Benjamin didn't need the test to come back to know that this man was the reason he lived and breathed.
He didn't need the test, he needed the man. He wanted him to laugh with him, grab him by the shoulder and pull him in close to his body for a man-hug following a joke, as he did Mundo. He noticed that he gave Mundo his undivided attention. When Mundo walked into the room, Shawn's eyes lit up and he smiled as if he were eagerly awaiting what words would come from him next. With good reason, Mundo was the family comedian, clown. He was hilarious and you never knew what he was about to say next. Shawn, the man that he knew with all his heart and soul was his father, loved Mundo. He touched him, stroked his hand over his head in a fatherly fashion of adoration, play punched him, hugged him, laughed until tears rolled from his eyes at things he said, and as a father, yelled at him sometimes if he were pushing it with his mother or sister. As the evening was drawing to a close, they'd shut the door to the office, locking the women out, and just the three of them sat with Shawn as he talked to them about different things. Benjamin had really enjoyed that. It gave him and Mundo both a view to him, a window to the soul of the man. He'd turned on the stereo in his office, playing soft bluesy music, by Jacky Wilson, Brook Benton, Sam Cooke, Eric Clapton and other's. While listening he went into little stories of his past, telling them about the best friend he ever had. Looking at Mundo, he had a feeling that Mundo had an insight to what that was all about. Making Benjamin wonder, if this man who was his father, did this often?
Slipping into a sort of, melancholy, not quite depression, but in a mood stimulated by something from his past. He watched him realize what he was doing, then snapping himself out of it, to change the subject. Changed it to his plans for teaching Mundo how to use the rifle locked away in his office. He brought it out, unloaded it and gave it to Mundo to hold as he explained all the safety precautions that must be used when handling it. Benjamin had been burning with jealousy. They were so natural with one another. They already shared something deep, close and personal, it was there clear to see. He wanted Shawn to be that way with him. He was after all, his father! He knew that. His jealously wasn't something that made him resent Mundo, but in a way, Shawn. How could he ignore the fact that there sat his own flesh and blood son? Why did he need to see the test before claiming that he was so, when Benjamin didn't need any such test. Unable to take anymore, he'd stood.
"It's getting late, I better get going. Gran'pa'll be looking for me."
They'd walked him to the door, seeing him off... just like one would do a visitor, a house "guest".
Benjamin sighed wishing he hadn't thought back to it. He had to correct his thinking he realized. Shawn had after all invited him to come with them to L.A., so it was a start. Yet, he still felt more of a charity case; he felt like the kid next door who was always hanging around and out of sympathy, the family let him in, fed him, let him sit in the midst of their happy clan where he could watch them all in their good fortune, wishing he was a part of it all.
Again Benjamin shook it off, realizing he wanted too much, too soon. Time... he had to give it time.
Chapter 213
Saturday...
"Hey, I need to ask another favor of you." Jake started right off, out on the back porch having a morning cigarette. Vivian was cleaning up after their breakfast, followed by which, she would be going through her things and packing up enough for the next week to take by his place for work and lounging. He was making phone calls, had a list, Shawn was the first on the list.
Shawn chuckled, he was getting used to those few words from his brother now that he was home.
"Fire away." He invited, on the phone lying in bed. Sylvia was in the bathroom, taking a shower; Angela and Crystal were up fixing breakfast; the boys were running around the house, laughing out loud, Darren chasing Isaac, playing from one room to the next, they'd already come into their room twice, saw Shawn - shouted at him, laughing when he growled at them and back out they ran, screaming hysterically, early morning energy.
"I'm coming back Sunday on the train; leaving my truck here with Vivian, mind if I use one of your bikes to get back and forth to work?"
"Be my guest, the blue one, have at it. I use the red one most and have it adjusted as I need it. The blue on the other hand, she's a bit bigger, you'll be comfortable on it."
"Thanks, after what happened to her here, I can't just leave her with public transport."
"Don't blame you one bit. So you two have mended your fences huh? Oof!" Shawn asked right before Darren, who had come back into the room climbed on the bed, with Isaac following, tromped across it, plopped down on his stomach, rolled over him and dropped to the floor, laughing the whole time and back on his feet, ran out of the room with Isaac doing the same, yelling, "I gone g'you Darren!"
"For now ..." Jake answered in response to his question, "... we wouldn't argue so much if she didn't need to fight me every inch of the way. I tell you the truth man, how the hell do you get them to do as you say without fighting with'em?"
"When you find out, please let me know. Speaking of favors, you mind staying at the house when you get back here, keep an eye out on the building work across the way. The studio is supposed to be done by the time we get back. Then they'll be starting on the house."
"Sure, no problem. So when you leaving?"
"Sunday is our flight, taking the whole family, as I told you - I'm meeting up with my boss, so - when I get back, I hope you have something for us to get started on, I'll be telling Mr. James about you, planting the seeds for possibly recording with them. Before that can happen, you have to get the songs written."
"I'll have'em ready, you better believe it. I ah, talked to Benjamin yesterday - he told me you two went and got tested."
Shawn sat up in bed, one leg off, foot on the floor. Sylvia was out of the shower, bath robe on, shooing the boys out of the room so she could get dressed, yelling down the stairs, "Crystal! When one of these two falls down the stairs and breaks their arm or leg, don't get hysterical about it! Both of you, in the basement now! Stay down there, quit running around for you break something or yourself."
Obediently, they headed down with Isaac helping his little brother so he wouldn't fall, saying, "We goin' gran'ma, see'ya later alligator..."
Smiling Sylvia shook her head and closed their bedroom door, locking it to get dressed.
"Yeah, we did. How are you?" Shawn asked.
"Can I be honest?"
"I wish you would."
"I was hurt about it. And uh, I still feel - well, I don't know. I suppose if I had been a better father to him, he wouldn't be needing you so much right now. Strange how, the past is gone, yet ... it can still find you today, make you feel good, make you feel - like shit ... but yet, it's the past, should be behind you, over - but it never is, especially if something about it is not right ... sorry, I'm rambling."
"It's okay ... I'm with you on that, know exactly what you're saying."
"I don't know why I get so worked up over it, it's not like I hadn't told you already that he was yours. Anyway, enough of that, how long you guys gonna be gone?"
"Two weeks, give or take a few days. There's something else, I don't know if he told you or not, but ah, Benjamin... he's going with us."
Jake took a drag off of his cigarette, shaking his head. "What can I say? You guys be careful and have a good time."
"Well you get ready, we'll be making this trip ourselves, you and I - to record, plan on it."
"I will, you better believe I will... well, I have a few more calls to make."
"Okay... the keys to the house will be with Shanna. If you need the Navigator for anything, it'll be here too, talk to you later."
"Thanks, later."
Shawn clicked the phone off and sat on the bed watching his wife lay new clothing and a few maternity pieces in her suitcase. Grinning he reached over and grabbed one out of the case, "What is this, what is this!? Wooo-hooo, preggie clothes, preggie clothes, yes! Come here baby, do
n't get dressed yet, I haven't kissed that sweet belly growing right there, yet." He reached over and grabbed Sylvia's wrist, pulling her to him, she was wearing only a bra and panties at that particular moment. She giggled, tickled by the way he could be so carefree sometimes, "Shawn! I'm tryin' to pack and you unpacking my stuff!" She fussed light-hearted. He ignored her words and pulled her up-close, laying kisses all over her small rounding tummy. "Look at my baby, godalmighty my baby's growing... look'at him. Jesse James, you hear me? This is your daddy's voice, can you hear me son?" He asked and then kissed her tummy again, caressing it with his face, rubbing his bristly cheek and chin against it.
"Shawn! You need to shave, your face rough, scratchin' me." She complained gently, her hand in his hair, stroking it lovingly.
With soft eyes full of reverence he looked up at her, "Do you know how happy this makes me? Seeing you like this..." He asked, his large hand splayed over her tummy, unable to resist touching her, touching the roundness of it, "... if I could keep you like this, I would."
"Yeah, I know you would. Don't even think about it." She fussed, leaning down to kiss his brow and then moving away to finish packing. "I take it you were speaking to Jake?"
"Yep." He answered standing from the bed to head for the bathroom.
"So what was he saying?"
"Nothing much, just wanted to know if he could use one of my bikes for work, he's leaving his truck in Chicago for Vivian to use."
"He is?! Wow... that's nice. How considerate of him."
"He's not all bad Sylvia." He leaned in the door against the frame to say, looking at her.
Sylvia shrugged. "I guess that's a good thing since he and Vivian are getting together."
"He really loves her you know."
"We'll see. Long as he treats her right."
"I think he will."
"Think he'll be faithful? No cheating?" She asked, folding more things to add to the luggage, leaving an outfit out to wear.
Shawn stared at her, reluctant to answer that last one. After all, while pursuing her, he'd gone with other women. Hoping she wouldn't notice, Shawn ducked back into the bathroom. No good, she noticed. "Emmm hm, I see. So you don't think he'll be faithful." She spoke out loud, assuming that he heard her.
"I didn't say that." He called from within.
"Yes you did... just not out loud."
He came back to the door, looking at her, "Will you give him a chance?"
"I ain't got to give him nothing, he ain't my man! He ain' nobody to me. Its up to Vivian to give him a chance."
"You know what I mean Sylvia. He's my brother, your brother-in-law. I love'em ... he's my little brother and he's been through enough."
"So have you. I'm married to you, not him."
"But we're all family."
"Long as he remembers that, we'll be fine, won't we?"
Shawn sighed, what could he say? Nothing, so he backed into the bathroom, turned on the shower and stepped in; their day was going to be a busy one getting everyone packed up and out the door. Because of the boys car seats, Shanna would be following them, Officer Collier - Royce, riding with her, as well - Benjamin, Mundo and Isaac in his seat. Royce was coming along to drive the Navigator back for them. Crystal, Darren and Angela would be riding in the Navigator with Shawn and Sylvia. They would be getting a room at a hotel on Washington blvd. which was lined with restaurants. They could walk anywhere along the strip to eat, or order in. Sunday morning, from the hotel, they would take a shuttle bus to the airport. Sleeping arrangements at the hotel, Mundo and Ben were sharing a room, Crystal, Angela and the boys, and of course he and Sylvia had their own room.
While they were eating breakfast, Benjamin showed up and was fed as well. He helped Shawn and Mundo load up the SUV and Shanna's Cherokee jeep. Car seats were installed, the house was checked over, Shawn double checked to make sure he had all of his work that he needed to turn in. Sylvia had her laptop, he had his and Benjamin of course brought his as well. In no time at all, they were on the road, heading for Madison.
* * *
"Come on lil'girl, we best get a move on. Just so you know, I called Ms Martin, explained the situation, she has a set of keys for you. I've also talked to Ms Earthaleen, she lives above us, she'll be keeping an eye out on things, believe me she will. She also told me off about the other night..." Jake chuckled as he sat a couple of her bags down that she was taking with her, "What do you mean, told you off about the other night?"
Jake blushed crimson, hating to have to tell her this but, "She ah, heard us... the two of us... you know, when we were doin' the wild thang." He started laughing.
Vivian looked at him like he was crazy, "What do mean?!" She repeated, knowing he couldn't mean what she thought he meant.
Jake wiped his hand over his face trying not to laugh even though his face was crimson, "Baby, she heard us, you and I, having sex. Making love honey, what can I say, just so happens, our bedroom is right beneath hers."
"You lyin'! Quit lying Jake!"
"I'm sorry baby, but its true."
"She told you? She told you she heard us?"
"Ms. Earthaleen, as you will learn, misses nothing. Neither is she shy about telling you off."
"How old is she?" Vivian asked, the look on her face, telling Jake loud and clear, she was not too please about this.
"Hard to say, if I were to guess, ohhh, anywhere from 64 to 75."
"And she heard us... doin' it?"
All Jake could do was laugh.
"Jake that is not funny! That is not funny - at all! My mother is hard enough to deal with, but now I got to deal with some old black woman giving me the eye! You don't know what old black people are like! They can make your life a living hell!"
"She's harmless."
"I'm not going! No way!"
"Vivian!"
"Vivian my ass!"
"Wait just a minute here, you can curse at me, but I can't curse at you?"
"Man you better quit trippin'! Don't worry about me cursin'! I wanna know why you didn't tell me that old lady was up there? And could hear us?!"
"To be honest with you, that was the last thing on my mind." He tried to reason with her, fighting not to keep laughing.
"Oh I know this! Because you were too busy with the first thing on your mind! Sex! Gettin' in my draws!"
Jake threw his head back and barked with laughter, the way she looked in the face with her head going sent him into hysterics.
"I'm glad you think this is so funny! You gonna be gone your butt off to Wisconsin, but I'll be left here having to deal with that old lady."
Coming down from a laugh that made his eyes tear up he walked up to her and put his arms around her, "Come on baby, you're not afraid of a little old lady are you?"
"There's a bit of a difference between little old ladies, and old black women! Old black women do not care what they say to you. They don't like nobody, and don't nobody wanna be under the scrutiny of them, you just don't know. Ja-a-ake... don't make me gooo." She whined pitifully.
"Come on, let's get it over. Is this all you're gonna need? You should probably take more." He suggested.
She had a face on, wasn't saying another word as she stomped over the the sofa to grab up her wardrobe bag with her work suits in it.
"It's not gonna be that bad, she actually likes me... I think." He grinned picking up her two bags while she got her purse and makeup case, with her wardrobe bag hanging over her arm. Shaking her head and rolling her eyes she made her way out the door while he locked up the house and followed.
They thought they'd made it in safe and sound once they got to the basement apartment. There was no one insight when they entered. On the kitchen table, a note from Ms. Martin, with a set of keys for Vivian. The note said, "It's gonna be nice to have you here Vivian, don't you mind Ms. Earthaleen, I've told her gently, please mind her business."
"See, you were worried for nothing." Jake had assured her. No sooner had the words left his lips when he heard fo
ur hard wraps on the back porch floor. Jake winced as if in pain, next scratching his head, glancing at Vivian.
"What was that?" She asked.
"That - is Ms. Earthaleen, I think she wants me."
"What?"
"Yeah, she always taps on the kitchen floor, or the back porch, which means she wishes to have a word with me, or to ask would I like something to eat. Some how, I don't think this is about something to eat."
He took a deep breath and walked to the back door and opened it, stepping up the four steps from the basement and onto the steps leading to her back porch landing, he didn't have to step to far before he saw her there. Both hands on her hips, wearing her old house dress, she looked like she quickly grabbed her wig off the table and pulled it on, didn't bother to adjust it, four gray haired braids sticking from underneath.
"Yes Ms Earthaleen, you want me?"
"Who down there wit'chu?"
"My fiancée Ms. Earthaleen, would you like to meet her?" Jake asked fighting back a grin, trying to look serious in front of her.
"Sho'do!"
"Okay ma'am, be right back with her."
When Jake went back to get Vivian, she had heard and was having a temper tantrum making threatening faces at him shaking her head no she was not going out there. He had to grab her and force her to the door, of course she was fighting him all the way until they got to the stairs where she straightened up, having little choice and forced a smile on her face to meet Ms. Earthaleen.
When she showed herself to her, Ms. Earthaleen had narrowed eyes inspecting her.
"Lord chile, you black as soot! Can't see you in that dark shadow, come up here some'mo!" She ordered.
BOMAW 7-9 Page 128
