One Wing
Tiana- 42
Naveen- 44
Tiana and Naveen's Children
Aisha- 24
Jabari- 22
Nita- 20 Stage Name Nina Celeste
Hakeem- 18
Chapter One: A Song For You
Tiana and her family were cleaning up the restaurant; it was Fourth of July weekend and what a busy weekend it was. Tiana's Palace was packed every day. Tiana and Naveen's oldest child Aisha wasn't there she lives in Baton Rouge with her husband Willie and two children Joseph and Rose. Tiana and Naveen's oldest son Jabari and their daughter Nita were home from school and their son Hakeem would be going to Tuskegee in August for baseball. The only ones who weren't cleaning were Nita and Hakeem. Nita was standing on the stage singing a song and Hakeem was playing the piano.
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for my life you are a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
Naveen loved hearing his son and daughter perform, Hakeem got his musical talent from him and Nita got her voice from Tiana. Naveen knew that Nita wants to be a singer, but Tiana was against it, she knows where singing can lead a person and she doesn't want that for her daughter. Hakeem only played the piano because it was a hobby.
"Alright, you two time to lock up, come on that's enough." Tiana told Nita and Hakeem.
"Oh Mama, I feel so free when I'm singing."
"You need to put your head in them books instead of focusing on singing, singing will not put food on the table." Tiana explained
"I know Mama, but I just love it so much."
"Mhmm."
"Alright kids let's get out of here it's getting late. Tiana you and the kids go the car I'll lock up."
"Are you sure I can do it…" Naveen interrupted Tiana with a quick kiss
"I'll do it you're tired and you shouldn't be moving around."
"Fine." Naveen smirked as he watched his wife of twenty four years walk away. How lucky he was to have her. Naveen quickly locked up since he couldn't get Tiana out of his mind. He got in the car and they drove off. They all finally made it to their home and once they all got in the house everyone went into their rooms. Nita was in her room writing a song in her notepad.
"Feels like I'm going down a one way road." Nita frowns and then begins to write again. Then Jabari enters her room.
"Hey, I heard you in my room." Jabari said closing the door behind him.
"Did I wake you?"
"No, I was already up." Jabari sat down on Nita's bed.
"Have you told Mama yet about your singin'?" Nita sighed heavily
"No, not yet."
"Don't you think you should tell her before she finds out that you dropped out of school?"
"I'm just waiting for the right time."
"When is the right time, when Mama and Papa go all the way to Lincoln University to see you graduate but you ain't even there?"
"Exactly."
"Nita, you can't do that."
"Yes I can just watch me."
"Fine, whatever but when Mama finds out don't come crying to me." With that Jabari left Nita's room. Nita just rolled her eyes.
"Feels like I'm going down a one way street in every direction."
Tiana walked into Nita's room and smiled when she saw Nita fast asleep with a notepad on her stomach. Tiana entered the room and grabbed the notepad and started to wake up Nita.
"Come on Nita baby it's time to get up." Nita stirred and slowly woke up.
"Mhmm, my neck hurts." Nita rubber her neck, Tiana smirked
"Probably cause of the way you were sleeping." Tiana then started to look through the note pad and Nita went wide eyed.
"What is this?" Tiana asked sternly.
"Nothin'" Nita said quietly.
"This don't look like nothin', I done told you about this music mess."
"But Mama it's not mess…"
"Are you talking back?"
"No ma'am."
"That's what I thought, now I don't want to see this anymore, you understand me?" Nita just sat there quietly
"Do you understand me?" Tiana said with more force
"Yes ma'am."
"Get rid of it." Tiana dropped the notepad on the night stand and briskly left the room. Nita grabbed her notepad and then put it under her mattress before leaving her room. Nita made her way downstairs and then walked into the kitchen to see everyone eating. Tiana was about to sit down when she saw Nita standing in the kitchen.
"Good morning Nita, go on and get something to eat. Food's gettin' cold." Tiana sat down and Nita sighed she grabbed a plate and started to make her plate. When she finished making her plate, she then went outside to the back to eat outside.
"What's wrong with her?" Naveen asked
"That music mess and noise I keep telling her music will not give a roof over your head and clothes on your back." Tiana said
"Tiana, it's what she wants to do."
"Nita's going finish school and get a real job."
"Mi benita…"
"Naveen, I don't want to talk about this music anymore, and that goes for everybody. No more music talk in this house or else."
"Tiana…"
"This discussion is finished." No one said another word, they knew that when Tiana was upset that you shouldn't say anything for at least five minutes.
"So, what does everyone have planned for today?"
Nita was outside in garden sitting at the table eating her food.
"What happened in there?" Nita turned around and smiled slightly when she saw it was Naveen; he walked over to the table and sat down.
"Tell me all about it."
"Well, Mama found my music book when she woke me up this morning and told me to get rid of it."
"Nita, you know how your mother feels about you singing."
"I know Papa, but does she know how I feel? When I'm singin' it feels like nothing else in this world. I love it. Papa when I sing, it's like I have no more problems or even a care in the world."
"Nita you know I support you in anything you do, but you have to realize that you're mother is just looking out for you, she wants you to get an education. Make something of yourself."
"Papa, there's something I have to tell you…"
"Nita, Papa! Aisha's here." Hakeem said from inside.
"We'll talk later?" Nita just simply nodded her head. Naveen kissed Nita's forehead and then went inside. Nita sighed heavily; she picked up her plate and made her way inside.
When Nita walked inside she saw Aisha with her husband Willie their son Joseph and their daughter Rose who was just born a few months ago.
"Auntie Ita!" Joseph said, Nita smiled and picked up the toddler.
"Hey big man! Wow you've gotten so tall you're gonna be taller than me soon."
"I missed you Ita."
"I missed you too Joseph." Nita kissed Joseph on the cheek was caused him to giggle. Nita then placed him back on the ground.
"Nita!" Aisha walked up to Nita and engulfed her in a hug.
"Hey Isha." Nita said using her nickname
"She's so precious." Nita said looking at the sleeping baby in Aisha's arms.
"It's gonna be your turn soon."
"Oh please Isha, I'm gonna get my career first then think about settlin' down."
"Look at you, we need to go and do some shopping so that you can go ahead and find yourself a man."
"Nita does not need a husband anytime soon." Naveen said sternly
"What? I'm just saying we could just freshen up her wardrobe."
"Mhmm."
"Naveen baby calm down, Nita's responsible she knows what's really important." Tiana said Nita sighed heavily.
"Well come on in the kitchen Aisha and Willie there's food in there to eat. I'll watch Joseph and Rose." Tiana said taking Rose from Aisha.
"Oh Tiana, you don't have to do that."
"I want to, you drag my daughter and grandchildren off to Baton Rouge I barely see y'all. Y'all go on in that kitchen and fix ya 'selves a plate. I know y'all hungry, and I'll go change Rose's diaper. Come on Joseph." Tiana then grabbed Rose's bag and made her way upstairs with Joseph following close behind.
"Papa, me and Nita are going to go out."
"Alright, just be back before dinner."
"We will." Aisha practically dragged Nita out of the house.
Tiana just finished changing Rose's diaper.
"Her all nice and clean now, her nice and clean." Tiana cooed as she sat down in the rocking chair.
"NaNa, why is Rose so small?"
"Because she's a baby."
"Well I want to play with her."
"Tell you what, when Rose takes her nap how about me ad you ball softball?"
"You know how to play?"
"Of course, my daddy taught me how to play."
"Ok!" Joseph then ran out of the room, Tiana just laughed and continued to play with Rose, then Naveen entered the room.
"Hey."
"Hey." Tiana said looking up at Naveen.
"How you feelin'?"
"I feel good."
"No morning illness?" Tiana smirked
"You mean morning sickness, and no I don't have morning sickness."
"When are you going to tell everyone?"
"I want to wait until 12 weeks so that we know everything's ok, I don't want to tell everybody and then have to tell them there's no more baby…not again."
The previous year Tiana found out she was pregnant her and Naveen where so excited, they told their parents and wanted to wait to tell the kids. Then a few weeks later Tiana had a miscarriage, it was the most devastating thing she's ever experienced besides losing her father. The worst part was telling people that she miscarried.
"Well, we aren't going to experience that again, ok?" Tiana smiled and nodded her head; she looked down and smirked at the sleeping baby.
"You think you ready to go through all of this again?" Tiana asked
"I think we'll be alright." Naveen and Tiana shared a quick kiss. Tiana then stood up and placed Rose in the crib.
"You know, we could send everyone out the house for some errands." Naveen said wiggling his eyebrows. Tiana smirked at her husband as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"What am I going to do with you?"
"Love me?" Tiana laughed at her husband and then the two shared a quick kiss.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Aisha and Nita made their way to the bus stop.
"So what's wrong?"
"What do you mean?"
"I could tell something was wrong when I saw you."
"I dropped out of school."
"You what?!" Aisha and Nita got on the bus.
"I dropped out last year and I've been singing in the night clubs so that I can have someplace to stay."
"Nita, what the hell is wrong with you?"
"School's just not for me Isha, I didn't fit in. I'm an entertainer."
"Nita, I know you want to sing but, oh my God did you tell Papa or Mama yet?"
"You and Hakeem are the only ones that know."
"I'm giving you two days to tell them or I do it."
"Isha please no, I have to tell them."
"And when was that gonna happen? You dropped out last year."
"Aisha, I'll tell them when I'm ready."
"Whatever Nita." Once they reached their stop they got off the bus. They noticed a crowd in front of the café.
"What's going on?"
"I don't know, I don't live here anymore."
"Aisha! Nita!" Aisha and Nita turned around and saw their friend Georgia walking toward them.
"Hey Georgia!" Nita and Georgia shared a hug then Georgia hugged Aisha.
"You know what's going on?" Aisha asked referring to the crowd of people in front some club.
"You guys didn't hear? That's Clyde Cole, he's looking for a new opening act." Nita eyes lit up and Aisha could see the wheels turning in her little sister's head.
"No, no you are not going to audition for that."
"Why can't I? I'm a grown woman."
"Because Mama will kill you."
"What Mama doesn't know won't hurt her." Nita started walking over to the crowd despite her sisters calls. When she finally made her way up front she was met with a tall man who was in her way of reaching her dream.
"Where you think you goin'?"
"I want to see Clyde."
"Whatever, just go on home little girl." Nita frowned and was about to say something when Clyde snapped his fingers.
"Leo, let her in." The big man sighed and moved out of the way so that Nita could walk up to Clyde. Clyde was so handsome, he the perfect body, the perfect smile and he looked just right in that suit he was wearing.
"Why hello there pretty lady, and what might your name be?"
"Nina, Nina Celeste." Nita said using her stage name
"That's a pretty name for such a pretty lady." Clyde grabbed her hand and gently kissed it. Nita was hiding her excitement, she didn't want to come off as being immature.
"I figure you're here to be my new opening act."
"Yes, it's my dream to become a singer."
"Well boys, we don't want to crush anyone's dream now do we?" Clyde said to his group of friends.
"Nina Celeste, if you come to the Blues Club Monday night you got yourself a job."
"Thank you so much Mr. Cole."
"Call me Clyde."
"Ok Clyde." Nita blushed
"Let me ask you a question baby, how old are you?"
"I'm 20."
"My favorite age, I'll see you Monday night at ten Nina Celeste."
"Ok, bye."
"See you later sweet thing." Clyde grabbed Nita's hand gently kissed. Nita giggled like a little school girl then made her way back over to her sister and Georgia.
"What did you do?"
"Looks like someone got herself an audition."
"You're so stupid Nita."
"You know what Aisha can't you be happy for me? I'm doing something that I love. And I can do whatever I want cause I'm woman."
"Whatever, let's just go buy something, Georgia I have to meet your little girl Daisy Mae. Maybe while I'm in town my son and Daisy can have a little play date."
"I would love to do that."
"OK, see you later Georgia."
"Alright, bye Aisha see you Nita." Then Georgia walked away and Aisha and Nita walked into the closest store. When Nita walked into the store she bumped into someone and knocked all of their boxes out of their hands
"Oh I'm sorry." Nita looked up and saw that it was her long time friend Nate. Nate had a huge crush on Nita, ever since middle school but he never told her because he didn't want to ruin their friendship and he knew that she didn't have the same feelings for him. Everyone else knew that he liked Nita except for Nita. Whenever Nate was around Nita he would get so nervous he would start to stutter and be at a loss of words.
"Um h-hey Nita." Aisha smirked she thought it was so cute how nervous Nate would get.
"Hi Nate."
"You look very nice today." Nate said picking up the boxes
"Thanks, well see you later."
"Ok see ya." Nita continues walking into the store.
"It's ok Nate she'll come around." Aisha said to Nate who simply nodded his head dejectedly.
"Yeah, thanks Aisha tell your mom that I'll be over first thing tomorrow morning to fix that leak in the ceiling."
"Ok, I will take care of yourself Nate."
"Alright Aisha." Nate left the store and Aisha walked over to Nita.
"What's wrong with you?"
"What?" Nita continued looking through the rack of clothes.
"You can't tell that Nate likes you?"
"Nate does not like me, and even if he did I would never date him.
"Why not?"
"Because, he's just some construction worker and plus we're just friends."
"You're crazy, give me a big strong construction worker any day."
"Aren't you married?"
"Yes I am, but I'm just sayin'."
"Aisha, I don't like Nate."
"That's a lie from the pit."
"Aisha, drop it."
"Fine."
After Aisha and Nita finished shopping they made their way back home. When they got home they saw Hakeem, Jabari and Willie all outside Hakeem was mowing the lawn, Willie was watering the vegetable garden and Jabari was picking weeds.
"I see Mama got y'all workin'." Nita teased
"Yeah, after y'all left she made us clean out the shed, clean out the attic and now we doin' this." Jabari said
"Sounds like a busy day, well we don't want to keep you guys." Aisha said with a smirk as they made their way inside. Willie then playfully pointed the hose in their direction which made Aisha and Nita scream.
"Willie, that's not funny." Aisha said as the two entered the house.
"Aisha? Nita? Come on and help me in the kitchen." Aisha and Nita sighed.
"What was that?"
"Nothing Mama!" They both said as they entered the kitchen and they were met with their grandmother Eudora.
"NaNa!" The girls said
"Hey, come on over here and give NaNa some sugar."Aisha and Nita walked over and greeted Eudora.
"Aisha, come on over here and finish rinsing off these greens. Nita go check on the gumbo." Aisha walked over the sink and rinsed off the greens and Nita started to stir the gumbo.
"Nita, baby I'm sorry for what I said to you earlier and I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."
"It's ok Mama."
"I just want what's best for you, both of you I didn't have the opportunities that you girls have. I didn't get to go away to school. That's why I always push you guys about getting an higher education."
"We understand Mama." Aisha said
"I'm just so proud of all you, my children are all going to be college graduates."
"Yeah isn't that something." Aisha said eyeing Nita.
"Um Mama where's Papa?" Nita asked changing the subject
"He's on the phone with your grandfather."
"I haven't seen Grandfather and Grandmother since me and Willie got married."
"I know, we need to go visit them one summer as a family."
"Mama, we're done." Hakeem said as him, Jabari and Willie entered the house. They all took a seat at the kitchen table. Aisha then walked up to Willie and wrapped her arms around him.
"Y'all look exhausted." Tiana said
"Mama, you wore us out today." Hakeem said
"If you wanted to rebuild the house you make us do it." Jabari said
"You know, now that you mention it."
"Mama."
"I'm just playing, now y'all go on and get washed by the time you're done dinner will be ready." Hakeem and Jabari got up and made their way upstairs. Tiana saw Aisha whisper something in Willie's ear and then Aisha grabbed Willie's hand and started to lead him out of the kitchen.
"Um…where you two think you're going?"
"Mama, I'm just helping him out, Willie can barely walk."
"Mhm, he's a big boy he can make it upstairs just fine. Come on in here and help me in the kitchen." Aisha rolled her eyes, her and Willie shared a quick kiss before Aisha walked back to the kitchen and Willie made his way upstairs.
"Mama, where's Joseph and Rose?"
"They both sleepin' in your room."
"Ok, how were they today?"
"They were amazing, makes me miss when y'all where babies."
"You know I dreamt of fishes a few nights ago." Eudora said smirking at Aisha
"Oh no NaNa, Willie and I are waiting until Rose's at least two before we have any more babies. What about Nita, you know Nate had his eye on her since they were in middle school."
"You know Nita, Nate is a nice young man. Strong, smart, he goes to Hampton University, a private school, he goes to church every Sunday. You know that he can build y'all a nice house…"
"Mama, I don't want to go out with Nate, I'm not even sure if I even want to get married."
"Yeah sure Nita I thought the same thing when I was your age. Believe me, ask your Nana I had no intention of getting married before I got my restaurant."
"Nita, your mother was so headstrong on her restaurant. I always wonder how Naveen got Tiana to marry him in three days."
"I always believe it was my charm and amazing good looks." Naveen said entering the kitchen he walked to Tiana and kissed her on the forehead and then wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Yeah whatever go on and get out this kitchen you're distracting us." Naveen gently kisses Tiana on her neck.
"Oh really? Ladies am I being a distraction?"
"Nope." Aisha and Nita said
"I ain't even know you were in here." Eudora said
"See." Then Rose's cry could be heard
"Go and check on your granddaughter, grandpa." Tiana said playfully.
"Fine." Naveen and Tiana shared a quick kiss before Naveen left the room. Eudora noticed that Naveen placed his hand on Tiana's stomach before leaving the kitchen, and then a smirk grew on her face.
"I don't think my dream was about Aisha." Eudora said eyeing Tiana.
"Oh no Mama, Naveen and I are done with the babies."
"Mhmm as much as you two go at it I'm surprised you didn't have ten kids runnin' 'round here."
"Mama, not in front of the girls."
"Oh Mama please I have a husband of my own." Aisha smirked
"I'm not pregnant."
"That's fine if you don't want to tell me that I won't have any more grandchildren to spoil before I die of old age."
"Mama are you only sixty-one."
"Ah! I'm still sixty my birthday isn't for two months."
"Mama you're sixty you're fine."
"OK, have it your way."
"So how are you and Deacon Washington doing NaNa?" Nita asked
"We are fine thank you very much; you know he asked me to marry him."
"WHAT?!"
"Calm down I said no."
"Mama why did you say no?"
"I could never bring myself to marry a man after your father. I loved him too much."
"Daddy would want you to be happy." Tiana said to her mother.
"I know babycakes, but I'd rather die alone then to be married and unhappy. Now enough of all this sad stuff, come on let's eat I know those boys are hungry."
After dinner Naveen drove Eudora back home and Nita was in her room writing in her journal, then her door opened and Nita quickly put her journal under her pillow.
"Nita?" Nita sighed heavily.
"Hakeem, it's just you." Nita pulled out her notebook. Hakeem closed the door and then sat on Nita's bed.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, what's going on?" Nita was always close to Hakeem, people used to think they were twins because of how close they were.
"How do you know when you love somebody?" Nita smirked when Hakeem asked her this; she knew who he was talking about.
"This wouldn't be about Miss Lula now would it?" Lula was Hakeem's girlfriend, her mother was Ethiopian and her father was French giving her an exotic look to her, she had thick curly hair that was just as wild as her personality, she had light brown eyes, and caramel skin. Her parents gave her up for adoption knowing that society wouldn't accept them as a family because she was a product of an interracial couple.
"Yeah."
"Ok, questions, what does it feel like when you're not with Lula?"
"It feels like I can't function sometimes, like half of me isn't here. I don't feel whole, almost like there's nothing to live for."
"What about when you are with Lula?"
"It feels like nothing else I've ever felt in my life. Every time I see her smile, she makes all my worries go away. She's perfect, I feel complete when I'm with her. Life we can take on the world; the two of us. It's like there's no one else in the room but us two. No one else matters, only her. I love everything about her. The way she smiles when she talks about her family. The way her nose wrinkles when she's mad. The way her eyes light up when we're together."
"Well Hakeem, sounds like you're in love with Lula."
"Wow, I'm in love."
"So, when are you gonna tell her?"
"Tomorrow."
"Aw, that's so sweet."
"Thanks Nita, I best be going to sleep, I have practice tomorrow."
"Ok, goodnight Hakeem." The two shared a quick hug and then Hakeem left the room.
Nita was happy for her brother, but she couldn't help but feel a little jealous, all of her siblings found someone that they want to spend the rest of their lives with. Aisha has Willie, Jabari has Hattie-Mae, his longtime girlfriend and soon to be fiancée, and now her little brother Hakeem realizes he loves Lula and will probably propose to her before he goes off to school. Nita wondered if she would ever meet someone who could make her feel the way her whole family feels.
I've been so many places in my life and time
I've sung a lot of songs I've made some bad rhyme
I've acted out my love in stages
With ten thousand people watching
But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you
I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I've treated you unkindly but darlin' can't you see
There's no one more important to me
Darlin' can't you please see through me
Cause we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you
A Song for You by: Donny Hathaway