The Best Laid Plans, Chapter 20
 
 

Dara came into the house.

" Dara, honey? Is that you?" It was her grandmother's voice.

" Yes, Grandmama."

" Will you come help me with these biscuits?"

Dara goes into the kitchen. Her grandmother and Miss Easter are there.

" So, sugarplum, ready to make some biscuits?"

" Sure."

" Well, I saw that you and that Mr. Jacks didn't come home last night."

" Grandmother..."

" So, I'm nosy. Shoot me. I'm STILL your Grandmother, you remember that."

" Nothing happened, Grandmama."

" Of course not, because you were raised better than that. You....LIKE Mr. Jacks?"

" Grandmama, we're just friends."

" Dara, I may have gray hairs on my head, and quite a few years on you, but I'm not so old that I don't realize when something is happening between two people."

" Well, your eyes are deceiving you. Cause Jax and I both aren't interested in one another like that."

" Oh, no? You think a man goes through the gauntlet of your cousins 'cause he likes your friendship?", Miss Easter says.

" I thought that your role was the silent one..."

" Don't be sassin' Miss Easter. She's right. No man sticks around a woman's family as nosy as ours, if he isn't interested. And I must tell you..."

" Yes?"

" I'm might impressed with the way he handled himself. I mean, lesser men have wilted under Sweet's Inquisition."

" Was she that bad?"

" You know what they say about my dear sister. 'Telephone, Telegraph, Tell...."

" Aunt Sweet", Dara, Miss Easter and Grandmother Jensen all laugh in unison.

" Well, since I've been grilled, may I go upstairs and take a shower before the big breakfast?"

" Sure, honey. Give Grandmama some sugar and be on your way."

Dara gives her Grandmother a kiss and goes upstairs.

Grandmother Jensen looks at Miss Easter. " I knew nothing happened. Dara was raised right."

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The dining room table was set for breakfast.

Dara explained the meal to Jax. " This is the last meal of the weekend that the entire family will be at all together. We're on our own for lunch, because everyone will be preparing for the huge dinner dance that will be held. But, since all our neighbors and friends will be coming to it, we sort of hold this time sacred as family time."

" Should I be here?"

" Yes. My Grandmother wanted me to tell you personally that you were welcome."

" So, what kind of food is served at this breakfast. I am a yogurt/muffin man myself."

Dara laughs. " Well, I hope that your arteries are ready for the shock. This is an old fashioned Southern Breakfast. Calories are not under consideration. Come on. Let's take a seat."

Jax and Dara took a seat. When Dara said that calories were not a concern, she was not kidding. Sitting there, on the table, was bacon, sausage-link, pattie and something called Mississippi Smoked sausage. There were scrambled eggs and fried eggs, potatoes and onions. Green tomatoes and creamed corn. And this white substance that Dara told Jax was grits. The biscuits were there, of course, and toast, with homemade peach, strawberry, and apple preserves. There was ham in some sort of gravy. There were fried oysters,  catfish, and beef hash. They were all gathered there, at the table, when Dara's Grandfather got up and said grace.

" Heavenly Father, we thank you for allowing us to join together for another annual last breakfast. You understand father that this is more than just a breakfast. It is the one time that we are all here, surrounding one another in fellowship and love. That this is the time to renew our bonds and our strength as a family. That as I look out over these tables and see my family, that a man could not help but swell with pride. And joy. With each year, comes a new addition to the family. And new friends. Bless us father, that each one of us will take this day and this weekend with them throughout the year, and remember what makes us all strong. In your name we praise and pray, Amen."

"Amen." From the tables.

" Now, let's eat."

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Jax and Dara spend a lazy day on the beach. They help the children with their sandcastles. Jax, being an expert at them, is a huge hit. The children get Jax to allow them to bury him in the sand. They build a woman on top of them, And place a wig on Jax's head to complete the picture, which Dara takes.

" Hey!!"

" I might need it to blackmail you with later on.", Dara jokes.

After they get Jax out from under the sand, Dara tells Jax that she has to go.

" Where?"

" Jax. A Black woman NEVER goes to an event like this without her hair being done. She'd rather die first. So, I suppose I won't see you until this evening."

" Dara, that's HOURS from now."

Dara laughs. " Jax, you've never been to a Black beauty shop. So, next time I see you, I'll be the one in the lavender strapless. Bye."

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Dara bids Jax bye, and he wanders back up to the house. He is sitting on the steps to the house, when Dr. Jensen comes out.

" Mr. Jacks, would you like to come with me?"

" Sure."

They go to the garage. In it, is a 1948 Maroon Packard. In mint condition. It looks like a boat almost, the seats are so big.

" Do you know anything about cars, Mr. Jacks?"

" Enough to know that this is a '47 Packard?"

" 1948. Good eye."

" This is in excellent condition."

" Thank you. I take good care of it. You have to take care of things and protect them. I don't let anyone drive this car, save for Dara. She respects the car. She helped me to restore it, you know?"

Jax laughs. " Dara as mechanic? I can't see that."

" My Granddaughter is amazing, Mr. Jacks."

" I do know that, sir."

" I hope that you do. You know, when a man decides to have a family, the first thing that he must decide is that he will protect them. It's a parent's first duty."

" Yes."

" Now, I don't need to tell you, that Dara bringing you here, well, people noticed it. "

" Sir, we're "

" Please, son, don't tell me, 'just friends'. I'm not THAT old. My Granddaughter is a woman of substance. She was raised that way. Now, if I thought that you meant her ill will, or disrespect.."

" I don't sir. In either case."

" Good. You see, if a man, doesn't have a word to stand by, he has nothing."

" I agree. And I give you my word, that everything between Dara and myself, is completely respectful and above board."

" That's all I wanted to hear. Why don't you get in, and we'll take a drive around the island. I have stories......This island looks sleepy, but it's seen a lot of action around the years..."

Jax laughs and gets into the car. They do indeed drive around and Dr. Jensen tells him stories of the eccentrics that have lived on the island.

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Justus is sitting in his office. He comes across the invitation that Dara's Granmother had mailed him. He thought aloud, " I've been such an asshole."

He buzzes for Peggy, his secretary.

" Yes, Mr. Ward?"

" Peggy, there are somethings that I need done. #1. Reschedule the meeting that I have for tonight. For..whenever. #2. Get the ELQ Jet ready. #3. Call Wyndams and make sure that a tuxedo is waiting for me on the plane. Full formal dress. #4. Call the jewelry store, and make sure that they have some ruby earrings ready. 3 carat-total weight. I'll pick them up on the way to the plane. Do you have all that?"

" Yes. But, you know that your Grandfather will want to know where you are. And the pilot will need to know where he's going."

" You stonewall my Grandfather. And tell the pilot that the destination is Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

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