CHAPTER
10
In the days following Rita’s visit, Marie and Genevieve were still at such odds, Gen had Trent take her to the bus station so she could catch the Greyhound to Topeka and stay with her cousin for the weekend. Mal and Clay fell out over Marie’s revelation, too. As Genevieve had tried to do, Clay pointed out that the incident happened during high school, but Mal wasn’t buying. He started in on Clay about betrayal and loyalty until Clay shot back that had Mal been thinking above the shoulders and not below the waist back then, none of this would be happening. Mal took great umbrage with that truth and stormed off.
Clay, blindsided by the whole thing, drove over to Marie’s and yelled at her for telling tales out of school, and because she couldn’t defend the indefensible, she slammed the door in his face. Trent did his best to steer clear of all of it. He figured the Real Senior Citizens of Henry Adams would come to their senses . . . eventually.
“So what do you think this is going to be about?” Bobby asked Kiki as they set out Monday evening for the short drive to Tamar’s. Bobby parked. The area around the house was filled with vehicles.
“I don’t know, but looks like everybody’s here. Crystal said it’s a welcoming ceremony.”
“The last time we got welcomed, you’d’ve thought we were the president and the First Lady.”
“But I thought it was nice, and you did, too. Admit it.”
“Okay. It was kinda nice.”
“Then let’s go in.”
They entered with the babies, and the sight of them set off a round of applause that they met with smiles. Genevieve, back from Topeka, rushed over to help get the babies out of their carriers. After hoisting one twin in each arm, she walked off to show them around. Bobby and Kiki handed their coats to Marie Jefferson, who was still mad at her housemate. The air was filled with the smells of good food wafting from the kitchen. Tamar, wearing an apron over a beautiful emerald-green-and-black caftan, stood before the blazing fireplace and called out, “Can I have your attention, please?”
Everyone quieted down.
“We’re here this evening to officially welcome Bob and Kelly and the twins, the Acosta family, and Gemma and Wyatt as our new neighbors.” Applause sounded in tandem with a chorus of welcomes. “We want to thank Crystal for bringing us Bob and Kelly.”
Crystal got a round of applause. Grinning, she executed a curtsy.
“And we thank Astrid Wiggins for Luis and his family. Secretariat’s loss is our gain. She was also the reason Gemma moved here, so we thank Her Horsiness for that, too.”
Laughter filled the room. The Acostas smiled, Luis raised his cup of punch, and Gemma threw kisses.
“We’ll have the ceremony after we eat, so for now, just have a good time. Food’s almost ready.”
Tamar, Mal, Rocky, Bernadine, and a few others returned to the kitchen, and everyone else went back to talking and visiting.
Bobby and Kiki knew everyone except Dr. Reggie Garland and his wife, Roni. They were pleased to learn the doctor was Henry Adams’s resident pediatrician, and equally impressed that Roni was a multi–Grammy Award–winning singer. Neither of them were familiar with her music, but she had a great sense of humor and promised them one of her CDs.
Crystal took them into Tamar’s den, where the kids were gathered. The young ones—Zoey, the daughter of Roni and Reggie; Wyatt, whose grandmother they’d met earlier; and the two Acosta kids—were playing Angry Birds on the big flat-screen on the wall. The older ones—Amari, Brain, Eli, Leah, and Tiffany—sat at a small table, playing poker, of all things.
“OG and Mr. Bing taught us to play the first winter we were here,” Crystal explained. “They said it would help with our math and concentration. But it was really to teach us humility, because they won all the time.”
Trent’s youngest son, Devon, was seated by himself. The kid curled his lip at Bobby as he glanced Devon’s way. He’d done basically the same thing when they were first introduced at the town meeting. Having no idea what the little round-headed boy’s problem was, Bobby ignored him and walked over to see who was winning.
“We’re only allowed to play for pennies,” Trent’s older son, Amari, said, not taking his eyes off the cards being played by the others.
“Which is a good thing,” Eli added, “because Leah is kicking our butts.”
“Again,” Brain groused, tossing down his cards.
The smiling Leah raked in her winnings. “Whose deal?”
Devon looked so put out that Crystal asked, “What’s wrong with you, now?”
Zoey said, “He’s mad because he wanted to play first and I told him to let Alfonso and Maria play first because they’re our special guests.”
Devon sneered. “You’re always trying to run stuff. I’m ready to eat and go home. It’s always so boring over here.”
Tamar walked in. “You’re bored? Come with me. We need help in the kitchen.”
Bobby thought the boy’s eyes were going to pop out of his face.
Snickers were heard.
When he didn’t immediately comply, Tamar said quietly, “Devon. Let’s go.”
He rose sluggishly, looking for all the world like someone on his way to an execution, and followed Tamar out.
Once they were gone, chuckling filled the room and Zoey drawled, “Dumbass.”
The kids laughed.
Hearing a baby crying—Bobby Jr., to be specific—a smiling Bobby, Kiki, and Crystal exited, too.
Genevieve looked flustered. “I’m sorry. One minute he was fine, and the next . . .”
Kiki took him, and he pressed himself firmly against her. The wails diminished to whimpers. She gently rubbed his back. “You are such a mama’s boy, aren’t you? It’s okay. GG Gen just wanted you to say hello to everyone.”
Tiara seemed content in Genevieve’s arms, but was handed off to Bobby anyway. “I don’t want her getting upset too.”
Genevieve leaned close to Bobby Jr. “I’m sorry, sweetie pie,” she said, and he began wailing again. “Okay, Baby Bob. I won’t talk to you or even look at you for the rest of the night. I promise.”
From behind them, Sheila Payne asked, “Genevieve, are you pinching those babies?”
Genevieve grinned. “Hush.”
Sheila leaned close to Baby Bob and said softly, “Ms. Genevieve is really nice. You’re going to love her just like we do one day.” His crying started again.
“But apparently not today,” Gen said, smiling. “I’ll see you all later.”
“He’s just tired,” Kiki said. “Hard work being a baby boy, isn’t it, sweetheart?”
Sheila said, “If you need some quiet, I’m sure Tamar won’t mind you slipping into her bedroom. Shall I ask her?”
“Would you? Before we all need earplugs.”
People were turning toward the sound of the wails. Even though everyone looked sympathetic, Kiki said, “Lord, I’m so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be. Everyone knows this is what babies do—and those that don’t? Now they do. Be right back.”
When Sheila returned, Crystal grabbed the diaper bag and they went into Tamar’s big, old-fashioned bedroom.
“Tamar said those cribs are here for them, if you want to lay the twins down,” Sheila said.
Bobby and Kiki both stared. Two antique cribs stood side by side.
Tamar walked in. “That one was Trent’s, and the other one Mal’s. Dug them out and cleaned them up when Crystal got back from Dallas. Thought they might come in handy when you moved here.”
Kiki shook head. “You all are amazing.”
Bobby met Tamar’s dark eyes. The people of Henry Adams were so generous, he had no words. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Kiki extracted two bottles from the bag and laid the babies down in the cribs. After the first few sucks, they both fell asleep. Easing the nipples from their mouths, she covered them with the beautiful soft baby quilts in the cribs, and everyone tiptoed out.
Trent saw his dad sitting off by himself in a chair in a corner of the room. He’d noticed Bernadine with Mal earlier, and the two seemed to be having a quiet but serious conversation. “You okay?”
“No. Just stupid.”
“Ah. You want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Okay, then how about I hang with you for a minute? Maybe the stupid will go away.”
Mal smiled a bit. “You’re a better son than I deserve.”
“I’d heard that.”
Mal raised his eyes. “I finally find the one woman I want to spend the rest of my life with, and how do I prove it?”
“By being party to a semi-brawl over a woman you haven’t seen in forty-plus years?”
“Bingo. And of course she heard about the whole thing.”
“Who hasn’t? I thought I was watching a reality show.”
Mal sighed. “What a mess. Clay’s mad at me. Gen’s mad at Marie. How was I supposed to know Marie had a thing for me? She’s like my sister—has been my whole life. But evidently everybody else knew.”
Since Trent had nothing to say, he waited.
“So I tried to explain to Bernadine about a man’s pride and Clay being my best friend, and how I couldn’t believe he’d done such a thing. And you know what she said?”
Trent figured he did, but wanted to have it verified. “What?”
“ ‘It was forty-five years ago. Grow the hell up.’ ”
Bingo! “Sounds like pretty good advice.”
“Yeah, well. Anyway, now she’s mad at me, too.”
“Then how about you take her advice and apologize? Rita Lynn’s coming back after Christmas, and she’ll be here until New Year’s.”
Mal hung his head. “Lord.”
“So you need to get this cleared up between you and Bernadine before then. Or do you still have a thing for Rita Lynn?”
“Of course not.”
“Maybe you should start acting like it.”
“I hate it when you’re wise.”
“Rita says it comes from Tamar, because I definitely didn’t get it from my parents.”
Mal laughed. “Good-bye.”
“Love you, too.”
A short while later, upon seeing his youngest laying down silverware at all the place settings around the large dining room table, Trent wondered what he’d done to deserve such a dubious honor. A few years ago, Devon would’ve happily volunteered for such a detail, but the pout ruling his face now told all. Trent walked over and asked easily, “So what did you do?”
Lily walked in, carrying a huge bowl of mashed potatoes. “Tell the truth, Devon.” She set the bowl down in the center of the table, gave their son the universal mama glare, and left the room.
“Well?” Trent asked, and watched Devon debate with himself whether to tell the truth or not. In the end he confessed, “I said I was bored, and Tamar heard me.”
“I see.”
Tamar came in and set the ham down near the bowl of potatoes. “Devon, get the plates out of the sideboard.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Having been in his shoes plenty of times growing up, Trent knew how he felt, and the urge to help was strong. Apparently Tamar could still read his mind because she said to Trent, “Don’t even think about helping him.”
And like Devon, he echoed, “Yes, ma’am.”
Heading for the exit, Trent patted his son on the back, “Sorry, kiddo.”
“It’s okay, Dad.”
Devon was opening the sideboard when Trent left the dining room.
After a dinner that left them all stuffed, they gathered in the living room for the ceremony. Bobby had no idea what was about to happen, but after checking on the still-sleeping twins, he and Kiki stood side by side and waited patiently while everyone formed a circle. Devon was passing out white candles. As he handed one to Bobby, he turned up his nose. Bobby ignored the slight, but Amari snapped, “Devon, I’m telling Dad. Quit it!”
Devon rolled his eyes and resumed his task.
“Sorry, man,” Amari said. “He’s an idiot.”
“No problem,” Bobby replied, but he was glad to hear that Amari agreed with his own opinion of the bratty little round-headed boy.
The lights were dimmed, leaving the blaze in the fireplace to illuminate the room. Tamar, her apron off and her wrists adorned with silver bracelets, lit her candle. “Would the original Henry Adams family step forward and light their candles from mine?”
Malachi, Clay, Marie, Bing, Genevieve, and Rocky stepped up, along with Lily and Trent.
“Now, Bernadine.”
Following her were all the adoptive parents and their children.
The parents lit their candles from Bernadine’s and passed the small flames on to their kids. Glancing Kiki’s way, Bobby saw her watching intently as Bernadine and the adoptive families carried their lit candles back to the circle.
Tamar said, “Many years ago, our ancestors came to Kansas and founded this town with a lot of hard work, perseverance, and dreams. Now we open our hearts to new dreamers.
Jack and Eli.”
They stepped forward.
“Jack, you never received a formal welcome. All Henry Adams teachers are descendants of Cara Lee Jefferson, so light yours from Marie’s.”
Jack did so, and offered his flame to Eli. Once both were lit, they stepped back. Next came Gemma, crying silently, and her grandson Wyatt. They lit their candles from Bernadine’s. Then came the Acostas.
“Luis and Anna, we welcome you and your family. We look forward to adding your rich history, culture, and traditions to our own.” As the Acostas lit their candles from Bernadine’s, unfettered tears streamed down Anna Ruiz’s cheeks. Luis, looking moved, put an arm around her shoulder and eased her close. He then hugged his kids, and for the first time since their arrival, Alfonso smiled.
Bobby had never seen anything like this before. He was very moved.
“Last but not least, Bobby and Kelly. Crystal is your sponsor. Let her light be the light that brings you into the circle.”
Bobby saw Kiki give her eyes a quick swipe. Her hands shook as they touched their wicks to Crystal’s flame.
The circle of candles wavered in the darkness, and after a few moments of silence, Tamar said, “Any time there is doubt or worry or pain, call up the memory of this night to remind you that you are not alone. We are your family, you are ours, and we hold each other up. May the spirit of all our ancestors guide us and see that all our dreams come true.”
She blew out her candle, and those gathered slowly did the same.
Bobby and Kiki shared a strong hug, and she whispered, “I love this place. I feel like I’m home.”
He heartily agreed.
To cap off the ceremony, there was ice cream and cake, and once that was done, the residents of Henry Adams, both old and new, gathered their families, put on their coats, and headed out into the lightly falling snow.
Devon had to stay behind with their mom to help with the cleanup. Amari was in his bedroom when he heard his younger brother come up the stairs. Amari sighed and shook his head. He hadn’t tattled to their dad about Devon dissing Bobby, but he really wished Devon would get his act together.
After a few minutes, he walked down the hall to Devon’s room. Looking in, he saw him in his pajamas, lying on the bed and studying the ceiling. Amari knew he was having a rough time. As his big brother, he wanted to help him find his way, even though he was a pain in the ass most of the time.
“How you doing, Devon?”
“I’m okay,” he said softly.
Amari knew that was his cue to say adios and keep it moving, but the big brother in him made him stay. He walked in and sat on the edge of the bed. “Rough night.”
“Yeah. There were like a thousand dishes I had to dry.”
“You brought it on yourself. You know Tamar can see and hear through walls.”
“I’m never saying that again.” He studied Amari for a second. “Did you tell Dad on me?”
“About the way you dissed Bobby?”
“Yeah.”
“No, but you need to get your act together. I’m your brother, Devon. If there’s anything I can help with or you want to talk about, just let me know.”
Devon seemed to think on that for a moment. “How do I get Zoey to like me again?”
“You want the truth?”
Devon nodded.
“Stop being such a butthead. Immediately. And you need to apologize to her.”
“But I didn’t do anything.”
“Second truth. Stop lying to yourself about yourself. You’ve been tap-dancing on everybody’s last nerve since the summer, and you know it.”
Devon turned away.
“Don’t ask for the truth if you don’t want to hear it.” Amari thought it was Devon’s pitiful act that made him the maddest. Instead of feeling sorry for him, like he was certain Devon wanted everyone to do, Amari just wanted to grab him by his skinny little shoulders and shake some sense into his knuckle head. “Third truth. Your oh-I’m-so-pitiful, nobody-loves-me act is real old, too.”
“But nobody does! Zoey doesn’t.”
“And why do you think that is?”
No response.
“You need to man up, Devon, and take responsibility for all the dumb stuff you’ve been doing. And you start by going to school tomorrow and apologizing to her. First thing.”
“But what if she doesn’t accept it?”
“That’s on her, but you and everybody else will know you at least tried.”
“Okay,” he said quietly.
“And Jesus, will you stop with that I’m-still-eight-years-old voice? How old are you now?”
Devon’s lips tightened.
“Not trying to be mean, Devon. I’m just trying to help.”
Devon sat up. “I want to be you.”
“You can’t be me. I’m already taken. You can be yourself, though.”
“But you’ve got swag.”
“Yes, I do, because I’m from Detroit, and it’s in the water. Not sure what’s in the water in Mississippi, but you’re a July, and all the Julys have swag. You’ll get yours.”
“You think so?”
“Have I ever lied to you?”
“No.”
“You’ll get your swag, promise.”
“Okay. Thanks, Amari.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you in the morning. And think about what I said, okay?”
He nodded. “I will.”
Amari walked out, and there stood their dad. He froze.
“I heard what you told him.”
Amari wondered if he was in trouble. “I wasn’t trying to hurt his feelings. I—”
“You did fine, Amari.”
He exhaled.
“I never had a big brother growing up. Devon’s lucky to have you in his life.”
“Just trying to help.”
“Awesome job. See you in the morning.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Trent stuck his head in Devon’s door. “You good in here, son?”
“Yes. Do all Julys have swag?”
He paused. “I think we do. The OG and your brother certainly do.”
“Tamar’s got swag. Even if she did make me work at the ceremony.”
“She definitely has swag.”
“Do you think I’ll get some too?”
“Yep.”
“Amari thinks I should man up and apologize to Zoey.”
“Do you think he’s right?”
He nodded. “I do. Amari said if she doesn’t accept my apology, then it’s on her. Everybody will know I tried.”
“Your brother’s right, but you have to be sincere about it. You can’t just say the words and not mean it.”
That seemed to throw him. “Oh.”
“And falling back on Bible verses might not be the way to go about it, either. They have to be your words from your heart, Dev.”
“Okay.”
“I saw you rolling your eyes at Bobby.”
“I don’t like his tattoos.”
“You said that, and I said I don’t think your opinion matters to him, Devon.”
He hung his head.
Trent gave him a fond smile. “See you in the morning. Get some sleep.”
At school the next day, the weather was again too cold for the students of the Marie Jefferson Academy to take lunch outside, so they gathered in one of the vacant rooms, which Mr. James designated as the lunchroom. Devon spent all morning trying to work up the courage to approach Zoey and apologize, but the right moment never seemed to materialize. As he opened his lunchbox, he saw Amari giving him the eye, as if encouraging him to get it together. So when Zoey and the new boys, Wyatt and Alfonso, took seats at his table, Devon looked up and said sincerely, “Zoey, I’m sorry for being such a butthead.”
She stopped, and everyone else did, too.
Devon didn’t like the scrutiny, but he plunged ahead. “I really want us to be friends again. If you don’t want to, that’s okay, but I’m really, really sorry.”
To his surprise, her lips curled up into a smile. “No more dumb stuff?”
“None.”
“Promise and hope to die?”
“Promise and hope to die.”
She extended her pinkie. “Pinkie swear, Devon.”
They locked pinkies, and Devon felt happiness warm his insides.
Zoey said, “I’m glad we’re friends again. I want to form a band. Are you in, Devon?”
“I’m in!”
Elated, he glanced over at Amari, who shot him a big smile and a thumbs-up.
After lunch, on the way back to the room, Amari and Brain were debating whether the Chiefs would win or lose Sunday’s game against the Jets when Zoey came over. “Can I get some help after school from you two?”
“With what?”
“I’m putting a band together, and I need somebody to help with the sound and stuff.”
Amari looked at Brain, who shrugged. “Sure. Who’s in the band?”
“So far just me, Devon, and a boy named Reed from Franklin who plays the sax. I had Mr. James put a notice on our school FB page last week. I’m hoping some other kids will show up. Today’s the auditions.”
“How long will you need us?”
“Until five o clock. My mom said she’d give us a ride home.”
“Okay.”
“What kind of band is this going to be?” asked Brain.
“Hopefully a hard rock band like my bio dad Conor plays in.”
Zoey left them to go back to her seat, and Amari shook his head. He couldn’t wait to see how this band idea turned out. In the meantime, he sent their mom and dad a text to let them know he and Devon would be late getting home, and why. He went back into the classroom and looked over at Kyra. She smiled shyly and lowered her eyes back to her book. He sighed, wishing he knew what to do.
“So what kind of band do you think this is going to be?” Trent asked Lily as they sat together, waiting for the boys to get home after school.
She shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
“Amari’s text said both he and Devon were staying after. Do you think Devon and Zoey have finally made up?”
Before she could answer, the boys arrived.
“How’d the auditions go?” Trent asked.
Amari shook his head as he undid the buttons on his coat. “They’re a long way from Coachella.”
“We had fun,” Devon countered as he dropped his backpack on a chair and removed his coat, too.
“So are you in the band, too, Devon?”
“Yes. I apologized at school, and Zoey said she wanted to be friends again.”
“That’s great.”
“She said she was going to form a band like the one her bio dad Conor is in. And she asked me if I wanted to join,” he crowed, grinning. “I’m going to be the singer. Thanks for helping me with the apology and stuff, Dad.”
“You’re welcome, but your brother is the one you should be thanking.”
Devon looked over at Amari. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So life is good again?” Trent asked.
“I hope so.”
“Your mom and I are proud of you, Dev.”
“Me, too,” he said.
Lily smiled. “So tell us about the audition.”
Amari shook his head. “Zoey is still learning to play lead guitar, which meant she was awful.”
Devon shot him a censuring look, to which Amari responded, “She was, and you know it. The kid playing the sax was okay. One kid from Franklin tried to take over and tell everybody what to do, so of course, Zoey wanted to fight.”
“He was a big kid, too,” Devon added.
Amari said, “Zoey didn’t care. Told him if he didn’t get out of her face, she’d stick her guitar where the sun don’t shine.”
Trent held on to his smile, barely, while Lily covered her laugh with a cough before asking, “Isn’t she supposed to be taking anger management classes with Reverend Paula?”
“Yeah, but she’s going to get an F. Brain and I should’ve had on referee shirts. It was a mess.”
Devon said, “I want some rocker clothes.”
Both parents paused and shared a speaking look.
Trent asked warily, “What kind of rocker clothes? Leather?”
“No. Something fresh and off the chain.”
They all stared.
Devon explained, “Since I’m going to be the lead singer, I need to wear something with swag.”
Trent wondered who this kid was and what he’d done with the Devon who’d left the house that morning. “Swag,” he echoed, doubtfully.
“Yeah. Amari said I had to find my own, so I think I know how now.”
“Don’t put this on me,” Amari warned.
Lily asked, “Where do you propose to get these swag clothes?”
“Amazon. They have everything on Amazon. Will you help me look after I get my homework done? I’ll pay for the things out of my gold-coin money.”
Trent and Lily shared another look. In truth, the boy had his parents by the short hairs. He wouldn’t be cruising the net unsupervised, and he did have the money in his bank account. There was nothing about the plan they could honestly say no to. So Lily said, “Sure, honey. Let me know when you’re ready to go shopping, and I’ll come up and help.”
He grinned and did a fist pump.
Amari rolled his eyes.
Trent wondered why he had a sinking feeling in his gut, but he was pleased with Zoey for accepting Devon’s apology, and he made a mental note to let Reg and Roni know. She could’ve easily slapped the olive branch out of his hands and told him to kick rocks. That she hadn’t was an indication of Miss Miami’s solid gold heart. Maybe now Devon wouldn’t have to suffer any more black eyes from her solid right hand.