Beauty of Man and Woman - Volume 13: Bomaw

by Mercedes Keyes

  Anyone could have knocked Deidre over with a feather when he stood before her, and then pulled her into a tight hug. In her ear he whispered, “I’m sorry for all I put you through. God as my witness, I am sorry.” He pushed back to hold her at arm’s length looking right into her eyes and said further, “I’m happy - I’m free - I want you to be the same. You deserve it, to be happy, so please - be that, okay?”

  Deidre couldn’t speak. Her eyes welled up because it was the last thing she expected from him. Choked up, she nodded blushing deep. When Shawn stepped away, her eyes went around the room to find Jeremiah with a peculiar look on his face. She smiled for him, but it didn’t quite work to dispel his obvious insecurity in what he saw. She didn’t quite get why it would bother him, after all, Shawn had done it in front of everyone, including his wife. Sylvia had been smiling from her rocking chair when she saw him make peace with her. She’d been proud of him for finally doing that when she knew how he’d always been with her.

  Deidre sighed and thought this was not the time to worry about it - she would not.

  She turned away and went to coo over Jesse James now that Angela had him. He was adorable and healthy as could be to be a preemie. Now that they knew he was all right, Sylvia was joking about how glad she was that he’d come when he did, two or three more pounds of baby hadn’t been something she’d been looking forward to. Everyone was talking about the way that he looked, it was clear that he was so far the spit of Shawn, however - he was reddish. That could mean only one thing, he would be darkening. Ben, who was there as well stated from across the room that his mom said that he had looked like that. So, he might not get that dark unless he was out in the sun summertime. One thing that was absolutely clear, he was going to have his father’s eyes, they were already showing signs of being light in color, now a mid-bluish tint - that would no doubt be hazel/blue in a few weeks.

  His uncles had to take their turns of course, first Derrick holding him, getting his picture taken with him, and then Jake and Vivian, held him almost together. Jake couldn’t believe it, how it happened. How two people could come together and from them, a third as if out of thin air? He looked up at Vivian who was sitting on the arm of the chair looking down at Jesse James. He was knocked out in his onesie sleeper that was a bit too big for him. His arms were splayed wide and his eye lids fluttered with his little mouth flexing as if he might smile.

  Jake was talking all loud and asking, “Has he smiled yet? He’s gonna do it now because I got’em, watch and see.”

  “No tickling the cheek! That’s cheatin’, makin’im smile ‘cause he think it’s chow time!” Derrick tipped them off. After all, he’d had enough to know. His were all in Chicago right now. Meribel had called him to let him know. They’d argued a bit because the kids should be in school, and she’d just taken off because she said she needed to be away from them all, the “McPhersons”. He’d shut his mouth and left her to do whatever she wanted for the time being, but he was counting the days. He wanted his kids back in Wisconsin - he had nothing personal against Chicago, but - he felt they were safer near him and in reach. The irony of that thought brought him down a peg.

  Safety.

  He sighed and went and had another beer. He was staying with his brother for the next few days. Just to make sure he was all right, to make sure he knew, no matter what their parents had said… nothing had changed between them. No sooner had he cracked open his can that the buzzer at the front door was going off.

  To their surprise and with loads of welcomed noise and fanfare, Dennis, Sheila and family came in grinning, “Hey up in here! What’s going on? Ma-a-an ya’ll been cuttin’ up! Where the baby at, we come to see lil’man!” Dennis came in boisterous.

  Laughing and happy, Shawn greeted them and immediately claimed them from Jake and Vivian as if it were a competition, “You guys are staying here!”

  “What? You got company! They’re staying by ours!” Jake protested.

  Sheila was laughing and shaking her head, “Don’t start no fightin’! Or we’ah check in’the hotel, send the bill to ya’ll - where my baby at?” Of course they could see him - Deidre was holding him now along with Jeremiah, who was checking him out. He seemed to be in a better mood with so many happy people around. Of course when Sheila stepped up, no decorum whatsoever and demanded of Deidre, “Give’im up! Turn’im over -…”

  “We just got him!” Deidre cried smiling. Jeremiah started laughing.

  “Tough! We drove up from Chicago for lil’man!”

  “Ach! We flew in from California!”

  “Flew - okay? All comfortable in first class and thangs! No doubt a recliner, back massager with spring loaded crumpets and tea!” Sheila teased taking Jesse James, “Come on baby, Auntie Sheila come to ruin you, make sure you bad as hell!” She grinned and winked at Shawn.

  “See, see,” Sylvia put a finger in the air for attention, “… and I’ll be sure to make him aware the butt whippin’ he’ll be gettin’ is because of his Auntie Sheila,” Sylvia sassed, laughing from her Lazy Boy Mother rocker.

  Shawn let out a grumbling grunt and a, ‘I don’t think so,’ look on that.

  Dennis cracked up, “Heard that didn’t you, ain’ nobody gone be whippin’ on lil’man, we make sure o’that, huh lil’man?” He coo’d over Sheila’s shoulder, his finger testing Jesse James grip while Ben snapped pictures.

  Gert was in the kitchen preparing a big salad, and party treats with Vivian’s help.

  “You all haven’t met Mama Jojo yet have you?” Crystal called coming in from off the phone with Victor. He was furious. He’d seen the news interview with Deidre and saw Ben in the background, which meant - he was back. He wanted her home now! Crystal sighed and replied. “You could come by and see the baby, or - I will see you in a few days?” He’d hung up on her, again. Crystal shrugged and walked back to the family room to see the Johnson’s and Mundo at the stereo cranking it up, and making all laugh, he put on the O’Jay’s, For the Love of Money, and said, “I’m dedicating this one to you, Ms. Wherrington!” And began dancing to it acting crazy as usual. Deidre blushed shaking her head. Sheila yelled at her kids not to get crazy, don’t be running through the house, “Sit ya’ll end down!” Smile back on her face, she sat next to Mama Jojo grinning and posed for a picture of her, Jesse James and Mama Jojo.

  Phone began ringing in all the loud activity, Angela answered it, and looking for her dad, shouted, “DAD! Mr. James on the phone, he says it’s important.” Shawn nodded his head and went into his office closing the door. Around his desk he picked up the phone, “I’ve got it pum’kin.” And then to Lowell James, “Yeah, what’s going on?”

  “Saw the interview with your ex - bloody brilliant of her, you’re a lucky man. Now, part two of the cleanup - time to make you a national hero.”

  “Huh?” Shawn was confused.

  “Trust me. I need you in New York tomorrow night! You’re going on the David Letterman show, at the Ed Sullivan Theater.”

  “What? How? Are you serious?”

  “Bloody right I’m serious. We just printed off more copies of the wife’s best - covers that you did on them. After this interview, she’s going to sell out again and you - will be the hottest ticket for a cover artist today!”

  “I don’t understand?”

  “You don’t need to mate, just do as I say. You’re gonna get a trim hair cut that doesn’t look like a haircut. I want you to look soft, desirable and loveable, so no sharp hard lines. I’ve set up a wardrobe for you to be fitted into, you’ll be wearing a dark teal suit, soft linen, flowing, cream shirt, no tie, I want you to look Miami Vice almost, smooth but humble - easy on the eyes. If you’re a little nervous, no problem - that’ll make you even more endearing. This is going to be your one and only interview surrounding this incident. Whatever David asks you, you answer as honestly as you can, no lies - full truth, we’re gonna get this sorted once and for all. Don’t be late! I had to call in a lot of favors to get you on that show, but Dav
id knows his ratings will go through the roof if he does it right. Be honest, be real and most of all, be what you’re best at… a man who loves and protects his family. I want them to see the father in you. I’ll be watching!” He hung up.

  Shawn sat stunned.

  He walked back out in the midst of his family and friends, in truth… after all of what they supported him through, family - period. Because of the stunned look on his face, Mundo turned the stereo down, “Dad… what’s up?” Everyone turned to Shawn, noticing the look on his face as well. Shawn took a long deep cleansing breath and stated, “I’m… well - the James’s have set me up with an interview tomorrow night. I have to be in New York – get this, for the David Letterman show.”

  “WHAT?!” All exclaimed aside from Sylvia.

  She sat with her mouth partially open and then closed it.

  “Yeah… I have to be there to be fitted for a suit before I’m to go on.”

  “We’ll fly you there Shawn, and back home again!” Deidre spoke up immediately.

  Shawn turned to Derrick and asked, “Will you go with me?”

  “Do you even have to ask?”

  Jake looked away, turning red - the stab of pain was instant and sharp.

  Shawn then looked to him, “Jake… will you too? I’d like to have both my brothers with me, please?”

  Tears rushed up immediately into Jake’s eyes, and nothing he could do hid it, because all looked at him. His face had reddened. He nodded his head, feeling both elated and ashamed of himself for his previous thought and feelings. “You know it - come hell or high water, you’re my brother - I might screw you over from time to time, but… I’d die for you.”

  Shawn nodded, forced down the massive lump in his throat and turned to look at his wife. She was holding their son, and breast feeding him beneath a receiving blanket, her eyes on him, a smile on her face. Standing there among family, seeing her that way with his son made him fall in love with her all over again, right then, right there.

  David Lettermen Show…

  “I really, really don’t want you putting make-up on me.” Shawn protested leaning away from the hands of the make-up girl - she was holding a bib before her to put on him to protect his clothes. She’d come into his dressing room to get him ready. He was already dressed, now for the finishing touches before he went on. He was not about to cooperate on that one.

  “It’s just to give an even, non-shiny skin tone, you’ll be fine.”

  “I’m fine enough thank you, even and not too shiny, thank you - but no thank you.”

  She sighed exasperated, “Suit yourself - all the men let us.”

  “Good for them, I’ll pass.” He eyed her firmly, wishing her to back away.

  Since he wasn’t going to budge, she folded the bib back up and tossed it in her little case, closed it and walked from the room without another word.

  Jake stood at the bar laughing, “Need a drink?”

  “No thank you.” Shawn returned.

  “Nervous?” Derrick asked as they waited with him in his dressing room.

  “You really should let me fix you a drink - they have the good stuff stocked in here. Let’s face it brother - when you go out there, some are going to boo you. That’s gonna suck. Have just one drink.”

  “No.” Shawn replied.

  “He’s right, someone’s gonna boo you. A drink might just take the edge off.”

  “I don’t want the edge off. I just want it over with. I did this - I’m tired of running from it. Let’em boo me.”

  Jake shook his head, “Well you’re my brother and it’s going to piss me off when they boo you, so… I’m having a drink. You want one Derrick?”

  “Come on Jake, tough it out with him.”

  “No, I’ll pop somebody, I need to chill. They don’t know him, what he’s been through - self-righteous, judgmental bastards!”

  “Jake, the way it’s been reported, I would have hated someone like me too.”

  “I’m having a drink, else there’ll be another news report, ‘Country red-neck gets arrested in New York for kicking David Lettermen guest up the rectum, size 13 boot required surgery to remove - updates later in the hour.”

  Shawn and Derrick both laughed shaking their heads, “Yeah Jake… have a drink by all means,” Shawn grinned, so glad that he invited him to come.

  Walking over to his brothers with his drink in hand, Jake took a sip looking Shawn over, “Did you ask if you could keep that suit after this? The man knows his stuff. You look the part in that. Imagine what he could do with me?” Jake bragged, grinning and winked. Once more, his brother’s laughed. They were used to it. After all, he was their very own golden god - let the girls they grew up with tell it.

  All three glanced toward the TV monitor in the room, audience applauding - commercial break, it was Shawn’s time to go out. He stood and actually felt dizzy from the stress of what he was about to do. He was certain his blood pressure must be through the roof.

  “Last chance, quick shot? One second, straight down?” Jake tried.

  Shawn shook his head, taking a few deep breaths and sure enough a knock and the door opened, “You’re up, wing west behind the curtain.” And the man was gone.

  Jake downed his drink completely. “Come on big brother, we got your back, let’s do it!”

  Series 14 - Episode 106 - Chapter 319

  They stood at the curtain wing listening to David Letterman go into Shawn’s intro, “Well, you’d have to be dead or in a coma to have missed the big controversy that burned up the news and the media this last week. Our next guest was dead center, put up front and personal in a scandal so shocking it dominated the air waves, TV and radio, news press and National Enquirer - broke sales records and cleared newsstands city wide. According to the ladies, he’s a man who has done more than his bit to slake a many nights frustration. Husband’s everywhere have flushed their Viagra and tossed their wives Oscar Delight, ‘Here, have at it!’” He paused for the laughter, “Yes, he’s a man who has done more than his bit - has given more than a bit of himself. That bit has been a hot item top seller in many adult shops across the nation this last week. Without further ado, right here is the other side of the story surrounding, the rise and fall of Oscar Delight! They’re calling it, The Banker, The Heiress and the Porn Star! Come on give a warm welcome to Everett Styles! Come on out, we promise to be gentle with you.”

  Shawn knew it was do or die time and stepped out to more boos than applause.

  Ignoring the boos he walked straight to his host, giving him a simple, humble smile with his hand out for a shake.

  “Hello, thanks for agreeing to join us,” Letterman shook his hand.

  The other two guest stood and shook Shawn’s hand as well. One was a musician, the other an actor.

  He turned from them and went to the seat next to where Lettermen would interview him. Pinching up mid-thigh of his pants to adjust them for sitting, he took the seat following Letterman’s extended hand for him to do so. Once in place, he opened the jacket, moving it wide to get comfortable. Turning, he kept his eyes on Letterman.

  There were a few in the audience still booing, Letterman turned to them, “Uh, we heard you - enough - we’d like to get on with it.” He winked and turned to Shawn.

  --At home in Wisconsin, Sylvia sat in a ball of nerves. Thankfully, she was surrounding by family and friends. She’d just gotten off the phone with Lucas and Lydia making sure they had the TV on and was watching. They had Ms Earthaleen upstairs with them, after all if it weren’t for her, they would have never known. They didn’t watch TV much, and for certain not the news. In the basement, all sat before the big screen TV - Mama Jojo, Dennis, Sheila, Vivian, Gert, Crystal, Ben, Angela, Mundo, Shanna and even Royce had to sneak in off of his beat to catch it. He stood back by the stairs, dressed in his uniform praying he didn’t get a call before he saw the interview. Shanna called her father, let him know what was going on and to please watch it and hoped that Kathy-Ann was doing the same. O
f course, it went without saying that Sylvia was recording it. As much as Bart wanted to ignore it, he couldn’t. Besides, he watched the David Letterman show every night now that Johnny Carson was off the air. No one could replace him, but Letterman would have to do because it was his routine for ending the day. And… deny it all he liked, he got to see his son, the man he’d raised - walk out on that stage and well, explain himself - since he hadn’t given him a chance to days ago to do so.--

  The audience had quieted when Letterman turned to him, “You nervous?”

  “A bit.”

  Letterman grinned and turned to the audience, “Exactly… a bit,” the audience went into laughter, and a few boo’d of course. Not at all fazed, Letterman picked up his cards of little known facts, starting with of course - current event statistics, “Now, according to our research, your umm, bit - aptly named, Oscar Delight, sold at its release, first year out, a total of 450-…” Seeing the humor in it, many in the audience cheered and whistled, “…not bad…”

  --Jake turned to Derrick, smirked, “That’s all? Psssh, first week out I’dah sold a 1,000 - not to mention how many would have been shop lifted.” Derrick sighed and rolled his eyes. —

  “… and up to 2 years ago since its release, your bit sold a little over 15,000… hey, that’s pretty darn impressive.” Letterman grinned and stirred up the audience some more.

  --Sylvia sighed in acceptance, while Sheila sat pretending she had no idea what was being discussed, “What’s this bit business and Oscar Delight,” she asked knowing full well what it was about. Dennis looked over at her, “Don’t worry ‘bout it, you gone make us miss somethin’ - pay attention, stop asking questions.” Sylvia gave Sheila one of her knowing squinty eyed looks, as if to say, ‘You know, probably seen it?’ - to which Sheila grinned and kept it to herself. Mama Jojo sat watching and just gave that old familiar grandma’s - “Mmm-em, ba-a-ad boy…” shaking her head as she watched, learned and listened.--