She told him then about finding out about her father. “He was killed in Iraq?” he asked. “Yes, he was.”
“So you never got to meet him?”
“I finally met his widow. She runs . . . owns the book- store where I’ve been able to get some of your reading material.”
“That so? What do you think of her?”
“She’s nice and all, but . . . well, she’s had a baby by her dead husband. Seems he left frozen sperm.”
“Great day in the morning! You mean she had a live baby from a dead man’s seed?” The elderly man’s eyes were wide with disbelief.
The old man threw his head back against the chair and began to shake it side to side in disbelief.
“That’s not all, Mr. Harkins. The baby, a little girl, and I have been tested and the results prove that we have the same father. So I have a half-sister.”
“Girl, you sure have told me something tonight! Can’t believe . . . a dead man making a baby! What’s next!”
“Elyse, that’s my . . . I guess you’d call her my stepmother . . . she’s been trying to tell me what a wonderful man Barry Marshall was, but somehow that doesn’t register with me.” Holly took a sip of her soda, recapped the bottle. She continued to explain.
“I don’t hate the woman, but I don’t feel close to her. Now she is going to get married again. I like the man she’s going to marry. He is a wonderful person, and I can see how much he cares for her. Branch and I are invited to the wedding. It will be at Oak Bluffs, on the Vineyard. Branch says we should go, but . . . I don’t know.”
“Branch is right.” Mr. Harkins took Holly’s hand, rubbed his fingers across her knuckles. She was surprised at the smooth, warm softness of his touch.
“Listen to me, child. You are a fine young woman that anyone would be proud to have as a daughter or granddaughter. I know I would. Now you have a bright future ahead of you. I’m as proud as a peacock that you’ve come into my life. You don’t know, will never know, what was in your father’s mind when you were born. You said he was eighteen and your mother sixteen?”
Holly nodded, unable to speak, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Honey, I know what you have to do, and it’s all you have to do.”
“What, Mr. Harkins?”
“Forgive them, both of them. They didn’t know what else to do. You have a good life ahead of you. I know that young man loves you very much, so I’m sayin’ all you have is your life to live. Live it without resentment or pain. Don’t turn your back on the future that’s ahead of you. Forgive and go forward to a happy life. Go to Martha’s Vineyard. God bless you, little girl. You are going to be all right. I know what I’m talking ‘bout.” He patted her hand.
“Thanks, Mr. Harkins. Mr. Harkins?”
“Yes, child, what is it?”
“I think as soon as Branch and I finish our schooling and get jobs, we might get married. Would you please be the man who gives the bride away?”
“Honey,” he grinned at her, happiness flooding over his face, “as long as you don’t mind walking down the aisle with me and my cane, can’t think of anything I’d rather do! It will please this old man, very much.”
As she walked him back to his room, Holly felt a lightness in her hear. She was free to live and love. She could hardly wait for Branch to pick her up that night. Mr. Harkins was right, “Forget and live.” That was what she planned to do.
Chapter 32
Their wedding was to take place in the garden in back of Elyse’s parents’ summer cottage. Her father had hired a carpenter to build a trellis at the far end of the garden, and the local florist planned to decorate it with roses, ivy, bridal wreath and white lilacs.
A tent would be set up for the reception, which would include a sit-down luncheon, since the wedding was scheduled for one in the afternoon. There would be champagne for the toast and wine to be served with the luncheon of lobster salad, tiny croissants, stuffed mushrooms and individual strawberry jello molds on a bed of crisp lettuce. Elyse’s Aunt Ginny insisted on preparing the food for the fifty guests and the bridal party. Emerald would be Elyse’s maid of honor and Omar Ace’s best man.
Emerald had confided in Elyse that never in all her born days had she seen a more handsome man than Omar Eugendidi looked to be in his picture.
“Do you think I’ve got a chance?” Em wondered.
Elyse laughed, “You’re so excited and you haven’t even met the man! Sure you’re going to be able to walk down the aisle?”
“Huh? With a chance to walk with the brotha and sit next to him at the bridal table, you betcha!”
* * *
Omar arrived at Logan Airport early on June first. Ace met him and they headed to Ace’s place, stopping first at Dunkin’ Donuts to pick up breakfast.
“Good flight?” Ace asked as they drove out of the airport.
“First rate, my friend. I slept most of the way from London. Made the change there after the flight from Cameroon.” He looked out the car window as Ace headed the car to the tunnel beneath Boston Harbor.
“So,” he said in his clipped, pedantic sounding voice, “this is Boston, eh?”
Ace chuckled, “It is.” Then he recited the familiar lyric. “This is Boston, the home of the bean and the cod. Where the Cabots speak only to the Lodges, and The Lodges speak only to God.”
Omar laughed. “I hope I get to see some of this city . . . I’ve heard so much about it.”
“Elyse and I have an itinerary planned for you. We want you to enjoy your stay.”
“Can’t wait to meet your bride, Ace.”
“Nor she to meet you, my friend. It was your levelheadedness that gave me the impetus to persist in wooing her. You know I was with her when her daughter was born. And I believe that might have been when Elyse realized the depth of the love I have for her. We’ve had our differences, but I have to say we’ve come through with flying colors. And in three weeks, God willing, we’ll start our new life together.”
Omar grinned widely, his dark brown face reflecting the happiness he felt for his friend.
As they exited the tunnel, Ace began to point out various landmarks.
“This is Haymarket Square. See all the vegetable and fruit stalls?”
“Nothing like our markets,” Omar observed. “Don’t see many women, all men . . .”
“That’s the way this market runs, mainly male vendors. Outside the city, in small towns, you may see family-owned farms. There you’ll see women selling farm produce.”
“Very interesting,” Omar said.
“Now,” Ace told him, “we’re heading toward the South End, and soon you’ll see folks that might remind you of home.”
As Ace was driving along Columbus Avenue Omar quickly spotted two men of color chatting in front of a barbershop.
“Aha, I see what you mean, old chap,” he said, excited by what he saw: women pushing baby strollers; teenagers with their low-slung jeans; joggers whose muscular legs glistened with perspiration; pedestrians of all ages, skin hues and hair styles.
Omar could hardly believe his eyes. He just stared, trying to take it all in.
“As soon as we get to my place, Omar, we’ll have some breakfast.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s only eight-thirty. Then I suggest you shower and try to get some sleep, help you get over your jetlag. We are going to have dinner tonight at Elyse’s home. You’ll get a chance to meet some folks. They can’t wait to meet you.”
Omar sighed, “Hope they won’t be disappointed.”
“Believe me, they will not be disappointed, not at all.”
* * *
Elyse found the menu she wanted to serve that night in the catering department of a local food store. Dinner was scheduled for seven, and she requested the food to be delivered at five o’clock. That would give her time to take care of Missy and prepare for her guests, six in all: her parents, Emerald, Ace, Omar and herself.
She chose a cheese and fresh fruit platter for an appetizer, to be serv
ed with crackers and a light wine, followed by chicken marsala, maple glazed baby carrots, fresh green beans and rice pilaf. Dessert was to be chocolate fudge torte or ice cream.
Ace and Omar were the first to arrive. Ace could hardly contain himself, he was so anxious for the pair to meet.
Elyse welcomed them when they came. She was wearing a pair of beige silk slacks with a simple white silk long-sleeved blouse. Tiny gold studs flashed on her ears, and the only ring she wore was her diamond engagement ring.
Ace was delighted when he saw that she was wearing her hair in a sleek, sophisticated manner that gave her an exotic look. To him, she had never been more beautiful.
He gave her a gentle kiss and then turned to Omar. “Omar, this is Elyse.”
“Welcome, Omar. I’m delighted that you are here.”
Emerald and Elyse’s parents arrived a few moments later. Introductions all around were made by Ace, and a lively conversation took place with Omar talking about his native Cameroon. He invited them all to visit at anytime.
“I would love to visit Africa,” Emerald said. “I’ve always wanted to see the motherland.”
“You’d be most welcome,” Omar said with a bright smile. “I’d be pleased to have you, any of you,” he waved his hand in an all-encompassing gesture, “and you must consider this an open invitation.”
Jerome Joyce, Elyse’s father, turned to his wife. “Frances, would you like to make such a trip?”
Looking at Omar, she responded in a flirtatious voice, “With such a handsome host, why not?”
Emerald wanted to kick the older woman under the table, but instead she rose from the table to remove the cheese and fruit platter. She took them into the kitchen and proceeded to help Elyse serve the dinner. She whispered into Elyse’s ear, “Your mama better lay off Omar. I got first dibs on him, you know. She’s already got a man.”
“Oh, Em, don’t mind Mama. Lately, it seems, she loves to play the flirting game. She’s harmless.”
She handed two dinner plates filled with food to Emerald.
“For Mother and Dad, okay?”
Emerald raised her eyebrows as she accepted the plates.
“Sure I won’t drop food on yo mama?” she teased. “Go on, girlfriend, behave!”
Elyse followed Emerald with servings for Ace and Omar. Then she and Emerald joined the others with their own servings.
Ace poured the wine according to each one’s preference, and Mr. Joyce made a toast.
“It is my great pleasure to welcome Ace into our family. It is also my wish that he and our daughter have many, many years of happiness. Now I would be remiss if I did not welcome Omar to our hearth and home. Welcome, Omar!”
Glasses were raised, clinked together and voices echoed, “Hear, hear!”
Elyse invited everyone to eat, saying, “Help yourselves, eat hearty. There’s plenty more for seconds.”
Omar looked at her, and she noticed that he was eating in the European style with his fork in his left hand and his knife in his right.
He asked, “Did you prepare all this delicious food?”
Elyse laughed. “Not hardly. I picked out what I wanted, the caterers delivered it as I requested, and all I had to do was serve it.”
“Well, it is certainly delicious, I must say.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
Ace broke in, anxious to make his point.
“But, Omar, I want you to know that my intended can cook with the best! I’m sure you’ll see before you leave. Right, hon?” he said to Elyse.
“Oh, I agree. It will be my pleasure to introduce Omar to some American cuisine.” She ticked off on her fingers, “Boston baked beans, Fenway franks, Maine lobster and clam chowder.”
“Really sounds interesting, but I don’t want you to trouble yourself on my account.”
“No trouble for me, Omar. Not at all.”
Then Emerald asked a question. “Omar, can you tell us about your country? It’s really exciting to meet someone from Africa.” She gave him a bright smile.
He turned to give her his full attention.
“I’d be happy to. We are a republic with over twelve million population. We are mainly Christians and Muslims. Our Cameroon encompasses about two hundred thousand square miles on the West Coast of Africa.”
Emerald listened intently. “Could perhaps be the ancestral home of some of my family,” she mused.
“Could be,” Omar said. “Welcome aboard.”
Everyone laughed. There was a comfortable silence at the table, which pleased Ace.
Chapter 33
June twenty-second proved to be a delightful day. It was a bright blue-sky day with temperatures in the middle seventies. There was not a single cloud hovering overhead. When Elyse got up that morning, the first thing she did was take her daughter to the balcony outside her bedroom, the room she had as a child every summer. Since she was being married from her parents’ home, and they would be caring for Missy while she and Ace were taking a few days’ honeymoon, it made sense to be staying there.
“Look, baby, see the pretty garden where Mommy is going to be married? Someday, my child, I hope you will find a wonderful man to love. It’s what I wish for you with all my heart.”
She went downstairs with the baby in her arms. She could smell the invigorating odor of freshly brewed coffee.
“Oh, honey, what a beautiful day for you and Ace!” her mother greeted her. “Here, let me take the baby. I’ll put her in her high chair and feed her. Want some coffee?”
“Thanks, Mom. Smells great.”
She filled a ceramic mug.
“Now,” her mother said in her “take charge” voice, “don’t worry about a thing! I’m going to take care of Missy,” she said as she prepared a dish of warm cereal for the baby.
As she returned to her room upstairs, Elyse reflected that in another four hours or so she would be Mrs. Austin Calhoun Brimmer. A brand new life, a new beginning, a fresh start. As she sat in her room, sipping the hot coffee, she could hardly wait for the day to be over. Her thoughts turned to Holly.
Elyse still didn’t know how she felt about her relationship with Barry’s daughter, but she had felt comfortable in sending the invitation.
In the end, Holly had called to inquire about getting to the island, finally saying that she and Branch would come for the day, taking the four o’clock ferry back to Woods Hole.
She finished her coffee, sighed deeply and went to the bathroom to prepare for her wedding. As she walked down the hall to the bathroom, she could hear voices from the floor below.
Emerald, her mother and father were evidently enjoying a hearty breakfast. She could hear the clatter of dishes, smell the sweet aroma of the blueberry pancakes her mother always made for breakfast on Sundays and special days. She was too nervous to eat breakfast.
After her shower she returned to her bedroom, made up her bed, then completed her packing for their brief honeymoon. They had agreed that it would not be wise to go too far away from Missy, so they’d decided to take a quick two-day trip to Nantucket. Ace wanted to visit the Folger Museum and other historical sites such as the African Meeting House.
Emerald has assured them that she would entertain Omar with sightseeing trips. They need not worry about his welfare, she said.
The decision had been made between the two store owners to close their stores for the week. On vacation. Reopen on June 30, the notices had read.
She thought about their discussion of where they would live.
“I’d like to buy a house that would be close to our businesses and to your parents,” Ace had told her.
She’d agreed and the realtor they’d met worked very nicely with them and found a lovely raised ranch with three bedrooms, two baths and a fenced-in backyard not far from the Blue Hills in Canton. It was move-in ready, but the best part came as a surprise.
When they told Em about their plans, she quickly made an offer.
“Leese, can I buy your cond
o? I’m in an apartment and would love to have a place of my own. Name your price.”
So it was settled, and they were to pass papers on July first.
Elyse was happy because Em was walking on air with her pride of ownership of her new home.
Satisfied that she had packed what she needed for the trip to Nantucket, she decided to give herself a quick manicure. Then she polished her nails, pleased with the warm softness the translucent pink lent to her hands. She heard footsteps outside her bedroom door and recognized them as her father’s. When he tapped on her door she invited him in.
“Come on in, Dad,” she said. “It’s all right, I’m decent.”
“Just wanted to have a few minutes with my baby doll,” her father said as he sat down in a wooden rocker that had been in her room at the summer cottage since she was a child.
“How’re you feeling, little girl? Big day for you, right?”
Partially dressed for the wedding, her father was wearing black trousers and a crisp white shirt. His shirt cuffs were fastened with silver cufflinks that she had given him one Christmas. The crisp odor of his cologne made her smile as she kissed his cheek. She remembered hugging him in the morning when he would leave for work, his citrus-like cologne swirling about them. On this, her wedding day, as always, he was her loving dad, her hero.
“Well, m’dear, just wanted to have us a private minute. You do know how proud I am of you? I know it has not been easy for you . . . your relationship with your mother was not always smooth, always a competitive edge . . .”
Elyse raised her hand as if to stop his flow of words, but he smiled at her and continued.
“Hear me out, hon. Many child psychologists have said that it is often true that there is likely to be a rivalry between a child and the same-sex parent. You always wanted to prove something to your mother, almost as if fighting for her love and affection. I’ve told you about her scarred childhood, and I’m not excusing her for her emotional shortcomings because I know she has always loved you in her own way. Now that you have a daughter of your own, you will find the real lessons that your mother taught you will support you in your relationship with Missy. And I want to tell you one more thing.” He rose from the rocker, reached for her hands. She stood up, nearly as tall as he was, and stepped into his embrace.
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