Cold As Ice (13 page)

When we arrive at Nigel's house, there are about two dozen cars parked along the spacious block. It looks like the entire Westingle and South Bay crews have shown up for the festivities. The deejay's music can be heard from the gated entrance leading into Nigel's fancy hood. I know Nellie has games and other traditional baby-shower activities planned, but, ultimately, this is Mickey and Nigel's day, and I know the party's going to be off the chain.

“So are you going to tell me what's wrong before we get inside?” Jeremy asks, parking the car in the driveway behind Nigel's green Impala and Chance's Nova. Rah's ride is parked at the very front of the driveway. He's probably been here all day helping set up.

“It's complicated,” I say, walking around to the trunk and taking out a few of the bags. Jeremy gets the rest and closes the trunk. I can smell the chicken on the grill, causing my stomach to growl. It won't take but a minute to prepare the fish, and after all I've been through to get it, it had better be the best damn whiting ever.

“Jayd, why are you so mad at me when I just got your food back? Isn't that what you wanted?” Jeremy asks, following me through the side gate and toward the kitchen door. Nellie gave me explicit instructions to enter through this way so we can make our grand entrance outside together. She's really taking this party-planning thing too far, but she wouldn't be Nellie if she didn't.

“Yes, you did, and I appreciate it,” I say, stopping before opening the door. I look up at Jeremy and into his blue eyes, wondering if he will ever understand what I go through as a black girl in his city. “I'm not mad at you, Jeremy. I'm mad at this dumb-ass society.”

“Well, that's just stupid, Jayd, and a waste of time. It's a big society, or haven't you learned anything from studying for the microeconomics AP?” Jeremy smiles, trying to make light of the situation.

“Stupid to you because you get all the benefits of your birthright without a second thought. I should've been able to get the fish back by my damn self, Jeremy. But my black word wasn't good enough for your homegirl, the manager.” I shift the bags in my hands. They're becoming heavier with each passing minute we stand here, debating this issue. Noticing my discomfort, Jeremy reaches out to me with both hands and takes my bags, now carrying the full load. From the first day Jeremy and I started talking, he's always been a gentleman—carrying my books for me, opening doors, all that. Our only issue has to do with race, and it's a big one for me.

“I think you're overreacting, babe. It was just a misunderstanding,” he says, trying to hug me, but I back away from his embrace.

“And, as usual, you're underreacting. It's not always my fault, Jeremy.” He looks truly hurt by my words. I focus on the tiny silver flecks in his dark blue eyes, feeling the inside of his mind cool to my entrance. Jeremy's mind is unusually chilly to me, with no obvious reaction to my anger whatsoever. He truly does want me to be happy, and that, in his mind, starts with me not taking everything so personally. I agree with him, but he also needs to see the flip side, which I can thankfully show him better than I can tell him.

“I'm sorry, Jayd. I know sometimes people can treat you unfairly simply because you're African American,” Jeremy says, putting the rethought view into his own words. My mom's powers are so dope. I hope I can keep them indefinitely. If Mama finds out about it, she'll definitely strip me of them, and I see why. In the wrong hands, the ability to change someone's point of view can be a very dangerous thing.

“Thank you, baby. That's all I wanted to hear,” I say, reaching my neck up to meet Jeremy's lips. I slowly release my thoughts from his, kissing him without regard to where we are. There's another gate separating the backyard from where we're standing, and anyone could walk out the door or through either gate at any time.

“That was totally weird,” Jeremy says, moving away from my lips and kissing me on the nose. “I feel like I just had a brain freeze, even though I didn't have anything cold to drink.”

“Yeah, totally weird. Maybe it's all the ice you're carrying.” I kiss my man again, enjoying the peace before the looming chaos awaiting us inside. I didn't mean to jump into his head, so I don't feel like I have anything to confess. Hopefully, one day I'll be able to tell Jeremy about all my tricks, but not today. Interrupting our quiet time, Rah opens the kitchen door holding a large aluminum pan full of meat. Rah looks as uncomfortable as I feel. I wish I could jump into his mind right now, but no such luck.

“What's up, man,” Jeremy says, the first to break the ice. I haven't even told him about the argument Rah and I are currently engaged in, nor does it matter. Jeremy already knows we've got ongoing issues.

“What's up?” Rah says, passing us and heading toward the back, where the grill is. Nigel's mom and dad had the backyard redone and installed a permanent grill on the outdoor-patio portion of the large space. There's also a basketball court, Jacuzzi, and grass area for lying out. From the sound of it, the party's in full swing. Jeremy and I walk into the buzzing kitchen and spot Nigel's mom entering the large room on the other side like a banker checking on her investment. I would be, too, with all these unfamiliar people around here.

“Jayd, it's about time you got here,” Nellie says from her stance at the kitchen table, her loyal boyfriend sitting right beside her.

“What's up, Jeremy? Jayd, do you know you two are dressed alike?” Chance asks, being funny. He's well aware of Nellie's control issues. I glance around, looking for Mickey and Nigel, who aren't in here, but there are several people I do recognize from school; they say hi. They must be some of Nellie's freshmen ASB worker-bee recruits. I have to admit—everything looks well organized, just like Nellie planned. She must be ecstatic it all worked out so well.

“Hi, everyone,” I say, waving to Mrs. Esop, who smiles my way. Jeremy puts his bags on the floor next to the long island in the middle of the kitchen and walks over to greet Chance. Rah walks back into the kitchen, stepping up right behind me. The last thing I need is his shit right now.

“So, y'all are pretty tight now, huh?” Rah says, whispering over my head. “You give it up yet?” I look back at him, ready to slap the black off his chiseled onyx face. Rah has let his jealousy get the best of him, and it's very unattractive.

“Jayd, we're going outside to say what's up to the mom- and dad-to-be,” Jeremy says.

“Okay. I'll be out when I finish up in here,” I say, moving away from Rah and placing the bags on the island, ready to prepare my portion of the feast.

“Okay, but don't take too long. I need your help with the gifts before we make our entrance,” Nellie says, eyeing her checklist. She hasn't even commented on my outfit, she's so busy. Chance gets up from the table to escort Jeremy out. Nellie and her helpers follow them into the living room but take a right instead of heading outside with our boys. I wish Rah would join them, but he's too busy bothering me. Thank goodness Mrs. Esop is still in the room. I know he won't get too crazy with his second mom around.

“Jayd, it's always so lovely to see you, dear,” Mrs. Esop says, stepping between Rah and me before I can cuss him out. I return her affection and stick my tongue out at Rah, who's standing behind us. “And, Rah, where's that beautiful baby of yours?” She turns around and hugs Rah, too. I roll my eyes and continue unpacking my groceries, realizing that a few of my personal groceries will need to be kept cold if I expect to use them in the future.

“She's fine,” Rah says. “Sandy should be dropping her off soon.” There's that name again, the main reason why Rah should be mad and not hating on my happiness.

“Mrs. Esop, do you mind if I store a few things in your refrigerator until after the party?” I ask. She has turned her focus outside. There must be at least fifty people in her backyard, and the party just started.

“Sure, Jayd. I think there's some room at the bottom,” Mrs. Esop says, pointing to the refrigerator while staring out the kitchen window over the sink. I open one of the two stainless-steel drawers and place my items inside while eyeing their inventory. I bet they never go hungry in this house. “And is that your boyfriend, Jayd?”

Rah looks at me and smiles like I just got busted for doing something wrong. He can be so immature sometimes.

“Yes, his name is Jeremy.” I close the drawers and proceed to the sink to wash my hands and get started on the food. The grill smells good, but I can't help worrying about the weather. I guess if it does start to rain we can move the party inside, but I doubt Mrs. Esop will go for that. Her house is not the place to house teenagers and barbecue sauce at the same time.

“Interesting,” she says, moving away from the window and toward the main entrance adjacent to the living room. “Well, I'll leave you all to your baby shower, if this counts as my appearance, Jayd.” Mrs. Esop thinks she's slick. The deal we made stated that she would make an appearance at Mickey's shower if I agreed to let her sponsor me as a debutante for her sorority. And appear at the shower, she did. That's probably why she agreed to let us have it here. Before I can respond, she's through the living room and up the stairs on her way to her third-story getaway. The master bedroom takes up the entire floor, leaving Nigel's room, his sister's room, and the other three unfinished rooms on the second floor alone. It must be nice to have more space than you know what to do with.

“You didn't answer my question, so it must be true.” Rah wastes no time getting back on my case about Jeremy. I take one of the three aluminum trays on the counter and spread out the fish to season. I'll prepare the salad last. Rah's unrelenting in his stare. If I didn't know better, I'd say he was the one with the powerful sight.

“Rah, if you must know, we're abstinent. Jeremy believes the only surefire way against pregnancy is not to have sex, and I happen to agree,” I say, sprinkling garlic powder and other good stuff over the food. I'm not ready to get on the pill or even entertain other birth-control options right now.

“That's the dumbest shit I've ever heard,” Rah says, taking the bags of ice in the smaller sink next to the stove and placing them in one of the large coolers on the floor. There's enough soda in there to last for days, and that's only one of the three I see in the kitchen. I knew Rah would see Jeremy and me abstaining from sex as a way to challenge the authenticity of our bond.

“Not that I care what you think, but what Jeremy and I have is real—trust—and I don't need to prove it to anyone, least of all to you, who should be on a warning billboard for the perils of teenage sex.”

Undeterred by my words, Rah keeps his eyes locked on me. “I know you care. You can't lie to me, Jayd, or have you forgotten?” Rah walks toward me, getting right up in my face.

If my hands weren't dirty, I'd push him away from me, but I can't. “If you want to stay friends with me, you will respect my man. I've been too nice about it, but if we have to get dirty about it, so be it.” I put my hands out in front of me, ready to mess up his clean shirt, and he backs away. Interrupting us, Nellie storms into the kitchen with Mickey waddling right behind her. Let the games begin.

“Hey, Mickey. Nellie, I'm almost done in here,” I say, returning my focus to my duties and away from Rah and his tempting cologne. Why does he always get under my skin? Deciding he's had enough drama before it even begins, Rah exits through the back door with the cooler in tow.

“Forget about the damn food,” Mickey says, taking everyone aback. If Mickey's dismissing food, I know this must be serious.

“Some niggas from the hood are here,” Mickey says, all stressed out. “I know Nellie didn't tell them where Nigel lived, so it had to be you!” Mickey screams at me, forgetting that Nigel's parents are home. All they need is another reason to call Mickey unsuitable for their son, and a fight at their house with her in it will do.

“You need to slow your roll, girl. I don't know how those fools knew about the party, but I sure as hell didn't tell them,” I say, washing my hands in the sink. I take a few paper towels off the roll on the counter and cover the tray, ready to take it outside. I can see through the window that there are several people from Westingle I want to avoid at all costs. I'm surprised Nigel's ex-girlfriend Tasha isn't here with her best friend, and Rah's ex-girlfriend, Trish, but it's still early in the afternoon. The black crew from South Bay has come out, Misty and KJ included. I can also see that most of the football and basketball teams from both schools have shown up. Our boys are chilling outside while the heat is definitely on in this kitchen.

“Jayd, please,” Mickey says, her hands on her hips, extensions swinging. “Who else would know them and Nigel?” Nellie looks like she's about to pass out, she's so upset. I guess this wasn't the type of guest list she had in mind. Did we forget who the guest of honor is? Mickey—a notorious thug's estranged girlfriend. Folks from around our way were surely going to want to drop by if they could get a ride, some of whom obviously did.

“Mickey, seriously. Why in the hell would I want them fools to know where Nigel lives? He's my friend, too, you know,” I say, taking a wooden serving bowl out of the cabinet above the stove for the salad. “As a matter of fact, he was my friend first.” Mickey's eyes narrow at the truth. Good. Maybe that'll shut her up before I throw this bowl at her head.

“I invited them,” Mickey's little brother Mikey says, walking into the kitchen with half of Mickey's man's gang behind him. “I thought they had a right to come because they're good friends with the baby-daddy.” Mikey has gone too far this time.

“Mikey, you know Nigel ain't friends with none of these fools,” Mickey says, but we both know he's not referring to Nigel. The paternity of Mickey's baby has always been questionable.