Ezekiel's Passion

by Bailey West

  I looked up, and both of my brothers were staring at me.

  “What?”

  “You are considering not touring, the thing that you live for because you want to be around for Zora and BJ?” Paxton questioned.

  “Yeah, but since I am the MD, it’s not possible, not to mention professional, for me to leave the tour early.”

  “Whoa, this is serious,” Blue added.

  “I tried to fight these feelings. I mean I tried! The harder I fought the more intense the feelings became. Zora tried to put some distance between us because she had the same fear as me, and I almost lost it. She had me at her job waiting for her to come out. I was in stalker mode, straight up.” We all laughed. “I’m happy when I’m with them. I can’t say I’m ready for marriage, but I know that I don’t want to be without her or Braeden.”

  “This is the first time you’ve ever discussed a woman outside of how fire her body is,” Paxton commented. “I’m guessing she is who you sent the flowers to?”

  “You sent flowers?” Blue questioned.

  “Yeah, I sent her the flowers. She’s the first one worth talking about. I also wanted to talk to you both because while I am away, I would like for you to help Zora with BJ. You know, picking him up from school or spending some time with him on the weekends to give her a break. I’m asking you because she won’t ask. She will just shoulder all the responsibility like she was doing before. I wasn’t around then to help her, but as long as I am around, she won’t have to take care of him alone.”

  “You’ve fallen for both of them,” Blue smiled.

  “I have. I’ve been thinking long term like starting a college fund for Braeden and some even scarier things that I don’t care to share.”

  They both laughed.

  “I understand. You have to reconcile those thoughts in your head before you can speak them,” Blue assessed.

  “Right.”

  “We got you, Bro. We will make sure both Zora and BJ are taken care of while you are away.” Paxton said.

  I looked down at my vibrating phone and saw my mother was Facetiming me.

  “It’s mom,” I said as the call connected.

  “Hey baby!” she smiled brightly. I moved to sit between my brothers.

  “Hi, Mom we are all here.”

  “All my babies! I’m making one phone call instead of three! How is everyone?”

  “Good!” Paxton answered.

  “I’m cool,” I responded.

  “I’m okay,” Roman finished.

  “I had a very interesting phone call with Sister Simmons.”

  “That’s Tasha’s momma, right?” I asked.

  “Yeah. She was trying to tell me that Tasha’s son is your son, Roman. She talking about we share a grandchild. I already told you about the way Tasha used that baby to marry that nice young man. Now she is trying to use him against you?”

  “Yes ma’am,” Roman solemnly replied.

  “Is it a possibility that he is your son?” my mother questioned.

  “It’s a very slim possibility but, yes.”

  “So, you smashed?”

  “Momma!” Both Roman and Paxton said at the same time.

  I laughed because I’d already heard her use that word.

  She waved her hand like it was not big deal and continued, “Well, I told her I don’t discuss my children’s business so whenever we find out the truth, then we can talk. What did Zanetta say? I’m sure she will love him and you, right?”

  “Yes, ma’am. That’s what she said.”

  “Then why are you looking like somebody scraped all the crème filling from in between your Oreo cookies and replaced it with toothpaste?”

  “Nette and I had a little disagreement about this.”

  “He didn’t tell her mom,” I interjected. Roman looked at me and rolled his eyes. I smiled back. I enjoyed watching him squirm under mom’s scrutiny. I was always the one in trouble when we were younger. It’s nice to see Blue and Pax in the hot seat. I continued, “She found out from Tasha. Rome didn’t mention it to her. She had to bring it up.” Both Paxton and Roman elbowed me at the same time. That was my queue to be quiet.

  “What in the ever-loving world is your problem? So now my daughter is somewhere sad because you are on some foolishness? I need to call her. You better fix this Roman. I’m serious.”

  “I am mom. I love her.”

  “When do you get the DNA test?”

  “I did it today.”

  “Either way, I got your back Baby. We’re going to be happy either way, okay? I just need for you to fix things with Nette. She is good for you.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “So, what else is happening?”

  “Zeke has a girlfriend,” Roman was trying to get the heat off him. I didn’t care because I was going to tell mom about Zora and BJ soon.

  “Oh, I know,” she said matter-of-factly.

  “How do you know?” I questioned.

  “I knew when you called me asking me for a recipe to impress the baby and his mother. You have never even mentioned a female that you were interested in to me, so I knew it was serious. Tell me about her.”

  “She has a great sense of humor. Well, she's funny to me because most of the things that come out her mouth are sarcastic. She's an amazing mother to my Lil Dude, BJ. She's mad cool Mom. She is finishing up her residency so she can be an oral surgeon but she already has her DDS. She’s confident, but sometimes she’s unsure. She’s independent because she has raised BJ all by herself, but she’s not so independent that she won’t accept help. She’s smart, but she doesn't make everyone else around her feel dumb, though. She just mad cool.”

  “And the baby? How old is he?”

  “My Lil Dude? His name is Braeden James. He’s three. His birthday is coming soon. We call him BJ. He’s extremely smart. He’s learning the basics on the drums. He’s a cool kid. I love being around him.”

  “I'm coming to town, and I would love to meet them.”

  “I would like for you to meet them.”

  Again, the room went silent.

  “What?” I looked from my brothers to my mother.

  “I was just kidding. You actually want me to meet Zora?” My mother questioned.

  “Yeah, I do. Why? You don't want to meet her?”

  I was confused.

  “Ezekiel, you've never introduced me to anyone. This is serious.”

  “It is, Mom. I mean I'm not buying any rings like Blue, but I'm serious.”

  “I’m happy for you Baby. Paxton, it’s your turn.”

  “Mom, you know I don’t have anything to report. I’m content right now. If I meet someone, I will be okay with that, but right now, I haven’t.”

  “Your heart is a muscle…”

  She went into her speech about the same way we exercise the other muscles in our body we should exercise our heart by loving someone and letting them love you back. I would always hear her say that and I would zone out, but today, it makes a lot of sense.

  “Your dad and I will be in town in two days to begin the first round of interviews for the Abundant Blessings Academy. Now explain how this works?”

  “Zanetta hired a company to vet the applications. They sent us the top ten applicants. All of them will be interviewed by Dad and his team. They will choose the top five. My team will interview the top five and make the final selection.” Roman explained.

  “That’s a process!”

  “It is but we are trusting these people with our children, so we have to make sure we are choosing the best candidate. With your education background, your input will be invaluable.” Roman said.

  “Oh, I thought you were going to say my ability to call bull manure would be invaluable.”

  We laughed.

  “That too, Mom!”

  11

  It had been a few days since I had spoken to Zanetta. I took Zeke’s advice and didn’t force her to talk to me. I gave her some space, but now that’s over. She can’t ign
ore me anymore.

  I used my code to open the door to her apartment. I knew she was home because I parked next to her Shelby in the garage.

  “Hey, Sissy.” She whispered and smiled.

  “Hey, Sissy.”

  We apologized to each other even though she really didn’t have anything to be sorry about. I should have told her about Zeke and me. At first, I told her I didn’t know why I didn’t tell her but then I had to tell her the real reason.

  “Sissy, I didn’t tell you about Zeke and me because,” I paused and took a deep breath and exhaled, “I didn’t want you to think that he was too good for me.”

  She looked offended.

  “Zora, what in THE hell are you talking about?”

  “He’s a good person. A church boy. I’m not good. We are the exact opposite.”

  “I don’t know if you tripped up the steps and bumped your head or if you’ve inhaled too much laughing gas but either way you must have lost your damn mind! Yes, I said a curse word because it’s the only one that fits. Well, another one would have fit, but I’m not saying it. It starts with an F and rhymes with trucking.”

  I laughed at her. I would have just said the word.

  “Zora, why would you think something like that? It is so not true! If anything, you are too good for him! He is the lucky one, not you. I mean he’s an amazing guy, and I love you two together. You guys balance each other. However, I would never think like that about you. Have I ever given you a reason to think that I feel that way about you? If I have, I didn’t mean to do it because it’s not true.”

  “No, Nette. You’ve never judged me or ever made me feel judged. It’s just that he’s so different than any other man I have been with and I did all of that big talk about church boys, and now I’ve fallen for one. I didn’t want to like him. I certainly didn’t want to fall for him, but I have. So has BJ.”

  “Zeke is not your typical church boy, but based on the way your skin is glowing and the permanent smile that is on your face, I’m sure you have figured that out.”

  My stomach did flips thinking about being with him.

  “Yeah,” I cheesed, “I know.”

  “Seriously, Sissy. I don’t ever want to hear you say anything like that about yourself again. You are amazing! I admire your strength, courage, and wisdom.”

  “It’s been inside of me all along,” I laughed as I sang the words to the old India Arie song.

  “Shut-up! I’m serious. I love the woman that you are.”

  “Thank you, sissy. I love you too.”

  “Tell me about him. What is he like to date? First, let’s acknowledge that you are dating!”

  “Right! I am, and I am scared shi…crapless. He’s so attentive, and he loves BJ. More importantly, BJ loves him. Oh, and look at this.”

  I pulled out my phone to show her the picture of the flowers he sent.

  “Oh, my Goodness, Sissy. Are these real?”

  “I know right! Yes, they are real. They are called kaleidoscope roses. He sent four dozen!”

  “Four dozen? Why four?”

  I cleared my throat and adjusted my legs beneath me.

  “Oh, nevamind! Y’all are so nasty, but after that night I had with Roman, I totally understand now!”

  We giggled. We laughed and talked for a couple of hours before it was time for me to leave.

  “Well, I’m going to go. Zeke and BJ were hanging out tonight, but I’m sure they are headed back to my house. I love you, Sissy. Thank you for understanding me.”

  “I love you too.”

  “I mean, what does she like to do? What does she like to eat? Should I cook something for them or are we going out to eat?”

  “Z, you nervous?”

  “Hell yeah, I’m nervous!”

  Ezekiel had just finished telling me that his parents were in town and he wanted to introduce me and BJ to them. Nervous is the understatement of the century! I want to call Nette and get some information from her, but I couldn’t call Nette. After I left her apartment, she decided to go and meet Roman in Atlanta. I didn’t want to disturb her because they are probably doing a lot of making up.

  “It’s not like it’s an inquisition or something it’s just Roland and Grace Bluette.”

  “Who are also your parents!”

  “Z, come here,” He pulled me next to him on the couch in my living room. “Why are you acting like this? It’s cool. They are cool people.”

  “I lived in a house with a woman for my whole childhood that hated me. She never said it, but I knew she did. Her actions showed it. Because of her, I have a hard time developing relationships with women. It always feels like they don’t like me but there really isn’t a reason why, you know? I don’t even try anymore. When I was in school girls didn’t really come for me. I had three older brothers, and they knew that I could scrap like a dude, but that didn’t stop them from saying things about me. They were jealous of me for no reason. So, when you say I have to meet another woman who is the mother of the man that I am completely infatuated with, it scares me. What if she falls into the same category as my mother and sees something in me that she hates? Not to mention that I have a baby out of wedlock. That’s like the number one sin, right?”

  He pulled me in closer to him and kissed my forehead.

  “So, you're infatuated with me?”

  “Really Zeke?” I smiled.

  He chuckled.

  “I just wanted to make you smile. I know things were hard for you and I’m sorry you had to live through that but you did. You are a fighter. They are not the type to judge you. You’re an amazing woman Doctor Chambers. You are an amazing mother with an amazing son. I’m sure my parents, especially my mother, will see that in you.”

  Ezekiel

  Zora, BJ and I were meeting my parents at their condo in the city. They visit Houston a lot, so my brothers and I purchased them a condo in the Galleria area of Houston. I held Zora’s hand the entire car ride. She was trying to put on a brave face, but she was nervous. When I picked her and BJ up, I told her how beautiful she looked in her long African print skirt and yellow tank top. She wore yellow sandals with it and wore her hair up in a bun. She dressed BJ in some khakis and a denim shirt. He had on a red bowtie. I had purchased him several since he has shown such an interest in wearing them. I pulled up to their building and parked. I got out and helped BJ out of his car seat then we opened Zora’s door. I kissed her hand as we all walked hand in hand into the building.

  I knocked and then used my key to enter their condo. My parents were standing in the living room.

  “Hello Beautiful Lady,” I walked over to my mother and embraced her.

  “Hi, Baby!” She smiled brightly.

  “Hi, Dad!” We hugged, and he kissed me on the cheek.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Doctor Zora Chambers, my girlfriend and this my Lil Dude, Braeden. My mom Grace Bluette and my dad Bishop Roland Bluette.”

  “Hi Sweetheart, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” my dad gave Zora a hug.

  “Bishop, the pleasure it mine. Zanetta used to share the CDs of your sermons with me while we were in school. They were amazing.”

  “Thank you,” my dad smiled.

  “No, thank you, Bishop. Those words came during some really challenging times in my life. They helped me tremendously. First Lady Bluette, it’s a pleasure to meet you, too. Zanetta always speaks so highly of you.”

  I love the way Zora carries herself. She can be young and free like when she came to hear me play, or she can be subdued like she is with my parents. That’s my lady.

  “I can say the same for you. Congratulations on the new practice.” My mother responded.

  “Thank you, First Lady.”

  They hugged.

  “And now who is this small person?” My dad was speaking to BJ.

  BJ smiled and said, “My name is Braeden James Chambers. I’m three years old, but I’m going to be four soon.”

  My dad extended his hand, “It’s a pleasure it meet
you, Mr. Chambers.”

  BJ laughed and said, “Noooooo, not Mr. Chambers my name is B-J.”

  We all laughed.

  “Excuse me, pardon my mistake. It’s a pleasure to meet you BJ.”

  BJ shook his hand.

  “BJ, my name is Grace. I’m happy to finally meet you. Your Tee Tee talks about you all the time.” My mother bent down to speak with BJ eye to eye. Braeden smiled and extended his hand to touch her cheek.

  “You are pretty like my mommy,” he hugged her. My mother looked from me to Zora to my dad while she embraced BJ. She was a goner. He got her just like he got me. She may have had some tears in her eyes behind that one. That’s my Lil Dude.

  My parents followed me to the Mexican restaurant where we had reservations. BJ sat between my parents during dinner.

  “Zora, what made you want to become a Dentist?” My father asked while we were waiting for our meals to be delivered.

  “I had a dentist growing up that was like the dentist to the black community. All the black people went to Doctor Bixby. My family saw him religiously, every six months. My older brothers kept cavities. Every time we went to our appointment, they would need to get a filling. I never did, but Doctor Bixby would let me stay in the operatory while he did the fillings on my brothers. I thought it was amazing how he could fix a tooth with this silver metal. It would be a liquid first and then become solid. He saw how much I liked dentistry and told me that I should be a dentist. He said the dental field needs more African-American women in it. He was the first person to ever talk to me about my future, so I listened. Now I’m here.”

  “Is there still a shortage of African-American women in that industry?” My mother asked.

  “Absolutely, I don’t know the numbers, but I was the only black female enrolled in the dental program while I was at Columbia. The problem is that black dentists treat black patients. So, when there isn’t a black dentist around, a lot of people in our community go untreated. Not to sound preachy but we have health fairs all the time and always omit the dental screenings. Gum disease can lead to heart problems. I hope I’m not being too preachy. I’m just passionate about dental care.”