BOMAW 4-6

by Mercedes Keyes

  "Man don't park there! That's my wife spot... move it up some right there! She be out here blowing her horn when she get home."

  Jake obediently climbed in and moved his truck where he was told, he didn't want Sheila out there blowing her horn at him about her parking spot.

  Finally, he turned his engine off for the second time and walked into their house. Dennis had his hand out, "How you doing man, I'm Dennis." He introduced himself.

  "Hey... I'm Jake." They shook hands.

  "Yeah I know, heard a lot about you." Dennis was laughing, as Jake could imagine, he probably knew everything about what took place without him saying a word.

  "Come on in the kitchen man, I'm cookin' these boys somethin' to eat, they 'bout to drive me crazy! Be glad when they mama get home. Early this morning I had to rush Jimmy lil'ass to the hospital, that's the third one - he eight... jumpin' on the goddamn bed, fell off and broke his arm - his mama gone break his ass when she get home!" Dennis explained, the smile on his face never left it as he explained.

  Jake listened and followed him through their spotlessly clean home. Again, surprised - this being the third black home he'd been in, Sylvia's and Vivian's... both tastefully decorated, and clean beyond reproach - like this one.

  "Have a seat." He invited.

  Jake sat at the glass top table in their kitchen. The room was live with the aroma's of food, making his stomach growl. Their was bacon and sausage already cooked, grits on the stove -(Jake loved grits... however they came)- and the smell of biscuits baking in the oven. Confirming this, Dennis opened it to check them.

  "Yep... time to do the eggs. TYRESE - JIMMY - I'M 'BOUT TO DO YO' EGGS! GET ON DOWN HERE!!!" He yelled through the kitchen floor expecting them to hear him. They did.

  "OKAY DAD-DIEEE - JIMMY SAY HIS ARM HURT!" Tyrese, their six year old yelled back, Jake could hear him running through the house coming towards the kitchen, then slamming through the door.

  "Boy what yo'mama tell you 'bout running through the house!? You want yo' arm broke too!?" Dennis asked standing at the stove preparing the pan for the eggs.

  Tyrese ignored that and reported, "Jimmy say his arm hurtin'!"

  "Goddamnit its broke! Its gone hurt! He be ah'ight! Tell'em get his ass down here to eat!" Dennis returned.

  Tyrese stood staring at Jake.

  Jake stared back. He looked just like his mother, on the plump side, smooth dewy brown skin, huge brown eyes, clean, well lined haircut, and inquisitive.

  "Who is this daddy?" He asked his father, looking at Jake.

  "That's Jake, don't be rude, introduce yourself." His father answered cooking.

  "Hello Jake - I'm Tyrese Xavier Johnson, I'm six years old. Going into the first grade, soon as school come back... and when I grow up, I'm gone be a fireman, tight rope walker and I'mo train lions too."

  Jake grinned as his father said, "Boy! I said introduce yourself, not all that! Did you ask him could you call him Jake? Otherwise you should be addressing him as Mr. McPherson." Dennis was grabbing a plate.

  "How I'm suppose to know he Mr. Pherer - you ain't say that daddy."

  Jake was grinning watching the two.

  "McPherson boy! Say it right! Mick - fear - son! Now say it right!" He went on, setting the table.

  "Mr. McPherson... that right... that's how you say yo'name?" Tyrese asked.

  "Perfect... but you can call me Jake."

  "See daddy... he say its alright I call him Jake!"

  "Well its alright then, long as you done checked."

  "How come you got a black eye, somebody beat you up Jake?"

  "Yep... my brother hit me and give me a black eye." Jake returned being honest.

  "You hit him back?" Tyrese asked.

  "Yes I did."

  "He got a black eye too?"

  "Yes he does."

  "Who the oldest?"

  "He is."

  "He beat you up all the time?"

  Jake laughed, "He use to... when we were young, 'cause I would get on his nerves and he would beat me up."

  "I know what you sayin', I get on Jimmy nerve... he beat me up too. But now, his arm broke, its - my - turn." Tyrese eyes got wide with the nod of his head as if he relished the idea. Jake laughed even more.

  "You ain't gone be beatin' nobody up... go get Jimmy and tell him I said come and eat." Dennis walked over and nudged him on the head towards the door. Tyrese took off through it yelling back, "I'ah be back Jake! I got to ask you some more questions!"

  "You ain't askin' nobody nothing, he ain't here to see you! You just do what I say and get your brother!" Dennis yelled in the open door. "How you want your eggs man?" He asked Jake coming back around after putting his sons plates on the table.

  "Don't matter, whatever is easiest for you." Jake stated.

  "Cool... so - you was by Vivian's hm? What's going on with her?"

  Jake wasn't sure how much he should say. "She's ummm, hmmm, not happy this morning."

  "Dr. Kawasaki still messin' wit'her?" He asked. Jake laughed at the obvious chosen name for the doctor.

  "I'm afraid so, wasn't sure if you knew about it."

  "Yeah, we know about'im. Sheila told her to lose his ass... now she finally did, he don't seem to wanna let go. He done got his ass a taste of a sho'nuff sho'nuff black woman and china man can't cut loose!" Dennis chuckled. "You wouldn't know about that though would'yah? Yo' brother know though! He got him a good one - I can tell you that now." Dennis informed him. Jake did know, if that kiss he and Vivian shared was anything to go by... it was still on his mind, where it would stay, he responded instead, "I agree... he does. Reason I'm trying to find her, I kind of blew it for them." Speaking of Sylvia and Shawn.

  "So I heard... least ya'll straight now. I can't wait to meet him, Sheila say he cool - that she happy for Sylvia. Its about time to, 'cause her first husband, that son'vabitch... man I'm telling you... I don't know what possess her to marry his ass."

  Jake remained quiet, he hadn't a clue into any of that.

  "I don't know anything about her first husband, but my brother loves her. I've never seen him so ripped up about a woman before. I have to find her, she's pregnant you know."

  "Yeah... Sheila told me. She need to just bring her ass on home, women a trip man! I swear fo'God! 'Specially black women! You white boys had it made until ya'll ass got bored and crossed over! Now ya'll see what the hell a black man be up against! If we ain't gettin' shit from the white man, we gettin' shit from our woman! 'Cause a black woman won't give you no slack! If she takin' care of her business, you better believe you gots'ta be takin' care of yours! 'Cause believe me, she'll kick yo'ass to the curb in a instant! Yo'ass wake up in the rain, all yo'shit be laying next t'ya!" Dennis laughed good naturedly, putting a plate in front of Jake. Who was all ears, trying to decide was the man speaking resentfully, or admirably.

  "Tell me about it, I got a taste this morning." Jake spoke up, mumbling as he turned to eat, just as Tyrese came into the kitchen, plopping down at his chair. "I'm back Jake!"

  Jake smiled at him with his fork in hand eating, Tyrese didn't have to be told to eat. He was right on it. Then Jimmy walked into the kitchen, slow and in misery.

  "Daddy my arm hurt." He whined.

  "When you get through eatin', you can go lay back down, I'ah give you a Tylenol. I bet yo'ass won't be jumpin' in the bed too soon again."

  "Can't I have breakfast in bed?" He asked dragging himself to his chair, holding his arm with the cast on it as if he needed to protect it.

  "Hell naw! You know yo'mama don't allow no eatin' in the room! Sit down, get done eatin' - back up to yo'room - you can watch t.v. and sleep." Dennis directed, sitting next to Jake as his sons ate. They knew now not to butt in.

  "Sheila said you all had four sons?" Jake asked, enjoying his breakfast, the grits were perfect. He cleaned them up first, surprising Dennis. "Yeah... the oldest, Robert - away at school, and Zachary is at my moms this weekend. Man... you eat them grits up like they dessert!" Den
nis grinned.

  "I love grits... can I have some more."

  "What?! I can't believe this! White boy eatin' grits! You better be glad I always cook too much! Hell yeah, get some more, they'll just sit on the stove and get cold and stiff."

  "Thanks... I love'em hot or cold." Jake informed him, getting up to get more. "Are you gonna have some more?" He asked Dennis, who turned in his seat, a baffled look on his face. "Naaaw man... knock yo'self out!"

  "Thanks!" Jake answered, bringing the pot to his plate and pouring the entire remainder on it. Sitting the small pot back, he returned to his chair and ate all those grits as well, then finished off his sausage, bacon, eggs and three biscuits last.

  "Man what you know about some grits?!"

  "My mom and dad from the south originally. We were raised on them, we eat greens too. Shawn loves greens."

  "I can't believe this shit! Ya'll eat greens?"

  "My brother can cook some really good greens... I can't cook nothin'! But I'll eat some up let me tell you, I can eat!"

  "I'm seein' yo'ass! God - dai-amn!"

  They laughed and ate. The boys soon finished and Dennis sent them out of the kitchen as he cleaned up from breakfast.

  "That was good Dennis... I can't decide who cooks better, you or Shawn." Jake commented sucking down a tall glass of milk Dennis passed him. Dennis stood and watched him knock it back straight down, then belched and passed him the empty glass.

  "That hit the spot. Since you cooked, I can wash the dishes if you want?" Jake offered.

  "Naw man, sit on down and chill... I got it. Tell me what's up with Vivian? What she all worked up about this morning? You stay by there?" He asked right off.

  "No... I wanted to ... I can tell you that now - but she wasn't having it. She told me to get the hell out of her house!" Jake said honestly, Dennis laughed doing the dishes. "So she was trippin' on you man!? I'm surprised! Thought she was looking for her a man! Told us she ready to settle down and have a baby or two." Dennis supplied. "I figure you be right up her alley, what she lookin' for according to Sheila."

  "Oh yeah... is that right?" Jake asked curiously.

  "Last I heard. You might wanna avoid that if you ain't looking to marry. 'Cause I can tell you now, she is. Sheila tell me yo'mama tried to fix you two up... that true?"

  "I'm afraid so. This might sound strange, but my mother initially wanted all of us, all five that is... to marry anyone other than someone white - especially black if we could manage it."

  "Now what the hell is that all about!? I ain't never heard of no shit like that before! No offence... but white folks usually be scared to death they kids might bring one home... here yo'mama trying to get you to, what's going on with her?"

  Jake grinned, "I know... its a long story. You and Sheila will have to take some time and come up and meet her, believe me, she'll tell you why. The rest of my family as well... my mother will love you guys... she's already crazy about Sheila. I think if there was no you, she'd be trying to get me to marry her."

  "Aye man... and there is a me... don't you be forgettin' that shit!" Dennis warned, ever smiling.

  Jake felt so comfortable, it was like they'd always known each other, "I know I know... but man, she can cook, your wife!"

  "I know! I heard what she cooked ya'll ass last night. When she get home, she cookin' me the same goddamn thing too!"

  "So what you do for a living Dennis?"

  "Construction! Got a city contract too boy! Man its all sweet from here on out! Nothing but work! 'Bout time too, we been struggling for a bit... but, it'll be alright now."

  "Sheila work? What does she do for a living?"

  "Take care of me goddammit! That's her job! ME! Me and these kids! This house! When we first got together, she had a little job, I'on like that shit! When I get home, I want my wife here... waitin' on me! Made her quit that lil'job long time ago. Raising them boys, seeing to this house, and about me, full time! That's enough... I pay the cos'ta' be the boss 'round here! I can't have no woman like her bringin' in no money... she talk too much shit now! If she was paying the bills too... or even helpin' - my ass wouldn't have shit to say! Forget that!" Dennis grinned.

  Jake shook his head listening.

  "So basically... since you work... bring home the pay, you run the roost?"

  "I say that? I ain't said shit like that! Don't you go sayin' I said shit like that! Get my ass in trouble! I just said, her job is here! I pay the cos'...but... well... she be the boss!"

  Jake threw his head back and laughed.

  "Laugh if you want! That's alright! She straight though... my lil'honey! I don't mind her being in charge... 'cause I know my shit be right when I get home. When papah walk through the door, she be all on me. That's what I like."

  Jake smiled.

  "So its a no go for you and Vivian then hm?" Dennis asked coming to sit across from Jake.

  "I don't know. To be honest, I've never been married, not looking to marry. And umm, she already said to me, all or nothing. So, I guess its a no go."

  "Hey... you know you. Some men ain't cut out for marriage. I can't be no other way. Got to have me a woman. One - woman, strong, dependable, black and beautiful... that's what I got. Ain't nothin' in the world you'll ever accomplish and do, that will top... havin' a good woman. That's what life's about man... going through it with that special somebody, made to order... just for you, by your side. Everything else you do, seem to be just that much sweeter, when you got her." Dennis thought out loud, thinking about his wife, eagerly waiting for her return. Sheila was his pride and joy - and he spoiled the hell out of her. Couldn't help himself, he loved to hear her laugh. To see her get into things he usually had to pull her out of.

  Jake sat listening and watching him. He hadn't a clue of what that must be like. To be that happy. He looked at Dennis and realized that he was a totally and completely happy man. Pleased with life and all he had in it... because he had Sheila. That had been his brother as well, he had to do his part and get it back for him.

  Jake thought about himself. He was 39 years old. The thought had always stopped there. Fact was, in six months, he would be 40. The number sat him back. Looking at Dennis, seeing his life, hearing the way he felt about it, gave him a new perspective of things. Jake felt weird suddenly as it hit home... that he would soon be 40. Four - zero! Crossing over into thirty had stunned him, shook him a bit, and he fought it back by living and acting younger, crazier. Dismissing the age notion from his mind. But this was different. 40... he would soon be 40!

  His face suddenly flushed pale and then grew gradually red.

  "Aye man... you alright?"

  "Yeah uh... I think I better get going. I have a lot to do at home. I've burned up enough time, I promised my brother I'd help him with certain things on his home. I need to get started. You got a pen and paper, I'll leave my numbers for Sheila to get a hold of me." Jake said suddenly, Dennis stood, "Yeah man... sure, hang on." He went to the refrigerator grabbed up up the erasable pen to jot down his numbers on the message board there. With that done, he walked Jake to the door.

  "I really appreciate the breakfast, it hit the spot."

  "No problem man, hey... you ever need to run down here for anything - drop in here dude. We got room for you, you always welcome here." Dennis offered hospitably.

  It stopped Jake at the bottom of their steps, making him turn back, he smiled up at Dennis, "Thanks... I just may do that."

  "Ah'ight man... take it easy! I'll let Sheila know."

  Chapter 84

  L. A. Sunday that evening...

  Shawn sat listening to Terra as she explained to him what was going on and her reasons for keeping Deidre under such tight security. Jeremiah had called her, letting her know that Deidre's ex had arrived. She assured Jeremiah that he could be trusted, she knew first hand that he was not liked by the Wherrington's, had never been. More precisely, not by Oscar T. of course Georgiana had been another story entirely.

  "I never liked them. The
y never cared much for me... now, I like them even less. I cannot believe this. That you believe they're behind the shooting."

  "It's not a proven fact, not yet. All I know is what Deidre felt. We won't get more pieces to the puzzle until she's awake and able to tell us what happened that night. For instance, why she would take a taxi when her car was right there. We should know by Wednesday about her car. I don't get it. There was no reason that I can see for her to be in that taxi. That car is not a year old, she trades it in every year for a new one... yet - it was parked." Terra explained.

  Gert and Shanna were present listening, they'd eaten already after enjoying time in the pool and out on the patio. When Terra arrived, Shawn let her see Angela for a few moments and then sent her off to shower and get ready for bed. Following which, she would say her goodnights and was allowed to watch a little tv in her room, where she was at the moment.

  "I am spinning here listening to you two. The idea that anyone would even consider such a thing, to their own flesh and blood daughter." Gert expressed her feelings.

  "I agree, as I said... we could be wrong, but until I know what's going on beyond a shadow of a doubt, I'm not going to let them near her. When she wakes up, if she wants to see them, then it must be allowed... not while she's defenceless - no way."

  "What I don't understand is what possible motive or reason would they have for getting rid of their one heir?" Shawn thought out loud.

  "Deidre told me that her father called her into his office and asked her to sign over her interest in the family business to him. As it were, a scheme to get back at her mother."

  Shawn paused in thought, staring at her, then asked, "Why would Deidre want to get back at her mother? For what reason?" He asked, while he knew what a nasty piece of work Georgiana was, it wasn't something he ever told Deidre.

  Terra sat a moment thinking, wondering how much she should tell him. They were after all, no longer together.