Part 68

When Suki called to tell him about Nooshy, Marcus' first instinct was to go find her himself but he trusted Johnny. He wasn't angry but he was disappointed. He thought he was getting somewhere with these girls but it was more difficult then he thought.

When he got home, he saw her dutifully doing her homework, which Porsha had brought home for her. He realized Porsha must have known Nooshy was skipping school but chose not to bring it up. Nooshy needed to have someone she could trust not to give her away.

He sighed and quietly sat down to the supper Suki gave him. "I'm sorry." His apology surprised her. "That you didn't feel safe talking to me." He looked at his plate.

She shook her head. "Of course I felt safe, it's just… there's been so much going on and it just didn't seem important so I thought I could handle it myself. And I thought that it didn't matter if I go to school because I didn't go to grade school or junior high school so what's the big deal? It just didn't seem important enough…"

He shook his head. "School is very important. More than that, it's more concerning that you're being bullied. You have the right to go to school without being harassed." He sighed. "I want your word that you will tell me the next time someone even says a bad word to you."

Nooshy nodded. "I promise. And I won't skip school anymore. Johnny says that'll just give them what they want."

"Exactly. You do not let anyone take away your wish to learn or your enjoyment," he agreed. "Don't give them that satisfaction." He ruffled her head. "You're stronger then that."

She laughed despite herself before returning to her schoolwork. "Oh, Johnny said he has a big surprise for everyone at the theater tonight."

"Then I should finish dinner and start getting ready. You too. How much homework do you have left?"

She looked at the folder. "I'm almost done. Just have to read my science chapter. I can read it during homeroom though."

He nodded. "As long as you do. Did you and Porsha eat?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I'm going to get ready." She hurried to put away her stuff.

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On the way inside the theater across the street, Neo stopped at the statue with Johnny and Ryan. The two each placed a rose by the other offerings. He saw one plate had a small chocolate cupcake. "Why do people leave things?"

Johnny sighed. "Well… this statue is a memorial to a very dear friend. He died a while back and this is how we honor his memory. This theater was his."

"I remember Mr. Moon. We met him when we saw Alice in Wonderland," Neo explained. "He was really nice and he gave us all candy and popcorn."

Johnny chuckled. "Yep, that's Buster. He was one of the best. Come on, it'll be time to go on soon and we have more family for you to meet. Aunts and uncles and 32 cousins."

His mouth fell open. "32? Wow! When I woke up, I had Ms. Treble and that was it. Now I have so many family members! Are you sure I'm not dreaming?"

They heard conversation as they went through the theater and into the backstage area. "Ohhh, Gunter, that's terrible. I'm so sorry." They heard Ash.

"Thank you… I always thought I'd get to see her again someday but…" he said. "But… at least… I can see my niece and give her a home."

Johnny bit his lip as they joined the group, keeping Neo close. "Hey, everyone," he waved. "Ryan and I have someone for you all to meet… This is Neo, our son."

It took Marcus only a few minutes to understand. "I'm a grandfather!" He picked up the boy and hugged him. "Welcome to the family!"

Neo laughed. "Heh heh, thanks, Grandpa. I can't breathe."

Suki giggled. "Oh, guess that means I'm your grandma."

Marcus hugged her with his free arm. "The most beautiful grandma ever." He kissed her cheek while putting Neo down.

Alphonso clapped for them. "Praise the Lord. Congratulations."

Ryan smiled at him. "Thanks. We actually wanted to ask. Would you and Meena be open to being his godparents?"

Meena hugged the tiger. "Of course! Wish you'd told me, I'd have baked you a cake."

Johnny went over to Gunter who was standing with Eddie and Sara. "Are you alright?" The conversation they accidentally overheard didn't leave much to the imagination.

Gunter nodded. "Just had some bad news today… My sister passed away. This is her daughter, my niece, Sara. She's going to live with us now."

Johnny knelt. "Hi, Sara. In that case, I'm your Uncle Johnny. And that tiger is your Uncle Ryan."

She nodded. "Onkel Johnny und Onkel Ryan."

Gunter nodded. "Ja! Sie wohnen auf der anderen Straßenseite. Sie sind alle meine besten Freunde überhaupt." He looked back at them. "She doesn't speak much English yet. She can understand it but she can't speak it yet."

Alphonso went out to the street for a few minutes. Tyler was running the truck with another employee. "Hey, are you alright out here? Are you sure you feel up to this?"

Tyler nodded. "I gotta keep busy somehow. I'll close it when the show starts." He promised.

"Hey, Alphie!" A voice made both Tyler and Alphonso stand up straight, alarm filling their expressions. "I heard you moved here but I didn't believe it."

Alphonso turned to see a hyena standing there, his arms crossed. "Eric… What are you doing here? I haven't seen you since high school."

"Oh I moved here years ago but I never thought you would. Ever since you let me be arrested," he frowned.

"Hey, that wasn't my fault. You made your choices and I made mine," Alphonso challenged him. "I have to go inside and get ready." He tried to get away from the hyena but he just followed.

"What's your hurry, Champ?" Eric taunted him. "Can't handle a little truth?"

"Alphie, dear?" Meena called to him from the side door. "It's almost time. Oh…"

Eric grinned. "And who is this scrumptious-looking lollipop?"

Alphonso smacked his own face. "Meena, this is a former friend of mine. Eric, this is my wife and you will speak to her with respect."

Meena waved shyly. "Hi." She could tell by Alphonso's side eye that he was uncomfortable. "It's nice to meet you but we have a show about to start. If you bought a ticket, the auditorium is through there."

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Later that night, she and Alphonso were getting ready for bed. "Do you want to talk about it?" She asked.

He turned his head up from his Bible. "Huh?"

"This Eric guy really seemed to set you on edge," she said. "And you've been reading for over an hour now. What's wrong?"

Alphonso sighed. "Eric is… he's a part of my past… There's something I haven't told you." He looked away. "Remember how I told you about my mom and how I was angry when she died?" He sighed again. "Well, I acted out and I started following Eric and his gang. He introduced me to alcohol and drugs. It got to the point where we would break into houses and take whatever we could get." He couldn't bring himself to look her in the eye. "Tyler kept trying to get me to come to my senses but… one night, I got really drunk and high and I got behind the wheel and…" he trembled. "I was in a terrible accident. It was really bad, I mean… I almost didn't make it… but when I woke up, I heard my dad praying and reading his Bible to me. He and Tyler stayed by my side until I got better. Eric didn't even send a get well card. Because of the accident though, I wasn't there to help him with a heist and he was arrested. He blamed me. I'm sorry. I know… I shouldn't have married you without telling you everything but…"

She took his hand. "Oh, Alphie, if you think for one minute that I hold any of that against you, you're crazy. How long ago was that? And you're clearly not the same person who did all that. I love you. No matter what's in your past." She hugged him.

"I love you too, Meena, so much. I just hope he isn't going to start trouble. If the church finds out… they'll never let me be a youth pastor," he lamented.

AN: A short chapter because I work in the morning. So Alphonso's past has reared its ugly head. Will Alphonso be able to overcome it? Will Eric make trouble for him? Keep reading and please review. And please weigh in on what you'd like to see. I love hearing your thoughts.