Redemption

Dedication

For my Aunt Letha. Oh how I love and miss you!

This book is also dedicated to those who struggle with forgiveness.

Sometimes it’s hard to let go of the past,

but it’s necessary so that you can embrace your future.

I pray that this story will encourage you to

let go and let God work things out in your life.

Acknowledgements

I have to thank God for the gift of writing. I am who I am because of who He is in my life. I can't thank Him enough for the things He continues to do on my behalf; He keeps on proving Himself to me over and over again. He alone is worthy to be praised!!!

Richard and Chloe, thanks for putting up with me during this process. Thanks for allowing me to disappear into my writing cave. Honey, thanks for holding things down and being my #1 fan. I love you more than you know.

I'm so thankful to have some family members and friends who have supported me on this journey. It’s way too many of y’all for me to name. I also have to thank my GCMBC family. I truly appreciate all of you!!!

Michelle Stimpson, I couldn’t have done any of this without you. I will forever thank God for you, your kindness, your willing spirit, your prayers, your pep talks and friendship. I’ve learned so much from you and I can’t thank you enough for taking me under your wing and grooming me. Love you, sis!

I’m so thankful for the many readers who have encouraged and embraced me along the way. Being the new kid on the block can be a little scary, so I truly appreciate those of you who have supported me thus far. Love you much!!

Part I - The Past

Chapter 1

Tania Clinton heard her mother, Ruby, stumbling up the porch into the house. She’d returned home from playing Bingo with her sister, Jean.

Mona! Ruby hollered down the hallway, Find me some Alka Seltzer!

Tania rolled over in bed and peeped out the door and watched her mother walking down the hall holding her chest.

Mona was mumbling something under her breath but went to retrieve the Alka Seltzer for her mother nonetheless.

Tania slightly laughed at Mona and settled back into bed.

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When it was time for the girls to get prepared for school the next day, Ruby was still in bed. Her normal routine was to prepare the girls breakfast.

Instead, Mona had fixed Tania and Naomi oatmeal. Y’all eat while I go check on Mama. No seconds for you, Tania. And don’t give her any of yours, Naomi. Tania is already too big.

Tania rolled her eyes after her sister left the kitchen.

Little Naomi smiled at Tania. You can have some of mine if you want it. I don’t like oatmeal much anyway, not the way Mona makes it.

Both girls giggled.

Moments later, Tania and Naomi heard Mona screaming, Mama, mama get up, wake up, mama please say something!

The younger sisters ran to Ruby’s room.

Tania watched in horror as Mona continued to shake Ruby. Oh my God, she’s not responding. Tania, call the ambulance.

Tania heard Mona’s order, but she couldn’t move; she was in shock.

Naomi ran into the living room and made the call.

Ten minutes later the paramedics arrived and tried to revive Ruby.

A shocked Tania stood in disbelief as one of the paramedics confirmed that Ruby was dead.

Tania remembered that day as if it were yesterday.

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A few months after Ruby’s death, Mona decided to file for custody. She pleaded with the judge saying that she and her husband, Paul could take care of Tania and Naomi. Tania had no problems with Paul. He was a good guy, from a decent family, and he was much nicer than Mona. Tania often wondered why Paul ever fell for her sister.

The two were engaged when Ruby died and Mona had convinced Paul to marry her the following week so that she could gain custody of her sisters. With Mona being 22 and Paul being 26, Mona felt that there was no way the judge would deny her custody. Ruby’s house was paid for so all she and Paul had to do was provide proof of income and a stable home to get the girls.

Tania knew the only reason why Mona opted to have guardianship over her was to get a check. Tania wanted to stay with her grandmother, Beatrice, but she had too many illnesses and wasn’t able to care for her. She’d begged her grandmother to let her stay anyway, stating that she wouldn’t be any trouble, but of course that didn’t work out in her favor. She was stuck with Mona.

It was bad enough that their mother had just died. Now, Mona was going to make her life a living nightmare.

After the judge ruled in Mona’s favor, Tania tried to make the best of it. She made it her business to come home, do her homework, and stay out of Mona’s way. Sunday night through Thursday night, Tania stuck to the routine. She ignored Mona’s constant harassment about weight and endured the hurtful comments that Mama used to put a stop to when she was around.

If she could make it through her junior year, Tania only had one more year of school left and was counting down the days until she could put Sweet Lily, TX in the rearview mirror.

Friday nights provided a reprieve from the daily verbal abuse. Mona and her closest friend, Vivian, hit the town. Since Paul worked the graveyard shift, Mona could easily sneak out and do her thing.

She and Vivian spent an hour preparing to go out. Vivian was known for being with all types of men from schoolteachers to undertakers; you name it, she had the hook up.

Tania tried to stay out of their way, but Vivian insisted that Mona fix her up with a microwave ponytail. That left them no choice but to be in the kitchen, where Tania was quietly reading a book to escape the tension in her household.

Girl, we gotta hurry up before George and Henry think we stood them up, Vivian said.

I hope Henry got some money ‘cause this ain’t free, Mona said caressing her body.

Tania shook her head in disgust.

Tania, you got a boyfriend? Vivian asked.

Naw, she ain’t got no boyfriend and probably won’t get one. She’s too fat and ain’t no little boy gonna want all of that fat. She’s so fat her stomach is hiding her goodies, Mona said before Tania could respond.

Girl naw, not hiding the goodies. That’s your prize, and every man wants the prize, Vivian said laughing. Tania you gotta show ‘em what you working with. Vivian strutted across the vinyl floor and struck a pose.

Vivian, you’re wasting your breath. All she cares about is eating and reading books. She’s going to be useless just like that half-white, yellow-boned, sorry daddy of hers.

The microwave beeped. Mona grabbed a dishtowel and used it to guard her hands as she took the ponytail with green magnetic rollers from the microwave.

Come on now, Mona don’t say she’s useless. We’ll teach her the ropes, she’ll reel her in a good one when she gets older. She got a good grade of hair. Wavy and long. Vivian tugged Tania’s ponytail a few times before Tania pulled away.

"Chile please, she’s a junior in high school and still a virgin. She got one more year of school left. If she ain’t learned by now, she ain’t gonna learn.

She think ‘cause her daddy mixed, she got it goin’ on. She might be light-skinned-ed with long hair, but being a slob ain’t cute. And you see she don’t comb her hair, she just wears a ponytail every single day. I don’t even think she wash it. Mona spat and rolled her eyes.

Tania’s insides caved. She felt the tears stinging at the back of her eyes, but she didn’t want Vivian to see her cry. She couldn’t wait for them to leave so she could comfort herself with pizza, some wings, and breadsticks with ranch dressing, followed by cinnamon twirls from the local pizzeria that delivered.

Vivian grabbed Tania’s chin and looked her dead in the eyes. Tania, if you don’t remember nothing I tell you remember this: your goodies are your moneymaker and you gotta use it to get by. She gave a serious look as if she’d quoted a Bible verse.

Tania brushed Vivian’s hand away and changed the subject. Mona, can you leave some money for me to get dinner for me and Naomi? We don’t have any food in the refrigerator.

See, this the kinda stuff I’m talking about. If you had a man you wouldn’t need to ask me for money.

Listening to Mona talk about using her body for money made Tania sick to her stomach. Mona didn’t realize that, although she wasn’t standing on a corner, she was really a prostitute.

You get a check from the state to take care of us and I’m sure Naomi is hungry too, Tania snapped.

Look, girl you tryin’ me, but I ain’t got time to deal with you right now, Mona said, throwing forty dollars at Tania.

Mona shot Tania a glare when Vivian wasn’t looking, letting Tania know that their beef wasn’t over.

Tania knew Mona would find a way to discipline her for bringing up the check issue. Although Mona never tried to hit her, she’d do something like ground her from watching TV or from using the phone.

Mona simply didn’t like Tania and she didn’t try to hide it.

When it came to Naomi, however, it was a different story. She could do whatever she wanted to. Naomi received an allowance of twenty dollars a week, but when Tania asked if she could have an allowance, Mona cussed her out and told her, H-E-double-hockey sticks no!

Mona had even embarrassed Tania by having an affair with Mr. Cortland, Tania’s 11th grade English teacher. Tania knew something was up with Mona when she all of a sudden started to take an interest in her schoolwork and coming to the school. The truth of the matter was: Mona had never signed a progress report, been to parent teacher conference or even come to any of Tania’s theater performances.

Mona and Mr. Cortland started seeing one another and had been together for four months until his wife found out. Mrs. Cortland had called Mona and threatened to tell Paul. You would have thought that Mona would have ended things with him but she didn’t let that stop her. Mona and Mr. Cortland let things die down for a while, but they resumed.

By then, all of Tania’s classmates gossiped about Mona sleeping with Mr. Cortland. They’d tease Tania and ask her if she could get them a better grade, seeing as