Page 120 of The Deadly Candies

Brenda stared, stunned. “Who told you this?”

“Am I wrong, Ma?” Kathy challenged gently.

Brenda hesitated, shaken. “Henry never said…”

“Daddy doesn’t want to seem weak to you. He wants to be the man—bigger than Bumpy, bigger than Redmond, stronger than the Sicilians and Don Ricci. But he’ll get himself killed if we push him too hard,” Kathy’s voice cracked. “I gotta go back, Ma. I don’t have a choice.”

Brenda pulled Kathy tightly into her arms, fiercely protective. “I’d bake a thousand cakes, send them to those damn Sicilians, and kill every last one of them before I let them take you again.”

Kathy was shocked. She’d never heard her mother curse before. She lifted her head, seeing clearly the pain and anguish etched into Brenda’s face. “Please, Ma. That’s not who we are. We don’t kill people. We protected Daddy once, yes—but this fight is different. Daddy needs you to love him now. Love. He needs your love, not your anger. I’ll return soon, forever. Give him this chance, okay?”

Brenda wept softly, holding Kathy so tightly it hurt. “No,” she whispered, broken.

Kathy cried into her mother’s embrace, releasing all her grief until she was spent. Finally, Brenda spoke, her voice trembling. “You strong enough to go back with Big Mama until I find a way to fix this? Until I can help your father?”

“Yes, Ma,” Kathy said, wiping her eyes. “I’m strong enough. Big Mama’s health isn’t good. She can’t handle those Jensens’ expectations alone much longer. She needs me, too. I’ll start that school; I’ll have a salary, and a phone line put in at Big Mama’s house. We’ll talk every single day. And when you say it’s safe—that Daddy is safe—then I’ll come home. Because it’s always about protecting Daddy, the same way he always protects us, right?”

Brenda drew a shaky breath, nodding through tears. “Alright, Kathy. For now. I’ll help your daddy. I’ll come down at Christmas, spend every holiday with you. And when Harlem is ready for you, when it’s safe, you’ll come home to stay. Promise?”

“Promise,” Kathy smiled softly, wiping her mother’s tears.

Brenda cupped Kathy’s face tenderly. “My baby. You’re a grown woman now. I should’ve never taught you about the Poison Cherry. I never should’ve taken your innocence. I’m sorry you’re paying for my sins.”

Kathy gently clasped her mother’s hands, shaking her head. “Stop, Ma. I’m an Elliot woman, just like you. Janey taught me Grandma wasn’t evil or sinful. She was strong—a fighter. She protected you, you protected Daddy. The Lord works in mysterious ways. Sometimes He uses us to fulfill His plans. Sometimes…”

Brenda hugged her again fiercely. “Lord knows I love you, child.”

“I love you too, Ma,” Kathy whispered warmly. She looked around the attic thoughtfully. “Why’s everything still here? I thought Daddy would’ve burned it all.”

Brenda followed her gaze, frowning slightly. “Strange. Your daddy said he sold or trashed everything up here.” She smiled softly, understanding. “He repaired that window himself. Sat up here alone for hours, quiet. He missed you, baby. And I was too stubborn to see he was hurting. He needed me, and I punished him.”

Kathy smiled tenderly, peace flooding her heart. “I missed him, too. And seeing you two happy again—it means everything. Me being in Mississippi won’t change that.”

Brenda squeezed her hand gently. “I know, baby. I know.”

Kathy led her mother toward the attic ladder. “Come on. Let’s go. We got a wedding to plan.”

* * *

“Ely?”

He turned quickly, looking startled—eyes wide, mouth slightly open like he’d been caught doing something mischievous. Quick, he dropped his cigarette and ground it out beneath his shoe. A few of his friends from the block still lingered around the bakery, drawn there by his presence. Chester, though, had begun to distance himself now that Harlem knew José really was going to marry Debbie for sure.

“Oh, hey,” Ely replied, voice uncertain.

“Can we talk?” Kathy asked softly.

He nodded, glancing toward his friends. “Catch up with y’all later,” he said, and his boys sauntered away, leaving the two of them alone.

Kathy hugged herself against the chill. It was November, and Harlem’s cold had started to bite a little deeper. Seeing her discomfort, Ely quietly removed his jacket and placed it gently around her shoulders.

“Thank you,” she said, grateful for his kindness.

“No problem.”

For a moment, they stood in awkward silence, both facing out toward the street, the bakery a quiet presence behind them. Cars passed slowly, their headlights cutting through the twilight, highlighting their thoughtful faces.

Finally, Kathy broke the silence. “I want to apologize—for lying to you. I knew Carmelo would be there. You were right. I went even though I knew it would put Daddy in danger.” Her voice trembled slightly. “There was a time I wasn’t that kind of girl, Ely. I would never have gone against my father’s wishes or told a lie. Never.”

---