BOMAW 12-14

by Mercedes Keyes

  "Good, okay, well Monday, after work, it's you and I. We get step one taken care of with the songs. And then you really do need to focus on some sort of compromise with forming a band, after all, don't forget, you don't have a great deal of time on your side. If one is walking right up to you, there's something to be said for working with them."

  "That's true, you're right. I have numbers, I'll give'em a ring later - you coming to the house, pitching in any?"

  "Yeah, what the hell - what time you starting?"

  "Mom and dad are there with Ben and Derrick's boys now, I told Ben where I'd like to get things done this weekend. Our bedroom, the main bathroom, the upstairs kitchen - I want those three rooms up and running - if nothing else. If Vivian can live with it, we may end up moving in this weekend or early next week, I can finish the rest once we're there."

  "Let me check with Sylvia, see what plans she has, and I'll be by there, donate at least three or four hours."

  "Every little bit helps! See you there." He hung up as the bathroom door opened for Vivian to scuttle out, still against the wall. He came up behind her, "Baby? What's wrong? You still tired?"

  She only grunted, made her way back into their room and then climbed into bed, pulling the covers around her, completely ignoring him. Jake landed on the bed, pulling her against him, "Hey sleepy head, what's wrong? You not mad at me about last night are you?"

  "No." She groaned.

  "Why you so tired?"

  "I don't know Jake, let me guess, I didn't get in bed until almost four in the morning." She grumbled.

  "I'm up, I didn't get to bed until almost five." He pointed out.

  "Good - for you. Now leave me alone, I'm sleepy."

  "You sure? I'm going to the house, remember, marathon build."

  "Don't let me stop you."

  Jake grinned, "Grumpy and mean! Fine, stay in bed then, and when you get up, make sure it's on the right side." He sat up, slapped her firm bottom lightly with an added caress and squeeze and he was off.

  When he, Shanna and Royce arrived at the house, his father was supervising. He had Ben and Marcus in the bathroom getting it done, while in the kitchen with Paul and Gert working on finishing the walls. Luis and Shawn2 were their gofers, with Joseph moving from one room to the other, helping where they would let him. Sasha sat on the front porch listening to her radio and reading a book, her leg propped up.

  "Hi Tio Jake, everybody is in the house working away!" She chirped, content where she was, enjoying her book.

  He smiled, chucked her under the chin with a wink and entered to busy progress. "Hey hey hey, what's going on in here?"

  "Work! That's what! Can't get much done lazin' around from partying and drinking the night away!" Bart called back.

  "Fret no further, help has arrived!" Jake joked back.

  Bart stood shaking his head, "Help? Hell boy, we're the help! This your home! Got a future wife to fix in here, I'm sure she'd be happy to know she's got a decent home to lay her head."

  "I'm here dad, I'm here - chill all right - I'm ready to roll." Jake informed him.

  "Should'ah been ready hours ago, me and your mother's been up since the break of dawn, plannin' - wantin' to make sure things get done, I guess it's a good thing too. You just showin' up, what time is it?"

  Jake sighed looked back at Shanna, grinding his teeth, for her to lip, "Let's just get to work, you know how he is." His eyes went up from hers to meet Royce's, the question was clear, 'Are you sure you wanna get in with this family?'Royce smiled, shrugged and rolled up his sleeves, asking where he could help. Jake turned from him, giving that some thought, catching his mother's eyes on him, she of course was with his father on this one, so he knew he'd better get to work and so they did. They finished the ceilings, walls and the floors - Bart's suggestion - throughout the entire home, everywhere, basement and attic included. Double checking the pipes and wiring before either was laid. It just didn't make sense to him to do three rooms when there was so much help at hand. There was also the addition of Shawn showing up. And working like a true team, assembly line, they did it all - which included adding the extra bathroom downstairs and in the basement that he wanted. They built in a laundry room upstairs and in the basement as well. The one upstairs would have apartment size washer and dryer for clothing and light things, while the basement washer and dryer were heavy duty for anything needing washing. After all rooms were built and established, ceilings, walls, floors done, all electric and plumbing in place, it was break time and five o'clock in the evening. As everyone moved out onto the front porch, Sylvia was driving up with a double family size order of Kentucky Fried chicken and all the sides available for everyone. Angela and the boys tagging along with her, escorted by the bodyguard.

  Jake looked up surprised to see her there and still no Vivian.

  "Where's my lil'girl?" He asked.

  "Just gettin' up. And I might add, not looking too good."

  "Not looking too good? Why? What's going on? She sick or something? She was okay last night."

  Those within hearing range looked at each other and then at him.

  "You're kidding right?" Sylvia asked, her hand to her hip.

  "Kidding about what?"

  "Jacob Patrick, what do you think - about what?" Gert asked incredulously.

  "Well if I knew, I wouldn't be asking, would I?" He looked from Sylvia to his mother.

  Shanna had stepped out on the porch in time to hear the exchange, she too made a face, stunned by his lack of realization.

  Each of the three women looked at each other as if trying to decide, who would be the one to enlighten him on their suspicions.

  The men had one thing on their minds, food! So missed the exchanges taken place.

  Jake stood at the bottom of the stairs to his home, looking and waiting for someone to come forward with what was going on. His mother stepped down the stairs, stopping one above him, "Jacob Patrick McPherson, you mean to tell me, you standing here completely clueless to what might be going on with Vivian?"

  He stared up at his mother a few moments; turning from her, his eyes went to Sylvia, and then at her rounding bulge. His eyes grew big, and like a bat out of hell, he rushed for his truck, jumped in and sped off to Shanna's. Upon reaching her place, he jumped out of the truck and nosily rushed into the house. Vivian was sitting at the table, forehead in her palm, picking at broccoli she'd warmed up. She glanced up at him, tears were rolling down her cheeks, she wiped at them quickly. Jake rushed over to where she sat, kneeling on the floor beside her, "Hey, what's wrong huh? Look at me, what's wrong?" He asked gently, turning her face to him by her chin.

  "Nothing." She responded softly, wiping at her moist cheeks.

  "Nothing? Why you crying then? Look at me."

  "I don't know why I'm crying, and - I don't wanna look at you."

  "Why?"

  "Because I'm sitting here crying, and I don't know why! If I look at you, it will only make it worse, so - please, leave me alone. Go back to the house."

  "Come go back with me, leave that - you can eat something there."

  "I'm not really hungry to be honest with you."

  "No? Why is that?"

  She glanced at him, kneeling on the floor next to her, asking, "Why are you kneeling there?"

  He was staring up at her and suddenly, he was smiling, the slightest ever smile on his face.

  "What you smiling at?" She asked petulantly.

  His smile grew wider.

  "Would you quit grinning at me!" Her lip was poked out.

  He started chuckling.

  "Ain't nothing funny! Why are you laughing?"

  All she could see was his bright white teeth, when he started nodding at her, "Come on, admit it." He coaxed.

  "Admit it? Admit what?"

  His grinning was getting worse by the moment, "Don't fight it, I know how hard it is for you to give it up, but come on - let's hear it."

  "I don't know what you talkin' about."

  "Yo
u sure about that?" He asked, moving in closer to her, putting his arm around the back of her chair, moving so close he was against her side, and bolder still, he turned her in the seat, wedging himself between her knees.

  She was looking into his eyes, and you'd have to be a complete idiot not to get what was going on behind them.

  "Well? You gonna admit it or not?"

  Vivian crossed her arms over her breasts, refusing to give in, refusing to admit anything, instead she asked, "Has someone been talking to you? Your mother? Shanna? Sylvia?"

  Jake started laughing again, taking her chin he turned her to look him right in the eyes, "Come on, say it - don't worry about them, look at me and say it. Say, you did it, you got me."

  "I ain't sayin' nothing! You don't know! They don't know either!" She pouted.

  "Vivian Cooke, I gotcha'!"

  "Em umm!" She denied what she knew he was meaning.

  "Oh yes, I gotcha' baby. What did I tell you? Let this be a lesson to you, when I set out to do something, it's as good as done. Now admit it, admit you having my baby, admit it."

  "You don't know that! I don't know that!"

  "There's one way to find out, a test - want me to go get one?"

  "No! We're gonna wait - if Tuesday my period doesn't start, we'll know then, because - well - I'm never late. And if it doesn't come on, all next week, we'll get a test." She offered begrudgingly.

  He pulled her closer to him, looking into her eyes, he whispered with sure confidence, "You are - pregnant - with my baby. I know it, as sure as I know, the time is now, right now for me to rise up and make what I've always dreamed of happen. Knowing you're carrying my child, is just the beginning - just - the beginning." He reached up, palmed the back of her head, pulling her down he captured her lips, kissing her as if to seal it all as so - the wheels were in motion.

  Chapter 297

  The beat rolled from Ben's car, bass so loud causing the vehicle to vibrate from the song - "Can't Stop" by After 7, every lyric, hit him hard and strong - it had his heart racing hearing what he felt put to words in a song, '...girl I can't stop ho-o-o-o-ow I-I-I-I-I feel - 'cause I'm diggin' on you, you diggin' on me, no I can't stop - how I feel... I'm diggin' on you, you diggin' on me...' To see him lightly bopping his head to the beat, no one would imagine how miserable he was; the chicken was tasteless in his mouth, but he had to eat, he was shaking just about from hunger. He glanced around him, everyone stood talking and eating in groups. Vivian was there now with his dad, looking over what they'd gotten done - which was a lot. Another day - they would be done for their part, and his father would be left with completing the finishing touches, which involved tiling, painting, papering, and base boards to complete all the rooms they didn't get done during the marathon. The outside of the house still looked a wreck, nothing like the inside which smelled of fresh pine and oak - even so, all the new windows and doors were in and it was fully insulated. They weren't sure when Jake would see to the exterior, but the priority was the inside.

  He smiled, he could hear Vivian's squeals of joy - she was in love with her new home and from word going around, pregnant.

  His father deserved to be happy - he just hoped he did all to keep things that way - so far, he seemed to be on the right track. He scanned the area looking for Marcus, he'd been shit faced most of the day, drinking and then sex all night obviously took the best out of him. He finally spotted him, laying in the back of their grandparents truck, arm over his eyes sleeping; apparently eating was the last thing on his mind. The kids were running around, playing, having a good time - his eyes went especially to Isaac and Darren - watching over them as it were. He wondered why he continued to do so? They had Mundo, they had Angela, they had Shawn, they had Sylvia - why in truth, did they need him? What he sat facing was that they didn't need him, he was the one that needed them. Because they were part of her, they made him feel connected. He could shake the blue funk if he could get what happened between them out of his head - he'd wanted her so badly last night. To finally kiss her as he'd long to, to caress her, touch her, burned him in a way that left him scalded and aching for more.

  His car door opened making him look to the intruder of his thoughts.

  "Hey." He spoke softly to Paul, reaching forward, he turned his radio down, "What's up?" He asked.

  "Question is, what's up with you? Why are you sitting here by yourself?"

  Ben smiled, "Lot on my mind." He answered simply.

  "Crystal?" Paul asked, taking a sip from his bottle of water, he was done eating.

  Ben's head turned to stare at him, "Marcus been talking to you?"

  "Yeah. You know - it's okay if you wanna talk to me." Paul offered.

  Ben smiled, Paul wasn't like Kevin, nor like Marcus for that matter - he almost stood alone in being the man that he was. And Ben did see Paul as a man, despite his young age. "Nothing you can help me with." He softly expressed, "Hopefully, you'll be blessed and spared what I'm going through."

  "You mean, loving someone - who isn't free to love you back?"

  Ben sighed, nodded, "Yeah - I guess it can't be put any better. There is no way I can help you understand what that's like."

  "I think, it's got to be, the closest thing, to knowing what being behind bars is like. To maybe, seeing that one you love, in sight, but - out of reach, no matter what you do to reach her, she's not allowed, to come any closer to the bars. Yeah, I know."

  Ben slowly turned his head to stare at his younger brother, at first speechless. Paul turned as well, one brother's eyes, gazing into the other's. They didn't see each other as cousins, because they'd been brothers for too long to correct their thinking on how they were related. "Wow, where'd that come from? How can you come so close to putting into words, what I feel?" Ben asked, after all, this was Paul, his all around good guy little brother, who did no wrong; what would he know about loving a woman like Crystal?

  "Jacqueline Pemberton, 31, married - in Chicago, two kids - real nice kids. That's how."

  Ben stared at him blank a moment and then, "Huh?" His mind could not put this together - this was Paul after all.

  "I'm in love with her. I plan to marry her one day. First, I need to finish school, pick up my degrees, set myself up - and then, go after her."

  "Wha-what? She's married, Paul - isn't that what you just said, that she's married?" Ben questioned still in a state of surprise.

  "She's needing a divorce, she - doesn't have the money for one, her husband's doing time."

  "WHAT?! Her husband is in jail? Oh my God! You have to be kidding me! Does dad know about this?!" Ben was getting into a frenzied anxiety.

  "Yeah, dad knows."

  "Wait a minute - what exactly - does he know? When did this happen? Where've I been?"

  "California, remember? It happened while you were there, and I was in Chicago, helping her out. She uh, needed some stuff done on her house, and I said I would help her as best I could, I did."

  "And where was dad when this was going on?" Ben cross examined, worried about his little brother.

  "He left me in Chicago to-..."

  "He - left you in Chicago?! Has he lost his mind?!"

  Paul started laughing, "Calm down, I was just fine, I was there with Vivian."

  "Vivian went with you to this ladies house?"

  "Not exactly, I took Vivian to work, and then I took dad's truck with building materials and fixed her place for her."

  "You fixed her place?"

  "What needed fixing, yeah." Paul confirmed.

  Ben stared at him more deeply, looking into his eyes, "Were you - alone with her?"

  "Yeah, I was."

  "Like, a long time, alone with her?"

  "To answer your question, long enough, yes - we were alone."

  Ben stared even more, then his eyes grew big, his mouth dropped open as he blurted, "You're not a virgin anymore! You're not blushing! We're talking about a woman, and - things and - you're not blushing!" He accused.

  Paul rolled laughin
g, "Oh my god, I think you're worse than dad!"

  "She took advantage of you! She saw a young, innocent virgin male, good looking, talented, with skills and took advantage of you!"

  "She did not, Ben!"

  "She did too! You're only 18 years old for goodness sake! You didn't have a chance! 31 years old? That's - she's 13 years older than you - you can't marry her!"

  "That's not up to you Ben, that's up to her. That's up to me." Paul corrected him calmly.

  "Does your mother know what's going on?"

  "As a matter of fact, she does, I told her."

  "She can't be happy about this."

  "It's my life. That's what she said, and considering her past acts, she's not willing to interfere with the decisions I make. She only said, that if things get tough, she'll be there for me, as a friend, as always; I'm not a little boy anymore."

  "She said that?"

  "That's what she said."

  "I always thought your mom a little crazy." Ben mumbled low under his breath.

  "I heard that!"

  "What?! What'd I say?!" Ben tried to play it off and deny his muffled spoken thoughts.

  "My mom's not crazy! She just believes that life is meant for living, you have to get some bad, and hopefully some good. You get hurt; learn why, grow from it, accept it and move on - doesn't sound crazy to me." He defended.

  Ben deflated and sank back against his car seat, "Sorry, didn't mean any harm."

  "I know you didn't. Point is, I know what you're going through. It's not easy is it? Not at all. Least you get to see Crystal, her boys, you're right here where she is, can check on her anytime. I can't. All I can do is write her a letter, and I do. I'm about to mail off the fourth one Monday. I want her to know, I'm not gonna stop loving her, just because we're apart. And, dad, as you know, has been paying us to help. I'm going to get the money she needs to divorce him."