“Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 4, Chapter 57″
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"Listen as your day unfolds Challenge what the future holds Try and keep your head up to the sky Lovers, they may cause you tears Go ahead, release your fears Stand up and be counted Don't be ashamed to cry
You gotta be You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together All I know, all I know, love will save the day"
Des'ree – "Ya Gotta Be"
"Damn him!"
Disa tossed her comm tab stylus pen across her office and it struck the Phase Two model she built for the new man-made island she was to design. Her building team meeting had been going well until Adebiyi of the Jabari mountains criticized her roofing drafts. She had gone out of her way to request a skilled builder from the estranged tribe as a sign of goodwill to stave off criticism from other Wakandan design firms who lost the bidding war to create the new expansion of Wakanda onto the sea.
For hundreds of years, the Wakandans had protected their oceanfront by keeping it well-guarded and staying away from constant usage to keep other bordering nations from seeing what they had. Wakandan fishermen from the Border Tribe played their role as humble citizens, eking out a living on small boats. Luckily, the geography of their mountain range and their camouflage technology made the land on the beach untouchable for outsiders. Disa thought for months upon her arrival in the country that Wakanda was landlocked and was surprised to see the ocean for the first time with Yani and the children to honor Erik's birthday before they knew he was alive. They had a little birthday party for Sydette and she glimpsed the first man-made island territory when they did a flyover so the children could see what belonged to their new home and where Erik and N'Jobu's staunch supporters inhabited. There was also a quick trip to see the work ships on standby where the second island expansion would be built under her guidance. How the Wakandans lived cloaked in plain sight was astounding.
Five other design firms competed to build the new expansion, already miffed that they gave her the international embassy contract. Disa one-upped them all by asking for a Jabari team member to offset claims of her not understanding traditional structures. Who better to know Wakandan tradition than the Jabari people who left the nation because the others refused to hold on to it?
Adebiyi was sent to her, and at first, he was a quiet observer who listened to her ideas and inspected her early sketch designs. Then he began showing his ass, complaining about the materials she wanted to use and putting down her desire to have Wakandans involved with the design process. He was an artisan, and she fell in love with the work he had done in the Jabari lands. His middle-aged crotchety attitude polluted her office, and she regretted choosing him for her team. He was xenophobic, smug, and disparaging of her foreign ways. She kept her professional cool and refused to let him get under her skin where he could see how much he irked her. Disa was grateful when Yani showed up, freeing her for a few minutes from the Jabari tyrant. He was going to be a thorn in her side until Phase Two was completed. Kembintu, Atta, and T'Mbeze, her three other team members, rolled their eyes and gave subtle sighs whenever their gatherings turned into shouting matches. Disa made a note to ask T'Challa to come check the man and put the others on notice at the next family meal.
She whisked herself into the front office, and Yani looked frightened. Her normally warm brown skin looked unhealthy, and Disa immediately wanted to comfort her. With all the things they had been through, she still looked at Yani as a younger sibling. The fact that the woman came to her before anyone else with her fears showed Disa that she was trusted and her opinions on things still mattered to Yani.
After they spoke, Disa returned to her office and found it difficult to concentrate on her work. Even Adebiyi's spiel on some unimportant matter failed to get a rise in her. The man grumbled about her under his breath and the other team members ignored him while they planned a field trip out on the sea to supervise the installation of the island foundation. She pulled it together to finish a long day and practically ran to her suite to gulp down a glass of plum liquor.
A long bubble bath brought her back to life. She dressed in a lovely pink dinner dress and pinned her hair up for a sophisticated look. Disa enjoyed dinners with the entire family. It had become a rare event after the mourning period and she looked forward to seeing everyone, especially Riki and Sydette. Strolling through the palace on her way to the dining room, she met up with Umama and Baba Z. They were dressed in matching saffron robes, a sign that they would travel back to the Jabari mountains to wait for Erik's return. Umama rubbed Disa's arm with affection as Dante arrived with Joba carrying flowers from her fairy garden. Her daughter presented the bouquet to her great-grandparents and received kisses and a big hug from both Umama and Baba Z.
Attendants opened the dining room doors, and Yani arrived with Riki and Sydette. Joba squealed and ran to her brother first before Sydette picked her up and swung her around once. More hugs and kisses were given. Disa studied Yani's face. It still looked distraught.
Taking their places around the table, T'Challa, Shuri, and Ramonda soon joined them. The evening meal was filled with lots of vegetarian dishes, a hearty potato soup, and chickpea samosas. Yani glanced at Disa, cleared her throat, and brought everyone's attention to her when it was time for dessert.
"Will Erik have to fight again when he takes the throne?" Yani asked.
T'Challa didn't break eye contact with her, but Shuri glanced over at Ramonda and her grandparents. The silence around the table answered the question in the affirmative.
"He will face other tribes who have the right to challenge him," T'Challa said.
"You would have him risk his life again after all he's been through?" Disa asked.
"It is a tradition. We cannot take power until we give others a fair opportunity to rule," Baba Z said.
"Sydette… Riki… Joba… take your dessert out onto the patio with Hlano," Ramonda said.
The dining room attendant ushered the children with their small bowls of coconut and sweet potato pudding.
"What if he's killed? What will happen?" Yani said.
"He will not die," T'Challa said.
"But what if he does?" Disa asked, hating the sound of the words on her tongue.
T'Challa wiped his lips with a linen napkin and sighed.
"Riki or Joba would be chosen as his successor and I would become a regent until they came of age to take over ruling," T'Challa said.
"No one has ever beaten an Udaku… except for another Udaku," Baba Z said.
"When Killmonger beat T'Challa," Yani said.
"There have been other Udakus who have challenged family members before, centuries ago. N'Jadaka was not the first," Baba Z said.
"Can he refuse?" Disa asked.
"No," T'Challa said.
"This is acceptable to you? Him possibly dying again?" Yani said.
"My grandson will not die," Umama said.
The older woman cradled her chin with her hands.
"When he comes down from the mountain, no one will defeat him. Not here in Wakanda, or out there in the world," Umama said.
Baba Z put a hand on T'Challa's shoulder.
"With T'Challa by his side, we will enter a new age. I never thought I would see something like this, and I ruled this country for a long time. The Black Panther and the Golden Jaguar, together… it has never been done before," Baba Z said with pride.
Their confidence bolstered Yani's faith, and she sat up in her seat, relaxing her shoulders. Disa put her trust in the lineage. Erik wasn't facing another Udaku again.
"Set aside your fears, Yani. Bast would never allow N'Jadaka to be taken from us again," Umama said.
Disa reached for Yani's hand and squeezed it.
Dinner ended on a positive note and Disa mentioned her work issues to T'Challa. She tried not to sound like a bitter snitch, but her reputation was on the line, and having Adebiyi question her skills on every little step was beyond disrespectful. She wanted to use a diplomatic way to bitch slap the Jabari artisan without upsetting M'Baku.
"I will look into this for you," T'Challa said.
Disa sighed with relief. An inquiry from the king helped a lot, especially since he supported her all the way. A little chin check didn't hurt anyone out of pocket. T'Challa tapped his kimoyo beads as their dessert plates were cleared away.
"M'Baku, may I request a favor? Can you bring Adebiyi to the East tea room?"
Disa's eyebrows shot up on her forehead.
"Now?" she whispered to T'Challa.
He held up a hand to pause her. M'Baku's half-form floated in front of T'Challa.
"I can," M'Baku said.
"Let us meet in ten minutes," T'Challa said.
He tapped his bead and glanced over at Disa.
"M'Baku is staying in the palace this week overseeing some official business. We can go talk now."
Disa tilted her head with surprise.
"Better to handle it tonight before you face off again tomorrow," T'Challa said.
Disa glanced at Yani.
"I can take the children to your place with Dante," Yani said.
Dante was already up and ushering his great-grandchildren back from the patio/terrace. Umama and Baba Z joined him by the dining room door.
"Thanks," Disa said.
She followed T'Challa and his Doras to the elegant tea room. Moments later, M'Baku appeared with a gallant stride, followed by Adebiyi.
"Lady Abdullah," M'Baku said, giving her a warm gap-toothed smile.
"Hello, M'Baku," Disa said.
Adebiyi already had down-turned lips, but she noticed how different he looked with regular clothing on. He and M'Baku both wore casual robes much different from the official look of the Jabari people when they interacted with the Wakandans. Her nemesis rolled his eyes at first, and then he took in her dressed-up appearance with a trace of surprise. She looked away quickly to let T'Challa speak.
"M'Baku, Lady Abdullah has some differences to work out with Adebiyi that have come to my attention," T'Challa said.
The king's serious eyes darted over to Disa, and she cleared her throat and held her head high.
"The man doesn't respect my expertise or the way I handle the Phase Two project. I can't continue working with someone who fights against my vision. I have great respect for Adebiyi's artistry, but we cannot work together in the future if he continues to second-guess me," she said.
Adebiyi stared at her as if she had thrown grits on him and puffed up his chest. M'Baku held a hand up to him and stared at Disa.
"Adebiyi is the best in our land. Trained by an elder artisan from a long line extending seven hundred years. You will find no one better. I do not say this because he is my wife's brother, but because he is the greatest builder we have."
Disa blinked several times and took a deep inhale.
"He is your brother-in-law?" she squeaked out.
M'Baku nodded.
"With all due respect, Lady Abdullah, I do not feel that I have disrespected you. Challenged you, yes. Brought issues to your attention that I think you overlook, yes. I am a blunt man and perhaps that is something you are unaccustomed to," Adebiyi said.
His lips grew tight, and he crossed his bulky arms, looking smug and justified in his behavior.
"Cultural differences can create friction when two people from unique places come together," T'Challa said, trying to smooth over the tension.
"I've traveled the world," Disa said, "he has not. I'm accustomed to working with all kinds of people, but Adebiyi treats me like I'm beneath him. I am Lady Abdullah from the House of Udaku. The mother of a royal. I demand civility at all times and this is something he has a problem with because he sees me as an inferior—"
"Have I ever called you inferior, Lady Abdullah?" Adebiyi asked.
He stepped toward her and M'Baku lowered his eyes as if he expected his extended family member to act a fool.
"You treat me as such. No words need to be spoken if it is understood by body language, tone, and sucking of teeth—"
Adebiyi sucked his teeth.
"See? Shit like that!" Disa shouted.
Her loud voice startled Adebiyi, and he quickly stepped back in the king's presence. Disa took advantage of the royal support and sauntered over to the arrogant man.
"I have won awards all over the world. I chose you to work with me because I respect your craft, your experience, and your knowledge of Wakandan history. I'm exceptional at what I do. Work with me, not against me. If my ideas and plans are not up to snuff, come at me as a colleague and your superior with respect. I'm a big girl and can handle critiques and concerns. I will not, however, tolerate the way you act in front of other people. Bringing this matter to the king was the last thing I wanted to do, but since you act so ridiculous… here we are," she said.
"Kumkani, I am not a man who would treat a member of your family with disrespect," Adebiyi said.
"Tuh," Disa said, folding her own arms.
"Untighten your tongue and speak to her," T'Challa said, placing his arms behind his back and stepping next to M'Baku. The Jabari leader touched the back of his neck and pursed his lips with discomfort at the situation. He eyed Adebiyi with quiet contemplation.
Adebiyi looked at Disa with humiliation in his eyes. Being chastised in front of the king and his brother-in-law had to have knocked him down a peg or two.
"May we speak together in privacy, Adebiyi and I?" Disa said.
T'Challa held out his hand and had M'Baku follow him out of the tearoom.
"This was unnecessary. You could have spoken to me before running off to tattle like some child," Adebiyi hissed.
"I tried to speak to you several times, but you were dismissive and rude. You left me no choice but to speak to the king."
"Now what? Am I supposed to get on my knees and beg for forgiveness? I did this project as a favor for my youngest sister. I could care less about working for you."
"Do you always have to be a dick?"
"I am forthright and honest."
"You are, and I get down with that… I really do Adebiyi. But sometimes you make me feel like I'm trash and it hurts me."
Disa held her head down, not expecting to tell him her deepest feelings. She turned away and wiped at her eyes.
"I have a lot on my plate... a lot of expectations weighing on me. I'm one of the first immigrants to your country, and my presence… my family's presence, has changed your country so much. I don't know if that angers you and makes you want to sabotage my work… or if you genuinely just hate anyone who isn't Jabari—"
"I don't hate you."
Disa glanced back at him. He lowered his head.
"I am sorry if I made you feel bad about yourself. In my work, I am always in charge. Working for you has been difficult. Sometimes I do not see your vision, and others pretend they do. I speak out because… that is how I am."
"It feels like you are attacking me personally, not what's on the table," she said.
"I will give the king my resignation—"
"I'm asking you to believe in me, Adebiyi."
"I do not think I can, Lady Abdullah. We are too different."
"This disappoints me. When I told your sister that I chose you, she nearly jumped out of her skin. She is so proud of you and your talents. Her last words to me when I saw her in person were, 'You will be so impressed with what Adebiyi can do'. She didn't even tell me you were her brother."
Adebiyi's eyes grew soft at the sound of his sister's name. His broad shoulders slumped forward, and he wiped his forehead.
"If you quit, it will only reflect poorly on you. Not me. I know what I'm doing and I need your gifts," she said.
He turned away and headed for the door. Disa wilted until he stopped.
"Do not mention this to my sister. I will stay and work with you. If my behavior upsets you again in the future… speak to me directly," he said.
She nodded, and he exited. T'Challa returned to her side alone.
"How was he?" T'Challa asked.
Disa shrugged.
"I hope he will do better."
"M'Baku will talk to him."
"I wish you had spoken to him on your own first."
"No. The Jabari prefer direct confrontation. I wanted the man to face all of us at once. Let me know if he doesn't work out. They revere him in the mountains, but he is not the only person capable of carrying out your vision," T'Challa said.
"Thank you. Goodnight," she said.
She squeezed his arm and left for her home.
Yani waited for her inside a chaotic living room with their children running around laughing and playing chase with laser tag toys. Dante took part, huffing about out of breath and holding his side. Riki raised his laser gun and shot a green light beam across the room, striking Dante's chest vest, and causing it to blink with flashing red and yellow lights. Sydette cackled as she took out her brother from behind with the help of Joba.
"Everything okay?" Yani asked.
"For now. We'll see in the future. Adebiyi is Ayomide's older brother."
"What?!"
"I know… she never said a thing to me."
Disa glanced around, watching all the chaos babies play with Dante.
"Can you spend the night with the children? I need to just get some things off my mind. Work… Challenge Day. I feel like I need a vacation from everything," Disa said.
"We can stay," Yani said.
Disa smiled, and Yani's expression changed. She glanced back at their children, then stepped closer to Disa.
"I have an idea and maybe you'd like to do it with me?" Yani said.
"What about?"
"I have a lot of vacation time accrued from the hospital and I want to go back to St. Thomas for Juvay. Would you be open to coming with us? Getting out of Wakanda will probably do us both good right now while Erik is away."
Disa stared at Yani, unsure of how to respond.
"Plenty of parties. The children can swim all day together, and my Aunt Leona will spoil you with her food. Twyla is going back, and I invited Marisol, too. It can be a fun Girl's Trip. Joba really wants to meet Jerome, my little brother. He's an iguana, but we treat him like family."
Yani giggled, and her eyes twinkled. Disa closed her eyes and clasped Yani's hand.
"I think a family trip is what we all need."
"You can come back energized and ready to handle that Jabari bully," Yani said.
Disa rolled her eyes.
"If he wasn't such a stubborn, annoying ass, he would be an okay dude… what?"
Yani grinned and put a hand on her hip.
"Hearing you say that sounds like you're talking about Erik."
"That probably will be him in twenty years. As much as the Wakandans act egalitarian with women, there are still some men here who want to drag us back to the stone ages."
"Mmhmm."
The screechy squeals of the children drew Disa's attention away. The three little ones looked so happy. Stress, family tensions, and mourning affected them too. She clapped her hands loudly and gathered their attention.
"Guess what?" Disa said.
"What?" all three children said, staring at her with shiny eyes.
"We are going to St. Thomas!"
Twyla, Marisol, Leona, and the rest of Yani's immediate family waited for them on the private boat dock as the Royal Talon Fighter floated down. A ramp slid out and there were excited whoops and shouts for their arrival. The balmy heat struck Yani, and she closed her eyes, inhaling deep the scent of home.
Riki and Sydette dashed off the Talon ramp and jumped into the arms of her parents and Leona. Her sisters hugged her and greeted Disa, Joba, and Dante. The weight of Wakanda slid from her shoulders. There were Dora Milaje assigned to them, but one of them was Noxolo, so she was happy that someone close to Erik was with them as their security. The children loved her and she looked around wide-eyed at the island's beauty.
"There he is!" Yani said, reaching for Disa's arm and pulling her toward Jerome, who lounged in a tree looking down at them near the swimming pool.
Yani gave them all a tour, and her childhood companion still ruled the compound. His skin was a little ashen around the end of his tail and the top of his crown, but Jerome still had a lot of life still left in him. Joba was nervous meeting him, but Riki climbed the tree and pet Jerome's back.
"Jerome, that's my baby sister. You be nice to her!" Riki shouted.
Her cousin CeCe brought her young children down from the second house and several other cousins had their kids, so the children disappeared with Noxolo tailing them. Dante sniffed the air and threw out his hands.
"Beautiful. Simply beautiful."
"And hot," Leona said, reaching for Dante's hand. "Let mi get you a cool drink and some food."
"Can't say no to that. How are you, my lovely lady?" Dante said.
The older relatives and her parents followed them up to the house.
"She'll be on the phone late tonight gathering up the hens to fix him up with one of her friends," Twyla said, sucking her teeth.
With the help of Twyla, Marisol, and CeCe, they collected all of their luggage on two trips before settling inside the main house for refreshments. The familiar odor of the dwelling hit her right away, and she paused in her steps. Disa looked around, admiring the artwork and layout. Yani touched her chest and shivered at the ghostly memories that rushed her.
Twyla and CeCe brought out mixed drinks with snacks, and they feasted. Marisol spoke of her fun hanging with Twyla and Cece for a week prior to their arrival. Her bubbly personality had CeCe in awe of her. By the time Leona called to meet up at the front house for dinner, all five of them were tipsy and bonded like a band of wild women out to have a good time. Yani's sister Anika hugged her and rubbed her hands across Yani's freshly clipped hair.
"You ever growing this out?" Anika asked.
Almost twenty-one, Anika was a big woman now, not that pesky little girl who babysat Sweet Pea in a cramped apartment. She wore her hair relaxed and long, liked her nails done, and became a fashionista working in a hotel boutique selling tourists expensive outfits. Pretty and full of youthful energy, Yani wondered if she would've been like that if she hadn't had a baby so young. Picturing her baby sister carrying a toddler around and juggling three jobs made Yani feel so weary for her younger self. Women needed time to experience life, and not have kids so early.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Anika asked.
"You're so pretty and funny," Yani said, stroking the ends of her sister's hair.
Taking her seat at a large table, her family broke bread with their new guests and it felt like old times… well… not quite… not until Kendall showed up with gifts and superstar energy. Yani ran to him when he swept into the dining room. Her cousin was a bigger celebrity now, and for him to take time away from Miami to be back home was a big deal and cost him money. He'd moved into producing more and there were international artists lined up to work with him in the states.
"I can't miss being with the Fam with Juvay coming!" Kendall shouted.
She stuffed herself with peas and rice, oxtails, and stew chicken. Leona piled their plates with mango glazed short ribs and spicy shrimp salad. It was a feast for the ages.
"Mi belly full," Yani whined.
Sydette rubbed Yani's stomach.
"Can we go swim at the cove?" Sydette pleaded. "Mi wahn take Joba there."
"After a nap," Yani said.
The children whined, but Leona and Yani's mother Paula led them to the second house for naptime. Her father, Halston, took Dante outside to talk and drink beer for men's time, leaving everyone else free to do whatever they wanted. Disa wanted to rest, and she followed Marisol to the room they would share in the main house, leaving Yani with Twyla.
"Look at you, Dr. Galiber," Twyla said.
Yani grinned.
"One more year and I will feel comfortable with that title," Yani said.
They shuffled on bare feet to sit at the end of the dock. The Royal Talon Fighter stayed hidden away under a camouflage shield near the private beach. If anything happened, they would fly away quickly, members of the Royal Family.
The tide was low, and they watched a cruise ship heading toward the port. Twyla nudged her shoulder into Yani's.
"Bibi and I are talking about marriage," Twyla said.
Yani's mouth fell open.
"I know, I know… working together brought us closer, and Yani… he believes in me so much!"
Twyla's voice squeaked and her legs jerked about.
"Did he ask you?" Yani asked.
Twyla held up her right hand where a posh diamond and vibranium ring sat. Yani grabbed her finger.
"I noticed this earlier, but since it wasn't on your left hand…"
"I don't want anyone here to know about it yet. You're the only person I've told. I told Bibi I would give him an answer when I returned to Wakanda. Oh, gyal, that man loves him some Twyla!"
Her cousin waved her arms above her head and they giggled like little girls again together. Yani hugged her.
"I'm so happy for you!" Yani said.
"God… Wakanda has given me everything. To think if I hadn't sent Big Man your way on Juvay… my life would be so… I don't know. Killmonger pushed my business proposal through and once he takes the throne, Bibi and I can open our Eco-Tours business together."
"Will you accept his marriage proposal?" Yani asked.
"I will. I know I've kept things private from you, but I wanted to make sure this was right… and it is. He wanted to come here with me to ask for my hand in person from my parents, but I want this just for me."
"Aw! Look at you crying with joy!" Yani teased.
Twyla grinned through her glassy eyes filled with tears. A few leaked down her cheek.
"He thinks I'm the most brilliant and beautiful woman he has ever seen. He was so shy about asking me out. Keeping things professional. We always ended up together at the end of the day. When we began scouting locations to open the business, I realized I needed him to make the company happen properly there. He just wanted to be a tour guide. There's something about him that makes me grateful to wake up in the morning. His love is soothing and sweet, and he can handle me like no man ever could."
Twyla gazed at the water and hugged herself.
"Look, I'm getting goosebumps talking about him," Twyla said, holding out her arms.
Yani watched her cousin's face as it twisted up with emotion and her bottom lip quivered. She rested her head on Twyla's shoulder.
"His family is well off and part of the River Tribe. They wanted him to go into politics, but he wants to be part of welcoming international visitors. He's learning English so fast because he's excited about meeting new people from all over the world. Wakanda makes him so proud and he loves looking at it through my eyes. Sorry, I can't stop crying—"
"You're in love and happy. Cry all you want," Yani encouraged.
Twyla looked at Yani and her face slowly became calm once more.
"Yani, I'm happy for you too," Twyla said.
"For what?"
"For you and Disa. I watched you both since you've been home today and that closeness is back. You were both so chatty with each other and it was like no one else could break that bubble," Twyla said.
Yani nodded.
"This last week has been so good for us. Planning the trip together. Packing. Talking about Erik. God, Twyla, I wish we had her around when we were coming up. I was so consumed with anger for months and pretending I wasn't still processing everything. It was like moving forward and back constantly… I was so wrapped up in mi shit and I lost sight of her feelings… her fears. I missed that friendship—"
"And her jokes," Twyla added.
Yani laughed.
"She has a filthy sense of humor that I love so much. Her stories about traveling and being Muslim and wanting so much to happen for the world… she's like me, but like… older, y'know? For months, it intimidated me all the time. Comparing myself, but she would just tell me that time would bring me to her level soon enough. She just had years on me. With Erik being away, it's like a fog lifted from my eyes and I can let my hurt go finally."
Yani focused on the water and wiggled her toes.
"You two staying down here all day?"
Kendall called to them as he swaggered down the dock with his expensive celebrity shades and designer beachwear. He joined them, smelling expensive and flossing his new Cuban link chain. Yani stood, punched Kendall's shoulder, and rubbed her hand all over his bushy afro. Twyla raised up beside him.
"Open your mouth," Yani said.
Kendall pulled back his generous lips as they saw the gold slugs on his bottom teeth copying Killmonger's signature look.
"Dem Yankee girlies love it," he quipped with pride.
The loud patter of feet from eight children stampeded toward them, led by Sydette.
"Riki!" Yani shouted.
Too late.
The boy leaped off the dock and made a big splash below.
"Things never change with that boy!" Kendall said.
Yani ran to the edge and started scolding him for getting his clothes all wet, but Kendall shoved her arm. She went flailing into the water, followed by Sydette and Joba. The other children made the leap too and Yani treaded in the warm water, scolding them all while laughing about it. The Black mermaid had returned. A wave lifted them all and Joba wrapped her arms around the back of Yani's neck.
"I got you, Joba," Yani said.
They splashed around for twenty minutes until Disa and Marisol showed up.
"Oh my goodness, what is happening out here?" Disa yelled down to them.
Marisol bumped her hip into Disa's, knocking her in, but Twyla shoved Marisol seconds later, who grabbed a hold of Twyla's arm and they both went in. Kendall laughed his ass off at everyone. Noxolo stepped into view and surveyed the scene. Kendall took a step back from her intimidating stance. The spear in her hand didn't help him feel relaxed, either.
"They're all safe and having fun," Kendall said with a sheepish tone.
Noxolo nodded once and went back to patrolling the property near the beach, keeping her eye on all the children present.
"Aye, Fam, I gotta run," Kendall said.
"Where to?" Yani called up.
"The new studio Solomon opened with Henry. I want to check out the new setup," Kendall said.
Yani glanced at Disa who dog-paddled with Joba.
"Disa, would you and Marisol like to check out the studio?" Yani asked.
"Yeah," Disa said, her eyes lighting up.
They led the children out of the seawater dripping wet and sand stuck to their shoes and legs.
"They are a mess," Twyla said.
The walk back up to the second house took a long time because the children wanted to play hide and seek and Riki became distracted by new iguanas on the property. They turned the kids over to all the aunties so that the adults could shower and change. An hour later, they strode through Leona's front house.
"How long will yuh be at the studio?" Leona asked.
She already had a large knife and garlic cloves out in her kitchen when they headed out. Yani kissed her cheek and tugged on the headscarf that covered her long, twisty gray braids.
"A few hours, Auntie," Yani said.
CeCe brought out bread dough from a pantry to form into dinner rolls. A tall Dora named Quamba walked through the kitchen, excusing herself for getting a bottle of water from the large fridge and placing it inside a side bag on her hip.
"Princess Yani, the car is ready for you and your guests," Quamba said.
"Princess?" CeCe scoffed, with a smirk on her face.
Disa, Twyla, and Marisol followed Quamba to the Wakandan retrofitted black luxury SUV in the driveway. Yani grabbed an imported nectarine from a fruit bowl sitting on an unused cutting table. She bit into it, munching while her aunt and cousin stared at her.
"I forgot to tell you, Auntie. Killmonger changed my status in Wakanda. Twyla and Sweet Pea too, because we come from Queen Mary."
Yani put away her fruit, then pulled out a personal copy of the proclamation with Leona's name on it. The shiny purple and gold lettering dazzled, and she handed it to Leona.
"The royal court of Wakanda recognizes you, Leona Galiber, as the descendent of a warrior queen who fought for her people. Whenever you visit my new homeland, you will be treated as an important royal visitor," Yani said with deep pride.
Leona held the parchment in her hand. Her hands trembled as she stared down at her name with the title "Queen" in front of it. Her eyes read the fine print and grew large.
"This here means what, Yani?" Leona asked.
"When he takes the throne, he will elevate you to the title of queen under his rule. Queen Mary came from St. Croix, and because he holds you in his highest regard, he will recognize you as the successor—"
"But my older brother should have this—"
"Killmonger chose you, Auntie. You were kind to him… cared for him. He won't acknowledge anyone else but you," Yani said.
"What about me?" CeCe said.
Her forehead creased with displeasure, and she bared her teeth along with heated eyes.
"What about you?" Yani said.
"I'm a Galiber too! I should get something!"
"The way you talked bad about him?" Leona shot back. "About Yani?"
CeCe cut her eyes away.
"Queen Mary's blood runs in me too… in my babies," CeCe said.
"Maybe he remembers how badly you talked about him and me," Yani said.
She put a hand on her hip.
"Remember when you said he would just use mi up and throw mi away? Every chance you got, you called him a wasteman… told mi I was a fool for laying up with him. Now you want something from that?" Yani said with an incredulous expression on her face.
"None of we knew who he was… not the real him. Mi only spoke because I was worried… Auntie, you know that," CeCe said.
Leona held the proclamation against her breasts and closed her eyes.
"I always knew there was something special about him. He was so different from the others… cool, calculating… considerate to me and mine. To know he thought about me so many times when I asked for nothing…"
Leona touched Yani's cheek.
"Go have a nice time with Kendall. Dinner will be at seven. Call me if yuh late and I'll keep things warmed up for all of you."
"Auntie, I can hire caterers to take care of everything while we're here," Yani said.
Leona waved her hands about and pushed her toward the back door.
"I want to cook. Our new family is here. They will have my best," Leona said.
Yani kissed Leona's cheek and bounced away as CeCe cut her eyes again and pouted.
Disa took in the lush scenery as they arrived at a home studio on the other side of the island near Sapphire Beach. Behind a luxury condo was a grouping of upscale homes, one of which had been converted into a musical hub.
Walking into it, she immediately felt the creative energy flow as Kendall introduced her to the owner/operator, an older man named Henry, and his partner Solomon, who nearly bent over backward for Yani. A small crowd of eager recording artists sat in a large front room waiting to head into a sizeable recording studio that was stuffed with exceptional sound recording gear and some session players. Her gaze fell upon the empty drum set and her palms itched to hold sticks and play. Kendall sensed this and asked Henry if Disa could play on them before his next track recording. Smitten by her curves and the way her hips swayed, Henry loaned her his own sticks, eager to see if she was as good as Yani claimed.
Disa kicked off her kitten heel sandals and hiked up her lime-colored wrap-around skirt. Warming up by tapping the ride cymbal and testing the high hat, she launched into one of Kendall's last records and Yani's cousin lost his mind when she funked the beat up more than the original record. Henry stood outside the enclosed room with his engineer staring at her with his mouth open through the glass window. The band that had been on a short break joined her with Yani, Marisol, and Twyla stepping into the space with them. Kendall tapped the soundboard and his bright voice flooded the studio with excitement.
"Yani, sing!" Kendall begged.
"Sing what?" Yani said, with her hands on her hips.
Disa scooted her left food securely over the bass pedal and tapped a new rhythmic beat that the bass player followed in a jam session freestyle. The keyboardist peppered in runs and the guitarist grinned while plucking some nasty licks into the mix. Disa eased into her pocket queen groove and the bass player bobbed his head and twisted his lips at how wonderfully stank the sound was. She stayed on the one, and the studio band followed her lead.
"Make up something! You always make up songs," Kendall declared.
Yani glanced over at Disa.
"C'mon Yani! I got this on lock!" Disa said, slamming hard on the crash cymbal to emphasize her point.
"Goddamn!" the bass player exclaimed as Disa switched up the beat and rode the high hat for a spell before going down into the pocket and working the kickdrum.
Yani shook her head and shied away from one of the two standing mics, but Disa switched up the beat again, creating a dancehall cadence that made all the men yell with pleasure. Twyla stepped up and rapped a flow over the beat, and tugged on Yani's sleeve to drag her in.
"Yani, this shit is hot!" Kendall yelled over the speakers.
Yani stepped in front of a mic and closed her eyes, feeling the music.
"Them call mi muma heavy Bumpa big and mi likkle flat belly Young and healthy mi nuh done like credit Wuk fi mi things cyah seh mi beggy beggy Suh move up, cuz afta mi nuh idle Bitch yuh time up, and mi know yuh wish yuh did nice suh A gooda my fault mek the man a hide yuh Cuz everytime mi walk mi skirt a ride up…" **
Marisol and Twyla squealed and jumped around Yani as she laid down her lyrics. Kendall ran into the room and snagged the other mic, rapping bars that enhanced Yani's playful hook. Disa played with the drum beats more, banging out intricate rhythms that Yani and Kendall slid over effortlessly. Yani turned to face her and sang to Disa directly, playing with the sound of her voice, until Disa stopped playing and waved to Kendall.
"Can we record this? I mean, do an actual taping and redo what you all did?" Disa asked.
Kendall looked back at Henry through the studio glass.
"Henry?" Kendall said.
"I'll pay for the studio time," Disa said. "This is too hot to let it disappear."
"She's good for it, trust me," Kendall said. He winked at Disa, not letting on that Disa could buy the studio ten times over what it cost.
"I'll pay for the studio time of the talent waiting outside if they'll let us sneak in this set before them," Disa offered.
Henry clapped his hands and cued up the boards with the assistant recording engineer.
"I can't even remember what I said," Yani moaned.
"Kendall, you start first and Yani can sing her part right after… add all those ad-libs you did, Yani. Then Twyla, you jump in and we'll have Marisol come through with some Portuguese to give it an international flavor," Disa said.
"Okay band director!" The bassist said.
Disa worked out a plucky intro with the guitar player and showed him how she would come in after him with the bass player. She arranged, directed, and had them performing like they were her own band. The sweetness of Yani's voice made the recording full of sugary pop flavor, and Twyla's deeper voice coming after her cousin's added a rich boldness to the sound like an old-school dancehall queen tone that added heat to all of Yani's sweetness. Marisol's mellow voice gave the track an elevated spice.
The joy in Disa's playing bled through the session, taking her mind away from work and worrying about showing Wakanda her best efforts. They left the studio together in elevated spirits, riding around the island where Twyla pointed out landmarks and great bars. She let the window down and luxuriated in the breeze blowing over her face and curls.
Leona fed them well, and the children entertained them with stories until it was their bedtime. Resting on a pool lounger, Disa drank a glass of wine, stretching her legs, and inhaling the fresh scents of flowers and the ocean. Yani and Marisol joined her, reclining in comfortable shorts and t-shirts.
The next couple of weeks took on the same pacing of swimming, eating, visiting tourist spots, and Yani's old job at a protected mangrove. She guided them on canoes and Disa snorkeled, delighting in the wondrous schools of fish that swarmed around her. Twyla had them on humorous walking tours and showed them statues of the Three Queens, and she snapped plenty of holopics of the one representing Queen Mary.
When they weren't with family, Disa's favorite time spent there was with Yani talking about Erik's consortium and sharing her sketches of what she drew for Yani's vision of a proper birthing hospital for Black women. They spent long nights imagining the beautiful spaces newborns would be born in. Yani had introduced her to a doctor mentor that cared for Sydette when she nearly died, and they walked on Yani's private beach, staring at the stars in the sky and listening to the crash of waves.
"We have worldbuilding resources to do whatever we want, Yani," Disa said.
They walked barefoot into the water, letting the warm liquid lick at their ankles. Standing side by side, the words sank in.
"How does it feel to shape history?" Yani asked.
"Humbling. Scary. Fate really took over our lives meeting, Erik," Disa said.
Yani nodded. Her gaze turned distant, and then she pointed over to some craggy-looking rocks that curved out to sea.
"That's where I was shot," Yani said.
"Oh shit," Disa said.
"It was the last time I saw him. He told me to finish school to be a doctor and watched me swim into the ocean with Sweet Pea on my back and Riki inside of me. I miss him, Disa."
"I do too."
"I see his vision... I see what he wants to do. I worry I'm not qualified, but he believes in me… believes in us. The day he left, I went to his office and saw all the important things he wants to accomplish, and I want him to succeed," Yani said.
"In school, he always talked about what he wanted to do, and the conviction in his voice… his demeanor… there is no way Allah will allow him to fail. He has us. His children. He always had spunk and determination," Disa said.
"Mpilo told me that is what he had on his face when he left. Determination. I'm so glad you came here, Disa," Yani said.
"I am too."
Disa's kimoyo lit up. She gave an enormous sigh.
"What?" Yani asked.
"My head of construction. I need to take this."
"Stay. I'll go back up and give you privacy. Dominoes by the pool at nine."
"Hopefully, I won't have to scream at this man," Disa said.
Yani smiled and left her to her call.
Disa took a deep breath and tapped her kimoyo. Adebiyi's stern face floated before her.
"I'm on vacation. This couldn't wait?" Disa asked in a pleasant voice, trying to bite back on her annoyance. Answering him was a simple courtesy for her friendship with his sister.
"I would not bother you, Lady Abdullah, for simple matters. I want to inform you of some underwater seismic activity off the coast that is concerning. We have halted work until we can determine how aftershocks will affect us. A tsunami warning was issued for our coast, along with Kenya and Niganda's coastline."
"Thank you for telling me personally," she said.
Adebiyi wasn't in the palace anymore with M'Baku. He looked to be in his own private residence.
"King T'Challa has sent a crew to check our floating foundations for any damage."
"I would like daily updates until I return," Disa said.
"This could push us back on your deadline," he said.
"I don't care about that right now. Safety is important. Has there been seismic activity like this before?" she asked.
"Not as alarming as this one."
"Please call me at this same time tomorrow," she said.
"As you wish."
Adebiyi hung up first, and Disa felt a sense of relief flow over her. T'Challa was on top of it and the deadline for completion delayed was a nice breather from Adebiyi in person and dealing with her team back at the office.
She glanced over at the spot where Yani had been shot and walked toward it, trying to picture a woman fleeing for her life and that of her children. Turning around, she looked at the sand and the path back toward the main house. Somewhere, there was a mass grave filled with dead men that Erik had buried.
The world wouldn't know what hit it once he came back to the palace.
Disa couldn't wait.
Chapter 58 HERE.
Author’s Note:
** The lyrics Yani sings is Jada Kingdom’s “Badum” see video below after tag list!
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