When All Hell Breaks Loose, page 18
“Adrian is going to be my wife, so why is it all of a sudden you can’t say her name? I do love her and I think you owe her that much respect when referring to her.”
“Oh Gregory, I wasn’t thinking anything by what I said. If you want me to say Adrian, then there, I’ve said it. Adrian.”
“You’ve treated Adrian strangely since you met her. That day you met her, I saw you look at her funny. I noticed that. And the day you called my apartment and she was here, you didn’t even greet her. She told me you just asked her to put me on the phone. You don’t have to pretend. Why don’t you be up front with me concerning your feelings about Adrian?”
“Well, to tell you the truth, son, she’s a little too quiet for me. I just always thought you’d marry a woman who was more spirited. I’ve met millions of women around this world who Adrian reminds me of, and that just isn’t what I expected. Quiet people have never been my favorite type of people, based on personal experiences, and that’s why I may act standoffish from her, but I don’t mean for it to show. I’m sorry if that offends you and I will try to do better.”
I accept my mother’s apology. Hopefully she’s sincere. “Just give her a chance, because you haven’t been around her long enough. Your experiences can’t define everything, and Adrian really likes you. I think you should at least stop judging her based on others you’ve met who remind you of her.”
“Gregory, let’s not get into how I feel about Adrian. What matters is that you have my blessings, and you do, one hundred percent. You’re right, I haven’t been in your life long enough to know what you like or dislike, and my feelings about Adrian are irrelevant.”
“But your approval means a lot to me right now. Don’t you understand that?”
“And I do approve, son. I approve of how happy I see you when you’re with her. What matters to me is how she makes you feel, not how she makes me feel.”
“So, do you like her?”
Louise laughs. “I personally think you could do better by finding you a nice young jazz singer, but she’ll do if she can appreciate the music.”
We laugh together and continue wrapping the gifts. This moment feels good to me. I never thought a day like this would happen and I could actually start coming to grips with my anger and my resentment of Louise. One thing I can say without a shadow of a doubt is that I’m glad she’s here.
By the time we finish wrapping the gifts and getting the scraps of paper from the floor, it’s almost seven o’clock. Louise gets up to leave and I walk her out to her car.
“So, are you doing any gigs while you’re in the States?” I ask.
“No, I canceled everything for your wedding.”
“Oh.” I’m disappointed.
“Your father wants me to go down to Sambuca’s club and do a set, but I told him to forget it. For once in my life, singing is not the priority. You and Shreese are.” She smiles. “Besides, seeing the old gang might kill your mama.” She laughs.
“Nah. I think you could handle it.”
“I’m cooking New Year’s dinner at the house and I want you, Adrian, and your friends to come over. We’ll set it out with a great big party with lots of food and drinks.”
I smile and look out over the parking lot. “Okay. Sounds good.” I shut the door and watch her put her seat belt on, start up, and drive away.
She waves as she leaves, and I return the favor. Although I’m skeptical about Louise’s intentions towards Adrian, I think talking with her has made a big difference and now Adrian and I can get our lives back on track. We’ve been distant from each other lately, and I know Louise’s presence has hurt my relationship with my fiancée more than it has helped. Adrian tolerates her because she is my mother, but I’d rather Adrian not deal with Louise at all if she feels uncomfortable around her. Hopefully, my mother is serious about changing her attitude and Adrian will notice it. She loves my mother, I can tell by the way she has talked about her lately, but at the same time, Adrian and I have spent fewer nights together, our sex life is virtually nonexistent, and the last time I went to visit my parents, Adrian declined to go with me. But now, everything can be put back in motion and we can begin to close the crack we’ve started falling through.
The nip in the air causes a chill to run up my spine as I head back into the warmth of my apartment. I’m smiling big, feeling good that I am no longer one big ball of anger and confusion where my mother is concerned. I’ve got a roof over my head, food in the fridge, love on my mind, and finally … a mother for Christmas!
17
It’s New Year’s Eve and everyone is at my parents’ home except for Shreese and Ulan. They are at church with other members, bringing in the new year. Shreese invited the family to attend the service, but I think only Aretha stopped by, and now she’s here with everybody else at my parents’. She even has a date. The brother looks sorry if you ask me, but it’s her world and I ain’t trying to spoil nobody’s night.
Jamal is here with April. I mean, Freedom Heru. She’s good-looking just like he said, thin and elegant. Deep brown skin and long thin braids. I really like the tattoo on the back of her left shoulder. It’s the shape of the ankh symbol, but if you look at it close, it’s a black woman holding a child. The artwork is cool.
Eric brought a woman he met at a Christmas party last week. They both have on the same colors, black pants with red shirts. He introduced her as Darcell McElroy. She’s exotic and very ethnic-looking, the way he likes them. He said she was part Thai and part Indian, but she looks like a Native American with slanted eyes. She’s not that pretty, though. Her grill is messed up, meaning her teeth are jacked, stacked, and two or three are cracked. But mouth closed, she’s the bomb.
Tim came alone. Last year he had three different dates at three different times. I guess this year, he’s decided to settle down and bring in the new year stag. Since Adrian’s friend Carla is here, I’ll introduce them instead. Who knows? I could be the next great Cupid.
Phil is here with some woman who looks like she could use some sleep. She has huge bags under her eyes and she’s sitting on the couch like a zombie. When I asked her did she want something to drink, she stared at me for several seconds before answering. I started to get right in her face and yell, but she eventually came around and gave a polite “No, thank you.” Phil isn’t even paying her any attention. He’s skinnin’ and grinnin’ with Arnell, the nail tech from Adrian’s salon.
Pops, Uncle Bennie, and three other older men are outside in the garage playing dominoes. Bennie Junior comes in with a new woman. I assume he got Stephanie out of his life. This woman looks a lot older and doesn’t quite fit the description of the one he told me about over a month ago, who was his age. He walks over to me and gives me some dap. “What up cuz!” he says loudly. The alcohol on his breath heats my face.
“Hey B.J.,” I reply, pulling myself from his grasp.
He pulls the woman next to him, by his side, and introduces her. “This is my woman, Phyllis. Phyllis, this is my soon-to-be-married cousin, Greg.”
She extends her hand to me and smiles. “Hi Greg, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Same here.”
Bennie Junior leans in and whispers in my ear, “Fine, ain’t she?”
I look at him and smile. Phyllis looks like she could be here with Unc. She’s not bad-looking, just old. Her eyes are big and her glasses are kind of thick, but she’s attractive to say the least.
“Would you two like something to drink?”
“Yeah cuz.” B.J. laughs. “Let me have some of that Alizé and give my woman a Sprite. She’s driving tonight!” He pulls Phyllis up against him tighter and lands a fat kiss right on her neck. She giggles for him to stop, but it only leads B.J. into more kisses.
I head for the kitchen to get their drinks. On my way, I see Tim checking out the CD collection. Across the room in the hallway, Adrian and Carla are looking at the family pictures on the wall. I call Adrian over and she walks to the kitchen with me. I get a Sprite from the pantry and she puts ice in the cups for me. “Why don’t you introduce Carla to Tim?” I ask. “I think they might hit it off.”
Adrian looks at me and laughs. “I think Carla is doing fine being single. Besides, didn’t you say that Tim was a player?”
“You misunderstood me, baby. I said Tim was a player because he hasn’t found the right woman,” I say, trying to clean up my initial statement.
“Hm-mm, I bet.”
“Adrian, you don’t think they’d hit it off? It would be good. Me, you, Tim, and Carla.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because Carla told me she’s here to enjoy herself and she isn’t looking for a relationship right now.”
“Oh, and I guess you believed her?” I say defensively. “That’s just a shield. You did the same thing with me when I met you, and look at us now, on the verge of being married.”
“Yes, I do believe her. I know Carla and she’s not like me, Greg. If she says she’s not looking, then she’s not looking.”
“Whatever. I’ll hook them up by myself, then,” I say. “And when they get married and are thanking me for hooking them up, don’t you say a word.” I grab the drinks and kiss Adrian as I walk out of the kitchen.
She hits me on my butt and follows me out. I take B.J. and Phyllis their drinks.
Tim is still checking out the CDs and Carla is in the hall by herself. Adrian has disappeared in the crowd.
I jump on the opportunity to introduce them. “Hey Tim, come here man, there’s somebody I want you to meet.”
“She ain’t no mud duck, is she?” he jokes. I walk him over to Carla. She smiles as she sees us approach her. “Hey Greg,” she says. “I was just admiring all these wonderful pictures your parents have. I didn’t know they knew so many famous jazz musicians.”
“Yeah. I have to show you the photo albums someday,” I say, trying not to seem so rushed to have her meet my homie. “Carla, I want you to meet my best friend, coworker, and best man, Tim Johnson.” Tim extends his hand and Carla takes it.
“Tight grip.” Tim smiles. “Nice. I take it that you’re a businesswoman?”
“That I am,” Carla says. “A very good businesswoman.”
“Carla just came here from D.C., to open and run a gallery here,” I say.
“Art?”
“Furniture.”
“Did you go to a special school to learn that?” Tim asks. Before Carla can answer, I excuse myself and leave the rest up to fate and destiny. I still don’t see Adrian, but I figure she’s somewhere being a hostess, because several of her beauty shop friends are here.
Jamal grabs me and gives me dap. “Greg, your parents know how to throw a party.”
“Thanks man,” I say as we both look at the room full of people.
“When are you going to take me to see the new house?”
I feel bad now. Two weeks ago I told Jamal I’d take him to see the house, and I still haven’t gotten around to it. “Soon, man. As a matter of fact, Adrian is having the furniture delivered the second week of January, so how about after then? At least you’ll have somewhere to sit and the place will look decent.”
“Bet. I’m going to hold you to that.” He smiles.
“Hey. I’ve been meaning to tell you that Freedom is a nice-looking sister. You two complement each other well.”
“Thanks, brother. She and I have been kicking it strong. She’s a good woman.”
“Does that mean I may be hearing wedding bells soon?” I ask.
“Man, I don’t know about that.” Jamal laughs. “But it seems to be definitely heading in a positive direction.”
I look at him questioningly. “Does she brush her teeth with baking soda?”
“Yeah.” He grins. “And she uses a natural deodorant, the whole nine yards.”
“J man, I’m happy for you.”
He nudges me. “I saw you introduce Adrian’s homegirl to Tim. You trying to hook them up?”
“Yeah. Her name is Carla Perrone. She just moved here from Chocolate City. I think Tim’ll like her.”
“It’s about time that brother slowed his roll.”
“For real.”
I see Adrian come out of the bathroom. She waves at me and goes to mingle with some of her friends.
Louise comes out of the kitchen, tapping a small spoon against a glass with wine in it. “Can I have everyone’s attention, please?” She repeats herself several times before everyone is finally quiet.
Adrian comes and stands near me. I pull her in front of me so I can hold her. Pops and his friends come in from the garage. Pops’s eyes are red. I look at him and shake my head. I know what they’ve been doing. He giggles with Unc.
“Excuse me, gentlemen,” Mom says as she gives Pops and Uncle Bennie a hard stare.
They stop laughing, like two embarrassed kids.
“I would like to take this time to celebrate two people in this room tonight,” she says. My heart begins to beat fast. I look down at Adrian and her face turns beet-red.
“The first person is my son, Gregory Louis Alston.”
“Go Greg!” Phil yells from the couch. Several guests laugh and clap.
“My son is about to get married to a wonderful young lady, Adrian Jenkins.” She pauses as Adrian’s girlfriends cheer for her. “I would like to recognize them. They will be wed on the twenty-second of March and I hope to see each and every one of you there.” Everyone in the room claps and whistles as my mom raises her glass and sips. She smiles and continues talking.
“Secondly, I would like to ask Adolphus Alston to come forward.” She turns and looks at Pops. He’s high and giggling. He straightens up and stands next to Louise. He puts his arm around her waist. I wish Shreese were here to see this. Pops hugs Mom closer to him.
She ignores the gesture and continues smiling. “Someone revealed to me some time ago that Adolphus had started slacking on his piano playing. I don’t know why, but I do know that God has given this man a gift that he should not let go down the drain.” Mom grabs Pops’s hand. “It took a lot of thought and planning. With the help of Adrian, I was able to contact some friends in New York and present Adolphus with his Christmas present.”
“Baby, Christmas was a week ago,” Pops says. Several guests laugh.
“I know, and you’ve been pouting ever since I gave you the other gift.”
“Shit, I didn’t need no luggage set. I don’t go nowhere.” Pops manages to get a roomful of laughter this time.
My parents look like they’re doing a variety-show skit. Sonny and Cher. Captain and Tennille. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr.
“Now, Adolphus, don’t you start with me.” Mom laughs. It’s good to see her and Pops getting along. “Anyway, as I was saying, I wanted to give you your real Christmas gift now. It’s a little late, but the timing is still perfect.” She reaches into her blazer pocket and pulls out a case with Pops’s eyeglasses in it. She hands it to him.
“Woman, these were already mine!”
“But this wasn’t,” Mom says as she leads Pops to the backyard. We all follow and look out the patio door. Sitting in the middle of our patio is a Boston grand piano. Several guests gasp. I even hear Tim behind me say, “Damn!” Mom opens the patio door and the cool breeze runs into our faces and through our clothes.
Pops walks up to the piano and runs his hands across the polished Macassar ebony. It looks like it has full sostenuto, too. Mom went out. She went all the way out. The air is cool and still, and when Pops sits down and runs his fingers across the ivories, I hold my breath. He puts his glasses on over tear-filled eyes. Mom sits next to him by the piano and lays her head on his shoulder.
Pops lays his fingers on the keys again and this time, he plays. The notes warm my insides. It’s been a long time since I heard him play, but once he starts, I feel five years old again.
I don’t recognize the tune he’s playing, but Mom giggles and Pops leans over and kisses her on the cheek. They’re sharing a secret moment and everyone on the patio allows the sacredness to stand unaltered and unbothered. Several of the beauticians are crying, too. I see Jamal holding Freedom and they both have their eyes closed as if they are the only two in the room.
Mom sits up and begins singing. It must be an original piece, because I’ve never heard it before. Mom sounds like Sarah Vaughan tonight. The tune is bluesy.
As she lets the notes and words flow from her vocal cords, everyone in the room is mesmerized. I feel heat rise in my stomach and then to my throat. My eyes burn as I blink to keep the tears back.
Mom’s voice fills the night around us, but Pops’s playing is like gold. He doesn’t even look like he’s concentrating as the chords flow from the Boston grand. I had forgotten what it was like to hear him. Some of the chords he strikes remind me of when I was little; the visions are blurry and unclear, yet I feel excited and nostalgic.
The doorbell rings and I leave Adrian’s side to go answer it. When I open the door, two large brothers and a muscular white guy are standing there.
“We’re here to move the piano inside,” one of the brothers says.
“Come in. It’ll be a minute.” I let them in and we walk to the living room where everyone is still being serenaded by Mom’s singing.
“Don’t think I’m crazy for loving you, baby, / But I can’t help seeing you’re good. / And if I could give you my love on a menu, / I’d let you order what you would.…”
Tim pulls Carla out on the patio, and they begin to dance. He holds her close by the waist. They look good together. I smile as I see Carla close her eyes and lay her head on Tim’s shoulder. Adrian leaves the patio and goes into the house. Several other couples head out onto the patio and dance. I’m diggin’ the scene.
When Mom and Pops finish, everyone applauds and yells.
I go get the movers, who are eating in the kitchen. Afterwards I go look for Adrian. I find her in the guest bedroom, lying down. The light is on and she’s lying on her back with an arm across her forehead.
