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Uncle Elijah finally let Booker go, then went to his knees in front of him.
With tears in his eyes, Uncle Elijah told Booker, “I’m so sorry son. If I had known, you would’ve been with me. I don’t fault your momma, I’m just glad she finally brought you to us.”
As Booker said in his youthful voice, “It’s okay daddy” Uncle Elijah embraced him with so much love, my young heart overflowed with joy.
Uncle Elijah stood with Booker locked in his arms. Daddy and I gave them their time before Uncle Elijah sat in the empty chair at the table with Booker on his lap.
“Where do we go from here?” he asked daddy.
“We took him to see Mr. Depek yesterday, and with a little TLC, Booker will be just fine. Monday, I will start the process of getting full custody of him. Booker is a Morgan and with us is where he needs to be.”
Uncle Elijah bowed his head as he said, “Thank you, brother. I denied six years of my son’s life, but please teach him about our family. If I hadn’t let my stubbornness get in the way, my son would already know about us.” Uncle Elijah used the fabric from his shoulder to wipe away his tears before putting on a stern face at daddy.
“Clinton, we both know I may never step outside of this damn place. Perhaps if I would’ve known about Booker back then, shit would’ve turned out differently. He would’ve been the reason for me to slow down.”
“And I’m sure he would have, but as for now, we are going to take care of Booker. He is yours, which means he is a part of us. He will always be your son, but I will raise him like he is mine,” daddy declared. “I will bring him back for your visitations. It’s important that he knows his father. I would expect you to do the same with Sydney if our roles were reversed.”
“And you know I would, bro,” Uncle Elijah said, doing their signature handshake. When they finished, Uncle Elijah rubbed the back of his neck. I knew it was a lot for him to take in, seeing that he had never been in this type of situation before.
Daddy and I spent the rest of the time letting father and son get to know each other. I couldn’t remember the last time I saw Uncle Elijah smile so hard. You could tell from their small interaction together; Uncle Elijah was already proud of his son.
The guards later came back announcing visitation was over. A brief look of sadness flashed across Uncle Elijah’s face, but he quickly changed it with a smile.
“Booker, daddy’s going to try and call you every day, okay?”
“Okay, daddy,” Booker returned.
Uncle Elijah hugged him close as he told Booker, “I want you to tell me how your day went and what exciting new things you’ve learned. Uncle Clinton and Aunt Rachel are going to take good care of you. I love you, son.”
“I love you too, daddy.”
Uncle Elijah sniffed as he let Booker go, then sat him on his feet. Daddy and I stood with Uncle Elijah.
“Lil Princess, come give your uncle a hug goodbye,” he said to me.
Hearing him say the nickname he’s called me since I was a baby made my cheeks warm. I hurried to him and hugged his waist.
“Make sure you watch over Booker. He may be your cousin, but the two of you will be raised like brother and sister. You’re going to have to look out for one another.”
I stepped back so he could see the sincerity in my eyes. “I promise I will, Uncle Elijah.”
“I know you will, Lil Princess and thank you. I love you.”
“I love you too, Uncle,” I stated, then turned to Booker and said, “It’s okay cousin, we have each other now.”
“Clinton,” Uncle Elijah called, causing daddy to look at him. “Brother, I almost gave up, thinking I didn’t have anything to live for, but now I do. I know how your schedule is, so bring him when you can.”
“I will, brother,” daddy choked out.
Uncle Elijah stood tall, telling daddy, “Clinton, in case I don’t make it out of this prison, you have to become Booker’s father figure. If the good Lord blesses me to see him as a free man, then I will do everything in my power to make that happen. If it doesn’t happen, I want Booker to know that I love him and will fight for the day we will finally be together. The last thing I ask of you is to make sure he has our last name.”
That was the first day Booker saw his daddy and it wasn’t the last. Daddy made sure to take him to see Uncle Elijah twice a month. Over the years, Uncle Elijah has been in front of the parole board numerous times, and on each occasion they denied him, but that doesn’t keep us from fighting for his release. We hope this year due to his age and other circumstances; the parole board shows mercy and lets him come home.
“Hello! Earth to Sydney,” Booker yells, snapping me out of my stroll down memory lane.
“Huh, what?” I ask, glancing over at him.
“I said, I’ll be late for Sunday dinner at the restaurant. I’m going to see my pops tomorrow.”
