Sunday Brunch

by Norma L. Jarrett

  “Well, I quit,” Capri said.

  “I know. Babe, I have a wonderful idea,” he said after a slight pause. “Well, we've been seeing each other for a while. I like you. You like me. You're kinda cute and you smell good, too.”

  “Oh, now I'm just kinda cute. What happened to fine?”

  “Hey, I didn't ask for commentary,” he said as he opened the bottle. “Anyway, as I was saying, I think it's time for more of a commitment.”

  Capri froze. She hoped he wasn't about to ask her what she thought he was going to ask her. It felt too soon. “Anthony, now, I don't think I'm ready for

  “I would like for you to be my attorney,” he said as he clicked his glass against hers.

  Capri felt a little disappointed. She had gotten ahead of herself.

  “Oh, yeah, that would be great,” she said.

  “I think so. What's the matter? What did you think I was going to ask you?”

  “It's stupid,” she said with a half laugh. “For a minute, I thought you were asking me to …”

  “To marry me? Well, if you would have given me a minute, I would have gotten to that next,” he said as he pulled out a small, black-velvet box.

  Capri was stunned and speechless.

  Tony opened the box. It was a three-carat solitaire diamond ring.

  “Ms. Sterling, would you do me the honor of being my wife and my attorney?”

  Without hesitation, Capri felt her mouth take over.

  “Oh, my God,” she said. She sat there for what seemed to Tony to be ten minutes. “Yes. Yes, I will,” she said, not believing her own words. She grabbed his arms and pulled herself into his embrace.

  He held her a little while before saying, “I know you want to call Lexi.” He leaned back and handed her his phone.

  “No. Right now, I don't want to share this moment with anyone but you,” Capri said as she snuggled back next to him.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  knew that Jewel was going to drive me crazy about this party. I had been recruited to help do the decorations the night before and she wanted me to be at the clubhouse as early as possible that day to help Kevin with other arrangements. Then she wanted to be able to make an entrance an hour after the party really started to get going. I had to admit Jewel had a talent for planning special events though she sometimes went overboard, which would normally be alright except she drove everyone else crazy along with her.

  “Hey, girl,” Jewel said as she came in with a baseball cap and jeans on.

  “Hey, Jewel,” I said.

  “Put those table linens over there,” she directed Kevin. “Didn't Capri say she was going to come help?” Jewel asked, turning to me.

  “Yeah, she said she'd be here any minute.”

  “Well, she can't take all day. We have a lot of work todo.”

  “Jewel, I hate to break the news to you, but there is life outside of your birthday party.”

  “Hey, everybody, what's going on?” Capri said as she walked in with a huge smile.

  “You're awfully enthusiastic. What's going on with you?” I said.

  “Nothing, just happy to be alive.” Jewel and I just looked at each other.

  “Well, get your ‘happy behind’ over here and start hanging these decorations,” Jewel said.

  Capri walked over and reached down in the box to grab some streamers.

  “Is that an engagement ring?” Jewel asked as she looked at Capri's finger. I had noticed a quick flash as Capri reached her hand in the box as well.

  “Yes, it is,” Capri said.

  “I can't believe you! When did you get it?” Jewel asked with excitement.

  “Tony gave it to me when he came and picked me up from the airport.”

  “And you're just telling us? How did he propose? When are you getting married? Are you going to have a big wedding?”

  “Jewel, calm the heck down,” Capri said. “Well, he came and picked me up in a limousine. He asked me then. We're planning to have a long engagement and take matters slow.”

  “Oh, my God, look at that ring. Kevin, do you see this? Now that's what I'm talking about. Tony is on his job!” Jewel said.

  “Capri, I'm so happy for you,” I said as I hugged her.

  “Yeah, I feel so blessed to have Tony. He even talked about moving my grandmother down here so she can get treatment from a local medical center. Lexi, I owe you a lot. You gave me some good advice. Thank you so much.”

  “Don't mention it,” I said as I smiled and walked toward the decoration box.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  ewel stood in line and tapped her foot. She should have known that there was going to be a line regardless of what time she went to renew her license, even on the day of her birthday. She diverted her attention from her annoyance, thinking of all the great gifts she'd get later today.

  She was excited about her outfit. She'd gotten a huge auburn Afro wig and fluorescent makeup. She'd also found a white miniskirt and a sky-blue top with sparkling, billowy sleeves that went perfectly with her white platform boots. Everything was just about ready. The event was going to be funky and fun.

  “Jewel Whitaker,” the man at the counter announced, “I need your current driver's license, your insurance card, and another form of identification. Fill out these two forms,” he said in a dry tone.

  After she filled out the paperwork, she handed the clerk all the necessary information and got back in line. She noticed a sheriff behind the counter checking her out. He was cute.

  Too bad for him, I'm taken. Then she started singing happy birthday to herself.

  “Ms. Whitaker?”

  She looked up. It was the sheriff who'd been looking at her.

  “Yes.”

  “Could you step back here please?”

  Wow, she thought, sometimes looks can get you places.

  “Ms. Whitaker, how are you doing today?” he said.

  “I'm doing just fine,” she said. “Today is my birthday.”

  “Well, Ms. Whitaker, are you aware that there's a warrant out for your arrest?”

  “A warrant! That can't be true. I don't have any traffic tickets. I'm an excellent driver.”

  “Ms. Whitaker, do you know what theft by check is?”

  “Theft by check? Yes.”

  “Well, you have two hot checks that have never been paid.”

  “What? I could have sworn I took care of those. Well, how much are they for?” Jewel asked.

  “I can't get into all of that at this time. I have to take you down to the station.”

  “This can't be true. This can't be happening to me. Can't I just pay for them now?”

  “Ma'am, I have to read you your rights.”

  “Now, Mr. Sheriff, you seem like a nice, rational man. Do I look like the type of person who would steal on purpose?” she said. “You can't do this, you see, I have this party tonight, a seventies party. It's going to be fabulous and everyone's expecting me.”

  “I understand, but I'm only doing my job,” he said. “You'll get to make a phone call.”

  Jewel just sat there. She wanted to bawl, but she held onto her composure. She couldn't believe this was happening. Wait until the Texas bar hears about this. How would she explain this to everybody?

  The next thing she knew she was put in the back of a squad car and taken downtown. The whole thirty minutes she tried to count the times she said she was going to pay those checks. Had it been that long? On their way they passed The Galleria shopping mall and she slid down farther in her seat. I have my own personal shopper, for God's sakes. This is so embarrassing. I've heard of this happening to other people. But how could this happen to me? My party! I just, I just … She burst into tears. The policeman didn't even turn around.

  Once they arrived at the precinct, she had to complete some paperwork. She was taken into another room with a bunch of other women. She sat at the end of a table, away from most of them.

  “What's going to happen to me?” she screamed as her
head fell on the table.

  “Will you get a grip,” a young woman said, sitting a few feet from her.

  Jewel looked at her and turned up her nose.

  “This is the wrong time to be uppity,” the woman said as she rolled her eyes.

  Jewel looked at her and got an attitude because she had on white after Labor Day.

  “So what did you do, Miss Thing?” the woman asked.

  “I didn't do anything. This is all a big misunderstanding.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “No, really. I'm a lawyer, and I have four friends who are attorneys. I'll be out of here in no time.”

  Soon, another sheriff came and took them to another room with a phone in it. Jewel rushed to be the first one to use it. She tried to call everybody whose home number she could remember. No one picked up. They were either at work or preparing for the party, and the last thing Jewel wanted to do was leave a ton of messages saying she was locked up. She could only remember Lexi's and Kevin's cell numbers by heart, but their phones weren't allowing her calls to go through.

  Jewel was about to break down again, but then she looked around. She was very out of place. Most of the people looked hard, tough. Some looked like they weren't even phased about being locked up.

  “Girl, do you know Co-Co got locked up again?” one woman said. “Her dumb behind should have moved out of Frisco's old crack-house a long time ago.”

  Jewel cringed. She walked to the corner and found a seat to herself. She began to pray silently. Lord, if you get me out of this one, I'll owe You big. I promise I'll get myself together.

  The reality of the situation had set in.

  This is a nightmare. I don't belong here. These people might try to have sex with me.

  What was worse, none of the officers were telling her anything about how long she'd have to stay locked up. They did give her some food, but she refused to eat it.

  “So, Ms. Lawyer, why are you still here?” Jewel's new acquaintance questioned.

  “Like I said, I'll be out soon. This is all a mistake,” Jewel insisted.

  “Well, you better hope you make bail,” she said.

  “I don't see why I shouldn't. I should be able to be released on my own recognizance.”

  “Well, I'm just sayin', you never know about these things. So, what kind of lawyer are you?” the woman asked.

  “I don't actually practice.”

  “Well, what in the hell do you do?” the young woman said.

  “I, well, I'm unemployed at the moment.”

  “Oh, hell,” the woman said. “Well, have you ever worked?”

  “Of course I have. I was a coordinator of special affairs.”

  “A what?”

  “A party planner,” Jewel said.

  “Oh. I went to college, too.”

  “Oh, really. Where?” Jewel asked.

  “I had two classes at Houston Community College. I was going to be a nurse's assistant.”

  “Why did you stop?” Jewel asked.

  “I didn't have any help with my babies.”

  “Why are you in here now?” Jewel asked.

  “Traffic tickets.”

  “Oh.”

  “You'll be alright, girlfriend. We'll get to see the judge soon. He'll set bail and maybe you can get out of here before tonight,” the woman said.

  “Maybe? You don't understand. I have planned this big party and, well … never mind,” Jewel said.

  After seeing the judge, Jewel's bail was set for five hundred dollars. She tried and tried, but still couldn't get in touch with anyone. She'd wondered if Lexi and Kevin were out looking for her. It was six o'clock.

  “Toliver!” she said as she realized he was the only person she hadn't invited to the party.

  She went over to the phone and waited for the woman in front of her to get off.

  Please Toliver, please Lord, let him be there, Jewel prayed as she hoped she was remembering his number correctly.

  “Hello.”

  “I have a collect call from Jewel Whitaker, at the Harris County Jail.”

  “What? Uh, I'll accept.”

  “Oh, Toliver. I'm so happy to hear your voice.”

  “Jewel, what are you doing calling me? I'm on the other line trying to put my love under new management. What do you want, and what are you doing calling me from the Harris County Jail? I don't want no trouble,” he said.

  “Toliver, listen to me. This is serious. I got arrested because I forgot to pay some hot checks.”

  “What were they for?”

  “One for some lingerie, another was from a grocery store-wait a minute! Toliver, I can't talk about all that now. This is an emergency.”

  “You should be ashamed.”

  “Toliver, I know we've had our moments, but please, just this once, help me out. I need you to go over to Kevin's, find Lexi, Capri, or Jermane, and tell them I need to be bailed out for five hundred dollars and give them this pin number. I can be released by eight o'clock if you move right away.”

  “Jewel, I'll help you out. Give me directions to Kevin's. By the way, a package came for you today.”

  “Toliver, please hurry up. I can't take it in here.”

  “Lord, let me help this pitiful child. I'll go over there right now.”

  Jewel went back to her cell and silently prayed some more. She looked around and saw women she felt like she'd often passed on the streets with disregard. Right then, she realized that people were people, regardless of how rough they looked and acted.

  The room got really loud. Women were laughing, and she heard the words, “ho,” “crack,” “powder,” and “jail” so much, she thought she was on an episode of NYPD Blue. She resolved to sit there quietly, wait, and pray off and on. Finally, after about an hour and a half, she heard her name.

  “Ms. Whitaker, Jewel Whitaker?”

  “Yes, that's me.”

  “Your bail has been posted.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  never thought I'd have to help post bail for one of my friends, but there I was, watching Jewel come through a door, running toward us. “Thank you all. Thank you, Jesus,” she said as she hugged Kevin, Capri, and myself.

  We were there in our seventies gear. Capri sported a blond wig to complement her gold lamé halter top and pants, while Kevin had on a frilled leather vest and a black Afro with a purple headband that matched his purple velvet bell-bottoms. I'd gone for something more out there and risqué—a black catsuit with a straight black wig and black platform boots, evoking the image of a seventies secret agent. We were a sight to see.

  “Didn't I tell you that you needed to get your stuff together?”

  “Lexi, don't start on her. You see the girl has had a long day,” Capri said.

  It had been a rough few hours for all of us. Something was up with cell phone transmission signals for most of the day, so taking care of last minute arrangements became a challenge. And we couldn't find hide nor hair of Jewel, that is until Toliver came speeding over to the clubhouse and grabbed Kevin and me.

  “Do you know we've been trying to entertain these people at your party for the last hour or so?” Kevin informed her. “How in the world did you get yourself arrested?”

  “I know, I know. Can we not talk about this now,” Jewel said. “Who's hosting the party now?”

  “Jermane, Rex, and Angel. Baby, we'll talk about this later. You need to get showered and come to the party. Nobody knows what actually happened,” he said.

  As we were walking out, I tripped over my platforms, stumbled, and almost fell. Luckily, I grabbed a banister and regained my balance.

  “Are you all right?” I heard a voice say.

  “Yes, I'm fine,” I replied.

  “That's an interesting outfit. Let me guess, seventies party?”

  “Yes,” I said as I reached for his extended hand. “And you are?”

  “I'm sorry. I'm Sergeant Chris Reynolds,” he said.

  “Nice to meet you. You have to e
xcuse the way I look.”

  “I think you look kind of cute,” he said as he smiled and winked.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  Mmmm. He's a little plain for my tastes, but he has a nice smile. He does have some long eyelashes to go with those puppy-dog eyes. I could see myself wrapped up in his muscular arms … plus immediate concern and warmth over a damsel in distress makes him even more appealing. Gosh, but his ears are just a bit big!

  “Are you on your way out?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I'll walk you to your car. Make sure you don't stumble again.”

  “Oh, sure, thanks. I'm riding with friends,” I said.

  “Lexi, come on!” Capri shouted.

  “Well, what are you doing tonight?” I asked as I walked outside with Officer Reynolds, figuring I couldn't be humiliated any more than I already was.

  “I don't have any plans.”

  “Wanna come to a party?”

  CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

  espite the day's events, the party turned out to be a fabulously funky success. The room was filled with peace signs, black light posters, and lava lamps. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. And Jewel finally made her grand entrance-white platforms and all-without a hint of what had happened.

  Rex, perhaps feeling loose and carefree because of the white pimp suit and wide-brimmed hat he was sporting, started a Soul Train line. Jermane was right behind him, getting down in a sweeping, flowing teal sheer dress that Diana Ross would've worn without hesitation in Mahogany. I managed to shake my thing without stumbling to the floor. Jewel and Toliver were doing the bump. We had a ball.

  We were grooving to “She's a Brick House,” by the Commodores, when the DJ stopped the music.

  “Can I have your attention, please,” Kevin said as he grabbed the microphone. “Everyone knows the reason we're here tonight. It's my baby's birthday.”

  Jewel was on the floor dancing with Octavio and Angel. She started blushing.