BOMAW 10-12

by Mercedes Keyes

  "HEY YOU TWO!" Carl yelled from the upper deck, having heard them from in his office. Watching the three guys struggle to keep Jake off of Neil as he backed away from him, heated and heading for the stairs to complain to him.

  Jake barked, "Let go of me!" Snatching himself free, wanting nothing more than to tear Neil's head off right then, he had tears in his eyes because Doris being slung at him that way was a serious sore spot. "Calm down Jake man, calm down!" One of the guys yelled at him.

  They let him go because Neil was on the stairs, on his way to Carl.

  Jake stood glaring at his retreating back, taking a deep breath, he turned to everyone standing around looking at him, "Get back to work. We've got too much to do for this!"

  They all went back to what he instructed and would do so, because they all knew, that Carl let Jake get away with whatever he pretty much wanted to, because no one could dispute his productivity on the job. As they worked, turned out that they were right, because Neil slammed out of Carl's office twenty minutes after he went in, mad as hell. He went to his own office and a moment later, came out with his suit jacket on and stomping down the stairs, he left work.

  Carl came out of his office, standing from above, he waited to get Jake's attention. Jake stood giving it to him, waiting for him to call him up. Carl stood a moment, took a deep breath, "Carry on."

  Jake nodded, turned back and worked like a mad-man until lunch. For lunch, he called the land and deeds office, ordering a copy of the blu-prints to the house. No sooner had he hung up that his son was calling him, reminding him of that evening and heading for Chicago. Jake assured him that it was still on and asked Paul and Kevin to meet him at the house in an hour or more, they agreed. The rest of his lunch was spent collecting wood, sheet rock, gravel and concrete for the house. He loaded up the lumber truck, after doing a total of the materials he was taking. He ran it upstairs to Carl for his records and signature, clearing it for him to take and stated he'd be back as soon as he unloaded the truck. Telling him also, what the men would be doing after they finished lunch. Carl said nothing, just nodded - things were getting done and quickly - that's all he wanted.

  Jake left in the lumber truck, went to the DIY and picked up several spools of wiring, in all the various grades he would need, a new circuit switch box, circuit breaker voltage boxes, from the standard volts to high volts for heavy duty appliances. He picked up electrical plug boxes and light switches, cable cleats to run his wiring, some new tools and new pipes for plumbing and boxes upon boxes of expensive wood panel flooring. He rushed about but he was thorough to make sure that when he started, he'd be going a while without stopping. It took four men to help him load everything around what was already on the truck, but soon, he was off to the house. When he arrived, his boys were there waiting on him.

  When they saw the loaded down truck, they both groaned, but rolled up their sleeves and started hauling things off of the truck and taking it all into the basement. It took them an hour to get it all off, but when it was done - Jake was back in the truck and told them be ready to hit the road right after work, they would be heading down right away.

  In L.A...

  Sylvia woke extra early to fix breakfast for everyone. Despite his drinking the night before, Shawn was also up. Letting Mama JoJo know that they would all be going to visit Jesse's grave that morning. Mama JoJo was up and in the kitchen helping Sylvia cook, while Shawn told the kids the plans for that morning. They were eating at the table, talking - Mundo kept looking at Shawn, trying to get his attention. Shawn turned to him, smiled at him, winked informing him, "After we get back, I wanna take you with me to Pen-tab, cool?"

  Mundo smiled brightly, "Cool." nodding.

  After everyone dressed, they left and Sylvia walking alongside Mama JoJo, visited Jesse James Douglas grave. Shawn placed the flowers they stopped to pick up; he knelt there, telling his family a bit more about Jesse, and after a while, slipped into silence. Mama JoJo gestured that they should leave him, knowing he'd be sitting there for a bit. Everyone turned heading back to the Hummer but Sylvia, she wanted to stay with her husband. She sat on the ground behind him, Indian style, quiet, watching him. Shawn thought everyone had gone back to the Hummer, leaving him alone.

  "My brother - I'm back. Brought my family this time, it's grown. No longer just Angela, I brought my wife this time, and I have another daughter now as well. Ah Jesse, you aught'ah see her man, she's a beauty." Shawn laughed low, "Jesse, can she get mad, oh man, I'm telling you, a fighter that you'd be proud of. She has two little boys, so I'm already a grandfather, can you believe it? Me, somebody's grandfather! There's also Mundo, he's my middle son. Yeah, I said middle, because I have an older son as well - his name is Benjamin. Remember the stupid shit I could get into? Shit you had to get me out of? Some shit that almost got me killed?" Shawn stopped to laugh, "Well it's my turn now, last night, - scared me pretty bad - were you there? Watching my back? You know, I think about the one coming, another son, you know - I told you about him, Jesse James - well, I just hope I can be a good father to him. My wife, she's kind'ah worried about it - because she's that kind of woman you know." He paused to smile, thinking about her.

  "You remember the kind you said were the best - yeah, well, that's what I have in her. Man, I love her so much, if you'd have met her, you would love her too, you would, I know you. Last, Mama JoJo's coming to live with us. I know how much you love her, worry about her - well - rest at ease my brother, I've got her ... I've got her." Shawn sat a moment more, leaned forward touching his head stone, "I gotta go Jesse, but - I'll be back. I can't stay as long this time, the family being with me an all." He sat a moment more, as if struggling to leave, "I love you man, I love you and I miss you so much, so much." He shot to his feet and turned, stunned to see his wife sitting on the ground, tears rolling down her face.

  Speechless, she held her hand up to be brought to her feet. Shawn took it right away, supporting her up. They stood in the bright sunshine of the morning facing one another.

  "I-..." He started, feeling he needed to explain.

  Sylvia covered his lips lightly with her fingers, then lifted up pulling him down, she kissed him, wrapping her arms around him. Shawn stood holding her, his arms around her, his eyes closed, his throat clogged with emotion. A moment later, she released him, took his hand in hers and they made their way quietly back to the Hummer where it sat in the shade of the surrounding trees.

  No words needed.

  Because Ben promised the boys a movie, he and Crystal took them out to one. No one said a word, leaving them alone to make their own way. All hoped that they knew what they were doing, but all that could be said to both of them, had been said.

  In the Limo, Sylvia took Mama JoJo shopping. She fussed a bit, but Shawn and Sylvia were both insistent about it. She finally gave in and went with Sylvia, asking if they could go by her house to pick up a few things she wanted to take care of while they were out. Of course, Sylvia was only too glad that she could be of assistance.

  At the house, Shawn called King Louie before he and Mundo left for Pen-tab. He called him to apologize for the night before and invited him over for a barbecue Saturday night. They laughed and talked like old times, because regardless of the night before, Ezekiel held a special place in his heart for Shawn, even so - it wasn't easy for Shawn to get him over the next day for the barbecue, he claimed he couldn't be away from the pool hall on a Saturday night. Shawn wouldn't give up, and finally, Ezekiel gave in, agreed; he'd be there. Mission accomplished, he and Mundo left for Pen-tab publishing to meet with Lowell James. After introducing him to his second son, Armundo, Lowell went into the few immediate assignments for Shawn to do, some photography work, getting pictures taken of a few interracial couples that were paid to be used for book covers. After getting their names and locations where he and Mundo would go to get it done, they first toured Pen-tabs recording studio. Mundo was blown away by it, in love with the set up. As he looked over the equipment, Shawn filled Lowe
ll in on his brother, Jake. Explaining that he was in the middle of writing some new songs, and was seriously interested in recording.

  "Is he good? I mean, a nice voice and talent for singing?"

  "Lowell, I can tell you this, he's always had an incredible voice, and - he really wants this. Besides that, he's marketable, good looks and all."

  "Hmmm, sounds good - what genre of music are we talking about?"

  "Country."

  Lowell made a face, "I'm not really into country music to be honest with you."

  "It's not on the top of my list either, but - there are some things, that are worth taking a chance on; I'm gonna say that would be my brother. I wouldn't even bring him up to you if I didn't feel confident about it. He gave me a little sampling of one song he's written and the tune, the lyrics, pretty catchy - even for country."

  "You know what, because I trust your judgment, I'll give him a listen. When he's ready, bring him on, and we'll see what we can do about recording. If he's really good, I'll be expecting a contract with him."

  "Good enough, all I ask is you give him a listen."

  "You say when, I'll open up the studio for him."

  Mundo was smiling brightly. As they left to get to get the work done Shawn had been assigned to, Mundo asked, "If and when you all come back here, can I come too?"

  "Don't see why not, if this is the business you'll be going into, you might as well see it first hand."

  "Yes! Ah man, you see that equipment man, that's the hook up right there, that's the real thing baby!"

  "I just hope Jake is really serious about this, I've opened it up for him, now all he has to do is work to deliver."

  * * *

  "Mama JoJo, you know you can keep anything from here you want. When it's time to pack you up to move, me and the kids can be here to help you."

  "That be fine sugga' - 'cause I'on want no strange folk comin'in here, lookin' in my stuff."

  "Understandable. We can do that, if I know Shawn, it'll be no other way." Sylvia commented looking over the old pictures on the wall along the hall way leading to Mama JoJo's back bedroom. Some were really old and dated, brownish/yellowy photos in ancient frames of black people, husband and wives posing with the man sitting and the woman behind him. "Mama JoJo, you don't mind me asking, who are these people on the wall here?"

  Mama JoJo was in her room, looking for an old watch she wanted to get fixed, had been wanting to for years. She just never found a way to get it to a jewelers. She also took out a couple of her church dresses she's been wanting to get cleaned, but hadn't gotten to the cleaners, with no one around to help her and get her things taken care of, they'd been sitting and waiting. Now, having Shawn back there with his family and Sylvia willing to spend the day with her taking her around in the limo Deidre provided, she could get things taken care of.

  She shuffled out of the room to join Sylvia in the hall, as she browsed the pictures on the wall. Mama JoJo walked along, pointing them out and telling a little bit about them, and then came to one not as old as the others, "That one there, my brother, I come here wit' long time ago."

  "Is he still alive?"

  "Still alive, he live in Bakersfield - that's a good way from here."

  "What's his name?"

  "Jacob Edward Piercey."

  "My goodness, another Jacob. They seem to be everywhere, Shawn's baby brother is named Jacob."

  Mama JoJo laughed, "My brother was named after his daddy I'm thinking. As you can see, he lighter than me, mixed - his daddy was white."

  "Really? My goodness - so your mother..."

  "Had kids to feed. Me and my lil'sister was ha' first two, my daddy die long time ago you see. Then she got't'workin' and cleanin' for - get this - this baptist preacha'man. Don' know too much 'bout'im - but she have my two lil' brother's by'im. There was some talk started goin' round, we move furtha' on in South Carolina. 'Lease he see to'im, see to us. Just go t'show, God word show don' stan' in the way when mens be wantin' a piece." She chuckled, making Sylvia laugh out, shaking her head, "That's the truth there Mama JoJo, you ever meet him?"

  "Nooo chile - thangs like that back then was all hush-hush, all I know, his name Jacob. Know that 'cause my mama write his name in the bible over my brother's birthin' bible. My other lil' brother died sick from pneumonia, when he was just lil', his name was Paul, I'm thinkin' he was name after'im too. 'Cause in his bible, there was that name again, Jacob Paul this time. I'm figurin' he was they daddy."

  Sylvia stood stunned, "You're not gonna believe this, but - Shawn's brother Jacob, has a son named Paul, another coincidence."

  "Them popular bib-cal names is all."

  "True." Sylvia commented, looking further on to more pictures and saw one of Shawn and Jesse. "Oh my goodness, look at Shawn there! His hair is so long! Oh my goodness, Ben looks just like him doesn't he!" Sylvia stared overwhelmed, she'd seen other pictures of him, with long hair, but this one, he was looking like a California wild boy, Jesse next to him, both of them sitting on a park bench.

  "I got more in my album of them two."

  "Oh I'd love to go through them later." She stated as a knock came at the door.

  "Now who that I'm wonderin'? Baby, get them dresses off the bed fo' me, got my watch - we can get on out'ah here, I'm done."

  Sylvia turned back to gather up the clothes that Mama JoJo set out, and turned back to hear her fussing at what sounded like another visit from her granddaughter, Corliss.

  "Grandma where you been, I came by here last night, wasn't nobody here." She started, on the porch.

  "I was out, what you want? On my way out again." Mama JoJo announced.

  Sylvia stepped into view. Corliss' eyes went directly to her, rolling them up and down her showing a definite dislike for Sylvia. "You in that limousine out there?"

  "Yes, I am, taking Mama JoJo shopping."

  "Taking Mama JoJo shopping!" She parroted mockingly.

  Sylvia only grinned, jealously was ugly on the person who displayed it, and funny to the person it was directed at, so she grinned, holding her laughter in.

  "Don't come here wit' no mess now, what you want I ask you." Mama JoJo warned and repeated.

  "I need to talk to you grandmama, in private." Corliss petitioned, rolling her eyes from Sylvia.

  "I ain't got time Corliss." Mama JoJo announced turning to Sylvia, "Let me lock up sugga', you gone to the car."

  "Sure," Sylvia returned passing Corliss, walking out of the screen door, down the steps to the waiting limo. Right away, the driver came out to open the door for her. Corliss watched with narrowed eyes, turning back to her grandmother.

  "Grandmama I need some where to stay, or I'm gone be out on the street."

  "I ain' gone be stressed out with you Corliss, them bad ass kids of yo's."

  "Well what we supposed to do grandmama?"

  "That's yo' problem."

  "Grandmama, why don't you ask Shawn for some money for me? He'll give it to you."

  "I ain' askin' him fo'nothin'!"

  "He got it grandmama, he got money to send her around in a limousine."

  "Tha's his wife! What he sen' her 'round in, ain't none of yo' business! Sides, you might'ah been able to get'im if you wasn't so stupid - but you ain' got good sense, no sense in fact."

  "Please grandmama, ask him for me, you want us out on the street? I can't believe you gone just let us get tossed out."

  "Where you stayin' now?"

  "We at my house, but they comin' Monday to lock us out."

  Mama JoJo stood a moment glaring at her granddaughter.

  "I'ah see. I ain' askin' him for no money for you, you just get that out yo'head now."

  "You gone let us move in here?"

  "Come back an' talk to me Sunday, I'm gon' out for now. Get on off my porch so I can go."

  Corliss moved off the porch so that Mama JoJo could exit and lock her screen door lock. She'd had it made more secure a long time ago, thanks to Shawn when he lived with her. Saying no more, she
stepped down the stairs and headed towards the limo.

  "You got any money on you now grandmama?" Corliss swallowed nervously, asking before she was in the limo.

  "Not fo' no cigarettes, you need some food, I'ah pay for that, but not for you t'smoke up, o'dope up."

  "It's for food grandmama, for me and the kids."

  "You pitiful you know that? You need to do somethin' fo'yo'self I swear, here." She reached in her handbag and pulled out twenty dollars for her. "That's it! Gone out my face."

  She stepped into the limo with assistance of the driver.

  "Everything okay?" Sylvia asked.

  "Everythang is, what it always is, always gone be."

  Chapter 243

  Chicago...

  Vivian rushed around the apartment making sure everything was perfect. All things purchased were in place, dinner was almost done. She made a roast for dinner, beautifully tender, simmering in gravy, with green onions, celery and mushrooms. She would serve with it, steamed buttery carrots and herb sauce, savoy cabbage, spiced up with red and yellow bell peppers, garlic, onions and a bit of salt pork, and she baked up four huge potatoes wrapped individually in foil. On the side, hot dinner rolls. One last check on the roast, she smiled - this meal would make his toes curl. The phone rang, she rushed to it. "Hello?"

  "We're almost there, I left work an hour early. I'm hungry as hell, so are the boys, want us to pick something up?"

  "No! I've cooked, so - hungry is a good thing to be when you get here."

  "Hope you've cooked plenty?"

  "You'll see when you get here." Vivian smiled, anticipating him. She was looking so forward to spending the weekend with him and his boys.

  "Good, I can't wait. Love you lil'girl, see you in a bit." His deep voice rolled out, going straight through the telephone line and right into Vivian, making her sigh in pleasure.

  "I love you too, see you when you get here."

  They hung up and Vivian headed straight for the shower. She took a long luxurious one, shaving everywhere, smoothing her skin. Right out of it, she covered herself in baby oil and then pat herself dry, following it up applying her Renew lotion on top of that. When she was done, her skin felt wonderful. Checking her face, she did a clean up plucking her brows, making them stand out, shaped to perfection. She did all the little personal area sprays and applied a bit of her favorite perfume in all the right places. Then dressed in her silky lacy underwear and put on the new outfit. She loved it, it was very retro, reminding her of ensembles from the sixties. The canary yellow top and lime pants fit her to a T. Showing her tiny waist and shapely hips and rear. She slipped her feet into the flat sandals and then did her make-up. Adding just a bit of glow to her skin, and the perfect lip-stick to enhance her dark coloring. Finally, she added the matching earrings, a simple but elegant bead and gold spear necklace that hung so far. Last, she braided a row of corn rows along the front of her head, tying a matching head scarf that had the canary yellow and lime green pattern with ecru swirls and buttercup flowers, on top of them. In the back she tied it into a cute little bow and then shaped her afro that stood out behind.