Written by Mercedes Keyes
Interracial Drama Series
Overall rating R

Chapter 64

 

Shawn was up before Sylvia and so was quiet to leave her sleeping. In the wee early hours when all was silent was the best time for him. His habit was to rise, make himself a cup of coffee, sipping it as he put on his work out clothing. In the basement, he did moderate reps, using his Bo-Flex, surprised at how well he felt using it, and pushed himself to increase the weights by adding more bars. Forty-five minutes later, when his upper body was burning from him pushing himself, he put on his jacket and headed out the door. It was 5:20 of the am and there was plenty on his mind. He was glad the kids were coming back today because he really needed to sit down and talk to them about the gun he'd already registered for weeks ago. While registering he hadn't been certain they would allow him one with his past record, but he'd received notification in the mail that his gun permit had gone through. Starting to run at a lop, he wondered if he could get Sylvia to go and get lessons handling one. She'd put up such a fuss about not wanting him to get one that he knew she'd no doubt need some convincing. He'd have to figure a way of running it by her and see how she responded to that. His mind was also on Mundo; he wished there was some way he could talk him into coming back home and living with them while he went to school. Travel time might be a bit long, forty-five minutes there and then home, but if he was too tired to travel back, Shawn figured he could crash with his sister on those days. He enjoyed his time with him the previous day… it brought back to him all that he missed about being with Jesse. He wondered if there was ever a day that went by, that he didn't long for Jesse. Shawn had been close to no as he had been to Jesse, not even Derrick. How he would love to be able to call him and tell him what he was doing, let him know… that he'd met the one and guess what, she's black! Shawn chuckled to himself just imagining his reaction. No doubt in his mind, Jesse would threaten to take her off of him, but it would all be in jesting.

Shawn jogged on accepting that the hands of time, could not be reversed. He ran and wondered about himself, his thinking, the way he was… sometimes, it was as if Jesse was living out his dream through him. After all, here he was, crazy in love with the exact type of woman Jesse had spoken so often about wanting, all the way down to the race of her. Shawn reflected on something about himself and his life, while he had been negatively affected by all men, the ones that were the most positive affect on him all came from black people he'd encountered throughout his L.A. years. Jesse, regardless of their porn past, had opened up a world of support for him through his own family. Shawn smiled thinking about mama Jo-Jo… Jesse's grandmother, who was still very much alive and kicking. He would take Sylvia to meet her. He'd been absent from visiting her for several months, he hadn't even gone by when he visited Angela last and met with the James'. He would correct that once he and Sylvia were married. He shook his head at himself, certainly it would stand to reason that he would find the center of his calm in the arms of a black woman. Since Jesse and his family were all he had so many years ago before Merriam Styles and Deidre. Even after Jesse's death, mama Jo-Jo embraced him. Every time he'd been down and out, he'd gone to her. Just as Jesse had gone to her, and had taken him to her. Right now, he would love to see them all again, talk to them … to be in the company of people where he had nothing at all to hide.

He smiled then… because at least he had Sylvia. There was nothing to hide between the two of them, they were for each other a place safe and secure, knowing that no one could enter into the bond they shared.

Forty minutes later and pouring with sweat, he turned back into their driveway. Quietly entering the house, he peeped in on Sylvia to see that she was still sleeping peacefully. He took a shower in the basement bathroom to keep from waking her up and put on his around the house lounging wear. Feeling refreshed and ready to get a little work done, he went into the kitchen over to the refrigerator, grabbing a banana off the bunch, next poured himself a medium size mixing bowl of muesli cereal and added corn pops cereal to it and chopped up the banana, chuckling at himself. "Good God, one would think I'm the one pregnant!" He laughed at himself then poured on the milk, grabbed a big spoon and went into the basement and got to work. He set up his backgrounds area, tossing over it his huge drop cloth and then set up his lights, and placed the layout of book one and two up on the stands. Next he set his camera up on its tripod and adjusted the lighting in the room just right. Finishing his cereal, he set his empty bowl aside and then prepared the paintings for the book cover layout, snapping one photograph after another with his digital camera. From there he would load them up into his computer and then open Photoshop where he would do the layering and enhancements, getting them ready for the brochures and covers. Because he was able to go from creating the original oils to the layout to doing the actual set up of the covers, this made him a valuable asset to the James'. He took care of all of their book covers, brochures, and galleries. Every new author they took on, he set up the covers for their novel once the idea and plan had been discussed with him. They paid him handsomely because all that they needed was rolled up into one… him. A few hours rolled by with him working, so caught up into what he was doing, it wasn't until he caught the scent of her presence that he knew she was near. Looking towards the door, he saw her leaning there quietly watching him, still wearing her mid-thigh night shirt, holding in her hand, a cup of coffee for him.

"Thought you'd like a cup of coffee…" Sylvia started, smiling.

He stared at her a moment and then pushed his chair away from the desk where he was working and stood up behind his camera. "Don't move!" He ordered.

"Shawn…no! I don't have any makeup on… oh Shawn!"

"You don't need any make up… you baby… are a natural. Don't move! Smile… come on… that's a girl, turn your head ever so slightly to the left, that's it… now seduce me…"

Sylvia giggled, shaking her head, "Shawn!"

"Come on… you can do it… please… turn it on for me… yeah… yep… that's it… that's it…" He coached snapping a series of shots, "Turn against the door jab, that's right, now raise that right arm up on the jab over your head… higher… that's it! That's it! Sip the coffee Sylvie – keep your eyes on me… alluring – seductive – inviting… oh yeah… that's it… yep… now… lick your lips… very softly… emmm…. yeah." He chuckled, "There you go, can you be a pussy cat? Hmmm? Set down that coffee, now slide slowly … slowly to the floor, and crawl towards the canvas, slow… you're a sexy, sleek, black cat… ooooh yeah… seductive, keep your eyes here… here – here – here… yep, now crawl… do that body the way I know you can." He instructed snapping the pictures. "Now ease back onto your heels, kneeling… yep, pull your hands towards your body across the top of your thighs, bring that shirt back with them. You know what I want … that's it… now stretch baby – a slow stretch, hands going up, back arching…. oooooh yeah… nice stretch – hands up beside your face, graceful, eyes on me… emmmm yep. That's it." Shawn took the camera from the tripod and got down on the floor still snapping as Sylvia moved.

"Turn your back to me Sylvie, stay on your heels… yep… now slowly lift that shirt off… let me see that beautiful back of yours… there you go. Show me some modesty, arms folded across your breasts, arch that back, now turn your head very slowly and look at me over your right shoulder… send that message to the camera… a pussy cat smile and charm. Don't you want me?…" (He burst out laughing – she had the look because she knew he did) "… nice… yum!"

He crawled across the floor towards her and kissed the center of her back. "I can't wait till you start showing, oh the pictures of you I'll be taking then." He murmured kissing up her back as she giggled. Grabbing her shirt up, she put it back on, ignoring his complaints. "Aye aye aye… what'cha doing… aaah… what you do that for?" He asked nibbling at her ear, kissing at her neck.

"Because… none of that this morning." She nipped his fantasy in the bud. "Yooou – notice anything about me? Anything… different?" She asked turning towards him as he sat side ways on the floor next to her, laying his camera down. His left hand caressed her skin, moving her hair from her eyes. "Hmmm? Let me think… something is different hm?" He looked her over. "Let's see, smiling face… a wonderful glow… hey – what time is it?" He asked, on to what was different.

"It's nine-forty-five in the morning… and … I'm not – SICK! YES!"

"OOOH Baby! Come here… come to papah, sit on my lap…" Sylvia scuttled over to him grinning and straddled his lap, he pulled her close against his body, his hands resting on her rear, warming it as her arms lay over his shoulders, both of them still sitting on the floor before his shoot area. They were beaming as they peered into each others eyes. "…now tell me, how did you discover this… you were laying there…"

"Em hm." She answered.

"… starting to stir."

"Yep…"

"…you discerned a distinct absence – that – pulled you right up out of an otherwise peaceful sleep… absence being me… right?"

Sylvia nodded her head leaning it against his forehead, "Sure dear… how'd you know… that's exactly what woke me." She chuckled kissing his nose.

"Aaah… well of course, and then… and then… nothing… no uncontrollable urge to leap to your feet and run calling Ralph! Ralph – has left the building! Yes!"

"YES! He is out'ah here baby! And you know what I'm gonna do?" She asked laughing at his silly playfulness.

"What… lay it on me baby."

"I'm gone let you… fix me one helluva breakfast! I want… I want… ummmm, strawberries in cream, I want – I want – waf – fles!"

Shawn's body shook with his laughter. "You want waf -fles hm?"

"Yep… and I want four of those little brown link breakfast sausages! Annnnd – I want scrambled… cheese eggs! That's what I want!"

"Well if that's what you want… that's what you gonna get… might I suggest in bed?" He tossed the idea at her.

"Emmmm, no! I'm not a bed person."

"Shucks! Okay…" He pretended rejection. "…good enough then… anything else you want?"

Her head was still laying against his, his hands rubbing up and down her back. "Well… I was thinking…" Her tone became serious.

"Em um… about what?" He asked bracing himself.

"What if… just as a thought for an alternative… you ummm, installed a really good security system for our home, an-n-nd you carried a really big stick… a baseball bat even, maybe … maybe… you could give that some consideration… over the gun… maybe?" She asked softly, her eyes gazing softly into his. Not sure how he would react to her bringing the gun subject back up again.

"Security and a big bat hm?"

"Yeah… and… maybe… a big dog or two?"

"A big dog or two hm?"

"Yeah… maybe… "

"How about this… you do me this favor… agree to, attend classes on guns. Gather all the statistics, hear the pros and the cons, allow yourself to touch one, hold one, and even shoot it. Maybe even learn to shoot it well… do that for me first… and we will reopen the discussion. I then, will take on board, the security, and the bat… the dogs will have to wait. What do you think?"

Sylvia sighed and moved her head back from his, still looking into his eyes. "You didn't talk to the kids about it yesterday Shawn." She brought to his attention.

"I know I didn't, but I will today… that's a promise."

"Well… lets see what they think about it. Especially Crystal, considering Isaac and Darren will be coming over when we have a gun in the house."

"Okay… will do… but in all fairness, I'm still leaning very strong towards getting one."

"Shawn… now… I need you to really think about this… ummm – would you ever… go for it if you'd – lost your temper – about something?" She asked hesitantly.

"What?! No way! There is no excuse for pulling a gun on anyone who does not have one themselves. I wouldn't even consider it, no matter how angry I may get. Sylvia… it is only for protecting you, our children… Shanna. It's not like I'm going to be packing it."

"But… she says that John Sykes has one… that's what scares me Shawn – this is not the OK Corral, where you two can shoot it out and dodge here and there and not get shot."

"I know, the plan and hope is, that he won't know where she is … or rather, where she lives. Of course, he will eventually find that out, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. If you're home, and he pulls up on this property, I want you in the house, you lock the doors and call the police without hesitation. And… the more I think about it, I think you will be attending those classes… I need to know if you have to grab that gun to defend yourself, you can and will know how to use it."

Sylvia drooped with her head on his shoulder, instead making steps forward on the gun issue…. she'd gone and taken herself four steps back.

"Come on… don't be like that… it'll be okay. Its only because I want to protect you. I can't imagine letting anything happen to you. Anyone hurting you, it would make me crazy Sylvie… I need to feel as though my family is safe, against whatever… against whomever." He kissed her cheek, she lifted her head from his shoulder and their lips touched softly, then again, and again, tasting, inhaling and feeling close.

"I love you so much." He inhaled deep murmuring low against her mouth. "I love you too Shawn." She whispered back, rapping her arms around him as they sat for countless moments, smooching and enjoying being close and in love.

 

*   *   *

 

"Okay… that's it… questions anyone?" Shawn asked leaning against the pool table before all present, that would be Mundo, Crystal, Victor, Angela, Isaac and Darren and of course Sylvia all sitting comfortably as he explained his desire to get a gun. Making them aware that his permit had come through and he was in fact going to get one as soon as everyone that was important was made aware of it. He also emphasized the importance that now – everyone should be cautious. If for whatever reasons, they needed to just show up at night, to make sure they used their cell phone to ring them, wake them and let them know they were there to be let in.

"Well what if I lose my cell phone and can't ring you?" Mundo asked.

"Then knock on the dough! DUH!" Crystal returned shaking her head. "You know the old fashion way of getting into somebody's house. Knock knock knock – Who's there? – Its me! – Oh, well come on in! – You know what I'm talking about right? That might be where all the knock knock jokes come from? You think?"

"Sis, you could be a comedian, only problem… you ain't funny!!" Mundo blasted back who was laughing at him, "You sittin' on my lap playin' a dummy, that would be funny! Oh wait… you wouldn't be playin' though would you?!"

"Mama you see how she get? See what I have to put up with? Its Negro women like her, that make a brother wanna escape!"

"Boy you ain't in prison… yet – you can leave!"

"Yeah and when you ain't gettin' that fi'ty a week to spend… see how you feel then."

"Oh – would you two – stop it already! Good grief! Do you two have to get into it all the time!?" Sylvia stopped them as Shawn leaned laughing at them. He enjoyed them, it brought back memories of he and Jesse; yeah they were being petty with each other, but it was to be expected between brother and sister, he suspected they enjoyed this kind of banter, they did it enough.

"It ain't me mama! It's yo' daughta' – she got problems, the girl has issues! And I think they all mental!" Mundo defended.

"You sho' right my issue is mental… that would be you, Mr. mentally lacking!" Crystal blurted. "And anyway… back to the subject, I don't see what the big deal is to be honest with you. So what – you gettin' a gun." Crystal stated matter of fact.

"So you have no objections to that with the boys coming here?" Shawn asked.

"No! Just put it away safe so they can't get to it. They know better anyway, I have a gun."

"Crystal?! You have a gun!?" Sylvia blasted in disbelief.

"I sure do… and both of them know, even though Darren is a baby… he ain't crazy. I don't play when it comes to that. I keep it put up so they can't get to it of course, but they know I have it… and Isaac has seen it and we've had our little discussion which I continue to have with him about it when the need arises and he knows – I'm not playin' with him about it."

"Why do you need a gun Crystal?"

"Mama why you think? Crazy butt people! Victor went from that swing shift  to working nights full time, its just me and the boys in the house alone. I'm not gonna lie to you, I get scared sometimes, if somebody comes up in there with me and my boys… they eat bullets… no ifs, ands or butts about it. My friends know… they coming there, they better call first – or as the commercial puts it… 'Phone first'… because at night, I lock the house up and I'm studying and the boys are in bed, and you better believe I have it ready." She admitted.

"Where's Mundo? And Crystal this is not Chicago or Milwaukee, or New York." Sylvia pointed out.

"Mama… what does that have to do with it? People are getting broke into all the time in La Crosse, have you been watching the news? And Mundo is out clubbing most nights, so I can't rely on him." Crystal was speaking seriously, dropping her bantering slang. "I'm telling you now… if they come in on me… its all over. Shawn has the right idea as far as I'm concerned. That's just the way I feel… and you were in this house by yourself mama for so long, I'm surprised no one ever tried to mess with you, just 'cause its a little small town of white folks and farmers, that doesn't mean anything. Man mama you don't know how that use to scare me, I don't know how many times I lay up worrying about you here alone … all I could think before I went to sleep is, 'Lord… don't let nothing happen to my mama in that house all by herself.'" Crystal eyes watered up just thinking about it, she always came off rough and tough to persons that knew her, but when it came to her mother and her children, nothing shook her and made her more protective or defensive.

Sylvia felt her own eyes grow moist with her daughter admitting her fears for her, she was so glad that she never shared with them what happened with Ray Olivetti and his attack… it was the right thing to keep it to herself. Her babies, they were all grown up and off into their own lives, but for so much of their lives, all they had was her. She did everything in her power to be available for her children, because she was so very protective of them. Even when she had to work, her job understood that she could only work after they were dropped off at school, and she was done when it was time for them to get out of school, she was there before the bell rang. The area they'd come from in Chicago had not been a nice one. The school they were forced to attend left much to be desired. She suffered constant fears of something happening to her children, fears of them being chosen for an after school fight. Nope, she was there standing by the door for them, gathering them up and straight into the old Chevy wagon she once drove. Those were the days when they were poor and struggling all the time. Counting every dollar down to the penny. Her babies were her life, and now they seem to take on the role of looking after her, fearing for her. She looked up at Shawn, there was a look in his eyes that she couldn't quite decipher. She turned to Victor… he was mighty quiet.

"What about you Victor – what do you think?"

"I think – it doesn't matter what I think. I just come along to show my face from time to time." He stated staring at his wife's back. Crystal bit into her tongue, ignoring the deliberate jab, she was not going to get into an argument here in front of her mother and Shawn. But she would give him a piece of her mind for showing this in front of them. Shawn and Sylvia looked at each other and then at Victor, they didn't need to hear any more to know something was not right with Crystal and Victor.

"Well you are their father Victor… so you have a say as well." Sylvia pressed.

"Excuse me Sylvia, I don't mean any dis-respect to you, but I learned a long time ago, I don't have shit to say on anything! Long as I go to work, bring her my pay, and accept the way she lays it all out, everybody's happy… well some of us."

"Oh man here we go… Angela, Isaac, come on lets go outside." Mundo stood and gathered the kids, picking Darren up to take them outside just as Crystal stood up and turned to Victor who had been leaning against the back wall by the fire place.

"Oh no you did not just stand there and bring up our problems in front of my mother and Shawn… oh no you did not!"

"You know what Crys', I'm gonna tell you now, I would have to stand here and talk for the next six months straight to get out all of our problems! I'm just telling it the way I feel!"

Sylvia sat with her mouth covered in disbelief as she looked at them arguing, she couldn't believe it, for some reason she thought they were doing okay.

"Umm, Victor… look man, maybe this is not a good time."

"You know what Shawn, it'll never be a good time! Not ever!"

"If you have a problem Victor, why you wanna wait until we get to my mother's house to start airing it?!" Crystal demanded.

"Because at home, I'm too busy defending myself! Blocking blows, scratches and punches from you!"

"What?!" Sylvia stood with her heart pounding, looking from Victor to her daughter. "What the heck is going on here?!" She asked unable to believe what she was hearing.

"Your daughter has a serious problem man… and I'm getting tired of it! Every time we get into an argument, she'll haul off and slap me! I'm gonna tell you now why I don't come here Sylvia, because half the time, I have to let my lip heal, or my eye heal or somewhere on my face heal from her attacking me!"

Crystal felt rage surge through her and rushed to attack him then, hurt and humiliated that he would tell her mother in front of Shawn what she'd been doing. He saw her coming at him, flying in a rage, tired of it, accepting, he spread his arms as if Jesus on the cross, opening himself up to her to do her worse. She went straight for his face, a slap punch to his cheek with her right, and grabbing him by his hair with her left, in a rage.

"NO YOU DON'T… HELL NO… LET HIM GO!!! I SAID LET HIM GO!!! NOW DAMMIT! CRYSTAL DO YOU HEAR ME TALKING TO YOU!!" Sylvia tried to get between them as Crystal was screaming and yanking on him, snatching a hand full of his hair, punching him in the face and neck. Shawn rushed over afraid for Sylvia, "CALM DOWN… WHAT ARE YOU DOING… WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!!!" Shawn shouted trying to block her blows from Victor who was taking it for a moment, then his anger too lit, it was the last straw.

"LET ME GO! CRYSTAL – SWEAR TO GOD, YOU DON'T LET ME GO… I'M GONNA PUNCH THE FUCK OUT OF YOU RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR MOTHER!!!"

"GO FOR IT… GO FOR IT… I DON'T GIVE A SHIT… HIT ME ASSHOLE!!"

Sylvia grabbed her daughters arm, as Shawn put his body between Crystal and Victor, squeezing her wrist, "LET GO OF HIS HAIR CRYSTAL!!!" He shouted at her, she let go and her mother shoved her as hard as she could.

"GET UP STAIRS NOW… I MEAN RIGHT NO-O-O-OW!!!" Sylvia shouted making eye contact with her, daring her to cross her.

Crying, Crystal turned and ran towards the stairs, Sylvia rushed behind her, her heart pounding, her temples throbbing.

Shawn was stunned as Victor wiped at his bleeding nose. His face was red, his blonde hair standing up. He reached up and stroked it back. "Why don't you go in the bathroom and wash your face, splash it with some cold water."

"Naaaw man, I'm gettin' out of here. I'm done… it's over dude… it's over. I can't take the shit no more. I'm a fucking man… know what I'm saying? I go to work, and I bring my money home… I pay the bills and if I make comment on anything, show any displeasure, or push it too far… I gotta deal with her attacking me. I don't wanna have to hit her, but there have been times, when I've had to hit her to get her off of me. Ask Mundo what I go through with her, her own brother argues with her about how she is… I don't know what her problem is… but I'm done!"

"Just calm down first-…"

"I don't need to – to calm down man…" Tears gathered in Victor's eyes and started to roll, "There are my goddamn sons… watching their dad get the fuck kicked out of him by their mother… what kind of shit is that!?"

"I don't mean to seem insensitive… but… were you guys fighting last night when Angela was over?"

"No! We weren't… I worked third shift, got off this morning, tried to lay down and get some sleep when I was told to take a short nap because I was coming here, she doesn't like it that I don't show my face enough. Well… here I am."

"How long has this been going on?" Shawn asked as Victor stood, clearing more blood from his upper lip.

"Too long, too goddamn long! Look man… I need to wash my face, excuse me." Victor walked off toward the downstairs bathroom.

Shawn took a deep breath, running his hands through his hair, clasping them above his head. "Armundo Payne… you fucking asshole, look what you've done to your daughter… look what you've done to her – you sonofabitch … be glad you're dead!" Shawn shook his head, feeling sorry for Victor and Crystal as well. She had a serious case of snap rage. Shawn suspected it was psychological and chemical. He'd seen it before and knew she needed to see a doctor for it. He wondered if Sylvia realized that? Of course he knew it wasn't all just that, it ran deeper than the obvious, there was no way that Sylvia was to blame for that. Shawn glanced up towards the ceiling of the basement, he could hear Sylvia shouting from down there. Sylvia didn't need this stress right now, not while she was pregnant, but he had to leave her alone on this one. Fighting with everything in him to stay out of it, he went into the room he'd made into his office to do a few things waiting for Victor to come out of the bathroom, that room sat directly below their bedroom, so he could almost make out what they were saying, he imagined that Victor could hear them in the bathroom as well.

 

"I cannot believe what I just saw! I cannot believe – you rushed across that room and attacked that man! Have you lost all sense of everything?! What is wrong with you!?" Sylvia slammed her bedroom door shouting at her right away. Crystal stood across the room on the other side of the bed staring at her mother with tears still running from her eyes, unable to speak.

"I'm talking to you Crystal! Don't stand there looking at me like you don't know what's going on?" Sylvia ground out through a tight jaw.

"Mama… I don't know what to say… I don't mean for it to happen… it just does!"

"Hitting someone does not just happen!! You have no right! No right – to hit that man! Who the hell do you think you are!?? I cannot believe this!!" Sylvia was so angry she was shaking, covering her face with her hands to take a needed moment to think but couldn't.

"Mama he just – he just – irritates me to the point where I just have to – to – punch him!" Crystal forced out, still feeling the rushing sensation that coursed through her when he pushed her buttons.

"He irritates you? He irritates you!" Sylvia asked incredulously, "Oh my my my, well – that's surely good enough reason in my book – to stand there and – humiliate your husband – in front of your family! Well hell… that tells me what the hell I did wrong all those years with your – father… I irritated him!!! No wonder he was knocking the – shit out of me – so much, irritation… that's what it all boils down to! Thank you for helping me understand." Sylvia swiped at her tears staring at her daughter.

"Mama… I – you – you're not there… you don't understand."

Sylvia walked around the bed toward her daughter, stopping barely five inches from her making Crystal brace herself, when her mother was this angry, she wasn't sure what she would do. "I don't need to understand." Sylvia stopped, trying to bring herself in control, she sniffed as more tears rolled from her eyes, "I don't need to be there. I was here… and what I saw was enough. You have – no right – to lay your hands on that man… as you did just now! You have – no right – to humiliate him – and treat him as you just did… alone … or before others! You have no right! Does he hit you Crystal?! I want the truth… does he hit you?"

Crystal stood a moment swallowing looking down at her mother, she stood a few inches taller, and struggled to answer, because she knew the answer would make her mother more ashamed of her, almost as much as she was ashamed of herself sometimes, while it was hell living with her own shame, she couldn't stand for her mother to be disappointed at her, it was that that made her fly off on Victor, that he would expose her in front of her mother.

"I'm waiting Crystal."

"No… he doesn't… he doesn't."

"Yoooou, how could you… how could you… I thought… the last person… I feared would… would… be like their father… would be you! All this time, I've been scared to death for Mundo to have a relationship, for fear of hearing his girlfriend say to me… he hits me… he beats me. And its… my own fucking daughter! How could you do that to someone after seeing what I went through?! How could you use your hands to hurt someone like that?! No one has the right… to hit another person if it is not in self-defense! No one,  not even you! Oh my god! Oh my god… I am so ashamed of you… I am so ashamed-…I can't believe it."

"Mama please… ple – please… I'm sorry! Mama I'm sorry… I can't take you… being ashamed of me… please… please mama… please." Crystal began sobbing reaching for her mother. "I don't mean to do – to do it mama… I don't mean to – it just comes up in me… and I – and I can't stop it … until I've hit him… then… then… I feel bad… I don't know… why … mama please… please don't be mad at me… I'm begging you… ple-e-ease."

Sylvia grit her teeth, shaking, she couldn't stand to see her daughter this way and reached out grabbing her, hugging her tightly in a grip that shook them both – they moved back and sat on the bed as she held her. Sylvia began crying in earnest, as her daughter cried… it hit her then like a ton of bricks… her decision to stay with Armundo… had been wrong. All wrong. By staying with him, she'd allowed him to plant seeds of anger, his actions had somehow charged her daughter with reactions of aggression and violence. She could only wonder how far back it began, because Armundo had attacked her even while pregnant with Crystal. She was wondering about her son… did he too have moments of uncontrollable rage? While pregnant with him, she had not been attacked because they had lived with her friend Sheila, who Armundo would not cross, nor her husband, having been evicted from their apartment they opened up a temporary place for them, which thanks to Armundo, had extended to almost seven months. Sylvia tried not to think about that time way back when, she had buried that part of her life and never wanted to think about it again, burying it with Armundo's burned remains, what little there had been remaining of him. What saved them was him joining the army, for that time period – income had been there.

All this time now, she'd been worried about the repercussion to Mundo Jr. thinking her daughter was clear from any of those flaws… believing that it was the son who would be most effected by his father's example. She had been totally wrong and she cried because that wrong among others, meant that now… her daughter's life was adversely affected. Victors life affected. Then Isaac and Darren… how would it affect them, and the thought made Sylvia sob even more, because she stayed, four more people would some how manifest those ugly seeds from a time, when she should have found a way to leave, it hurt.

"Oh my god… what have I done… what have I done – to you?!"

"Mama…mama its not your fault."

"It is… it is… I stayed I stayed I stayed I stayed – I shouldn't have stayed… I'm so sorry – I put you –  and your brother through that… I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry-…" Sylvia was gasping short of breath, her chest burning she was crying so hard.

"Mama please! I'll stop, I'll stop… I won't do it again… mama – you're scaring me…"

Sylvia felt as if she couldn't catch her breath she was sobbing so uncontrollably, she turned from Crystal who ran into the bathroom and brought back tissue for her mother and herself, Sylvia grabbed it, blew her nose and was trying to get her breathing and catches in her chest under control.

"Mama…?" Crystal was standing by wringing her hands, afraid for her.

"I'm okay… just give me a minute… just…" Sylvia needed to take deep breaths, she realized she was going to hyper-ventilate if she didn't calm down, and started blowing to ease herself. "I'm gonna go get Shawn!" Crystal was about to dash for the door when Sylvia grabbed her wrist, tugging her back. "No…sit down… just give me a minute."

"Mama – I don't wanna hurt the baby!"

Sylvia looked at her stunned with wide eyes, "How did you know?"

"Angela slipped up and told me. She didn't mean to, we were at the store and she was in the baby section, excited about something she wanted for the baby."

"Oh God! Well there you go… your turn to go at me now." Sylvia breathed wiping at her tears trying to stop the buzzing in her head.

"For what mama? I got nothing against you finally being happy." Crystal slid from the bed to the floor looking up at her mother at her knee, holding her hand. "I'm so happy for you mama, I am. You honestly think, that I for a moment would believe you and him haven't slept together? You're human mama-…"

"But I drove it into you, over and over… marriage first… maintain your dignity and self-respect, not to give into-…"

"Mama, mama stop. You did, what a mother is suppose to do with her daughter! That was your job, that was your responsibility… to make sure I understood how valuable it is, to hold value in myself… that can never be wrong mama, no matter what you've done now. I know… that that man loves you mama. He does… I know he does, I've talked to him. Like that time you two had some kind of problem, he called me looking for you… I knew then… that he was gonna be my step-father. And you know what… I look at Angela… and see how she is about her father… you should hear how she talks about him…" Crystal turned away from her mother then, with her knees raised she sat with her elbows perched on them, her hands shielding her eyes, "… I – I wish so much mama… so much… I'd had a father like him. 'Cause mine didn't give a damn about me." She crumbled into tears again. Sylvia slid to the floor and pulled her to her lap and held her as she cried, all she could do at that point was pray. She rocked and held her, and prayed. Prayed that the heavenly father would please help her child.

Sylvia wasn't sure how long they sat on the floor on the side of the bed, but someone tapped on the door, it came open and Victor peaked in.

"Aye ummm, I'm gonna go. I just wanted to say-…"

Crystals head popped up and turned on her knees. "Wait Victor… please… wait."

"Naaaw, save it… I already called my mom… she'll pick me up in town at the store …I'll be going to the house to get my stuff, I just want my clothes."

"Victor please…" Crystal stood going towards the center of the room towards him. "… give me a chance to at least explain-…"

"No… no Crystal… I told you a long time ago… that I wasn't going to be taking that from you. To live with you, I'd have to hit you and I'm not gonna be doing that. You know, I love you but… I can't have my sons… looking at me in that role… letting you do that to me… I'm setting them up wrong… you're setting them up wrong… I can't stand by, and just keep letting it happen… no… it ain't gonna work. I gotta go… my mom'll be waiting for me."

"Victor please… I'm begging you… don't do this… I'll change… I'll get help – I will – I promise I will."

"You always say that Crystal! But you haven't! You got too much on your plate! You going to school full time! You working damn near full time! You got the boys, and me… well, I'm just in the way… getting on your nerves… so… naaaw… I'm just gonna remove myself from the scene… maybe things will work out better for you. All I want, is time with my boys… just give me that… I'll give you help… money … whatever you need… but… naaaw, no more."

"Victor…" Crystal cried his name in a plea.

He shook his head, "I'm sorry… gotta go. I apologize to you Sylvia, aye… this is suppose to be a happy time for you… sorry I had to lay this out on you… good luck, be happy – somebody deserves to be."

Crystal stood in the middle of the room with her hands in her hair, "Noooo, nooo…" He closed the door and left. "…mama…mama make it right… mama please make it right… pleeease mama."

"Sh sh sh sh – come here… let'im him go right now. Crystal… let'im go."

"Noooo-…"

"Yes baby… you're too upset and so is he." Sylvia was holding her, Shawn peaked in on them, then gestured that he was going to follow Victor, Sylvia gave a slight nod to him. He pulled the door to and went out of the house to find Victor.

He was in the yard talking to Mundo, hugging his boys, telling them that he would see them later.

"Where you goin' daddy? You mad at mama 'cause she hit you?" Isaac asked standing before his father, who was holding Darren, he'd taken him from Angela to give him a kiss and hug. Angela wasn't quite sure what was going on, but she knew something wasn't right, Victor had been quiet and not talking much all morning. She didn't even know Crystal was mad at him, because she had been smiling and playing with her and the boys all morning, getting everyone up and ready to bring her back home. Now, she tried not to look at the bruising and scaring to his face. His lip was swollen, his skin mottled and red, with raw scratches on his neck.

She turned and looked toward the house and saw her father striding towards them. They were further down the yard towards the woods, a good distance from the house, she chewed nervously on her thumbnail waiting for him to get there.

"Man… you do what you gotta do. No matter what happens between you and my sister, we always straight – know 'dat!"

"I just don't wanna hurt her Mundo, if I stay… I would have no choice… so… I'mo have to walk."

"Hey… like I said… do what you need to do. Maybe now, she'll do something about herself… especially now that my mother sees it." Mundo added just as Shawn reached them.

"Can we talk?" Shawn asked Victor.

"I gotta meet my mom." He said.

"I'll walk with you." Shawn replied.

"Can I go wit' you daddy?" Isaac asked.

"No son, not this time… I'll be back to get you later."

"But where you goin' though… you goin' to the store?"

Victor stood with tears gathering again, "No Isaac… look, daddy needs some calm down time. But I'll be back tomorrow to get you, okay?"

"Why can't I go wit' you now? I kiss it, make it better."

Victor looked at Mundo for help.

"Isaac! Come on man… yo' daddy got stuff to do, he told you he'd be back later. Come on lets go back to the house."

"No! I'm goin' wit' my daddy! No!"

"Isaac, you can come with me – if – you're good and let your daddy leave to take care of business … okay? You be really good, and we'll go for a ride on the motorcycle when we walk back, okay?" Shawn offered. Isaac rushed over and took his hand, and then offered his father his other hand. "Okay, gimme your hand daddy. Okay, me and Shawn gonna walk with you, then you go on, 'cause we gotta come back and ride the motorcycle."

Shawn looked at Angela and winked at her, "We'll be right back okay? Help Mundo take care of Darren."

She nodded smiling and turned, walking back with Mundo, he immediately launched into being his funny self, making her laugh. He told her the funniest jokes that left her breathless and wanting more.

 

The two men walked, one older, the other younger, with Isaac swinging between them as he held their hand.

"So what are you planning?" Shawn asked as they strolled the short distance into the small town.

"For now… I just need a rest. I need time to clear my head. I don't know what I'm gonna do yet."

"Can I please ask that you not – jump – to the divorce solution?"

Victor was quiet not so quick to reply then finally said, "She's not gonna change."

"How is she with the boys? With other people?"

"She loves our boys. They aren't the problem with her, she's never abusive to them, her discipline might be a bit strict sometimes, but she doesn't abuse them. With other people, she's fine as well unless someone makes her angry, then she'll go off on them! Believe me, when she gets done, they won't make the mistake again. Its just me. There are times, when I think she hates me. She doesn't want me to tell her how anything should be done. She takes the smallest criticism from me as an insult. Anything I oppose or object to, she feels she has to defend, as if I'm saying she's stupid, or inept. She has mood swings, where she's quiet and won't talk to anyone. She has these crying spells where she can't stop and won't let me in to help her. Shawn… she wants to do everything … now! She tries too hard to accomplish too much! And is scared to death of failure. She takes failing, personal… as if something is wrong with her. I've tried to tell her that she takes on too much, gets overwhelmed and then I get it… like today. She won't listen, she won't slow down, she won't ask for help. If it weren't for Mundo moving in with us, I think it would be worse. But she has him to hammer on, so she leaves me alone somewhat. He gets on her nerves. She feels that he should be like her, taking on the world and doing as much as you can, the best that you can. Anything less is unacceptable. I've felt sorry for him sometimes and told her, for goodness sake, leave him alone! Ooooh man…" Victor shook his head and suddenly started laughing.

"Man one time she was going off on both of us, she kicked my ass and his too!" He laughed because to think back on it was funny, although it hadn't been at the time. "There we both were, sitting outside on the porch, mad as could be, we looked at each other and busted out laughing. Because we both were looking rough… she's a trip – I've never met nobody like her… she is crazy as hell. I told Mundo… man can't you do anything with your sister?! And he said, "Hell – she yo' wife! What the hell!" Oh was that funny, so we got up, took the car, that made her even madder… and took off for the day, left her home alone."

He quieted as they turned up around the big curve that led to the right out of town or to the left into town.

Shawn was smiling and taking it all in.

"Are you still in love with her?"

"I don't know… to be honest with you… I don't know. I thought at first, that I could handle her. I thought all she needed, was some tlc. But – it goes deeper than that, tlc is only a band-aid that keeps coming off before the wound can heal. I've tried to just hold her down, just pin her to the bed until the rage passes, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It depends on what its about. I think she needs to be on medication… but that makes her angry for me to say that. I've tried Shawn… but she pushes me to the edge. I've hit her twice and its two times too many, I had no choice though, its like… she needs me to hit her or something. The two times that I did… the rage dissipated, she starting crying and apologizing and she was as sweet as could be for days. Its weird."

"You saying she pushes you to get you to hit her?"

"Nooo… its not that. She wouldn't appreciate me being unfairly rough or mean or… being a bully… but… something happens with her sometimes that she needs me to – be rough with her, she needs me to grab her, shake her and become the aggressor… once I do that, a calm comes over her. Like I said its weird."

"Maybe she's wanting you to become more assertive and put your foot down with her?" Shawn was fishing to understand.

"I've tried that… nope… she won't stand for it. I've tried everything, but I'm not gonna be living like that. I'm not going to have my sons all screwed up in the head watching us. I can't do it. I'm not a violent person, my parents aren't… I've never heard my mother yell or scream, she's raised her voice now and then, but I don't know. My father, I've never heard my dad raise his voice one time for that matter. I've never seen them fight, and their arguments are weird –  with my mother doing all the talking. Hmmm -" He stopped thinking about that, then carried on, "… I met Crystal, and she wowed me. She was so exciting, electrifying, smart, dynamic and talented… with this burst of energy and fervor – that I was hooked. Look at her… when you look at her, the last thing you expect to see her do is rip someone to shreds – she looks soft, pretty, delicate … but she can. She definitely has a split personality… and I can only handle one woman at a time … I can't deal with two… especially two inside of one."

They were at the store; Victor saw his mother waiting for him in her car, as soon as she saw them she stepped out to meet them.

"Shawn, my mom – Natalie Prescott – mom… this is Shawn – he and Sylvia are engaged to be married Friday." Victor introduced them.

"Hey grandma! How you doin'?" Isaac greeted her, she picked him up and hugged him, "I'm just fine thank you. Hi, it's nice to meet you." She went from greeting her grandson to shaking Shawn's hand. Shawn figured she must be in her mid-fifties, very tall, close to six foot if not, her hair mixed heavily with gray hanging to her shoulders, very coarse hair with strands of brunette. She wore a long sweeping skirt, with a top that looked as if it came from the sixties and seventies… a hippy, a free thinking, liberal he was certain. She carefully took her sons jaw in hand, turning his face this way and that looking at him. She sighed, inspecting his injuries this time.

"Well … nothing serious, perhaps just your pride. Hopefully you've had enough now to have learned your lesson?" She asked calmly. Victor pulled his face away from her hand, "Please, not now mother."

"Yes, I agree, we'll discuss it after we get your things and go home."

Shawn felt instant dislike.

"I think all children discard their parents advice and must venture into a world that all seems for the moment, exciting… but… its a different world, a different culture… its always best not to mix into it… I mean… look at the results. I'm just glad this is the worst that came of it, from this… you can recover. We'll just shake it off son, and put it behind us."

"Excuse me ma'am… but ummm, you shake off dust and waste-…"

"Emmm, exactly… although I will admit… she's better than most, she is at least trying to make something of herself – I will give her that. But – they can't change what they are." She put Isaac down. Shawn stood with his jaw clenched and clamped tight and had to ask, "And what is that exactly?"

Natalie could see the signs, choosing to close the discussion she went to her door and opened it and climbed into her car, "Come along son, I don't wish to waste precious time."

Victor's look to Shawn was full of apology, he knelt down and hugged his son, kissing him, telling him that he loved him and promised to see him later; stood and got into the car and waved at them as his mother pulled away in her Audi.

Shawn stood fighting down his resentment.

"I've been really good." Isaac said from below.

Shawn looked down and smiled, "Yep… you sure have been, come on then… lets go ride on the motorcycle." He picked him up and hefted him over his head onto his shoulders to sit, holding his ankles as Isaac cheered over his head, "YEAH! We gone ride the motorcycle!"

 

---

Chapter 65

 

Sylvia stood in her front window looking out at the road. Looking out at Angela, watching Isaac and Darren as Shawn took Mundo for a ride on his motorcycle. She chuckled to herself, he was an overgrown kid himself. Shawn had been wonderful through this. He'd kept everyone outside, brought out both motorcycles, entertaining Mundo and Isaac with them, while taking each one for a ride. Angela had just gone and now he was off with Mundo, her son was so animated, she could only smile thinking about how his antics kept Shawn and Angela in stitches. She loved the sound of Shawn's laughter, to see him bent over with it.

Her daughter, it had taken her a great deal of effort to calm her down. To keep her from running after Victor, from driving off back to La Cross to catch him at the house and plead with him. Sylvia stood drained. She finally had to give Crystal something to relax her, she was now sleeping in her bed after crying herself to sleep. Sylvia had laid with her, held her and talked to her, knowing that she was too upset for any reasoning to penetrate, but finally her hiccups and sniffles had subsided and she was out cold. Sylvia turned from the window and went back to their room, carefully opening the door and looking in on her. She was snoring softly, sleeping hard. She stood staring at her, wondering what she was to do now? She pulled the door to and turned back to the kitchen hearing the motorcycle roar back into the yard across the road.

The kids should be getting hungry, and she set about preparing supper. She would talk Mundo and Crystal into staying the night, she didn't feel comfortable letting them leave after what had just taken place, and she was worried about her daughter. Going through her mind over and over was the desire to tell them to come and live with her and Shawn. Of course, Shawn had just rearranged the basement bedroom into his office so that took away one of her bedrooms. The sofa was a sleeper and a very comfortable one, Mundo could sleep there. She had blow up beds that the boys could sleep on, and maybe Angela wouldn't mind sharing her bed with Crystal, it was a queen size so there was enough room for both of them, that is – if she could talk Crystal into staying. She needed to ask Shawn as well, although she didn't think he would mind them being there for the night. Being a parent had its rewards as well as its downfalls. Sylvia realized once you had children, that was it. There was no such thing as them being grown and gone. It didn't work that way. Life, problems, baggage and drama always put mother smack dab back into the middle again. In this case, not their father, but Shawn.

In no time at all, Sylvia put together all three courses, making Spanish rice, refried beans, chopped steak for tacos, shredded her cheese, lettuce and tomatoes, and prepared soft, white meal and floured, tortillas; as well fresh taco sauce and fresh picante mix. With everything done, she stepped outside just in time to see Shawn's mother and sister pull into their driveway.

She went up to the Jeep. "Hi, nice surprise."

"We can't stay long honey, we just brought you your gown which is all cleaned and tailored." Gert said from her side of the Jeep as Shanna jumped out and opened her back door to pass it to Sylvia.

"Thank you so much… I really appreciate it. I'll take it into the house and hang it up, I got his ring back today, wanna see it? My daughter picked it up from the Jewellers, its beautiful." Sylvia asked.

"Sure… love to." Gert answered.

"You mind waiting here for me, she's sleeping in my bed and I don't wanna wake her… I'll bring it out for you two to see."

"No problem, we'll sit on the porch… it's beautiful out today."

When Sylvia returned, Shawn was standing by the porch talking to his mother and sister with Mundo there. Angela was sitting next to Shanna holding Darren who was nodding and barely able to keep his head up.

"Sylvia, I'm gonna take him in and lay him on my bed okay?" Angela asked.

"Sure… good idea, wash up while you're in, we'll be eating in a minute."

"Okay." She answered carrying Darren into the house.

Shawn looked down at her, "You okay?" He asked gently. She smiled up at him, "Yep… I'm fine… if you all want, you can go in and start eating, I'll be in shortly."

"What you cook mama?"

"Spanish tonight baby."

"Yes! I'm in there!" Mundo took Isaac's hand and headed for the side of the house toward the kitchen door, "Don't wake Crystal you guys… keep it down." She called, he nodded and went in.

"I'm gonna go in and serve these guys, Shanna… tomorrow… we'll get started on that… getting the land and things set up."

She nodded and smiled at her brother as he walked by Sylvia, stopping to kiss her temple and whisper, "I love you." And walked on into the house.

She turned back to them smiling and sat on the step below them and presented the box with his ring in it.

"Wow… now this set you back a bit." Gert exclaimed over the platinum and gold men's wedding band with a swirl slash that encased 6, 16th cut size diamonds within it.

"Yeah it did… but he's worth it and then some." Sylvia was glowing despite everything happening, she thanked God that she had Shawn now in her life and knew she would not have to deal with it all alone.

"So you're happy Sylvia? Everything is okay then?" Gert asked.

Sylvia sat for a moment taking the closed box back from Shanna after she looked at his ring, and held it for a moment and made up her mind.

"I need to tell you something… and it needs to stay between us, not get back to Shawn… can we walk… I don't want him overhearing."

All three stood and headed around back of the house, walking slowly when Sylvia nervously confided in them. "I ummm… Gert, I don't mean to cause any problems… I don't want to cause any problems… but… I have to tell someone… Jake has been… bothering me."

Gert and Shanna stopped, looked at each other and then at Sylvia. They were far enough away from the house to speak freely.

"I knew it… I had a feeling." Shanna said shaking her head.

"What do you mean… has he been coming on to you?" Gert asked.

"Yes… he has."

"That's it… he is going to hear from me and good! I've had enough of this shit now! What has he been doing?" Gert asked, clearly not happy.

"Well… that first day we met at your home, after Shawn and I left, I was tired and needed to lie down, Shawn went into town to get us something to eat. Jake showed up at our hotel, saying things he shouldn't be saying to me. Then the next day… (She stopped to exhale nervously) … remember that night, when we were all playing twilight hide and seek?"

"Yeah." Mother and daughter answered.

"Well… I was hiding in your big vehicle barn, he came in pretending to be Shawn, and kissed me, pinned me against the wall and held me there. I was furious! I'm telling you now Gert… I hit him, a few times and … I just ran out."

"That's why you came and sat on the porch with us that night?! I knew something was wrong with you, but I thought it was because you were pregnant and just wasn't feeling well." Gert replied. "Wait till he hears from me… has he done anything else?"

"Yes… he came here the other day when Shawn went tool shopping with his dad. I was in bed napping, next thing I know… I wake up… there he is, in – our bedroom sitting on that chair that's there, staring at me as I slept. I told him off and made him leave… but… I just felt I needed to tell someone. I want to tell Shawn-…"

"No! You've done the right thing… we'll take care of his ass! Leave it with me. I swear to God.. the only thing that will free you from your children and their problems… is death! And I'm not ready for that yet… so I'm just gonna have to kick their asses! Let's go Shanna."

Shanna was chuckling and walked back towards the Jeep with her mother, she winked at Sylvia. "It'll be alright, you did the right thing by telling us instead of Shawn. Oh I can't wait, its just a few days away now… you nervous?"

"Yes… very nervous!"

"Well don't be… everything is going to be alright, and we'll just be one big happy family… you'll see." Shanna assured her as they both climbed back in the Jeep, waving as she backed out of the drive. Sylvia stood waving at them, glad that she'd at least told them, now Jake was one less thing to worry about.

 

"She's still sleeping." Shawn informed Sylvia at the sink. He'd just come up from the basement, leaving Mundo with Angela as they played pool. He had to quiet her down, she was laughing so loud they could hear her in the kitchen, on the way back up, he peaked in on Crystal… she hadn't stirred.

"I know… I can't believe she's slept this long, she's been out for at least 4 hours, can you run the boys a bath so I can get them in after I finish the dishes? I was going to ask them to stay overnight, but its a foregone conclusion now."

Shawn agreed and went into the bathroom off the hall and ran a bath for Darren and Isaac, and then went further by stripping them down and putting them in. Sylvia told him where she kept clothes for them when they stayed over… it was a habit of hers to pick them things up and bring them home and put them away, for times like then, they came in handy. She finished cleaning up the kitchen and put the food away, thinking one day she would actually load her dishwasher and use it. Yet, when it was time to clean up, she automatically did them by hand, she realized then that she could save herself a lot of time by just loading the thing and then wiping up. With that done, she went in to check up on Shawn and the boys. When she entered the bathroom, Isaac's mouth was going a hundred miles a minute and Darren was grinning and nodding his head at everything that was said as if he agreed. And Shawn was having a ball, seeing him there brought home to her that he was a family man. He actually enjoyed doing things with kids and having children around him, no matter how old they were.

"Well look at you, don't you look the part." Sylvia commented grinning at him, as he picked Darren out of the bath, sat him on a towel on his lap and dried him down, starting at his blonde hair. "This is what its all about. If I'd met you in the beginning Sylvia… we'd have children leaping out of windows, you'd be pregnant now." They both realized what he said and the fact that she was and started laughing, "Point and case!" Shawn laughed at himself.

"That would have been wonderful, had it been the case."

"Yes… and Mundo and Crystal would have been mine." He stated looking up at her as he put baby lotion on Darren.

"Yes… but then, they would have been totally different people, looks and all."

"True… but you know what… I still wish they were mine… just as they are." He said honestly, laying Darren back and putting on his diaper, he wasn't potty trained yet.

"Oh Shawn… how do I help my daughter… she's such a mess, through no fault of her own. I just don't know what to do." She admitted softly, going to lift Isaac out of the tub. "Ah ah ah ah… don't you lift him out of there. I'm handling it, relax… we're okay."

"Yeah grandma… we mens – Shawn's gonna dry me next afta' Darren… right Shawn?"

"Yep… I sure am." Shawn chuckled loving it. Sylvia smiled and left saying, "I'll get their bed ready, I have a playpen for Darren, and Isaac will sleep on the blow up mattress."

"YEAH! I like sleeping on that grandma! Can I watch tv too?"

"We'll see." She answered, walking out to set them up on her living room floor.

The boys were down, Sylvia put on Walt Disney's Monster's Inc. their favorite, turned down low and let them watch it until they fell asleep. Angela was next in the shower and Mundo took one in the basement, and then asked to use Shawn's computer to surf and check his emails, with permission granted he felt at home in the office room, having already stretched out the sofa bed to sleep on.

Angela was out of the shower and in the kitchen with her dad and Sylvia, "Is Crystal gonna sleep in you guys bed?" She asked.

"No, we thought she could sleep with you, will that be okay?" Sylvia asked.

"Oh yeah! That'll be fine."

All three went to the room where she slept on, "I hate to wake her, she obviously needs the sleep."

"Don't… go turn the bed down, I'll bring her in." Shawn directed. Sylvia looked surprised, and then touched by the gesture. "Okay." She and Angela went and turned down the bed, two minutes later Shawn entered carrying Crystal, she was still out cold.

"You think she's okay Shawn?" Sylvia asked worried.

"Yeah… she's exhausted, we'll just let her sleep." He responded, walking around the bed to the far side to lay her down. To see him caring for her daughter that way brought tears to Sylvia's eyes. "I'll go out now, get her clothes off of her so she can rest comfortably." He directed leaving the room. Sylvia nodded and with Angela helping, removed her daughters clothes. She stirred only once, mumbling in her sleep, but never woke. They put a sleeping shirt on her and she turned to her side, grabbed a pillow and slept on. Sylvia kissed her forehead and then did the same to Angela. "Thank you sweety for letting her share your bed."

"She's my sister… of course she can share my bed, I slept with her last night at her house, so now she gets to sleep with me here." Angela said happily.

"Oooh, I love you so much… do you know that? I don't think I could love you more even if I had given birth to you myself." Sylvia squeezed Angela to her tightly, declaring what she knew was true.

"I love you too Sylvia, and Mundo… and Crystal, and Darren and Isaac… oooh I wish so bad they could come and live with us, wouldn't that be fantastic! Then we could be a big happy family just like uncle Derrick's!"

"Aaah, we are a big happy family… even though they don't live here."

"But its not the same…"

"Nooo, it's not I know… but they'll always be around for you."

"I know… I just want everything to hurry up. I want you and dad to hurry up and get married, that way I know everything will be alright. I never ever want to leave you Sylvia … not ever!" She hugged Sylvia close and received it in return.

"Well that makes two of us. Now come along, you have to give your dad a kiss and hug goodnight." Sylvia prompted.

Angela said goodnight to her father, giving him his kiss and hug, then went and kissed Isaac and Darren goodnight, they hugged her in turn and went right back to watching Monster's Inc. she ran downstairs and told Mundo goodnight, giving him a hug, he shagged her hair and winked at her saying his goodnight. Smiling all the way, she made her way back upstairs and back into her room, climbed in bed, checked on Crystal and pulled the covers up over her shoulders, then impulsively she kissed her forehead and whispered, "Goodnight Crystal, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." Smiling she turned over and laid down going off to sleep with a smile on her face. All was wonderful, and plus… school tomorrow.

 

Sylvia went into her room doing her usual before bed routine, she figured Shawn must be in basement with Mundo, their voices drifted up through the floor now and then, laughter mixed in with it. She smiled. It was amazing. Angela loved her and her kids took to Shawn right away, as he had taken to them. Funny how in both, each of them provided what the kids felt lacking. Where Angela missed the closeness of a mother and desired to have a family, she found with Sylvia and her kids. Where hers had suffered from the lack of participation from their father and now, his absence, Shawn filled that gap… and then some. However in the case of her daughter, she knew that what needs there were to be met, far exceeded what Shawn could possibly offer… but she was confident that his presence and support would help.

Done in the bathroom, she went back into the living room and checked on her grandsons, they'd finally fallen off to sleep. Picking up the remote, she clicked the DVD player off, and then the tv. Covering Darren with his blanket, he always kicked it off. Isaac was wrapped up and content, sleeping soundly. He'd had a ball today riding on the motorcycle. She had to smile… as long as that was an option for him, he was pretty much content, didn't matter what else was going on… just let him ride the motorcycle.

She turned to check on the girls again, both were sound asleep. Funny how she was now unable to just go to bed, because Shawn wasn't upstairs going to bed with her. She was becoming too use to that man. She walked into her small office room and turned on her computer for the first time in weeks. Checking her email, she was staggered by the amount of spam, "I hate you people who do this! Man!" She waded through five hundred and seventy-eight emails, hundreds and hundreds of it junk. Then to her surprise, there were several from Shawn in there. She couldn't believe it. There were seven of them.

She quickly went through all the other mail, some from friends that she flagged to reply to later, and went to his first one. It was dated to the night they confirmed that she was pregnant.

 

 

 

Sylvia sat with her hands pressed to her cheeks, her eyes filled with tears.

"Are you just now reading your emails?" His deep voice beckoned from behind her. She turned and saw him standing there, immediately she sprang to her feet and into his arms. He stood holding her, his hands going through her hair, squeezing and holding on tight. "Shawn…" His name passed her lips as a gasp … speechless and overwhelmed. "What?" He whispered against her brow. She shook her head against his chest, unable to speak. "Let's go to bed." He suggested softly.

They lay together silently for moments long after turning off the lights. Shawn had been in the basement for quite some time with Mundo… just talking, the two really getting to know each other. Now he lay stroking Sylvia's arm, wiping at a few of her tears. He didn't have to ask what they were for, he knew… each day that past… he knew her more and more, understood how she felt, thought and what she wanted. He felt it was his responsibility to bring it to her. While she gave him children, it was his job to assure that they all benefited from a life worth living, that was his duty… he would see it through.

"It took some doing…" He finally spoke, "… but… I've convinced Mundo to move here with us. I imagine… the tough one will be convincing Crystal to do the same. They may have gone off into the world equipped with what is needed to financially survive… but… emotionally… they're half full. Just as Angela… was half full. Mainly… Crystal… we need to get her to move here with us. She needs our help… would you agree."

Sylvia turned into his chest and began softly crying, nodding her head.

"Aaah baby… don't cry… I know. I know… I know what you're feeling… I understand how what you saw today hurts you. Sylvie… its not your fault-…"

"It is – it – it is… I-…"

"No… shhh, listen to me. You cannot be mother and father to them… just as I cannot be father… and mother to Angela. There is a reason GOD gave parenting to two. There is a reason… I get it now… when I saw her today… it clicked in my head… the mother fills one half, the father fills the other… and the child is complete. If one of them, fills the child with bad things… when time comes for their half to perform… the performance will be filled with bad things… no matter how well filled the other half, and there lies the tug of war within the child's mind and conscience. Stop your weeping my wife… and know this… the half belonging to you… is oh so beautiful… some how… we will use it to bury that other half… if they will let us."

He hugged her deep in thought, strange feelings were sweeping over him. He truly felt there was a reason they were together, a reason all of their children this day were under their roof, a reason what needed to come out did. This was his family – the one he had longed for. He took it as Gods way of helping him to make up for lost time.

Shawn passed Sylvia the roll of toilet paper. "Baby you need to buy some Kleenex… because we gonna run out of ass wipe if this keeps up."

Sylvia started laughing as she cried, and couldn't stop, blowing her nose she chuckled every time his words came back to mind. "Tomorrow." She finally promised.

"So… if by chance we do get Crystal to agree to come home… how are we going to afford to put them all up, and for how long?" Sylvia murmured.

"Let's get them through school. She's doing too much Sylvia. She's wearing herself out, and refusing to ask for help. She's trying to be a super everything… problem is, she's not. School is more important than anything right now… we must take off some of the pressure so she can get that done… accomplish that. She needs to focus on her children, herself and her education. I think she needs to go to a doctor as well… there is nothing more dangerous than a chemically embalanced woman… hormones going nuts can get a city blown to bits."

Sylvia leaned up and looked at him laughing again. "You sound scared."

"I am!" He joked, they laughed. "But I can take it. Just don't you go to getting embalanced on me."

"Who me? Surely you're not afraid of me?" Sylvia leaned up on her elbow to ask in the dark of their room.

Shawn smiled… already she was sure in what he felt… he didn't care, he wanted her to know. Stroking her brow, he cautioned her, "Careful m'lass, ye' stir the beast an' he'll bite for sure." He purred in a thick Irish brogue that made Sylvia's toes curl just hearing it. "Bite hm… is that all the beast will do… is bite?"

"Ach! Calm y'self woman… tis another week we are t'be waitin'!"

Sylvia chuckled and laid her head back to his chest, "All right, I'll have mercy on you then." She sighed, "How are we to afford this Shawn? Shanna, now my kids, plans to build the house, turning this one into a bed and breakfast… I don't want us to end up in debt." She spoke honestly.

"We'll do the best that we can. Consider this… we're starting off better than most, I won't let money worries crowd out my families needs, and right now… they have needs that must be met. First things first… and that's convincing Crystal to give up that house, she's only renting it anyway. Although, Mundo told me she was looking to buy it, she likes it there. Some how we have to convince her there's something better on the horizon and to let it go. He thinks we're going to struggle with her, she's so independent."

"I'm to blame for that, I always told them to depend on no one but themselves. That if they were to gain in life they needed to work for it, only then would they appreciate their accomplishments. Yeah… she's gonna be tough to turn over, I also get a feeling that she's going to want to go after Victor – how do I convince her to leave him be for a time, to focus on herself?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Ummm, I've been calculating in my head sweety… and ummm…" Shawn took a really deep breath and blew it out. "I think… we're going to have to end up getting a loan at some point along the way."

"No Shawn!" Sylvia leaned up to look at him.

"Sylvia… I'm building you that house, and … I'm going to have a brand new garage built with an apartment over it for Mundo and I'm going to have to add more bedrooms for Crystal and the boys."

"Shawn we don't even know if she's going to agree and move here or not. I don't like owing the bank… right now, everything we have is paid for – I don't want us going into debt. I'll tell you what… let's just build an extension on your house and leave it at that. We'll continue on with the bed and breakfast and as we gain revenue from it, we'll add to the house instead of building a new one."

"I want to build you a new home… I promised you that."

"Shawn… you need to understand something about me. I want my home clean, I want my home conservatively nice, and I want people to respect my things and take care when using them. But for me to be happy… I don't need to be in a palace, I need to be debt free. If we're living in a big splendid home for everyone to drive by and ooou and aaah, while we're inside biting our nails trying to figure which bill gets paid and which doesn't… I'm sorry… any means of joy and satisfaction from it is gone from me. I'm not trying to impress anybody! I don't give a shit who has what… I'm not about to try and keep up with the Jones'! There's nothing in this house that is new. But its clean, its been well cared for, and it has lasted because I made sure it would last. Now across that road, we'll build an extension on it and redecorate – I'll even splurge and buy some new furniture if it will make you happy. As for that garage, we'll build an apartment on top of it."

"Baby it's old though." Shawn was smiling at her.

"I'on care… brace it up… nobody up there but Mundo… we'll tell'im don't be jumpin' around up there – if it come down, got nobody to blame but yourself!"

Shawn started laughing, "Sylvia its not that bad honey."

"It can get that bad Shawn… I'm serious now…" She sat up in the bed. "… I'm telling you now… you wanna help everybody? Fine! We will… but I handle the finances – cause you just spend like we grow it on trees in the backyard. I'm puttin' my foot down this time, if you mean what you say about doing it for me… then do it my way. Give me the money, let me budget it – we do extension… brick the bottom, alum side the top… new roof… bam! New house… good enough for me!"

Shawn shook his head laughing, "Mundo was right, you are tight!"

"Mundo can kiss my hinder! This ain't none of his business! This between you and I, if you trust in me to be your wife, then you trust in me to handle the money. I don't need no new house, I need to check our account… and feel secure… that's what I need. So what's it gonna be?" She crossed her arms over her breasts and looked down at him.

Shawn was smiling in the dark and put his hands beneath his head looking up at her dark image staring down at him.

"So… what does this all entail… you handling the money?" He asked.

"I pay the bills, I monitor the spending… I yea or nay purchases and keep us out of debt. Everyone will continue to eat, we will always have lights and fuel, insurance, maintenance on the cars, everything taken care of … by me."

"And my credit cards?"

"They come to me."

"All of them!"

"Every single one Shawn… because you too quick with the card, you need to learn to go for the cheaper alternative – see you done got fed that nonsense you get what you pay for! In some instances… it certainly is true – but in others, the cheaper will do."

"At least let me keep one!"

"Which one has the least amount of credit on it?"

Shawn started laughing rolling in the bed shaking his head. "You gotta be kidding me!? Are you serious?!"

"Do I look like I'm serious? You doggone right I'm serious, now which one has the least amount on it? That's the one you can keep. But – I don't want you to use it, its for emergencies only! I'll give you money each week to spend."

"WHAT?!" He sat up in the bed next to her.

"Will you hush man for you wake up these kids."

"Well they better sleep through it! How much money are you talking about giving me?"

"Well what do you need money for? I'll keep gas in all the vehicles, food in the house, I'll keep you supplied with your paints. But come to think of it, most of the stuff you do, you can do in that computer… you don't really neeeeed to paint!"

"WHAT?!"

"Shhhhh! Okay okay okay… I'll keep the painting supplies coming, but still… you don't need that much money on you. You don't smoke, you don't drink – much that is… so what are you going to do with it?"

Shawn sat staring through the dark at her in disbelief, he was speechless, his brain jammed up and went completely blank.

"See… you can't even think of anything to spend it on… you have all the clothes you need, and when you need more, I'll buy them."

"I don't want no Kmart – Walmart clothes!" He complained.

"Ain't nothing wrong with Walmart – Mr. California-man! You want a big family… well here we go! Time to tighten it up baby! Now… how much money you want a week? Twenty-five or thirty dollars?"

"Twe- Thir… oh hell! I'll spend that in five minutes right here in town!" He argued.

"Not unless you wanna be broke you won't."

"Oh no no no – I protest! I don't even wanna hear about anything less than a hundred dollars!"

"A week Shawn?!"

"Yeah!"

"Four hundred dollars a month Shawn!? You spend four hundred dollars a month?!"

"No." He answered gulping.

"More or less?"

"I'm not telling you."

"Shawn, I'm telling you now… there ain't no reason in the world, for no body to be spending four hundred dollars a month! So if you have been, you can kiss -(She gave a gestured kiss to her hand)- those days goodbye! Goodnight!" And she turned over on her side of the bed.

"What do you mean, goodnight?! I'm not done yet… that's not a lot of money."

"Goodnight Shawn… we'll talk about it tomorrow."

"I wanna talk about it tonight. Okay okay… eighty a week… can I get eighty a week?"

"Thirty Shawn."

"Seventy-five?"

"Thirty-five."

"Seventy?"

"Thirty-five."

"Hey… you were suppose to move up more!"

"Thirty-five- ninety-nine."

"Sixty and you got yourself a deal."

Sylvia was quiet and thinking, then said, "Forty-five and that's it Shawn."

"What am I gonna do with forty-five dollars a week?"

"Save it… put it away, let it build up… then buy something."

He threw himself back on the bed like a spoiled little boy, pouting. Then came up with an idea, "If I can earn a little extra on the side outside of my check I get each month, that's mine to keep right?"

"Well if you can do that… you don't need the forty-five!"

"Aye! The forty-five is mine! But if I make a little extra on the side… is that mine?"

Sylvia sighed thinking about it, "Yeah Shawn… that's yours."

"No matter how much it might come to?"

"Why, you going back to Melba's?" She turned to him to ask.

"Shit… with you holding the purse strings, I may have to!"

Sylvia turned over laughing, "Goodnight my husband." She got a grunt in return and laughed even more.

 

---

Chapter 66

Monday morning, everyone in the house was up except Crystal. Sylvia had to call her job and call the school with the numbers that Mundo gave her, telling them that they had a family emergency and she would be off for the next few days. Since Crystal had never taken a day off, they put her on vacation because she had plenty of time saved up. Shawn and Mundo took Angela to school and disappeared for the entire morning, ticking Sylvia off because then she was left to deal with the boys alone. She fed them breakfast, dressed them and left them to watch Sesame Street while she cleaned up the house. Mundo left the basement a mess, didn't fold up the sofa sleeper, had been munching out of the refrigerator at night, and left dishes in the sink in the small kitchenette in the basement, she was not happy. Mumbling to herself, "Oh no he did not! I know he know me! Lord knows he gone hear it from me when they get back here!"

On the way upstairs, the phone rang. "Hello?"

"Hello Sylvia Payne?"

"Yes?"

"This is detective Meridoc – ummm, this call is concerning Ray Olivetti."

"Oh… they've set a new court date?"

"No… he's dead."

"What? He's dead? Oh… ummm, how?"

"That's what we're trying to find out. We found that there are strange circumstance surrounding his death, things that just don't add up. We would like to question you, and Mr. McPherson, we rang his number but received no answer there."

"Oh… ummm, that's because he's here now… we're due to be married in a few days… and I don't wish my kids to know about the case with Ray Olivetti, so we will have to come in there for any questioning."

"That's fine… can it be a day this week?"

"I would rather not, we really are pressed in our schedule for our up and coming wedding, we're getting married Friday."

"Sorry Ms. Payne… its going to have to be this week."

Sylvia exhaled dramatically. "I'll have to call you back when Shawn gets home, can I get your number where to reach you?"

"Sure, have a pen?"

"Just a minute." Sylvia put the phone down and went to her office and saw her daughter cross the hall and go straight into the bathroom, she looked terrible. "Crystal? You okay?" She asked at the bathroom door.

"Yeah… I'm okay."

"You hungry?"

"No mama… I'm fine… I gotta get going, I have to drop the boys off at day care and head to work."

"I've already taken care of that. We'll talk when you come out." Sylvia said and went for the pen and paper, returning, she wrote down his name and number and promised to get back to him that day.

Crystal washed up, and came out looking at her boys, her mind on the race to figure out how to get through this day without Victor. "Mom we have to go, I can't believe it's 11:30! Why did you guys let me sleep so long. Come on Isaac, find your shoes."

"Crystal… leave him and come sit down… Isaac… go back and watch t.v. baby."

"Mama… we have to go!"

"No… what you have to do is come and sit down… right now. I've called your job and the school. Your job has put you on vacation for the next week, and you need it."

"Mama why'd you do that!"

"Come – sit – down… now!"

Crystal walked over to the table and flopped down in a chair, her eyes were puffy, she looked like she needed to sleep for at least 6 more hours.

"I want you to listen to me. I don't want you to talk yet… just listen. Understand?"

Crystal nodded, her eyes were tearing up – she needed to move, she couldn't just sit there, her stomach was hurting and she was fighting back a pain that was holding on so tight, she needed to move or lose her sanity.

"Shawn has talked to Victor, he's talked to Mundo, and I've listened to you. Now I want you to listen to us, to me… when Shawn gets home-…"

He and Mundo stepped onto the kitchen porch as she said his name, coming into the house. They looked at Crystal, Mundo eyes softened to see his sister the way she was, she looked like she was barely holding on, and her breathing was getting deep, her eyes were once again filling with tears.

"I was just getting ready to talk to her." Sylvia started. Shawn was looking at Crystal, her deep breathing and struggle to keep control.

"She needs to walk Sylvie… Crystal… come on lets go for a walk… lets just walk… okay… come on… please? Come on."

She stood fighting back crying and walked toward him, he made eye contact with Sylvia, "Come with us?" He asked, Sylvia considered it, then changed her mind, "No… you two go."

He turned and they did, headed out and started walking down the country road that passed some farms, it was a slight chill in the air, Crystal walked quietly beside Shawn with her arms crossed before her, holding her sweater closed. The cool air in her face was helping, she took several deep breaths as they walked. He waited until they were a quarter of a mile from the house and asked, "Your heart still beating fast?"

She looked at him then, "Yeah… a little."

"Let's trot?"

"What?"

"You heard me… let's trot… just a shuffle run… just a slight one." He started moving a head of her and then turned backwards facing her, as he trotted backwards, she was looking at him like he was crazy, "Well come on… you can't trot?"

"I don't feel like trotting!"

"Do it anyway… for me… please… come on."

"This is ridiculous!"

"I know… come on… just a little shuffle trot… breath a little… come on."

She sighed deep and started up for him, "That's it… keep it going…"

"Do you know how ridiculous we look? Trotting down this country road… looking like a couple of morons."

Shawn chuckled, "Speed it up then little mo'! Come on!"

"ACH! Little mo'?!"

"I'm bigger than you, so you can call me Big mo'… how's that?" He winked, she smiled and shook her head.

"I guess. Its not that I can't run, I just don't feel like it."

"Well you're not doing too bad for not feeling like it… keep it up."

"How far are we going?"

"As far as it takes."

"As far as what takes?"

"As far as it takes to burn off all that frustrated energy. There's quite a bit, that's why your heart's racing, we have to channel it, burn it, and then we can talk… so keep running. I'm right here with you."

"You know what… you crazy, you got me out here running like some kind of fool, only white people do crazy stuff like this… you know that don't you?"

"Starting to feel better already I see."

"No I'm not, I fail to see what this is going to accomplish… I have to get to work-…"

"You're on vacation."

"I need to get to school."

"School can wait a day or more."

She said nothing more and just trotted beside him, picking up her pace a bit, she didn't like to trot, she preferred to run. He speeded up right with her, she suddenly felt as if she could just run and never stop, and so she kept going, Shawn kept on with her.

"You think I'm crazy?" She finally asked controlling her breathing.

"No."

"You just saying that?"

"No."

"I think I'm crazy."

"Why?"

"Just because… I am."

"Well it doesn't work that way. A crazy person who is indeed crazy, doesn't realize it… they just are, and seem perfectly normal to themselves. I happen to think there are other things going on."

"Like what?"

"Ooooh… you're trying too hard to prove something. Probably to people or before people that don't even count. Do one thing at a time Crystal, especially now that you have two boys to care for. Either work… or go to school… but don't do both."

"Yeah… well, I'm not quitting school… I've come too far, and struggled too long to get where I am, I have to finish. And I have to work… especially now that Victor's gone."

"I think you should just go to school, and deal with the boys and yourself."

"Emmm, good thought… problem is… life's expensive. Children are expensive, to live… you need money."

"Victor will be giving you child support."

"It's not gonna pay the rent though is it?"

"No… its not. Does finishing school really mean that much to you?"

"Yes it does."

"How much does it mean to you?"

"Well not more than my kids… but it means a lot to me to finish."

"Would you sacrifice to finish?"

"I already have."

"Will you sacrifice more?"

Crystal stopped, taking deep breaths, and turned to him, "What are you getting at?"

"Your mother and I, we want you to finish school. We think you should. We also think, that in order to do it, and do it right, you need to let something go."

"Like what?"

"Your job."

"And how am I to live?"

"With us."

Crystal stared at him.

"Your mom and I can help you by taking the boys to day care and preschool. Victor will be providing child support for money, while your mom and I fund you for the rest of what you need. We also want you to go to the doctor, I personally think… an herbal doctor as well wouldn't hurt. I think you need to be on a really good supplement. I don't think you're eating right. I don't think you're getting enough rest. I think you're overwhelmed. And I think you have too much pride to stop and say… help… somebody help me. I'm not your father, so I can't tell you what to do. But Crystal… you need us right now. You need help and you know it. If you don't stop… think… and come to grips with certain things right now… right here and now… things are going to get worse… not better. I know – that you know… what I'm saying is true. Because you're smart as hell. If… if, you play your cards right, and make sense of it all now… and start to fix it… if… you want to… you might – be able to save your marriage. If not… you will at least be able to save yourself. I'm asking you to please, look at me, and see that what your mother and I are offering you… is a chance to make things right for yourself. While you may have been wrong in other things that are eating you up inside… make this right decision… and rest… so you can re-energize and get back on track."

"I'm not your responsibility. My mom is your responsibility. I made my bed… and I'll lie it."

"Crystal… its time for you to make a different bed for yourself. People do it all the time, throw out that old lumpy mattress, and bring in a new one, guaranteed better sleep. Darlin'… don't walk away from this… don't continue to punish yourself. Victor is a big boy, he'll recover. Do this Crystal… for once, ignore your head, and listen to your heart. I'll tell you what… I know you're straight foreword, look me in the eye and tell me… you don't need any help… and I'll drop it now." Shawn focused his eyes straight on her light brown eyes, and she stared at him until they watered up on her.

"I'm so…" She stated, then stopped.

"What… say it."

"I'm so tired… I just… I just want everything to just stop… just for a while… cause I can't breathe… I can't – breathe."

Shawn pulled her into his arms; she clung back to him.

"Okay… well… now you can … now you can. Take a deep breath… another one… and say… I need to come home."

She stood on the side of the road holding him, clinging tight and said in his neck, "I need – need to – to come home… I need to come home."

"Good girl… good girl… now lets head back." They turned and started walking back, Shawn kept his arms around her, she kept hers on him for a moment more, then felt self-conscience and pulled away. "Where will we all sleep?"

"We'll make due, how'd you sleep last night?"

"I slept fine."

"Well there you go. The boys slept fine as well, I think you should move your things into storage for a while and just move into my house with the boys while we work to add on, we have plenty of room… everything will be just fine."

"Its just temporary… until I sort things out… and… can deal with everything."

"Of course… we'll take it one day at a time."

"Okay… okay."

 

*   *   *

 

"Doris… this is Gert. I'm looking for Jake, I left him a message on his answering machine… but I haven't heard from him yet… is he there?"

"You just missed him. He's going out of town to deliver some timber to Minnesota… he'll be back day after tomorrow."

"Damn him… slippery as an eel!"

"What is it about Gert?"

"Its personal. I'll have to catch him when he returns… oh… his cell phone, give me that new number of his, I keep misplacing it."

"Okay… hang on." Doris answered and left the phone, returning a moment later, and read off the number to Gert.

"Thank you… you coming to the wedding Friday?" Gert asked.

"I wish I could, but I'll be out of town this weekend with my kids, I tried to get Jake to come, but he says he can't come, he has to go to his brothers wedding."

"Yeah well… to be honest with you, I'm wishing you would take him on with you. Never mind… I'll get a hold of him myself. Bye bye."

 

Monday, four days before the wedding, everyone was busy. The cake was ordered. The flowers ordered. A photographer found and hired. Catering was paid for, and gifts from those who couldn't be there were already showing up for the happy couple from Gert's family. Monday and Tuesday, Shawn, Sylvia, Crystal and Mundo, cleaned out the house in La Crosse and put all of the furniture Crystal had in storage. Followed by Shawn moving them into his house, where there were two fully furnished bedrooms, and the third was set up for the boys. The entire week, Mundo and Shawn were always together going out for one thing or another. He brought all of his things to Shawn's, all the equipment they purchased. Sylvia felt that she only got to see him in the evenings for dinner and when they went to bed at night. So busy… the week was whizzing by like a dream, it was already Wednesday before they knew it. The phone was constantly ringing, from those who were coming Friday. The list they made, pretty much all on it were showing up, and then some – a few people were asking could they bring this person or that one.

Shawn was on the phone with his friends, laughing as he was being teased about being hooked once again, they were dying to know who got him after they learned it wasn't the stewardess. "I guess you'll find out when you show up at the wedding." He laughed, the devil in him made him relish the idea of seeing the looks on some of their faces when they met Sylvia… his black wife. Sylvia shook her head at him. "You wrong… you need to be telling them. So don't get mad if one of them say the wrong thing." She warned.

"Honey… they're my friends… they know me. They may say it after they leave… but they won't say it there in front of me."

She left it alone, too busy with Angela, Crystal and the boys. Plus she was on the phone with Shanna and if not Shanna, Meribel, or Sheila… she called to warn her, the girlfriends were coming… so get ready. Sylvia just wanted it over with, the sooner the better so they could get on with their lives.

Wednesday night she and Shawn lay in bed… both exhausted.

"Goodness me, I'm exhausted." He said.

"Emmm." She moaned.

"We're getting married in 48 hours."

"Emmm."

"Aren't you excited." He yawned.

"Emmm." She yawned too.

"Goodnight wife."

"Emmm."

Chuckling, he turned and kissed her brow, "I love you too."