BOMAW 7-9

by Mercedes Keyes

  Now standing with Victor, she felt her father's words come at her through his mouth.

  She worked like crazy to sell that product, to make the money back, and did in fact make most of it back, but not all; because she was so weak and tired from the pregnancy. Her grades in school suffered from all of her efforts in selling the make-up, and thus the cause of building frustration. Again, he got on her about school. "What's happening with school, Crystal? What am I working for? You're supposed to be getting through school, that should be your first priority, not that fucking make-up!"

  "I said I would put your money back and I meant it!"

  "Well, if you hadn't fallen for it, there would be no need to put it back! It would be there! Now your grades are suffering because you're trying to sell it!"

  "I am selling it!"

  "Stop fuckin' yelling at me! You're the one who is fucking up—"

  Unable to stand it, Crystal had committed her first attack, flying at him, screaming in frustration, taking him by surprise. She'd hit him in the mouth, causing it to bleed and scratched his face. Bouncing back, Victor had grabbed her by her wrist, and they struggled with her kicking out at him. He got her on the bed, laid on her to pin her down as she screamed and thrashed, "I hate you, I hate you…you think you're…better than me…think I'm a stupid…just a stupid…piece of ass for…for you…to fuck over! Let…let me…up…let me up!"

  "Calm down! Calm down! What is wrong with you? Why the hell did you hit me? Huh?"

  Struggling to calm down after realizing what she'd done, Crystal had turned from him, hurt and crying. He'd let her go, sitting by the bed, trying to come to grips with what it might mean living with his new wife.

  It hadn't helped to know that his parents, especially his mother, looked down her nose at her. Making her feel even more inadequate, in fact, it had been his mother's reaction to hearing the news of their marriage that activated all the dormant seeds of inadequacy her father had deeply planted. He was fighting the thoughts that his mother might be right, he didn't want to face something like that.

  They hadn't called his parents right after talking to Crystal's mother because she kept chickening out. Victor hadn't pushed it either, because he too dreaded it. In fact, Sylvia and Mundo had come up visiting them, was there getting to know Victor, and was staying with them; advising them that they needed to inform his parents before they found out by someone else, when that was exactly what happened. Sylvia had been there when his mother and father came knocking at their door, she'd been the one to answer it.

  She'd looked out of the four pane door window, to see an older man and woman, the man, shorter, very pale blonde hair, looking much older than his wife. Victor had been at work, Crystal was at school and Mundo had gone off walking to meet up with her, to come home with her after her classes. Sylvia knew what she faced upon opening the door.

  "Yes, can I help you?" She'd asked.

  Natalie Prescott had stared at Sylvia, unsure, as if afraid to speak, and then finally knew that she had to. "I'm…Natalie Prescott, Victor's mother…are you…Crystal?"

  Sylvia smiled at her, sighed and shook her head. "No, I'm her mother, Sylvia, won't you come in?"

  "Do they…live here, with you?" She had asked, totally in the dark.

  They hadn't heard from Victor in over three months. They'd called, left messages, nothing. Refusing to wait a moment more, they'd driven to La Crosse, went to his dorm and found that he no longer lived there. Learned that he was no longer in school. His friends were eager to inform them that he was living in a house, had gotten married to a black girl, who was pregnant and attending college still. Her name was Crystal, and then proceeded to tell them where they lived. Natalie Prescott thought she would faint as she parroted, "Married? Bl-bl-black girl? Pregnant? My son? Victor Prescott?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  They went looking for the house, found it, and in stunned silence stepped up to the door, knocking on it.

  "Can I get either of you something to drink?" Sylvia had offered as they took a seat on the sofa together.

  The mother looked stunned, the father looked harassed, red in the face, as if he didn't know quite what to say or do.

  "Nothing." Natalie finally found her voice to answer.

  "I take it, you've just found out…today?" Sylvia asked.

  Natalie nodded, "I mean…how could this have happened? I mean…my son? Married, to your daughter…how?"

  "The usual way, maybe? He asked, she said yes—"

  "My son—asked her? Is it true, that she's pre-pregnant?"

  Sylvia's light, bright and understanding manner was quickly switching over to a rapidly growing attitude, with the shifting of her expression, it couldn't be missed. "Yes, she is, six months along now."

  "Six months! Oh, my god! I can't believe it! I mean, oh my god! Well—we have to do something, I mean, it's obvious they've made a mistake; no wonder he hasn't contacted us. He's obviously been duped into something that he was too ashamed to share with us!"

  "Duped? Excuse me?"

  "Yes, duped! I mean, why would my son…even entertain marrying someone…well…your daughter? I mean, no, no, no—I need to speak with my son! No, something is going on here! He may be fooled, but I assure you, we aren't so easily manipulated, as your daughter has obviously set her sights on him, and no doubt, taken advantage."

  Sylvia stood, too angry to continue the visit.

  "You know what, since your son is not here, I think you two need to go, and come back later when he is. Because I'm on the verge of saying something that is not going to be nice. My seventeen year old daughter, is not the one who took advantage! He was the worldly, experienced one here! The one who took her virginity."

  Natalie stood, replying, "Not likely; I hear the majority of you give that up at twelve."

  "You know what, Mrs. Prescott…you're at risk talking to me. For your own physical welfare, you need to head for the door, and make your exit quickly. Because I'm a few minutes from confirming your estimation of us."

  "Gladly. Come on, Percival. Please, do let our son know that we were here, and wish to speak with him right away! We'll be getting a room at the Ramada."

  Crystal and Mundo were the first to return home. Sylvia had been in their kitchen cooking something for their dinner when she heard them entering the house.

  "Well, my daughter, you've bitten off the big one, I'm afraid. Guess who visited today, while you were at school? They're at the Ramada now, by the way."

  Crystal stared with wide eyes of mystery, and taking a deep breath asked, "Who?"

  "Victor's parents! They came not long ago. And I can tell you something else, girlfriend—I don't like his mama, not one bit. His father never said a word, just stood up in here turning red."

  "Oh no! Oh, mama, what did you say to them? How'd they know we lived here?"

  "Crystal—I haven't a clue! Someone knocked on the door—I answered it—there they stood."

  "Were they angry? Mean? What were they like?" She asked, worried.

  "That's messed up." Mundo commented, sitting down in front of their TV, flipping channels, "Hey! Ya'll ain't got cable?"

  "Boy, they can't afford no cable, what you think?" Sylvia fussed at him.

  "I ain't comin' up here, then; ya'll got to get some cable!" He mumbled, getting down on the floor, messing with the TV as if he could force more channels to show.

  They ignored him as Crystal went on to ask, "What did she say to you, mama?"

  "Too much! She's an opinionated bigot—who feels that you've manipulated her son—and trapped him into this marriage and relationship."

  "What? That's not true! I didn't trap him, mama! He's the one that wanted to get married; I never mentioned it. Great! So, you don't think she's going to like me?"

  "Crystal—that's life! Not everyone in your life is going to like you. I can tell you now—his mother has already formed an opinion of you based on the color of you skin. So all you can do, is be polite—show good manners, and
tolerate. Nothing you do is going to make one difference to her; she'll only see what's wrong with you, she'll never see what's right. I wish to God you hadn't married him. You should have just brought your butt home to me! You still a baby yourself!"

  "I love him, mama; I wanna be with him. I want this marriage to work. I have to make it work."

  "Baby, marriage is the hardest thing in the world to hold right. You need to learn to live with yourself first, before trying to live with a man, and now a baby? You're not even 18 years old! I let you go, thinking you're gonna come up here and get a good education, and all you've gotten is knocked up by a white boy! Whose parents, are not at all happy about this new discovery."

  "I'm sorry, mama! I can't help that it happened. It's done, and I can't go back. I don't wanna go back, I want what I have. I want this baby, and I want him. He loves me and we're going to make it work."

  "I can tell you this now…it's grow up quick time! Thing is, I can't even stay here to be on your side when they show back up on the scene! I have to be back at work and Mundo has to get back to school."

  "It's my last week! Can I come up here and stay with her for the summer, mama?" He asked from the floor.

  "No, you cannot! That's the last thing they need, is you up here in the middle. You gettin' a summer job, like I told you! At the store, I already talked to my boss about hiring you."

  "I'on wanna be no bagger in no grocery store!" He poked his lip out mumbling.

  "Shet up, boy! You ain't laying around all summer, you goin' to work—baggin', sweepin' whatever there is to do! Right there at Jewels! So shet yo' mouth and get that car loaded up."

  Making faces again, he shot to his feet and did as his mother directed. Victor had already told him if he wanted to come there for the summer, he could. He knew he just had to work on his mother so she'd let him; get on her nerves, then she'd put him on the bus or train.

  They said their goodbyes again, they would be gone before Victor was home from work.

  Crystal stood with her hand on her rounded belly, six months along, the baby was moving all the time. She stood wishing that Victor was home. It was lonely when he was at work. She turned into her home, went into the kitchen to check on what her mother had prepared before she left. She'd fried up pork chops, made Spanish rice, broccoli and a fresh tossed salad. She looked to the clock. He wouldn't be home for another 3 hours. She needed to study. Or she could sell some more Mary Kay by making a few phone calls and arrange a party or two. She didn't feel like either, instead, she turned the stereo on, and went to clean house, but it was immaculate from her mother being there. Nothing left for her to do but go lie down and wait for him to get home.

  His hand on her rounded, tossing belly, their baby kicking up a storm, woke her from a nice nap.

  "Hi." She smiled, greeting him.

  "'Hi' to you. I can't believe how much this baby moves around. I mean, to actually see it—it's so cool! Does it hurt?" He asked, his hand under her shirt as the baby moved against his palm. They both laughed. "No, it doesn't hurt. Feels nice, in fact. It's so amazing, that…well…from us making love, that this could happen."

  Victor leaned forward, moved her shirt up and kissed her belly, rubbing it. "I see your mom's gone."

  "Yeah, they had to get back. You hungry? She cooked, I'll heat it up for you."

  "Sure, I'll wash up." He rose holding his hand out to pull her up. When she was up on her feet, he pulled her to him for a kiss. "You've been on my mind all day. Think it's okay if we made love? I'll be careful." He asked.

  "I thought you were hungry?" She simpered.

  "I am, but I'd rather make love to you first…can I?"

  Crystal smiled and nodded. It was the most wonderful feeling to them both, what they shared. She never got enough of him, nor did he, her. It was natural, and they now knew each other, knew what the other liked and never held back. Afterwards, she cleaned up, and put on a house dress to warm his food up. He came into the kitchen with his sweats on, no shoes, socks, or shirt.

  "Um, I have something to tell you. You wanna hear it before, or after, you eat?"

  "I take it, it's not good news." He replied, heading for the fridge for a soda, closing the door and popping the tab and then sitting at the table as she sat his plate before him and turned to make herself one. "No…it's not."

  "Let me eat first. Come join me."

  She did, picking at her food because she was so nervous.

  "Your mom's a good cook. My mother boiled everything. Baked everything, never used any seasoning. I don't think she even has pepper in the house." He complimented, enjoying it. Crystal smiled. "They know, Victor." She informed him softly.

  He looked up at her, paused a moment and then took a deep breath and kept on eating. She ate some, and then went on to explain. "They came by here earlier, when my mom was still here and I was at school."

  He went on, finishing his food, grabbed his Pepsi and drank it down all the way, leaning back in his chair. He looked at his wife. "All this time you've been in beauty school, can you give me a haircut yet?" He asked, as if she hadn't just dropped some heavy news on him.

  Crystal smiled. "Of course I can." She took their plates to the sink, he wiped off the table as she went for her little case with the cape and neck gauzes. As she stood above him, wetting his hair down with the spray bottle, she waited for him to say something; he finally did, as he tilted his head while she trimmed over and behind his ears.

  "They were bound to find out sooner or later." He finally spoke out of the blue.

  "My mom says, they don't like me…already."

  He sighed. She finished his haircut. In fact, gave him one that suited him perfectly. Not too short, no longer draped as it was, he stood in the bathroom looking at it in the mirror. "Good job." He smiled and looked at her standing in the doorway of the bathroom watching him. Her eyes sad, flooding with tears.

  "What's wrong?" He asked, turning to her, grabbing her into his arms.

  "I want them to like me. I don't want her to hate me. You think if she got to know me, she'd like me?"

  Victor pulled her close and hugged her. "Crystal, my mother's…well…she's different. I'm gonna give her a call." He kissed her forehead. "Don't worry about if she likes you or not, I love you…nothing else matters, right? Just us."

  Crystal nodded. "My mom says they're staying at the Ramada."

  Victor sat on the phone, with Crystal watching him, biting her nails.

  "Natalie & Percival Prescott's room."

  "It's Victor…mother."

  "Victor!"

  "Yes."

  "I have never been more stunned, more humiliated—in—my life! How dare you do this to us!"

  "I have done nothing to you, mother. What are you humiliated about?"

  "I am not about to have this discussion on the phone with you. We're in room 213…I expect to see you here within the hour." She hung up.

  Victor clicked their phone off and blew from puffed up cheeks.

  "What did she say?"

  "She's not happy. She wants me to come there."

  "I better get dressed."

  "No—don't. I'm going alone."

  "Alone? Why?"

  "I think it's for the best."

  "You ashamed of me, Victor? Don't you want them to meet me, know me?"

  "How can you say that to me? Ashamed of you? I love you! I married you, how's that being ashamed? You're my wife!"

  "Then why don't you wish me to go?"

  "You're pregnant. You're emotional. I don't want her further upsetting you, and—knowing her—she would." He leaned over, grasped the back of her head and pulled her towards him, kissing her gently on the lips. "I won't be late."

  Victor knocked at his parent's room door. His father opened it.

  "Dad." He greeted him.

  His father nodded, red in the face and exasperated. His problem—that Victor had upset his mother and caused her stress—who in turn, was causing him stress. He couldn't deal with his w
ife when she was in one of her moods that made everyone suffer whether they were the cause of the problem or not. His father closed with the door behind him, his mother stood across their room, with her arms crossed over her breasts.

  "Come in and sit down, young man! I want you to know that I am very upset right now. I don't know when the last time I've ever been so disappointed in your actions. This certainly takes the cake. I am absolutely—beside myself with disbelief! I have been a very good mother to you…your brother and sisters. I have taught each of you…the moral rights and wrongs. Even so, with you, I've been most lenient! Allowing you certain liberties, turning away on certain matters because a mother needs to with young males. Especially when they are crossing over into manhood..." She began her lecture, walking back and forth before the big curtained window of their room. He was used to this. He looked back at his father to see what he was doing. No surprise there; he was off in a dream world, waiting as he did, for her to finish. Victor shook his head and turned back to her. He was sitting on their bed.

  "...in terms of life and…and…other people, cultures—I've taught each of you to be compassionate and patient with them. While they are human, they are still of a different breed from us. A lower class and state of being. They are of a breed that is - earthy, uncouth… unrefined, well…distinctly their own. We don't mix with them. I know I've stated this time and time again! You see this is the struggle that we have, to keep our sons pure and on the straight and narrow, when faced with women who are all, carnal, immoral, shameless—with only one thing on their minds! They're simply born that way, from early on, this is the way they are! Haven't I warned you of them? Yet here you are, fallen as so many others! It's one thing to purge yourself of your needs with them, but to actually marry one? Impregnate one? Have you lost all sense and logic? What could she have possibly done, to bribe you, con you into doing something so…so stupid? No—don't answer that!" She took a breath.

  Victor wiped his hand over his face, wondering how much longer this was going to take. He had to be at work the next day, and his wife was home alone.