He eyed me then, giving me that irresistible lift of his eyebrows. “Turns you on, I know.”
“Yeah, kinda,” I admitted. “So you’re gonna introduce me to your family, huh? Should I be scared?”
“Terrified.”
Chapter Thirteen
And so I braced myself for the worst. As we reached the top of the hill I noticed a large crowd of people all gathered together casually, some sprawled out on the grass, some children running around playing – Sophie among them – some older folks resting under one large shady Oak tree on some lawn chairs. This crowd was more than I thought I could handle, and Ben was still casually holding my hand like it was nothing.
Angela was also among the group a little farther off, talking to a couple women. Ivan was sitting on the grass, his elbows resting on his raised knees, casually tossing a ball with one of the younger kids. I saw him glance over as we approached, as did most of the crowd.
“You weren’t kidding…” I let my breath out softly, retrieving my hand self-consciously.
Ben nodded toward the Oak tree. “That’s my pops over there.”
I noticed right away who he was referring to – the tall, lean, handsome middle aged version of himself seated in one of the lawn chairs next to a bleached-blonde, slim, attractive older white woman wearing a pair of white capris and a long sleeveless purple tunic, her hair piled up in a high messy pony tail.
“Benjamin…” His father called his name out slowly as we approached, his accent strong and deep.
“Yow, pops, what’s happening?” Ben said casually, then turned to the blond woman next to him, and to my surprise, she stood up and gave him a quick embrace. “Hi Sally…”
“How you doing, Ben?” She had such a warm, motherly, kind demeanor. And a lovely face. My mind raced. Ben’s step-mother was a white woman??
“Can’t complain.” Ben turned to me then. “Pops, Sally, this is Gabriela,” he introduced me. “Gabriela, this is Mister Ivan Martin, Sr. and the missus…”
Sally rolled her eyes affectionately and laughed, turning to me warmly. “Always the comedian…” She extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Gabriela.” There was something about her…I liked her already…
Ben’s father smiled at me and nodded politely, standing to shake my hand as well.
I took a breath. “Nice to meet you both as well.” I needed to get a grip on my nerves.
Ben had already lowered himself down onto the grass next to his father and was making conversation. Sally tuned back to me. “You two having a good time? It’s nice to see someone was able to pull Ben away from the food truck.”
I laughed. “Yeah, it wasn’t easy, though.”
“I don’t doubt it.” She was eyeing me up. “You known Ben long?”
I flushed. “Umm…a couple months. Something like that.”
She smiled again. “You met the family yet?” She nodded in the direction of the group.
I shook my head nervously. “No, not really.” I took a breath. “Looks big though…”
“Hmm…” She followed my gaze. “Well, let’s see…so that over there is Ivan, Jr., Ben’s older brother – but that’s a bit obvious…and way over next to that tree over there is Geneva – the one in red – that’s Ben’s younger sister. Next to her is her husband, Rohan…”
I followed her gaze and spotted a tall, slim, breathtakingly beautiful girl in a bright red tube dress with thick spiralled curls that hung to her shoulders, framing her flawless features and deep bright eyes. What was it with this family and their drop-dead immaculate beauty? Next to her was her husband, a tall handsome light-skinned man with a low fade and broad shoulders. A very suitable match.
Sally pulled my gaze back again. “And those are my two girls over on the blanket – Kim is the oldest and Aliyah is my baby…probably always will be…”
I stopped when I saw who she was pointing to – the contrast making me take a moment to register it. Both girls were mixed, the first looking to be about my age, but dressed simply in an oversized t-shirt and a pair of knee-length capris and black flip flops. She had a thick mop of brown curls all tied back in a tight pony tail. And she was a heavy girl, much larger than me by at least another hundred pounds. She looked bored to death, slung back in an oversized lawn chair next to her sister who was sitting cross-legged on the blanket next to her, pointing and talking loudly, animated over something. I couldn’t tell the younger one’s age with much accuracy. She had down-syndrome.
“We try to get the whole family out together like this when the festival comes around,” Sally was saying. “Aunts, uncles, cousins, the whole crew…but that’s too much for you to take in all at once, I’m sure.”
I smiled again. “Big family…”
“Hi Ben! Hi Ben!” I noticed Aliyah then, waving, trying to get Ben’s attention. He was still talking with his father, laughing about something, but he turned around when he heard her and casually leaned over toward the blanket where she was and held his hand out.
“Whassup, Ali…” I heard him call out and then watched as Aliyah smacked his hand – hard – in an overexaggerated high-five, and then hesitate, waiting, as Ben gave her another little hand signal with a lift of his eyebrows, teasing her, until they completed an obvious secret handshake that was all their own.
Aliyah laughed and I saw Kim just roll her eyes. “That is the most annoying thing you’ve ever taught that girl – for real,” she slurred at Ben.
But Ben just sucked his teeth. “What are you talkin’ about Kimmie? I never taught her that, she taught me – that’s why it so complicated, right Ali?”
Aliyah nodded, giving a dramatic flip of her hair. “Jealous much?” she threw back at her sister.
Ben laughed and Sally and I also couldn’t contain our amusement, but Kim just shook her head, her irritated expression only giving way to a hint of amusement. And then Sophie and another little boy about her same age came running over, plopping themselves onto the mat with Aliyah, diverting her attention.
Ben eased himself up off the ground and came back over to me. “Those are my two crazy step-sisters,” he explained to me, nodding back over in their direction.
I smiled. “Yeah, I know, Sally gave me the run-down…”
“The condensed version,” Sally added.
“How come you never told me you had step-sisters?” I frowned at him, knocking his arm playfully.
“‘Cause they crazy,” Ben said, matter-of-factly.
My eyes widened in surprise, as Sally was still standing there with us but Ben didn’t seem bothered. “Sally knows, Gabby – she gave birth to them.”
My eyes went wide in horror again but Sally was just shaking her head, amused along with him. “Don’t mind this one, Gabriela. He’s just talk,” she teased.
Rohan came over and pulled Ben’s attention away and Sally leaned in closer to me. “He can get away with it because no one loves those girls like Ben does,” she explained. “He was always there for them, and believe me, five kids and two adults living in a three bedroom house – that’s not easy for anyone. Ivan – Ben’s brother – he lasted about eight months, but Ben, he stuck it out for about five years with these two – didn’t leave home until he turned twenty so…he has a stronger bond with my girls.”
I was fascinated. This inside information on Ben and his family was priceless. I wanted to know more.
“How old were your daughters when Ben came from Jamaica?” I asked.
Sally thought for a moment. “Well, Kim would have been about seven and Aliyah was five, so – quite young still. My first husband left after Ali was born and about a year or so later I met Ben’s father on a trip with some friends in Jamaica. We got married a few months later, he moved with me to Canada – took in those girls and loved them and raised them as his own – all the while working so he could have his own children back with him again one day…” She paused, smiling a bit at the memory. “It was a struggle but such a blessing just the same to have our family comple
te…better late than never, as they say…”
I nodded silently, gazing out at the group, noticing that even though they were in immediate proximity to one another, Ben and his brother avoided each other like the plague. Almost like an unspoken rule between them.
Geneva was making her way over to us then. From up close I was even more taken by her beauty. She was the female version of Ben – I saw so many similarities, from the dark chocolate colouring to those deep set eyes, high cheekbones, that bright white smile…
Sally pulled her attention over first. “Neva, honey, this is Gabriela – a friend of your brother’s,” she introduced me easily.
I noticed Geneva’s eyes go wide for a moment in surprise but she smiled back at me. “Pleased to meet you, Gabriela, my name is Geneva.” She took my hand and we shook. Her voice came out all smoothe and deep, without a trace of accent. Elegant. Like a television reporter.
I smiled politely, not finding my words. “Hi…” I finally managed.
“I’m assuming you mean Ben right?” She nodded over at him then, taking a guess on the brother in question.
At the mention of his name, Ben turned and addressed his sister casually. “Whassup, Neva?” He draped his arm around her shoulders and gave a little squeeze.
“Whassup yourself?” She eyed him suspiciously. “You’re leaving poor Sally over here to make all your introductions for you,” she added, nodding in my direction.
He sighed. “Yeah, I know, my bad…” He eyed me and nodded over at Geneva. “Gabriela, this is the queen of England right here. We don’t bow, though, it makes her uncomfortable…”
Geneva just rolled her eyes. “You’re such an asshole.”
“She’s the mouthy one, too,” Ben added then. “You’d think it was Kimmie, but this one here worse…”
Geneva sighed. “And you know you only say that ‘cause Kimmie could beat your ass with her pinky fingers.”
Ben laughed at that. “No doubt…” He didn’t deny it.
Sally shook her head. “You kids play nice.” She touched my arm affectionately. “It was nice meeting you, Gabriela.”
“Yeah, you too, Sally,” I smiled, turning to her as she walked away.
Ben was in mid-sentence with his sister. “Y’all go eat yet or what?”
“Not yet. Too hot,” Geneva said. “But Winston gonna get hungry soon, I’m sure…” I saw her glance over to where Sophie and that other little boy were still playing on the blanket with Aliyah.
“So you gonna hold down da fort for me for a while or what?” Ben asked his sister as he nodded in the direction of the family. “Gabby and I are gonna bounce for a bit.”
We were?
Geneva’s eyes went wide. “You serious, Ben? You just got here!”
“I know, don’t worry – I’ll leave you my kid, so I’ll have to come back,” he teased her.
“Wow…” She shook her head dramatically. “You give an inch and look what happens,” she muttered, narrowing her eyes at her brother. “You comin’ to Winston’s party next weekend, right?”
Ben looked momentarily confused. “What day is it again?”
“I sent you an e-vite! Can you believe this guy?” She turned to me for support, and then turned back to Ben.
“E-vite?” Ben sucked his teeth. “What the fuck is an e-vite?”
Geneva rolled her eyes. “Sunday. Check your email,” she ordered.
Ben smiled apologetically. “Will do. Thanks sis.” He gave her a little kiss on her forehead.
Ω
“That was fast,” I said, as soon as we were out of earshot and making our way back down the hill.
“Yeah, I know, I just wanna go check on things by the food truck,” Ben dismissed it.
I sighed, glancing over at him out of the corner of my eye, starting to get a feeling that Ben tended to avoid his family on a regular basis. I guess Angela had been right.
“Well, thanks for not deserting me over there, I appreciate it.”
Ben gave me a little sideways glance. “You’re welcome,” he said, in all seriousness.
I laughed. “That was a joke. Your family’s awesome. Your sister…your step-mom…she seems really nice, by the way…”
Ben smiled. “She is,” he agreed. “She’s great…she’s my white mother,” he joked, laughing softly.
I smiled at that. “I can’t believe you never told me about her – or your step-sisters either!”
“Really? Why is that?”
“What do you mean, ‘why is that’? I mean, from what Sally was saying they are a big part of your life…” My voice trailed off as I thought of my mother. I thought of how I had to take care of my mother, and how Sally would most likely need to take care of Aliyah her entire life. “I don’t know, I guess I just thought with everything I was going through with my mom that maybe…I don’t know…you would have told me about Aliyah. I mean, it’s not the same thing, but…” I paused and glanced over at Ben.
“Well…” He looked to be thinking as well. “You’re right. Maybe that’s why…because it’s not the same thing. Ali isn’t sick, Ali’s just…she’s just different, that’s all…I mean, she has a job and she lives on her own…she has a transit pass – the girl’s actually got it under control, y’know, she’s pretty independent, so…I guess I didn’t see the comparison.” He thought for a moment. “I worry about you, though.”
I nodded slowly. “I know.”
Ben was quiet for a moment. The music from the mainstage started up again and Morgan Heritage’s ‘Down by the River’ started up to some loud cheers.
“You figure out what you need to talk about once your brother gets here?” Ben asked then, pulling my thoughts from the music.
“That is – if he comes,” I reminded him. “But no, not really.”
Ben sighed. I took a lot of comfort in how much he seemed to care about me. I just wasn’t sure if it would last…if it could ever be enough...
“Well, you gotta figure that shit out, Gabriela,” he said seriously. “‘Cause your place ain’t got no ramp, and you know what the doctors told you, so…”
I nodded again, remembering. With a broken hip, my mother would never walk again. When she finally was released from the hospital, she’d be in a wheelchair on a permanent basis.
“You’re gonna have to move.” Now he was just stating the obvious to me.
“I know, I know…” My mind was racing. “Ben?” I looked at him. “I don’t want to talk about this right now.”
Ben narrowed his eyes at me, watching me, studying me. Then he sucked his teeth. “Stubborn lady,” he said softly, reaching out and pushing a curl from my face.
“No,” I sighed. “I’m just having a nice time, so…”
“So…you’re being dismissive about your problems because we all know as soon as you stop thinking about something it just magically goes away.” He raised his eyebrows at me. “I don’t know why I never thought of that…”
I just rolled my eyes. “Always the comedian,” I teased, repeating his step-mother’s words.
“Yeah, but…” He was thinking again. “Let’s say I was able to help you…”
I gave him a strange look. “Help me how?”
We were approaching the gate that blocked the entrance behind the food trucks. The noise from the crowds and the music was getting louder. The line-ups had grown. Ben pulled me over against the fence and turned to face me.
“Help you with your living situation.”
I raised my eyebrows. “How you gonna do that?” I wanted to know. “Do you own a vacant apartment with an elevator?”
He smiled at that. “No, but…” He paused, watching me for a moment. “I could get you out of your lease.”
My eyes went wide. I was completely confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Well, I was thinking about what you told me…about that apartment your aunt found…”
I shook my head. “Ben, that’s impossible. It’s for August first, that’s l
ike a week away, I told you all this…”
“It still available?”
“I don’t know…” My mind was racing. “Maybe…I’m confused.”
Ben sighed. “Awright, listen.” He focused his gaze directly on mine. “I wanna help you. And I been thinking a lot about this and I was planning to tell you this later but…change of plans. You need to take that apartment, and if that one’s not available, you need to find another one…for the first of the month.”
I was still terribly confused. “But I can’t, you know this. Our lease isn’t up for another six months and there’s no way I could find anyone to sublet in a week, come up with the security, pack, move…” I was getting a head ache.
Ben sighed again. “Yeah, I know you can’t,” he said. “But you don’t have to…that’s what am trying to tell you.”
I stared back at him, still unsure what he was getting at.
“You just have to get yourself the new place, Gabriela, and I’ll take care of the old one.”
I stared back at him in shock. “Meaning what?”
Ben sucked his teeth then, looking a bit frustrated with my inability to catch on. “Meaning I’ll cover you till you find a sublet. Make sense?”
“What?” My jaw dropped. “Ben, that’s crazy! I can’t take your money.”
That made him smile – just slightly. “I’m not giving you my money.”
“You know what I mean.”
“They could clear your mom to go home any day now – then what you gonna do?” he challenged me.
He was right. I knew it. I would be fucked.
“You do it this way, baby, you have a place for her whenever that time comes, and the beauty of it is you can move in slowly – take your time and do shit right,” Ben said. “Unless you got a better plan.”
I didn’t. I had no plan.
“Well...I told you, I was gonna talk to Laz when he gets here,” I said, pathetically.
“Well, that’s great – if your brother wants to pay for it after you talk to him, no problem, we consider it a loan, it don’t matter to me,” Ben said simply. “But whether or not that happen doesn’t really change anything – am doing this for you.”
Love Is Overdue Page 20