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  “We’re working up here today,” Colin said. “Since Max, Alex, and Sensei Steve are here, we thought we’d teach you about unpredictability. This is an unpredictable environment. You have to negotiate the chairs and rugs and this wood floor. It’s more like what you might encounter in the world.”

  “You mean you faked going down?” Nash asked.

  “I. . .” Colin looked at Alex and stopped talking.

  “Yes, Colin, why don’t you show us how you faked falling to your knees in pain?” Alex asked in a clear threat.

  “I. . .” Colin said. “Uh.”

  Alex dropped him again.

  “I have both hands now,” Alex said. “Want to rumble?”

  Colin hopped to his feet ready to fight. Sensei Steve loudly whistled.

  “Stop!” Steve yelled. Colin and Alex looked at him. Turning to the children, Steve said, “They will do this all day if you let them.”

  The children laughed.

  “Focus,” Steve said. “The key here is to learn a few moves that will help you keep any opponent off guard, at least long enough to run away, regardless of their size or ability.”

  “And to make sure that you don’t discount someone just because you think you know something about them,” Alex said.

  “Did you really eat all of that ice cream?” Colin asked in an accusing tone. “You didn’t save any for me? I bought it!”

  “What ice cream?” Alex asked.

  She poked him hard in the ribs with her thumb. He squealed.

  “That’s one of them,” Steve said.

  “How did you know what she did?” Noelle asked.

  “I’ve heard him squeal like a little baby for most of his life,” Steve said with a laugh. “Okay, let’s get warmed up.”

  Alex grinned at Colin, and he ruffled her short hair. When Max arrived, they dropped to the floor to work with the children.

  ~~~~~~~~

  Thursday night — 11:15 p.m.

  “There you are!” Heather said, when Tanesha crept in the back of the house. “I was about to send someone to look for you.”

  “Someone?” Tanesha asked.

  “I am a goddess now,” Heather said with a laugh.

  “The position comes with minions?” Tanesha asked.

  “You’d be surprised,” Heather said.

  Heather hugged Tanesha.

  “How was tonight?” Heather asked.

  “I love it,” Tanesha said. “I really feel like I was made for this work. It was. . . amazing. Really. We saw a lady from Gran’s church who hadn’t been to the doctor in forty years. She came only because she wanted to see me.”

  Tanesha sniffed back a tear.

  “You know — first black woman doctor she’d ever heard of,” Tanesha said.

  Heather hugged Tanesha and led her into the kitchen. Tanesha settled on a chair in the kitchen while Heather took Tanesha’s dinner from the oven. Tanesha nodded to the plate.

  “Meatloaf,” Heather said. “Blane’s from the freezer.”

  Tanesha nodded her relief that Heather had not made a meal. Heather smiled.

  “I did make the veg,” Heather said.

  Tanesha would have responded, but she was eating Blane’s meatloaf. She pointed to the meatloaf with her fork, rolled her eyes to heaven, and kept chewing. Heather kept out of the way until she was done.

  “How was tonight on the mobile medical unit?” Heather asked.

  “Great,” Tanesha said. “My dad came by again.”

  Heather nodded sympathetically because she knew Tanesha hated being fawned over.

  “It’s really sweet,” Tanesha said. She fell silent, eating again. “In a crazy-stalker-kind-of-pissing-around-the-edges way.”

  “He loves you,” Heather said. “He’s proud of you.”

  Tanesha nodded and pointed to the electric kettle. Heather turned on the kettle and sat down next to her.

  “What are you doing?” Tanesha picked up the cardboard.

  “I am making grass,” Heather said.

  “Grass?” Tanesha raised her eyebrows.

  “For Jill’s project,” Heather said. “I was allowed make these little bits of grass around the model.”

  “Mom was typing Jill’s report when I called to check on Jabari,” Tanesha said.

  “We’re all working,” Heather said. “You have an assignment, too.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Tanesha asked.

  “Solar lights,” Heather said.

  “For the walkway?” Tanesha asked.

  Heather nodded. Tanesha finished her meal before nodding.

  “Sounds fun,” Tanesha said.

  “Well, get to work,” Heather said. “This baby is due at 4:30 a.m.”

  “What? I thought the project wasn’t due until mid-next week,” Tanesha said.

  “That’s why we’re all working,” Heather said.

  Tanesha watched Heather attempt to take the little pieces of straw and glue them to the bottom board of the model. Wyatt squawked.

  “Why don’t I make the grass and the lights?” Tanesha asked.

  Heather brightened with relief.

  “That's great because . . .” Heather gestured behind her to the stack of boards.

  “What?” Tanesha asked.

  “We’re doing the whole class’s grass and lights,” Heather said. She set a diagram in front of Tanesha. “Jill's brilliance.”

  Tanesha shrugged and nodded. She waved her hand at Heather, and Heather got up to get Wyatt from the crib upstairs. When she returned, Tanesha had finished the grass on two boards.

  “How did you do that?” Heather asked.

  Tanesha gave Heather an amused look and shook her head.

  “I’ve been working on this for hours!” Heather said.

  “Yeah,” Tanesha said with a laugh.

  Heather laughed.

  “You used magic, didn’t you?” Heather asked.

  “Not a chance,” Tanesha said. “Jill would get caught. I’d never risk it.”

  “Fin was at dinner,” Heather said. “He said he could make the entire thing in two minutes.”

  “Not for our Jill,” Tanesha said.

  Heather nodded. She leaned over and kissed Tanesha’s cheek.

  “Thanks,” Heather said.

  “You bet,” Tanesha said. “Did you get the supplies for the lights?”

  Heather nodded to the plastic bag on the counter.

  “Keep me company?” Tanesha asked.

  “It's the least I can do,” Heather said.

  Tanesha set to work.

  Chapter Four Hundred and Forty-seven

  Connected

  Friday night — 1:15 a.m.

  “Yeah,” Bumpy said when he answered the phone.

  “You sound wide awake,” Seth said.

  “I am,” Bumpy said. “Dionne agreed to help Jill — you know, Sandy’s friend — with a school project. Seems like some jerk teacher gave her seventeen hours to finish it. She’s rallied her class so they’re submitting one project. It’s pretty neat, but . . .”

  The phone scraped against Bumpie’s stubbed cheek.

  “Right there,” Bumpy said to Dionne. “It’s not straight. Right. We’re making curtains for the houses. I am on the cutting and ironing task. I hate to say it, but we’re having a good time. Are you looking for Maresol? She’s here. Your dad, too.”

  “All working on this project?” Seth asked.

  “I’m a little surprised they didn’t call you for help,” Bumpy said with a snort.

  “Too far away,” Seth said.

  “Well, they’re using one of your songs for the presentation,” Bumpy said. “Don’t sue them.”

  “They probably called Jammy for that,” Seth said.

  “I’m sure you’re right,” Bumpy said with a laugh.

  Bumpy said something unintelligible to the people in the room and everyone laughed.

  “LaTonya and her babes are here too,” Bumpy said. “She’s putting the curtains on tiny rods. So c
ute. Rodney and Yvonne are working at their house. We’re due at the Castle in an hour and fifteen minutes.”

  “At 2:30 in the morning?” Seth asked.

  “The teacher’s a really piece of work,” Bumpy said with a laugh.

  Maresol said something to Bumpy and he laughed.

  “Maresol wants to know why you’re bothering us,” Bumpy said into the phone. To Maresol, he said, “Can’t a man call his friend in the middle of the night?”

  “Not that man,” Maresol said.

  Everyone laughed.

  “She makes a point, Seth,” Bumpy said. “What’s going on?”

  “Bernice just called,” Seth said.

  Bumpy took a quick intake of breath.

  “Big Daddy has died,” Seth said.

  Bumpy didn’t say anything for a moment. He was so upset that Dionne got up and went to him.

  “What is it?” Dionne asked.

  “Bernice wants us to play at his funeral,” Seth said. “They’re holding it this weekend. Shutting the entire area down for a good, old-fashioned send-off. There’ll be food vendors and lots of other entertainment. Bernice asked if we would be there all day to help keep the music going and carry the coffin.”

  When Bumpy didn’t respond, Seth pressed on.

  “Bernice said that we were the thing Big Daddy was most proud of in his life — you becoming a doctor and me surviving school to play music, be a detective, and everything after that,” Seth said.

  “He always said you were his one and only favorite white person,” Bumpy said.

  Dionne gasped, and Maresol looked up. Uncomfortable with the women’s attention, Bumpy turned his back to them.

  “He always felt directly responsible for you,” Seth said. “For me. Because . . .”

  “He was,” Bumpy said.

  “Did you ever tell Dionne?” Seth asked.

  “No,” Bumpy said.

  “I see,” Seth said. “Will you come?”

  “Did you know that he called me every single day during that whole rape trial thing?” Bumpy asked. He could feel Dionne’s eyes narrowing with anger. He cleared his throat. “Remember they wanted to prosecute all of the children who’d bought the videos, even though most of them had never looked at them — bought them under pressure. He called me every day to make sure I was taking care of it. He always had another solution or offered to help out a family caught in the bullshit. And poor Frankie and Solomon, he saved their lives. No question. I . . .”

  “Yeah,” Seth said. “Me, too.”

  Bumpy didn’t say anything for a moment.

  “Would you like me to speak with Dionne?” Seth asked.

  “No,” Bumpy said. “I need to do it. It’s long overdue.”

  “That’s a fact,” Seth said.

  “We’ll be there Saturday,” Bumpy said into the phone.

  “Where are we going?” Dionne’s angry voice came from behind him. He glanced over his shoulder. Seeing her angry face, he immediately wished he hadn’t looked. He turned around.

  “Should I get you a standup bass or . . .?” Seth asked.

  “I’ll bring the one he gave me,” Bumpy said.

  “Oh no, no, no, no, no,” Dionne said. This time, he closed his eyes to keep from looking at her. “That hoodlum is not dragging us back into his life again.”

  “Jeraine?” Bumpy asked.

  “She hasn’t asked directly, but I’ve heard the whole tour is due at the celebration,” Seth said. “At least during the day. They can easily get to their show that night. Jammy will work it out.”

  Bumpy grunted that he understood. Neither man said anything for a few moments.

  “I should go,” Bumpy said. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Bumpy hung up the phone before Seth could say anything else. He stood still for a moment. Gathering his courage, he turned around. Dionne was standing right behind him. Bumpy put his arm around her, but she shook him off. He looked up to find that everyone in the room was staring at him.

  “I’m sorry,” Bumpy said. “I need to speak with my wife in private.”

  Maresol nodded, and Bernie gave Bumpy a searching look.

  “If you have something to say about that man, I’d rather they were here so that I don’t beat you to death,” Dionne said.

  Bumpy chuckled at the fire that still lived inside his beautiful wife.

  “What is it, son?” Bernie asked.

  Maresol looked up from her task at him. Bumpy swallowed hard.

  “Seth, I mean . . .” Bumpy said. “Well . . .”

  Bumpy nodded.

  “This is about Big Daddy,” Maresol said.

  Bumpy looked at Maresol.

  “Has he died?” Maresol asked.

  Bumpy could feel Dionne’s eyes burning into his face.

  “Yes,” Bumpy said. “His wife, Bernice, has asked if Seth and I would play all day at the celebration and carry the casket.”

  “Why you?” Dionne asked. “Why does it always come back to you and that . . . man?”

  “Uh . . .” Bumpy said.

  His eyes flicked to Maresol, who raised and dropped her eyebrows in sympathy.

  “Well . . .” Bumpy said.

  “Dionne,” Maresol said. “Big Daddy paid for Bumpy’s education — college and medical school. He bought this house.”

  “No, no, no,” Dionne said. “Seth paid for that. We asked to pay him off, but Seth told us to put the money into the community instead. So we did, and . . .”

  Dionne fell more than dropped into a nearby chair. LaTonya shot her father a scathing look and went to her mother.

  “Seth was out of the country,” Maresol said. “Bumpy and I tried to get ahold of him for months, but the Army wouldn’t let us contact him in Vietnam and . . . He’d left us money, but there wasn’t enough to keep O’Malley Sr. placated and pay for Bumpy’s school. You remember how Schmidty I-V kept a tight hold on Seth’s money. When Seth left . . .”

  “Bumpy was touring,” Dionne said with a nod.

  “There was no way to know that Bumpy would decide to settle down,” Maresol said. “I mean, Delphie predicted it, but . . .”

  “We never listened to Delphie then,” Dionne said with a nod.

  “Bumpy was doing so well,” Maresol said. “There was no way to know that he would lose all his money to those record-company sharks.”

  “Big Daddy paid the bill — all four years — at the school, including a large credit at the bookstore, before I could even ask,” Bumpy said with a nod. “He loved the idea that some old ‘ignorant n . . .’”

  “Don’t say that word,” Dionne scolded before he got the word out.

  “Well, he loved the idea that I couldn’t read until I was fourteen years old and I was going to college,” Bumpy said. “Stupid big black mule like me. He did the same thing with medical school.”

  In repeating the words Big Daddy had said so long ago, Bumpy’s face flushed, and his eyes welled.

  “Seth tried to pay him back, but Big Daddy wouldn’t hear of it,” Maresol said. “Seth did other things for Big Daddy, when he could. I’m sure he’s there now helping Bernice with all of the logistics and financials. Lawyers. Did he say something about Jammy?”

  Bumpy nodded. Maresol went to her friend and dropped down to her knees.

  “Big Daddy loved Bumpy and Seth,” Maresol said. “Every time we visited Big Daddy, he’d say that Seth and Bumpy were the best things he’d done in his life.”

  “Bernice has asked us . . .” Bumpy started to say again.

  His face fell. He started to weep. Unable to stop himself, he fell to his knees. If Bernie hadn’t caught him, he would have fallen face first on the ground. Almost by instinct, Dionne got up and went to him.

  “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you,” Bumpy whispered. “He was . . . better to me than my own father. I knew what he was, but I . . .”

  “Shh,” Dionne said. “Shh.”

  “We’ll all go,” Bernie said.

  Bernie gl
anced at Maresol, and she nodded. Bumpy looked at Bernie.

  “I knew Big Daddy,” Bernie said with a nod. “He saved Seth’s life more than once.”

  Surprised, everyone looked at Bernie. He nodded to affirm what he’d said.

  “It would be my pleasure to be at his celebration and help him move to the next world,” Bernie said. Looking at Dionne, he added, “I’m sorry the truth hurts so much. I know what that’s like.”

  Dionne nodded in agreement.

  “Come on, Bumpy,” Dionne said. “I’m not going to let that man hurt that wonderful girl, Jill.”

  Bumpy squinted at her.

  “Let’s finish what we’re doing,” Dionne said. “Don’t you worry. I’ll kick your ass when we’re done.”

  Bumpy chuckled at the idea that his smaller-but-beautiful wife would kick his ass. She stood on her tip-toes and kissed his lips.

  “I love you,” Dionne said and stroked his face. She turned around quickly. As she walked away, she said, “I loathe that man.”

  He watched her rear as she walked away.

  “Stop looking at my ass,” she said in a singsong voice. “Come on, we’ve got work to do.”

  Grinning, he followed her into the living room.

  ~~~~~~~~

  Friday morning — 4:10 a.m.

  “Delphie was right,” Tanesha said into her cell phone. “He’s pulling in now.”

  Tanesha was sitting, with just her nose visible, in the driver’s seat of Jeraine’s car, in the parking lot of the Art Institute of Colorado. Jill’s professor had just pulled into the lot. As Delphie had predicted, the professor came extra early so that he could “catch” the few good students.

  “He’s here,” Jill said to the class.

  She set her phone on her desk and put it on speaker so that Tanesha could hear what happened. A golden glow in the corner of the room meant that Heather, in the form of Hedone, was watching from a corner of the room. Sandy was listening in on the phone from her hotel room in British Columbia, where she and Aden were watching whales for their honeymoon.

  Best at planning, Sandy had made the plan they were executing right now. Heather had “encouraged” everyone in their class to work together. And they’d all worked — all of Jill’s girlfriends, all of Tanesha’s mother’s girlfriends, every classmate, their spouses, and even some of the older children.