by Nia Arthurs
Drew pulled into the parking lot of Channel Six’s news station, parked and turned to face me.
“I have a feeling that you’ve had a lot more attention from guys than you’ve even realized.”
I rolled my eyes, “Well, they never said anything and I’m not the type to make the first move. Like I said, I haven’t even had a boy as a friend.”
Drew surveyed me slowly. “Would it be presumptuous of me to say that you have one now?”
I grinned. “No. No it would not.”
Drew dipped his head and got out of the car, carrying the miniature oil drums that were supposed to fix my vehicle. He asked me to pop Herbie’s hood and I did. It took Drew fifteen minutes to do his thing.
“Try it now.” He gestured for me to enter the car and turn the key.
“Okay.” I did and Herbie coughed as he slowly returned to the land of the living. Well, to the land of the functioning cars.
I hopped out of the car and gave Drew a hug.
“Thank you!” I yelled, letting him go. “I appreciate this. My dad would have had to come from work and deal with this himself. Seriously, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Drew nodded and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, leaving a black oil stain over his cut.
“Hey,” I leaned over the window and stretched to extract the Kleenex once again from my purse. Straightening slowly, I handed him the white cloth. “Deal with that forehead, mister. You don’t want to get an infection.”
Drew accepted the tissue from me and wiped his forehead.
“Thanks, Lexi.”
“No problem.” I nodded at him. As I got into the car, Drew slammed the hood. I loved the sound of Herbie’s hacking cough as he rumbled to life. The familiar noise resembled an old man spitting out phlegm but it was the music of movement to me.
“Drive home safe.” Drew said, leaning down by my window.
“You too. I’m sorry about accosting you with the car door earlier.”
He smiled and turned his head. “It’s okay.”
I have a huge crush on you and you’re so hot.
I kept that thought to myself and drove away from Drew, my friend.
“Say what now?” I protested. As per usual, the crew was sitting on the living room floor of my parent’s house playing Uno and trash talking.
“You heard me.” Mia said with attitude, her neck moving like a macala. “Pick up four because you’re annoying.”
Since Archie and Susan had returned, and they’d brought Darcy from the States with them, our group had grown exponentially.
We now had to break open another pack of Uno cards.
The tension was high. Uno was usually an emotional contest. The only time it had sucked was during Melody’s pregnancy. Everyone refused to play a Draw 2, Draw 4, or Skip card on the pregnant lady. Thankfully, Alexis had popped out in time for me to whoop Melody’s behind.
Persia sat beside me. She was terrible at Uno. In fact, the lawyer fell for every trick in the book. And we constantly cheated by staring at her cards.
“I’ll get you back for that.” I promised Mia. She cackled evilly.
Drew sat across from me in the circle, his long jean clad legs stretched out in front of him. We’d come straight over after our jam session at my apartment where we’d discussed the animatrics, movements and facial expressions of the characters.
“It’s your turn, Persia.” I nodded to the pretty Indian woman. Joshua was in Eryn’s room watching the latest Shrek movie so she didn’t have any help from that corner tonight. Even nine year old Josh had a better understanding of the card game than his mom.
Persia played a Draw 4 and Melody moaned.
“Aw, come on!” She extracted her cards from the deck as Persia grinned wildly and announced her desired color.
Spencer played a card, followed by Susan, Archie and then Drew.
“I’ve got your back, Lexi.” Drew announced before playing a blue reverse that changed the course of the game.
“I love this guy!” I yelled exuberantly.
Melody and Mia shared strange looks and Spencer raised his eyebrows comically.
Not like that, guys.
Thankfully, Persia changed the color of the top card and distracted everyone.
“Persia.” Spencer groaned, “That’s the color Archie has.”
Susan wailed, “I specifically peeked into his hand to confirm that. Really, Persia. You’ve got to learn the rules of this thing.”
Persia defended her play, “The rules state that any card can be played as long as it is the color of the top card. I’m not going to pick up from the deck just so that you guys can keep one person from winning.”
“It’s okay, people.” Melody commented in a booming voice, “I can handle him. But it’s going to hurt you, babe.” She rubbed her husband’s arm.
“I can take it.” Spencer shook his head and firmed his arm.
Melody played a wild card on her husband and he popped one eye open. “That’s it?” He exclaimed when he realized that his wife had spared him from having to pick up extra cards.
“Don’t use that tone with me.” She turned her hand to reveal the Draw 4 nestled amongst the colorful cards, “I saved your behind.”
Spencer smiled his Melody dubbed “ghost smile” and kissed her cheek.
“Aw come on!” Those of us who were yet to be married exclaimed. It felt good to hear a male voice join our protestations. Persia and I usually stood alone.
“Lay off!” The married people defended their own kind.
I stuck my tongue out at Mia.
“Let’s get back to the game.” Archie clapped his hands.
We played for another half-hour until Susan yelled Uno. Nothing we did distracted her enough to reveal the color of her card and she won with a blue 5.
“We’re back!” Mom called as she opened the door, bearing bags of takeout.
The men rushed to help her while the women trekked to the kitchen in order to share the food out on glass dishes.
Spencer accepted Alexis from his mother-in-law’s arms and she muttered happily about mamaw and the grocery store. Spencer gave her a big kiss on the chin as she talked and they returned to the living room.
“Hey dad,” I kissed my own dad’s cheek as he passed.
“Hey, Lexi.” He patted my shoulder. “How are you?”
I always thought that my dad was a handsome guy. His rich brown skin and warm brown eyes had not dimmed with time. He was on the short side, but his love for my mom and affection for his daughters made him ten feet tall.
“Better now that the chicken- I mean- you’re here.” I grinned.
Nice save.
Dad didn’t buy it.
I shrugged and moved toward the fried chicken to ensure that I got a prime piece of the chicken leg and wing.
“Don’t lick your finger and then touch my food!” Peyton warned from his seat in the living room where they’d turned on the television to watch a game.
I stuck my thumb in my mouth for spite.
“Whoops!” I yelled back.
“Lexi!” Peyton warned.
I laughed and joked around with Persia, Melody, Mia, Susan, and Mom as we worked to get the food on their individual plates and the Kool-Aid in glass cups.
Joshua came running out of Eryn’s room.
“Is the food ready yet, Mom?”
“In a minute, Josh,” Persia nodded at him and tucked a long strand of straight black hair behind her ear. The bangles on her arms jangled noisily together as she did so. “Go sit with Mr. Reyes in the living room so I can bring you your plate.”
“’Kay!” The boy jumped and ran to do as his mother bid.
“He is growing too fast.” Susan placed a hand to her heart.
“I know.” Persia sighed, “I can’t keep up with him sometimes. He’s a really smart kid.”
Mia stood next to Persia and wrapped her arm around the shorter girl’s shoulder. “He takes after his mom.”
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“Or his favorite aunt.” Melody wiggled her eyebrows.
The only people related by blood in this house were Mom, Eryn, Melody, Dad and I. But we were tied to our friends through the bond of love and it was just as strong if not stronger. I trusted these people with my life and I would do anything for them.
They were family in the way that counted.
“Doubtful.” I teased Melody.
She gasped in mock anger and tried to pop me with the kitchen towel. I darted around the island counter to get away from her.
“Mom!” I yelled.
“Girls, would you stop behaving like little kids.”
“Yeah,” Eryn commented from her place in the doorway.
When did she get there?
The kid moved like a ninja.
“I’m the only mature one around here.” Eryn informed Susan with a flip of her straight dark brown hair. Unlike her two older sisters, Eryn had chosen to chemically straighten her gorgeous curly mane in order to prevent frizz and improve the manageability of the locks. It gave her a more grown-up appearance.
Melody and I shared glances and then we both moved. I locked Eryn’s arms down and pinned her in place so that Melody could pop her with the towel.
“Hey!” Mom shouted. “Really, girls?”
“Sorry, Mom,” Melody and I muttered as one.
Mom smirked and shoved a plate of food at us. “Go give your young men their plates.”
Melody headed straight for Spencer, with baby Alexis bouncing up and down on his knee like she was in the Kentucky Derby.
Mia strode toward Peyton, who’s light blue gaze fired up when he noticed her approach. Those two had been married for nearly five years and I still caught them making out in random rooms when they thought no one was looking.
Susan stepped toward Archie, who lightly tugged her arm down for a kiss before accepting his plate.
Even Persia had somebody. She lovingly handed Josh his plate and then sat beside him, cradling her own.
Drew and I were the only ones left.
I like you. I think you’re nice. You make me feel good inside.
These thoughts flitted through my mind as I stepped into the living room, past the happy couples lounging on the floor and on the sofas. A range of emotions crashed through my world and all I could think was: Do not drop this plate, Lexi.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Feeling the axes of the seven awkward dwarves, Discomfort, Perplexing, Uncertain, Uncomfortable, Bumbling, Graceless, and Stutter, knifing my gut, I held Drew’s plate of fried chicken with trembling hands.
“Here you go.” I set the plate safely in his hands and emitted a sigh of relief so intense that I nearly blew the house down.
“Thanks.” Drew smiled at me.
It was an open, welcoming smile. The kind of smile a man gave to someone he genuinely cared about. The one a man gave his friend.
“You’re welcome.” I sat beside him and held the plate in my hands as I ate.
“Archie,” My father asked and lowered the volume of the television. “Are you going to officially be on the worship team?”
“Yeah.” Archie nodded, his face greasy from the chicken. “I’m back on. Why?”
“I was just wondering. A few years ago, Pastor Saunders started pulling up the members of the band. People like Jamie were put to sit down until they got their spiritual lives together. It started a lot of fighting in the place.”
“Really?” Susan muttered, “I didn’t feel any bad vibes last week.”
“It’s all ironed out now.” Daddy admitted.
I recalled the chaos that had erupted three years ago. Pastor Stanley had strict rules for the ministry leaders and elders in The Gym. It was important for those who sang or preached to actually be living what they were professing.
I respected Mr. Stanley for that move, even after he got a lot of flak from the community.
“Thanks for letting me know, Mr. Rey.” Archie bobbed his head. “I was wondering why Jamie was absent. I wanted to show off Susan’s ring.”
Susan rolled her eyes.
“What was that comment about?” I inquired.
Mia explained, crossing her skinny-jean clad legs, “Just before Susan and Archie got serious, Susan was flirting around with the church drummer.”
I glanced at Susan who was blushing. Jamie was kind of cute. I guess.
“I wasn’t ‘flirting around’ with him.” Susan defended, “I was just being friendly.”
“That’s what they all say.” Peyton commented and Mia laughed.
“Anyway, Jamie started stepping hard on Susan when we went on the San Pedro trip and that’s when Archie woke up and declared his love for her.”
“That’s such a beautiful story.” Persia wiped her eyes, her bangles jangling happily with the movement.
“Meh.” Susan shook her palm in the ‘so-so’ gesture. She lounged near her husband’s side, where they were both squeezed into the Lazy Boy.
“I think you all have nice love stories.” Mom commented from her perch near Daddy’s sofa seat.
“Ours was pretty basic.” Melody exchanged a glance with Spencer, “We had an instant attraction, but he wasn’t ready for me yet.”
“I had to get things right with the King.” Spencer agreed, “But when I did. I was gunning for her.”
“He was gunning for me.” Melody admitted, smiling wide.
“And you two hated each other.” I pointed at Mia and Peyton.
Mia rolled her eyes. “I didn’t hate him. Hate implies that there is some kind of emotion. I was apathetic.”
Melody interjected, “That’s not the way I remembered it. Mia couldn’t stand to be around Peyton and yet she always came along with us, even when she knew he’d be there.”
“What can I say?” Peyton stretched and put an arm around his wife. “I’m irresistible.”
Mia snickered, “Look what you did. You inflated his ego. How am I supposed to fit that head in the car now?”
“You can strap him to the roof.” Archie teased.
We laughed loudly.
“Mom,” Joshua quipped thoughtfully, “What was your love story?”
His innocent question brought a stillness to the joyous atmosphere. Persia didn’t talk much about Joshua’s father and we didn’t ask. She was beautiful and sweet and kind and we loved her for who she was, not what she had done in the past. I felt sorry for Joshua’s dad. He was missing out on being a part of an amazing little boy’s life.
Joshua, however, wouldn’t die for need of surrogate father figures. Everyone loved him and made sure that he felt that acceptance. My dad taught Joshua how to throw his first basket. Archie taught him how to ride a bike before he left. Admittedly, the bike was with training wheels since Josh was only five at the time but the point stands. Spencer took him on his first fishing trip and Peyton and Mia took him to the fair to ride the Ferris wheel.
Still, despite our best efforts, I knew that there would always be a part of Joshua that felt rejected and abandoned by his father. I knew that there was a piece of him that would never heal until he got the answers to the questions that he probably didn’t even know how to put into words. I wasn’t a child psychologist by any means, but I cared about that little boy and it hurt to hear his innocent words now.
Persia’s face drained of its usually vibrant brown color. “Well,” She stuttered, “I’m sure my story’s not as interesting as all the others.”
But Joshua would not be deterred, “Tell me, Mom.”
Persia opened her mouth but only a strangled sound came out.
“I have a story.” Drew’s deep voice rumbled through the room, slicing the intensity of the moment.
Joshua peered at him with intelligent brown eyes.
“How can you have a story? You’re not married.”
“No.” Drew admitted, “I’m not. But I still do have a story.”
Joshua surveyed the newcomer. It took him a while to warm up to people, but the
rest of us had accepted Drew so wholly into our crew that even Joshua was convinced to let Drew win his favor.
“Okay,” The boy tilted his head. “Let me hear it.”
Drew glanced quickly at me before he leaned forward. “My grandfather was in the second world war.”
“Cool. With guns and explosions and stuff?” Josh said enthusiastically. He obviously had a romanticized vision of war.
“Yeah, lots of fighting and guns and explosions.” Drew nodded, “And there was a group of ladies back in the States that would write letters to the soldiers who didn’t have any family to send them mail.”
“Why did they send them letters?” Joshua inquired.
“To make them feel better and to tell them of how proud they were that they were risking their lives like that. They wanted to say thank you.”
“Okay,” Josh accepted this explanation.
Drew continued, “My grandfather received a really neat letter from one of the ladies. She was funny and her letters made him smile.”
Joshua scooted closer to Drew, “Tricia Gabriel says that I’m funny.”
“I bet she does, bud.” Drew slapped Josh on the back, “Anyway, my grandfather and the lady started exchanging letters. For the next year and a half, they wrote as often as they could and he fell in love with her.”
“Of course he did.” Joshua shook his head.
Drew misinterpreted his tone. “I’m sorry. Is the story boring you? I can stop right there and-”
“No, no!” Joshua protested, “I want to hear the rest of it.”
Drew smiled and continued, “Well, one day my grandfather got enough courage to write the lady and ask if he could meet her. The war was over and he wanted to tell her that he loved her.”
“What did she say?”
“She said…” Drew looked at me and I leaned forward, captivated by the magic of the story, “She said no.”
“What?” Joshua yelled.
Drew returned his attention to the boy, “She said that she couldn’t. And she stopped writing him.”
“So what did your grampa do?”
“At first he was heartbroken. He was very sad that the lady from the letters didn’t feel the way that he felt about her. But when he came back home, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. He checked all her letters and found out what state they’d been posted from. He followed her there, asking everyone questions until he found her.”