Blessings From the Father Read Online Free PDF Page B

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    They returned to the front of the house. Mariah took her keys out of her purse.
    â€œThe area looks good,” Rosemary observed as she looked up and down the street at the spacious, multicolored brick-and-frame homes. Huge trees lined the street along with privacy fences.
    â€œDo you think you’ll move here?” Sonyell asked Mariah.
    â€œI haven’t decided yet. My father has more properties. I haven’t had a chance to look at them all yet. You know I’d like to move Granny out of the Garden.” She glanced quickly at her grandmother. Rosemary studied the house.
    Mariah opened the door and the women walked inside and stopped inside the foyer.
    â€œWow,” Rocki exclaimed as her eyes roamed the area. “This place looks like something from the old days. Look at that woodwork. They don’t make houses like this anymore. My great-grandmother had a house like this on the west side.”
    â€œI thought the same thing, it’s an old-style house,” Mariah admitted as they walked to the living room. All eyes were on Rosemary as she walked to the fireplace and stood in front of the painting. Her face paled.
    Mariah didn’t miss her grandmother’s reaction. “What’s wrong, Granny? Do you know them?”
    â€œI just felt a little dizzy for a minute,” Rosemary answered, wiping her moist forehead.
    Mariah rushed to Rosemary’s side and took her arm. “Well, sit down then. Are you all right?”
    Rosemary sat on the sofa. “I’m fine. I just need to catch my breath for a minute,” she replied shakily.
    â€œDid you take your medicine this morning?” Mariah asked her grandmother solicitously. Her voice vibrated with concern as she bent over Rosemary.
    â€œOf course I did,” Rosemary shot back defensively. “You girls go on and look at this house. I’m going to sit for a few minutes.” Rosemary took a tissue out of her purse and mopped her forehead. “I’m all right. Go ahead and look around. I’ll join you after I catch my breath.”
    Mariah took a step away from Rosemary hesitatingly. “Okay. Call me if you need anything.”
    â€œMariah, I’m not a child,” Rosemary chided her granddaughter. She made a shooing motion with her hand. “Now, go.”
    The three women went upstairs, while Rosemary sat on the sofa. Her chest was heaving as she stared at the picture over the mantle. She thought that Mariah was the spitting image of her father. After her breathing settled, Rosemary stood and walked around the living room. Her eyes gobbled up the pictures of Mariah’s father and his wife. She wandered into the kitchen.
    Meanwhile upstairs, Mariah, Raquel, and Sonyell had just left the master bedroom.
    â€œNot only did you get a house, it’s furnished, too. It doesn’t get any better than this,” Sonyell commented.
    â€œYou ain’t never lied,” Raquel chimed in wonderingly. Her arm swept the room. “Girl, what are you going to do with all this room? It’s not like you’re married or have children.”
    â€œYou’re right, this is too much house for me alone, but it might be the ideal spot for a transition home for mothers leaving the prison system, and their children. What do you think?” She looked at Sonyell then at Raquel.
    â€œWell, it’s big enough that’s for sure.” Raquel nodded her head in agreement.
    â€œIf you turned the house into a transition home, would you have to live here?” Sonni turned to Mariah. Her mind processed information like a computer as she considered what Mariah possibly planned to do.
    â€œI don’t think it would be mandatory, but that is something I’d have to look into,” Mariah answered as she bit her lip.
    â€œLet’s look around some more,” Rocki said, heading for the bedroom door. “I am excited. There are so many things you could do with this