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“Happy Father’s Day, Daddy,” Kami greeted Parke over the phone when he answered. Sleep lingered in her voice.
Everybody in his household was about to head out to church. The sound of her calling him Daddy warmed his heart despite the fuss his sons and wife made over him that morning—but this was his little girl who was growing up too fast.
“Thank you, my favorite daughter,” he teased.
“I’m your only daughter.”
Parke smirked, imagining her rolling her eyes. As long as he didn’t mention Tango, the tattoo, and the “you’re not my daddy” comment, their relationship would be back on track. That was a lot to forget.
I require you to love her, I’m the only One who can forgive and forget sins, God whispered Micah 7:19.
“And don’t you forget it. Aren’t you and your aunt going to church?”
“Umm-umm. I mean, no, sir. We stayed up late last night talking and watching movies. We both decided to rest today.”
Okay, Parke said to himself. Pace and Paden—who begged to tag along and promised to be on his best behavior—would have been in Tulsa this weekend had it not been for Father’s Day. Now, the surprise visit would be the Fourth of July weekend. Putting his oldest two sons on a plane couldn’t come fast enough.
He had planned to call and give Queen the heads up. He needed to add a discussion about wholesome mentorship too. After exchanging their ‘I love yous,’ he and Kami ended the call. He strolled outside to the driveway where their SUV was waiting for him. Parke climbed in the passenger seat and strapped his seat belt. As the king for the day, all the driving was defaulted to his wife as the chauffeur. He was beaming. “My daughter called and wished me Happy Father’s Day.”
Cheney smiled and drove off. She didn’t have to say anything. His wife knew how much a call from Kami meant to him.
At church, all the fathers were given boutonnières and escorted to their seats as if they were royalty. The praise was soul stirring and the Spirit of the Lord filled the place as Pastor Baylor quieted the congregation. Right before the morning message, the pastor asked all the dads to stand so they could be acknowledged.
“Now, my reference is coming from the Book of Proverbs. Fathers, don’t believe the hype from the media or society. You matter to your family and us.”
Pace reached over and patted Parke on his back as a chorus of cheers filled the sanctuary. Chance and Paden imitated their big brother. He felt so blessed to have sons. He grabbed Cheney’s hand and squeezed it. He was also blessed to have this woman as his wife.
“God made you first, and you are the head. Strive to be your sons’ and daughters’ hero by leading them to Christ. Throughout the Bible, God has shown a soft spot for the fatherless and widows. They are defenseless without their head. Fathers, your job is to protect, nurture, love, and discipline them in wisdom without provoking them to anger.”
As many times as Parke had read the passages, he never noticed the emphasis placed on the care and treatment of the fatherless and widows.
“It’s mentioned from the Old Testament to the New: Exodus 22:22–23 to James 1:27, and more instances,” the pastor pointed out.
Except for Ace and Kidd’s father, Samuel, the Jamieson men didn’t leave their families, but stayed with them until death do them part. Just like Papa P’s mission for his sons, Parke wanted his sons and daughter to thrive as adults, continue to walk in the fear of the Lord, and not follow the ways of the world. Yet, despite his four children being reared under the same roof, their personalities were different, which included the rebellious one who had tested him. Lord Jesus, guide me. I can’t lead without You.
Afterward, the Jamieson brothers and cousins took Papa P out to celebrate the day with the patriarch. Later that night, Cheney snuggled under the covers with him.
“Did you have a good Father’s Day?”
“Yes, my beautiful, loving wife and the mother of my children.” He kissed her. As long as he walked by faith and not by sight, life was good. “Oh, I spoke with Queen today about our sons coming for a visit. She thinks that will make Kami’s day and liked the idea of a surprise...”
She looked up at him. “Why do I have a feeling there is something else on your mind?”
He huffed. “Kami has yet to attend church since she’s been there.” He shook his head. “I know that isn’t God’s plan.”
Cheney turned and stared into his eyes. Mischief twinkled in hers. “I’ve got a plan.”
A slow grin crossed his face. Father’s Day was over, but he was still king in the bedroom. With one click of the lamp, the room went dark.
Lace and Pearls Salon was crazy busy because of the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. Every stylist’s chair was occupied as well as the manicure and pedicure stations. Only two clients remained in the waiting room.
Glued to a video on her phone, Kami drowned out the chatter around her, then suddenly, everything stopped, except for some moans and seductive hellos as the chime alerted the salon that someone had entered. There weren’t any more clients scheduled, so she looked up and clasped her hand over her mouth to muffle her scream. The shock on Pace’s face had to match hers.
Happiness washed over her at seeing her brothers. Standing, she nudged the chair aside to make room for her exit, then she ran into Pace’s arms and squeezed him with all her might until he trapped her in his embrace and chuckled.
“Honey, if this is your boyfriend,” Miss Pearl said, coming to stand next to her, “I’d tattoo his name on my forehead.” She lifted a brow, assessing Pace.
Looking over her shoulder, Kami laughed. “These are my brothers,” she said as Paden wrapped her in a bear hug and tested his strength by lifting her off the ground. “Let me down, boy,” she squealed.
She missed their horseplay. They would bump heads strictly to annoy each other. Although Pace was technically older by several months, Kami made sure Paden knew she was five years older than him, regardless of him towering over her.
“You look...different,” Pace said. He scanned her from head to shoes. “Your hair is so brown and you look grown up.”
Kami smirked and rested her hand on her hip. “I am grown up.” She twirled around to give him the full affect. Not in the short sets and rompers she was known to wear, her work clothes consisted of flirty blouses and tailored skirts and pants, courtesy of Queen.
“Do you think Tango will like the ‘new’ me?”
“About ‘the boyfriend,’ we need to talk,” Pace said in a low voice near her ear with a serious expression that reminded her of their father.
Immediately, she panicked. Her eyes blurred. “What’s wrong? Is Tango okay?”
“Last I checked, he’ll live,” Grandma BB said, announcing her presence in full fashion, including her two-tone tan-and-blue Stacy Adams shoes to match her blue dress. Her bodyguards, Chip and Dale, stood at her sides. Grandma BB blinked at Kami and fell back into her bodyguards’ arms. “Chile, is that you?” She squinted. “What did you do with my little Kami?”
“You’re going to break some boy’s heart, Kami.” Chip winked.
Her makeover was old news to her. She forgot it was new to them. Shoving her brothers out the way, she wrapped her arms around Grandma BB. “You really came to see me.” She tried to contain her emotions.
“Of course. I had my chauffeurs with me.” She tilted her head at the double trouble as Kami liked to tease them.
“You know she was our chauffeur, because she likes to drive.” Chip chuckled.
Yep. That was her Grandma BB. “But Tango is okay, right?” Her heart raced with fear.
Grandma BB patted her shoulder. “We’ll talk later. I only tapped him with the car. The sun got in my eyes.”
The bodyguards laughed while Kami gasped in horror. Before she could tear up, Grandma BB waved her hand in the air as if to dismiss any seriousness of the matter. “I took him to the ER myself to make sure he didn’t have any broken bones. Hmph. Should have hit him harder. I’m tired now.”
While Chip and Dale guided Grandma BB to the nearest seat, Kami introduced her brothers to everybody. It was always comical how young and old women shamelessly flirted with them. Paden, who was a year away from being a teenager, wasn’t exempt. Personally, she thought they looked okay.
“Are those your brothers too?” a client asked.
“No,” Grandma BB answered from her seat, revealing she had perfect hearing. “They’re retired dancers and bouncers. Now, Chip and Dale are my boy toys.”
Murmurs echoed throughout the salon, asking if they were for rent. Her brothers joined Grandma BB in the reception area where her bodyguards didn’t seem a bit uncomfortable being in a girlie place. Neither did Pace and Paden. Kami took her seat behind the counter to act professional for the reminder of her shift. “Does Queen know you’re here?”
“Yep. It was your surprise.” Paden grinned.
“So you rode with Grandma BB?” Kami asked.
“Nope. Paden and I flew.” Pace tilted her head. “She left early this morning. Oh, before I forget...” He reached in his back pocket and slipped out an envelope. “Here.” She frowned, and he explained, “It’s your allowance from Dad.”
Kami choked. “But I have a job.” She opened the envelope. There had to be at least two hundred dollars in twenties. This was more than she ever got for an allowance. Suddenly, she wanted to go home and hug her dad tight and take back everything she said that night in front of Tango.
“I’ll take it.” Their younger brother tried to grab it.
“I don’t think so.” Kami made sure it was beyond his reach, then stuck out her tongue.
“What?” Paden looked from her to Pace and griped, “She acted like she doesn’t want it.”
“You have your own spending money,” Pace told his younger brother and rubbed the curls in his head.
Slapping his brother’s hand away, Paden twisted his lips. “Whatever.”
A short time later, Queen strolled into the salon, and they bestowed hugs and kisses on her. Her aunt glowed from the attention. Grandma BB’s bodyguards gave her a slow assessment, but Queen either dismissed them or didn’t notice.
That evening, Queen’s quiet home came alive with love, laughter, and loud voices. This was what Kami was used to and realized how much she missed it. She invited Susanna to come and meet her family. Her friend took one look at her older brother and seemed star struck. Pace was oblivious as he updated them about what was going on with every cousin from the twins to her grandparents.
Kami thrived in the mini-Jamieson reunion atmosphere. It was non-stop laughter until Grandma BB mentioned Tango.
“I told you we needed to talk about him,” Pace said in a hesitant voice, eying Susanna.
If he was concerned about privacy, Kami wasn’t as she folded her arms. “What about him?”
Meeting her stare, he leaned forward from his perch on the sofa. “First of all, I love you and don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Yeah, like Tango.” Grandma BB snickered, then hushed when Pace gave her a pleading expression to be quiet.
“He’s not the one for you, sis.” Pace shook his head.
“Who are you to pick my boyfriends?” Kami challenged. She was happy to see family, but if Pace came all the way to Tulsa to badmouth Tango, he could go back home. “You’re not my—” She caught herself.
“What? Say it,” his nostrils flared as he dared her, “your brother? Try to disown me if you want. I might be our father’s son, but I’m not my father, little girl. I will tell you off and won’t worry about your hurt feelings if it will make you think twice.”
Kami was fuming at Pace’s tone. She was ready to retaliate with her own sass when her brother continued.
“I’m not finished. We’re Jamiesons. I might not be in the army or in law enforcement, but I was reared to protect my family and serve God. Don’t push me, little sister.”
The room took on a chill. Kami sensed all eyes on her, waiting for her comeback. Even Susanna looked at her with expectancy.
Before she could respond, Queen cleared her throat. “Let’s not ruin the evening talking about—”
“Well, I’ve got a lot to say ’bout the scum bag. I should have picked up speed when I hit him,” Grandma BB said, not one to be censored, so her aunt yielded the floor to Grandma BB.
“You could’ve killed him!” Kami jumped to her feet.
“Either that or you would’ve done it anyway if you saw him. He had hussies hanging all over him.” Grandma BB rolled her neck. “No one plays you for a fool. Not on my watch. The more I think about it, I should have broken an arm. He would’ve been one short, so them ugly gals would have to find a new sucker.” She tsked.
Kami’s heart dropped—no, it shattered. This confirmed coming to Tulsa had been a bad idea. She glanced at her tattoo. A relationship wasn’t supposed to be like this. She trusted Tango, but in the back of her mind, she feared something like this might happen without her around. Holding her head in her hands, Kami bawled. She refused comfort from her brothers and Susanna. She knew better than to reject Grandma BB’s affections.
Sniffing, she somewhat composed herself to throw up her hands. “Why is everyone in my business?” She had no words to describe her jumbled emotions. The only thing she wanted to know is if she had lost Tango. She had to sneak another call to him and hear his side of the story.
When Susanna abruptly announced she was going home, Kami said she was going to bed. Her brothers stood. Pace looked tortured as he extended his arms for a hug. Kami walked right passed him into her room and fell on her bed crying. Love hurts.
Saturday morning, Kami woke feeling déjà vu. She hadn’t slept well as she did the night of her first and only date with Tango. Thanks to Pace, she was reliving her agony. She couldn’t wait to talk to Tango about their silly rumors.
And if they are, what are you going to do? a voice questioned her.
“I have no idea,” she mumbled to herself.
For the sake of enjoying family, she didn’t mention Tango during the Fourth of July celebrations that were held throughout the villages in Gilcease Hills. There was a potluck barbecue at the clubhouse, and everyone brought side dishes or desserts. Kami was tempted to flirt with the guys on the basketball court to spite her brother’s control and Tango’s behavior. That wasn’t who she was—playing games. Kami felt like she was going crazy with these thoughts, and she was starting to scare herself.
On Sunday morning, her brothers rose early to catch a flight back home. Both were dressed nicely and looked handsome. They would step off the plane and head straight to church. Grandma BB had left early this morning with Chip and Dale for a road trip to California for a week before heading back to St. Louis.
Waking with mixed emotions, Kami was sad to see them go so soon, but happy to get rid of the bearers of bad news. Tuesday couldn’t come fast enough so she could call Tango at the salon.
Before leaving the house, Pace pulled her aside. “I love you. We all do, and we will hurt somebody over hurting you. You can take a girl out of the church, but you can’t take the church out of you. You belong to Jesus. Remember that.”
Then why was God letting things go wrong with Tango? Kami huffed and was quiet on the ride to the airport.
Once her brothers’ flight departed, she and Queen headed back to the car lot. “I miss that.” Queen sighed with a whimsical expression.
“What?” Kami frowned at her aunt.
“Family. I miss my brothers and their wives fussing over me. Your brothers adore you.”
“Right,” she said sarcastically. “I couldn’t tell this trip.”
“That’s because you’re blind to true love, but I could see it. They’re not afraid of affection and boast that you’re their sister. Ahh.” She sighed. “I need to move to St. Louis.”
“For real?” Kami’s spirit lifted instantly as she got into the passenger seat and clicked her seat belt.
“Sometimes the urge is strong and I’m ready to quit my job and start over without blinking an eye. Other times, I come to my senses. Tulsa has always been my home, and my roots are here.”
Her aunt didn’t sound convincing to Kami’s ear, yet she said nothing. Maybe, one day Queen would change her mind and make St. Louis her home.
On Tuesday morning, while Miss Pearl was busy with a client, Kami placed the call. “Tango, it’s me,” she whispered when he answered.
“Who?” He sound irritated.
“Kami, silly. You miss me? I really miss you.” She waited for his declaration, but none came. “Hello. Are you still there?”
“Yeah. I’m here and you’re there. Maybe this idea of us dating was a bad one. A man can get lonely over the summer, and somebody got to keep me company.”
“You mean besides me.” Her heart was breaking.
“I’ll see you when you get back and see if we want to pick up where we left off, but you’re going to have to sneak around and see me. I ain’t about no family drama.”
Before she could say okay, the call had ended and Kami felt her life slipping away.
Cheney studied her husband after Pace returned from Tulsa and reported on his sister: Their daughter was enjoying her summer—great; she no longer looked like a little girl with her hair style, makeup, and attitude—hmm; and she was still pining over Tango—that definitely wasn’t what they had hoped to hear.
How was Kami handling the news of other girls hanging around her boyfriend? The temptation was too great not to cheat. Cheney battled with depression and self-esteem issues following her broken relationship. She wanted to reach out to Kami to be there to console and counsel her daughter about love and relationships.
Tango was truly blessed to have only a limp around after Grandma BB scared him with her car. “I should have broken one bone in several places or gave him a concussion or put him in a coma...” Grandma BB babbled about endless possibilities for Kami’s revenge.
When Grandma BB had called them from the emergency room, she and Parke were about to head to Barnes Hospital. After learning Grandma BB had struck Tango—by accident—Cheney and Parke put the car keys back on the hook and enjoyed dinner without a care in the world, knowing he would recover.
Do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, God chastened their attitude. Have you not read Proverbs 24:17? He asked. Repent because it displeases Me and I will turn away My wrath from him to you.
As God spoke, Cheney listened and shared with her husband that Jesus had no favorites between Grandma BB and Tango, and both their names should be circled on her prayer list. Despite the cares of life, life did go on, and she and Parke were determined to weather any storm together.
For Friday date night, they decided to enjoy a romantic dinner not far from their home in historic Ferguson, then take a stroll through January-Wabash Park.
A couple hours later, Parke squeezed her hand. “You up to taking a road trip to check on Mom and Dad?”
Cheney chuckled. Three Jamieson families lived within miles of one another in North St. Louis County. “I think I can hang for an eight-minute ride.”
Parke V aka Papa P and Charlotte Jamieson didn’t seem to age in the fourteen years she and Parke had been married. They and the Lord were the inspiration for a happy marriage.
Nine minutes later, Parke turned into the Paddock Estates neighborhood. At the door, they received warm hugs and trailed the couple to the screened-in sunporch in the back of the house where they fussed over them and enticed Parke to partake in a German chocolate cake that Charlotte had baked earlier.
“The summer will be over before we know it,” Papa P said. “We only have a few weeks before it’s August.”
“Yes, and our little Kami will be home. I hope the trip helped her think clearly.” Charlotte gnawed on her lips. Since that disastrous family night months ago, everyone was prayerful.
Cheney didn’t want to tell her in-laws to brace for a continuation of rebellion, but Parke opened up to his parents. “She won’t talk to us about it, so I don’t know where her heart is. My concern is she and Queen haven’t been going to church.”
“Ah, Queen. Yet another Jamieson who hasn’t embraced the love from God or a special man.” He chuckled to himself. “We know it’s a matter of time before the right man comes along for her.”
“Like I found the right woman.” Parke gave Cheney a loving look and squeezed her hand before bringing it to his lips. He wasn’t afraid to show his affection whether it be in front of the children, his siblings, or parents.
Papa P leaned forward. “Son, I’ve been thinking about our next family night. Times are changing. When you were small, our focus was to rear strong, competent, and savvy Black men. When you and Cheney began your salvation walk and led others in the family to follow Jesus, I felt strongly to incorporate Biblical wisdom.” He paused and a tortured expression flashed across his face. “After our last...”
“Fiasco,” Parke finished for his father.
“I think we should adjust our family game night to include a forum to hear what’s on our young folks’ minds. Instead of them listening to me, it’s time for us to listen to them.”
Cheney nodded as she snuggled closer to her husband. “I’ve tried to be all ears since the disagreement, but our daughter really isn’t talking openly to us—me anyway.”
“It’s not just you, dear daughter,” Papa P tried to console her. “I’ve done my own informal research on problems teenagers face. It doesn’t matter that everything is okay at home. They crave acceptance among their peers and that may entice them to indulge in risky behavior like sex, alcohol, drugs, and the list goes on. When they’ve tried all that and they’re still rejected, suicide becomes an option.”
“Yeah.” Parke nodded, then sighed. “With the recent high-profile suicides in the news, the devil is planting seeds, but I don’t get it. Kami has so much love from us. She doesn’t need to vie for acceptance from anybody.”
Cheney rested her hand on top of her husband’s. “I know that, you know that, but does our daughter believe that? Kami will leave the nest to explore and judge what we’ve taught to be true or false. People will plant seeds of doubt. We can’t let them grow. I’ve added fasting to my prayer life for her, the boys, and all those struggling with peer pressure. I doubt it’s only a teen issue.”
His father nodded and folded his hands. “I think God is giving us some direction. I decree all Jamiesons fast and pray the night before all our family meetings. We’ll show the devil how the saints do it.” Papa P got a five high from everyone. “We have to pray for the next generations of Jamiesons, so they will be blameless and not guilty of sin.”
“Amen.” Cheney nodded, recalling Acts 2:39, And this is the Father's will who has sent me, that of all that He has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. She bowed her head. “Praise God for His Word.”
“Yes. My hope’s in John 6:39, and that Jesus won’t lose one soul who is His,” Parke said softly, then sighed. “We have to encourage our children to trust Jesus no matter what they face. Failing is not an option.” He gritted his teeth.
“No, it isn’t. Our young people really need to know the Scriptures in their hearts, and I’m not talking about memorizing them.” Papa P paused. “We don’t want to repeat the scenarios in the Old Testament where the kings worshipped God, but after their deaths, their sons—the heirs to the throne—did evil in the sight of God.”
“That would ruin our Jamieson legacy,” Parke said.
“And their souls,” Cheney added.