An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

Making Things Right

SHARON POV

"Hi, baby, how are ya?" I put my feet up on the couch in my RV as I had decided to call Lewis even if it wasn't Tuesday night.

I have a running schedule when I call each of my kids and even grand kids so that we can continue to stay in touch especially since I had a whole slew of them. Calling my son was an easy choice because Lewis was very wise about things, and he just always seemed to have the answer. Even if I didn't always listen, I took what he said to heart. Plus, he didn't have a temper unlike his older brothers, Eddie and Taylor. Not saying he wouldn't come down and beat someone's ass because if it was one thing every single one of my children had in common was that. They'd wail your behind, and Stefanie was no different.

"Hey, Ma! Is it Tuesday already?" He teases as I shake my head, lighting a smoke.

"No, baby. Just thought I'd call you early. That a crime, sweetheart? How is my 7th born baby? You doing good up there in San Fran?"

"Well, no it's not a crime, but what's wrong? You usually keep to your calling schedule unless something's up. Need me to talk to Daddy again? He being a stubborn mule like usual?" I hear his deep voice on the other end as I laugh and puff my Newport.

"Oh, no, he's fine, baby. Tonight is the night I usually call him, but I thought I'd call you first. I called because well, remember how last time we spoke I told you about a friend of your sister's? Tess Brown is her name. Anyway, that heifer took it upon herself to write some of the nastiest letters to not only Stefanie, but also to me, Julius and Lena. Oh, and her only daughter. I thought maybe you could give me some...pointers on what can be done because well, your sister is beyond livid, and I can't blame her. Tess went after me and her ex-wife, Lena, rather hard in those letters, and quite frankly, I think it's a crime."

There's silence on the other end as I pull the phone away from my ear and look to see if we've been disconnected or not as Lewis finally replies. "What type of letters, Ma? Are there threats? I kind of need a little more detail because a letter is just that. A letter. If there isn't a threat, not much can be done, Ma. You can't call something a crime unless the law was broken in some way."

"Well, in her letter to Lena, she told her she should end herself. Does that count?"

"She said those exact words? You should end yourself? That's crazy, Ma. Do you remember if there were other incriminating factors in any of the letters?" Lewis asks as I puff away at my smoke, kicking myself that I didn't get those letters back from Stefanie as my mind is a muddled mess from them all. There was so much Tess had written, and I needed to see them again somehow.

"Yes, because that's the main reason I didn't want Stefanie to read it. As it was, she fought me hard, and I handed them over to her. Lord knows, she has them hidden now and won't ever give them back to me." I say as I hear Lewis laughing deeply, for he knew how his sister was regardless of the fact that the last time they spoke civilly was when she moved to Oakland with Mike back in 1969. I knew all my sons felt terrible for what we had all done to Stefanie, and they wanted so badly to apologize to her face to face.

"Ya, Stef is a real ball buster, and she had every right to read them, Ma. Don't be too hard on her. She's very protective, and I assume that hasn't changed about her. But listen, I can come down there on Tuesday if that's okay? I have a meeting tomorrow with my department, but I can slip away for say, Tuesday through Thursday or maybe through the weekend? You think Stef will care? I know it's been a long time since she and I spoke, but I'd like to see her."

"Oh, well, baby, I've been trying to get her to see that you boys wanna see her and talk to her. And that you are all sorry and want a relationship with her. But goodness Lord, she's so closed off, and she needs her chakras opened. I don't know how that child got so stubborn. I tell you she is JUST like your father, Lord knows."