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Victoria opened her eyes and blinked. It wasn’t a dream. She indeed was free from the torment of her past. She had ammunition now whenever the devil taunted her, she would talk back. “What sins? They were washed away.” She grinned in victory. Victoria was in awe that something so simple could be so powerful.
The Holy Ghost had consumed her being as heavenly tongues flowed out of her mouth. It was still amazing every time she recalled the Nicodemus moment that changed her life.
She thought her past would haunt her to her grave—the things done to her and the things she was forced to do no longer held her captive in a cycle of anger, hate, and self-destruction. Now, it was her former foster father who was now held captive, confined to walls, and possibly tormented by other inmates once they learned of the crimes he had committed against a child or children.
Grandma BB stuck her head into the bedroom that Victoria claimed as her own in the elderly woman’s house. “Chile, you finished having church?”
Sitting up in bed, Victoria frowned. “What do you mean?”
Hmph. She planted her hands on her hips. “I barely got any sleep while you were shouting ‘Hallelujah and Thank You, Jesus’ in your sleep. Maybe, now that you’re awake, you’ll be quiet.” She smirked and backed out of the room.
Victoria smiled at the woman’s feigned annoyance. Despite her harsh tone, Grandma BB had her favorites, and she was more bark than bite. Victoria was happy she had earned the “favorite” status. She lifted her hands in the air and waved. “Good morning, Jesus,” she said, then slid out of bed to her knees to pray. After whispering, Amen, God’s presence gave Victoria a peace that she couldn’t comprehend. If only the other girls who had fallen prey to evil, twisted people could be mentally and physically delivered like her. Now, she had hope, a future, and most importantly, knows what family love looks like.
Although the counseling sessions helped her to take baby steps, she hoped Jesus would increase her stride. At least, she was in the process of dealing with the uneasiness around her to interact with Kami’s brothers without apprehension. Trusting other males might take a lifetime.
Tonight was a big deal for the Jamiesons since it was one of their quarterly family meetings. Kami said they played games, ate too much, and recited the family tree. She was invited even though she didn’t carry the Jamieson last name. More than once, her parents said they considered her as part of the family.
That evening, her sister arrived at Grandma BB’s house to drive them to the hotel where family night would take place.
“Stop primping. It’s not that serious,” Kami said, playfully nudging her out in front of the full-length mirror in Victoria’s bedroom. “Plus, I’m hungry. I think my stomach is trying to get me back for my praying and fasting time yesterday.” She rubbed her stomach for emphasis.
“I want to make a good impression,” Victoria fussed to mask her ball of nerves. Before the Jamiesons invaded her life, she had never cared about whether people accepted her or not. Now, she wanted to be embraced by them.
“We’re sisters. That’s impressive.” Kami flashed a perfect smile that made her face glow. Of course, Kami’s makeup application enhanced her beauty by highlighting her eyes and cheeks.
Turning around, Victoria faced the girl who she didn’t like at her glance. Now, she hugged Kami every chance she got for comfort and strength, always thank God for sending her a friend first, a sister second—a big sister at that.
Once they were at the hotel, she was in awe at the little ones who vied for her attention. The Jamieson wives insisted Victoria call them auntie while the Jamieson males welcomed her from afar, respecting her space all the while insisting she learn self-defense.
On the other hand, Kami’s younger brothers didn’t seem to have any boundaries as they constantly argued who Victoria liked better. She had no idea Chance and Paden could be so mischievous with their antics to impress her. Kami would roll her eyes and say, “They’ll test you.”
Finally, they made it to the Hyatt Hotel and followed voices to a designated ballroom. After Papa P officially welcomed his family, he gave thanks to the Lord for the food. “I know you’re hungry after our fast on yesterday, so eat up.”
The children scrambled to the buffet table, followed by their eager parents. Victoria joined Kami in line. Once the returned trips to the buffet slowed, Kami’s grandfather called the meeting to order. “Our gathering is about more than fun and games. It’s about strength, integrity, and love, so I want to hear from our next generation of Jamiesons. Tell us what is on your mind.”
Victoria swallowed. Oh, the stories she could tell him. Yet, growing up, no one listened about what was on her mind.
The younger children weren’t shy about taking center stage to express themselves. It was as if they were trying to out tell the other.
“Papa, Amber at school says my hair is nappy,” Lauren, who was about four, said, twisting one of her long, thick braids and rolling one of her shoes to the side. “She says I’m ugly.”
Gasps filtered through the room, especially from Lauren’s parents, Ace and Talise, who looked shocked and mad. Victoria thought toymakers would love to model a baby doll after this cutie.
Lauren’s grandfather didn’t dismiss the child’s concern.
“We belong to God and He created us. Don’t let anyone change your mind, okay?” He smiled and Lauren ran up to him and squeezed his neck, then smacked a kiss on his cheek.
Kennedy, about the same age as Lauren, skipped up to the front and complained that her parents, Kidd and Eva, wouldn’t let her have a puppy. Victoria didn’t miss Papa P hiding his smile, but he listened patiently. “I’m sure your mommy and daddy will know when you’re ready for a puppy.”
It wasn’t the answer the girl was hoping for because she pouted and folded her arms. “I’m ready now.”
“Maybe, one day when you get older, you can buy your own,” Papa P suggested as Kennedy’s frown changed to a smile. “Okay.” She beamed, then skipped to the table and kissed her grandfather too.
When no one else stirred, Papa P thanked the children for sharing. “Now,” he grinned, “is everybody ready to play twenty questions?”
The shouts of “Yeah” were deafening.
Looking around the room, Victoria shook her head as everyone was poised to ring the bell to answer the questions about African cultures and history, then Bible quizzes. She sighed in contentment. She thrived in this kind of environment where brains over beauty mattered.
“In the 1940s, two psychologists conducted experiments with small Black children to determine the effects segregation had on their perception...”
Without realizing it, Victoria tapped the bell. Her adrenaline was pumping. “You’re referring to the Clark Doll Test. Doctors Kenneth and Mamie Clark were disappointed with their findings that Black children consistently said the White doll was prettier, better, and the one they wanted to play with. The same experiment was repeated in 2006 by Kiri Davis with almost the same results.”
Papa P’s eyes seemed to sparkle as he nodded. “That is correct, Victoria.”
Beaming, she wasn’t finished. “May I give my thoughts?”
“Of course you can.” The elder leaned forward.
“I think the Clark Doll Test was flawed both times. Blacks are different shades and hues. Perhaps, if they had performed the tests with a diverse selection of skin shades between fair to rich ebony skin, the children would have seen their beauty and had given different answers.” When she took her seat, families released whistles and hearty applause. It was embarrassing and thrilling at the same time.
By the end of the night, #TeamKidd won the challenge to break the tie with #TeamParke. Kidd and his family leaped from their table and danced in place.
“Are they serious?” Victoria chuckled. “What do they win?”
Kami giggled. “Bragging rights.”
Pace stood from their table and with his booming deep voice commanded silence. “If the floor is still open to share, something’s on my mind.”
Hush descended around the room. His grandfather nodded. “Go on, my eldest grandson.”
“Living on campus, I’m out of my comfort zone of being under my parents’ spiritual covering. This is different from high school, and I’m trying to find where I fit in with a new set of friends at the university. I don’t want to make God ashamed with my actions, but how do I blend in without feeling ashamed because I’m not interested in sleeping around and underage drinking? I know it’s deep for tender ears, but it’s been on my mind, sir.” Slipping his hands in his pant pockets, Kami’s older brother stood tall and confident, which was in contrast to his question.
Leaning back in his chair, Papa P folded his arms and seemed to give some thought to Pace’s question. “You will always be God’s light. Never try and dull it.” He paused. “Be a witness whether with your words or deeds. God will send you likeminded friends to encourage you to stay in God’s will.”
“Thanks, Grandpa.” He strolled to the table and shook his hand before returning to his seat.
Victoria admired Pace’s quiet conviction while revealing his vulnerability. She had been vulnerable most of her life.
Next, to Victoria’s surprise, Kami walked to the front. What had she been holding back? She and Kami had become close, and her sister hadn’t hinted at anything earth-shattering was wrong. Victoria grew concerned.
“Hey, family. It’s the former drama queen.” She grinned and waved. “I know I’ve apologized for my behavior at the last family meeting, but I want to say I need prayers as I try to walk with Jesus forever. I acted out with Tango because I thought my family was smothering me, but around my so-called friends, I felt isolated. I’m going to need help to find my balance.”
Wow. Victoria swallowed. She loved her sister for her honesty. Getting on her feet, she hugged Kami when she returned to the table. Since she was already standing, Victoria took cautious steps to the front. She would take this moment to be transparent.
“If I can say something...”
Papa P and everyone in the room encouraged her to speak.
“For children and teenagers who have experienced what I have, how do we trust adults again?” She didn’t wait for an answer as she mentally tapped something deep within her, and a volcano of emotions spilled out. “I just wanted a family.” She sniffed. “Ever since I was a little girl, I kept hoping each foster home would be my family with a mom and dad.” She sighed and covered her face to shield herself against the tears that were coming.
Kami rushed to her side and began to rub her back. “You have me,” she whispered.
“Victoria,” Cheney said, walking up to her. “Parke and I already discussed adopting you, so you’ll officially have a family and become a Jamieson.”
The cheers made Victoria smile.
“Hold it! Wait just a cotton pickin’ minute.” Grandma BB performed some type of dance step toward her, careful not to scuff her Stacy Adams shoes as she leaned on her designer walking cane. “You Jamiesons ain’t getting nobody else. I had planned to adopt her myself.” She pointed her cane in the air. Her balance was steady. “And don’t say I’m too old. You know I’m seventy-something, and will be seventy-something until the day I die, which I hope is not today, Lord,” she added quickly. “I’m a childless widow and I have to leave my money to somebody.” Wound up, it looked as if Grandma BB was bracing for a fight to win this round. “It was supposed to be a surprise for Christmas that I wanted to adopt her...”
Kami nudged her, then they both giggled. Never in Victoria’s fourteen years did she feel so wanted and loved that someone would fight for her as her neck whipped side to side, watching the match between Grandma BB and Cheney.
Through the noise of Grandma BB’s arguments, Victoria heard Papa P’s faint prayers. Suddenly, as if there was an explosion, God’s presence filled the room. Heavenly tongues erupted mingled with praises.
Victoria surrendered to His spirit and worshipped the Lord Jesus. Not one person seemed unaffected by the time quietness settled in the room. Even Cheney and Grandma BB had called a truce. Victoria couldn’t believe what just happened. It was as if they were in the midst of a church service, because God came to them instead of them going to God at church.
“Woooo-wee.” Papa P clapped his hands. “Looks like we had a taste of some Azusa Street Revival tonight right here in St. Louis. I can only image the scene in L.A. in the early nineteen hundreds.”
I’m going to do a new thing in your life, God whispered. Read Isiah 43:19. I am not a man that I should lie. Study My Word in Numbers 23:19.
For Victoria, everything was already new, but she couldn’t wait to see what else God had in store for her.
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THE END...for now, but there is always more in the Jamieson Legacy.