BOMAW 4-6

by Mercedes Keyes

  "Hey." His little brother greeted.

  "Hey." He returned, passing him on his way to the dining room.

  Tegan walked to the room shared by his twin sisters. Entering, he closed the door.

  "Well... what time you think we'll get out of here?" Kimberly, who was 11, asked.

  Tegan shrugged, "Victor's gone in; let's just hope everything stays cool, and maybe we'll still get to go."

  The girls both blew exasperated breaths, and fell back on the bed. Both cornflower blondes, with pale blue eyes like their older brother. Tegan was a brunette, like his mother.

  "Have a seat, please." Natalie Prescott instructed her son. She sat tall next to her shorter husband, who stood 5'7 to her 5'10. Victor paused a moment as his mind suddenly registered, that in this home, his mother ruled. She called the shots - always had. While that had always been apparent, at that moment in time, it registered clearly in Victor's mind's eye with startling clarity. His father, for some reason that he could not understand, never went up against any decision she made. If his mother announced that they were going out to dinner, whether that had been how he planned to spend his evening or not, they went out to dinner. As far back as he could remember, his mother would say, "We're doing this today..." - "I've arranged so and so...". When his mother addressed them, it was always to say, "Your father and I..."; Victor reflected back over the years, and each sentence from his mother directed at them started, "Your father and I...", yet he seldom heard anything from his father other than, "Yes dear...".

  Victor took the chair directly across from them, his eyes on his father. He was very fair-skinned, with startling ash-blonde hair, pale blue eyes. Older, wrinkling craggy features held droopy eyelids, and a thin moustache that was better off shaved from his face. Staring into his father's eyes, he wanted to ask him, 'Why have you given her full power to reign here?' Because of the question that went through his mind, he sat wondering if he was indeed, just like his father - without backbone. Granted, his mother never struck him, but somehow she had gained an upper hand in their marriage, where what she said, went.

  He thought about Crystal. He had once wondered if it were true or not, that most guys fell for women like their mothers. Was there something wrong with him because he hadn't? Now - he wasn't so sure. Fact was, when he was home with Crystal... she called the shots. She ruled the roost. He went to work, brought home his pay, and while he kept some of his money back, she still did what she felt was best for the family. In exchange, as long as he kept quiet, there would be no fight, if he started in on her in his particular way, they would fight, but then in the end, he could look forward to mind-blowing sex - like the last time, her in mother's basement.

  Victor then looked at his mother.

  She was a human horse.

  His mind suddenly conjured up an image of her riding his father, and whinnying like one. He shook the image off.

  His mother snapping her fingers three times across the table before him, brought his attention back to them.

  "You haven't heard a word that I've just said, have you?" Natalie asked her son.

  Victor looked at her blank. "Yeah..." He finally said, "... you said have a seat please."

  "Hmph, no - you haven't heard a word that I've said. So, I will start again; this time pay attention. As you know, I don't care for having to repeat myself."

  "Sorry mother, go ahead."

  "Your father and I would like to know, what are your plans? You've been home close to a month. I would think, enough time has passed for you to see that a peaceful life, is a better life. You've gone out with Jeanine enough now, for the comparison to be abundantly clear. She's gentle, lady-like, considerate, educated, and willing to take on your two sons and be a stepmother to them. How much longer is it going to take you to see how you should be directing your life?"

  "You making marriage plans for me already, mother? Has it escaped your notice that I'm already married?"

  "I hardly call what you have, a marriage. From the very beginning, I could see she was not suited for you. Now, I know what you're going to say. It has nothing to do with the color of her skin - her ethnic origins. Simply put, she is uncouth. She has neither the class, tact or inclination to exist in society without calling attention to herself; as if she must be the center of attention. They know little-..."

  "That word ... 'they' - mother, can be construed as a racist term towards generalizing them. As if to say, the entire race of people are that way." Victor interrupted to point out.

  Natalie paused. She dramatized a sigh, using it as she had in the past, to draw attention to the fact that she had just been rudely interrupted; speaking what she felt was important, in this vital issue that existed with him. Her dramatic sigh clearly reminded him, that when she was talking - instructing, imparting upon them what she felt was life-sustaining council - it was their job, to listen.

  "Victor, because it is certainly true that you have lived outside of our home for sometime now, your father and I will forgive that interruption. However, that will be the last that we will tolerate. The point is, it is time for this experiment - this wild joy ride you've been on, to conclude. You're 22 years old, going on 23; enough is enough! Your father and I-..."

  "Mother, how much longer is it going to be? You and dad said we would leave early." Tegan interrupted, from the doorway of the dining room.

  Natalie paused.

  This time, she looked at her husband, who looked back at her. Only a slight lift of his brow was discernible, Victor observed. She turned from her husband to their younger son. "Tegan, did you just interrupt, without so much as an excuse me? Is this a sign of behavior that your father and I should be concerned about? Rules within this household, have long been established. There is no wavering under any circumstances. For breaking that rule, your father and I feel consequences should be enforced. Therefore, due to your rudeness, and lack of consideration for us and your brother, you have now delayed our day of fun - another day. We won't be leaving now, until tomorrow. Care to interrupt again?"

  Victor closed his eyes, and felt nothing but sympathy for his younger siblings. Yes, he needed to make up his mind, once and for all.

  Tegan stood with his mouth open, yet dared not say another word. He turned, and quietly stormed back to his sisters room. They'd been standing in the doorway listening. All three now stood in the room, spewing under their breaths, all types of evils they wished would befall their mother - and father.

  Having dealt with him, Natalie turned back to her oldest son.

  "Now, before any more interruptions take place, this is my suggestion to you. Get your life in order. Shake this foolish preoccupation with Crystal, and file for a divorce. Something else you must consider - those two young men of yours. Under the circumstances, since they look more like us, if they are going to have any chance of a decent life - seeing as how she has little to offer them, I suggest we seek out an attorney for full custody of them."

  Victor stared at his mother a full moment, as what she said ran through his mind.

  "It is now your turn to speak." She opened.

  "I'll consider what you've suggested. As for the full custody - I see no reason for that."

  "One thing at a time son... one thing at a time."

  Victor lay in bed trying to get to sleep. A whole new picture lay before him. More pieces in the puzzle that was his life. One being, he didn't wish to be saddled with a woman like his mother, for the rest of his life. With a pounding heart, he decided that maybe in this one instance, his mother may be right. He didn't wish to agree with her, but the fact was - his wife, was in a sense, like his mother. Wishing to run the household without any input from him. He could not see being a henpecked man like his father. Yet, were he to stay with Crystal, it was exactly how he might turn out. He thought about Jeanine.

  Maybe... just maybe, he shouldn't fight it. Maybe - just maybe, he needed to see what it was like, to have a woman who sought out what his wishes were, instead of expecting him to si
t on the sidelines and not have a say. With many thoughts and scenario's playing out in his mind, he finally drifted off to sleep, praying that he had the strength to follow through on his decision.

  * * *

  Jake was living in her house.

  Sylvia knew that. It had been made clear while she was away, that he'd been living there. Was going to be staying there, until he could sort out what he was doing, and where he was going. While she was away, it had only been a passing thought; there were other issues going on at the time, after all. Now that all of that had been basically resolved, she was faced with Jake living in her house. Granted, they'd made a sort of peace between them. This she recalled, as she and her daughter went through all of the gifts she and Shawn received the day of their wedding. They'd all been stacked in the basement, against the wall in Shawn's office studio. Before Crystal's arrival, she'd wanted him to open them with her.

  "Honey, I can't. We have to get Shanna's lot cleared. She wants Jake and I to pick up lumber for a deck, and bricks to skirt her mobile home. We also have to meet with the guys who will be helping on the house. That has to be cleared, and chartered out as well. Can't you and Crystal open them?" He'd replied, after returning from taking Angela to school. He and Jake were in the kitchen discussing their plans, as she stood in his office door, about to open and place their gifts about.

  "Sure I can, go ahead and do whatever it is you need to do." She returned calmly.

  "You sure?" Shawn asked. Sylvia noticed that Jake was standing at the basement door that led out to the yard, watching her, reading her expressions just as his brother did most of the time. She gave him a quick, curt smile and flick of her lashes, turning back to Shawn, who turned to look back at his brother.

  "I'll wait outside." Jake had said with a grin, and made his exit.

  Shawn turned back to her, "You don't mind him staying here, do you? I know I didn't ask ... but - he's my brother and - well, he's lost everything."

  "No need for you to explain. It's fine; he needs a place to stay." She said, and in her mind thought, 'He does have a mother and father with a big ass farm house and plenty of room, including one that was his own, but oh well... family.'

  Shawn walked up to her, doing what he often did, what his brother just did - however closer and more intimate, looking into her eyes to read her. "I love you."

  "I know." She returned, staring back into his eyes.

  "Would you mind if I said, you're looking mighty evil right now?" Shawn asked, grinning.

  "Emph, see - you know me after all." Sylvia returned smartly, backing away from him, and spun back into his office. She felt evil. Mean. Resentful and irritable. She didn't doubt that her hormones were going nuts, and an overwhelming urge was in her to give everyone that spoke to her the finger. She heard her husband release a deep breath.

  "Hone-e-ey!!" Shawn called to her, stuck and unable to move with her like this.

  "Don't call me! Don't mess with me! And I ain't feelin' like no honey! I have things to do too - starting with unwrapping these gifts - myself! Then I'll be giving my house a thorough cleaning! Get things organized around here. You go with your brother and take care of your sister! I'm fine!" She shouted from his office.

  Shawn came to the door leaning in, "Is it because Jake's living here?" He asked.

  "No!"

  "Then, what's wrong?"

  Sylvia spun around and pointed out to him, "If you spend the rest of our marriage asking me that, I can guarantee you this - we will never get anything done. The way I feel right now, I will not be feeling in the next fifteen or twenty minutes... do you mind giving me fifteen or twenty minutes?!"

  "Mean Ass!!" Shawn growled at her.

  Sylvia stuck her tongue out at him.

  "I'm gone suck on that later!" He warned her. That did it... he got the finger. "Ach!" He gasped, shocked, "Hey - I can arrange that too."

  Sylvia turned her back on him. He backed out of the door, shaking his head and thought for once, he'd do as she said and leave her alone. Heading out the door, he passed Crystal on the way in.

  "Beware of the she-bear!" He cautioned.

  Crystal grinned, "Mama in a bad mood?" She whispered.

  "For at least the next fifteen or twenty minutes." He mumbled, continuing on his way.

  "MAMAAAH - where you at!?" She'd called.

  Thus, together they stood unwrapping gifts, both "Ooohing!" over some things, and scrunching up their faces with an "Ugggh!" at others. Crystal took this time to also explain why such a big fight broke out at the club - and how she, her friends and Victor, ended up going to jail.

  "So, see...I didn't start it this time."

  "Who was keeping the kids, while you were partying and getting arrested?" Sylvia asked.

  "Jake, remember? Darren crapped on the floor."

  "Oh yeah... I forgot about that. Jake, hm?"

  "Yeah... Jake."

  "I can't believe he babysat Darren and Isaac."

  "Sure did. Annnd, he was the one who came and got me out of jail."

  "What? He got you out of jail?"

  "Sure did."

  "I thought he was keeping the boys?"

  "My girlfriends came and told him; they stayed with them, so he could come and get us out."

  "I see. So, you really like him then?"

  "Who?"

  "Jake, girl! Would you pay attention - keep up. Who you think I'm talkin' 'bout?" Sylvia put her hands on her hips to ask.

  Crystal shrugged, laughing, "Yeah... Jake is cool with us. Ma, you need to give him a chance."

  "He livin' in my house, ain't he?! Smokin'! I'mo tell 'em about that too. I don't want no smokin' in my house. Stainin' up my walls, have all my stuff smelling like cigarette smoke." Sylvia fussed for a moment, then grinned, because her daughter was doing the same. "What you grinnin' at?!" She asked her.

  "You mama! Po' Shawn - he was so broken-hearted while you were gone, and now - he like to push me over, trying to get out the house." She laughed.

  "Quit lying! Did he really?"

  "Naaaw, I'm just kidding. He just said, she bear - beware."

  "Emm, hmm. Anyway, back to the original subject - what's going on between you and Victor now, after that?"

  "Don't really know, to tell you the truth."

  "Well that's a good sign, if he started a fight in a club over you."

  "Maybe... but the fact is, he was there with someone else."

  "So, you two not talking?"

  "Kind'ah."

  "What that mean? Kind'ah?"

  Crystal made a devilish, throaty laugh, leaning over and said, "Kind'ah as in, he called me for a piece the next day."

  "What?! Ain't that some nerve! He gone pull that, then ask you for a piece! I know you told him where to go!"

  "Uuuh, yeah... I did. I told him where to go."

  "What you say?"

  "Man, mama; you all nosy. You gettin' like your friend Sheila."

  "Oh, no you didn't call me nosy! I'm yo' mama - I get to ask these things - now, what you tell him?"

  Crystal made a mischievous face, and said at top speed, "Tol' 'em, meet me at my mama's house cause ain't nobody there." Then cut loose a raunchy laugh, stomping her feet, as her mother stood with her mouth open.

  "Meet you - at yo' mama's house?! Ain't nobody there?! Crystal Bella Payne-Prescott - I know that don't mean, what I think that mean?!"

  "I'm sorry, mama - but it had been a while. Don't tell me, you don't know how good sex is after a fight! I can tell you now... it was goo-o-od!"

  "Little girl! I am your mother! Sittin' up here, tellin' me you got some good sex up in my house! Where!?"

  "We barely made it in; we got to the sofa!" She grinned on.

  "You triflin' lil' skainch! Oh my couch!?"

  "Right in there! Don't worry mama, it was quick! But it was goo-o-od!"

  Sylvia stood with her mouth wide open, shaking her head, and then burst out laughing. "You aught to be ashamed of yourself. All that he did, and you gone g
ive him a piece."

  "Excuse me; hellooo - I ain't give him a piece - I got me a piece! As long as he still my husband, ain't no reason not to get a lil' bit, every now and then."

  "Well you two might as well get back together again then."

  Crystal shrugged, "I don't know. We'll see. He don't know what he want no way."

  "Then, if that's the case, why you go to bed with him, Crystal?"

  "I told you ... I wanted him. I - I still love him. But - I'm not so sure he loves me. I think he's on some type of thrill-ride, to tell you the truth. And God only knows how that ride's gonna end."

  Sylvia softened, and caressed her daughter's soft cheek. "You mean to tell me, you gonna just wait around for him to make up his mind? Baby - tell him to - go - to - hell! You ain't got to wait on him."

  "I know I don't have to mama. Its just that - well - he was the first and only man I've ever been with. I kind'ah like that; it's something I'm proud of. Before I wash it all down the drain, I want to be sure. I need to know, beyond any doubt, that it's over. If it should come to that - then so be it."

  "First of all, the last thing I would tell you, is to move from one man to another. You know me. Second point is, until he knows what he wants, don't go to bed with him anymore."

  "Mama - he makes me feel good though! I know I've fought with him. I know where my wrong is. But - I like everything there is about him, especially in bed."

  "Sounds to me like, its all about the sex. I should hope not, but its beginning to sound that way." Sylvia pointed out.

  "Aw, come on mama. Isn't good sex, just as important as the relationship?"

  "Crystal - good sex does not make a sound, strong relationship. Every now and then, when I was tired of fighting it, your father and I - had good sex, okay? If I forced myself to forget everything else, I could get that good feeling with him, that you're talking about. However, I was not happy. He was not worth my holding onto all those years."

  "So, are you saying that you and Shawn have lousy sex, but a good relationship?"

  Doing a Mae West, pushing up the back of her hair, doing a mini shimmy of her body, Sylvia's voice teased, "Did I say that?! Where you hear that?!" Grinning she winked, and then serious again, "Besides, I'm not talking about Shawn and I - I'm talking about you and Victor."