A few weeks has passed.
Zac is prepping the Wilson Family Home to be put on the market. Jake helped him paint the areas that needed it, and they called their cleaning crew to detail the house. Afterward, he asked Fatima to stage it and add a few details to help get the top price on the house. Mr. And Mrs. Wilson maintained the home fairly well, so it didn't need much work done.
"I can't believe the home I grew up in, is about to be sold." Fatima was a little sad.
While the house is on the market, Zac and Fatima let Mrs. Pat stay with them. This gave her more time to bond with the grandbaby before she left for Savannah.
Zac and Fatima returned from setting up the house. Mrs. Pat and Baby Jurnee were in the other room watching Dora the Explora.
"Hey, mom. We're back. How was Jurnee?" Asked Fatima.
"She was good. I think she's getting a little sleepy now."
"Put her to sleep and then if you're hungry, we got some Chinese food."
"Oh, did you check the mail at the house? I'll have my mail transferred to Savannah." Said Mrs. Pat.
"No, but I'll check tomorrow. I have to drop some things off."
Zac returned to the kitchen. "Yeah, the house is looking nice. You should come see it before it's sold."
"Naw. Too many memories." She responded.
"When is you and Dad's court case?" asked Fatima.
She responded. "It's tomorrow."
The next day Fatima dropped some decor off at the house. She remembered to check the mail. There was a letter addressed to Fatima. She put the mail in her purse.
"Hey Ma, here's your mail." Fatima handed it to her when she got home.
"Thanks. I made some stuffed peppers for dinner." Mrs. Pat announced.
"Okay, thanks. I'm going upstairs to take a shower first."
Fatima went upstairs to shower. When she got out Zac had entered the room.
"Hey babe. Your mom said she made dinner." Zac said as he kissed Fatima.
"Yeah, I told her I would be downstairs in a minute." She put on some loungewear. "I had got this letter in the mail from Mama and Daddy's house. Should I open it?"
"Does it have your name on it?"
"Yes."
"Then of course you should open it." He insisted.
"It's just weird because it's from a Marino."
Zac thought for a minute. "Isn't that your family name?"
Fatima opens the letter. It reads.
Dear Fatima Wilson,
I hope this letter finds you. I am your Aunt Francesca Marino-Russo, your father's sister. Your grandmother and I would love to meet you. We stay in Napa, California. Your grandmother is getting older and would like to meet the rest of her grandchildren while she still can. If you're willing to come out here I would love to pay for your travel expenses. Please contact me at your earliest convenience at 707-253-2127.
Sincerely,
Francesca Marino-Russo
"She wants to meet us."
"Are you going to talk to your mom about it?"
"Yes."
They go downstairs for dinner.
"Have you ate yet, mom?"
"No, I was waiting for you guys?"
They set the table to sit down to eat. Zac said, Grace.
Fatima opened the conversation. "Umm, Aunt Francesca and Grandma Marino want to meet Patrick and I."
Mrs. Pat was shocked. "Is she giving you any money?"
"Is that all you care about, Mom? I would love to meet the rest of my family. I'm going to reach out to her tomorrow."
"Whatever. You can go if you want, but Patrick is still underage, and I can make decisions for him." Mrs. Pat debated.
"Do you have to be so evil?" Wondered Zac.
She rolled her eyes. The next 30 minutes were complete silence.
***
The next day Fatima called her aunt. They talked for a little while. Fatima agreed to call her back with the dates that would work for them.
Mrs. Pat has been spending as much time with Baby Jurnee while Zac and Fatima work until she leaves for Savannah. Today she has court to finalize the divorce. They discussed custody and who would get what.
After the session, he called Fatima. She told him about his sister reaching out.
On the next court visit, Mrs. Pat requested half of the house and alimony. Fred will have sole legal custody of Patrick.
In about 60 days the divorce was finalized. Zac sold the house for $1.2 million. He made $96,000 from the sell leaving Ms. Pat and Fred to split $996,000. She took that and moved to Savannah.
"I can't believe Mama just left us." Thought Patrick. He was very torn by her decision.
"She'll be back." Fatima tried to console him. "She needs some time to reset. Get herself together so she can be a better person and a better mom. I'm here though baby bro. You keep your grades up. Don't give Dad a hard time, and I will pick you up every Friday. We can hang out."
"I love you sis."
"Love you too bro."
The Wilson family went from a seemingly perfect family to everything falling apart, but in due time things will get better.
Mr. Fred stepped down from Senior Pastor. At this moment he didn't feel right leading a church when his family was in shambles.
The last time Fatima talked to her aunt, they had made plans for the summer, while Patrick was on summer break. In two weeks, they would be headed to California.
