The Jade Emperor

by Suzanne Jenkins

  “What about furniture? My old junk in Chicago can stay in Chicago. Kelly Boyd have ugly furniture, I don’t want nothing from your old house.”

  “We can get new stuff. You can pick out what you want, and as soon as we have an address, we’ll have it delivered.”

  “Everything so easy nowadays,” Lee said. “Not like old days where you go order furniture and it comes two months later.”

  “What’s Titan going to do with his stuff?” Steve asked. “He had all that modern furniture.”

  “We pack up the good, and he sell the rest of it,” she said, frowning. “Titan not call me yet. He too busy with Kelly Boyd.”

  Looking at her phone to see the time, Steve could see she was annoyed. “The boy was up late, Lee. Let’s give him a break, okay? He’s been through a lot this week.”

  “Don’t tell me how to treat my son,” she said, her nose in the air.

  “I’d never do that,” Steve said. “You’re a wonderful mother. But you could call him if you’re concerned.”

  “I don’t like to bother him,” she said. “I’ll wait. Maybe you take me to Kelly Boyd’s again after work.”

  “If you’re sure you want to do that, I’d better call her this time. We didn’t make a very good impression last night.”

  “Let’s eat,” she said. “You talk while I starve.”

  “Okay, it’s right here, my dear,” he said, laughing. “Your favorite, pork fried rice and egg rolls.”

  “You take good care of me,” Lee said.

  ***

  After Steve left for work, Lee called Titan’s number, but he didn’t answer. He was chasing after Kelly on the last stretch before they reached her block.

  “Augie’s right!” he shouted. “This is torture.”

  “We’re almost there! Stop whining.”

  They reached the cross street. With his hand on his knees, Titan was trying to catch his breath while Kelly laughed at him.

  “You’re so dramatic,” she said. “Good lord, that wasn’t even a mile!”

  “I think you’re wrong,” he said. “Jeez, I hope I’m not having a heart attack.”

  “Do you have chest pain?” she asked.

  “No, I just long to lie down on the sidewalk.”

  “Well, come on, let’s cross and get home,” she said, laughing. “You can lie on my couch and recover.”

  “Thank you,” he said. “Thank you for helping me not have to think about the last five years. It’s hard to believe she’s gone. And for the first time, I didn’t think about it for an entire hour.”

  “What happened for five years?” Kelly asked.

  “She was sick all that time,” Titan said, his breath starting to slow down. “I knew she was sick when I met her. With all the new treatments, I didn’t think it would kill her. I was wrong.”

  “I didn’t know,” Kelly said. “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what that must have been like for you both.”

  They walked out into the street to avoid a low area of the sidewalk flooded with melted snow. Reaching out for her, Titan did it automatically, helping another human being, and Kelly reached for his helping hands, jumping across the water holding on to him just as Steve drove by.

  They were talking so comfortably with each other, Steve couldn’t believe it. They were even laughing. He drove right by and they didn’t even notice. Steve was glad Kelly was taking care of Titan at night, and then he thought, I don’t mean it that way. Titan had a place to stay, and for that, Steve was grateful. But it was strange that he was with Kelly instead of his own mother. Should he call Titan and tell him Lee was annoyed? He was still navigating the relationship with Titan. Steve felt completely comfortable with him, but Titan was still in shock. Wisely, Steve didn’t think Titan would appreciate a reminder from him.

  Driving around the block, he wanted to peek between the houses and see…well, he didn’t know what he expected, and now he was curious. They had just reached the house, and it was plain to see even from a distance that they were talking intently, not aware of their surroundings.

  He was going to be late, so he moved on, confused about his curiosity, not understanding what it was. And then a lightbulb went off, and he understood. He was jealous! Not that they were together like a man and woman, but that Kelly was getting one-on-one time with Titan, and Steve and Titan hadn’t had that yet. What would he even talk about with Titan? He wondered if they’d ever have anything in common. The knowledge made him sad. They’d have Lee in common, and that would be it.

  “You’re being ridiculous,” Steve said out loud. “You’ll find common ground after you get to know each other. The same with my other sons. Better late than never.”

  A siren got his attention, and a flash of blue light. Looking in his rearview mirror, he saw a police car.

  “Oh, damn,” he mumbled, stopping the car along the curb.

  Then he saw Maxine, his daughter Alice’s partner, walking toward the car. Rolling down the window, he looked up at her.

  “You okay, Mr. Boyd?”

  “Hi, Maxine,” he said, slouching down in his seat. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “You were driving five miles an hour along the curb,” she said. “I was worried about you.”

  “I was spying on my house,” he said, defeated. “My wife and my new son were out running together. I just wanted to watch them go back inside.”

  “Ah, I gotcha,” she said.

  “I’m jealous because I don’t have anything to say to my kids. Kelly always did, and now she’s talking to Titan. It just hit me that maybe I can have a relationship with my kids if I put a little effort into it.”

  “It takes a lot of work to be in a relationship, that’s for sure,” she said.

  Looking up at her again, the thing about Maxine that everyone saw - how self-assured, level-headed, and honest she was - was finally apparent to Steve, too. He didn’t see her skin color or her cop uniform for the first time.

  “Do you have time for a cup of coffee?” Steve asked.

  “You’re asking me to drink coffee with you,” she stated, incredulous.

  “Yes. I want to know my daughter, so I need to know you, too, if you’ll forgive me. Give me a chance.”

  “Why would I do that?” she asked.

  “Well, you could give me a break, I guess. Understand that I’m just an old redneck.”

  He was so sincere, and it was so surprising to Maxine, that she readily agreed. “I’d love to have coffee with you and talk about Alice. She won’t believe it though. I’ll have to take a picture with you.”

  She crouched down by the window with her face next to Steve’s, and smiling, snapped a picture. Then she sent it in a group text, without Steve included, of course. Me and Steve, going for coffee.

  Reggie was behind the counter when Steve and Maxine walked in for coffee, and almost passed out.

  “Didn’t you get my text?” she asked, seeing he was disturbed.

  “Ah, no, I’m working,” he answered. “I think I’m going to faint.”

  “Son, I’m sorry,” Steve whispered. “I’ll try harder to be a better father.”

  Not believing it, trying to focus on the coffee pot, Reggie thought the stars had misaligned or something astronomical had just occurred, because the weird relational things happening didn’t make any sense.

  “Hey, Dad, that’s okay,” Reggie said. “Don’t sweat it. What can I get you?”

  While he prepared their coffee, Ken, driving by, sent the next text, missing Maxine’s completely.

  I’m not sure if I have the DTs, or there’s something really wrong in the universe, but I just saw Dad going into the coffee shop with Maxine.

  Lisa answered him right away. Check your messages. Maxine sent a picture.

  He scrolled through his messages and saw the one he missed; Maxine, standing next to Steve’s rental car and Steve in the seat, looking like he was about to be arrested.

  What’s going on? he texted.

  Are you at th
e coffee shop? Alice texted back. You should go inside.

  I’m down the street, he texted. I don’t want to disturb what’s happening in there. But poor Reggie.

  While the family commiserated, wishing they could be a fly on the wall of the coffee shop, Kelly texted Reggie to take notes about what he’d heard.

  Pouring the coffee, Reggie was trying to keep one ear peeled. Arranging it on a tray with a plate of pastries, he carefully took it over to their table. He didn’t want to spill in front of his father and, worse, the feared Maxine.

  “I just realized this might be the first time I ever served you here, Dad,” Reggie said, placing a cup in front of Steve.

  “I’m sorry about that, Reggie. I never have coffee in town,” he said.

  “Well, that’s logical, then,” Maxine said, picking up the cup.

  “How long have you worked here? Not that long, right?” Steve asked, screwing his face up and looking at the ceiling. “I’m trying to remember.”

  “Ten years,” Reggie said. “I started working here my junior year in high school.”

  “Oh, right. I’m sorry. I’m going to try to be more in touch,” he said.

  “Dad, are you okay?” Reggie asked.

  “I’m okay. I don’t want any more time to pass not knowing you.”

  Confused, Reggie looked to Maxine for answers. “He saw Titan with your mother, and he feels left out,” she said.

  Blanching at the exposure, Steve knew now was the time for transparency.

  “Kelly always knew what to say to you kids. She still does. I just realized that if I’m missing out, I can change. I’m not sure how to do that.”

  “You can start by being interested in what other people are doing,” Maxine said.

  And before he could open his mouth to say something sarcastic, Reggie quipped, “And by not putting them down.”

  “I do do that,” Steve admitted. “It’s because I don’t get it.”

  “Like you don’t get two women together?” Maxine asked.

  “Or why a coffee shop guy needs two master’s degrees?” Reggie added.

  “Yeah, sort of,” Steve said. “It’s because where I came from, no one did that. No lesbo and no college.”

  Shaking her head, Maxine couldn’t help it and she started laughing. “You’re a mess.”

  “See, Dad, you didn’t need to say that. That’s offensive,” Reggie said.

  “I know, but I couldn’t keep it in,” Steve replied. “This stuff just pops out of my mouth.”

  “I wonder if you aren’t mentally ill,” Maxine said.

  “I’m sure I am,” Steve admitted. “Kelly said she thought I had PTSD.”

  “Yes, I believe that could be true,” Maxine said.

  “I agree,” Reggie said. “You can get help for that. You’ll have a much happier life.”

  “I love Lee,” Steve said, frightened.

  “No one is saying anything about Lee,” Reggie replied. “You want to have a happy life with her, too, don’t you? You should get someone to listen to you, to guide you is all I’m saying. Lee, too.”

  “How do you know, Mr. Know-it-all?” Steve asked.

  “I do have a master’s degree in psychology,” he answered, winking at his father. “I’ll work on a doctorate if I can save the money.”

  “Oh, right,” Steve said. “Sorry. There are so many of you, I forget who’s done what.”

  Reggie pulled out a stool to sit. In one day, he’d seen entirely too much of his family.

  “What about Alice?” Steve asked. “Is she okay?”

  “Alice is great,” Maxine said. “You’d like her, if you’d take the time to get know her. She’s always ready for a game, that girl. She’ll play anything; if it’s got a board and deck of cards, she’s ready.”

  “I loved games when I was a kid,” Steve said. “I’m sorry I never played with my kids.”

  “Alice is a great cook, too. You’ve never been to our place when we have everyone over. Did you know it’s the same model as your house without the full second story?”

  “We added that dormer on when the twins were born,” Steve said. “I didn’t know you had the same house. I must have, but I forgot.”

  “She has our furniture laid out the same way Kelly has yours, I mean hers. Chairs flanking the fireplace, a long couch. Even the dining room is the same. She said why mess with perfection.”

  “Does Kelly know?”

  “Of course,” she said. “She’s helped us a lot. Now she’s repainting your place. Hers.”

  “She is? I never wanted to do it,” he said. “It was too messy.”

  “She’s making us do it,” Reggie said. “Thanks a lot, Dad.”

  They were deep in conversation when Steve’s phone went off. It was his job.

  “Oh hell! I forgot to go back to work,” he said, getting up quickly to take the call.

  “What the hell is this?” Reggie asked after Steve moved away. “Is he drugged?”

  “No, I think this is the new and improved Steve. We have to give him a chance.”

  Thinking for a moment, Reggie took a step out in faith.

  “Why do you try to intimidate me?” Reggie asked. “Quick, before the old man gets back.”

  “Aw, Reg, don’t get mad,” she said.

  “Tell me. It’s very disheartening. You scare the hell out of me.”

  “Are you scared now?” she asked, looking right in his eyes.

  Relaxing, he shook his head. “No, not now.”

  “I mess with you because I’m shy around you,” she said.

  “What BS,” Reggie barked, laughing.

  “No, it’s true. You’re educated; everyone knows you’re like a genius. I feel like a dope around you, so I get mean.”

  Stretching across the table, getting up in her face, Reggie looked into her eyes this time. “Are you shy around me right now?”

  His breath was chocolatey, and the things that she teased Reggie about unmercifully, the things she found so attractive about him leaped out at her so she felt all goosebumps and chills.

  “No,” she whispered, looking at his hairline, it was receding, and he had it pulled back into a long ponytail, but it gave him a Sean Connery look.

  His arms were long and muscular, and he did have a paunch, but everyone knew Reggie liked to cook, so it was natural.

  “How come you never had me to your house for a meal?” she asked.

  “I live in a boardinghouse,” he said. “You’d hate it there.”

  “That wouldn’t bother me,” she said.

  “Yes, it would. It’s a yogi retreat. Vegetarian. I can’t eat meat on the grounds. I’ll cook at Mom’s this weekend,” he said. “Me and Alice can think up something to do together.”

  Steve returned, contrite. “Thank you both, I have to get back to work. I’ll try harder not to be so…” He snapped his fingers. “What’s the word?”

  “Narrow minded,” Maxine said.

  “Hillbilly,” Reggie said.

  Steve laughed. “Right. See you later,” he said, and walked out.

  “Well, if I do say so myself, this has been the weirdest day I have ever had,” Reggie said.

  He sat with Maxine until the shop got busy again, and he had to get up to help. “I think you’re pretty fabulous,” he said. “My sister is a lucky girl.”

  Surprising him, Maxine leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “We’ll get together this weekend, as usual.”

  In Kelly’s living room, Karen and Anne, Ken, Alice and Lisa waited for Reggie to get off work. Maxine was working a twelve-hour shift so she’d be over later, along with Augie and Ben and their families.

  “I’m dying,” Alice said. “Maxine said she and Reggie decided it was what an acid trip might be like.”

  Laughing out loud, Kelly shook her head. “They are so dramatic.”

  “It’s a meeting of Maxine and Reggie that’s like an acid trip,” Ken said. “And trust me, I know. How did that go?”

&n
bsp; “I can’t wait to hear,” Alice said. “Reggie is scared to death of her. I’ve seen him slow down in front of the house, and if he can see any sign that she’s home, he peels out.”

  “You’re crazy,” Kelly said, amused.

  “It’s true,” Alice said, laughing.

  “By the way, where’s Titan?” Karen asked.

  “He went to see his mother,” Kelly said. “I actually said he could bring her back here. I was rude to her last night, so I’m trying to make amends.”

  “Mother, you’re kidding me, right?” Ken asked. “In some countries, what she did last night would be considered a felony.”

  “Give me a break,” she replied.

  “What’d she say?” Karen asked. “You didn’t tell me this part.”

  Ken repeated the scene, the issue of Lee’s mental health more pronounced.

  “Does her son realize she’s crazy?”

  “I think so, but he’s very protective of her, as he should be,” Kelly said, standing up. “I’m going to order the pizza now.”

  Walking back to her bedroom, she closed the door. It had been a full, crazy day, and she was tired. Everything that had happened needed sorting through, and she followed her old organizational habit of making a spreadsheet in her head, the first column the names of her family, now Titan and Lee added to the list.

  After being with him all morning, Kelly knew she was going to have to accept Lee into her life. She was going to have to find a way to communicate with Lee, to allow her to be herself without feeling critiqued all the time. Possibly she could talk to Lee about what was inappropriate and appropriate.

  After she ordered the pizza, she hesitated about going out to the family again, wanting a few more minutes to think. It was in that stolen minute that she knew she had to allow things to happen as they fell into place. She couldn’t orchestrate a plan for Lee and Steve in her life. The holidays were fast approaching, she remembered again, and they served a purpose this year more than ever of it not just being about the food. Thanksgiving was going to be a turning point, she could feel it.

  Giving up and returning to the living room, the others had arrived. Happily, Titan’s car pulled up without Lee.

  Chapter 18