BOMAW 10-12

by Mercedes Keyes

  "Yep - not gonna wait on you David to come here, I'm gonna have Shawn, look for you."

  In Mundo's room, Ben lay across his bed on is back, while Mundo worked around him, putting all of his stuff into place, on the walls, in the cabinets, pictures, music, books, school books, his computer and desk, his music table, he worked to get arranged while speaking softly to Ben. Since L.A. - they'd gotten close, having shared a room with the boys for two weeks, it was easy for Ben to lie in Mundo's bed as he worked around him, carrying on a softly toned down discussion on Lucas first.

  "Man he got some nerve coming up in here gettin' all super silly! I couldn't believe he gone try and dismiss my dad like he the goddamn door man, ain't that some shit? I knew it was time for me to leave the room, know what I'm saying? He my uncle, so I had to chill, but hell, I'on know him, I'on know his ass from the man in the moon."

  Ben had an arm folded over his eyes, trying to keep them closed, "He's your uncle, your mother's brother, and you never met him?" He asked softly.

  "Met my Uncle David, he was always around. But that one, naw - only in photo albums and hearing my mama and uncle David, talk about him. Now that I met'im? I ain't no better off, know what I'm sayin'?"

  "Yeah, that's sad - because family is supposed to mean everything. No one, and nothing should come before family."

  "Well, sad to say, that ain't always how it is - my mama's side of the family, all screwed up. To be honest with you, the man that sired me, his side ain't all that much either. My grandmother, she cool wit'us. Crystal look more like her than she ever did mama."

  "Em, she must have been - beautiful beyond words then." Ben murmured softly.

  Standing at his computer hooking it up, Mundo paused to look back at Ben, he stood for a moment, gazing at him, thinking, "Ben, tomorrow night, I got a big set at this dance club, mini bar - it be banging there, know what I'm sayin'? You should come there, check me out. It's a Friday night - I bet I can get Crystal there."

  Ben's head moved a bit, lifted his arm a tiny fraction, opening his eyes to a squint; what he didn't want to happen, did, they flooded with moisture as he gazed from under at Mundo, pondering Mundo's words. "Chances are, he'll be there."

  "Naw, she been planning to go out with her girls - I bet I can get her there, without him."

  His other hand came up and pinched the moisture from his eyes, keeping his arm guard over his face, then gazing at Mundo more clearly, no more blur, thinking, "I thought you were on his side?" Ben asked low.

  "I'm on my sister's side, that's whose side I'm on. And uh - yeah - I'm on Crystal's side, my nephew's side, that's all I'm saying."

  Ben lowered the arm and lifted himself to lean on an elbow of the soft bed, causing a wave of motion that made him and Mundo laugh, "A waterbed Mundo?" He asked, chuckling despite his sober mood.

  "Hey man, I knock out on that." He defended his choice.

  Ben rolled to the edge and in one swift motion was up, sitting on the soft, cushioned side rail. Sitting as he was, he and Mundo made eye contact, he tried to speak without his eyes watering up, without getting emotional, it was hard, but he said what he had to say, "I'm on her side too Mundo - I love your sister, with all my heart, I swear to God I do. Part of me says, just walk away, leave it alone. But, I don't think I can, the greater part of me, my heart, my soul, my gut, says - don't. They say, stick with her because - she thinks, she's doing the right thing."

  "You know that huh?"

  "Yeah, I know that. I'm thinking maybe, while we were gone, she must have had some kind of thought that, she was doing what was right for herself, for her boys, and just went for it, just - decided to go back - maybe - to be sure, give it just, one more try."

  "Yeah, maybe. But - I lived with them, and it ain't gone work Ben, I know it ain't gone work."

  "Why? What makes you say that?"

  "I'm gone tell you, what I told my mama this morning, who also, by the way, doesn't think it's gonna work, and doesn't like the fact that she went back."

  "She doesn't?" He asked, hearing this from Mundo, about Sylvia, gave him a sudden ray of hope.

  "No, no she do not, I can tell you that now. Reason is, Crystal has come out, and seen the difference in what it's like to be with him, and - being with you. Ben, I wouldn't have admitted this a while back, but I'm gone come on out and say it, you - made my sister happy. You made a difference, honest man, you made her act, feel and even behave, different. Crystal is a lot more aggressive, than you've seen her be - well, I guess you could say, she can be, more aggressive. With you, she actually acted more like a lady, like a young, happy woman. And the boys, they love you man - them boys are with you in a way they ain't never been like with they own daddy! I was more they daddy, than he was, and I'm just they uncle. Believe me, I know what I'm talkin' about."

  "Maybe, she was that way with me, because - well - I'm Shawn's son, and we just met and so she was being nice."

  "Maybe, there's always that possibility, but I don't think so, I really don't. In fact, I think - tell you what I think, I think maybe, she had some time to think about you, what she was feeling, and I bet, she realized - well - she's in love with you - I think that scared her, made her frightened she was about to do the wrong thing again, and that - made her rush back to him - that's my theory."

  Ben's eyes got big, as the possibility of that washed over him, making that ray of hope even brighter. He needed that theory, that thought, needed it so that it became his talisman, that hope, it became his visual objection, making him reach up and touch the ring that hung under his shirt on the chain. Touching it, made him wonder, what had she done with hers? He looked up at Mundo, and smiled, actually opened up to show white teeth. "That's it - she got scared, something spooked her - and - I think it was that, what you said."

  "Yep, my brother - that's it - I'm callin' it. That's what you got to hang on to - she may have gone back, but - it don't matter, it's a wash - they don't have what it takes, to keep a happy home. So, tomorrow night, at the club, you gone be there?"

  Ben took a deep breath wondering about it, "I don't know Mundo, maybe I should focus on the old saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder?"

  "Oh yo yo yo - hey, that's cool, but ah, you got to put in appearances too - you got to suddenly just - show up - lay ah lay ah bam down on her, slam on her ass, remind her - what she walked away from and then, step yo'ass up out of there, leave her wit' somethin' to think about, that's what you got to do. And in your absence, once more, her heart will be growing fonder! Got to put the Boo'yah on her baby! And hey, yeah yeah - I done seen you move on the dance floor, I know what you can do!" Mundo was getting excited just thinking about it, "Yo yo dawg, I got the song man! It's perfect! You get her ass on the floor, dance wit'her one time - just one goddamn time - then just disappear on her ass! Hey hey, listen up on this!"

  Ben stood from the bed, smiling, infused by Mundo's excitement and instructions, leaning close by him as he searched for a particular song on his computer for him to hear, then played it, Akon's - 'I wanna love you'

  "Listen at that right there baby! Tell me now, you can't lay something on her ass with that! You get to movin' with her, like I've seen, oh yeah - yeah! I'm tellin' you now, when you step yo'ass up in there, get yo'ass some attention, make a few women scream."

  Ben shook his head laughing, "You're crazy Mundo."

  "You want her back or not? That's what I wanna know - just answer me that!?" His face got serious, brows lifted, eyes widened, gesturing grandly.

  "You know I want her Mundo, I can't think about anything, but her, and the boys."

  "Ah'ight then, I'on wanna hear the rest, I'm gone get her there, you gone show up, and you ain't stayin' long, you gone come, throw down on they ass up in there, and leave. You heah'me?"

  "Yes sir, little brother, whatever you say." Ben saluted him smartly.

  "Listen up now, you got to excite these women, 'cause the more excited they get, the more my discs move up out the box and that my brother, is
crucial - yo' payment to me for one damn good idea."

  Ben laughed some more, his head bobbing to the beat, loving the song, "Put that on my player for me Mundo." He asked, already feeling the song.

  Mundo smiled watching him, "Yeah baby, you gone have to start going on my gigs with me, dancing like you do! Women love that shit! White boy that look like you? Oh yeah, it's on! I need to make some money!"

  "Wait a minute now, I don't know about that."

  "Man c'mone - you get to dancin', moving and grooving like you do, shit - I'll be selling out all the damn time, I'm trying to pay off this Blazer - help yo'brother out!"

  Ben laughed long and deep from the gut watching the expressions on Mundo's face, taking a deep breath, shaking his head, he thought about it, "Okay, I'll do a few for you, but - I want something in return." He asked, getting serious again.

  "Lay it out, if I can deliver - you got it."

  "Get the boys for me? Please Mundo? I wanna see the boys, I was gonna take them to the afternoon matinee in Tomah, they're showing Iron Giant - for the children's hour, I loved that cartoon when I was younger, I wanna take them to see it. Please, for tomorrow afternoon?"

  Mundo stood with their eyes meeting, "You really love them boys." He stated it as fact, not bothering asking.

  "I do Mundo, I do - I miss'em already. You know if they were here, they'd be in here with us right now, hanging on me, hanging on you. Don't you miss'em already? I do."

  "Man, hell with that, yeah - I'll get'em for you! You can count on it! Bet that!"

  "Yes! Thank you so much, and I'll dance my heart out for you. Only other thing, is that - you go with us?"

  Mundo got excited, "Ahhh shit, we gone get down - in fact-..." He stopped, stared at Ben, "Huh? Me go with you? Ah man, I'on watch no cartoons, ain't that a cartoon?"

  "Yes it is, in my estimation, one of the best ever done! I can't believe you haven't seen it! Every father on the face of this earth with sons should be taking their boys to see this, Quincy took Kevin and I," Ben smiled, "Three times in fact, we loved it so much."

  "Yeah well, you'll have to excuse me - that was the last thing on my father's mind, Iron Giant, or taking me anywhere."

  Ben realized what he said compared to the father he knew they had, "Hey man, I'm sorry - I didn't mean-..."

  "Hey, yo' yo' - it's cool, got nothing to do wit' you."

  "Come on Mundo, my treat, go with me, take the boys to see it, I'll buy all the popcorn, soda's - all you have to do, is be there, I think you'll enjoy it. What can it hurt, please?"

  Mundo made a face, running his hand through his short cut hair, "Iron Giant, huh?"

  "Trust me, you'll be glad you came."

  Mundo scratched at his neck, making a face, to see Ben put his hands before him as if saying a prayer and then, another silent lipped, "Please?"

  "Ah'ight, ah'ight - I'll go, count me in."

  "Yes, thanks man, and all you have to do is get them here."

  "Hey, it's a done deal, no worries, and you - to work with me, we gone come up with a lil' step together, yeah that's right, you and I! 'Cause I have to remind these women now and then, Mundo does more than play the music baby!" he grinned, winking and smiling, sending Ben into hopeless laughter once more, "You're good for me Mundo, real good for me. And you know what, I don't know when, I don't know how - but mark my words, I'm gonna marry your sister one day - mark it - it's gonna happen, I just have to hang on."

  "If that's what you want - do yo'thang to get what you want! I got yo'back - 'cause like I said, I'm on Crystal's side. I must be, got me agreeing to go and see some cartoon movie - Iron Giant."

  Chapter 290

  Deidre hung up with a smile on her face, gazing at Charlie across the room, "He'll be here tonight, yes! I can't wait - and then you won't be the only one, gettin' your groove on!" Deidre stunned Charlie as they sat in a restaurant having lunch. Charlie almost choked on her shrimp salad, "Excuse me, what's that supposed to mean?" She asked, blushing, because it was obvious Deidre knew.

  Smiling still, Deidre informed her, "Yes, I know about you, Samuel, gettin' it on."

  "I don't know what you talkin' about Ms. Wherrington, you must'ah been dreaming."

  "Went looking for you last night, couldn't find you, where were you?"

  "Who me?"

  "Yeah you! You who should be guarding my life! Where were you? Huh?"

  "All nosey and stuff! Just 'cause you pay me, Dee-Dee, and good - don't mean you get to get all in my bidness." Charlie sassed with a rotation of her head.

  "I went to Samuel's room, to ask had he seen you... and uh..." Deidre let that trail off, grinning so hard she was fighting not to laugh, her face turning red.

  Charlie glanced around her, leaned towards Deidre, "Dee-Dee, that white man had my pussy, snap, cracklin' and poppin' baby!"

  Deidre threw herself back in her seat and yelped out loud, shocked by her words, then exploded into laughter.

  "I am not lyin'! And hey, hey, for me, that's sayin' something. So ah, next time, don't come lookin' for me, 'cause ain't no tellin' what you might end up hearing. Dee-Dee, I ain't lyin', I needed that release. You don't have no real good sex now and then, you start to hate people, get dangerous thoughts, wanna shoot somebody 'cause they looked at you wrong. Good thing wasn't nothing going on with you, cause ah Dee-Dee - I wasn't feelin' nothing - but go-o-o-od. Oh yeah, no sense in lyin' since you know. That's why you can't wait for Mr. Chocolate Perry Mason to show up, ain't it, huh Dee-Dee?" She grinned teasing Deidre, who was laughing like a silly teenager. It took her a few minutes to calm down, the expressions Charlie was making, didn't help. She sighed, sipped her water, wiped at a tear from laughter and said, "Charlie, you're probably the best friend I've ever had."

  "Even over your girl in the restaurant?"

  "Emmm, Tara and I have been friends a long time, had really good times - but - with you, once I get over the shock of the things you say, I'm laughing, I'm smiling, I'm feeling good."

  "All right now, don't get to singin' my praises too much, you gone scare me. I only swing one way Dee-Dee, I done told you, strictly dickly!"

  "Charlie!" Deidre gasped, making a face.

  "I'm saying, just to be on the safe side - nowadays, you never know. Hell, my magnetism powerful baby." She joked, winking.

  "Well rest at ease, I assure you, you aren't the only one, as you call it, strictly dickly." Deidre returned, "However I must admit, I never figured you, to be the homophobic."

  "You figured right Dee-Dee, they don't bother me none. Hey, to each his or her own, I ain't hatin' on'em, I just don't understand it - that's all." She leaned in once more, taking on a confidential soft tone to keep their discussion exclusive, "I mean, please - I got my own pussy, my own tits, what the hell I wanna play wit'somebody elses for? No no no, this here pussy needs some dick - period."

  Deidre's eyes were squeezed closed, face blushing beet red, "Charlie must you be so blatant and blunt about it?"

  "It's the truth! I'm confused, shit! They don't want no man, but they be out shoppin' for dicks? One of the females, plays the male role, and she strap a dick on? That's the part I'm trying to understand - the chick that's still the female, is gettin' rubber dick? Why in the hell - does a woman want, a rubber dick? That's what's got me confused. I mean, I get it when a woman can't get no real dick, see, I get that one, so yeah, you know, you got to do what you got to do. But when you can get a real one, and choose a rubber one, over a real, hot, hard, throbbin', live one, hooked up to a solid, fine ass, capable man, hands all over you, lips everywhere, and dick workin' - hell with the rest! No no, Dee-Dee, not scared, just confused. But hey, do what you got to do to get it." Charlie shook her head thinking more on the subject and before ending it, with Deidre still looking at her tolerantly, finished saying, "I'on want no woman kissin' on me either, come to think about it - just don't seem right. No no, I ain't scared, I just don't get it."

  Deidre face was burning, "Are you done now?"

 
"Yeah, I'm done. What you blushin' all red for, you brought it up. You know me, shit, what the song say? If - you - don't - know me - by - no-o-ow." She nodded, winked. "Don't start it if you can't handle it Dee-Dee. Anyway, what's on the agenda for the day?"

  Deidre sighed thankfully, "We, especially you, absolutely must, see to it that Ivory and the driver, is set up. Set up with everything they need, comfortable and in place. Whatever surveillance equipment - everything, done. That means, every gadget under the sun, telephone, internet connection, power, everything."

  "Thank goodness you have the money you have, because it costs an arm, leg and a kidney for right now with any of those companies."

  "I know it does, but since I'm paying it, I'm gonna get Shawn's studio up and running, he doesn't have a phone in it yet, or internet, I'll get his done in the process."

  "Now you know he don't like you messin' in his business."

  "Charlie, does it make sense to you, that they're already there, which I've paid them to be, hooking up everything for security and not just take care of the studio for him as well?"

  "Emph, we'll see how he like it."

  "It'll just be done, he'll have to fuss if he doesn't like it, I've lived through worse with him."

  "I'm sure you have. Well let's get moving, it's gettin' late in the day, we need to see what's happening and crack the whip if not enough."

  Joining Samuel outside, Deidre made a good effort not to notice the eye contact between the two. One thing was certain, there was an extra bit of self-assurance in his movements, a brighter glint in his eye, and a smile of arrogance that boasted that he'd fired her tail up and good. As for Charlie, of course, she only turned up her nose at him, stepped into the Mercedes they were using there, not a limo, just a heavy S-class saloon. Screaming luxury, comfort, style and safety.