My dad was stunned into silence when he opened a sophisticated fishing rod and gear. Overcome with happiness, yet refusing to express it, he gave Stenton a firm handshake. Ruth’s obnoxious shouts and whoops at the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag and iPhone, one of the latest gadgets on the market that folks were in a rage over. Last but not least, Stenton got me a Gucci luggage set. I thought it was unnecessary until he had me open the smaller roller bag where I found documents for a two-week vacation in Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Italy. He was sending me to Italy.
My reaction was in total contrast to my rowdy sister. It mirrored my father’s. I was shocked. I’d told Stenton of my vacation destinations wish list one night while in the Cayman Islands. Italy was first on my list. He remembered. He listened. Stenton found my response amusing. He also found the cookbooks and kitchen utensils I bought him hilarious. Hey, they were useful now that he knew how to cook. He laughed…loud and excessively. In fact, he smiled a lot, and not that PR smile that the world was familiar with. All day he gave us his unalloyed beam. The one that stirred my soul.
The only thing that broke Stenton’s boisterous behavior was when he opened the framed collage of pictures of himself as a child alongside Jordan at each month of his life. I watched as his eye glossed, but nothing dropped. Stenton’s body tensed and he stared at the frame for what felt like hours before he whispered his thanks to my mother. He hugged her tightly and with clenched lids. If my lip wasn’t already pierced and swollen I’d’ve bitten on it to fight the threatening tears. Stenton was loved. He was happy. My mommy did that to folks, and he deserved it.
Jordan’s first Christmas was memorable. He was surrounded by his parents and family who loved him. Gloom returned when Stenton left first thing the following morning for work. Overall, it was a first Christmas for both my son and me: his on this earth and mine with the love of my life.
Chapter 3
Then
June 2009
~Zoey~
“You do know you’re the honoree, don’t you? You’re not supposed to be in here grabbing stuff to serve. There’s a whole crew here for that.”
I glanced up and smiled at her glowering pout that used to feel like fire under my butt as a child.
“I know, Momma, but it’s hard to ask these waiters for stuff like I’m at a restaurant. First Lady Tessie wanted more strawberries. I told her I’d get them.”
“Mmmmhmmmm,” she breathed suspiciously.
“Don’t make this a habit, young lady. Today’s about you. You’ve earned it.” She planted a kiss on my cheek and turned to exit the colossal kitchen.
In all honesty, despite the professionally decorated back yard filled with balloons, fancy ribbons and exotic flowers, it didn’t feel like my graduation party because I’d graduated almost a month ago. Or it could have been because of where the party was being held. Alpine. Instead of me coasting through the day with pride from my recent accomplishment, my heart felt heavy. It was because I didn’t feel deserving of a celebration. I’d barely made the journey with getting pregnant and having to drop out of school to give birth. I lost my scholarship and had to complete an additional semester to resume my track. Granted, I’d busted my butt to not only graduate, but to make grades to earn the title of magna cum laude, but I couldn’t shake the lingering disappointment for what I’d put at risk.
It also didn’t help that the man who, instead of distancing himself from my monumental slip up, helped me get on track, was here playing the background when I secretly felt he should have been in the forefront, if not by my side receiving acknowledgement for his loyalty to me.