Cheesecake and Teardrops

by Faye Thompson

  Charisma was pleasantly surprised that Sean seemed to take an instant liking to her. Nate’s parents and sisters made her feel like part of the family from the start. Tangie came with Jordan while Heather came alone. Charisma’s coworker Lauren insisted that she knew something was brewing between them almost from the beginning. She said as much to Charisma and Nate.

  “You didn’t know,” Charisma said, laughing.

  “Are you kidding me?” Lauren asked. “I saw all those glances you two exchanged during those staff meetings, and in passing when you thought no one was watching.”

  “Can’t put anything past you, huh, Lauren?” Nate grinned.

  “But you know who’s gone ballistic?” Lauren asked without waiting for an answer. “Chase.”

  “That’s a shame,” Charisma feigned concern.

  “Baby, excuse me for a minute. I want to talk to my dad about something,” Nate said. “Good seeing you, Lauren.”

  “Likewise, Nate.” Lauren smiled. She returned her attention to Charisma. “Yeah, girl, the Martini is flipping out. You’ll see when you get back to work next week.”

  “What’s she saying?” Charisma asked.

  “It’s not what she’s saying. It’s what she’s doing—slamming drawers and doors. Just your typical spoiled brat.”

  “Money can’t buy everything.”

  “Nope.” Lauren laughed. “And it certainly can’t buy love.”

  Charisma smiled to herself. Happiness truly was the best revenge. Maybe Chase wasn’t part of the privileged sect, and maybe Charisma had won after all.

  Charisma stopped by Cinderella’s after work one day to buy some skin-care products. She lucked up. The last customer had just left, and she had Cinderella all to herself. Cinderella just looked at her and smiled.

  “Is there something you want to tell me?” she asked Charisma.

  “Cinderella, I’m engaged.”

  “That’s wonderful. Mommy called and invited me to the engagement party. I wanted to surprise you, but I couldn’t make it. I don’t care what comes up. I will be at your wedding. That’s a promise. Do you remember what I told you the day you came in before your date with your boss?”

  Charisma nodded. “Cinderella, you were right.”

  “When I looked at you that night, I knew. Something told me that your boss was the one. We may think we have all the answers, but God knows what’s best for us. And don’t forget your father’s on the other side now.”

  “I miss him so much.” She began to tear up. “When he passed, I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest.”

  “God gives us pairs for balance, my queen—two eyes, ears, arms, legs, even parents. When we lose one, our equilibrium is thrown off and we need time to regroup, to compensate, to heal. But God has a way of softening our pain. It’s almost as though someone has to pass before another can come forth. Don’t be surprised if your firstborn is a son. And when you look into his eyes, you’ll see your father all over again.”

  Charisma smiled for a moment, and then burst into tears. “I can’t have children. When they removed my fibroids, they took out a good part of my ovaries too. The doctors say my chances of conceiving are practically zero.”

  “The doctor? What do they know? We know who’s in charge. You have to put your trust in God. Not man. Just keep the faith, Charisma. Have you told Nate?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Does he have any children?”

  “He has a sixteen-year-old son.”

  “Does he want more?”

  “With my luck, a houseful. What am I going to do, Cinderella?”

  “You’re going to tell him the truth. And if he’s the man for you, he’ll understand. Everything’ll work itself out, my queen. You’ll see.”

  Saturday night Charisma invited her fiancé over for a nice home cooked meal. She spent all afternoon preparing his favorites—shell steak, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, turnip and mustard greens, jalapeno and cheddar cornbread, and peach cobbler.

  “I feel like I’m being fattened up for the kill,” he said as they sat down to eat.

  Actually, Charisma was trying to guarantee that he’d be in a good mood for the talk. She didn’t know how he’d react to the news of her not being able to bear children, but she knew that the way to a man’s heart was still through his stomach.

  After dinner they stretched out on the living room sofa and listened to the stereo. That is, until the NBA finals came on. Somewhere after midnight, Charisma ended up going to bed and leaving Nate watching the game. He finally came to bed around two, and even though she was now wide awake and ready to talk, he was out as soon as his head hit the pillow.

  Sunday morning Nate wanted to take her out for breakfast, but Charisma wasn’t in the mood. She fixed a light meal in the hopes that they’d have a chance to talk.

  “Honey, there’s something we need to discuss,” she began.

  “Okay.”

  “I don’t know how to say this.”

  “Baby, I’m a big boy. Give it to me straight, no chaser.”

  “Okay, here goes.” She took a deep breath. “My doctors don’t think I’ll ever be able to have children. I’m sorry. I want you to know what you’re getting into before we tie the knot. I want you to be sure that I’m the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with.”

  Nate was silent, allowing the news to register. When Charisma could no longer stand the silence, she spoke.

  “Nate? Say something.”

  Finally, he spoke. “I know this must be hard for you to deal with, Charisma, but it’s not the end of the world. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you regardless of whether or not we can have children. If you want, we can always adopt. You don’t have to deprive yourself of motherhood, okay?”

  She nodded.

  “Now, let’s go pick out our wedding bands, baby.” He kissed her on the forehead.

  Charisma jumped up and flung her arms around his neck. Cinderella was right. Things truly did have a way of working themselves out.

  Charisma met her girls for breakfast at IHOP. She couldn’t wait to show off her engagement ring—a two-karat princess cut wide band ring. Heather and Tangie squealed with delight, feasting their eyes on it. Even the waitress did a double take as the multi-facets winked her into a spell while Charisma ordered.

  “So how did Dex take the news?” Heather asked.

  “Better than I expected,” Charisma admitted.

  “That’s a relief,” Tangie said.

  “Tell me about it,” Charisma said. “Got anything planned for this afternoon?”

  “No,” Heather and Tangie said in unison.

  “Let’s go to the city and start looking for gowns,” Charisma suggested.

  Their faces lit up.

  “And you’ll never guess where we’re getting married.”

  “Where?” Heather and Tangie both asked.

  “On a dinner yacht circling Manhattan,” Charisma said.

  “Oh my God,” Tangie exclaimed, looking at Heather in disbelief.

  “That’s what you’ve always wanted,” Heather said. “I’m gonna cry.”

  “Heather, I want you to be my bridesmaid. And Tangie, would you be my maid of honor?”

  “Oh my goodness. Of course,” Heather said.

  “I haven’t been your best friend since kindergarten for nothing.” Tangie smiled as the waitress returned with their meals.

  “And I promise to choose gowns that you can wear even after my wedding day,” Charisma assured them.

  “Every bride since the beginning of time has told that very same lie,” Tangie said, enjoying every bit of her pancakes.

  “But we know you mean well,” Heather added. “Just don’t have me looking like a stuffed frog.” She put a little salt and pepper on her egg white omelet.

  “As svelte as you’re getting? Please,” Charisma said, digging into her French toast.

  Heather blew her a kiss. “You’re sweet.”
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br />   “So,” Tangie said. “Did you decide on your wedding colors?”

  “We’ve narrowed it down to iced periwinkle or gray. Nate’s leaving it up to me.”

  “What a man,” Tangie said, smiling.

  “Does he have a twin?” Heather joked.

  “Not hardly. I must be the luckiest woman on the planet,” Charisma admitted.

  “Yeah, but too bad you don’t do your bosses,” Tangie reminded her.

  “Okay, I had that coming,” Charisma agreed. “But since he wasn’t my boss when we got together, technically I didn’t compromise my standards.”

  “Whatever you say, boss lady,” Tangie said.

  They finished the rest of their breakfast. “We better get a move on if we wanna beat the traffic into Manhattan.”

  Murphy’s Law struck again. Charisma was due in Manhattan for her final fitting in an hour. When she and Jena got to the Long Island Railroad’s Jamaica Station to transfer to the train to Penn Station, all service was suspended in both directions. They waited and waited for a taxicab, but apparently none were available. They decided to take the subway. They would never make their appointment, but what else could they do? They called the bridal shop, and then hopped on the E train. The ride was four times as slow as the LIRR, and as the subway crept along, Charisma couldn’t help but being ticked-off.

  “I don’t believe this,” she told her mother, disgusted.

  “I know, sweetie, but there’s really nothing we can do.”

  “Why does everything always happen to me?” She shook her head. “If they can’t fit me in, then what?”

  “Honey, it’ll be okay. Really. You worry too much.” Jena put her arm around her daughter.

  Charisma laid her head on Jena’s shoulder. “It has to be.”

  They traveled in silence for awhile as they watched the cast of subway characters come and go. There was the musician who played “The Star-Spangled Banner” on his saxophone as riders tossed loose change and bills in his cap, and the young goth guys, with their black nails, lipstick, and spiked hair. They wore black leather jackets despite the heat. Unfortunately, the scent of the homeless man who boarded the train at Roosevelt Avenue forced Charisma and Jena and several other passengers to move to another car. Charisma and Jena were forced to stand until someone exited and Charisma grabbed the seat for her mother.

  By the time they entered the bridal shop, they were forty minutes late. Mimi assured Charisma not to worry, immediately putting the bride at ease. She and Jena had to wait thirty minutes to see the fitter, but the complimentary fresh melons, seltzer, wine, and cheese helped them pass the time.

  Seeing Charisma in her gown nearly took Jena’s breath away, and the fit was perfect. Charisma stared at her reflection in the mirror. The gown was everything she had imagined for herself. Now, if she could just wait until her wedding day to put it on again.

  They schlepped back to the subway station, with wedding gown in tow. They made it through the turnstile and Jena headed for the downtown E train to get back to Queens.

  “No, Mother, this way,” Charisma said, pointing in the opposite direction. “Remember, we’re uptown girls.” Charisma always had a trick for remembering things.

  Amused, Jena laughed all the way back home.

  Charisma had never been big on male strippers, so the day before her wedding, in lieu of throwing her a bachelorette party, Tangie and Heather treated Charisma to a day of indulgence at Pure Harmony Day Spa. Upon arrival, they undressed, donned plush pale yellow terrycloth robes, and were quickly whisked away to a scented candlelit room where they were each treated to a hot stone massage and deep-tissue muscle treatment. By the time Charisma had her scalp massage, she was so relaxed that she actually drifted off to sleep. Then they each showered and were escorted to another room for their manicures and pedicures. By the time they left Pure Harmony their skin was smooth and glowing like silk.

  Nate called her the night before the wedding. “I know it’s bad luck to see you the day before the wedding, but I figured I could sneak in a phone call now without tempting fate. Everything under control?”

  She hesitated. “Uh-huh,” she lied.

  “What’s wrong, baby? I can tell when something’s not right.”

  “I’m trying to keep it together for my mother, but I can’t. Nate, tomorrow we’re getting married, and my dad won’t be here.”

  “I know, baby. I know. But do you know that your father gave us his blessings before he passed?”

  “Huh?” she asked in disbelief.

  “Your father wanted us to be together. He made me promise him that I’d give it my best shot. So after Cabo didn’t happen, and I relocated to Manhattan, I realized that I hadn’t been true to my word.”

  “I’ve been such a fool. Thanks for not giving up on us.”

  “How could I? We were meant to be,” he assured her. “Now get a good night’s sleep, and I’ll see you at the altar.”

  Charisma fell asleep with a smile on her face. She woke up feeling refreshed. All that was left for her to do that day was to visit the hair salon. Her biggest fear was being trapped there all day. Luckily, Daisy opened the shop early just for her, and she was able to whisk Charisma right through. Her mother picked her up afterward so she didn’t even have to deal with the stress of traffic.

  Charisma tried not to even think about Nate’s bachelor party, blocking all thoughts of it from her mind. She was convinced that what she didn’t know couldn’t hurt her. Rather, she spent the rest of the day at her mother’s. She had specifically wanted an evening wedding so that she could be completely calm and relaxed for the nuptials.

  She lit candles and prayed, wiping away tears at the thought of her father. Then something amazing happened. She started to remember bits and pieces of the poem she had dreamed about her father.

  Excited, she rushed into the kitchen to tell her mother. “I don’t remember all of it,” she told her. “But I do remember the title. It was called ‘Joy Cometh In the Mourning’. And mourning was spelled with a u.”

  Jena began to tear up. “That’s beautiful, honey.”

  Charisma hugged her mother and they both began to cry. “He’s still with us, Mother. He never really left.”

  “I know. I feel his presence all the time. We better stop crying or we’ll both look a hot mess for your wedding.” She grabbed two napkins from the holder and gave one to Charisma. “Now, dry your eyes and go put a cold washcloth over your face so you don’t puff up.”

  Charisma headed for the bathroom to drench a washcloth in cold water before returning to her bedroom to lie down. It wasn’t long before a fresh batch of tears made their way down her cheeks. The soft knocking at her door forced her to wipe the tears away. It was Tangie and Heather. They sat on the bed with Charisma.

  “How’s it going, kiddo?” Tangie asked.

  “This is hard,” Charisma told them, reaching for a tissue.

  “It’s allowed,” Heather said, rubbing Charisma’s arms.

  Charisma blew her nose and smiled. “We’ve got an aisle to walk down.”

  Jena stuck her head in the doorway. “The photographer’s here, honey.”

  “Okay, send him up,” Charisma told her mother. “Time to get the show on the road.” She laughed.

  Nick, the photographer, came in. He took a few pictures of the girls before going back downstairs.

  Then there was another knock at her door. This time it was Cinderella.

  “You made it,” Charisma exclaimed.

  “Oh, darling, you know I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.” She smiled. They headed for the bathroom. Cinderella made up Heather and Tangie, choosing colors that complemented their iced periwinkle gowns. Then she moved on to Jena. Jena was a vision in peach. Cinderella spent the majority of her time on the bride. She had waited so long for that moment, and she was honored by the privilege. It was truly a labor of love. When she finished with Charisma, she was all set for the most special day of her life.


  Jena walked back into the room, and her eyes lit up. “Your father would be so proud.” She choked back tears.

  “Mother, I just wish he were here to walk me down the aisle.” Tears rolled down Charisma’s cheeks.

  “I know, honey. I know. But we know your daddy’s up there rejoicing, and no one can take that away from you.” Jena took a tissue and wiped Charisma’s tears away. “My beautiful daughter, I love you so much.” She hugged her tightly.

  The photographer returned and took more pictures of the women and of her brother Eric, who arrived just in time for the limo ride to the pier in Manhattan. Right before they headed out, Jena suggested that they all have a moment of prayer. She prayed for the traveling grace of the wedding party and all the guests, but most of all she prayed for Charisma and Nate’s future.

  As the Butterfly Princess set sail, all the wedding guests were safely onboard. Though Saturday-evening traffic was heavy, everyone managed to arrive at the pier on time. After all, no one was about to miss the wedding.

  Nate stood at the altar, beads of sweat forming just above his brow. Finally, Jena was seated and the ceremony began just as the sun began to set. He watched anxiously as his best friend escorted Heather down the aisle, and his brother, who was the best man, escorted Tangie.

  The guests stood as Charisma and Eric made their grand entrance. Her strapless champagne-colored silk gown was a showstopper. All eyes were on the bride, and the sight of her took Nate’s breath away. She was that beautiful. He was truly a blessed man.

  As they said their vows, the lump in Nate’s throat grew. After all she had been through these past few months, he wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life protecting her and making her happy. They exchanged rings. Charisma’s hands shook ever so slightly as she placed the ring on his finger. He took her hands in his and brought them to her lips tenderly. The minister pronounced them man and wife, and he kissed his bride.