by Mychea
Seeing Naima sitting on the chaise in the family room with her favorite book “Coveted” open in her lap, Kalani dropped his book bag in the doorway and ran over to give her a hug. Closing her eyes Naima relished in the moment, thinking to herself, “I love being a mom.”
“Hey big boy, how was your day today?”
Pulling out of the hug, Kalani went back to retrieve his bag. “It was great.” He announced, face full of animation. Taking something out of his bag, he ran back over to Naima and practically shoved it in her face. Shifting so she could see what he was holding out to her without losing an eye in the process, she waited for him to continue speaking.
“We had arts and crafts today and I made this heart for you.” Gently removing the red and white paper heart out of his hand, with “I love Mommy” written in crayon in the center, Naima melted. Reaching down and pulling him into another hug, she choked up. “I love this kid.” She thought.
“Thank you punkin, I love it. I’m going to frame it and hang it on the wall.” She said while reaching over to tap the tip of his nose, “If that’s ok with you?”
Pulling away from her, he nods his head on cue, runs back to his bag and exits the room.
“It would seem as if he has more pressing things to do at the moment.”
“I gathered as much,” Naima said giggling softly, while looking over at Kaden as he brought the mail to her. “Mommy time just isn’t what it used to be.”
“He’ll be back, if he’s anything like his dad, he won’t be able to stand not being around you for long periods of time.” Skeptically shaking her head, Naima listened as Kaden continued,
“You know us men, we always come back.”
“Ain’t that the truth?” Naima laughed, while looking over the mail.
Looking down at her, Kaden could feel nothing but love for this woman. His whole world was wrapped up in her. “How are you feeling today?”
Copyright © 2010 Mychea
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Laying the mail on top of the novel in her lap, Naima took a hesitant pause thinking of the best way to answer his question. Her recovery had definitely been a rough one over the last five years, it was touch and go there for a while. Every time she thought about that fateful night, she got angry. Emeri almost made her lose the opportunity to see her children grow up. She took away her ability to have any more and even though her wounds had healed, that is a pain that will forever be etched in her heart. Naima thanked God everyday that she had Namiyah and Kalani so early in her life, at least she already had them as a part of her world before the hell storm known as Emeri surfaced.
“Tough question?” Kaden asked, leaning his shoulder on the wall.
“No, it wasn’t tough,” Naima said smiling over at him, “stop being impatient. Give me a second please. I was thinking of a response to it.” She couldn’t help laughing. “Haven’t you learned by now, that women cannot be rushed?”
Pushing off the wall to join her on the chaise, Kaden moved the book she was reading and the mail to the floor. Wrapping his arms around her, entangling her into a hug Naima leaned into him to enjoy the closeness.
“I wasn’t trying to rush you Mocha,” Kaden said as he placed a kiss on her forehead, “Just trying to check on you.”
Closing her eyes and enjoying the pure smell, feel and sound of him; Naima was getting drunk off his presence. Everything about Kaden was still intoxicating to her and they were sixteen years into their relationship. Fourteen of which they had been husband and wife, and while it hadn’t always been wonderful, it had definitely been interesting.
“I know, and I love that you are always checking on me.” Taking a deep breath Naima continued, “Today has been a good day.” making a slight grunting noise, motioning toward the other side of the chaise, “I’m about sick of using that walker to get around though. My physical therapist said that I’m getting stronger and pretty soon I may not need it anymore. I’m looking forward to that day.”
“That’s excellent news. I know how that has been stressing you. See,” he said rising off the chaise, “that’s a cause for celebration.”
Laughing, “Babe, what are we celebrating? I still have to use the thing for the time being.”
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Bending down, to scoop her up off the chaise, into his arms, “We’re celebrating the fact that you never give up. I’m sure in the hospital it would have been so easy to let go of this life, but you fought through it and I’m always going to be grateful you did.”
Feeling the mist developing behind her eyes, she met Kaden’s gaze head on, “Giving up was never an option. I had to fight through it, for my family. Emeri will not destroy us.”
The sad reality was she almost did. Naima’s mother and father were still struggling to come to grips with the situation. Naima had to hand it to her mother, she is a strong woman. Her life has been flipped, turned, twisted, pulled, yanked and she still hangs in there, giving it her all. Naima couldn’t imagine how it must have felt for her to almost lose her and have the responsible party be her sister. That is one feeling that she never wanted to experience in her life. Same for her father, he’s been torn in half. Naima knew how much he loved her, but he was Emeri’s father too. Who knows what kind of internal turmoil consumed him.
As for Naima, she had been praying about the Emeri situation. It would be so easy to give into hating her, so easy. But, hating her would kill Naima’s spirit and she couldn’t have that happen.
For her children’s sake, she could not allow this situation to make her bitter. Her children deserve a happy mother and to grow up in a household full of laughter and love. Vengeance would not reside in her heart. She would not allow it. It’s a little easier to try and forgive Emeri knowing that she wasn’t the likely target. She had pretty much put herself in the way.
Giving into her father’s demands, she had agreed to meet with Emeri because part of her felt sorry for Emeri. Emeri had suffered through so much pain and was slowly allowing malice to kill her. Maybe if Emeri could see that Naima was able to forgive her. Before she had become a mother, Naima probably would never have been able to forgive her, but becoming one had softened her and Emeri needed someone to love her. Naima recognized a cry for help when she saw one, and Emeri was practically screaming for it. The real question was could Naima put her heart and soul into it? Emeri did need someone. Naima felt like maybe she wasn’t dealt the best hand and needed an ally somewhere. She was just trying to figure out within herself, if she was that person. Naima could honestly say that God had been working on her and through her to help her deal with the crazy events that continue to take place in her chaotic life, but was it enough?
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Copyright © 2010 Mychea
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The Meeting
This moment is the one that Naima had been dreading and trying to avoid. Seated in the basement, sitting across from Emeri, part of her wanted to strangle the girl, the other part wanted to hug her. Sometimes she wished she didn’t have such a compassionate side. She definitely got it from her Momma. Even now, after everything that has happened to their family and her, her mom was still defending Emeri. Her mother truly did love and forgive with a Jesus heart, because at what point is Emeri responsible for her actions?
Coleen, Emeri’s therapist, was there as well, trying to keep the peace, Naima imagined and play mediator. Her “sister” and she used that term loosely, was sitting there without a care in the world, as if something were wrong with the rest of them and she wasn’t the crazy one.
This was pretty much Coleen’s show. She was trying her best to engage the entire family.
However, that can be pretty difficult when the responsible party is too busy acting indifferent.
“Emeri,” Coleen
began again, “would you like to start off our first family session today with any words?”
“No, actually I wouldn’t.”
Visibly unnerved, Coleen redirected the question to the rest of the family. “Do any of you have anything to say to Emeri?”
“Actually, I do.” Naima said, raising her finger up to take the floor. “I would like for Emeri to explain herself. I feel like she owes this family some sort of explanation. I mean, we didn’t know who she was or where she came from and we accepted her, no questions asked.” Turning to look directly into Emeri’s eyes, Naima’s own eyes began to water, “I always wanted a sister. It seems like such a twist of fate that God brought you into my life and the sister I always wanted put me in the hospital fighting for my life.”
“Naima, you jumped in front of a bullet. It was never my intent for you to get hurt.”
Narrowing her eyes at Emeri, Naima was pissed off, “Are you going to sit there, and actually attempt to defend your actions?” she eyed Emeri incredulously. She couldn’t believe the nerve of this girl. She was unbelievable.
Gazing at her with pure hatred in her eyes, Emeri didn’t respond.
“Naima, I think that is a valid question.” Turning to Emeri, Coleen continued, “Emeri, what do you think about the question Naima just asked you?”
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The pause in the air lasted so long that Naima began to wonder if Emeri intended to respond or if she was planning to ignore Coleen. Finally, she broke her silence.
“You have no idea what my life was like, how could you?” She glanced up at Naima then and that was when Naima noticed the tears glistening in her luminous eyes. Who knew Emeri had enough emotion inside of her to shed tears.
“You have no idea what it’s like not to grow up like a princess and not have two parents dote on you. You don’t know what it’s like to watch your mom struggle to make ends meet because her family has disowned her and she’s trying to raise a child alone.” She genuinely looked defeated. If Naima didn’t know how evil Emeri could be, she would have fallen for her little act.
“Your brain probably cannot begin to comprehend what it is like to go to school fulltime, graduate at the top of my class and work seven days a week to help take the burden off my Mama. No idea what it is like to have no one to turn to, even your Mama, when something is consuming your life. None of you can relate to me. So, in response to your question, I’m not defending my actions, I just don’t feel the need to justify you with an answer.”
That’s it. Just like that, Emeri had shut them all down. The frustration on Coleen’s face was evident. Everyone thought the first session had been a bust until their Dad spoke. In true Kenneth fashion, he spoke softly, but firmly. “Emeri, I’m sorry.” No other words did he utter from his lips. The tears that Emeri had hid beneath her eyelids came flowing down her face. And for an infinite space in time, Emeri was human. You could see the hurt and raw emotion on her face.
Something about their Dad made Emeri’s defenses crumble and you could almost, like her….almost. Then reality would set in and you remember what this girl is capable of.
Naima’s mother jumped up and went to her, trying to console her. This is what irritated Naima the most about her mom. She was too nice. Everyone babied Emeri. That’s part of what was wrong with her now. It’s as if everyone forget that Naima was sitting in a wheelchair and needed to use a walker whenever she wanted to take a few steps. They’re forgetting that for the last five years, she’d been unable to run around with her children. Those are moments that she would never get back. Naima’s children will never have those memories and Emeri is the one that denied them of that.
Fixating her eyes on the spectacle taking place before her, Naima watched Emeri soaking up the attention for the few tears she shed. Emeri thought that she was so smart, but she didn’t have Naima fooled. Naima could see right through her, she always could. Maybe because they did Copyright © 2010 Mychea
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share some of the same blood, Naima knew certifiable crazy when she saw it and Emeri was definitely that person. However, Emeri had made one mistake, she had underestimated her adversary. She had taken away Naima’s ability to have more children. Once upon a time, Naima had wanted a house full of kids, that dream was shattered now and she vowed that Emeri would not get away with what she did to Naima and the family. Naima had never believed in an eye for an eye, until now.
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Lying in bed after the kids lay down for the night, Kaden had just set foot in the house and already he was heading into the shower. As good, as things had been lately Naima was doing her best to ignore the signs. But once a man cheats on you, a third sense is developed about these things. You always know when something ain’t right and something just ain’t right. Her intuition was kicking into fifth gear, and though she couldn’t put my finger on it, she knew that it was only a matter of time before once again, everything would hit the fan.
Copyright © 2010 Mychea
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Chapter 4
Interlude
I hate that Mama works all the time. It left me under the care of our neighbor Mr. CT. I’m not sure of his whole name, that’s just what he told me and Mama when he first moved next door. He was pleasant enough to look at and at first, he used to come over and play with me while Mama cooked him dinner since he was the only single man on the block. I used to love our time together, but then Mama picked up another job and asked Mr. CT to start watching me and in the beginning that was cool too. But, slowly things started to change. He started to touch me in places and told me if I ever told Mama he would kill her. I didn’t like him after that first time.
Now he was back for more. Him with his insatiable appetite and once again, I knew what was in store for me. He could have me physically, but he would never have me mentally or emotionally.
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Damir had it coming. Emeri had no idea what he was trying to prove acting like an asshole by having the letters she had written for him while cooped in the asylum rejected by the forwarding mail system. But trust, she was more than equipped to play his game. It had taken some digging to find out where he had moved too. The old house must have offered up too many unpleasant memories for him to deal with. Not that she gave a shit. He is about to learn, “There is no getting away from me,” Emeri thought, “I am like God, you may not be able to see me, but I am everywhere.”
Pushing her sunglasses further up her face as she turned the radio down, she watched him pick his daughter up from school. It was only a matter of time before he was in my life again, he still wanted her, she could feel it. If he would have just let her explain, she would be able to guarantee it. Sliding down in her seat, so he wouldn’t see her as he drove by, she tried to think of the best way to approach him, especially since the court had ordered her to stay far away from him and his family. She needed to think of a course of action and she needed to do it fast.
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“Damir.”
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He turned trying to see who was calling him in the darkness. His eyes lit up when he saw that it was her .
“Hey, what are you doing out here hiding in the bushes? Why don’t you come inside?”
“I was trying to get myself together.”
“Well,” He inquired, “are you done?”
Running up to meet him on the front step Emeri replied, “I sure am.”
“Good, because I have plans for you tonight and they don’t involve lurking outside in the darkness. They involve lurking inside in the darkness.” He said with a smile a
s he pushed the door open and led her into his house.
Moaning softly, “Lurking inside the darkness with you sounds like heaven.”
“Excuse me Miss., but you can’t park here.” Startled out of her daydream by a crossing guard pounding on her windshield, Emeri put the car in gear and drove down the street.
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Sitting in the family room when Naima entered assisted by her walker, Emeri could almost feel sorry for her, she was a pitiful sight to see, trying so hard to regain the full use of her legs and all.
But, since she could care less about Naima anyway, fuck her.
Emeri knew that her moving back in with the family was killing Naima. She could see it in her eyes every time she came over to drop off or pick up Namiyah and Kalani. She keeps this up and it’s going to be like we say in New York, hands and feet time. Clucking her teeth, Emeri just stared at Naima; she had been waiting to give her what she had been inadvertently asking for, but even Emeri didn’t feel it was fair to pick on an unworthy opponent. She would wait until Naima was completely well again.
Ma Cyn walked into the family room followed by Naima’s children. Kalani ran over by the fireplace to retrieve his book bag and ran right back out of the room. Namiyah however, was another story. Emeri’s gaze slowly ran up and down Namiyah, she knew that Namiyah didn’t like her. At fifteen, Emeri knew she had to watch this little heifa. Namiyah was never rude if she had to speak to her, Ma Cyn made sure of that, but when she and Emeri’s gaze met, Emeri could feel the hatred radiating through her. Watching Namiyah from the corner of her eye, she didn’t trust her for a minute; the streets of New York had trained her to recognize a threat and Namiyah was definitely a threat. She was on get back for what had happened to her mom, Emeri prayed Copyright © 2010 Mychea
