I Know I've Been Changed

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  “You didn’t tell nobody you were getting married.”

  I was silent. “How’d you know?”

  He giggled. “They wrote about it in the paper, and you know how obsessive your sister is with the papers. She saw it and told everybody in Sweet Poke. Everybody all mad ’cause you didn’t invite them. It’s cool, though. You know Mama Tee wasn’t gon’ let me travel down there with her anyway.”

  With her? “So Mama Tee’s coming?”

  Justin burst out laughing. “Mama Tee and everybody else in Sweet Poke.”

  Could this day get any worse? I leaned back against the seat, closed my eyes, and bit my lip, trying to keep from screaming.

  “If you didn’t want anyone to know about the wedding, you shouldn’t have had it in the paper. Mama Tee said her invitation must’ve gotten lost. I’m warning you now, you will hear about it when they get there.”

  “Why didn’t she call me?”

  “Please, so you can tell her not to come?” Justin was laughing like crazy.

  “Oh, so you think this is funny?”

  “It is. Boy, I wish I could be there to see Aunt Ola act a fool. She took some greens from her garden, talking about she gon’ fix them for the reception.”

  I couldn’t help but smile at my brother’s incessant laughter. I could count on one hand the number of times he’d laughed like that.

  “Okay, Mr. Funny Man, who’s there with you?”

  His laughter died down. “When are you guys going to realize I am a grown man? I don’t need anyone to stay with me.”

  “Boy, please. I know Mama Tee didn’t leave you by yourself.”

  I heard a long sigh before he spoke. “Mrs. Miller from down the street is here. I tried to tell Mama Tee I didn’t need anyone here. She acts like I’m still ten years old. Besides, Uncle Frank is here.”

  “Isn’t Uncle Frank comatose?”

  “Sometimes. That’s why I wouldn’t have minded staying with him.”

  “Hush, boy.” I giggled. “But you know, Mama Tee just feels better having someone there with you because she’s scared you might have a seizure.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever. When it’s my time to go, it’ll just be my time. I wish everyone would just let me live my life.” Justin sighed heavily, then seemed to shake it off. “But I didn’t call you to gripe. I just wanted to give you a heads-up.”

  “Well, thanks for calling me. You know I have to mentally prepare myself.”

  “Good luck. Well, I’ll holla at you later. I’m about to go watch a nasty movie on pay-per-view. Mrs. Miller’s downstairs sleep.”

  “I’m not even worried about that. Let Mama Tee see a bill for a nasty movie.”

  “You’re right about that.” He laughed. “Take care, Sis. I love you, even if you act like you don’t love me.”

  I hesitated. “I do love you, Justin. No matter what you might think.”

  “I’m just joking, Raedella. I know you love me. Later.” With that, he hung up.

  I wiped away the single tear that was making its way down my cheek.

  Chapter 24

  Today was my day. The day I had dreamed about. I was getting married. We were at Myles’s mother’s church, a huge cathedral nestled in the heart of downtown Houston. Shereen was running around the bride’s dressing room trying to make sure everything was in order. She was the only bridesmaid I had in my wedding. Myles had been upset because he had a lot of friends he wanted as groomsmen, but since I only had one friend, there was nothing we could really do about it.

  I was walking down the aisle by myself. I had no one to give me away. There was no way I would let one of my crazy uncles give me away. No, sir, I would just strut down that aisle by myself.

  I surveyed myself in the mirror and smiled at my reflection, pleased at my appearance. Surprisingly, I wasn’t nervous. I was just ready to become Mrs. Myles Jacobs and begin my fairy-tale life.

  We had over three hundred people at our wedding. Two hundred and fifty of them were probably Myles’s family, friends, and associates. Some of my coworkers had been invited, but other than that I was sure there weren’t that many people here for me.

  “Where she at? Where my niece?”

  I grumbled when I heard Aunt Ola’s voice bellowing down the hall. My family had actually shown up. I was hoping, no I’d prayed, that somehow none of them would show up. What was I thinking?

  “Raedella?” Aunt Ola called out. “Baby girl, where are you?”

  I was so not believing that she was standing in the church screaming my name like she was crazy. I buried my face in my hands. “Why, why, why?”

  “Ola, shush all that noise,” I heard Mama Tee say. “That lady up front said they were in here.” Mama Tee knocked on the door. “Rae, you in there, baby?”

  Shereen looked back and forth between me and the door. “Ummm, should I go tell them we’re in here?”

  “No, go tell them all to go away.”

  Shereen looked at me before spinning off. “I’ll let them know we’re in here.”

  A few minutes later, Mama Tee appeared in the doorway. She had on her Easter best, a lavender suit with a sequined collar, with the matching lavender hat, which had a bananas, apples, grapes, and something I couldn’t make out on top of it. I wanted to cry.

  Mama Tee clapped her hands together. “Ohhhhh, my baby looks so precious.”

  “I don’t know why you got on white; it ain’t like you a virgin.” I hadn’t even noticed Shondella standing behind Mama Tee. She had on a sequined dress that looked like it was buy-one/get-one-free at the flea market. It had diamond-shaped holes cut out of the side of it, and her rolls of fat were protruding from the openings. Her hair was whipped into an updo, and she had tiny rhinestones lined up along her hairline. I could only hope my disgust wasn’t evident.

  “Shondella, don’t start with your sister,” Mama Tee said. “I told you the only way we was coming was if you didn’t cause no trouble.”

  Shondella sashayed in, leaned into the full-length mirror in the back of the room, and began adjusting one of the rhinestones that was coming loose in her hair. “I ain’t the one you need to be worried about. Uncle Otis is already out in the lobby drunk. He tried to kiss the preacher’s wife—on the lips.”

  I took a deep breath. I hadn’t even spoken to my relatives and they were making my head hurt.

  “I see you all made it.” I was trying to muster up energy to deal with them.

  “Chile, yes.” Aunt Ola shook her head. “It look like the Democratic National Convention, all them people out there. How much y’all spend on this shindig?” She didn’t give me time to answer, not that I would have. “Don’t make no sense for y’all to spend all this money. You should’ve been getting married at Greater Gethsemane in Sweet Poke anyway. Me and the usher board coulda fixed you up a huge pot of collard greens and corn bread. Reverend Berry woulda been more than happy to marry you. Who’s cooking for the reception anyway? Don’t matter none, I brought my own seasoning.” She held up a stained brown paper bag. “I know you got some white folks catering…” She turned to Shondella. “You know your sister thank she white anyway. But ain’t nothing like some down-home cooking. So I brought some of my own concoctions to spice things up.”

  “Thanks, Aunt Ola, but the African-American caterers are more than prepared,” I stressed. “And I’m sure their food will be delicious. As for why we’re getting married here, this is where we want to get married.” I sighed, then turned back to Mama Tee. “Why don’t you all go on and take your seats.”

  “Why you ain’t have Lexus or Mercedes as your flower girls?” Shondella stood with her hands on her hips. “You think they ain’t good enough to be in your wedding? Or, let me guess, you would rather have them high-yella gals in your wedding. Umm-huh, I saw ’em when we was coming in. Little Puerto Rican-looking thangs.”

  “For your information, Shondella, they are half-Puerto Rican. They are Myles’s nieces.” I wouldn’t have minded Shondella’s kids in
my wedding, but I knew that would’ve meant inviting Shondella. A moot point since I guess she was here anyway.

  “Ladies, please. We need to get this show on the road, so if you can, go take your seats.” Thank God for Shereen.

  “And who are you?” Aunt Ola asked, her lip turned up.

  “I’m the maid of honor, Rae’s friend Shereen. We work together.”

  All three women looked her up and down like who was she to be telling them to leave.

  “Please, go,” I said. “We need to get started.”

  “Fine. Come on, y’all,” Mama Tee said.

  After they’d left, Shereen playfully shook her head. “Okay, now I see why you ran from your family.”

  I began massaging my temples. I wanted everything to be perfect today and it was getting off to a bad start.

  “But, look, don’t let them ruin your day,” Shereen said as she walked over and adjusted my veil. “Don’t let anyone ruin your day. The man of your dreams is waiting for you inside that sanctuary. Let’s go.” I managed a smile as I followed Shereen to the foyer.

  My ceremony had to be the most beautiful in the world. But I guess I’m supposed to think that. I almost wanted to die when Aunt Ola began boo-hooing all loud, wailing, “My baby growing up!” I’ve been grown for years, so why she felt compelled to act a fool was beyond me, but that was my aunt Ola.

  I fought back tears myself as Myles promised to love, honor, and cherish me until death did us part. I think I was in a trance for most of the wedding; I was just that happy.

  At the end of the ceremony, Myles took my hand and turned me around toward the audience. The minister had just pronounced us man and wife. As Myles’s cousin belted out the sounds of Natalie Cole’s “Our Love,” we began making our way down the center aisle. I gazed lovingly at Myles. He leaned in and whispered, “I will spend my life making you happy, Mrs. Jacobs.”

  I grinned like a Cheshire cat. “Mrs. Jacobs. I like the sound of that.” I gently kissed my husband, then waved at everyone as we made our way out of the church and to our waiting horse-drawn carriage.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Mr. and Mrs. Myles Jacobs.”

  The smile was still plastered on my face as the reception emcee announced our arrival. The horse ride over had been phenomenal and we were now standing in the doorway of the Westin Galleria’s ballroom.

  The wedding planner had done a magnificent job. The room was wonderfully decorated with fresh flowers. The twin swan ice sculptures sat on a long table against the wall. They were surrounded by every kind of food imaginable. Guests had already begun nibbling on fruit from the massive fruit display.

  This was indeed a fairy-tale wedding.

  “You okay, baby?” Myles asked.

  “I couldn’t be better.” I draped my arm through his and walked into the ballroom.

  Myles and I spent the reception mixing and mingling. We didn’t even get a chance to enjoy the food, which I heard was phenomenal as well.

  After our first dance to Etta James’s “At Last,” Myles grabbed my hand and headed to my family’s table. I felt my stomach start turning flips. I just knew they were about to say or do something to ruin everything.

  “How’s everyone doing?” Myles asked.

  “Fair to middling,” Mama Tee replied. “Nice ceremony, real nice.”

  “Still don’t make no sense, all this money y’all spent,” Aunt Ola said as she surveyed the room.

  Myles took her comment in stride. “Nothing is too good for my baby,” he said, lifting my hand and gently kissing it.

  “Ain’t that sweet,” Shondella said. I couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic, but at that moment I didn’t really care.

  “Boy, you sho’ know how to do stuff,” Uncle Otis said, interrupting my romantic moment. “This here is first-class. I done had seven glasses of this Moët stuff. Ain’t never had none of that before, but it sho’ beats my Ripple.”

  I inhaled deeply and Myles rubbed my back before leaning in and whispering, “We’re happy today. Let it ride, baby. It’s our night.”

  God, I loved this man. I smiled at Uncle Otis. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

  “Well, look here,” Uncle Otis said. “Since y’all feeling all festive, I just wanted to tell you that I would love the honor and distinction of owing you a hundred dollars,” Uncle Otis said.

  Myles laughed. I couldn’t help but laugh myself. “Uncle Otis, what do you need a hundred dollars for?”

  “I’m trying to sue the state of Arkansas.”

  “For what?” Myles asked.

  “That’s right, you a lawyer.” Uncle Otis stood up and pulled his champagne glass close to his chest. “I’m suing because the state sells alcohol, then wants to lock you up when you drink it.”

  We all busted out laughing at that.

  Myles and I eventually finished making our rounds. At night’s end, I was still floating on cloud nine. My husband had made that possible. He was not only attentive, but he helped me stay relaxed all night long. Things had even been peaceful with my family.

  “See, that wasn’t so painful,” Myles said as we gathered our things to head up to our honeymoon suite. “Maybe, you can find a way to permanently make peace with your family.”

  I smiled before noticing Shondella, Aunt Ola, and Nikki at the buffet table stuffing all the leftover food into plastic shopping bags. I sighed. “Then again, maybe not,” I replied.

  Chapter 25

  I couldn’t help but smile as I thought of the wonderful night I’d had with my husband.

  I was still basking in the afterglow of my wedding, magnificent reception, and spectacular night in the honeymoon suite. I couldn’t have wished for a better start to my life with Myles. Today things felt complete. I had the best job and now the best husband. Myles had been shining as he flitted about among family and friends. He had even adapted well to my family. I was still kind of bothered about them just showing up uninvited, but I took Myles’s advice and for once let it ride.

  The day after the wedding we were gathered at my place. My thirty-five-hundred-square-foot home was cozy, yet big enough to host family and friends. His family, mine, several of Myles’s friends, and some of my colleagues from work had all gathered for a postwedding brunch to watch us open our wedding gifts. We were heading out to Belize for a five-day honeymoon in the morning. We would’ve left right after the wedding but Myles’s mother really wanted the brunch. I was just hoping it didn’t turn disastrous. I hadn’t really planned on my family coming over. I was hoping they’d be gone the first thing this morning, but luck was not on my side. In fact, I hadn’t even told them about the brunch. Myles’s brother had actually been the one to open his big mouth, and of course, Mama Tee just invited herself and the whole Rollins clan to the brunch. But again, I wasn’t going to let their presence steal my joy.

  I was in the kitchen, putting up some of the delicious food we’d enjoyed. I’d used the same caterers who’d prepared the food for the reception. After making sure everything was covered or put away, I made my way back into the living room.

  “Come on, sweetie, why don’t you start opening the gifts?” Myles’s mother said. She was a small-statured woman, but she radiated elegance.

  “Mrs. Jacobs, you know we can’t open the gifts until Myles gets back,” I replied.

  “He’s not back yet?”

  “No, he had to drop Kenny off at the airport.” Myles had been gone about an hour to take his college roommate to the airport.

  “I still don’t understand why he couldn’t have had somebody else take that boy to the airport. This is his wedding, for Christ’s sake,” Shondella said.

  “Nobody asked you to understand,” I mumbled.

  Mama Tee quickly jumped in. “Don’t you two start. I’m sure he’ll be back shortly. Why don’t we watch the tape from the wedding?”

  “What a good idea,” Mrs. Jacobs said. She turned to her son, Myles’s youngest brother, Martin. “Honey, go get th
e camcorder out of your truck.” Turning back toward us, she said, “Martin thinks he’s Spike Lee or something. He loves taping everything. I think he taped the entire wedding.”

  “Why don’t I make us all mimosas while he’s getting the tape,” I said.

  “What the hell is a Mosa?” Uncle Otis asked.

  “It’s a drank snooty folks have in the morning. It’s orange juice and champagne,” Aunt Ola replied.

  “Hmmmph,” Uncle Otis snorted. “Just make mine straight champagne. Ain’t no sense in messing up a perfectly good drank by adding no damn orange juice.”

  I took a deep breath. Let it ride, I told myself. “Fine, Uncle Otis. I will leave off the orange juice in yours.”

  I made my way into the kitchen and began removing my crystal champagne flutes from the cabinet. I looked around for the Wal-Mart flutes I’d gotten years ago. Those would be for my family. No way was I chancing them breaking my expensive stuff.

  A few minutes later, I was using my backside to push open the door that led from the kitchen into the den. “You all sure are quiet in here,” I said when I stepped back in the den. Everyone was standing around the television. At the sound of my voice, in unison they turned to me, their expressions ranging from absolute horror to surprise to pity.

  Then I heard it. The moans, the cries. Pleasurable cries. Then Myles’s voice. “Who’s your daddy?”

  I was totally confused. “What’s going on?”

  Martin jumped to the television and pushed the off button.

  “Awww, hell naw!” Shondella screamed. “Turn that back on and let her see it!”

  I looked around the room. “Let me see what?”

  No one said anything. Myles’s mother was clutching her pearls, a stunned look etched across her face. Uncle Otis and Aunt Ola had their mouths wide open, as did several other people. Shondella was shaking her head. Mama Tee stepped toward me. “Baby, let’s go in the back and talk.”

  I looked at her like she was crazy. Go talk? About what? What the hell were they watching? I set the tray of drinks down. I was definitely about to find out what was going on. I started toward the television.