BOMAW 12-14

by Mercedes Keyes

Sasha was quick to grab it and pass it to her, "My mom and dad are here, I guess you can tell, huh?"

  Mama Jojo laughed, "I sho'can, bes' get on out there then." She went to get up, both girls rushed to her side to help her to her feet and get her cain in place, and of course just then, Shawn shows up in her door.

  "You feeling okay? That cain the right height?"

  "Chil' yo' Mama Jojo do just fine, this cain just right."

  Shawn stood as if overseeing the treatment of her by his daughter and niece's hands, "You need help?"

  "No I do not, gone out the way, I'm fine, got my cain. You two go'on, I be trippin' over you next."

  Both girls rushed forward waving Shawn back, "Move daddy, she's coming through."

  Shawn stepped back - his eyes constant on Mama Jojo as if checking her over to make sure she was okay, he was giddy, nervous and wondering what had happened that his father wasn't there. His mother had arrived along with Jake and Vivian, neither of them were talking. Dismissing it he focused his attention on the lady of the hour, "Don't forget your appointment next week for your physical, Mama Jojo."

  "Don' you forget, you taking me." She returned making her way out just fine, she didn't know what all the fuss was about, she was perfectly capable of getting around on her own, had been all by herself before him, as she'd reminded him several times already.

  By the time she made her grand appearance down the hall to the family room - everyone that had been invited was there and keeping up a happy noise. At her appearance, the crowd started clapping and cheering her, Jake whistling and wolf calling at her. She blushed, shook her head thinking, 'Ain't none more crazy than white folk.' she smiled and laughed a bit as well, by the looks of everyone and everything before her, they all thought it was her birthday or something, she had gifts waiting on her to be opened to her surprise, "What in the worl' is all this, it ain't my birt'day yet." She informed all the gathered smiling faces.

  Gert was the first to speak up, "Oh yes it is your birthday - today is officially the day you become ours! We've adopted you - isn't that right?" Gert asked her gathered family.

  "Here here!" Jake bellowed out loudly, with everyone else following suit.

  "Loooord, I'm here t'tell'ya - I - will - be." And then she saw the big, rectangular birthday cake, double stacked and long as could be, "That mine too?"

  "Yes it is Mama Jojo," Shanna spoke up, "Come look at it."

  Mama Jojo ambled over, getting choked up, she hadn't been sure what to expect, but certainly nothing like this, making her way to the cake, she looked down at the whipped cream icing delight, that said...

  September 8th 2005

  Official Adoption of Josephine Daniels

  McPherson's Mama Jojo

  has come home!

  "Oh my, oh my... tha's just beautiful, and all these candles?" She asked, moved so her eyes watered up.

  "Each candle is for each of us who love you, for all of us who are happy to have you here." Sylvia explained, there were 12 candles.

  "You gonna blow'em out?" Gert asked, also moved - this was Edwin's aunt - a connection to him. She still couldn't believe it, that her son had found them and fell in love with Mama Jojo just as she'd fallen for her nephew.

  "I guess I'mo have to, can't leave'em burnin' - I want me a piece." Mama Jojo laughed.

  "Now now, dinner first!" Shawn corrected her.

  "Who you tellin'?" She swung around quickly for a woman her age, peering up at him, "At my age, I get to have my cake and eat it too, before - dinner!" Correcting him brought about a round of laughter for Jake to say, "That's right you tell'em Mama Jojo, Shawn thinks he gets to tell everyone what to do."

  Sylvia shook her head, "And that is no lie, I'm here t'tell you - he think he big papa or somebody!"

  "I'm your big papa, an' don't you forget it!" He reminded her.

  Sylvia made a face, but couldn't help blushing and grinning as everyone laughed at the look on her face. Shawn pulled her into his side giving her a kiss on the brow and a wink. Turning back to Mama Jojo, "Let's get those candles blown out lady, before they melt." Shawn ordered.

  "All right now, you ha' big papa, ain't mine!" Mama Jojo joked back, winking at the crowd in general and she blew out her candles, taking two tries to extinguish them all.

  The kids, especially Sasha and Angela were excited for her to open her gifts and rushed to pile them up in front of her, calling out, "Open your gifts Mama Jojo, open your gifts!"

  "Here, sit right here." Shawn directed her to a comfortable recliner in front of the double sliding doors, "Open this one first." He pleaded, passing her one that came from him.

  She was beaming broadly as she opened it to find a picture, beautifully framed of her, Jesse and Shawn in the early days when Jesse had first started bringing him to her home with him. Mama Jojo had been standing leaning in the screen door, Jesse a step down laughing back at her, something she was saying, and Shawn was standing on the ground, laughing as well looking at them both. A girl that Jesse had been seeing at the time, took the shot with her Kodak disk camera. Shawn had taken the picture, enhanced it and blew it up to fit in a stunning crystal and platinum frame to sit on her oak finished upright piano that was sitting in her room. It was one of her treasures from California she would not part with. To see what it was, took her breath away as she sat, stroking over the picture, looking at Jesse James.

  "You like it."

  "Chile you ain't even got to ask me that, gone put it on my piano with my other pictures."

  "You gonna be out of room soon when all the pictures to come get added." Sylvia mentioned.

  "No I ain't gone run out no room, my baby gone build me shelves for all my pictures like he do for all my chickens at my old house." She looked up at Shawn, "Ain'cha?"

  "Right away like you say Mama Jojo, like you say." He agreed, stepping in among her gifts to hug her, kiss her cheek, "Love you Mama Jojo." He didn't mind murmuring for all to hear, "Mama Jojo, love you too." She returned just as easily.

  His siblings stood watching in wonder that he had her, that they were so close and that he was so gentle and soft with her. Even in that, Jake felt a pang of jealousy, wanting to be apart of it - Shawn always seemed to be surrounded by the things he wanted for himself.

  "Okay dad, she has more gifts to open, get out of the way!" Angela pushed her father, making everyone laugh and agree.

  "Hey! I tell'ya, no respect! You'll be needing milk money next week!" Shawn reprimanded grinning, causing some chuckles, standing away so that Mama Jojo could open her other gifts. The whole time, Shanna stood by taking pictures of it all.

  From Sylvia, she was surprised and very happy to open a DVD collection of six of Sidney Poitier's movies, all of which were her favorites - she was already anxious to watch a couple.

  From Mundo, she opened to find an outstanding music collection of outstanding polite jazz by some of her very favorite artists, Brook Benton, Billie Holiday, Toni Harper, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald and many others - as well a soul music collection. Amidst oohs and aahs Mundo stood nodding his head, blowing his nails to shine them against his chest murmuring a, "Thank you, thank you thank you, yeah I know - it's gone be hard to top that!"

  Jake Vivian gave her a certificate that was paid in full for a 55 gallon aquarium and stand to be installed in her bedroom with tropical fish of her choice. Once fully installed, a man would come in once a month to clean it and see to the upkeep, all she had to do was feed them according to instructions given and enjoy them to relax with.

  "Oooh, I want one." Mundo rolled his lip out, playing the nut as usual.

  "Me too! Maybe you get one one day!" Mama Jojo tossed at him. "... so lovely - see'em in the bank an' doctor's office, but never could afford one, don't know nothin' 'bout setting'em up."

  "With this one, all you do is go to the Aqua Marine Cove here, look over the fish and pick the ones you want, and they'll do the rest." Vivian informed her, "I'm getting one installed in our basement, they're so peaceful an
d relaxing."

  "I need me some peaceful relaxation too." Mundo threw the hint at Vivian.

  "Shet up boy!" Sylvia blasted him.

  "Thank you sugah, I'm gone love this," Mama Jojo turned to Sylvia, "Can we go look'em when you got time?"

  "I'll take you Mama Jojo, that won't be a problem." Vivian informed her, "I can look them over and choose mine at the same time."

  "I swear'fo'god, ya'll spoilin' me, the Lord blessin' me an' I don't know why." She shook her head, becoming overwhelmed by it all.

  "It's only just begun Mama Jojo." Gert informed her as she gave her two beautiful floor plants that would grow into stunning indoor trees, for her room in front of her large picture windows.

  Paul bought her two large hanging plants to add to them - he knew that plants were a guaranteed hit with the older ladies.

  Derrick's Meribel's gift was a stunning Lady's gold Longine watch, that Meribel put on her wrist right there. Angela was jumping up and down to offer hers next because it was jewelry as well, "This is from my mom and me, Mama Jojo - I told her I wanted to get you something extra special, that would show how much we love you, so I picked these out for you - from my allowance."

  It was a square box, beautifully wrapped, to be opened to a navy blue velvet box, when Mama Jojo popped it open it was to see half a carat sized opal earrings. They shone and glistened in the light so dazzling Mama Jojo couldn't believe her eyes.

  Mundo whistled, "Out yo'allowance? Ma, we need to talk, discuss my back-pay."

  "Boy didn't I tell you to hush yo'mouth?" Sylvia laughed.

  "Mundo you not alone, our allowance never looked like that either!" Jake joked with everyone agreeing and laughing.

  Giggling, Angela ignored their comments pointing out to Mama Jojo, "They're pierced, and they lock on so you never have to take them off, and the perfect size too." She went on to plead, "Will you wear them always Mama Jojo?"

  Josephine Daniels was so chocked up she couldn't speak at that moment past the lump in her throat. She nodded her head, that she would never take them off.

  "Here - Sylvia will you help me put them on her?" Angela asked.

  When they were done and stepped away, Mama Jojo turned her head side to side, "How they look?" She finally found her voice to ask.

  Sasha had gotten a mirror for her to look for herself.

  "They're beautiful - and so perfect for you." Sylvia and Shawn stated, with the nod from other's standing around and Shanna taking more pictures.

  Mama Jojo couldn't stop reaching up and touching them, she reached out for Angela, "Come here lil'ol'baby girl, come to Mama Jojo." She pulled Angela onto her lap hugging her, kissing her forehead and cheek, "You sho'is one sweet sweet baby, don't ever change, you hear?"

  "Yes ma'am."

  Shanna was next, "This camera I've been taking pictures with is yours Mama Jojo, Angela is going to show you how to get them off and print out the ones you want to put in here." She also gave her a scrapbooking kit, promising that she would show her all the ways that it could be used to showcase her memories.

  Last, Crystal have her two lap blankets to chase off the chills and two pairs of comfortable fuzzy slippers.

  "Fuzzy slippers? Fuzzy slippers?! You got's to be kiddin' me! No you did not walk up in here with no fuzzy slippers?!" Mundo bad mouthed Crystal's gift.

  "What's wrong with fuzzy slippers?!" Crystal defended.

  "I cannot believe you bought Mama Jojo, fuzzy slippers! Broke, cheap Puerto-Negro, need to be ashamed of yourself!"

  "Mundo!" Shawn and Sylvia both called out at the same time.

  Everyone was already cracking up.

  "You just leave ha'alone! I like fuzzy slippers and my blankets too, got everything I need, hm!" Mama Jojo defended Crystal's gift. "Thank you baby, I love'em."

  "I just thought with you being used to California heat, you'd be cold here in Wisconsin, so I wanted you to be warm." Crystal explained.

  "And I sho' will be too. Like I say, got everything I need now." She looked around at everyone, "None of ya'll have to do this, but I sho'do feel special 'cause you did. I can't thank'ya' enough."

  Everyone offered their services if she ever needed anything or anyone - just call and they'd be there to see about her.

  "Mama Jojo, let me put on some of your outstanding music for you to listen to." Mundo bragged his gift up, leaning over her to go through the disks he bought so she could choose which one. There was one with an assortment of some great jazz hits, she chose that one.

  "Mama Jojo, we fixing plates - you wanna come look everything over and choose, or you want me to fix you an assortment and bring it?" Shanna called out to her.

  "Surprise me, Mama Jojo ain't picky."

  Gert was gathering her things together, "Here let me take your plants in your room and set them where you want'em."

  "That'll be just fine - an' where yo' husband at? Thought he 'spose to be here tonight?"

  Gert smiled, thinking fast, "He wasn't feeling too well-..."

  The doorbell rang stopping her in mid-sentence.

  "I'll get that," Sylvia called out at the same time the phone was ringing.

  "I'll get that!" Crystal called out, running down the hall away from the music and everyone talking to answer the phone.

  "McPherson's?" She answered.

  "Uh, hey... it's Ben."

  Crystal's heart did a triple time beat hearing his voice, "Ben?" She gulped, "Hi... it's Crystal."

  "I know, you don't think I'd know your voice, the moment I hear it?"

  She smiled gently, she felt a bit light-headed and walked deeper into the front room to take a seat, "I - I would hope so. I got your picture, you look great," She chuckled a bit, "You do look just like your dad, just - darker... you've got some kind of tan going on."

  "Yeah, I do... that's one thing I never had a problem with, tanning - I can get pretty dark. How you doing? Feeling?"

  Crystal sighed, "Better now, that I'm talking to you. We're having a big dinner party for Mama Jojo, lots of food, we all bought gifts - she's really happy here, fits right in."

  "Good, glad to hear it. Soooo, is uh, he there?"

  "No, he's not here - just me and the boys."

  "I wish I could talk to them, I miss them - I - miss you."

  "I - I miss you too, more than you'll ever know."

  "Crystal Bella - I - jeez, I'm sorry I wasn't stronger for you, that I went back on my word. I said I'd always be there for you - I let you down, I just couldn't-..."

  "Stop Ben - stop. You don't owe me that - you don't owe me anything. If things were different, if I were different-..."

  "I probably wouldn't love you - as much as I do. I do love you - thing is, I'll probably never stop."

  Crystal covered her mouth, tears came to her eyes, she wanted him so bad right then, "I've - I've made such a mess of everything - you're thousands of miles away from home, from your family - you should be here tonight, with us, celebrating, and because of me-..."

  "Now you stop. I did this to myself - you told me from the start. I didn't listen, I went full steam ahead thinking I could - make you - love me more than-..."

  "I do Ben, I do." She ran her hand through her short cropped hair, swallowing, trying to get her emotions right, saying with a little thought, "...you know - there's one side of me, I wish you would just find someone to love you whole-soul and complete - that's what you deserve. And then when I invision that, that you might, I feel cut in two."

  "The way I feel envisioning you with him."

  "Oh Ben..."

  "Shhh it's okay. Look... I called to let Shawn know, that I've sent him a load of photos for the new website for PenTab. Just, let him know to delete the first batch, and download the second. I wanted to also..." He stopped, "I'll just call in the morning, just tell him I called, and that I'll talk to him tomorrow, 'kay?"

  "'kay... Ben?"

  "Yeah?"

  "I love you... I love you so much - that sometimes, I can't breathe... and - I w
ish - well, I wish this baby, I wish it was yours."

  "That would have been nice, I've thought the same, fantasized the same... but - I guess it's not meant to be. I better go."

  Crystal sniffed,"Yeah...bye..."

  At the door, Sylvia smiled to see Bart there...

  "Hi, you made it, come on in - we were just getting ready to eat."

  Bart stood feeling uncomfortable - in truth, he hadn't come to stay, to join the party, he'd come for his wife. The look on his face alerted Sylvia that something was wrong.

  "Bart? You coming in?"

  "Tonight's not a good night for me - I ah, came to speak with Gert." He tried to explain subtly.

  Sylvia stood gazing at him a moment, and taking a deep breath, "I don't know what's going on right now Bart, or why - but - there's a very special lady in this house who your son positively loves, and she loves him - and if you only stay for a moment, I'm asking you - to please come in, meet her - and join your family in this get-together. Now, you've asked things of me that at the time, it was not easy for me to deliver - well now, I'm thinking it's your turn. Please come in Bart, meet Mama Jojo, please." She knew that something was going on, because Vivian had whispered it - that Gert was staying with them - and Shanna had shared a bit of it as well, so Sylvia wasn't in the dark.

  "You don't understand..." He tried.

  "No I don't... and tomorrow, is soon enough for you to speak with Gert about it, but for tonight - let's show Mama Jojo what kind of folks the McPhersons are, starting with you." Saying nothing more, she went back to the door opening it for him to come in.

  Bart took a deep breath, nodded, braced himself and stepped through the door.

  Walking down the hall of his son's house, he could hear the music, laughter and talking. A song he liked was playing by Jackie Wilson, 'I believe' And walking into the spacious family room, he glanced around it spotting his children and grandchildren spread about - eating, laughing and spotting them they called out to him, "Hey grandpa!" He smiled, nodded.

  Sasha and Angela spotted him and called out to him, "Grandpa! You're here, you gotta come over and meet Mama Jojo!" They both rushed to him, just as his glance went towards the right side of the room where he spotted Gert standing with her arms full looking his way. Their eyes met, he couldn't read her, but then, nor could she read him, but she knew he wouldn't be unkind.