by K L Finalley
"Not a museum. It's my family history. Some people have family photos at the beach. My parents had gold records." Jacqueline sat down at the piano bench. "You know, I'm proud of this stuff." Sheryl looked at her. "I am."
"We left you with your grandmother," she said.
"Who loved me," Jacqueline said. "And, you weren't in jail. It's not like you abandoned me. I was better taken care of than any kid I knew. Yes, my parents got a divorce, but most kids' parents got a divorce. I still saw my dad."
"Look at all these relics," Lee teased. "Look how silly he made her look."
"Let's go downstairs," Sheryl went to take him by the hand.
"Relics? Is that what you see?" Jacqueline frowned. "It's not just about them. It's about me, too. Listen, I don't know if my father caused problems. But, when she can't talk about her past, because of whatever it is that happened, then she's also not talking about me. Look around. I'm on those magazine covers. Those records are dedicated to me. They left me to pursue a dream….and I guess I need her to talk about it as if it was the time of her life, because if she can't, then she did abandon me. Does that make sense?"
"It does to me," Felicia said as she entered the room. "She's our mother, too. And, those things she did are amazing. And, even if they happened before we were born, our mother did them. But, we never get to talk about it. About who she is and what she's done. We gotta pretend like this is all she is."
"I had to look her up online when someone asked me about one of her songs," Kiana said looking at the magazines on the wall.
"I used to love when Dexter came to get Q," Felicia admitted. "He brought us all something. Remember?"
"Hell, yeah. I thought he was our uncle for years. I didn't figure out til I was in middle school why Q got to go with him and I didn't," Kiana laughed.
"I told your Mama that those gifts would confused you girls," Latoya admitted.
"It wasn't a problem for me. Just dummy over here." Felicia said.
Jacqueline would've said more but others started to join them upstairs and she needed the bottle for the baby. Friends looked at the pictures of a young Jacqueline and asked about the gold records. They spoke to Sheryl about her time on the road and asked what she remembered most. She hesitated to speak about it, but after Lee nodded with approval she indulged the stroll down memory lane. Jacqueline sat on her piano bench and listened to her mother tell the tales of the moments and memories that made up her parent's absence from her youth until Felicia returned with the bottle. Then, the doorbell returned her back to the present.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Jacqueline left the collection of visitors in the piano room to answer the door. Before opening it, she glanced into the living room to see Michael enjoying Misty's company as she fed Imani. Jack and Big Jack had journeyed into the billiards room to enjoy a healthy game with Brett, Khalil, Reese, Xavier and Derrick watching. There were pockets of conversation in Mallory's office. Employees from the Sun were outside on the deck. Vicki, Rachel, Paige, and Lauren were in the kitchen. With food and drinks still being served, the party had no indication of slowing, but she was. She squeezed her eyes and shook off the fatigue. "Good evening," she said, and, then, she stopped breathing. The shock overtook her. On the porch stood, the Cummings. Richard, Barbara, Owen, Noelle, and the kids were there. "Hi, folks," she changed gears when she saw it was them. She hadn't expected them. She hadn't planned how to act if they arrived. She'd greeted them twice, but they hadn't moved.
"You gotta big house," Wyatt said.
"Yeah, it was the only one on the street we liked," she said. "You wanna come in?"
"I gotta potty," Tanner said and grabbed his most personal part.
"Then, you better come in," she said. "Would you all like to come in?"
"Yes," Richard spoke finally. "We would." He hugged her and entered the house.
Giving her a fake hug, Barbara said, "Everything looks so nice."
"Tanner, buddy, go to the kitchen and around the corner and you'll find a restroom. Wyatt, go up the stairs and you'll find a bunch of other kids. The rest of you can follow me," she instructed. Before things could become more awkward, Mallory descended the staircase with a wineglass in hand. Quickly, she downed the half glass of wine that it had contained.
"Oh my God, you came!" she said and rushed to them. Hugging them all. "Where's Tanner?"
"Potty," Jacqueline said.
"How do you like the house?" Mallory asked.
"It's the biggest one on the block. Showoff," Owen tried to tease.
Trying to tease him back, she said, "My brother always said go big or go home." From the living room, Misty arose and slinked into the foyer. "Oh, Mom, Dad, Noelle, Owen, this is Misty Tate."
"Damn," Owen said, removing his old baseball cap.
"Hi, I am Melissa Tate. My father has always called me Misty and it'd be okay if you did, too," She paused as she always did awaiting their response. When they had none, she continued, "I've heard so much about y'all. It's so nice to meet ya. I feel like we're already family," Misty's siren song wooed them into a slumber. Jacqueline wondered if she'd done it on purpose. "Let me introduce to my husband. Jack? Honey, where are you?"
From the billiard room, with his bourbon in his hand, he appeared, "Shit, baby, that old fucker's about to beat me. What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, dear. This is Mallory's family. I just wanted to introduce you."
"Oh, I am very sorry." He wiped his hand on his pants to dry them before extending it to shake their hands. "I am John Boyd Junior, but most people call me Jack. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Jack Boyd?" Owen said. "Why do I know that name? Jack Boyd? I've seen it somewhere."
"My Jackie just announced his campaign for mayor," Misty said. "And, I couldn't be more proud." She was holding his hand and batting her eyes when the two parted for the entrance of Big Jack.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't help but overhear. But, I'm John Boyd. It's a pleasure to meet the parents of such a fine young lady." He extended his hand to Richard first. After giving him a strong, firm hand shake, he shook Barbara's hand delicately. Then, he continued, "I'm beating my son mercilessly at a round of pool. Would anyone care to watch?"
"Are you THE John Boyd?" Barbara asked.
"Well, it's what my mother named me," he replied.
"No, I mean, Big Jack Boyd."
"I am," he said, "And, you are?"
"Mallory's mother."
"A young thing, like you? Not possible," he said. He winked as she wrapped her arm around his outstretched arm and followed him back to the game.
"And, you wonder where I get it from," Jack said as he kissed Misty and returned to the game.
Before Jacqueline could address Owen, Reese, Elet, and Silas came down the stairs. "Hey, man. You must be Mallory's brother. I'm Elet. These are my brothers, Reese and Silas." The guys said hello. "We were about to get a beer. Want one?"
"That'd be great," Owen said.
"We got next after on the table. Wanna join us?" Reese asked.
"Sure," Owen agreed.
"You stick by those products…," Elet said as he pointed to the automotive parts company on Owen's hat and led him into the den.
With Noelle having walked away with Misty and Mallory, only Jacqueline and Richard still stood in the foyer. Then, it dawned on her. "Richard, there's someone I'd like you to meet." Jacqueline walked up the stairs. She saw that he was anxious to look around, but she had a mission. There'd be time for him to explore the house. She avoided his granddaughter, her hangout space, her new puppy, and her room. She beelined to the landing, the room was still full of a myriad of people, talking and drinking. Then, Jacqueline interrupted their mini-conversations. She tapped on her mother's shoulder. When her mother turned around, she was face to face with Richard. "Mom, I want you to meet someone. Sheryl Whittaker nee Ralph, this is Richard Cummings," Jacqueline said.
Amazement filled his face. He placed his hands on his hips. He didn't say a word. Then, he
shifted his weight. He extended his leg and put his hand to his chin as Jacqueline had watched Mallory do on many occasions. Finally, he said, "It's an honor. A real honor. I just found out last month," he looked back at Jacqueline. "It was last month, wasn't it?" Jacqueline nodded. "Last month that she was your daughter. I had no idea. My wife. My wife, Barbara. She's downstairs. My wife and I loved your music. We've got all the albums at home. Premium condition. We used to dance to them. She'd sing along and I'd play the guitar. I can't believe I'm standing here talking to you. It's just amazing."
"Well, aren't you sweet?"
"My God, you're such a beautiful woman. You haven't aged one bit."
"Oh, you're sweet and a liar," she joked, slapping him lightly on his chest. "Honey, I've aged plenty."
"I really can't believe this. I feel like I've met royalty. This is amazing. Best day of my life," Richard said.
"Not the birth of your only daughter," Mallory said as she entered the room.
"What?" Richard said never looking at her.
"Nevermind."
Knocking Mallory aside to enter the room, Barbara said, "Is that Sheryl Ralph?"
"Come see, Barb," Richard said.
"Oh, Missus Ralph, we've got all your albums at home. We used to dance to them, sing to them, make love to them..."
"Okay, that got disgusting fast…," Mallory said.
"Oh, Mallory, take our picture with Missus Ralph," Barbara said.
Holding her cellphone as her parents encircled Jacqueline's mother, Mallory said, "You know, she's married now and her last name is Whittaker, not Ralph, right? Also, this is not Behind the Music. This is our housewarming party and she's Jacqueline real life mother."
"Text me the picture," was all Barbara said.
"We shoulda brought our albums and asked her to autograph them," Richard responded.
"Maybe next time we see each other," Sheryl offered.
"When will be the next time we see each other?" Barbara asked Mallory.4/10/2017
"I don't know, Mom. Let's just get through tonight," she rubbed her head and walked out of the room.
"Grandma, Grandpa. Grandma Sheryl, Grandpa Lee! See, my new puppy," Zoe ran to them.
"Hey, there, Zoe," Barbara responded. "I forgot you already know the Ralphs."
"Whittakers," Jacqueline corrected.
"Didn't you get a Grammy?" Richard asked.
"Why, yes, we did," Sheryl recalled. Flattered and slightly overwhelmed, she said, "You are fans."
"Yes, ma'am," he said proudly.
"It's in the safe," Jacqueline said. "I want a case just for it and a light. There's a few projects we're still working on."
Mallory slipped into the hallway to withdraw from the excitement that filled the landing. As she stood there, she overheard Lauren asking Josh. "I wonder what they paid for this house."
She hid in the guest room at the center of the second floor and listened to him respond. "I'm sure they paid millions. This place is huge."
"Shut up, Josh. They don't have millions," she said.
Olive passed by the exchange. She'd been in the exercise room. Interrupting the conversation, she said, "Probably just one or two million," then, she bounced down the steps.
"See," Josh said as he followed Olive. "Why don't you just ask Mallory if you want to know?"
"I can't ask that," she answered as she started to follow behind him, "That's rude."
Mallory was laughing at the exchange until Vicki caught her. "Whatcha doing standing here in the dark?"
Startled, Mallory jumped. "Oh, shit!" she said.
Vicki reached for her. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."
"That's what I get for eavesdropping."
Looking around, Vicki asked, "Who's the target?" as she stepped into the room.
"Friends of ours were standing up here debating how many millions we paid for the house. It's crazy what I've overheard people wanting to know," Mallory admitted.
"You guys got this place for a steal. Dammit, I want to put a sign on the lawn to tell people how great of a deal we negotiated," Vicki downed the last of her cocktail.
"Not the point."
"People are nosy and judgmental. You better expect it and not act so surprised," and Vicki shook her empty glass and headed down the stairs.
As Vicki entered the bottom half of the house, she saw the house full of friends and family. It was nearly nine, but there were pockets of people congregated throughout the lower living space. As she made her way to the bar, she overheard people discussing the renovations that had been performed. She heard whispered voices speculate about how long they planned to be together. Rolling her eyes, she stepped to the kitchen and overheard questions about why Zoe needed her own hangout space. She turned left and there was the talk about how much the condo sold for. Then, thinking no one was watching her, she giggled to herself. But, she wasn't alone; she heard, "Aren't you Vicki, the real estate agent?"
It was Elet. He had navigated into the kitchen as well. He was seeking a moment away from the conversation, the people. He was planning to exit the house through the side door when he saw her standing alone in the kitchen laughing to herself.
"Yes, I am," she answered with embarrassment. "Do I know you?"
"Probably not. I'm Elet..."
"Jacqueline's best friend," she extended her hand. "I've heard a lot about you. So, what do you think of the contractor's work?'
"So, she told you..."
"That'd you'd want credentials and a full inspection. Yeah, she might've mentioned it," Vicki laughed with her wine glass refilled.
"I'm not insane."
"No, it's cute. Like a big brother," she said crossing her arms with her wine glass hanging below her left arm. "Not like the piranhas in there."
"Tell me about it," he said.
At nine o'clock, most questions had been dodged. Most foods had been sampled. Most guests had met. Almost everyone had been introduced to everyone. The questions which were going to be answered had been. Only two remained - Why is the picture over the fireplace covered? When are we having cake? But, at nine o'clock, the ever-present but silent servers drew the house to attention. They went to various rooms about the property and wrangled guests. Each said, "Would you please join us in the formal living room?" People from outside were brought indoors. Pool games were paused. Children were brought downstairs. Big Jack was relocated. Once everyone was accounted for, the servers collected Jacqueline and Mallory who stood together with Zoe and Speckles in front of the fireplace under the covered portrait.
"First, we thank all of you for coming tonight. You are the most important people to us and we're so happy you're here to share this moment with us. A lot has happened in such a short period of time and I know some of you are still shocked by it all. But, your support is more important to us than you could imagine. So, from the depths of our hearts, we thank you," Jacqueline put her hand over her chest as the crowd of friends and family murmured words of support and love.
"But, we also have something we want to share," Mallory said.
"You aren't pregnant, too. Are you?" Alex asked as she held a sleeping Mason.
"She better not be," Jacqueline said.
"No dummy," Mallory said as she elbowed Jacqueline.
"In all seriousness, in December, my very best friend got married and I was moved beyond words. So much had happened in my life. I'd met a woman that I'd fallen in love with and I was ready to make a life with her. I'd spent months racking my brain trying to come up with a great moment, and, then, a great moment just kinda presented itself. Everyone was inside doing the chicken dance. She and I slipped outside. Before we knew it, we were over at the wedding arch. Standing underneath it recalling how it almost ruined our relationship, I got down on one knee," and the room took a breath, "and proposed," Jacqueline said.
"But, we couldn't ruin their moment with our moment, so we didn't tell anyone," Mallory interjected.
"We just kept the secret. Then, it was Christ
mas. Then, Mallory was offered a new job."
"It was one thing after another," Mallory said.
"We celebrated Christmas with Zoe and she left to visit her Dad. Then, we flew to Los Angeles to decide what to do with my father's house. When we arrived there and walked around together, we knew we'd never live there. I loved the time I'd spent there with him, but the place wasn't home without him, so we decided to sell it. I bundled up many of the things that meant the most to me and I think most of you have had a chance to see them upstairs," Jacqueline said.
"Now, I could've spent a week in southern California, but when someone suggests a quick trip to Honolulu for New Year's, you go," Mallory said. "That's what Alex taught me."
"That's my girl," Alex rested her puffy ankles on Elet's lap.
"So, in the early moments of the New Year, we stood under a firework display off the coast of Ko Olina and were married." Jacqueline smiled as muffled conversations filled the room. "There are a couple of you who might have had some idea about all of this. For legal reasons, some of you had to be made aware of our news, but let me thank you for doing a wonderful job keeping our secret. It's been amazingly difficult..."
"Not to wear my ring," Mallory said.
"And, not to tell you, but once we decided to sell the house and the condo and buy a house, it felt like this would be the perfect time to share all of it with you," Jacqueline said. "And, this would be the Alex thing to do," she said and the room erupted in laughter.
"Is that what we're calling it now?" Alex said. And, the baby kicked.
A server entered the room with a box. Jacqueline took the box from him. "Our ring bearer," she joked. She took a deep breath, opened the box, and removed a diamond halo ring with a platinum and koa band and two side rings with eight rounds diamonds, which were also set in platinum and koa. She placed one band on one side of the halo ring and one band on the other, then she slipped all three on Mallory's ring finger. From the same box, Mallory removed one simple platinum band. At first glance, it appeared simple, but its inside was lined with koa. Once both wore their rings, Jacqueline kissed her lightly and the servers revealed the picture of she, Mallory, and Zoe over the fireplace. The crowd stood to congratulate them when server announced, "Introducing Jacqueline and Mallory Seaborn."