Beautiful Hue
Chapter Nine

Bridget, Sarah and I are getting chauffeured to my mom and dads house. Bridget sits next to me, as Sarah sits in the front seat. The weather begins to worsen, as we ride through the bumpy Cleveland streets.

“I hate these damn roads.” The driver says.

“Yeah, I used to hate them too. A long time ago when I was first starting out, I used to walk to my classes in this weather.” I say to him.

“And look at you now. Big baller.” He says praisingly. “Mr. 2020 is what my family and I call you.” He continues.

“Mr. 2020... That’s got a ring to it, don’t it?” I say looking at Sarah.

“I suppose.” She says smiling.

Bridget discreetly touches my hand and I look at her. She discretely smiles and rolls her eyes at Sarah. I smirk, shrug my shoulders and look out of the window.

* * * *

As we pull into the driveway, I notice the Christmas lights are still around the house.

“I haven’t seen those in a very long time.” Sarah says.

“Yeah, it’s been a while for me too.” I say, as the driver stops the truck.

Bridget, Sarah and I all get out of the truck. As they walk to the front door I walk to the drivers window.

“Hey. You go ahead and get out of the snow for the night. How far do you stay?” I ask.

“I only live a couple of blocks away.” He respond.

“Alright, take the rest of the night off.” I say to him. “Is there anything we can get you from inside?” I ask.

“Just a bottle of water if you don’t mind, son.” He says.

“Come on in.” I say to him.

The driver turns off the car and Sarah rings the doorbell as her and Bridget shiver in the cold. While being wrapped in their blanket like coats.

My mom answers the door and hugs Sarah. As she sees me, she runs onto the porch with no coat on.

“Benjamin’s here!” She yells, as if the neighbors could care.

I hug my mother tightly and we all walk into the house. The moment we get through the door, my nephews run up to me and I bend down to pick them up.

“What’s up little guys!” I say as they rest in my arms.

“Hey uncle Ben!” They say in unison.

“Nope, no.” I say to them. “Don’t call me that. Bad luck with that nick-name! Have y’all ever seen the movie with the man that turns into the spider?” I ask, as they shake their heads. “Well, we’ll have to watch it soon.”

“Well are you going to introduce us to your friend?” Blair ask as she walks from around the back.

“Right, I’m sorry. Mom, Blair, this is my assistant Bridget.”

“Well it’s nice to meet you Bridget.” My dad says, as he walks from the kitchen.

“What’s up old man?” I say to him.

“Funny, I hope you all are hungry. Are you staying too sir?” My dad asks the driver.

“Just some water please.” The driver responds.

“Take a plate home with you. Come on into the kitchen and you all take your coats and shoes off.” My dad says to everyone.

Pops takes the driver to the kitchen to get some water and we all take off our coats and shoes. We follow my mom to the living room. Moments later my dad and the driver walk in, as the driver holds a big plate of food wrapped in a plastic bag.

“Hey before I leave can I ask you for one more favor, Benjamin?” The driver asks.

“Yeah, anything. And what’s your name sir?”

“Larry.” He says.

“What’s up Larry, what can I do for you?”

“Can I take a picture with you? For my kids? I usually don’t ask, but you’re one of ours, the hometown hero. I want to give them hope.”

“Of course. Hey Sarah, can you take this?” I ask.

Sarah puckers her lips and tries to smile.

“Sure.” She says.

Larry and I take a picture together and Sarah gives him back his phone.

“Thanks son. They’ll love this.” He says, as I walk him to the door.

“Enjoy your night and drive safe.” I say to him.

Sarah walks toward me, as the family gathers in the living room.

“I’m not your fucking assistant.” She says in a whisper and walks away.

I stand in the door-way confused for a moment and slowly walk back into the living room with the family.

* * * *

Everyone finishes dinner and the sound of forks cling on to plates. Dad sits back with a full belly, mom sits forward as if she’s praying, Blair tends to the twins plates, Bridget and Sarah both take deep breaths of satisfaction.

“That was really good.” Bridget says.

“Thank you.” Mom says. “Mr. Watts is just the helper, I’m the chef.” She says.

We all laugh as my dad sits back and smacks his lips.

“So where’s ya man?” I ask Blair.

“He had to work overtime.” She says.

“Well tell him that we miss him.”

“You miss him?” she asks surprised.

“I guess I do.” I respond.

Mom nods her head and signals for me to follow her.

“Alright now ladies, let me show you Ben when he was just a young theater actor.” My dad says. I follow mom to her room. We enter the bedroom and she closes the door. “Have a seat.” She says to me.

I take a seat and she stands in front of me.

“Who’s that girl in there and tell the truth.” She demands.

“Bridget? She’s my assistant.” I say to her.

“Why is Sarah so hung up on her?” She asks.

“What do you mean?”

“She stared that girl down all night and I’m sure this isn’t the first time, because little Miss Bridget doesn’t even look her way.”

“I don’t know what to say about that.”

“Well you need to say something. It doesn’t have to be tonight. But you need to let Sarah know, that you’re not interested before it hinders your performance next week.” My mom says, in her sweet, caring voice.

“I will.” I say to her.

“And whatever is going on between you and Bridget. Just know, momma knows that too. She’s a beautiful girl. Just make sure you know what you’re doing.”

“Mom there’s...” I say, as she cuts me off.

“Don’t bullshit me. I know, momma always knows. I don’t care how famous you get.” She says.

My mom and I hug one another tightly. We walk back into the living room. Everyone sits around the television, watching me on the screen playing “Genie” in the Aladdin musical I did, as a child.

“This one? Of all the good ones I did when I was younger, you pick this one?!” I yell to my dad.

“It was Blair’s idea.” He says, as he instantly begins to chuckle.

“We need to remind you where you came from.” She says in a hysterical laugh.

“I can’t believe y’all.” I say.

As I sit down, my nephews climb onto my lap and we all watch the musical. I relax with the full house of family and we all sit around the television, laughing at my performance. I feel embarrassed and motivated at the same time.