When I’m With You (Indigo) (18 page)

Caitlyn was so sleepy that she struggled to understand the recipe for jambalaya, which she was reading for the third time. Before meeting Marcel, the extent of her culinary skills had consisted of popping a frozen potpie into the oven. Even though her first two attempts at jambalaya had been a disaster, she was thankful for Mama Z’s patience and encouragement. She was determined to get one of Marcel’s favorite meals right.

Mama Z smiled. “Caitlyn?”

Caitlyn jerked her head up. “Ma’am?”

“Where’re Kenji and Max?”

“Oh, Kenji is taking her nap.” Caitlyn shrugged. “And Max…well, uh…Max is in time-out.”

Vic, Brie, Moni and Aimee sat at the table with puzzled looks, staring at Caitlyn.

Vic frowned. “Time-out. Who put him in time-out?”

“I did.” Caitlyn sheepishly lowered her lashes.

Vic opened her arms. “For the love of God, why are you putting the dog in time-out?”

Wiping her hands on the nearby dishtowel, Caitlyn released an exasperated sigh. “He’s having a hard time at school. He’s not sharing well with the other dogs.” Caitlyn had enrolled Kenji and Max into a doggie camp so they wouldn’t be bored during the day. Marcel dropped them off each morning, and she and Marcel alternated evenings picking them up. She chewed on her bottom lip. “Marcel is going to have a talk with him after family week is over.”

Moni’s eyes bulged. “Oh, my God. He is?”

Caitlyn bobbed her head.

“Lord, have mercy.” Brie rolled her eyes at the ceiling. “Marcel is going to talk to Max, you mean like father to son?”

Caitlyn nodded. “Umm-hmm.”

Aimee chuckled. “Jesus H. Christ. I’ve heard just about everything now.”

Mama Z leaned over the counter with her hand near her heart.

Shouting her name, everyone rushed to her side. “Mama Z.”

Mama Z shook her head and made the sign of the cross. “Mary, mother of Jesus.”

Everyone froze at Mama Z’s words.

Mama Z laughed out loud. “In all my years, ain’t never heard of no dog having a father-and-son talk. Jesus help ’em.”

They all burst into laughter.

* * *

Caitlyn was ecstatic when Brie invited her, along with Mama Z, Moni, Aimee and Vic, to spend the rest of the day at Taste of Heaven getting pampered from head to toe.

Brie finished Caitlyn’s manicure and placed her hands inside a nail dryer. “I’m really glad you’re here with us this year.”

Caitlyn beamed. “Thank you for having me.”

Brie’s eyes twinkled. “You know, this is the first time in twenty-four years Marcel’s ever invited anyone to family week.”

Caitlyn sat up with such a jolt her wet nails bumped the inside of the dryer. “Darn it.”

Brie eased Caitlyn’s hands out to assess the damage to her right pinkie. “No problem. You just nicked the side of it.” She reached for the bottle of red nail polish. “Here, let me touch it up for you.”

“No one else?” Caitlyn whispered, leaning in closer. “I mean, you know, another woman?” She cupped her hand against the side of her mouth. “No one?”

Brie smiled. “You hold that distinct honor.”

“Distinct honor for what?” Moni asked from across the room.

Aimee snorted and looked at Moni. “Moni, I swear to God, you have radar ears.”

“Aimee.” Mama Z’s voice was stern from her chair at the other manicure station. “Ya don’t use the Lord’s name in vain.”

Caitlyn inwardly chuckled when she thought back to earlier in the morning when they were all in the kitchen and how Mama Z had done the same thing. But she wasn’t about to remind the woman of her choice of words. No way.

Aimee nodded. “Sorry, Mama Z.” She turned back to Moni. “Like I said, Moni, you have radar ears.”

Moni wrinkled her nose and didn’t comment. Instead, she looked at Caitlyn. “So, you and my brother have become quite the couple.”

Before Caitlyn could string two words together, Brie was on her feet. “Moni, put a lid on it. Why is it that you seem to get into everybody’s business? Doesn’t having a baby keep you busy enough?”

Moni sat next to Vic and wiggled her French-manicured toes. “Brie, I’m not being nosy.” She turned to Vic. “Right, Vic? You don’t think I’m being nosy, do you?”

“Nosy, no. Real nosy, yes.” Vic answered back.

Moni released a huff. “Well.”

Vic turned in her chair to face Moni. “Listen, I’m just a friend of a friend, okay, and I’m not really in a position to say much. But I know my girl, and I think she’s got the situation under control.”

With a wicked grin, Moni tilted her head and slowly nodded. “Oh, I see. So I guess the conversation you and A.J. were having yesterday at dinner was under control?”

“No…she…didn’t.” Vic gritted her teeth as her chest heaved and she gripped both arms of her chair.

Caitlyn giggled. “Yes, she did.”

Brie nodded at Vic’s hands. “Careful now. They’re still wet.” Pausing, she placed her finger against her temple. “Well, now that Moni’s brought this up, y’all were kind of tight yesterday, Vic.”

Vic stood, placed her hands, wet nails and all, against her hips. “For the record, ladies, A.J. and I were simply discussing our mutual interest—you know, our mentoring at the youth center.” She sat back down. “That’s all.”

“Umm-hmm,” everyone said at the same time.

Caitlyn giggled. “We believe you, Vic.”

“Uh, yeah, Vic, it looked that way to me, too.” Brie hid a snicker behind her hand.

Mama Z barely contained her chuckles. “Ya keep on believing that, child.”

Aimee laughed out loud. “And pigs fly.”

Moni opened her mouth, but Vic looked over and gave her a warning look. “Don’t you say one word. Not one.”

After fifteen seconds of complete silence, they all burst into laughter. Moni looked over at Caitlyn. “Now tell the truth. You don’t think I’m being nosy, do you?”

“Yes, I do,” Caitlyn replied calmly. “Moni, I heard you when you asked your question the first time.”

Moni frowned. “Well, you didn’t answer me.”

Caitlyn smiled. “Yes, I did.”

Moni shook her head in confusion. “How?”

“It’s called silence.” Caitlyn winked at Vic. “In other words, no comment.” Smiling at Mama Z, she added, “For you that means none of your business.”

Brie took her right index finger and made an imaginary stroke in the air. “Point in favor of Caitlyn.”

Moni pouted. “But, Caitlyn—”

Aimee sighed loudly. “Jesus, Moni, give it a rest.”

“Aimee.” Mama Z’s warning held a sharp edge. “I don told ya once about using the Lord’s name that way. Ain’t gonna say it no mo.”

Aimee placed her hand over her mouth. “Sorry.”

Moni looked at everyone. “I was just—”

Mama Z’s voice was crisp. “Monique Desiree Baptiste Tate, silence. Caitlyn may not think ya being nosy, but I certainly do, young lady. Ya needs to concentrate on handling yo’ business with Zach.” She tossed a loving wink at Caitlyn. “I’m sure Caitlyn and Marcel can handle theirs.”

“Amen to that.” Brie sighed.

“Thank you, Jesus,” Vic added.

* * *

On Tuesday evening after dinner, the family gathered in the backyard. Marcel, A.J., Ray and Alex huddled together near the patio table nursing their Coronas as they watched Caitlyn and Vic introduce A.J.’s twin daughters, Taylor and Tyler, to some belly-dancing moves.

“Oh,
mon frère
, now she’s a beauty.” Ray nudged Marcel in the side, tilting his head in Caitlyn’s direction.

Marcel looked over at Ray and chuckled. He was an all-out ladies’ man, and if it wore a skirt and had a split, it was on. He was the only one who’d inherited their mother’s love for music. At thirty-six, he’d already earned two Grammys.

Marcel watched the undulating movements of Caitlyn’s hips with sheer delight. “Yeah, she’s a beauty that’s all mine.”

Ray whistled. “Tiny, but damn, got all the curves a man likes.”

“Ray,” Marcel admonished.

“No disrespect.” Ray patted Marcel on the back and chuckled. “Ain’t never known you to be possessive, not over a woman anyway.” He palmed the beer between his hands. “You know I love me an ebony-skinned sista.” He took another swallow. “Besides, you know what they say, the blacker the berry, the sweeter—”

“Watch it, Ray,” Marcel barked.

With a wide-eyed stare, Ray’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, don’t tell me you done jumped up and fell in love with Little Bit.”

Marcel sighed loudly. “Her name’s Caitlyn, Ray, not Little Bit.” He stared at Ray. “How long are you home?”

“Till the end of the year.” Ray shrugged. “Why?”

“Damn. I don’t know if I want you around Caitlyn that long.”

Ray put his bottle on the table, bent over with his hands wrapped around his stomach, and burst into laughter. When he straightened, he shook his head. “
Mon frère
, you really are in love with Little Bit, huh?” All humor left his voice, and he nudged A.J., who was standing next to him. “Homeboy’s in love. Well, I’ll be damned.”

Marcel knew despite his protest, Ray would always refer to Caitlyn as Little Bit. Marcel couldn’t remember the last time Ray had called him by his given name. They were both alike. Once they settled their minds onto something, nothing between heaven and hell could change it. “Is that such a crime?”

Ray polished off the remainder of his beer. “Nope. Just glad it’s you and not me.”

Marcel pinched the bridge of his nose. “Ray, I pray to God I live to see the day when the right woman comes along and finally snags your rusty ass.”

Ray tossed his empty bottle in a nearby trash bin. “Guess you planning on living into eternity because it ain’t going to happen.” Ray turned around to A.J. “And what you over there snickering about? Don’t let me start on the way you been looking at Vic all day.”

A.J. shrugged. “I don’t have the faintest idea what you’re talking about.”

Alex chuckled as he lifted his bottle of Corona to his lips. “What a convenient time to come down with temporary amnesia.”

“Oh, so I guess them stars floating around in your eyes and that drool running out your mouth every time you look at her is nothing, huh?” Ray’s black dreads hung over his shoulders and he cocked his head. “Look at that, full hips handling a shimmy like a pro.
Daaayuuum
.”

Marcel looked over at A.J. and laughed. “He’s got you on that one,
petit frère
. You have been staring awfully hard at Vic.”

“She’s not my type,” A.J. defended quickly.

“Naw, naw, brother.” Ray took two steps back. “Naw. Naw. She’s just your type. After talking to her at dinner today, she’s about the only sista I’ve ever met who can get you over that caveman mentality of yours.”

Ray exchanged a high-five with Marcel. “Come on,
mon frère
.” Ray beckoned Marcel toward the lawn. “Need to find out a little more about my future sister-in-law.”

“Ray, behave yourself. I’m warning you,” Marcel growled.

Ray continued walking with a grin. “You pop the question yet?”

“That’s none of your business, all right?”

“That’s a no, I take it, huh?

“Ray, handle your business, and leave mine alone, okay?”

Ray came to a dead halt. “Got it. I know ya, and that means soon.” He resumed his long strides toward his destination. “All right then. My lips—” he broke off mimicking zipping his mouth shut, “are sealed.”

* * *

On Saturday, the last day of family week, Marcel was filled with pride when Caitlyn told him after breakfast she had spent the entire week learning how to make jambalaya and wanted everyone to try out her dish at dinner that evening. But his delight was short-lived and turned to sheer panic when he learned about forty-five minutes before they were to eat she had prepared the meal unsupervised. He had firsthand knowledge of her cooking skills, and after the one and only meal she had prepared for him by herself, he had gone to bed with an empty bottle of Rolaids on the nightstand. Since then, he’d taken over the cooking duties for them. While he loved her dearly, he knew despite her best efforts, she couldn’t cook.

Once everyone had seated themselves at the huge dining room table, and after Alcee blessed the meal, the only thing Marcel could do was stare at the platters and bowls Caitlyn had arranged in the center.

Caitlyn happily announced, “Well, everybody, dig in before the jambalaya gets cold.”

Marcel swallowed hard. “Uh, kitten, it looks…umm…sort of…different.”

Caitlyn nodded in agreement. “I know. It’s not exactly like the picture in the recipe book, but it’s good.”

“Oh, Caitlyn,” Moni exclaimed, “It looks great, the same way mine does when I make it.”

Brie lifted her brow and stared at the food. “Yeah, Moni, you’re right. It does.”

Marcel swallowed real hard this time. He knew Moni’s cooking was worst than Caitlyn’s. “Uh, kitten, you followed the recipe, right?”