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“Home. Your mom is going to bring the girls home. I will drive, okay?”
He nodded and followed me to the parking garage.
* * *
Pearline and all nine of Morris’ siblings arrived at his place within minutes of each other. Pearline must have activated a phone tree or something because every single sibling showed up. Morris didn’t seem to be bothered with their presence. I was happy they all were there. Karleen opted to stay home with the girls, but she sent a text saying she would be over the next day and to let her know if we needed anything.
Having the conversation with the girls was heartbreaking. Everyone in the room tried to hold it together for Morris and the girls, but it was hard. Explaining heaven and how Beatrice would be in their hearts forever was tough. Morris did a fantastic job.
“Ms. Cam, I don’t want to be here anymore. Can we go over to your house and watch a movie?” Skye whispered.
“Let me ask your daddy and make sure it’s okay with him.”
I found Morris in the kitchen, talking to his brothers.
“Hey,” I put my arms around his waist. “Skye wants to go and watch a movie at my place. Is that okay?”
“Of course,” he said and smiled. I could tell he was hurting, but he’d put on a brave and strong face for everyone. We kissed quickly.
I collected Skye and Fee after they said their goodbyes to the family and took them across to my place. I foundThe Greatest ShowmanOn Demand and started that while I popped some fresh popcorn. I grabbed a case of soda and sat between the girls on the couch. We silently watched the movie before Fee spoke.
“Ms. Cam?”
“Yes, baby?”
“I’m really gonna miss my mommy!” She started to cry.
I held on to her and pulled Skye close to me as well.
“I know you are, and sometimes like right now, it’s going to be very hard. You just have to remember how tightly she hugged you and how great her kisses were. I know she was very proud of both of you and was changing her life to make yours better.”
“Why did God take her to heaven?” Skye asked through her tears.
I choked back my tears before I spoke, “I wish I could answer that for you. I can’t. No one can. We don’t know why God took her to heaven, but your daddy is still here, and he loves you so much. He is going to make sure you both are okay. Your grandma and all your aunts, uncles and cousins will all be around to help.”
“Will you help too, Cam?” Skye asked.
“Of course I will, baby.”
The ruckus that the girls usually created when the movie was on was replaced with quiet tears.
Morris
After walking my mother and my siblings to their cars, I went to get Cam and the girls to take them back to my place. I totally understood the girls feeling overwhelmed with the company and wanting somewhere to just relax. I was grateful that Cam didn’t mind spending time with them.
I typed in the unlock code and entered Cam’s place. I found the tv playing a Disney movie, as all three of my girls slept on the couch. Cam was sandwiched between Skye and Fee. I went back home and grabbed the girls' pajamas before returning to Cam’s.
“Hey,” I said while gently waking up the girls. “Put on your pajamas and go into Cam’s guest room.”
“Hey, the girls and I are going to stay here,” I said, gently tapping Cam.
“Okay,” she agreed.
Cam helped the girls back into bed while I went and took a shower. I was exhausted and hadn’t really done anything but a bunch of talking.
I called the coroner and arranged for Bee’s body to be picked up and embalmed, then she would be flown back to St. Louis. Samuel said I could use his private plane to transport her. Fats was finding her clothes and working with the funeral home here to schedule the funeral. It felt crazy planning a funeral for Bee. I never thought we would lose her and so senselessly. According to Fats, she was driving Tony’s truck while Tony was the passenger. A car pulled alongside them and opened fire. Tony was grazed, but Bee was killed instantly. Tony was arrested for outstanding warrants and Bee was put in a body bag. I knew he wasn’t shit. I hated that she didn’t see it.
Fats and I would meet at the funeral home to finalize the funeral arrangements since I had three insurance policies on Beatrice, two with each of our daughters as beneficiary that would automatically go into a college fund for them and one to bury her. She’d had the same for me.
