Pandora's Box

by Coffee

  The gory images of his demise haunted her ceaselessly. She saw the fatal scene flash her mind every night when she closed her eyes.

  She was only thankful Munch gave her a reason to live on through their son because had she not been blessed with Kareem, she probably would have lost her mind.

  Minnie rubbed her back in a circular motion. “Let it all out. Cry. You’re amongst family.”

  “For real,” Samiyah second it, absorbing her sadness.

  Wiping her tears away, she looked at Kareem, who was a spitting image of his father and smiled. “I’m so glad I didn’t move back to Jersey. You all are not just good for my son but for me as well. The support y’all have shown and still show gets me through.”

  “And that’s what sisterhood is all about. Each of us have a story to tell that has damn near crippled us, breaking us down lower than low but here we are, standing,” Minnie said triumphantly.

  “And we’re doing it together,” Samiyah added.

  “To sisterhood.” Reds wrapped her arms around them to share a group hug.

  They spent a few minutes more speaking on a brighter subject until Reds mood shifted back to a celebratory state when Samiyah saw Gerran walking up with the twins through the window, holding a baby bundle on each side.

  Muah. Muah. Muah. Samiyah triple kissed Kareem’s neck. “Here, take my big boy. Let me go help Gerran with my lil’ crumb snatchers.”

  Reds reached for her toddler and they headed over to join Shaunie and Shenae.

  Samiyah walked over to Gerran with her hand shielding the glare of the sun off of her eyes. “Why didn’t you call me from the car? I could have helped you with them.” She took Amir out of his arms and grabbed one of the diaper bags off of his shoulder.

  He shifted Amiya to the front of him. “Daddy got this. Whatchu talkin’ ‘bout?”

  “Ahh, you looked like the struggle, trying to carry these heavy duty booties.”

  “You see these guns?” Gerran flexed his muscle, bringing the curl of his bicep up toward his lips and kissed it. Muah!

  Maaaa. Amiya repeated after him.

  “You feel daddy, huh?”

  Amiya bobbed her head up then down as she played with the diamond stud in his ear.

  “Come on. Let’s get them inside.” Samiyah turned around and began walking away.

  Umm umm ummm. Gerran admired the shapely bubble of her butt. He took all the credit for plumping her ass up because he insisted she didn’t have nearly as much until he started hitting it from behind. “You know, speaking of booties, yours is getting fatter.”

  She turned around to respond but when she did, Cedric walked up on her and kissed her juicy glossed suckables. Wiping the watermelon flavored shine off of his lips, he said, “And I’m lovin’ all of it, ya heard me.” He responded cockily in a successful effort to smash to smithereens any inklings Gerran thought were possible about making a third time a charm. Cedric wasn’t letting his family go like he had.

  “Hey, hey. Not in front of our kids.” Samiyah warned both her ex-husband and her fiancé.

  Breaking the mild stare down between both men. Lil’ Acacia started to shout. “Balloons, Daddy. Look.” She jumped up and down, pointing at the pink and blue colors of the helium filled rubber bubbles.

  Samiyah stooped down to give her daughter a kiss. “Aren’t they pretty just like mommy’s angel of mine?”

  Lil’ Acacia dropped her chin into her chest twice in a child-like manner while smiling her mother’s smile to agree with her.

  “How ‘bout you go inside with daddy and get you one. Whadda ya say?”

  “Yay!”

  “Give me lil’ man.” Cedric extended one arm and reached for Amir. With his daughter’s hand in his, he kissed Samiyah once again. “Don’t be long.”

  “I won’t be.” She returned his smile then looked at her son. “Amir, say bye to daddy. Say, see you later alligator.”

  He didn’t wave or say a word. He was too invested in drinking his apple juice from his spill proof cup.

  Gerran walked up on him and extended his hand. “Give me five, lil’ man.” Amir slapped his hand. “Love you, son.”

  Cedric then walked at Lil’ Acacia’s pace and into the hall.

  “Hand me Amiya, please.” She reached out for her sweet baby.

  Adorning her with kisses all over her neck and tummy, forcing the cutest giggles to erupt from her belly, Gerran placed her in Samiyah’s arms.

  “You and brother had fun with daddy? Huh? What you say? That’s a silly question, Mama? You’re right. Every weekend is fun time with daddy. Well, I missed you. You know that?” Samiyah held a conversation with Amiya.

  Gerran looked at his ex-wife adoringly. He couldn’t help it. Despite the drama, he couldn’t help but see all of his good days in her eyes. He missed being the reason behind the sparkle in them but being the man he was, he had to stand behind the effed up choices he made when he decided to let her go.

  Samiyah spent a few more seconds cooing and talking with Amiya before she realized Gerran’s entrancement.

  “Ummm, why are you looking at me with that smirk on your face?” Let mommy’s hair go, Cupcakes, she whispered to Amiya.

  “Yah, didn’t we almost have it all?”

  “We did and we could have, but almost doesn’t count. Those were your words, remember?”

  He hung his head slightly. “You right.”

  “Look at this, though. Although we weren’t perfect, we created two little people who are. And because of them, I will always respect you and show you mad love, but only as a friend.”

  “That’s it, huh?”

  “That’s the bed we made.”

  Gerran bobbed his head then leaned down to kiss Amiya on the forehead. “Daddy loves you, Cee Cee. And Daddy loves your mama, too.” He looked at both of his girls with the bluest eyes. “He always will.”

  A faint smile of sadness mixed with appreciation came to life on Samiyah’s face. They’d been through so much turmoil in the past, it was nice to know that even when they swore their hatred for one another, love really did conquer all.

  So, there was no denying Samiyah would have a tender spot for him. They had a teenaged love affair that was so magical it belonged in a fairy tale as well as a Shakespearean love that was both beautiful and tragic. But it was over and a love that once knew no boundaries ended.

  Gerran placed the baby bag on Samiyah’s shoulder and kissed her on the cheek. “Enjoy the shower.”

  “Thank you.”

  Gerran paused before he disappointingly turned away to go back to his car. He looked as if he wanted to say something else but decided against it.

  Samiyah turned around to rejoin the celebration but her heart led her to turn back around. “Gerran.” He looked over his shoulder before spinning completely around. “Don’t forget, family dinner starts this Friday and every Friday after that for seven o’clock on the dot.”

  “I won’t miss it for anything.” He smiled and proceeded his trek to his car.

  “Oh, and Gerran.” Samiyah called once more.

  “Yea.” He spun to face her again.

  “I’ll always love you, too.” On that note, she walked back into the party.

  Gerran stood there motionless for a minute as a smile etched his face. He hoped that counseling would have brought them closer together but all it did was show them that they were best apart. So, he knew for certain she was gone forever but it felt good to know their love would never die.

  Elias

  “It’s over.”

  “It’s what? You can’t mean that. You didn’t even give me a chance to explain shit.”

  “Eli, neither or you. Let me finish.”

  Elias looked off to the side, unable to give her eye contact because he didn’t want to remember the look on her face telling him they were done.

  “When I say it’s over, I mean the secrecy has to be over, not us.”

  “Huh?” He wasn’t expecting to hear that. He knew he
hurt her pretty bad when she walked in on him and her sister. So he was relieved to know he still had a chance with her. “So, we’re not breaking up?”

  She shook her head no.

  “I don’t want be without you, just the secrets. Damn, I hate that I love you so much but I do.”

  “Well, I ain’t mad that I love you and no shit like this happening. That’s on God.”

  “Right.” She agreed whole-heartedly. Weeks without the one she loved most felt like an eternity spent in hell.

  He then searched her eyes. “Do you really love me?”

  She didn’t need to think about it. Their time apart told her she loved him and it was nothing but love that had her leave her family’s vacation home in Abita Springs, forty-five minutes outside of New Orleans in the pouring rain, just to let him know she did.

  “I’ll always love you.”

  “Well, in that case, La’Toria Salay Cormier, there’s something I want to ask you…”

  “You sure this the right spot, ‘cause you gotta have mad connections to get hooked up with this joint. I tried to book this bitch twice and both times they hit me with that try next year shit.” Jacobi disturbed Elias’ thought.

  He read the address on the building of the hall against the address in his text message. “Yea, this is it. You know Cedric do security for celebrities, so who knows whose elbows Samiyah was able to rub to lock this down.”

  “I’ve been here once, the inside is pure dope. I wanted us to book this venue for our thing, remember?” Blu asked Eli.

  “You right. But it’s hard as fuck to reserve. Illegals have an easier time crossing borders than securing a date for this place.” Elias shook his head at the thought and then stepped out of Jacobi’s ride.

  Eli then opened Blu’s back door, extending his hand to help her out. “You’re such the gentleman,” she admired.

  He leaned into her ear. “That’s ‘cause you lettin’ me hit it on the regular.” He bit down on his bottom lip, steadied his hand waist high and began pumping his pelvis like he was sexing her from behind.

  She looked at him with playful eyes but curled her lips as if she was about to chastise him. Shoving his shoulder backward with the sturdy push of her fingers, she said, “Boy, you play too damn much. Let’s get inside so we don’t be later that what we already are.” She twirled him around and headed him in the direction they were to go.

  “Yo, ain’t your friend supposed to be meeting me up here?” Jacobi inquired as he looked at his reflection while approaching the glass door.

  Blu shook her head, wearing a goofy grin. “You been trying for how many years and Kanari still hadn’t come around? You might as well give up.”

  “That ain’t my style, lil’ mama.” Jacobi then opened the door, waving her inside. “After you.”

  The second Blu’s eight month belly made its appearance through the entrance, everyone yelled, “Surprise!”

  Blu covered her mouth and broke out crying tears of happiness when she saw seventy-five family and friends all congregated to celebrate the arrival of her bundle. She was standing in the middle of a gender reveal baby shower that she knew nothing about. Eli is so slick, she thought.

  She looked over at a very proud Elias, smiling at the reaction she was giving. “You did all of this?”

  “You shouldn’t be shocked. I throw the best parties, period. Baby showers are no exception, although I did get a lot of help from Kanari and Samiyah on this,” he admitted.

  She went in to hug him around the neck. “Thank you.”

  As she walked around and greeted everyone, she couldn’t help but feel outdone. The place was beautifully adorned, themed with royalty décor catering to the arrival of either their prince or princess. On one side, there were three separate gift tables that were unable to accommodate all of the presents that were all wrapped in solid silver and gold wrapping, thus extra chairs served as stands for them.

  Off to another side were several food tables manned by Nola B’s Catering Service, dishing out everything from an assortment of miniature po-boys to Cajun style red beans and rice.

  There was a play area for the children in attendance in the back away from everything with three hired caretakers to ensure none of the women missed out on the fun and games Shenae was overseeing.

  Lastly, there was an open bar serviced by one of the baddest mixologist to ever hold two shakers, Kanari.

  “If I can have everyone’s attention, please,” Samiyah spoke into the microphone and called for everybody to turn their attention to the projector.

  After the group of people faced the right direction. She pressed the play button and a three minute video cataloging Blu and Eli’s time together as a couple played.

  “Awwww,” Blu became teary eyed. She was truly overwhelmed by the efforts everyone made to make this day memorable.

  After two hours of eating, talking and playing classic Jack and Jill baby games, it was time to answer the big question: Baby Blue or Baby Pink?

  Every woman wore either a blue or pink arm bracelet to signify which team they represented.

  Shaunie, Minnie, Samiyah and Reds passed out fortune cookies and when everybody had theirs, Eli gave the green light for them to crack it open.

  A lot of laughter and oohs filled the hall when they removed the slip of custom printed paper inside. It read: We’re fortunate to have a girl. We love you already, Devin Salay Dupree.

  The hand claps echoed throughout the building as everyone shared the excited that a queen in training would be born.

  After congratulations were handed out in abundance, the pink cake with silver, white and pink sparkles on a white buttercream frosting was served.

  Then DJ Poppa turned it out with kid friendly music at Elias’ orders. And what started off at 2pm turned into 7 o’ clock easily.

  Before it got much later and guest started to leave, Elias walked up to the microphone. He tapped it. “This thing on?” Woooo. The mic made a pitchy sound. “I always wanted to say that. But ummm, anyway, me and my wife have an announcement to make. Come over here, boo.”

  “Eli, my feet,” she whispered as she pointed at her wiggling toes to let him know she didn’t have on her shoes.

  He moved the mic from by his mouth. “Girl, waddle yo sexy ass over here and quit playin’.”

  She began a slow rock to propel her to her feet but her beach ball belly made it nearly impossible to do on her own at times.

  “We gotcha, mamas.” Samiyah and Shenae both stood to assist her by taking a hand and pulling her to a stand position.

  “This makes no sense.” She laughed as she duck walked over to her husband.

  Elias pecked her lips but then went back for a second kiss, this one a little bit longer.

  “Alright nah!” Shenae blurted.

  “Alright nah.” Lil’ Acacia repeated after her, which made everyone erupt in laughter at her adorableness.

  “My bad, y’all.” Elias grinned as Blu tried to remove red lipstick from off of his lips. “I can’t help myself sometimes.”

  “You’re not supposed to.” Samiyah responded to his statement.

  “True dat. Well, we didn’t plan on breaking news just yet but since everyone who’s close to us is here, we might as well spill it. Once Devin is six weeks, we’re moving to ATL to open our restaurant.”

  Everyone stood up to applaud them, whistling and hooting at his great news, except for Samiyah. Her mouth flung open as she sucked in a tiny amount of air. Although he told her their plans well over a year ago, it still shocked her to know the day was vastly approaching that she’d have to tell him goodbye.

  “There’s more,” Blu stated as she felt him pulling her closer to him. “We already secured the two level, 2500 square space on Peachtree St. and after little thought we came up with the perfect name. Tell ‘em, baby.”

  “I didn’t even know that Chef Homeboy Dupree had a knack to cook some boss meals until one young little lady inspired me to do something more with my life. S
o, it is because of her that we’re naming our family-style bistro The Peach at Peachtree.”

  Samiyah excused herself from the table so she could step outside and get some fresh air. She was overwhelmed with his news and couldn’t breathe.

  Minnie grabbed some napkins off of the table and went after her. Elias looked to Blu and without him saying a word, she spoke his mind. “Go check on your friend. I’m good.”

  Elias walked outside and made it over to where Minnie stood holding Samiyah. He tapped Minnie’s shoulder. “Let me get in there.”

  She stepped aside and Elias held her, rubbing her head in a consoling manner. Minnie looked on and felt her tear ducts brewing a batch.

  Elias dried her face with the backs of his hand. “Yah, what you crying for, huh?”

  “First of all, you’re naming your restaurant after my baby. That touched me right here.” She pointed at the center of her chest. “Then second, I can’t believe you’re really leaving me.”

  “For starters, she my baby too, ya heard me. I love that little girl and I owe so much to the both of y’all. I had no idea what unconditional love felt like until you made me a daddy. And secondly, don’t you know we a short flight away? That means if you missin’ a thuggah, you can come see me or when I’m homesick and I’m missing you, I can be on the next thing smokin’.”

  “I know but everything is changing, y’all. Eli I’ll Never Wife ‘Em Dupree is married with a baby on the way. Minnie is married to the man who’s loved her from childhood and I’m shockingly not with Gerran. And of course the oddest change of this all is Acacia isn’t here with us. I really miss that girl.”

  “I miss her, too,” Minnie added.

  Samiyah looked for Eli to say something but instead he looked at his watch.

  “Eli?” Samiyah nudged him.

  “A’ight, damn! I low-key miss her, too.”

  Out of respect, they partook in a brief moment of silence for the way things were.

  Breaking that silence seconds later, Samiyah wagged her finger at Eli. “Back to you, don’t you turn into no Dirty Bird jersey wearing ATLien when you go, no. This is still home.”