The World of Edward Givens: Volume II: War with GOD

By Dezarae DUNSMUIR

Edward Givens has been the victim of Affirmative Action and has been burdened with the knowledge his bosses are racists.  Having met the love of his life, Edward now faces a crisis of faith due to events in his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dragon's Press
• Release date: Jul 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781949276107

Dezarae DUNSMUIR

Dezarae Dunsmuir is a celebrated author and poet. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, she was prolific even as a child. At age 8, as a ballerina, she danced on stage with Mikhail Baryshnikov. At age 9, she hosted a television series about science. She went on to be syndicated coast to coast on radio, interviewing celebrities and offering valuable insights on issues important in Canada.

Book preview

Where Volume I Ended

Edward was surprised at just how much he missed Tina. He actually felt an ache in his chest whenever he thought about her not being with him.

He was in his apartment on Sunday evening, just waiting for her call. They had a routine: Tina would call in the morning to touch base and she would call in the evening so they could discuss how each of their days had been.

He felt nervous just waiting for Tina to call. He couldn’t sit still, so he started pacing around his apartment. Any time he was distressed, Edward started pacing. It never failed: every time he was pacing, he wished he had bigger living quarters, that way he’d have more room to pace in.

I am going to discuss it with Tina when she calls. I think we should make it a number one priority to go house hunting right after the honeymoon. Both of us live in small apartments and it just isn’t good enough. Also, we need an extra bedroom because we both want children and every child should have his own bedroom, his own lair, so to speak…

The ringing of his smart phone interrupted his thoughts. Caller ID indicated Tina was calling. Just reading the Caller ID started a wave of relief flooding over Edward as he pushed on the screen so he could answer the call.

He suddenly felt another wave sweep over him when he heard Tina say Hello; it was undoubtedly love he was feeling. It had been months since they sorted out their differences and it still amazed him that he could feel this way.

Hi back, answered Edward. How are you? How’s your mum doing? Are you on the way home? When will I see you? Edward was peppering Tina with questions.

Tina laughed. Hold up, will you? Slow down and I’ll answer your questions one at a time, okay? she said, still chuckling.

Okay, here’s the first one: how are you?

I’m fine, tired but fine, replied Tina.

Next, how’s your mum?

Tired, too but better. This weekend was like an intense therapy session. I’ll tell you all about it when we get together.

Edward had calmed down considerably. His next question was asked in a calm fashion,

Are you on the way home?

Yes, I’m about to get on the highway in a couple of minutes. I should be home in 90 minutes at the longest, answered Tina.

You don’t have to be at work until 3 pm tomorrow, right? queried Edward.

Why don’t you drop by on your way home, so we could finally see each other? I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.

I’m not sure, Edward. On one hand, I’m dying to see you, too; on the other, I’m so exhausted all I would probably do is sleep. I don’t think I’d be very good company.

I don’t care. Sleep here. You can always go home in time to get ready for work, Edward’s voice was growing more insistent with each word he spoke.

You don’t care if I’m lousy company? Tina was somewhat surprised.

Nope, I sure don’t. You just get here safe and sound and we can sleep together, okay?

Tina started laughing. It was a weary laugh but a laugh nonetheless.

What’s so funny? asked Edward.

It was obvious from his voice he wanted in on the joke, whatever it was.

You said we’d sleep together. You know that’s not happening until after we’re married, Tina was chuckling as she spoke.

Okay, okay, I get it. I meant we could sleep in the same bed and not that we could ‘you know.’

Tina could tell Edward was getting embarrassed on his end of the phone.

Fine. Let’s just do it, replied Tina. I’ll see you soon, she added.

Excellent. I’ll be waiting for your arrival, said Edward, smiling.

Tina was smiling, too. It never failed that every time she talked to him or saw Edward, she couldn’t help herself and she started smiling.

I love you, Edward Givens. Her smile was coming through the phone.

I love you, too, Tina Edwards. Drive safely. I want you here in one piece.

They hurriedly said their goodbyes. Tina was on the highway and traffic was increasing, so she wanted to pay careful attention to her driving.

Despite herself, she was smiling as she drove.

Edward started running around his apartment, checking to see if everything was orderly. It was. He plopped onto the couch with a sigh of relief.

Hearing from Tina always made him feel that life was worth living and he was right with the world.

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Clifford just had to call Althea when he got back to the motel. Truth was, he wanted her to know he wasn’t the loser she thought he was. He also wanted to gloat, just a little. Since she had managed to keep the same phone number she had had at the house, it was easy for him to call her up. Her voice was cool when she answered.

I just wanted you to know I landed an excellent job today, stated Clifford, trying hard to keep the joy out of his voice.

That’s great, Clifford, Althea sounded like she was completely disinterested in anything he had to say.

Are the kids home? Are they free to talk to me? he asked.

Sure, I’ll get them. Just wait, answered Althea.

Soon Clifford Junior came on the line.

Hi, dad. How are you doing? his son asked.

Clifford felt a rush of warmth to his heart when he heard his son’s voice.

I’m good, son. Just landed a top notch job today. I start tomorrow morning. I’ll have to start house hunting soon, answered Clifford.

How’s school going?

Fine, dad. Everything is fine.

It seemed Clifford Jr. didn’t have much else to say to his father.

Congratulations on the job, dad, he added.

Thank you, son. Are we still on for this weekend? he asked.

Sorry, I can’t do it this weekend. Mid-terms start next week and I’ve got to study. Chemistry is killing me this term, his son replied.

Clifford tried hard to hide his disappointment.

Okay, I understand. You’ve got to keep that GPA up. Is your sister there? he queried.

Sure, she’s right here. Hang on. Talk to you soon, dad, said his son.

Bye, now, responded Clifford.

When his daughter, Tiffany, came on the line, Clifford tried to sound cheerful.

Hi, sweetie. How’s my girl?

Tiffany was two years younger than Clifford. She answered as if she was choosing her words carefully; Clifford wondered why she would be doing that.

Hi, dad. I’m fine. How are you? she asked.

I’m good, honey. I got a great new job today and I start tomorrow morning.

That’s good news, dad.

It seemed his daughter didn’t have much to say to him, either. Clifford was struggling to keep this conversation going, as well.

Am I going to see you this weekend?

I can’t. I’ve got to study. My midterms start on Monday, she answered.

I’m sorry, she added and it sounded like an afterthought.

That’s okay, sweetie. I understand and school is important.

I’ve got to go, dad, okay?

Tiffany’s voice sounded like she couldn’t wait to get off the phone.

Okay. I’ll talk to you soon, okay?

Okay, bye, dad.

Bye, honey, answered Clifford.

He was quite dejected as he hung up the phone. It seemed his children didn’t have any time for him and – what was worse – they didn’t care if they saw him. He silently cursed the absentee father syndrome and his ex-wife for causing it, as he cracked open his tiny bottle of scotch.

The elation he had felt earlier had evaporated completely.

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Juanita and Catherine were sitting eating dinner in the kitchen. It was a casual meal, so they didn’t bother eating in the dining room. They saved that for more formal occasions or when they were officially celebrating something important.

So, this weekend is the housewarming party. I can hardly wait, said Juanita between mouthfuls.

I’ve got mixed emotions, Juanita. I’m looking forward to it and I’m also nervous about it, too, said Catherine.

You’re still nervous? Why? asked Juanita.

Like I said before: meeting your bosses, trying to make small talk, wondering how everyone will react to seeing us as partners, all of that.

I don’t know how else I can put your mind at rest, Catherine. All I can tell you is it’ll be fine. I told you before, I wouldn’t have decided to stay here if everything wasn’t okay. You do trust my judgment, don’t you? queried Juanita.

Yes, yes, I do. I’m just nervous, that’s all. You know me,

Catherine tried hard to give her partner a convincing smile. She hoped she succeeded.

Okay, then. Onto other matters, have you got the caterers all arranged?

Yes, everything is under control, replied Catherine, happy the state of her nerves was no longer the topic of conversation.

She sensed Juanita was growing weary of hearing about them and her misgivings.

All you have to do is bring your beautiful self down the stairs and knock them dead.

This time Catherine’s smile was sincere.

Juanita reached for Catherine’s hand across the table.

You’ll be the one knocking them dead. I know you will, just like you did me all those years ago, Juanita smiled back.

We are holding up remarkably well, aren’t we? Although we do have some laugh lines we didn’t have way back then, responded Catherine, chuckling.

Just a few, added Juanita.

The pair finished their dinner talking together easily, just like they had done so many times in the past.

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Sherry and Ray were eating dinner in their kitchen. They didn’t bother with the dining room much: they saved it for family holiday dinners and the like. Ray was passing Sherry the salad when he remembered that he still hadn’t shown Sherry Juanita’s party invitation. It had been in his coat pocket for days.

Sherry, I apologize. I completely forgot about this invitation from my boss that she gave me last week. I’ve left it in my coat pocket all this time, he said as he got up from the table to get it.

What? asked Sherry, wondering what was up.

Ray returned to the table quickly.

I feel like such a goof, he said.

Juanita gave me this last week and I’ve been carrying it around. I completely forgot about it. I’m sorry, he apologized again, feeling sheepish.

An invitation from your boss. Well, let me see it, so hand it over…finally, smiled Sherry, as she took the envelope from Ray.

She opened it, reading the contents.

This is excellent, Ray. Your boss must really like you, she said.

She likes Edward, too. He got one, so he and Tina will be there. I saw her heading for the sales department, so people from there will be coming and the higher ups, too, I would think. At least you’ll know Tina and Edward and the others are a pretty good bunch, although I can’t answer for the higher ups. They don’t interact with the likes of me, replied Ray.

I have to admit, I can hardly wait to meet this wonderful woman who is your boss, stated Sherry.

Yeah, she’s great. You two will get along like a house on fire. I can’t wait to meet her partner, Catherine. She’s a fabulous artist; I’m sure you’ll see some of her work at their house. She must be something special to have a woman like Juanita care for her.

I don’t believe it, Sherry said, playfully punching Ray’s shoulder.

You sound positively awestruck, Ray.

"Listen, you know the hell Edward and I lived through first with Jones and then Jenkins, who was a bigger bastard than Jones. Believe me, Juanita Gomez is a dream to work for. She’s a real breath of fresh air, Sherry.

I was really sick and tired of black racist bosses. I was worried, too. I honestly didn’t know how much longer I could have stuck it out with Jenkins. I was so happy when he went back to Chicago. There aren’t words."

Ray, don’t go there. It’s all in the past. Don’t think about those guys anymore. Besides, what do you get as a housewarming gift for two women who probably have everything? Let’s focus on that, okay?

Sherry was a wise woman. She knew the best way to stop Ray from remembering those bad days was to distract him and distract him, she did. After all, it wouldn’t be easy trying to choose a gift for a power pair like Juanita and Catherine.

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Edward’s World

Tina was on days, so she was actually able to spend some time during the week with Edward, which made both of them happy. They, too, were grappling with attempting to discern what they could get Juanita and Catherine as a housewarming gift.

They were sitting in the diner near Tina’s apartment, having dinner.

I want to change the topic for a bit, is that okay? queried Edward.

Tina stopped her happy chatter about trying to decide what they should get as a gift for the pair. She was concerned because Edward looked so serious.

Sure. What’s up? Is anything wrong? she asked.

No. I just think we should talk about where we’re going to live after the wedding, replied Edward.

Neither of our apartments is suitable for two people and besides, we do want to start a family sometime, so we’ll need an extra bedroom. I used to think we should start house hunting right after the wedding but the more I’ve thought about it, the more I think we should have a house to go home to after the honeymoon. Which means we have to start house hunting tomorrow. What do you think, Tina?

I haven’t thought about it, to be honest. I’ve been distracted with planning the wedding and my mum and all, replied Tina.

She stopped and thought for a moment.

I think it’s a great idea, Edward. But I’m so swamped with the wedding, I really don’t think I’ve got the time to go house hunting with you. I’m sorry.

Listen, I have a plan. I’ll sort through the houses initially. We’ve talked about what we both want in a house. I’ll do all the leg work. When I narrow it down to three, you’ll come and look at them and then we’ll choose. How does that sound?

It sounds good in theory. I just don’t want to have to move and plan the last wedding details. How will it all work? asked Tina.

"I have that figured out, too. You’ll move into my place for the time being. We’ll put your stuff in storage. As the groom, there’s not much for me to have to do for the wedding anyway.

I’ll take care of moving you and all your stuff, finding the house and then moving both of us into the new place, all before the wedding. How does that sound? All you’ll have to do is pack your clothes and toothbrush, you know, stuff like that."

Edward was sounding so pleased with himself for thinking of his plan and so excited, too, Tina just had to agree.

Okay but you have to drive out to my folks’ place and discuss it with them first. If they okay it, you’ve got a deal, smiled Tina in response.

Great. We’ll go Friday after work. We can come back to the city Saturday and start looking then.

Edward was smiling broadly.

You’ll have to convince them there’ll be no hanky panky, interjected Tina.

No problem. There won’t be. Will you be free to look at some photos and write ups of houses over the weekend or are you doing wedding stuff? I didn’t think of that, asked Edward.

I’m sorry but I have to spend the weekend in Evansville. It’s wedding stuff and I want to check up on my mum, you know. I meant to tell you this evening. Is that okay with you?

Tina’s brow was furrowed with concern.

Sure, we’re in the homestretch. I get it. I’ll spend the night at the farm and come on back Saturday morning. I guess we won’t get to drive to Evansville together, either, but them’s the breaks. Don’t worry. It’s okay, Tina, smiled Edward.

It’ll be hard but I’ll survive the weekend without you, he said as he patted her hand.

Good. Soon we’ll be together forever.

Tina was smiling again.

I can’t wait, replied Edward.

He was smiling, too.

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Clifford was surprised at how bad he felt after speaking with his children. His thoughts descended further and further into negativity. He was angry with his ex-wife for causing this rift between him and his kids in the first place.

He was also angry with her for throwing away twenty years of his life without so much as a moment’s hesitation. He still couldn’t forgive Althea for caring more for white people than her own marriage. In Clifford’s books, that wasn’t just beyond his understanding, it was completely unthinkable and downright wrong.

He was angry with his ex-bosses for treating him so badly. He was also angry with white people for causing all his problems in the first place.

Any of the happiness he had felt earlier in the day had been replaced with negative thoughts bloated with rancor. Clifford cursed himself for only purchasing one tiny bottle of scotch. Then he stopped himself, remembering he was starting a new position bright and early in the morning. He also remembered that he was going to enjoy getting revenge on his old bosses when he was at his new job and that made him feel a tiny bit better.

He would have really loved to have more than one drink. He realized he had to stop thinking angry thoughts or he would do something crazy, like go out and buy more liquor.

He went into his washroom and splashed cold water on his face. That brought him back to reality. There was no way he was going to put his new job in jeopardy by drowning his sorrows tonight. He couldn’t fiscally afford it.

He also wasn’t going to give Althea any ammunition to use against him with his children. He was sure she had already convinced them he was a loser. He’d show her – and them – it wasn’t true.

Clifford stopped dead in his tracks as he was walking back to the living room of his motel suite. He had a brilliant thought that would make it easier to see his children and – this was the added bonus – probably drive Althea crazy, to boot. He’d move in to the same townhouse complex she had just moved to. Hell, he’d be able to buy new furniture or lease it, whatever. He’d be close to his kids, which would enable him to have more of a presence in their daily lives.

Clifford was feeling much better as he crawled into bed that night. He realized his latest brainwave was a stroke of genius, pure genius. It was right up there with going to the competition to get a job.

Clifford, old man, you are on top of your game these days, he thought.

Then another thought intruded into his mind,

You’ve been on top of your game since you stopped drinking.

It cut him deeply to know it was the truth.

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Edward was sitting in the living room with Marjorie and Steve in Evansville. He had just finished explaining his plan to Tina’s parents and was waiting for their response.

You swear there’ll be no pre-marital sex happening, right? queried Steve, getting right to the point.

Yes, sir. I give you my word and I don’t ever give my word lightly, replied Edward, looking directly into his future father in law’s eyes as he spoke.

It won’t be for all that long, will it? asked Marjorie.

No, it won’t. Tina has to give her notice and so do I. The pressure will be on to find a house to buy but I’m confident I can accomplish it. Like I said, then she’ll move into my place until we close on the house. Then I’ll move both of us into the new place. That’s where we’ll come home to after the honeymoon. If that meets with your approval, that is, said Edward.

What do you think, Steve? asked Marjorie, turning to face her husband.

I think that Edward has proven to be a standup guy thus far. If we didn’t think he was a good man, we wouldn’t approve of our daughter marrying him, answered Steve.

Edward felt his rapidly beating heart slow down just a little. He sat waiting for Marjorie to respond to what her husband had said.

I agree, Steve. I honestly believe Edward will keep his word.

Marjorie turned back to face Edward. She smiled as she spoke to him.

We agree with your plan, Edward. You can move forward with our blessing.

I trust you, Edward. I just want to reiterate that, Steve said.

Edward exhaled a breath of relief. He smiled at Tina’s parents.

Thank you, thank you both for believing in me. You won’t be sorry.

We know we won’t, son, responded Steve.

Marjorie just smiled broadly at Edward.

As he stood to leave to drive to his parent’s house, Edward shook Steve’s hand and gave Marjorie a hug.

Thank you again for your trust. I have to head out to my folk’s place and then I plan an early start to return to the city. I have a lot to accomplish in a short period of time.

As they saw Edward to the door, Tina came bustling into the house.

Hi, sweetie, she smiled at Edward and gave him a quick kiss.

You’re leaving when I just got here?

Yep. I’m going to the farm and then back to Bloomington in the morning, he replied.

Have a good weekend. I’ll talk to you in the morning, okay?

Okay, Tina said as she cast a questioning look from Edward to her parents.

Before you leave, what’s the verdict?

I’ll let your parents fill you in on that. Night, everybody, Edward said as he left the Edwards’ home.

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Everyone, except the girls, was still awake at the Givens household when Edward walked in the door. His parents and brother were sitting at the kitchen table drinking hot chocolate, so he joined them there.

I’m not complaining in the least but to what do we owe the pleasure of your company? queried Bob, smiling at his son.

I just came from Tina’s parent’s place. Let me tell you all about it and my plan, he stated.

Edward then filled in his family about his plan and the fact that Tina’s parents approved of her staying at his place for a short time, as long as there was no hanky panky.

It’s good that there won’t be any of that, interjected Bob.

"You know your mother and