by La Jill Hunt
“Really? That would be great. I mean, what’s she like? Is she cute? Not that it matters. Is she smart? Now, that matters more than her looks. Well, as long as she can hold up her end of a conversation. What does—”
“Just show up Friday and you’ll see for yourself. Now, we’re not promising that you’re gonna marry this girl, just that we’ll introduce you. That’s it, nothing more,” Jermaine clarified.
“That’s all I need. I really appreciate this, you guys. Man, I heard about your parties, Toby, and now I’ll get to be at one. I gotta go find something to wear. I’ll see you guys Friday.” Stanley jumped into his SUV and started it up. He was about to drive off when he slammed on the brakes, startling them. “Hey, you guys didn’t tell me what time to be there.”
Jermaine looked at Toby, who was still confused by what his boy was doing. “What time you kicking things off, T?”
“Five o’clock,” Toby said, slowly shaking his head at Jermaine.
“Five it is. You need me to bring anything? I’ll bring something anyway. Thanks again,” he yelled and took off.
“Jermaine, man, what are you doing? Didn’t I say a small get together? Here you go inviting people already. And how the hell are you gonna hook Stanley up with Isis? She ain’t gonna be interested in him,” Toby said.
“What are you talking about? Stan is only one person, and he’s our best customer. That’s why I invited him to hang out. You know he’s cool. I didn’t think you’d mind. It ain’t like I told him to bring his brother. And I plan on introducing him to Meeko, not Isis.”
“Meeko?” Toby asked, surprised. He started laughing when he thought about Meeko and Stanley. “Meeko. Terrell thinks Meeko is trying to get with you.”
“Please, Meeko is trying to get me to hook her up with any single man that owns a house out here. That’s the only reason she’s been on my back these past few months. Besides, she knows I’m with Anjelica.”
“Meeko and Stanley. That’s hilarious.” Toby was laughing so hard that he was crying. “She is gonna curse you out next Friday. This get together may not be so bad after all.”
Since Jermaine was the one who thought having a party was such a great idea, Toby made him come over early Friday morning to help get everything prepared. They went to Sam’s and bought plenty of food, drinks, and a birthday cake for Isis, then went to Party City and picked up balloons, decorations, and paper products for the event.
“You didn’t invite anyone else, did you?” he made sure to ask Jermaine while they were unpacking everything.
“I haven’t told a soul, Toby. I swear. The only person I’m responsible for is me, Anjelica, and Stanley. That’s it. You talked to Meeko, Terry, and Isis, right?”
“Yeah.”
“So they’re your guests.”
By 2:30 they had everything ready and Jermaine left to get dressed and pick up Anjelica. Toby lay across his bed, thinking he would get some rest before everyone arrived. The phone rang, preventing that from happening.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Toby, were you ’sleep?” Roni asked.
“Not really. What’s up, Ron?” He rolled over onto his back, not really wanting to talk to her. Their last few conversations had led to arguments, and he wasn’t in the mood to argue today.
“I just wanted to wish you a happy anniversary, that’s all,” she said with a sigh.
“Huh?”
“We met a year ago today, at your house.”
“That’s right. Happy anniversary to you too. You hanging out today?”
“Not really. My mother is having a little something over at her shop. That’s why I’m calling. She wants you to come. You feel like rolling over there with me?”
“Sounds like fun, but I can’t. I already have plans. I’m sorry. Tell her I’ll be there next time.”
“Plans? What are you doing today?” Roni asked.
“Jermaine and Anjelica are coming over in a while.” He regretted telling her the moment the words came from his mouth. He started to lie and tell her he had to work, but didn’t feel the need to.
“I thought you said you weren’t having a party, Toby,” she retorted. He knew she was mad. I should’ve just lied, he thought.
“I’m not having a party, Veronica, just Jermaine and Anjelica.”
“I can’t believe he’s still dating that girl.”
He really wasn’t up to having this conversation with her, so he told her, “Give your mom and everyone my love and tell everyone I said hello. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Fine, I will. And Toby?”
“Yo?”
“I love you.”
He tried to think of a correct response, not wanting her to read into anything. “You too, Roni.”
His answer must have satisfied her because she hung up the phone. He sat up on the side of the bed, trying to get his thoughts together. He was so confused. He loved Roni, no doubt about that, but he still didn’t feel ready to pick up where they left off like she wanted to do. There was something still preventing him from making that move.
And then there was Isis. He smiled at the thought of her. She was so special to him, always had been. There were times when they were together he wanted her so bad he could taste it. But it wasn’t going to happen. He had accepted the fact that they would be no more than friends—good friends, special friends, but friends nonetheless. And for right now, he was cool with that. For right now.
He decided to get up and get dressed. There were some last minute details he needed to take care of.
He was in the backyard making sure his bar was stocked when he heard his doorbell ring. He looked at his watch and saw that it was only 4:30. He hurried to the door and opened it.
“Uncle Jay?”
“What’s up, Toby? Am I the first one here?” His uncle brushed past him. He was dressed in a pair of white shorts and tank top, a pair of white sandals on his feet and a white hat. He was carrying a plastic bag in each hand.
“Uh, yeah. What are you doing here, Uncle Jay?”
“I came for the cookout. What do you think I’m doing here? I got some fresh catfish for you to fry. I already battered it up. You want it in the kitchen or the backyard?”
“I, uh, you . . . put it in the kitchen.” Toby closed the door and followed him into the kitchen.
“This all the food you got, Toby? I know you got more food than this,” Uncle Jay said, looking into the refrigerator.
“That’s all the food I’m gonna need. I’m not having a big party this year. Just a little get together.”
“So, I bought a new outfit for nothing. You like it, though? I look nice, huh?” He started dancing like he was a long lost member of the Temptations.
“You look good, Uncle Jay.” Toby laughed. The doorbell rang again and he told his uncle to hang out in the backyard while he went to answer it. Jermaine and Anjelica were kissing on the doorstep.
“Uh, y’all might wanna get a room instead of coming here,” he told them.
“Don’t hate because I got the flyest female in town on my arm tonight, Toby. Ain’t that right, boo?”
“No, I have the finest brother by my side,” she told him. “But you come in as a close second, Toby.”
“Come on in before the flies start buzzing with all that crap both of you are talking.” Toby laughed. They made a great couple and they looked good dressed in their white attire. He didn’t know whether Jermaine brought out a different side of Anjelica or maybe he had just never noticed it before, but Terrell was right. She was as funny and down to earth as her sister, and he liked her.
“You start the grill yet?” Jermaine asked.
“No, not yet. I was about to when Uncle Jay showed up.”
“Uncle Jay? He’s here?”
“In the backyard. Go on back. I’m gonna put some music on.”
“Please don’t let it be Bobby Womack. You know how your uncle is.”
The doorbell rang again. “Shut up and go in the backyard. This is probably Meeko and
Isis.”
It wasn’t. Decked out in an all-white linen suit, complete with a derby on his head, was Stanley. He was even carrying a huge bouquet of white roses and a bottle of champagne.
“Hey, Toby. Is she here?”
“Naw, Stan. She’s not here yet. Come on in. You got clean for this one, huh?” Toby couldn’t help laughing.
Stanley brushed the front of his shirt and adjusted the flowers. “I wanted to make a good first impression. You think she’ll like the flowers?”
Toby thought about Meeko and nodded. “I’m sure she’ll be impressed. Come on out to the back.”
Toby took the flowers and champagne from him and directed him to the backyard. He was introducing Stanley to everyone when once again the doorbell beckoned him.
“I’ll get it,” Jermaine told him. “It’s probably your date, Stanley. You ready?”
Stanley looked at Toby, who gave him a pat on the back. “Let them in, Jermaine. He’s ready.”
Jermaine went back into the house and Toby lit the grill. He was about to get the meat that was marinating in the fridge when Jermaine came back out. Instead of Isis and Meeko, he was followed by Tia, Theo, Kayla, and Geno.
“What’s up, Toby? Hey, DJ Terror. Player, player, where’s the food?” they all greeted him.
Jermaine rushed over and told him, “I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t just turn them away. I swear I didn’t invite them.”
“Then why are they all wearing white?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged.
Before Toby could respond, Isis and Meeko came through the side gate and entered the yard. He walked over and hugged both of them. Isis looked stunning in an all-white strapless halter dress with silver accessories. Her hair was beginning to grow back, and was held off her face by a silver studded headband. Her partner in crime, Meeko, was also decked out in the color of the evening.
“You look beautiful,” Toby whispered into Isis’s ear as he held her close to him. “Happy birthday.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself, and thank you.” She hugged him back.
“Ahem.” Meeko interrupted their moment. “Why is everyone dressed in all white but you? Aren’t you the host of the party?”
“No one told me there was a theme, I guess,” he answered, looking down at the yellow Nautica shirt he was wearing along with his jean shorts and yellow-and-white Air Force Ones. “And I didn’t know I was having a party until all these people showed up.”
“Oh.” Meeko looked over at Jermaine, who was serving drinks at the bar. “Well, Jermaine told us he was wearing all white like we were all supposed to. Let me go curse him out right quick.”
“Wait!” Toby stopped her, remembering her date was already present. “There’s someone here that’s been waiting to meet you. Sit over there at the umbrella table and I’ll bring him over.”
“For real? Don’t play with me, Toby. Where is he?”
“Just go sit down and I’ll bring him over. Isis, you want something to drink?” he asked. “How about a Slow Comfortable Screw?”
“How about a bottle of water? We’ll discuss the other thing later.” She winked at him. He smiled at her, hoping that she wasn’t talking about the drink. He rushed off to get her water and find Stanley.
He found him near the back of the yard, talking to Uncle Jay, who had started frying fish in the deep fryer.
“I found this here deep fryer in the kitchen closet. Good thing I remembered to bring some cooking oil,” Uncle Jay told him. “And I see you done stole some of my Jasper’s aprons, too.”
“Yeah, Uncle Jay,” Toby admitted. “Hey, Stanley, there’s someone looking for you.”
“Uh, okay, Toby. Where?” he asked nervously.
“Right over there, sitting at the table with the umbrella. I told her you would come over.”
“God, she’s beautiful. She looks like Janet Jackson! You guys didn’t tell me she was fine! Not that I care,” he added. “Oh God, I can’t wait to meet her. What did you do with the flowers?”
“Hold up, man. I think you’re looking at the wrong one. The one sitting at the table across from Janet is the one waiting to meet you. Let’s go into the kitchen and get the flowers.” He gestured toward the house. And pray that we can scrounge up some more food for these people, he thought, looking around at the crowd of people that was now in his backyard.
62
Terrell sat on the side of the bed, rubbing his throbbing temples. He looked over at his clock and saw that it was close to 6:00. He was supposed to pick her up an hour ago, but he didn’t care that he was late. His head was pounding and he didn’t want to go pick her up at all.
“So, what are you going to do?” Anjelica had asked when he told her what CJ had threatened. “I don’t know. I really don’t have a choice. If I don’t take her out, your sister is gonna lose her job.”
“Can’t you just report her to human resources or something? There has to be something you can do. That’s sexual harassment.”
“I know, but I’m just gonna bring her to Toby’s house, stay for about an hour, then tell her I have to leave.”
“Okay, I can go in the house for a minute then come back out and say you have an emergency phone call. You go to the phone then pretend that you have to leave.”
It sounded like a damn good plan when Anjelica said it, and he agreed that it was foolproof. But even with a plan, he still didn’t want to go. Unfortunately, he had no choice, so when CJ called his cell phone for the ninety-ninth time, instead of letting his voice mail pick up, he answered it.
“Where the hell are you? You were supposed to be here an hour ago,” she yelled in his ear, making his head hurt worse.
“Man, stop yelling. I had a headache and laid across my bed. I fell asleep. Damn, you act like we gotta be there at five. It’s a cookout, not the job. We can be late.”
“When you tell me you’re gonna pick me up at a certain time, I expect that. Now, what time do you think that’ll be, because it definitely ain’t gonna be at five now, is it?”
“I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
“You’d better be,” she said and hung up the phone in his ear. He looked over at the white shorts set hanging in the doorway of his closet along with his brand new white Classics. For the first time that day, he smiled.
“You’re wearing all white to a cookout?” she asked when she opened the door to her townhouse.
“You know how I do,” was his only response. She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He recognized the strong scent of Fendi, which she usually wore. He was beginning to hate it.
“Come on in. You want me to make you a drink?” she smiled. He smiled back when he noticed she was wearing an all-red Capri set and red sandals. Her micro-braided hair was hanging to the middle of her back.
“No thanks. We’d better get going,” he told her.
“I thought you said there was no rush. You can come in for a minute. I have to get my purse anyway.” She pulled him inside.
He looked around in her nicely decorated living room while he waited. She had a lot of African paintings and statues. There was also a bookshelf full of books, mostly about Black history, and also quite a few books on beauty and makeup. Her furniture was red, and the room accented with black lacquer tables.
“Nice place,” he called out.
“Thanks. I haven’t really done what I wanted to do with it, but it’s home,” she replied. “You ready?”
“Yep, let’s be out.”
Their conversation in the car was mostly about music and movies. Terrell tried to keep the topics light, anything not to add to his stress level. He was surprised at the number of cars parked in front of his brother’s house when they got there. Toby assured him that this was going to be a small barbecue, no more than ten people. There were at least ten cars parked outside the house.
“I thought you told me that he wasn’t having his usual big party this year.” CJ looked at him.
He sh
rugged in reply and said, “He told me he wasn’t. And believe me, if he was, we wouldn’t even be able to turn down the street it would be so crowded.”
They got out and walked inside without knocking.
“Wow, he has a lot of CDs!” CJ commented as they walked past Toby’s living room. “This place is nice.”
“Yeah,” Terrell said and continued to the kitchen. He was surprised to see Uncle Jay inside making potato salad. “Uncle Jay, what are you doing here?”
“What does it look like I’m doing? Your brother got all these people that just showed up, and we’re trying to figure out how to feed them all. You know the club is closed tonight, so I rode over there and got some stuff out the freezer.”
“It’s that many people here, Unc?”
“You’ll see when you get out there. How you doing there? I’m James Jasper Sims, Terrell’s uncle. But you can call me JJ.” He wiped his hands on his apron and held one out for CJ.
“I’m Cora Ware, Terrell’s coworker, but you can call me CJ.” She laughed.
“Come on, CJ. Let’s see if Uncle Jay is exaggerating as usual,” Terrell said, opening the back door. He noticed that his uncle had a strange look on his face as he went back to stirring the big bowl of salad.
Uncle Jay wasn’t exaggerating. The yard was full of people. Some were dancing; others were at the bar where Terrell noticed Jermaine was mixing drinks. He spotted Toby behind the grill, decked out in yellow, unlike all the rest of his guests who were dressed in all white—with the exception of CJ, of course.
“Everyone has on white,” she hissed. “This is an all-white party and you didn’t tell me.”
“I didn’t know. And Toby doesn’t even have on white; he has on yellow.”
“I am so embarrassed. I can’t believe this.” She grabbed his arm and squeezed it.
Hoping this was his way out, he offered, “You want to just go ahead and leave? We can go.”
She looked around and saw the good time everyone was having and hurriedly told him, “No, I’m fine. Just get me a drink.”
Terrell directed CJ to a seat he spotted at an empty table toward the back of the yard, and told her he would bring her drink to her. He didn’t even ask what she wanted, thinking that if she was thirsty enough, she would drink whatever.