All That Matters

by Paulette Jones

  Since they all had been out all morning Taye suggested that they take the kids back to their houses to clean up and Brandon and Sedric could do the same. Ashley and Matt grabbed their two boys and Taye took her older girls back to their place to give them a bath and head back for the festivities. With everything back in order they left the new additions in the barn and all departed to get ready for the party.

  Since not many of the family where actually staying at the main house Sedric had decided staying there was best. Since not one of his Uncles would question his love life or when he would be headed down the aisle. So he headed in to clean up and change as the others headed back to their places not far away to clean up.

  Halfway through getting dressed he noticed his notification light blinking and decided he would deal with it later since he figure no matter who it was from it would just take away from the peace he had somehow found. Down in the back yard things where in full swing everyone was finally there and the guest of honor had officially started opening her many gifts that had been purchased against her will. People where dancing to music blaring from the disco sized speakers that had been set up on the back deck, the kids were all gathered around three picnic tables being stuffed and all the little ones that were too small to eat on their own were being passed around and given their own taste. It bought even more joy to him seeing his family healthy and happy. If life was going to be worth anything it had to live up to this. Food was first on the list since he hadn’t had that time earlier so he grabbed a full plate and headed over to where his brothers where to catch up some.

  ‘There you are…you been hiding or something I thought you were coming home last night.’ Charles his oldest brother was always first to get right to the point because even though he was the pushiest he worried the most about all his siblings.

  ‘Nah…y’all got a house full Fi came in right…and I know TJ is here so I just stayed here with Uncle Frasier they didn’t have much going on.’

  ‘Yea, but we couldn’t speak at all like that little brother…how are you really? You have me worrying you know…I think I have had maybe two calls from you in the past three months.’

  ‘Don’t be worried man…it’s just a lot at once I had like interviews and promotions, then community stuff it just gets to be a lot so when I get down time I just rest up.’

  ‘But your season end like two months ago you still working?’

  ‘Yea…don’t get me wrong I love balling…the extra stuff though it can get to be a lot.’

  ‘Mom ask me about you a few times…I take it you haven’t had much conversation with her either.’

  ‘Man you know she is just itching for me to say I found a wife…blah blah blah…so I just limit the time I talk for when she see me that way I can dodge as much as possible.’

  ‘Yea I know…one of these days you gone have to fess up though…you have that beautiful girl up there hiding her away.’

  The most unfortunate part of what was happening with Kemi is that the one-time Charles had decided to visit she decided she wanted to play housewife and stayed the entire time Charles was there.

  So it made him work extra hard to keep their lives separated because he didn’t want any of his family getting the wrong idea. That had to mean something major he never once considered anything other than making sure she didn’t get involved with his family. She was good company and at times she was even the kind of person he wanted to believe he wanted in his life, but then her true colors would show and it easily washed away.

  ‘I’m not hiding her away….actually we…I mean we’re not involved anymore so…’ There wasn’t much more for him to say on the subject and he gave his brother enough of a look to make sure he understood he didn’t want to talk about the subject any more.

  ‘Ok if that’s what you want…she was a beautiful thing though I must say.’

  ‘Yea…but what else was she?....Nothing man forget I said that I’m gonna get a drink you want something?’ It was a slip that he never meant to have around any of them but there was no hiding that part of what was going on between him and Kemi. She physically had him under lock and key for a while until his mind caught on to the game and he was all at once not so taken by her. So lately there wasn’t much appeal to being around her, although she pushed and pushed to make him believe she was head over heels in love he knew better. He knew her past and though he didn’t’ hold it against her he knew what she was willing to do. More importantly he knew what she felt like she deserved.

  ‘Nah I’m good little brother…hey lets kick some butt in shoes later ok?’

  ‘Yea…that sounds like a plan.’ He gave his brother a quick smile to say all was well and headed to get his drink; he didn’t want anything about her to ruin his peace so not talking about her was best. If he could just get the horrible feeling out of him he had about breaking up with her over the phone he would be home free.

  Three

  ‘Kemi…open the door girl I have been ringing this damn buzzer for ten minutes.’

  ‘I’m coming….I’m coming…and you haven’t been ringing the thing for ten minutes I saw your car when you got here.’

  ‘Well what took you so long to answer if you knew I was here…have you talked to him again yet?’

  ‘Ugh…no I left at least three messages now and have sent at least five text and nothing…how much of a coward is he to do that over the phone.’

  ‘Girl I don’t know….but what are you going to do now?’

  ‘Oh don’t worry I got something for his ass when he gets back.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘I’m not saying…just know he might think he can just dump me and move on but he has another thing coming…we have been together two years that doesn’t just wash away.

  ‘But Kem you said yourself you weren’t even sure if you wanted to be with him I mean maybe you should just move on and let things be. Didn’t you say you and Kent been talking lately’

  ‘WHAT?!....I have put in work to get what is due to me I am not giving up now. Kent is just trying to get some I’m sure that wife of his has loss some flavor after having three kids.’

  ‘But don’t you care that he doesn’t want to be with you I mean that spells trouble no matter how you look at it.’

  ‘I know him he is a “good” ole fashion mama’s boy….so I will just make him have to do the right thing.’

  ‘So what does that mean?’

  ‘It means don’t worry about me I got this.’

  After graduating from college with a degree in physical therapy Kemi had taken a job working with diamond athletics as a rehab and training specialist. Since diamond athletics was the number one therapy service of the professional sports world it led her to meet her fair share of professional athletics and stars alike. So when star pitcher Kent Jafers injured his left shoulder and she was assigned to help him through rehab it was her first taste of what the lime light was like. His comeback was all that was talked about and since she had helped him get there he was at the time completely in love with her and his wife of course.

  When they first met Kemi didn’t have many intentions when it came to Sedric because she was already involved and hoping to make things work with Kent.

  Diamond athletics had picked up the contract for his team and she was one of the trainers assigned to help the athletes take care of their bodies. Sedric was just a very rich plus on the side at that moment, and then when she decided to set her sights only for him she realized how much work it would be to get to that ultimate goal of having his ring on her finger. When he told her about the trip home she of course expected the invitation to join him but when it didn’t come she set her mind on the next step. Guilt it was going to be her saving grace making him feel bad about leaving her behind when she was so good to him. Life was going to be what she made it at least that was what she had been taught her entire life so she made her won luck and digging in with Sedric was the way to what she wanted or at least that was what she thought.r />
  But then the call last night and him basically ending everything shook her up cut her off at the knees but mostly angered her. So she now had plans, plans she was sure to get him back in her corner and get her back on track to that ultimate goal. It was not a secret between the two of them that he had become uncomfortable with their relationship and was leaning toward that step but she had held off the actual act with tempting him physically. Lately the temptation wasn’t the same and fear was a huge part of every conversation with him since she didn’t have that ace in the whole. And now he was thousands of miles away so of course that trick was not going to work. But a trick would have to be what was up her sleeve since she was sure in Sedric’ mind they were done and there was nothing else to discuss on the matter.

  ‘Look I don’t want to waste time talking about him now let’s go I need a drink…or five it’s been a long day.’

  ‘Ight you know I’m ready…where to ma’am?’

  ‘Let’s go to Cuba’s maybe we can find some rich guy to buy us drinks.’

  ‘So that’s the plan find you another rich baller huh?’

  ‘We’ll see come on I’m ready.’

  ‘Girl whatever you are up to you better be ready to handle business, I know he is probably no joke to take on.’

  ‘I can handle whatever he throws at me don’t worry.’

  **

  ‘Ayida are you up…child yuh gone sleep your day away?’

  ‘Ugghhh…..no I’m not up ma I had a long night…what do you need?’

  ‘I don’t need anything I just think you need to stop working so much and enjoy life some…when yuh classes start back?’

  ‘Next month I have four this term so I will be working a little less to make sure I can handle my school work I’m fine mama don’t worry.’

  ‘Child I just want yuh to enjoy life some yuh have your head in dem books and at Levi’s all the time. What happening with yuh and Evan he is a nice boy.’

  ‘He is nice mama and we have a nice time together but he is busy like me we don’t see a lot of each other…I did see him yesterday though.’

  ‘So why don’t you invite him over for dinner tonight your sister says she’s gonna come by later.’

  ‘She is…oh well I guess…well I kinda had plans to go by Nanny K’s later they are having a party for her today.’

  ‘Shelia come by the other day and say something about that…but you know that Sedric is home I see Mr. Flee and he tell me.’

  ‘I know mama I saw him yesterday when I was waiting on you. I’m not going over there to see him I am going to see Nanny K. I have a gift for her and everything so don’t start with your talk about Sedric.’

  ‘I’m your mother I can speak for whatever I wish…you guard yourself with him I don’t want any tears behind that boy again.’

  ‘Don’t worry there won’t be…I am past that point in life.’

  ‘You say that but I know betta…anyway get up its already after three it’s rude to show up so late.’

  When Sedric and Ayida where thirteen he declared her as his best girl and she declared him as her best guy. They had grown up together sharing their expectations for life, sharing their dreams and hopes. Ayida was the first person he told about getting into Michigan State and since she was just as excited about him being able to follow his dreams he never changed what he shared with her.

  In their fourth year in secondary they decided to become a couple which everyone basically assumed they were the entire time. There were no days they were not together Sedric knew what she wanted in life, he knew her fears, but most importantly he knew her heart and loved her. They had made it through all the different twists and turns teenage love came with and where headed toward their futures together.

  Two months before he made the decision to enter the draft Sedric had come home and wanted to talk with her about what was going on. Since she was just as busy with school and her own studies she didn’t have the same time she had when they were younger so the conversation didn’t go well between them. A few conversations later they were going to make things work as friends because they had different lives and he didn’t want to do anything to hurt her.

  To her mother, sister, and a few friends it was a noble act for him to walk away so that she wouldn’t have to endure the possibilities of what was going to happen next in his life. To her heart it was a rip right down the middle and being honest it still wasn’t healed since every single time she saw him it felt like someone had wrapped the rope around her heart and started tugging.

  No matter what she was feeling his family had always been great to her, his sister even still called from time to time asking about her studies and how she was. A few times she had seen Nanny K out at the market and even she had been just as sweet to her so she made up her mind got up and dressed and headed over. After all life wasn’t exactly the same for her anymore she was no longer the completely lonely girl wishing she could rewind time and have her love back. There was an amazing guy who genuinely liked her possibly loved her and she had that to keep her strong for those heart tugging moments that would come when she saw Sedric.

  ‘You look pretty fancy to be just going to see Nanny K little sister.’

  ‘Oh would you stop that it’s just a sundress…and yes I am going to say hi and give her the gift I got for her see its right here.’

  ‘Ok well don’t let me hold you up…but that dress is pretty fancy.’

  ‘Shut up Bridgette…I’ve had this dress on before and it’s a party I can’t wear my work clothes.’

  ‘Ok…so did you have fun last night with Evan?’

  ‘Yea…he took me dancing then we went down to the beach for a while…that’s why I got in so late we fell asleep down there.’

  ‘Really!, sleeping on the beach and what else?’

  ‘Bridgette! Nothing else we were talking and that’s all.’

  ‘So Evan hasn’t made his move yet I see.’

  ‘Made what move…’

  ‘The one to get him more than just talking on the beach.’

  ‘What!...we are not even really a couple that is crazy Bridge…I have to go.’

  ‘Hey well call me later let me know what the party was like….and tell Sed hey for me…have fun Aydee.’

  ‘Shut up Bridgette.’

  Not talking to much about her personal life with her mother and sister was best for Ayida at this point. What she was keeping from them would cause so much uproar and questioning that she would have had to completely cut them off for a while just to get some peace of mind. They would be expecting her to change her life completely. Then how they always pounced on the relationship that was no longer in existence between her and Sedric did not make things any better, it took her months to stop crying herself to sleep after they broke up. Crying that she did under the covers and pillows so her mother wouldn’t hear her and come to try and make it go away as she always did.

  But now she was headed right to her heartache and he was looking even better than he ever had. When he wrapped his arms around her when she saw him headed to market she literally felt like she would fall into him if she hadn’t found some way to control her emotions.

  She shook that off there was no need to think of him in that way. No matter how many times she saw it she still didn’t want to believe it but the fact remained Sedric was not single, and if Evan had his way neither was she. But that was something to deal with another time; she wasn’t ready to deal with anything other than putting on her brave face. After all she wasn’t going to see him she was going to give Nanny K her present and say hi to a few familiar faces.

  Four

  ‘Sedric sweetheart could you run inside and get some more ice I think it’s just about all gone in the cooler over there…oh and some napkins they are on the counter.’

  ‘Sure ma…is that all you need?’

  ‘Yes baby that’s all we need…have you eaten I didn’t see you much last night?’

  ‘Yea I ate a little while ago…an
d I know I was just tired that’s all so I stayed here with Uncle Frasier.’

  ‘Are you coming home tonight?’

  ‘Ah…well I think they will need help getting everything cleaned up here so I might stay here tonight.’

  ‘Ok baby…you can’t run from me your entire stay I hope you know that.’

  ‘I’m not running mama…let me get that ice.’

  There wasn’t going to be much more skipping out on his mother’s questions and worries but he would take whatever chance he had to avoid them. When he entered the house he walked right into the other half of the torment on his mind Ayida. She was just about glowing with her hair pinned up on top of her head in a messy bun and her dressing flowing almost to the ground in multi shades of yellow and orange. Looking at how the neck line dipped right at her cleavage made him involuntarily lick his lips. Then she smiled at him and his heart flips over in his chest.

  ‘Hey I came to give Nanny K her birthday gift….sorry I just came back your cousin said everyone was in the back so.’

  ‘Hey…yea most of us are back there…you look beautiful Aydee.’ He mentally hadn’t wanted the last part to slip out but the smile it produced made it somewhat ok with him.

  ‘Thanks Sed….I guess I should go take this to her I don’t want to impose on your family it looks like everybody came down.’

  ‘You’re not imposing on anything…and yea just about I mean you know we don’t get to do this much so my mom and Aunt Brenda did a lot of planning to make sure we all made it down.’

  ‘That’s really good I know Nanny K is happy to see everyone at one time.’