BOMAW Vol. 10-12 (3 page)

"Never mind about that Kevin, he
needs
to start losing
that
touch, let's just stick to the wedding date. You're doing just fine dad."

Jake sat up and turned looking at him, "Thank you, I think."

"No problem dad, besides, it was bound to happen one day right? This is a perfect time."

Jake eyeballed him strangely wondering what was going on with him? Deciding to discard it, he turned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest to relax during the drive home.

"Right dad, the perfect time? You're really ready right? I mean, this is finally it, right? Because I really like her, she's cool, ain't it Kevin?"

"Yeah, she is." He agreed, a bit quiet with his enthusiasm.

Jake lay for a moment wondering where, exactly, was this all going?

"Well dad, this is it ... right?" He repeated wanting an answer.

"What exactly do you mean by
this is it, right
?"

Kevin knew what he meant and said as much, "He means, are you gonna be good now?"

"
Good
?" Jake grinned, "I'm always good, I don't do it if I can't do it
good!
" He joked, but was the only one laughing.

"Dad, no more joking around. Time to get serious here, I wanna know are you gonna do right by her? You know what we mean." Paul reiterated.

"I'm marrying her ain't I? Can't get anymore serious than that. I'm the one ready to head down the aisle! I'm the one waiting for the date! I'm the one wanting a few kids, a couple of girls. She's the one not taking things seriously, how come you're not badgering her?"

"You do? You want more kids?" They both asked at the same time, clearly surprised by it.

"As a matter of fact I do! A couple of girls; don't want no more boys, little shits are a goddamn pain in the ass!"

Both grinned looking at each other, Kevin started it off saying, "Why, I'm just hurt."

"Wrecked!" Paul added.

"Devastated is more like it, imagine him not wanting any more like us? I may never play on my Playstation again!" Kevin finished with Paul laughing with him.

"Ha ha ha, perfect example right there." Jake slid further down in his seat, lifting his hat to place on his head over his face.

"A couple of little girls huh? Little sisters? Wow... cool." Paul thought the idea appealing.

"Yep, that's the plan, I figure one'll be born less than a year from now."

"If that's the case, you really gotta be good now dad, that makes you a full blown family man."

"Yeah yeah yeah, drop it already." Jake grumbled from beneath his hat.

"That's okay, I'm here for you dad. I'll keep you out of trouble, make sure you stay clear of things that'll mess this up."

That sat Jake back up once more and around at Paul, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"You gotta learn how to treat a woman right dad, that's all."

"I resent that, I treat her good! Damn good!"

"So then, your cheating days are over, right?"

"Huh?" Jake was stunned and staring.

"Yeah, you heard right. You're gonna be right, true and faithful to her, no more straying and seeing other women, right?"

"That mean I have to walk around with my eyes closed?" He tried to joke and shift the seriousness of the topic, covering his eyes with one hand and feeling around with the other as if blind. "Hell son, goin' this route bound to get me in more trouble!"

"Will you get serious for just a moment?" Paul asked.

Kevin started laughing as his father's hand ran through his hair, squeezing on his head still playing blind man.

"Kevin stop laughing at him, that's what he wants, you're only making him worse."

"He poke me in the ear, I'm ticklish in that ear." Kevin snickered.

"Jeez Paul, lighten up man, you're older than me!" Jake turned back to resume his position.

"Lighten up my foot! You're getting married, time you got yourself together and start being a proper husband."

"Godalmighty, you're starting to sound like my father; that or a damn naggin' woman."

"You're avoiding the subject dad, you're gonna be faithful and true right? This is the big step, you've done plenty of running around, sowing oats, time to settle down now, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll be right as rain, I will."

"I'm not convinced."

"Cross my heart and hope to die... there, happy?" He lifted his hat to ask.

"In order to make sure of it, no more hanging out at the bar, drinking and carrying on. That's where you pick up most of your women, that's all gotta stop."

Jake looked over at Kevin, "Is he serious?"

"You heard him."

"Yeah, I am. I love you dad and because of that, I have to help you, help yourself. You actually have a nice lady who likes us, talks to us for once; that Doris never gave us the time of day."

All humor left Jake in an instant, "Hey, do me a favor, okay? Leave her out of this, you got me? Don't bring her up again." His tone of voice told them both how serious he was.

"God, sorry ... I was just sayin'." Paul apologized.

"Well don't say! She's dead, because of me. I'm not allowing anyone to bad mouth her. She's paid her dues and then some. Say all you wish about anything else, but not about her, end of discussion."

"Said I was sorry." Paul repeated, a bit hurt by his father's brusque rebuke.

They were all quiet for a spell, until Kevin spoke up asking, "You coming down next weekend or not?"

Jake lay quiet, possibly thinking for at least five more minutes. Then finally he answered, "Yeah, we're coming down. An ol'man needs a roof, we'll be back."

Paul smiled, "Thanks dad."

Jake grunted.

L.A.

"Shawn, who are they? What's going on?" Sylvia asked stunned by the four men surrounding them. They had the look of very intimidating bodyguards. She stood at Shawn's right, her hand on his arm, looking at them, just as surprised as he was.

The flight had finally ended with only one other episode.... the landing.

Sylvia knew of nothing so far, that had scared her as that when it came to her that it was time for the pilot to bring the giant aircraft down.

Once more, Shawn held her hand, distracting her the best that he could in order to take her mind off of it. For once,
he
didn't have time to worry over the landing because of putting up a brave front for her. When the wheels touched the tarmac and the plane was definitely down, no greater relief was there for them. Slowly they'd gathered all of their things, each of them feeling elated and excited about this new adventure. Now, that they were safely on the ground, Sylvia was back to smiling. It was a slow process waiting their turn to disembark, but finally they emerged from the boarding tunnel and made their way to the baggage area, heading for the luggage racks, waiting to pull their things from it. Even collecting luggage because a competition of play between Mundo, Crystal, Angela and Benjamin, they raced around having a good time looking for their bags and catching them before going around again. Of course Isaac and Darren had the most fun of it, trying to keep up with them running from one to the other, not grabbing anything, but their laughter was infectious to those who stood around waiting as well. Every little bit about their trip was turning out to be enjoyable right up until; with all of their bags loaded on luggage carts, they turned to find four serious looking men waiting for them.

One of the men walked up to Shawn, "Mr. McPherson? Shawn McPherson?" He asked.

"Yes, what's going on?"

It was then that Sylvia had asked her above question, for Shawn to turn to her, "Hang on a minute sweety, I'm not quite sure what exactly
is
going on." He turned back to them and asked that very question, "What is this about?"

"Just courtesy escorting. We were sent by Ms Wherrington, she wanted to see to it that you and your entourage were comfortably and safely transported to your destination sir."

"I see, well, thank you, but no thank you. I always rent a vehicle when I get to town, I'll be doing the same for this trip."

"Sure about that sir? We have two limousines standing by to deliver you, family and luggage to your condo. How about this; by all means, pick up your usual rental, as you do so, we'll see to it that your luggage is loaded to one limo and treat the ladies to a luxurious ride in the other."

Mundo and Benjamin looked at each other with wide eyes. Mundo would love to ride in the limo, but knew that if Shawn said no, that was that.

Shawn looked at his family and then down at Sylvia, "Well, what do you think? Would you like to go in the limo? You
would
be more comfortable; all you need is the key to the condo, which I will gladly give if you wish to take the limo. The boys and I won't be far behind ... what'aya'say?"

Sylvia was undecided, she would have rather rode with Shawn, she looked at the four men, still wondering what this was all about. "Ma'am, I assure you, its the perfect way to end a long flight, we'll even take our time to make sure they catch up to us." The initial guard spoke up, realizing that the final decision would be left up to her.

Sylvia looked to Crystal and then down at Angela.

"Well, what do you think?" She asked her.

With a bright smile of excitement, she gave an enthusiastic nod. She couldn't imagine anything so exciting as seeing Sylvia and Crystal treated with a ride in the limo. It wasn't that it excited her, she'd been in one every day for the last few years of her life once her parents split. But having them to share the experience with, made it all new. She loved them so much that she wanted to shower them with all the best there was, so naturally being escorted in the limo was desirable to her.

Sylvia glanced at Shawn, smiled and nodded, "We'll go the limo."

"Yes! Oh Crystal, aren't you excited?" Angela grabbed her arm, pumping it with joy. Crystal laughed and didn't have the heart to tell her she'd ridden in one before, yet, this was a new experience and she wanted to fully enjoy it. "We gone be ridin' in
style
baby girl!" She bragged in a sing song tempo, lifted her hand high to slap a five on Angela, who eagerly laid her palm out to receive it and slapped Crystal's palm back, fighting down the jitters. She was thinking about all of her friends that she wanted to call and tell that she was back. She wanted them to come over and meet Sylvia, her new step mother and Crystal, her big sister. There was also Mundo to show off, she was already laughing at the things she knew he'd say to make them laugh as he had her and if that weren't enough, she also had Ben. They looked like brother and sister, she couldn't wait to introduce them. She also couldn't wait for her mother to finally meet them.

They were escorted through the terminal as if they were celebrities. Crystal carrying Darren, Angela with a firm hold of Isaac's hand followed along. No one noted that the guards were especially flanking Angela, keeping her center of them. She was too happy about all the places she wanted them to see, and everyone she wanted them to meet to realize that there might be something out of the ordinary.

Parting with a kiss, Shawn assured his wife that he wouldn't be too far behind them. He, Benjamin and Mundo made their way to the Midway Car Rental. At the desk, Shawn explained that he wouldn't be renting his usual, he needed something big, his family was with him. They went down the list of available vans and SUV's and the moment they mentioned a Hummer, the H2 - Mundo got to dancing.

"Aaah man, come on big daddy, let's do the Hummer baby! We here in L.A.- dawg's out to play - for
hot fun in the sum-ma-ah,
oh yeah, it's got to be a Hum-ma-a-ah!" He did a jerk dance, all his teeth showing, making Shawn crack up laughing, he looked at the guy behind the desk.

"My son has spoken, the Hummer please."

"Aaah hell yeah baby, it's time, it's time, we gone have some fu-u-un! We gone drive the bouleva-ard! We gone look at some sexy sexy California women, in tini-wini bikinis with they ass hangin' all out! Shoot, I might even listen to some
Beach Boys!
Hell, this it! It's gone get so good, I might have to sacrifice ... my
vir-gin-ni-tay!
I was gone save it! But now, I may have to just - give it up! Find me a fine tan line, and just tell'ah -
have - me,
girl! Gone on and have your way wit'me! Just take it girl... come on and have me! Don't be too rough, 'cause I'm a virgin." He jerked about like someone was ripping at his shirt, had Benjamin and Shawn laughed so they wiped tears from their eyes.

"Would you -
calm
down!" Shawn rebuked him, grinning.

"Aaah dad come on! We in L.A.! Understand what I'm sayin'? In a Hummer too?! Now you know we gots'tah go out tonight! We gone go out? Can we? Please? Can we go out, 'cause I wanna go out." He suddenly became serious, straightening up looking on the verge of begging.