“Not all of us. The kids don’t want to go, they don’t like my boyfriend. They’re going to stay behind and live with my sister. I thought you knew.”
“No, I didn’t. But do you think they should stay with your sister? I mean she has five kids of her own and a small apartment. I think they should stay with me. I am their father. When are you leaving?” Derrick asked.
“Well, I’m leaving in three days. I thought they told you. Are you sure that you want them with you?”
Derrick softened his tone because he could see that Jericha wasn’t trying to be disagreeable. “Of course, they’re my children.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll get their stuff together. I think they’ll be more happier with you anyway.” Jericha smiled and hugged Derrick.
* * *
Simone finished tidying her house. She double-checked to make sure that everything was just so. Satisfied with her work indoors, she headed out to the backyard. The food was almost finished on the grill, thanks to Jared. He had been a great help.
Simone straightened the patio furniture and finished putting out the plastic plates and plastic-ware. She went into the kitchen and took the lasagna from the oven and finished frying the chicken. The baked macaroni was done and she put it back in the stove to keep warm. Now the only thing left to do was to take the potato salad out of the refrigerator.
Miranda had drove in for the party and brought some food and drinks. Simone had all of the juices, soda, and water, but she didn’t know what to get as far as alcohol, so she left it up to Miranda.
Jared carried out extra chairs, but not before he started peeking in the food dishes.
“Jared, you better get out of that food. But it smells good, doesn’t it?” Simone asked, scratching her arm where the cast had been.
“Yep. Do you think we could sneak a taste without everybody knowing?” Jared picked up a fork.
“No, and you better not. Everyone will be here soon. Are you sure that you’re okay with Michael coming over? It’s going to be a little intense.” Simone leaned against the kitchen counter.
Jared raised his thick eyebrows. “Why should it bother me? I have his woman and I’m raising his child, it doesn’t bother me at all. If anything, he’s going to be the one uncomfortable.”
“Be nice now, Jared, okay. It’s Kennedy’s and Derrick’s birthday and I don’t want anyone to ruin it.” Simone crossed her arms.
“Simone, now you know better than that. That’s not my M.O., and I see him all the time. He does come over to visit his son, you know. I don’t have a problem with Michael, and we just had a man-to-man last week. I walked in and he was holding Kennedy, or at least I thought he was. He was just comforting her. I guess she really broke down when she told him that he was Niles’s biological father. He seemed pretty cool after I spoke to him for a few. Besides, I don’t have anything to worry about. My life is together. I have a beautiful woman I plan to knock up as soon as possible and a wonderful son I plan to raise as my own.” Jared kissed Simone on the cheek and walked out as she laughed.
* * *
Kennedy stopped by Michael’s house to pick up Niles. She hated to go in his house but he never had Niles ready on time. He knew when she had said she’d be there, but that didn’t make him move any faster.
In Niles’s room she was surprised to see a ceiling full of balloons. She smiled and found her way to the other side of the nursery to get Niles’s diaper bag.
“Do you like them?” Michael asked from the doorway.
“Yeah, they’re cute. I know Niles was amused to see all the colors.”
“They’re for you from Niles. Pop the red one.”
Kennedy popped the biggest red one and out dropped a key. She cocked her head up at him. “What’s this?”
“It’s a key—”
“Oh, really? I wasn’t sure,” Kennedy said sarcastically.
Michael smiled. “It goes to that briefcase sitting next to the dresser. Open it.”
Kennedy opened the briefcase and found a bunch of papers. At first she didn’t know what they were but as she held them up to the light she could see the word “deed” written across the top of one of them. She looked up at Michael and held it up in the air.
“What’s this?” Kennedy asked, making sure she wasn’t mistaken.
“It’s the deed to the house in the Hamptons. It’s yours and Niles’s. I have no use for it anymore.”
“So what, you want me to move out of the town house? I don’t know, I’d rather have the house in the city. It’s more convenient.”
“Well, we can talk about it. You know I have the other place across the park too. Don’t worry, we’ll figure something out. Happy birthday, Kennedy.” Michael kissed her on the cheek.
* * *
Derrick arrived at Simone’s first. He smiled as little Derrick and Angelica oohed and ahhed at the decorations. Simone and Miranda had really done a good job. He was glad that they were his family. Derrick hugged Miranda and thanked her. He was impressed that anyone would drive in to see him, although Miranda wasn’t just anybody. She was like a sister to all of them. And she had played a big part in the whole planning of the party and had even driven in from Connecticut.
Jared gave Derrick a brotherly hug. The two of them walked into the house while the children played, and Simone and Miranda ran around as though they were on fire.
Jared told Derrick of his plan to relocate to the area permanently. He had even bought a house in New Jersey. He planned on surprising Kennedy with it and hoped that she’d move in with him, since she didn’t give a definite answer to his marriage proposal. This didn’t surprise Derrick a bit, Jared was a good man for his sister.
Derrick told Jared about Jericha’s plan to move, and that he was really exited about having his kids all to himself. Derrick planned to go to court as soon as she left, to petition for full custody. The children were better off with him because Jericha had always been unstable. So if Derrick had to play a little dirty, so what. Jericha was abandoning the kids anyway. Just because a woman could give birth didn’t necessarily make her a mother.
* * *
Kennedy finally arrived with Niles. Jared and Derrick ran up to get him at the same time but stopped when they saw Michael walk through the door.
Jared stared at Michael and kissed Kennedy. Derrick shook his head, gently took his nephew in his arms and turned away. Michael bid his cool hellos and excused himself.
“All-righty then.” Kennedy rubbed her palms together. “It’s gonna be a long day. Or is it just me?”
Simone stood behind her. “It’s just you, baby girl.” Simone pinched her cheek and hugged her. “Jared and Derrick, could you meet us outside?”
Jared kissed Kennedy on the cheek and ran his fingers through her hair. “I’ll be right outside.”
“Me, too.” Derrick playfully imitated Jared, running his fingers through Kennedy’s hair and kissing her on the cheek.
Kennedy laughed. “You know you two are nuts.”
Simone shook her head, holding her stomach in laughter. “Get out. I swear this has got to be the craziest family . . . but it’s good to see everyone laughing again.”
Kennedy plopped down on the sofa. “So, what’s up, sis?”
“Nothing. I was just on my way to get Kiss out of bed before making my announcement—”
“What announcement?”
“You’ll see. Anyway, are you sure you’re okay with Michael being here? I know you guys came together—”
Kennedy shook her head. “No, we didn’t come together, we drove separate cars. And it’s a fine time to ask, don’tcha think? I guess I’ll be okay . . . I’ve survived so far.”
Simone hesitated. “I just thought I’d ask. I mean . . . I know it’s soon . . . but . . . I don’t know. If you don’t want him here—”
“Don’t worry about it. I can deal with it . . . I have to deal with it. He’s Niles’s father, you know.” Kennedy bit her lip. “Besides, I still care about him. As mu
ch as I don’t want to, I do—”
Simone raised her eyebrows.
“Not like that, Simone. I care about him as a person, as my son’s father . . . as a friend. We’ve all been through a lot. I just wish that everyone, you included, could be as happy as I am with Jared.”
Simone kissed Kennedy on the cheek and stared at her with misting eyes. “Me too, sis. Me too.” She exhaled loudly. “Now get your butt outside before you make me cry.”
“Good tears, sis?”
“Yes, Ken. Good, happy tears.”
Kennedy spotted Miranda as soon as she stepped outside. She ran over to her and hugged her. As they squealed like two schoolgirls, it was clear how much they missed each other. Miranda informed Kennedy that she was doing well and heard that Rich had gotten five years. Kennedy smiled and nodded, glad that Miranda wouldn’t have to watch her back for a while.
Tears streamed down Kennedy’s face. “You look so good, Miranda.”
“You too, Ken. Don’t cry.”
“No, I’m okay. It’s just that it never seemed like we’d get to the good part. It was rough for a while, huh?”
“Yes, girl. Yes. But you know what, Ken? We made it through.”
Kennedy nodded as Simone walked toward the front of the crowd.
“Okay, I want everyone to listen up for a moment. I don’t want to hear a word until I say it’s okay to speak. Kennedy and Derrick, I realize that it’s your birthdays, but that means you too. Go ahead, Michael.” Simone signaled for Michael to come to the front while everyone wore looks of disgust.
Michael came to the front of the crowd and stood next to Simone. He fidgeted around for a moment or two and then cleared his throat. He whispered into Simone’s ear and Simone directed the children to go inside the house for a few minutes.
Finally he began, “I know that none of you want me here. Actually, I didn’t want to come. But you all know how persuasive Simone can be. I just want to start off by telling everyone how sorry I am. I’m sorry for causing a lot of unnecessary hurt to all of you. Because although all of you weren’t directly involved, you were still involved because I hurt your loved ones. And believe it or not, I hurt myself. I won’t go all into it because most of us know what happened. Besides, I can bet money that the kids are listening, wouldn’t you?” Michael laughed nervously. “Anyway, I just want to tell Kennedy and Derrick happy birthday, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart. And, Derrick, I want to thank you for being so mature about this and for showing me that it’s okay to be me. You taught me a lesson about being who I am and you warned me that eventually it would all come out. I didn’t know how right you were. Kennedy, I want to thank you for such a beautiful son and for allowing me to be your friend. Lord knows that you should hate me, but you don’t . . . at least I hope not. Thank you for your honesty and double thank you for standing up to the one person I feared—my mother. Thanks to you, she’s coming around a bit.” Michael stopped and grabbed his head.
“Take your time Michael, I know this is hard.” Simone patted him on the back.
“As I was saying, Kennedy, I thank you, my brother thanks you. You just don’t know how much you’ve led my family to accomplish. I promise that I’ll always be honest with you and that I’ll die trying for Niles. Jared, I know you of all people don’t want hear from me. So I’ll just say this and finish. I want you to know that I respect you. There are not too many men who’ll step up and do what you’re doing. You’re there for my son, and I’ll admit it bothers me, but I’d rather him grow up with a stepfather who loves him as his own. How can he lose as long as we both love and take care of him? He can’t. Thanks, brother. I’m going to end this now but first I have to tell you all how difficult this has been for me. I’m not trying to make anyone feel sorry for me. But it’s hard enough being a successful black man in this society. As every man here knows, it’s hard enough just being a black man. But when you have broken that glass ceiling, it’s still hard not to get cut. Derrick, for me and you it’s worse because of our lifestyle. Because of my lifestyle, or rather because I wasn’t upfront about it, I almost lost my family, and you all. And you may not believe me, but one day, we’ll all get along. I’m not going anywhere. My son’s a part of this family, and you’re not going anywhere. So I guess we’ll all have to get used to one another. Maybe one day, we can all care about one another. Happy birthday.” Michael held his champagne glass up in the air and everyone else joined him.
* * *
After Michael’s long speech Kennedy was surprised to see everyone talking. Even Jared and Michael were conversing. She criticized herself for not wanting Michael there, but she knew Michael wouldn’t have been heard any other way. If not for the party, no one would’ve given him the time of day to apologize. But since everyone wanted to save face, no one exploded. The Jacobs family had never been one to put on public shows.
Kennedy and Derrick laughed as they exchanged gifts, something that they weren’t supposed to do. Everyone had agreed that all of the money that they would’ve spent on birthday gifts was to go to the kids’ college fund. Kennedy and Derrick, on the other hand, never listened.
Derrick gave Kennedy an eighteen-carat engraved bookmark that read: For my sister, the one I love, talk to, live for and will breathe for. Family starts with love and love starts with honesty. No more secrets and never a lie, I’m your friend and brother. With you all the way, even after I die.
Kennedy cried and Simone complained. Derrick had given her the same gift, but hers was silver. Kennedy nudged Simone with her elbow. “We never cease to amaze you, huh?”
Simone rolled her eyes and smiled.
Kennedy gave Derrick an expensive luggage set and inside one of the pieces were airline tickets, so that he’d be home from Harvard for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Derrick smiled and hugged her. But he told her that he’d need more. Then he turned to everyone and told them that he would have sole custody of the kids from now on. Everyone applauded.
“Hey, wait up,” Simone said. “I forgot to tell you all that Kiss’s adoption will be finalized in a couple of months. We go to court September third. And her name is now officially Alissa Taylor Jacobs. Now everyone eat up, I didn’t cook all day for nothing.” Simone bowed.
Michael patted Jared on his back and pushed him toward Kennedy. Jared walked up to Kennedy and got down on one knee. Simone jumped up and down and Miranda shouted, “Hell yeah!” while Michael nodded and bounced Niles.
“Kennedy, the last time I did this, you said you needed time. Well, I plan on giving you all the time in the world, all happy times. It won’t always be easy, and some days you may wake up and wish I’d disappear. But as long as we love each other as we always have, we’ll have that happiness. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?” Jared held Kennedy’s hand while a tear streamed down his face.
Kennedy looked up defiantly with a sly smile on her face. “I don’t know, I do have another man in my life now. I think you’re going to have to ask him. How about it Niles, does Mommy have your permission?” Kennedy turned toward Niles.
Michael nodded Niles’s head. Everyone screamed, whistled, and clapped. The birthday party officially began while Kennedy silently prayed they’d always be this happy.
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS NOVEL, LOOK FOR
A Novel by
Jamise L. Dames
Pushing Up Daisies
Sneak Preview . . .
Daisy Parker’s blood boiled as she balled up her boyfriend Jasper Stevens’s favorite brown suede Armani jacket and threw it out of the second-story window. She stuck her head out into the warm breeze and surveyed her work and smiled wickedly. Clothes and shoes decorated her front lawn. The red roses that climbed the white lattice were flanked by silk shirts in every color imaginable. Boxer shorts scattered on the flagstone walkway resembled freckles, while an isolated pair hung from the limb of an oak tree. A beige loafer lay in the neighbor’s yard across the street.
Neighbors shamelessly stood outside and watched
in amazement. “Mind your own business,” Daisy hissed and yanked the navy sheers closed.
She placed her hands on her hips. Now for his grandmother’s good china, she thought, running down the stairs. A stabbing pain shot through her right foot. She winced as she watched blood trickle from her big toe. She shook her head in disgust, pulling the half-inch masonry nail out. “Goddamn . . . ooh.” She cringed, grinding her teeth as she grabbed her foot. “I hate these stairs. I hate this house.” Daisy’s adrenaline rushed, and her heart raced. “Lord, don’t let him walk through that door right now”— she ran her tongue across her teeth—“ ’cause I swear I’m gonna kill him.” Daisy wiped a tear from her eye. The pain from her wound, which was beginning to swell, deepened her anger. She held her breath, wiped her bloody foot across Jasper’s earth-tone Persian wool rug, and went to treat her injury.
Limping into the first-floor bathroom, Daisy scowled. Tiny spots of blood left burgundy stains on the sandstone tile. If it’s not one thing, then it’s something worse, she thought, yanking open the medicine cabinet while watching all of its contents tumble into the sink. “Jesus!” she yelled, closing her eyes. Her heart felt as if it were jack hammering its way out of her chest. She had to calm herself before she had another nervous breakdown like she’d experienced almost eight years before. She didn’t want to go through that again—Jasper wasn’t worth it, she reminded herself while taking a cleansing breath. Inhaling slowly, Daisy held her breath until the count of ten and exhaled. Repeating the process several times, she began to relax. Seven years of yoga classes taught her how to alleviate stress. When her pulse slowed, she rummaged through the toiletries and located the small first aid kit. After wiping her toe with an alcohol pad she applied antibiotic ointment, then gently bandaged it. Resting her hands on the sides of the sink, she balanced herself and stared into the basin. Something wasn’t right. The medicine cabinet was usually full but the sink only contained a few items. Daisy chewed her bottom lip and snapped her fingers. All of Jasper’s toiletries are missing . . . even his extra toothbrush, she thought, shaking her head. “Now I’m really going to throw the china out of the window!”
Momma's Baby, Daddy's Maybe Page 24
