by D. Camille
“Tomorrow?” He echoed. “Where is she going?”
Sydney turned to Leslie. “See what you’ve created?”
“You created that one.” Leslie told her with a smile. “And the other one, too…”
Caelum watched as Sydney led her son away. He waited until Leslie turned to him, and smiled at her.
“Hello, goddess.”
Stepping into his arms, she replied, “Hello, Caelum.”
They embraced and he kissed her lips softly.
“You look beautiful, as usual.”
Leslie looked him over in jeans and a black T-shirt. “Thank you. So do you…”
“Are you ready?”
“I need to get my bag and my cane. I was trying to catch my nephew before he got to you.” She explained.
“His mother was on the case.” Caelum told her. “He looked ready to lay some real hands on me.”
Leslie shook her head. “He’s upset that you keep taking me…”
Caelum touched her face. “I’m going to keep taking you, until you’re mine for good.”
She smiled. “Let me get my things, and then we can go.”
“Okay…”
“You can wait in the living room. You don’t have to stand by the door.”
Taking his hand, Leslie led him into the living room, where the family was preparing for their evening out.
“Caelum, nice to see you.” Curt held out a hand, as Leslie went to her room.
“Curt, nice to see you, too.”
The two men shook and Caelum’s gaze went to C.K. who was watching him. Curt’s gaze moved to his son, then to his wife, who was holding the younger sibling.
“If he acts up, he’s yours.” Sydney told Curt.
Curt then looked at his son. “C.K. knows how to act. Don’t you son?”
“Yes, Daddy.” He answered immediately.
“Good. You don’t want these problems, okay?”
C.K. nodded, but slid one last glance at Caelum. When Leslie returned, the Kendall’s departed with C.K. giving Leslie a long hug and big kiss.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Aunt Leslie.”
“Have fun, C.K.”
“Don’t get hurt, okay?” His little voice was filled with concern.
“I’ll be fine.” She assured him. “Now don’t worry about me.”
Curt ushered his family out the door, leaving Caelum and Leslie in the living room. He moved to her side, and took her hand.
“The coast is clear…” He said with a smile. “Your bodyguard is gone.”
“I’m going to have to seriously talk to that boy.”
“I’m not even mad at him.” Caelum began leading her to the door. “I’d be the same way if another dude showed up in your life, trying to take you…”
“You’d lay the hands on him?” Leslie asked playfully.
“Both of them…”
Outside, Leslie set the alarm, before they headed to Caelum’s car. Inside, he turned to look at her.
“I can say one thing, C.K.’s daddy doesn’t play around.”
Leslie agreed. “Curt Kendall V is no joke. He keeps everybody in check.”
Caelum began to drive and the conversation continued.
“You said that he came to visit you in the facility?”
She nodded. “He was my mother’s lawyer, and she’d told him about me. It just so happened that he was involved with Sydney at the time. He encouraged Syd to come and meet me.”
“How was that?”
“She walked in and she was so beautiful, I couldn’t believe that she was my sister. Sydney was filming a blockbuster movie and had all her shit together. I was both proud and jealous at the same time.” Leslie admitted.
“That’s honest.”
“I wanted to be her, but Sydney helped me to be myself. Syd, Curt, Niyah, Rashad, Kenya and the Kendalls…they all made me feel like family. That was something I’d never had.” She continued softly. “They helped me through the surgery, then the rehab, and C.K. became my little helper, doing everything he could for me.”
Leslie sniffed and touched her eyes. “Sorry…” she whispered.
“Don’t apologize…it’s okay.”
Caelum reached for a tissue and handed it to her.
“Thanks.”
“I understand why he’s so protective of you. He’s seen you in pain and he doesn’t want you hurting.” Caelum shared. “None of them do…”
Leslie wiped her eyes. “I’m pretty lucky to have all of them.”
“We’re all pretty lucky to have you, Leslie.” He glanced over at her.
She smiled. “I can’t wait to meet your family.”
“I have to warn you, they’re going to have all kinds of food waiting for you.”
“Hey, I love me some good food.” Leslie replied. “Who is going to be there?”
“My parents and my paternal grandmother.”
She turned to him. “They all live together?”
He nodded. “Yes, my grandmother moved out here to join my parents, and then I came out.”
“I bet they love having you here.”
“I’m happy to be around in case they need me.”
As he maneuvered the streets, Leslie took in the sights.
“Your parents are teachers right?”
“Professors at USC.” He answered. “They both used to teach at Howard before moving out to LA.”
“You and your siblings must be very smart.”
He shrugged. “We’re who we are.”
“You have two degrees and you teach Khemetic History. Trust me, you’re smart as hell.”
Caelum laughed. “I just learn well…”
“Why’d you come to the Bantu Academy? I’m sure you could’ve been at one of the colleges.” Leslie inquired.
“Because we’re losing our culture and our kids. They aren’t learning their true history and who they are…then by the time they get to college, if they get to college, it’s too late.” He explained. “I want to get to them early and instill our pride in them that’s missing.”
“Wow…”
“And why did you choose the Bantu Academy?”
“Niyah suggested it, because I love kids and I love art. After my trauma, art therapy helped me to deal with a lot of my issues, in a form that was non-invasive. I want to do the same with our kids, because simply being a young black person in America is traumatic.” Leslie answered.
“I agree, and I think what you’re doing is amazing. I’ve seen your art and it’s incredible.” Caelum complimented.
“Thank you. I hope the kids take to it.”
“C.K. will make them.” He stated blandly, then they both laughed.
“No, he will not.” Leslie corrected.
“Okay, let somebody mess with Aunt Leslie and see what happens.”
Leslie paused. “Yeah, I might need to make sure Curt is on top of that.”
“I can’t wait to have him in my class.” Caelum told her.
“Really? What are you going to do to him?”
Caelum gave her a look. “I’m not going to do anything to him. C.K. is a natural leader, who already understands the importance of history and legacy, so he’ll be a great influence on the other students.” He explained.
“He’s so excited about school.” Leslie said, with a smile. “Both him and R.J.”
“R.J. seems more laid back.”
“He is. He’s like his father, Rashad. But don’t get it twisted, he’s got Kendall blood, too.” Leslie warned.
Caelum smiled. “It must be amazing to see the next generation that you’ve created.”
“I think so.” Leslie agreed. “You’re the link to the next set of Bannakas.”
“My brothers have made sure that the name continues, but I’m sure there’s nothing like having your own.”
Leslie stared at him as he drove. “A super smart, super cute, little Caelum.”
He grinned. “And I’d be just like Curt…on his ass.”
> “I believe it.”
“We have to raise our boys to be men. This whole ‘fuckboy’ mentality is not of our culture. We protect black women. We love them, and we create our world with them.” Caelum said, as he pulled up in front of a home. “We’re here.”
Leslie looked out the window. “This is nice.”
Caelum unfastened his belt then leaned over to her, as she turned back to him.
“These sweet kisses are at my request, right?” he whispered, and Leslie nodded in agreement.
His mouth covered hers, and she caught her breath at the contact. The kiss was short but packed quite a punch in its brevity.
“I’ve been waiting hours for that.” Caelum said softly. “And it was worth every minute…
Leslie tried to control her racing heart, as he climbed out of the car and walked around to help her out. Opening the door, Caelum assisted her to her feet, then reached inside to grab her bag, along with her cane.
When she looked at him and hesitated, he handed it to her.
“You know I used to think I couldn’t go anywhere without this, but now I don’t even want it anymore.” She told him.
“Because of me?” he asked.
“No…because of me.”
Caelum nodded. “You tell me what you want to do.”
“I want to leave it in the car.”
“Okay, but then I’ll need to stay close to you.”
Leslie smiled. “That’s not a problem for me. Is it for you?”
Caelum slid a firm arm around her waist and pulled her against him.
“No, not a problem at all, goddess.”
He kissed her lips, then wrapped her arm around his and they headed to the door. It was opened by a woman, who Leslie assumed was Caelum’s mother, until she was joined by another woman who looked like she could be his sister.
“Welcome!” they both shouted.
Inside the door, Caelum made the introductions.
“Leslie this is my mother, Leah Bannaka…and my grandmother, Estelle.” He smiled at Leslie, then looked at his relatives. “This is Leslie…my Oshun.”
His grandmother stepped forward. “She is a beautiful goddess, Caelum.”
“Thank you Bibi…” he said, kissing her cheek.
She turned to Leslie and studied her for a moment, and everyone remained silent. His grandmother, then reached out to touch her hip, and Leslie jumped at the contact, before Estelle soothed her, with a gentle massage.
“It’s okay…” Estelle told her. “I just wanted to see how far you’ve come along.”
Leslie’s eyes flew to Caelum, who shook his head. “I didn’t say anything.”
“He didn’t have to,” Estelle told her. “I could feel anxiety in you, and it stemmed from this area.”
“My Bibi is a feeler,” Caelum explained. “I should have warned you.”
Leslie looked confused. “A feeler?”
His grandmother nodded. “I have the gift of feeling other’s deep emotions.”
“You felt anxiety, here?” Leslie touched the spot where Estelle had massaged.
“Yes, you were very tense in that area.” Estelle explained. “You’ve had trauma there, but you’re healing.”
“I am…” Leslie whispered. “I’m trying…”
“You’re fine.” His grandmother said firmly.
Leah came and hugged Leslie. “Welcome to our home. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Thank you Mrs. Bannaka. I’m happy to be here.”
When Leslie looked up, she saw another handsome man in the room, who looked like Caelum’s twin.
“You must be Mr. Bannaka.” She smiled.
“And you must be Caelum’s beauty…”
He came and held a hand out to her with a smile, then Leslie took it and smiled up at him.
“Come on in here, and let’s have a seat.” He invited, and led her away from the others.
“I’m sorry if my mother frightened you,”
Leslie felt comfortable holding on to Mr. Bannaka. “I’ve never met anyone with her gift.”
“She only reveals it to people she feels a connection with.” He explained. “And since she’s very connected to Caelum, she’s very connected to you.”
He led her into a living room, and waited until she was seated. Leslie looked around, waiting for the others.
“The goddesses are talking to Caelum, while you and I get acquainted.” He explained.
“Is this how you all do this?”
He smiled, looking so much like his son. “We’ve never had to do it before for Caelum, because he’s never brought anyone for us to meet. He swore he’d only bring one, and only when he was sure.”
“So you’re checking me out?”
Shaking his head, he answered, “No, not at all.”
“Then what?”
“As the patriarch, it’s my job to welcome you and make you feel at home, because you are…”
Leslie smiled. “I see where Caelum gets his charm.”
“I’m seeing why Caelum has made his choice. Now we must wait to see if you choose him.” His father lifted a brow.
“Who wouldn’t choose Caelum? He’s amazing.”
“Is he a man that you could love?”
Leslie flushed, then whispered, “I kinda already do.”
His father smiled, and whispered back, “I kinda can tell.”
She laughed softly and he joined her.
“You are a delight, Leslie. Beautiful in every way…”
“What did Caelum tell you about me?” Leslie inquired.
“That when he found his goddess, he’d bring her home…and she’d be everything he wanted.” He answered.
“You believe that?”
“You don’t?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Caelum is my first relationship and I’ve only known him a week.”
His father looked serious. “A man knows the woman he wants to spend his life with, when he finds her. If he strings you along for years…he doesn’t want you, you’re simply convenient for his needs at the time. When he takes you seriously, he’s doing everything in his power to commit his life to you, in order to build his future and his legacy.”
“Like introducing you to his incredible family?”
He nodded. “And planning his life with you in mind…”
“Well, Caelum says that if I keep it up, he’s going to marry me.” Leslie teased.
“Caelum’s mind is already made up, but he’s patient enough to wait for you to do the same.” He said seriously.
“I think, right now, I’d marry him just to make you my father-in-law. The only other man I know like you, is Mr. Kendall…my sister’s father-in-law.” Leslie told him.
“I’d love to have someone as sweet as you, as my daughter, Leslie.” He said softly. “I don’t have in-laws.”
She watched as he stood to his feet. “I think that food is calling us. Are you ready to eat?”
Mr. Bannaka walked over and helped her to her feet.
“Yes, I’ve had some of the Bannaka women’s food, so I know I’m in for a treat.”
Together they headed into the large kitchen where Caelum sat at a counter, while the women checked on dishes. They all turned to look at the pair in the doorway, then Caelum stood to his feet and walked over to where Leslie waited next to his father.
Leslie watched as Caelum looked into his father’s eyes awaiting a response.
“I have welcomed Leslie into our family.”
Caelum smiled. “Thank you.”
“Let’s have our meal now.” Estelle announced.
As Caelum led Leslie to the dining room, she whispered, “Uh…you couldn’t have warned me?”
“No, I couldn’t. I wanted you to be yourself, so they would see the goddess I see.”
He held out her chair, and she sat, before he sat next to her.
Caelum reached for her hand. “My family is very serious about energy and spirituality. Our ancestors were healers and re
aders of the stars. We can see the future and control it.”
“I feel like I’m in one of Sydney’s movies.” Leslie said in awe of the family.
Leaning over, Caelum kissed her forehead, as his family joined them at the table. After being seated by her husband, Leah looked over at Leslie.
“Now that we have all of that out of the way…tell us a little about you, Leslie, if you don’t mind.”
“No, I don’t mind at all.” Leslie replied. “Uh, I’m starting as the Art teacher at the Bantu Academy. My sister-in-law works there and she encouraged me to teach the art therapy I’d studied, to the children.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Leah exclaimed.
“I was in a car accident when I was sixteen and I spent the next several years in a wheelchair. I started walking again last year, after surgery and rehab, and I still use a cane.” She continued, while Caelum watched her.
“I didn’t see a cane?” Leah questioned.
Leslie smiled sheepishly. “I didn’t want to bring it inside. Sometimes it makes me feel awkward.”
Estelle and Leah looked at Caelum.
“Oh no! Caelum didn’t do anything.” Leslie said hurriedly. “He says the cane doesn’t bother him.”
“And it doesn’t,” He affirmed. “I’m not that superficial, that I’d be ashamed because you use a cane.”
Leslie looked around the table at the kind faces.
“Sweet girl, anyone who makes you feel awkward, doesn’t deserve your attention.” Estelle preached. “You’re much too special for that.”
“Tell her Bibi…” Caelum urged. “She doesn’t listen to me.”
Leslie pushed on his solid arm. “Stop. I do listen to you.”
He lifted a brow. “Even little C.K. had to tell you to take your cane.”
“Who’s C.K.?” Leah asked.
“He’s Leslie nephew who wants to fight me over her. He’s five, but I think he’s serious.” Caelum explained.
Estelle laughed. “That’s adorable. He loves his aunt.”
Leslie chuckled. “I love him so much. He’s been my little champion through this whole ordeal.”
“I’m going to win the little Negus over,” Caelum predicted. “Just wait until he’s in my class.”
“I’m sure that he’s going to come around and see what I see,” Leslie said, watching Caelum.
“What’s that Leslie?” Leah asked.
She smiled at Caelum. “A man we both can learn so much from...”
