Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2003 15:23:07 -0700 (PDT) From: c.e. Jordan Subject: BROOKLYN BLUES: TYSON AND SHAWN - PART 4 c. e. jordan zedzero5@hotmail.com >From the previous episode: "Wait up Ty...um, err, can you sleep over at my place tonight? My mother wouldn't care, she probably ain't even gonna be here most of the time..." "I dun no... my mom rarely lets me do stuff like that... but then, you are right next door so I don't know... but I will ask, alright?" "Great! Don't forget!" "Oh no, I shan't forget," said Tyson, unconsciously slipping into his very proper British accent which made Shawn laugh. _____________________ BROOKLYN BLUES: TYSON AND SHAWN PART 4 "Mom... um... may I stay over at Shawn's tonight? Then you won't have to pay Mrs. Dilly to baby-sit me. I don't need a babysitter anyway." Judith, his mother, still dressed only in underwear, carefully laid her champagne coloured gown across the bed, "Honey, remember... you're still only twelve," she said. Ty was distracted for a moment by the dress, the delicate flow of the fabric; tiny sparkly things glittered like a small constellation of stars caught in its folds. His mother paused and turned to look at him. "Hmm, since when did you and that boy get to be such good friends?" "When I go out for the mail we talk sometimes... he's really nice mom." "Well..." said Judith, "perhaps you are stuck in this apartment by yourself a bit too much... and as far as I can see... Shawn doesn't seem to be in any trouble around here..." She spoke very quietly^Ö^Ömore to herself than to her son. Then to Tyson she said, "I'll have to speak with his mother soon... are you sure this sleep-over thing is okay with her?" "Yes mommy." Tyson sat carefully on the bed next to the dress. He couldn't help briefly running his fingers across the delicate material. He watched his mother fuss with her makeup and hair. Now, carefully, she painted dark cherry-coloured lipstick onto the arc of her top lip, and then again to the bottom one. She pressed her lips together with an audible smack. Ty was always fascinated by this ritual transformation of his mother from daytime accountant into something entirely different. He wondered what it was like in the Manhattan supper club where she spent three nights a week singing and playing piano. He imagined it was like an old black and white movie. There would be all these well-dressed romantic couples discretely clinking wine glasses in the background as the warm contralto sound of his mother's voice filled the darkened room... "Zip me up honey, will you please?" "Okay mommy." While Ty slid the zipper closed, Judith talked to Mrs. Dilly on the phone, "Sorry to be so last minute about this dear, but we won't be needing you to take care of Tyson tonight, he'll be staying with a friend." Finally dressed, his sleek young mother seemed suddenly distant from him, so very far from his own everyday world. She looked beautiful and remote just like all the images of celebrities and movie stars he'd seen in glossy magazines. It was hard for him to think of this cool, glamorous creature as his mother. "Are you ready to go Ty? I have to leave now or I'll be late." "You don't have to wait for me mom, I'll be ready in a few minutes I'm only going next door." He laughed a little bit. "Oh... alright little Mr. grownup," she smiled and ruffled his hair through her slim fingers, "just remember to lock the door when you leave, okay?" And she was on her way leaving behind only a vague scent of Gardenias.... Tyson ran over to the window to watch his elegant mother glide her way across the courtyard and out of the gates to a waiting car. He was amused to see how out of place she looked in the run-down surroundings and how everybody down there stopped whatever they were doing to watch her pass by. Tyson was nearly ready to leave the apartment when his phone rang. "Hey Ty, I just saw your momma leavin'... man, she looks so great, just like Halle Berry... how come you don't look good like her?" "Err... I... I... um...." Ty was at a loss for words. But Shawn was laughing. "I'm just kidding mousey," and in a softer voice, almost a whisper he continued, "I like how you look." "Oh..." Tyson blushed even though he was alone. His new friend had a way of taking his breath away... always keeping him off balance. "So.... you coming now Ty?" "Yep... just getting my sleeping bag." "What you need that for? You sleepin' in my bed. All you need to bring is your pajamas... that is, if you wear `em... I don't." Tyson restrained the impulse to ask exactly what Shawn wore when he went to bed, **I'll find out about that soon enough*, he thought to himself. "Alright... I'll be right there. See ya." **** To be continued....