On the ride over, I’m nervous. What if they don’t like me? I share my worry with Max, but he only laughs. Nonetheless, he holds my hand tight during the drive, assuring me I have nothing to be concerned about.
When we arrive, and after a few calming breaths, we make our way up the path that leads to Acer and Ana’s front door. When we walk in, everyone stops what they’re doing to greet us. Hugs are exchanged, as I’m introduced to everyone and I begin to relax.
Max’s aunts, Lei and Dali, are Ana’s sisters, and they drove in from Louisiana with their husbands and children. Acer’s parents, Max’s grandma and grandpa, Mason and Sophia, flew in from Idaho. They’re all staying at the back of the property in the duplex they had built for visits like this. Later in the week, Max’s other grandparents, Ignacia and Marcelo, Ana’s mom and dad, are flying in from California, but will stay at the main house with Ana since they’re are older and having a tough time getting around. Acer’s sister, Max’s Aunt Ellie, and her family, are set to arrive the day before the wedding.
Katrina and McKinley, Max’s cousins, immediately gush over him, then me. I just smile and gush right back. Ana’s sisters are just as beautiful as she is, with their long dark hair, olive skin and brown eyes. Katrina and McKinley, both have olive skin too. Their eyes are the most unique blue I’ve ever seen, and their hair is blonde. Max’s grandma Sophia is just, wow and more wow. She is a little taller than me, and is wearing white linen sailor pants and a white lacy pullover, with pink camisole underneath, that screams elegance. Her hair is just as long and thick as mine, and it is bright silver mixed with brighter silver. Not gray. Not blue. Not white. No, her hair is silver and gorgeous. She has not one wrinkle on her face, and her eyes are a bright blue. Doing the math in my head, I know she had to be at the youngest, and that was having Acer at seventeen, sixty-six. I only hope I look as good as her at that age. Max’s grandpa, well, he’s tall. His hair is gray, and just long enough to style. He’s clean shaven and has deep dimples, like Max. His smile is just as bright as Max’s, too. He is a cowboy through and through. From his boots, jeans, starched white western shirt, huge belt buckle and country drawl, along with the white straw cowboy hat he pulls on when he walks outside to grab something from his rental car, is all country.
“Acer, why don’t you show your dad the garden,” Sophia suggests, when Mason returns and hands her an overnight bag. Max and I share a glance, and his lips twitch.
“Sure,” Acer says, and Mason and him, walk out back.
“Ummm,” I mutter to Max, but he doesn’t share my worry.
“Serves him right, if Grandpa catches him,” Max jokes.
“Oh my, Max, that wouldn’t be good.” I begin to fidget nervously. Mason gave off the straitlaced, by the book, law abiding citizen, vibe. I don’t think it would go over well, if he sees his son is growing weed in the vegetable garden. Ana notices my concern, walks over and very sweetly whispers in my ear, “Shhh, Acer potted and moved them.” She kisses my cheek, winks and walks into the kitchen.
I peek at Max and he appears upset. “You okay?” I ask.
“Heard what Mom said. Disappointed, I guess. If Dad got caught, he’d and have to sit through one of Grandpa’s lectures,” he says.
“What kind of lectures?” I ask.
“Long ones. Drugs, work ethic, school, and my personal favorite,” he squints at me like he’s in pain, then I see he’s wearing a sarcastic expression, “Sex.”
“No!” I whisper yell, and cover my mouth to smother my laughs.
“It’s a wonder we’re here today and I’m not a priest. That lecture wounded my soul, and manhood,” he groans out, and I laugh even harder.
I only spoke with Max’s uncles briefly, as they were running out to the store when we arrived. When they return, each holding two bags, they place them on the counter then come over and sit with us. Dali and Lei’s husbands, are just as hot as them. I mean smokin’ hot. I learn Max’s Uncle Louis, Dali's husband, who is African-American and the tallest man in the room, is a doctor. He looks more like model than a doctor. He’s has short hair and a beard, and a great smile. He’s one of the top cardiologists in New Orleans. When he’s not seeing patients, he’s teaching at LSU.
Remy, Lei’s husband and Katrina and McKinley’s dad, is French Cajun and tall, too. About the same height as Max. When I first saw him, chills spread down my spine, stunned by his ominous features. His eyes are such a light blue they’re almost translucent. Combine this with his dark, black hair that’s cut short like Max’s, he gives off a scary vibe. He reminds me of an actor that would be cast to play the handsome vampire in movies. The one that draws women in to be his victim, from just his striking features. He is from Louisiana, were spooky stuff is legend. But his full lips, bright smile and deep contagious laughter have me settling. The more he talks, the more his Cajun accent comes out, and I find myself swooning. When he refers to Lei as cher, I definitely swoon. He must sense me crushing, because he winks at me which causes a deep blush to creep across my face.
“Welcome to our world,” McKinley says and rolls her eyes.
During our conversation, I learn Remy is the director of operations for the top casino in New Orleans, and Lei teaches fifth grade at a private school. Later in the evening, after dinner, Dali and Louis give us our wedding gift, a check for five thousand dollars and Max and I both almost fall out of our chairs. They explain that when their only son, Jack, married, Ana and Acer did the same. Jack and his wife, Lindy, couldn’t come because she’s due to deliver their third grandchild any minute, but said they send their regards. They tell us to buy whatever we need for our home or put it in the bank. Then Dali leans forward with a smile and whispers like she’s telling us a secret, even though everyone in the room can hear.
“But not all of it, because you’ll may want to set some aside for your next gift.” She winks and sits back without elaborating.
Remy and Lei, and their daughters, then present us with a week at the Four Seasons in Hawaii. They put us up in suite with a view, and it’s all inclusive, including transportation. They’ve arranged for a driver to take us wherever we want, so we can see all the sights. Max and I are shocked speechless. Remy explains that he helped set up security at that hotel, and they told him if he ever wanted to come visit, it was on them. He made the call and told them he was sending his nephew and his wife instead, explaining it will be our honeymoon, and they’re more than happy to welcome us.
“Wow,” I look between McKinley and Katrina and their parents. “I don’t know how to thank you,” I finally say when I find my voice.
“Take care of our cousin. Blue is amazing. He, Johnny, and Jack, are more like brothers than cousins,” Katrina requests softly.
“Have a feeling we won’t have to worry though,” McKinley adds with a smile.
“You won’t, and I will. I promise,” I say to both of them.
Next, Ana and Acer present us with vouchers for airfare. “Whenever you can get time off from work, you’re all set,” Ana informs us. At this point, I definitely become overwhelmed, so Acer comes over and pulls me into a hug and explains.
“Sweetheart, it’s customary for the groom's family to pay for the honeymoon.” I just nod and hug him back. After that, Max and I thank everyone again, but they aren’t done. Nope. Max’s grandparents present us with a bombshell.
“Blue,” Mason booms, and I jolt a little. “You’ve done real well. Always been a fine young man. Proud of you and your military service, just like your dad. A career man. Glad to know those lectures sunk in,” he boasts. Behind him, Acer is wearing a huge grin and trying not to laugh.
“Yes, sir, they did,” Max agrees respectfully, trying to ignore his dad’s taunting.
“Good. Good. Okay well, your grandma and me. Well, we have something for you and Jaycee here. You know our family’s history. You tell Jaycee, here?” he asks, glancing between us. Max has told me about everyone. Both his grandparents are farmers, or were. Sophia and Mason owned
a farm in Idaho and grew potatoes. Ana’s parents owned a rice plantation in the Philippines, but moved to California two years ago to be closer to family. Ana’s aunts and uncles all live around San Diego.
“Most of it, I guess,” he replies and smiles down at me.
“Yes, we’ve done okay in life. Before our family relocated to Idaho, we all resided up through the Carolinas, Virginia, and Maryland. We were all scattered about the East. The Bradshaw’s owned almost all the prime farming land. Didn’t grow potatoes though. We grew tobacco, and it was very lucrative. I was about your age, Max, when I took my share, cashed out and moved to Idaho. I didn’t want any part of killing people. Our tobacco wasn’t the poison though. We grew good stuff. The best. No, those cigarette companies buying our product, began adding chemicals, making people sick. I sold in the seventies, when smoking was at its prime. Everyone smoked. Hell, you could smoke in restaurants, planes and hospitals,” he declares. I glance at Max, and he’s listening attentively, like he’s being told the best bedtime story ever. I smile and give my attention back to Mason. “Pretty sure that’s where your daddy gets his green thumb from.” He stops talking, scowls, then turns and gives a reprimanding stare to Acer. “And his predilection to grow tobacco. We’ll be talking about that later.” The smile falls from Acer’s face, and makes it way to Max’s. I try to hide my giggles, but I’m failing, and this is because everyone in the room is on the verge of laughter as Acer drops his head back against the headrest of the chair and moans.
Mason finally swivels back at us only he’s not scowling; he has a big grin on his face. He then goes on. “As I was saying, Philip Morris was willing to pay a pretty penny. I took the payout, and bought the farm you and Johnny visited each summer. I didn’t do badly with the spuds either. So, when we sold our crops in Idaho, we decided we wanted to do something for our children and grandchildren. Max, you’re the first to marry of all the grandchildren and we couldn’t be happier for you.” Sophia stands, and walks over to the overnight bag Mason brought in earlier. She slides out a manila envelope from the side pocket, then walks back over and hands it to Mason. “Now, this is not for you to go on some spending spree, but it is yours and it is a gift so if you do that, I won’t say a word,” Mason tells us.
“We would just like to see you put some away. For emergencies, your children’s college, your college,” Sophia adds. Max takes the envelope, then glances at me. His expression of confusion matches mine. Max bends the clasps and pushes the flap back. He glances at his grandparents, then me, then his gaze returns to the envelope. When he slides the papers out, I want to peek, I really do, but I wait for Max to show me.
“Grandma. Grandpa,” he chokes. His eyes skimming the paper and they’re getting wider and wider. “Jaycee,” he mutters in shock, and hands me the papers. I hesitantly take and inspect them. I don’t get far because a check for a very large dollar amount is attached with a paper clip to the top of the stack.
“Ummm,” I glance at Max for help, but he’s just as shocked as I am.
“Okay, so let me explain,” Mason booms again, and I jolt in my chair, again. “You have an inheritance. Each quarter you’ll receive a check. This check is two draws, though. So, about half that is what you should see. Your grandma and I just hope it’s enough to cushion any struggles you may face.”
“Grandma, Grandpa,” Max mumbles. “Thank you.”
“You’re so welcome. We pray you have a long happy marriage,” Sophia tells us, then stands. Max and I both stand as well, and give her a hug.
“I don’t know what to say, Grandpa,” Max says softly.
“You already said thank you. Nothing more to say. Plus, I have lots to say,” he smirks at me and Max, then turns and gives Acer a reprimanding glare. “Now, you. Up. We’re talking,” he barks. Acer stands without argument, but grumbles as he follows his dad out the backdoor.
“This is insane,” Max gestures to the envelope. “And that, I’m not going to miss,” he points to the back door. “Would you put this in your purse for us?” A swallow down a large lump in my throat. I do not want to be responsible for that check. God, what if I lose it? I don’t say that though. I take it and slip inside my purse. Max rubs his hands together in gleeful anticipation, then walks out the back door, leaving me to visit with the rest of the family
“Your hair and your eyes, where did you get that color,” I ask McKinley and Katrina, as I glance at their parents noting their dark hair, and although Remy has blue eyes, his are much lighter than theirs.
“Our paw-paw. Our dad’s dad,” Katrina explains.
“You’re both so beautiful,” I compliment, my eyes darting between the two of them.
“Thank you, and right back at ya,” McKinley returns.
“The way Blue watches you.” Katrina shakes her head and grins. “He is head over heels in love with you.” She smiles brightly.
“And the way you’re always gazing at him, you’re just as gone as he is.” McKinley says, and I blush. “We’re so happy for you both.”
We sit around for another hour or so, with McKinley and Katrina sharing stories about Jack, Johnny and Blue. Some are cute and sweet, but most are hilarious, like daring each other to eat balut; a bird embryo, cooked like a boiled egg.
“They all agreed to eat one at the same time,” Katrina explains the dare. The one Max started.
“We did a countdown and Johnny was already turning green.” McKinley laughs.
“We get to three, and Johnny and Jack, both shove the balut in their mouth, while Blue sets his back down and throws up his hand and declares, I lose.” She bursts into laughter, along with McKinley.
“I was perfectly fine with coming in third and being the loser,” Max admits with humor in his voice as he walks to us, obviously having heard the story.
“The glare Johnny gave you! I mean, if looks could kill. Though it was short lived, because a second later he rushed into the bathroom, gagging all the way. Right behind him was Jack.” Katrina shares, laughing so hard she has tears in her eyes.
When McKinley, the older of the two, just turning twenty-three, shares that Max is the one who taught her to ride a bike while they were here on a visit one summer, my mind drifts to him teaching our children. Katrina, who’s twenty-one, shared her own stories of Max, Johnny and Jack. By the time we left, it was after midnight. On the ride home, it dawns on me that everyone was calling him Blue, even though he got the nickname in high school.
“So, they all call you Blue,” I remark.
“They do. It caught on with the family, too.”
“What did they call you before?”
“Maxwell.”
“Not Max?” I ask softly.
“No. That just yours, and always will be,” he replies just as soft.
“And Callie,” I reply as my heart flutters.
“And Callie.” He smiles huge.
The very next morning, Max and I went our bank and deposited the check into our savings, still in disbelief.
16
It’s Friday after work, and Max and I are on our way home. Abigail should be here early tomorrow, along with everyone else from Lubbock. We’re off to find dresses to wear to our co-ed bachelor/bachelorette party. I’m so grateful to Allie for opening Holloway’s for us. A DJ was hired to play music, so we could dance, but for fun we’ll also have karaoke. This should be good. The next morning, the girls meet at Jim’s Restaurant for breakfast, then head to the dress shop Abigail found at La Cantera. When we walk in, I see she wasn’t exaggerating. Very nice, sexy stuff, and some elegant outfits line the racks. Not minutes after we walk in, my jaw drops when in walk Grandma, China, Ana, Lena, Violet, Tara, Skye and Max’s aunts and cousins. Abigail lets out a whoop, and we all cheer. Sophia stayed back because she was preparing cheesy chicken and black bean enchiladas, which are Acer’s favorite dish, for lunch.
“When we left the house, it smelled so good,” Ana tells me.
We all take our time choosing the perfect outfits an
d shoes. I pick a silver spandex dress with a plunging neckline, and the back is almost entirely bare, except for two thin crisscrossing straps. The shoes are silver slip on heels, with clear top. I pick out some black stone drop earrings, that stop just before my shoulders. We all take turns showing off our choices and Grandma is last one. She surprises everyone when she walks out of the dressing room in a shimmering gold dress, with a Sabrina cut neckline, and a lacy wrap draped across her arm. The gasps from all the women are hushed, but deafening. Grandma usually wears loose jeans or slacks with oversized shirts, and when she does wear dresses they do not hug her form. Grandma has always carried a little weight, but not too much. I knew she’d lost weight since losing Grandpa, but I had no idea how much until now. She’s spectacular, though she’s always been beautiful. Now she reminds me of Helen Mirren.
“Momma Lila, you look beautiful,” Aunt Savannah praises.
“Grandma, you got a banging body,” Abigail shouts in joy.
“Abigail Caoimhe McGinty, lower you voice,” Grandma scolds, while scanning the small store embarrassed.
“Oh no, Momma Lila, that was justified,” Violet’s chimes.
Everyone watches Grandma closely. She’s a very strong woman, and after Grandpa died, she held herself together better than I would have, but I know she has to be full of grief still. Falling asleep next to your best friend and the love of your life, for as long as they did, is not something you recover from quickly when it’s taken away. She has to be lonely. Maybe all of us bombarding her, day in and day out, with our presence has helped.
“Grandma, you’re even more beautiful than usual.” I walk over to her, and pull her into a hug.
“Thank you, everyone.” She blushes and walks back into the dressing room to change, after we all give her our approval. A few moments later, she returns with her items then walks over and picks a pair of gold pumps, and adds them to her things.
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