"There's always another way. I mean, an incredibly attractive woman like yourself - attending functions such as that alone? Come on... what's this world coming to."
"It's not that I wouldn't mind you coming... it's just that ... well... I don't really wish to start anything that could go too far too soon."
"I see. How about this... how about I meet you there? We go in together, enjoy ourselves - then as it concludes... we go our separate way? How's that. No pressure, no long drawn out goodnights. I get to find something to do with myself for a couple of hours. You get an escort - your friend gets your backing and support. Come on, what'ah'yah say... sounds like a win win situation to me." He enticed.
Deidre smiled, admitting to herself, that she really wouldn't like to show up alone. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled, "Okay... I'll meet you there. Have a pen handy? I'll give you the address."
* * *
Dinner & Toasts...
Derrick stood at the long table down from his brother and bride, using his knife to tap his champagne glass, getting ready to make the first toast of the evening. All in attendance turned towards the long table at the front of the hall where the small wedding party sat with family. All were in attendance, including Sylvia's friends, the arrival of which had all the men turned momentarily topsy turvy when Vivian made her solitary entrance. Letting Sheila, Edwina and Ellen enter and go to their table as she claimed a need to go to the bathroom, situated out near the bar and entrance. Of course her timing was impeccable as she made her way down the center of the tables toward the front where Gert had marked a table for them.
Not a man in the room could control himself. They had to look, there was no way they could not. Even Shawn's jaw went slack at the sight of Vivian Cooke. Making Sylvia snap her fingers near his ear, "Ex - cuuse me! New bride here! Eyes here!" She joked. She knew Vivian, and knew as well that no matter where they went, if she was dressed up, she commanded the attention of all males present.
"Who - is - that?!" Shawn blurted, still amazed. He missed her because they'd sat far in the back of the church, entering at the last minute, so the heads of many blocked his view of her. But now... he could see her - and that red dress.
"Would you like a divorce already?" Sylvia joked. Actually she was tickled at the look on his face. Vivian was her girl. Much younger than herself, Sheila, Edwina and Ellen - but they all loved her just the same. She remembered when they were younger, how she used to be, always running from a butt whopping. Tagging behind them because her dad, mom or one of her sisters was looking for her. At first they'd tried to send her home, after all, they were teens and she was just a little girl, who acted like a grown woman, who had just attached herself to them. She had very few girls her age as friends because she always wanted to be in the midst of them. It wasn't long before they stopped shooing her off, and started letting her be with them. She and Sheila often gave her advice. Encouraging her to be better than what people expected of her. Helping her with her homework, and praising her for accomplishments. She was like their collective little sister, both of them very proud of the way she turned out. She and Sheila had always hugged her and told her that she was beautiful and when she finished growing up... she would be a knock out. Sure enough, that - she was.
Shawn turned throwing his arm across Sylvia's chair, kissing her neck and making her giggle. "Now now... I don't want to hear that word from your mouth ever again. That word is not allowed between us." He reprimanded her lovingly. "Now... you do know, that at some point... I'm gonna have to photograph her don't you? Strictly from a professional stand point of view."
"Don't get hurt Shawn. Don't have wifey lay you out on the first day of marriage." She threatened, this time feeling a slight bite of jealousy.
"Baby... I'm a photographer. I can't help myself for wanting to capture on film rare exotic beauty... and look at her, you really expect me not to photograph her, paint her? Strictly from, the eye of an artist. Its what I do baby... its what I'm good at. Yet, there's one thing you need to know..." He took his index finger and lifted her chin, so their eyes could meet. "... no woman, any where, regardless of shape, size, beauty or color... can stand next to you - at your worse. Do you believe that?" He asked, making her drunk on his soft words and hypnotic eyes.
"Considering that its our bread and butter, I guess I have to."
"I don't want you to have to... I want you to know that if I'm looking, I'm seeing the benefit of what she can offer towards adding to my art portfolio. What they can possible offer as a model for book covers. That's all... nothing more." He had explained. Sylvia believed him as he leaned forward and kissed her lips, his hand cupping her cheek, the two of them lost once again into each other. Shawn dismissed Vivian the moment he closed his mouth over his wife's full delicious lips, he groaned... once again aroused, eager for the end of the day.
"Now do you see her?" Gert whispered leaning to Bart.
"Yep... that one there... gonna be a handful." He answered, having a feeling that his wife was living out her fantasies and desires through their children. While she hadn't ended up with a black man, she was determined that they would end up with someone black. This side of her was something he long ago accepted, because at least now - he knew, that she was truly in love with him, the rest didn't matter. Including how many of their children did or did not marry black - or whatever else out there that struck their fancy.
"Do you agree, that's exactly what Jake's needing... a handful?"
Bart looked down at his wife, he chuckled and shook his head. "Mother... I'll just leave it all to you."
"Good idea!" She pointed that out and agreed.
"Excuse me everyone, I'd like to make a toast." Derrick announced after tapping his glass. "My brother, listen and pay attention. I've been working the brain like hell to remember this toast after finding it on the internet..."
Everyone laughed, Shawn included, who spoke up saying, "I thought toast from the best man are supposed to be original and from the heart?!" He asked.
"Dammit you know how many kids I have... brother believe me... all that original stuff fried and died with baby number four!"
Laughter sounded around them.
"Shit that one cute too! How many kids he got?" Edwina asked.
"How the hell I'm suppose to know, I just got here like you!" Sheila reminded her.
"All these goddamn men got women with them... the ones that don't... young ass boys." Vivian whispered out the side of her mouth.
"I'on wanna hear it, should'ah got cowboy's number." Sheila returned.
"My brother... for you... it has truly been a long journey. So much of it, you chose to travel alone. Well you're home now, and your family could not be more glad. Blessings to you, to you and your lovely bride... Sylvia... my brother, he's one hell of a bull to ride... hang on darlin' - hang on!"
Everyone raised their glasses with a here here, clinked them to the person next them, because those that knew him, knew that it was true. Shawn laughed cutting his brother a glance to say he'd get him back for that one. He turned to his wife, clinked his champagne glass with hers and said, "Especially tonight... especially - tonight." The warning was loaded with sexual intent. Sylvia's eyes grew huge, while her heart skipped a beat.
"My turn..." Shanna stood and called out after everyone sipped.
"Sylvia... to you I advise, that you share everything with my brother... I mean everything... doing the dishes - doing the laundry - mopping the floors - cooking dinner..."
All the women cheered standing up and calling out, "Here here!"
Sylvia laughed, "You bet I will! Now if someone could please tell me how do you get them to share in having the babies too!"
Many laughed as Meribel stood saying, "Ain't but one way Mama'cita! When the contractions began and start to squeeze down... get his nuts in hand - and squeeze down! That's the only way to share... hm poppie?!" She asked her husband as all the women roared with laughter. Leaving the men, including Shawn covering themselves with
both hands, Derrick included, remembering.
Laughing, Sylvia looked at her husband. Shawn turned from her to say, "I think I'll be out of town that day!" Laughter followed as the men called out, "Book a flight now!!" Someone else called out, "Here's back to the days of standing and pacing in the waiting room! Puffing on cigars and leaving the women to their chore!" All the men laughed out, cheering and drinking up. Waiters went around and filled their champagne glasses while laughter came free and easy.
"Wait a minute... did we miss something here? Is her ass pregnant?" Sheila asked her friends.
"How the hell we suppose to know! We just got here, just like you!" Ellen said.
"I'ah be damn! She done let that white man knock ha' ass - UP!"
"Hell! Lookin' like that... he can knock my ass up too! I'm tellin' ya'll the more I look at him, the more I know I have seen his ass before - I don't know where... but I never forget a face!" Edwina went on.
"You startin' to sound like a goddamn parrot... don't say that shit - no mo'! If you don't remember... shet that shit up." Sheila ordered.
"Sheila kiss my ass!" Edwina invited.
"He-e-ell naw! I'on kiss no woman's ass! You know I don't lean that way... so keep yo'ass covered round me... save that shit for yo'ol man!"
"I can't believe she pregnant! How old is Sylvia?" Edwina asked.
"Thirty late something... she our age! I'on know what you talkin' about... I just had one six years ago." Sheila defended.
"I guess..." Edwina stated.
"What's wrong with that? Me and Jose tryin' to have a baby." Ellen admitted. "I might be pregnant right now... shoot, the way we be at it, somethin' goin' on."
"Yo'ass better hope it's not H.I.V., 'cause I don't trust that lil'motha'fucka... you know how they is, unfaithful as hell!" Sheila whispered.
"Ex - cuuuse me... I don't think so! I'm plenty of woman for my man, by the time I'm done wit' his ass... mo'nookie is the last thing on his mind!"
"At least you hope so!"
"You know what? Fuck you - fuck you - and fuck you! Ya'll just jealous!"
"Don't include me... I ain't said shit to you!" Edwina defended.
"You was thinkin' it though!"
"That's why yo'ass walkin' home! You better go use the phone, call Greyhound... see what time that bus pullin' up to McDonalds - 'cause you be hoppin' yo' ass on it! That or call Jose's ass."
"I ain't worried... you takin' me home!"
"Take yo'ass to the bridge and drop you off! Talk to me like that again... must be crazy! You betta' ask somebody."
"See Sheila... you always got to be startin' some shit" Ellen had her hand in the air, her finger cocked at her like a gun, her head shifting side to side.
"Put yo' hand down... put that finger away... I'm tellin' you... its a long walk."
Sylvia was sitting next to Shawn laughing to herself, because she could just imagine what was going on at the table with her friends by the look on Sheila's face. Vivian was rolling her eyes toward the ceiling, shaking her head sighing. Ellen's finger was shifting from side to side with her head, and Edwina was laughing.
"What is going on at that table?" Shawn asked, looking from Sylvia to her friends.
"Baby... I told you... you said invite them... believe me... I'm glad we can't hear what's going on... I just hope nobody else can, but I know them, especially Sheila. She be talkin' stuff all the time... I'm laughing because I can just imagine it."
Shawn chuckled and looked back at them, he was determined to get to know that Sheila... she looked like someone that would be fun to be around.
Everyone at the large table was served first. More toasts were made by Shawn's friends, some funny - some sincere. His father finally stood to make a toast, saying, "Remember son... anything worth having... is worth fighting for. Keep what is yours... and let no one, no one... come between you and your wife! No matter what... she is your wife! When a McPherson man commits to a woman, heart and soul... everything else... everyone else... is irrelevant... you remember that."
Shawn smiled and nodded feeling his heart swell to hear his father's counsel, unaware of how significant it was.
Sylvia's heart squeezed in her chest as she looked at her father-in-law... their eyes met and she knew then, that he knew about Jake. 'Yes, tomorrow I will tell him.'She thought, realizing that his father was lending her his support.
Everyone clinked their glasses, drinking following the toast.
Surprising a few Sheila stood, deciding that she too had something to say.
"Excuse me... excuse me." She called out to the room at large.
Sylvia's eyes grew huge, taking a deep breath, she sat back and prepared herself, not sure what to expect.
"My name is Sheila Johnson... and this is not a toast. I just got something to say... to the bride and to the groom. Groom... I don't know you, not yet... but I plan to, you better believe it. Sitting next to you... that's my girl. I've been knowing her... since she was ten years old! I met her at school - we became friends... because she use to get picked on from time to time. Her lil'ass was ski-in-nieee! She would try to fight, but she needed some help, and I stepped up to the plate. 'Cause lord the girl didn't look like she ever got a meal! And as you all can tell... I've had a few!"
Everyone laughed.
"Yep... I am not in denial... I am a healthy - fine - black woman... with a damn good man by my side... and that is my point! Groom... Mr. Shawn Everett McPherson... that had better be you! 'Cause you don't want a sister like me coming after yo'ass - do you?!"
Everyone roared laughing.
Shawn stood up, "Sheila Johnson... I most certainly do not! Now can I say something in return?" He asked taken by surprise, but still jovial.
"When I'm done you can - hold on a minute... I know its your wedding baby... but let's get it all out on the table now... because right here, at this table... is all the family she has here for her, besides her children." Sheila spoke, her eyes growing moist. Sylvia had her hand over her mouth, her eyes filling and then spilling with tears.
"All kidding aside... we love her. I - love her! I don't care who you encounter in your long journeys - as your brother said... no where are you gonna find, what you have sitting next to you now. So ... I need to hear from you, for my own satisfaction... what you are... because I know what she is - and that's one helluva a good woman. I know that... because I know her... now you may respond."
Shawn took a deep breath, wiping his hand over his face, overcome with emotion himself. No one laughed now, it was serious, and they all respectfully quieted to hear him.
"Sheila Johnson, that is why... my long journey... has now ended. I've found what I've been looking for. Sheila Johnson, there is no man... on this earth... or elsewhere, who loves a woman, more than I love this one. I would never hurt her... she is... a part of me. Believe me, I know what I have sitting right here next to me... there is no doubt in my mind... I love her and I would die for her... and I don't care who knows it." Shawn looked down at Sylvia, who was wiping at her tears.
Sheila smiled looking from him to Sylvia, "Good enough then, that's all I ask. I'll remember those words, and know this... I'm gone hold you to them... you better believe that." She then turned to Sylvia. "You... don't let this much time go by again without making contact! I will always be here for you. I have always been there for you... haven't I?" She asked and didn't give a damn who looked on. Sylvia nodded, trying to get control of her emotions.
"Then stop being alone Sylvia... stop isolating yourself... stop that running that you do ... because my sister... you are not alone... not ever." Sheila looked back at Shawn. "I just needed her to know that. Now that's all I have to say. Oh and... thank you for inviting us." She took her seat.
"Sheila..." Shawn called, before he sat down. "I'm making my claim for a dance later - right now." He smiled.
"Bring it on then baby... Sheila won't hurt yah'... I'ah be gentle with you - that way there be somethin' left of you for later!"
Sh
awn exploded laughing, "Please do be gentle, after all we are going on our honeymoon."
Everyone laughed relieved that the moment of seriousness had passed. Shawn sat back down beside his wife and said, "I like her... now that - is a friend."
In L. A...
Dressed, Deidre gave herself one last check in the mirror. Smiling, she checked her clock, it was time to go. Grabbing her bag, she opened it to make sure her cell phone was inside, satisfied that it was, her keys and her digital camera was picked up next and made her way out the door, down the stairs and out to the parking lot of the expensive warehouse flats. Dusk was upon her, she was glad now that Jeremiah was meeting her there... maybe... just maybe, she would invite him back to her place. Maybe. She walked to her car, unlocked it and climbed inside. Sitting down, she placed her purse and camera on the seat next to her. Shifting her keys, she inserted one into the ignition switch and turned it.
Nothing
"What the..." She made a face, wandering what was going on. She turned the key again.
Nothing.
"Oh great... not tonight! What in the world is going on?" Uncertain of what could be the problem, she turned the key again. Nothing was happening. No power whatsoever. She sat for a moment wondering what to do. 'Call Jeremiah... see if you can catch him.' She thought, picking up her cell phone, she dialled his number and waited for him to answer. After the fifth ring, she clicked the button and ended the call. She hit the steering wheel, "I can't believe this!" Just for the sake of trying, she turned the key one more time, still the same nothing.
Gathering her purse, camera and snatching the key out of the ignition, she got out of her car and walked back through the parking lot and into the warehouse building again. Entering her apartment, she went to the phone and pulled out the phone book.
Searching through it, she looked for the number to triple A, found it and gave them a call.
"My car is dead in the parking lot where I live. I've tried to start it and nothing. Just silence, no lights, no clicking sound... nothing. Can you get someone out right away please, I need to be somewhere... and I'm going to be late as it is."
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