Wisdom Seeds by Patrice Johnson Page B

with most of them. My dad referred to Joseph as a rabbit who would hop in any open hole. We were never really sure of where Joey lived, he moved from woman to woman and has lived as far away as San Francisco. Until moving to Brooklyn, the longest he’d ever had an address was when he lived with Lynette – the mother of his daughter, Stormy. In spite of his consistent instability, he managed to be a decent father and Stormy is a daddy’s girl.
    â€œIs Noah coming in with his crew?” Joey asked loud enough for my dad to hear as he came in the door.
    Mom hesitated as my dad was taking off his coat so I answered. “Yeah, all of them.”
    â€œJoseph.” My dad nodded his head as Stormy greeted him with a big hug. He actually smiled. “How’s my baby?”
    â€œI’m not the baby anymore Pappy. Joshua is the baby now.”
    My dad never acknowledged her statement.
    â€œCome on in here and sing me a song.” My dad brokethe silence leading Stormy down to the game room.
    â€œIt’s cool.” Joey patted me on the head, just like he used to.
    Mom disappeared into the kitchen and I was sure she was praying we would have a Walton Thanksgiving.
    â€œLet’s help Mom.” I grabbed Joey’s hand leading him into the kitchen.
    Mom greeted us with cups of hot chocolate topped with half a cup of marshmallows. “You two take these and catch up on things.”
    â€œGood idea.” Joey took the cups and kissed Mom on the cheek.
    â€œThanks Mom,” I said rolling my eyes at him. “We’ll be back to help when we’re done. Won’t we Joseph?”
    We retreated to the dining room and sat by the window.
    Joey slurped his hot chocolate. “I see Pops hasn’t changed.”
    â€œSome things never do.” I sipped my hot chocolate.
    â€œHow’s Mom?”
    â€œI’m worried about her. Do you think she’s happy?”
    â€œYou tell me, you’re here.” Joey sat up resting his elbows on the table with his hands under his chin.
    I sighed. “I’m not sure.”
    â€œIt probably helps that you’re here.”
    â€œFor Mom, not for Dad.”
    â€œHe give you grief? I heard the SOB left you.”
    â€œWho’d you hear that from?” I inquired a little indignant.
    â€œAround. That’s what the talk is.”
    â€œJoey, it wasn’t like that. He lied to me, told me he loved me, and never said he was married.” My indignation faded to embarrassment.
    â€œWhat, get the . . .”
    â€œJoseph!” Mom cut him off, startling us as she came in with a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies. “Watch your mouth, boy.”
    â€œMom,” Joey attempted to explain.
    She cut him off again. “We’re going to have a nice time this weekend. Everyone.” She smiled and winked at Joey, her baby boy, as she retreated to the kitchen.
    â€œI can find him, tell his wife, start some trouble,” he continued.
    â€œNo, Joey. Sometimes it’s better to let sleeping dogs lie.” I held the plate of cookies in front of him.
    He took three and bit one. “How are you?”
    â€œBetter. Mom’s been real helpful. I’m outta here in August though.”
    â€œAnd where are you going?”
    â€œGrad school. Hopefully Ohio State,” I told him getting up from my chair. “Be right back, I hear the baby.”
    When I came down the steps, Stormy reminded me of my promise to let her hold Joshua.
    â€œCome in the living room,” I told her.
    â€œBe careful,” Joey said as he came into the foyer. “Look at this boy. Are you sure he’s only seven months old? What does he eat?”
    â€œMostly baby food, but Mom’s been giving him pot liquor on the side,” I stated sarcastically.
    I placed Josh on Stormy’s lap in the corner of the couch and posed them for a picture. They were adorable. Without thinking I said, “Joey, go get Mom