The Best Laid Plans, Chapter 21
 

Dara is getting dressed when her mother knocks on the door and comes in.

" Dara, you look lovely."

" Thank you, Mother. May I say that you look beautiful also."

" For my age?"

" For any age."

" Dara, I wanted to talk to you about Mr. Jacks."

" Mother, there's nothing to talk about."

" Dara, please don't play me for a fool. It isn't a role that I do well."

" Mother..."

" Dara. I am your mother. On top of that, I'm a Black mother. And if I didn't warn you about the pitfalls of inter-racial dating, what kind of a mother would I be? I know that you'll say that things are different. That times have changed. I just don't think that times have changed that much, Dara. Despite our gains and hard fought victories. That Black women are all over the place and successful, we're still seen, in many quarters as acceptable to take to bed..."

" But not acceptable to bring home to Mama."

" Exactly. And I don't ever want you to think that anything is wrong with you. Because of other's perceptions of you. I am hard on you, Dara. I know that. I expect a lot from you, from all my children, but especially you. You are a beautiful young woman, Dara. You have  the charm of your father, your grandmother's elegance, and Daddy's determination. And I think that anyman, including Jasper Jacks, would be fortunate to have you on his arm. I'm your Mama. I have to say this. But, it doesn't make it any less true. NEVER sacrifice your dignity and who you are, for ANY man. Remember that, OK?"

Dara is stunned. Her mother has never talked to her like this. " I'll remember it, Mama."

" Good. Well, I came in here to give you these."

" Mama, these are your pearls."

" Yes. And they go perfectly with that dress. I'll see you downstairs."

Dara picked up the pearls. The earring, necklace and bracelet set were a gift from Dara's father to her mother on their wedding day. Dara had never ever thought of asking her mother to borrow them. But, she had to admit that they did look good on her. Dara took a last look at herself before heading downstairs.

Jax, looking handsome as ever in his tuxedo, was nursing a scotch when he saw Dara comes down the stairs. Dara was in a floorlength strapless lavender silk dress. Her hair, swept up, only helped to accentuate her neck, which looked completely elegant with the pearls. She had a matching lavender wrap with her.

" Dara, you look wonderful."

" Thank you, Jax. The tux looks good on you. Shall we go?"

Jax places the wrap on Dara, and they leave for the dance.

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The party was held on the estate of Halsted Sullivan, owner of the Coca- Cola bottling company of SW USA and godson to Dr. Jensen. Mr. Sullivan's father and Dr. Jensen were classmates at Morehouse and Meharry Medical school. There was a large tent set up. Large enough for over 500 people. In the center of the tent was a dance floor, complete with orchestra. Jax and Dara sat at the table with Aunt Sweet, who took Jax aside and gave him a run-down of all the people at the party.

" Now, that gentleman over there, his name is Maynard Jackson. He is an attorney. He used to be Mayor of Atlanta, and his family are the Dobbs'. His Grandfather, John Maynard Dobbs, was a big man at Morehouse. His mother taught French at Spelman. "

" Over there is Andrew Young. He too, was Mayor of Atlanta. He also was over at the United Nations, until that unfortunate PLO incident."

" There is Julian Bond. Now, his father, Horace Mann Bond, was one of the finest educators that this country has ever seen."

" Now, there's Christopher Edley. He has some appointment with the President. I don't know what he's doing for this President. But, his father used to be head of the United Negro College Fund."

" Over there, is Lani Guiner. She is a professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania. She was going to head something at the Justice Department, until things went wrong."

" Now, that's Ann and Vernon Jordan. Ann is a Dibble. The Dibbles, are one of the finest families in the country. And they will never forget to tell you, that the Dibbles have always, always been free people. Since their arrival on this soil. Vernon usually is the President's host when he comes vacationing here, on the Vineyard."

" Now, that fellow's name is Johnson. He runs some sort of TV enterprise in Washington. He is quite successful. For a newcomer."

Dara looked over at Jax in exasperation as Aunt Sweet detailed the ins and outs of Black Society. But even Dara had to be impressed with the group that Sullivan had turn out for her Grandparents anniversary. It was a veritable Who's Who of Black Society: from politics, business, education, and entertainment. Dara had shunned all the society stuff of the Debutantes, Cotillions, Auxilliaries and Clubs that her mother was so invested in. It bored her. She held most of the people in Jack & Jill, a black social club for upper-class children, in contempt. And her refusal to join the Links, a premier social club, had irritated her mother to no end. The only reason that she was ever a debutante was  that her grandmother had asked her. She laughed to herself about the mingling of this group. There were some that were wildly wealthy that some in the room clearly saw as interlopers. There was a very successful rap producer talking to a woman who she knew was one of the biggest snobs that she had ever met. That guy didn't know it, but the woman probably held him in contempt. He may have money....but Dara knew that he didn't have "breeding."

Dara looked over to Jax, who had this "Help Me" look on his face. She laughed. She had been the social butterfly well, for the evening. She had shaken enough hands and done enough air kisses, so that she not feel guilty about going and getting Jax. She went over to the table.

" Aunt Sweet, do you mind? I'm going to dance with Jax."

" Not at all, sweetie. Well, Mr. Jacks, you sure are a good listener."

Dara and Jax get to the dance floor.

" Thank you."

Dara laughs. " You're welcome. So, was my Aunt driving you crazy."

" No, she wasn't. But, I wonder, how DOES she store so much information about people in her brain? It was downright amazing to see how she could flit from person to person and keep them all straight."

" Aunt Sweet is amazing that way. I believe that there are FBI Profilers that aren't as good as she is."

Jax laughs. " I would have to agree. The woman is amazing. Just like her great-niece."

" You're too kind."

" No, just being truthful."

" So, tell me, what have you REALLY thought of this weekend, and my family?"

" It's been a complete education for me. In so many ways. I like your family. They are fiercely protective of you, and dare I say, a bit snobby?"

" Oh, you picked up on that?"

" Yes. But, they clearly love you...and you them."

" That's true. Look, Sullivan is taking the podium."

The host did take the microphone and, " Ladies and Gentleman. I would like to welcome you here to this anniversary party for Danforth and Eleanor Jensen. As a special treat, Mr. Michael Feinstein has agreed to play for us the rest of the night. I hope that you all enjoy.

" You've heard of him, Dara?"

" Oh, yes. I have all his CD's. He was the last apprentice to Ira Gershwin before he died. He catalogued all his material for future generations. I think that his renditions are just wonderful."

" I'll have to pick up some of his music."

" You sure will."

Dara and Jax are dancing, when Mr. Feinstein starts singing this song: " I Wanna Be Loved"

i wanna be loved......with inspiration

i wanna be loved.......starting tonight....

instead of merely holding conversation...

hold me tight....
 

Dara and Jax really start to look at one another..
 

I wanna be loved...
i crave affection....

those kisses of yours....
i'd gladly share.....

i want her your eyes to shine in my direction...
make me care....

i want the kind of romance....
that should be strong and equally as tender...

i only ask for the chance.....
to know the meaning of the word surrender.....

i wanna be thrilled....
by only you dear....

i wanna be thrilled....
by your carress

I wanna find each dream of mine come true dear....
i wanna be loved......

girl, you funny thing.....
don't you know it's spring?

every bench and swing......... discovers lovers?

here we sit and sit....
while the moon is lit.....

am i feeling happy...
not a bit....

i wanna be loved...
with inspiration....

i wanna be loved....
starting tonight....

instead of merely holding conversation...

hold me tight....

i wanna be kissed.....
until i tingle.....

i wanna be kissed......
starting tonight......

embrace me until our heartbeats intermingle....
wrong or right.....

i'm in the mood to adore.......
i'm ready for that well-known turtledoving......

i'm in no mood to resist.....
and i insist the world owes me a loving.....

i  wanna be thrilled.....
to desperation.....

i wanna be thrilled...
starting tonight....

with every kind of wonderful sensation...

i wanna be loved....

i wanna be loved.....

i wanna be  loved......
 

Jax takes Dara in his arms and he kisses her. Deeply. Passionately. Dara responds in kind.

" And to think that I thought that you were the one who was going to be surprised."

Jax and Dara turn to find Justus standing there.

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