Black Butterfly (22 page)

             
“Yes you are,” I agreed putting on a pair of black, strappy D&G sandals with 4 inch stiletto heels. “And so am I.” I winked at him and pinned my hair up, letting a few curly tendrils frame my face. I decided to go light on the make up, so I skipped the foundation and just applied a little eye shadow and lip gloss. The jewelry I chose was simple as well. Only one diamond ring adorned my finger and five carat diamonds iced out my earlobes. Diamonds were truly my best friends.

             
“Ready?” I asked Raheem as I grabbed my black D&G clutch bag with the diamond encrusted handle.

             
“Yes,” he said as he gently took my hand in his. They were warm and moist. I could sense that he was extra nervous and so was I. It was time for him to meet the parents and I was starting to have second thoughts. I was even afraid of meeting his mother. What if she didn’t like me? What if my parents didn’t like him? Would it matter either way? I looked over at my man and realized that it wouldn’t, because all that mattered was how we felt about each other. All I knew for certain was that I loved him.

             
“Even if this doesn’t go well we’ll still be together, so don’t worry. I love you and I won’t leave your side for a second,” I told him.

             
He managed a smile. “Oh, believe me baby girl. I already know you’re not going anywhere.” We walked to the car hand in hand.

Chapter 15

Seandra

             
It was already eight thirty and I was about to get in my car and go to the party by myself when Maurice pulled up. I was furious! The party was already underway and I’d wanted to get there a little early. When I got into the car I didn’t say one word to him. He had on some dark shades, black slacks and a bright red silk Sean Jean button down. His flashy red shoes were too casual and pimpish for the occasion. Why hadn’t he worn a suit? My mother was going to have a fit. He had to at least lose the damn shades. I was already embarrassed and we weren’t even at the party yet. I refused to say anything though.

             
We rode the whole way without exchanging any words and I didn’t care. The only sound was the annoying loud ass rap music he had blaring from the speakers. That shit had my back vibrating and my head was starting to ache. I rubbed my temples in frustration. Before we made it halfway to the mansion I couldn’t take it anymore. “Turn that shit down please!” I snapped.

             
Ignoring me, he looked straight ahead. I reached over to press the volume button. Before I could touch it he grabbed my hand and squeezed. “Don’t touch my shit!” He yelled angrily.

             
“Let my hand go!” I yelled wincing in pain.

             
“If you want to control some shit we can turn around and you can get in your car and drive yourself to your mother’s stupid ass birthday party! I don’t want to go to that motherfucker anyway! I can take my black ass back home!” He was out of control and obviously high as a kite.

             
I pulled my hand away from him and turned to look out of the window. Tears burned my eyes and fell down my cheeks. I was tired of him. This time I wouldn’t let him see me cry. I wiped the tears away. I hated him. I mean I
really
fucking
hated him.

*         
   *             *

Seantay

              By nine thirty the monotony of the party had me yawning. The decorations were beautiful and daddy even had a fireworks show. He would be presenting the car to mother at ten o’ clock. There were over two hundred fifty guests to share the moment with her and that did not include the press and photographers.

             
My sisters were both looking gorgeous. Renell was wearing a sexy, short cream Michael Kors dress with cleavage and legs for days. Her neutral foundation and nude lipstick looked flawless. The smoky eye makeup set off her gray eyes and made her look mysteriously sexy. As she strutted like a model in three inch heeled Anne Klein sandals all eyes were on her. Her long hair was pinned up in a bun and wrapped in a silk, beige ribbon. She looked like Cleopatra.

             
Seandra was stunning in a soft pink Prada dress that looked good against her sun kissed skin. The dress was asymmetrical with the back out and a low cut V-neck that showed off her full cleavage. The dress was very flattering to her petite, but voluptuous frame.  Her long hair flowed into loose curls that bounced with every movement of her body.

             
Although Nell and Seandra weren’t talking we all still managed to pose for plenty of pictures. Mother was very curious and inquisitive about Raheem.

             
“Who is he?” She asked once she’d gotten me alone. Raheem was talking to Renell and Ricky when my mother pulled me aside. They were all tripping because their names started with the letter R.

             
“He’s a very close friend,” I said keeping my answers as vague as possible.

             
“What does he do?” She asked.

             
“He’s a student. He’s from Miami and I met him a few years ago.”
              “Who are his parents?” She was sipping Dome P. from an expensive crystal goblet. I admired the ruby earrings. They looked great with her dress.

             
“You don’t know them,” I said quickly. Praying that she’d just drop the subject would be futile, because I knew better.             

             
“You don’t know that young lady. I know plenty of people. Are they members of the Miami Den Club?”
              The Miami Den Club was a very influential country club for wealthy African Americans in Miami and surrounding cities.

             
Glancing at my watch I realized that it was ten minutes until ten o’ clock and I was relieved. The brand new Porsche would take her mind off of Raheem. Daddy hadn’t even asked all of the questions she had. Upon initial introduction Raheem was polite and well spoken and that was enough for him. Raheem seemed clean cut enough. When I told mother his name she wrinkled up her nose as if something smelled horrid. “What kind of name is that?” She asked ignorantly.

             
It didn’t seem to bother Raheem. He simply explained to her that his mother was born and raised in a Muslim household. The name really had a meaning in their religion. “It means merciful and kind,” he’d said as he kissed her hand. “It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Beauvois.” The gesture had gotten a small smile from her.

             
My father was standing on a built stage asking for everyone’s attention and I was gracious for the distraction. I knew that my mother would interrogate me later, but the break was appreciated. I made a mental note to promptly disappear before the party ended. Raheem suddenly appeared behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. My mother saw our show of affection and visibly flinched.

             
“Tameah, will you please join me sweetheart,” he said gesturing for her to come to the stage.

             
She walked up to the stage and he helped her up the steps. “Okay honey. I am going to blindfold you.”

             
“Are you being freaky in front of our guests?” Mother giggled jokingly. Everyone laughed.

             
Daddy winked at the crowd of spectators. “You’ll see.” The laughter continued. They were all in awe of the fascinating couple.

             
Once the blindfold was on one of the valet workers parked the Porsche a few feet from the stage. Everyone gasped and whispered at the sight of the extravagant vehicle. Mother kept her poise on stage pretending to not care about the spectacle. She knew that she’d be pleased when the blindfold was removed from the reaction of the guests.

             
“Baby, we’ve been together for a long time. We have it all. Success, wealth and three beautiful daughters are enough. What more could you ask for? You have me…a loving, adoring husband.”

             
Laughter filled the room and father beamed at mother. “I love you Mrs. Beauvois and I can’t wait to spend a hundred more birthdays with you. I never promised you the world, but I did promise that ours would be filled with all the little trinkets your heart desire.” He removed the blindfold and mother looked around aimlessly. Once she spotted the car she jumped up like a woman half her age.

             
“Oh my goodness… Sean,” she said giving father a big hug and kiss. She made her way over to her car and got inside. The crowd hurried over as she admired her new wheels. Father walked off stage and joined the crowd. She walked over and kissed him on the cheek. He lived to please her.

*         *        *

Renell

             
The car was beautiful and I knew it was only one of many extravagant gifts that father would pamper her with. It wasn’t everyday that your wife turned fifty I guess. My grandparents had gone inside and the party was winding down. The press and photographers had left after mother took her new car on a short spin into the multi car garage. I yawned ready to leave myself, but it was time to open the gifts. The rest of the celebration was for family and friends only.

             
There was something strange in the air and I wondered why I suddenly felt so uneasy. Fifteen minutes into my mother’s favorite part of her birthday parties and I’d noticed that Maurice and Seandra appeared to be having an argument. They were away from everyone, so their words couldn’t be heard. I could tell from their body language that the conversation was heated.

             
“They’re arguing,” I whispered to Ricky. His eyes followed my gaze.

             
Waving his hand in their direction he said, “Ignore them.”

             
I glanced in their direction one more time before I focused my attention back to the birthday girl. Mother was showing off the black Jimmy Choo sandals I’d bought for her.

             
“Thank you baby girl.” She smiled and blew a kiss at me. I smiled and threw a kiss back.

             
Seantay walked over to me with her cute little boyfriend Raheem on her heels. He seemed to be a sweetheart. I didn’t know much about him, but my first impression of him was good.

             
“What’s going on with them,” she asked averting her eyes in the direction of Seandra and Maurice.

             
Shrugging my shoulders I admitted my ignorance to their situation. “I have no idea, but it looks serious.” I was nervous as hell. I had a feeling that the argument pertained to my past with Maurice. The moment was the wrong time for the truth to come out. As long as I was an old maid he’d kept it on the hush. Now that I’d moved on he was ready to confess. I hated drama and I didn’t need it in my life. How would I explain everything to Ricky?

*          *         *

Seandra

             
Maurice was high as hell. When he made his way inside to go to the restroom I followed him. I caught him sniffing that shit like his life depended on it. I was pissed off, but I tried to keep my cool. Once he’d realized that I had followed him he went off. That was how the argument started. I interrogated him on the way out of the mansion and then the quarrel shifted to another subject.

             
“Why the fuck do you keep on taking up for Renelll all of a sudden? Are you fucking her or something? Shit, I thought the bitch was a lesbian,” I said angrily. At that point I didn’t care if the guests heard me.

             
“I don’t want to marry you Seandra. That shit was killing me at first, but I don’t want to marry you.” He had a satisfied smirk on his handsome face.

             
“What? You don’t want to marry me?” I was livid. I couldn’t help but yell at the top of my lungs. “What the fuck do you mean you don’t want to marry me?! After all that we’ve been through?!”

             
“You’re starting to make a scene,” he said calmly.

I could see my mother’s face as she descended the steps of the stage.

              “Fuck that! What the hell happened? Huh? What happened?”  I asked acting irate.

             
“I don’t know. I love somebody else. I’ve loved her all this time.” He’d lowered his voice. He was acting all calm and I wanted to slap him so bad. I felt a hand on my arm. I hadn’t seen my parents walk over, but my father was beside me.

             
“What’s the problem?” Father asked.

             
“This is my birthday celebration Seandra. You two need to discuss your private matters elsewhere,” mother chimed in.

             
“I’m leaving,” Maurice said. “I am so sorry Mr. and Mrs. Beauvois. Excuse me.”