Beauty of Man and Woman - Volume 13: Bomaw Read online

  In an effort not to hear what Nora was trying to remind her, she gave her son her full attention, “It does look good doesn’t it,” she fished for more compliments, giving her naturally red-auburn locks a pat at the side and back, “…even this morning, I noticed it myself.”

  “Absolutely mother, crack of dawn, you’re fit and fine as the queen herself.”

  Smiling and preening, batting her lashes she at least gave credit to whom it was due, “I swear, that Virginia is worth her weight in gold, fact is, I got her 3 more heads to do and two others want outfits by her.”

  Jacob bit out of his juicy sausage and off handedly commented, “Well now, see right there - is just what I was thinking. One of these days, someone is going to pluck her right on up and give her - her own shop for sewing and doing hair, where women will flock to her to get theirs done. If she’s still in Greenville when it happens that is, why - she might still find time to fit you in mother.”

  GM snapped his paper and harrumphed - holding his breath, waiting for it. His son was good, he’d give him that, there was a reason he was considered a bit of a genius.

  Grinning, Jacob also waited for it, turning to his little sister who entered the room, greeting her, “Good morning precious.”

  Smiling at her brother, “Good morning, mama - daddy.” And turning to Nora, “I’m so hungry, this sure looks good Ms. Nora.” She complimented their cook.

  All who knew Lida Bell, knew that she was like a whirlwind when entering a room. Therefore, when the wind froze, stopped, all could tell something was heavy on her mind, like exactly at that particularly moment. She was staring off into a future that was being conjured up on the spot.

  “George…” Her husband’s name suddenly came out of her mouth, first thoughtful, gentle.

  GM gently exhaled, smiling to himself behind the paper.

  Nora could see she was about to be worked up into a frenzy and she wanted to get in her concerns before the whirlwind returned to full sail, “Ms. Lida Bell, about this Christmas - remember-…”

  Cutting her off, “George!” His name came with more force, filled with a determined idea.

  GM cleared his throat, smiled and first glanced at his son, giving him a wink and then turned to his wife, “Yes dear?”

  “The most ingenious idea has just come to me - just popped into my head - it hit me like a bolt of lightning. George, why - I simply must see it through. Oh please tell me you’ll let me.”

  “Well - I haven’t quite heard what it is yet dear.” GM simpered, folding his paper to give his wife, all of his attention, but then, saw the exasperated look on Nora’s face and thought he should intervene there, “First darlin’, be fair and hear Nora out, then I will hear you.”

  Lida Bell made a face in defeat - there went Christmas dinner. Looking a bit churlish she turned, exhaling and was forced to make up her mind surrounding Nora. Pouting, she hated having to give over to her concerning Christmas. It wasn’t like she’d forgotten what Nora had asked far in advance - it was that she’d kept putting it aside and back hoping not to have to deal with it. Nora could cook like nobody’s business. Her holiday layout was good enough for the cover of Good Housekeeping Magazine -if- Nora was behind it. That she was so good was not Lida Bell’s fault - she happen to like the best things in life. She at times had to face and admit, she was a tad bit spoiled, and even a touch selfish when it came to her family and their needs. In other words, she thought if she ignored it - Nora’s needs that is, it might go away. She also had to admit that it was the privileged brat in her taking advantage of Nora.

  “Oh all right Nora, if you must. I don’t know what I’m to do that day - I can’t possibly cook the things you can and in such good order.” And then in her off-handed way, she gave what she thought was a compliment, “An’ you people wonder why you were slaves - it’s because you’re so darn good at what you do! Can’t blame a body for wanting the very best.” She sighed deep, finishing as she moped about it.

  Nora shook her head, made a face behind her words of reasoning, but in the end, smiled and was happy, “Oh, I think you’ll do just fine Ms Lida Bell.” She turned back relieved, once again able to focus on the work at hand - however, her ears were perked and keen on the talk behind her.

  GM shook his head at his wife’s logic, or what there was of it. His son doing the same, in Jacob’s mind, nothing justified slavery - he was embarrassed by that past and wished that his mother hadn’t said such a callous thing, but she was indeed spoiled and at times, thoughtless. At that moment Lida Bell turned away as her mind switched from that day and it’s event back to her bright idea, she was smiling once again. In fact, she was so proud of her generosity she pointed it out to her husband, “See there George, I can be generous - can’t I?”

  “Mmm,” he mumbled with a grin, wishing to avoid a discussion around it, “What about this idea?”

  “Well… what if we, or rather… I…”

  Jacob smiled to himself as he devoured his breakfast. Listening to every word his mother spoke to his father about her idea of having her own little business, where she would hire Virginia directly to do hair, and to design clothing for her and those she referred to her shop. After all, it was certainly true that a woman with such talent, would be snatched up and soon if they didn’t take advantage of having her themselves. What Jacob couldn’t help but notice was that he wasn’t the only one listening - Nora had her ear stretched as well. He hoped they could run it across Ginny before Nora reached their grapevine - it seemed to deliver news faster than any telegraph wire. He figured, if he was going to use this as points in his favor, he should be the first to bring it to her attention - that it was of course his idea, his planting of the seed that got things moving. Finishing his meal, his thoughts were on getting back to Ginny’s farm. In fact, just as he sipped the last of his coffee, he distinctly heard his mother say to his father, “I think we ought to speak to Virginia right away, I don’t wish to wait a moment. I’ve never been to her place, but Jacob - why yes…”

  He looked up into his mother’s eyes, this wasn’t exactly how he’d wanted to spend the day.

  Her lovely green eyes were focused right on his own, “…you took her home last night.” She pointed out, “I’ll get ready immediately, and you can take your father and I out to her place so we can discuss this most advantageous business idea with her.”

  His eyes went immediately to his father.

  GM smiled, shrugged and said nothing in his behalf to get him off the hook. It would seem, he was their ride to Virginia’s.

  Back to the present…

  “Of course you can stay with me. No need to ask - you know that.” Shanna assured Meribel after returning to where the other women all sat talking. Entering, it might have been all in her mind, but she could swear they’d been speaking of something else and switched interest to her when they heard her coming. Due to her scattered and sporadic moods and thinking, she dismissed the notion.

  Vivian gently asked, “You guys okay?” hoping that it was so.

  Shrugging, Meribel mumbled, “I don’t know.” It was obvious things were not good.

  “Derrick?…” Sylvia asked.

  “Gone. Where - who knows - to be honest mami - I don’t care.”

  They all sighed unable to say anymore.

  Sylvia levered herself up from her chair, “Best get this kitchen cleaned up and food put away.”

  “I’ll help.” Each chorused.

  “Make sure you all wrap up enough to take with you. I don’t want too many leftovers, Shawn gettin’ all funny about eatin’ repeats.” She grinned.

  Shanna shook her head, smirking, “You spoil him. What’s wrong with leftovers?”

  “Repeat eat, when it comes to store bought, fast food, or deli bought, Shawn don’t do. Only thing Shawn will eat over and over is catfish-…”

  “…and greens, I know I know.” Shanna laughed rolling her eyes.

  “His black-en’!” Vivian teased laughing. She was ge
tting to know him better after living in their midst. There were times that he acted far more black than white. He had a tendency to slide into a way of talking and acting that emulated what many thought of as stereotypical black behavior. That ability to put on whatever cloak needed depending on the company before him. Like many black people did. It was funny to observe.

  Sylvia grinned joining in, “He might as well be - I kid you not!”

  “You all know it’s in our roots from mama’s side.” Shanna reminded them.

  “Emm-hm,” Sylvia mumbled, not so sure that was the only side it was coming from. She dropped it however, no since in going there so they’d have to tell Meribel all about it. The moment they entered the room, Shawn’s eyes zoomed right in on her. She had to smile so that he knew she was okay. He was hovering so - she could barely make a move without him checking on her. Obviously, he was expecting her to drop Jesse James any second now. Not that she wouldn’t mind. However, this was September, Jesse James was due November. Sylvia had no experience carrying a baby this size. He was so totally different from her pregnancies with Crystal and Mundo. They’d both been smaller just a little over 6lbs. at delivery. Jesse James was already around that weight, so her gyne informed her. In addition to that, her gyne predicted that he would be well over 8lbs. Even possibly 9lbs. by the time of her delivery. As for Shawn, he was in heaven. When alone, his hands were all over her, especially her hard stomach where his son lay kicking her black and blue. She could tell already that his little butt was going to be bad and into everything. In her womb, he could not be still. She was happy of course that he was healthy and strong. Thus, the consequences of that was her having to cope with him kicking constantly, hard - moving all over the place trying to get comfortable.

  Thanks to Gert and her knowledge and good advice, she was keeping a diary record of his waking moments and activity, so they would know his schedule after birth. Working on their own schedule to fit him so it wouldn’t be such a shock to them once he arrived. Presently, he went completely still for hours, between 2:45am to 6:45am. He moved for a short bit and went still again by 7:30am. No heavy movement again until 12pm. After 12pm, he was up and down every two hours - and most vigorous after 8pm. So far, this was constant, like clockwork so Sylvia and Shawn were even now, working out their schedule of what they’d be doing and who would have him according to those times. Gert had shared with them that she’d figured this out about pregnancy and her babies when she was carrying Jake. Commenting on how so many couples or women would do well to schedule their lives by recording the baby’s activities in the womb at the seventh month forward. By doing so, they could start making changes in their lives to fit once the baby was born. Gert had said, “I see women struggle, complain and carry on like they had no idea when their babies would be sleeping and awake. Worn out tired and mad, when the last three months tell you all you need to know to get ready for it.”

  Sylvia disclosed the fact, “I didn’t know that until you told me Gert. So I’m thinking others don’t either. You know, you should work with mid-wives or in hospitals to inform mothers of this when they’re in Lamaze. You’re pretty smart about health stuff.” She complimented her.

  Gert nodded, “Em, I wanted to be a doctor, you know?” She’d confided in Sylvia during that session of their close bonding talks together. “All that went out the window once I had Shawn and especially when I married Bart.” She’d finished.

  Because of her, they were pretty much ready.

  Back to that night, soon as Sylvia walked up to the sink, she stopped to lean on the counter a moment, hand wedged under an enlarged boob and her baby mound trying to encourage Jesse James to shift from her ribs. This was ever a battle between them, which started happening in her fifth month and was still happening. It was like his favorite way to lay. “I swear this boy is trying to break my ribs! Ugh!” Her lip poked out.

  Shawn looked up from across the room.

  Of course she saw him, “Yes, I’m talking about yo’lil’bad butt boy!” and then down at her mound, “Dang it - move Jesse James!”

  “Aye - he can’t help it, he’s only got so much space misses…” Shawn called across the room.

  Company laughed. Jake shook his head, “Man he’s not even here yet, and causing conflict.”

  “Okay!” Sylvia exclaimed agreeing, “I can see it now! In any case, he - is - on - my - ribs!” She called out to her husband, “It - hurts! I can’t - move!” She went on, “…this is just my 7th month! By the time the 9th rolls around, I’ll have two broken ribs, I’m calling it.”

  “Aaaah, go sit down, we’ll clean up.” Shanna coaxed smiling with sympathy. Sylvia waved it off, “I’ll wait until it’s time for me to hit the sack, I’m fine. Shawn don’t care-…”

  “I do too care! Come here, I’ll get him to shift.”

  Sylvia stuck her nose in the air and waved him off, they had company after all.

  “Okay… see - I offered.” He pointed out to those present.

  Watching Sylvia, and now Vivian - made Shanna feel like the odd one out. “You sure you don’t wanna go get comfortable?” Shanna asked again.

  “Sitting will only make it worse. Don’t mind me, he’ll move in a minute - boy can’t be still.” Sylvia grinned while fussing. Truth was, she was proud and joyful her son was strong and healthy, it was a relief each day that he started up. If too much time went by without him moving, she’d have an instant panic attack.

  “He’d be down sooner if you let me rub him down?” Shawn asked openly flirting and winking at her.

  “No! Don’t nobody here wanna be subjected to you shifting my big gut around. You’ve done enough - thank you - over there grinning…”

  “Aaaw baby, I’m not grinning.” He defended, yes… he was grinning. He couldn’t help it. His entire being glowed with possessive pride. He loved her being pregnant. Standing there, round, filled with the seed he’d planted - yes - he’d done that. In fact, he wanted to do it again. He tried to humble a bit, instead of walking around arrogant and cocksure - strutting like a rooster, prowling like a lion, mighty and majestic like a silver-back gorilla. Oh but there were times when he wanted to stick out his chest while beating it to proclaim himself the alpha male of this clan. His system surged with pride and dominance - it was hell keeping it at bay.

  “Is he grinning?” Sylvia asked those present to side with her. With little choice everyone laughed and nodded, “You’re grinning Shawn.” Vivian pointed out smiling.

  Meribel smiled, but inside - she didn’t want to be there, it was enough and turned to Shanna whispering, “Mind if I go to yours now?”

  Shanna nodded, smiled, she understood why, “Sure, go on Meri.” She went to her purse, taking out her keys, handing them over.

  “I need to chill the rest of the night,” Meribel called out to the family, “Jake, you and Vivian sure about taking the kids?”

  “Go!” Jake shouted. Meribel looked to Vivian, who mirrored his order with a smile and whisper, “Go… really - they’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.”

  Soon as all were sure she was gone, Jake asked, “What happened? Where’s Derrick?”

  Vivian helped Sylvia stack the dishwasher and distribute the food while they left Shanna to explain what took place.

  Hearing it, Bart’s eyes went from one son to the other. Women - as much as they needed protecting, could cause so much hell if a man did not learn to stand his ground and take action when there was a need. As much as he felt for his son, Bart felt that Derrick’s problems existed because he hesitated - he paused - he tried to avoid violence and ended up causing his family more of it. Now look at it. Including the loss of not only a child, but the peace and tranquillity that once existed between him and his wife. Looking back, Bart remembered that Derrick had always been soft - more so than Shawn. He’d broken Shawn from his softness, he’d rebuilt him into the man that he was. At the time of doing it, it was because he thought him another man’s son. Edwin Piercey’s son - a black, high yellow
that Gert had been seeing behind his back. He’d thought him Shawn’s father and because of his own, he’d been forced to take him as his. In the end, of his three sons - he’d become the better man. Even to this day, after seeing the birth-mark, proving that Shawn was his - there were times he would look at him, and see something else within him. He was different from his others. At times, he saw him as a stronger spirit than his other four. No matter how much like Gert he was in coloring and looks, Bart felt there was something else in Shawn - something that didn’t come from him. He was one who did not hesitate.

  His eyes went to Shawn.

  Who at the moment, was squirming in discomfort after hearing what had taken place. Knowing the details of his brother’s problems - made him groan in despair. Rolling his eyes to the ceiling and shaking his head he slid into a slump - hating being brought into any argument with his siblings and spouses. Even when he didn’t want to be in the middle, he ended up somehow - smack dab in the middle. He leaned back with an arm crossed over his chest, supporting the elbow of the other with the fingers of his hand pinching the bridge of his nose.

  From across the room, his wife saw it, feeling awful for him. She was so tired of this family pinning more of their mess on Shawn. To keep the peace, she bit her tongue - in a way, this was no more Meribel’s fault, than it was Shawn’s. It was just a mess, one they all had to muddle through together.

  As for Bart, he’d seen and heard enough. He wasn’t used to being in the midst of his kids away from home this much, now that they were adults. At his home, he would have his say and then go to his den or the garage - his barn, putzing with his vehicles or farming equipment - staying out of their business; until that is, they brought it to him for whatever reason. As it was, he was only there for his wife, to get her and take her back home, where she belonged. His intent had been that, and while there, he’d had to meet Mama Jojo. For some reason, the woman had taken off from the sight of him, taking his wife with her.