The Johnson Sisters

by Tresser Henderson

  Chapter 27

  Vivian

  I didn’t know how I managed it, but I did it. I got my sisters together for dinner again. We hadn’t eaten together since that night things exploded between us over five weeks ago. For us not to all be together for that amount of time didn’t seem customary. We’d always been close. As crazy as we were, as much drama as had happened, we still never went more than a week without speaking to one another.

  I made the decision to have dinner at a restaurant this time. I hoped this would alleviate some craziness with us being in public; but just in case, I asked to be seated in a room in the back. We were a boisterous bunch. We all spoke our minds, and I knew even this restaurant might not keep us from exploding on one another.

  The waiter sat me down at a round table covered in white linen. “Can I get you something to drink?” the brunette man asked.

  “Just water for everyone now, thanks,” I said, and the guy left me to myself.

  I was so happy tonight was not a busy night. The room we were seated in was empty. I had to wonder if that was a sign. Did something happen here and that was the reason the restaurant didn’t have many patrons? I hadn’t heard anything about it. At the same time, I didn’t watch the news much or read the paper to find out. That’s usually where you hear about places not being up to code. It wasn’t like it was Friday or Saturday, which seemed to be the busiest for most places; still, I wondered if everything was okay here. I had had one too many bad experiences with restaurants. To this day the thought of this one place I used to eat at frequently made my stomach churn in disgust.

  It was about two years ago. I used to order Chinese food from this place. I had to admit it was really good; that was, until I saw them on the six o’clock news. The crew was shooting footage of the back door of the kitchen open and the cooks having the meat sitting in a large metal bowl near the door on the floor. Like that wasn’t bad enough, they showed a damn dog come up and start licking the meat in the pan. One of the workers tried to catch the dog, but the dog scampered away. The man then picked up the pan of tainted meat and took it back in the restaurant to cook. I mean really. He didn’t rinse it or nothing, not that water running over the meat would have mattered much. He threw some of the meat on the grill like it was nothing. Who does that? That couldn’t have been the first time they did that. Then it was suspected the meat they cooked was cats and dogs. That’s why they had the pan of meat sitting by the open door to lure the animals so they could catch them, kill them, and serve them up like some General Tso’s chicken. I was sick for days after that footage.

  And don’t you know they didn’t shut this restaurant down. I mean, they did for a few days, until they got things up to code, but they were back open within a week, and people actually still showed up to eat. Don’t get me wrong; I know different cultures eat different things, but let me be the chooser of what goes in my mouth.

  More power to them. I knew I was a customer they lost for life. It’s one thing to not know what they do to the food in the kitchen of these restaurants, but it was another to find out the meat you were eating could be someone’s pet dog Rover. To this day I couldn’t eat Chinese food for fear it was man’s best friend.

  I took a sip of the water the waiter put before me, wondering where my sisters were. I looked at my watch and realized I did arrive early. Twenty minutes early, to be exact. For some reason I was nervous. I didn’t feel like any arguing tonight. I wasn’t in the mood, but my love for my sisters pushed me to go through with this.

  “Hey, sis,” Serena said, walking in with Phoenix.

  “What the . . . ?” I said in shock.

  “I know. I’m on time,” Phoenix said. “You can thank Serena here,” she said, leaning down to give me a quick hug.

  She looked cute in a pair of dark denim jeans, caramel-colored riding boots, a white tee, tan jacket, and orange scarf. Serena had on jeans also, with a white tank, gray jacket, with a pink scarf and gray boots.

  “Don’t y’all look cute,” I complimented them.

  “Thanks,” Serena said. “I think Phoenix was looking through my window when I got dressed.”

  “Girl, please. You’re biting my style. We all know I’m the fashionista of all of you guys, so don’t act like you don’t know,” Phoenix retorted, looking Serena up and down.

  “You wish,” Serena joked, knowing if she kept pushing the issue, this would get Phoenix started.

  “Boo boo, look at me. You better recognize. I know you biting. Just admit it and sit your little tail down,” Phoenix countered.

  “Please sit down,” I said, giggling. “Phoenix is the cutest sister. You happy now?” I said, looking at her.

  “I know that. I don’t need you telling me that, but I appreciate the love.” She grinned. “So who’s sitting where?” Phoenix asked, looking at the four empty chairs.

  “I think you should sit beside Vivian, and we will sit Shauna beside you. That way you and Shauna will not have to sit by Dawn,” Serena suggested.

  “I think that is a good idea,” Phoenix said, pulling out the chair beside me and sitting down. “I’m going to tell y’all like this: I’m not in the mood for Dawn’s BS this evening.”

  “Please don’t start,” Serena said, sitting down and leaving an empty chair between her and Phoenix.

  “I’m just saying. Y’all know how I am. If she decides to diss us like she did the last time we were together, I’m going to shut her mouth with my fist,” Phoenix said.

  “There is not going to be any fighting here tonight,” I said.

  “That’s why you had us meet here, isn’t it?” Phoenix asked.

  “Exactly. We all know if this had been at any of our houses, things would have turned left real quick. I’m hoping being in public will make us rethink our actions,” I said.

  “True,” Phoenix agreed.

  “We are sisters. We shouldn’t be taking it to the point of hand-to-hand combat anyway,” I said.

  “I’m just saying if Dawn wants to bring it, then I’m going to get to swinging,” Phoenix said, rolling her eyes as she picked up a straw the waiter placed on the table and put it into her water to take a sip.

  “Dang, I don’t know who’s more upset, you or Shauna,” Serena quipped.

  “Does it matter?” Phoenix retorted, positioning her diva sunglasses on the top of her head. “I got a headache and I’m not for the bull tonight.”

  “Why didn’t you take something for your headache?” I asked.

  “I wanted to, but I’d be ’sleep right now,” Phoenix said.

  “What are you taking that’s going to have you ’sleep?” Serena asked. “I know Motrin don’t put you to sleep.”

  “My doctor prescribed me muscle relaxers because it helps with my tension headaches. I was this close to not coming,” Phoenix said, holding her pointing finger and thumb an inch from each other. “Y’all better be glad I love y’all.”

  “We love you too. Hopefully this won’t take long. Then you can go home and pop you a pill to go to sleep,” I said.

  As hard as Serena was trying to look happy, I could tell she wasn’t. Something wasn’t right with her either, and I had to wonder if it had to do with the crazy baby mama she talked to me about the other day. When she picked up Nevaeh, she was obviously upset, but she refused to talk about what was wrong, so I left the situation alone.

  “Serena, are you okay?” I asked, looking at her sincerely.

  “Yes, I’m okay.”

  “You see. Even Vivian noticed something is wrong.” Phoenix turned to me and said, “I’ve been trying to get whatever is bothering her out. On our car ride here she was quiet as a church mouse, and when have you ever known Serena to be quiet?”

  “Serena, come on, sis. You can talk to us. Remember, I’m here for you no matter what,” I said, looking at her with a smile. “You were there for me, so let me return the favor and be here for you.”

  Serena managed to smile even though it was a bleak one. She put her elbows
on the table, bringing her hands together and leaning her face against them. Water began to form in her eyes.

  “Oh, hell no,” Phoenix said. “Who do we got to beat down this time?” she asked indignantly. “Say the word and it’s done.”

  “Phoenix, why does it always have to end in violence with you?” I asked.

  “Because most times that’s the way it is. Individuals never get it when you trying to be nice. You always have to act a damn fool in order for them to understand the picture. If someone is bringing my sister to tears, they need to get dealt with,” Phoenix explained, getting as ghetto as she could.

  “You guys, I’m okay,” Serena struggled to say.

  “No, you not,” Phoenix yelled. “You’re messing up your makeup and everything. You are not all right.”

  “Really, Phoenix. You had to go to her makeup?” I asked.

  Phoenix pointed to Serena and said, “She’s starting to look like a raccoon. Her eyeliner and mascara is running all over the place.”

  Serena giggled through her tears as she picked up a napkin, which surrounded the silverware, and unrolled the utensils from it. She placed the silverware down on the table and dabbed at her tearstained face.

  “Make her feel better why don’t you,” I said.

  “I’m just saying,” Phoenix shot back.

  “We can talk about this another time if you like,” I told Serena.

  “No, it’s fine. We can discuss it now,” she said, sniffling.

  Both Phoenix and I looked at her while she got herself together enough to tell us what was wrong with her.

  Our sister looked up at us dejectedly and said, “Tyree told me he cheated on me with Juanita a few months ago.”

  “What?” Phoenix said, hitting the table with her fist hard enough for the silverware Serena placed on the table to clank.

  Serena nodded and continued to say, “And it gets worse.”

  “Worse?” Phoenix bellowed.

  “She might be pregnant with his child.”

  “Hold up,” Phoenix said, raising her right hand. “Tyree cheated with nutcase Juanita.”

  Serena nodded. “There was an altercation in front of our house. Tyree bust her window out. Me and Juanita got into a fight. The cops came. Social services came to take Zamir. Tyree went to jail, and—”

  “Whoa, slow down, Serena,” Phoenix said. “When did all of this happen?”

  “A few days ago. To make a long story short, this trick had the nerve to toss a pregnancy test to me, showing me that she was knocked up supposedly with Tyree’s child,” Serena continued to explain.

  “Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait,” Phoenix repeated. “Let’s back this thing up. How in the hell did she toss a test to you in the first place?”

  Serena went on to explain about the incident. Here I was thinking today was going to be about resolving our sister-issues, and it looked like all of us had our own personal ones to deal with. So far this was not turning out like I expected; but at the same time, I should have expected this, because this was what always seemed to happen with us. The great thing was that Serena was getting it out and letting us know what had been going on instead of holding all of that in.

  “I can’t believe we are just hearing about this now.”

  “Phoenix, I haven’t had time to register this information myself. This is hard for me,” Serena said, starting to cry again. “I love him so much, and we’ve been through a lot with this crazy-ass woman. For him to do this after everything we’ve had to deal with regarding her, I don’t know if staying with him is worth it at this point, especially when I can’t trust that he won’t do it again.”

  “Leave his ass. That’s what you need to do,” Phoenix blurted.

  “Phoenix,” I called out to calm her.

  “What? You know I’m right. I’m so sick of all these dogs thinking it’s okay to go from one bitch to another. He was dead wrong. What he needs to do is apologize and then pack his belongings and leave. You did kick him out, right?” Phoenix asked, looking at Serena like, “You better have.” I could see her hesitating.

  “No, I didn’t kick him out yet,” she said.

  “Yet! Do you need me to help you dispose of his possessions?”

  “No, Phoenix,” Serena said, giggling.

  “’Cause I can do that for you. Call me Sister Kick a Negro Out, ’cause I can make that happen.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at Phoenix’s antics. My sister never held any punches. As many difficulties as Serena was having I did believe Phoenix’s foolishness brought some happiness to her today. I hoped she would make the right decision for her and Nevaeh. Tyree was a good guy. He made a bad decision, but sometimes you have to make difficult decisions based on what is going to be in your best interest. I wished I could take my own advice.

  Chapter 28

  Vivian

  “Where’s the waiter? I need a drink,” Phoenix said sardonically.

  “You can’t drink if you are going to take that medication when you get home. Are you trying to kill yourself?” Serena asked.

  “Hell naw. I love myself too much to hurt me.”

  “Then it’s either drinking or relaxers later. Pick one,” Serena said, finally getting herself together.

  “I choose drinks, please. I’m going to need it to get through this dinner,” Phoenix admitted as she turned to find the waiter.

  I wondered where he was also. It wasn’t like this place was packed.

  “Waiter,” Phoenix yelled, holding her hand up for him to come over.

  I hit Phoenix on her arm to stop her from yelling across the room, but she looked at me with a frown and kept waving her hand frantically until she got his attention to come over.

  “Yes, ma’am. Can I help you?” the waiter asked.

  “Yes. I would like a glass of Moscato, please. Better yet, if you have a bottle, I would prefer that in a bucket of ice. I’m going to need it,” Phoenix told him.

  “Yes, I can get that for you. Can I get you ladies anything else?” he asked. “Are you ready to order?”

  “Yes, can we get the menus please?” I said.

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry about that. I will bring everything to you in a few minutes,” he said, walking away.

  “Hey,” Shauna said, walking up to the table, surprising us.

  We didn’t see her approaching since we were too busy trying to get Phoenix’s wine and our menus so we could order.

  “It’s about time, Ms. Thang,” Phoenix said.

  “Look who’s talking, the one who’s always late,” Shauna said, giggling.

  “I’m not late today. I beat you here.”

  “All because of me,” Serena murmured.

  Shauna walked around and gave each of us a hug, which was unusual for her, because Shauna didn’t give hugs. “Sorry I’m late. I just got off of work and I had to run home and get those stinky clothes off of me.”

  “You’re fine,” I said. “Phoenix just ordered some wine and we are still waiting for Dawn to arrive.”

  “If she arrives,” Shauna mumbled.

  “She said she was coming,” I countered.

  “I’ll believe it when I see it,” Phoenix retorted.

  The waiter brought over the menus and the wine Phoenix requested. She and Shauna didn’t waste any time pouring themselves a glass and downing their Moscato like it was the last one they were ever going to have.

  Serena and I eyed one another knowing this was not good. Yes, things were going okay for the moment, but once alcohol was introduced into any situation, especially ours, it tended to change the mood of things. I knew if my two sisters kept downing that wine like they were, their lips would become loose and things were going to come out in the crudest ways.

  “Okay, y’all. We are going to get along tonight. This tiff we’ve had going on for the past few weeks has to end. We are sisters,” Serena blurted. “I want to enjoy our evening. I need this.”

  “Me too. We might not always agree, but we still
have to love one another,” I said.

  “Are y’all done with the ‘can’t we all just get along’ speech? I’m hungry and I’m ready to order,” Phoenix said.

  “Don’t you think we should wait until Dawn gets here?” I asked.

  “No.” She looked at me with a scowl. “Because I don’t think she’s going to show. She’s already late.”

  “She’s only twenty minutes late.”

  “Come on, Viv. We are talking about Dawn here. You know, the one who never likes to be late to anything. If she wanted to be here, she would have been here already,” Phoenix countered.

  She had a point. Punctuality should be Dawn’s middle name.

  “So I’m getting ready to order my food,” Phoenix said, picking up her menu. “And if she does show up, then we can get down to business.”

  Just then my cell phone rang. My sisters looked at me. Shauna gave me the look like, “That’s her.” When I looked down at my cell, Dawn’s face was on the screen and my stomach sank.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey, Vivian,” Dawn spoke.

  “Hey, girl. Where are you? The gang’s all here and we are waiting on you to show up.”

  “Aw. I’m sorry, Vivian, but I’m not going to be able to make it,” Dawn said.

  My sisters stared in my face, knowing exactly what she was telling me.

  “Why?” I asked pitifully.

  Phoenix threw her hands in the air like, “I told you so.” I frowned for her to quit it.

  “I forgot about a dinner date Corey set up for us tonight. If it weren’t for that, I would be there,” she said.

  I felt like she was making excuses, but I continued to be as nice as I could. “Okay, I understand.”

  “But we will get up, I promise,” she said cheerfully. “And I promise I will double check my schedule to make sure, okay,” Dawn said.

  “Okay.”

  We both hung up. My sisters were still staring at me.

  Phoenix said, “Told you.”

  “But she told me she was coming,” I said with disappointment. “I didn’t want to believe she would bail on us.”