Jeffrey nodded quickly.
“Well, let me call your mother first and see if it’s all right with—”
“No. I have to leave.” Jeffrey stood and hobbled toward the back door again. “Julia will be mad.”
I followed him. “Nonsense. Why would she—”
“I have to leave,” he repeated.
I sensed the determination in his tone. “Well, it was nice to meet you.” I shadowed him out the door, across the lawn, through the fence gate, and back out to the front yard. Wanted to make sure he made it home safe.
Frank’s quiet neighborhood boasted sharply manicured lawns and broad, clean streets. The brick houses stood tall and magnificent, the result of hard work, blessed work, or—in Frank’s case—both.
The boy was a good fifty feet up the street when a red-headed woman parked on the opposite side of the street, jumped out of the car and grabbed him like he stole something. “What is wrong with you? Get in the car!”
My goodness! Jeffrey certainly knew his Momma. I waved at her and hollered, “He was fine!”
Immediately, her face lost the mean quality as she yelled, “Thank you!” Hmph. She one of them Jekyll and Hyde types.
She stuffed Jeffrey into the back seat like a police suspect, then she got behind the wheel again and drove toward me. As she neared, she lowered the window of her fancy wine-colored Lexus. “I’m so sorry to meet you under these circumstances. I’m Julie Baxter-Allen.” Her hair seemed bigger than her body. She was an attractive woman, but I didn’t like the ugly way she’d snatched Jeffrey up.
“He was no problem at all. We were thinking about eating breakfast together tomorrow, right Jeffrey?”
His face beamed. “I like pancakes.”
“You’re welcome to come over, too,” I invited his mother.
“No, thank you. I’m sorry you had to deal with him this morning.”
I waved my hand. “Please. Your son was perfectly—”
“He’s not my biological son,” she corrected me. “It was nice to meet you, Beatrice. He won’t bother you again.”
I shook my head, leaned down into the car and looked her square in the eye. “Kids aren’t bothers. They’re blessings,” I delivered my not-so-subtle rebuke.
Her knuckles turned white against the steering wheel. She took off down the street like I’d just slapped her. Well, maybe I did slap her—with the truth. Somebody needed to slap her, considerin’ the way she handled Jeffrey.
But when I got back in the kitchen and settled down again with my Heavenly Father, my heart broke for Julia and Jeffrey. I’m sure he was a handful. Even though his mind wasn’t all there, seemed like his body was intact for the most part. He was probably giving her all kinds of trouble, hormones changing and all. Special children require very patient parents. Anybody can lose it with a normal teenager, let alone one who needs extra help and guidance.
I repented of getting angry with Julia so fast. Lord knows being quick to anger sure ain’t a fruit of the Spirit. Not the Holy Spirit, anyway.
No sooner than I had added Jeffrey and Julia’s names to my prayer list, he come beatin’ on the door again. Harder this time. And callin’ my name. “Mama B! Mama B!”
I skipped to answer his call again, wondering how he’d managed to get out of the car ‘cause that Julia was headin’ to take him straight back home.
When I opened the door, the first thing I seen was a big red knot on the boy’s forehead. “Jeffrey?”
Chile, he passed out cold right there on the ground.
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A Note from the Author
This Mama B series has sparked a new desire to fellowship with believers and share the gospel in the same ways Mama B does—not by preaching at people but by letting Christ be known in the way I treat others. I pray that her example of a godly woman will encourage you to think about how you want to be after walking with the Lord for 40+ years.
If you have yet to start your journey in Christ, let me encourage you to seek Him. Seek Him in all of his glory, all of His love, and His wisdom. If you feel the tug in your heart, Thank Him for His goodness, ask Him for forgiveness, and invite Him to live in you. He stands knocking on the door of your heart and is more than pleased to come in and be your Lord (Rev. 3:20). And as both Mama B and I can testify to, He is a good Lord indeed!
God bless you!
-Michelle Stimpson
Did You Read Mama B Books 1 & 2?
If not, DON’T WORRY! You can still enjoy Mama B dealing with her friends, family, and church members without ruining any surprises.
Mama B - A Time to Speak (#1)
he good folks at Mt. Zion Baptist are doing their best to keep the church flowing smoothly while Pastor Phillips takes time off to be with his wife in her final days. Beatrice "Mama B" Jackson even opens her home so that the women's groups can continue to meet faithfully after some “rascal” stole the copper from the church’s air conditioning unit. With her semi-estranged granddaughter and great-grandson staying in the guest room, Mama B soon has a full house.
When the interim preacher and his wife start touting messages that don’t line up with the Bible, Mama B can only take so much of this foolishness. Soon enough, she realize that there is much more at stake than she or anyone else at Mt. Zion ever imagined. It’s time to speak.
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Mama B – A Time to Dance (#2)
ama B thought her life would return to normal, but when her nephew, Derrick, comes knocking on her door, she has to reconsider. Though she’s not known for housing marital fugitives, she realizes Derrick is looking for more than a place to stay; he needs help finding his way back to God.
Of course, help is almost Mama B’s middle name until Henrietta crosses the line with her accusations about Mama B’s intentions with the recently widowed pastor. Mama B isn’t looking for romance with either the pastor or her suitor, Dr. Wilson—but will love come looking for her?
Order now on Kindle - $2.99
About the Author
In addition to her work in the field of education, Michelle ministers through writing and public speaking. Her works include the highly acclaimed Boaz Brown, Divas of Damascus Road (National Bestseller), and Falling Into Grace, which has been optioned for a movie of the week. She has published several short stories for high school students through her educational publishing company.
Michelle serves in women's ministry at her home church, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. She also ministers to women and writers through her blog. She regularly speaks at special events and writing workshops sponsored churches, schools, book clubs, and educational organizations.
The Stimpsons are proud parents of two young adults and one crazy dog.
Other Books by Michelle Stimpson
Other Books by Michelle Stimpson
Fiction
A Forgotten Love (Novella – Book 1 of the “A Few Good Men” Series)
A Shoulda Woulda Christmas (Novella)
Boaz Brown
Divas of Damascus Road
Falling into Grace
I Met Him in the Ladies’ Room (Novella)
I Met Him in the Ladies’ Room Again (Novella)
Last Temptation (Starring “Peaches” from Boaz Brown)
Mama B: A Time to Speak (Book 1)
Mama B: A Time to Dance (Book 2)
Mama B: A Time to Love (Book 3)
Someone to Watch Over Me
Stepping Down
The Good Stuff
Trouble In My Way (Young Adult Novel)
What About Momma’s House? (Novella with April Barker)
What About Love? (Novella with April Barker)
Non-Fiction
500+ Ways to Say Said
Did I Marry the Wrong Guy? And other silent ponderings of a fairly normal Christian wife
The 21-Day Publishing Plan
Uncommon Sense: 30 Truths to Radically Renew Your Mind in Christ
Visit
Michelle online:
www.MichelleStimpson.com
www.Facebook.com/michelle.stimpson2
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