The Reveal
Sunday
Michonne moves from stove to counter to refrigerator laying out all the brunch items: shrimp and bacon breakfast casserole, fruit salad with fresh mint, cinnamon rolls, and carafes of juices, coffee brewing and hot water for tea. She smiles and appraises the sunshine yellow, oversized palm leaf print upholstered chairs. She added small bouquets of fresh red sunflowers for a dash of color and extra life. "The sidewalk and front pathway are spotless," Rick announces entering the kitchen. "Whoa, Mrs. Grimes you have outdone yourself," he brushes her locs aside and kisses her neck.
She turns into him, "This is our first time hosting our friends."
"True, but it will not be our last plus I think Baby G is going to steal the show," he chuckles.
"Go get cleaned up I am going to make sure the reveal video is ready to play," she taps his butt and heads toward the den.
Judith sits on her bed staring at the yellow, cap-sleeved Princess Belle party dress hanging in her closet. Ms. Lonette brought the dress all the way from Virginia and called her a doll. She holds the satin purse in her hands reliving her night at the wedding. She is not supposed to lie but she had to go-they invited her. Her guardians still think she spent the night with Amy and not Ms. Denise. Ms. Denise believes she had permission.
The night was magical. She ate until she was stuffed and posed for pictures with everyone who asked. The best part was the dancing with Eric and Aaron. She was surprised to see them and shocked they spent most of their time with her. She gave them her address and she wished on every star she saw that night that she gets to see them again. She places the purse inside the garment bag and zips it shut before picking up a book to complete her assigned reading.
The friends settle in the den with full plates and tons of laughter. "Okay newlyweds, let's see the safe for work honeymoon video," Rosita announces.
Abe chimes in, "Please make sure this is the safe for work version. I like a good how to video but we family and even I have boundaries…plus ain't we got some kids up in here."
Justice mouth falls open and she looks at Carl. Is this normal? Who talks like that? Carl continues to laugh, "He is colorful but harmless."
Rick uses the remote to start the video with them on the plane with their faces pressed cheek to cheek-he narrates, "We are off to San Francisco, California…starting with the African-American museum and Pier 39."
The friends listen and laugh watching the road trip move through Monterey, Napa Valley, and Sacramento, Folsom and finally Lake Tahoe. The video comes to an end with a profile photo of Rick squatting in front of Michonne kissing her baby bump with her hand tangled in his chestnut curls. The caption reads: The Grimes Family returns to Kings' County.
The room quiets, they glance at each other before turning to look at the couple seated on the couch. Michonne stands up and smoothes the fabric of her long sleeve grey A-line sweater dress with lace decorating the hemline over her baby bump. The eruption of Joy is deafening.
Lori waits for Shane to arrive at the Bistro for brunch. She knew for a fact that they regularly had brunch as a group but they didn't show. Don't think about the honeymoon. "May I take your order?" Her thoughts are interrupted.
"Jessie, you will have to come back once Shane arrives. I have no idea how big his appetite will be today. He is putting in such long hours as Captain with KCSF," she attempts to humble brag.
"No problem but I bet my tip money he picks the number 18," she rolls her eyes.
She grinds her teeth before executing the perfect pageant smile, "Why don't we settle this now. You had a moment or two with him but we are building a life based on a shared history. You cannot compete with that and you should not try."
Jessie shakes her head, "You are right…it was only a moment or two because his roll of dimes is only good for a couple pumps. I understand…I lowered my standard once too," she goes for the jugular.
Lori snaps and throws her drink in Jessie's face, "Shut up…you're just mad because your dirty ass is stretched out!" she screams.
The manager runs over to the table, "What is all this?"
"I want her gone…fired. I am a pillar of the community," the manager cuts her off.
"I do not care who you think you are you cannot throw drinks and curse in this establishment. I will take your statement and follow up but you need to leave," he directs. She stands, straightens her dress, snatches up her purse and exits with all the dignity she can muster. The manager turns to Jessie, "Please write a statement and do not return until I call."
Typical…
The Girls are gathered in the kitchen helping with the clean up and chattering away, "You kept this a secret," Maggie accuses.
"Uh, glass house…which of us eloped," Rosita offers.
"Does Ms. Jolene know?" Sasha asks.
Michonne closes the refrigerator and turns to the group, "We gave them a thank you box with grandparent swag before we left. They are floating above heaven at this point. They bought a new SUV with all the bells and whistles in preparation for outings and babysitting. They are adorable," she beams with pride.
"Sasha is there a bump on your head?" Rosita asks.
She nods quickly. "Maggie, are you limping?" Michonne questions with a tilt of her head.
They both mumble, "Careful with the lap dance…don't use restraints."
"Damn…you ready? This is big…you in charge of another person…a tiny person," Abe shakes his head.
"More than ready-excited," Rick responds. They approach the garage after walking the property.
"You are going to be great…lucky kid," Glenn praises.
"What about you? You baking biscuits too?" Abe asks Daryl.
"Naw…not yet…focused on her getting the wedding she wants" he replies.
"Gentlemen check out my perfect gift," he swings open the wooden garage doors.
"Is that…What did you do on that honeymoon…Where are we putting this…Is it really too cold to use?" the men gush over his grill combo.
Carl and Justice peer into the open cabinet door. They hung at the back of the pack during the house tour. "I know you would fit," he instigates.
"No, I am not getting stuck in their laundry-shoot. I am small but my ass is not. What is wrong with you?" she whispers, "We need to get back. I don't want them to think I am up here being fast-tailed."
Michonne's voice calls through the house, "Carl…let Justice out of whatever corner you have her pinned in."
Justice pushes his chest, "See…I told you," she rushes down the stairs with his laughter bouncing off her back.
Monday
Carl stalks back to his desk muttering, "Short-sighted morons…not taking me serious."
"They rejected the proposal," Aaron deduces.
"You think I asked for metal detectors in every doorway…Emergency alarms in conference and bathrooms are a reasonable request. They rejected the compromise of only placing the alarms on the court house floor. They refuse to budge," he vents.
"You are smarter than them in your sleep. You will figure out a solution that makes them say yes," Aaron encourages.
"I will try…I hope no one gets hurt before I do."
"You lied or you are delusional. At this point the reason does not matter. To be clear, I will not tank my career or ruin the firm's reputation. This is how things will work. Option one: you take the offer from DA Monroe or Option two: I stand next to the managing partner of my firm at a press conference and we deep six your skivvy ass. Good luck finding anyone to take your case after our display of force and integrity."
"Stop being a bitch baby…they are bluffing," Blake retorts.
"Really," the attorney starts the video, "This was recorded at Woodbury Estates and your wife is part of this sex act which establishes a pattern of deviance at the most or alternative at the least."
Fire burns through Philip veins. I told Andrea recording was a bad idea. "Turn it off…I can double your rate…pay in cash or off shore," he attempts to negotiate.
"You cannot negotiate…you have no leverage…this is your reckoning. Please have an answer by Friday and prepare to settle your account. My firm will not step one foot in court or arbitration as your counsel unless the account is paid in full in advance."
"Journey, your resume is strong you have Continuing Education Credits from Kings' County Community College in Business Management," Eva recites.
"Yes Ma'am. I never really wanted to do anything in particular but I like being part of a community; regular customers…knowing their favorite items…introducing new menu items," she responds.
"Will I have to get a switch to beat back Theodore for stealing you away?"
Journey laughs, "No, he told me about the opening. He provides all of us chances to learn and grow but he will not have management positions any time soon," she explains.
"Since the position is part-time management for now we will all have to sit down and find a balance for both establishments. I will be in touch," she extends her hand.
Tuesday
Jolene enters the salon late for their standing appointment. She bends down to pet Nike and Athena before moving toward the shampoo bowls. "We were getting ready to call you," Ida B. announces.
"Everything alright," Patti asks.
"Hurry up so we can hear about the honeymoon," Eva encourages.
Jolene turns her back to remove her coat and hangs it on the rack. She spins back toward her Crew posing with one hand on her hip and the other extended in the air. The sparkling red letters on the long sleeve black t-shirt read: Glam Grandma. The women exclaim, water flings from half shampooed hair whipping up from the bowls.
"For the win…Congratulations…Baby shower!"
AN: I am grateful for each and every reader. This journey has taken me by surprise. I have a new sense of Joy waiting on your response and I have made some good friends along the way. Hopefully the approaching new year will bring peace and return some sanity.