“Well unless she can blackout an entire city and a good part of the east coast and Canada, she had nothing to do with this.”
“Okay, okay, wait,” Dennis said waving his hands to calm the loud rowdy bunch. “If it wasn’t Mamma Lou who set you up, then who was it?”
“Nobody set us up,” J.T. confirmed.
“So how’d you meet her? Let’s face it you’re not exactly the kind of guy who hangs out at the opera and the ballet,” Dennis questioned.
“There was a blackout about ten months ago in Manhattan when I was there to speak at a conference. Everything was eventually cancelled. I couldn’t get back to the apartment so I checked into a small hotel in the Village. Juliet was in line at the desk in front of me. Because of the blackout, the hotel was cash only. She didn’t have enough. I didn’t have enough so we pooled our money and got the last available room.”
Trey, Raymond, Tony and Dennis all looked at each other. “Mamma Lou,” Tony said. The room erupted with laughter again.
“There’s no way,” J.T. assured them finding it difficult to be heard over the howls, hoots and whoops of joy.
“Better you than me,” Trey said bragging.
Raymond, Tony and Dennis all looked at him nodded and chuckled. “I wouldn’t be too sure Trey, your time is coming.”
“No way, not in a million years, I have my, bachelor for life certificate laminated and framed over my bed. “I can’t deal with the whole monogamy thing.”
“I said the same thing,” Dennis confirmed.
“We all did,” Raymond said looking around the table at the nodding heads. “Don’t get me wrong, I had fun when I was single and out there, but being married has like somehow completed me.” He and Tony bumped fists as Dennis raised his bottle and they all clinked.
“It’s just not for me,” Trey said firmly. “My theory is simple…”
“Oh no,” a collective groan rose again from the table.
“Not another theory,” Raymond interrupted.
“…This ought to be good…” Dennis added.
“…I’ve heard it before, I’ll pass…” J.T. added.
“…No, no listen, give the man a chance. This just might be profound…” Tony said.
“They’re all profound. Trey’s got about two dozen theories, he collects them like he collects gold coins.” J.T. said.
“Bring it on.”
“…Gentlemen, my brothers, may I continue with my theory?” Trey said.
“By all means, continue.”
Trey stood and cleared his throat. “I’m sure we can all agree that without a doubt, these women now-a-days are slammin’ with serious bounce to the ounce, soft bodies, sweet smelling, gorgeous eyes, luscious legs and, well you get the picture.” The men all nodded in unison. “They look good, they smell good, they feel good and they know exactly what they’re doing. They’re dangerous, they have all the power and they can seriously screw a brother up if you let them. Now I’m not saying all women are like that. But, bottom line, a brother’s got to be careful.”
“In other words, love ‘em and leave ‘em?”
“No, not at all, here it is in a nutshell, my brothers. Women are like an investment, you put the time, the energy and the emotions into a money market relationship…”
“…Don’t forget your heart…” J.T. spoke up.
“Yeah, and your heart, you put all that in a relationship money market. And over time it pays off, sometimes, other times it doesn’t and you have to divest, regroup and then eventually, if you’re lost everything, get back into the market. That’s why as an investment broker I suggest that my clients invest in several markets at a time. Blue chip, certificates, bonds, S&P, stocks.”
“What was that?” Raymond asked as he chuckled.
“Sounded like an E.F Hutton television commercial to me.” Dennis added with laughter.
“…A trash talking E.F. Hutton,” laughter continued.
“So you think that monogamy is here to stay.” Trey asked.
“There’s nothing like being with just one woman, a strong independent black woman,” Tony stated proudly.
“Definitely,” Raymond seconded.
“Here, here,” Dennis agreed.
Trey shook his head sadly at his lost comrades. “Better you than me. One woman, one man is played, you can count me out, and trust that it’ll never, I repeat, never happen to me.”
Tony shook his head, “You can’t fight destiny.”
“So what you’re saying is that a billion or so years ago J.T. was destined to fall in love with Juliet and never look at another woman?” Trey said.
“God knew exactly what he was doing when he took man’s rib and created woman,” Raymond injected, “we’ve been searching ever since for our soul mate.”
“No,” Dennis spoke up, “it’s a cosmic thing. You put the energy out there and your perfect partner responds. It’s all chemicals and energy.”
“So you and Faith are energized?” Trey asked. Everyone chuckled.
“What about Mamma Lou and her matchmaking?” J.T. asked.
A silent reverence fell around the room.
“She’s old.” Tony began as grimaces carved into brows around him, “no, not in a bad way, listen. She’s been around a long time, she knows how love works, and she’s a master at this. I’ve found a new respect for her matchmaking or cosmic connections or her God given talent, whatever it is, she knows what she’s doing, and I respect it.”
“Here, here,” the men said uniting on one point.
Tony stood and picked up his bottle, “to Mamma Lou.”
Everyone else at the table stood and joined in the toast. “To Mamma Lou.” They said in unison.
As they sat Trey began another one of his theories on the chemical reaction of love. Tony and J.T. got up staking their heads and went into the kitchen to get another round of drinks and more food.
“I never thought I’d say this but, your cousin as actually worse than mine.” Tony began.
J.T. looked back at the dining room table seeing Trey standing up loudly citing yet another theory as Raymond and Dennis laughed hysterically. “I’m inclined to agree. Although, sometimes I find it hard to believe that we’re actually related. Then, as soon as he steps into his office he becomes this brilliant power machine that literally cranks out money for his investors.” He went into the refrigerator and grabbed several bottles of beer.
“You’ve got a point there,” Tony agreed, “He’s like Dr. Jeckil and Mr. Hyde, only he’s more like Mr. Stock-Broker and Dr. Player.”
J.T. chuckled. “Tell me something Tony, when did you know that my sister was the one woman for you?”
“From the first moment I laid eyes on her at the ferry platform.” He smiled remembering exactly what she looked like as she walked towards him them took the time to fully scan his body behind her dark sunglasses.
“If you knew she was the one, what stopped you the whole summer?”
“Pride, arrogance, stupidity, there was no way I was gonna admit what I was feeling to myself. She had me running scared from that first moment I saw her.”
“But you knew?”
“Without a doubt.”
J.T. shook his head remembering the first time he laid eyes on Juliet. “But still you procrastinated.”
“Until I finally stopped and realized that love and death weren’t the same word. Madison is my destiny; she’s the mother of my soon to be born child and the only woman who could capture my heart.” He paused, “Juliet might well be yours.”
“If she doesn’t kill me first, I can’t sleep, can’t eat and I haven’t touched a keyboard in twenty-four hours.”
“Whoa, wait, you not in front of a computer keyboard,” J.T. nodded. “Damn, she is good.”
“Have you seen her perform?”
“Oh yeah, she’s talented, beautiful, sexy,” J.T. looked at Tony and grimaced, “hey I’m married, I’m not dead. Yes she’s hot. The question is, is she the one for you?�
�
“Truthfully, I don’t know. Sometimes when I’m with her I feel like we’re the only two people in the whole world. When we were in New York during the blackout she was,” he paused and shook his head, “irresistible. But now it’s over, she’s with Senator Kingsley.”
“A little romance goes a long way; you’d be surprised how far it’ll get you.”
“No, not this time, I blew it. I walked out on her in New York and then yesterday I gave her the line about work being my number one priority and told her that the deal was over.”
“Not very smart.”
“I panicked. Then last night Trey and I went to a fund raiser and she was there with her Senator friend.” J.T. rubbed his temples roughly.
“Presumable the new man in her life,” Tony questioned. J.T. nodded. “Are you sure? Because of all people believe me I know that appearances have been known to be deceiving. I actually thought that your sister Kennedy was a man that Madison was talking to on the phone, when she shortened her name to Keni, I panicked.”
“I’m positive, I saw them together all night and then they left together.”
“Which means absolutely nothing if you really want to get her back.”
“How?”
“You know better than anyone.”
“What was the turning point with you and Madi?”
“Simple, happiness was on one side and commitment was on the other. Love is where the two become one.”
“That doesn’t answer the question.”
“You can’t rationalize love logically J.T., it just is.”
“The thing is what we had had grown into something special. But I let it get away twice. After last night she’ll never trust me again.”
“She’s scared.”
“Undoubtedly, so what am I doing wrong?”
“Show her that there’s nothing to be afraid of. Be patient, give her time.”
J.T. chuckled thinking of the herb bouquet. “I felt it. I know she felt it, if she wasn’t so damn stubborn.”
“That’s what makes her perfect for you.”
“You sound like your grandmother.”
“Are you sure she didn’t set this up?”
“Hardly, we met during a city wide blackout.”
“Mamma Lou can be very determined when she wants to be.”
“That’s not funny,” J.T. warned.
“Who’s joking?” Tony said as J.T. grabbed five beer bottles and followed him with another round of snacks back to the dining room. The game had completely broken up and Trey still standing giving more of his theories on love.
“My brothers,” Trey began again, “may I continue…”
“Check please.” Someone called out filling the room with laughter again.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The hotel’s ballroom was lavishly decorated with ice sculptures, white roses and yards of white satin ribbon. The seats, numbering over one hundred and fifty, were neatly lined in place with a rolled carpet center aisle. The minister stood beneath a makeshift floral arbor with his Bible open to the appropriate verse.
The familiar scene brought a chuckle to Juliet as she looked around at the deliriously happy faces, if they only knew. Another chuckle threatened to escape but she held it back. Sitting on the grooms side, afforded her the perfect view of the elaborate waste of time. The bubble was released she chuckled again, louder this time.
Two women in front of her turned and smiled pleasantly presuming that she was just giddy with joy. They were so wrong. It seemed like she’d been standing on the groom’s side of the chapel, church and judge’s chamber all her life. She chuckled again. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” Juliet whispered.
“What’s so funny?” Randolph asked quietly.
“Just like old times.”
“Number eight and counting.”
“Do you ever wonder why he keeps doing this?” she asked in a hushed voice.
“He’s in love…”
“…Yet again,” she added dryly.
Randolph looked over to Juliet sensing her continued foul mood. Her disposition had grown from bad to worse, to downright miserable ever since they’d arrived in Florida earlier that morning. “You’ve been in a lousy mood ever since we got here. Look at this place, it’s gorgeous. Palm trees, sandy beaches, serenity, why don’t you just relax and enjoy it.” She looked at him, sneered then looked away. “What is wrong with you lately?” he asked.
She looked across the room seeing her father arrive and take his place beside the minister. “Love is impossible.”
Randolph followed her line of vision to their father. “Not for Wyatt. It’s always been simple for him.”
“But that’s just it. He doesn’t have a clue what love really is. Love is the hope of spending forever with someone, the dream of waking up in that special someone’s arms every morning and thanking God for bringing them into your life. Love is twenty-four seven, ‘til death do us part. Love is…” she paused gathering her thoughts.
“…Never having to say you’re sorry,” Randolph said with a chuckle as Juliet jokingly slapped at his arm. “I couldn’t resist.” She slapped at him again. “Okay, okay. I know what you mean and you’re right. Love is all those things.”
“It seems that for Wyatt falling in love is a lot easier than being in love,” Juliet said.
“Of course it is. Falling is the easy part, staying in love gets a bit trickier. That’s where the reality of love comes in.”
“And that’s when he bails out,” she added.
“We all do.”
Juliet looked at Randolph. “You’re right, we do. I guess it’s the Bridges gene. When’s the last time you fell in love and actually worked to make it last?”
Realizing that she wasn’t going to let the issue drop, he sighed heavily and shook his head. “Fine I’ll bite.” He glanced across the room to the happy groom. “I’m not the falling in love type. It’s just a fact, and I accept it.”
“Don’t you think that’s because of Wyatt and our endless parade of stepmothers over the years?”
“Wyatt has always been emotionally distracted. He’s got a short attention span when it comes to commitment.” Randolph began in all seriousness. “My mother to yours, your mother to Lena, her to number four, four to five and so on. And now he’s at number eight.”
“He’s like a Sesame Street dropout.”
“I don’t even remember their names anymore.”
“Rachel was four, Dolly was five, Brenda was number six, and Wanda was seven.”
Randolph smiled. “You always took the stepdaughter thing seriously. I could never figure out why, they come and go so quickly.”
“Because I knew our dear father would eventually dump them like he always has and I guess I wanted them to have some good memories of the Bridges family.”
“And they all still adore him,” Randolph said.
“Yes they do. Maybe it’s a good thing he ends the relationship before the yelling and screaming starts. Come to think of it, I’m still friends with most of my old boyfriends,” she said.
“And the majority of my ex’s still keep in touch.”
“So why even bother? We are our father’s children.
“Falling in love and making a commitment to someone isn’t in our genes. We’re just like him.”
“You are kidding, right? Juliet we’re nothing like Wyatt. Just because he doesn’t stay around long enough doesn’t mean we won’t.”
“We never have.”
“Maybe the right person hasn’t come into our lives yet.”
“It’s a moot point.”
“There are marriages that last a lifetime. As a matter of fact Wyatt and your mom lasted longer than most.”
“Until he needed his freedom,” she said sighing heavily. “Let’s face it, love doesn’t last for us. It’s not a part of our heritage.”
“How can you say that?” he asked.
“You and I do the same thin
g he does. We break off the relationship before the other person gets hurt. I guess it’s kinder that way. We save them the pain of being hurt twice.”
“You make it sound so noble, when actually it’s being a coward,” he said.
Juliet shook her head in desperation. “Freedom and independence are not cowardice.”
“Where is all this coming from?” Randolph asked.
“I’ve just been thinking lately,” Juliet said.
“Just because you’ve never truly been in love doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”
“Oh it’ll happen,” she nodded assuredly, remembering J.T.’s hurt face at the party. “I just refuse to do anything about it, and I even knowingly discouraged it. That makes me just like him.” She nodded toward the altar as the “Wedding March” began to play. The assembled guests all stood. “So why even bother falling in love in the first place and condemn someone else’s life to hurt and pain.”
“So after all this your answer is to simply what, get out early.”
The music continued to play and all heads turned to the back of the hall. The bride started walking down the aisle. Juliet looked back at her dress, a lovely white suit with lace trim. She looked beautiful, she looked so happy. It was a shame it wouldn’t last.
The ceremony was thankfully brief. The vows were exchanged and the key question was asked. If anyone here knows why this man and this woman should not be joined together in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace. Randolph looked at Juliet, she looked at him. The hopeful expressions of maybe this time covered their faces as they smiled. They remained silent and the minister continued.
The pronouncement of man and wife only added more confusion to Juliet’s already bad mood. She watched as her father stood at the hotel’s makeshift altar beaming happily just as he always did. After eight weddings he was an expert at saying, I do. Randolph was right, the wedding was apparently the easy part. It was the actual commitment to being married that he seemed to have problems with.
An hour later Juliet and Randolph sat at the reception table for family eating chilled salmon, caviar and drinking champagne. What exactly did men want? Having just met her latest stepmother half an hour ago in the receiving line, Juliet sat at the reception table and pondered her relationship with J.T.
Irresistible You Page 24