Gumbo

by Tiana Laveen

  “They gave me some medicine and thick menstrual pads and sent me home. I couldn’t believe what had happened, Tony… Our baby was gone. Just when I was gettin’ used to the idea, making plans in my mind. I had even called some local colleges, asked them to mail me brochures, and I was lookin’ around my room, tryna figure out where I’d set up the crib. But, just like that, the baby was gone!” He squeezed her hand and took a deep breath, barely holding on. “So… wasn’t nothin’ to tell Grandmama, and wasn’t nothin’ to tell you either, Tony. It was over before it had even started…”

  “Now it all makes sense, the anger you had for me…Tellin’ me that I broke my promise to you. I’m sorry you had to go through this by yourself, Cassidy. I should’ve been there with you.”

  He gathered her in his arms and kissed her cheek. Nothing seemed real, feeling as if they were floating in a fog… The tears stopped, but her heart kept beating so fast and he could feel the rhythm against his chest. Before he knew it, they’d fallen asleep. After a while, he woke up and looked at the time…

  “Cass… Cassidy, wake up.” He shook her. Her eyes fluttered. “What time did the hospital say Grandmama passed away?”

  “Um…” She yawned and rubbed her eyes. “2:15 A.M. Why?”

  “Look at the time…” Cass leaned over him and looked at the clock. 2:15 A.M. “Get up. Let’s cook.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. She wants us to cook that gumbo.”

  He made his way out of their bedroom into the kitchen, Alexa still playing various songs and the vegetables still scattered all over the counter. Moments later, he heard the sound of Cassidy’s slippers moving about as she entered.

  A cabinet opened here… the refrigerator door closed there… Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Cassidy glance at the piece of paper he’d dropped—the note from Grandmama. She picked it up and read it. Minutes later, without a word, she folded it back, placed it down on the counter, and proceeded to gather several bowls and a large pot.

  “Alexa, play ‘Never Would’ve Made It’ by Marvin Sapp, please…” Cassidy requested.

  She was still quietly crying, but through those overflowing tears she was smiling bright as the sun—and so was he.

  Seconds later, Angel Eyes was praising the Lord with joy, the music playing at high volume, singing the lyrics to one of Grandmama’s favorite gospel songs as he cut up the celery and diced the onions.

  His Angel Eyes smelled like spilled perfume in a Dungaree pocket. He smelled like earth and clay. Together, they were Gumbo… fine apart, but much better together…

  Amen.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  A Marriage Made in Heaven

  …Six months later

  Eight bridesmaids dressed in different shades of yellow gathered around half of a circle, surrounding the spotlight highlighting Tony and Cassidy’s initials, ARC, (Antonio Romano Cassidy) shining like a beacon in the middle of the ballroom floor. Completing the other half of the circle stood eight groomsmen, all wearing dark suits with pale yellow silk ties and matching handkerchiefs in their jacket pockets. Pastor Aioli stood by the priest, Fr. Duncan, both of them holding their Bibles as people waited for the bride to make her grand entrance.

  Tony took a deep breath and looked out at the sea of 509 guests. Three seats in the front were empty, but covered in bouquets and various decorations.

  One chair was for Maize; on it sat several rap cassette tapes, a book about Black activists who’d changed the United States, and a stick of cinnamon gum which he chewed often. Another chair was for Dad and on that he’d placed a small black comb he’d always kept on his person, a crucifix he’d often worn, and his wedding band. The last chair, covered in pink and white lace, was for Grandmama. It had her Bible, her favorite apron folded neatly in a square, her cookbook and her reading glasses. Getting choked up at the sight, Tony turned his head.

  Mom sat with a big smile on her face next to his stepfather, George, looking beautiful in a dark yellow blazer and matching pants, paired with white heels. She’d bragged about getting them half off at Sax Fifth Avenue.

  Suddenly the gentle strands of instrumental music ceased playing, and everyone turned to see the main attraction make her entrance. Two sheer white curtains were pulled aside at the back, showcasing large double doors that slowly swung open. People stood as the videographer and photographer moved in closer. Chrisette Michele’s song, ‘A Couple Of Forevers,’ started to play, and one could hear a pin drop.

  Tony clasped his hands together and blinked several times when the woman of his dreams appeared, one arm wrapped around Danica’s, another around Derek’s.

  “My God…” That was all he could say. He’d forgotten how to speak, almost also how to think.

  Cassidy began to walk down the aisle wearing a custom made, pale yellow wedding gown dripping in diamonds around the bosom and cinched waist. A long slit on the left side of the gown showcased one of her beautiful legs that he’d kissed a thousand times. Elegant, clear high heels graced her feet, the clasps tied at the ankle. Her naturally curly hair was brushed away from her face, pinned in a beautiful curly puff adorned with small, fresh yellow flowers.

  A thin chain hung delicately around her forehead, much like a halo, with a teardrop diamond in the middle that sparkled in the light. The back of it was attached to a long, sheer train that floated behind her. Her lips looked succulent and juicy, a neutral gloss coating them. Her makeup was flawless. When she reached him, he bit his lower lip and winked at her, overwhelmed with lust and love.

  The minister waved his arm, and everyone took their seats. Danica removed the bouquet of long-stemmed yellow flowers from Cassidy’s grasp, freeing her up for Tony to take her hand and lead her to the three seats that were empty, but claimed…

  After a few moments, the song, ‘Crossroads’ by Bone Thugs and Harmony, began to play. Dante approached and handed Tony a small velvet satchel. He reached inside it and pulled out a replica ticket of a one-way plane ticket to California, first class.

  “This is for you… just like we spoke about. I know where you’re at right now. You don’t have to ride a plane to get to me… but I wanted to give this to you, all the same. I wish I could’ve had a little bit more time with you, but who am I kidding? If I had forever, it still would’ve never been enough. Rest in peace, Maize, and thank you for having my back, even after death.” Tony blinked back tears as they approached the second chair, his father’s…

  Cassidy rested her hands on his arm and squeezed it tight. Tony looked at that chair long and hard, envisioning his father sitting there. He could almost smell the man’s cigarettes burning and his expensive cologne filling the air, hear his deep raspy voice once again…

  ‘Father and Son’ by Cat Stevens began to play…

  The minister began to speak, “Deuteronomy 1:29-31, Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.’”

  “Dad, thank you for carrying me, even while I walked through the valley of the shadow of death. I came to you for help, and you were there, just as you promised to always be.”

  He took a deep breath, placed a single white rose on his father’s seat, then they walked to the last chair, Grandmama’s.

  The music changed to ‘A Song for Mama’ by Boyz 2 Men.

  They stood before it, neither speaking, both needing a minute to collect themselves. After a few moments, Cassidy removed a flower from her hair, and placed it down on the chair. Tony detached one of the yellow petals from his boutonnière and did the same. Cassidy moved ahead of him, placing her hands close to her face in the gesture of prayer, and he could tell she was crying from the way her shoulders moved up and down. He ran his hand lovingly against her shoulder.

  “Thank you�
� thank you… thank you…” she cried, speaking in a low whisper. “Thank you for all that you gave me, did for me, and continue to do for me. I love you so much, Grandmama. You’re gone, but still here. I can feel you each and every day.”

  Tony glanced out at their guests and witnessed a few people crying; the general mood was so somber … reverent. Blue.

  He returned to the altar with his bride. Moments later, they recited their vows and bowed their heads as the priest said a prayer over them. Towards the end, two children approached—a little girl dressed in a white lacey bridal type gown with a veil, and a boy in a tuxedo with a yellow cummerbund. ‘Baby Shark’ began to play as the two danced down the aisle. The crowd laughed, clapped and ooohed and aaawed as the children reached the altar, both of them no older than five. The boy carried a small wooden broom. They placed it down at the end of the white lace runner and raced back towards their mother, Cassidy’s friend from work, leaping into her lap and causing all sorts of laughter.

  Before long, the minister asked them to exchange rings. Tony removed a platinum and diamond band from his pocket, held her finger, and repeated the vows.

  “With this ring, I thee wed, and with it, I bestow upon thee all the treasures of my mind, heart, and hands… as long as you cook for me at least three times a week, promise to give me nookie at least five times a week, and throw away that oversized T-Shirt with the old pork chop grease stains. I can’t stand it. It’s goin’ in tha trash.”

  The crowd erupted in laughter as Tony jumped back, dodging Cassidy’s playful lunge. The minister and priest chuckled as everyone settled down after his impromptu antics.

  Cassidy repeated the same vows, hers without the silly adlib, and slid a thick, platinum wedding band down his finger.

  The minister took both of their hands, smiled at them, and said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife! Antonio Cristian Romano, you may kiss your bride!”

  Without further ado, Tony closed the small gap between them, cradled Cass’s face in his hands, and kissed her delicious lips with all he had in him. The crowd cheered and yelled out their names as he embraced her, and thunderous applause reigned supreme. When he opened his eyes, she was blinking back tears. White confetti and bits of lace fluttered from the ceiling, showering them. Then they turned and faced the crowd, and jumped the broom. Wild applause rang in the air, drowning out any other sound.

  “Just when I thought you couldn’t get any more beautiful, you show up looking like this… I get to hold you every night. If I weren’t me, I’d be so jealous!” he teased as he gave her another peck on the lips. She ran her thumb against his lips, wiping her gloss off them. “No, leave it there… I like it.” He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingertips, his gaze on her.

  “I love you, baby. Tony, I’ve dreamt of this day… You have no idea how badly I wanted this.” Her gorgeous eyes shone under the lights.

  “I can see it, feel it deep in my soul. I know you love me as much as I love you.” He kissed her once more, unable to control himself, then faced the crowd, raising their arms high in the air. People approached them, hugged them and offered congratulations. After a few more photographs, Tony took her hand and led her to the changing area.

  “What are you doing? Where are we going?”

  Without a reply, he entered the room and locked the door behind them. He scooped her up swiftly in his arms, causing her to squeal and beat him about the shoulders.

  “Tony! Antonio! BOY! Stop playing! You betta stop, I mean it!!!” He sat her down on a table as though she were a doll. Eyeshadow pallets, mascaras, curling irons, and a bunch of other girly shit covered the surface area. Knocking a bunch of it out of the way with a swipe of his arm, he snaked his hand up her dress until he found her honeypot. “Tony… Tony, we can’t!”

  He snatched her panties off, casting them aside, then reached for his zipper, unleashing his hard-as-a-rock dick, the damn thing throbbing with need.

  “Tony, no! We’ve got people way… ahhh!” She shook as he roughly entered her, driving his cock inside her with brute determination. Holding onto the back of her neck, he lavished her jawbone with kisses while the table rocked violently beneath them. “Shit!” Her nails dug into his arm as he rammed her, all of his love pouring into each nasty, ruthless thrust.

  “I love you, baby!” he roared.

  He caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror, watching as he took his new bride, fucking her with all that he had in him. Slipping his tongue into her mouth, he reached down to shove her dress further out of the way and stroked her clit in the special way he knew would make his baby cum. She sighed and moaned, her feminine release airy and sweet until the very end, when she squelched her scream by biting into his jacket at the shoulder and holding on tight. Cassidy trembled against him, her eyes full of love and devotion.

  “I meant what I said… you gotta give it up at least five times a week. Don’t get stingy just because we’re married now. I should make you sign a contract.”

  He smirked, and the woman smiled lazily. Pulling back, he slammed into her, quickly covering her mouth to stifle her screams. It wasn’t long before he was cumming deep inside her, quivering against her, groaning with each thrust, filling her pussy with his creamy essence. After a few moments, he stepped back, picked up her panties, and slid them back up her legs. The cool air in the room hit his wet dick, so he quickly tucked it away.

  They washed their hands in the sink, standing side by side, looking at one another in the mirror, giggling like silly teenagers… Just how it used to be when they’d sneak off and make love so long ago, hoping they’d never get caught. A few minutes later, they headed out into the garden area of the venue for dinner and some more festivities.

  Danica floated past, looking them up and down, an exaggerated sneer on her face.

  “Heffa, if you don’t fix yo’ damn weddin’ dress! Y’all nasty! Why is it whenever y’all get done doing something, you never check to make sure you’re presentable?! Been gone over fifteen minutes, leaving me here to lie and tell everyone Cassidy had an important phone call! She had an important call alright, a call to Doctor Dick!” she quipped as she tugged and pulled at Cassidy’s crooked hem, causing all three of them to burst out laughing.

  Danica sauntered away and they took in the beautiful surroundings. The elaborate wedding cake sat on a table to the far left, an exquisite five-tier, white and gold confection. A buffet was set up across two long tables aglow with white lights and heating lamps, the servers standing behind the entrees in their crisp white aprons, gloves and hats. The wedding coordinator approached and handed Cassidy the mic.

  “Hi everyone!” Cassidy stood in the garden holding a wireless microphone while everyone got seated. “Tony and I just want to thank all of our friends and family, every single one of you, for coming out to celebrate this special day with us. Most of you who knew us way back when, know that this right here,” she pointed to Tony, then back to herself, “is a miracle.” Many people applauded and whistled. “Us being together is a blessing and was a long time coming. This year was one of the hardest of my life, and one of the best of my life, too. I was challenged, and blessed, challenged some more, and blessed again. It was a roller coaster.

  “I lost people in my life—some through death, others through the gift of discernment. I gained some people, too, through both circumstance and divine intervention. I’ve had friendships that are even stronger now. My sister, not through blood but hood… she always has my back!” She pointed to Danica, clearly holding back tears. Danica stood and clapped, then blew her a kiss.

  “There were moments right after my grandmother died when I didn’t think I’d make it.” Cassidy paused and bowed her head. Tony wrapped his arm around her waist, pulled her close, and kissed her cheek. “Sorry…” She sniffed.

  “That’s all right! Take your time!” someone yelled.

  “So, it was difficult because my grandmother was actually more like a mother to me. She took very good care of me. She str
essed the importance of love.” She looked at Tony and smiled. “Of education, endurance, laughter, belief in oneself and forgiveness. She loved God and she was funny, strong, and warm-hearted. Tonight though is about celebrating! It’s about celebrating love, not just for Antonio and me, but all of us here this evening. Tony and I have a unique love story; many of you know it.

  “For those who don’t, in a nutshell, we met as teenagers in a part of Florida rife with crime and poverty due to low employment and other factors that typically cause a vortex, if you will, in one of the richest countries on Earth. I come from very humble beginnings, and I’m proud of that. This man and I went through trials and tribulations during our teenage romance, as all people do who fall in love, and then, we were separated… not by our own will.

  “Twelve years later, my… my grandmother, in her own special way, brought us back together again.” She paused, took another deep breath, and he patted her back, urging her to continue. “You see, while we were getting Grandmama’s house in order, I found a cookbook of hers. Any of you who knew Ms. Betty were aware she could cook her behind off!” People laughed and clapped in agreement. “Her food wrapped itself around my childhood, made it easier to swallow and go down… So Tony and I, for several months while we got her house ready for sale after her passing, cooked many of the recipes in that book, night after night after night.

  “This is why you have such an eclectic menu for dinner this evening. All of this food behind me,” she turned and pointed to the buffet of mouthwatering fare, “is a celebration of Grandmama’s recipes, passed down to her from generation to generation. Each of you should have a small, gold and white booklet with each recipe inside of it at your table setting, featuring the food you will be served tonight.” People began to whisper amongst themselves and pick up the gold framed booklet, flipping through it.