Pride 11

Two days they stayed with Donnie Ray. He took them to see Mo and Rick everyday. The day arrived and Mo and the baby were going to be able to come home. Everyone was excited about the idea that it was going to be a great moment. They wanted to talk to their mother and get her emotional support after all they had been stressed about her and the baby along with the sadness of losing their father. We were taken to the house to get everything straight for the new baby. Kae didn’t want anything out of place. Mae was doing the bedroom she told her sibling that she wanted to make sure that the room was free from all germs. The baby could catch colds and stuff fast she told Bobo and Kae. Mae washed all the linens and made up the crib and fixed the dresser with all the new baby items she was so satisfied with her duties that she did not keep up with the time. Her cleaning led to her imagining her holding the baby and helping Mo with the upkeep of the child. Kae and Bobo called Mae to the front of the modest three bedroom home with one bathroom were they decided to place a large banner welcoming the two home. Mae told Kae and Bobo how wonderful the idea was. They quickly went from cleaning to art supplies and tape decorating the banner. The banner read WELCOME MAMA AND RICK HOME. They hung the banner up around the front door. They notice people reading the banner. Later people began to bring food and drinks and gifts over to the house. This had now become a coming home party the kids did not mind. The next thing Mae heard was Bobo running to the door and telling everyone who had came to the house Mama and the baby are here. People hurry out to the car to assist Mo with the baby and belongings. Bobo was confused at the tears Mo began to have he thought this party should have made his mother happy. Bobo began to cry and apologizing about the people and the party. Mo said in a concerned voice I’m not mad I’m happy. Bobo told his mother how come you are crying then. Mo turned to the people and said tears of joy.

Who's earth is it anyway

The world is so interested in the prices of gas than earth friendly product and methods to improve the world for ourselves and future generations. It is a scary idea to me that my great grand kids will not be able to go out side without wearing shields. This may seem out there to suggest that this could be a possibility. As the gases eat though the ozone layer, weather changes and kids are smarter the idea of cars having technology like reading breath vapors and using eye movement to adjust mirrors the possibility is not so far fetch after all. I want to be proactive in my efforts. I realize that people waste naturally and to conserve take a conscious effort. Many other alternative fuel sources exist that we are not using such as the sugar cane ethanol and more wind/water energy. I hope that this time were prices are keeping average people at home will help bring more funding and discussions about other earth friendly products.

love your world.

Pride 10

Donnie Ray came into the door; Mo began to smile and nodded for him to come closer to the bed. He told her how sweet she looked. She could not believe he was saying these things to her in front of the kids. Mo just smiled and reached for his hand. Donnie Ray wanted time alone with Mo. She could feel the tension and told the kids to take some money to the snack area to get a few things for them to eat. They was more than happy to go. This gave them a little time alone to talk.

Mo told Donnie Ray how she was happy he came. He just looked at the dark completed child and could not help but ask Mo was he the father of this child. Mo answered with the confidence she knew he need to hear, yes he is yours he look just like your mother. Donnie Ray began to smile again reminding himself that he too had very dark people in the family.

Mo tried hard not to think of the possibility that Rick could be someone else. Everyone knew of the affair that Mo had with the star child of the Bottom, including Donnie Ray. It started when Mo was walking down the steep hill. John would always flatter her with beautiful words. This would make Mo’s day and she would continue to tell herself he was just a spoiled child that would never be a man. She needed a man. Her man was Donnie Ray. She would convince herself of all the good qualities Donnie had. She listed them one by one when she found herself get weak for the Star Child. This must had went on for about a year. She remembered the first time she had a serious conversation. John was intelligent and kind. He went out of his way to attempt to make Mo happy. She enjoyed the whole courtship and found herself falling for the very man she told many people she would never like. The next thing she knew she was going for walks in the park and spending weekends with John.
The children return to room 112 to find Rick in the arms of Donnie Ray they liked Donnie because all of the things he did for them and their mother. Of course it was okay for him to hold their little brother. The kids gather around him and smiled at Donnie and the baby. Donnie gave the baby to Mo. It was time for the kids to leave. Donnie told the kids to give Mo a hug and head to the car. They followed instructions. Donnie gave Mo a kiss on the head and rubbed Rick on the bottom and walked out the door behind the children. The got to the cream color Pontiac and made their way to their seats. Donnie told them they were going to stay at his apartment until Mo got out. The kids was happy they had never stayed the night at his apartment.

The drive from Jonesboro was interesting to Kae. .She always waited to see if Mae was going to say something that they all wanted to know but would never say. Mae in her strength and honesty asked the question Kae and Bobo would talk about after hearing bits and pieces of the possible paternal identity of Rick. The question are you our brother’s daddy came flying out of Mae mouth before Donnie was ready to talk about this to anyone. He quickly answered in a confused voice UH yes, of course where are getting these questions from. Donnie told Mae not to ask this question of her mom because it will make her very mad. Mae promise that moment to not say a word about this to anyone else. Donnie made sure that Kae and Bobo knew that statement was for them too.

Pride 9

SEEING BABY BOY
The walked down the never ending hall and there the Nursery was located curtain pulled together the railing to the window was vacant the slowly went to the window and knot on it to get the nurses attention. The curtain pulled back with a quick pull and there stood the obese nurse with black trimmed glasses pulled down to the tip of the nose resembling Kae’s second period teacher, Mrs. Durham.

Mae could not speak, Kae wringing her hands, finally Bobo told the nurse they wanted to see the Diamond’s baby. The nurse turned an approached an incubator and reached in and brought Rick Diamond to the window. We looked with joy that now we could take him home and play with him. Kae told Mae and Bobo that she remembered when each of them came home for the first time. The big baby boy 11pounds 12 oz. 17 inches long and a head circumference of 16 would be totally dependent on them and of course Mo.

They went back to see Mo. He is the prettiest baby in the nursery said Kae, Mae remarked not really mama I seen a cute little baby he is too big to be a new born. Mo said he don’t suppose to be cute he is a little man. Frank and Emily laughed. Many questions started to come from the three kids everything from mama he is your baby and our brother we will just have to wait our turn right, Mo replied with yea baby. Who will he sleep with, would they be allowed to take the baby to the park and show him off? Mo told them he is my baby. Mae said yea Frank and Emily told Mo they had to be leaving they had to go and check on Tammy and Sheniece. Mo told them to go head on and she would have Donnie Ray come and get the kids from the hospital. Donnie Ray was Mo main love interest. He would come and stay weekends with us. The kids liked him very much he seemed to make Mo happy. The kids didn’t want to leave before feeding time. So they seen Frank and Emily out to the car and hugged them and thanked them for taking them to Texas as they were instructed by Mo before leaving the room behind them.

The door opened and there was Rick crying and kicking his little legs out straight. It was time for the feeding. The kids watched as Mo embraced the little baby, he seemed little now all alone. Mo asked Kae to get the bottle nipple and apply it to the bottle of amber looking milk. She did as she was told and handed to Mo, the nipple came in contact with his jaw and he quickly got the nipple in his mouth and started to suck so hard that he made these little squeaking noises. The sound was so cute to Mae that she had to break the silence. She said will he always sound like that when he was getting feed. Mo smiled and said no just for these few feeding he will get the hang of it and all work then. They took turns holding the baby after Mo rubbed his back until he burped.

Pride 7

Back to Dodson

The trip back home was the same mileage but the trip felt much shorter to Kae. She told more stories. The stories was told to deaf ears both Mae and Bobo was fast asleep. Kae talked with Uncle Frank and Aunt Emily about how the arrangement would go once they got back to
Dodson after Mo had the baby. Frank told Kae you know your mother I’m sure you all will be right there with here. You know that the family is her for Mo but she will want you all to herself for a while. Emily asked Frank did he get the camera because Mo told them to be sure to take pictures of everything so she would be able to see how it went. Frank told Emily that he took all those pictures but he was going to see how Mo feels before offering her the opportunity to look at them. Emily said I know she might not need to see Rob. He just did not look the same.

Mae had woke up to hear this part of the conversation and said to them his head was injured badly it is not rocket science he don’t look alive. Emily told Mae to watch her mouth she had enough of her smart little mouth. Mae gripped the seat in frustration but became silent and hoped they would not discuss such stuff around her. Mae closed her eyes and started to bite her lip with anger. Frank told the kids to get out of the car and stretch their legs. Kae was the tallest of the three and she jumped out of the car and bend down to stretch. Bobo just stood outside the door and looked at Kae. Kae told the two of them the will be sorry they did not stretch because they still had a hour and a half to go before getting home. The got back in the car and off they were again. The area was familiar to them Bobo read the mile markers and told us how much more time he thought it will be before getting home. Mae wondered would her mother be waiting on her with those beautiful big brown eyes.

They finally arrived at the house to find a note on the coffee table. Mae seen the note first and yelled Mama’s not here. Frank picked up the note and began to read it aloud. Hope the trip went okay I had to go to the hospital I’m in labor. Frank quickly called the hospital to see if she was there. He looked at Emily and said they say she is in labor. Everyone ran to the Buick 225 and they left for Jonesboro to Jackson Parish Hospital. The town was about twenty minutes away from Dodson. The kids were overwhelmed with emotions they had just left the funeral services and now they was off to see a new addition to the family.

Mae thought God sure do work in strange ways. Emily began to say that’s what people always say that you lose a person and someone is having a baby some where else. Just about this time the car pulled up to the hospital and they ran out into the ER to see if they could locate Mo. The clerk at the desk directed us to Room 112. When they got there Mo was sleeping and lethargic from the birth process. She hugged the three children and said you all have a little brother. His name is Rick. They asked the nurse to see the baby but they told them they could come the window of the nursery and look but the baby had to stay there until the next feeding time.

Pride 8

The kids walked back into the hospital and told each other their ideas for the baby. The jobs they need to assist Mo with the everyday task of paying bills and simple stuff like that. Mae and Kae told each other about cleaning houses for a little money until Mo was able to go back to work. The idea was a good one Bobo thought. Bobo told the girls how he could mow yards and pick up trash for Mrs. Mary and Mrs. Nettie. They ladies always wanted him to do something so they could justify giving him five and ten dollars for men work around their houses. They so wanted to help out and keep Mo from being stressed since they overheard the older people at the funeral say how stressed Rob was over trying to pay the bills after having back surgery. Kae was just about to tear up when Mae told Kae and Bobo that Mama don’t need us to be weak. The strength again shined though for the Diamond kids. They were talking around the vending machine when some nurses overheard them planning all these things. Mrs. Gray was a nurse that had taken care of Mo Diamond. The nurse was overwhelmed with the kindness the children had shown in attempting to find a way to keep Mo less stressed. Mrs. Gray went to the nursing station and told of the conversation the children were having and the other nurses hearts were touch. Mrs. Gray entered the room prior to the childeren with the baby in here arms. They knew that it was time for the feeding and the could not wait to get in the room to see their brother.

Pride 6

The

Finalization

The finalization of the grave measurements and the most important thing to Mae was that it was dry and her dad would not have to be in water. The earth was dry and the measurements were perfect and the casket was lower into Rob eternal resting place. The drive back to the family home was quiet. Frank did not speak to his niece he just would glance and smile at the enter strength she had.The house was full of voices and laughter this did not help Mae’s state of mind. Frank could see in Mae’s eyes that she was very close to losing her temper. He feared what would come out so he quickly approach her and attempted to explain why everyone was smiling and laughing. He told of personal experience and how when he lost his mother he could not understand why people was laughing and talking as if the death did not happen. Mae eyes filled with tears and she told him of the hurt she felt like no one cared enough to grieve for him. Frank continued to tell her of how people were remembering stories and things he did to keep from crying. Mae told Frank that she did understand how they still could do it. Frank took Mae by the hand and told her how proud he was of her. Mae so heavy hearted could not eat the food at the house ranged from greens, corn, dressing, chicken, fish, and a multitude of other dishes. The day pass fast and it seemed like it was only two minutes ago she was burying her father on the hill hours after the funeral services. Mae and Kae vowed they would celebrate their father’s birthday which was the day after Halloween and the candy they get would be what they use. Bobo, James and Jack was playing in the room. Kae and Mae went to the bedroom and comforted each other. They was going to be leaving the next morning and wanted to hurry back to check on Mo. Mo had called a few times and spoke with them but they could tell she was very sad and stressed.

Pride 5

The day of the funeral
Mae was staring out of the window at the rain drops forming on the edge of the window, wondering how the family was going to be able to deal with the last time they would see her daddy. Mae eyes filled with tears but being the strong little girl she prided herself as she quickly wiped the evidence away before anyone would be able to see that she too was very hurt and she loved her daddy as much as Kae. She continued to sit and look out the window hoping her mom was okay and that she would get a chance to see her. The death of Rob scared her and she did not want her sweet, hardworking mother to face this same fate. Moments later the voice of Mae’s grandmother stopped her wondering about sad events. Maggie Mae said it time to get ready for the funeral Mae stop daydreaming and help Bobo with his tie this caused Mae to direct her attention on the task of getting ready.

Everyone was escorted to the limousine in which they would be carried to the Chapel. Mae, Kae, Bobo, Frank and Emily were escorted to the second limousine. Faith, James, and Jack was riding in the first limousine along with Grandma Maggie and Grandpa Victor. The Chapel was in eyesight when the rain started pouring down as if some one had turned on the shower. Mae told Kae and Bobo that the rain was a symbol of the grounds that Daddy walked. She said he travel a lot that is why it is raining so much. Frank and Emily could not believe that Mae was stating some wise tale that they had often told others.

The door opened and Mae stepped out and helped Bobo out. Bobo eyes red and filled with water. Mae wiped his face and in a soft loving voice said I’m right next to you, I will help you if you help me. Bobo smiled and grabbed her hand tightly. Kae was sobbing uncontrollable
Frank and Emily were on each side of her anticipating her sorrow. The family marched in after the Pastor reading from some book in the bible Mae could not understand why the family had to be led into the Chapel. The family pews were reserved and one by one we filled the eight rows. The Chapel seem small and dim. The first song was Precious Lord. Mae held Bobo hands so tightly hoping she would be able to give him strength she feared losing control. Bobo continued to cry without making a sound tears ran down their faces and they continued to hold hands without wiping. The time to view the remains was at hand. The guest were stood up and led around the Chapel passed the body and the family everyone stopped and hugged and gave words of sympathy. Now, Mae knew it was now time to take that last look at Daddy. She wanted to look but she knew if she did she would not be able to control the tears and crying so she decided to leave out without seeing her daddy for the last time. She could not get out in time she started to scream this shit is not right!

The next thing Mae remembered was the grave site.
The grave was deep and wet surely they couldn’t put daddy in there it was wet he might get cold or even worst he might rot. The thoughts came to fast to even attempt to stop. Mae heard someone say what she had been thinking in such a rush, Rob can not be put in this sloppy mess screamed a close friend. The funeral home personnel asked that the family and guest leave before the body was placed in the ground. Mae was not having any part of that. She searched for the voice that was able to say what she felt. There he was a large frame man with mangled gray and black hair with a small amount of facial hair, dark gray eye glasses and hands large enough to cover the whole Bible.
He told the funeral personnel he would gladly pay what ever it cost to move his site to the hill area where it would be more suitable for his close friend. Mae went and stood up beside the man and told him how happy this made her. The man smiled and said he would have done the same for me. It seem to take hours to get the grave site done and that was okay by Mae and her new found friend. They told the other family members that they would stay to make sure everything was in order. Frank and Emily knew that Mae was not going to leave no matter what until every thing was done and she thought it to be okay by her standards. Frank told Emily that he would stay there with Mae. She told her uncle that she would be fine but Frank did not leave her side. Frank thought of how they had been right about Mae all along being strong enough to stand on her own even at the age of ten.

Pride 4

SEEING OFF THE KIDS

The morning started with the great smell of bacon, eggs and grits cooking on the old worn stove that had seen more that a few good years.Mae was the first in the kitchen to see who was making staying in bed on this lazy morning impossible. Mo and Fatmamma were cooking up some breakfast before sending the kids off to Texas. Fatmamma continued to talk about how important it was for Mo to stay calm and not over think the situation. Mo wanted to go with the children so badly.

Rob was in a relationship with another woman and Mo being the wife had all the control over the funeral proceedings. Mo wanted nothing to do with the other lady, Faith but had to talk about the details of their relationship and what children they had together in order to do the obituary. Mo decided with Fatmamma help to allow Faith to write the obituary. Mo decision to let Faith do this was one she found herself stressing over. Later that morning Frank and Emily were at the door to pick up the kids and take them to Texas for the funeral.

The Buick 225 was cleaned and the white walls of the tires were so clean that you could eat off them; the burgundy color glittered in the sun light. Mae, Kae and Bobo gathered up the luggage and placed them in the trunk. Mo ran out to the car and gave the kids hugs and kisses and cried with them before leaving. Mo waived and Fatmamma help her back into the house. Mo told Fatmamma of the time that Rob came home and agreed to move back with the family. The accident happen the night that he was coming to start over with Mo. Fatmamma could not believe what Mo was telling her. The children were told that he was coming to get them to spend Easter with them. The trip was made for Hot Springs were they were going to take the children. The trip was one that the children would not forget after all they were going to bury their father.
The trip rides prove to be one long ride. The game of counting green cars grew boring and Mae went to sleep the game ended shortly after that they were only in Many, La about four hours away. Kae saw a wreck which caused her to cry and wake the others up in the car streaming “that’s what happened to my daddy”.

Pride 3

THE DAY AFTER DEATH PAYS A VISIT.
The next day their eyes resembled oranges with the amount of swelling. The children had stayed up all night telling stories. Kae told the children how when they were together as a family they would play games in the backyard while Rob would take Mo and pick her up and swing her around to get her dizzy. The patio was filled with flower of all types because Mo had the time to tend to her flower garden. The happiness she told about made the kids smile and this was what the big sister wanted. She told of the times they would play in the room with all the toys they had from Star
They wished they could have remembered the lovely stories their sister was telling. Mae had been the child that was mostly affected by the separation of her parents. Mae was most of the time very violent and fought at the drop of a dime. People in the neighborhood would often tell Mo that she would be the child that killed and went off to the women pen.
Mae was so upset but for different reasons than Bobo and Kae.
She was upset because of the hurt in her mother’s eyes and she knew that the baby could be affected with the amount of stress of death and the stress of making arrangement. The family came together. Mo family decided that she needed to ask the Dr. Wung about making the trip to Spring Texas to the funeral proceedings. The answer was that she could not stand the stress along with the emotional grief this would place on her and the unborn child. Mo being the mother she was decided that she could not place this stress on the child and decided to send the children with her brother Frank and Emily.
The next few days was a full of phone conversations with the funeral home. Mae stood at her mother‘s feet as she made these difficult decision one after the other. The other children were not as emotionally strong to be a support to their mother. Mo knew that Mae was so strong yet very weak in a sense. She tried to put on a good face during the conversations but found herself embracing Mae because she was there. Mo best friend Fat mamma came to support her in the last three days prior to the funeral. Fat mamma knew that sending her children to face one of life’s most difficult times would be a sad moment to Mo.

Pride 2

The green and white house in the Bottom of the Bugtussle square was full of life with the three kids and a busy woman at the head of the family. The situation happens ten years earlier when her estranged husband was on a routine trip to pick the children up for the Easter break. The excitement was at an all time high with Mae, Kae, and Bobo.

The idea that they would soon be staying a complete week away in the big city of Houston enjoying the sun and fun of the Texas area was too much for the three of them. The truth of the matter was the city was not Houston but the suburb of Spring Texas. The clothes was carefully placed in the luggage that their mother had when she travel to Los Angeles to see her sister and brother three years prior. Mae placed her favorite pair of blue jeans with her pink and blue button up ruffle shirt. Mo told her kids to be sure to pack their church clothes after all it was going to be Easter Sunday and she did want them to get to Texas and not have the necessary items.

The children attempted to stay up and wait on Rob to come and pick them up but the sleep came and collected each of them. Mo was unable to stay up to because she was expecting a child and in the last month of her pregnancy. Kae was waked up by the constant ring of the phone. The caller insisted to talk to Mo. Kae felt that it was important enough to wake her mother knowing if Mo didn’t think it was important she would be fussed at but this did not stop her from getting her to the phone. Kae stood by and watched to see if she was correct in her decision. The phone dropped and Mo stood yelling no. Kae was so confused and the sound of Mo yelling woke the remainder of the children.

It was about ten to twenty minutes before Mo was physically able to speak with the children. She started the conversation with a soft whisper as if she didn’t want to hear the words come from her mouth. The words your father had a accident. Bobo said that he knew something was wrong because his dad had promise to be here before he went to sleep. Bobo seemed to be relieved to hear this news. However, he was not ready to hear the other part of the conversation. Mae got her mothers attention and said so what hospital was he in, Mo big brown eyes filled with water and she began to say how he loved all you. Kae ran from the room to protect her ears from hearing what Mae and Bobo knew that Daddy was dead.

M. A. M. A.

Mother's Day fast approach with the wonderful voices taking time to say the kind words of appreciation. The most appreciation most mothers get the entire year. I don't have the opportunity to say those words because I have neither a mother or grandmother to give the appreciation of the years of stress, love and support that many individuals will have to voice this great appreciation. I don't know of another person in my life that had the wisdom and understanding of what I needed. So it is with great care that I will give this small thanks to Mrs. Arlene Morgan who gave me the gift of life and the nurture to be able to exist without her guidance at this mid point in my life. I hope anyone reading this small thank you get the best blessing I could give this year the gift of HOPE. I promise that life is what you make of it and sometimes it will not be what you expected but it will be worth living a lesson I have in the last past two years found to be true. My sibling I love you and my only sister Happy Mother's Day to you, Carolyn.