Authors: Darrien Lee

Precious Stones (8 page)

BOOK: Precious Stones

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Chapter Seven

Thanksgiving Day had finally arrived, and Michael had a lot to be thankful for as he stepped up on his aunt and uncle's porch and rang the doorbell.

Malcolm opened the door and greeted him with a hug. “Michael, you're right on time! What do you have there?”

Michael handed his uncle the large bag, which contained a delicious chess pie and two bottles of their favorite wine.

As they walked toward the dining room, Malcolm looked into the bag and said, “This pie smells delicious. You know you didn't have to bring anything.”

“I know, but I wanted to. You and Aunt Teresa have really supported me through all my drama. I'm mostly thankful for you guys this Thanksgiving.”

Malcolm patted him on the back and said, “We only do what families are supposed to do, son.”

“Michael!” Arhmelia yelled as she entered the dining room with a tray of utensils.

Michael's uncle smiled and said, “I'll put the dessert in the kitchen for now. We should be eating shortly.”

Michael smiled and gave his teenage cousin a loving hug. “You look all grown up now. Have I been gone that long?”

Arhmelia twirled around and said, “I do look good, don't I?”

“You do, and if I catch any knuckleheaded boys talking to you, there's going to be hell to pay.”

Arhmelia giggled.

“I bet you're anxious about leaving for college next year, huh?”

“Yes, and I can't wait,” she answered as she put the wine bottles on ice and began placing the utensils on the table.

“Is Spelman still your first choice?” Michael asked.

“Of course,” she answered. “Momma would freak if I didn't at least have it as one of my top choices.”

He laughed and said, “Well, it is her alma mater.”

“I know but an all girls' college? I don't know about that.”

Michael gave her a kiss on the forehead and said, “I understand, but you'll be fine. Besides, Morehouse is right down the street, and there's Georgia Tech, Emory, and so many more colleges in the area. Spelman has a rich history, and it's an excellent school.”

Arhmelia finished setting the table and said, “I guess, but enough about me. How are you doing?”

Michael took a deep breath and picked up the tray, and together they walked toward the kitchen.

“I'm good,” he answered as he sat the tray on the countertop.

“You look good, considering everything you've been through. I was so worried about you,” she admitted, her voice cracking as she held back her tears.

He hugged her and said, “That's so sweet, Arhmelia. I thought about you guys all the time. That's the only thing that got me through it.”

Arhmelia stepped out of his embrace and wiped away a stray tear.

“What is that look for?” he asked as he sampled the icing on a red velvet cake.

“Did the thought of anyone else help you with your ordeal?” she asked.

“Okay, who are you talking about?”

“Listen, Michael, I know things with you and Keilah ended kind of crazy. I felt bad for both of you, because I love you and I really like her, so I went to see her.”

“You saw Keilah? When?”

“A few months ago. I wanted to see how she was and if she had forgiven you.”

He folded his arms and asked, “Is that so?”

“I hope you're not mad.”

“I could never be mad at you, Arhmelia, even though I don't agree with you going to see Keilah. I really hurt her. What I did was unforgivable.”

Arhmelia took Michael by the hands and said, “I know you hurt her, but everyone deserves a chance for forgiveness.”

He thought about how mature his cousin had become. He picked up the centerpiece of red, orange and yellow flowers and made his way into the dining room where he placed it in the center of the table.

“Well, are you going to tell me what you guys talked about?”

“She really didn't want to talk about you or what happened between you guys, but she does seem very happy. She showed me a picture of her daughter.”

That comment immediately got Michael's attention. “Daughter? She has a daughter?”

“Yes, and she's so pretty, Michael,” Arhmelia admitted.

Michael turned and looked out the window at the Randolphs' backyard. “How old is she?” he asked curiously.

“I think she said she's a year old. She sure is cute. She looks like a Gerber baby,” Arhmelia told him, referring to the babies used in the Gerber baby food commercials.

Michael quickly went into deep thought and did the math in his head. There was a strong possibility that he could be the father of Keilah's child. Yes, they had used protection, but nothing was 100 percent effective. Now that he knew she had given birth to a daughter, he wouldn't be able to rest until he knew the truth.

“Michael! Michael! Are you listening to me?” Arhmelia asked.

“Yes, I'm listening,” he lied as he snapped back to reality.

“Are you still friends with that guy?”

He laughed nervously and asked, “What guy?”

Placing the wineglasses she'd brought from the kitchen on the table, she rolled her eyes and said, “I've known you are bisexual for a long time.”

“And just how do you know, young lady?” he asked inquisitively as he followed her back into the kitchen.

“I watched you with Keilah. You were attentive, but you weren't passionate. She was beautiful and hot. It would've been hard for most guys to keep their hands off her. And then there was that time I came by your house unexpectedly and that guy was there with you. You two had this weird way of looking at each other, even though you were only chilling and watch football. Then I heard you on the phone once. I knew you were talking to a guy, but some of the things you said weren't what a man would say to another guy. I knew, but it never made me love you any less.”

He stared at his cousin. She was young, and so he'd never realized she was so in tuned with his behavior and lifestyle, and he'd thought he was being careful around her. When it came to Keilah, he really loved her, which had made it difficult for him to deceive her like he had by having a secret relationship with a man.

“Michael!” Teresa said with affection as she entered the kitchen and hugged her nephew. “What are you two doing holed up in here? All the family is gathered in the family room.”

“I was helping Arhmelia with setting the table.”

His aunt cupped his face and asked, “Sweetheart, is this going to be too much for you?”

“No, ma'am,” he replied with a smile. “I am starving, and I'm anxious to see the family. It's been a while.”

“Great, because we were just about to come into the dining room to eat. Arhmelia, help me bring the food in.”

Arhmelia winked at Michael and then opened the double oven so she could retrieve a couple of platters of food.

Teresa rubbed Michael's arms and said, “If any of this gets to be too much for you, just step away and go upstairs, but I do not want you to leave. Agreed?”

He kissed her cheek and said, “Agreed.”

With tears in her eyes, she said, “You look so handsome, Michael. A little thin, but that's understandable. . . but still handsome.”

“I'm sure you'll fatten me up in no time, Auntie,” he joked before picking up the large turkey and carrying it into the dining room.

Michael and his family enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner together. At the suggestion of the Randolphs, they made sure no one brought up Michael's recent ordeal overseas. The trauma of it was still fresh, and all they wanted to do was be thankful for his return and look forward to more family gatherings like this one. It touched Teresa's heart to see her nephew laughing at stories being told by various family members.

Malcolm held his wineglass up and said, “I would like to propose a toast if everyone would hold their glasses up.”

Once he had everyone's attention and their glasses were held high, he began his toast.

“First of all, I want to thank God for allowing our family to be able to gather together for another Thanksgiving. Secondly, I'm thankful for my lovely wife and daughter, who are the reason I get up every morning. Ladies, I love you, and you are my life.”

Teresa blew a kiss to her husband in reply.

“Lastly, I'm thankful for God for watching over Michael and bringing him home safely, and that's all that needs to be said about that. So I ask all of you to lift your glasses high in thanksgiving and love, and I pray that we're all able to do this all over again next year.”

“Amen,” Teresa said before taking a sip of wine, along with the other family members.

Across town, Keilah and her family were also sitting down to a large Thanksgiving meal courtesy of Sabrinia, Ramsey's mom, Valeria, and Aunt Judy. Since Keilah was the hostess, she was given a pass from kitchen duty. Instead, she was allowed to enjoy family time with all her brothers, including her half brother, Keytone.

“Baby sis, you're looking more mature every time I see you. You're filling out in the hips and everything,” Keytone announced.

Keilah rolled her eyes and said, “Leave it to you to say something ignorant.”

“Ignore him, Keilah. You look fine,” his wife answered. She padded his stomach and said, “He's the one who could stand to lose a few pounds.”

“Whatever,” Keytone mumbled as he took a sip of wine.

“Thanks for having my back, but I'm not listening to him. As long as my husband is happy with my figure, that's all that matters,” Keilah responded.

“And I'm definitely happy with your figure, baby,” Ramsey proudly announced as he leaned over and kissed his wife.

“Can we change the subject please? There are children at the table,” Luke suggested before turning to Keytone. “Come on, bro. You don't go there with any woman, let alone your sister. It's Thanksgiving.”

Keytone put his hands up in defense and said, “You're right. My bad. Keilah, I'm sorry if I offended you. You look beautiful, as always, and you don't need to change a thing.”

“Apology accepted,” Keilah replied.

The family continued to enjoy the delicious dinner, complete with a deep fried turkey.

After dinner Keilah enjoyed quiet time with her brother Roman, who loved the written word like she did. He was also like a father to her and was always the voice of reason when there seemed to be some type of disagreement within the family. He was also the peacemaker in the family. Keilah owned an extensive book collection in her private library, and they often read books together so they could discuss them later. Upstairs in her library for nearly an hour they discussed the latest book, a memoir by a well-known journalist, over Aunt Judy's pecan pie and coffee.

Genesis walked in carrying a teary-eyed Neariah and said, “I think somebody is missing her mom.”

Keilah took her daughter into her arms and said, “I think there's been too much commotion for her in one day.”

“Probably so,” Genesis replied. “I gave her to Ramsey, but she kept whining, so he told me to bring her to you.”

She gently patted her daughter on the back to comfort her as she lay against her chest. “Yeah, when she gets like this, she only wants me. It's a momma thang.”

Roman stood and gave his sister a kiss on the cheek. “Go ahead and take care of her. I think we were done here, anyway. I'll take the plates back downstairs.”

“Thanks, Roman. Genesis, do you want to come hang out with me and Neariah for a bit?” she asked.

Keilah and Genesis were extremely close, and he was the one she confided in the most growing up. Even as an adult, she shared things with him that she couldn't share with her other brothers.

“Are you sure?” he asked. “I don't want to upset her any more than she is.”

Keilah walked out into the hallway and said, “She's fine as long as I'm close by. Come on to the nursery with me. I'm going to rock her a little bit. She'll probably take a nap.”

Genesis followed his sister down the hallway to the nursery and took a seat while Keilah changed her daughter's diaper.

“You're a good mother, Keilah.”

She smiled and said, “I appreciate that, Genesis. We had a good mom, and you guys were great until I turned sixteen.”

Genesis laughed, knowing exactly what his sister was referencing. “What did you expect? You are our only sister.”

BOOK: Precious Stones

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