Beast Tamer

Prologue

~Mwezi 7 years old~

“Mwezi hunny come back inside supper’s ready.” The woman called out the back door of the old plantation style home. “Comin’ mama!” the little girl squealed as she clutched her latest finding to her chest and ran back inside. “Aht aht!” her mom reprimanded. Mwezi wiped her feet before coming in and removed her shoes by the back door. She slid her prize in the front pouch of her overall dress and ran over to the sink to wash her hands. “Thanks mama.” She said with a smile as her mother slid the little plastic stool over for her so she could reach the faucet of the farmhouse style sink.

As the family ate dinner they spoke about many things Mwezi was too young to understand or care for. She took the time to appreciate the love radiating from her mother. She was plump and curvaceous in all the right places. She has natural copper orange and red hair that she inherited and was often teased for at school. Her ‘coffee with light cream’ colored skin that glistened in the sun and held no cracks or blemishes, unless you count the dark chocolate freckles that skirted across her skin. Her mother had her hair pulled back by a bandana so that her hair wouldn’t get into the meal they were currently partaking in but it fought against the restraints of the fabric. Her mother noticed Mwezi staring and shifted her chocolate eyes to Mwezi. “What's the matta baby? Got sumin’ on muh face?” her mother asked with a smile and Mwezi blushed and looked down at her food. “No mama, just thinkin’ how pretty you was is all.” Mwezi replied quietly and her father let out a warm and hearty laughter. “I second that notion. Most beautiful gals in the world, I consider myself quite the lucky man if I do say so myself.” He joked and everyone burst out laughing and went back to their food.

Mwezi’s father used to joke that he’d look like his wife with the way she’d ‘put her foot in it’ when she cooked. He then laughed at Mwezi’s confused face and it took them a few hours to convince her that her mother didn’t actually put her foot into the food. His dark chocolate skin held years of wear and tear with his sun spots from being out on the land to his calloused hands from working with them all the time. Yet to Mwezi, he still seemed so young and full of life. “Yeah well you’re a pretty handsome fella yourself papa.” She said with a giggle and everyone laughed again as her mom nodded in agreement.

After dinner Mwezi went upstairs and washed her stone in the skink, clearing it of germs and dirt before adding it to the ever growing collection she has on her bookshelf. “Oh thasa pretty one baby. Which one is that?” her mom asked as she came in to help Mwezi get ready for bed. “Mmm dis looks like lye-lack jas-per.” Mwezi said focusing on pronouncing the name correctly. “Well les check!” her mom said, grabbing a book about precious and semi-precious stones that Mwezi’s grandmother had gotten her. “Looks like you know ya stuff baby!” she said proudly showing Mwezi the book entry and how the stones matched. Mwezi giggled and clapped excitedly as her mom finally managed to get her undressed and in the bath. “Now no playin wit ya stones tonight Mwezi, we gots church in the mornin’ hea?” her mom instructed and Mwezi nodded. “Yes mama.” She replied.

Her parents let Mwezi do almost anything she desired and her only requirement is to give herself to the Lord. So Mwezi kept her promise to her mother and father. Even after the accident.

~Mwezi 11 years old~

“Memaw when is mama n’ papa coming back?” the young girl asked concerned and worried was plastered over her innocent face. “I dunno my lil’ firecracka’ but maybe we should get you to bed since it’s gettin’ late.” Her grandmother replied and Mwezi did as she was told against her true heart’s desire. Her grandma smiled at her white teeth, a stark contrast to her dark chocolate skin. She had some signs of wear and tear only because of her age but Mwezi always loved how her salt and pepper hair always seemed strong and vibrant. She scooted Mwezi into her guest room and tucked her into bed almost forgetting to sing Mwezi her good night song.

When Mewzi woke there was sunlight coming in the open blinds and she heard a sound coming from the living room. She silently slid out of bed and opened the door to hear her grandmother crying while two officers stood in the room looking solemn. “Memaw what’s wrong!?” Mwezi cried out and ran to her grandmother in an attempt to console her. “I’m-I’m so sorry baby. Ya parents…They-They gone Mwezi.” Her grandmother said not sure how to break the news. “I know dey was gone memaw. You said they ain’t come back?” Mwezi asked, confused with a sadness tightening in her chest. “No baby. They wit God now.” Was the last thing she remembered her grandmother saying before she blacked out.

~Mwezi now 26 years old~

Mwezi woke with a gasp as she re-lived that horrible night. She wiped her silent tears and slid out of bed and meandered over to her kitchen. She grabbed a mug from the cabinet and milk from the fridge before pouring it into a pot and warming it up. Warm milk now in hand, Mwezi shuffled back to her room and slid into bed resting her back against the headboard. “f**k I hate nightmares.” She muttered while sipping at her milk. She glanced over at the cable box. 4:23 am. “Great,” she said, rolling her eyes. Too early to get up for the day and do anything before church but not enough time to enjoy a full proper sleep. She took the risk and set 3 alarms for herself and on her google hub before slipping back under the covers and letting darkness take her.

Six alarms later Mwezi managed to make it out of bed and to church on time while shoving a pop tart down her throat somewhere in there. She wore her burnt orange skirt suit with a white blouse under her jacket and orange pumps to match. It looked great against her chocolate skin and nearly matched her copper sisterlocks. Fighting her grandmother to get those was fun but it made her unruly hair much easier to deal with. . Although the look was slightly uncomfortable to her, one must “respect the Lord and his house” her grandmother would say.  “Mwezi!” a man called and Mwezi waved. “Loving the look today. Always dressed your finest for the lord I see.” He joked and she laughed softly. Melvin always had a thing for her, even as kids. “Thank you Melvin.” She replied with a smile as he opened the doors to sanctuary for her. She took in Melvin’s sharp navy three piece suit, white button down, silver tie and black dress shoes.

They ended up sitting together and would chit chat here and there when the choir wasn’t praising to the heavens or the pastor wasn’t preaching or praying. After service Melvin and her slipped out of the church happy that they no longer came with their parents or grandparents. Otherwise they wouldn’t be leaving for several more hours. “So I heard you got them degrees you was pinnin’ fo.” He said as he walked her to her car. “Yup. Double major. Geology and Gemology.” She said clearly as her time away at school had ‘corrected’ most of her English. “Phew wee you fancy nah.” He said with a laugh. “Yeah well I worked hard for my full ride to Howard University so I put it to darn good use.” she replied with a laugh of her own. “So how’s work goin?” he asked and she mentally winced. “When I find some I’ll let you know. Fresh outta school, I have to pay my dues yanno.” She replied. “Mhmm. Well I was wonderin’ if I could take you out to lunch lata’, yanno catch up fa ol’ time sakes.” He said as a glint of something passed his eyes and she wasn’t sure what it was. “Um yeah sure. Freeman’s Diner?” she suggested and he nodded with a smile. “Sure, I can pick you up around 11.” He offered and she shook her head. “It’s cool I’ll drive.” She replied. He seemed hurt but like he said. She hadn’t seen him in nearly six years. ‘I will not be a lifetime victim today sir’ she said in her head as she said her goodbyes to Melvin and made her way back home.

Mwezi managed to make it to the diner a bit early even though she went home to shower and nap. She changed into a loose white blouse and black skinny jeans. She paired the look with a light brown sweater, long gold hanging necklace with a circular pendant on the bottom and leopard print flats. She slid out her car and grabbed her milk chocolate purse before locking her baby up and making her way inside. Much to her surprise Melvin had arrived already and had a table for them. “OO chile I tell you what you’d make a mighty fine woman for any lucky man.” He said with a smile and she rolled her eyes with a smirk of her own. “Oh haha.” She said and sat down joining him in laughter. The waitress was a white woman with her black hair pulled up in a sloppy bun. She looked familiar to Mwezi, but she couldn’t place where she knew her from. As the waitress got closer she could see the stress etched into the woman’s face and smell the tobacco scent wafting off her uniform. ‘That’s professional,’ Mwezi thought to herself as the waitress walked up, giving Mwezi a weird look, probably because of her hair. She was always teased for it as a child and down here in Alabama. It’s the 21st century and she is still getting looks. ‘It be ya own people.’ She sighed and thought to herself. “What can I get for ya?” the waitress asked Melvin and they both noticed. “Ladies first” Melvin said and the waitress rolled her eyes turning to Mwezi. “Yes?” she asked plainly like she was bored of her job.

‘To be an adult, or not be an adult. That is the question.’ Mwezi asked herself but then she noticed the waitress’ name tag said ‘Jazmine’. The same Jazmine that made her grade school days a living hell. ‘The f***s an adult?’ she decided. “First I’d like you to fix ya attitude and second you can get us a new waiter.” Mwezi replied and Melvin’s eyes went wide. He knew their past and he had often defended Mwezi when she was talked about behind her back but he hadn’t expected her clap back to be so sharp. “b***h please. You mad cuz you went off to a fancy school n got nuttin tuh show fa it and wanna catch an attitude wit me. Get ya own fuckin food ni-.” She cussed as Uncle Freeman came out the back. This far down south, familial organizational ties were heavily questioned if you weren’t a person of color. It was clear where she stood.

Uncle Freeman was what Mwezi would call an old head. His direct blood line had been slaves on these lands and racism was not something he took lightly.  “JAZMINE!” his voice boomed, nearly causing one of the busboys to drop his crate of dirty dishes and cutting Jazmine off before she could complete her statement. “Ah-uh yes Uncle Fr-” she started but he cut her off. “DON’T UNCLE FREMEN ME! Git yo s**t and git gone RACIST!” he bellowed and Jazmine had actually been brought to tears. “And don’t come back. Ya not welcome hea. I’ll send ya check.” He said angrily as she walked past him. “I’m sorry bout that ya’ll. What can I get ya?” Uncle Freemen asked. He took their orders and served them himself, “On the house.”

Drama aside Melvin and Mwezi had enjoyed their meal and made some small talk over ‘after-meal-coffee’, hot cocoa for her. “So I wanted to ask you somtin’ but I kinna nervous alla sudden.” He said with a humorless laugh. “Just ask Melvin.” She prompted and he nodded. “I wanted to know if you’d be willing to give me a chance to take care of you?” he said with a wince. ‘DidthismotherfuckerjustsayhewantedtotakecareofmelikeIcan’ttakecareofmyownshit?!’ she thought to herself. She decided to be an adult and not jump to conclusions. “Care of me how?” she said with a laugh trying to ease the mood. “Well I know you know I’ve always like ya. N’ I know you can take care of yaself but I would like to take care of you too. If you’d let me that is.” He muttered the last part. ‘Okay so my initial reaction was a bit much. This is awkward though.’ She thought to herself. “Well I mean that sounds nice, but I’m worried if I get work that I’d have to leave. I wouldn’t want to start something with you just to have to leave you here. And only the Lord know how long my trips would last.” She said trying to be reasonable. He nodded, rubbing the back of his neck, “I get it, but maybe jus think ‘bout it maybe?” he asked and winced at how desperate he sounded. Mwezi screamed internally but nodded, “Alright I can do that.” She said with a smile and his face lit up with hope. ‘Lord please send me some work!’ she silently prayed.