EPILOGUE
It was Christmas again.
Cindy couldn't believe it had been a year since James had died. She often sat in her kitchen now, hoping to
hear James come in one last time, searching for somethin'
to eat. The funeral had been as glorious
as the wedding in its own way. Nobody
would go into the James wedding church through the front door anymore and the
pastor had locked it closed, preferring, as did his parishioners, to use the
side doors for services.
Dexter Love had been tried and locked away as
insane. No one in Cindy's family could
wish a man dead. But, in its own curious way contributions to his church had
increased, as though his parishioners could pay off his sins. John had devoted his life to helping James'
Aunt Jenny foundation. Oddly enough, the
boys had gained some of James' power and were continuing his work throughout
the world. "Disciples, again,"
Cindy teased when they came by. They did
come by and often.
Mobutu and Judy got married a month later than planned,
but they did get married. Russ, Sister Genny, and Brother Francis always checked in on her, seeing
they were just next door holding down the foundations headquarters. Still this Christmas was sad.
"You have any milk in there, Cindy?" yelled
Katy from the front room.
"Yes, chile." Said Cindy, recovering from
her reverie.
Katy came through the door.
"Now Thomas would have got that for you, girl,"
said Cindy, eyeing the pregnant woman in front of her. "You know the doctor don't want you on
your feet too much. This child could be
born anytime."
"Oh. Momma. This baby will come when it's good and ready. It's just as stubborn as James was,"
said Katy
"Yoo Hoo? Anyone home?" Came a voice from
the front room.
"Judy, Is that you?" yelled Cindy, getting up
from the chair and heading for the door.
Judy popped in the kitchen just before Cindy could walk
through the door.
"
"You bet, Momma.
But not as pregnant as that one over there." Judy smiled, teasing
Katy.
Judy went to Katy and gave her a hug after getting
released from her momma. "You look
about ready to pop," Judy told Katy.
"Anytime, Jude. Anytime."
"Is there anything to eat?" asked Mobutu,
coming through the kitchen door.
"We told you not to bother Mom, Mobutu," said
Tommy as he and
"Mizz Jamison?" Huffed Cindy. "Why I can cook better, quicker and more
plentiful than she can any day of the week.
Of course there's something to eat here.
The very idea! Goin' to Mizz Jamison's."
"Well, it being Christmas and all, we thought you
might need a rest," said Lu Chan, bringing in some groceries.
"You know good and well we always celebrate
Christmas here. Did you get my
nutmeg?" Asked
Cindy, rifling through the bags.
"Yes," said Ahmed, bringing in another load.
"Well then, you boys go set up the living room. Dinner will be ready in an hour. Judy run over and get
your Father, Russ, Genny and Francis. Tell them to help the boys and get washed
up." Cindy warmed up the oven.
"And you." Cindy said, turning to Katy, who was
smiling in the corner. "Thank
you. Now get peeling them
potatoes."
"Yessum," Katy said
grinning as she waddled to the sink.
The house was alive again by suppertime. Judy had even used the foundation house to
make two birthday cakes. Maggie and John
had been called by Thomas and made their way over for supper along with their
children. There was laughing and singing
by the time the potatoes hit the table and Cindy was seated next to Thomas when
the blessing was about to be said by Brother Francis. Looking around the table at the happy faces,
Cindy came to light on Katy's. Katy made
a gesture and Cindy noticed that there were now two empty chairs at her table,
one right next to Katy.
"You never
know," said Katy, and Cindy nodded.
It was fun again.
Thomas looked over at Cindy and said, "I know, I know. ...but, it's Christmas!" They both shared a laugh.
Suddenly, a beautiful light entered the room. Everyone stopped and stared because they all
knew who there guest would be. Suddenly,
Katy shouted, "Mom it's time!"
Cindy knew. James'
baby would be born on Christmas, just because He so Loved the world.
THE END