touch my heart

by jordan, wayne

  “I’m not sure I’ve seen that one. I thought he was only a big movie star.”

  “No, this movie went through the film-festival circuit and even won a prize at Cannes. He was to get a major role in an upcoming film and dropped out. No one has seen him since. I didn’t realize he was in Barbados.”

  “Yes, he was born here. Just a short distance from where his home is.”

  “Sounds interesting. I’d love to come to Barbados, but I don’t know when I’m eligible for holiday, since I just started.”

  “So what about Keisha?”

  “What do I say about Keisha... Some people think she’s crazy. But to me, she’s brave and bold, creative and adventurous. She’s backpacking across Europe with friends right now. She sends postcards from each place she visits, but we haven’t talked since she left.”

  “What did she do before she left?”

  “Oh, she’s an investigative journalist. Something happened at work that she didn’t quite like, so she left.”

  “Any knowledge as to when she’ll be back?”

  “I’m not sure and I don’t think she’s sure, either, but a rough estimate would be another two months. I know she’s in Spain right now.”

  “I’m glad she’s doing something that makes her happy.”

  “Well, Aaliyah, I have to go. Duty calls.”

  “’Bye. Thanks for calling. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Aaliyah placed the phone down. She could feel the tears in her eyes.

  “Was that your sister?” Dominic asked.

  “Yes, Cindi. She’s a kindergarten teacher. I can’t believe it. She sounds so mature.”

  She started to cry.

  Dominic pulled her toward him, holding her as she cried tears of joy.

  * * *

  When the car pulled up at the house where he’d spent so much of his childhood days, he was surprised at all of the changes. The once simple chattel house had been converted into a modern structure. While it was still not elaborate, the old jalousie windows had been replaced by iron. The wooden structure itself had been replaced by walls.

  Adrian had done a great job on his home. It saddened him that his friend had not lived to see him.

  The front door opened and Brandon rushed outside, his face showing his excitement. One of the boys who’d been on the beach followed him, trying to contain his own enthusiasm.

  Next to him, Aaliyah placed the car in Park.

  “Not bad. You didn’t have much of a problem driving on the left-hand side of the road,” Dominic said.

  “It felt a bit awkward at first, but since we didn’t have to go too far, it wasn’t a problem. I just felt a bit panicky when we passed that car on the main road.”

  When she unlocked her door, he did the same, stepping out without his cane. While this may not have been the best time to see how he could walk without his cane, she’d agreed to his suggestion. He was still using the cane, but he could manage without it, though he had to move slower.

  Before he could get out of the car, Brandon was standing next to him, a wide grin on his face.

  “Hi, Dominic. This is my best friend, Kemar. He usually stays over on Saturdays after football practice. Of course, since he realized you are one of his favorite movie stars he’s been excited to meet you again. He still can’t believe he didn’t recognize you when we were at the beach.”

  The shy teenager stepped forward. “A pleasure to meet you, sir. I love your movies.”

  “You can call me Dominic. I’m glad you enjoy my movies.”

  “I’m hoping that before I leave you can give me your autograph. My sister has threatened to kill me if I don’t get it!”

  “That’s no problem. You can come over to the house with Brandon if you want.”

  “Oh, I would have liked to, but my dad has something planned for tonight. But I’ll be glad to come over sometime, if it’s fine with you. I want to be an actor and maybe you can tell me the best way to go about it.”

  “He’s very good. He recently played Othello in our school play.”

  “The teachers at school say Brandon and I make good best friends. We complement each other. He’s all into the academics and I’m into the arts.”

  “That’s only partially true,” Brandon corrected. “You’d be brilliant at whatever you do. If you were taking the same courses as me, you’d be doing just as well in them. You just prefer the arts.”

  “You boys are going to keep my guests outside for the rest of the evening? He’s here to visit me, so let him come in before I take a switch to each of your backsides.” Mama grinned, contradicting the tone of her voice.

  Dominic stepped forward, coming to a stop when he reached her. “So you going stand there after all these years and don’t give me hug?”

  Soon he was pulled into her arms. Even now she still smelled of baking. Back then she’d loved to bake. Of course, he and the other boys never complained. Every Sunday, he’d find himself at Mama’s house. The delicious aroma of local pastries filled her home: sweetbread, turnovers and conkies, the same smells that presently greeted him as he released himself reluctantly from her arms.

  “And this beautiful lady is your therapist? She’s very beautiful. How old you are?” she asked.

  “Twenty-eight.”

  “’Bout time you got married. Ain’t anything wrong with marrying your therapist, especially if she’s as beautiful as this one.” She turned to Aaliyah and held out her hand, shaking Aaliyah’s enthusiastically. “You’re as beautiful as that grandson of mine says. I hope you taking good care of Dominic. As least he ain’t walking with the cane I heard he’d been walking with. Means he’s getting better.”

  Aaliyah blushed, looked flustered and then breathed in deeply.

  “It’s nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Johnson.”

  “In all my years the only person who called me Mrs. Johnson is the person who put this ring on my hand, and he’s been gone for almost thirty years. You can call me Mama like everyone else.”

  Aaliyah nodded, not sure if she should speak.

  “Good, and I’m going to call you Aaliyah. It’s one those new fancy names, but at least I can pronounce it. And it’s just like you, beautiful.”

  “You’re a sweetheart,” Aaliyah said.

  “I’ve been told so, but be warned, I can be a battle ax, too, and this mouth here God give me to speak my mind, so I usually do just that. I’ve said many things before I think about what I said, but ain’t no time I ever regret saying what I did.”

  She cackled, a deep-down-inside, hearty sound.

  “Come, let’s go inside. I been cooking and baking all day.”

  She led the way.

  * * *

  Dominic put the plate and spoon down and rubbed his stomach. He’d enjoyed the lunch of cou-cou and steamed flying fish, the island’s national dish. He’d not eaten it in ages, but he remembered coming to this same home and feasting on the dish made of cornmeal swimming in a hefty amount of gravy.

  “Dominic, I know you’re probably readying to leave, but I wanted to talk to you before you go.”

  “That’s fine.”

  “Aaliyah, I’ll leave the boys to entertain you. I want to chat with Dominic about something private, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course not. I’m sure the boys will keep me occupied.”

  Mama rose from her chair and nodded to Dominic. He followed her out of the dining room and down the corridor to the sitting room. He waited until she was seated before he lowered himself onto the couch next to her.

  “Your leg all right?”

  “I’ll be fine. It’s been getting better each day.”

  “Your girl’s doing a good job?”

  “Yes, she’s doing a good job.”

  “Good. I want you to be healthy.”

  He nodded, knowing that she had something more to say.

  “I’m not sure exactly how to say this... I’m dying.”

  He turned to look at her.
He didn’t tell her that Brandon had told him. “How long do you have?”

  “I’m not sure. The doctor says three months. Maybe six.”

  “Cancer?”

  “Yes, I’ve been in remission for several years, but it’s back.”

  “You don’t have to worry. I’ll take care of everything.”

  “Oh, I’ve already taken care of most things. It’s Brandon I’m worried about.”

  “You don’t have to ask. I’ll take care of him.”

  “God bless you, son. I’ve been so worried thinking about what would happen to him. I’m his legal guardian, but I’m going to have to take care of making you that person.”

  “I’m fine with that. I want to do something for my best friend.”

  “I’m so sorry I have to do this to you. You just came back into our lives and I’m placing a burden on you. It’s just that he has no one.”

  “It’s fine. You don’t have to worry about him. I’m glad I can do something to help. I could get my lawyer to take care of the papers. His office is in the city. I’ll get him to come by on Monday.”

  “Okay. I haven’t asked Brandon about any of this. I wanted to talk to you first. Didn’t want to get his hopes up. But I’m sure it’s not going to be a problem with him. He already idolizes you.”

  “He’s my best friend’s son. It’s the least I can do. He’s a good boy, so it’s no burden.”

  “I know you want to do this for my son. But you still have to think about your future. Suppose you get married and your wife doesn’t want a ready-made family?”

  “I’m sure she will love him.”

  Mama cleared her throat. “So Brandon’s assumptions were correct.”

  He didn’t feel like beating around the bush. “You mean his notion that I’m involved with Aaliyah. Yes, he was right.”

  “I could see it from the time I stepped outside and saw the way you look at each other.” She laughed at her own skill of deduction. “You’re in love with her.”

  He hesitated briefly. “I wish I knew what love was. Maybe if I’d ever been in love I would know. If it’s the fast beating of my heart when she comes near, or the fact that I don’t want to live another day without her, then it means I’m in love.”

  “You’ll know when you are and you’ll even know when it’s time to let her know.”

  “Oh, I’m sure one day I’ll be ready to let her know. At times, I feel so inadequate because of my hand and leg. Who’d want someone in this condition?”

  “Condition! You’re a good man. Yeah, you have a few minor problems with your hand and leg. And from what I can see right now, that leg is doing mighty fine.”

  “But I’m not sure if that’s enough.”

  “For some other woman. I’ve only known Aaliyah for a few hours and already I’m so impressed I’d marry the two of you myself. But give it time. That’s one of the problems with you young folk. Always in a hurry to do stuff instead of sitting back and looking at yourself in the mirror and finding out who you are.”

  “Interesting... That’s all Aaliyah has been talking about recently. But I think I’m getting a better understanding of who and what I am. At least, much better than I understood two years ago. It’s almost as if saving that girl and getting injured made me look at my life differently.”

  “That’s good, son.”

  “Well, I should have said eventually. At first I was really angry at the world and God. Now I can see things differently.” He paused. “You don’t have anything to worry about. I’ll take care of Brandon.”

  “Thank you,” she said, tears glistening in her eyes. “I know you’ll take good care of him.”

  “Thanks for having us over. I was wondering...we were wondering if Brandon could spend the night. We’ll make sure he’s back by tomorrow evening. I know he has school on Monday.”

  “Of course he can. And you can tell him what we decided.”

  “You want me to tell him?”

  “He knows about my illness. But yes, I’d like you to tell him, so he knows that you want him. He’s going to think I forced you into doing this because his father was your friend. He must know that you wanted him.”

  “Then I’ll definitely do it.”

  “Come, I’m sure he’s looking forward to spending the time with you and Aaliyah. He kept talking about his last visit.”

  “I’m going to also transfer his funds to you. The settlement for the accident by the insurance company was a lot of money. It will help when he is ready to go to college.”

  “That’s no problem. I can take care of that.”

  “I know you will.”

  “Let’s go. I am sure they are wondering what we could be talking about so long.”

  With that, she rose from the sofa and proceeded out of the room.

  As she walked away, Dominic followed. For some reason, he felt happy. He’d done something that was important.

  Of course, there was a bit of fear. He had no idea how to take care of a growing teenager and the thought scared him. What if he didn’t do a good job?

  * * *

  By nine o’clock that night, Brandon was fast asleep. Even before the movie was midway done, he’d closed his eyes. They’d had a busy evening. Desmond had collected the pizza from Chefette Restaurant, a short distance away. The restaurant served the best pizza on the island.

  While Aaliyah was accustomed to pizza with cheese and pepperoni, the islanders preferred their pizza with a lot more garnishes, and she could tell why. A thick chocolate milkshake had gone down well with the pizza. Of course, she could not believe that Dominic and Brandon had wolfed down so many slices. She’d eaten two of the ridiculously large slices and then had been full. But she had enjoyed the competition between the two males and had had no doubt that Brandon would be the eventual winner despite the valiant effort by Dominic.

  “You need to take him up to his room, Dominic?”

  “How am I going to do this, Aaliyah? I don’t have a clue what I’m doing. Maybe I should have told his grandmother I can’t do it.”

  The look she gave him made him cringe, but when she spoke to him she spoke gently.

  “I know you feel overwhelmed at the moment, but you’re going to do fine.”

  With that he stood and walked over to Brandon, shaking him awake.

  “Come and get to bed, Brandon. You’ve been sleeping here for hours.”

  At the boy’s shocked look, he laughed. “Just kidding. You just missed half of the movie.”

  The boy jumped up and turned to Aaliyah. “Good night,” he told her, a broad smile on his face.

  “Good night. Have a good night’s sleep.”

  “I’m sure I will. I’m tired.”

  She watched as they exited the room. She hoped it all worked out. Brandon needed a strong man in his life.

  * * *

  Dominic followed the teenager into the room. The boy no longer looked sleepy.

  “Is it all right if I read for a while before I go to bed?” Brandon asked.

  “Of course. You can read until you’re sleepy again. You know where everything is. I’ll see you for breakfast. Enjoy your sleep.”

  “I will, and thanks for having me over.”

  Dominic turned to walk away and then stopped. He turned back.

  “I was going to talk to you about this in the morning.” Brandon was already on the bed, a book in his hands.

  The boy said nothing. A look of dread was on his face.

  “Take that look off your face. I had a chat with your grandmother this evening and she told me about her illness.”

  Brandon nodded. Dominic could see the moisture in his eyes.

  “How would you like to come live with me?”

  “You mean here?”

  “Yes, here. Wherever I am. Here or in the U.S.”

  “Now or after my...” Brandon couldn’t say it.

  “When it’s time.”

  “Good. I want to be there for Mama.”

  “That’s fin
e. Just wanted to know if it’ll be okay with you.”

  “I hope my grandmother didn’t force you to do this.”

  “She did ask me, but before I visited, I did think about it. After you told me about your dad’s death, I thought about it, so your grandmother’s request was only confirmation. You have no one after she is gone and while part of it is because your dad was my best friend, both Aaliyah and I think you are cool and like having you around.”

  Brandon smiled, his body relaxing as if a burden had been lifted off his shoulders.

  And then he started to cry.

  Dominic stared at him, not sure what to do, knowing that his own eyes had filled with tears.

  He stepped over to the bed, sat down and placed his arms around the boy.

  When Brandon had cried himself all out, he raised his head.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cry.”

  “It’s fine. You’ve lost your dad and now your grandma is ill. There is nothing wrong with crying.”

  “Men don’t cry,” he stated.

  “That’s not true. Let me tell you something. You are who you are. Don’t let anyone dictate who you are. That’s how people grieve and deal with death and their loved ones. If God didn’t want you to cry, He would not have given you the capacity for the emotion.”

  “I never looked at it that way.” He paused. “But don’t expect me to cry too often.”

  “I look at it this way. When you need to cry you’ll know. I won’t think less of you if you ever cry.”

  Brandon nodded his head.

  “Good night, sir. And thanks for everything you’re doing for me.”

  “You have a good night. Everything is going to be fine.”

  The boy slipped between the covers and was soon fast asleep.

  As Brandon lay there, Dominic realized how much he looked like his father.

  He felt all choked up inside. He’d not cried for his friend and did nothing as the moisture trickled down his cheeks.

  * * *

  When Dominic entered the bedroom, Aaliyah looked up from the book she was reading. She could tell he’d been crying. She was glad. He’d needed to cry...for Adrian and Mama. She was sure there were more tears, but men with their macho attitudes never failed to amuse her.