Libra - Mr. Romantic

by Tiana Laveen

  He kicked a bunch of books that had swollen up like pregnant whales due to them being caught in the tank flood. Langston was mourning the fish he’d loved. She felt bad for him but remained quiet; his nerves seemed wrecked and she didn’t wish to make it all the worse.

  He couldn’t work out or do deliveries for UPS for at least two months. The things he enjoyed and needed had been stolen from him and he’d made it more than clear just how much he resented this. Soon, the sun was gone and all that was left was a dusky sky. After several runs to fast food restaurants to get some food while they worked themselves to the bone, everyone retired for the night, some with carloads of goodies that the man had given away. Now, all that was left was she and him…

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Lang.”

  Their voices echoed in the now empty place. He wrapped his good arm around her, pulled her close, and kissed the top of her head. In the silence, she imagined he was feeling a range of emotions, including both sadness and relief—and so did she. Some of her best times while in Elsa had been spent under that roof.

  “Go on to the truck, baby. I’ll be out in a little bit.”

  “All right,” she whispered.

  Langston just stood there as she approached the door. He looked so sad and hurt. She wanted to reach out to him, to make it better, but he just needed time. Sometimes that was the only healer: a day gone past, then a week, then a month. It was an elixir that had no rivals. One never forgot the adversity, but time somehow made it tolerable…

  …Several months later

  “YOU LOOK LIKE a walkin’ dream!” Mama chortled as they stood in front of the old church.

  Langston’s black suit was one he’d paid way too much for, but he had a few out-of-town business meetings coming up so he figured it could do double duty. Mama’s hair was cut in a short, platinum blond pixie cut. She looked beautiful in her dark purple mother-of-the-groom dress. Her cheeks were rosy and she was still as thin as a praying mantis drinking SlimFast, but she’d gained a few pounds, enough to show she was on the road to recovery. Chemo had tried to kick her ass…

  She’d gotten sick so many times, she’d almost thrown in the towel, said she’d just go it alone, but then he reminded her about the grandbabies she wanted to see graduate high school, how if she died on Daddy he’d lose his mind. He reminded her how the baby of the family, Anthony, had just gotten out of prison and promised to start a new life. The guy was already helping him with his Smoothie-Criminal business and was a natural at packaging ideas. Now, Langston didn’t need just volunteers; he was able to afford paying actual employees! He’d quit UPS and this was his fulltime thing, and he was loving it.

  He constantly had to remind her she was one of the driving forces behind his success—he refused to let her bail out on life. He reminded her about all the places she wanted to travel and things she wanted to see—like a vacation to Aruba she and Dad were going on soon, and an Alaskan cruise soon thereafter. So no… Mama couldn’t stop. She had to keep on truckin’, as she liked to say, and she did… and lived to see another day.

  “I’m so happy for you, baby!” Mama’s beautiful blue eyes lit up as she pressed her hands against his face, squishing his cheeks like she used to do when he was a chubby-faced kid. “I can’t believe my Lang is gettin’ married!”

  “’Cordin’ to you and Brit, I was the town whore,” he teased. They both burst out laughing. “Can’t imagine me settlin’ down, huh?”

  “I ain’t never said no such thing! But if it walks like a duck…” She jetted off, laughing all the way until he couldn’t see her any longer. Anthony and José, his groomsmen, stood with him. Anthony had bulked up in prison and was no longer the family runt. In fact, it seemed everyone looked a bit different. Now, José had a bit of a gut from getting steady paychecks from Smoothie Criminal, his part time security job at the grocery store, and his gig at the hospital working security there, too. He loved standing there with them; it felt like old times. The summer air was hot and sticky, sweet from the flowers and love that surrounded them all.

  “I’m pissed I didn’t have long to really get to know Yasmine, man,” Anthony announced as he scratched behind his ear. “That’s my fault though… no more shit like that, man. I’m serious this time… gettin’ too old for this mess.”

  “Glad to hear that because we missed you, Anthony. I don’t wanna see you go back, either. I know the job I gave you don’t pay much, but—”

  “It don’t matter, man. I like this; it’s like a family affair. I’m proud of you!” The man’s voice cracked as he looked up at him and placed his hand on his shoulder. “When I went into prison this last time, the family was scrapin’ around tryna make it. I come out, my big brother José got not one, not two, but three jobs, and my other big brother done started a business! Got drinks in tha mall, grocery stores and shit. Makin’ good money! But then… I find out that my… my damn mama… my mama has cancer. It ain’t right! Shit!” Tears fell down the man’s cheeks. He and José wrapped their arms around their baby brother and hugged him tight.

  “It’s all right, man…” José said. “She’s okay now.”

  “What if it come back? What if this remission is temporary? She said she can’t do chemo again, ’fraid it’ll kill her.”

  “Then we handle it together… as a family.”

  “I can’t go back in there, man. I won’t make it.” Anthony wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “And I can’t disappoint Mama like that again. All right, let’s go on and get this weddin’ on the road.”

  They entered the small church, the floor boards creaking under their weight. A large black piano sat at the front. A heavyset White woman with eyes as black as a starless sky played the instrument beautifully, her long fingers tiptoeing across the keys. The church was a little warm despite the air being on and white frilly fans swaying back and forth amongst the sea of guests. Each pew was full with women dressed to the nines, large, bright Sunday morning hats, and shiny necklaces and rings.

  The men wore their best suits and most expensive colognes, with not a hair out of place, and a fresh shoe shine, too. The minister, a round faced Mexican elder holding a white and gold Bible in his hands, stood beside Langston and his brothers and groomsmen. The bridesmaids began to come down the aisle—Ivy and Chasity, his new sisters-in-laws, and two of Yasmine’s friends from Dallas, their arms looped around several of Langston’s friends. The pianist stopped playing and now, BeBe and CeCe Winans crooned ‘I Found Love’, through the speakers. Langston’s dad held his big old camera up, waiting for the big moment.

  Langston had no damn idea what to expect. Yasmine had been back in Dallas that week, handling some affairs and preparing for the wedding. He hadn’t seen her in over seven days, but they’d spoken on the phone daily. The song ended, and the big White woman began to play the piano once again and sing into the microphone. Her voice was rich, soulful, and downright haunting as she performed her rendition of ‘Everything To Me’ by Monica.

  Then, Langston’s knees buckled when he saw her…

  The weathered church doors had opened, and Yasmine stood at the threshold with Noah on one arm. The boy was dressed in a snow white tux, purple satin tie, and shiny white shoes. His wavy black hair was slicked back and a huge smile was pasted on his face. On the other arm was her father, and boy did he look proud! He was dressed the same as Noah, only he finished off his look with a white top hat to boot. Wearing a white gown that made her look like Cinderella at the ball, the dream of a woman drifted towards him like a fantasy come true.

  “My God.” He stomped his foot hard and bit his fist, squelching a roar. José rubbed his back and smiled when she neared.

  “Ain’t she somethin’?!” Anthony belted. She floated down the aisle until, at last, the minister asked Noah and his father-in-law who was giving her away. They said ‘I do’ simultaneously, and that caused thunderous, heartfelt claps. Yasmine’s gown seemed to glow, but its magnificence could not ri
val the smoothness and glow of her own skin. Teardrop diamonds gleamed in her ears. With sheer lipstick and a reddish hue to her cheeks, she looked so damn beautiful it brought tears to his eyes.

  Yasmine’s father sat down but Noah joined the bridesmaids, standing to his mother’s left as she joined him.

  Langston took her hands and kissed them.

  “I love you!” she mouthed, then dabbed at her eye with her knuckle.

  He released his grip on her fingers and signed, ‘I love you, too,’ before taking her hand in his once more.

  The vows were stated, and he tried with every fiber of his being to not interrupt and say more than they’d agreed upon. Besides, there would be a nice reception down at the hall, catered with delicious Southern and Mexican dishes. Everything was going along just fine until someone hollered out. His brother…

  “Hold on, everybody.”

  Anthony picked up a nearby microphone, much to everyone’s surprise.

  “This wasn’t planned, but I’m so happy for my brother right now. Mama asked me to sing.” He pointed to their mother, who smiled proudly. “And I didn’t have the money to get ’em the wedding gift that I wanted to buy, but I do have the gift of my voice. It’s from God.”

  He had a golden voice, and Langston had almost forgot about that until he made the announcement.

  “Amen!” someone exclaimed.

  “Us Lopez boys are full of talent!” José said.

  “The girls too, José!” Brittany yelled, causing laughter.

  “Yeah, the girls, too.” José rolled his eyes, his eyes dancing with mirth. “Go on, Anthony.”

  “So, I just met this beautiful little lady not too long ago, but I can see how much she loves my big brother… and Langston deserves this. He’s just a damn, I mean, a darn good guy. So, this song is for you, Yasmine, and my brother, my best friend, Langston…”

  The man began to sing his rendition of ‘You Are’, by Charlie Wilson. When he finished, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! The minister continued with the vows. Langston slid the wedding band onto her finger, noting her gorgeous manicure. It tickled him how much his woman was into having nice nails. These were no exception. He presented his hand and she slid the ring on his finger, too—a thick gold band with small diamonds all around the perimeter. He smiled proudly, loving it.

  Before the minster allowed him to kiss his bride, Noah left the stage. Moments later, he swiftly returned with a broom. Langston witnessed some people looking about in confusion, and he felt the same, too. The broom was old and the paint chipped, but a huge white and purple satin bow had been tied to it.

  They couldn’t find somethin’ else? That thing looks like it went to Hell ’nd back.

  Noah stood between them with the broom and faced the crowd.

  “Please interpret for me,” he said in his broken tone, looking at Langston.

  “Yes, of course…” This is my son now, too…this is MY boy! He choked back tears as Noah raised the broom in the air, then placed it at his feet. He began to use sign language and Langston repeated everything the boy was saying.

  “Noah says, ‘This is the broom my mother had used to try and save her life one terrible night from an intruder. It was an old broom, a broom her uncle had had when he first opened up his business. He didn’t have much money back then, but he always felt like a clean shop was next to godliness. He kept this broom for good luck. My mother cleaned that store in the morning and in the evenings when we first moved here. That broom stayed strong.

  “She’s always done things on her own, even when she should have had someone to depend on. A broom sweeps out the old, gets itself dirty so that others can have a clean path—a better future. Langston is not only my new step-father, he’s my friend… and he’s my mama’s broom. She can lean on him, and he can help fight her battles. She ain’t by herself anymore. He’s strong and even when life knocks him down, he still gives of himself. He has listened to me talk about my problems and he has helped me when I was lonely. He gives good advice; he cares. My mama found not only a new friend, but a good man. He replaced this broom right here.”

  Noah bent down and picked it up, then shook it in the air. “That night he came in the grocery store and saved my mama’s life was the day everything changed. She ain’t need this one anymore. He told her not from words, but from actions that he was going to sweep away her worries, and give her a clear pathway to walk on.”

  Yasmine suddenly turned away, her shoulders going up and down. Langston about lost his shit when he heard the woman sob. Ivy raced to her and dabbed her eyes with a tissue. She turned back around and smiled, but her eyes kept filling with tears…

  “Who knew that path would one day lead to a church where they’d be getting married? I have a father in my life, and though at times our relationship hasn’t always been the best, I know he loves me. Now, I am richer, and blessed, because I have two fathers. Well, three, if you include God.” Langston wiped away a tear. “People think because I’m deaf, I can’t hear. I can hear the things people feel, the stuff people hide. My hearing is just fine. It is the rest of the world that is deaf.”

  “Amen!” someone shouted.

  “So, as I move my hands and fingers to speak to you all, most of you do not understand what I’m saying without Langston telling you. But one language is universal, and it doesn’t matter whether you are blind, mute, or deaf… and that’s the language of love. These two speak it fluently. And I’m glad to have Langston in my life and now my mother has someone else to love.”

  Noah burst out crying and the whole place fell apart. Langston brought him close, kissed the top of his head, and hugged him tight. He lifted his chin, making the boy look at him as his lower lip trembled.

  “I love you, Noah!”

  “I love you, too! Now jump that broom!”

  The room erupted in applause as Langston took Yasmine’s hand.

  The minister declared, “I now pronounce you husband ’nd wife!”

  Langston grabbed the woman and kissed her with all the passion he had in him. Seconds later, they jumped over that broom, together, into their new future…

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  A Romantic View from the Window

  …Three years later

  AUSTIN, TEXAS, LAND of the Texas state capitol proved to be the perfect spot for a relocation.

  Langston and his brother paraded around his grand new three-story brick house in the suburbs with their fishing poles in tow. The sun was beginning to set, and they’d only caught a few, but it was the thrill of the hunt that had got their blood pumping. They moved about the place, talking and laughing. The prized residence boasted six bedrooms, all equipped with fireplaces and a modern, cabin-like interior.

  This was the new Lopez spot. He wasn’t in the one percent bracket of wealth, but they were living pretty damn well—so well that they’d purchased the home outright. He adored the land on which it sat, too, surrounded by acres of forest and a lake full of fish; it was a haven he knew his parents and Nana would love had she still been living.

  “Baby!” Yasmine called out, a folder full of papers in one hand and their newborn daughter over her shoulder, “I gotta go to Elsa next weekend. Two of the registers are actin’ up and ever since the remodel and expansion, that one area of the ceiling is still leakin’.”

  She looked pretty as a picture, her hair tucked behind one ear, sporting a pair of black jeans and a scoop-necked bright pink shirt.

  “Naw, baby, I can go. You stay here and mind the store and just take care of Sasha and Langston. You just had the baby—you don’t need to be runnin’ down there right now. Besides, Langston hates it when you leave for even five minutes, let alone a whole day.”

  Just then, the boy in question, their one-and-a-half-year-old son came running into the parlor, smack dab into his Uncle Anthony.

  “Heeey, boy!” Anthony grinned at the curly headed kid with the caramel skin. He picked him up in his arms and gave him a kiss on the cheek, f
ollowed by a squeeze. “Where you think you’re goin’ huh? Where’s tha monster at, huh? Where’s the monster?” The boy giggled and squirmed in his uncle’s arms, laughing when Anthony gave him a good tickling.

  “All right,” Yasmine said with a smile as she watched her brother-in-law and child at play. “Thank you, baby.” She marched over to him and gave him a kiss, then bounced Sasha about on her shoulder, adjusting the burp cloth draped over her shoulder before exiting the living room.

  “It’s a four-and-a-half-hour drive back home, man,” José complained as he opened a fresh beer and smacked his lips after coming out from the first-floor restroom. “Greta ain’t gonna let me not come home tonight. I’d rather stay here again, though. Whew, we had fun!”

  “You only say that ’cause you won the card game. I’m in the hole now,” Anthony grumbled as he put Langston Jr. over his back for a piggyback ride. “I’m stayin’ though… Hell, it’s the weekend. I ain’t drivin’ all the way back to Elsa tonight. Tell ’er to leave you the hell alone. We already got a mama.”

  José grumbled something and pulled out his phone, then disappeared into another room, no doubt about to concoct a lie to tell his girlfriend as to why he wasn’t bringing his ass home that night.

  “I can’t believe Yasmine is runnin’ two stores now. Damn, she keeps busy!” Anthony stated as he ran back and forth with his nephew, doing zigzags and forcing the kid to giggle his little head off.

  “I know, but she’s got plenty of help. All she gotta do is jump in when somethin’ goes wrong. She trained everybody and thankfully, days can go by without her hearin’ a peep. The new store here is doin’ so well, her mother asked why don’t she close the one down in Elsa, since it’s smaller and gets far less folks. My wife looked her in the eye and said, ‘Mama, ’cause those people need it.’ And she’s right. Then she turned around and expanded it, made it better, updated it. I’m so damn proud of ’er. She works like a dog, we both do, but we make it work. One day, when we’re a little older, we’ll be able to relax. One day Noah will be runnin’ those stores and that’s all she ever wanted.”