Frosting and Fur(in-Progress)

Chapter II: Funfetti

The Crew, as they used to call themselves, chilled in the backyard while Tina's friends had the run of the house. Soca and modern-day Hip-Hop beat against the two four-foot speakers set up out back. D'Angelo had mowed the grass after service that Sunday, and landscapers had trimmed the willow tree that ruled the yard. Pastor Roberts stood over a huge grill enjoying his shift as sentry over the coals. He turned the searing meat as he moved in step with his beloved Caribbean music.

Braxton, Lucas, and the twins stood under the tree, drinking beers and laughing. D'Angelo watched from the stairs to the back patio. He hadn't really been into Mandy, but watching Lucas chat her up rubbed him the wrong way. D'Angelo watched his cousin and couldn't muster an ounce of brotherly love.

Braxton finished the punchline of his story and his audience burst into a chorus of laughter. Lucas put his hand over the model's shoulder and pulled her in close.

"Fuck this," D'Angelo grumbled.

He stood and the back door slid open. Dutch and Nyssa stepped out into the summer heat. She balanced a trio of aluminum pans and various barbecue sauces. Mrs. Brace put her to work as soon as Lucas made the introductions. Dutch carried three six packs. No teenager dared drink in sight of Ma Brace or Paster Roberts so Dutch was on beer runs as usual.

"Yoooo! I got more brew." He placed the beer on the table and jumped right into the four way conversation.

Some things never change.

"Why do all of you say yo like that?" Nyssa asked as she dusted off the steps and took a seat. "You sound almost like a pack of wolves."

"When we were kids, it's how we distinguished each other in a crowd." D'Angelo reclaimed his seat, his eyes still locked on Lucas. "You hear ya boys howl, come running. That's what we used to say."

"I like that."

"That's always been our motto." D'Angelo turned, meeting those green eyes.

Nyssa stared, her eyes burrowing deep into him. His heart raced, beating faster and faster. He fell into a sea of roiling green and, for a moment, was lost.

"You and your cousin have some beautiful eyes," she said, lowering her eyes to his lips. She smirked and took a sip from her beer.

"It's a family trait. Brace men have sleepy eyes."

"Some people call them bedroom eyes."

It was D'Angelo's turn to smirk. "I've heard that term used once or twice."

"I bet."

They sat for a while, eyes locked, in a surprisingly comfortable silence.

"That's crazy!" Dutch shout from across the yard.

D'Angelo tore his attention away from the beautiful woman. Braxton helped Pastor Roberts rearrange coals. Lucas pantomimed fighting off a group of invisible assailants. Mandy, Sandy, and Dutch hung on his every word.

"I have to ask, how'd you end up here?" D'Angelo leaned forward, contemplating the odds of crossing paths with a stunning baker twice in one day.

"Well, Lucas and I have gone on a few dates. He invited me to a party,"Nyssa gestured towards the house where singing and laughter responded, "didn't know it was a kids party."

D'Angelo used his glass of seltzer and orange juice to mask his chuckle.

"Don't laugh," she said with a gentle nudge. "He says, he wanted me to meet his family."

"His mother passed away years ago and his father is a drunk. My mother's the only one he's ever really known."

"Wow, you say that with such bitterness."

D'Angelo looked skyward. It was a clear summer night. The black/blue sky tried its best to hide the stars, with moderate success. The porch lights bathed the backyard in soft yellow. A plane flew overhead, either searching for or avoiding JFK Airport.

You don't get to choose your family.

"Long story..."

"I have a couple of those myself."

Lucas laughed loudly as Mandy pinched his ass.

"Soooo, what's up with that?" D'Angelo asked.

"He cornered me by the bathroom and asked me if he was going to get laid tonight." Nyssa finished her beer. "I told him, I doubt it, but he can tell me all about it if he scored somewhere else."

D'Angelo spit his drink all over the grass below. The two shared a heartfelt laugh.

"I guess he's trying his hand at someone more his speed."

"Yeah." D'Angelo watched his cousin with Mandy. Looked like he was already off to a great start. "She's awfully friendly."

"Tell me about it. She tried to kiss me when the little guy over there introduced us."

"Braxton."

"Right, Braxton."

The music quieted and the back door slid open. One of Tina's friends stepped out and informed everyone it was time to cut the cake. The guys hustled to get inside, bringing the twins in tow. D'Angelo and Nyssa stayed back to help the pastor take the meat off the grill. The lights in the house dimmed as they wrapped up.

"Your friends love your sister," Nyssa said, wrapping foil over a pan of grilled chicken breast.

"Baby Tina was sort of our mascot." Angelo scratched his head. "We were fifteen when she was born. She was one of us... I babysat a lot while my parents worked."

Lucas hit the dining room lights as the pair joined everyone inside. Two dozen faces floated in flickering orange light. At its center was Tina Brace and a large funfetti icing covered Red Velvet cake. A wax number 15 sat at the center of a ring of candles. Fourteen candles, each representing a year in her life.

D'Angelo watched his little sister. She was turning fifteen years old. Despite the pressures of social media telling her she needed to look like a Kardashian, her peers experimenting with adult vices, and society telling her a black girl needs to grow-up before her time Tina managed to stay young and optimistic. She loved balloons and parties, cakes, and spending time with her family. He watched the light reflected in her eyes and he thanked God for gifting her another year.

Dutch cleared his throat and everyone grew silent.

"You know it doesn't make much sense," he sang out, "there ought to be a law against! Anyone who takes offense, at a time of your celebration."

"Cause we all know in our minds," Braxton joined in, "That there ought to be a time." His voice, best suited for barking worksite orders and not for singing, cracked, but he continued on. "That we can set aside, to show just how much we love you."

Tina and her friends giggled as they clapped their hands on beat. Nyssa raised an eyebrow and D'Angelo shrugged.

"And I'm sure you would agree," he crooned, adding his voice to the others, "It couldn't fit more perfectly, than to have a world party, On the day you came to be!"

As one the party erupted, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Tina blew out the candles as her friends and family sang Stevie Wonder's Happy Birthday.