Forgive Me (35 page)

Victoria made her way to Aruba's grandmother. Maxie stopped talking midsentence to greet her.

“Victoria! I'm so glad you made it. I saw your name on the guest list and hoped you'd be here.”

“I wanted to be here. After I ran into Bria, I missed the fellowship we used to have.” She pointed to her table. “I'm over here with my friends, Yvette and Carl, and my fiancé, Emory. Would you like to meet them?”

“I most certainly would.”

Maxie made her way through the crowd, greeting friends and family members, and hugging a few of the neighbors who'd driven to Atlanta from Harlem.

“Everyone, this is Maxie, Aruba's grandmother. Maxie, this is my friend, Yvette, and her husband, Carl. This handsome stunner is my fiancé, Emory Wilkerson.”

Emory kissed Maxine's hand. “It's nice to meet you, Maxie.”

Maxie feigned dizziness. “You still know how to pick 'em.”

She sat at the table with them and made small talk. She stopped the waiters and took champagne from the tray. Carl, Yvette, Emory, and Victoria followed her lead.

“This party almost didn't happen,” said Maxie.

“Why?” asked Victoria.

“You know my granddaughter is a stubborn old mule. She's still not ready to remarry, but James insisted on some celebration to let family and friends know they'd reunited.”

“That's awesome,” said Victoria. After five years, she spoke sincerely and wished Aruba well.

“Here they come now,” said Maxie. “Old lovebirds.”

Aruba and James entered the ballroom arm in arm. The crowd stood and applauded. Victoria took in Aruba's Greek goddess attire. The white, Grecian silk dress stopped just above her knees. Her diamond headpiece accented her thick Goddess braids perfectly. The love flowing between Aruba and James was undeniable as they greeted guests throughout the room. When they neared Victoria's table, Aruba's face lit up. She embraced her old friend with a lingering hug. Victoria welcomed the tight squeeze.

“You look incredible, Aruba. It's good to see you also, James.”

James greeted Victoria as well. “I'm glad you came, Victoria.” James eyed her guests.

“Excuse my manners. These are my friends, Yvette and Carl. This is my fiancé, Emory.”

The word fiancé widened James's eyes. “Nice to meet you all.” He turned to Aruba. “Baby, I'm going to check on the drinks. I'll be back.” He kissed her lips and headed to the bar.

“Aruba, may I speak with you in private?”

Yvette winced at the request. “Are you sure this is a good time, Victoria? It's a party, after all.”

“It's okay,” said Aruba.

Victoria followed Aruba to a room in back of the ballroom. She'd rehearsed her speech a million times at home, but decided to speak from her heart. Aruba smoothed her braids and took a seat on a sofa in the room.

“I want to get this off my chest while I have the chance. I have been so angry with you since my marriage ended that I didn't know what to do. When Bria told me about the suicide attempt, I had a change of heart. If you had died, I would have never gotten a chance to see you face-to-face to start the healing process, and I would have never got a chance to say, I forgive you.”

Aruba teared up.

“I blamed you for so many things. I hate to admit this, but I did wish you had died. The thought of you taking your life brought me back to reality. Jeremiah would be motherless, and a lot of people would be without your friendship.”

“But I did so many horrible things to you.”

“Winston and I had been distant for a long time. I think the attention you gave him made him realize he was missing genuine partnership. If it hadn't been you, it would have been another woman.”

“Don't let me off the hook.”

“I'm not. I wouldn't wish your payback on anyone.”

Aruba cried now. Victoria found some Kleenex and gave them to her old friend.

“I didn't mean to make you cry. I wanted you to know everything is all right.”

“I'm happy for you and Emory. He seems like a wonderful man.”

“He is. I got a winner. Trust me when I tell you I won't take him for granted. By the way, it's good to see you and James back together.”

“We still have a long way to go, but I didn't realize how much I still loved him until…”

Victoria held her friend's hand, hoping the mention of suicide wouldn't darken the conversation. This was supposed to be a happy time.

“Wait, you hear it?” asked Aruba, patting her feet.

“Theme song, right?”

Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack's “Back Together Again” wafted in the room.

“James has it playing at the top of every hour with the sole purpose of everyone doing the Electric Slide.”

Aruba saw the concern on Victoria's face.

“Come on, Victoria, it's a group dance. You can do it. You can dance next to me.”

They doubled over in laughter, reminiscing about Victoria's lack of rhythm.

“You lead the way, old friend,” said Victoria

“Gladly,” said Aruba.

They joined everyone on the dance floor. Emory took Victoria's hand, leading her through the steps. James and Aruba danced next to them, the four of them pumping their fists and reciting lyrics.
“Doo doo doo doo doo, Doo doo doo doo yeah, Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh. Back together again.”

F
amilies descended on the Indiana State Fairgrounds for North Central High School's graduation. Aunjanue mailed out invitations three months ago, and she was pleased at the response she'd received from family members and friends. Her greatest joy came when her grandfather, Shirley Gipson, RSVP'd. Now confined to a wheelchair and in constant need of an oxygen tank, she was elated he'd agreed to make the trip. She was also excited that her aunts and uncle, Candice, Connie, and Carson, would be attendance.

Tawatha helped her dress for the special occasion after Aunjanue requested her presence. Lasheera couldn't mask her disappointment, but she relented, hoping their mother-daughter relationship would be mended over time. Tawatha asked Aunjanue to step back for one last glance.

“You look beautiful, baby. The dress suits you. You're a chip off the old block.”

“Thanks, Momma. Help me zip up my gown.”

Tawatha helped her zip up the gown and place her cap on. Aunjanue took in the bittersweet moment. She wished her siblings could be there to see her walk across the stage to receive her diploma. The “They're smiling down from heaven” cliché wasn't soothing her today. If they were alive, they'd run up to her, give
her a bear hug, and rip her cap off or play with her tassel. Those were the siblings and memories she embraced.

“What are you thinking about, Onnie?”

“S'n'c'r'ty, Grant, and Sims. I wish they were here.”

“They are. In spirit.”

“Momma, give me my perfume,” she said, ignoring Tawatha's words.

Tawatha sprayed Aunjanue with Shower Fresh. She wanted Aunjanue to do as little as possible on her special day.

“I'm going to join everyone else in the stands,” she said.

“Remember, Momma, no screaming or yelling in the stands. You'll be removed from the stadium if you do.”

“We'll be as quiet as church mice. I promise.”

Aunjanue shook her head. She knew how loud her mother was, and she didn't want to be embarrassed.

“Who's in the stands?” she asked.

“The family and Stephanie.”

“I didn't think she'd accept my invitation. I feel terrible about what happened with Ca… Todd.”

“She wants to make things up to you. She feels guilty about bringing him to the city.”

“I can't wait to hold CJ later tonight. I bet he's getting chunkier by the day.”

Tawatha closed in on the space between them. “Onnie, I'm so proud of you. Not just on your graduation, but weathering so many storms. You've had to deal with more drama and pain than most people will ever experience. I want you to stay strong.”

“I'm not strong, Momma. I want better than I've seen all my life.”

“I've said it a million times, but I'm sorry about the fire. I'm trying to do better, baby. Jamilah hooked me up with a counselor, and I'm working now and taking care of business for myself.”

“I know, Momma.”

“I'm trying to apologize for bringing all those men around when you all were small. I wanted you all to have a father figure, but I didn't know how to do it without sacrificing myself.”

“Momma, do you know you saved me from Todd?”

“What do you mean?”

“I remembered how you pulled a fast one on Big Jake one night. How you fooled him into giving you money for the lights and the groceries. I heard everything and saw how you used him.”

“I…”

“Don't be ashamed. I used the same game on Todd. He fell for it and thought I loved him. I wouldn't be here with you if I hadn't seen you work your magic.”

“I'm embarrassed. I'm not that person anymore, Onnie. I'm trying to get better day by day.”

“It's good you've had a paradigm shift.”

“You sound like Royce.” Tawatha unzipped her purse. “By the way, he sent you this card and gift. I'm sure it's money inside. He delivered it to Jamilah since I've been banned from his premises.”

“I'll send him a thank you card with everyone else's.” Aunjanue adjusted her cap once more. “I have to join my classmates. Thanks for your help, Momma.”

Tawatha left the bathroom and waved to Tarsha and Roger, who were outside waiting for Aunjanue. She watched as the three of them joined the processional.

“How is she doing?” Lasheera asked. Tawatha sat in the family's designated rows in the stands.

“She's nervous but ready for this night to be over. She says she's okay, but I'm worried about her.”

“How's my granddaughter doing in there?” Shirley asked.

“Our granddaughter is doing well. It's good to see you, Shirley,” said Roberta.

They gave each other a knowing glance that said time had healed the wounds between them. J.B. held Roberta closer.

Lake and Lasheera held CJ. Stephanie was quiet, paranoid the family blamed her for the incidents that unfolded. She wanted to attend the graduation because she'd grown to think of the Carvins as family. She refused to visit Todd in jail, and filed for divorce the night of the arrest. There was nothing he could say to her or her son, and there would be no turning back with him. He'd made a fool of her, knowing he preferred young girls instead of women. Perhaps she could make it up to Aunjanue in time.

The processional started. Lake, Lasheera, Tawatha, Jamilah, Zion, and Roberta beamed with pride as the students walked into the stadium. Roberta pointed out Aunjanue to the family. They'd made a pact to be quiet and not embarrass her.

The program became a blur to Lasheera. Filled with thoughts of the day they'd taken guardianship of Aunjanue, she enjoyed the movie playing in her head about Aunjanue. The dreams she had after her siblings died. The first time Belinda Rosewood coaxed her out of the house for cookies, lemonade, and a movie. The first birthday party she had with the neighborhood children who insisted they spend the night to make sure she was okay. Caleb coming by to check on her. Her first date with Roger. Aunjanue and Zion horse playing. It all unraveled in real time, moments blissful and painful.

“Here she comes,” Jamilah whispered in her ear.

“Aunjanue Maria Gipson” said Principal Gordon. Aunjanue walked across the stage, shook Principal Gordon's hand, received her diploma, and flipped her tassel to the left side.

The family stood, holding up a sign that read, “Congratulations, Aunjanue! We're so proud of you!”

She looked in the audience and found her family. She waved to them and smiled. She took her seat and pinched herself. She found Tarsha and Roger on their designated rows and waved to them. The sign her family held caught her eye again. She'd dreamt of this moment for years, when her family would be reunited. Cordial. Loving. One.

If you want to discover what set events in motion, be sure to pick up

Dream Girl Awakened

BY
Stacy Campbell

A
VAILABLE FROM
S
TREBOR
B
OOKS

[1]

Owed to Myself

May 21, 2008

A
ruba propped up the girls in a Miracle C-cup, checked the smooth, waxed bikini line in her thong, and released her shoulder-length hair from a barrette, proud she'd made an appointment at Aveda Fredericks to iron out her leonine mane of curls earlier in the day. Just as she slipped on her dress, Jeremiah called from the door, “Mommy, you smell good.”

As she turned, she stopped mid-smile at the sight of Jeremiah perched atop James's shoulders.

“Yeah, Mah-mee, I haven't seen you this beautiful since—well, you're always beautiful. Are you trying to make me jealous?” asked James, hoping to elicit a smile. “Where you going looking so good?” James was careful not to offend her. He needed to get back in her corner, back into her accommodating thighs.