Hot Boyz (41 page)
Authors: Marissa Monteilh
Torino playfully put Rashaad into a headlock, pressing his fist into his back. “Hey, watch out there, young fella. I was a teenager, too. I can see right through you, boy,” he warned.
Mercedes watched them and shook her head.
Claude stood by watching the celebration, admiring his brother for taking that step and getting his life in order. He wondered what was up with the fact that the holiday fell on his birthday this year, but no one seemed to remember, except for Venus who mentioned it earlier at the cemetery. He walked toward the living room and then said, “I’ll be right back. I’m going to get some Remy.” He actually headed for the front door.
While the family continued to gather near the dining room table, Star made her way to her piano, guiding Mattie along the way to join her.
Mason asked aloud, “Some Remy?”
Star yelled out to her uncle, “Hey, Uncle Claude, wait a second.”
Claude, almost as if in a trance, opened the front door, pulling the cold, brass doorknob toward him and taking a half step.
He stopped with a sudden jerk, almost realizing that he was about to get a knock upon his chest if he proceeded.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I was just about to ring the doorbell but I know how you guys don’t hear it when you’re all having fun, so I thought I’d knock. Where are you going?”
The keystrokes of the piano rang out a melodic introduction to the song Star chose to play on the piano, which was Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday To You.” Mattie sang the words from memory, bolting out the soulful chorus, and Star accompanied her.
Still distracted, Claude stood stiffly, almost afraid to move as though the sight on the front porch might be a dream and he would awaken. But it was not. Venus stood awaiting his reply in an off-white, backless lace pantsuit, with her short, golden hair gelled back away from her hairline. He locked his eyes on her honey red face, unusually made up and highlighted with rose blush, platinum eye shadow and cherry red lipstick. “You look beautiful,” was all he could say.
“I got a little dressed up what with it being your birthday and all. Claude, all this time I was waiting for you to come and get me. And you never did.”
Claude stepped out onto the porch. As Venus backed up two steps, he held her along the sides of her waist and said, “Venus, I wanted to but I just couldn’t force you.”
“Claude,” she said, only to be interrupted.
“I love you, Venus. I want my family back. Life is too short to waste time. No more drama, Venus. Let’s just be together and love each other.”
Venus gave him a smile. “That’s why I’m standing here, Claude. That’s why I’m here. I love you, too.”
Claude pulled Venus to him. She placed her head along his chest almost as if slow dancing while taking in the piano serenade. He felt her breathe, he felt her heart beat, and he felt her warmth.
And on the front porch, in the dusk air with the illuminated light of the gold sconces shining along his back, he kissed her, leaning down for a long, passionate exchange that symbolized a new beginning, another chance, a new opportunity to be family again.
Venus peered around Claude’s side, smiling toward the jovial family members who peeked from behind him just inside the open doorway.
Her wink was interrupted by a male voice from outside.
“Hey, is this house still for sale?”
“Yes, it is,” Claude replied loudly as if that question was music to his ears as well. “I’m the realtor.”
Venus turned to face the couple as Claude hugged her.
“I know it’s a holiday and all,” the young man said, “But can we come in and look at it. Do you mind?”
“Be our guest,” Claude replied, walking from the front porch, back into his brother’s house with his wife and the future residents of 5100 Bedford Avenue who shook their heads in approval and proceeded ahead of the Wilson family.
Two years later
The lunchtime crowd at Magic Johnson’s Fridays in the Ladera Center gathered to eat. Some watched the huge overhead television screens of the golf tournament in Canada, which included their neighborhood hero.
This year for Thanksgiving, no one was cooking. This year the Wilsons decided to give all of the cooks in the family a break. Even though Thanksgiving didn’t fall on Claude’s birthday this year, they still got together to celebrate the occasion anyway. Claude gathered with Venus, along with their ten-month-old baby girl, Skyy, and her big brother, Cameron, now a college freshman at Cal State Long Beach on a basketball scholarship. He decided to major in business so he could go into real estate like his father. Gloria, the live-in housekeeper, was at their home with Mattie, who had become non-ambulatory since the previous year.
Torino, no longer the bachelor extraordinaire, came with his wife, Sequoia Wilson, and their newborn son, Torino, Jr. And Mercedes came, without her husband, Mason, who was in Canada with Star.
Through the television speakers, the announcer’s voice rang with excitement during the interview. “The winner today is Rashaad Wilson, who is the youngest amateur player to ever win the Young Golfer’s Association’s Tournament tide two years in a row. The son of veteran golfer Mason Wilson obviously has a
bright future ahead of him. Mr. Wilson, tell us about your game today.”
Rashaad wore his dark blue YGA golf cap and spoke like a pro. “Well, in my head, I just kept replaying what my father always told me. He said to grip it and rip it, and I did. I’m very happy to have played such a great game of golf today.”
“Yes, you did rip it indeed. It was a pleasure watching you, Rashaad. Thanks for your time. We’ll let you move along to the winners circle for your prizes. Congratulations and we hope you continue to do just as well in the future for many years to come.”
“Thank you very much.” Rashaad tipped his golf cap.
“That’s my boy,” said Mercedes, high-fiving Cameron as Rashaad walked away through the crowd.
Sequoia asked, “Where’s Mason? I didn’t see him on camera.”
“I’m sure he’s somewhere in the background, just enjoying the moment,” said Mercedes.
“Or over there promoting his new book, you mink?” asked Torino.
Mercedes smiled. “Knowing him, I think you’re right.”
“Hey, Mrs. Wilson,” said the elderly lady who lived on their old street on Bedford, walking up with her adult daughter by her side. “Where did you all end up buying?”
“We’re over in the new Harris Homes on Ladera Crest Drive. Just up the hill and around the corner. We’ve been over there for a while now.”
“Oh, good. And how is Star? She’s such a lovely girl.”
“She’s fine. She just got accepted to Howard University’s School of Fine Arts on a music scholarship for next year.”
“Wow. Now that’s really something else. I knew that young lady would make something of herself.” The lady’s daughter motioned for her to come along. “Hey, look, don’t forget to visit from time to time, now.”
“We won’t. We’ll have to have you over soon.”
“I’d like that.”
“Okay, you take care now.”
As she walked away, Mercedes overheard the lady talking to her daughter, “I was wondering when they were going to move. It’s a
shame what happened to that poor girl who died on their porch years ago.”
As the waitress brought the check, Claude decided to open his gifts from the family. Mercedes and Mason gave him a gold charm in the shape of a house. Torino and Sequoia gave him his favorite cologne, Declaration by Cartier. And his wife Venus gave him a framed photo of Skyy and Cameron for his desk at work.
“Wow, all of this is so special to me. I don’t know what I’d do without each and every one of you. Thank you for celebrating with me and for coming together after all of these years. I really do… love you all.”
Skyy clapped as soon as her dad stopped talking. Everyone laughed while Claude put his hand up in front of her and little Skyy returned his gesture with a high-five. Venus topped it off with a kiss on his lips.
As the Wilson family stood up to leave the crowded restaurant, a rarely seen Colette walked in the door with Kyle. They put their name on the list for a table. They stood in the waiting area looking around for seats, but none were available.
“Wow, look at her, she’s so big,” Colette said to Venus as she walked by holding Skyy.
Venus replied, “And your son is big, too. How old is he now?”
“He’s nineteen months old,” Colette said, holding his hand as he took unsteady steps by her side.
“He’s big for his age,” replied Venus.
“He’s gonna be tall like his daddy,” Colette said, looking at Kyle. She looked over next to Venus as though she’d just seen two long-lost friends. “Hi, Torino. Hi, Sequoia.”
“Hello, Colette,” Sequoia said, holding her and Torino’s newborn son. Sequoia had shock written on her face. But she looked relieved by the warmth of Colette’s energy.
Colette simply stared at the baby.
Torino gave a handshake. “Hey, Kyle. What’s up?”
“Nothing dude. Just looking forward to chasing away these hunger pangs.”
“I heard that.” Torino headed for the door.
“Have a good day,” said Sequoia as she and Torino walked out the door with everyone else.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Claude said to Colette and her new family, holding the door open for everyone to exit.
“Same to you,” she replied.
Colette gave Claude a wink and he returned one as well, smiling down at the couple’s little son.
Once outside, Mercedes and Venus slowed down to walk together. “So, how’s work going, Venus. Are your employees respectful of their new assistant vice president?”
“Yes, that’s the least of my worries. I love that job. I’m able to give back to the kids and that’s the best part.”
“I still can’t believe Claude is okay with you working. He’s really changed. He just seems so much happier and more loving now.”
“He definitely is. But the work thing was one he had to bend on. By the way,” Venus said, looking back toward the restaurant door, “Colette looks really good. Is she still working for you?” she asked as Cameron took his little sister from her and carried her to the car.
“Thanks, honey,” Venus said to her stepson.
“No problem.” Cameron walked away tickling his sister as she giggled.
Mercedes shook her head negatively to answer Venus’s question. “No, she gave up modeling for motherhood. I think they’re living off of his fireman’s salary.”
Venus moved closer to Mercedes and remarked, “That’s amazing. That boy looks just like Torino. He definitely didn’t get Kyle’s eyes.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” Mercedes’s cell phone rang. It was Mason calling from Canada.
Mercedes greeted him. “Hey, baby. How’s it going?”
Mason was energized. “Extremely well. Did you see the match?”
“Yes. We all did. And where is that son of ours?”
“He’s still being interviewed. Star is with him, basking in his glory. Where are you?”
“We’re just leaving Fridays after an early lunch. Me, Torino and Sequoia, Claude and Venus, and the kids.”
“Uh oh, over there near Starbucks?”
“Yes.”
“What are you doing hanging out over there?” he asked with sarcasm.
“Funny. Just enjoying spending time with our family, that’s all.” Mercedes looked at Venus as she began to walk away. “Good-bye, Venus. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Good-bye. Tell that man of yours we said hello.” Venus headed off to Cameron’s car as he strapped the baby in the back seat. The license plate now read CAM23.
“Venus says hello.” Mercedes walked to her SUV, waving goodbye to everyone else.
“Tell her hey. So Cameron and Torino Jr. are there, too?”
“They all showed up.”
“Looks like we all have a new generation of Hot Boyz coming up.”
“Yes we do, and a couple of Hot Girlz, too.”
“All right then. Cedes, I’m going to run now. But we’ll see you when we get home tomorrow.”
“Mason, hold on,” she said after she got into her car and started the engine. She couldn’t believe her ears. “Through the Years” was playing on the radio. “Listen.”
She put the phone to the speaker to let Mason hear the words about when everything went wrong, together they were strong.
His response was, “I love you.”
“Ditto.”
I always give thanks and praise to God for the gift and for the knowledge that it is choice, not chance, that determines your destiny.
Special thanks to: My loving family—Alexis, Adam, Ron Jr., Nicole, Darrien, Greg, Tom, and the Fullers.
Friends—Ollie, Vicky, Annette, Darnella, Darryl, and Tami.
My new agent and confidant, Jimmy Vines. Thanks!
My personal reviewer—Speed reader, Angela Looney.
Bookstores—Bernard Henderson (BlackBooksellers.org) @ Alexanders, Pam Lang @ Barnes & Noble, Carlee and Lynee @ Waldenbooks, Lisa @ Waldenbooks, Marie @ 2000+, Feron @ Phenix Books, Marcus @ Nubian Books, Fanta @ Oasis Books.
The Antelope Valley Writers Group—Bonnie, Lynn, Beverly, the two Brendas, Joan, Gina, Dorothy, Tanya, Antoinette, and Marilyn for their invaluable spirit of camaraderie.
My two VIP “Sisters in Pen”—My mentor, Victoria Christopher Murray, and my spiritual buddy, Cydney Rax (BooksByCydney.com). I love you both!
Media—Twanda Black, Marjorie Coley, and Stephanie Williams @ 104.1 KISS FM. LaShaunda Hoffman @
Shades of Romance
magazine, Shunda Blocker-Leigh
@ Booking Matters
magazine, Naomi and Patricia @ AV Today, Ryan Chadwick @ AV Press, Penny @ AV Journal, Harrell Carter @ 101.5 Carter & Co., Maxine Thompson @ On The Same Page (VoiceAmerica.com).
Online Reviewers—Nathasha Brooks and Wayne Jordan with RomanceInColor.com, N. Jeffries with Heartstrings.
Book Clubs, Janel Stephensen and the special members of The Special Thoughts Reading Group, Andrea Renee Ransom (R/I/P 5-4-03), Jan Emanuel and The Good Book Club, Oakland.
Fellow Authors—Darnella Ford, Maryann Reid, Nancey Flowers, Nina Foxx, Jacquelin Thomas, Mary B. Morrison, and Evelyn Palfrey.
The impeccable Carol Mackey with BlackExpressions.com.
Warm thanks to Patricia, April, Jim, and Stephanie
@
Blue-WorldTravel.com for the Soul Cruise 2003.
My Publicist—Lauretta Pierce @ LiteraryWorld.org.
The HarperCollins Family—Carrie Feron, Selina McLemore, Diana Tynan, Lisa Gallagher, and Rockelle Henderson.
The one and only Richard Curtis
@
CurtisAgency.com.
And to my readers—thank you for your hunger! You inspire me to keep cookin’it up!!
Marissa Monteilh
