BOMAW 4-6

by Mercedes Keyes

  The chicken was not cooked through, red at the bone especially in the thigh portions, and scotched black on one side of it. The macaroni noodles were overcooked and mushed within the cheese, where they found clumps of the cheese powder because she poured it on all at once, both packets and then stirred it in. Because the noodles cooked until all the water evaporated, there was too much salt in it, and the greens weren't cooked long enough. Jake found extra meat in his, in form of a moth.

  "What's wrong wit'ya'll?! Eat!"

  "Maaan! I ain't eatin' this shit! Look at this shit!" Mundo started, forking the macaroni. "What the hell you call this?"

  "Nigga you know-..."

  "HEY! What did I tell you!" Shawn stopped her right away.

  "It's his fault! Ungrateful hungry ass!"

  "My ass ain't gone never be this hungry! Angela! Put that fork down girl! Pokin' around in there... ain't no telling what's in there! Shit might blow up at yo'ass!"

  "Don't be tellin' her that! Go on and taste it Angela!"

  "Don't do it!" Mundo warned. "Papah-Shawn tell her put that fork down! I'm tellin' you now - we not gone make it to the hospital in time!"

  "It ain't that bad! Papah try it! Jake go on and taste it!"

  Shawn and Jake looked at each other then at Mundo who's eyes were wide with warning. "Don't do it! You gone be sorry! I'm tellin' you, that chicken ain't dead! Watch this!" Mundo poked it with his fork and made a chicken noise, "Buc - kaaaah!"

  Angela dissolved into laughter, with Shawn biting the inside of his mouth not to laugh, Jake started backing up from the table. "Crystal, sweetheart, you tried darlin' but these greens, got some meat in here, I'm just not interested in eating at this point."

  "Where?!" Crystal asked. Everyone came and stood over his plate looking in at the dead moth.

  "Ah hell naaaw! Noooo! See! Look at that! Greens still growing without the dirt! Girl ain't even clean the greens! You aught'ah be shame of yourself! What kind of negro you call yo'self!? Papah-Shawn cook better greens than you! Get out the kitchen, you a disgrace!!"

  "Shet up fool! I did clean'em - I'on know how I miss that."

  "Leave her alone Mundo, she tried - she'll do better next time. I'll teach you how lil'mo - ignore your brother."

  "That's the real reason Victor left yo' ass! He could take the ass whippin's - but that cookin' - you couldn't get a starvin' African to eat that!"

  "You just shet up! I ain't cookin' for you no more no way!" She yelled and then picked up a drumstick and launched it at him. Mundo ducked down past the table as Shawn yelled at Crystal again. "I'm not gonna have it! No throwing food!"

  "Let'er throw it papah-Shawn... right in the garbage! Wouldn't even do us no good to have a dog-..."

  "If he say one more word about my cookin'-..."

  "Mundo... hush! Crystal... order a pizza!"

  Jake sat back watching and grinning with nothing but admiration for his brother. At this, he was a natural when it came to taking care of other people. He'd done it when they were all young. He remembered many times when Shawn would cook, clean and go out in the yard supervising them to make sure things were done. Derrick and Shanna, always helpful while he and Kathy Ann played devils advocate. After all he'd done, years later - following so much hell from him, Shawn was here for him. It was an unspoken agreement between them that they all pitched in to keep Shawn occupied, playing cards, pool or video games, but when everyone went to bed, they knew he paced from one room to the other, missing Sylvia - anticipating the moment he found her or she decided to come home.

  Part of his plan was to spend time with Lydia, her mother. He'd called her the night before after they'd finished for the evening.

  "So what you tellin' me is... she been out here, running around Chicago... and ain't come visit me once?" Lydia asked.

  Shawn groaned, wiping his hand over his face. His wife was going to kill him when she finally got around to visiting her mother to get an ear full from her after he'd been talking to her and telling her what was going on.

  "Well I'm sure she will. She just hasn't yet for some reason."

  "Em hm... stayin' in some hotel! I guess she ain't wanna stay with me! I can tell you now - she don't have to come here! She doin' fine right where she is - wherever she is! She ain't no better than her brothers. I ain't heard from either one of them in I don't know when. I talk to you more than I do my own sons... now what that tell you?"

  "Maybe they're going through things right now and have gotten so preoccupied they just don't realize the time. Life holds so many distractions."

  "I'm they mama! Ain't nothin' in life so important that a chile can't pick up a phone now and then, call and just say... "Hey mama, I'm thinking about you."" Lydia was fighting back hurt feelings and tears. Shawn could hear it in her voice.

  "I'm sorry Lydia. I'm doing some things around here that I must get done... how about I come up there sometime next week and stay with you a few nights? Would you mind that? Besides I'll be looking for your daughter - and I'd rather stay with you, than a hotel... if you don't mind?"

  "You more than welcome here. I got plenty o'room. That daughter of mine could be here too instead of wasting money on stayin' wherever she at." Lydia stopped, thinking about that and said, fighting a losing battle with herself, "I did the best that I could wit' them kids. You don't know the hell I went through raising them three alone. They don't think about that though! So caught up in they own lives. Tha's okay... they kids gone do it to them one day! Hell I be dead b'fore long anyway-..."

  "Come on now, don't start talking like that. You're a fine and fit woman, many years ahead of you to come." Shawn soothed gently.

  "Chile don't depress me even more. I walk around this house... thinkin'... I got some regret... I do. But you can't go back... can't undo. So make no since in me pestering myself over things I can't change. You know... her brothers blame me."

  "For what?" Shawn asked.

  "For they daddy leavin'. Sylvia was too young to remember, but... my boys... 'specially Lucas Jr. blame me but I wasn't gone beg that man to stay. He wasn't man enough to stay! He left 'cause he wanted to. He could'ah come see his kids, but he ain't wanna do that either. How is that my fault?! He was a grown man! Couldn't take the truth about hisself. Mad at me 'cause I call it as I see it. Now... his sons doin' the same thing. I didn't beg they daddy, I ain't beggin' them! Now my daughter no better than the rest."

  "That's not true, Sylvia loves you and she will be there to see you. I know my wife and-..."

  "Where is she then? You know her so well? Hell... she gone, leave her gone!"

  "How can you say that? She's your daughter... she's my wife. I love her Lydia... I can't just leave it."

  "She left you! Just married... what that tell you? Hell wit' beggin' after her! When I see her, I'mo give her a piece of my mind too... if she show up here!"

  "I wish you wouldn't do that. She hasn't done anything to deserve that. To be honest with you, I rushed her. I'm not a patient man when it comes to certain things, and I didn't allow her the time to - I don't know - lotta time spent thinking since she's been gone. I now wished I given her a little more time to come to me, instead of me pushing her. Even so, knowing that, I still can't just sit back and wait for her to come home. I love her, and despite her little escapade, she loves me... of that I am certain. Whatever else there is... we'll work it out. She's uh..." Shawn took a deep breath then informed her, "... she's going to have my baby Lydia. She's pregnant."

  "You kiddin' me. She pregnant?"

  "Yes. She is."

  Lydia was quiet a few moments digesting that bit of news. "Lord no wonder she take off! Ain't you two too old to be having kids? She 38 years old - be 39 before this year up!"

  "I don't think we're too old Lydia... I think we're just where we need to be. I'd like to have another one in fact, after this one."

  "I see... so it wasn't no accident."

  "No... not for me. Had I met her years ago when we were both young, we'd have babie
s climbing out of windows and there I'd be, trying to remember all of their names."

  Lydia chuckled then, "Oh my goodness... you one of them kind of men huh?"

  "Afraid so. Your daughter wasn't so keen on the idea, but she's come around... sort of speak. As you said, I think that's why she's headed out on me, she has this list of things she wishes to do before buckling down with me and the baby. Part of the reason I called you. I thought you might be able to help me with where she might be?"

  "Honey I haven't a clue where she at."

  "I heard there's a new jazz club that's opened up a few weeks ago. Really nice place, I have a hunch that she may show up there to sing... what do you think?"

  "Jazz club? Sylvia? Sing? She can't sing. Chile was always trying to sing when she was growing up. Trying to sound like me. Now I can sing. I should have been a singer. I give it up believing in that man, listening to his nonsense about what we could do together! All nonsense. I use to perform you know? Well... tried to. Oh my voice was somethin'."

  "Your daughter's voice... is something Lydia. I don't know what you've heard... but what I've heard is breathtaking."

  "Maybe so, I was too busy to go listen to her sing at school. She was always trying to get me to come and hear her - I ain't want the chile embarrassing herself."

  Shawn listened stunned. Unwilling to comment one way or the other with her mother, he said instead.

  "Anyway... I have a funeral to attend this weekend, and a bed and breakfast to complete and I'll be there come Thursday or Friday."

  "Okay... you know the way, I see you then."

  * * *

  Sylvia spent an hour early Friday morning with Gert and Bart in their kitchen. She had breakfast with them, listening and laughing as they shared stories of the kids and the predicaments they found themselves in, hearing about the antics of raising a large family. It was a time all three enjoyed, Bart and Gert especially. It touched them that Sylvia felt comfortable enough to come to them when she needed to. From the talks they'd had since she arrived the previous day, they were reassured of the extent that she loved their son. Neither knocked her need to regroup, because she did so without isolating herself from family.

  Wanting to move on before she pushed her luck, she showered and dressed, said her goodbyes assuring them she'd be returning home soon.

  In the car, she drove thinking about what day it was.

  They'd been married a week now.

  "Well Jesse James... baby... happy one week anniversary to us." Sylvia smiled. "You are a Jesse James; your father has named you well, got your mama acting crazy!" She laughed to herself. "Naaaw, not you my son, it's not you, it's all mama this time. As for tonight, no writing, we're gonna have a little fun, only thing is, don't want to have it alone... hmmm?" She drove thinking, then grabbed her mobile phone and pulled over into the Kwik Trip parking.

  "Hello - the insane asylum!" Meribel answered, on the verge of choking Shawn2.

  "Uh oh... did I call at a bad time?"

  "Sylvia?"

  "Yeah."

  "You a little early for check in."

  "Truth is, it's not the reason I called. Ummm, what are you doing this weekend?"

  "Me?"

  "Yeah - you."

  "Why?"

  "I wanna go out. I wanna check out a club, do a bit of dancing, something like that. But I don't wanna do it alone."

  "You serious?"

  "Yeah... I am. I may not be missing anything, but I'd like to go to one - just once. I've always danced with my kids at home, but I've never really checked out the club scene. I probably won't like it, but I wanna check it out. I've been writing all week, did a few other things, which I'll tell you about later. But uh... I thought I'd ask you first... if you'd like to join me. Everything - the entire weekend, is on me."

  "You kidding me! What am I suppose to do with all these kids in and out the house! Derrick has practice with his team tonight and a game tomorrow. Sasha has bugged me to death about a slumber party tonight! Shawn2 is - hang on a minute..." "Miho - I am on the phone - I don't wanna hear it... you're on punishment and that is final! Now get out'ah my face!"

  Sylvia waited listening as Meribel went into rapid Spanish, Shawn2 the object of her displeasure, finally she came back on the phone after threatening to do him bodily harm.

  "I swear to you - these last three are going to make me lose it! Derrick is no help. I cannot get him to discipline these kids. Especially these last three. The older ones, punishment worked, but Shawn2 needs to be beaten within an inch of his life! He's been cutting classes, and got expelled from school Wednesday, Thursday and today for fighting! I'm tellin' you, he's so close to gettin' it - lemme' tell you! Ugggh - do you want him?"

  "Who?"

  "Shawn2!"

  Sylvia laughed, "No thank you! I have Shawn-1 and another one on the way or have you forgotten? That one - is yours thank you."

  "I'm tellin' you now - I'm at the end of my rope! I'm with these kids all the time! Derrick's off with his team, doing his coaching thing - by the time he comes home, I'm on the verge of killing Sasha and Shawn2 - and Joseph is watching to see what he can get away with, even though - so far, he's my sweety. But girl, their father won't let me slap them on the ass, nor is he willing too! I swear to God - I don't know what made me have six of them! I must have been nuts!"

  "Sounds like you need a break to me." Sylvia tempted her.

  "Girl - my husband would kill me!"

  "Kill you? That's a little strong isn't it? Oh well, okay... just thought I'd ask. This is the perfect time to give them an idea of all that you do for them. Give Derrick a taste of taking care of the kids... just as you've always done - for - an entire weekend. Until Sunday... the funeral... I'd have you back for that of course... but... you have your kids, home and husband to see to. I'll talk to you later."

  Meribel was quiet a moment. Sylvia hesitated.

  "I ca-a-an't!" Meribel cried out.

  "I understand... believe me I do. No big deal... I just thought I'd ask. Talk to you later." Sylvia clicked the phone off and sighed. "Hmmm, I wonder what Vivian is doing right now?" She was about to dial her number when her phone rang. "Hello?"

  "Where are you?"

  "Meribel?"

  "Yes dammit! Where are you?"

  Sylvia was laughing. "I'm in Wisconsin, I just left the farm, stayed there all night with Bart and Gert, and I'm on my way back to Chicago, thought I'd come by Madison... but-..."

  "Come and get me dammit! Hurry up!"

  Sylvia barked in laughter, "Are you sure?!"

  "I ain't got shit to wear... hell I must be loco!"

  "We'll go shopping! I'll get you something to wear!"

  "Are you sure?!"

  "Yes! Of course I am!"

  "Okay... don't come to the house... there's a Kwik Trip around the corner from us down on Washington and Division... wait there for me... how long you gonna be?"

  "I'll be there in an hour."

  "Perfect! I see you there!"

  "Yes!" Sylvia cheered, grinning as she hung up and flipped through the yellow pages in her car. Locating what she was looking for, she dialled the number, made an order, gave detailed instructions, and then her credit card information, and was glad for doing that. Smiling, she re-started her car and pulled out of the Kwik Trip in Hillsboro heading for Madison.

  Meribel had clicked the off button on the phone then clicked it on again dialling her son's number.

  "Miho when's your last class?" She asked Marcus, who was using the van because his car needed fixing, which left her without a vehicle.

  "Uh... now... why?"

  "Where are you? I thought you were in school?"

  "I - I - I was... but our classes are short because we've taken all of our test and so I was just hanging around that's all." He stated.

  "Hanging around?! Excuse me - I don't think so! You hang around when you're driving your own vehicle! That van is mine... get home with it now, you're going to have to watch your brother,
pick up Joseph and Sasha from school and get dinner."

  "Huh?! What'yah mean?"

  "Just get home." Meribel ordered and hung up.

  She turned to see Shawn2 standing at the bottom of the stairs staring at her.

  "Where you going momie?"

  "None of your business... what are you doing out of your room?"

  "How long have I gotta stay in there?" He whined.

  "Until you grow up Miho and move out of my house!"

  "Who were you talking to earlier?" He asked suspiciously.

  "Excuse me?! I am married to your father... not you! Back - up - to your room - now!"

  He turned slowly with the eyes of his uncle narrowed at her, "You're up to something, I heard you talking on the phone to Tia Sylvia - I'm gonna tell dad!" He threatened and ran up the stairs as Meribel took off after him. "Oh no you did not threaten me with your father!" She yelled taking the stairs two at a time to catch him. "You're gonna tell your father! While you're at it, tell'im I dislocated your head from your neck! Open this door! Right now!" She banged on it.

  He was on the other side laughing, and dialling his dad's cell phone while his mother told him off in Spanish, banging on the door. Disappointed, he had to click the phone off because he couldn't reach him, his phone was turned off. Then making a face a thought came to him, wondering if he could negotiate?

  "If you let me off my punishment early, I won't tell dad you're up to something sneaky."

  "Oh let me tell you something son... not only am I not letting you off your punishment... but it is now extended for two more weeks!"

  "You do I'll tell dad you're going somewhere with Tia Sylvia!"

  "Be my guest! While you're at it... tell him to bring his butt home... because you guys are gonna be hungry - real soon!"

  She walked away from the door into her bedroom and took out an overnight bag. Grabbing her favorite make-up and perfume. She went into ther bathroom and turned on the shower, closing and locking the bathroom door, she got in, washing her hair, shaving her pits, and was out of it twenty minutes later. Another ten minutes she spent doing her body regimen, and then into their room, with a towel wrapped around her, she found clean underwear. Shawn2 stuck his head out of his room and snuck down the hall to see what she was doing.