Читать книгу The Back-Ground Singer - Marie Lyles - Страница 3

The search in the attic of the Mitchell home house did not result in finding clues about the baby. There was no clue about the agency that handled the adoption.

Monday morning, Sonata went on a search of official records of the date given in the journal listed forty-two Negro boy babies born in Nashville. There was no clue regarding which baby belonged to Elsie Mae. There were three certificates that had the name of Myrtle Mitchell as the mid-wife. the parents were all Negro married couples.

Since the journal mentioned that Salona's mother took the baby two days after the delivery, that date was also examined. There were twenty-seven Negro boy babies born on that date. Five certificates listed Myrtle Mitchell as the mid-wife and had married couples listed as parents. While most of the parents were young, Sonata noted that one couple was listed as mother age forty-three and father as age forty-seven. Even though this was biologically possible, Sonata made note of this and copied the name and address of the couple and the name of the child since the child was a home delivery.

Sonata decided to look at the census records for Nashville in the five years after the birth. She found that the names on the birth certificate were the only members of the household. When she looked at the census records ten years before, only the couple's names were listed. She looked at the census records for the ten years after the child was listed and found only the three names: Major, Sally, and Jeremiah Jenkins.

When Sonata left the Tennessee archives building, she decided to drive to the address given on the census. She was familiar with that part of the city. Unfortunately, four years ago, the neighborhood was subject to urban renewal. Half of the structures were torn down to make way for a new section of highway. Sonata discovered that 942 Jackson Boulevard was in the saved part of the neighborhood. There was a for sale sign on the lawn.

Sonata parked on the corner of the street near a neighborhood store. She went into the store and selected a bottle of water and a nutrition bar to purchase. As she was handed her change, Sonata inquired, "Ma'am, do you remember the Jenkins family that lived up the street?"

"Oh, yes, they were a nice family. the old folks went to be with the Lord about thirty years ago, but their son Jeremiah stayed in the house while he was workin'. He and his wife Daisy raised their two boys there. Jeremiah and Daisy just moved to Memphis last year when he retired. Their sons, I think both live in Memphis."

"I'm glad to hear that they are in Memphis. What's the nearest church around here?"

"That would be Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. It's three streets down and two streets over to the left."

"Thank you so much. You are a sweetheart."

"God bless you child."

Sonata left the store and went back to her car. she found the church easily and parked near the door. When she went into the sanctuary, there was a young man playing the organ. She sat down in the last row of pews to listen.

"May we help you with something?" asked the man in the tee shirt with the church name.

"Yes sir, I came to inquire if a family by the name of Jenkins had ever been members of your congregation."

The man smiled. "I'm Pastor Jordan. Yes, the Jenkins families were members. As I understand, members of the family have spanned four generations in this church. The last two generations were my parishioners; Jeremiah, Daisy, and their two sons. I really miss them but they are now living in Memphis."

"My name is Sonata Franklin. My godmother just passed away and among her things was a reference to Major and Sally Jenkins. The lady who owns the corner store told me that they have passed away and that their son had moved to Memphis. Would you have an address for him?"

"Yes we do. I recognized you Miss Franklin. I heard you sing and play at the East Avenue Baptist Church. I understand that you are one of the top back-ground singers in Nashville."

"Thank you Pastor Jordan. I appreciate your compliments. By the way, the young man at the organ is very good."

"That's my son Paul. We are very proud of him."

"Please give him my card if he's interested in recording work, I would recommend him," said Sonata. "Also Pastor, I would appreciate getting a forwarding address for Jeremiah and Daisy. I would like to get in touch with them."

"Of course, Miss Franklin. Let's go to my office."

As they entered the office, Sonata noticed a stack of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church directories on the table. "Excuse me, Pastor Jordan, may I have one of your church directories?"

"Those are the left-overs from two years ago. We are expecting the ones for this year next week."

"This one will be alright." She flipped through the book until she found the photographs of the Jenkins family members that were taken prior to their move to Memphis. She quickly closed the book and cradled it in her arms.

The pastor was writing on the card as he gazed at his computer. As he handed her the card, he said," I hope you are able to contact the Jenkins. Please give them my love. They are very special."

"I will, Pastor. Thank you so much." The two shook hands and Sonata returned to her car. She dialed her mother from the cell phone.

"Mama, where are you?"

"I'm at the Mitchell house with Curtis. We are just organizing a box full of music."

"I'm coming over with some interesting information. It should take me not more than twenty minutes."

Sonata, Naomi, and Curtis sat at the round table in the Mitchell kitchen. Sonata spread her notebook and the church directory on the table. "I received a call that my entire day at The Rave Studios was cancelled due to an electrical fire. That's when I got the idea that there might be possible information in official records. I started with birth records for the date and year Miss Salona said that Grandma Elsie's baby boy was born and two day later when Miss Myrtle took the baby. Since I didn't find any information about an adoption agency, I looked for the name Myrtle Mitchell on the birth certificates. Do you know what looked special? The one couple who was much older than all of the other birth certificates seemed to be different. That's when I went to the census records, followed the information to the address and the neighborhood store and the church. This church directory was published two years ago. I want you to look at the photo taken of the man named Jeremiah Jenkins."

Both Naomi and Curtis stared in disbelief. "He looks very much like Elliot," exclaimed Naomi.

"This is incredible," said Curtis. "How did you get all of this in six hours?"

"Available public records, an older age of parents, and a very friendly neighborhood of people who accepted me as a representative of the late Miss Salona Mitchell. Also, a pastor who heard me sing at East Avenue," replied Sonata.

"Elliot looks so much like my Mama and so does this man," said Naomi with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"What's next?" asked Curtis.

"Jeremiah Jenkins, his wife and two sons have moved to Memphis where both sons are employed and Jeremiah has retired. Pastor Jordan gave me an address in Memphis." Sonata handed the card to Naomi.

"We have to be careful," said Naomi. "Jeremiah Jenkins may not know that he was not the birth son of his parents. Plus, this may be a problem to reveal the secrets of people who are all dead."

"Mama, you've always said 'the truth will set you free'. I know that our family and the Jenkins family will have perhaps a good outcome of knowing we could possibly be one family."

"May I add something?" asked Curtis. The family of Grandma's socially elite father of her baby might be changed."

"That's a different story of which we know little. Unless Jeremiah Jenkins wished to know, it may not be something we have to be concerned about," said Naomi. "The name of the father was not mentioned in Miss Salona's journal. He might be traced through a year book of Wilberforce but that is not our concern."

Naomi asked Sonata to look into the music library found in one of the boxes just before Sonata called her mother. Curtis was drinking a cup of coffee and browsing through the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Directory. He stopped turning pages as he saw the familiar face of Mr. Clarence Brown.

Mr. Brown was a friend of his Aunt Salona. He had seen him at the funeral service as he was leaving the church. Curtis thought that Mr. Brown must be at least in his nineties. The directory indicated his address and telephone number. Curtis called the number to find out if Mr. Brown was home. He was able to make an appointment to see Mr. Brown that afternoon.

Curtis was gone for an hour and a half. When he returned, Sonata was playing one of Aunt Salona's arrangements found in the box of music sheets.

"Well ladies, Mr. Brown has a great memory. He was a good friend of Major and Sally Jenkins. He remembers Grandma Myrtle bringing them the new born baby. Miss Sally had lost three premature babies that Grandma Myrtle delivered. Grandma Myrtle remembered the pain of their loss as their mid-wife. So there is the confirmation that Jeremiah Jenkins was not born to his parents. Mr. Brown gave me a photo of Jeremiah with Major and Sally. As you can see, he does not look like either parent. Mr. Brown remembered when Jeremiah asked the questions about not looking like his parents and they told him the truth. Jeremiah always accepted that he was related by love and not by blood. He never questioned who his birth parents were."

"You have just confirmed that Jeremiah did not have a need to know about his birth parents. You have confirmed that Miss Myrtle was her own placement agency sixty-five years ago. So no, short of a DNA test, we have confirmation that Jeremiah Jenkins is my half brother," said Naomi.

Naomi sat at the kitchen table. Sonata joined her and held her hands. "Mama, we don't have to go any further than this. Life doesn't have to be complicated. When a man is sixty-four years old, his truth is already established."

"But my truth has been revealed. I want to at least see my brother."

"O.K. Mama, let's get ready to go to Memphis. Maybe we should ask Uncle Elliot to go with us."

Elliott Howard arrived on Friday night before the drive to Memphis on Saturday. Naomi had called Jeremiah and Daisy Jenkins to say the she, her husband, her brother, and her daughter were coming to Memphis. They wanted to meet them for lunch and bring greetings from Pastor Jordan and Deacon Clarence Brown.

By the time the travelers from Nashville had found the recommended restaurant, Jeremiah and Daisy were drinking their second cup of coffee. Naomi and Sonata entered the popular barbecue place while Foster and Elliot were finding a parking space.

"Sorry to be late," said Naomi. "The men are finding parking."

"Welcome to Memphis, Mrs. Franklin," said Jeremiah. "Miss Sonata Franklin, we didn't realize we would be meeting one of the finest musicians Nashville has produced."

"Thank you for the complement, Mr. Jenkins. Mrs. Jenkins, I've seen you with the Nashville Gospel Ensemble. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Jeremiah Jenkins was pleased that his wife was recognized. He was displaying his warm smile until Elliot Howard walked into the restaurant. His facial expression turned to shock. "Dear God, it's like looking in a mirror!"

"This is an amazing resemblance," said Foster.

Once all were seated at the table, Naomi started the story of the search for truth. The Jenkins listened without interruption.

"So this is an answer to my questions for which my parents had no answer," whispered Jeremiah Jenkins.

"We thank you for coming," said Daisy. "Jeremiah has wanted our sons to know their family history for his side of the family. I can identify my great grandparents and my brother and sister."

"Well, Jeremiah, you have nine younger brothers and sisters. I am the oldest and Elliot is next. You have five brothers and four sisters. Also, you have twenty-one nieces and nephews."

More information was shared during lunch. The Nashville four were invited to the Jenkins home after lunch and the Jenkins sons and their families joined them. Major,II and wife Marjory, Major,III and Sally II; Steven and his wife Tamara, Jeffery, Susan, and Kent were all surprised but very happy to meet the new family. Major,II was a physician and his wife a social worker. Steven was a law enforcement officer and his wife a nurse. It was late Saturday evening when the four returned to Nashville.

Before she went to bed, Naomi e-mailed her other brothers and sisters about the reunion with their oldest brother and gave them the contact information for the Jenkins family.