she was…I couldn’t believe my ears.” Afrika looked at Mimi and Raf. “I didn’t ask to be Victor’s daughter; I have a father.”
“I’m sorry for how I acted,” came the familiar voice from the doorway.
Mimi and Raphael spun around, while Afrika sat straight up and stared at their visitors. Coming through the doorway were Brenda and Asia. They wore identical black two-piece Ralph Lauren suits with French cuffs in satin crème accentuated by a small crystal rock that served as buttons.
“We’re coming from the cemetery,” Brenda said. “Asia wanted to stop and see Afrika on the way home.”
“Thank you,” Afrika said. “God has granted me another miracle.”
“Another miracle?” Asia asked.
“Yes, I got the feeling back in my legs. I’m no longer paralyzed, although I’m not able to walk well without a walker. I got in the pool today, and the nurse said I’m on my way to recovery.”
Asia walked to Afrika’s bedside as Raphael moved aside. She sat on the side of the bed and rubbed Afrika’s arm. “I don’t want you to go anywhere. I’ve never had a sister…and one that’s a best friend. Afrika, I freaked out when my mother was saying all of those things about Daddy…things I didn’t believe to be true, and then to find out that you were my sister and how it happened…I couldn’t take it.
“You won’t believe this. Zavion’s brother is also our brother.”
“What?” Afrika hollered. “Is Zavion our brother, too?”
“Lucky for me, Zavion is not.” Asia looked in Brenda’s direction. “It seems that Zavion’s mother was one of Daddy’s conquests, and Zavion’s brother, Freddie, is the result. It’s hard to talk about it. But Zavion couldn’t handle it. We haven’t spoken to each other since Trevor broke the news to us about shooting Daddy.”
“I’m so sorry, Asia,” Afrika said.
“You don’t have to be. I know it’s wrong to speak ill of the dead; especially if they’re your loved one, but if you live by the sword, you die by the sword. That’s what the preacher said today. And from that moment, I knew I wanted to give my life to Jesus. I can’t endure any more heartache and pain. So I’m asking you, sister, please stay at Central. I’d be lonely without you.”
The uneasiness in the room lightened. Glances were passed throughout the room.
“If that’s what you want to do, baby girl,” Raphael said, “your mother and I are behind you.”
Mimi smiled. “If that’s what you want to do Afrika, I’m behind you as well.”
Afrika sighed. “I had already made up my mind to leave.”
“I know,” Asia said. “I heard you when Mom and I came through the door. Please don’t let all that has happened drive you away.”
“Like it did your mother,” Brenda put in. “If she’d only told me all those years ago what I know now, I wouldn’t have married Victor.”
“But you wouldn’t have had me or Trevor.” Asia smiled.
“You’re right,” Brenda said. She turned to Mimi. “I’d like for you to stay in town, also. It would make me happy to become reacquainted with my best friend.”
Mimi smiled. “That sounds nice. I’ll have to give it some thought and talk it over with my other best friend.” Mimi smiled at Raphael, her rock. “He’s been everything to me, Brenda. I’ve been blessed.”
“Well, you and Raphael talk. I’m praying that you’ll have a change of heart and decide to stay in Durham. Mimi, we’re like sisters, you and me; we’ve got a lot of history. The only thing I’ve got to figure out is how to save my son.
“Now, we better get back to our family. Mabel and Tracey are holding it down. They didn’t want to go back to the church for repast. They are doing it up in the kitchen. Why don’t you and Raphael stop by later on?”
“We’ll be there,” Raphael said.
Once again, all heads turned toward the door as it opened.
“Is this a family reunion?” John asked. “Just came to check on you all. I haven’t seen you since that…that night, and after reading in the paper that you weren’t in trouble, I thought I’d pay you a visit.”
“Oh, I see,” Raphael began. “Mimi, if you and I had been on lock down, behind prison bars, John here wasn’t going to have anything to do with us.”
“Man, you know it wasn’t like that. I was letting you have your space. Too much going on for me to digest.”
Everyone laughed. “It’s all right, John,” Mimi said. “You were there when it counted.”