Page 67 of Happy Is On Hiatus
“Oh.” Sharae looked down at her watch and then back up to them. “Well, I guess it’s close enough to six thirty.”
“Even if it wasn’t, we’re doing this now.” Rita didn’t want to chance someone else having an announcement that would come before theirs.
Even though Benny’s announcement had been a private one, she was just ready to share the news. For weeks, she’d been working on the details of her business with her attorney and accountant. And she, Jemel, and Sharae had spent hours hammering out plans for Jemel’s first fundraiser and how best to make that an event nobody would ever forget. With her cousins on either side of her, she walked to what was almost the center point of her backyard.
There were six tents and twelve tables spread out in the space. A few feet away from the tables, Uncle Jimmy had his bar, and on the other side of the yard, there were four long tables loaded with food. The gas grill was on the deck, where another two tables were positioned. Going on the tips of her toes, she waved her arms to get Uncle Jimmy’s attention. After a few seconds, during which time she thought she might have to just run over to his table, Uncle Jimmy finally saw her and turned down the music.
“Good evening, everyone,” Rita said. Then, because her family preferred to focus on food and fun above all else, she had to yell the greeting again to finally get their attention.
“Hey. Hi,” she said when they were all looking at her as if she’d just said there was no more food left. “Um, we just had something that we want to tell y’all real quick.”
“Real quick, Rita! I’m ’bout to beat these jokas over here!” That was Tariq, who’d brought Kaelin and Jasmine to the cookout and insisted he didn’t want to talk about the other girl and the baby he wasn’t sure was his. He’d found his nirvana as always at the card table.
She chuckled. “Okay, Tariq. Calm down.” Beside her Jemel and Sharae laughed along with a few others, and Rita felt totally relaxed being surrounded by family. Sure, it was the first cookout where she and Nate were officially separated, but nobody said a word about his absence, and for that alone she’d love them forever.
“So, as you all probably know by now, I’m making some changes in my life. The change that I’m most proud of is something I guess I’ve been heading toward for a very long time. For that, I’d like to thank the Johnson sisters—Mama, Aunt Rose, and Aunt Ceil—for teaching me everything that Great-Grandma Fannie and Grandma Patty taught them about the solace of good homecooked food.” Her voice cracked on that last word, and she paused to get herself together. This was a happy time, and she didn’t want to cry, even if they would be tears of joy.
Sharae took her right hand, holding it tight and smiling when Rita glanced over at her. Jemel did the same with her left hand, a symbol that they were with her and they had her back, as always. Rita cleared her throat and continued, “I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be opening Johnson’s Joy Catering Company. I’ve already hired a contractor to convert some of my space here into an office, and I’m super proud to announce that JJC’s first official client will be the Black Butterfly Florist’s first annual community fundraiser scheduled for January fifth.”
Applause sounded, and she felt warmth spread through her.
“Y’all know how much I love Rita. We all do.” Jemel spoke loudly over the clapping. “I couldn’t be prouder of her for taking this step, and I’m so excited to work with her on this fundraiser.”
“And as y’all already know, whatever is going on, the three of us are always stuck together like glue, so we’re equally pleased that Sharae’s lending her police training to provide security for this event and all other events we plan together,” Rita said before holding both their hands up.
Many members of the family stood and continued clapping at that point. But Taryn and Necole both came running over to give Rita big tight hugs.
“So proud of you, Mama!” Taryn whispered in her ear.
“Love you so much! Can’t wait to get to work,” Necole added when she wrapped her arms around Rita.
“Oh my goodness! This is so lit! You’re gonna be the best caterer in Maryland!” Wendy said the moment she was able to hug Rita. They now had what seemed like a receiving line going as family lined up to hug and congratulate her, Jemel, and Sharae.
“I can’t wait to start pumping you up on my IG and TikTok,” Necole said. “This is gonna be huge!”
Benny was next to come and congratulate her, and then her father, who hugged her long and hard again. “Proud of you, babygirl. I told Nate you’d be fine without him, and now you’re all set to show him that’s the truth.”
“Thanks, Daddy,” she whispered and wondered when he’d talked to Nate again. Had it been before their meeting on Monday? Was that why Nate had seemed to turn over a new, more amenable leaf?
She didn’t have time to ask her father those questions because her mother was embracing her next. But Rita figured it probably didn’t matter anyway. Things were over between her and Nate.
“We’ve got lots to talk about, young lady,” Vi had said, and Rita just nodded because that was code forI’m ’bout to tell you how to run this business.
She knew her mother well, and she also knew how to put her in her place, nice and politely. But not tonight.
Uncle Jimmy brought Rita a mojito, and she sipped on it while watching Desmond pull Sharae into a hug. Sharae didn’t go easily. Rita saw the moment’s hesitation as Desmond took her hand and eased her toward him. Her heart ached for the pain her cousin still carried withher, and she said a silent prayer that the Lord would remove it so Sharae could finally live fully.
Marc had found Jemel once everyone else was finished congratulating her, and the two were cuddled, smiling and whispering to each other. A mild brush of sadness swept over Rita, and she turned away to find a seat just as the DJ began playing the “Cha Cha Slide.” This was a joyous occasion, she reminded herself as she sat down. Her family equaled joy, which was how she’d come up with the name for her company. Now, she only had to remind herself of that every day moving forward. In a few months, she’d legally be a single woman, and she’d have to get used to seeing others in love.
“It’ll get easier,” she said and took another sip of her drink.
Rita nursed that drink for another two songs before she figured it was time to get up and play hostess again. Standing, she glanced around to see that Desmond had taken a seat at the card table. She shook her head, hoping he’d survive Tariq’s trash talkin’ and the intense questioning he was about to undergo about his intentions toward Sharae by just a handful of their male cousins. Marc was now, as usual, wherever the music was—he stood next to the DJ he’d booked at Rita’s request.
She wondered where Sharae and Jemel had gone as she headed toward the house. It had been pretty warm today, so she knew a few family members had gone inside to sit in the air-conditioning. She knew that was where the Aunts were hanging out. During a quick stop at the food tables to see what, if anything, needed to be refilled, she grabbed discarded pieces of foil and picked up a napkin to wipe around the edges of the pans where food had spilled when it had been scooped out. Humming along with Whitney Houston’s “My Love Is Your Love,” which the DJ was mixing with a house music beat, she continued on toward the house. She stepped onto the deck and passed more cousins sitting at the table, eating and chatting. Walking through the patio doors, she entered her sunroom and noticed three of the younger children lounging in chairs while watching some movie onthe wall-mounted television. Continuing, she was just about to enter the kitchen when a familiar voice stopped her.
“You’ve got to be fuckin’ kiddin’ me,” Sharae said. “You’re the one?”
“I thought your cousin would’ve told you that I called her.” This woman’s voice was vaguely familiar, but Rita couldn’t immediately place it.
