BOMAW 7-9

by Mercedes Keyes

  "Does he know where you are now?"

  "He doesn't know about this place. He thinks I'm still living with my mom and dad. He wouldn't dare show up there. He called there and dad answered the phone. He had the nerve to ask to speak to me. Dad told him, not only could he not speak to me, but if he came anywhere near me again—he would kill him. My dad meant it, Vivian. My father, has a way about it, when it comes to us, raised his sons that way - even Kathy Ann picked it up. Anywa-a-ay ..." She sighed, "Sad this is, that still didn't stop him. He showed up in town a month or two ago, Kathy Ann was with me. She pushed him down and threatened him. We never told my dad, because it would upset him too much."

  "Do your brothers know?"

  "That's why I'm here. This is Shawn's solution. And—Jake's moving in is another protection to me. So, now—I'll be fine."

  "Well, girlfriend, all I can say is, thank God you finally came to your senses and got the heck up out of there! I, for one, am glad you did."

  "You're glad! Believe me—I'm the happy one."

  "Especially now—when we got officer friendly cruising up to check on you." Vivian teased, and Shanna, so much like a school girl in love, spun and fell backwards on the bed, "Is he a dream or what?! Oh, my goodness! Talking about a racing heart—wooo!"

  "Have you two kissed yet?" Vivian asked, laying across the bed.

  "Nooo, but I'm dying to taste his lips. He's got full sexy lips. Yum!" They both giggled silly.

  "Girl, let's get our butts back outside. See what Mr. McPherson thinks about this,'get up!' as he calls it."

  "Smile!"

  Sylvia directed her husband, Dennis, Derrick, Jake, Kevin, DJ, and Mundo as she snapped their picture. This amidst the screaming that was coming from Angela. Sasha was being a tad mischievous and jealous, thus helping her brothers, Shawn2 and Luis, drag Angela into the garage to face the cooked carcass of the pig, knowing that it bothered her. On her side was Tyrese, who was pulling from the other side, trying to help her as he held onto her waist, so the others couldn't drag her in to face the half-eaten pig.

  The problem—Sasha was causing devilry and mayhem because Thomasa St. Cloud, Angela's friend from school, had arrived along with her brother, Vincent St. Cloud. She took it as horning in on their family circle. Their presence was like a wedge between the cousins, as far as Sasha was concerned. She wanted Angela to herself. Now she felt that she was competing with her school chum. So along with her brothers, she was giving Angela a bit of torture, showing off a bit. Her screaming had finally reached the pitch that it was driving the adults crazy.

  "WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING TO HER!?!" Meribel yelled at her sons and daughter. They laughed of course, and turned Angela loose, who was so angry, she hauled off and popped the one closest to her, Luis and then shoved Sasha next. She was boiling.

  "Hey! Don't push me!" Sasha yelled at her, ready to run up and push her back.

  "Hey, hey, hey! None of that! What's going on here!?" Shawn asked as he and Derrick approached to investigate, stepping between the two.

  "I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T WANNA LOOK AT THAT STUPID PIG! TOUCH ME AGAIN—I'M GONNA KICK YOUR ASS!!!" Angela screamed, just about in tears. Tyrese was standing next to her, looking at them hostile! Ready to fight with her.

  "Angela!" Sylvia cried out, shocked.

  Sheila's eyes got big, making a face, she looked at Crystal saying, "Woooeee, she mad!"

  Crystal laughed and started looking the other way.

  Shawn leaned down to her, "Excuse me, young lady?! What was that I just heard?!"

  She crossed her arms over her chest, glaring with angry eyes at Sasha and her other cousins. She was on the verge of crying, they'd embarrassed her in front of her friend and her brother—and possessing a temper very much like her father, she was on the verge of a fight. Angela wouldn't answer her father, she was too mad. But her eyes were boring holes into Sasha, who stood with her nose in the air, stating her own case. "We were just playing with her! She's the one who got all mad! Screaming like crazy! She's just a spoiled brat!"

  Meribel's eyes narrowed at her daughter. "Spoiled brat? Aren't you one to talk! That is your cousin! And mija, you knew she didn't like seeing it! Why would you try and force her, and help your brothers to do it?!" Following that statement, Meribel turned and popped both sons upside the head.

  Their father picked up where she left off, "You both know better, that I don't abide any roughhousing with girls! Luis, you should be ashamed! Now, both of you, plant yourselves over there and don't move again until I say so."

  "Mija, since you don't know how to be a true friend and cousin, in the van! Sit in there, until I tell you to come out!"

  "WHY!?!"

  "Mija! Don't show out! You do not want me in a bad mood. In the van, now!"

  Sasha stomped off, not happy, to the van that was parked up on the grass on the field, far side of Sylvia's house, between it and the woods where the other vehicles were parked.

  Shawn was staring down at his daughter, "For using that language, you're in the house as well."

  "I've got company! Can they come in, too?"

  "Who?" Shawn asked. He'd been so busy with cooking, laughing and talking with Dennis and his brother, that he hadn't seen her friend and brother arrive on their bikes.

  Angela gulped and turned to them, using her hand to gesture them closer. Shawn looked at the young Indian girl, and then at the boy with her. It was easy to see they were related. The boy a bit taller than his sister and Angela. Sylvia was standing there watching them approach, having missed their arrival as well. She knew about Thomasa coming, but the boy? She suddenly broke out in a sweat. Shawn was staring at him, and then turned to Sylvia; glaring at her. "You know about this?" He asked.

  Sylvia's mouth opened to answer, when Angela jumped in, "I told you, remember, Sylvia, and you said it was okay? Remember, at the store? When you met Thomasa?"

  "Yes, I remember her, but who is he?" Sylvia asked Angela.

  Thomasa spoke up, answering for her. "He's my brother, Vincent. The only way my mom would let me come, is if my brother came along."

  Shawn was eyeballing him, his eyes narrowed to slits, he turned those eyes on Sylvia. "He's her brother, Shawn." Sylvia whispered, "It makes sense that her mother would make him come along." Sylvia shrugged, nervous. Shawn turned those eyes to the boy again and then to his daughter. "You and I, we're having a long talk later...understand?"

  Angela's eyes grew huge, another gulp and then a nod. "In the house. You can take your friend, Thomasa with you." He then turned to her brother. "You, young man, come with me. I've been your age, it sucks to babysit, doesn't it?" Shawn draped his hand over his shoulder.

  The Indian boy nodded, and let Shawn lead him away. He couldn't resist looking back at the girls, as they made their way into the house. "Never you mind them, they'll be fine. Here, while you're here, you can spend some time with my son, Angela's older brother, Mundo." Shawn announced, stepping up to the mixing table that immediately grabbed Vincent's attention. "Mundo, this is Vincent—he's here to look after his sister. But, she's in the house with Angela, mind if he sticks with you?"

  Mundo was fighting back laughter, looking from Shawn to the boy with him.

  "Eh, no probs, papa-Shawn! Vincent m'man, you stick with me—you'll be straight."

  Forgetting Angela and his sister, Vincent's eyes got big. "All this equipment yours?" He asked Mundo. "Sho'nuff! You into mixin'? Know any disc jockeys?"

  Shawn made eye contact with Mundo, and lipped, "Keep your eyes on him!"

  Mundo nodded and laughed, winking at Shawn.

  He then turned to find his wife. She was talking with Vivian and Shanna. He decided to wait and talk to her later as well. Looking around the yard, they had picnic tables set up and the table and chairs they'd rented, so there was plenty of places for everyone to sit and eat. Kevin was standing by his father, talking to him. Paul was with Mundo, looking over some of the music they'd be playing. Mundo's friends were present, they smiled at him
and nodded, he returned the gesture. Sheila and Dennis were at a table eating with Crystal, her friends, Kayla, Rochelle, Omiyah and Lette. The girls were all laughing and talking, eating, teasing while baiting Mundo's friends, who had plates. Shawn scanned their faces closely to see if either of them were high, they grinned and made teasing faces at him, as if they knew why he stared. Shawn couldn't help himself, he laughed.

  The heck with it, they were probably high already, there was little he could do about it, as long as they behaved themselves.

  Last place his eyes fell and that was on his sister, Kathy Ann. Once again, her husband Dwight, was not present. Shawn didn't understand that. Why was it that most of the time, when there was a family get together—no Dwight? She brought her daughter along and her son. Jenny Lee, her daughter, was talking to Marcus and her son, Jason, had gone to join Luis and Shawn2 where they were commanded to remain. She was staring at him, a beer in hand. Her usual gesture, up with the can, a tilt of her head and to her mouth the can would go. She was drinking Old Style—the same that Jake preferred.

  As he stood there watching her, once again, he tried to understand what had happened between them. Jake, he now understood, but Kathy Ann—she was still a mystery to him. He wondered how long would this thing, whatever it was between them, go on? Swallowing, he made his way by the ice chest, took himself a Budweiser and walked to the table where she sat. He watched her eyes grow wide and then, the bracing of herself. He made up his mind, enough was enough. He took a seat directly across from her.

  "You eat yet?" He asked right away.

  "Maybe later." She answered dryly. "What do you want?"

  "Why are you sitting here by yourself, why don't you join the other women, Sylvia and Shanna?"

  "I'm fine right where I am."

  "Want me to fix you a plate? It's fantastic, I think I outdid myself this time." He smiled. She didn't.

  "When I'm ready, I'll fix myself a plate." She answered, staring at him, inspecting him just as closely as he was her.

  "Dwight working?"

  "No."

  "Why didn't he come?"

  "He didn't want to."

  "Well, why not?"

  "Why do you care? He didn't wanna come, screw'im."

  Shawn sat staring at her, trying to figure another route to figuring her out. She was tough. That was for sure. As he sat, he still couldn't wrap his mind around the reason she didn't like him, he could see it in her eyes. His presence was barely tolerated, he figured she'd more than likely endure him for maybe only a few more moments. Mundo started the music. He and Sylvia had asked that he lead into the faster stuff slowly. They wanted to hear some old dusties first. Smiling and indulging them, Mundo complied. Playing Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Wake up Everybody.

  Shawn propped his elbow on the table, then leaned his cheek against his fist, staring at his sister, he took a sip from his beer. "

  What the fuck are you sitting here staring at me for? Go over there with your wife, your friends. Leave me the hell alone!"

  "Why?"

  "Why what? 'Cause I don't want you fuckin' bothering me."

  "Why can't we talk?"

  "Got shit to say."

  "You get the furniture moved in? Is it okay?"

  "Oh—that's what you want. Yes, the furniture works out fine! Thank you, Shawn. I appreciate it, Shawn. You saved the day, Shawn. Thank God you offered it when you did, Shawn. Should I carry on?"

  Shawn shrugged and smiled, "Be my guest, whatever floats your boat." He took another sip of his beer, determined not to be bated, she was not going to tick him off. She was not going to put him off to start a fight, he refused this day. He was determined to end this madness between them, or else know why it existed.

  "If you're going to be acting an asshole, I'd just as soon leave!"

  "How am I acting an asshole?! What have I done? Tell me that? What exactly have I done to you, that I'm an asshole!?"

  Hearing some commotion behind them, they both looked towards the house to see that their parents had arrived with Sylvia's. Shawn lifted his hand and waved at them smiling, but turned back to Kathy Ann. Her eyes were staring past him, he turned to see at who, and noted that their mother was giving her the eye as well. Gert noticed Shawn staring at her, she cut eye contact from Kathy Ann and looked at Shawn, smiling. Shawn's brows drew in, wondering what that was about, it was as if a silent message had passed between them. As if his mother was warning her. He figured it was to do with the fact that Kathy Ann was drinking, and she was making her aware that she was there and watching. Shawn wasn't sure, but whatever it was that passed between them, it kind of ticked him off. Because no doubt, it was going to make things even tougher for him to get through to Kathy Ann. He turned back to her, and sure enough, she was looking the other way, no longer at him.

  "You need to go and leave me alone and greet your in-laws." Kathy Ann directed, then glanced back at him.

  "I will in a minute. You gonna answer my question?"

  "What question?"

  "Come on, Kathy Ann! You know damn well what question! Why am I an asshole to you?! What happened, Kathy Ann? What have I done to make you hate me?!"

  "Who said I hate you? Look, I got nothing to say to you, get the hell out of my face!" She stood and went where Derrick and Dennis stood talking, a smile on her face as she approached. "How you doing, I'm Kathy Ann." She introduced herself to Dennis with her hand out. He smiled back and shook her hand.

  Shawn rose from his seat and followed her to them. "So, I guess this is how it's going to be today, huh? Me following you around until you tell me what I wanna know? Is that how it's gonna be?"

  "Don't get on my nerves, Shawn!" She warned him.

  Derrick and Dennis looked at each other. Derrick turned to Shawn, "Come on, Shawn, not here, okay? Let's let it ride tonight, alright?"

  "No—no—hell, no! Let it ride, let it ride! It's been fucking riding long enough! Me and you, we're gonna talk!" Shawn ordered Kathy Ann and grabbed her arm, she snatched it away. "Don't fuckin' put your hands on me, Shawn! Go away and leave me alone!"

  Bart could see what was happening from where he stood. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head wondering, What now? In the meantime, his wife and Sylvia were on their way to them, as most present were looking at the two. Bart stayed put. He'd had enough excitement for one day.

  "What the hell goin' on there?" Lucas asked Bart.

  "My daughter and my son. She's Kathy Ann."

  "Oh, what's her problem?"

  "She's a woman—and I'm afraid, not a very stable one." Bart answered dryly, with full acceptance. Lucas looked up at him and the bland expression on his face, and cracked up laughing.

  "I just wanna talk! Can't we at least talk!?" Shawn asked her, ignoring everyone else. It was bugging him. Most of the time, he'd throw his hands up and say the heck with it. But he'd set it within his mind to have it out with her, any sense of logic or reasoning went down and out with the eighth can of beer he drank.

  "There's nothing to talk about! Leave—me—alone!" Kathy Ann bit out.

  "Shawn! Please! Don't do this...leave her alone." Sylvia pleaded with him, standing at the left of him. "We've got company. Can't we for once, have a get together and there not be some mess!?"

  Shawn ignored her, looking at Kathy Ann he repeated, "Let's go in the basement and talk. Just the two of us?" He tried again.

  "Shawn! Did you hear her! She said she doesn't wish to talk, now leave it alone!" Gert bit out at the right of him.

  "NO! NO! I wanna know what the heck is wrong with her! Why is it wrong for me to know, what's wrong with my own gaddamn sister! I have a right to know, and I wanna know!"

  Sheila stood by the garage door, looking and listening, turned to Crystal and sang, "Dra-a-ma—drama, drama, drama! Love me some drama! Get me a chair, baby." She asked. Crystal muttered a, "Ach!" and went back to her friends, ignoring Sheila and her request for a front row seat.

  "Shawn, what is wrong with you!?" Gert
bit out the question.

  "What is wrong with her!? That's the question! I'm fine! And I'm not leaving it alone, until I hear why—she hates my guts!" He went on.

  Sylvia turned from him and walked to Vivian and Shanna, who were standing with their eyes wide, holding their breath. Considering what Shanna told her earlier, Vivian was giving them a really good look. At the way Kathy Ann was responding to Shawn, trying to stay away from him. And Gert, trying to help her, in a sense, stay away from him. Most mothers, one would think, would encourage them to talk, to resolve the issue; Gert looked as if all she wanted was Shawn to get away from his sister. Vivian looked at Shanna the same time Shanna looked at her. Something occurred to Vivian at that very moment, something shocking. She looked back at Gert, who was aggressively trying to get Shawn to back down. Mother and son were in a battle now, both very strong personalities. Both of them very much the same.

  "You know what, this man is going to drive me crazy! I can't believe he's starting this mess! Why can't he just leave her alone!" Sylvia cried out, angry and embarrassed. Her mother walked up to them then, "Chile, ain't no sense in you lettin' it upset you. You gone have to just let they mama deal with them." Lydia counseled, talking over Kathy Ann screaming now at her brother.