A Second Helping

by Beverly Jenkins

  Before heading over to the town meeting, Bernadine swung by home to check on Crystal. They’d texted each other a few times over the course of the day and even though Crys assured her things were okay, she needed to see with her own eyes.

  She found her in the kitchen making pancakes.

  “Hey. You want some?”

  “No thanks. There’s supposed to be food at the meeting, but put the leftover batter in the fridge for me, please, just in case.”

  She nodded.

  Crystal’s quiet demeanor tugged at Bernadine’s heart. “How you doing?”

  “Okay, I guess, but this is so stupid. I barely knew her, so why am I feeling like this?”

  “Because she was still your mom, and when she passed, your dream of getting back with her was taken too.”

  Crystal appeared to think that over. “I guess so.” After a few moments, she said, “I didn’t know it was going to hurt like this.”

  “The sharp parts will fade over time.”

  “How long did it take you when your mother died?”

  Bernadine thought back on that painful, life-changing episode. “A while. I don’t think you ever get over it, but you do get through it. Does that make sense?”

  “Yeah. In a way.”

  Having dealt with her own grief, Bernadine knew there was no rushing it out the door. “People heal in their own time and in their own way. So if you don’t feel like doing anything for the next few days, it’s okay. Folks will understand.”

  As Crystal’s watery eyes held hers, Bernadine saw something in them that gave her pause. Not sure what it might be, she asked gently, “Anything else you want to talk about?”

  “Yeah. Are you really going to keep me?”

  Bernadine studied the face she’d come to love. “Forever and ever, amen.” In fact, Bernadine was ready to begin adoption proceedings to make Crystal her own, but she didn’t think now was the proper time to broach the subject. She wanted to wait until she finished her grieving. “You okay with forever and ever, amen?”

  The soft smile temporarily masked the sadness. “Yeah.”

  “Good.”

  “Oh, forgot to tell you. Preston said the colonel and Mrs. Payne are having issues, and he’s real worried. He made me promise not to say anything, but I thought you needed to know. He’s really sad.”

  Although Bernadine had been alerted to the situation by Sheila, she was surprised to hear Preston had opened himself, and to Crystal of all people. “He just offered up how he was feeling? That’s not like Preston.”

  “I know, surprised me too, but he was looking all beat down so I made him talk to me.”

  That was surprising as well. Crystal as counselor? “May I ask what you told him?”

  “Not much. Mostly, I just listened. He thanked me, though. Made me feel like I was all mature and stuff.”

  “I’m glad you were there for him, Crys.”

  “Told him not to make it a habit, though.”

  The dry humor made Bernadine chuckle.

  Crystal grinned in response before saying, “You should get going. Tamar’ll be all up in your grill if you’re late for the meeting.”

  “True.” But before departing, she walked over and held out her arms for a hug. Crystal stepped into the breach and let herself be enfolded and held on tight in return. Bernadine had no words to offer, just love, so she kissed her brow, squeezed her one more time for good measure, and left the house for the meeting.

  When Bernadine pulled into the D&C’s parking lot, all the trucks filling the spaces made her wonder if more than just the meeting was going on inside. Upon entering she thought that must be the reason, because the place was in full party mode. On the new jukebox, the Ohio Players were belting out “Fire,” over the sounds of laughter and raised voices. The fragrant smells of food cooking permeated the air. She glanced around approvingly at the people milling about with piled-high plates in hand. She spotted Malachi seated at one of the round tables slapping dominoes and talking smack. Seeing him made her think about their picnic date. In the back of her mind she really wasn’t sure if agreeing to it had been the right thing to do, but she left her second thoughts alone for the time being and resumed checking out the faces in the crowd.

  All of the foster parents were in attendance, as were the kids. In one of the back booths Amari and Preston had their heads together over an opened laptop. She hoped they were working on their proposal, but with those two one could never tell.

  “Evening, Ms. Brown.”

  She turned to see Rocky coming up behind her. “Hey there. Looks like everyone’s having a good time, and I don’t see anybody sending their plates back to the kitchen.”

  “Which is a good thing.”

  “A very good thing.”

  “You can give most of the credit to my new assistant. His name’s Matt Burke, but he calls himself Siz. Short for Sizzle.”

  Bernadine stared.

  Rocky chuckled, “I’ll tell you about it one day when we both have some time. Anyway, he’s from the culinary college and tonight’s menu is all his doing.”

  “Can I meet him?”

  “He’s in the back still cooking up a storm right now, but Mal’s going to introduce him during the meeting.”

  Bernadine saw Lily waving her over to the table she was sharing with Devon, Zoey, and the Garlands. She waved back and asked Rocky, “Did you and Lily get a chance to talk about that food you wanted to return?”

  “Sure did. I should have that inventory list to her sometime tomorrow.”

  “Okay, I’m going to go grab me a plate and a seat. Thanks so much for all this.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll see you later.”

  Slowly making her way through the crowded diner, Bernadine spoke to those she knew, like Clay, Agnes, and Marie, and those she didn’t, like a married couple who introduced themselves as the Clarks. According to them they once lived in Henry Adams, were presently residing in nearby Franklin, but were considering moving back so that their two daughters could take advantage of the new school. After telling them how pleased she was to meet them, she moved on. She was also pleased to see Jack and Eli sitting with Tamar, although she wasn’t sure Eli found the arrangement pleasing.

  She then stopped and talked for a minute with Bing Shepard, who was sharing a booth with some of his old buddies from the Black Farmers Association. The newly elected president of the United States had recently announced a plan that might finally settle the Black farmers’ long-standing grievances against the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its well-documented discriminatory and predatory lending practices. Before Bernadine left for vacation, Bing had asked if she knew a lawyer who might represent the cases of the local farmers. She’d been given a name that afternoon.

  She handed him a sticky note with the name and phone number written on it, and said over the din, “Call her tomorrow. She’s very good and will look after you all.”

  “Thanks.” Bing pocketed the note.

  “Oh, and she’s willing to do it pro bono. Her grandfather lost his land to the USDA back in the eighties. Let me know how it goes.”

  “Will do.”

  Glad that she’d been able to help, Bernadine finally took her seat. She was just about to get up and head to the buffet table when she saw Leo enter the diner.

  “What the heck is he doing here?” she asked crossly.

  “Who?” Roni asked, looking around.

  “My ex.”

  Lily saw Leo and she stared with surprise. “What do you think he wants?”

  “A big fat, restraining order.”

  “Well don’t make a scene,” Roni cautioned. “That might be just what he’s wanting you to do.”

  “What’s an ex?” Devon asked.

  Lily said, “Someone you were married to but not married to now.”

  “Oh.”

  He and Zoey shared a glance.

  “Just ignore him, Bernadine,” Lily suggested. “If he gets stupid, Sheriff Dalton is just
a phone call away.”

  Roni nodded agreement. “Go get something to eat, girl. We’ll keep an eye on him.”

  Reg chuckled at all the intrigue and said to Devon, “Glad I’m not an ex.”

  Devon replied, “Me too.”

  By the time Trent walked over and shut down the jukebox so the meeting could get started, Bernadine had forgotten all about Leo because she was too busy wondering just how much Siz would charge her to cook for her exclusively and forever. She absolutely loved the little shrimp and spinach stuffed filo tarts. The meatballs were fabulous, as were the Asian spiced drummies. Sizzle, or whatever he called himself, could burn as they used to say back in the day.

  “Okay,” Trent called out. “Let’s get this show on the road. Dad. You wanted to go first.”

  Malachi stood. “As you all know, Rocky Dancer is back with us.”

  Cheers greeted that and folks began chanting her name.

  She came out of the kitchen with a wide grin on her face and stepped up beside Malachi. The cheering and chanting soared even higher until finally Trent had to get out his gavel and calm everybody down.

  “It’s good to be home,” she said once the roar subsided. “But I want you to meet the young man responsible for tonight’s meal. His name is Siz.”

  He came out of the kitchen, and the noisy cheers and chanting of his name greeted his arrival too. He stood there red-faced but smiling, and then did an elaborate bow.

  Rocky held up her hands. “Okay, y’all. Quiet. Now, with Siz on board, we’re going to be trying some new things. He’s got a lot of good ideas about us eating healthier, but not with stuff you can’t pronounce.”

  “We’re holding you to that!” someone shouted.

  Laughs followed that.

  Rocky said, “Again, thanks for all the love. If you need anything just come on back.”

  She and Siz waved and headed off to their domain.

  Next on the agenda was Amari, of all people. Bernadine and Lily stared, puzzled.

  Lily asked quietly, “Did you put him on the agenda?”

  Bernadine shook her head.

  Amari walked up to the front of the room and said, “I need everybody to put August First on their calendars. We’re having a parade.”

  “Will it have police cars?” Bing called out loudly.

  The room erupted with laughter.

  Amari grinned. “Hope not.”

  Tamar’s voice followed loudly with “Better not.”

  More laughter.

  “I don’t have all the details worked out yet, and Ms. Bernadine and my dad have to see a proposal, but I’m trying to be a real July, and Tamar said I had to do something to honor the Dusters. Back in the day, they had parades on August First, so I want us to have one too.”

  The room grew quiet the moment he said he was trying to become a real July. Bernadine looked around the diner and saw the quiet pride in Tamar’s face mirrored in Trent’s and Malachi’s as well. Amari’s quest for family meant something to them. Apparently it meant something to everyone else too, because one by one folks got to their feet and applauded him and his plan to revitalize part of Henry Adams’s grand past. Amari’s young face beamed. He might have had half the town hauled before a judge, and lord knew how this whole parade idea would turn out, but from the construction workers, to the Julys, to Bernadine, Amari was loved.

  “Oh, and anybody who wants to be in the parade just see me and Preston after the meeting.” He went back to his seat.

  The next business item also hadn’t been on the official agenda. Trent called up Devon. Seeing him in his suit and clip-on tie always drew smiles, and that evening was no exception.

  “I’m having church on Sunday at Ms. Roni’s house,” he told the assemblage. “Zoey’s playing the piano and Ms. Roni is going to sing. You are all invited.” Turning back to Trent, he said, “Thank you, Mr. Trent.”

  “You’re welcome, Devon.”

  Devon walked back to his seat. Zoey patted him on the back and the meeting continued with the Mayor’s Report.

  Trent gave an update on the ongoing construction projects, and then reminded everyone that the Power Plant and the rec center were the town’s designated tornado shelters. From spring through late summer, Kansas was right smack-dab in the middle of Tornado Alley, where the deadly twisters often sprang to life in the blink of an eye. Bernadine had yet to experience such destructive weather and she prayed neither she nor the town would be subjected to it any time soon.

  Finally, the main event. The naming of the school.

  Trent said, “Floor’s open for nominations.”

  Murmurs filled the room as people debated the pros and cons of their personal choices.

  Agnes Jefferson stood and said in a strong voice, “I nominate the name Cara Lee Jefferson.”

  Trent nodded and wrote it down.

  Everyone knew Cara Jefferson had been the town’s schoolteacher during Henry Adams’s golden age back in the 1880s. She was also one of Agnes’s ancestors. Her innovative teaching methods and tireless devotion laid the foundation for the schools that followed.

  Bernadine scanned faces for reactions to the nomination. No one looked particularly gung-ho, but she did see a few thoughtful nods of agreement.

  “Anyone else?” Trent asked.

  Tamar called out, “Olivia July.”

  Bernadine saw the disapproving look Agnes shot her old friend Tamar and the way Tamar rolled her eyes in response. Bernadine hoped this didn’t turn into an ancestral catfight.

  Malachi stood up and announced, “No disrespect to the Ancestors, but I want to nominate somebody who’s living. Somebody whose dedication to this town has been proven, and has given her life’s blood to this place and its kids. I nominate the name: the Marie Jefferson Academy.”

  All hell broke loose. People jumped to their feet applauding, whistling and cheering. Marie dropped her head into her hands and her shoulders shook as she cried. Bernadine noticed that Agnes didn’t appear to be totally down with the choice but she did applaud. However, Tamar was on her feet clapping wildly.

  Trent said, “I think we just named the school. Get up here, Ms. Marie.”

  Marie Jefferson walked across the diner accompanied by thundering, roof-raising applause. The kids were cheering loudly as well. As she stood now at Trent’s side, Marie’s smile was as wide as the moon, and tears streamed down her cheeks. “Thank you,” she choked out. “Thank you. I thought Mal was talking about Bernadine.”

  Laughter greeted that, and Mal shouted, “Wrong!”

  Bernadine had been wrong too in not wanting Mal to be party to the school’s naming because of what he’d named the diner. If the truth be told, since moving to Henry Adams, she’d been wrong on numerous occasions about Malachi July, the man, so she just added this latest instance to her growing list. Naming the school after Marie was a wonderful choice. Last summer at Marie’s sixtieth birthday party Bernadine had been impressed by the many former students who’d either flown in or drove in to be a part of the festivities. The affection and respect shown to the teacher that day was something Bernadine would always remember.

  And so it was official. The students of Henry Adams would be attending the Marie Jefferson Academy. Trent asked Marie, “Do you have anything you want to say?”

  “I do. Would Jack James and his son please stand up.”

  Jack got to his feet. Eli followed grudgingly.

  Marie said, “Jack is our new teacher.”

  He was greeted with enthusiastic applause. He blushed a bit and gave each part of the room a nod of thanks.

  Trent said to him, “Welcome to Henry Adams. Everybody make sure you go over and introduce yourselves, make them feel like family.”

  Trent looked to Marie. “Anything else?”

  Wiping her tears away, she shook her head.

  Trent brought the gavel down. “Meeting adjourned!”

  The jukebox was cranked up again. Shorty Long began wailing “Function at the Junction,” and
everyone mobbed Marie to offer congratulations. A pleased Malachi looked across the diner at the smiling Bernadine and acknowledged her with a wink. The atmosphere inside the diner felt like the old days. Folks were dancing, eating, and enjoying themselves. Not only had they named the school, but the new Dog and Cow was hosting its first celebration, and that made Malachi July one happy man, indeed.

  Bernadine could see Leo across the room seated alone, apparently taking it all in. Again, she wondered what he hoped to accomplish being there. When his eyes met hers he dipped his head in greeting. She rolled her eyes. It was a free country, she supposed, and she couldn’t ban him from a public place just because of who he was, but she didn’t have to be happy about his presence, and she wasn’t.

  Jack James was impressed and amazed by the outpouring he was receiving. People from all over the diner were lining up to greet him, and he’d never seen anything like this in his life. He doubted he’d remember half the names but he didn’t think it mattered, they all just seemed intent upon letting him know how glad they were to meet him and his son.

  Eli didn’t know what to make of all the goings-on either, so he tapped his dad on the shoulder and said, “I’m going outside to get some air. I’ll be back.”

  Before he could reach the door, he was stopped repeatedly by a thousand people it seemed like, all of whom wanted to shake his hand and tell him their names. He didn’t have to turn around and look to know that Tamar was watching so he made nice.

  Once outside he blew out a breath and looked around. Not that there was anything to see. It was dark, and the cold night air made him almost want to head back inside. Kansas wasn’t anything like southern California weather-wise. One more thing for him to adjust to, he thought bitterly.

  The door behind him opened, bringing with it the sounds of another old school tune playing on the jukebox, and two kids.

  “Hey,” the shorter one said. “Name’s Amari. This is Preston.”

  “Hey,” Preston echoed.

  “Hey,” Eli replied disinterestedly.

  “Welcome to town.”

  “Some town.”

  Preston asked, “Where you from?”