Little creatures had taken over my home. Not long after Cedric left, Kisha and Tyric reminded me why I never liked the idea of grand young’uns staying over past three day. Never again would I whine to the Lord about loneliness. Me, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit would be just fine. Now Mr. Porgy could become a permanent resident as soon as we got this sleeping thing down. I had to keep the bedroom doors closed because as soon as I turned my back, the little four-legged wonder would find him a bed to lay his shaggy self. How he managed to climb with his little legs was a mystery.
“Grandma, can Porgy stay in the bed with me?”
“No honey. You and Tyric don’t need the dog in here while you sleep. Everyone has their own bed.”
“But Porgy looks so sad.”
“Well, he lost somebody special to him, but I know he appreciates you playing with him.”
“I wish Mama would let us have a dog. She said Mrs. Hattie don’t like animals.”
My ears perked up. “You like Mrs. Hattie?”
“Yes, she watches me when Mama goes to work. Sometimes her and mama yell at each other.”
“Is that so?” That reminded me of the man Chris. “Kisha, what about Chris? Does your mama talk loud with him to?”
Kisha’s eyes grew wide.
“Kisha.”
“He hit me. Mama yelled at him.”
I shrunk back. “He hit you?”
She nodded and held up her arm. “Right here.” Kisha pointed to her forearm.
I examined her tiny arm. There didn’t appear to be any recent marks, but the fact that this unknown man laid his hands on my grandchild spiked my blood pressure. “Come here, baby.” I wrapped my arms around her and then tucked the covers around her body real tight. I wondered if Leesa ran off to get away from this Chris fellow. My daughter being missing may not have anything to do with Mary’s death.
I peeked at Tyric in the playpen. The temporary bedding would have to do until I could figure out a better place to put him. Thank goodness I had the playpen stored away in the closet from when Junior’s twins visited when they were younger.
I left the nightstand lamp burning and shuffled down the hallway. Just as I reached my bedroom door, the phone rang. I grabbed the cordless phone from the nightstand. “Hello.”
“Eugeena, you doing alright over there?”
“Hey Cora. I’m so glad to hear your voice. I just put the children to bed.”
“Oh good! I was calling to find out when Mary’s funeral will be? I would like to drive up to give you some support.”
Mary’s funeral.
“Cora, I’ve been caught up trying to track Leesa down. I believe the pastor said her family arranged the funeral services for Thursday. Speaking of the funeral, Pastor Jones had asked me to speak on behalf of the church. Cora, what can I say?”
“Plenty. Look, I know you were a bit pig-headed about the incident a few years back, but you have to put that behind you. You more than anyone knew Mary best.”
I knew Cora was right. Didn’t stop me from feeling like a hypocrite though. “Thanks, Cora. I appreciate you.”
“I will drive down Thursday morning and meet you at the church. Don’t worry about Leesa. That child has always been resourceful and you know God has had his hands on her since birth.”
We both said goodbye and I hung up the phone. I kept feeling like I was missing something.
I headed towards the closet and opened the door. Did I pull everything out of the diaper bag? I emptied the contents of the bag on my bed. The diapers had long been removed. I unfolded two rolls of money. One appeared to be almost five hundred dollars while the other one was near a thousand. Where did you get this money, Leesa? I rummaged through the other items. Baby lotion and baby wipes. I sniffed cherry flavored lip gloss mixed in. Even with young children, my daughter still kept her appearance up. I unzipped the side part of the bag.
Well, I’ll be.
I pulled out the bible, a gift from me to Leesa, when she turned thirteen years old. I had her name engraved in gold on the front cover. It really pleased me that Leesa had it in her possession. I rubbed the white leather, and turned the bible over in my hand. An envelope stuck out the back.
I removed the envelope and flipped it over. It had been a long time, but I recognized the loopy “L.” The envelope was postdated May 12th. That was the day after Mother’s Day.
Mary had mailed this envelope to Leesa about three weeks ago.
I pulled out the stationary recognizing another familiarity. Mary loved her lavender scent. My hands shook as I unfolded the letter. This could have been the last piece of correspondence my old friend had sent. I wasn’t sure what it all meant.
My eyes took in the Dearest Leesa part and jumped down into the letter.
You are probably wondering why I’m writing you this letter. It’s been a long time and past due. You know every time I see your mother, and I see her often now walking in the morning, I think about how things used to be. How you used to come and spend the night with Jennifer and you two would giggle into the morning hours. I hate how things fell apart years ago and even more so not having Jennifer here. You know she would be 21 now. I know you are all grown up and I often imagine if things had worked out differently, you two would be talking about your careers, marriages and children.
Anyway to get to the point of this letter. I’m sorry about the grief brought to you years ago. I probably should have told you, but I found that ring. The one that was so precious and I went berserk because it went missing. To this day, I don’t know Jennifer’s reasoning. She and I didn’t get along so often. Out in public we smiled, but we barely spoke to each other. I wondered if she did it to spite me although I don’t know why she included you in her scheme.
That ring was in her jewelry box, well hidden. I found it as I cleaned her things out. It so broke me down because I had planned to give her that ring on her 21st birthday. But she’s not here.
I don’t know if God is speaking to me, but I felt like you should have the ring. You can do whatever you want with it, but I wanted you to have it. I know it won’t change the past, but I hope it may allow an opportunity for me to see you again. I also hope one day your mother would forgive me for fighting her so hard when she stood by your innocence.
Sincerely yours always,
Mary
A lump took over my airways. I knew it. I knew it. My daughter was innocent. All this time. Mary, why didn’t you come forward and tell the truth?
I knew God aimed to make things right between Mary and me. Those times I walked by her house. That burning desire to do more than wave hello. The Holy Spirit urged me to do more, to take the first step towards reconciliation.
Neither one of us had obeyed.
I wept.