A Ministry Tale: Redemption and Beginnings

Chapter 2

A knock on her door woke her, it was morning, and she was alone. Ab picked up the oversized T-shirt she normally slept in and put it on. A bright smile greeted her when she opened the door.

"Morning Mama."

"Morning Baby," she hugged him.

"It's time for breakfast."

"So, it is Baby."

Cardi stood in the kitchen sipping coffee and waiting for his Eggo's to pop up. He relished the early post dawn moments, sweatpants with bare feet on the cool tile flooring grounding him. At these times he didn't have to worry about the house staff, people, being Frater Imperator or not being Papa anymore. He could just be Cardi. He looked up when the door opened and smiled at his visitors.

"Hello. Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Morning. Yes, I did." Zozo sat at the counter and Ab beside him.

"Oh, for the love of Satan, please tell me that's coffee I smell." A cup magically appeared in front of her. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou." She breathed in the aroma before taking a sip.

"You feel okay?" Cardi asked as the toaster popped up.

"Honestly, I feel wonderful. Just haven't watched that many movies in one night for years."

He wanted to say something else, but not in front of him nephew so he redirected his attention to the food, and Zozo. "Do you like waffles?" He placed two on a plate.

"Yes, Eggos are my favorite."

"You're in luck." Cardi slid the plate across to him, then the syrup and butter. He looked over at Ab, "You want any?"

"Oh, very much so," she grinned.

'Behave,' he mouthed as he retrieved the box from the freezer.

"Do we still have any of that precooked bacon left?"

"I believe so," he put four waffles in the toaster.

She went to the fridge and checked. "Yes! Zozo, you want orange juice, baby?"

"Yes," he said between bites.

She poured him a glass, then got the bacon and stood behind Cardi to microwave it. It took a lot of self-control not to goose him, just to see his reaction.

"Oh, that's a cool tattoo Uncle Cardi. Where'd you get it?"

He set the utensils on her plate and looked down at his chest. It was a trio of three sixes linked together. The arrangement of the trio formed a loose triangle. It was on his upper left chest, slightly above and to the right of his nipple.

"I got it a long time ago, when I first entered the clergy, I decided to have it done. He thought for a moment then continued. "I was in my late teens, so I saw it as a rite of passage."

Ab set the plate of bacon next to her son and gave him a look he knew to be, 'Some questions should be asked later.' Zozo nodded slightly before taking some bacon. She then took it to Cardi, who split it between them and decided he liked how this felt.

Zozo watched them while they ate, and how happy his mom looked and decided that if his Uncle Cardi became her boyfriend it would be fine with him. He watched as they loaded the dishwasher and wished he didn't have to leave today.

"Mama?"

"Yes baby."

"Next time, can I stay longer? Please."

"Please," Cardi added, having momentarily forgotten this was just an overnight visit.

"How can I say no." She hadn't expected them to bond this fast but was happy they did.

"Remember we have to leave by 2:30 or 3. It's a long drive.

"Will we have time for video games and for me to say goodbye to the ghouls?

"There should be if you both keep an eye on the time."

"We will!" Zozo turned and high fived his uncle.

Ab had just placed Zozo's overnight bag in the back and walked back inside. Cardi and he were walking down the hallway, and she noticed her son had a medium sized backpack clutched close to his chest.

"The ghouls gave him a lil somethin somethin."

"Swiss said if it was okay with you, next time I could sleep in the Den." Zozo's face was glowing with excitement.

"Oh, did he?"

"Uh huh."

"Well, if he said that, I think it should be okay." She loved seeing him so happy. Tell your uncle bye, we have to get on the road."

Cardi and Zozo hugged tightly before Cardi told him that he loved him and that he would see him soon. Zozo then went and got in the car.

"When will you be back?" He pulled her into a hug.

"Depending on traffic and the weather, it could be very late, or right after dawn."

"Be safe."

"Do my best to." She kissed him, then put a hand on his cheek. "A dopo."

"A dopo."

It was nearly 3am when she returned home. She went to Cardi's room, and it was empty, so she went to her room. Each step she took felt heavier and heavier, the caffeine and chocolate wearing off. Finally opening her door, she saw him in her bed. At the sound of the door opening, he got up and met her, glad to see her home. Cardi helped change her clothes and when they got into bed, both were soon asleep.

The next morning, she set on the counter, Cardi standing in between her legs, hands on her thighs under the hem of her T-shirt, her arms around his neck, waiting for the Eggos to pop up.

"I have to ask you something," he said.

"Okay."

"Will you officially become Sister Abigayle and help me run this motherfucker?"

"Two conditions."

"Always two conditions with you," he laughed.

"Um hum. First condition. You only call me that during official business. Second condition. I pick my own uniform. I'm not wearing a fucking dress."

"But you'd look sexy in a dress," he leaned in closer, and she put her hand against his mouth.

"Do you agree to my conditions or not?"

"I definitely do."