by Tameka Hicks
“Where are you going?”
“I’m taking her for a ride.”
Tamara sat in the car looking out the window as her aunt gave her a long speech about respect. She just nodded to all the questions because she had heard it all before. Diane went inside the store to buy Band-Aids for Tamara because her nail had broken down too far and was bleeding.
Tamara noticed a yellow folder over the sun-visor that was marked MY WEDDING. It contained the names and phone numbers of the businesses where she had planned on getting her wedding supplies from. There were pictures of the bridesmaid’s dresses, the wedding cake, and brochures from the catering and photography companies.
“I should throw this folder underneath the car and there will be no wedding, and I won’t be pressured into wearing a stupid ugly dress.”
Diane walked out of Perry Drugs. She quickly closed the folder and placed it back under the sun-visor.
“We’re going to have fun today,” said Diane. “I know you are still upset with your mama-”
“Jeanette.”
“She’s better. Try and get along with her for mama’s sake Tamara.”
Yeah right, thought Tamara. “I’ll try.”
Dear Diary,
Today is Sunday May 31, 1993 and me, (my associate) Nikki, my cousins Caylen and Breonna were staying the weekend with the soon-to-be Turners. It’s 4:19
a.m. and everyone’s asleep but me. Marion went to sleep about an hour ago watching television in his recliner. Actually, the television was watching him. He seems nervous about getting married, and if it wasn’t for Diane pressuring him, it probably would not have happened this week. I feel pressured to be a stupid bridesmaid, and they want me to sing with Charles. That’s what we get for being on the side of the house playing (singing together) and grandma overheard us. We always challenged each other to see who knew the words to certain old school slow jams. That was one thing that, even after we stopped being special friends, we still did in the backyard. Grandma suggested to Diane that we sing in the wedding, so we had to rehearse and sing to her. I did not sing my best because where Charles doesn’t mind singing in front of people-I do. He was in our school’s choir and band, plus he was in his church’s choir so this is a hobby for him. His girlfriend has a problem with him coming to practice for the wedding with me, but I’m here to tell her that, I’m not the problem, he is. She needs to worry about her man and not me. With a baby coming soon, he won’t have time or money to spend on me and I never double dip anyway. Diane obviously liked the way that we performed because in six days I will be standing in front of a room full of strangers.
Friday, after the fight and after Diane and I had come back from the store, everyone was waiting on us to eat. Grandma gave me her usual speech about Jeanette, but it went in and out like it always does. Jeanette was trying to be sarcastic, and I know it. She had that devilish grin on her face. Even if she was playing, I don’t have anything to say to her, let alone to be playing around like she didn’t try and kill me. She can fool the doctors, pull the family’s eyelids down over their eyes, and maybe even convert herself into thinking that she’s changed, but she will never convince me. She’s not a different person; I can see it in her eyes, she’s as fucked up as before. Yes, I hit her first, but I owed her that from when she tried to stab me. Memories flooded my brain from that day in the kitchen, and I lost control of my hands. I have a few scratches on my back and neck from Diane trying to stop the fight. We will get our chance to duke it out like we both so desperately want to. Anyway, it seemed (from my room) that the family enjoyed themselves. I think they used this time to rehearse for the wedding and learned a few new “Hustle Dance Steps.” I refused to mingle with Jeanette, and I wasn’t going to get ate up by the mosquitoes, so I stayed on the phone with Tyrese and Nikki until the party was over.
Marion took me to pick up Nikki, and we went to their house for the weekend. Saturday, we got dressed and went to the mall to pick up my silly looking dress. Caylen was upset because she wasn’t asked to be in the wedding. Even though I don’t care, I’m her niece so that’s why I was asked first right? If everyone’s in the wedding, who’s going to watch Diane come down the aisle? Her sister didn’t seem to be bothered by not being in the wedding, her only concern would be which way was the buffet table. Caylen is Aunt Louise’s baby, and it shows because her lips stayed poked out and her attitude was revealed. You’re not in the wedding little girl. Suck it up. One day you’ll be in your own wedding so be quiet, and be thankful that you don’t have to get up in front of all those people and sing. I must admit that I instigated the entire plan behind her being upset. I did it because it was necessary for what I had planned next. I told Caylen that I thought it was bold that she wasn’t going to be in the wedding. And then I went to Diane and was like, “Look at Caylen pouting. She’s mad at you because you didn’t invite her to be in the wedding. She’s such a baby.” Both fell into my web. I hope that I can trust Nikki because she’s going to be tested this week. I’ll see how faithful she really is. I’m so tired of hearing the family talk about this wedding. I personally can’t wait until it’s done and over with. You should’ve seen the way that Diane looked when I made breakfast this morning. I don’t know where Diane has been, but you don’t let another woman cook breakfast for your man.
She was always somewhere with her head stuck in a book. Don’t get me wrong, nothing is wrong with learning. I read a lot also, but she should have taken some time to learn how to cook from grandma like I did. None of these young girls (family or not) would be over my house around my man. I gathered that some people never learn because if Aunt Max and Kelly wasn’t an eye-opener for her, I don’t know what else would be. I don’t know if I should trust Nikki, especially since she said that the Bible considered it a sin if you fought your mother. Well, I guess I’m doomed to hell because if she hits me, I’m hitting her crazy ass back. That rule goes for whomever. I believe that from all my past experiences and definitely for my upcoming plans; I have a one way, front row ticket with my name on it, directly across from Lucifer himself. No, I don’t think this is funny or cute, but I can’t help the way that people make me react. From Jeanette’s recent actions, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” cliché comes to mind. I can’t wait to see my secret friend tomorrow. “Eventually, this is going to have to stop." My secret friend tells me but then he will turn around and page me with (07300116.) That’s the code for me to call him which is our birthday months together. I'm just full of clichés today: “Why pay for the cow, when you can get the milk free?” We’re not getting anything for free, if this secret comes out then we will pay for it dearly. I might have a couple of missing pages from you again after the wedding day. I’ll write in you later. And explain things better.
Your friend, Tamara
EVERYTHING THAT GLITTERS ISN’T GOLD
This wedding could have been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records for the weirdest event EVER. The morning started off with the bride coming on her menstrual cycle two-weeks ahead of schedule. There goes the honeymoon, not to mention her comfort level in her white wedding dress (that she had no business wearing according to tradition) but that was the least of her concerns if she actually had any dress to wear at all.
She stood shocked in the middle of her huge walk-in closet, mouth to the floor looking at a previous dress that some sadistic, demonic dress shedder had gotten a hold of, leaving just enough dress to look like a belly shirt on the hook inside its plastic. She released a loud roar once the image registered to her brain, and it came through her mouth. The gang from last weekend ran into the room trying to help out a distraught bride-to-be in less than five hours, who happens to be dress less in case anyone hasn’t noticed.
After the dust settled, Caylen had been accused of this horrendous act since she was mad that she wasn’t in the wedding. No one could prove it, so it was just accusations. A hysterical Diane called her mother and soon after, Caylen used the phone in the kit
chen and told her mother to come and rescue her. She pleaded her innocence crying, but that didn’t help matters. Her sister assured her that she wasn’t going to allow anyone to hit her. She told Diane, “You can think or say what you want, but no one is going to touch my sister. She’s not the only person here! We don’t know that Nikki girl, who’s to say that she didn’t do it?”
“Someone did it! My dress didn’t rip by itself!” Diane screamed. Tamara went into the closet only to retrieve a cut up lavender and white flowered dress. She carried the pieces of the dress to Diane almost causing her to have a heart attack.
Barbara arrived at the house within minutes of her call. She calmed Diane down first, and then took the girls into the kitchen to investigate, but no one told or knew who had become Miss Edward Scissor Hands. Diane couldn’t figure out how or when Caylen, or whomever had the time to cut the dresses without anyone seeing them.
It was a mystery indeed. Someone knew something; that was for sure. However, time wasn’t on their side, and Barbara had to remove her nieces from the house before things got out of hand. She took Tamara with her to get another dress. She would get the first dress that Diane had chosen before she had opted for the one that had been shredded. I guess she’s forced to wear it now.
Diane called the salesperson at the bridal shop and explained what had happened to her dress. She asked if she could somehow give her mother the original dress that she had chosen. They made plans on meeting at the church to get Diane ready no later than three o’clock. Doing all this last minute, unexpected, running around was going to be a challenge-most definitely.
Once they arrived at the church Barbara tried to reassure her distressed daughter that everything was going to work out right. That was before Lynette arrived at the church cake-less. The lady at Oaza Bakery had informed her that the groom had canceled the order for the cake two days ago saying that his sister was going to surprise the bride with a cake. That would have been nice, if any of his sisters could boil water correctly let alone make a three layered wedding cake. Lynette didn’t see a reason to be alarmed until she got wind of the dress incident. She overheard her Aunt Ann telling Uncle Charles about the dress nightmare. She pulled her mother to the side and told her about the cake and Barb, in turn, called Marion at his brother’s house. Now it was time to ring the alarm and loud. Marion hadn’t been anywhere near Hamtramck, especially not canceling cake orders. She explained to him, what had happened to the dress and now the cake.
Something was definitely going on here. He told Barbara (after he’d stopped laughing) that he would have his mother and sisters stop at the bakery and get three full sheet cakes. “They may not be layered cakes, but they will at least have cake to eat.”
Barbara had decided that by keeping quiet to Diane about the latest prank would be the best choice, no reason in getting her any more upset than she already was.
However, when Diane asked (and Barbara was sure she would, and soon) about whether the catering company, photographer and DJ had showed up yet, Barbara had to blow the lid because she didn’t know what else to do because there was no sign of them yet.
Like any other bride would have done. She totally freaked out.
A normal twelve-year girl couldn’t possibly be this evil and destroy a wedding like this. Diane remembered that her receipts were unorganized in the folder and Caylen was the only one who had touched the folder last weekend. She could’ve kicked herself in the ass because she had sent her outside to fetch it. And now her wedding day had turned into a story straight out of a Stephen King’s novel, and no one's to blame but herself. Someone else had helped her with this devilish plan because grown people don’t even think this cleverly.
Diane sent her Uncle William outside to the car to get the folder. She called the companies from the list, arguing with a few of them, but the only good had come out of it was that the DJ was still able to make it. The catering company receptionist explained that someone had called three days ago and cancelled her order even though she was aware of losing her deposit. They arranged for the remaining balance to be mailed.
Nevertheless, there was no way that all that food could have been prepared in time for the wedding. She had four other orders scheduled for today. The photographer had scheduled another appointment, so he wasn’t going to be able to make it either.
“Okay, it’s time to panic now,” Diane cried to her mother. Barbara refused to let the prankster ruin her daughter’s wedding. She had folks in the church running around the eastside buying stuff. Alexis and Lynette went to Perry Drugs for some film and liquor. Ann and Louise went to the supermarket to buy some canned vegetables and beverages. Charles and Jay went to the dollar store for the dinnerware and aluminum pans. William went to KFC to get some chicken and biscuits. {Yes, what is a party without chicken?}
Barbara explained to the pastor that she needed to use the kitchen to cook a few things. She anxiously paced around the church waiting on them to come back with the items. Diane decided to stay in the bride’s room on the sofa talking to Jeanette (anything to keep her occupied.)
Within the hour, Barbara had her workers in place cooking and placing things where they needed to be. When the organ started, and the guests stood up for the bride to walk down the aisle Barbara had her handkerchief in hand wiping away the tears, smiling at her beautiful daughter, and at the fact that the prankster didn’t succeed.
The wedding couldn’t have been more beautiful if they had planned it this way, except for the part when the jokester spiked the drinks with castor oil causing whoever drank it to run back and forth to the bathroom. Barbara was elated to hear the pastor say those famous six words.
“You may now kiss your bride.”
It was still eighty-nine degrees Fahrenheit outside after the reception was over with. It was a beautiful night to take a ride somewhere and let the sunroof down to cuddle and look up at the stars. Marion walked around the basement (where the reception was held) secretly distracted by a few things that he didn’t want to discuss with his wife when she told him that he seemed distant.
“You’ve been acting different all day,” Diane mumbled to him.
He snatched the gifts off of the table ignoring her, heading to the exit sign. She stood there like a statue.
“Can you help us?” He retorted.
He opened the trunk placing the gifts that Barbara had carried out to the car.
“Thank you, mama.”
“Come on William. Grab those gifts over there and take it out,” she ordered.
“Let’s get out of here,” Barbara said. “My feet are crying.”
“Diane, where do you want me to sit these plates of food,” he asked.
“Um, sit them on the floor in the back seat, Uncle William.”
Barbara hugged and kissed Diane. “Will you come by before you two leave for Hawaii?”
Diane looked at Marion, seeking an answer.
“Are we going to have time?”
“I guess so mama,” he replied.
Barbara walked towards the raggedy blue car barefoot. “Okay, I’ll see you two later. Love y’all.”
They said, “I love you too,” in unison.
They waved, and drove away from the church, and you heard Barbara fussing at William. “I’ll be glad when you get you another god damn car.”
“Don’t talk about my car, sis.” He pinched her left leg. “That’s how you get around so be quiet.”
Diane stood in Marion’s face with her lips puckered up trying to give him a kiss.
“Where are we going Marion?”
“Home, where else are we supposed to go?” he snapped at her. She attempted to put her arms around his waist, but he knocked her arms away walking back into the church.
“What’s the matter with you honey?”
“Move,” he said. He walked towards the church’s side entrance door and locked it.
What did I do this time? She wondered.
“Marion?”
Why is
he acting this way on our wedding day?
He kept walking. His heels continued to click into the church’s kitchen. He angrily tossed the empty aluminum pan that was left on the table into the garbage can forcefully.
She wanted to go into the kitchen to help clean up, but she knew better to bother him when he was angry. She decided to go anyway.
“Honey,” she said in a playful manner. “Baby cakes,” she tried to soften him up.
“What Diane?” he exhaled deeply. “What do you want?”
She smiled. “Can I hug you?”
He stood stiff as a board as she put her arms around him. “We are supposed to be celebrating today, not fighting.”
He looked in Diane’s eyes with this empty, beyond mad as hell look. “Move,” he pushed her aside.
“Stop pushing me away from you.”
“Well move then Diane,” he explained carelessly.
“No, give me a kiss Marion.” She tried to force him to kiss her.
He grabbed her by the shoulders and threw her to the floor. “Is this what you want?” he asked wide-eyed.
“Let me go Marion! You’re hurting me,” the tears streamed from her eyes, as she tried to get up.
He lifted her dress up and ripped her pad and panties tossing them aside. He had this scary deranged look in his eyes. He grabbed her jawbone with all his intoxicated strength.
“Please, don’t do this here Marion.” The more she begged for him to stop the harder and faster he humped. She closed her eyes and prayed for it to be over soon. What if the pastor decided to come back to the church for something? This would be the most humiliating situation ever. How would she be able to look him in the face again? She hoped that GOD would send down a bolt of lightning and strike him in the ass as he humped on her like a dog. After he had an orgasm, he kissed her neck and got up like he had done nothing wrong.
“Baby, look at my boxers and shirt,” He stumbled fastening his pants.