A Reflection of Me

By Sidney Mason

We all see a bit of ourselves in our children in a lot of the things they dofrom the good to the bad, when they succeed and when they fail. In a sense, one might believe that to teach our children right from wrong, we are indeed teaching those same lessons to ourselvesas the saying goes, to point a finger only to have three more pointing back at you.

Follow Mason Broady, a man long in years and experience, for a weekend while searching for some sort of sustenance from his own days alone. He finds himself now a widower, and routine is losing its flavor. Until by happenstance, he runs into an old from friend from a good while ago who will remind him that he is very much alive.

Follow his family, his children, and grandchildren being a reflection of who he is and who he was. They too would have to navigate lifes intricacies, its hills, and valleys with the sort of questioning that would force an individual to either scream for an answer or fall to silence from simply not knowing. Theyll learn its okay not knowing sometimes.

But still, in the end, they are a familysometimes loving one another and sometimes not so much. They are still a family. A reflection of one another or, as Mason Broady would say, a reflection of me.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543411874

Sidney Mason

Taking to writing as a form of escape, Sidney Mason has been a bit of a story teller since he enjoyed day-dreaming as a little boy. Often telling himself stories at night until his eye fell heavy, this would become a vice of his throughout his young life and on into adulthood where he learned to channel his own successes and failures, barriers and triumphs into words. In every word from the aura of every character, he becomes the character on paper. Realizing this could be anyone from the woman who works in the school cafeteria to the man who politely thought to nod hello in passing on the street. Individuals one may believe to be forgettable all have a story to tell. Believing this and respecting it, he offers a voice to those passively deemed forgettable. Author of The Pastor’s Son and now A Reflection of Me, Sidney Mason offers characters that you may have passed by on the street, giving the reader a chance to turn around and wonder of the person whose name they may not know. What is that person’s story?”

Book preview

Chapter 2

S hawn I can’t keep coming up to this school like this. Baby what is going on with you?

Nothing mom!

I can’t tell nothing, you know better than this. And now the principal is telling me you got one more time and he’s kicking you out for good. Shawn, are you listening?

I hear you ma. With much disdain and contempt in his voice, he had his mother’s attention to the point of her pulling over from the road, she took his chin into her hand to force his eyes to connect with hers.

Shawn, whatever it is or wherever it came from, I need you tell me what it is that’s got you acting like someone else. This is not my son, not my child, cutting class disrespecting his teachers, fighting. Baby you just started junior high and if this is how you’re starting off it’ll only get worse. So tell me, please tell me what is wrong.

For a fleeting moment he was her child at a younger more vulnerable age when he only had one world to live in with his mother. But in another, he suddenly felt like she wouldn’t understand. How could she? Times are different now he felt, things have changed. When you don’t’ want to be marked as weak, when you feel like you have to be accepted. He would pull away from his mother’s hand, Ain’t nothing wrong ma, for real!

What then? How to crack this enigma of a child in this day and age? They sat, he looked out of his window and she, at him.

Shawn, since I got the rest of the day off, why don’t you and me spend the rest of the day doing stuff. Whatever you want to do.

Cindy didn’t see it, but she felt her only son smile big while looking out the car window. She took her son’s hand and squeezed it a little, Would that be okay with you baby?

She knew the boy was brimming from the inside but still he would try to maintain his tough exterior, That’s cool!

Then what’s first? You hungry?

*     *     *     *

You got the money right, why are you calling me Lynne, I’m at work?

I don’t need any money Oden; I was calling to tell you that Micah will be graduating from head start next Thursday.

Okay.

He’ll be getting ready for kindergarten and he wants his daddy there.

Can’t do it Lynne

Or you simply won’t make the effort.

I make the effort to come into the office so I could make those child support payments right.

That’s easy.

So says the one who don’t have to pay it.

You know what, I won’t try to convince you to be more involved with your son. You’ll see later on just how much you’re fucking up and missing out on his life.

Lynne hangs up in Oden’s face so fast he had no chance to come back. Not that he had anything to say to her statement however true or untrue it may have seemed to him.

More involved, she’s getting the money what else does she want from me? I got shit to do.

Blue prints to go over with his team, layouts and what not. It’s work, but it’s not hard for him. He’ll confer with his team for what, twenty or thirty minutes then he’s out the door and going to meat Michelle for lunch. Or was it Daniel he was meeting today. Whoever it was he’ll figure it out when he gets there. She’ll be the next number one, in her mind. In actuality he’d lost count, but in truth they all think or want to believe they’re number one.

The meeting would be brief. They pretty much had this project wrapped up, just had to give it the once over and they were ready to build.

Hey O, you going out to eat? Asked Tia, one of his teammates, but Oden had his head in his phone and never looked up to Tia.

Yeah, going to meet a friend for lunch in a few.

Oh, okay. She seemed disappointed at Oden’s answer. So what’s her name this time?

He looks up to Tia and shrugs, Your guess is as good as mine. I’m done for the day I’ll see you all next week.

Back to the phone as he makes his way for the door. Surprisingly he walks from the door to his car without walking into something or falling over something because he never took his eyes from the screen on his phone.

Endless texting and some sexting from one chick to the next. How to keep up with them all he thought to himself. In his own mind he blew this notion out of proportion. There couldn’t have been more than three ladies at a time. In the middle of all his texting and sexting he gets a message from Stacey. She’s been trying to contact the man all day and he hasn’t responded to any of her messages or missed calls. He sighs, Man what’s wrong here, what does she want?

He calls her, what’s up?

I’ve been trying to get you all day.

You got me now Stace, what’s up?

I got an interview today and I need you to you pick Gabriel up from preschool for me.

I can’t Stace! Abruptly stated.

Come on and help me out, I need this job but I won’t be able to get him. If you can just pick him up for me and keep him till about four, I promise I’ll be there to pick him up, or we can meet somewhere. . .

I don’t know what to tell you, By now he was sitting in his Cadillac XTS wishing and hoping he could end this call on good terms. He was paying Lynne damn near two mortgages and a car note in child support alone. So far he was able to keep Stacey out of the courts.

I have an engagement, can’t cancel. I’m sorry Stacey.

Yeah me too. I need this job okay and I have been really and I mean really trying to keep the state out of this Oden.

What are you trying to tell me girl?

I don’t ask you for much. But I need to work to provide for our son. All I need from you is to pick him up and watch him until four for me. Do this for me Oden and I’ll never ask you for nothing ever again.

It took him a second to ponder the fact that Stacey has never really asked him for nothing. Besides it may win him some adorable points with whoever it was he was supposed to be meeting for lunch.

Okay Stace, I got him today.

Thank you, thank you! He’s gonna love hanging out with daddy.

What time is it? He checked his phone and started the car. He’ll pick him up early so he wouldn’t be too late for lunch with what’s her face. What is her name? When and where did he did meet her. Hey well, he figured it’ll work itself out.

The minute, the very second Gabriel saw his dad he lit up like the fourth of July, then ran and jumped into his arms.

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, you picking me up today?

I don’t know, do you want me to pick you up or do you want me to call momma.

No, no, I want you.

Well good then big guy, you hungry?

Yeah, we going to the park and then what?

I don’t know son, why don’t we eat first and then we’ll see.

Okay, we picking Micah up too then we going to the park and then Incredible Pizza!

Slow down son. We will see later but right now I gotta meet someone but we’ll see later on okay.

Okay. And then what?

Then what?

Then what we gone do?

We will see son. Let’s go.

*     *     *     *

When was the last time Cindy had this much fun with her little boy. At Piccadilly’s they talked more then they ate. He told her about his new friend Shyanne while trying to hide the light in his eyes while talking about her. It showed all over his face and a mother knows, a mother sees.

Is she cute baby?

She’s nice momma.

That’s good. You want nice, being cute is a little bonus.

She look good to me, I like her but ya know

No I don’t, why don’t you tell me.

I mean she not like some of the other girls with the way she dress and act. She different, but I like it. I like the way she is.

Do you know if she likes you too?

What? Like, like me like me. Not like that ma.

Why not baby you like her, she’s nice?

Not like that ma, I’m just saying.

Okay, I’ll leave it right there and won’t say anything else about it. She looked at her boy and brimmed a proud mother’s grin. Shawn saw it and tried to hide his own shamed smile.

What momma?

But it’s so cute though!

MA!

What, my baby got a girlfriend already, oh my God it’s so cute!

She’s not my girl.

Okay.

For real ma, we just friends.

Okay! Just remember to be a gentleman and respect her baby and. . .

Momma please.

I know, I know. I’m done for right now. So what to do next?

Laser Quest.

How about a movie?

Can we do that after Laser Quest?

Yeah, why not. It’s our day out. But keep an eye on me baby, you might have to carry me out of there when it’s over.

*     *     *     *

Who the hell is this? Oden thought to himself while walking up to this captivating creature, smiling from ear to ear, excited to see him. Old boy always had good taste in the ladies, aesthetically speaking. The only one who had something more to offer was Stacey though. More than old Oden could handle.

But still with each step toward her he tried to retrace the first time he met her to find a name to go with such a pretty face. He found none. None what so ever. Walking up to her with Gabriel by his side, she kneeled to greet his little tag-a-long.

Hey you, you are so cute, so what’s your name?

Gabriel, I’m four! He answered holding up three and a half fingers in the most adorable fashion that could make any woman melt.

You are, you’re such a cutie.

That’s my daddy! He said so proudly with a child’s innocence."

Oh he is.

"Yes maim, what’s your name?

Rebecca.

YES, Rebecca that’s right, now Oden remembers her from the club that night when the man had had way too much to drink. Which club was it though?

How are you, I’m glad you could meet me.

Me too.

Let’s sit down, we need to talk.

Okay

Need to talk? What about? His mind raced to trace the origins of their encounter but it was one lost due to the fact that alcohol was a major third wheel.

The night we met. I know it was supposed to be a onetime thing but Oden something happened.

That night, wait a second, hold on a onetime thing where something went wrong.

I intended for it to be just that, a onetime thing but it. . .

Rebecca trails off, now Oden worries of the possibility of her fallen for him, wanting more of him, a stalker even. In the end, best to end it now. Minimal scaring if he ends it now.

Rebecca I’m sorry but, it was a onetime deal. I was enjoying myself that night maybe too much and things happen. We happened because we both wanted it but I’m in no way looking for a relationship out of it. Not to say you’re not a nice girl but. . .

Don’t flatter yourself Oden. I’m not here for that.

No.

You were a quick fix for the moment. Handsome and all, you were a lot of fun.

Okay then. Then what’s going on here?

She looked to be perplexed in the choosing of her words. She looked at Gabriel and then back to Oden. He looks just like you. How many kids do you have?

Two sons, his brother’s name is Micah. He just turned five.

She sighed, and then braced to rip the bandage.

Chapter 3

A plate of an half eaten omelet loaded with cheese, peppers, onions, bacon and ham sat in front Mason getting cold while Cleo hadn’t even touched her grits, scrambled eggs with cheese and mushrooms, and bacon. They talked, Mason sipped his coffee.

You don’t like cream and sugar.

No maim, I like my coffee strong and black while it’s natural. Like I like my women.

Uh wee, your women. You had been getting around Mr. Broady? He chuckled a little.

No. I’m just saying, I’m a fan of the natural.

He winked. That old charmer enjoyed Cleo’s smile, a gift from a friend. She smiled and looked away, shied away at his simple words, his simple gesture. He didn’t know a brown skinned woman could blush. He was feeling alive and flirty.

You hadn’t touched your food.

I almost forgot it was in front of me, sitting here talking to you.

Yeah, let’s stretch our legs a bit, take a walk with me.

Where too?

Nowhere in particular. Around the block and back.

They stood to leave and Mason, that old charmer watched Cleo walk a walk that only got better with time. Lord, lord, lawd, he thought to himself following behind his old friend out the door. It may have been a while since he enjoyed the company of a woman other than his late wife but he still remembered the rules of being a gentleman. They walked shoulder to shoulder with Mason on the outside of the sidewalk.

Why you wait so long to come and see me?

Oh I don’t know.

All this time man, I’ve wondered about you and Mindy. You two were my favorite patrons.

Forgive me for the hiatus.

May I ask how did she pass?

It was cancer. Colon cancer, it was terminal by the time we caught it.

She reaches for his hand to offer a silent condolence. The feel of another human being, an affectionate touch from an old friend felt revitalizing and produced a smile. A real one felt with sincerity and appreciation. She held his hand while walking. Drew him close and cradled his arm, a closeness and a warmth he had almost forgotten.

Tell me more about you. About Cleo.

I would but it would be a short story. He stopped and looked at her.

I don’t know now, I fail to believe that.

What’s to tell. I work, I sleep, then work some more.

Oh come now, stunning and charismatic woman such as yourself. I’d imagine you to be quit the socialite.

Yes I am stunning. I agree. But a socialite?

I never knew if you were married.

No. Never married.

Suitors?

No suitors.

So your life is all work.

Sounds like it. I can’t remember the last time I went on a date or a man asking me out. I spend so much time at the restaurant I could be a pot. It’s bigger than me, it’s my families legacy our tradition.

And your legacy.

I don’t know, Alyssa.

And Alyssa’s?

She shares in the family tradition.

You sure of that.

Since she’s been walking, the restaurant was her daycare, and after school program. She knows she’s next to take my place.

Mason didn’t respond having raised three adults of his own he knew better. He let it go, he knew the subject would come up again. But right now in the moment he would only enjoy the company of another human being.

Should I be getting you back to work old friend?

No, could you stand to walk with me a little bit more Mr. Broady.

I think I can. I’ll do my best.

That’s all I ask.

*     *     *     *

Come on Dwayne, just look at her, she’s cute you’ll like her.

Sis I am trying to get your nephew ready for daycare and then I got to be at work, we’ll be late!

Just one glance, real quick. Please, I promise you’ll like her!

Dwayne would at least humor his little sister, just so that he could finish getting Justin ready. He stopped only for a moment walking over to the dining table where Diana had her face book page up. The girl on the screen was a cutie, she looked perky and young. That stood out as a red flag for Dwayne, the young part.

Well big bro?

She’s pretty sis.

I showed her your pic she thought you were cute and. . .

That’s okay Diana, no thanks. He moved away from the table, Diana got up to follow with her iPad in hand, right on his heels. From the bedroom while he dressed Justin, to his crib and then to the kitchen while he prepared Justin’s baby bag. It seemed to Dwayne that more and more lately she has been trying to hook him up with her young friends. Key word ‘young’.

You need a woman big bro.

Key word ‘woman’.

What’s that supposed to mean?

They all look so young, don’t you know any woman our age, all your friends are fresh outta high school

They’re still grown.

According to a number, sis I got a baby to take care of and what young college girl would want to be tied down with me right now?

They’re all grown big bro, they’re mature.

And in the place they should be right now. You want to find me someone. I like grown women, and I mean grown ass women. Look, I gotta go sis, here kiss your nephew. They stopped short of the front door and she kisses Justin on those fat cheeks of his."

Auntie luv you, luv you!

See you later.

Luv you too, I’ll cook you some dinner.

Dinner would be nice. Diana could really cook and loved to cook. Her future husband would be a happy man. Their mother taught her early on from the time the girl could walk she was in the kitchen with their mother. Diana loved it until they were about the age of twelve when their father came home somewhat late one day. Diana was in the kitchen with their mother like usual, Dwayne was on his Nintendo upstairs when he heard them.

Tina I don’t know what else to say but this is how it’s gone be. I need to go!

Dwayne came downstairs to find his sister standing in the kitchen frozen while their parents got louder and louder.

Just like that, you got the steel to leave us, just up and gone leave us Anthony?

Dwayne went to his sister and took her hand in his own, they had never seen their folks argue, never this loud, this animated. They were twelve but this was new to them. It scared them.

Tina we don’t have to be ugly about it, I can’t help what has to be done.

You sound stupid as hell right now.

I can’t help what I feel.

You should feel like shit for trying to leave your family Anthony. You gone throw us away, for what? No answer, Tina continued.

What? Another woman? ANOTHER WOMAN, YOU GONE THROW US AWAY FOR ANOTHER WOMAN ANTHONY, OH MY GOD!

Diana gripped her big brother’s hand and whispered,

What’s happening?

I don’t know sis.

They knew, didn’t want to believe it though. That place where you want to be dreaming a nightmare and daddy comes into the room to comfort his child. But they were too big for that now. And they weren’t going to see daddy for a while.

The days in the end would have it long and painful. The sun unrelenting in raising and telling them that trouble would never end. Young Dwayne would call the sun a liar even with the evidence in his mother’s face. She smiled for the twins and wept alone from time to time in the beginning. She would never be the same; she didn’t cook as much after old pops left. She didn’t have a lot of time having to work a job and a half to maintain.

Momma said you need to take the trash out and clean the living room, then you need to do your homework and then you can play the game.

Who are you? Mini momma.

I told you what momma said, now you need to do it.

What, I’m the big brother, I tell you what to do Shortstop.

I’m a tell momma, and you’re just the big brother by like five minutes.

Seven!

Still, you better do what momma said

I will sis, what you cooking?

Hamburger helper and green beans and baked chicken.

That it?

That it? You ain’t gotta eat it lil boy.

Dwayne walked over to his sister and kissed her on her temple, thank you Diana. You take good care of us!

She smiled from the sentiment while her brother turned to gather the trash.

Daddy called.

Okay. So.

We talked a lil bit. He asked about you.

Three years have gone by and they may have seen the guy all of nine times. The typical times of birthdays, Christmas and Thanksgiving. There was a bad place growing in Dwayne’s heart for his father.

What all did ya’ll talk about?

He just asked how everybody was doing, how momma was doing. He wants you to call him

For what?

He wants to talk to you I guess.

Huh, fuck him!

Dwayne!

That’s what he said to us when he left right, fuck us, so fuck him. I ain’t got shit I want to say to the nigga. He finished gathering the trash and walked away. Outside he walked right into his mother coming home from her second job. Late like normal, tired like normal. A sad refreshed look in her eyes when she greeted her son.

Hey baby! She stopped two steps shy from the top of the flight of stairs to ask her son, Is everything okay?

Yes maim, Diana inside cooking, she almost done.

So late? And why are you taking out the trash so late?

It’s only nine o-clock.

Put that down right there and come inside.

He did as he was told, opening the door for his mother and stepping aside, then following her inside.

Diana, come in here for a sec.

The twins stood in front of their tired and worn mother waiting to be lectured. It came with the territory, considering Tina worked from five in the morning till well after nightfall. They were teenagers, old enough to take instructions, old enough to take care of themselves till mother came home.

You two should be at least getting ready for bed by now. Diana interjected.

I know momma, but I. . .

You shouldn’t be cooking so late and you should’ve taken the trash out and done with your homework by now, both of you!

Sorry momma. We were doing other stuff.

Like what Dwayne when you know I don’t want you outside this door after dark boy you know where we live.

I know but you know how your bed sink in the middle and how your back hurts in the morning before you go to work. I found this big piece of wood behind Jones’s Market on the way home but old Jones, he wouldn’t let me have it so I had to wait for a little while, because it seemed like he was watching me instead of his own store.

You waited so you could steal it son.

It was garbage out in the back, he hung around acting like he was cleaning up the garbage and what not you know, but when he finally went back inside I grabbed it and dragged it home. I cleaned it up before I brought in the house and everything but when I got it the house, it was too big so then I had to figure out a way to make it smaller for the bed and I thought about Mr. Bennie, he got tools, so I went looking for him to see if he had a saw, but I couldn’t find him nowhere so I waited outside his door for about an hour for him to come home.

Did he have a saw son? She humored her boy. Even with her swollen feet, tight back, and relentless head ach. He was so adorable telling his story. So she let him finish explaining himself.

Yes maim. He let me borrow it, I brought it home cut it down for your bed and now it don’t sink in the middle.

He stood there so proud of himself, smiling from ear to ear. She grinned a little too. Thank you son, I appreciate the trouble!

I cleaned up the mess behind him. Diana chimed in right behind them both.

But still I don’t want you outside after dark, and by now you both should be getting ready for bed. It has gotten too late to be cooking and fixing on things okay.

Yes maim. They both replied.

Tina stood from the sofa and walked over to them, kissed Dwayne on the cheek.

Thank you son for fixing my bed. Then she kissed Diana the same.

And thank you for cleaning up behind him and cooking dinner for us. Now I want you both to clean yourselves up for bed. I’ll finish dinner and we can eat.

What about the trash momma?

It’s gonna have to keep until the morning, I don’t want you outside at all when it’s dark.

Growing up so fast, like weeds she thought while watching them walk away. She cleaned a trail back into the kitchen, picking this and that up on the way to place things in their proper place. In the kitchen she stood over a small stove while the food simmered. She would finish and call the kids back out to eat together. When was the last time they sat to eat together? She wondered, she could barely remember. It’s almost ten now and Tina should be showering and going to bed herself. Damn, she thought to herself while the kids ate. I need to be in the bed right now or I won’t feel like getting up to walk down to Jack’s house and he gone want to flirt and beg for gas money. Then I got to deal Willis and his shit for eight hours or more. Then I got to figure out how I’m gone make time to pay the utilities bill without being too late to the other job. That one gig I wish I could quite, I hate waiting tables.

What’s wrong Ma? You look like Diana pooted.

Dwayne!

I didn’t poot lil boy.

Stop teasing your sister and eat son.

Momma, you’re not hungry, is it something wrong with the food?

No baby not at all.

You’re not eating.

Because you keep pooting at the table. Her gas making you sick right ma.

Tina didn’t want to laugh at the boy but she couldn’t help it. Neither could Diana. They both knew he was only trying to lighten the mood. He could see it and so did Diana. All over their mom’s face. Her worry, her fatigue, the reason she wasn’t eating. I’ll wrap some up and take it to work with me baby girl. I’m not all that hungry I guess. But now I want my young ones in bed and sleeping soundly okay, now go.

They left, Tina sat a moment and closed her eyes just for a second to imagine an ending where the twins are adults. Hopefully both are encumbered within the confines of holy matrimony, and grandchildren, beautiful grandchildren, but not too many, not in this day and time, four maybe between the two of them. She could see Diana being the ideal homemaker and her Dwayne, the absolute best dad. In the end it would all be worth the long, long hours on her feet with swollen ankles, headaches and an aching back. But maybe she won’t have that problem anymore considering her wonderful son has fixed her bed.

She opened her eyes on that thought and smiled a bit. A grateful smile for her children. In the end! She thought, this will be worth it all in the end. She couldn’t wait any longer to try out her bed, standing from the table not even contemplating clearing the table. "I should have the kids do