Vivian remained quiet, the wedding dress flashed in her mind, the price tag on it and that sale. Just so he knew it, "I - I don't mind working Jake, I've worked all my life practically, for everything I have or wanted-..."
"Hmph!" He cut her off shaking his head, "Does Sylvia work? Does Meribel work? Fuck that, neither will you, no way! No way in hell! If Shawn can do it, Derrick can do it, I'll fuckin' do it too, and better, wa-a-ay better!"
"Jake! Not everything in life is a competition, keeping up with the Jones's or you brothers, Shawn!"
"I don't know any fuckin' Jones's - the women in our family, haven't worked! Not my mother, not my brother's wives, so neither will you, I mean that - you better believe it. Look, it doesn't matter. We're here to have a good time, no more of that talk, okay?" He still had her hand, squeezing it.
Vivian sighed, staring back out of the windshield, making note of their location as they pulled into the almost crowded parking lot of the Country Western club that was filling up as they arrived. He was glancing at her once more, and back to the lanes heading for the place he would park. "You not gonna have a face on all night are you?" He asked softly.
"No, I'm fine." She smiled to show him she meant it.
"I hope you mean it, I wanna have a good time tonight. I want this night, to be the night to launch what could be, a new life for us - our babies, our future, and I need you to stand by me to make it happen."
"I'm here aren't I?"
"That mean you forgive me? I gotta be an asshole every now and then," He gave as an explanation, "...or else, you'll get bored with me." he grinned winking.
Vivian joined him grinning, "Every now and then?"
"Ah!" Jake gasped, "That's cold baby! That - is - cold!" He laughed along with her, happy the mood had been lifted.
Vivian knew there was little to be done about it, what choice did she have with him? She was riding the Jake McPherson train with no pull string to stop and get off. Oh, she could stop and get off if she really wanted to, but that was the hitch, she had to want to - and she didn't. She wanted to be where she was, with the man she was with, no matter what that brought down the road. At this moment and time, he was hers to claim and posses. Now, with this added extra, him wanting to sing, perform, travel, tour - concerts, IF that is, he was good enough to get that far - that part of their future was uncertain for her. She felt just a bit of a stir, something closely akin to fear. Because the truth of it was, she wasn't sure she wanted to share him with the world, okay - maybe that was stretching it a bit, the world; so to amend it, share him with those in the world of country music.
Share him with family, share him with friends, no problem - but the world of country music? And - to face it honestly, that world contained - women! The thought made her stomach tighten. She had to shake the crazy sensation, after all, it was just talk, just plans, just a dream right now, nothing more. He was a long way from actually writing an album. A long way from all the other things that came along with it.
"We're here!" He cut the engine, checked his mirror, giving his hair a check, and placing his hat on his head, opening the door, "You ready for a good time tonight?" He asked climbing out. Before answering, she was reaching for her door, he stopped her. "Oh no you don't, sit right there, five star treatment for you all the way tonight." He was grinning, happy, excited; winking he closed his door and trotted around the front of the truck to her side, there, he promptly opened her door. Leaning in, he gave her a kiss, "You excited?"
"Half of it is coming off of you, sure I am. Look at this place, it's getting crowded quick."
"Perfect test bed baby, perfect test bed." He handed her out first and then reached into the backseat for his guitar as she settled her hat on her head, adjusted her clothing, placing her purse strap on her shoulder.
Closing the door, locking it up, Jake turned to look around them, watching the numbers within the lot grow. He knew if he was going to move forward in fulfilling his dream, he had to get up in front of all those piling in, many of them he didn't know, and sing his heart out. He knew that he had to reach deep, and pull out everything he'd practiced in private moments, in times when he'd acted crazy before those he knew, bringing forth laughter, or smiles from women dying to get him alone. He had to get up before all and show them, that he was already a star and he was granting them the privilege of being the first to see that. His eyes went back to Vivian's, "I'm gonna do this. And I'm glad you're with me, as I go for it for the first time, it really is - now - or never." He pulled her to him, his hand at her lower back, pressing her body against his side, leaning down to kiss her lips. This time it was a quick kiss, one that she was more distracted through, he didn't have to wait long to find out what the distraction was.
"So far, no black faces." She almost gulped behind the words.
"Don't you worry about that, if there's gonna be only one - it should be one of the best baby, that be you." He tapped her nose, "So relax, you're not afraid are you?" He couldn't help but be concerned.
"Emmm, not afraid - just a little uneasy at being the only someone like me here."
"You can't be sure of that, there are bound to be a couple."
"I don't know." She looked around doubtful.
"Vivian," He took her chin, turning her to look at him, "You think I'd let anyone bother you?"
"Nooo, but - it is just the two of us."
As if on cue, Tony from work called out to them, "Hey you two, there you are, we been looking for you, we not long arrived." He approached with his date, Cara, next to him as well, Wayne, also from work, and his wife, Kirsty. The two approaching ladies eyes went directly to Vivian, yes they knew she was black, had been told this, but there was nothing like seeing it with your own eyes and their eyes were stuck like glue to her.
With his hand to her lower back, Jake nudged Vivian a bit forward, smiling in greeting to them all, "We would have been here sooner, only it takes her forever-..." He got an elbow for that, a mild correction with a smile, "I think forever, is a bit much."
Proud of her, joyful to show her off, Jake only wrapped his arms around her to guard against another jab, his guitar across her front, "Yeah right! You know how women are, they need 3 weeks advance notice they're going out, to get ready."
The guys, enjoying this side of Jake, where his attention was on his own woman and not there's shared in his glee, "Ohhh no truer words! Why the hell is that?" Wayne, the married one honed in to agree. "Wayne - you're exaggerating again." Kirsty, his wife, tall, thin, boobs bigger than you would expect on such a slender body, and they were real. Hazel eyes, dirty blonde hair, colored with streaks of cornflower blonde, droned; however, the whole time she spoke, she only took her eyes off of Vivian briefly to cut her husband.
Cara, the other woman on the scene, Miss happy-go-lucky, with the mentality that the world is one big'ol'flower garden, was all smiles, "Jake what's the guitar for?" She asked right away.
"You'll see." He answered, and then, "Ladies, Cara, Kirsty, this is my fiancée Vivian." He thought he should make quick with the intro's, "Guys, you already met her. Vivian, that is Wayne's wife, Kirsty..." He waited until they shook hands, both sensed something iffy in the other, "Nice to meet you." came from Kirsty, "Feeling is mutual." Vivian returned, meaning every word, she wasn't crazy, she could see they would not end up the best of friends. They didn't linger in the shake and then the next, "Tony's lady, Cara." Jake went on to introduce them. Cara was completely different from Kirsty; Cara was bubbly, joyful, a bit on the plump side, but cute as a button, with an incredible smile and disposition. Vivian liked her almost instantly.
"Come along, we best get inside, find a table." Jake nudged Vivian ahead of him, passing the others for them to follow, whispering in her ear, "Behave yourself tonight, okay? Pull in the claws." He couldn't help but notice the almost instant friction between Kirsty and Vivian.
"Hmph, when she pulls in her damn claws; hell with that."
"That mean I'm gonna have to keep my eyes on you t
onight?"
"Maybe," She teased back, her look full of daring, not at all fazed. "We'll see, or you'll see."
Jake paid their way into the club, getting their hands stamped. The door opened to country music blasting; inside, people milling about heading in every direction, many already out on the dance floor, moving to Gretchen Wilson's -All Jacked Up. Vivian's eyes got big, now this - was country! She couldn't believe she was actually entering this place. Yes, for her job she'd done her country thing and hey, had a good time. At home, she'd had those isolated moments where a country song caught her ear and she'd enjoyed it immensely, in fact, more than a few country songs struck a cord with her - she appreciated all kinds of music, no less for country, however - this was certainly something she'd never expected would be such a significant part of her life. She was going to marry a man, that was a straight up country music fan and if that were not enough, one that would be seeking to sing it himself.
Vivian had a serious, 'Wow - whoa' moment. It was overwhelming to say the least.
As they made their way through, Jake was looking for a good place to station them for the night, every so many people, more women than men, would stop them, "Hey Jake! I'm claiming a dance right now, for the night get's deep!" One woman shouted in his face over the music.
"Not tonight, sorry! My fiancée - Vivian." He gestured with the tilt of his head her way.
The woman, whoever she was, took a look at her, and with wide eyes back at Jake; she backed away, stunned, quiet, not another word.
'Here we go.' Vivian thought as they moved on, more speaking to him, a repeat of the previous taking place here and there, with similar results, with the odd one, actually showing how surprised she was and smiling at Vivian, to say, "You lucky bitch! Hang'on t'him tight - for the nights up, two uv'us'll be tryin' t'fuck'im b'fore sun up!" She meant well, laughing all the time, winking at Vivian as if giving her fair warning.
Jake blushed deep red, ducked his head close to her, cheesing on a prayer, "She's just crazy like that, ignore her, as if!"
Vivian realized she had better get ready and stay ready on her guard. She also noticed that Jake pulled her in closer, held her tighter, squeezed her waist more often, he looked into her eyes more than usual, smiling on a wing and a prayer, hoping she was okay so far. What could she say? Do? After all it was only a few moments earlier she'd declared within that this is what she wanted. She had to laugh and shake her head because of all songs to come on, Shania Twains, I ain't no quitter. What could she say, that's the way she felt. Neither was she, they walked past a group of women calling Jake's name, grinning and she felt a definite reactionary tensing in him, just short of a jerking of his body. She looked up, his eyes were big for a mere second. She knew a play off when she saw one. What she didn't know was that someone they passed pinched him on the ass. Of course he carried on, having spotted the perfect table for them to sit. He'd spotted to his delight and surprise an empty large table right beside a black and a mixed couple. The mix was black male, white female, he went straight for them, it took a moment before Vivian spotted them, but immediately upon doing so, relief shot all through her body to know she wouldn't be the only black person present. Even so, she was stunned to see them there, while happy; that fact showed on her face as she made eye contact with them, and they with her. It was smiles all the way around, it was if greeting old long lost friends, the four were so jubilant to see one another.
Jake whispered at her ear, "See, told you not to worry, feel better now?"
She was too busy grinning and cheesing at them to answer him, a squeeze to his waist had to suffice. "Hi!" Burst from her mouth as soon as she was close enough for them not to miss it. The two black men stood, eager to include them, feeling just a bit of need for some white reinforcement, if for nothing more than just to feel more inclusive. To see Vivian among them meant in short, they were of a kind.
"Hey there!" One greeted.
"This table taken?" Jake asked.
"It is now! You all sit on down, I'm Craig, this my brother Cecil, he why we here, him and his girlfriend." Craig felt the need to explain.
Jake was all grins, "Well I'm the reason she's here! Nice to meet you Craig, Cecil. So you guys like country music huh?"
Craig zipped his lips, eyes got big, as if fighting to confess a truth that might get him lynched, so he bit his lip. Cecil on the other hand, was quick to smile and admit, "Yeah, I've always had a taste for it, this is my girl, Kate. My brother's wife, Jade. We dragged her in as well."
Jade looked as if she was going through a pain that could not be described, but it was clear on her face.
Intros were made all the way around, men shaking hands, women smiling in greeting, fake or real and soon the women were comfortably seated while the men went off for drinks with Jake standing possessively behind Vivian's chair, leaning down to ask, "What you having baby?"
"You have a good time, I'll drive us home tonight. So, lemon-lime Perrier." He kissed her brow, "Thanks for that." He winked, heading for the bar, feeling the need for a few drinks to loosen him up a bit. Wayne and Tony were close on his tail.
Vivian sat in a precarious position, Jade stared at her as if she'd lost her mind and Kirsty stared with clear curiosity, and dare she lay claim to it, resentment? Even though she was married to Wayne. All considered, Vivian thought it wasn't that bad, after all, she'd already concluded that she would get a few stares, and so she'd been right.
Kirsty sat watching her, watching Jake, thinking that if he kissed her one more time, touched her once more, squeezed her once more, babied her, nipped, winked or grinned at her one more time, she was gonna storm from the club to stand in the parking lot, where she would scream for an entire minute at the top of her lungs in her most shrill. It was agony to see Jake like this, absolute and pure agony, 'What - the - hell???' She'd known him since grammar school, and while he'd always been a bit of a ham, a charmer, aiming to get in your pants, he'd never been overly lovey dovey like this. Nausea was stirring in the pit of her stomach. While she knew it was rude to stare, she couldn't help but stare at this Vivian; at the ring on her finger, at her skin color, at her eyes, at her lips, her nose, her smile, her voice, her manner, the way she spoke, interacted with Jake, all extra familiar as if they had sex all the time; sex with his sweet, thick, long, big cock! Looking at her hair, there wasn't a strand out of place, she wondered if she let him mess up her hair when he fucked her? Her hair, that hat; goddamn hat! 'Who the hell does she think she is, wearing a hat like that? What's wrong with a good ol'fashioned cowboy hat? She obviously thinks she's too good to put a normal goddamn cowboy hat. If ever there was one uppity, lord, this one is it! Black as hell and uppity!'
"Love that hat!" Cara complimented her for conversation, Kirsty wanted to kick her under the table, but didn't, she only glared at her and then turned back to stare at Vivian, trying with all her might to see why her! 'WHY her?!'
They were all talking, Cara, Vivian, the other black one, Jade and that Kate - but for the life of her, Kirsty couldn't get in on it. She sat steaming, thinking, remembering all the time she spent wanting Jacob Patrick McPherson, from back in grade school. Years she'd wasted wanting him for herself. Had in fact given up on him after he'd stayed with that Doris for so long; that was another one she couldn't figure out, how she got him and held him for such a long time? She hadn't liked her either, what damn right had she to him when she was married with children? Because of that, she'd tried on more than a few occasions to take Jake from her, had gotten him into her bed during that time, but once he had her, he was done with her, never to look at her again - and of all things, went right back to the silly bitch who'd left her family to be with him. Fed up with hoping and wanting, waiting, wishing, and yes, praying to get that man, she'd turned to her standby. She appreciated Wayne, treated him good, but he wasn't Jake.
Now, tonight, the shock of all shocks, as she'd heard through the grapevine, that he'd broken off with that Doris - damn fool that she was, killed h
erself over it - to see him with the woman who'd succeeded in stealing him away from her, doing what she'd always dreamed of, if that were not enough, there was a big ass diamond ring on her finger! They were engaged, he was gonna marry her.
What a slap in the face!
Kirsty didn't want to resent her, but oh did she ever! It wasn't fair! Why did she have to be black? Everyone would think she couldn't stand her because she was black, well - in truth, that didn't help it any. It sucked to sit and think that she just might be a bit of a bigot as well, she forced her eyes away from her. She wanted to go home, it was depressing to see that someone had finally snagged, snared, hooked and snatched up the last McPherson. She predicted this night to end up a pretty shitty one, even for the sake of her husband, Wayne, she couldn't pretend to be happy to sit and witness this woman wallow in her victory - stepping into their community and snatching up the prize bull! She turned in her seat, "Where the hell are they with those drinks?!"
* * *
Benjamin had the night ahead on his mind. He'd taken a long soak, and his back felt a lot better, and even if it didn't, nothing would stop him from going out - from seeing Crystal. Walking from the bathroom with a towel around his waist, the other drying his hair, he passed Marcus in the hall on the way to his room.
"You going out?" He asked the first thing on his mind, turning to follow Ben, and seeing his back blurted, "Whoa dude, what's up with your back? Who did that to you?"
"My mom, she strongly rejected the idea of me choking Kevin to death."
"Whoa - you and Kevin?"
"It happens you know." Ben answered entering the room with his cousin right behind him, flopping down on his bed as he closed the door.
"Yeah I know, but what about?"
"Stickin' his nose in my business, like you're doing, right now."
Marcus grinned, "I just wanna know your business, not tryin' t'screw with it. So why'd you wanna choke him?"
Ben was quiet as he sprayed on his deodorant, slapped on his cologne, stepped into his underwear, tossing the towel aside on the bed.
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