“Thanks, sis,” Kailo said.
“Thank you,” Chad said before entering his room.
“He’s cute,” Ke’yoko whispered to Kailo.
Kailo shook his head before going into his room to take a much-needed nap.
Ke’yoko walked into her bedroom and went to the closet to see what Ja’Rel had bought her. She pulled out a Nordstrom bag and removed it from over the garment. He had bought her a light blue, Oscar de la Renta poppy-print, silk-blend mikado fit-and-flare dress. Ke’yoko grabbed the price tag and checked it.
“$2,190 for this?” she said aloud. She liked the dress and all, it was so her, but she would have never paid $2,000 for it. Hey, why complain? It wasn’t her money.
Ke’yoko hung the dress back up and grabbed another Nordstrom bag with a pair of shoes in it. She quickly lifted the lid off. She picked one of the navy blue Valentino Rockstud pumps out of the box and instantly fell in love.
“These bitches are to die for,” Ke’yoko said excitedly. She didn’t know how she would walk in them, being that her feet had been swelling up. She had to at least wear them for a few hours so everybody could see them on her feet. Ke’yoko put the shoe back in the box and set it back in the closet before going to jump in the shower. She was going to make the best of her birthday, whether or not Ka’yah forgave her. She was going to her party and she was going to enjoy herself. She had Kailo by her side if nothing else.
Chapter Fourteen
Seven o’clock rolled around and Ke’yoko was dressed and ready to go. Nadia had cut her hair into a short style that she’d been eyeing forever. She’d never had enough nerve to get her hair cut that short. Ke’yoko had been growing her hair since she was a child, also another custom she decided it was time to do away with. Nadia’s sister, Raya, had Ke’yoko’s face beat. Ke’yoko felt and looked like a million bucks.
At five after seven Ke’yoko’s phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and saw Ja’Rel’s name. “Hello?” she answered with a smile.
“Come to the door,” he said.
“Okay.” Ke’yoko grabbed her house shoes and Ka’yah’s gift just in case she showed up, and threw them in her purse before heading downstairs.
She opened the door and smiled from ear to ear as Ja’Rel stood there with a ring box. “Damn, baby, you look good,” Ja’Rel said, admiring his wife. He was shocked she’d cut her hair but he loved it. It flattered her face and gave her even more sex appeal. Standing there looking at her he wondered how and why he constantly stepped out on her. He blamed it on the dog in him.
“Thank you.” She smiled.
“This is for you,” he said, handing her the ring box.
Ke’yoko quickly took the box and opened it up. “Oh, my goodness,” she said with big eyes, pulling out a platinum deluxe double-halo wedding ring.
“It’s an upgrade,” Ja’Rel said, removing her old ring and replacing it with the new one.
“Damn, baby,” she said, admiring the huge rock on her finger. If Ja’Rel kept this up, he would surely make Ke’yoko fall back in love with him.
“You like it?” he asked with a smile.
“Like it? Shiiit, I love it,” she said, leaning in and giving Ja’Rel a kiss on the lips. For the first time in a long time she felt something other than hate for her husband.
“Oh, before I forget, I came home earlier. You were gone so I gave Kailo and Chad the address to the party, so they’ll be there.”
“Cool,” Ke’yoko replied with a smile. She had been wondering where her brother had run off to.
“You ready?”
“As I’m gon’ ever get,” Ke’yoko said.
Ja’Rel led Ke’yoko down the walk to a white Hummer H2 stretch limo. The driver waited outside of the door and opened it for them to get in. Ke’yoko and Ja’Rel both climbed in. Ja’Rel picked up a bottle of Patrón and poured a shot in a cup and tried to hand it to Ke’yoko.
“No, I’m good,” she refused.
“What’s wrong, baby? This yo’ drink and, plus, it’s yo’ birthday,” Ja’Rel said.
“I know. I’ma eat somethin’ first before I start drinkin’. You know how I get when I drink on an empty stomach.”
“Freaky.” Ja’Rel smiled deviously.
“Shut up.” Ke’yoko laughed.
“Well, it’s true.” Ja’Rel took the shot himself and poured himself another one, taking it to the face.
For the first time in a grip, Ke’yoko and Ja’Rel held a meaningful conversation. Twenty minutes later, the driver pulled the limo into the venue parking lot. A couple minutes later he opened up the door, helped Ke’yoko out, and waited for Ja’Rel to exit. Ke’yoko couldn’t believe all the cars in the parking lot. She could hear the DJ’s music playing; he was jamming.
She threw her purse on her shoulder before straightening out the invisible wrinkles in her dress. Ja’Rel pulled out his phone and began texting. All Ke’yoko could do before exploding was take a deep breath. He couldn’t hold off on texting one of his thirsty hoes. It was her birthday, not theirs.
“Did I tell you how good you look, baby?” Ja’Rel said while grabbing Ke’yoko’s hand and leading her up to the venue.
Ke’yoko had a straight attitude but didn’t want it to show. She forced a smile and shook her head yes.
“Surprise!” everybody yelled as Ja’Rel and Ke’yoko walked inside.
“Oh, my goodness!” Ke’yoko smiled widely as if she didn’t already know about the party. “Thank you.”
“Say cheese,” the photographer said and began snapping pictures of Ke’yoko and Ja’Rel.
Nadia walked up and gave Ke’yoko a hug. “Happy birthday, sis,” she said.
“Thank you,” Ke’yoko said, shaking her head in awe at how beautifully decorated the venue was. Ja’Rel had really outdone himself. She had never had a birthday party before; and if she had this would have definitely been the best one out of them all.
The venue was truly beautiful. There had to be at least a thousand or more white and light blue balloons on the ceiling. It was like walking into something straight out of a magazine. The tables were decorated with lighted center pieces and white flowers. The food smelled so good, all Ke’yoko wanted to do was go fix her a plate and throw down, but everybody kept coming up to her and wishing her a happy birthday. When she finally got a break from everybody, she looked around the room to see if Ka’yah was there. Ke’yoko was disappointed when she didn’t see her sister. She walked up to the food table and stood there trying to decide what to eat. There was every type of soul food known to man on the table. Ja’Rel had even had the caterers throw some Japanese dishes on the menu as well.
“Happy birthday, twin,” Ke’yoko heard a familiar voice say.
She quickly turned around and smiled when she saw Ka’yah and her nephew, Aiko, standing there. “Happy birthday, twin,” Ke’yoko said. Tears flowed from her eyes. She couldn’t believe she was crying. It felt good to have her sister show up for her special night.
“Don’t cry. You gon’ make me cry,” Ka’yah said, but it was too late; tears began to flow from her eyes as well.
“I’m so sorry.” Ke’yoko bawled as she and her sister held on to each other.
“It’s okay, twin. I forgive you and we’ll never speak on it again,” Ka’yah assured her.
Ja’Rel walked over and grabbed Aiko’s hand and walked him away from the crying sisters.
“Is Mommy and Auntie Ke-Ke okay?” Aiko looked up at Ja’Rel and asked sadly.
“Yeah, they okay.” Ja’Rel smiled.
“Well, why they cryin’ then?” Aiko inquired.
“Those are happy tears. They are happy to see each other,” Ja’Rel explained.
“Oooooh,” Aiko said and smiled.
The guests were standing around watching as the two sisters made up. They didn’t have the slightest idea what they were crying about and didn’t care. All they knew was it was a sentimental moment. Some even shed a few tears with them as they watched the two
.
“Okay, okay, break it up and give me some,” Kailo walked up and said.
“Kailo!” Ka’yah screamed loudly as more tears flowed.
“Surprise!” Ke’yoko smiled.
The three siblings hugged for what seemed like an eternity. Ke’yoko didn’t want to let go. She wanted this feeling to last forever.
Ja’Rel even shed a tear as he watched the three cry. Nadia stood beside Ja’Rel, wiping her tears away as well.
“Say cheese,” the photographer said.
“Oh, my goodness, look at’chu,” Ka’yah said, wiping her tears only to have more follow.
“Ain’t he handsome?” Ke’yoko asked with a smile.
“Yes,” Ka’yah replied.
“Okay. Come on, y’all, this is a birthday party. Y’all got everybody standin’ around here cryin’ like it’s a funeral,” Ja’Rel said.
“Right.” Nadia laughed while drying her face.
“DJ, turn it up,” Ja’Rel yelled.
Ke’yoko really enjoyed herself. This was the most fun she’d had in years. All the ill feelings she harbored toward Ja’Rel were gone for the time being, or until the next time he stayed out all night. Right now, all Ke’yoko wanted to do was bask in the moment.
She had eaten and danced so much all she wanted to do was sit her tired butt down. She smiled as she watched Ja’Rel and Aiko on the dance floor, dancing together. It dawned on Ke’yoko at that particular moment how much Aiko looked just like Ja’Rel.
All Ke’yoko could do was shake her head. See, that’s the bullshit I be talkin’ about. That’s why I almost lost my sister the first time. The resemblance was uncanny, though.
“What you over here shakin’ yo’ head about?” Ka’yah walked up and asked.
“Nothin’. Just laughing at Ja’Rel and Aiko out there dancin’,” she lied, trying to keep the peace.
“Neither one of ’em got no rhythm.” Ka’yah laughed as she looked out on the dance floor.
Ke’yoko discreetly looked upside her sister’s head. Nope, not gon’ believe it.
“How come you ain’t drinkin’? I ain’t seen a drink in ya hand all night. It’s our birthday!” Ka’yah said.
“I’m cool. I don’t feel like drinkin’. I got a slight headache,” Ke’yoko lied.
“More for me.” Ka’yah laughed, and taking her drink to the head.
As the party began to wind down Ja’Rel walked up to the DJ’s booth and grabbed the mic. “Can I get everyone’s attention?” he asked. “I’m a li’l tipsy so bear wit’ me.”
“A li’l?” Mitch yelled out.
The crowd began laughing.
“Okay, I’m a lot tipsy,” Ja’Rel said, waving Ke’yoko and Ka’yah over to him. “But, I wanna wish my lovely wife and her twin sister a happy twenty-fifth birthday. I wanna thank everyone for comin’ out to celebrate this joyous occasion wit’ us. I also wanna give a special shout out to Ka’yah for makin’ all this possible, because if it weren’t for her this party would have been a disaster.”
Ka’yah smiled while lifting up her glass.
“Thanks, sis,” Ke’yoko leaned over and said.
“No problem.”
“I have one last gift for my wife.” Ja’Rel pulled some keys from his pocket and handed them to her.
“What’s this to?”
“To our new house. Happy birthday, baby,” Ja’Rel said, leaning over and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Ke’yoko smiled so hard her face hurt. This by far was the best birthday ever.
“It’s not quite finished yet, but it will be in the next six months or so. You’ll have your heated floors throughout the entire house, just like the ones you fell in love wit’ in Turks and Caicos. It’s 4,500 square feet and has four bedrooms, three full baths, a three-car garage, a huge swimmin’ pool . . . You name it, it’s in there.”
Ke’yoko couldn’t believe Ja’Rel had still decided to go ahead and give her the house she wanted even after she accused him and her sister of messing around. This was like a straight dream. “Thank you, baby,” Ke’yoko said, giving Ja’Rel a long kiss.
The crowd cheered as they locked lips.
“Get a room,” Ka’yah joked, making everyone laugh.
Ke’yoko took the microphone from Ja’Rel’s hand. “I wanna thank everyone for comin’ out and celebratin’ wit’ me but, before you go, I want to give my sister and my husband gifts from me.”
Ja’Rel and Ka’yah both looked confused. Ke’yoko handed Ka’yah an envelope. She opened it up and smiled.
“A twenty-five hundred dollar gift certificate for Saks,” she announced with a huge smile.
“And this,” she said, pulling out a cute, decorated watch box and handing it to Ja’Rel, “this is for the both of y’all.”
Ja’Rel took the top off the box and pulled the positive pregnancy test out and smiled. “We’re pregnant,” he announced, while holding up the test.
The crowd went wild with cheers, whistles, and screams. Ja’Rel leaned over and kissed his wife.
“Oh, my goodness, sis, this is the best birthday ever. I’m finally gon’ get my li’l niece or nephew,” Ka’yah said and began to cry again.
Nadia, Kailo, and Mitch walked up to Ke’yoko and began rubbing her belly. All Ke’yoko could do was smile. She was on such a high. This was truly the happiest she’d been in a long time and she decided maybe, just maybe, she and Ja’Rel could work things out for the baby’s sake. She felt like nothing and no one could bring her down at this moment. She had her sister, her brother, her best friend, and most of all her husband. Life was great. What more could she ask for?
Chapter Fifteen
Ke’yoko and Ja’Rel were just getting back from going to dinner and a movie. Since the news of the baby, Ja’Rel had really been stepping up to the plate and making sure he went out of his way to take care of his wife. He had been coming home every night, and he’d cut back on all the cheating he’d been doing. He told his tricks that he couldn’t and wouldn’t do anything to upset his wife; he was determined not to do anything that would cause Ke’yoko any stress. If they couldn’t understand that, then he didn’t know what to tell them. He knew in the past that he’d been a big part of the reason why she’d had all those miscarriages. He would never admit that to her or anyone else. Ja’Rel knew he’d done so much dirt to his wife. He really wanted to make sure at any cost that his wife had the family she’d always desired.
“So did you enjoy the movie?” Ja’Rel asked Ke’yoko as he unlocked the door.
“Yeah, it was good. The endin’ was sad. I still can’t believe Paul Walker is gone,” she said, shaking her head while walking into the house.
“It’s quiet in here. Kailo and Chad musta gone to bed early,” Ja’Rel said, tossing the keys on the table in the foyer.
“They was probably tired. I did have them workin’ all mornin’. I had them packin’ up the truck and takin’ the stuff we’re not movin’ into the new house down to the Goodwill,” Ke’yoko said, yawning.
“Shoot, I’m tired too.” Ja’Rel yawned as well. “I’m about to go to bed. You comin’?”
“I’ll be up. I’ma fix me some ice cream first.”
“Okay.” Ja’Rel yawned again before heading upstairs.
Ke’yoko walked into the kitchen and grabbed the ice cream out of the freezer. The next thing she knew all she could hear was Ja’Rel hollering profanities at the top of his lungs. Ke’yoko dropped the ice cream on the floor, ran out of the kitchen, and darted upstairs as fast as she could.
“What’s wrong?” Ke’yoko asked, scared and out of breath. She looked over at Kailo, who was wrapped up in a comforter, then over at Chad, who was lying in the bed with the covers pulled up to his chin. “What’s goin’ on?”
“I came upstairs and heard moanin’ comin’ from the guest room and shit. I walked in and these two fags was in here fuckin’ like two jackrabbits,” Ja’Rel said, disgusted.
“What?” Ke’yoko asked, confused. She lo
oked at Kailo as if he were a stranger. “You a fag?”
“No, I’m not a fag. A fag is a British word meaning a tiring or unwelcomed task,” Kailo said sarcastically. “Now if you wanna know if I’m gay, the answer is yes.”
“Gay?” Ke’yoko frowned. All she could do was shake her head. She was speechless.
“I’m sorry,” Chad said.
Ke’yoko looked over at him and rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe this shit,” she said.
“Y’all gotta get up outta here,” Ja’Rel said.
“No, Ja’Rel. Let’s just go to bed and discuss this matter in the mornin’,” Ke’yoko pleaded.
“These fag-ass niggas ain’t stayin’ up in here tonight,” Ja’Rel said sternly.
“It’s okay, sis. We’ll get a hotel room,” Kailo said.
“That’s what y’all gon’ have to do,” Ja’Rel snapped.
“Ja’Rel, let me handle this,” Ke’yoko begged.
“It ain’t shit to handle, Ke’yoko. These homos is not stayin’ here. Now I’m goin’ to bed and they betta be gone before I get up.” Ja’Rel looked over at Chad, then at Kailo, and frowned before walking across the hall to the bedroom.
Ke’yoko looked at Kailo. “I don’t understand,” she said, heartbroken.
“I didn’t expect you to; that’s why I didn’t tell you,” Kailo replied.
“Why?” was Ke’yoko’s next question.
“Why not? I grew up in a house full of weak women. You were the strongest out of all of them. I admired you for standing up to Father. You don’t know how happy I was when you flipped on him. It sickened me to look at Mother and Ka’yah; they acted so timid and scared around him all the time. Watching Mother all those years jump at his every beck and call made me sick to my stomach. I promised myself when I got old enough to move out that I didn’t want a woman. I wanted someone strong and controlling. I wanted a man. I never had a desire to be with a woman at all; you can thank your mother for that. She turned me off from women. I can’t stand a sorry, weak, sniffling-ass female.”
Ke’yoko couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She couldn’t believe her mother was the cause of her brother turning to men for love and protection. “Wow, Kailo, I don’t know what to say.”
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