Wild Stars Seeking Midnight Suns (11 page)

As he lay on her, over her throbbing heart, she had a fleeting thought, “He is not even heavy.” He didn’t have to open her legs or search; her body was ready, it opened to accept him. She felt the hair on his chest on her breast; little flames touched her muscles, her bones.

Then she felt the tender monster enter her stomach; opening her flower completely, bringing body-music into her soul. Weldon’s caresses soothed, even as they awakened all the places on her body and in her soul that Maddy had dragged into only pain, leaving wounds. Weldon was healing them all.

Swiftly, briefly, Lily Bea thought of golden apples, and flying carpets. Weldon performed the magic simplicity of making love, love. He stopped, briefly, now and then, lying soaked and buried in the flower of her body; until she would make a sobbing sound, and moving her body, would force him to move with her, again. She sang a new song as he moved over her, a little light opera. It was the first time a woman had sung, lying beneath him. It was a sound he heard in his mind, and thrilled to, over and over for the rest of his life.

That was how Weldon carried Lily Bea on a magic carpet. Ever so tenderly, and gently, over the edge, into another world of new golden apples. Dear reader, what more could you wish to know about that night?

From that time on, Weldon had neonlike lights glowing from his body that no one else could see.

And, for Lily Bea, the body she thought she hated had turned into a garden of delight and wonder.

From that time on, when Weldon came to her house, Lily was the one who put the romantic music on the record player. She had added Barry White, Dinah Washington, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Nat “King” Cole, and a few others. Lily Bea thought, “I must be in love.”

When Weldon and Lily returned home from their New York conference, their evenings were different, closer. The business relationship remained the same, running smoothly. He gave Lily another quarter of the business. Now she owned seventy-five percent and he owned twenty-five percent.

Lily Bea even seemed prettier to herself.

Other changes occurred, though. Now, when he took her out to dinner they went to very nice, but dimly lighted, out-of-the-way places. It couldn’t have been any shame of his; he had never cared about “other people” before.

He also became very jealous. He even wanted her to stop Mr. Jacob, the jeweler, from stopping by to talk to her so regularly. A year or so passed in this manner.

Now, something had been in the back of Lily’s mind for some time. She didn’t see many Black people in her life, and she wanted to. She went back to the community college to check for anyone who was learning her business. There were only two Black people there: a man thirty-three years old, and a woman twenty-four years old. They promised to stop in to see her when their knowledge had progressed enough to have something to offer her.

Around that time, Mr. Jacob, loving Lily, in his way, was influenced by her color, the rich brown. So when his assistant became ill and had to be replaced, he asked around among his fellow jewelers for information of a Negro man, or woman, to fill the vacancy. There was only one: a half Jewish, half Negro man, Sol Morris. He was in his early thirties, had been raised in the craft, and wanted to make a move from the East. New York, to be exact.

There was an interview, and after Mr. Jacob was satisfied he wouldn’t have a crook on his hands around his diamonds, he hired the young man. Well, crooks come in all colors, you know, rich or poor.

Sol was about five feet nine inches tall, weighing about one hundred sixty pounds. He was serious about his future, possessing a fair education. His father had not married his mother, but paid enough attention to his son to help him, now and again. His father had suggested Sol go into the field of gemstones and jewelry making.

Sol found gemology interesting and absorbing. He enjoyed the brilliant lights and colors of gems. He was a quiet man, never married or wanting to get married. He took his women on the run. Only one or two women made a sound enough impression on him to make him consider marriage. But he was unable to support a woman, and perhaps a child at this time. He remained single.

Sol had worked for Jacob a couple of months when Lily came in for some jewelry repair. He did not think anything special about her. He liked the sound of her voice, but thought she was unattractive. “She is smart, though; she is managing a business.”

Lily Bea noticed Sol because he was a Black man working with jewelry. They talked. “Well, I hope you enjoy our little city, Mr. Morris.”

“I already do,” he answered, “I just have to find my way around to the bookstores, the theatre, and museums.”

Lily smiled. “Well, if you need any help, I’ll be glad to help you. I can tell you the two best bookstores right now. I’ll make a little list for you for the other things.” Later she gave him the list, then they both forgot about each other in their busy lives.

Being an observant man, Sol became acquainted with the Flower Cleaners. He asked Mr. Jacob, “That is not her business, is it, Mr. Jacob?”

Mr. Jacob dusted off the counter as he thought a moment. “Hmmm, I think it is; but it is also his, Weldon Forest’s. I don’t know their agreement.”

Sol noticed that Mr. Jacob’s face lit up when Lily passed by the store or her name was brought up. That Mr. Jacob visited the cleaners at least once a day. It amused Sol. He liked his boss.

By the time six months had passed Sol felt the presence of Lily. She was kind; she had helped him find a decent apartment at a decent rent. Her voice charmed him. Her shy smile charmed him, also. He noticed that Weldon Forest was often near Lily or the business.

Sol liked the way Lily dressed, and her gracefulness. Pretty soon she was not ugly to him, and his face lit up when he saw her. But love was far from his mind. He was working and saving. He wanted his own shop. He noticed neither shop had many Black customers. But he also knew they dealt in a better quality of things than the shops he had worked at in New York.

On his days off he walked over new sections of the city he had moved to. He sat in parks with his pen, designing jewelry he knew he would never make. But, he thought, “Who knows?”

He grew lonely. One day his landlady had a couple of black kittens she was planning to take to the SPCA, but was afraid they would be put to sleep. In his loneliness he decided to take one; immediately he thought of Lily Bea, for some reason, and took the other kitten to give to her. He named his kitten Rain.

He took a large, pretty box from the jewelry store, and put the kitten in it. Thinly wrapped it, and took it to Lily. She looked at the wobbling box questioningly. Pleased with the surprise, she unwrapped the box. She smiled and gasped, “Ohhhhhhh,” at the cute, little black kitten and pressed it to her breast. “I wonder why I never thought of a pet for all my lonely times.” Lily looked up as she named her kitten Shadow. She saw Weldon standing in the doorway looking at her and Sol. He stood watching a moment, then he frowned.

Soon Shadow had everything a good kitten needs. Lily enjoyed it more than she had imagined. Who knew? Weldon often watched her stroke the kitten, and wished she would stroke the mink coat he had given her. “I didn’t know you wanted a pet,” he said.

Weldon did not like Sol Morris, but there was nothing to be done about the friendship. He couldn’t ask Jacob to fire Sol; he knew Jacob would refuse because he liked Lily Bea himself.

To make matters worse for Weldon, his wife became ill. At first it was nothing to worry about, but as time passed, and she didn’t get well, he became more concerned about his wife of such a long time. His son flew in to see about his mother; he left when the doctor said, “It will just take time, she will be all right.” But, Mrs. Forest did not look well at all. Weldon began to spend more time with her, most of his days, and many of the evenings he used to spend with Lily Bea.

Lily Bea more than understood; she was pleased. “Weldon always does the right thing. He is a good man,” she thought during her evenings with just Shadow to talk to.

As her time was spent more alone, Lily paid more attention to the different men that came in and out of her vision.

There was another Black man who came into the cleaning shop. He had special shirts he wanted done in a special way. He was a nice-looking man, Monte Gales, always smiling. He never said anything to Lily Bea that was in poor taste. He would smile and spend a few moments, if the shop was empty, to exchange a few words with her. He was a musician. Lily Bea had noticed there was no ring on his finger.

One day he said, “You know, I never see you at any club. Why? don’t you like music?”

She smiled as she pulled the plastic over his shirts. “I don’t know. I like music. I guess I just never think of going to a club to hear it. I have records.”

He smiled back, showing nice, even white teeth, “Records are good. But, nothing beats live music. Why don’t you come hear my group? I’ll leave word at the door; be my guest. You’ll enjoy yourself.”

“I may do that, Mr. . . .?”

“Monte, just call me Monte.”

Weldon was there that day. He didn’t like these developments. It wasn’t just because they were Black men; they were men, single men. He told Lily Bea, “You have to be very careful in a club full of strangers, and every kind of person there is to try to avoid.”

Lily didn’t run out to the club, but as the days passed she thought more about it. She thought about both Sol and Monte. She wondered if Sol would like to go to the club with her. “But, Sol is very serious, and Monte is full of life and fun. Maybe I’ll go by myself one night, at least I’ll be Monte’s guest, so I won’t be a single woman out for anything but music.”

Things were changing.

Weldon’s wife needed him more. Lily was alone more. And when they were together, lovemaking didn’t seem right, to either of them, with his wife at home sick.

One lonely evening, when Lily Bea was not expecting Weldon, she went to hear music, to laugh and talk, at the club. She needed her mood lifted. She called Sol and asked if he wanted to join her. He did. They had a really pleasant evening: a few drinks, and much good music, blues and light jazz.

When the evening was over Sol took her to her door. They were not at the cheek-kissing stage, they were saying “Good night” and “I had a good time” things. As she turned her key, opening the door, she saw Weldon sitting in the easy chair turned to face the door. His eyes were smoldering, but he looked calm.

Lily turned to thank Sol for bringing her home when Weldon said, “Go ahead, invite him in. Don’t let me stop you. I’m leaving anyway.” But he did not move to leave.

Lily was embarrassed that Sol should know her private business, and at Weldon’s attitude. She said, “He isn’t coming in. He only brought me home.”

Weldon said, “Ah, but it’s early.”

Lily said, “It’s late.”

Weldon said, “Well . . .”

Lily said a final good night to Sol, and Sol left. She took her coat off as she said, “I didn’t expect you, Weldon.”

“Obviously.”

“There is no reason to talk like I have done something wrong, Weldon. I was—”

Weldon interrupted her. “I do not want that man near this apartment again.”

Lily, slightly surprised, said, “This is my apartment, Weldon. Sol and I are only friends.”

He smirked. “Everyone is ‘only friends’ in the beginning.”

Lily decided he was just stressed with his wife’s illness and business. She walked to him, and put her arms around his neck.

Weldon made a mistake. He removed her arms, picked up his coat from the rack, opened the door, and started walking out. I can tell you, he expected her to stop him; but she didn’t.

He could find no way to cover over the incident and go back inside. She looked confused, but she didn’t get angry. She didn’t do anything at all. Nothing but tilt her head, slightly smile, and slowly nod her head. With silence, time became strained. He sighed, and left closing the door quietly.

Their meetings became strained as well. Her thoughts circled around “There is no friend of mine he likes. He doesn’t even like my cat. There is no one I can talk to, except customers on their way out of the shop door. I can’t invite a friend to my home.” Then she would think again. “Oh, God, forgive me; he helped me get everything I have. He is the reason my life has changed so much.”

But, upon reflection, she would think, “I work. I work hard for my living. I have added to everything he gave me. I didn’t turn into a problem for him. He hasn’t lost anything; he has gained. He gave me what he gave me because he wanted something for himself.” She shook her head. “Ohhh, I love him. But, he has a wife. I have no one except a man who has a wife. He has a son; I have no child at all. He is in his future. I am working for my future; and what is my future? I don’t want to hurt him, but I have to decide my life for myself.”

She talked on the phone to Monte, but she didn’t go back to the club at that time. She didn’t feel like “havin fun!” She remembered the words “Any fool can have some fun; you betta get you some sense in your life!” She continued working hard. At home, her company was the growing kitten Shadow.

She had more than enough money for one dream. She found a Realtor and they found a house. She paid down on a house of her own. “I’ll invite whomever I want to invite. To
my
house!”

She furnished that house with everything new; decorated it to her taste. For the first time, for anyone in her family history, she had bought and could furnish her own house. “I ain’t rentin!” She loved modern Italian and Mediterranean furniture, with some French influences.

When the house was completed to her satisfaction, she gave a dinner. A dinner for two. She served the best of everything she knew he liked. She invited Weldon Forest.

I’ll say this for him, he was no longer angry; he was only sad and lonely. But he was proud for her, and of her. He was a good man. And when dinner was through they made good love to each other. When he left to go home where his wife needed him, he was satisfied. His stomach was pleased and full, his heart was pleased and full, his body was pleased. His mind was no longer teeming with worries about love. He did not know the affair was struggling in its last days. Somewhere in Weldon’s mind, he thought they were making a new beginning. I guess you just have to wait and see.