“You could always save the good jewelry for when you’re in Mark’s company,” Darnell says.
Zoi gives him a caustic look. “Don’t do that. Just stop thinking about the cost and enjoy wearing it.”
“So what trouble do we have coming?” Darnell asks.
“Guess who’s downstairs with the boys?”
“No! Dad left Trudy with them?”
I laugh. “No. Worse.”
“Just tell us,” Zoi says impatiently.
“Kaitlin.”
“Oh no! They’re dating?” Zoi asks with fright in her voice.
“Who is Kaitlin?” Darnell asks, “And why is she a big deal?”
“She’s a big deal because she’s a Hindu Indian from India,” I explain to him.
“I have seen Indian women with white men,” he says in ignorance.
“That is rare and I don’t think I’ve seen one with a black man unless the Indian person was from the Caribbean,” Zoi says.
“Zo, Kaitlin has turned down every suitor her parents have tried to match her with. They’re going to be livid. They’ll probably ship her back to India.”
“Ok, Nella, don’t yell, but does that stuff still go on? We’re in America for God sake.”
“We’re in the twenty-first century in America and we’re still talking about race and color because it matters. Tradition is very important to Asians.”
“I think race matters to people of color more than to white people.”
“It matters to white people especially when black people come into their all white neighborhoods or start creeping into their children’s beds.”
“So what’s the worst that can happen?” Darnell asks.
“She will break Etienne’s heart and there is nothing we can do,” Zoi says. “How old is she, Nella?”
“She’s twenty-nine.”
“I told you she’s too old for him,” she says as if that will help. “She should know better. I need to talk to Etienne.”
“If she comes to the party, talk to both of them together, then ask the question first before you accuse her of trying to hurt your son.”
“Why don’t you talk to her? She was your secretary,” Zoi says.
“They’re both adults and they should be free to love each other if they choose. Frankly, I thought that once she slept with Etienne it would be over, but I guess he’s a man now.”
“I am so scared for him. Do you think he has any idea?”
“At his age I was just glad I was getting some once in a while. Marriage and forever was nowhere near my brain. He’ll be fine. You should mention what her culture is and what her parents believe just in case he has more sense than I did.” We both stare at Darnell hoping Etienne is all about the sex.
An hour before the party Dad takes the boys and Trudy to the hall. Back in the apartment, Zoi enters the living room dressed in a strapless, satin, wine-red dress with a big bow to the side and matching sparkly shoes. Her hair is a mass of curls with one side held away from her face by a rhinestone comb that matches her earrings. When her husband finally sees her, she knows from his reaction that she looks beautiful. Her makeup is flawless with nude lipstick, but Darnell thinks her lips should be red.
“I like that the nude is understated. It makes you look younger as if you have a secret, as if you’re saving something for later. The red will be beautiful too.”
Darnell is in a black suit, white shirt and stripe black tie. He looks sophisticated and proud. I can tell he’s happy the party is taking place. As a family, we don’t get out much.
My dress is a Vera Wang knockoff priced like an original. It’s strapless with diamond finished sparkles going in a slant on the bodice and in the opposite direction on the skirt, separated by a band of shimmering diamonds at the waist and also at the top where the dress begins. All this is over a heavy-cream light-weight material that’s fitted to my body and goes all the way to the floor. I’m still not sure why I let Zoi talk me into getting a floor length dress; but I love the way it feels, like a second skin. I borrowed a diamond bracelet and ring for my right hand, from Zoi, as well as matching earrings. I feel like a movie star. My shoes are silver to match the dress except a little more on the smoky side. My hair is a little longer than I usually wear it with curls and brown highlights throughout. Surprisingly, I really like it. My makeup is heavier than usual too. I try to look as natural as possible, but Zoi insisted on helping and I like what she did. I worry my behind is too big in the dress, but other than that I feel as hot as Zoi looks.
As soon as the sitter arrives, Zoi spends some time going over instructions with her. She’s someone from back home who we know and trust and she’ll be Tempest’s caregiver when Zoi returns to work. Once the caregiver puts Tempest down around nine she will sleep through the night.
I try to pay attention as we head into Manhattan. I expected Brooklyn. Now I’m trying to figure out the possible locations and Harlem comes to mind. There’s a nice nightclub around a Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Street but parking will be nonexistent. I settle back and think about Mark.
We spoke around six o’clock and getting engaged to him will be the best thing I can do for myself to begin the rest of my life. Knowing that Dad will be there for Zoi makes it easier. Now, I have to talk to Mark about how things will work when my sons are out of school. Zoi is my backup, but I would prefer a plan that includes them being in my household. I’m not worried, just wishing I had the conversation out loud.
We park in an underground garage in midtown.
What did they do?
All this first class goings-on for our birthday?
I shake my head. Nella, this is not just about you. Dad wears expensive shoes; he may be accustomed to this type of treatment, so please calm down and pretend that you’re part of the elite. I breathe deeply and follow my leaders. We take the elevator up to the main floor and I follow them to the coat check area and then head to the Roosevelt room.
“Zoi, I need to use the wash room. I’ll be right back,” I say, just before Darnell opens the door. I turn and retrace my steps back to the elevator.
“I’m right behind you. Might as well check my makeup too,” she says.
After I leave the stall, I wash my hands and stare at my face.
I smile. I feel good and look even better.
I turn to Zoi who is looking at me in the mirror. She hands me lotion.
“Thank you for today,” I say as I rub my hands together. “I had a good time and I feel like a queen, so all your efforts paid off. And Zo, you look really beautiful.”
She grins at me. “Nella, you look fabulous at forty and I had a lot of fun too. I felt like we were ten and twelve again just enjoying the love we have for each other without a care.” She stops and eyes me lovingly. “Nella… you’re my rock and I will miss seeing you every day. Mark is a great guy and he deserves you.”
“Do you mean that? You know me better than anyone. Do you really mean that, Zo?”
She comes nearer and puts her finger under my chin. “You’re the best that God has made and then he made me,” she says laughing and touching her hair. “Mark is a good guy and he may still need to prove to you he deserves you, but trust me he can’t do any better than you.” We hug and the tears threaten. “Let’s go before we screw up our faces,” Zoi says, wiping tears from the corner of her eyes.
We check the mirror one last time and hand in hand we enter the room where a blast of “surprise” hit my ears.
Who are they surprising?
I turn to Zoi and she’s laughing at me and clapping with everyone else. I shake my head and reach out to her and she hugs me. I hold on tight. I’m actually shaking.
She tries to separate herself from me, but I hold on firmly.
“What did you do?” I ask in her face.
“Look around you. The signs say it all. Read them and weep my sister.”
Before I can, Mark approaches me and I grin as I shake my head. He hugs me.
“You l
ook absolutely beautiful,” he says near my ear.
“Thank you,” I whisper back hugging him close, “You look very handsome too.”
He eases away from me.
“I’m shaking.”
“I notice,” he says grinning down at me as he touches my face.
He’s dressed in a tuxedo and he looks well groomed and very formal.
There’s Dad and he’s suited up and looks like he belongs in one every day. I can’t believe they all fooled me. I make the rounds hugging Dad, the boys and Darnell. They are the only ones still standing.
Suddenly, Zoi has a microphone.
“Joline,” she says into the microphone. “Please come up here and pay me my fifty bucks now,” she demands.
Joline stands from among about twenty tables and walks toward her. She whispers in Zoi’s ear and hands her the money then makes her way over to me.
“Hey, wait a minute,” Zoi says. She shows everyone the money. “No wonder she’s Nella’s friend. Five dollars is all she paid me, you guys are my witnesses.”
People are laughing.
Joline and I embrace. She’s dressed in a knee-length, charcoal-gray backless dress that makes her light skin sparkle. Her long hair is up in the front and hanging down on the sides and the back. She looks beautiful. We hug each other for a moment.
She kisses my cheek and says, “You deserve this and you look like a million bucks.”
“So do you. You could’ve told me.”
“No, I couldn’t,” she says apologetically. She kisses my cheek again and I squeeze her tightly.
“You better pay Zoi or she’ll sue you,” I whisper with laughter in my voice.
“You’re right,” Joline says and walks back to Zoi. She says something, takes back her five bucks and returns to her seat. Zoi shakes her head negatively and brushes Joline off.
Zoi waves me over and Mark follows. I hold Mark’s hand as well as hers. I look out at all the occupied tables. A lot of people I know, but quite a few I don’t. Oh my God! My great-aunt Sarah from the Bronx is here. How did Zoi manage to get her to come? My eyes move on around the room and some areas are pretty dark. Why?
“We’re here to celebrate, my sister and best friend, Dr. Eunella Veronica Blakely,” she says and pauses as they applaud. “Nella earned her Ph.D., a year ago,” and she pauses again as they clap. “She also hit the big forty earlier this week, but still looks like she’s twenty-nine.” They stand clapping and I take a bow. I feel as if I’m twenty-nine too.
She goes on to say what a wonderful sister and mother I am and then Zoi introduces Dad. She tells them it’s his birthday too and they applaud. She explains that since Dad showed up so late for us we have to make sure he hangs around, so we’ll celebrate his birthday next year. She calls Darnell, Etienne, Roland and Zander and introduces them. She also asks Aunt Sarah to stand and introduce her and then hands the microphone to Mark.
“I’m Markham Gagnon,” he says in an overly deep voice. I laugh. I take his hand and he squeezes mine. We lace fingers and my confidence returns. Mark continues, “I’m the lucky man who Nella’s been dating officially for the past five months. I would like to introduce my family to her family.”
The room is suddenly bright throughout and I gasp. I’m nervous again. I finally see them. Oh my God! They came just for this? As he introduces his parents, his brother, Daniel and sister, Candice, I hug each one and they move on to introduce themselves to the rest of my family. Granny is here too and I well up as I hug her. We look into each other’s face and I wish I had had the foresight to know then what I know now and said yes in Jamaica.
Mark turns to me. “Nella before our immediate family, your friends and my friends I want to ask you the all important question,” he says and puts the microphone to my mouth.
“What?” I ask laughing nervously.
“Do you love me?” he inquires seriously.
I’m so choked up I fold my lips and nod trying my best to keep from bawling.
Mark touches my face. “You have to answer out loud, so all the guys who think they have a chance with you know once and for all that your heart belongs to me.”
I force myself to be serious. “I love you, Mark,” I say clearly, seeing the love for me reflected in his eyes.
He pumps his fist and shouts, “Yes,” and they applaud.
He looks at me with a big grin and I can’t help but laugh. He steps back and moves to his knees. I hear gasping as if they didn’t expect him to propose. I gasp too even though I expected it.
“Eunella Blakely, will you marry me?” he asks very humbly.
I look over at our family wishing his kids were here. I turn back to him and nod.
“Yes, I’ll marry you,” I say, sounding hoarse.
They cheer and my Dad steps up and takes the microphone. Mark and I kiss quickly and I hold on to him tightly finally understanding that this is not a trial situation for us living together. He is serious about me and we’re here.
“A toast,” Dad says. “To Mark and Eunella, to your first step and many more happy steps down the path of life together.”
“Here, here!” everyone else responds and like magic they all stand and click their glasses. I put my hand over my heart and turn to Mark. He bends and put his lips to mine. I close my eyes and it’s Mark, the man I love. He holds my face and we kiss as if it’s our first time. We stop.
I breathe in deeply and I’m ready for what’s to come.
Both of Mark’s parents toast us and then the microphone is passed to Granny.
“I came all the way from Jamaica and I expected this, but somehow I want more.” She turns to me. “Are you ready this time?”
I nod and feel Mark squeezing my hand as if he too is ready.
Granny indicates for someone to bring me a chair and he does. He brings her one too.
“Eunella, you love my grandson,” she says, after we’re seated. “We have gone over that and he adores you. What does this engagement mean?”
I clear my throat. “It means that I promise to love Mark and make him a priority, and in the future I will marry him.”
“So I have to come back up here again to hear you tell us that you love him?” she asks in her heavy Jamaican accent. I laugh and somewhere out there the people who understand her laugh too.
“Yes, you will,” I say with regret. “His children are not here and we haven’t prepared them for a marriage, so you will have to come back, Granny. I’m sorry. Or we can bring the wedding to you.”
“Is it just the children who are holding you back?” she asks, and my heart speeds up.
“Oh God!” I say standing. I cover my mouth and look at Mark. “Are they here?” I ask him.
He nods, and I see the nervousness on his face. I reach out and grab his arm and Tiffany and Zach walk toward us, on cue, from across the room. They stand in front of us and I bend and hug them. I now realize that his family had already met mine except maybe Zoi and Darnell. My eyes are drawn toward the door and Darnell’s parents, his sisters and their children are standing there with Tempest, who is wide awake. Zoi moves toward them.
I look back at Tiffany and Zach.
“Did you already meet my family?” I ask them.
“Yes,” they say in unison.
“When did you arrive?”
“Very early this morning,” Tiffany says.
“Zach, did your Dad … did your Dad tell you we were going to get married?”
“He said he was hoping, but you might say no.”
“Should I … should I say no?” I ask him, wiping the tears from under my eyes.
“No. You should say yes,” he says smiling.
“Tiffany?”
“Please say yes. Your dress is beautiful and we’re here and already dressed up,” she says in her very mature voice.
The guests laugh and clap.
I look up at Mark; he’s biting his lip.
“Did you ask Etienne, Roland and Zander?” I ask him.
; He nods and I look over at them and they nod, grinning too.
“Will you … will you marry me right now?” Mark asks nervously.
“I nod and a big smile covers my face and they cheer loudly.”
Mark searches through his jacket pocket and opens the black velvet box with the engagement ring. It’s perfect. It’s what I would have chosen for myself, not too big, a white gold and diamond solitaire. It’s beautiful and my heart rejoices that he knows me well. He removes it from the box and my hand automatically meets him half way. He places it on my finger and kisses my hand.
I swallow.
I don’t have a ring for him. I search for Darnell to borrow his and see them moving into place for a wedding.
They all knew and no one told me. He has just arrived and the loyal following I had so carefully built up has jumped ship and are on his side.
We walk over to the minister who is dressed in a suit with his collar and is holding what appears to be a bible.
I turn back and look at Zoi, then at Dad. Their faces say they’re happy for me.
I swallow again.
So, they’re not on his side but on our side.
I hold Mark’s hand a little tighter.
He’s taking me as I am, so I’m marrying him here and now.
TAKE ME as I am Page 27