Family Values Read online

  Acknowledgments

  I would like to thank God for the abundance of blessings in my life. I am ever so grateful for His grace and mercy.

  All good things come to those who wait. I can’t believe that in 2011 I published my first novel. I was biting my nails, anxiously awaiting feedback on my first book, and how I prayed that at least one person would like it. For some reason I thought that those feelings of nervousness would leave with the following books. Guess what-----NOT!!! They’re still here. I know that it makes me humble and drives me to write stories that you will enjoy. To my avid readers, it’s your love and support that keeps my writing.

  To my mother, grandmother, aunts and cousins…thanks for nurturing me and making me believe that anything in this world is attainable. To all of my extended family members and true friends I thank you for being there and loving me despite my frequent absences from gathering, socials, parties and other events. We are bound together with cords that cannot be broken!

  Until next time, I am going to keep writing and working….

  With Love to Luv,

  CONTACT ME:

  [email protected]

  Look for me on FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and Goodreads.

  Photographer: Larry Jericho for Osirus Photography, LLC (FB: osirusphotography, LLC; Twitter: osiruspics

  Model: Damion Harris

  Cover Design: Travoris Adams

  12/23/2013 – The day that I wrote the last six chapters of this book I found out that a fellow Alcornite and friend of mine transitioned. In memory of you Terrance Taylor a.k.a. “Psixnine” I dedicate this to you.

  FAMILY

  VALUES

  The list of essential FAMILY VALUES is long, differs from one society to another. Even from one family to another. Strong and consistent family values are important in building trust and confidence in each family member.

  In the Cove family, we were thought that:

  1. Belonging

  It is important that each member of my family feel that they are loved, that they belong and that they matter.

  Creating a strong family unit is great but each person should be allowed the space and freedom to explore the activities they think they may enjoy. Coming together for special occasions and holidays and just spending time together as a family is what helps build that sense of belonging.

  2. Flexibility

  I’m all for order in my family to help maintain some level of sanity. But too much structure and the unwillingness to give a little can result in a lot of unhappiness and resentment.

  3. Respect

  This is a bit more difficult to define. For my family, to respect each other is to take feelings, thoughts, needs, and preferences in to account when making decisions. It also means acknowledging and valuing everyone’s thoughts, feelings and contributions to the family as a whole.

  4. Honesty

  This is the foundation of any relationships that are meant to last. Husband-wife, Mother-son, sister-brother. Without honesty a deeper connection will not form and certainly won’t last.

  5. Forgiveness

  Forgiving people who have wronged you is an important choice to make. Yes, forgiveness is a choice. It is not some feeling that randomly washes over you when you feel the other person has “suffered” enough.

  Keep in mind that everyone makes mistakes, we all occasionally say things we wish we hadn’t and none of us are perfect.

  6. Generosity

  Giving without thinking “what’s in it for me” is an important value for anyone wanting to be a responsible, contributing member to society. Through generosity we build empathy since we tend to think more about what people want or need.

  7. Curiosity

  Children have a natural curiosity. If you’ve ever watched a toddler even for a couple of minutes you’d see that quality shine through. For some that curiosity wanes. How do we spark our curiosity? Ask questions. Lots of them.

  8. Communication

  A failure to communicate will likely lead to unhappiness and misunderstandings. Small issues grow into larger ones and when they eventually boil to the surface it’s unlikely they will be resolved calmly.

  9. Responsibility

  Responsibility is something that is learned. As a child you may have been shown how to put your toys away after playing, how to tidy your room or how and when to feed the dog. This sense of responsibility extends well into adulthood. Setting out individual responsibilities for family members works to instill this quality in everyone.

  10. Traditions

  I think traditions are what make a family unique, they draw people together and create a sense of belonging for everyone. It can be something as simple as a lazy Saturday morning sipping coffee and chatting or an annual fondue dinner to ring in the New Year.

  1

  My problem with family is like playing basketball. As much as I try I can never get the ball in the goal. Sometimes, when I shoot, the ball sits on the rim, blows me an air kiss, and flops off the side. Other shots crashed against the backboard, haywire satellites, straight out of orbit. Then there were the ones that missed the basket, the backboard, the fence behind the backboard, the two-story barn behind the fence – everything. Air balls, in fact, are my specialty.

  My siblings and I were reared by our paternal grandparents. The gray clouds in my life were too much that I care to remember. The more I tried to gain my grandparents approval the more I seemed to mess things up. My older sister, Madison, always took care of me. Every time I shot an air ball she was there to catch the rebound. My baby brother, Landon, stayed on the sideline and just watched. My mother died a few months after Landon was born. My father was in the military and always abroad.

  After graduating from college, I decided to move from Waynesboro, Mississippi to Seattle, Washington. I remember at my graduation dinner my grandmother pulled me to the side and told me I was making yet another mistake in my life. I stood my ground and told her that I was doing this for me. I needed to be happy for once in my life since everything I did brought shame to the Cove Family. She quickly took a plaque from her bedroom wall and placed it in my lap. I looked down at the plaque and quickly read it.

  Lord, we thank you for our family

  For the talents and good things that you have given each of us

  Please guide us, protect us and equip us

  This day and every day

  As we grow together in Your love

  Amen.

  It was a prayer that she would have us recite what seemed like every day. Suddenly I was broken from my trance by the ringing of my cellular phone.

  DWIGHT

  Hello.

  MADISON

  Dwight, how are you?

  DWIGHT

  I am good. What’s wrong? Sounds like you have been crying.

  MADISON

  We are at Cove Ranch. They are not looking for Grandfather Jefferson to make it.

  DWIGHT

  Are you serious?

  MADISON

  Yes. He suffered a massive heart attack a few days ago. Once he was able to talk again he told us that he did not want to die in the hospital so Grandmother Ella signed him out.

  DWIGHT

  I will be home tomorrow.

  MADISON

  Okay. I will let everyone know. Have a safe flight.

  DWIGHT

  I love you.

  MADISON

  I love you more.

  I panned the city skyline from the view in my apartment. I could not believe that my grandfather was about to die. I know that he has lived a full life but to be without him would be something different. My grandfather was a regal man. He stood 6’3” and very stout. He was what they used to call a “cutter” in his younger years. He did not complete high school
because he had to help on the family farm. Growing up he knew that he didn’t want to farm his whole life. At the age of twenty-two he bought six acres of land. One day an oil company was tracking minerals underground and the line was to run across his property. Once they agreed to drill they found oil.

  Grandfather Davis made his money from his wells and has provided a great life for our family. He brought a 200 acre property in 1950 when he made his first million dollars. The "Mansion" at Cove Ranch is actually a 4,769 square feet house with a 957 square feet enclosed garage that was turned into a den/card room.

  I walked into the bedroom of my apartment and began to pull clothes from my closet. As I was throwing articles of clothing on my bed I decided to go online to make my flight arrangements. I walked into the kitchen and poured a glass of wine as I waited on the prices to upload. In one swallow the wine was done.

  I poured another glass and after two big gulps it was gone. My patience was wearing thin waiting for it to upload. I placed the web tablet on the counter and thought to myself, “Why are you beating yourself up over your grandfather dying. You never made him happy. Nothing you did was good enough.”

  I quickly placed the bottle of wine back and reached over to get the brandy.

  BRIAN (a voice from behind)

  Why are you drinking this late at night?

  DWIGHT

  Why aren’t you sleeping?

  BRIAN

  I could not sleep with all the bumping you were doing. Why do you have clothes all over the room?

  DWIGHT

  I have got to fly home. My grandfather is dying.

  BRIAN

  Oh no. Are you okay?

  DWIGHT

  At first I wasn’t but I am fine now.

  BRIAN

  Do you want me to go with you?

  DWIGHT (snapping)

  No! No…I mean I will go down and be back before you can miss me.

  BRIAN

  When will I finally get to meet your family?

  DWIGHT

  You will meet them in time. My family is not as open minded as yours.

  BRIAN

  That doesn’t matter.

  DWIGHT

  Look my grandfather is dying, right now would not be the time to…

  BRIAN

  …to tell them that you are gay and living with your lover. We have been together two years. Not once have you invited me to Mississippi. I would love to meet your family and to eat some real southern food.

  DWIGHT

  Well if it’s southern food that you want I will cook you a big Southern Sunday dinner when I get back.

  BRIAN

  Okay smart ass. I am serious.

  DWIGHT

  I am too. Make the menu out and whatever you want I will cook it.

  BRIAN

  You know that I can’t stand you sometimes.

  I walked over to Brian and rubbed his face. I kissed him gently on his lips before I took a sip of my brandy. Brian looked me in my eyes and smiled.

  DWIGHT

  It will be okay. Look if you need anything just call me.

  BRIAN

  I can manage. If “you” need anything you call me.

  2

  As I was walking over to the car rental to get a vehicle I thought that driving from Meridian to Waynesboro would give me more time to think.

  Placing my bags in the back seat I heard someone call my name. A gentleman raced out of the airport holding an object in the air. When he approached me I noticed that it was my web tablet. He handed it to me and told me that I left it on the plane. He knew it was mine because he found a business card in the pocket of the carrier. I told him that I appreciated him bringing it to me so quickly. I tried to give him a token of appreciation but he refused it.

  I got into the car and took a deep breath. “Here we go” I thought.

  I decided to stop at the nearest package store to get me a fifth of gin for my drive to Waynesboro. I would need a little buzz when I walked onto Cove Ranch.

  I thought about some friends in Clarke County that I hadn’t seen since I left for Seattle. I decided to ride through Pachuta to see if anything had changed. I turned off Highway 145 onto Highway 11. As I was driving and looking around I realized not much had changed. I remembered that my grandfather owned some land in this area. I drove past it and noticed that the timber had been cut.

  My phone that was lying over in the cup holder begins to ring. I smiled when I saw Brian’s name.

  DWIGHT

  How’s life?

  BRIAN

  Great and yours?

  DWIGHT

  Good thus far.

  BRIAN

  Have you made it home?

  DWIGHT

  No not yet. I decided to drive through a few areas to reminisce for a minute.

  BRIAN

  Okay, well be careful.

  DWIGHT

  I will. I will talk to you later.

  I tossed the phone over to the passenger seat. As I drove down the winding country road I thought about Patrick. Patrick was the first man that I ever had sex with. I decided that I would pay him a visit. I pulled into his driveway and walked up to the door. After I rang the doorbell I wanted to quickly walk back to my car. After taking three steps the door opened. I turned and there he stood in all his masculinity. The words that I tried to speak would not come out of my mouth. Not even a simple hello.

  PATRICK

  Dwight! How are you?

  DWIGHT

  I am good. How are you?

  Patrick walked over to me and gave me a hug so tight that I melted in his arms.

  PATRICK

  I am great. What are you doing here? Last I heard you were living in Seattle, Washington.

  DWIGHT

  Yeah, I live there now. My grandfather is dying so I came to see him before he passed over.

  PATRICK

  I am sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do?

  I noticed a woman over Patrick’s shoulder. He turned and saw his wife standing holding his baby.

  PATRICK

  Dwight, this is my wife Symone and this is my baby.

  I stood in disbelief.

  PATRICK

  Pick your jaw up before you catch a fly.

  DWIGHT

  Oh, um, congratulations. I didn’t know nor had I heard.

  PATRICK

  Honey we are going to walk down to the deer shed. We will be back in a few.

  Patrick walked over and threw his arm around my shoulder. Walking down to the deer shed – alright.

  We caught up with each other’s lives as we were walking. Arriving at the shed I looked at his lips and longed to know if they still tasted the same. I needed to know. I yearned to gently slip my tongue in his mouth as if it were some kind of litmus test as to whether or not he was the one. Patrick stopped and kissed me.

  Before I could control it any longer I gradually closed my eyes while simultaneously leaning into his face quickly biting my bottom lip to give myself the jolt I needed to prepare for the sparks that I was anticipating. My arms slipped around his waist and I gently yet dominantly pulled him into my body loving how I melted in his arms. Rubbing the small of his back I welcomed the warmth from his breath heating my face. I moaned. He moaned. Eventually our lips connected. And his kiss was like no other kiss I ever had.

  For a few extended moments we were completely engaged in one another’s spirits literally sharing the most precious and basic gift from life - breathe. I am not ashamed to admit that there have been times when I have enjoyed passionate kissing sessions more than actual intercourse. Why? It’s simple; any normal genital stimulation causes me and most other men to get aroused. However, the sexual fulfillment received from kissing is satisfying to me because it is more intimate, it is closer, it is more deliberate and passionate.

  We kissed and kissed and kissed. The more we kissed the more I grabbed his ass, rubbed his back, and moaned his name between kisses and breaths. His hands explored my
body as well. Ultimately our hard penises pressed firmly into the other’s body acknowledging that we were both enjoying the experience.

  Our heads moved quickly alternating angles and tilts helping our lips to explore different positions each occasion they met. Soon the inevitable happened. I slipped my tongue through his soft lips connecting with and gently swirling around his tongue. That kiss was amazing, spectacular, thrilling, and satisfying. It also caused us to end up naked tasting each other’s freaky parts and then exploding in unison during a kick ass love making session! Yes, I did say that sometimes kissing can be just as satisfying as intercourse, but I wasn’t necessarily saying that it was a replacement for getting it in.

  3

  MADISON (with excitement)

  My brother is home!

  Madison quickly embraced me as I walked into the house. I picked her up in my arms and spun her around. As I put her down I noticed tears were in her eyes.

  I looked around the room and acknowledged everyone. When I got to my grandmother she exited the room. Madison saw this and walked over to me.

  MADISON

  It will be fine. She is upset that you left years ago and haven’t been back since. Hey you want to go see Grandfather Davis?

  DWIGHT

  Yeah, sure.

  Madison took me by my hand and led me to his bedroom. Madison knocked on the door and the nurse told us to come in. There was stillness in the room. I slowly walked over to Grandfather Davis’ bed.

  MADISON

  Grandfather, look who’s here. It’s Dwight. He flew in to check on you.

  Grandfather Davis opened his eyes and looked up. He turned his head away to me.

  GRANDFATHER DAVIS

  Maddie let me talk to Dwight alone.

  MADISON

  Yes sir.

  Madison looked at me and winked. As she and the nurse left the room I only wondered why Grandfather Davis wanted to see me in private.

  GRANDFATHER DAVIS

  Pull you a chair over here.

  I grabbed the chair and placed it beside his bed.

  GRANDFATHER DAVIS

  Your mother betrayed this family years ago when she had you. I told your father to get rid of you because I didn’t want someone elses child in this family. You are the bastard in this family. Your mother was poor trash and I didn’t want my son marrying the likes of her. But he did. She gave me two grandchildren that I love dearly. But now that I am on my deathbed I need to clear some things up. I know that you are probably glad that I am about to die.