Silver Lining (16 page)

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Authors: Wanda B. Campbell

BOOK: Silver Lining
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“I would love to, but I need to see a doctor.”
Marlissa sat up with concerned etched all over her face. “Baby, what's the matter?”
“I think you may have busted my eardrum with all that screaming you did last night,” Kevin said with a straight face.
“Forget you.” Marlissa threw a pillow at him when he continued making fun of her.
He mimicked her voice. “Kevin, Kevin, oh, Kevin!”
Totally embarrassed, Marlissa gathered the sheet around her and started for the bathroom.
“Come back here, wild woman.” Kevin, without much effort, lifted her and laid her back on the bed. “I love hearing you scream my name, don't ever stop. It does wonders for my ego.”
After the kiss, Marlissa had a comeback for him. “I'll keep screaming if you keep roaring like you're the king of the jungle.”
Kevin laughed out loud. “You've got jokes, huh? I'll have you know that I am the king.”
“I'll second that motion.” Marlissa didn't ask him how the latest turn of events affected their relationship. Instead, she accepted his invitation to join him for a shower.
Chapter 21
K
evin and Marlissa made it to Sunday morning service just in time to hear the choir render a spirited version of “The Blessing of Abraham.” From an unknown source, Marlissa found enough energy to stand and receive her inheritance. Figuring that she hadn't achieved liberation all by herself, Marlissa pulled on Kevin's hand until he was standing beside her and praising God with her.
Pastor Drake mounted the podium, and the congregation stood to read the scripture displayed on the mounted wall monitor. Marlissa caught a glimpse of Leon and Starla with their boys one row over. They looked like the perfect family. The sight warmed her. She leaned into Kevin, and his arm naturally rested on her shoulder. Everything was working out. After last night, she was certain her future as Mrs. Kevin Jennings was secure.
The bubbling-over joy lost some of its momentum when out of her peripheral vision Marlissa spotted Mother Scott glaring at her. Marlissa ignored her and enjoyed worshipping God with her husband.
“Hey, girl.” Starla greeted Marlissa with a hug after service. “You look happy. One can only wonder why.”
“I am happy, but I am not going to tell you why.” Marlissa blushed.
“You just had to jump into the ring, didn't you?” They hadn't seen Mother Scott approach.
“Mother, I—” Marlissa stammered.
With her mouth twisted, Mother Scott planted her fist on her tiny waist. “Don't try to deny it. With my one good eye, I can tell you done had a championship bout.”
Starla didn't help at all. “Girl, your
happiness
is showing all over your face. Even the pitch in your ‘Thank ya' was higher.”
Marlissa's face flushed when Starla asked what had worked: the dress or the bubble bath. “Starla, not in front of Mother!” Marlissa scolded.
Starla smacked her lips. “Where do you think I get all this experienced knowledge from?”
“Mother?” Marlissa gasped, and gazed at Mother Scott in amazement.
Mother Scott rolled her eyes. “Don't look at me like that. I wasn't happily married for thirty years and had four babies by praying and reading the Bible alone.” The women were still laughing when Kevin and Leon joined them.
“What's so funny?” Leon asked.
“You'll see later,” Mother Scott answered Leon, and then turned to Kevin. “And so will you.”
The men were still lost and the women still giggling when Pastor Drake approached the group.
“Good word this morning, Pastor,” Marlissa greeted him.
“Thank you, Sister Marlissa. I'm glad you made it in time to hear it.”
Pastor Drake's response left Marlissa speechless. Suddenly she wondered if the whole congregation knew how she had spent her night and part of the morning. Then she decided she didn't care. Kevin was legally her husband.
Pastor Drake watched the interaction between Kevin and Marlissa with a careful eye. Now, as during service, they were in constant physical contact with one another, making it obvious to everyone that their relationship had escalated.
“Looks like the four of you are ready for the marriage clinic?” Pastor Drake included Leon and Starla.
“I am going to join the church first,” Starla answered, but Kevin just slightly grinned and nodded.
“We'll think about it,” Marlissa responded.
“I'll keep praying for you,” Pastor Drake said before watching them walk away.
As she walked to the car, Marlissa disregarded the gnawing feeling in her stomach that had surfaced upon feeling Kevin's body instantly tense the second Pastor Drake mentioned the marriage clinic. “That ain't nothing but the devil,” she mumbled.
The Kevin she knew would not have made love to her unless he loved her. Not once last night or this morning had Kevin voiced the sentiment, but Marlissa was convinced he loved her. He had to. She buckled her seat belt and decided she wouldn't pressure him. She would wait for him to open up. He'd revealed his heart to her once before and she'd broken it. Now she owed him time.
Chapter 22
S
tarla massaged Leon's shoulders as he sat at the computer with his eyes transfixed on the monitor. Leon wasn't supposed to move back home for another week, but Leon had never been a good observer of time, especially when it came to being away from his family. Starla didn't mind. They carried on like newlyweds and the boys couldn't have been happier.
“Baby, relax,” Starla reassured him. “I know you passed your exam.” In seconds, the results of Leon's state contractor's license exam would be displayed on the screen.
“Star, you don't know how much I want this for us. Really, I need this,” Leon revealed.
Starla did understand. Leon needed to make retribution for all the heartache he had caused, and regain his wife's total trust. He needed to keep the vows he'd made to her.
“I know, baby.” Starla hugged him from behind and kissed his cheek. “And I believe in you.”
Leon sighed heavily, then nervously typed in the identifying information. No sooner had the reporting window opened than Starla screamed, “I knew you could do it!”
With closed eyes, Leon whispered a word of thanks, and then stood and spun Starla around. “We're on our way!” The weight of the world lifted as he danced an updated version of the bump with Starla.
The celebration aroused the boys' curiosity. Leon and Starla were still dancing when Montel intruded. “Mommy, why are you laughing and crying?”
“Baby, I am happy,” Starla explained.
“We're both happy,” Leon yelled.
The boys giggled uncontrollably as Leon lifted them simultaneously and spun them around. “I feel like celebrating,” Leon announced.
“Daddy, can we go to Chuck E. Cheese's? I want to be happy too.”
Looking into Jaylen's expectant eyes, Leon couldn't refuse his son. “Yes, and we can go to the movies, too.” He set the boys down and watched them trot off.
“Daddy, I'm glad you're home,” Montel called over his shoulder.
“Me too,” Jaylen added.
Leon's heart swelled with joy. His prayers were being answered one at a time. The hell and darkness of the past three years was finally being lifted. The shame of abandoning his family and the guilt of David's death was slowly being erased. His family loved and needed him again.
Starla rubbed his left bicep. “I am happy you're home too.” Leon sat on the desk and Starla stood in front of him, holding his head close to her bosom. Leon relaxed his arms around her waist. Before she felt Leon's tears soak her tee, Starla knew he was shedding tears of joy.
He looked up with thick puddles in his eyes. “When you come back from Modesto, we're going to have our own private celebration.” Starla had finally made arrangements to visit with her father's widow to get some answers about why he'd deserted her.
Starla's eyes lit up at the thought. “Really?”
“Yes. I'll have Mama come stay with the boys, and you and I are going to Calistoga for a few days.”
“Thank you!” Starla kissed Leon's face and hugged him to her again. She had wanted to indulge in a mud bath treatment for a long time, but she could no longer afford the luxury. Thinking about the cost of the Napa Valley getaway dulled her enthusiasm. That, and the fact the somehow Leon had purchased a new work truck. “Honey, Calistoga is a bit expensive; maybe we should find somewhere closer to home.”
Leon rose to his full height. “Star, I am well aware of how much a few days in Calistoga cost and I can handle it.”
“But, honey, now we have the truck payments and we need business licenses and supplies, and advertisements and—”
Leon covered her mouth with his right hand. “Baby, trust me. I got this.” Only after Starla nodded did Leon remove his hand. Leon pulled out his wallet. “Here's some money for your trip. I had your oil changed and the tires checked yesterday, so you shouldn't have any problems. Buy something for me while you're in Modesto. I'm sure there's a Victoria's Secret somewhere down there in the valley.”
Starla's eyes moistened again. “Thank you.”
“Star, are you sure you don't need me to go with you?”
Starla shook her head, then kissed his cheek. “Just be here to love me when I return.”
 
 
As she drove down Highway 99, Starla replayed in her mind the telephone conversation with her father's widow. Odessa had been surprisingly friendly toward her, practically begging her to come for a visit. One of her comments still had Starla puzzled. “James would have loved for you to see where he lived,” was what Odessa had said.
If James Howard had wanted Starla to see where he lived, he would have come back for her. Ten years and he never came back. Starla accepted the hard, naked truth: James Howard didn't want her or her mother. James was self-centered and cruel like her mother claimed, but deep inside she loved her father. If James Howard was alive to beg her forgiveness, Starla would have gladly given it.
As she exited onto Hatch Road, Starla began praying for the courage to continue the journey back in time. She had an overwhelming urge to cross the ramp and speed as fast as she could back to the Bay Area, but twenty years of pain and wonder forced her to the blue and white house on Lyndstom Avenue. She sat quietly listening to the idle engine until the screen door opened.
“Starla, is that you?” a woman called from the porch.
Odessa didn't look much older than Starla remembered. Her hair was sprinkled with salt and she had picked up a few pounds, but other than that, Odessa Howard was the same. She stood just one inch taller than Starla. Today Starla thought the same thing about Odessa she had ten years ago: she bore a strong resemblance to Starla's mother.
She sucked in every ounce of courage, exited the vehicle, and then started down the cement walkway.
“Yes, Mrs. Howard, it's me.” The two shared a brief hug.
“Baby, call me Odessa. I've remarried; my last name is Jones now.” Odessa placed her arm around Starla's shoulder. “Where are your boys?”
“They're with my husband. I thought it best to come alone,” Starla answered.
“That's too bad. I would've loved to see James's grandchildren. He would be so happy to finally have some boys in the family.”
Is that why he left me, because I wasn't a boy?
Starla asked herself. “I have pictures,” she said aloud.
“Baby, come on inside before we have a heat stroke out here.”
Starla slowly took in her surroundings before following Odessa inside. It was this average-looking house with the big yard containing fruit trees and a hammock that her father had left her for. Maybe the big oak had provided him more pleasure than she and her mother could have, or maybe he'd found solace on the gazebo. Starla momentarily shut her eyes as to imprint the scenery permanently in her mind.
Inside the house, Odessa introduced Starla to her new husband. Starla thought the gentleman looked familiar. She'd definitely seen him somewhere before, but where? Odessa answered her unspoken question.
“Starla, this is my husband, Hiawatha Jones. He's a deacon at the church.” Odessa then turned to her husband. “Hiawatha, this is James's daughter, Starla.”
Starla now remembered. Deacon Jones had spoken at her father's funeral. He extended his hand and the two exchanged pleasantries. Deacon Jones then excused himself to give the women some privacy. Odessa invited Starla to the kitchen table.
“Can I get you something cold to drink?” Odessa offered.
Starla accepted a bottled water, more to calm her nerves than to quench her thirst.
“Starla, you look so much like James it's scary,” Odessa observed. “Lord, I wish James was here. You don't know how many days he prayed for this very thing, having you in his home.”
Starla took a swig of water. “Odessa, I came here today because I need to get some answers about my father. I hope you can help me. I've tried talking to my mother, but she refuses to offer any assistance. I need to know why my father left my mother and me.” Starla swallowed in an effort to steady her voice. “I need to know what was so wrong with me that my loving father would up and leave, and not try to contact us until he was dying and too feeble to be a father to me. Why did he no longer desire to be a husband to my mother?”
Starla didn't understand Odessa's stunned facial expression, but continued. “Can you explain to me how you can speak of my father as if he cared about me, when it's obvious he didn't?”
“Starla, how could you possibly think James didn't care about you? You were his only child. James adored you.”
“Then why did he leave his wife and child?”
For a while Odessa was speechless. She reached for Starla's hand, then withdrew before contact. She wrung her hands before resting them in the praying position. “Oh, Starla, I can't believe that after all this time, you don't know the truth. Your mother hasn't told you.”
Starla stopped in the midst of searching her purse for tissue. “What truth?”
“I am so sorry you've had to bear this burden all by yourself for all these years.”
“Odessa, what are you talking about?” Starla persisted.
“Starla, your father and mother weren't married. James was my husband for twenty-six years.”
“No,” Starla said, shaking her head. The numbers didn't add up.
“James and I went through some turbulent times in the beginning. That's when he began having an affair with your mother. When Yvonne became pregnant with you, James left me. We were separated for nine years, but we never divorced. During that time he lived with you and your mother. Then, one day, he said the Lord dealt with him and he couldn't continue living in sin with Yvonne anymore. James turned his life over to the Lord and begged me to let him come back home.” Odessa read the disbelief on Starla's face. “It's true, Starla.”
“Is that why Mama never used Daddy's last name?”
“Could be. Yvonne was so angry at James she refused to allow him to have any contact with you. She didn't refuse his monthly child support payments, though.”
That sounds like Mama,
Starla thought.
“James begged her. I even tried reasoning with Yvonne to let James see you, but she flat-out refused. Yvonne was a woman scorned. If she couldn't have James, he couldn't have you. She vowed to take you out of state. At first we thought she was just talking, but then she left for a while. After that we took her threats seriously.”
Starla nodded, remembering the time she and her mother lived in Seattle for a year. This time Starla didn't stop the tears from flowing.
“James was so depressed at times over the situation he had created. I felt sorry to the extent that I offered him a divorce so he could be with you, but he refused.” Odessa placed her hand on Starla's shoulder. “Those last ten years with James were good years, but, Starla, trust me, James hated every day he couldn't be with you.”
Starla's thick tears had blinded her vision when Odessa handed her a napkin.
“Your birthdays were the hardest for him. James would lie out in that hammock all day, nearly getting sunburned, just thinking about you. Sometimes James would hide out in your neighborhood hoping to catch a glimpse of you. On a few occasions he managed to sneak some pictures with one of those disposable cameras.”
Starla closed her eyes and attempted to recall ever seeing her father in the neighborhood. She couldn't recall spotting the gray Ford truck once.
“I have a niece who attended Hayward High with you: Evangeline Morris.”
Starla's eyes bulged. “Vangie is your niece?”
Odessa smiled. “She's my brother's daughter.”
“I can't believe it! I've known Vangie for years. We work together and she's never mentioned my father.”
“That's because she doesn't know James was your father,” Odessa explained.
Starla rubbed her forehead. “I don't understand.”
“James and I were visiting my brother one day when Vangie showed us pictures of her playing with the volleyball team. James nearly broke down crying when he saw you in the first row holding the ball. From then on, James kept track of you through Vangie. Unknowingly, she supplied him with pictures of you and your prom date and your senior yearbook picture. You should have seen how James beamed with pride looking at your pictures. James even caught a few of your games without your mother detecting his presence.”
The information was too much for Starla to digest. “I don't believe it. I've spent so many years resenting my father, it's hard for me to receive what you're saying. I mean, you're basically telling me the reason I've suffered all these years is my mother's stubbornness.”

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