Chapter Nine

The haven stood as imposing as its always been. It was one of the oldest structures ever built close to the Sparkling ocean. Sally’s great grandfather lived up to his name as the Wise Trader for getting a good deal which gave him a stake in this most valuable villa decades ago. If he was alive he would be pleased to see how useful it still is to his own family. It was some of these privileges that got her feeling grateful for choosing her father over her mother immediately she turned a legal age. Having to live with a cranky old woman with nothing to her name was devastating and she couldn’t get by with that, not when she had that huge ambitious heart. It became as though her father’s wealth covered for the many years he wasn’t there due to their separation.

The uniformed security guards opened the gates for her and she drove on straight to the parking lot which faced the Muse hall. It was a long hallway with musical artworks on either side of the walls, all painted in renaissance art style. Magnificent chandeliers were hung at intervals at the top and below it at the front was a dinner table set for twelve. Sally must have really had high hopes of getting each seat filled. The maids moved up and down swiftly, every one of them doing the best they can to not get on Sally’s other side. It was on the other side for a reason : so that people would hardly see it.

Church service dragged on that day and it was tiring yet delightful to be receiving citations upon citations from the various departments of the church- the music ministry, protocol team, youth ministry, children’s department, and that was what took a chunk of the time. Almost every child wanted to take a picture with this remarkable old lady. The cards, the well wishes, did a lot for her to smile. Planning this family dinner had gotten enough warmth out of her system making her feel all icy but after that wonderful time at church she could finally see the warmth returning to her. The only thing is, she was exhausted.

Things looked good upon her arrival, however, she still felt that twitch inside of her. Was this whole family dinner a good idea? Seeing that they’ve never really gotten along. But she was entitled to hoping that this one time would work out. Besides, if she didn’t plan for this ahead of time those impudent kids of hers would give one lousy excuse as to why they forgot to send their well wishes. She ordered one of the staff workers to bring in her baggage for the sleepover and spread herself over the large queen-sized bed. It definitely felt good to be old and rich at a time like this.

“I could take a short nap before the others get in”, she thought. And before she closed her eyes her sister called in to tell her she was in too.

“You’re welcome Bertha”, she said through her teeth.

“Kindly make yourself at home. Dinner at 7” she placed the telephone hand back in its place. The nervy feeling nipped on her guts. She was secretly hoping for her not to show up. After all, she had her to thank for how her family had turned out. 

A few hours later, Yvette and her family were in too. She was a sophisticated young woman in her mid thirties who had two beautifully groomed daughters. Their father did not look like one who had much to say given how their mother ordered them around on the do’s and don’ts.

“Avery, remember to walk like a lady and don’t slouch!” She intoned, as they took brisk steps down the hallway to their allocated room. 

“I need to make a call,” Jerry told her and took a detour to one of the patios on their side of the building.

“Mommy-“

“Sorry, Ms Yvette does this huge mansion belong to grandma?” Avery corrected herself. Yvette trained them to address her with respect, hence, that name. 

“First of, it’s called The Haven and your great great grandfather was given a part of it. It was shared to the aristocratic families back in the days.” Yvette unpacked their suitcases and took their clothes into the closet.

“Are we part of Aristotle’s family?”

“You’re so dumb…” Melani said, rolling her eyes at her sister’s cluelessness.

“Aristocratic family. Not Aristotle, duh? And it simply means the rich people in society”.

“Oh… I didn’t know. You didn’t have to call me dumb. There are a whole bunch of things I know, you don’t” Avery tried to not cry. 

“You’re such a crybaby” 

Yvette was back again from the closet. Unbothered about the two. As a mother, she hardly got emotionally involved with her children. Bringing them up at home was no different from school. She set standards, played her role meticulously well as both wife and mother by doing everything she knew to do except to connect with her girls on that deeper level. It was true she hardly talked about her mother to her children and that was because she didn’t like her. But she didn’t realize she was living out her childhood nightmare.

“I need both of you to be of your best behavior tonight. Especially you, Avery. No snooping around, clinking of glasses or whatsoever. You’ll be sorry if you do otherwise,” Yvette warned.

“Yes ma…am. I mean Ms Yvette”

“Right. Since today is Mother’s Day you can just call me whatever”, she brushed it off.

Not long, Richmond announced his presence with that ridiculous speeding he brought in with his Buick roundabout the fountain garden which was close to the entrance. 

“It’s going to be a night of some kind,” she said, quite displeased as she looked through her window.

“Who’s that?”

“Who else? It must be Uncle Rich” Melani said with a snap.

“How do you know?”

“Well, Mother said he always liked to put on a show.”

Richmond got off his car and was dressed in a sleek black suit with a beige turtleneck inner which brought his muscles out in glory. One word to describe him would be charming and he walked like he knew it. He took off his coat and tossed it to one of the servants to take to his room. He had no business unpacking anything. His only interest was at the lounge which was stocked with age old wines. 

“Pour me a glass of that”, he pointed one of the vintages in the cellar.  

“I heard the car speed from my suite and I just knew it would be you”, Sally welcomed him with a peck on his cheek.

“How are you, ma?”  Not sure if calling her that was allowed.

“I’m fine, my son. How have you been?” She took a lock of his hair and put it behind his ear. 

“Well. I’ve been erm… well”, still not sure what the sudden change was about. 

“Glad to hear that. Everyone should be in soon but why don’t we start heading to the Muse hall. We can have a little chitchat before the final guests arrive.”

“Yes ma’am”

“ Have you met your cousins already?”

“Jamie is in?”

“He is. Shelby as well. They’re already at table. Yvette and her family will be joining in a few minutes. I suppose they’re a little jet lagged from the trip.”

They continued to the hall and everyone was seated, except Bertha. Even Yvette and her family were there. Avery looked like she was denied the chance to take a tour considering how she looked around the hall longingly and intrigued. 

“Will you stop coiling your neck like that? You’re making me sick”, Melani tapped her thigh beneath the highly adorned table. 

“I must admit, you have really outdone yourself, Sally”, Yvette complimented.

“Thank you dear. Today is Mother’s Day, why don’t you address me as mother?”, she replied with the usual smile she gave everyone. 

“Oh my bad. I guess old habits die hard. Sorry, Mother,” she chuckled.  And even that word sounded like a name title.

“Grandma sounds just like mom.”

“Keep quiet,” Melani whispered.

The table was draped in silver with a pink satin table runner which laid across it. Vases of peonies were arranged in a line and the crockery were wrapped in white ready to be uncovered and used.

“Sally, this is so wonderful! I love the choice of venue, decor, everything!” Bertha clapped as she burst out of nowhere. That would be the first time she’d ever approved of anything she did. As long as she could remember, everything had to be done her way even when she visited their home as a guest. 

“You’re welcome, Bertha”, she said, not sounding the least welcoming.

“Thank you, my baby sister”, she replied, bubbly as ever as she took her seat in between her children. 

“Jamie grew up to be such a fine young man,” Yvette said.

“Thank you, honey. That was the plan” she gently patted her eldest son’s shoulder as if she was brushing off dirt. He was about the same age as Richmond and they had been playmates since young. The only thing is, they didn’t always play the right games and it did put them in too many troubles. Troubles they still had to deal with or run from. 

“Is Kayden not coming?” Bertha asked.

“Cookie, you mean, aunt Bertha” Yvette corrected.

“Please. I wonder why on earth she’d choose to be named as a biscuit than as a person”, she spread the napkin on her thighs.

“She’s on her way,” Sally smiled.

“How about-“

“Can we share the grace, if you don’t mind, Bertha?” Sally cut her. 

“Of course. Anything for grace!” She tried to cover her embarrassment. 

They closed their eyes and shared the grace. As they all said an Amen, they heard footsteps. Cookie emerged from the hallway’s entrance and modeled toward the table. She was clearly spent from the journey but she already had a plan to make a statement at this dinner and she wasn’t going to give that up that easily. She leaned to the last energy left and walked majestically to her seat.

She was soon followed by the one person they least expected to see. She was the only one who looked like she had nothing to prove, especially since she was dressed in a casual plain dress. But for some reason, she showing up was enough a statement and enough to make some people at the table feel the chills around them.

“Happy Mother’s Day, Sally” Keisha greeted with a smile devoid of any real emotion whether it was joy or resentment.

Sally’s heart raced and she could feel her guts turning. She invited her but wasn’t expecting her to show up. When did she start being obedient? She thought.

Keisha sat at the tail end facing Jamie and didn’t allow him as much as an eye contact with her.

“Is your mother the only one you cared to wish? What about us?” Bertha pointed Yvette and herself. Keisha looked at her and to her sister with a smirk.

“I’m sorry. I suppose I didn’t see you then”, she stacked some nuts into her mouth. 

“Whatever, at least the prodigal child is home,” Bertha added. Keisha froze in anger as she hid her balled fist under the table.

“Prodigal? Well unlike him, I had no parents waiting for me so I’m afraid your comparison is a bit misplaced.”

Cookie couldn’t believe what she was hearing and so was everyone. This dinner was going to be really something. Bertha was a pain alright but everyone knew it would be silly to get in her bad books. 

“The young have grown too fast”, Cookie thought. 

“I see you picked up a sharp tongue from the streets.”

“I’m sorry if that cut you”, she replied with a cloying expression as she munched on some chicken nuggets like no one’s business.

“And where is that bastard you had? I thought you’d bring it along” Keisha froze and Cookie could feel the steam from her. This wasn’t going to be good. If the night is going to be saved someone has to intervene and fast.

“Bertha… I think that’s enough”, Sally puffed out some air. She was already feeling the heat from her side of the table.

“I was only-“

“Bertha…!” Sally tried to control her temper.

“I heard you had a wonderful time at church today, Mother?” Yvette cut in, hoping that would ease the tension.

“As a matter of fact I did. It exceeded my expectations as usual. Rev. Carey did extend her greetings to you. He mentioned that he’d heard of what you were doing at the Salvation Baptist church downtown. Congratulations, dear”. Sally replied.

“Oh yeah. I mean you did your best bringing us up in the fear of the Lord.” Yvette said sounding like she was reading from a script. 

“Indeed. It wasn’t easy but you must be proud of who you’ve become.”

“I’m guessing you won Mother of the year again today”, Cookie joined in the conversation, taking short sips of her wine.

“I did.” Sally smiled at the thought.

“Always making me so proud of you, baby sis”, Bertha interrupted.

“Had it not been for someone on this table three years ago you would have held that award 25 years straight and running. But then again if you had just been where you should be 24 years ago…” she continued. Keisha placed her cutlery on the table and looked at her aunt with bloodshot eyes. She on the other hand was just enjoying the moment. Sally was tensed as she shot a glaring eye at her sister.

“Anyway, what went wrong with you?” She finally looked back at Keisha.

“Oh right, now that I think about it, genetic influence may have caused it,” Bertha continued.

“Aunt Bertha… I’m going to afford you my very last respect now. With all due respect please …. Please, leave me alone. I’ve had enough of your pokes and cajolery. And unlike my dear sister Yvette who happens to be in the good graces of her mother, I am just an outsider on this table thanks to you. I only came here because I am shameless enough to be motivated by a good meal. And if I were you, I would be shameless too for living off your younger sister’s generosity.” she spat back.

“Keisha!” Bertha bawled as she dropped a first on the table. Her eyes red with rage.

“Sally, you heard that, right? Are you going to sit there and watch your daughter run her mouth at me in front of everyone?”

“Keisha, apologize to your aunt now”

“I meant it when I said that was my last respect, Bertha. Expect no apology from me. You owe me enough as is, perhaps you can debit from that.”

At this point Bertha steam was rising from her nostrils as she glared at her niece.

“Sally, I lost my appetite. You can enjoy the rest of the evening without me. Jamie, Shelby, let’s leave now,” she ordered.

“I’ve not had my fill yet, mom” Shelby refused. 

“Then you can stay for all I care” Bertha stood up.

“Are you also staying?”

“I’m behind you,” Jamie intoned, flushed with shame as it was clear that he was really a mother’s puppet. Keisha chuckled softly at the thought of that.

“So typical”, she smirked. 

He wished he could say something but he figured it wasn’t a good time and she purposefully looked away from him the whole time. That was clear indication that she wanted no interaction or whatever with him. He shifted his seat backwards and got up. He and Richmond nodded at each other and he left. 

The table was dead silent except for the chattering noise from the cutleries Shelby, Cookie, and the two young girls were using for their meals. Keisha felt a heavy weight off her chest. It did feel so good to speak her mind for the first time. Perhaps this was an added advantage of going wayward- no one puts any unrealistic expectations on you. However she felt a little guilty for turning what should have been a good dinner into what it is now.

Sally was peeved but if she’d be honest with herself she would admit that it was a relief to have Bertha off the table. However, if she made that obvious it would reflect badly on her so she had to play along.

“Keisha, what was that all about?” 

And it was so typical of her to shift the blame to the younger ones.

“I apologise for disrupting your dinner, ma’am” she replied and got back to her chicken. She knew it’d be pointless to defend herself. 

Melani and Avery thought they’d just found their role model. They were intrigued by Keisha’s demeanor and audacity. Even Avery felt she made the right choice to listen to her mother and stay at table. She would have missed such a great show. 

“She’s pretty too” Avery said in a hushed tone.

“I know right”. Melani agreed. For the first time the two agree on one thing.

Sally kept her gaze on the girl at the last seat. Where had she gone wrong with her? Did she know that answer already or she was just not ready to face it? A dozen questions running all over her head.

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