The Sunday Brunch Diaries

by Norma L. Jarrett

  “Oh yeah, well, Jermane dear, all is well; you better be glad he’s spicing it up with you and no one else,” Jewel said, then sipped her fruit sangria.

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she said, then bit the side of her mouth slightly.

  “Okay, enough about that. What’s up for the holidays?” Jewel looked around the table.

  I knew Jewel’s routine, she was sniffing around for party planning opportunities.

  “My dad’s coming down and also some of Chris’s family. His mom is gonna do the cooking,” I said.

  “Well, you know Rex and I always have our annual dinner,” Jermane added.

  “Yeah, the big soiree for the firm clients,” Jewel teased. “Well, I’d like to invite everybody to our house for Christmas Eve, for a little party. Nothing fancy or over the top. Capri, can you and Anthony make it?”

  “Ah, yeah, we should be able to.” The waiter finally arrived with her food.

  “You can spare a few minutes for your old friends, can’t you? We’ll let you off the hook for New Year’s, but you gotta come hang for Christmas Eve.” Jewel patted Capri’s hand.

  Capri smiled halfway and nodded her head. “We’ll be there.”

  “Oh, I guess you don’t care if Octavio and I make it.” Angel folded her hands and leaned back in her chair.

  “Girl, you know I want y’all to come. Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad.” She swayed in her chair and snapped her fingers as she sung.

  Angel rolled her eyes and I let out a chuckle. “Jewel, that’s so not funny. You are extra silly today.”

  Jewel raised her hands. “Okay, okay, before we leave, we have some other business. Remember we said we would start that book club? Let’s start it in the New Year? Since we’re all together now, let’s talk about it.”

  A collective sigh escaped our mouths.

  “C’mon, y’all said we needed some intellectual stimulation. January would be a great time to start. I mean honestly, in the spirit of our shero Oprah, we need to support our literary brothers and sisters.”

  Did she say “shero”?

  “I’ll plan the first meeting,” Jewel offered. “C’mon, whataya say? I can make it fun, festive, we can do a whole book theme. I can get a cake shaped like a book, we can play games. We each should invite one guest. Capri, you should invite Missy,” she said, working up her enthusiasm.

  “Jewel, okay. We said we would do it,” I said. Anything to stop her whining.

  “Alrighty then! I’ll send out the invites so you guys can put it on your calendar. In the meantime we have to find a name.”

  What she really means is she’ll come up with the name and we’ll all just agree. I’ll give it sixty seconds.

  “Yeah, yeah,” Angel said as her eyes darted toward Jewel. “Just don’t pick anything ridiculous for us to read.”

  “Ridiculous is relative, Angel. For example, I would venture to say that necklace you’re wearing is so ‘ridiculously’ last year. However, maybe in your mind it’s not. See? It’s all in how you look at it.” Jewel smiled.

  Angel smiled back. “You know what? I’m just gonna place you on the throne of grace.”

  10-9-8 . . .

  “Omigod! I got it!”

  I knew it.

  “The Shero Literary Sisters. That’s it!” She looked around and waited for everyone to comment.

  Oh brother.

  “It’s official then,” she said after a few seconds. “Guys—guess what? Another ‘Fabulous Jewels production!’ Then ooh, maybe I can add author events to my services. Wow, another dimension in planning . . . think of the possibilities!” She gazed toward the ceiling.

  She snapped out of her trance after a few seconds. “And everyone? I must remind you of book club protocol; the host is free to indulge in his or her own literary preference. But keep your book selections clean. Wow, we can even have a few meetings where the men come!” She quickly took out her BlackBerry and began to make notes to herself.

  “What? The only way our men will come is if the TV’s locked on ESPN and we have some food,” I warned.

  “You never know. Anyway, this sounds like a great idea, but keep in mind, many a friendship has broken up over a book club,” Angel added as she grabbed her clutch.

  “Please, it’s not that serious,” Capri said, then dabbed a cloth napkin in the corner of her mouth.

  “Well, ladies, I need to get some work done before my Bible study tonight.” Angel eyed her watch, then waved to the waiter.

  “Okay, ladies, I’m excited. So in the spirit of Zora, Langston, Richard Wright, Terry McMillan, Alice Walker—”

  Before Jewel had a chance to finish, we all started clearing the table and raced toward the door.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Sunday Lovin’

  Jewel rushed home from brunch to spend time with Kevin. Brunch always put her in a great mood. Meeting her friends was a treat these days, since she was the only “mother” in the group. Factor in the time with her business, motherly and wifely duties, and it was a wonder she had any extra time at all.

  Jewel drove up and was relieved to see Kevin’s truck in the driveway. Lately his little excursions out of the house bothered her. She hated not being able to track his every move. Tonight Jewel had planned his favorite dinner to show him some attention and get them back on course. Stacy’s number hadn’t popped up on his cell lately, so Jewel had had a little more peace.

  Kevin was reclining in his favorite chair with the remote when she walked in. Looking at him reminded Jewel of her father on Sunday evenings. Aja jumped from the floor where she was reading and ran toward her.

  “Hey Mommy, how was brunch time? You bring me any dessert?” she asked as Jewel leaned down to give her a peck.

  “Oh, it was great, sweetie, thank you for asking. No, I didn’t bring you any more sugar. Has Daddy been behaving?” She watched for Kevin to stir, but his eyes were glued to the big-screen television.

  “Yeah, he’s been watching the game the whole time, yelling and screaming.” Aja reached for Jewel’s neck as she leaned down to hug her.

  “Well, I’m getting ready to make some dinner. Wanna help?” Aja was still holding on.

  “Yes, ma’am,” she said as she smacked her gum and let go of Jewel’s neck.

  “Your dad give you that gum? Never mind, go and wash your hands. You tell your daddy he better not fuss when your dental bill comes.” Jewel walked toward the living room and went up behind Kevin, rubbing his shoulders.

  “Now, that’s what I’m talking about. It’s about time you remembered who’s king. Now come on . . . give it up.” Kevin grabbed her arm until she came around and sat on his lap. “Who’s the king? Say it . . .”

  “You are, Big Poppa.” She kissed him on the neck.

  “Uh-huh. You better recognize, before I go all Ike and Tina up in here.”

  “Kevin, don’t even play like that.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “Okay, baby,” he said as their lips connected in a soft kiss.

  “Ummm, don’t start nothin’ won’t be nothin’,” he whispered.

  “Okay, Mom, I’m ready to start dinner,” Aja said as she walked back into the room.

  Jewel jumped up. “See you later, baby.”

  “Uh-huh. Later,” he said, but he grabbed her arm and wouldn’t let her go. She finally pried herself away. She bent down and kissed his bald head before heading to the kitchen.

  Kevin stretched his legs and rubbed his stomach as he and Jewel lay in their bed upstairs. “Dang baby, what’s up? We had that good dinner, and you been all lovey-dovey. You aren’t trying to kill me and cash in the insurance policy, are you?”

  “You’re being silly as usual. Can’t I just be good to my man if I want to?” Jewel moved over and slid her head onto his chest.

  “Yeah, but I’m kinda scared. I know you’ve still seemed a little irritated since the night I fixed Stacy’s flat. That was over a month ago. You need to let stuff go, baby.”

>   “I know. I’m sorry. I just don’t like sharing . . . anything.”

  “Baby, I know. But sometimes, you can get a little selfish. Jewel, you know I’m not thinking about messing up. You have to understand, I had a life before you. You’re just gonna have to trust me.”

  “I understand that, babe, it’s just I still feel she can play on your sympathy sometimes. It’s something about her I just don’t trust.”

  He paused before he spoke. “I understand, but you have to put yourself in somebody else’s shoes. Jewel, you’ve never been really lonely. You’ve always had great friends and a good family. You’ve had a stable life and you know your little butt is spoiled. Your mama and daddy spoiled you and I spoil you. I try not to, but I do.”

  “Well, should I be punished for having a decent family and friends? Besides, it may be hard for you to believe, but I have been lonely before.”

  “Jewel, please. People like Stacy haven’t been so blessed. She’s had it hard most of her life. I know you don’t like me being close to her. I understand and I’m trying to be more considerate. I know she’s a little too dependent. Before you and I got married, I was all she had, but she’s stronger now.”

  “I’m glad you realize that. In the long run, it’ll only hurt her and us. Codependency isn’t healthy. They have classes for that, you know. I mean, I’m the one that’s suffering.”

  “Okay, baby, I wouldn’t say you’re actually suffering. You have a nice home; Aja loves you just as much as her biological mom, and of course you have me! I do think Stacy’s finally moving on, for real this time.”

  “She said she was seeing somebody,” Jewel said waiting for confirmation.

  “Oh, yeah . . . that.” He took a deep breath.

  “Kevin, I know you’re not jealous. What was that tone in your voice?” Jewel felt her heart suddenly race.

  “You know I’m not jealous. Umm, she’s, well . . .” His voice trailed off.

  “Kevin, be honest, what’s going on? You holding back something?” She sat up and looked him in the face.

  “Stacy’s, well she’s, she’s sort of pregnant.” He swallowed and waited for Jewel to speak.

  “What?” Her eyes grew big. “Okay, Kevin, I swear to God, I will take you out right now. The baby is not yours, is it? I want the truth, I will hurt you.” In one movement she straddled him, reaching for his throat.

  He grabbed her wrists. “Baby, baby, chill out, chill out! Listen! I swear on my granddaddy Mojo’s grave, Jesus Christ and all the disciples. The baby is not mine. It’s some guy she knew a while back. She ran into him a few months ago. They seemed to be headed down the right path. I know she said they were going to church together. But—well she said it just happened.”

  Jewel sat back a little on his legs. “Kevin, I swear, I’ll call Judge Hatchett. You better be telling me the truth.” She paused and folded her arms. “This is crazy. You seem way too calm about this, like it’s good news. I thought she was all saved and she’s too old to go around having children out of wedlock.”

  “Jewel, she’s still in her thirties; that’s not old. Anyway, I’m not condoning it; she’s got to answer to God for it. I didn’t get into all that with her.” He grabbed Jewel’s shoulders.

  “When did you two have all this time to talk about this? That’s what I want to know.”

  He sighed. “I don’t know, Jewel, just off and on. When she calls sometimes or drops Aja off. But nothing’s going on, Jewel, I swear. I have a decent heart, baby, you know that.” He stroked her face.

  “Kevin, I know you have a good heart. That’s one of the things that I love the most, but sometimes your heart gets you in trouble. I just don’t know about this situation. Is this guy gonna be there for her? It’s not that I’m extra concerned, I’m just not trying to have you running to the hospital in the middle of the night.”

  “She says he’s in it for the long haul. I think they’re planning to get married. You know, do the right thing.”

  “It’s a little too late for that! Kevin, you can be so naive sometimes.” Jewel’s eyes started to tear; she was fed up with the entire issue. “This is just another one of Stacy’s tricks, another ploy for sympathy.” She got up, grabbed her robe, and headed downstairs.

  “Jewel, everything isn’t about you. This isn’t even about us. Why are you so angry? You just don’t know the whole—”

  She slammed the door behind her and marched down to the living room. “I can’t believe this. Pregnant . . . before I even get to have one child with my husband she goes and spits out another one? I thought she was all saved and sanctified. What kind of example is that for Aja? Well, I’m not going to allow Kevin to get sucked up in Stacy’s drama. Men are so stupid . . . Ugh!” She mumbled something after each step. She started breathing heavily, feeling as though fire was shooting out of her nostrils.

  Kevin knew his only option was to let his wife cool off. His safest move was to stay right in that bedroom. “I knew the night was going too perfectly,” he said as he felt a headache coming on. “Lord, please, I love my wife, and You know I’d never want to hurt her, but I swore to Stacy I wouldn’t tell. What do I do, God? It’s not my place to tell her business just to make Jewel secure. If Jewel knew how deep things were, she’d understand my behavior towards Stacy a little better. God, Jewel and Aja are my first priority, but soon something is going to have to give. I guess You’re going to help me work all this out.” He whispered as he rolled over on his side.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Dear Mama

  Jewel had been sitting in the living room for hours flipping channels and finally found old reruns of A Different World. It was one of her favorite episodes—the night before Whitley’s marriage to the senator—but Jewel couldn’t even enjoy it.

  “God, you didn’t teach me any of this in college. If I had known . . .” She sat with folded arms and refused to try to process the bomb Kevin just dropped. All she could do was mentally picture Kevin driving Stacy to the hospital after her water broke, while she rode in the backseat. “This is so not fair, God.” Finally, Jewel stopped having her tantrum long enough to pick up the phone. “Who would I call this time of the night?” She checked the time on the television and it was 1 a.m. Mama.

  She dialed frantically. After the fourth ring she heard her mother’s voice and was comforted instantly.

  “Hey, Mama.”

  “Baby, what’s wrong, who died?” said her mother, trying to wake up.

  “Mama, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I know it’s late . . .”

  “Now chile, you know that never worked with me. I’m up. I’ll go downstairs so I won’t wake your daddy.”

  Jewel could hear him snoring in the background.

  Her mother kept talking as she adjusted her scarf, wrapped her large frame in a terry-cloth robe, and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

  “Okay, Jewel, what’s the emergency that really isn’t urgent?” She walked to the refrigerator to search for the Tupperware that held the leftover pot roast and side dishes from dinner that night.

  “Mama, I’ve had it. I want a divorce.”

  “Please, Jewel, don’t start your foolishness. I told you before you took those vows it wouldn’t be a walk in the park. But no, you were all googly-eyed and in love with Mr. Brown Shorts. I know Kevin. He’s a good man. I know you too, Jewel, and you’re my baby, but you ain’t perfect either. So what’s going on?”

  “Well, you know Kevin’s ex? Mama, she just won’t go away. I can’t get her out of our lives. I mean, what am I supposed to do? When she calls, Kevin jumps. He’s such a wimp. Whenever she’s in trouble, off he goes to save her. She acts like he never got married.”

  “Um-hmm,” her mother said as she spooned mashed potatoes onto her plate. She licked the extra potatoes that got on her finger and continued to listen. “So, whatchu gonna do about it?”

  “Mama! Are you listening to me? This woman is trying to sabotage my life! She’s like, like . . . a thorn i
n my flesh!”

  “You just said it.” She popped the top back on the Tupperware.

  “What?”

  “She’s a thorn in the flesh. You remember in the Bible when Jesus said, ‘Lord, if it be thy will take this cup from me?’ ”

  “Mama, have you been drinking? Didn’t you just hear me pour my heart out to you? I don’t need some parable. Speak plain English.”

  “Okay, you better watch your mouth, baby. I can be there in record time with my belt if I need to.”

  “Mama, you’ve been watching too much Madea. Besides, I’m grown, remember?”

  “Well, you know I like that Tyler Perry, but that’s beside the point. I kept a supply of belts long before Madea showed up and you’re still not too old for a butt whipping.”

  “Okay, Mama, can we get back to the point?”

  “Like I said, ‘Jesus asked, if it be thy will, take this cup from me’ and what did the good Lord say?”

  “Ma-ma . . .”

  “What did He say, chile? I’m getting to something. Oh never mind, He said, ‘My grace is sufficient.’ ” Jewel let out a deep sigh. “Mama, what are you trying to say?”

  “Well, sometimes God sends something or someone to wear down our flesh. No matter what we do, the thing or person won’t go away, until God gets out of us what He wants. Sounds like He’s trying to deal with some part of your flesh.”

  “Mama, that’s not helping. I’m angry and I’m tired of dealing with this. I can’t make Kevin see how she’s interfering with our marriage. I know this baby mama drama is new to you. How much of this am I supposed to take?” She folded her arms and poked out her lip.

  “First of all, you need to realize what you just said, baby; you can’t ‘make’ a man do nothing. And as for the baby mama drama, you know I despise that phrase, honey, please. We had baby mama drama back in our day. We just didn’t broadcast it. I never told you this, but one time some floozy from Dallas tried to claim your daddy had fathered a child out of wedlock. But we worked all that out behind closed doors. That’s how we did. On the Q.T., the quiet tip. Turned out to be false, praise God. People had pride back then, nowadays, you pay people two hundred dollars to go airing all their business on Maury Povitch. Just no discretion. You know that man does entire shows on paternity testing? His wife is a respectable journalist. Connie Chung. You know her? Not sure how those two hooked up.”