“Thanks, Lexi, you too.”
Beau glares at me like I’m at the top of his hit list. That’s okay by me, because he’s at the top of mine.
Chapter 54
My dad is still going strong when I get back to his apartment. He’s frantically moving around the canvas like he’s trying to paint a hurricane or something. “Hey, Dad,” I say. I throw him a chocolate-covered caramel candy bar I picked up at the gas station on my way home from dinner. I explain, “I brought you gooey without being hot, cheese, or sticky.”
He picks at my offering and tears the wrapper off. Before biting into it, he says, “Thanks, honey” and nothing more. I’m actually surprised I got that much out of him.
On my way up the stairs, I say, “I’m going to take your bed. You can have my air mattress down here so you can be close to your painting.” Although I’m pretty sure he won’t sleep tonight.
I put on my nightgown before crawling into bed. Once I get there I give over to all the thoughts swirling in my head. Today feels like it’s lasted a week. My mom showed up out of nowhere; Beau seems to be remembering that he’s Shelby’s boyfriend, all the while trying to stake a claim on me; but my parents’ relationship is a big question mark.
I have no idea how this is all going to work out. I finally fall asleep only to dream about the day Mimi took me to see her fortune-teller. Everything seems to happen in real time, like I’m ten again. My hair is hanging down my back in corkscrew curls and my grandmother is running her hands through it.
She tells me, “Honey, life is a miracle.”
“Why do say that, Mimi?”
“Because it is. We are so blessed to live on this beautiful planet in this wonderful city. We have each other and we have hope. There’s nothing but joy for us.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know about that. Melissa Fellows at school is being a real snot and I don’t feel too joyous about that.”
“Come with me, I’m going to take you to meet a lady I know.” She reaches out her hand for me to grab. I love Mimi’s hands. They’re small, but they’re strong like a vise. When my hand is in hers, I know I’m safe.
We walk down 112th Street past a bodega and a discount clothing store. She stops at an old brick building where four teenagers are drinking out of a bottle hidden in a paper bag. Before going inside, Mimi holds out her hand to the boys and says, “Give it over.”
The oldest tries to look tough and says, “We’re not giving you shit, old lady.”
She clucks her tongue and says, “You’d better, Clarence, or your mama’s gonna you give you something worse when I tell her what you’re up to.”
The youngest-looking one says, “Man, Thelma, you ruin all our fun. Why don’t you mind your own business?”
She smacks him on the back of the head and says, “You are my business, boy, and don’t you forget it. We look out after our own here.”
The oldest says, “If we give you the bag, will you still tell on us?”
“Damn straight,” she says. “But I’ll also say that you gave it over easily and that should count for something.”
He reluctantly hands over the goods but not before taking another big swig. Mimi turns the bottle over right in front of them and pours it out onto the sidewalk, then she throws it in the garbage. “Just a bunch of wannabe hoodlums, those boys. They need a good kick in the britches, if you ask me.”
“I’d be more afraid that they were going to kick you, Mimi. Be careful with them.”
She shakes her head. “They’d need an army to take me on.” Then she pulls me along into the building. There’s no lobby, only a long hallway with doors on either side and a staircase straight ahead. We stop and knock at the second door on the right.
I hear a voice shout out, “Come in.”
The lady inside has Rastafarian braids hanging down her back and she’s wearing a colorful dress. “Thelma!” she greets my grandmother with a hug. “Who you bring me today?”
Mimi says, “Jaqweshia, this here’s my granddaughter, Lexi.”
She takes my hand in hers and asks, “Do you know what my name means?” I shake my head, so she explains, “It means half a queen. Your mama’s name is Regina, which means full queen.”
“What does my name mean?” I ask.
“You’re Alexis, defender of man.”
“I like that,” I tell her. Then I say, “It smells like a skunk died in here.”
“That’s jus’ my special herbs, honey. I burn them to clear the cobwebs in the air.” I don’t know about that because she winks at Mimi which suggests there’s another reason altogether.
Jaqweshia asks, “How would you like me to tell you your fortune?”
“Like a gypsy or something?” I wonder.
“The gypsies have their way. I have mine.” She leads me over to a card table in the middle of her living room and tells me to sit down. Then she hands me a cup like the kind we use at home when we play Yahtzee. She puts several small chicken bones in front of me and instructs, “Hold the bones so they can read your energy. Then when you’re ready, put them in the cup and throw them down on the table.”
I do what she says, all the while wondering how in the world she’s going to be able to read my future by looking at a bunch of bones.
Once they’re lying on the table in front of her, she claims, “You have an interesting future ahead of you, young lady.”
“What do you see?” I ask.
“In your thirtieth year, when the dog jumps over you, your life is going to change in the most unexpected ways.”
I laugh like she just told me a really good knock-knock joke. “That’s silly,” I tell her.
She shrugs her shoulders. “Remember that things aren’t always what they seem. You need to make your desires heard and not be afraid to say what you want.”
I ask, “How will I know when I’m supposed to say something?”
“Always speak your piece, but for the sake of this reading, you’ll know it’s time when your family is reunited.”
Mimi and I leave a short time later. We walk down the street and I confess, “I don’t know what any of that meant.”
“You will someday,” she tells me. “But for now, all you need to know is that you’re my girl and I love you more than all the stars in the heavens.”
“I love you too, Mimi,” I tell her. And in that moment in my dream, I feel her with me as sure as if she never left.
When I wake up I remember everything like it was yesterday. I realize that I’d forgotten part of the fortune, to speak my desires. I know what I have to do.
Chapter 55
As soon as my eyes open, I hop out of bed and get into the shower. I take extra pains to look nice while getting ready for the day. Once I’m convinced I can’t look any better, I leave the apartment and take the elevator down to the second floor. I walk right into Frothingham Realty.
The receptionist smiles and asks, “Are you here to see Beau?”
“I am,” I tell her.
I wait while she calls him to let him know I’m here. He doesn’t answer her. Instead, he charges down the hall like a bull in Pamplona. He stops right in front of me, takes my elbow, and pulls me back down the hall into his office.
“Good morning,” I greet. “Looks like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed.”
“What was that all about last night?”
“Dinner?” I ask innocently.
“Not dinner. What was going on with you and my uncle?”
“Oh, that,” I answer. “We were just enjoying our time together.”
“What does that mean, Lexi? Why were you flirtin’ with him like you were interested in him?”
“Who says I’m not?” I demand.
“What about us? I thought we were starting something.’”
“I might have thought so too, but I’m not interested in competing with Shelby for your affections. You’re either with her or you’re not. Which is it?”
He shakes his head and
picks up his phone. He ignores my questioning look while he places a call. He says, “I need to tell someone else what’s going on. It’s important.”
He listens for a moment before saying, “Yeah, Lexi. Yes, I do. Okay, I’ll tell her. Thank you.” Then he puts his phone down. “Shelby and I are not seeing each other.”
“Why should I believe you?” I ask.
He looks shocked. “Why wouldn’t you believe me? When have I ever lied to you?”
“I saw you at my house the day my offer was accepted,” I tell him. He looks confused so I clarify, “Out front, hugging each other.”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake. What you saw was Shelby setting me free. She told me that she would always be fond of me but that there was no way we should be together. She said that we were just too different. Then she asked me if I’d pretend we were still a couple for a while.”
“Why?” I want to know.
He says, “She wanted to keep Cootie off her back while she tries to decide what to do with her life. She figured if her mama didn’t know we weren’t together then she’d never guess what she really wanted to do until it was too late.”
“What does Shelby want to do?” I ask.
“She wants out of Creek Water. She wants to try life in a big city but doesn’t know how to go about making that happen.” I file that information away for future use.
“She was planning on leaving without telling her parents?”
He shakes his head. “No, but she was hoping to make a plan and be ready to set it into motion before she told them. Cootie can be pretty persuasive.”
A smile creeps to my lips as I finally absorb the news that Beau is free. Instead of saying anything to him though, I close the gap between us and kiss him like I’m staking my claim. He doesn’t let me get carried away. Instead, he pushes me back a few inches and demands, “What about Jesse?”
I laugh, “Jesse is in love with your Aunt Gracie and we were trying to make her jealous, so she’d realize that she feels the same way.”
“What? When did that happen?” he demands.
“Jesse says that he’s been courting her for a year, but she doesn’t know it. He says she thinks of him like a little brother.”
He pulls me back into his arms and says, “If Aunt Gracie was half as mad as I was, I’m willing to bet she’ll realize how she feels pretty darn quick.” Then he asks, “You’re sure you’re not interested in him?”
I confess, “I may have been trying to force you to realize your feelings as well.”
“You didn’t need to force me, Lexi. I already knew what I felt.” Then he lowers his lips to mine before declaring, “Let me show you.”
Chapter 56
Beau and I go over to see my mom at Myrah and Clovis’s. I’d promised to fill her in on what was going on last night and figure she might enjoy seeing Beau and me together when I deliver the news that we’re officially an item.
Clovis opens the door when we get there, and jokes, “I see the dogs didn’t eat ya. Now that they know ya, you’ll be fine with them.”
“That’s what Beau said,” I say before giving him a hug. Then I ask, “Where’re my mom and Myrah?”
“Lawd, those women are jawin’ away in the kitchen. I swear there hasn’t been a moment of quiet all mornin’.”
Beau knocks Clovis in the shoulder. “It’s a nice sound, isn’t it?”
Clovis smiles ear to ear. “Sweeter than honey,” he says. Then he leads the way to the other room.
Myrah jumps up and declares, “Good thing I made extra breakfast this mornin’.”
I look down and see that the table is set for five. “Are we interrupting? It looks like you were expecting somebody.”
“We was,” she answers. “We was expectin’ you.”
“How?” I ask.
My mom answers, “Myrah has the sight.” My mom doesn’t believe in that stuff any more than I do. Or should I say, did? If nothing else, the last couple of days have certainly taught me that things occur in our world far beyond my understanding.
Regina says, “The first thing she said when she saw me this morning was that you and Beau were joining us for breakfast.”
Beau kisses Myrah on the cheek before sitting down and saying, “I’m starved. I hope you made your sticky buns.”
She turns around and opens the oven door and pulls out a pan. “Course I did.” Then she puts them on the table.
I’m afraid living in Creek Water is going to have a dramatic effect on my waistline. I don’t ever recall eating as much as I have here. Over breakfast I answer all of Regina’s questions.
I finish the story by telling her, “Shelby wants to live in a big city for a while but doesn’t know how to go about doing that.”
My mom asks me, “Do you like Shelby?”
“I do,” I tell her. “The only thing I didn’t like was thinking that she and Beau were together.”
My mom nods her head. “I can see that.” She asks, “Beau, why don’t you see if you can get me and Shelby in the same room sometime? I’d like to talk to her.”
Beau looks surprised. “What about?”
I answer for Regina. “My mom is going to offer to help her in New York City.”
Myrah teases, “Look who has the sight now.”
“No, ma’am,” I shake my head, realizing I’m starting to sound a bit Southern myself. “You don’t have to be psychic to know that Regina is going to help out another woman if it’s in her power to do so.”
“Plus,” my mom interjects, “who knows how long Bertie is going to be down here painting? I have the space. This way, Shelby can see what it’s like to live in a city without having to incur all of the expenses of renting an apartment. She can also explore different neighborhoods to get a feel for what area feels like home to her.”
I love these moments when I see my mom outside of our dynamic as mother and child. She’s strong, opinionated, and often frightening, but she’s also kind, caring, and selfless. I ask, “Do you think you can ship my boxes down to me when you get home?”
“I can do that,” she says.
“What about Dad?” I ask.
“What about him?”
“What are you going to do regarding his ultimatum?” I’m sure she’d rather not discuss this in a room full of people, but I really want to know.
“I’ll let you know when I decide,” she tells me.
After an hour or so, Beau and I take our leave. We promise to see everyone soon before driving over to my new house.
When we get there, Beau asks, “How would you like to see your neighbor’s house?”
“Depends on which neighbor,” I say.
“I know for a fact that the guy in the brick colonial wants to invite you over.”
“Well, then,” I answer, “in that case, I accept.”
Beau’s house suits him. It’s big and masculine like he is. He has a real thing for large, heavy furniture and leather. It’s positively gorgeous. He sits me down on the living room couch and says, “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
He runs up the stairs and can’t be gone for two minutes before he’s back. He hands me a slip of paper.
I open it while asking, “What’s this?”
“It’s something Myrah gave me years ago after she read my tea leaves for the first time.”
I look down and read the following:
“The dog will jump before she moves. She’ll be your neighbor, she’ll be your family, she is your future.”
“You’re kidding?” I demand. Then I tell him about the fortune-teller from Harlem. He leans in close to me and offers the sweetest kiss. It’s says more than words ever could and I know in that moment that I’m exactly where I belong.
Epilogue
I convince everyone to have Thanksgiving dinner at my new house. We haven’t started any restoration projects yet, but we’ve moved all the furniture from Myrah and Clovis’s hay loft over here, so there are enough chairs to seat everyone.
Lee i
s bringing the turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes; Myrah is supplying rolls and pies; and Gracie is taking care of everything else. The only thing I’m responsible for are the drinks.
After Beau builds a fire in the fireplace, he leaves to pick up my dad. Meanwhile, I run around lighting candles and putting the finishing touches on the table. As the house starts filling up with guests, the air crackles like something magical is occurring. The past and future are colliding in a way that was forecasted generations ago. The feeling of celebration is heady, to say the least.
Emmie, Zach, and Faye sit together on the couch looking like the perfect little family. Gracie and Jesse are very definitely on good terms, and if their constant touching is any indication, they’ve finally changed the definition of their relationship. Davis and Amelia are there as are Myrah, Clovis, and my mom. We’re just waiting on Beau to bring my dad.
Bertie and Regina have not seen each other since that day when my mom showed up unexpectedly right here at my house. For most people that might seem like a bad sign, but with Dad’s painting schedule, I don’t find it too upsetting. Although I am a bit nervous to see how today goes. It’s obvious Regina is a little more dressed-up than normal.
When the doorbell rings, I get up to answer it. Beau and Bertie are carrying a large present between them. My dad says, “I brought you a housewarming gift.” They bring it into the living room, and everyone assembles to watch me open it.
My dad says, “It’s a sketch I made for one of the pieces in my new series.”
I excitedly tear the paper off it and when I see what it is, my eyes fill with tears. My dad has replicated the photograph of Regina Frothingham and my ancestor Elsie. The two women are standing with an arm around each other, their eyes filled with determination, hope, and love.
Everyone is as touched as I am. “I know the perfect place for it. Beau, Dad, can you put it on the mantle above the fireplace?”
After my dad’s art is situated, my mom says, “I have a bit of an announcement to make myself.”
All eyes turn to her. My dad seems especially interested to hear what she has to say. She clears her throat before offering, “Clovis was kind enough to go online and get himself ordained by the Church of the Loving God.”
The Move (The Creek Water Series Book 2) Page 21