He looked at his older brother, dressed in a black suit, white shirt, black tie, popping a stick of chewing gum into his mouth as if he was gearing himself up for what was to come. It made him think back to the days when they were all home. When they were all younger, in school, his habit when turning on a hard edge, before heading to the school with a person in mind, to set straight for doing something to one of them in his absence, that set him wrong. He'd pop a stick of gum in his mouth, his chewing seemed to match the pulse beat of his heart, sending his blood in an adrenaline surge that built up a charge that usually went off once he faced the target of his displeasure.
He was chewing now.
"You all right?" Shawn asked because Jake was standing vacantly staring at him.
"Yeah... I'm okay. Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being my brother... for ... giving us another chance. For doing this... when you don't have to."
"Haven't done anything yet. Let's hope her family has it in mind to let you say your goodbye's in peace... of course, they're not expecting you to show up, so we have that in our favor, no booby traps." Shawn smiled and winked at him.
Jake shook his head, why did his brother remind of him a gangster? A modern day pirate perhaps, earring in his ear sparkling gold, hair buzzed close, all that he needed to do now was crack his knuckles.
Shawn nodded toward the door, "Let's go." and then cracked his knuckles on both hands.
Jake exploded into laughter at his own private imagined joke.
"What? What's so funny?!" Shawn asked.
"You - you are something else my brother ...you are something."
"ANGELA!!! SHAWN2!! SASHA!! JOSEPH!!!" Shawn yelled out loud, having little choice with the music blaring from his daughter's room. Derrick and his sons were already outside and loading into the van. Angela showed her face.
"The other three... get them out here as well." He instructed.
She dipped her head back into the room and then came out with her cousins behind her.
All four stood at the end of the hallway.
"While we're gone... act right! Don't give Crystal a hard time... she'll be over as soon as we pull off. Shawn2 - remember, I've been your age, I had Jake as a little brother, so I know what shit you can conjure up to get into... chill - okay?"
Shawn2 smiled, leaning with his 13 year old arrogance back against the wall, "Aye tio - I'm straight - I'm just gone chill - help babysit my lil'brother and the little girls."
Both of whom took exception to being called little girls.
"Daddy can we go in the basement now? Play the stereo down there and shoot some pool?"
"Yes... whatever... just do as you're told and everything will be fine."
Crystal walked in just then, she and Jake passed each other in the door. "They'll be fine papah... you know they can't pull nothin' on me." Crystal stated.
Shawn2 was blushing beet red, his mind in whirl at the sudden appearance of her. As far as he was concerned, she was hot! He secretly swore that she was the finest thing he'd ever seen on two legs. Sasha noticed and started teasing him secretly because she knew about his little crush since the wedding. His eyes were glaring at her threateningly as she laughed with a look that promised fun for the next few hours.
Out in the yard now, Jake and Shawn walked across the road towards the SUV when Mundo came out of the house in his suit, his dreds held back by a black suede tie off.
Shawn stopped in his tracks. "What are you doing?" He asked.
"What? You don't want me wit'you?" Mundo asked.
"Not for this." Shawn announced.
"Too bad papah-Shawn... I gotta watch yo' back man... I know I ain't a McPherson in name... but... I wanna stand by you man... by Jake... you know cause, we like that... least I thought we was."
Jake and Shawn looked at each other. Shawn turned to Mundo. "All right... get in."
All three climbed in with Jake behind the wheel, looking up in the overhead mirror combing his hair back again. He hated the haircut, he missed his long hair, short hair was a serious adjustment for him.
"Your hair is fine... lets go."
Chapter 108
When the four vehicles met up at the designated Kwik Trip, Bart and Gert were in their Lincoln Towne Car with their three grandsons, Benjamin, Kevin and Paul. Dwight and Kathy Ann pulled up in her El Camino - Shanna was sitting with their two kids. Derrick's van pulled up with his three sons, and Jake, Shawn and Mundo rode up next. Shawn leaped out, as well Derrick to speak with their parents. Understanding what was planned, they went back to their vehicles. Right on time, they pulled out together, following each other they parked down from the funeral home and waited. They didn't have long to wait, fifteen minutes later the hearse pulled out, with six vehicles following. In the first was Doris' ex-husband and her kids. The second was her mother, her twin, younger sister and her brother. The third, forth and fifth held her cousins, friends of the family and persons Doris' had worked with. The last car carried reverend Hamilton and pall bearers.
Driving the Lincoln Bart took the lead in joining the funeral procession, leaving his children to follow behind. "Well Gertrude... I sure hope you've made a prayer to the heavens above, because if this day supporting that son of yours sees no violence - it will be a miracle. Obviously your sons don't seem to think so, neither of them would let their wives come... what does that tell you?"
"Tells me that you raised your sons to be exactly what you wanted. Once they find a woman of their heart, they protect them first and foremost."
Bart sighed as he glanced sideways at his wife, on the verge of saying something more, but then remembered they had their grandson's with them, Jake's three boys, the reason for her non-confrontational answer. "You boys all right?" He asked them.
"We fine grandpa... don't worry about us." Benjamin, the oldest of the three spoke up, brother to Kevin, half brother to Paul.
"We're all going to the house after, I'd like you boys to stick around for your father, can you do that?" Gert asked.
"No problem, we'll be there grandma." Paul commented, usually silent of the three. He was starting to slowly come out of his shell, his bout with acne almost won as his skin was starting to clear up thanks to his grandma Gert, who'd purchased him an expensive skin product that appeared to be working for him to clear it up. She'd also sent him to a clinic to get a straight week of detoxifying that seemed to help. His brothers, had been teasing him that he'd finally gotten a piece and that's why his skin was clearing up, he sat grinning thinking about them. Even though they had different mother's, they'd been as close as if they'd been born of the same woman - he always looked forward to being with them, because they embraced him as their brother - more than likely, it was due to the influence of their grandma Gert, she didn't take no nonsense when it came to teasing and cutting each other up, nothing made her turn on you quicker than to have brothers or family for that matter, treating fellow members hurtful.
After about a 20 minute ride, they came to the cemetery, as all the cars filed in one behind the other with their lights on, including them, they noticed that there were two police cars present. As the file of cars went on to the location not far from where Doris would be buried, they began to pull over. All those of Doris' family curious as to why there were police cars present until all were parked and began getting out, looking towards the end of the cue, the mystery quickly cleared for them.
In the SUV, Jake was playing 'Dirty Laundry by Don Henley' trying to get his mind on what he had to do. What he had to face. Shawn and Mundo sat waiting for him until he was ready to get out. His stomach was tied into knots as he sat listening to the song playing around him, the base thumping because he was gearing himself up. Shawn sat understanding, patiently waiting, letting him do what he needed to. Mundo sat in the back seat with his head nodding to the beat, gearing himself up as well. They could see all of Doris' family getting out up the way from them, the pall bearers were getting into position behind the Hears
e to grab up the coffin when it was pulled free.
Jake took a deep slow breath and blew it out, then another one. His face felt on fire it burned with such reproach and shame. He pinched the bridge of his nose knowing that he needed to just get out of the SUV. He suddenly wished he'd called Vivian first before they'd left the house. He didn't know why he felt that he needed to hear her voice, but there was something in the way she reasoned things out that made him feel better. Taking another deep breath, he turned the key, switching the SUV off and thus, the song.
"Let's do it." He said pulling his shades from his pocket, Shawn and Mundo were putting theirs on as well.
"Sooner the better." Shawn added throwing his door open. Once their doors came open and they stepped from the vehicle, the rest of the family followed suit.
"What the fuck-..." Aichen, Doris' younger brother muttered as he looked on to see the McPherson's stepping from their vehicles.
"I swear to god, he's got more nerve than a brass ass monkey - showing his face here!" Dott - Doris' twin joined her brother, saying.
"Lord... please... let there be no trouble this day." Reverend Hamilton prayed as he watched the throng of McPherson's all gather together behind Jake, who was holding a huge bouquet of flowers, leading the way towards the burial site.
Doris' mother stood staring toward the approaching McPherson's. Every one of them dressed in their absolute Sunday's best, suits and ties for all the men, while Gert was the only one wearing a dress, her daughter, Kathy Ann was wearing a black pants suit, and white blouse, walking next to her husband. Everyone of them had on dark shades as if they'd just left the set of 'Men In Black' all save for Jake, who was wearing an expensive camel brown tweed jacket and vest, with scattered flecks of black, white shirt, black pants and black tie. The suit fit him to perfection and the color of it accentuated his golden good looks.
Beatrice Fleming had told her daughter, over and over again about the tragic mistake she'd made in deciding to leave her family for the golden Adonis walking her way. His reputation with woman matched his looks. He was what one would expect from a man of his stature, carriage, devil good looks and cock sureness. She may be an old lady, but she'd heard what the draw was to him, besides his looks. Only a fool would desire to be with such a man, and her daughter had been just that... a fool. Now she lay dead, as the report had been given to them, due to suicide. She didn't need it spelled out to her what might have made her daughter do such a thing, she hadn't lived 70+ years without knowing the nature of people who could not live with their shame. Despite how her other three children had carried on about it - she knew there was no reason for a man like Jake to shoot a woman - if he wanted to hurt one, all he had to do was turn his back and walk away. She knew it was that, that made her daughter kill herself.
"JAKE YOU GOT SOME NERVE SHOWING YOUR FACE HERE!!" She heard her son yelling out.
She turned to look at him. "Aichen! Not here!" She hissed the command.
Aichen rushed to her side to argue with her.
"I ain't about to let him stand by an' watch them lower my sister into the ground - when he the reason she being lowered there!" He argued.
By then Jake was not 10 feet away from the widow Fleming.
"Aichen... Mrs. Fleming... I'm not here for trouble. I'm asking you, please... let me be here to say my goodbye - just as the rest of you-..."
"If it weren't for you Jake she wouldn't be gettin' buried now! Wouldn't be no need for goodbye! If you think-..."
"Dott! Shut up!" Beatrice yelled at her daughter who was starting to get wound up.
"Moma, he's got no right showing his face here!" She yelled at her mother.
"We were together for six years! Before she's buried, laid to rest, I'll say my goodbyes! I left you all in peace for the funeral and the wake... but I have every intention of laying these flowers on her coffin." Jake retorted growing angry, he looked from Dott back to her mother. "Ma'am - me not showing up here today, would be an insult to your daughter-..."
"The fact that you're here is a insult as far as we're concerned!" Aichen growled up at Jake. Dott and some of their male cousins started moving towards Jake. Shawn took a deep breath shaking his head. They had the nerve to speak of insult when the only ones of them there that even bothered to dress up was Mrs. Fleming, Doris' ex-husband and her kids, and a couple of Doris' co-workers. Her brother, sisters, cousins and their friends showed up in blue jeans, dressy t-shirts and plaid shirts as if they were going to a barbecue.
Shawn moved forward directly beside Jake to his left, Derrick flanked his right. Stunned, Jake saw his son's move up between their uncles to stand beside their father, the looks on their faces said, they were ready, come what may.
"Hold it just a minute here!! This is not necessary!!" Gert yelled moving in front of them all, stunning all three of her sons, as well her husband who hadn't realized what she was about to do as she approached Mrs. Fleming. The police got out of their vehicles and made their way across graves that stood between them and the rivaling families.
"Mrs. Fleming, as the older women of our families, I feel it only right that we two should be able to come to terms on how to get this done, and peacefully. My son, as wicked as he can sometimes be, true enough - is not the reason she felt compelled to do what she did. I know that, and I think you know it as well. He wants to pay his respects to her - I'm asking you, from one woman to another... to please let him."
"I'm a old woman Gertrude, old and tired... these young ones of mine, don't listen to me. I'm sure you can relate to that, when no matter what you say, how you try to reason with them, they do what they will - anyway. Like my Doris did, falling for your son."
"Which got her killed!" Aichen yelled in Gert's face.
In a blink of an eye she was snatched back behind all of her young men and Aichen was snatched into the air by the front of his shirt as Jake growled deadly and low. "You can disrespect your mother all you like... but doing it to mine will get your neck snapped." With a shove of his arm he tossed Aichen back to the ground as he stumbled back to catch his balance and not fall.
Kathy Ann was up front facing Dott. Doris' other sister was not about to get into any scrap, she would yell and curse, but when it came to fighting, she stood back and away. The cousins that were present realized all the males of the McPherson's were their to defend Jake, suits on or not, this was clear as one and all removed their shades, a few removed their jackets tossing them onto the parked vehicles beside them.
The police came between them after calling for back up.
"This is a funeral!!! Someone has died!!! Either you will all cease this... or I will leave!" Reverend Hamilton threatened angrily.
Jake realized he could do no more. He wasn't about to jeopardize his family. The fact that he'd come and made the effort to say his goodbyes to her was going to have to be enough. With his eyes on Aichen, who was smarting from being handled as he was, Jake reached down and picked up the flowers he dropped to grab Aichen, then turned to Mrs. Fleming again. "I apologize to you ma'am... this was not my intent. If you will, please lay these flowers for me. I'll be leaving, better that I go, than her not get the reverends blessing." He passed the large bouquet to Doris' mother.
She took it, and nodded to him.
Jake backed away from them and said as he did so, "Let's go." He knew as they made their departure to leave, that had he come alone, they would have been all over him. He could see it by the looks on their faces. But no one there wanted to get into a scrap with so many of the McPherson's present - which was a promise, that someone would get hurt and bad.
Back at the farm, all were still present and winding down from the close call, all except Bart who was struggling with his anger and displeasure at his son. Everyone was gathered in or near the kitchen where there was plenty of food and drink laid out when he came in from outside and set his eyes on Jake.
"I sure hope you learned something from today. Hope you learned from this whole ordeal! It's a pity and embar
rassing that that woman was forced to kill herself on account of the way you treated her!"
"Bart... this is not the time." Gert tried to stop him.
"Not one more word from you!" He held his finger pointed towards Gert, "I've held back and bit my tongue as long as I'm going to about this one!" He told his wife, and then turned to Jake, "You hear me boy, 'cause I plan to make it loud and clear, get a hold of yourself! Get a hold of your life! I HAVE HAD IT UP TO HERE WITH YOUR ACTIONS HUMILIATING ME!!! SHAMING MY FAMILY NAME!!!"
Everyone grew quiet, not knowing what to do. Jake stood feeling his face burn as his son's stood listening.
"FOR ONCE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU SHOW SOMETHING GOOD OF YOURSELF... JUST ONCE! YOU GOT THREE YOUNG MEN HERE - WHAT KIND OF FATHER HAVE YOU BEEN TO THEM!? HM?! YOUR WHOLE DAMN LIFE NOTHING BUT A WASTE... NOTHING GOOD TO SHOW OF IT!! BUT TREATIN' WOMEN LIKE TRASH!! NICE EXAMPLE TO SET FOR YOUR BOYS!!!"
Unable to keep silent under the tongue lashing, Jake yelled back, "I KNOW THAT!!! I DON'T NEED YOU TO TELL ME THAT!!! MAYBE I WOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER FATHER TO MY SONS, HAD YOU GIVEN A DAMN ABOUT BEING A FATHER TO ME!!!" His words were followed by tears welling up in his eyes.
"WHEN HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ME TREAT A WOMAN THE WAY YOU TOOK UP TREATIN'EM?! YOUR DEALINGS AREN'T WHAT I SHOWED YOU AND YOUR BROTHERS!!"
"You know what dad... I'm sorry, I'm not Shawn! I'm not Derrick! Remember, I'm the one you never gave the time of day to."
"Aaah I don't wanna hear that! Makin' excuses for yourself! Still don't change the fact that you the cause of that woman blowing her brains out!"
"Bart don't you dare put that on my son!"
"I told you once to stay out of this... I mean it!" He warned his wife, and to Jake, "Its just like you - try to make it somebody's else fault what you done - instead of being a man and accepting that her blood's on your hands!"
Jake stood with his jaw muscle throbbing as tears spilled over, "You ever wish ol'man that I'd not been born? Hm? You sure pretended like I hadn't."
BOMAW 4-6 Page 47
