Hot Boyz (10 page)

“I guess I did. I turned off the ignition but I don’t remember taking the keys out.”

Mason got louder. “Obviously you didn’t, Mercedes. How could you have done such a thing?”

Mercedes tried to stay calm. “Mason, we need to figure out what to do. Scold my ass later but your mom is out there and we need to find her.”

Cicely interrupted, “Let me talk to him, please.” Mercedes handed her the phone. “Now Mason, calm down and think rationally for just a second. Let’s call the police and get our thoughts together about where she might go and what else we can do. Let’s be positive. She’ll be just fine.”

“Cicely, I cannot believe she left the keys in the car and went inside.”

Cicely replied, “Mason, now stop this. I’m going to hang up and dial 9-1-1. You start driving around and see if you can locate her yourself.”

Mason began to focus. “Okay, she did like Fox Hills Park and loved to go to West Los Angeles College to jog. I’ll try those places. What was Mercedes doing at your place anyway?”

“She came to get your briefcase for you. Good-bye, Mason.” Cicely clicked over and dialed 9-1-1.

After the call, Cicely took Mercedes into her arms and hugged her, patting her on the back.

“Calm down, now. Let’s do what they suggested and go look for her ourselves for now.” Cicely took her cell phone and ran into the house to get her keys. They hopped into her black Explorer.

Cicely called the Wilson house but there was no answer.

“Star went to a birthday party and Rashaad is not supposed to be watching TV or answering the phone, so I’m sure he’s pouting in his room.”

Cicely reassured Mercedes. “You know we’ll find her. Just keep saying that to yourself, Mercedes. We’ll find her. Think good thoughts.”

They drove around the Leimert area, up and down Crenshaw Boulevard and through side streets, residential and business sections.

Cicely had an idea. “How about if you call your cell phone? Didn’t you leave it in the car?”

“That’s so smart. Surely she’ll answer right?”

“Surely.”

The phone rang and rang and rang. “I don’t think she’s ever even answered a cell phone. I’ll try again in a minute.”

“Did you have gas?”

“A full tank.”

“And does she carry a purse?” Cicely asked, making a U-turn after coming to a dead end street.

“Yeah, but she puts silly things in it like coupons and broken jewelry and tons of makeup. It’s more of a catch-all than anything else.”

Mason called on Cicely’s phone. Mercedes looked at the Caller ID and answered the phone herself without even thinking. “Baby, did you find her?”

Still sounding panicked, he said, “No. I was going to ask you the same thing. Did you tell 9-1-1 that she’s my mom?” Mason inquired. “You know I know those cats over there.”

Mercedes rolled her eyes. “No, I didn’t think to tell them that. Why don’t you call them?”

“No, you call them back and tell them who she is. They’ll get on it quicker, I promise you. I’m about to pull underground at the old condo she and Dad shared to see if she went back there. I’ll call you again.” He hung up.

“So, tell them she’s Mason’s mom, huh?” Cicely asked.

“Yeah. I pray nothing happens to her.”

“She’ll be fine. Here, I’ll call for you. You just keep your eyes peeled while I drive. I’ll call them back.”

The sun began to set and Cicely drove Mercedes to pick up Star at her friend’s house in Baldwin Hills.

Star sat in the back seat amazed. “Grammy did what? No way. She’s such a freedom fighter. I’ll bet she’s having the time of her life, just driving on her own like she’s wanted to.”

“Let’s hope so,” Mercedes said.

Cicely pulled down the block on Shenandoah and turned the curve toward Mercedes’s house.

“Oh my God, will you look at that,” said Mercedes. Her jaw dropped at the sight of her own car parked askew in her driveway. “Mason must have found her and drove my car back here.”

“Yes, but he didn’t call,” Cicely replied. Cicely pulled up, barely into the driveway as Mercedes and Star ran inside of the house.

“Mamma,” yelled Mercedes, headed for Mattie’s room.

“Grammy,” yelled Star, running though the living room and toward Mattie’s bedroom door. Cicely was right behind her.

“What the heck is all the noise for,” asked Rashaad, wiping his eyes, exiting his dark bedroom.

Mercedes burst into her mother-in-law’s room and saw Mattie, jumping to shield her braless breasts from view with one hand.

“Don’t you know how to knock, young lady? I’m trying to get out of these clothes. I’ve had a long day at work and you all can’t even let me rest in peace?”

“Grammy, where have you been?” Star asked.

Mattie slipped on her robe. “I told you, I went to work. What is wrong with you all looking at me like you’ve seen a ghost?”

“Who brought you home, Mamma?”

“I drove like I always do.”

“You drove?” asked Cicely.

“Yes. And what are you doing here?” Mattie’s frown grew deeper. “You aren’t supposed to be in this house,” she told Cicely.

“Mamma,” Mercedes said to her statement. She forced herself to divert her attention from Cicely’s hurt feelings to walk over to give Mattie a big hug and kiss.

“What’s for dinner?” Mattie asked.

“Whatever you want, Mamma,” Mercedes told her.

Rashaad stood outside of the door still in a fog. “She got lost today. How did that happen?”

“Don’t ask,” Mercedes replied.

Suddenly, Mason ran through the door followed by Claude and Venus. “Is she here?”

“Yes, she drove herself here,” said Cicely.

“Oh my God, Mom, are you all right?” asked Mason.

Mattie replied with a glower, “What is all the fuss about? Now leave me be and close my door until I’m ready to make dinner later on. You all must be starving.”

“No problem, Mom,” said Mason as he exhaled and exited her room, leaving his mom to herself.

“Shouldn’t we have her checked out to make sure she’s okay?” Mercedes asked Mason with no reply. They all headed toward the dining room.

Claude remarked, “You know what, Mercedes? That was irresponsible. This is the second time something has happened to my mom when she was supposed to be under your watchful eye. The first time you let her put fingernail polish over her eyes.”

Mason spoke for Mercedes. “Now wait a minute, Claude. I’ve been thinking. I was mad, too, but this could have happened to any of us. At any time she could just walk out of this house and leave, walking, driving or whatever. It’s not Mercedes’s fault.”

Mercedes explained. “Claude, I treat her like I would treat my own mother. Actually, I treat her just like I did treat my own mother. I love Mattie and I think the amount of time that I put into caring for her is more than anyone else in this family, with the exception of Anna during the weekdays. I try my best.”

Cicely interrupted, “Mercedes, I’m going to go now. I’ll leave you all to talk about this.”

“Good-bye and thanks,” Mercedes said. Cicely walked out, leaving the four of diem in the dining room to continue their disagreement.

Star went into her room and Rashaad went out into the backyard. He opened the side gate and Kailua came running out, jumping up and down around him in circles.

Claude looked sternly at the group as they sat at the extended table in Mason’s formal dining room. “I think now’s a good time for that family meeting.”

Leaning back in his chair, Mason looked purposefully at his brother. “Claude, I don’t think I like what you’re trying to suggest. No one is better at taking care of Mom than Mercedes.”

“Are you saying that Venus couldn’t do it just as well? I’ll bet there wouldn’t be anymore mishaps like this.”

“You know what, Claude? I don’t like what you’re saying about my wife.”

“It’s not so much about her. You’re never here to help out anyway. I’m just saying maybe Mom should come live with Venus and me. At least I’m home in the evenings and Venus is home all day.”

“No, Claude. Mom has always lived with me since Dad died, and she is staying right here.” Mason was unwavering in his conviction.

Venus interjected, touching his forearm, “Honey, let’s not jump to conclusions. We’re still in the heat of the moment here. Let’s take a few days and think about this.”

Claude refused to listen. “No. I say we vote now. Another day here and who knows what might happen.”

Mercedes asked, “Oh, now, Claude, you’re overreacting a little bit, don’t you think?”

Mason went on. “Oh, he’s overeating all right. Besides, when was the last time you took the time to come by and help out or
check on her other than coming to dinner? You avoid this house like the plague.”

“Maybe that’s true, Mason. But perhaps you should ask yourself that same question. After all, she lives in your own home. What’s your excuse?”

Mason tapped his fingers on the cherry wood dining table. “I have no excuse for making sure that family, and not some nurse at a convalescent home who doesn’t even know her, takes care of my own mother. No one said it would be easy, but we need to prepare for her future. From what the doctor tells us, this dementia only progresses.”

Mercedes agreed with a whisper, looking back in the direction of Mattie’s room. “True, and the reality of it all is that soon she won’t be able to walk, feed herself, or go to the bathroom on her own.”

Claude rubbed his goatee with his thumb and forefinger. He looked across the table at his older brother as though he was feeling aversion. “We’re so far away from that point. We need to focus on how well she’s doing now and enjoy her mental and physical abilities now. After all, look at what she was able to do. She was well enough to drive back to her son’s house. She knew the way, she arrived safely, she came inside and she went to her room.”

“That’s a miracle if you ask me,” Venus said.

Mercedes added, “That was probably your dad who guided her here. Did you even think of that?”

Venus agreed. “Mercedes is right. And he will continue to guide us. We need to pray and stick together and not let anger and premature decisions drive a wedge between us.”

Claude was stubborn. “Well, starting next week I want her to live with me and Venus and Cameron. We deserve as much time with her as all of you have had.”

Mason had an idea. “Obviously our vote is going to be split. Let’s wait for Torino and see what he wants to do.”

“Oh please, Torino’s so damn partial to you, Mason. I mean he’s living behind your home and working for you at the club. Who do you think he’s going to vote for?”

Mason scooted his chair back and stood over the three of them. “You know what, Claude? Fine. You get a room ready and you take care of her starting on Monday. How’s that?”

Claude nodded his head in agreement. “That’s just what I think she needs. We’ll keep an eye out for her just like you all have done. It’s the least we can do after you’ve had her around for all of these years.”

Mercedes was not convinced. “Mason, I don’t know.”

“Baby, let’s let him do this.”

“Don’t you think we should ask Mattie first?” she inquired.

Claude stood as well. “No. The time has come for us to start making decisions for her. She doesn’t know what’s good for her anymore. I say we just do it.”

Mason spoke. “Like I said, it’s fine, especially since you two are fine examples for deciding what is morally and spiritually right for mankind, huh?”

“Pardon me?” said Claude.

“Forget it. I have to get going.” Mason walked toward the living room. “And maybe you two should get going to start getting things in order. Mercedes, where’s my briefcase?”

Mercedes sighed. “Oh, with all of the confusion, it’s still at Cicely’s house.”

“I’ll go get it. I’ll talk to you two later,” Mason said without looking at his brother or his sister-in-law.

“We’d better get going too, Mercedes.” Venus hugged Mercedes. “Thanks for your caring and attention with Mattie.”

Mercedes returned the embrace. “I’m just glad everything turned out okay. I’ll see you later.”

Claude walked out of the side door without a good-bye. He mumbled to himself, “I hate this damn house.”

“Are you two coming for dinner tomorrow?” Mercedes asked as Venus put one foot through the doorway.

“I’ll call you,” said Venus, following behind her husband.

Mercedes attended church with Star and Rashaad the next day. Mason wanted to stay home with his mom to get in some bonding
time until he left later that evening. After service, crowds of people gathered to talk and greet each other.

Outside the church, the Reverend stopped Mercedes and the kids. “Mrs. Wilson, you are going to be able to chair our shelter for the homeless event scheduled for next year, right?”

“As usual, I wouldn’t miss being a part of it.”

“How’s it going anyway?” the Reverend asked.

Mercedes seemed reserved. “Pretty good.”

The dapper-looking Reverend was being his regular exuberant self. “Pretty good. You’re supposed to say, outstanding.”

“Outstanding,” Mercedes said unconvincingly.

“It didn’t sound like you meant that. Is everything all right?”

“Yes, everything’s outstanding, Rev.”

“Where’s Mr. Wilson. Is he on the road?”

“No, he’s at home with his mom, just spending some time with her.”

“How is Mrs. Wilson doing? I haven’t seen her in a month of Sundays.” He looked to Mercedes for signs of a happy face.

“Good one, Rev. She’s one strong woman. We’re praying her disease doesn’t spread too quickly.”

“Pray that it doesn’t spread at all. Have faith and know that all is well. It’s all in God’s hands.”

“Amen to that. She just had a scan done and it confirmed that it is Alzheimer’s because it’s gotten worse since last year. But they have this new medicine that can slow down the progression.”

“That’s a blessing. How are you guys handling the caregiver aspect of your mother-in-law’s situation?”

Mercedes noticed other parishioners standing by, anxious to talk to their pastor as well. “We take turns. We have a housekeeper who’s real helpful while I’m at work. She cooks during the week and helps out a lot. I only go in to the office a few days a week. But my brother-in-law is going to take over with her for a while. I’ll let you go. It was nice talking to you.”