Coffee Time

By L. Shadows

Zuri Bazé is wise beyond her years. She loves her family with all her heart. She is sworn to secrecy after learning intimate stories about the females in her family. As she pieces the stories together she realizes that the women in her family are one of a kind. Her journey over the years prepares her for sisterhood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329046337

Book preview

Coffee Time

Coffee Time

L. Shadows

Lulu®

www.lulu.com

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1: History of Coffee Time

Chapter 2: Maison Blanche

Chapter 3: Coffee Time

Chapter 4: Don’t Mess With

Chapter 5: Gossip Time

Chapter 6: Free At Last

Chapter 7: Enjoying

Chapter 8: Transformation

Chapter 9: Love Me or Not

Chapter 10: Tragedy Strikes

Chapter 11: Wishes

Chapter 12: Curve Balls

Chapter 13: Amazing Grace

Chapter 14: Home Sweet

Chapter 15: The Visit From

Chapter 16: Treasures

Chapter 17: Initiation

Chapter 18: Final Exam

Chapter 19: Life Decisions

Chapter 20: Memories

Chapter 21: Sweet Beginnings

Chapter 22: Off to Paris

Chapter 23: My Future

Donut Connection

Copyright

Lulu Press Inc.

3101 Hillsborough St.

Raleigh, NC 27607

Coffee Time Copyright © 2015 Lady Shadows

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the author, except brief quotes used in reviews.

ISBN 978-1-329-04633-7

This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.

Distributed by Lulu Press Inc.

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Lulu Press Inc.

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Acknowledgements

Thank you God for keeping me wrapped in your arms. Without you, I’m nothing; but dust in the wind. I would like to thank my mother, grandmothers, aunts, and close friends of the family for showing me the true essence of ‘Coffee Time’. Also, I would like to thank JeenyuZ of Jeenyoux for capturing the essence of this book through his art. Keep doing your thing my brother. I really appreciate you. Good luck with your future projects. Last but not least, I would like to thank Franklin White for helping me to edit this phenomenal project. Your encouraging words will never be forgotten.

Dedication

I dedicate this project to all my ‘Coffee Time’ sistas. Please continue to represent your heritage by having book clubs, toy parties, and girl’s night.

Sisterhood is the antidote for life’s obstacles.

– L. Shadows

PROLOGUE

Aunt Alley and Uncle Jonathon wait for Zuri and Carlos to arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Aunt Alley is holding a sign that says Bienvenue à Paris; which means welcome to Paris. As Carlos and Zuri approach the baggage claim area; Zuri sees her aunt and uncle. She runs towards them.

Aunt Alley says, I am so happy you guys made it safe. We have so much to show you.

Uncle Jonathon says, Bienvenue a Paris Mlle Zuri.

Zuri replies, Merci oncle Jonathon.

Uncle Jonathon walks over to Carlos and shakes his hand and helps him with the carryon luggage.

He says, My niece forgot she had bags.

Carlos replies, Oui, monsieur qu’ell a fait.

Je ne savais pas que vous parlez français?

Oui, je ai vécu à Paris quand je étais adolescent.

Aunt Alley says, Gentlemen, you have all day to speak to one another in French. We have to get the luggage. We have a lot to do today.

Carlos replies, Yes, ma’am.

Zuri says, Aunt Alley, I am so happy to see you.

I am glad you finally left the states. I was afraid you were going to change your mind about coming to Paris. You’ve had a lot on your plate over these past months. I know your mother is very proud of you. Now, let’s paint Paris red.

After gathering the luggage, we head to the car.

Carlos says, Zuri, thank you for inviting me to Paris. I am glad to be home. I have so much to show you.

You are welcome. This is the least I can do. You’ve helped me get through a tough time in my life. You deserve this.

As they drive down the streets of Paris they see some familiar tourist attractions like the Palace of Versailles and the Eiffel Tower. Zuri’s smile illuminates the car.

Carlos says, Zuri this is the most I have seen you smile.

Uncle Jonathon stops the car right in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Aunt Alley says, This is our first stop. Then we’ll head to the house.

They walk towards this magnificent piece of art. Zuri is so amazed that she doesn’t realize Carlos is on one knee. When she turns around her heart begins to flutter.

Carlos says, "Zuri Bazé...

Chapter 1 History of Coffee Time

For many of my family and friends, women would gather at one another homes to have a cup of coffee. On these special afternoons, the hostess would invite her female family members and close friends to enjoy a cup of coffee. This phenomenal event was an excuse for the ladies to use their best china. The little girls helped with the set up, while the hostess brewed their favorite drink. All at once, the aroma of coffee would migrate through the house. The guests entertained one another with small talk and pleasantries at the dining room table. The moment the coffee, creamer, sugar, and homemade cookies hit the table; the women would shoo the girls out of the room. The little ones would giggle and quickly disappear.

This sacred event named Coffee Time would quickly turn into Gossip Time.  The ladies wasted no time utilizing the minute to tell intimate and private stories about their past and sometimes present situation. For hours, they laughed, snacked, and had several pots of coffee. On the other side of the door the little ones eaves drop and giggle along with the women. These precious moments they shared created a unique sisterhood. They would rather walk through fire before they disclosed any of their secret adventures.

Much too soon when the man of the house arrived, the girls would scatter from the door and acted like they were playing jacks. With sweaty palms, one of the girls would throw the ball in the air and grab all the jacks; hoping they weren’t caught listening to grown folks’ conversations. As always when the man of the house entered the dining room the ladies’ laughter and intimate stories ceased. The host greeted her husband with a kiss. As soon as he left, the event as we know as ‘Coffee Time’ had come to an end.

• • •

By the way, my name is Zuri Bazé, but my family calls me Zyngo. I don’t know where they got that name. I hate it. Besides, what’s a zyngo? My Aunt Dee told me she gave me that name, because I’m a busy body. I guess a zyngo jumps around the same way as I do. Who knows? I think my family forgets I’m a kid. I have my whole life ahead of me. I can’t wait to grow up so I can hold ‘Coffee Time’ at my house. Coffee Time is the best part of my weekend. I get to see my aunties and grandmas almost every Saturday. My favorite part of ‘Coffee Time’ is getting to eaves drop. The stories I heard are very interesting. I remember when my momma had to pick up Aunt E from...

Chapter 2 Maison Blanche

As usual, it was another hot and humid day in Louisiana. The sweat was rolling down my Grandma Peach’s face like rain; while she rocked in her favorite rocking chair. All of a sudden she swatted the bugs that were flying around her head.

She said, Zyngo, is that your mother turning in the driveway?

Yes ma’am.

I jumped off of the rocking chair and ran towards the car.

Momma yelled, Where is your sista? I need her now.

I shrugged my shoulders, with a confused look on my face.

I think she went grocery shopping with...

Momma interrupted, Never mind, go get your shoes and a comb so I can do something with your hair.

My mother, Vivian; was a petite woman, but could handle anything. She’s definitely a spit fire. She’s a classy lady and always dressed to impress other folks. She wore stiletto heels every where she went. She even wore stilettos while she cleaned the house. Her hair was always in place; I meant her wig. She has a wig for every occasion. I think she paid a fortune for them, because they felt and looked so real. They even had skin on them. Just the thought, gave me the chills. She had a closet full of these things. Everyone thought that was her real hair when she wore her wigs, but I knew her dirty little secret.

Momma said, Mother-in-law, I’m taking Zuri with me. Charmin will pick up Char Jr. and CeeCee later.

Grandma Peach was a woman of few words; with a slight nod she continued to rock. 

I am not the only one who didn’t like my nickname; momma didn’t like it either. So she always called me by my first name. I gave her the comb and she began to pull my hair. It felt like she’s pulling on a wild horse. My momma had heavy hands and they felt like bricks. Then, she did the ultimate ‘No No’. She licked both of her thumbs and slid them over my eyebrows. I didn’t like it when she did that. Now, I have spit on my face. I hopped up the stairs to hug my favorite person.

Grandma Peach, I’ll see you later. I love you. Grandma Peach gave the best hugs. She was a voluptuous woman with short gray hair. Her skin was smooth as chocolate and her eyes were black as coal. She’s strong as an ox and could pick up anything. She’s also an excellent cook, except when she cooked chitterlings and tripe. That smell is awful; I get chills just thinking about it. I love my Grandma Peach with all my heart and I know she loved me too.

As we drove away, I waved good-bye to Grandma Peach with a smile on my face.

Momma said, Zuri, you aren’t allowed to repeat anything you hear or see today. We’re going to the Masion Blanche to meet Grandma Lo and Aunt Alley. Aunt E is really sick...

My