Blessings From the Father by Michelle Larks Page B

grandbaby her last morning meal at this house. Since today is the M day.” Rosemary brought her shaking hands up to her midsection and clutched them together.
    â€œI’m afraid we don’t have time for that,” Mariah informed her grandmother. “The movers will be here soon. Let’s just eat what the girls bought. I’ll come visit you one morning next week before you go to work, and you can spoil me rotten, like you did when I was a child.” She swallowed tears and then ran from the kitchen upstairs to her bedroom.
    Rosemary looked toward the staircase; matching tears to Mariah’s sprang into her eyes. Everyone looked at other in amazement. Raquel’s mouth formed a perfect O, while Sonyell’s eyes widened dramatically. Sasha looked dismayed. “Is Aunt Mari all right?” she asked Sonyell fearfully. Her knuckles appeared to be glued to her mouth.
    â€œI guess I’d better go up and see her. Let us know when the mover gets here,” Rosemary finally said with a grim look on her face. She marched up the stairs while everyone watched her ascent. A chorus of babbling ensued in the kitchen between Sonyell and Raquel after Rosemary arrived upstairs.
    Mariah stood at the window wiping tears from her eyes; she turned toward the door when Rosemary came into the room.
    Rosemary walked over to her granddaughter and the women hugged each other tightly, for a long time. Rosemary led Mariah to the bed.
    â€œCome on now, you’re too old for this,” she tried to tease Mariah. “You’re moving about fifteen miles away and you’re blubbering like you’re moving to Africa or someplace.”
    â€œGranny, it just doesn’t feel right, you not moving with me,” Mariah blurted out.
    â€œIt might not feel right today, but give it some time. You knew you had to leave the nest one day, and that day is today.” Rosemary nodded her head, while she wiped a tear from Mariah’s cheek.
    â€œI want you to come with me,” Mariah said stubbornly like she was a ten-year-old child.
    â€œWe’ve had this discussion. You’re twenty-nine years old, Mariah. It’s time you stand on your own two feet. I feel like a mother bird, pushing her baby out of the nest.” Rosemary tsked.
    â€œI know you’re right, I’m just afraid,” Mariah mumbled.
    Rosemary took her granddaughter’s hand. “You have nothing to be afraid of. Once you make up your mind to do something, you do it and do it well. I don’t live that far from you. I promise I’m going to come and stay with you next weekend.”
    The doorbell rang.
    â€œThat’s probably the movers,” Rosemary said matter-of-factly. She stood up. “Mari, I love you so much. God has good things in store for you. Now it’s time for you to embrace all the blessings He’s going to send your way. You will be fine. I’m going to miss you like the dickens, but I know it’s the right thing for me to do, to stay here and you move to Indiana. Now, go wipe your face, and then join us downstairs so we can get this party on the road.”
    Mariah swallowed hard. She hugged Rosemary again and went to the bathroom. She ran a towel over her face, while Rosemary went to her bedroom and got her purse. She wiped a few tears from her own face. When she went downstairs, Mariah was instructing the men on what tasks needed to be completed.
    â€œWhat do you need us to do?” Sonyell asked, with her hands on her hips.
    â€œNot too much. If you just put my television and a few of the boxes in my bedroom in your car, that would be a big help. The boxes contain my cosmetics and books, those kinds of things,” Mariah told her friends.
    An hour and a half later, Mariah went to upstairs to her now empty bedroom. For sentimental reasons she decided to keep her bedroom set. She planned to store it at the new house. She was astounded at how small the room seemed. She