Stenton studied my eyes for what seemed like forever. I didn’t fade my smile, didn’t crack under the pressure of his speculative gaze. I couldn’t. He didn’t want me. He’d made that clear long ago.
Finally, Stenton exhaled. Simultaneously, Tynisha, who had entered the foyer just when Stenton and Jordan did, grabbed an antsy Jordan from his father. This was the first time she and Angela joined forces. I was honored it was on my behalf. She and Alton must have arrived while I was getting dressed. Jordan had been making a fuss, indicating that he wanted to walk and Tynisha placed him down on the floor where he staggered towards the great room. After several steps, he stopped. His little head turned back in search of someone.
His marble eyes landed on his father and he yelped, “Da-Da, cummm!” and then giggled.
I watched as the lines around Stenton’s eyes transformed into a gleaming smoothness. His tall frame bounced toward his son, taking Jordan’s little hand and continued down the hall with him. Erika followed suit excitedly and Emily strolled behind her sister with palpable indifference.
The party commenced shortly after that quagmire. Excitable children and their anxious parents flooded the apartment. Games and dancing were soon underway. Laughter was shared, memories were made, and pictures were shot all afternoon. The photographer was great, capturing all moments ranging from pseudo-significant to precious incidences. The food was served with all fifteen children sitting at a long toddler table with their parents suspended above to assist with mealtime. I decided before the day of the party to forgo gift opening. Children couldn’t sit through an event like that. After a few more games once the kids were done eating, we sang happy birthday to an overwhelmed Jordan. Then there were more games.
Stenton couldn’t contain his merriment as he tried to keep up with Jordan around the colossal room. He never left Jordan’s side; Jordan wouldn’t have it. Jordan thoroughly enjoyed influencing his dad’s movements. And I couldn’t deter the camera. Every time I turned around, a flash was going off in my face. It was hard to follow my little man. I wasn’t the only one annoyed by the camera’s captivation.
At some point of the afternoon, I heard a ruckus coming from the far end of the great room. It was someone shouting and a baby crying. I ambled toward the chaos and saw Erika flipping out on the photographer.
“You keep taking shots of the birthday boy, his father and mother as if they’re a family. There are at least thirty other people here you can photo!” Erika exclaimed. “You’ve only taken one of me with the father. I am his girlfriend. We are an appropriate photo opp!”
“What the hell is going on here?” Stenton asked with Jordan just behind him, not being able to leave his father’s side for even a second.
“This idiot doesn’t know how to be all inclusive with his shots!” Erika shouted, her voice echoing off the high walls. “It makes me wonder if he’s working for TMZ!”
“Sir,” the short man of Indian descent with the most amazing shade of olive skin and jet-black silky, curly hair started his rebuttal in a defeated tone. “I’m only doing my—”
“It’s all good, Talan,” Stenton interrupted as he pulled out his wallet.
I noticed Jordan tapping at his father’s calf muscle, wanting to be picked up. I did the honors and he was not happy with it. He began getting fussy. With the lick of his fingers and wrinkled brows, Stenton silently counted out several crisp hundred dollar bills and dismissed, Talan.
“We still have the same timeline, right?”
Talan nodded firmly, “Yes, sir. We got some really good ones!” And he took off for the door.