A Second Helping (14 page)

Preston brightened. “That works.”

Barrett did have a connection to the precision flying team and planned to make a few calls, but he kept that to himself for now. If things worked out, the boys would be surprised, and if not, they wouldn't be disappointed. “Is there anything else I can help with?”

“Not sure right now, but would you really help out?”

“Didn't I just say that?”

“Oh, yeah, you did. Sorry.”

Barrett sighed. “Preston, one of the things I want you to know about me is that if say something, believe that I'm saying it honestly, because what comes out of a man's mouth should be truth. Maybe it's because I'm military or was raised in the military.” The moment he said that, memories of his affair arose and called him hypocrite. The insight was sobering.

“What was that like?”

“What was what like?”

“Being raised in the military.”

Barrett had just boasted of his honesty, and now, in order to back that up and not be hypocritical again, he had to speak of things he'd rather not. “Being truthful about this kind of stuff may be the hardest thing I have to learn about being a good parent.”

“Appreciate that. If you don't want to talk about it, it's okay.”

Barrett smiled wistfully. “Thanks, but I'm fine. Growing up in the military was hard. Every time we had to move to a different base that meant starting over in a new school, making new friends, adjusting to new neighbors, officers, teachers.”

“Sounds like foster care.”

Barrett went still and studied Preston's solemn eyes. “Never thought about it in quite that way before.”

“Plus, you had a dad who beat on you and your mom. Sounds a lot like foster care.”

“So you do understand.”

“Totally.”

Barrett viewed the young man across the table and realized Sheila had been right. Coming to Henry Adams was about changing lives, but not just Preston's. Barrett's personal paradigms were shifting too.

They talked for a long while about Barrett's many deployments and Preston's many foster homes.

Preston asked, “You know about the fire I set, right?”

“Yes. A copy of the police report was in the paperwork we received on you from Ms. Brown, but it didn't say why you did it.”

“Because the foster mother wouldn't buy me an inhaler.”

“You're kidding?”

“Wish I was. She didn't care. All she wanted was that monthly check and getting me an inhaler was a hassle, she said.”

Barrett was appalled.

Preston smiled ruefully as he stared unseeingly at the wall. “I had a real bad asthma attack one afternoon, but had to wait for her to come back from getting her nails done before she would take me to emergency. Then she spent the whole ride there and back time telling me I didn't need an inhaler and dogging me about my weight.”

“Did you tell your worker about her?”

“Yeah, but no clue what happened. She's probably still
fostering, though. Not enough good families open their doors to kids like me, or Crystal and Amari, so the state has to put up with the crappy ones that do it strictly for the cash.”

“That's unbelievable.”

There was silence for a long moment as Preston thought back on that portion of his life. He turned back and whispered through the emotion filling his throat and heart. “I was going to die there, Colonel. I had to set the fire to make the state move me to another home.”

“I'm not judging you, son. Not at all. You did what you felt you had to do.”

Preston wiped at his wet eyes. “Damn, I'm crying. Hate that.”

“It's okay,” Barrett said fondly.

The two of them looked into each other's eyes for a moment, and Barrett said, “Thanks for talking to me, Preston. This was a good idea.”

“I think so too.”

“I know a little more about you.”

“Same here.”

Barrett reached across the table and held his fist out. Preston did the same and placed his fist against his dad's.

“
Semper fi
,” Barrett pledged softly.

“
Semper fi
,” Preston echoed.

 

At the Power Plant, Bernadine, Lily, and Trent read over the parade proposal while Amari sat in a chair and looked on.

Trent asked him, “Are you planning on selling food?”

“Yeah. I'm going to talk to the O.G. and Ms. Rocky, and Tamar and her girls too.”

“What about bathrooms?”

Amari stared, confused.

Bernadine said, “Honey, folks are going to need to use the facilities. Are you going to open up your bathroom at home?”

“No,” he declared as if he found the idea crazy.

Lily grinned. “Stop by my office, Amari, and we'll talk to the construction crews and find out where they get their Porta Pottis. Should be easy enough.”

Bernadine asked, “How many people do you think will be coming?”

Amari shrugged. “Maybe just the folks around here.”

“So, say a hundred?”

“I guess.”

Amari realized she was thinking of stuff he hadn't, and now understood the need for oversight. “Anything else you think I need to put in the mix?”

The adults looked to each other but no one had anything else to add, at least for the moment.

Trent said, “Something else is bound to come up, so we'll let you know.”

Bernadine said, “Again, this is a great idea, Amari. You and Preston might want to print up some flyers explaining the history behind August First, so that folks will understand why it was celebrated.”

Amari liked the sound of that. “Okay, so the parade is good to go?”

Trent nodded. “Good to go, but keep us in the loop, okay?”

“We will.”

Trent asked, “So where are you off to now?”

“The Dog to talk to O.G., then make a quick run out to see Ms. Genevieve, and then home.”

“Why are you going to see Genevieve?”

“Think I figured out a way to thank her for all her help with my reading.”

“That's nice, just remember to check in when you get home.”

Amari nodded.

“And be careful,” Trent added.

“I will.”

Once Amari was gone, Trent asked, “How much do you want to bet that we're not going to be kept in the loop?”

“Depends on how much you want to lose,” Lily replied.

Bernadine cracked, “All I ask is that we don't wind up back in court.”

 

Riley Curry didn't want to wind up back in court either, which was why he, Cletus, and Chocolate were on the move. It had taken them a lot longer than he'd anticipated to drive across the state from near Abilene where they began to the Texas-Louisiana border, mainly because he'd traveled the back roads in an effort to avoid the big interstates where Texas Rangers might be on the lookout. What with having to stop at fast food places three, four, sometimes five times a day to feed the hogs, he felt like he'd been driving for weeks, and lord knew, he was tired of driving.

“I'm too old for this,” he muttered.

He was also too old to go to jail, he reminded himself, so he quit his grumbling and turned his mind back to the drive.

He'd decided on Florida. Although he'd never been there, he knew they had good weather. His mind drifted to Eustasia, but not wanting to think about the pain she was probably in, he settled his thoughts instead on Genevieve. He still held her responsible for this whole mess. If she hadn't left him, none of this would have happened. He knew it wasn't right to be so uncharitable, but he hoped she was worried sick about him.

 

Genevieve wasn't worried at all. In fact, she swept into Bernadine's office shortly after Amari's departure, took a seat, and announced, “I need a lawyer, Bernadine.”

“What kind?”

“One who handles divorces. I'm divorcing Riley, and his hog.”

Bernadine hid her smile. “Let me make a few calls.”

A short while later, Bernadine had a name and a number.

Genevieve took the information, thanked Bernadine, and swept out with such force, Bernadine was surprised the papers on her desk weren't blowing around. Genevieve had gone from doormat to damn mad since seeing Riley and the hog wedding on TV, and all Bernadine could do was applaud.

On the heels of her departure, Trent stuck his head in Bernadine's door. “What's up with Genevieve? She stormed by me just now like she was on her way to give somebody hell.”

“She is. Riley. She wanted a name of a divorce lawyer.”

“To be expected I guess.”

“Yep. So, what can I do for you?”

“Need to talk to you.” When he quietly closed the door behind him, Bernadine's eyebrow rose. “Must be something serious if you're closing the door.”

“I don't want Lily to hear. Do you have anything planned that you may need her for, say, the last weekend of the month?”

Bernadine checked the calendar on her phone. “Doesn't look like it. Why?”

“I want to take her away for a long weekend.”

“Well, now. Stepping up your game, are you?”

He chuckled. “You sound like Amari.”

“Where are you going?”

“Thinking maybe we'd drive down to Topeka. Have some dinner, maybe catch a movie.”

“Topeka,” she echoed doubtfully.

“Sure. You got something against our state's capital?”

“Of course not, but this is going to be your first overnight, right? Not that I'm keeping track of your business.”

“Well, yeah,”

“And you want to take girlfriend to Topeka.”

“You have a better idea?”

“Yep. How's San Francisco sound?”

“Real good, but we can't drive there and back in a weekend.”

“No, but you can fly.”

“Last-minute tickets will cost me an arm and a leg.”

“You don't need tickets. I have a jet, remember?”

He stared.

“And I have a place on the Bay where you can stay, and a driver I keep on retainer who knows the city and
will take you anywhere you want to go. I'll even spring for dinner.”

The look of sheer wonder on his face made her smile.

“But—”

“But what? You'd prefer Topeka?”

“I can't fly around in your jet.”

“Why not? Obviously you don't know how much you and Lily mean to me. In the last year, you've worked your butts off for this town. Sending you to San Francisco is only a small token of my appreciation. And besides, you all being in love is too cute.”

He dropped his head and grinned.

“So? Deal?”

“Why do I try and argue with you? Yeah. Deal.”

“Excellent. You and Lily figure out when you want to go and I'll take it from there.”

“I don't know what to say, except thanks.”

“No thanks needed. It's my way of thanking you. Just make sure I'm invited to the wedding.”

“Now you're really sounding like Amari.”

“Great minds think alike.”

“You're one of a kind, Bernadine.”

“I am that. Now, go get your plans together and let me know.”

He gave her a nod and departed.

Bernadine sat back and smiled. Trent and Lily had been given a second chance at love and she was honored to be able to play a part in making sure they got it right this time. She'd told Amari that he and the kids had been given a second helping of life too, and it appeared second
chances were going around. Sheila Payne was eyeing a second chance, as was Genevieve in deciding to serve Riley with divorce papers. Roni Garland had taken her second chance by reclaiming her place in the music world. Even the Dog and Cow had taken on a second life. She knew that something had to be in the air for Leo to show up out of the blue begging for another chance, but more importantly, what in the world had he been up to talking to Marie last night? She hoped it had been nothing more than pleasant conversation, even though Marie made it plain she hadn't needed Bernadine's help. Thoughts of Marie and Leo aside, she moved on to the town's newest residents: Jack and Eli James; talk about a second chance. Her first impressions were that they really needed a dose. And they'd come to the perfect place; hadn't Henry Adams offered her a second helping as well?

Her thoughts drifted to Malachi. Lord knew the man moved her, but a part of her deemed it much easier to just keep saying no to his pursuit of her affections. Why do something hard like opening herself up to him, when it was far easier to maintain the status quo? She had a full life. She had Crystal, her friends, her Bottom Women sisters, and Henry Adams. Why risk messing up the balance by bringing a man into the mix? Her picnic with him was tomorrow evening and she was half tempted to cancel, but if Sheila Payne, Genevieve Curry, and Roni Garland could make the decision to dive off the high board back into the pool of life, why couldn't she? Surely she had more fortitude than Sheila and Genevieve combined, at least on the surface, but inside? The jury seemed to be still out. She sighed.
Since meeting Malachi, she'd all but convinced herself that because she was Superwoman she didn't need a new man in her life, but in reality, even Superman needed Lois Lane. That being said, she decided not to find an excuse to cancel the date with him. Instead, she'd let God drive and see what happened.

S
itting in his office at the D&C, Malachi was thinking about their date too, but not because he was afraid of the unknown. His worry lay in the differences in their circumstances. Although Bernadine had never been one to flaunt her money in a way that shamed folks, what business had he even thinking he could make her happy? He was a small-town boy and had just enough money to get by. He'd lived in Henry Adams his entire life and had only been gone for an extended period of time on two occasions; the first being when Uncle Sam drafted him for Nam, and the second when he'd been forced to work in the Oklahoma oil fields after the county confiscated his vet's license for being so drunk he'd given Cletus a tranquilizer instead of the antibiotic the hog needed, knocking Riley's pet out for nearly a week.

Bernadine, on the other hand, had traveled all over the world and seen places he'd probably never have the opportunity to. Yet he was stubborn enough to think he could
make her happy but then again, maybe he was suffering from delusions of grandeur. He'd seen her ex. Leo Brown probably wore gold drawers. A man like that could buy her anything in the world. All Mal could offer her was a smile, someone to talk to when times got hard, and a shoulder when she needed it. Like everyone else in town, he knew that hers was the hand that turned the world, and he'd witnessed how tired it made her sometimes. He also knew from personal experience that the way things looked on the outside didn't always mirror what was going on inside and that's what concerned him about her. Granted, she had Crystal, but he didn't see Crys opting to live out the remainder of her life in Henry Adams just so Bernadine wouldn't be alone in her old age. Bernadine also had Lily, but if Trent had anything to do with it, Lily would be his wife probably before the year was out.

One of the most important things Mal learned while in recovery from being a 24/7 drunk was that you shouldn't measure life by what you do or what you have materially. All that truly mattered were the relationships you have with the people in your life. Bernadine Brown was a pretty high-powered force of nature, and he wasn't sure if he could explain why he wanted to be in her life in a way that wouldn't make her go off on him, but he cared enough about her to risk trying. For sure, she didn't think she needed anyone, but he was convinced that she did.

“You okay, O.G.?”

Mal swung his chair around to the door to see Amari standing there. “Yeah. Why?”

“You were staring off into space looking pensive.”

Amusement sparkled in Mal's eyes. “What do you know about the word
pensive
?”

“Learned it from Brain. He said it means you got something on your mind.”

“I do, but nothing to be worried about. What brings you by?”

“Been thinking about Ms. Genevieve.”

“Again? Don't you have enough on your mind right now with this parade and your quest without adding Genny to the mix?”

“Yeah, but I still want to do something nice for her, somebody should, and I owe her for helping me learn to read. Thinking about asking her to the movies on Saturday night.”

“The movies? Like a date?”

He shrugged. “Not really, but I guess.”

“You planning on proposing too?”

Amari looked at him like he'd been smoking crack. “No. I just want her to know I appreciate her.”

Mal couldn't wait to see Clay's face when he told him Amari was moving in on his woman.

“So, do you think it's a good idea?”

“Young gun, I think it's a great idea. Shows you got heart.”

“Thanks.

“You're not planning on driving over and picking her up, are you?”

“No, sir.”

“Good answer. Genevieve doesn't drive, so you'll have to figure that out too.”

“Maybe I can get Ms. Marie to drive her into town, or have Dad pick her up.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Thanks, O.G. Knew I could count on you to help me think it out.”

“That's all you needed?”

“Yep.”

“Okay. See you later.”

After he made his exit, Mal shook his head and made a mental note to sit beside Clay at the movies on Saturday night. He didn't want to miss a minute of this.

 

Because Preston was at home with the colonel, it didn't take all day for Amari to pedal out to the Jefferson's place where Ms. Genevieve was staying. When he got to the house and saw Tamar sitting on the porch with Ms. Agnes, he almost turned the bike around and hightailed it out of there, but figured he'd only have to explain to Tamar later why he ran, so he parked his bike by the porch and took in a deep breath. “Hey, Ms. Agnes. Hey, Tamar. Is Ms. Genevieve here?”

“Yes, she is,” Agnes said. “I'll get her.” She walked to the screen door and disappeared inside.

“How are you, Tamar?”

“Fine. You?”

“Had a dream last night about a hawk, and a woman Dad and O.G. said was the Old Tamar.”

She stilled. “Really. Tell me about it.”

Once he finished the tale, he added, “O.G. said she's never talked to you as far as he knew, and you might be mad. Hope you're not.”

“I'm not, but it does make me curious. Do you know anything about your parents?”

“Nope. Why?”

“Just wondering. How about we talk about this next weekend when we do your quest.”

“Sure. I was wondering when it would be.”

Ms. Agnes returned. Behind her were Marie and Genevieve, who peered curiously at Amari for a moment before asking, “You wanted to see me about something, Amari?”

“Yes, ma'am, but, um, can we talk privately?”

“Why sure. Come on inside.”

The eyes of the other women made Amari very self-conscious as he climbed the steps to the porch, so he avoided looking at them directly when he followed her into the house.

“Now, what is it?” she asked kindly.

“I've been trying to think of a way to say thank you for helping me with my reading, so I'd like to take you to the movies on Saturday.”

Her smile was a mixture of surprise and delight. “The movies?”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Oh my goodness. What are we going to see?”

“Well, the kids' part is
Transformer
. It's about a race of robots who look like cars and planes and—”

“I've heard of it but not seen it. And what's the second feature?”

“I'm not sure.”

“Doesn't matter,” she replied while holding her hand to her heart as if overwhelmed.

“So, are you saying, yes?” he asked, unsure.

“Yes, Amari, I am. You are so sweet to do this. Are we going Dutch?”

“Dutch?”

“That means I pay for my ticket and popcorn, and you pay for yours.”

“No. I'm paying. I have some money saved up from my allowance.”

“Are you sure? I can pay my own way if necessary.”

“I'm sure.”

“Thank you, Amari.” Her voice went soft and trembled a bit. “This is the nicest thing anyone has done for me in a very long time.”

The tears in her eyes were making Amari's chest tighten up and want to cry too, so he decided it was time to go. “I know you don't drive, so can Ms. Marie bring you to the center?”

“I'll ask her, but don't worry, I'll get there even if I have to walk or ride a bike.”

Her smile made Amari feel better. “Okay, well, I need to get back. I'll see you Saturday, Ms. Genevieve.”

“I'll see you Saturday. You be careful riding home.”

“I will.”

They both walked back out to the porch. Amari said his good-byes, retrieved his bike, and pedaled off.

Marie asked, “What was that all about?”

“I have a date.”

Tamar asked, “A date?”

“With whom?” Agnes wanted to know.

“With that gallant young man on the bicycle.”

They all stared speechless.

“Think I'll go up to my room and pick out something special to wear.”

Marie chuckled, “Lord. That boy. What are we going to do with him?”

“Make him family, is all I know to do.”

“Remember you said that,” Marie warned, smiling.

“I will.”

 

A short while later, Tamar left the Jefferson place to head home, and as she walked, Amari was on her mind. Admittedly, she was a bit jealous that the Old Tamar had seen fit to visit him when she'd never done the same for her own namesake. Tamar knew the boy was special, but not so much so that he'd be blessed by the clan matriarch. The Julys rarely spoke to folks outside the family about the mystical Tamar, mainly because people thought the Julys were either crazy or kidding, or both. But they weren't. Stories of her power and wisdom had been passed down through time just like the July name. Those who didn't believe would never be convinced, so the Julys didn't bother. The family
knew
and therefore had no need to explain it to others. And now Amari
knew
too. That was mind-boggling to Tamar. The Old Tamar had never been known to walk in the dreams of anyone outside the family, and it made her wonder if that meant that lovable little car thief was already family. Lord. She had a lot of questions but no answers. She'd have to talk to Trent. Maybe he could find a way to trace Amari's birth family to determine if there was a link.

Since Bernadine Brown came to Henry Adams all kinds of odd circumstances had been occurring. Who knew that
Colonel Payne was not only Black Seminole like the Julys but was a descendant of Deputy Sheriff Dixon Wildhorse, an old friend of Neil July? Who knew that mute Zoey would turn out to be a musical prodigy, and strangest of all, that Malachi would stop chasing after women young enough to call him grandpa. Bernadine Brown had been responsible for many a blessing since buying up the town, and they were still rippling across lives like a stone skipping on water, and now even the Old Tamar had shown up. Tamar couldn't wait to see what happened next.

 

Eli had no interest in seeing the new school, so he left his dad there for the meet-up with Ms. Jefferson while he walked down to road to the diner. Being from southern California he rarely walked anywhere and was surprised at how odd it felt at first. A horn blew suddenly, startling him. Looking over he saw a green pickup slow down, just enough for the driver, a man, to wave and call out, “Hey Eli.”

Eli started to ignore him but when Tamar's disapproving face floated across his mind's eye, he raised his hand and called back, “Hey!”

The truck moved on and Eli shook his head.
Hicksville.

There were no sidewalks connecting the school to the area near the diner so he was walking on the edge of a dusty road. He passed piles of rubble that may or may not have been buildings and houses at one time interspersed with stretches of wide open plains. A few more pickups passed him, each honking a greeting. In California you didn't honk at strangers, but he guessed the folks around here didn't consider one another that, or him either apparently.

He walked past a boarded-up movie theater. It was in almost as bad shape as the piles of bricks and stone, yet it was still standing. His artist's eyes took in the detailing on the roof and in the old brick and stone façade and guessed it had probably been quite grand once. He saw the words
Henry Adams Hotel
chiseled in ornate letters in the stone above the tired-looking movie marquee and realized the building had been repurposed, which made him wonder when the town had been large enough to need a hotel. It was easy to see by the emptiness around him that it hadn't been in the recent past, but he found the nineteenth-century architecture interesting.

The next person to call his name was the kid Amari. He was riding his bike in the direction Eli was walking. Pedaling beside Amari was the other kid, Preston.

“You going to the Dog?” Amari asked.

Eli nodded.

“We'll save you a seat.”

“Okay, thanks.” In reality Eli wanted to tell them to get lost but they were the closest people to his age that he'd met so far, and at that point he would've kept company with anyone who knew the difference between Beyonce and Lady Gaga and under the age of thirty.

When he finally got to the Dog, he walked in and saw Amari and Preston talking to a girl sitting in one of the booths. The boys waved him over.

As he approached he heard Amari say to the girl, “Sorry about your mom's passing.”

“Me too,” Preston added solemnly.

“Thanks,” she replied, then looked up at him. “And you are?”

“Eli James. My dad and I just moved here. He's the new teacher.” Eli had no idea how old she might be because the heavy makeup and the gold weave made a determination difficult.

“I'm Crystal. Sit if you want.”

Eli took a seat but Amari and Preston acted as if they weren't sure the invitation included them so they hesitated for a moment until she said, “You too.”

Because they'd arrived after the breakfast rush and before lunch the place was empty except for Rocky and Siz, whom he'd been introduced to last night, and the waitstaff eating lunch at the back of the diner. Mr. July came out of the kitchen carrying a tray holding a burger and fries and set the plate down in front of Crystal, along with a tall glass filled with Pepsi and ice.

“Thanks, Mr. July.”

“No problem. Hey, young guns. You all hungry?”

Eli and Amari nodded, but Preston had his attention glued on something or someone else. Mr. July waved a hand in front of the kid's face. “Preston. Do you want to eat?”

He jumped. “Oh, yes, sir.”

Eli saw Amari grin.

“What can I get you?”

They all ordered duplicates of what Crystal was having and July walked back to the kitchen.

Eli asked Preston, “Who are you staring at?”

Amari answered, “Rocky.”

Crystal said, “I met her earlier. She seems nice but she's way too old for you, Preston, so forget about it.”