The Sunday Brunch Diaries

by Norma L. Jarrett

  “That’s what you think.” Kevin lifted his pool cue from the table and placed it on the floor.

  “Anyway, I heard they were going to have a party for Angel’s birthday at the end of May, so you know they’ll be stirred up then.

  “Next month?” Anthony asked as he sprang up.

  “Yeah, man, the last weekend. I’m taking Angel out the week before and she mentioned what the ladies were going to do.

  “Aw, that’s perfect. Fellas, my boy Kelvin Jeffries is having his annual White Party in Las Vegas that weekend,” Anthony said.

  “Ole boy from the Bulls? Man, you know it’s going to be a gold digger function fo sho’. You tryin’ to get us killed,” Kevin said.

  “Y’all know me. I can’t remember the last time I went to a real party. It’s just a little getaway. A weekend away with the fellas. It’s not like we don’t know how to act. Besides, it ain’t like you got no money, what you worried about?” Anthony watched for their reaction.

  “Hey, you don’t know what I got in my bank account. Why do you think Jewel married me?” Kevin puffed his chest out.

  “I don’t know, man. You know I’m definitely not down with any clubs or parties.” Chris shook his head slowly.

  “C’mon man, Anthony said it’s just going to be a getaway. My man needs some relief. I’m definitely down,” Kevin said.

  “You know you can’t go anywhere unless you ask Jewel’s permission.” Chris started laughing and slapped Anthony’s hand.

  “Aw, man, forgetchu.” Kevin waved his hand. “It’s not like Lexi doesn’t have you on a leash.”

  “Hey, I don’t have a problem checking in, ’cause I’m not doing anything wrong.” Chris folded his arms.

  “Wait a few more years, dude,” Kevin said. “G. Bush, what’s up, you down or what?” Kevin lifted his head and looked at Rex.

  “I don’t know. It’s just not something I would normally do. But lately, I have been needing to de-stress. I mean, cases are starting to run together and I’m not feeling the law right now. I do need a break. I don’t gamble, but I’m sure I can find something to do.”

  Kevin leaned over Anthony. “Pssst. I knew that Negro wasn’t gonna go.”

  “There’s got to be a nice golf course in the area. Yeah, yes, I’m in.” Rex’s words built momentum as he racked the pool balls.

  “Man, you don’t go to Vegas to golf.” Kevin frowned.

  “Well, I guess there’s nothing wrong with a little male bonding,” Chris suggested.

  “Yeah, we can take a limo to the airport and ride on my boy’s jet,” Anthony said. “This’ll be good,” he added as he smacked fists with Rex and Kevin. “I could use a break.”

  “I feel you, I feel you. And they can’t make no excuses, because they got plans!” Kevin ran over and tried to bump chests with Anthony, but almost fell down.

  Octavio started laughing, “Yo, dude almost fell!” He was pointing at Kevin as he regained his balance.

  “Yeah, yeah, let’s see you get away from Angel. She got you on lock, dude. Every five minutes we got to hear some scripture, dude. When we go to Vegas, man, leave some of that at home,” Kevin warned.

  “Man, you trippin’.” Octavio got up to grab a pool cue.

  “So look, we need to make a final decision tonight. Everybody’s in, right? The women are doing their thang. The menfolk are just getting away. Nice innocent fun. So I got a yes from Kevin, I knew that fool would be in. Got my man Rex on board. Alright, alright. Chris? You know if you come the women will really know it’s legit.” Anthony stuck his fist out and Chris hit the bottom of his fist on top of Anthony’s.

  “Octavio, you in? Do it for me . . . for the championship I could have had.”

  “Man, I guess so.” Octavio’s mouth was saying yes, but his Spirit was saying something different.

  “That’s it. It’s on. No backing out either. But remember, what happens in Vegas . . . stays in Vegas.”

  CHAPTER FORTY

  Can I Go to Vegas?

  Take One

  “No, Chris.”

  “But, Lexi, all my boys are going and you ladies will be celebrating Angel’s birthday that weekend anyway. I never go away with the fellas.” He followed her to the living room like a little kid.

  She stopped in her tracks and he almost ran into her. “Boy, are you crazy? I’m with child. I could go into labor, anything could happen while you’re trouncing around Las Vegas doing God knows what!”

  “Lexi, do you have to be so dramatic? It’s way too soon for you to go into labor. You’ll have at least six months to go.” He closed his eyes and opened them, waiting for me to respond.

  “I’m not. How could you want to go to Vegas at a time like this? You should want to be with me to experience every second of the pregnancy.” She grabbed his arms and her eyes began to tear up.

  Dang, she’s laying it on thick. I guess this is when the hormones start to kick in.

  “Well, all I have to say is when your baby grows up and asks about the pregnancy, I’ll be sure to let your child know his daddy felt it was more important to go to Vegas—aka ‘Sin City’—than be with his mother.” Lexi dropped down on the couch and grabbed the remote.

  Chris plopped down beside her and placed his head on her shoulder. “Lexi, it’s one weekend.”

  “Um-hmm, whatever.”

  Take Two

  “Boy, have you lost your mind? What could you possibly want to do in Vegas that you can’t do right here in Houston? I know. You want to run around with some women. I knew it; you’re tired of me already,” Jewel said as she crossed her arms and turned her head away from Kevin.

  Oh brother. He grabbed her chin with his fingers so he could look in her eyes. “Babe, it’s just a simple little trip. Anthony’s teammate has this event every year. It’s just a little male bonding. Baby, I’m with you all the time. Whoa, wait, I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “Oh, so now it’s punishment to be with me?” She watched his face, but he didn’t speak right away.

  “Baby, you know it’s not like that.” He sighed deeply and then rubbed his forehead. “You know what? I don’t have to ask your permission. I’m going and that’s it!”

  Several seconds of silence passed. “Okay.”

  “Okay what?” he said with a frown.

  “I said okay, but Kevin Eastland, I will hop on a plane and show up wherever you are if I even think you are acting a fool. You better keep your cell phone on and answer when I call!”

  Take Three

  “Jermane, honey, there’s a golf tournament and conference in Las Vegas I want to go to,” Rex said.

  “Okay, honey, that’s nice,” Jermane said on her way to Tootsies.

  Take Four

  “Octavio, I already heard it through the grapevine. But I promise you, you won’t have a good time. You certainly don’t need my permission . . .” Angel said as she continued to stretch her legs.

  Octavio bent over and stretched out his arms. Wow, that was easy. “Well, baby, don’t forget we’ll celebrate your birthday the week before.”

  “Sounds fine with me,” she said as they started their daily jog. Despite her apparent dismissal of the issue, Angel still barely said anything during their two-mile run.

  Take Five

  “What did you say was going on in Las Vegas?” Capri eyed Anthony as he was on the bedroom floor doing his daily push-ups. She was a bit distracted by his bulging biceps. She pulled her terry-cloth robe tighter, then began to sweep her hair into a ponytail.

  “You know my boy Jeffries. He’s throwing his annual all-white party on Saturday and a golf tournament that Sunday. Just fun, babe.” He jumped up after finishing his push-ups, breathing a little hard.

  “Uh-huh,” she said as she walked toward the bathroom. “And why all of a sudden do you want to go this year?”

  “I don’t know. I just need to blow off some steam.” Anthony walked into the bathroom and grabbed her waist from behind and kissed her. She looke
d at the reflection in the mirror of the two of them, then turned around to face him as she grabbed his hands.

  “Anthony, what’s really going on? You don’t party. That’s one of the things you said when I first met you. I felt so comfortable with you for that reason. I don’t want to have to wonder what you’re doing in a city like Las Vegas.”

  “Babe, you have to trust me to do the right thing. I would never do anything to hurt or embarrass you. But I need to get away.” He kissed her on the forehead.

  She looked down, and then up into his eyes. He took his hand and slid it through her ponytail, then pulled her toward him for a kiss. “Hmmm, it’s been a while since I’ve had those lips,” he said as he rocked her a bit in his arms.

  He kissed her again. She left the conversation in the bathroom and decided to take full advantage of the moment. Regardless of his crazy Vegas notion, it was the first time in a while that she felt like she was kissing the real Anthony Stanton, with all of his passion and sincerity. Capri didn’t want the moment to end because of some silly trip that might not even happen.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  One Woman’s Trash . . .

  I looked around at the festive décor and wondered how Jewel came up with clothing-shaped cookies. Her clothes-swapping birthday soiree seemed like a good idea after all. She’d managed to transform Angel’s condo for another one of her “Fabulous Jewels events.” Even though I was looking forward to the festivities, I was missing Chris. He let me know they had landed safely and settled into the hotel in Vegas. I refocused on my punch bowl duties.

  “So, Lexi, I wonder what those men are up to. I hated to give in, but I finally told him just to go ahead and go,” Jewel said as she finished arranging the skewers on the tray.

  “What? You mean you didn’t fuss at all?” I asked as I added a little more ice to the punch bowl.

  “Girl, no. I’m just going to trust that he knows how to act.”

  “Um-hum. Well, all I can say is I talked to Chris for about an hour before he left. I made him rub my belly to remind him what he has back at home. I can’t say that I have a good feeling about this. But he seemed determined to go.”

  Jewel paused to brush one of her ringlets away from her face. This week she had her curly weave in. “Girl, I can’t wait to see what Missy’s going to bring.”

  “Girl, is anything else on your mind besides clothes? Do you even like the girl?” I paused before I brushed a piece of my own hair away from my face.

  “Yeah, I mean she was fun at the book club. You’re the only one that seems to find something negative to say about her.” Jewel dipped a piece of strawberry in the chocolate fondue for a taste.

  “What? Please, I haven’t given her a second thought.”

  “Umm-hmm,” Jewel said as she arranged her T-shirt-shaped cookies on a serving tray. “Angel’s gonna love these.”

  “Yeah, they are cute. Oh, there’s the doorbell.” I walked to open the door of Angel’s high-rise and in came Capri, Missy, and two of Angel’s coworkers, Reyna and Tara.

  “Hey, ladies. Let me help you with those.” Jewel rushed over and grabbed their shopping bags. She couldn’t help snooping in them before she set them down. “Okay, I hope there are tags on everything.”

  “Where’s the guest of honor?” Capri asked, then sat on the couch and crossed her legs. She looked extra cool in her floor-length patterned sundress.

  “Oh, I gave Angel a gift certificate for Isle Pedi-Spa. She should be back soon,” I said.

  “Ooh, I love that place, my favorite is the chocolate-covered strawberry pedicure,” Tara said.

  Missy put her hand to her chest. “No, darling, the vanilla latte with the vanilla paraffin dip is heaven.”

  Jewel was pulling things out of shopping bags to hang them on the rolling racks set up in the living room. “Are we talking about pedicures or food?”

  Just then she heard keys opening the door.

  “Hey, birthday lady!” Capri ran over and gave Angel a hug. “Girl, you are looking all refreshed.

  “I know. I had the most fabulous pedicure, thanks to Lexi. I also had a facial around the corner at Beautique,” she said as she patted her face.

  “Well, you don’t look a day over—”

  Angel threw up her hand. “Don’t even go there, Jewel. Wow, the place looks so festive.” She looked around and saw the beautiful cake and pastel colors. The little miniature shoes and feather boas and other decorative items added to the fashion theme.

  Once Angel got settled, she grabbed a plate and joined the other ladies. “So after we eat, we can have a little fun playing dress-up!”

  “Not before we give you your gifts,” Jewel said.

  “That can wait, really. I just want us to relax and have a little girl time.” Angel kicked back and started to eat. “Ummm, this is good.”

  “So what do you think they’re doing?” Jewel asked after it got a little quiet.

  “Who?” Angel replied.

  “You know, the men.”

  “Girl, I don’t know, and I don’t care. It’s my birthday celebration; I don’t have time to worry about what Octavio is doing. We had a nice time last weekend.”

  Missy reached for some dip. “Well, if it were my husband, I would be right there.”

  “Dang, girl, you don’t let that man breathe,” I said.

  “That’s just me. It’s a rough world out there. Girl, I know how good I got it. I’m not trying to give up my lifestyle. Besides I think my husband likes it. I don’t hear him complaining.”

  “Well, Rex said all he wanted to do was play golf,” Jermane said as she sipped her tea.

  Missy let out a laugh. “Girl, is that what he told you? Yeah, okay.”

  “Please don’t have Jermane getting all freaked out. Rex is old faithful. He doesn’t have an ounce of dog in him,” Capri said.

  “Well, I wouldn’t be so sure. No disrespect to you, but Jermane, your man is fine and he is a man.”

  Jermane’s eyes got wide. “I know my husband. Trust me, he’s faithful.”

  “Umm-hmm,” Missy said. “That’s what I said before . . . well, never mind.”

  “Anyway, this party was a great idea,” Reyna said as she cleared her throat and changed the subject. “I came to find something new to add to my wardrobe, we don’t have time to gab about some men.” She walked over to the racks and started looking through the clothes.

  Jermane began to fidget in her chair. She was two minutes from calling Rex to check up on him, but she was going to wait until she could escape to the bathroom later.

  “Jewel, I got this first,” I said as I picked up a lemon-colored cashmere sweater.

  “No, I had it first, besides you can’t fit this, it looks a little too small for you.”

  Oh no she didn’t. “Jewel, you are one of my best friends, but I will fight you for this sweater.”

  “Fine, Lexi, I see something else I want anyway.” She walked over to the other rack and picked out a Rachel Roy gold satin trench coat. “Omigod! I love this!”

  “Yeah, I never wore it. I saw it on Oprah and thought I had to have it. I don’t have any more room in my closet,” Missy said.

  “Jermane, where’s your stuff?”

  Jermane was just sitting there, still looking preoccupied.

  “I said, girl, where’s your stuff?” Jewel poked her in the side.

  “Oh, it’s mixed in there. Everything I brought was brand-new. All my stuff still has the tags on it.”

  “Girl, look at this Luca Luca dress.” Angel pulled out the colorful dress and held it to her.

  “That’s cute, girl,” Capri said.

  “What do you think about this?” I looked at Capri after I’d donned a fedora and cocked it to the side.

  “Mmm, no, just don’t think it’s you,” Capri said, tilting her head.

  “I do, I’m gonna keep it. I’m gonna try on this Calvin Klein pencil skirt.”

  Jewel caught me struggling to zip it. “Girl, that s
kirt is too tight on you.”

  “Jewel, be quiet. You don’t have to hurt my feelings.” I had to play it off.

  “Well, she oughta be bigger than that,” Capri said. As soon as she let the words fly out of her mouth, she realized she’d said a little too much.

  Jewel paused for a minute and looked back at me, but appeared unfazed.

  I cut my eyes at Capri. I took off the skirt and ran to the bathroom for the fourth time since I’d been there. On my way back I heard Jermane on the phone with Rex.

  “So why haven’t you called me? I know you talked to me earlier this morning, but you said you were going golfing. Well, you better call me before you go to this White Party tonight.”

  Dang, is that how I sound? Jermane is tripping.

  After everyone had gotten their share of items and dessert had been served, Missy, Reyna, and Tara left. Then the five of us kicked back like old times.

  Angel sat on the floor barefoot. “So I wonder what they’re doing? I haven’t heard from Octavio.”

  “I don’t know, but something tells me they aren’t sitting around thinking about us. We need to put on some music and have some fun!” I said.

  “Girl, you’re right. We need to do like we used to back in the day.”

  The next thing I know Jewel had put on the Emancipation of Mimi CD.

  “Dang, Mariah Carey put her foot in that CD. It’s one of the only CDs I lost and went and bought again,” Capri said as she got up and started dancing.

  “I know that’s right!” Jewel said. “You gotta shake it off . . .”

  “Go ahead, Jewel!” After a while we completely forgot about Vegas and had our own little party.

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  VIPs

  “Man, I thought you would never stop eating at that buffet,” Anthony said as he trimmed up his beard with his razor. “Smooth as a baby’s bottom,” he said as he felt his face.

  “That was some good food. No wonder Las Vegas has some of the fattest people in the world,” Kevin said as he slapped a little aftershave on his face.

  “It was embarrassing after a while. Doesn’t Jewel feed you?” Octavio yelled from the bedroom.