Chapter 16
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
—James 3:18
The period coming up to Mother’s Day had turned out to be another booming stretch for the flower shop. I was feeling pretty good about the business now. Zeke was the way he always was, although something wasn’t quite right with him physically. I could tell he was definitely in pain. But he kept up his normal seven-day routine.
Zynique graduated from high school at the end of May.
“I’m so proud of you,” I said as I snapped a picture, first of her with her father, then one with two of her friends.
“Oh, Mom!” she said, then turned to her father. “Daddy, take a picture of me and Mother.” She came over and grabbed the camera out of my hand and handed it to Zeke before coming and standing next to me.
Zeke flipped, rotated, and turned the digital camera around in his hands several times. “I don’t know how to use this thing,” Zeke said, showing his exasperation.
“Just point it our way and look at the back,” I said. “You’ll see us on the screen and all you need to do when you get the shot you want is press the button at the top.”
“What button?” He examined the camera. “This one here?” He pointed the camera at us. “I don’t know how to do this.” He held the camera up and looked at it again.
“Zeke, just point the camera at us and shoot. It’s not that hard.”
“It might not be hard for you and the young folks, but I told you I don’t know how to do this.” He pointed the camera the correct way this time.
“Would you like for me to take it for you?” Darlene asked Zeke.
“Yes, why don’t you do it?” Zeke happily handed the camera to Darlene.
“Daddy!” Zynique said. “You didn’t even try.”
“I’m doing good to even be here,” Zeke said. “But you’re my baby girl, and you know there’s nothing that would have made me miss being here, nothing in the world.”
I couldn’t help but want to add (but I didn’t): Nothing after you missed being there when she was born, among other things.
“Daddy, you’re the best!” Zynique said as she put her arms around my waist and waited as Darlene captured the shot. “Come on, Daddy. Come take a picture with me and Mom.”
Zeke sauntered over with a righteous swag, grinning like all get out. Zynique stood between her father and me. Darlene snapped three pictures, then showed the digitized photos to Zynique.
“Oh, Daddy, you look so good! Mom, you look like you’re mad.”
“Well, I’m not. I’m happy. I’m happy because you, my sweet little baby girl, graduated.”
Zynique grinned as she hugged me. “I’m going to a party after I leave here.”
“But I have something planned for you at the house. I bought a graduation cake and everything. I have all these refreshments. I invited folks from church, a few family members, and friends that couldn’t be here because of the limited number of guests you were allowed to attend for this—”
“Baby, let the girl go to the party with her friends,” Zeke said to me. “Why on earth would you think she’d want to hang out with a bunch of old folks when she can hang out with folks her own age?”
“See, Mom. Daddy understands. He always understands.”
“Zynique, you’re welcome to invite your friends to our house,” I said as I continued to plead my case. “I have plenty. I can even order in pizzas, if you want.”
“But she doesn’t want to come to our house for a party,” Zeke said. “She just told you that she wants to have fun with her own friends at their party. So let the girl have her day. It is her day you know.”
“Of course,” I said, now smiling at Zynique even though it took all I could to muster it. “Sure. Whatever I bought will certainly keep. I’ll just put it up and maybe we can celebrate as a family tomorrow. I’ll just call everybody now and postpone it.”
“Thank you, Mommy!” Zynique said. “Thanks, Daddy!” She kissed her father, then me. “I’m going now. But thanks for everything you two have done to help get me to this place. I’m finished with school! It’s finally over!”
“I’ll see you later, baby,” I said to Zynique. “Don’t forget your curfew.”
“Mom! I’m an adult now. I should be able to stay out as late as I want, especially on a night like this. We were planning on eating breakfast together at IHOP in the morning.”
“You’re still living in our house, and I expect you home by your normal curfew,” I said, still trying to smile so I wouldn’t appear to be the party popper (not pooper, popper) of the bunch.
“Honey, let the child have an extra hour or two,” Zeke said. “They’re celebrating a milestone here. She’s worked hard to get to this place.”
I turned squarely to him so I could look him in the eye when I spoke and he would know I didn’t need him opposing me on this, not at this juncture. “Zeke, Zynique needs to be home at her normal curfew.”
Zeke wriggled his nose, nodded, then turned to Zynique. “Well, baby girl. Your mother says you need to be home at your regular curfew time.”
“Yeah,” Zynique said. “And Mother always has the final word.” Zynique flashed a smile, then turned and left with Darlene.