“Where is my black eyeliner pencil?”
I’m use to talking to myself, but my sister yelled from down the hall.
I grab it quickly apply the perfect mole, below my lip on the left corner! Taking a step back to check myself out one last time! I dressed in my favorite red lace dress, it stopped right above my knees. Pinched in the waist with a a little flare on the hips. It was perfect!
“HURRY UP, Willie will be here any minute to pick us up!”
Clara was always yelling! She knew how to be my momma or should I say try to be my momma.
I grab my purse and head down stairs!
“Clara, why are you always yelling? You’re the only one who enjoys the company of spoon mouth Willie!”
“Annabelle, hush up now, and stop making fun of Willie!”
“Clara I told you about calling me Annabelle, just call me Belle”
“Okay Belle (you could hear the annoyance in her voice)”
Willie pulls up. I could smell him before he opened his door. Drowned himself in cologne trying to impress Clara! Those two just sickened me! However that’s my sister and I love to see her happy. Even if it’s with spoon mouth Willie!
He tells us he’s taking us to this sweet club down in Harlem.
“Yes my sweet Clara, Harlem!”
“Your sweet Clara, (I rolled my eyes).”
“Belle maybe if you weren’t so mean you’d fine a man that would call you sweet too!”
I was so tempted to call him spoon mouth Willie, I fixed my lips to say it. Clara looked at me and I decided not to!
“Thank You, thank you Willie for taking us out to a nice club you see fit for us.”
We walked in it smelled like eucalyptus, fresh rain water and smoke. I know odd combination but it worked! If you sit really still and adjust your eyes you’ll see the smoke start to clear.
Willie purchased some drinks for Clara and myself as I made my way to a table to sit! Something about being in Harlem just made me so excited.
I was an avid people watcher, lip reader and ear hustler! In lack of better words I was just plain ole nosy! I noticed a man, rather handsome he leaned down to a woman and I recognized him. I listened carefully and watched intently. It was Countee Cullen whispering in someone’s ear,
“Hey Black Child do you know who you are? Who you really are, do you know you can be what you want to be”
“Well yes I do” I say to myself as I take a sip of my drink! Countee I know it very well sir.
While listening I scan the room I couldn’t believe it, I see Nella Larsen as beautiful as can be walk the room over toward Langston Hughes. I directed my ears towards them to again listen.
“The trouble with Clara was, not only that she wanted to have her cake and eat it too, but that she wanted to nibble at the cakes of other folk as well.”
Well I giggled to myself, I knew it had to be another Clara cause my sister Clara only wanted one cake and that cake belonged to spoon mouth Willie!
Langston flicked his cigarette some ashes will land on the floor right next to your feet. He leans over, I’m thinking he wants to apologize. I was so ready to tell him “it’s okay love”, however he just matter of fact said.
“Tomorrow I’ll be at the table when company comes nobody’ll dare say to me "Eat in the kitchen”
What the hell?! Honey, you can sit at my table any time. No one better dare tell you to eat in the kitchen! I cant believe my eyes, ears and mind.
I’m in sensory overload and then you’ll never believe it. Just guess who walks to the stage. Zora Neale Hurston sashays to the stage. I had to shut my mouth to not look so surprised
She sips her drink touches her lips and these beautiful words spill from her
“Love, I find is like singing. Everybody can do it enough to impress themselves, though it may not impress the neighbors as being very much”
Well tip me over and pour me out, cause I’m about done now! Willie and Clara walk over to me. With the excitement on my face Willie leans in real close.
“Belle, how did ole spoon mouth Willie do?”
I couldn’t help but smile. I rose from my seat to give him a big hug!
“You did real good. I had no idea you knew I was a writer.”
“Clara told me, so I found this place, I knew it would please you!”
“Well I’m pleased! Listen Willie, Nella said something about Clara wanting everyone’s cake! You betta marry her soon!”
Glancing around the room I’m filled with excitement. I want to join in and speak and share some stories with these beautiful souls. No better place than Harlem.
