Since Josh was going out of town, he gave his brother power to make decisions. It was then that Malcolm had me moved to Maryland. He felt it would be better as a family to keep an eye on me, and they told me that each of them took turns sitting with me the entire time I was in the hospital.
When I came to and was coherent, the power over my health was then mine. Malcolm told me my mother had been calling almost every day, so when I was able I gave her a call.
Our conversation consisted of her crying for the majority of the time. I let her cry, but for me I didn’t have any tears to share. She flooded me with apologies, and I just listened quietly. She asked if she could see me, and I told her it would be okay if it was just her. I didn’t want to see anyone else, and if she couldn’t do that not to bother coming.
Well, needless to say, she didn’t come. I didn’t expect her to. My father had been the king of that household for a long time, and there was no way he would let her come without him. I wasn’t that heartless though. I mean, over the weeks I spoke to her at least once a day.
Mama Joe wanted me to invite my family to dinner today. I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to make their night a circus, and I knew it would be just that. My father had been a complete ass, and I really didn’t have much to say to him. He had asked to talk to me, and I should feel good about that, but I didn’t. So most times when he grabbed the phone I either didn’t say a word or hang up.
I know it’s childish, but to be honest, the sound of his voice made me want to vomit. I’m not exaggerating either. But Mama Joe and Pops sat me down and talked me into seeing them. All they wanted to see was that I was okay. Mama Joe told me how horrible my mom felt, and she told me as a mother if she couldn’t see Liliana, she would raise holy hell.
I wanted to point out that Mama Joe was by far a better mother to Liliana than mine was to me, but I didn’t. I just nodded and gave my mother the information about tonight.
I stood and walked into the bedroom and crawled back into the bed. I loved this bed. It was the largest king size bed I had ever seen. The comforter was very soft, but so were the sheets. I mean, every day I hated getting out of the bed because it was so cozy inside, and I couldn’t wait to get in the bed at night.
I let my eyes drift closed as I thought about tonight. I needed all the strength I could get to deal with my family. I mean, I do miss my mom, but my sisters and my dad, I could do without.
I’m a different person now than I was when I lived there. I should and will be able to handle seeing my family. I just hope I can keep the contents of my stomach down when I see my father.
Chapter 22
Kenya
“You look beautiful, Sweets.”
Malcolm kissed my cheek and placed a loving arm around my shoulders.
I smiled. “Thanks Jo.”
I was wearing a plum colored, beautiful, floor length sparkling formal gown. This chiffon/satin underlay dress had an open front slit and a shoulder strap with sparkling beads, sequins and rhinestones on it. The design, which was my favorite part of the dress, wrapped around my torso, and the back of the dress looked like a corset with a lace up tie.
We were heading to a hall in Ocean City at a restaurant that was nestled on the shore, and I have to say, displayed a beautiful setting. The inside was decorated elegantly with flowers at every table, candles everywhere and white tablecloths and chair covers. There was a live band playing soft music, and as you entered the hall, you saw a huge picture of Mr. and Mrs. Jeramiah Cooper with the saying underneath their picture ‘45 years and counting’.
As the night went on I drank every glass Malcolm sat in front of me. I was a bag of nerves, and I knew they could tell. I watched the crowd that consisted of the Coopers’ friends and family, waiting impatiently for my family to arrive.
“Don’t be so nervous, everything will be fine,” Liliana told me.
She was sitting next to me at the family table in front of the hall. I smiled in her direction, and as she gripped my hand I instinctively grabbed hers.
“I hope so. I just… I haven’t seen them in years, and I really don’t know what to say to them.”
Liliana moved closer to me and looked in my eyes. The time I’d spent with Josh’s family Liliana and I had gotten close. She would stay up with me sometimes, and we would just talk. Besides Josh, I’ve told her a lot of things that I haven’t ever repeated. How my father made me feel useless for so long that I know the moment he sees me I’ll feel like that again. It’s something in his eyes that you couldn’t help but notice.
Liliana said, “Don’t worry about anything. First of all, we will be by your side the whole time. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I know, it’s just… I really don’t know what to say to them. I mean, I just left home and didn’t look back. I was gone for years. I know I have some explaining to do, but I just…”
“The hell you have anything to explain. They didn’t look out for you back when you needed them. So fuck’em. You don’t owe them any explanation. Hell, they’re lucky you’re even talking to them.”
I nodded but didn’t reply.
I’ve said before Liliana reminds me so much of Josh. He would probably tell me the same thing. I knew my father would make me leaving and what happened to me my fault. I really didn’t need him to tell me that. I felt like it was my fault on my own. It didn’t matter what my therapist said or Malcolm or how many times Josh mentioned it in his videos. I still felt if I didn’t go after some stupid box I wouldn’t have been kidnapped. And if you hadn’t noticed, the box I went back for is still where I left it.
As the night went on I started to loosen up. I danced with Malcolm, Liliana’s husband, Nolan, and Pops. I was laughing with Josh’s great grandfather when I saw my mother walk in the room. My smile fell from my face as I saw my father come in behind her, my two sisters, and Wayne.
My mother spotted me, and I saw the emotion overtake her. I moved slowly away from grand pop to my mother. When I got close to my family all of their eyes fell on me. No one said a word to me, but my mom, when I got close enough, pulled me into an extremely tight hug.
I tried to let her hold me, but I was starting to feel claustrophobic so I moved back from her. She touched my face.
“Oh, Kenya, I’m so glad you’re safe. I was so worried. Are you okay? When are you coming home?”
“Give her breathing room, Marianne.”
My mother gave my father one of the coldest looks I had ever seen from her.
“Mind your business, Virgil. I think you have done enough.”
I frowned and looked at my parents, wondering what the hell she meant by that.
“Well, I can see where you get your beauty from.” Mama Joe came up next to me and commented.
She wasn’t alone either. Pops was on the other side of me, and I felt, not saw, Liliana, Malcolm and Nolan behind me.
Mama Joe moved closer and stretched her hand to my mom. “Hi, I’m Josephine, but you can call me Joe. This is my husband Jeramiah, my daughter Liliana and her husband Nolan, and my son Malcolm.”
I saw Wayne and my father tense a little at the mention of Malcolm’s name. I really needed to ask what I missed.
My mom stepped up and took Mama Joe’s hand.
“Hello, Josephine, I’m Marianne: this is my husband, Virgil, my daughters Latisha, Rasheda, and her boyfriend, Wayne.”
My eyes went to Wayne. I couldn’t hide my surprise and my disappointment, especially when Rasheda reached for her man’s hand. He gripped it tight and pulled her close to him. I should feel hurt at this point, right? I mean, Wayne and I were best friends, in my eyes we were more than that, but I had to remember he proved we were anything but. Apparently, what I felt mattered to only one person, me.
“Thank you for inviting us, and thank you for taking care of our daughter.”
“As if we had a choice.” I heard my father say under his breath.
He looked over my head, so I assumed he was looking at Malcolm.
To Mama Joe’s credit, she placed a genuine smile on her face and said, “First, Kenya is an amazing woman. It was our pleasure to have her with us. Now I know my son can be a bit domineering at times, but it comes from a good place. He trusts no one but family when dealing with something or someone precious to him. He knew Malcolm could protect her from anything and anyone.”
Mama Joe then looked at me and said, “Kenya, sweetheart, why don’t you show your family to their table? Please enjoy your night.”
I nodded and took my mother’s hand. I didn’t look back at my family as we walked.
When we got clear of the Coopers my father said, “We are not staying here a moment longer than necessary. Kenya, you need to stop this foolishness and selfishness. Pack up your things so we can take you home. You need to be around family.”
I turned on my father. “I am with family.”
“You think these people care about you? Did you learn anything from me?”
I walked closer to my father.
“Oh, yes I did actually. I learned how to hate, but I’m trying not to let that be the only thing I learned from you. I don’t think these people, as you call them, care about me, I know they do. So respect my wishes or you can leave now, otherwise please have a seat, get yourself a drink and try not to embarrass me.”