine that they were going to meet some people after church and for her to pick out whichever dress she wanted to wear. Jasmine picked what Miss Crowe called her “Sunday Best”—a pretty yellow dress with daisies on the bottom and a long, white linen coat. It had been her Easter outfit and was now her favorite go-to apparel.

Zachary wanted to come, but Gabrielle told him, on this one, it was something just the two of them needed to do. It would be hard enough with merely the key players involved. She didn't want to add any unnecessary tension to the mix.

And the way Zachary rose up to protect both her and Jasmine, she could just see something jumping off and Zachary pouncing, beating somebody down, even if all he was using to do it were words.

So no, he wasn't allowed to go.

Gabrielle pulled up to the house, walked to the front door, and rang the doorbell. Answering the door, Deidra led them to the den (an area large enough to hold everybody comfortably). She invited them to sit on the couch.

Paris was there, looking like any minute she might grab her stomach and say something to the effect of “It's time,” and everybody would be left scrambling to get her to the hospital.

Gabrielle couldn't help but think with her and Paris's history, which appeared to have settled down after the last fiasco Paris had caused, Paris just
might
go into labor just as things were being laid out. She didn't believe Paris would do that on purpose, not at this point with things as they were. But still . . .

Andrew was also there along with Malachi, Lawrence's twenty-seven-year-old, debonair son.

“Dinner is ready,” Deidra Simmons said, looking at her diamond watch. “Imani should be down in a few minutes. She wanted to change into something more comfortable, getting out of her church clothes into what we used to call play clothes when we were growing up. I told her she was fine, but you know how sixteen-year-olds are.”

“Imani?” Jasmine said, turning and looking at Gabrielle with a huge grin on her face as things were beginning to click before turning to Paris, who she obviously still hadn't quite warmed up to. “Yes!” She did a victory fist pull down. “The Imani who was my bone marrow donor.” There was a glorious twinkle in Jasmine's eyes.

Paris smiled and nodded.

They all had agreed that the less said until everyone came together, the better.

Imani came in and saw everybody seated and waiting. When she saw Jasmine, she immediately hurried over to her though the little girl was already running to meet Imani. The two of them hugged and started squealing with delight as they jumped up and down.

“Mom, why didn't you tell me this is who our company was going to be?” Imani said, looking at Deidra. “Oh, my goodness! Look at you! Look at how long your hair has grown.” She picked up Jasmine's hair and let it drop. “And you've gotten taller. I almost didn't know who you were. Why didn't someone tell me Jasmine was coming?”

“Don't feel bad,” Jasmine said. “My mother didn't tell me where we were going, either. Had she told me, I probably would have been beside myself to get here. I guess that's why she didn't.” She hugged Imani again, and the two of them did their celebratory jumping ritual all over again.

“Come and sit by me,” Imani said as she and Jasmine found a place on the couch together. “You look wonderful. I can't believe how great you look. Oh, my goodness!”

Lawrence looked at Gabrielle, wondering what the plan was from this point. It had been agreed that Gabrielle would take the lead.

Gabrielle stood up and cleared her throat. “I have something I need to tell you,” Gabrielle said, looking at Jasmine. “Can you please come here with me?”

Jasmine giggled, no doubt thinking of the many times Miss Crowe had made a big deal about using the words “can” and “may” correctly, with
can
meaning able to and
may
being will you.

Jasmine came and stood next to Gabrielle, whose look was staid as she kneeled down, causing the two of them to be eye to eye. Gabrielle smiled nervously. She glanced sideways at Lawrence, who was making his way over to stand next to them as Deidra, touching the rose pendant dangling from her necklace, got up and sat next to Imani, putting her arm around her.

“What's wrong?” Jasmine asked. “Why are you crying?” Gabrielle hadn't realized tears were flowing down her face. She wiped the tears that had managed to squeak out and forced a smile. “Nothing's wrong. In fact, I am soooo happy for you.”

“If you're happy, then why doesn't it feel like that?” Jasmine said.

“Jasmine . . . honey, you know how much I love you, right?”

“Yes. I know.” Jasmine nodded, and then glanced up at Lawrence, who was now standing beside Gabrielle. “No! Don't say it.” Jasmine began to shake her head quickly. “They're taking me away from you, aren't they? Something went wrong and you're losing me!” Jasmine threw her arms around Gabrielle and clung to her as if it was for dear life. “I don't want to live here! I don't want to leave you! I want to stay with you, Mama! I want to stay with you and Miss C and after June eleventh, Dr. Z! Please don't let them take me from you. Please—”

Gabrielle pushed her back to look in her eyes. “No, Jasmine. Nobody's taking you away from me. You've gotten it all wrong.”

Jasmine was crying hard now. “Then why are we here? Why did you tell me to wear my favorite dress? Why is the whole family standing around looking at me like they are?”

Gabrielle knew at this point it was best to just rip the Band-Aid off quickly. “Jasmine, I want you to meet your father.”

“What?” Jasmine wiped her eyes with her hands.

“What?” Gabrielle heard an echo of that same word, only it was coming from Imani.

“What do you mean?” Imani said, turning to her mother.

Lawrence stepped forward and kneeled down before Jasmine. “Hi, Jasmine.” He gave her a warm inviting smile. “I'm Lawrence Simmons. I'm your father.”

Jasmine looked at him, then at Gabrielle, who was now standing and really crying with her hands clasped tightly across her mouth.

“My father?” Jasmine began backing away from him.

“Her father?” Imani said, now on her feet.

Lawrence stood up, grabbed Jasmine, and hugged her. “Yes, your father.”

“Daddy,” Imani said as she came over to them. “What's going on? Daddy, what are you talking about?”

Lawrence reached over and pulled Imani into the group hug, although Jasmine seemed to be trying hard to break loose. Lawrence took both of them by the hands, and again dropping to his knees, he said, “Imani, I want you to meet your sister. Jasmine, I want you to meet
your
sister. You two . . . are sisters. And I . . . I am both your father.”

“We're sisters?” Imani said, looking at Jasmine. “I'm not just your bone marrow donor but your
sister
?”

Jasmine was wiping her eyes. Gabrielle was on her way to pull Jasmine safely into her arms, but Imani beat her to it.

“You're my sister,” Imani said to Jasmine with a jubilant smile. “You're my
sister
!”

Jasmine was nodding while being tightly embraced by Imani. “Sisters.”

It wasn't long before Imani must have realized she was the only one of her siblings reacting to the news. With one arm still around Jasmine, she looked at her sister and brother. Paris was wiping tears and nodding. Malachi was sitting with a big grin on his face but saying nothing.

“Why aren't either of you surprised?” Imani directed her attention first to Paris, then Malachi. “Did you already know about this?” She looked at her mother. “Am I the only one who didn't know anything?” Tears rolled down Imani's face.

Deidra rushed over and hugged Imani. Jasmine ran into Gabrielle's awaiting arms.

“I'm sorry, Imani. I'm sorry. But we couldn't tell you until now,” Deidra said. “It was best this way.”

“Best?” Imani said, pulling away from her mother's embrace to look her in the eyes. “Best for whom? Best for Daddy? Best for our family? Oh, I'm sorry. Everybody in the family apparently except for me. So what does that say about me? How long have you known? How long has everybody known this,
except
me?”

“It's been a few months,” Deidra said. “That's all; only a few months. We always planned on telling you. We just had to wait for the right time.”

Imani broke away from her mother and went over to her father. “Why couldn't you tell me? If you could tell Paris and Malachi, then why not me? Is it because you thought I couldn't keep it and I might somehow ruin your reelection chances? Oh, wait. You dropped out of the race around the first of September. So what would have been the reason for you not telling me after that?”

“Imani, we didn't tell you because we were well aware of the special bond that exists between you and Jasmine, and I'm not just talking about the incredible gift of bone marrow you so unselfishly gave,” Lawrence said. “There was something between you two. We were certain if you knew the truth, you'd want to be with Jasmine more and you'd have a hard time keeping the secret until it was the appropriate time to disclose it. Understand?”

Imani didn't say anything. She merely stared at her father with a hurt look.

Paris went over to Jasmine. “Hello, little sister. Welcome to the family.” She hugged Jasmine.

“Thank you,” Jasmine said.

Malachi grinned as he stepped up to Jasmine. “Hello, little sis. I'm your big brother.” He bent down and hugged her. “I'm the one you can come to if you need me to beat up some boy who might not be doing right by you.” He laughed. “But seriously though, I'm your big brother so know that I'm here for you, and that I've
always
got your back. Ask our other sisters; they'll tell you.”

“Oh, yes,” Paris said, laughing. “Malachi has your back all right. And he'll be the first one to throw you under the bus if it suits his agenda. But he's really a great brother and he really will be there for you when you need him most.”

Malachi grinned as he looked at Paris. “Well, thank you, sister dearest. I'm truly touched.” He placed his hand over his heart and winked at Paris.

“So I have two sisters and a brother now?” Jasmine said, looking at Gabrielle, who was battling hard at wiping away her flowing tears.

Gabrielle nodded. “Yes, you do,” Gabrielle said.

Andrew brought in a box of tissue and began servicing everyone in need of them. Gabrielle yanked out a few and smiled as she gave him a quick nod of appreciation. He smiled and gave her a quick nod back.

There was a lot of hugging exchanged that afternoon. They then went into the dining room for dinner, sat down, and went around the dining room table stating what all they were thankful for. Everyone with the name Simmons anywhere in their name stated how glad they were to have Jasmine now as part of the family.

They ended with a prayer led by Lawrence before digging into food that had been made to nourish their bodies but was somehow becoming the bridge that also blessed their souls.

—Ecclesiastes 7:8

 

 

 

J
ust after everyone had eaten and gotten full, Paris grabbed her stomach. “Whoa,” she said. “Now, that didn't feel good
at all
.”

Andrew came over. “What is it?”

“I'm not sure, but that was uncomfortable and a little bit of pain for sure,” Paris said.

“Do you think you might be going into labor?” Andrew asked.

“She just probably ate too much,” Malachi said. “Paris
was
sort of putting down the food like she was eating for three.”

“Well, there's only one other in this body besides me, so I assure you it was just for the two of us.”

“We need to monitor you,” Deidra said. “And if you have another pain, we'll see how far apart they are. It could just be you ate too much, but it could be labor.”

Gabrielle was glad she and Jasmine were already in the process of leaving before this all began. She would have hated to announce their departure at this juncture. Knowing Paris, she'd likely take it the wrong way. She could only hope Paris had turned the corner with her past attitude. But when it came to Paris, Gabrielle knew it was best to keep a guard at the post at all times.

“Okay,” Paris said. “I think we need to make our way to the hospital.”

Deidra rushed to her side. “Was that another pain? That soon after the one you just had?”

Paris shook her head quickly. “Nope. Not another pain. But I think my water just broke.”

“You're having the baby? Today? The baby is coming now?” Imani said. “But the baby isn't due until Thursday.”

“Well, some babies prefer to choose their own dates and couldn't care less what a doctor marked on the calendar,” Paris said. “Because this one here”—she pointed at her stomach—“appears to have decided to make an early debut.”

“But your stuff is at the house,” Andrew said. “We're not prepared for you to go into labor while we're away from home.”

“Sweetheart, we can get my bag later. In the old days, you needed a packed bag,” Paris said to Andrew. “Today, hospitals pretty much have everything you need, which at this point, will most likely merely be a birthing gown.”

Andrew nodded quickly. “Yeah, you're right. It's time.” He looked at Deidra. “It's time! Oh, my goodness, we're having a baby! I need to call my mother. I'm about to become a father!”

“And
I'm
about to become a grandmother!” Deidra put her hand up to her mouth. “Granny. Granny Dee. Grandmother. Oh, my goodness. It's time to decide.”

“And we,” Imani said, hugging Jasmine, “are about to become aunts!”

“An aunt?” Jasmine said. “Me? I'm going to be an aunt, too?”

“Yes,” Imani said with a laugh. “You're going to be an aunt, too.”

“Wow,” Jasmine said. “I arrived here as an only child, and I'm leaving with a new father, a stepmother, two sisters, a brother, a brother-in-law, and now I'm about to be an aunt, too? Whoa, Nelly!”

Everybody laughed.

“What do you know about ‘Whoa, Nelly'?” Lawrence said to Jasmine with a grin. “That's
way
before your time.”

“Oh, I guess you haven't heard,” Jasmine said. “But everybody says I'm smart beyond my years.”

“That what you just said,” Lawrence said as he hugged Jasmine, “was more than just smart beyond your years. That was old soul smart. That was something my grandmother used to say back in the day.”

“Yeah, back when they had horses,” Malachi said with a chuckle.

“Can we please table this conversation?” Paris said. “I don't want to make it seem like everything is about me. But at this moment . . . everything really
is
about me and this baby who's definitely coming
pretty
soon, I'd say.” She let out another half scream.

“I'd say your pains are about ten minutes apart,” Deidra said. “Anybody who's going to the hospital with us had better make your way to my car.”

“I'm taking Paris in my car,” Andrew said to Deidra.

“I know. I wasn't talking to you and Paris. I was talking to anyone in my family who's planning on going. Because I'm not going to miss one minute of this. In fact, unless you want to fight me for it, Andrew, I hope I can cut the baby's cord.”

“Mom . . . Andrew,” Paris said, waddling quickly toward the front door. “Can you two talk about this
after
I get to the hospital?” Paris said.

“Come on, baby, let's get you to the car.” Andrew helped her. “I'll call my mother after we get to the hospital. You know she wants to be there, too.”

Paris let out a moan and looked at Andrew as though she wanted to make a comment. But Gabrielle decided that possibly it was just the pain she was experiencing, although that one wasn't ten minutes from the last time.

Gabrielle and Jasmine left along with Paris and Andrew. But not before Imani and Jasmine got in two more hugs, promising to keep in close touch from here on out.