Sylvia laughed and played with her grandsons and waited for one of the teams to come up. Shawn and Angela came up the most because he wanted to check on her. Every time he did, she had a great big smile waiting for him, and he'd ask, "Not too late to change your mind?" Holding on to his goggles.
"Nope, no sir, I'm just fine thank you, Mr. sexy, you look good coming up out of that water. I'm in heaven just watching you do that." She assured him. With a cold, wet, salty kiss, and a sprinkle on her, making her laugh out, he'd turn and he and Angela would flop back towards the water with their flippers on. To be able to sit on the beach and smell the salty ocean air, watching the surf's roll in and the seagulls over head. She never knew such pleasure, such splendor in her life, she was more than content, to just sit in total awe of it all.
In the water, Crystal and Mundo had the time of their lives. Both were choked up and in a world of wonder to be doing something so out of the ordinary for the lives they were accustomed to living. They swam in weightlessness with the tanks on their backs, able to breathe, swim comfortably after they relaxed and learned how to maneuver under water. They enjoyed themselves so that neither wanted to come up for air - but were forced to when their tanks were running low. They came up, exchanged them for filled tanks and went right back in again. Each of them collected little under water treasures they found, after being observed up close by a few seals, and other marine like, but fortunately, no sharks. When the trainers time was up, they all came in. Sylvia stayed put on the beach, unwilling to leave it determined to enjoy it as long as she could. Crystal took the boys up to the house, with Angela's help, they were out cold. Shawn and the boys went in and showered. He came back out to join Sylvia on the beach and they, Ben and Mundo, went to get dinner from the local restaurant.
"Hey you, you gonna sit out here all day?" He asked, flopping down next to his wife on the blanket she occupied.
"I could, I could stay out here all night, it's so beautiful."
"Oh wait until sunset, it's going to take your breath away."
"That's why I plan to be right here to see it, with my own eyes."
"Mundo and Crystal, loved it. I didn't think I was going to get them to come in."
She only smiled, quiet, pensive, thinking.
"Penny for your thoughts." He asked moving behind her, with his legs stretched out along side hers so she could lean back against him.
"I'm thinking, that this is the best vacation, I've every had. Well, it's the only one I've had - but, I can't imagine any that would be better."
"You think we aught to do this once a year?"
"Yes please, oh yes! Absolutely, right here, this same spot, this same place, yes!"
"You got it." He hugged her back against him, kissing her temple. "How's my son?" He asked against her hairline.
"Feel, he's moving now. See if you can feel him." She took his hands and put them on her stomach, and the entire mound shifted and finally a sharp small movement caught against his hand. "Whoa! That was a nice one! Holy shit! He's really active in there!"
Smiling Sylvia grinned at him, "I know, he's getting bigger, and he moves around a lot, like crazy! You got lucky that time, I can't always feel it with my hand on, but I can within. He must have stretched right against your hand."
Shawn kept his hands on, moving them on her mound, "Come on Jesse James, do it for me again." He coaxed, massaging her belly.
"OH OH! Here here! Up here by my rib, this side, hurry!" She laughed as Shawn moved his hand again to try and catch him, and once more, felt him - slight, but he definitely brushed against his hand. "Wow! Wow - that is so fantastic! Do you know we're gonna have a baby! Do you realize that!"
Smiling brightly, Sylvia nodded, against him, "Yes - we are. Soon I'll be so far out front I probably won't be able to move."
Shawn was hugging her, his cheek to her brow, "I'll be there baby, every bit of the way, right there with you. Oh I cannot wait!"
* * *
In L.A....
Jeremiah sat through Deidre telling him about the scare earlier in the day, which turned out to be just an accident. "You okay, even so?" He asked, concerned.
"I'm fine, just took me back a bit, but all is well."
"Good, well - I had an interesting interview with the man you called me about throwing money away."
"Really, what was that about?" She asked.
"It appears, that his daughter, was found hanging in an apartment that he didn't even know she had. He also found hidden among her things, a large amount of money. She also had, two children, girls. He stated, that for some time, she was very secretive about places she was going, who she was with and what she was doing - for instance, she gave up her job, never told him that she had, pretending to go to work, when in fact, he found out only after her, suicide, that she'd quit her job some time ago."
"Wow, that's - some coincidence, huh?" Deidre murmured.
"Is it, is it really? I don't think it's a coincidence at all. I've got an eerie, ugly feeling - and I don't want to say too much about it until I look into it further. He's agreed to let me come and look through his daughter's things. I'll be going by there tonight, see what I find."
"Oh my, so you think this might have something to do - with your mother?"
"I don't know. I just have this feeling, and I'm going to go with it, see where it takes me. Anyway, you coming by my place tonight?"
"You want me to? I don't want to crowd you."
"I want you to."
"Okay, then I'll come."
"What day are you planning to talk to Shawn, about Angela?"
Deidre groaned, "I'm going to ask for her again Wednesday. Hopefully, he'll bring her over - I see no reason why he won't. And then, Thursday, I'll explain it to her, and then, him. And then, all hell - is going to break loose."
"Well - just so you know it, I'll be there, in case it does, okay?"
Deidre groaned again, she wasn't sure if that was a good idea, or a bad one. But the time was fast approaching, and soon it could be avoided no more.
Chicago...
Paul was there and waiting for Vivian at the L station as he should be, picking her up, he asked, "Uh, is there something you needed the truck for this evening? There's still stuff to be done at that house, because I'm alone, it's taking me longer - and besides that, I've found other things that need fixing on it."
Vivian thought about it, "How about this, you take me by Sheila and Dennis' and I'll stay there until you're done and we'll go home together, is that all right?"
Paul brightened with the idea, "That would be fantastic, sure! Thank you! I really want to get as much done as I can."
"Maybe when we get to Sheila's and Dennis', he might help you a bit tonight, just to lend a hand." She suggested.
"Oh no! I couldn't ask that of him, he'll have put in a full days work, I'm fine; he's probably tired - just wants to come home and chill, you know - so, no, I'll be okay."
Vivian gave him a good looking over, she couldn't quite put her finger on it, what it was about him, but there seemed to be some kind of change in him; what it was, she couldn't quite figure, but it was most certainly there. He must have noticed she was looking at him, because he glanced at her and smiled and flexed his brows at her. Making her giggle and then shake her head. Then it occurred to her what was different. He seemed to be a bit more confident, in fact, he hadn't blushed, not once the whole time they were together after he picked her up. Vivian's brow quirked with her observation, but thought, maybe it was because he was finally, used to her. With that thought, she dismissed the notion. Arriving at Sheila's, he dropped her off, and wasting no time, he waited for her to get in the door and he was off, again ... alone.
Vivian stood in the door, her mind working, "What's up girl? What you standing in the door for?" Sheila asked, finishing up dinner.
"Oh, nothing, Paul is gone to finish that job he started."
"He ain't coming in the eat?" Sheila asked.
"To be honest with you
, I think food, is the last thing on his mind."
Chapter 253
Chicago...
Jackie peaked out of her door and then smiled, opening it. "Back again! Wasn't sure you would be able." She commented smiling.
"Neither was I. I have until 9:00 - my soon to be step-mom is at her friends house, Sheila, you met her earlier." He returned stepping in as she closed and locked her door behind him. "Yes, it's nice that they're looking out for you. How'd you all meet? I mean, you're from Wisconsin, they're from around here? You don't mind me asking do you?"
"Not at all," He started, following her into the kitchen, she was cooking and it smelled wonderful. "Sheila's friend, Sylvia, married my uncle. They were all friends from young. So she, Sylvia, invited Vivian, my soon to be step-mom and Sheila to the wedding there in Wisconsin, that's how my dad and Vivian met."
"Okay, so, is Sheila and Vivian's friend black too? This Sylvia?"
"Yep, she is."
"And how did they meet? Sylvia and your uncle?"
"She lives in Wisconsin, lives right across the road from my uncle, that's how they met. My uncle went bonkers over her, and - soon, they were married."
"Oh my goodness, so what is it with your family, they got a thing for black women or something? Because now, your father is marrying Vivian."
Paul smiled as he leaned against her kitchen counter, crossing his arms over his chest, he suddenly felt this overwhelming urge to flirt with her, and answered to her surprise, "Yeah, I guess we do - have a thing for black women, there's something about'em." His eyes were dead set on her. The look that came over her, made him blush and look to the floor, glancing back up, he smiled, "For instance, I think you're real pretty, how old are you by the way?"
Taken so by surprise at his sudden flirtatiousness Jackie cocked her hip, putting a hand on it, "Your mama never told you, not to ask a woman her age?"
He grinned, blushed and shrugged.
Taken by his infectious grin and charming personality, she grinned back and was honest, "I'm thirty-one years old, if you must know."
"You don't look it, if you don't min' me saying it. You look more like, well - twenty-something." He complimented honestly.
Now Jackie blushed, smiled, shaking her head, "Emmm em, I see now I'm gonna have to be careful with you here, lil'o'boy."
"No boy ma'am, and - I ain't so little; bigger than you. Taller, and weigh more I'm bettin'."
She had to stop herself from almost fanning her face, as her temperature rose. She didn't know what it was about the boy, it must have been too long since she had a man, because he was turning her on. Which was totally un-usual for her, because she wasn't attracted to white men, especially no "lil'ol'white boy". "Yeah well, anyway - you were telling me about your father and uncle."
"And 'bout the fact that they both like black women?" He asked, his eyes once more suggestive. Paul couldn't believe how he was behaving, but there was something about her; he even felt himself stirring, a definite tingling that made him realize she was arousing him; the fact that he was being flirtatious, didn't help matters any.
Jackie had to take a deep, but subtle breath to get her barrings clear and on the right track. She thanked goodness her kids were in her room watching TV, she didn't allow them in her living room - that was off limits. "Yeah, that - I believe you were saying." She returned, trying not to look at him as she cooked, she needed to force her mind to what she was doing and not look at him anymore, because those eyes, those soulful brown eyes, were getting all into her head, and other places as well.
"My grandmother I'm thinking, she's the reason."
That made her look, "Your grandmother?"
"Yes ma'am, she feels that every now and then, well - how can I say this? Well, that no matter what the race, there comes a time when they need to bring in new blood, to keep things from getting too concentrated. She doesn't think it's healthy to be too much of one thing, says it causes problems, so - white blood needs to occasionally bring in black blood, or whatever else there is besides white. Black, Asian, Indian, the same - she says every so many generations, we need to bring in new blood to correct what may be going wrong. She says, it keeps the family, healthy, strong and beautiful. That's what she says."
"Your grandmother said that?!"
"Yep, she did. She didn't want any of her kids, to marry white. I have three uncles, and two aunts. My uncle Derrick, his wife is Puerto Rican, a somewhat dark one, if you didn't know her, you'd think she was black. Then my uncle Shawn, married Sylvia, she's his second wife. His first was white. My dad, always dated white women, my mother being white, my other two brother's, their mother is white. But then, he met Vivian and he's gone for her, man, and I mean gone!" He smiled.
"Wow, what an interesting family you have. And that Vivian, she's beautiful, but I must admit, I was surprised to see him with her, she's so dark."
"My grandmother's crazy about her!" He informed her.
"Boy you know you are blowing me away with all this, I didn't even know white folks like what you describing, even existed!"
"Yeah we do exist, not all white people are bad; prejudice, idiot, assholes! Excuse my language," He apologized immediately.
"You 'bout summed it up and I agree, no apology needed." She replied, a sardonic look about her.
"Yeah, well, there are some cool white people believe it or not." He grinned and then winked at her, surprising himself and her. Shaking her up, she broke the slow weaving of their inner essences from taking place between them to ask, "You said you have two aunts, what did they marry?"
"White. Regardless of what my grandmother wants, I suppose what will be, will be."
"Yes, I suppose so," She thought out loud and then pointed out, "Since you only have until nine, shouldn't you get busy?"
Paul stood from the counter, "Yes ma'am, you're right, I best get busy."
"And you will be eating! Because I know you couldn't have had time to eat, it's nothing fancy - frying some pork chops, making some broccoli, macaroni and cheese, some corn bread, I hope that's okay with you."
"Sounds good to me, you sure there's enough?"
"I'll make sure there is, you're not gonna be working your butt off here for me and then not get fed. So, go get busy, I'll call you when dinner is done."
"Yes ma'am!" He saluted her smartly and turned to get his tool belt on and then head for the basement. He had everything he needed, having picked it all up earlier after taking care of her car and fixing her lawn mower. He hadn't cut her grass yet, but he would do that first thing tomorrow morning. He was just glad that he'd been able to fix it, by the time he had - he'd decided to leave, pick up the extra things needed via instructions of his grandfather and then it had been time to get Vivian. With his tool belt strapped to his narrow hips, he checked along the basement foundation where the wall with the house settling, had pulled away. With his note pad, he did his measurements along the wall, marking the widths needed for the wood he'd be using for wedge stabilizing that would be used to anchor the floor boards he'd place along with insulation.
As he worked, his mind went from what he was doing; to her. He could hear her upstairs talking to her kids. Gently fussing at her son for not doing his homework before watching TV. Hearing her as she communicated with him, made Paul smile, thinking back to times as a young boy with his own mother. There were many good times growing up with her he could reflect on. Yet, the moment he'd turned eighteen, she'd literally said to him on the day of his graduation, "Today, marks a new beginning for you. Time for you to go out there now, and learn what it means to be a man. I'm not gone be one of those mother's trying to hold on to you. Frankly speaking, I can't stand them kind of mother's and I made myself a promise not to be one. From this moment forward, we can be friends, but - you don't need no mother smothering you. I've raised you well, did the best I could with you. Now - don't you go crazy out there forgetting what's important in life! You gonna make some mistakes, but that's all part of it - becoming a man. After toda
y, I want you to start thinking towards being your own man, making your own way in this world and don't be worrying about me, I'll be just fine, you understand?" She asked, straightening his tie, smoothing his short cut hair.
"Yes ma'am, I understand."
"And, don't be too soft hearted Paul. Please know, that everyone that smiles at you - aren't true to what you see. People smile for all kinds of reasons and they aren't always good. And please, guard your heart - don't be so quick to give it, and when you do - make sure - she's deserving, you hear me? 'Cause you're a good person Paul, you've been a good son to me, and you're gonna make some young woman, a damn good man, but - be sure. Get some experience first, have a few flings..." She winked up at him, making him blush and grin. "You're due, you've been good all this time - and it can't hurt to bed a few here and there, you sure got the equipment to-..."
"Mom!" He had exclaimed making a face turning away from her, red as could be.
"Well you do! That's one thing your daddy sure did give you! You bes' be glad too, like your grandma Gert says and it's true, hung-..."
"MOM! Enough, I know I know... jeez mom, I don't like it when you talk about that!" He grumbled turning away to finish gathering his things to head off.
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