by Tiece
“I already know,” Lauren commented with a smile on her face. “Well, breakfast should be ready by the time Mom gets here. We’ll eat first then get dressed for church.
“Sounds great,” Mr. Ware said. “And I’ll call her after church and see how she like the surprise I have for her.”
“Why you won’t tell me what it is?” Lauren nosily pondered.
“Because you’ve never been able to hold water,” he answered. “You tell every secret you know,” he chuckled knowing his daughters all too well.
“I won’t say anything,” she said hoping he’d confide in her.
“I know you won’t, because I’m not telling,” he grinned.
Lauren playfully pouted. “Daaaaad!”
“Now one of the surprises should be there soon.”
“Soooo, you’re sending something here for Mom.”
Mr. Ware ignored her snooping with a cool nod of his head. “Ya’ll just make sure that your mom enjoys herself today. I’ll call her after the church services are over.”
“Okay, we’ll talk to you later.” Lauren said. “Oh and kiss Bianca for us.”
“I will,” he said then ended their call.
Lauren turned to face her sisters. “Dad says that we are to make sure that mom enjoys her day. He has a surprise for her but he won’t tell me what it is.”
“That’s because it’s a SURPRIIIISE,” Kerry said with emphasis causing the other sisters to laugh.
Lauren disappointedly frowned. “I don’t run my mouth like that.”
“The hell you don’t,” ShaKita chimed in. “If we want somebody to know something without telling them directly then we call you.” Lauren looked over at Janay as if she was looking for a little back up.
Janay bowed out with a nod of the head. “Don’t look at me like that. They’re just being honest.” The sisters fell out laughing.
As the girls stood in the kitchen playing around while continuing to cook, Mrs. Ware entered the house. She walked straight into the kitchen kissing the girls one by one. It was a great feeling to have the four girls back under the roof their six bedroom family home.
“So what is y’all’s dad up too, today?” She asked the girls as they stood around with a blank stare.
“I don’t know,” Janay answered. “He just told me that today should be a great day for us.”
Kerry shrugged her shoulders. “He told me was that he had a good feeling about things and especially about Bianca’s wanted us to enjoy our day then he just called and told Lauren to tell us to make sure that you enjoy yourself with us today. He’s feeling better.”
“Yeah, he just seemed so uplifted today. It was good to see that handsome smile on his face.” ShaKita added.
“I don’t know what he’s up too but I’m sure I’ll find out,” Mrs. Ware said lifting the top on the grits then stirring just out of habit.
“Mom, chill out. We got this mom,” Janay said with a smile on her face.
“We got what?” ShaKita asked. “The only thing you got is the ability to hold that seat down so good,” she said causing everyone to laugh.
Janay humorously rolled her neck. “Whatever.” A light knock was heard at the front door.
Lauren was the first one to take notice. “Un-huh,” she nosily said. “Somebody’s knocking. I bet that’s one of the Dad’s surprises.” She quickly went to the front door then opened it. “FIIIIINN!!!” She screamed out!
“Who?” Janay said peeking around the corner.
“Did she say Finn, my son?” Mrs. Ware asked thinking about her favorite son-n-law. Finn stepped around the corner with a big cheese smile on his face. Everyone in the kitchen was elated to see him as they all spoke with cheer. He was really like the brother they never had being married to their older sister and from the moment they’d been together he just seemed to fit right in with the family. He hugged and kissed everyone on the cheek and by the time he made it to Janay she was beaming with delight that her husband had made it there to surprise them. She wasn’t expecting him to show up for another week.
“Babe, you could’ve told me that you were coming.”
“Then it wouldn’t have been a surprise would it have been?” He asked kissing her several times on the lips.
“Ewww,” ShaKita said with a smile on her face. “Get a room.”
“You being here on this Sunday morning only can mean one thing,” Mrs. Ware said with a kool-aide smile on her face. She just loved when her son-n-law showed his skills in their churches pulpit.
“Yes, Dad pulled some strings for me to preach a sermon for the family this morning.” He informed them.
“Aww,” Mrs. Ware said with a smile. “My wonderful husband has definitely made my day.”
Finn cleared his throat. “I was also thinking that it would be nice if Janay stayed here until after she had the baby.” Janay’s eyes widened as did everyone else’s around her. “Because this is our first child, I want her to have the support of her family here to show her the ropes.” His eyes went from Mrs. Ware then to her sisters as he spoke then back over to his wife. “I will be here as much as possible until you and the baby are ready to make the trip back home with me.”
“Oh my God,” Mrs. Ware said. “I think that is a great idea.”
Janay was very happy because she never wanted to have the baby in Marietta anyway. Who wanted to hang around a family that didn’t like her? She sure didn’t and the thought of being around Finn’s family while giving birth to their baby had already given her so much anxiety till it became hard to even fathom the thought.
“Baby, you don’t know how happy this has made me,” she said grabbing him by his face and kissing him.
Kerry smiled. “I believe that you’ve made all of us very happy,” she said.
“You really have,” Mrs. Ware added walking over and hugging him. Finn just had a way with the family. He was definitely one of the good guys.
“Look, I’m gonna go ahead and take a quick shower and get dressed for church. I’ll be back down to eat. Make sure that you go ahead and feed the kids first.” Mrs. Ware started out the kitchen then stopped. “Is Royce back from his friend’s house?” is coming to church with us too right?”
ShaKita looked over at her. “Yes,” she answered.
“So, he’s coming with us to church, too?”
“Yes, neph is coming too. All the grand’s will be there.” ShaKita responded.
“Great.” She said happy to be surrounded by most of her immediate family. She thought about her oldest grand again. “Bianca should be really proud of Royce.” She said with a smile on her face. “He has grown up to be a really nice young man.”
“And this is his last year in school,” Lauren pointed out. “I’m very proud of him.”
“We all are,” Janay added.
“He has done well for himself considering the circumstances. It warms my heart that all he wants to do tomorrow while your dad and are at the funeral is sit with Kita at the hospital with his mom.”
“Aww, that’s him.” Kerry spoke. “He’s such the opposite of his mom. He must get that from-” she cut herself off not wanting to even mention Royce’s perverted ass daddy.
“He gets that from Dad,” Janay spoke up.
Mrs. Ware smiled. “I can agree with that.”
**********
Three hours later, the young Bishop Finn Carter, was wrapping up his sermon at Spring Treaty Baptist Church. He preached about keeping the faith and never giving up. He’d held an explosive service and was now closing up the last part of the word while giving his all as his voice bellowed throughout the small church. The piano began to play in the background causing some of the people to stand to their feet in a spiritual uproar. Some even catching the Holy Ghost as the powerful word being spoken touched their souls.
Janay smiled admiring her sexy man and the calling that had been placed upon his life. The more she saw him give the word the more she believed in his ability to reach the people. Bishop Car
ter looked out at his wife and n-laws sitting on the front row of the church peers and smiled. There was something weighing on his heart that wanted him to reach them, because he knew that they’d been going through it. He loved this family like his own and if he could let them know that they weren’t alone then this trip wouldn’t be in vain.
“The Ware family means so much to me. I love this Family so much.” He said with a smile. “For those that don’t know, my beautiful wife is Janay and we’re expecting our first child. May God bless our family and please God, bless our child.” He said with a nod of the head. “Amen.”
The church then repeated after him… “Amen.”
“I also ask for the continuance prayer of Bianca Ware and that God sees fit for her to awake in good spirits and ready to take on life with a greater mission. There will be a burial tomorrow of a special young man that was once in my sister-n-law’s life. He was a father, a son, a brother, and a friend to many. Please keep his family in your prayer.” Bishop Carter wiped his forehead with the white handkerchief that was in his hand. “Amen.”
The church then repeated after him… “Amen.”
He directed his attention to Mrs. Ware, back over to each of the sisters then at the kids. “I know that it’s not been an easy time my family, but please know that you’re not alone.” He said then glanced around at the whole church. “No one in here is ever alone!” He spoke out loud as the piano grew louder in the background. This, in turn, caused the people to connect with his words of encouragement even more.” He wiped the sweat from his forehead again then continued.
“When I need the strength to keep going, the best place to which I know to turn is God’s Word. NEVER GIVE UP THE FAITH! KEEP GOING! KEEP RUNNING! KEEP MOVING!” He shouted out stomping his feet as he felt the movement of the spirit take him over. “KEEP PRAYING! KEEP PRAYING!” He took in a deep breath then went back at it in full force. “KEEP RUNNING! KEEP SPEAKING IT! GOD,” he shook his head. “Y’ALL DON’T HEAR ME!” He shouted. “KEEP PRAYING! KEEP PRAYING!” By this time the whole church was on their feet and shouting! “Please family,” he said as the piano tunes slowed to his pace and the tempo in his voice had calmed. “Keep the faith and keep praying.” He encouraged, closing the sermon out. He’d done a job well done and his in-laws were more than proud of him.
Mrs. Ware and the family was standing up, shouting, and crying. The sermon was great and Mr. Ware couldn’t have given them a better surprise than having Finn show up there to preach for them on such unexpected visit.
**********
Once the church had cleared out the family was finally heading outside. Everyone was laughing and talking on the church grounds trying to figure out where they were going to eat out at.
“How about Olive Garden?” ShaKita asked already knowing that was their mom’s favorite place. Before anyone could answer a new black Honda Accord pulled up directly in front of them. A guy wearing a salesman shirt got out and immediately looked at them.
“Is uh,” he said looking around. “Is Royce Ware out here?”
Royce raised a concerned eyebrow. “Uh, yeah,” he spoke up. “I’m Royce Ware.”
The car salesman smiled. “Nice to meet you my man, I’m Gary. Your grandfather, Mr. Ware, wanted me to deliver this to you for being such the perfect grandson. He says that you are one of kind and that you’ve made him and grandmother very proud.” Royce smiled from ear to ear with tears in his eyes. He looked at the car in shock.
“Are you serious, man?” He questioned as Mrs. Ware and his aunts wiped their happy tears for him.
“I’m so serious,” the man spoke. “You’re a senior this year and obviously you deserve it.”
The day was beyond BLESSED Mrs. Ware thought as she stood there with great hopes of things to come. Her husband had certainly outdone himself and she was more than thankful. She looked down as her cell phone began to ring. It was him. She knew that he was calling to hear how wonderful of a husband that he was and she definitely didn’t mind telling him.
“Hey Honey,” she quickly answered the phone.
“Hey Mommy,” a soft voice spoke from the other end of the line. Mrs. Ware gasped for air, almost dropping the phone. Only one of their daughters still called her Mommy. No matter how old she got, she never outgrew the word. She may have been rebellious, sometimes the most cut throat one of them all, but still she was her heart and no matter what order her girls were born in she would always be the one right next to the baby girl… the one and the only, Bianca Ware.
Chapter6
The next morning the sisters stood in Bianca’s room waiting for the inevitable. Lauren bit on her nails staring intently as Mr. and Mrs. Ware broke the news that Kory had been killed in the car wreck that she and him had been involved a week prior. She sat there twiddling her fingers looking at them. Nothing had yet escaped her lips. It was as if she was still processing the information that she’d been in a coma for over a week and that her daughter’ father didn’t make it out the accident alive.
Mr. Ware leaned over and touched the back of her hand. “Bianca, are you okay?” He asked. She didn’t say a word. She sat there quiet as she looked around the room at her sisters. Kerry sadly stared at her not knowing what to say. ShaKita felt so bad that she couldn’t even make eye contact so she dropped her head. Lauren whispered, “We love you, B.”
Janay stood up and wobbled over to her sister, placing her arm around Bianca’s neck. Her heart ached for her and there was nothing they could do but show her as much love and support as possible. Janay finally backed up allowing Mrs. Ware to step in as she wrapped her arms around her daughter.
“We love you, baby. You’re going to be okay,” she whispered in her ear. Bianca was quiet as a mouse still not saying a word.
Kerry stood back not knowing what to expect because Bianca was very unpredictable. It was already amazing within itself how she awakened out the blue and remembered everything up until the point of the accident. There was no knowledge of it and from the looks of things it seemed that Bianca wished that they’d just kept it to themselves.
The doctor walked into the room breaking the disturbing silence. Mr. Ware immediately turned to face him.
“Hey Doctor, how are things looking with my baby?” He asked.
“Things are looking great,” he said walking over to Bianca and checking her eyes with the light on the end of his pen. “Bianca’s test came back normal. I don’t even see any reason why she can’t go home today.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Mrs. Ware responded as she and the family smiled.
“How are you feeling?” The doctor asked her.
“I’m okay,” she nonchalantly answered, but thoughts of Kory’s death flooded her thoughts. “I’m ready to go home. You said I can leave today, right?” She asked just to double check again.
“Sure,” the doctor said. “I’ll have your release papers written up soon. I will need for you to follow up with your family doctor in a week, but if anything happens such as unexpected headaches, blurred visions, pains, etc. Please, don’t hesitate to return back here immediately.” He said.
“She won’t,” Mr. Ware answered for her.
The doctor touched the back of her hand and smiled. “You were very lucky young lady. Your family stayed with you around the clock. You should be very happy to have them in your life. Y’all be good and continue to take care of each other.” He glanced around the room and smiled at everyone. “Bianca, make sure that you take it easy for the next couple of weeks. Don’t push yourself too much. Just take your time getting back in the swing of things,” he informed her then made his exit.
**********
ShaKita pulled up to the gas station and looked over at Bianca. Since speaking with the doctor she hadn’t said a word to any of them. Back at the hospital, she got out of the bed like there was nothing wrong with her then walked inside the bathroom alone and came out fully dressed. They didn’t know whether to feel good or scared because it seemed as if the
old Bianca had awakened and even more unpredictable.
Once the family was ready to leave it was apparent that Bianca wasn’t riding with anyone but ShaKita since she was now sitting next to her in the passenger seat of her 2012 Ford Fusion. The minute they pulled out of the hospital parking lot Bianca turned up the music and let the window all the way down as if it wasn’t below fifty degrees outside already. ShaKita only turned up the heat and kept driving. If this was somehow making Bianca feel better then she was going to oblige quietly.
While parked at the pumps, she turned back the key ignition and looked over at her sister. She looked sad and lost. Her pretty brown skin tone looked dull and her small beaded eyes looked depressing. There was no glimmer of hope there, no light. ShaKita felt bad for her as she reached in the backseat and grabbed her purse.
