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Imani

Imani's family would come together on the last Saturday of every month. She and Dylan, along with her brother Isaiah, Bethany, and Fiona, made regular visits to her mother, Raquel, in Montgomery. She liked how the small gesture brought the family closer and made her mom happier. Her upbringing contrasted with Raquel's new home. Because Abraham was a cruel, violent man, fear ruled Imani's childhood.

Imani once thought she and Isaiah would die in their southside home. However, they made it through. They tolerated their father's abuse. While their relatives spread across the world, the siblings returned to Holden, their mother, and began a new life.

Abraham's nursing home stay improved the family dynamic by allowing him to continue doing business with the Holden's residents and seeing Raquel when she allowed it. Imani refused to let her father see Dylan, forcing her to put off visiting her parents for weeks. Her father's transgressions weren't easily overlooked.

She entered her mother's kitchen to find delicate sunlight warming the room. The light softly hid the worn linoleum, chipped cupboards, and aged paint on the walls. Isaiah had wanted to fix up their mother's house for a year, but Raquel didn't want that.

Or rather, since Abraham had moved his wife into the new house last year, Raquel knew he would have a fit over accepting Isaiah's renovation. It disgusted Abraham to accept any help from his family. That was his nature.

Her heart tightened as she watched Dylan play with Fiona. The baby was at a stage where almost anything could lead to a squeal. Raquel entered the kitchen and went straight to the children. Imani understood her mother's struggle to love a man who frequently let others down and spent little time with his family. Her mother's face reflected her difficult life, reminding Imani of her past and why she left her toxic life in New York.

Raquel glanced at her, and a beautiful smile spread across her face. Even though her life was dark, there was some light. That was something.

"Isaiah and Bethany will pick Fiona up after his business meeting. I was thinking about ordering takeout. What are your thoughts?" Raquel positioned the baby on her hip.

A memory rolled through Imani's mind. Hip Girl. That was the name her mother gave her as a child.

"Um... what?" she said, clearing her throat and reaching for a glass.

"Dinner." Raquel jiggled Fiona, causing another round of squeals in the kitchen. "I was thinking about getting something from Fettuccine Café. Isaiah loves their food, but I have not tried it yet."

"Oh, um, I wasn't thinking about dinner." Imani poured herself a cup of tea. "Dylan and I have plans for later."

"You do?" Raquel leaned against the table, hugging Fiona. "I wanted you to stay so we could catch up. We haven't talked since September."

Imani narrowed her eyes and frowned. Okay. How can she tell her mother her plans without angering her? Raquel took Family Day seriously, but how can Imani refuse to visit Eugene when he moved back home this evening?

"Are you not going to talk to me, Imani?"

She had no choice but to confront the reality. Imani, feeling a sudden chill, held the cool cup in her hands. "Eugene Beaumont is going back to his house later." She looked at the clock above the fridge. It was nearly five in the afternoon. "He should be home already."

"Eugene?" With a puzzled look that gradually softened, her mother studied her daughter. "Do you mean Garrett Beaumont's grandfather, the racist old man who harbors hatred towards us?"

Imani smiled and handed Raquel a saucer to place her cup on. "Yes. Eugene and I stay in touch. He is actually not that bad."

Her mother paused and swallowed. "Dylan, could you play with Fiona in the living room while your mother and I talk? I'll grab her doll and place it on her play mat in front of the television."

"Okay, Grandma," Dylan said as he looked at the baby.

Raquel smiled at him before turning to face her daughter with a sneer. "You cannot be serious. After what the Beaumonts did to us?"

Imani rolled her eyes and sighed. There was no point in trying to sidestep the topic since she had already predicted her mother's reaction. She thought she was ready, but when Raquel crossed her arms and nailed her with an "I'm disappointed in you" look, the air thickened in seconds.

"I don't care what they've done, Mother. I've moved on from that."

"I cannot believe what I just heard." Her mother had stern eyes and tightly pursed lips. "You're skipping dinner with me to go to Eugene's estate because he wants you to be at his homecoming? The other day, I thought he was almost dead."

"Well, the old man has gotten better. But he has had..." Imani was about to complete her sentence when Raquel started getting furious with her.

"Are you saying that you and Eugene Beaumont are friends? Have you lost your damn mind?"

"Mom, you need to─"

"Or, is it that you want Garrett Beaumont to warm up to you now that he's back in town?"

"That's not the reason." Imani straightened her back and locked eyes with her mother. "Eugene and I have an understanding now. We've mended fences, and his grandson has nothing to do with that decision."

With a sigh, Raquel massaged her temples. "Garrett was present at the game. He was rooting for Dylan from the top of the bleachers. You kept looking up at him, grinning like you always did in high school, and even though at first I didn't notice him, I finally had to try to figure out what was so damn interesting. I think you spent half the game watching the man who broke your heart, rather than watching your son play basketball."

That got Imani riled up. Her mother's words hit her hard. She put down her cup and squared her shoulders. "That is not what happened, Mother. I was there for my son."

"It doesn't change the fact that you're still fascinated by that bastard."

"I don't know what you want from me. Garrett came to see Dylan play because your grandson asked him to."

Raquel's eyebrows shot upward. "He knows Dylan? When did my grandson have the opportunity to invite a man he barely knew to his basketball game? Why would Garrett show up?"

Imani shot back, "We're not going to talk about him." She then took a step back and looked over at Dylan and Fiona playing peek-a-boo.

"I see what's going on, Imani. This man will break your heart if you let him back in. He will not only break your heart but also Dylan's."

"Why do you have such a problem with that family?" Imani's voice rose, but she didn't care. Raquel was severely questioning her daughter's choices.

"Because they're crooks. That's why."

Imani sputtered, and her eyes widened. "Crooks? That is just what people are saying around town."

"No, Imani. You can't trust that family because they're dishonest and have ulterior motives." Raquel stared at her daughter as she stood tall. "This shouldn't come as a surprise to me. This is what you do."

"Do what, Mother?"

"Forgive those who oppose you."

Imani raised an eyebrow and hissed. "Eugene earned his atonement. I find him amazing, and I respect him, regardless of his past transgressions."

Raquel shook her head, chuckling. "I would venture a guess to say Garrett has also found redemption. I find it frustrating that you've remained in the same situation following your husband's death."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You started seeing Dexter Whitlock four months after your husband passed away. You treated this man like a hot potato and tossed him in the trash."

"Mom, you don't know the full story."

"The full story doesn't matter. You're dragging your son into your reckless decisions."

Imani took a deep breath and swiftly glanced over at her son, who was now lying next to Fiona with his back turned toward his mother.

She gritted her teeth at Raquel. "My son is perfectly fine with everything. I have got my life under control."

"Until Garrett breaks your heart and destroys your life all over again. Mason Jackson was the only good one you met and married."

"Wow." Imani went silent for a moment. "Are you seriously questioning my decision because I'm talking to Garrett again? Is nothing I do ever good enough for you?" She laughed harshly. "I may not do everything you want me to, but I know what I'm doing."

"Garrett will hurt you, darling, and I don't want to see that happen."

"He won't, Mom. He's changed. And I've changed."

Raquel paused and fixed her gaze on her daughter.

Imani then lowered her tone and continued. "I understand that you feel compelled to tell me about my previous relationships, but I don't need it. You argue about Garrett, but what about Dad? He has physically abused you many times, yet you're still in love with him."

Her mother groaned and sneered at Imani as she straightened her shoulders. "I don't expect you to understand what Abraham and I share."

"Understand?" Imani let go of something deeper inside her. Something nasty and angry seemed to appear out of nowhere. "Your relationship is the most dysfunctional anyone has ever seen. Dad is horrible, selfish, and nasty, and he despises all of us. The only people he loves are his grandchildren."

"Don't you dare speak about your father that way! He doesn't hate his family. Or me. Not everyone loves the same way. Abraham is..."

"Keep going." With her hands clenched together, Imani took a step toward her. "Tell me what Dad is."

"Your father has lost his way."

"Oh. Is that all?" Imani thought her mother's reply sounded ridiculous. "How could I not have noticed it? Was my father lost when he stumbled home from Paula Hawthorne's every weekend? Or how about when he preferred Angela Coleman's company over his wife's? Was he lost when you confronted him about it? Or did he reward you with a black eye and a broken arm? Was he lost when he used the back of his hand to silence his children because we asked questions?" She wiped her tears with shaky hands. "Was that bastard lost when he punched me for wearing mascara during my graduation? Or when he beat Isaiah for no reason other than losing his re-election? That meant living in poverty and returning to the ghetto. Dad couldn't handle that."

Her mother hunched her shoulders and trembled as she turned away. She looked small and fragile, and all the fire inside Imani died.

"I didn't want this life for my babies," Raquel whispered. Imani stepped closer, hot tears rolling down her cheeks. "I see your father in Garrett. He knows nothing but hurting others."

The voice inside Imani, which she had buried for years, would not stay quiet.

"Dad always breaks your heart. But I suppose he gets a pass."

"I understand him, Imani." Her voice wavered. "And he understands his mistakes. Your dad has changed and has redeemed himself."

"So has Garrett Beaumont, Mom. He isn't the same man you remember. I can promise you that." Imani licked her lips and took a quick look at the kids, who were still lying in front of the TV, oblivious to this conversation. "He loves me with all of his heart. He also adores Dylan. I truly believe that giving Garrett a second chance was the best decision I've ever made."

"Baby..."

"No, Mom. I know what you're going to say." Imani inhaled and continued as hot tears fell. "It was fate that he left me first. That choice led me to Mason, and then Dylan was born. So, that is why I no longer hold it against Garrett for leaving me. If he hadn't done what he did, my son wouldn't be here."

Her mother exhaled and turned slowly. Both women stared silently at each other for a long time. Dylan's soft laughter as he played with Fiona made Imani hope he hadn't heard their voices.

Raquel walked toward her daughter and hugged Imani tightly. "Be cautious with him this time. Don't let Garrett break your heart."

"That will not happen, Mom. He has earned his atonement." When she spoke, Imani could tell her mother heard her sincerity, and she hoped Raquel believed her.

* * *

Heavy clouds and a barren landscape greeted Imani and Dylan at the Beaumont Estate at six in the evening. The lake's vibrant autumn foliage had disappeared, and she was sure a thunderstorm was coming. She shut off the engine and waited before going inside.

"Wow!" Dylan looked up at the big house. "They must have a lot of money!"

Imani murmured, "Yep. The Beaumonts are prosperous." She remembered her first visit with Garrett's family. It scared her to make a negative first impression.

"Gray, I don't think I should be here."

"Huh?" He slid closer to her. "My family will love you."

For the past ten minutes, they stood beside the passenger door of his Hummer. She was fairly certain that Garrett felt she was acting like a coward. Or a wuss. Maybe both. Sometimes she wondered what this rich white boy saw in her.

She spun, her heart in her mouth, as Gerald Beaumont slowly approached the vehicle. Gerald was as handsome as a young Harrison Ford, resembling the character the actor played in Indiana Jones, and she could see where Garrett got his excellent looks.

Gerald paused beside the truck, leaving Imani at a loss for words.

Garrett turned to face him, but his father didn't move closer. Gerald's voice was deep and cultured. Nothing like Abraham's.

"Are you two going to stay out here until nightfall? Come on in already."

"We're coming, Dad."

"Good, because your grandpa and aunt Regina have been cooking up a storm inside."

Gerald went back into the house, and Imani noticed two heads through the front window. "Are those two your brothers? Grady and Gavin?"

"Unfortunately." Garrett reached for her neck and kissed her cheek. "Let's go inside and eat. Get to know my family."

Imani held his hand for a few minutes before taking a deep breath and asking, "Have you ever brought a girl home to meet them?" She tried to calm her beating heart, but it didn't work. It was difficult to do because her pulse was racing a mile per minute.

Garrett cupped her cheek and stared into her eyes. His gaze sent her nerves tingling all over again. "First time."

It turned out that she cared about meeting his family. She cared a lot. Particularly, having grown up on the southside, she now found herself surrounded by individuals with whom she had little in common.

"Garrett!"

Dylan exited the car and dashed to the man she adored, who was staring at her from the front steps. His attire was simple. Faded denim accentuated his long legs, topped with a white T-shirt and blue and white plaid. It was not his typical gray clothing. He had rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, showing off his strong forearms and those tempting tattoos. It looked like he had just showered because of his appearance and clean hairstyle. The way he made her feel was something she hadn't let out in months. A sense of devotion and companionship.

Garrett lowered his gaze and looked like he listened intently to whatever Dylan was saying. He ruffled her son's hair and pointed to the front door.

Imani truly believed in giving him another chance. She meant what she told her mother. She had to come out of the shadows and open her heart. Maybe Raquel had been right when she said that her daughter had shut herself off after Garrett left the first time. All of that has changed now. Life was full of surprises, and redeeming the righteous was the most rewarding. And he did exactly that. Garrett had earned his redemption.

She opened her car door and walked up to him, anticipating what would happen next in their lives.

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