Written by Mercedes Keyes
Interracial Drama Series
Overall Rating (R)
Chapter 55
If anyone was going to be coming to their wedding and reception, they had to be notified now! Shanna called early the next day reminding them of that fact. Shawn was working on his layout – determined to get the first two novel covers completed and ready to go to the James’ for the nod of approval. He had the third book layout set up, and decided to save some time with it, he would do some computerized 3d graphics to speed it up a bit. The quality would be the same, but he would achieve a bit of space to get things done in time by using that channel. He had been up at the crack of dawn, moving things from his place to Sylvia’s. Mainly speaking, his computers, his art work equipment and his cameras. Happy that Sylvia had so much space in her basement, there was a whole bedroom down there, much larger than the ones at his house. He’d spent the morning draining the waterbed while Sylvia was sleeping. A king size waterbed was taking up too much space for him to work in. Plus he brought over his Bo-flex. His free weights would require too much messing about to bring over, so for once, he was glad he’d invested in the Bo-flex, it allowed him the workout he liked, temporarily that is, until things got rolling in the other house.
By the time the phone rang at 9:30am, his computer was up, and he was running a line to connect with Sylvia’s to get on the internet. He decided that wireless networking would be something they’d invest in. As he worked to get things done, the phone rang. Sylvia turned over and answered it, she felt exhausted and the nausea was still gripping her, if not growing a bit stronger.
“Hello.” She answered groggy, the same time Shawn answered in the basement, “Hello?”
“Ummm it’s me… Shanna. Sylvia? Or Shawn?”
“Hey lil’bitty.” He greeted smiling.
“Good morning dear brother.” She returned, still glowing over having him back within reach.
“I’ll let you speak with Sylvie.” He ended it, knowing that was who she’d called for.
“Hi, Shanna… what’s up?” Sylvia croaked out, her yawns were wide as she let them speak, working her way back and up against the headboard.
“Who’s coming to your wedding? Who’s coming to your reception?”
“Oh man… that’s right…Psssh!” Sylvia exclaimed the sound thinking, “With this short of notice, probably no one. Do you realize we have a little over a week?”
“That’s why I’m calling, I’ve been working on a list. I’ve been calling family members that I know are always looking for something to do. You and Shawn might do the same, think of friends to invite that are the kind of people that need something for their weekend. Just an idea… you never know – there might be some available for it.”
“Hmmm, okay… I better get myself up and in the shower. Shawn’s going to be moving some of his stuff in, sounds like he’s busy at it now. We’ll make out a list of who we think might come.”
“Good, call me with it – I’ll get it sent off today. Don’t forget addresses, zip codes, full names. ‘Kay… gotta finish your dress now and take it in to be cleaned. Talk to you later babes!” She finished bright and eager.
“Okay Shanna… and thank you. We really appreciate the help.”
“Hey…I’m enjoying it… gives me something to do – you know.”
“Yep…well, talk to you later…bye bye.”
Sylvia hung up the phone, tossed her covers aside and stood from the bed, then suddenly had to rush to the bathroom and over the toilet to throw up. She stood over the bowl, gagging and vomiting yellow bile. Shawn had come into the bedroom with crackers for her. As he could hear, it was too late. He made his way to the bathroom door, feeling his own stomach grip him to hear her going through it, he stood listening – waiting for it to end – which was taking too long for his comfort. Finally she was quiet. He knocked. “Babe… you all right?”
Still quiet, no answer. He slowly opened the door to peak in. She was leaning on the sink vanity top, slowly turning on the faucet.
“Aaah sweety. Why don’t you lay back down?” He offered, rubbing the back of her neck and over her shoulder blades.
“Nooo, it’ll pass.” She wet her hand and splashed water on her face, then cupped it to suck into her mouth rinsing it out a couple of times. Taking a deep breath she stood and looked up at him. “Aaah come here.” He coaxed gently and took her into his arms. “I hate this part of it.” He murmured softly, holding her and stroking her hair from her forehead, then kissed her there.
“Trust me… that makes two of us.” She returned needing that moment to lean against him. He felt so solid, warm and good. With her arms wrapped around his waist, she inhaled the scent of him, there was something soothing, calming in her smelling him, as if it helped to settle her system.
“You sure you don’t want to call the clinic, have the doctor prescribe something for it?”
“No way. I’m not taking any chances with my baby. I don’t trust half of those drugs prescribed… five, ten years later, there’s a sudden news report on what they caused someone after thousands of women have taken them, to live with the effects… I’ll suffer first.”
He squeezed her, funny how hearing little things like that, could make you love a person more. It was hard for him to believe a love as strong as he felt for her, could possibly expand beyond what it had been last week, but it had… and then some. He turned and leaned against the counter, holding her… with a strong sense from the way she held onto him, that she needed it.
“If my legs could hold me up, I think I would just stay against you like this for another hour. But… I need to get in the shower, there is much to be done.” She whispered softly into his chest, feeling lethargic.
“I think you need another hour in bed, want me to climb in with you, ’til you fall asleep?” He asked, talking with his lips at her forehead, kissing her and loving the moment as well.
“Em um…” She leaned away from him and looked up into his face, was about to say something, but lost her thought staring up at him. She really looked at him, into his incredible hazel/blue eyes, the dark lashes that surrounded them, absorbing the thick dark brows, his prominent nose, the texture of his skin, the beard that he seemed to be wanting to wear since his arrival in Chicago, and the lips there within. He watched her look him over, slow and leisure, he couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking, but he wasn’t going to ask, he just let her look her fill. Finally her incredible dark eyes, eyes ebony black, came back to his, she smiled softly.
“I want our son… to look like you.” She finally said.
He swallowed, having a lump form in his throat. “As long as he has your beautiful brown skin… that’s fine with me.”
“If he’s my color, people will stare at you, wondering if he’s yours.” She smiled teasing.
“Let them stare… cause I know he’s mine.”
“Oh yeah… what makes you so sure?”
He grinned, “Because I know you lady. You’re not the sleep around kind, and besides… I remember… you were on fire, the kind of on fire a woman is when its been a long time since she’s been touched by a man. Really touched…” He chuckled remembering.
Sylvia chuckled too dropping her face back to his chest, loving the feel of his deep laugh, the movement of his strong body.
“You know what memory is always on my mind, then turns to fantasy?” He asked her.
“What?” She inquired, content to hold him close again, her head against his chest.
“That morning you were stuck on my back deck.” He started laughing again thinking about it.
“Shawn!” She covered her face, remembering as well, embarrassed again. “You just had to remind me of that didn’t you!”
He chest was shaking and the chuckles were deep and strong again, “I could not believe my eyes! I thought… holy shit! What the hell is going on here! But then after you explained… oh man… I thought I’d never stop laughing. I hadn’t laughed like that… really deep down in my soul laughing, since Jesse.”
Sylvia leaned back again looking up into his face.
“Well if that’s true… it was worth every moment of my humiliation.” She grinned.
“Emmm….grrrrrowl.” He made the rumble deep in his chest, brows flexing. “You had no reason… to be humiliated. I’ve never seen anything as sexy and oh so lovely, as you were that day… and oooh baby… the fantasies I’ve had since. Oh the things I would have loved to do to you… man did I want to take advantage.”
“Shawn! And here I thought you were a gentlemen.”
“With you… sometimes… sometimes not. All depends lady-…”
A knock at the door cut him off.
They both sighed.
“I’ll get that… you get in the shower.”
“Good idea.” She returned, about to step away when he grabbed her chin, then kissed her nose. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Yeah… but I love you more.” He informed her and left her in the bathroom staring at the door he’d just exited. Sylvia shook her head and started her shower spray.
Down in the basement, she stood with a tablet and pen in hand, asking him about the knock at the door earlier.
“It was FedEx… the papers from Deidre. All signed, all there.” He answered, stacking the waterbed against the far wall temporarily while he occupied the room, then rolling the water mattress to force out the last of the water he had draining through the hose.
“When do we tell Angela?” She asked.
“We need to talk first. You and I, we need to come to an early agreement about her, and the baby as well, or any others we might have.” He spoke as he worked.
“I think that’s a good idea. So often I wish that Armundo and I had worked better together raising Crystal and Mundo, but… we could barely dwell together, let alone come to any agreement on how to raise our children right. For the most part… I did it all.”
“Yeah… when it came to Angela, when Deidre and I were together, it was mostly me. She tried to contribute, to include herself, but she always seemed unsure of what to do. She always looked at me as if to say… “What do I do now?”” He stated.
“Well… we both know that’s not her fault.”
“True. Sooo, anyway… I think we’ll have a talk first later, I need to gather my thoughts on what I want and expect. You need the same time to figure what you expect, once we discuss it and know what we want, we can sit her down and give her the news, then present ourselves as a united front.”
“Sounds like a plan to me. For now, your sister wants us to come up with names to send out invitations to.”
Shawn leaned away from rolling the mattress by slow degrees, sitting back on his heels, he scratched his head. “Okay… I know already, you ready?” He asked.
“Fire away.” She invited pen in hand, tablet ready.
“Paul and Diane Pewsey… they’ll want to come, they live in Minnesota, they’re old friends from California, moved here two years ago. Eric Ventura, he’s single, but he’ll bring a girl. David Minty and Pete Stotter. They’re names and addresses are in my phone book.”
“Okay… now, the thing is… who am I going to invite.” Sylvia started laughing suddenly.
“What’s so funny?” He asked.
“Oooh, the women I’m thinking about inviting. They’re from Chicago, we went to school together, kind of grew up hanging out together… I warn you now Shawn…” She started laughing, “They are crazy as HELL!!!”
He grinned, “Oh boy… invite’em! Just the look on your face tells me they’ll be a blast.”
“No Shawn… you don’t understand… these are crazy sista’s that will say stuff that will shock the heck out of you! Especially one of them, she’s my favorite, Sheila.”
“I doubt that… nothing they’ll say, or this Sheila will shock me. You think you and your friends are the only black women I’ve been around?”
Sylvia cocked that hip, put a fist on it and did a half shift, making Shawn laugh out at just the look. “What black women you know – besides me!? Wait, let me guess, from your porn days I’m sure.” She recalled his past.
“Yeah, a few – true, but not all.” He admitted.
“So, you dated black women before me?”
“No…you are my first, real – date.” He gave the double hand, double fingers quotes on, “real”. But not the first, they were after me you know, had one feeling my ass every time she walked by me, she use to pinch me and said she had just what I needed.” He teased her for a reaction.
“WHAT?! Who is this… and where is she?!” Sylvia was showing a side of herself that surprised Shawn, had him grinning.
“In California.”
“Oh I see.”
“Naw come on now… this happened a while ago, when I was younger… and then every now and then.”
“Emm Hmm.”
Shawn was grinning, stood from the floor and walked over to her, she had a look in her eyes that tickled him to the bone.
“Now look here, why are you looking at me like that? You’re the one that got me… where am I right now?” He put his hand on her waist. She picked it up and flicked it off and turned away heading up the stairs. “Ah darlin’… come on… what’s that for?” He called up the stairs, laughing as she ignored him and went up closing the door. “I love you!” He called, she mumbled, “Em Hm!” But closed the door grinning, he did have one of those kind of butts you wanted to touch all the time.
Angela was up in the kitchen.
“Good morning sweety, you hungry?” She asked her right away. Angela smiled, still wearing her pyjamas. Sylvia walked to the sink where she stood and hugged her tight, Angela wrapped her arms around Sylvia’s waist, surprised that she just walked up and hugged her for no reason. Sylvia held her for a few minutes, until Angela relaxed against her and accepted the closeness. Angela sighed finally and hugged Sylvia back tighter, smiling and with her eyes closed, giving her a really good squeeze back, feeling it. It told her – that Sylvia really liked her, wanted her there, and the hug confirmed it.
Still holding onto her, Sylvia explained. “You know, I use to do this with my daughter Crystal… every morning, from the moment she was a baby, I would pick her up out of the crib, give her a good washing up, change her, and just walk around the house holding her, squeezing her just like this. Do you know, she was 16 years old, and still… liked being held sometimes, just like this… imagine that.”
Angela nodded her head but didn’t answer. Sylvia decided she wouldn’t let go until Angela pulled away. Then she heard a sniff and the hug grew tighter, Angela buried her face in Sylvia’s breasts, although bearly ten, she was almost Sylvia’s height. They were quiet, Angela ashamed of the tears rolling from her eyes, she couldn’t talk. Sylvia kissed the top of her head. “Aaah, you needed a hug. You missing your mom?”
Angela shook her head, then nodded her head.
“That’s okay… wanna call her?”
She shook her head no.
“You sure?”
A nod yes followed.
“How about later on tonight?”
She shrugged.
“Well… just so you know it. You can call her anytime you want. Okay?”
She sniffed and nodded again.
“Let me see that face.” Sylvia commanded playfully.
Reluctantly Angela looked up at her.
“Such a pretty face, with the most lovely eyes in the whole wide world… they should not be shedding tears. Let me wipe those away.”
Angela closed her eyes and let her.
“There… open your eyes.” Sylvia encouraged gently.
She did.
“Everything is going to be okay… all right? You believe me?”
Angela nodded again, and suddenly hugged Sylvia tight once again, wanting to believe it.
Shawn closed the basement door quietly and slowly turned carefully heading back down the stairs. He reached the bottom and finally took a deep breath, swallowing the lump in his throat. “Thank you God… thank you. Please… help me keep my family this time… please.”
Sylvia cooked breakfast while Angela showered and dressed. She decided to show that she could mix up some awesome pancakes as well. Did up some fresh strawberries, fried to golden brown breakfast link sausages, and soft scrambled their eggs. Sitting in the center of the table, a bottle of the maple syrup from his mom’s supply. She sat with the pleasure of watching them devour them. She ate a bit of eggs, and toast… not willing to chance anymore for fear of it making her meet the toilet again that morning. The three sat around the table talking about what ifs to Angela.
What if she was able to stay, who would be responsible for taking her to school every morning, and picking her up after school?
Shawn volunteered to take her… if…
Sylvia said she’d pick her up… if…
If… she was staying, she’d go to school in Tomah.
If that were the case, they agreed that both of them would go together to register her and meet with the teachers.
Angela decided to get some ifs of her own in.
“If I get to stay… do I get my own computer?”
“If you get to stay… no.” This came from Shawn.
“Aaah why not?”
“You can use my computer or Sylvia’s…but you don’t need your own, we’re not going to even start that. So if… you get to stay, you will be assigned a time period on my laptop… and while you’re on it… you will be in the room with Sylvia …or… myself.”
“Ach! I had my own computer when I was with mom.”
“Different parent, different home, different rules and guidelines… so if you get to stay, get ready for a change.”
Angela looked from her father to Sylvia. Who smiled and shrugged.
Breakfast was done, Angela was across the road helping her father pack up things to bring across to Sylvia’s, who was on the phone with her phone book open, the first person she decided to call… was home – Sheila.
“Gurl! What the hell… long time no hear from yo’ass! How you doin’?” She asked, married with four boys. Sheila was a plus size sister that thought the world revolved around her extra fine sweetness. Sylvia was laughing already just hearing her voice, she regretted not doing more to keep in touch with her, they hadn’t talked much since she left Chicago.
“I’m doin’ alright. What you got going on next weekend? Anything planned?”
“Hell naw! I ain’t got shit planned! My bored ass, hang’on a minute…” Sylvia shook her head as she heard her friend speak to her son, – “…do yo’ lil’ass hear me on the phone? Do you see me on the phone? Do I need to knock yo’ass out? Betta’ go watch TV while you can… messin’wit me while I’m on the phone, gone get you hurt!” – “Hey gurl, I’m back. Crazy ass kids… I sweah’fo’god… they act like they raised by wolves! No manners neither one of’em! Now… what’s this about next weekend?” She asked.
Sylvia shook her head, thinking she must be crazy.
“I’m getting married, you wanna come?”
“GETTIN’ MARRIED? To who? When?”
“Next weekend, Friday… I’m getting married.”
“TO – WHO?”
“To ummm, his name is – ummm, Shawn Everett McPherson.”
“Ah Shawn Everett Mc – Who? Who the hell is that?”
“My fiancé – you want to come or not?” Sylvia was trying to avoid telling her what she had a feeling was going to come out.
“Well come on now – where you meet him?”
“I met him here, he lives across the road from me.”
“You met him there?”
“Yep?”
“Ain’t nothin’ but white folk where you live! What is he?”
Sylvia paused, holding her breath, was about to say it when she heard,
“AH HELL NAW!! GURL! You ’bout to hook up with a white dude?! He white ain’t he? I know he is! Say it! He white ain’t he?”
Laughing Sylvia finally got it out, “Yes – he’s white.”
“AH SHIT YEAH I’M COMIN’! I got to inspect his ass! What he look like? Is he fine? Or is he some poin’dexter lookin’ mo’fo!?”
“Girl look! Don’t come here actin’ no fool! Don’t make me regret invitin’ yo’ butt! If you gone come, you got to act like you got some sense! Don’t be clownin’ and carryin’ on!”
“Look! The hell wit’ that! What he look like? I need to know!”
“Okay… let me think… ummm, okay… if you took, John Travolta, Tom Selleck and Clark Gable, and mixed them up in a bowl, and poured them into a 6’ft too fine body, you’d get my man!”
“AH HELL NAW!! AND YO’ ASS BRAGGIN’ TOO! What he look like for real!?”
“Kind’ah like that… dark hair… black in fact, 6’0, he’s an artist and a photographer. Blue/hazel eyes, muscles everywehre, emm um, good looking.” Sylvia giggled.
“How – the – hell … you fin’him?!”
“I told you, he live across the road!”
“Oooouuu chile… he any good in bed?” She asked lowering her voice so no one in her house could here.
“You crazy Sheila! Don’t worry what he like in bed.”
“Is he a freak? Do he like freaky sex? He kinky? Come on tell me?”
“I ain’t tellin’ you nothin’! And you ain’t invited no more!”
“Ah come on gurl, I’m just playin’… you gone invite me? Come on invite me? You done call me now! You might as well let me come. ‘Cause I wants to see me a Mr. John Tom Clark!”
Sylvia shook her head and rolled her eyes to the ceiling, “Look, all I ask is that you chill – his parents of course are going to be-…”
“You met his mama and daddy? What they like? I bet they said… “What the – HELL!” Didn’t they? Was they trippin’?!”
“No… they’re really nice, I like them. They like me.”
“They like you? They like yo’black ass? Have they seen yo’ass!”
“Of course – we met!”
“Aaah shit! Somethin’ wrong! Em um… gurl… I’on know. How he treat you? He good to’yah? ‘Cause excuse me, I know he was yo’babies daddy, but Armundo wadn’t shit! Gurl I couldn’t believe the shit you took from his no good ass! I hope you learned somethin’ from that motha’fucka’! ‘Cause I wanted to kick his ass… TEN times! So… how this one do you? He any better? Does he treat you right? ‘Cause if you gone go white – make sure he right! Don’t make no sense to go white, and still gotta fight! He don’t hit you do he? ‘Cause Armundo use to knock yo’ ass willy nilly! You didn’t know if you was comin’ or goin’ with that motha’fucka!”
“Sheila! Cease girlfriend on the cussin’! You can’t come here talking like that!”
“I’m sorry! Shit! Okay… I’ah work on that this week! Can I say shit and ass? I can curb a motha’fucka – and fuck… you know… but a shit and ass gone come out! I don’t know where, but its gone happen… and can I have one DAI – AM too?! Just one?”
Shawn and Angela came in the kitchen door to see Sylvia leaning on the counter laughing until tears were rolling.
“Girl look, I have to go. I got stuff to do, people to call.” Sylvia took a breath to say, with Shawn winking at her and smiling as he and Angela walked by with their arms full, Shawn carrying a box and Angela carrying some of his clothes on hangers. She was smiling and winked back at him.
“Naw naw naw naw – lemme’ take care of that fo’yah! I’ll get some people there!”
“Now see, Sheila… I don’t know… naaaw, I better take care-…!”
“Gurl look! I’m tellin’ you – I’ah take care of it… just leave this shit with me! I’ll have some motha’fu – ooops… see… I gotta curb that don’t I? That’s okay… gimme a week! I’ah be straight by next weekend! Come on Sylvia… let me invite the girls!”
“Who?”
“You know… our’lil circle! Our sweety Vivian, Ellen and Edwina… they’ll come! Vivian gone be mad at yo’ass!”
“Why? What did I do?” Sylvia asked.
“Gurl – she been trying to hook herself a white man for a while now! Wait ’til she hear about yo’ass! An’ he fine too! Aaah hell yeah! She gone be mad! He got any brothers?”
Sylvia groaned.
“Do he?”
“Yes… but both are taken.”
“They married?”
“Well one is, the other one is in a long term relationship.”
“Ah hell… forget that! That shit don’t count! You got to get his ass to the alta’ – fo’ that shit to count! Is he fine?!”
“Sheila – I have to go!”
“Okay okay… you gonna send me a invite!? Can I invite the girls? Come on, just them three!”
“Yes Sheila! I’ll send you an invite! But I’m tellin’ you now – don’t yah’ll get up here and embarrass me – actin’ crazy!”
“Negro please – we know how to act! I’m goin’ get my shit done – UP! Got to get me somethin’ new to wear! ‘Cause you know I’m gone be sharp! BYE! I got to go! Send my shit Sylvia! Don’t make me have to call you for my invite! I gotta get on the phone… ooooweee – wait’til they hear!”
{{ Click }}
Chapter 56
Before Dawn – L.A…
Oscar stood stretching in his running clothes watching the sun rise, he’d run his usual distance that morning, this time further. He took several deep breaths, checking his watch, his heart was pounding with the knowledge that now was the time to back out, if he was going to. Once he made the phone call on the cheap cell phone with the top-up card, used by men like him for just this purpose, that would be it. He inhaled deep and blew out slowly several times. Seeing his “daughter” in his minds eye. He shook his head, “No… not my daughter. Not mine, not mine.” He repeated over and over as he blew out again, his stomach rioting from within. He bent over with his hands braced on his knees. Running the plan through his mind again. Replaying it in his head. Everything had to go according to plan. Once he’d gotten it in his head how he wanted it carried out, he went over the plan with the hired man. To organize it had taken, time, money and many resources. With what it was costing him, nothing could go wrong. He’d seen to all possible angles to assure it looked the way he imagined.
He stood and walked towards the mansion, taking his time – it would be a 3 mile walk, so he made it at his leisure, and did the unforgivable… he dialled the number.
“Yeah…” His man answered at the other end, he’d been waiting in the park across town, using a similar phone.
There was a pause, a distinctive nervous swallow, and finally. “Set it up.”
“I’ve already made the phone calls. Everything is basically in place. I just need to know when?”
Again the silence, then, “I’m trying to make up my mind am I out of town or not. It depends on that.”
“What’s on your agenda?”
“My wife and I have to be at the opening of a new branch in Texas, we’ll be leaving for it Wednesday, returning on Friday.”
“Sounds like a good day. Friday nights, you know the types… drinking, drugs, the perfect setting for things to go too far.”
“I don’t wish to hear anymore. Just take care of it. No slip ups.”
“Its done.”
* * *
Later in L. A…
Maxwell stepped slowly up the porch steps of his latest. The hood was jumping with his boys scattered about prelude to a get together at the park, but here he was, deciding whether he was going to kiss ass again or not. He knocked on the loose screen door, looking inside and smiling at the senior black man grumbling at his grandson who was begging at that moment.
“Come on gran’ gimme the remote. I’on wanna watch this… can’t I watch some MTV?” Lil’Kenny asked.
“Hell naw! I’m watchin’ dis! Goddamn music don’t sound like shit no mo’ no way! Hell naw! Gone get yo’lil ass on way from me now! I’m watchin’ my moive! Come on in boy – you ain’t got to knock if I see’s yah! Come on.” Mr. Reynolds called out to Maxwell who smiled opening the door to enter.
“Don’ nobody wanna watch no ol’black an’ white movies gran’… that old stuff – don’t even look right… lease you could do is watch somethin’ in color!” Lil’Kenny, Maxwell’s girlfriend’s son complained with his lip poked out. Maxwell leaned in the doorway, smiling down at the arguing two.
“Why you got’ta have color to enjoy a movie? Ain’t no good movies now’a’day no way – color o’not! Yah’ll got to have all thems o’fects and stuff… can’t no body act! Ain’t got to, just special o’fect! Whole got’damn brain dead gene’ation! Don’t know shit! Can’t be tol’ shit! Ain’t got shit t’learn! An’ the shit you do know, ain’t shit worth knowin’!”
“Gran’ I’on wanna hear dis… can’t I just watch my videos?”
“Naw! Sit yo’ass down heah and watch this movie! See dis’? It may be black and white… but it still go on today!” Mr. Reynolds started with Maxwell waiting and listening.
“Ain’t no body ridin’ ’round on no horses no more gran’!”
“It ain’t the horses boy! What you know Max? What you thank?”
“I’on know Mr. Reynolds… what you talkin’ ’bout?!”
“The white man, that’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout! He ain’t never changed! See that right there… he still doin’ that shit… but yah’ll just don’t know it. ‘Cause yah’ll busy watching MTV – and them stupid ass o’fect movies!” He announced.
Lil’Kenny laughed. “Gran’ that’s special affects!”
“Don’t be correctin’ me boy! Don’t matter… still nonsense! It don’t teach yah’nothin’. Just distract you from what’s really goin’ on.” He said peering at the TV screen.
Maxwell leaned to the side and looked at the TV. It was an old black and white cowboy movie, showing Indians attacking a ranch, shooting and killing the land owners.
“I don’t get it… its just a’old movie.” Maxwell commented gently.
“Thank you… that’s what I said!” Lil’Kenny spoke up.
“Both o’yah wrong. Ain’t Indians at all… it’s white men with Indian clothes on and paint on they faces, pretending to be Indians.” He informed them.
“Annnnd – sooo – what’s the big deal gran’?” Lil’Kenny asked shaking his head and rolling his eyes with no patience for the older man.
Maxwell looked to Mr. Reynolds for the reply.
“The big deal is… he still doin’ it.”
“Who?” Maxwell asked.
“The white man! Sabotagin’ a whole nation of people… so to get what he want. May be a ol’movie… but they still doin’ it, ridin’ in wreaking havoc, and leaving behind his crime for some body else t’take the blame.”
Maxwell looked at his watch, then at the back of the house. “Where your mama at? She knew I was comin’.” Max stated having no comment about Mr. Reynolds thoughts on the old movie, he wanted to get going, meet up with his posse.
“Yeah… don’t pay me no ‘tention… yah’ll just go on wit’ muckin’ up yo’lives… hanging out like a bunch of know nothin’s goin’ no where.” Mr. Reynolds fussed.
“I’m not ignoring you Mr. Reynolds, I just don’t understand what you gettin’ at?”
“Watch’yo’ back boy! That’s what I’m gettin’ at! Pay ‘tention t’what goin’ on ’round here! Ya’damn near thirty if not! What you got goin’ fo’you? ‘Specially waitin’ on that one…she dead end too.”
“Thanks gran’… how nice of you to say.” Moniqua appeared looking from her son to her grandfather, then turning slanted eyes at Maxwell. “What you want?” She asked even though she knew.
“Keep this shit up and it won’t be you.” He returned.
Her son and grandfather laughed at the cut.
“Boy that’some cold line shit there…” Mr. Reynolds laughed, unconcerned with his granddaughters displeasure, he didn’t much like her anyway, user that she was, always trying to get something out of a man instead of doing for herself. “…Yes – you bes’ pay ‘tention boy – you might learn somethin’.” Mr. Reynolds further chortled. His granddaughter stormed out the door onto the porch so that she and Maxwell could speak privately. Mr. Reynolds wasn’t done with him yet so stopped him asking, “So how that brother of yo’in doin’?”
Maxwell stopped before going out the door behind Moniqua, “He’s fine Mr. Reynolds.”
“Still doin’ that lawyer stuff?”
“Yes sir he is.”
“Now that one there… he know what goin’ on-… bet he be watchin’ these black and white movies-…”
“Did you come here to talk to him – or me!” Moniqua snapped from waiting on the porch.
Mr. Reynolds shook his head and looked away from Maxwell – freeing him to go outside.
“Mama… can I come out yet? I ain’t got nothing to do.” Lil’Kenny whined following Maxwell to the door.
“Boy don’t ask me that again! Yo’ ass is on punishment until further goddamn notice! Now back in that door… NOW!”
Max stepped out walking pass her to one of the lower steps to look up at her. For all her plump prettiness, she was a constant nagger. Never satisfied, always demanding more, talking to him in her belittling condescending way. It was getting old – fast.
“I’m gone tell you right now… I don’t appreciate you dissin’ me in front of my son… and my grandfather! Who the hell you think you are Maxwell! You ain’t shit! Despite that fact, I treat you good anyway! Um hmm, yeah… that’s right – cause you know when you need yo’shit seen to, ain’t no woman take care of it like me! You said you was gone start lookin’ for us somewhere to move! You know I’m tired of living here! Puttin’ up with that ol’man! I called you three times yesterday! I missed a goddamn job interview trying to find yo’ ass-…”
“Any excuse will do – t’miss a job interview won’t it?” He asked walking down the remaining two steps.
“Where you going? Where’s the money you said you was gone bring me? You said you’d loan me a hundred dollars to get those shoes and jacket for Lil’Kenny!?”
“Well where the fuck is big’Kenny?! When you gone get money from his ass?” He asked digging in his pocket to peel off the money, giving her a hundred fifty. If she asked for twenty, she really meant forty. He remembered the first few times he gave her exact amounts, she looked at him as if he were being cheap. So automatically, he gave more now.
“If I knew where that sonofabitch was… I would! Don’t get all bent out of shape, I’m gone pay you back!” She lied.
“Whatevah… I better see the boy with new shoes and a jacket too! Bet not be no goodwill shit!”
“Ain’t nothing wrong wit’ goodwill! Where you going? You just got here!?”
“I got things to do… I’ll see you later.”
“You ain’t going no where but to hang with them shiftless, gangbangin’ worthless ass niggas! You need to be tryin’ to find us a place to stay so we can get the hell up out’ah this goddamn neighborhood!”
“I tell you what, you get a job… we’ll get a place.” He announced walking to his car.
“Why I got to get a job!? Why can’t you pay the rent and shit? I’ll be taking care of home, having your kids and shit! That’s what’s wrong wit’ niggas today, yah’ll want a woman to do every god-damn thing! Excuse me! I’m talking to you?!” She blasted stepping down off the porch with her hands on her hips. Max held up a hand to her, deciding the visit had gone on long enough, he opened his car door and sat inside with her walking up to it.
“You know what… you ain’t right, all you come to me for is a piece o’ass-…”
“What?! I ain’t get shit! Gettin’ so I don’t want shit! Costin’ me too goddamn much money anyway! I can get more done from a ho’, won’t cost me as much and I don’t have to listen to all the bullshit with it!”
“Yeah and that’s why H.I.V. on the rise baby! That shit ain’t nothing to play with! Gettin’ this here may cost you more, but you get to keep your shit when you get up!”
“Yeah yeah yeah – whatever… peace – I’m out!” Wasting not another moment, Max started the car and pulled off.
Moniqua turned with a smile on her face, folded her money sticking it into her cleavage and walked back into the house.
“You gone get my shoes now mama?” Lil’Kenny asked, overhearing some of the conversation.
“You gone have to wait boy! I ain’t got no money!”
Maxwell went into cruise mode listening to his Tupac’s disk mix that he’d made up himself, he was heavy into Tupac, the man and his message always gave him a source for serious contemplation. There were times when he wished he had applied some of the direction Jeremiah gave him. Here he was 32 years old with no direction or course for his life. He drove and studied his surroundings, the people he passed everyday, people who had been there yesterday, and would be in the same place tomorrow if not cut down by a stray bullet. If something didn’t change in his life… he’d be in the same place as well existing through each hour of a 24 hour day, waiting for nothing… to happen in his life.
His ring-tone went off, “What up?” He answered.
“Care to meet me for dinner?” Jeremiah asked from the other end.
“Naw… don’t feel like no tie-on today B.”
“I’ll dress down.”
“Say what? You lonely for some company? You need to get you a woman.”
“Don’t have the time for one – so what’s it gonna be?”
“Ah’ight – where?”
“What you feeling?”
“Man, how ’bout some rib tips?”
“Max… there’s more to food and cuisine than pork ribs. How about seafood or Asian.”
“Man! What you ask me fo’then?”
“Alright alright alright -where?”
“Why’on we pick up some and hit the beach to eat?”
Jeremiah sighed, he didn’t care for eating in his car or off of his lap, but he needed some family time, he was feeling down. Their mother on his mind constant lately. “Alright, I guess I’d better dress down even more… where?”
“Woody’s at the-…”
“I don’t think so…you know I don’t venture into that part of town. Hit Phillips and I’ll pay you back.”
“Psh! Man… I got it! Where we meetin’?”
“Venice beach – meet you at Point Dume pavilions.”
“Ah’ight – lemme’ hook up with my boys, see you there in about an hour?”
“Yes… good enough.”
Hour and a half later, the brothers sat next to each other, the cool breeze of the beach, full with beach scents and sounds caressing them as they enjoyed this rare time together. One sucking sauce off his finger tips, the other struggling to enjoy because sauce was getting on his finger tips. “Man just pick it up and eat it! ‘Nother black man ruined by the corporate ladder, money and the white worl’!”
Jeremiah cut his brother a sideways glance, watching him as he crunched the rib tip white cartilage, sucking at every bit of juice there, then grabbing three fingers full of greens and corn bread, tossing his head back to drop it into his mouth.
Maxwell could feel his eyes on him, “What? Man don’t look at me while I’m eatin’!”
“No… I shouldn’t, puts me off my own, fact is… you can take this with you. I’ll pick something up later.”
“Hey… you know I’ah eat it… leave it, roll up that bag.”
Jeremiah did so, using the napkin provided to clean the sticky sauce from his fingers, distaste clear in his expression as he wiped it away. Checking his manicured nails and signet ring for any trace of it.
“So… what’s up?” Max asked still munching, his mouth full.
“Nothing much… I needed a bit of a break, thought we could get together. You stayin’ out of trouble?”
“‘Till tomorrow, or the day it come up on me. Ain’t like I’m lookin’ for it, shit just be happenin’.”
“Still not ready to take my advice hm?”
“Naaaw, can’t make up my mind what I want… not yet.”
“You’re 32 years old, with nothing keeping you from a better life but yourself.”
“Em hm, and what’s up wit’ you? All this shit you talkin’ old. What’s on yo’mind.” Max cut to the quick.
Jeremiah pulled his eyes away to gaze out at the surf.
“I’m trying to think of how to approach Deidre Wherrington. I need to get my foot into that business, something’s going on with them – I just know it. For her to move out – I don’t know… something’s not right.”
“Shit, she pro’bly tired of living with mom and pops.”
“Maybe… following her divorce, I figured she’d be there forever.”
“So what you thankin’? You gone strike somethin’ up wit’ah?”
“It’s a thought…if she was anything but white, I might… but I don’t like white women.”
“Yeah right nigga! I know you done had a few… you liked it that much!”
Jeremiah cut him a glance, Max knew what he felt about him using the term, ‘nigga’.
“Yeah I said, nigga… all yo’goddamn education, money and prestige don’t change a thang.”
Jeremiah sighed deciding not to get distracted by that, “Look… I need you to tell me what the feeling was when you were moving her into that flat. Did it seem there was a man in her life by anything she said or did?”
“Man how I’m suppose t’know that? I wasn’t there long, she was there with another woman, a friend I guess helping her unpack her shit.”
“How did she look?”
“Phat! Too fine and preoccupied.”
“You hear anything about anything on the business?”
“Naw man, she was movin’ in! All I heard was sit that here, put that there!”
Jeremiah’s mind was ticking and calculating. “I guess I’m just going to have to bump into her.”
Max chuckled shaking his head. “Man you got too much of yo’life wrapped around them people. You need to move on.”
“I’ll move on… when everything they have… belongs to me, then I’ll move on.”
“Mama dead Jeremiah… mama dead. Why don’t you let her rest in peace. You talk all that shit ’bout what I do in the street, but you know what… you doing the same shit. No different, we settle shit with guns, you settle with money… either way, its still about ruinin’ peoples lives – its all bullshit. ‘Till you realize that, you can’t tell me shit!”
Jeremiah didn’t like mirrors held up before him, especially when Max was holding it. He loved his brother… half brother or not. But there were times, when he resented him. His whole lack of passion on things that should mean something to him, meant nothing. They both stood, they’d never really had a close relationship, although the ties between them kept them in close contact, one watching the others back.
“Look… I’mo get. Meet up wit’ my boys, you need me – you know how to reach me.” Max leaned to his brother and they hugged.
“Yeah… I know how to reach you.”
They parted ways, one stepping with a stride that spoke of his street life, the other strode off with an erect stride that was equally as proud. Neither realizing that over the horizon – a change for them both was about to come.
Chapter 57
Sylvia sat grinning, driving along on the highway towards La Crosse as Angela’s head bobbed back and forth to the beat of ‘Billi Jean’, she was surprised to see that her head bobbing was in perfect rhythm to the song. They had more shopping to do, this time it was coming out of her pocket and not Shawn’s. Not that he would have minded, but she wouldn’t even consider asking him for his card again. She shook her head realizing they had so much to discuss, having already talked that afternoon about Angela. They were spending and not watching their dollars. Before him, she had lived on a strict budget, carefully counting every dime, nickel and penny. It was necessary if she intended to never have to work for anyone else again. Especially considering that neither she nor Shawn were rich. They’re good fortune was that everything they had, was mostly paid for. All of her things were paid for, as well as all of his things and vehicles. But they had taxes, utilities, and maintenance to pay for. She was living off of interest, but she had to be careful because it was easy to slip off too deep into it. She had to live low and careful for the next 6 months and then her interest would have built up enough to generate a weekly amount that she could live off of a bit more comfortably and not worry about working.
Shawn had money in the bank, close to a half a mil. Two hundred thousand in cash from what Merriam Styles left him, which had been growing interest over the years that he would not touch and hadn’t needed to. Then there was close to three hundred and fifty thousand from the home he’d sold that he and Deidre had bought and moved into. In their parting, she took all of the houses content, which was valued in total to half a million, because of her extravagant taste, feeling it only fair that he should get the money from the house since Merriam had paid for half of it as a gift to them before she’d been found dead. As his mother and father had done, they would as well, leave two hundred and fifty thousand for their children’s future. That’s what he wanted, she admired and respected that in him. So the rest would be used to toward the bed and breakfast, and the home they were having built, setting a budget of two hundred thousand and no more for their home. Sylvia felt uneasy about that, because by the time taxes were paid and when she thought about what it would take to keep their home running, and invest and supply the bed and breakfast, she felt shaky. They had a baby on the way, Angela was with them now, and she wasn’t working. She knew how much money just a years worth of living could eat up it they weren’t careful. Shawn assured her that what he made on contract for the James’ publishing company would easily cover their expenses – because of her, he’d signed up with them, so income would be steady.
She just wanted to get beyond their marriage ceremony. Shawn wanted them to go on a honeymoon, she’d said no way. They would worry about a vacation after the bed and breakfast was done and the house was built, and then all was taken care of, after that… if there was money left for a vacation or honeymoon later… then they could take one. Shawn could already see, she was a bit tight about money. She didn’t care what he thought, he had two credit cards to pay on, and she had two herself, one of them already maxed. His credit cards scared her because of the credit limit on them, one of them was a platinum with up to sixty-five thousand dollars in credit. The numbers terrified her. She had good credit and she was not about to let anything destroy it. She’d seen too many friends go nuts because they thought they had excess… and then the next thing they knew, they were over their heads in debt. She and Armundo had been in debt like that as well at one time, because he handled the money and refused to relinquish the handling of it to her. Then he’d some how gotten a loan and they paid off everything. Not long after that… he had his accident. His life insurance had set her up the rest of the way to be financially stable. Even so, she was careful. After all of this was done, they were going on a strict budget…period. The last thing that she wanted was to have to work for someone else again. Her dream was to be a published author and although it was on the back burner again… temporarily, she had every intention of fulfilling that by completing a novel and getting it published. To have Shawn come into her life as well, who was a book cover artist, working for Pen-tab publishing, the James’ was just perfect, now she only needed to write that best seller.
“So you like Michael Jackson hm?”
“My dad… LOVES Michael Jackson! There’s this one song, if my dad hears it, he’ll start dancing to it.”
“Really? What song is that?” Sylvia asked, unable to envision Shawn dancing to fast songs. He moved really well to slow songs, leading with soft music, but she hadn’t imagined him dancing to fast music.
“Oh – oh – oh…” Angela was tapping her head trying to remember the name of it. “I can’t remember it…but its from when he was with the Jackson Five, because they all sing in it I think.”
“So its a fast song?”
“Yeah…and he’ll dance if he hears it.”
“Oh my goodness, we have to find that song, I gotta see him dance, especially at our reception.”
“He has it Sylvia… you just have to look through all of his albums, its on them, he keeps saying he’s going to put them to CD but he hasn’t yet. I don’t think so.”
“Hmmm, well, when we get back home, we’ll go over and find it. So tell me, what kind of music do you like?”
“Hip hop, rap – I think I wanna sing it one day.” She informed Sylvia smiling.
“Oh do you? So, can you sing?” She asked enjoying the time they shared together. Angela was easy company, bright and loving, always eager to help her out. Enjoying a hug here and there through the day.
“Yeah… a little I think.” She confessed cautiously.
“Let me hear something?” Sylvia encouraged as they drove.
“Nooo I can’t.” She was too embarrassed and unsure.
“Well if you can’t sing in front of me, how will you sing for other people?”
Angela smiled and shrugged. “Can you sing Sylvia?”
“A little bit.”
“You sing something then.”
“You may not enjoy what I like to sing.” Sylvia returned.
“I don’t care…sing something anyway.” Angela coaxed.
“Okay… I’ll sing you my daughters favorite song. Mundo liked me to sing it to him as well, he just won’t admit it.”
“Okay…sing.” Angela eagerly pushed.
Sylvia looked ahead and started smooth and sweet her favorite song, “Summertime.” Angela was taken so by surprise that her mouth opened to a silent wow. As she sat listening, she realized that Sylvia couldn’t sing just a little…Sylvia could sing beautifully. Her voice filled the car and made her catch her breath as each note was reached and executed to perfection, when she finished a few moments later and looked at Angela, she was sitting wide eyed and amazed.
“Please teach me to sing that good too Sylvia…please!?”
Sylvia laughed, “You want to sing hip hop… that’s a bit different.”
“I like that song Sylvia, sing it again… please.”
Just as Sylvia was about to treat her again, her cell phone rang. “Answer that sweety, I’m driving.”
Angela went into Sylvia’s purse, grabbed the phone and pressed the talk button, “Hello? This is Sylvia’s phone.” She answered like a little secretary, and then turned and looked at Sylvia with wide smiling eyes, as someone talked to her through the phone.
“Hi! Is this Angela?” Crystal asked.
“Yes… hi.”
“Are you and my mom on your way to La Crosse?” Crystal asked her.
“Yes, we’re going shopping for me a dress to wear to the wedding.” She told her.
Sylvia smiled watching her, she was glowing from talking to Crystal.
“Cool! That means I get to meet you today! I need my mom to do me a favor…can you pass her the phone?”
“Oh good, I would love to meet you today…okay… here she is.” Angela announced, passing Sylvia the phone. Sylvia could see her eyes light up with excitement.
“What’ah’yah need now?” Sylvia asked as soon as she put the phone to her ear.
Crystal started laughing, “Now mama what kind of way is that to answer a phone?! How you know I need something, maybe I just wanna say hello and I love you.” Crystal laughed.
“Em hm, and I love you too… now what you want?” Sylvia asked matter of fact.
“Okay… this is the deal, our car’s engine is gone, threw a rod. Its gonna cost us five hundred eighty-nine to fix it, plus labor. We kind of got it, almost all of it, but we need two hundred more.”
Sylvia sighed, yep… they were definitely getting on a budget.
“Yeah ah’right, I’m coming that way anyway.”
“I know, and that’s the next thing.”
“What’s the next thing?” Sylvia asked.
“See, our car is going to be in the shop for a week or more, so we need a car to drive, Shawn already said we could use yours and you can drive his SUV.”
“When he say that?!” Sylvia snapped.
“Just a few minutes ago when I called to talk to you. He said you were coming to La Crosse to buy things for the wedding. I told him what was going on with us, and he said you probably wouldn’t mind loaning us your car until ours got fixed and you could drive his SUV.”
“I know you trippin’! Shawn is too! You know I don’t loan my car out!”
“Come on mama, let me get the car. How we gonna get to school and to work?”
“Can’t you rent a car?”
“It cost too much. Our insurance is just liability.”
“Girl… I don’t like driving no body else’s car either!”
“Ma… hellooo, he’s gonna be your husband… I think its okay for you to drive his vehicle.”
“Girl, I’m telling you now… you all better be careful driving my car! And do not… I repeat – DO NOT – let Mundo drive my car! He is too reckless! Do you understand me?!”
“Yes… I already said that to him. So can you come and get me and the boys, because I need to get me something to wear too, and then I can drive you back home.”
“Yeah girl!” She clicked off the phone and shook her head. Realizing suddenly that Angela and her daughter were about to meet, and Angela’s tendency to speak her mind, something occurred to her. “Um Angela, I need you to do me a favor sweety. This is really important.”
“Em hm?” She nodded and mumbled looking to Sylvia to hear what.
“I don’t want you to mention that your father and I are going to have a baby to Crystal. I want to tell her, okay… because I need to ummm…shoot – just… do me that favor and let me handle it, okay?”
“Okay. Will she be mad at you?”
“Well, how can I explain this? You see when I was raising her Angela, I insisted upon certain principles and morals. I insisted that she carry herself a certain way that would keep her from looking back on her life with regret. I tried really hard to guard her from making mistakes that would make her feel bad about herself later in life. Like… for instance, I honestly believe that it is better all the way around, for every aspect of ones life, to remain a virgin until you’re married.”
“Oh.” Angela responded.
“You know what a virgin is?” Sylvia asked.
“Someone who hasn’t had sex before.”
“Yes… exactly. When boys lose their virginity, no one bats an eye. But no matter how far we proceed into a modern world, a woman is still categorized and slotted by how she carries herself. I always told my daughter, to place the value of what she is, really really high, so high, that it would take a special kind of man to reach it. Because the man that could reach it, is deserving of the prize that a woman can only give once in her life. Holding onto ones virginity can be a source of pride, dignity and self-respect. Anyway, because of me drilling that into her head, she might be upset with me, that I’m pregnant and your dad and I aren’t married.”
“Oh…I see. But – you had sex before Sylvia, you have kids already… so its okay for you.”
Sylvia sighed. “No Angela… I don’t want you thinking its okay. I should have stood strong and not gotten so caught up with your dad that I lost my conviction. Granted, I wasn’t a virgin, but its the principle of the matter.” She finished thinking about it.
“So…does that mean, since you’re like my mother now, that you want me to stay a virgin too until I’m married?”
“Yes… I would like you to. There’s nothing I can do to assure that you will, but I will always be here to talk to. And I would really love it, if you always always talked to me before you made any decisions that will alter your lifestyle for your future. I can’t force you to do the right things in life Angela, but I can always hope with all my heart that you will. I promise you this, I will never lie to you. I will always tell you the truth straight up the way it is. The truth is, I should not be pregnant right now. Your father and I should have waited until we were married.”
They both fell quiet thinking.
Then Angela said after a few minutes, “I’m glad that you love my daddy so much that you couldn’t wait. Because maybe you wouldn’t be having a baby now if you did and I want you to have this baby Sylvia – I don’t care if its a boy or a girl… as long as we get to keep it.”
“Aaah, you are so sweet. But in two years, maybe three, hormones are going to possess you, so… for now, I’m going to enjoy you while I can.” Sylvia cooed, stroking her hair. Angela looked up at her strange not at all understanding. Sylvia laughed, “Later, you will understand.” Thirty minutes later they pulled into La Crosse and Sylvia went straight to her daughters.
“Oh my goodness look at her! She just like her daddy! Man! Hi again Angela!” Crystal smiled brightly.
Angela was all teeth meeting her “older sister” for the first time. She thought Crystal was beautiful. She was lighter in complexion than Sylvia, a light caramel color, with light brown eyes and braids in her hair to her shoulder blades, she looked a lot like DJ and said it “You look like DJ… my tia Meribel’s oldest son.”
“I do? Well I can’t wait to meet him.” She said as Isaac and Darren stared at Angela, she sat on the sofa next to them when Isaac said, “You a kid just like me. I’m almost big as you. Why you wit’ my grandma?”
“That’s because she lives with me now Isaac, she’s my baby now.” Sylvia informed him and then pulled Angela to her, hugging her to see what he would do.
“She not no baby…Darren the baby, grandma! She a girl.” He corrected her. Crystal and Sylvia laughed at him, “Come on boy put on your shoes so we can go.” Crystal ordered. Darren kept leaning forward to look at Angela and then falling back laughing. Victor was in the room sleeping because he had to work nights and Mundo was gone. Mother and daughter talked as Angela got to know Isaac and Darren. In no time at all, it was clear to see that Darren had taken to her and she was eager to carry him around as they all loaded into Sylvia’s car, buckling in the car seat and setting off for the shopping they had to do. Crystal talked to Angela getting to know her better and decided that she would take her along when she and Victor took his young brother and sisters to Six Flaggs.
“Girl… you have to get Shawn to agree to that, I don’t know about that one. How long you all gonna be gone?” Sylvia asked as they walked the mall with Angela looking on the verge of begging to go with her.
“For two days, it’ll be fun for her mama! She don’t wanna be staying around yah’ll all day everyday! She need to have some fun too you know.”
“As if we’re not gonna see to her entertainment, I did with you and Mundo didn’t I?”
“Yeah but you too old now mama to be doing stuff like that! You ain’t gone be going on no rides at Six Flaggs and stuff. So yah’ll just have to get use to me coming and getting her on the weekends so she can come and stay with me when we do stuff.”
“Oh yes!” Angela eagerly agreed.
Sylvia shook her head, “As I said… you gone have to talk to her daddy about that.” She returned as they turned into a jeweller, going to the display case with the wedding sets and rings.
“Hi… can I help you?” The clerk asked.
“Yes… I need a mans wedding band today… I must leave here with it, and it has to be able to fit my thumb loosely, that’s his size for his ring finger.” Sylvia commanded and the clerk, Angela and Crystal went about selecting Shawn’s wedding band. The one all agreed that was the nicest, had to be resized, the clerk promised it would be back in 4 days. Sylvia was a nervous wreck. “There cannot be a delay… this ring must be back and ready to go in four days, or else I don’t get to put a ring on my husband’s finger and that is just unacceptable!”
“I assure you, it will be ready in four days… that won’t be a problem at all.” The clerk promised.
“Don’t worry mama, I can pick it up for you too, so it’ll be fine.”
Sylvia was growing more and more nervous as the day drew near. They finished shopping, finding Angela the perfect dress, stockings, under-things and shoes. She also stopped in to one of the salons and had her some bangs cut and her ends trimmed. If that weren’t enough, Angela wanted her ears pierced, which Sylvia thought strange that it hadn’t been done already, and let her get her ears pierced, telling Angela the first ‘No’ from her when she asked for two holes in each ear. Crystal found herself an outfit, which Sylvia ended up paying for as well. Four and a half hours later they pulled back up to the house.
Unloading the car, Isaac saw Shawn and lit up like a Christmas tree. “Hey man! How you doin’!”
The greeting sent all of them into laughter as Shawn scooped him up laughing and rubbing his stomach. “I’m straight! What’s up with you?” Shawn asked.
“You can ride me on yo’ moto’cycle if you want to?!”
“No Isaac – not today, we have to get back!” Crystal informed him helping her mother with her things. Before she left, she told Shawn about her plans in two weeks, asking could she take Angela with them for the two days. Shawn’s eyes got big, she could see he was battling with it.
“I promise you, I will be super careful with her. Believe me, I will watch her like a hawk! Believe it or not, I’m probably more protective than my mother, she’ll be safe.”
“Please daddy please… please let me go… oh please?!”
Shawn looked from Angela to Crystal.
“Let me think about it okay? I mean… two days?”
“Look… I know she’s your little girl and you’re right for protecting her the way you are, but there is always gonna be a time when you’re not going to be there for her. Something can happen to her at school. Something could have happened when she left earlier with my mom. I can reassure you this, I will not let her out of my sight. She will be with two other little girls her age, and one boy, Victors little brother and sisters, and they’re good kids, they’re mom is like my mom. Anyway… think about it, but if you think too long – you won’t do it, because your imagination will kick in with all the what ifs. Its up to you, I gotta go. See you guys later, thank you Shawn and mom for the car… I’ll take good care of it. Bye bye Angela, we gone get together lil’sis… don’t you worry.”
Angela followed her all the way outside helping her get the boys in the car leaving Shawn and Sylvia in the kitchen.
“You know what… I was prepared for everything from the time she was born till now… but it just occurred to me, she’s not a baby anymore. She already wants to go off and do things, what the hell am I suppose to do now?” He asked Sylvia.
“What every other parent has to do, get ready to slowly, carefully, gradually…in time… let go. Remember what you told me? Now its your turn to realize it.”
That night, they had the talk with Angela, letting her know that her mother had given him custody of her, after she came down from the roof in overwhelming joy, they discussed what they expected from her. Shawn spoke as Sylvia sat by listening as silent support.
“Now I want you to know right now, that what we expect from you is really simple. Obedience. If Sylvia tells you something, you do it. Keep your room clean, help her pick up around here, attend school, set goals for yourself, then reach them. You get home, out of your clothes, grab a snack if you want, and then get on your homework. If you have homework that needs doing on the computer, let me know… I’ll connect the laptop for you here on the kitchen table. Sylvia and I have discussed something else as well. You’re going to end up with friends, and really good ones. They’re welcome to come here and visit as long as you ask first. We don’t want them just showing up. I have work to do here as well Sylvia, so you’ll have to clear it first so one of us can be in supervision. Spending nights over someone’s else’s house, no… no… no… firm – set – unyieldingly no! That will be until the day you turn eighteen, or maybe seventeen… we’ll see. But for now… absolutely not. So don’t ever ask. If that friend wants to sleep here, and their parent lets them… that’s fine on the weekend if we don’t have plans.”
Angela stared a moment, sighed and then asked. “What about slumber parties?”
“If its not here… no.”
“Well what about at Uncle Derricks, or at Crystal’s?”
“Certain family members…yes. Your grandma’s – yes. Derricks, yes – Crystal as well, I think that will be fine. But that’s it.” Shawn was very straight forward and unyielding. Sylvia almost felt sorry for her if it wasn’t for the fact that she agreed with all, because the spending nights out was stopped by her. She was the one that gave Shawn all the reasons why she didn’t agree with letting her child sleep elsewhere, when she was done – he was behind her one hundred percent.
“Now… in return, what you can expect from us is this. Absolute unconditional love, protection, support, guidance and fun. We will make arrangements to do things together. Often meeting up with Derrick and Meribel, as well Crystal. You’ll also have time to spend with your mom. So I think with all things considered, you’ll be pretty busy. Now…its your turn, what would you like from us?” Shawn sat back and pulled Sylvia to his side, she leaned there, remaining quiet and waited.
“What would I like?” She asked, surprised to hear that she had options.
“Yep…what would you like?” Shawn repeated.
“Can we go to the movies? I hardly ever went to the movies when I was with mom.”
“Can do. Movies is a go.”
“Annnd, can we have Chinese food once a week? And pizza too? I like pizza!”
“Yep! Can do.”
“Annnd, can we go bike riding? I never got to go bike riding.”
“Can do… bike riding – sure.”
“Annnd, can I play my music loud sometimes and dance?”
“Sure you can… weekends, Fridays. Once a month… you can have a little get together if you like, that is if nothing has been planned.”
“YES! Annnd… can I have a dog? A cat? A bird? One of those little monkey’s with the funny eyes? And a rabbit?”
Shawn and Sylvia both sat staring at her, not so quick to answer. They looked at each other at the same time, dreading the thought.
“Sylvia… you already said I could… remember?”
Sylvia whimpered a sigh.
“Okay… how about this, lets wait on the dog until the baby’s a year old. The cat as well, but you can have the bird now and the rabbit now. As for the monkey… ummm, no. No monkey’s.”
“Aaah-uh! Why do we have to wait on the dog and cat till the baby’s a year old?!”
“Because we want the dog to get used to the sounds of a baby very early in its life. We also need to wait until we have everything taken care of with the house and the bed and breakfast, once all is in order and we know what our schedule and lives will be like, we can squeeze in the dog and cat.”
“Hmmmm? Okay… bird, rabbit…annnd fish! Can I have a big aquarium in place of the dog and cat?”
“Oh yeah! I think that’s a good idea!” Sylvia perked up. “I’ve always wanted an aquarium.”
“Okay… good enough. An aquarium it is. Angela, your assignment now – is to do research on aquariums. There are several different kinds, research and find out what it takes to keep them – how much it will cost everything… once you can show me thorough research done, and lay out a plan for the choice you’ve made… we’ll go for it.”
“Well I need you to hook up the laptop then.”
“Tomorrow, it’s bedtime now.”
In her room, in bed, Sylvia and Shawn sat with her talking about the rest of the week until it was time for them to leave her. They stood when she called out to Sylvia. “Sylvia, please… sing that song again… the one Crystal likes so much. I bet my dad will like it too.”
Sylvia chuckled shaking her head at her, “Okay… but you’ll have to get over your shyness and sing for me too once or twice.”
“I will Sylvia… but sing that song again…. I want my dad to hear it.” She pleaded gently.
Shawn was in the doorway where he had stopped when she called out to Sylvia, he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned in the door waiting. He hadn’t known that Sylvia could sing, he’d never heard her do so before. She sat back down on the bed, looking at Angela and sang “Summertime” again. Shawn couldn’t believe his ears, half way through the song he had a lump in his throat with his heart pounding and goose bumps raising the hairs on his arms. Her voice was clean, melodic, rich and very close to being operatic. She mastered and controlled every note, with her heart and soul in each word. Ending the song soft and low, tapering off with a roll of the last note that made him weak in the knees to hear her end it.
“Did you know Sylvia could sing so pretty daddy?” Angela asked.
Sylvia turned around and looked at him, he was silent, speechless. He shook his head and swallowed with his heart pounding, and finally got out, “That was – absolutely – beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She said smiling, then turned back to Angela. “Now… go’ta sleep.”
“Okay… goodnight daddy, goodnight Sylvia.”
“Good night.” They both said and closed her door walking down the hall when Shawn grabbed Sylvia’s hand and pulled her to him, he gently placed her against the wall and stared down into her face. Really studied it… so long they were both breathing deep, he lowered his face to hers, and kissed her there in the hallway. A long, stirring kiss that bordered on discovery and wonder, amazement even, that this wondrous creature… was actually his.
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