Who Gives this Bride? Page 9

  Alma did, still in complete disbelief.

  Marissa sat on Alma’s bed and patted it so Alma would join her. When she did Marissa took her hand and began to explain.

  “Mama said she had asked you if you wanted to meet your father and you had told her no. Mommy thought it was because you thought he had rejected you. She didn’t want to chance telling you about him in case he was already dead or didn’t want to be found for some reason. There was no need opening up those wounds if he ended up not being around anyway. When mama got real sick and knew that she wasn’t going to make it, that was one thing she asked me to try to do, find your father. I hope you’re not mad, it was her dying wish for you. Leviticus is here because he wants to be and he wants to get to know you.”

  “Why didn’t he just say that then? Why all of these lies?”

  “Alma, sweetie, you know that you would’ve kicked him out as soon as he showed up. We thought it would be good to let you get to know him first. For him to kind of fill in some of the blanks about who he was as a person before he just dropped the bomb that he was your long lost father. Please don’t be mad.” Marissa gave Alma the same pouty face she had used as a child when she wanted her way. It normally worked, but not today. If she had known Leviticus was her real father then she would’ve asked the one question she really wanted to know the answer to.

  Alma jumped up and stomped back into the living room where Marc and Leviticus were sitting and talking quietly.

  “If you’re my father then why did you walk away that day at the construction site? Why didn’t you even look at me, not even a smile?” Alma stood with her arms crossed, tears running down her face and tapping her foot furiously.

  “Baby girl,” Leviticus stood slowly and came over to meet her. “I wanted to more than anything in the world, but I was afraid.”

  “Afraid of what, commitment, fatherhood, being a real man?” She spat the words at him.

  “No, I was afraid that if any of those goons knew that I loved your mother, that you were my daughter, that they would hurt you.” Leviticus dropped his head in shame.

  “Why would you think that?” Alma had lowered her voice a bit, but she still needed answers.

  “Because it happened before. Your mom and I were out on a date. I had taken her to this restaurant and we were going back to the car. These guys jumped the two of us. They mostly pummeled me around a bit, but one of them slapped your mama so hard she fell to the ground. He leaned over me and I can still remember it today as clearly as he said it thirty plus years ago, ‘it’d be a shame for your lady to go missing’ the goon said. He had the look of pure evil in his eyes. I hung around enough shady characters to know that this one had no concern that your mama was innocent, he would’ve killed her just to get a message across to me. All those years gambling and cheating at cards and dealing drugs, they caught up to me because I finally had something I cared about. A family. Your mama was pregnant when that happened. And not at that early stage where maybe he didn’t know. She was 7 or 8 months pregnant with you and when she hit that ground I saw my whole life flash before my eyes. Everything I cared about was on that ground and those two thugs were ready to destroy it for the pure sport of it. I ended it with your mama and it broke my heart more than it broke hers, but it was the only thing I could do to keep you both safe. When you were born I told her not to put my name on your birth certificate. I sent her money to help out. The same amount I would’ve given her if I was right there at the kitchen table every night for dinner. I know it wasn’t enough, but it was all I knew to do. By the time I was confident that I had freed myself from my past, the only feelings you had towards me were hate. The one time I reached out your mom told me to give you some time to be less angry, but the reality was that I just took the easy way out. Years in prison convinced me it would be better for you if I just remained dead, like the lie your momma told you.” He began to cough and it seemed to shake his entire body. He pulled out his handkerchief with one hand to cover his mouth and held up a gnarled finger on his other hand as if asking for just a moment. Alma could see the lines in his forehead tense up, but the spell was over after a few seconds. He wiped at his mouth and replaced the handkerchief in his pocket.

  “I don’t know if you remember those cards from Santa Claus you used to get,” he sputtered the words slowly.

  Alma gasped in shock. She did remember those cards. They had always shown up a few days before Christmas with several dollars in them and a message that the elves were working hard to get all of her gifts ready. There had been something magical about she looked forward to every year. It was one of her favorite childhood memories. When she was old enough to finally realize that there was no Santa Claus, she had always wondered who it was that had sent the cards to her. That it had been her own father caused her breath to catch and her eyes begin to sting.

  She couldn’t stop the tears at that point and felt Leviticus’ feeble arms wrap around her.

  “I hope you know that I’ve always loved you. Always.” The words were warm as he spoke them into her shoulder.

  “I love you too daddy,” she slobbered the words she had so desperately wanted to utter all those years ago when she sat alone in the car waiting for her daddy to appear.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Alma enjoyed her father for three more months before he passed away. He had explained that he had an incurable form of cancer that had spread throughout his lungs and chest and had even appeared in his brain. He had been unlucky enough to be exposed to incredibly toxic materials while he had worked in construction and that exposure over several years had taken its toll. It was bittersweet meeting her father after all of those years and then having to say goodbye so soon after. She had explained to Marc and Marissa that she would have done it all over again knowing that she had a chance to know that she had been loved by her father. It healed a part of her heart that she hadn’t fully realized had been closed to the rest of the world.

  Leviticus had enlisted Marc’s help getting her DNA sample so the results could confirm that he was indeed her father. He had known his daughter well enough to know that she would need proof. Especially after all of the grief she had given him when she thought he was Marissa’s father. Alma hadn’t realized at the time that Marc had been a part of the ruse. He had admitted to her that he was afraid that his involvement could have spelled the end to their relationship if she decided to reject Leviticus. Alma knew that Marc and Marissa had both done what they thought was best for her, at the risk of invoking her wrath, and she would forever love them both for it.

  Her own wedding was set to take place only two months after he expired. As he had grown sicker and it had become clear that his time was short, Alma had lamented the fact that he wouldn’t be there to walk her down the aisle and had prayed that God would grant him just a bit longer. When he had finally been placed on bedrest he had admitted that he had pretended that Marissa was Alma the day that he walked her sister down the aisle. He called Marissa the daughter of his dreams. ‘I always dreamed that I would have been man enough to get my life together, marry your mother, be a father to my sweet Alma, and adopt you as my very own’ he had spoken to Marissa when the doctor had encouraged them to gather and say their final goodbyes.

  Marc’s father, Reverend Slade had come to pray with Leviticus in those final days. Leviticus had renewed his relationship with God and had even taken communion from his hospital bed. Reverend Slade had shared with Leviticus the blessing of a father and had encouraged him to bless his daughters before he left the earth. He had taken the words to heart and spoke a word over Marissa and Justin and their new baby girl.

  There hadn’t been a dry eye in the room by the time he spoke his blessing over Alma.

  “I pray you and Marc share the happiness that I always dreamed your mother and I would have had. I bless you with prosperity and health and every good thing that God has. You be sure to send my grandbabies a card from Grandpa Santa so they never forget who I was. You tell dem babies
that I’m loving them from heaven right there next to your momma.” It had been a simple blessing, but one that continued to resonate with Alma.

  Leviticus had asked for a moment alone with Reverend Slade and everyone had stepped out to give them privacy. When they had returned it was announced that Leviticus had asked Reverend Slade to walk Alma down the aisle in proxy for him, if she didn’t object. The very idea that he was on his deathbed and yet still concerned about her wedding day and making arrangements for his absence had moved her beyond words.

  She now reminisced on all of these events while she sat in the hotel preparing to leave for the church. She knew she shouldn’t cry on her wedding day, but she couldn’t escape the pain of father’s absence. She was dabbing at her eyes with the tissue she had been handed when she heard a knock at the door. Marissa answered the door and let Reverend Slade in.

  “I’m glad you’re both here. There was one final thing that Leviticus asked me to do for him, but he wanted me to wait until this moment. He wanted to make sure I gave you this,” Reverend Slade handed Alma a medium sized, roughly carved wooden box.

  Alma opened the box to find it filled with cards. She picked up one card covered in balloons and teddy bears and bright colors that simply said ‘One is fun’. The numbers continued to increase with bright colored birthday greetings that featured bears, puppies, balloons, clowns, and all manner of designs that would have delighted a child. The cards were a bit yellowed indicating their age from the passage of time, but it didn’t take away from the festivity of the messages. The designs on the cards matured as the age continued to increase. The one for her sweet sixteen had the same love dad scrawled on the inside, another for her graduation. There were numerous other cards that seemed to represent every occasion he had missed. There was one card still in the envelope with a note scrawled across the front that said “Do not open until your wedding day”.

  Alma took a deep breath and slowly opened the card. As soon as she did several pictures slipped out and hit the floor. As she bent to pick them up she was amazed to see a much younger version of her mother holding a baby version of Alma and Leviticus kissing her on her cheek. She flipped it over to see a note that said ‘I may not be there to give you away today, but I've always been there and I've always loved you’. She looked at the next photo which looked to be a picture of her in an elementary school play taken from the back of the auditorium. Another photo was taken selfie style and showed him standing behind her while she unknowingly posed for a picture with her friends on her graduation day. It seemed he had been hiding in plain sight at important moments in her life.

  Alma gingerly wiped at her eyes in an attempt not to completely ruin her makeup.

  “He also asked me to let you know that his settlement with the construction company is complete and that you are his named beneficiary. I don’t know the exact amount, but he told me it was a sizeable sum. His lawyers have your information and will contact you with all of the details. In addition to the award, he asked his lawyers to set up a trust that will give both you and Marissa and the many grandbabies he was certain you both will have, gifts and cards for every special occasion in your life. And,” Reverend Slade reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a small velvet covered box.

  “In addition to something borrowed, blue and old, he wanted you to have something new,” Reverend Slade handed her the box.

  Alma opened it to find a beautiful platinum etched bracelet with blue diamonds inset and spaced out across the band. On the inside of the bracelet was an inscription that read ‘I know I wasn't there in the beginning, but I promise I'll be there for you until the end’.

  Alma slipped the bracelet on her wrist and dabbed at her eyes. She felt her father’s presence and it brought her peace to know that he was there. As she stood, Marissa came and gave her a hug and kiss on her cheek. Reverend Slade held out the crook of his arm and Alma walked to meet him, slipping her arm into the space. He patted her hand and whispered, “I look forward to gaining you as a daughter.”

  Alma smiled and realized how many wonderful father figures God had blessed her with throughout her life. Having the opportunity to reconnect with Leviticus had allowed Alma to release the anger she had harbored for so many years and finally see how richly she was loved by the beautiful souls that surrounded her.

  Acknowledgements

  Writing can often be a lonely business where you spend hours creating a project with no input other than the thoughts that swirl through your mind. Some of those thoughts can be positive and filled with hope while others can trend negative and be quite harsh. That is why having a team around you that supports your efforts and believes in what you’re doing is so powerful.

  I cannot fail to thank all of the family and friends that have supported me and my writing throughout the many years. Ever reader that has taken the time to read my work, and that now includes you, makes my heart smile. Even still, I have to provide a special thank you to Jacquelin Thomas. This story was originally written to be included in an anthology that she brought me to and I can only express the sincerest of gratitude to her for her generosity through the years. She is an amazing author and an even more beautiful person.

  I have to give a special shout out to Sisterhood Expression Book Club (SHE) for their unwavering support and endorsement of me as an author. What an amazing group of women.

  There are points in your life that are pivotal and can change the trajectory of your life. I have to thank Pastor Jeffery Chapman Sr. and the Raleigh North Christian Center Family for such amazing examples of excellence. They were a positive challenge and influential push for me to grow and continue to pursue the craft that I love so much.

  This story was built around absentee fathers. I am so grateful for the privilege of having a father that was fully present and loved me, but also that believed in me and allowed me to believe that greater was possible. I have lovingly dedicated this book to my father, James Williams, for being the gift that I call Dad.

  Another thank you goes out to my lovely mom, LaVonna Patterson, who has begun her own writing journey. The opportunity to see the excitement and joy she exhibits from her writing reignited a spark that I had long tried to bury. When she publishes her book I will be the first one in line and I encourage you to do the same.

  My son Isaiah is one of my greatest motivators and I continue to push myself to show him that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

  Last, but never least, I have to thank my wonderful husband and perpetual boyfriend, Emanuel, who has supported me from my very first novel. You have no idea how important it is to know that I’m never alone and will always have at least one fan in the room whenever we’re together. It means everything to me.

  About the Author

  Valderia Brunson has been a writer since she began writing short stories in the school newspaper at Memorial Junior High. It was then that she discovered how her stories affected others and recognized that entertaining readers was not just her passion, but also her gift. She has continued this writing and, in addition to this book, she has written two full length novels with a third, Without Repentance, currently in the editing phase and scheduled for release Fall 2020.

  Valderia practices law during the day and loves to read and write in her free time. Valderia has entered writing competitions and was a winner of the North Carolina State Bar’s First Annual Fiction Writing Competition for her short story, Jesus Freak. This story was adapted into a full length novel under the title Blood Cries.

  Valderia enjoys supporting and encouraging other writers on their writing journey. She created www.writingtowin.org as a way to connect with fiction and nonfiction writers from all genres and categories.

  When Valderia is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

  Other books by Valderia Brunson

  Church Gigolo

  Saved, sanctified, and...STILL SINGLE. Angel Wells feels like one of the lucky ones. Especially when there are so many wo
men in their thirties and forties who are still single and desiring to be married. She had no idea that a good Christian brother like her boyfriend, Greg Burrows, could be anything less than an answer to prayer. Little did she know that he was the answer to the prayers of numerous other women in the church as well.

  Greg has found himself in a losing battle. Saints and skanks alike are pursuing him with as much fervor as he first pursued Angel. As desperate as he is to please God, he finds himself losing the will to fight temptation, especially when it comes in so many beautiful shapes and sizes. He knows that a lifelong commitment to Angel is what he really wants, but if he can't get himself under control, it might not be what he gets.

  Terrance Wayne can't believe that Greg is about to miss out on the best thing that ever happened to him. His loss will definitely be Terrance's gain, if only he could convince Angel to let go of the sorry brother. Terrance is everything that she could ever want in a man. He's fine, funny, intelligent, and paid for days with no baby mama drama. The only thing he isn't is a Christian. He can't understand why Angel would let Greg dog her just because he goes to church.

  As a married woman, Cynthia Carter tries her best to offer advice and wisdom as Angel sorts through her man troubles. Little does Angel, or anyone else, know that Cynthia's own issues with her wealthy real estate mogul husband, Edward, are so serious that they threaten to shake the very foundations of the church.

  Cheryl Tinsdale is co-Pastor of Faith Tabernacle and desperate to address the challenges and inequities of dating in the church. She's disgusted at the men that run through the women of the church like they're at an all-you-can-eat buffet. If only her Pastor and husband, Walter, can see what's really going on. Trying to show him may cost Cheryl her marriage.