Once we stepped into the dining room, I was greeted with almost as much food as had been available on Christmas Day and nearly as many people.
Definitely at least a hundred, with many standing around the three long tables as they filled up their plates, but even more sitting around at all the little stations for people to congregate and stuff themselves silly.
I really liked how bears celebrated. They just got it.
"Jeannie!" Ana's mother and Remy's mother-in-law said, appearing out of nowhere. "You're here so early this year!"
"Yeah, now that the bear's out of the bag, so to speak, Remy and I decided to come down for the full shindig," I said, opening my arms to accept her hug.
Remy's words about how she and her family considered me a gift sent from Zara drifted through my mind, and I was both touched and honored by it.
While I wasn't as spiritual as her family was, it was still the loveliest sentiment.
"I approve of that reasoning," she said, linking her arm through mine. "Hello, Mr. Maximus-factimous, Adelaide, Evangeline." She blew kisses with her free hand but unsurprisingly, I found myself a bit edged out as the children surrounded her.
"Mamie! We missed you!"
I felt no need to point out that they'd seen her three weeks ago, or that Max was now using the same familial term for Remy's mother-in-law. A good majority of his immediate clan already considered my son to be their family. Which was… frankly, wow.
It was like the commune in some ways, but not perverted by all the awful I was so used to.
There was no grand leader exuding influence over all, but rather a democratic collective of elders from all the bloodlines.
There was no forced religion, no discouragement of school.
None of that. And although I'd only gotten to know about a dozen or so of the kids so far, each of them seemed unique and not forced into the same mold.
"Now, look who it is!"
My neck turned in the direction of Jahmoni's voice. However, she was much different, her long, goddess braids replaced by bright red Bantu knots perfectly sectioned onto her head, but what was more noticeable was the prominent swell of her belly.
"Jahmoni Maingot, I know you are not pregnant and didn't tell me!
" I cried, rushing over to her. We embraced before a single word was uttered, and she was practically a furnace in my arms. "Girl!" I cried.
"I c-can't, just-" I huffed a surprised sound.
I remembered her mentioning that she and her husband had been trying, but had stopped after one too many heartbreaks.
I hadn't pried, but I'd gotten the impression that she was either dealing with fertility issues or struggling to carry a little one to term.
"We were keeping it a secret," she murmured, stepping back just a hair and placing my hands on her belly.
I never would have done so myself because I hated when people touched me without permission back when I was pregnant with Max, but who was I to refuse such implicit permission?
"Didn't want to raise anybody's hope if we, ya know, disappointed everyone again. "
It was strange a single sentence could confirm so many suspicions.
"You didn't disappoint anyone, and you know it," Olivia said, striding over with a towering plate of creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. "You are a magnificent mama and that little arcenciel is just as excited to meet you as you are excited to meet them!"
"Arcen Seal?" I parroted.
"Arc-en-ciel," Remy explained as he came up behind me. "It means rainbow."
Tears burned my eyes. "That's a beautiful nickname," I murmured. And when Jahmoni's eyes locked with mine, it really felt like we shared a moment just for mothers. While I hadn't lost my child, I'd come close, and that was a pain unlike any other.
"Thank you, Jeannie."
"Of course. Now, why don't you take a load off and let me get you a plate?"
"Honey, if you don't think my wifey didn't already get me two of them, you're downright crazy! I'm actually on my way to use the facilities. I've learned I've gotta get up early if I wanna make it in time."
Wifey? I frowned. "I thought your partner's name was Mark?"
Jahmoni cackled. "Oh my god, I realize we only ever called her Mark around you! That's her nickname.
Her name is Marquisha. She moved down here from New England, and it was a running joke from when she was in the sixth grade and her English teacher called her Mark-quiassah'.
It kind of stuck since then. It was just too funny!
" But then, she went from laughing to ramrod straight. "Uh-oh, now I really do gotta pee."
"Come on, lady, let's get ya to the bathroom before you make a mess," Olivia said, gripping the very pregnant woman's elbow and leading her away.
Somehow, it took me nearly half an hour just to get food on my plate, let alone get to an area with enough seating for me and Remy.
At least I didn't have to worry about the kids, who ditched us for the children's table as soon as they were done hugging on Mamie.
I didn't take it personally. It did my soul good to see my child have a strong social circle.
One of the many things I had been worried about was that missing out on so much schooling would leave him isolated in a way that would be unhealthy for him.
Clearly, I had been worrying for nothing.
However, getting food and finding seating was only half the battle, because even as we began to eat, there was so much conversation to be had with the people around us.
I saw familiar faces, was introduced to new ones, and reminded of several I had forgotten, over what must have been a couple of hours of eating, drinking, and being merry.
All in all, it was truly wonderful, and everything the commune would never be.
Thankfully, my parents hadn't tried to contact me again after I ran them out of that café.
It must have left a lasting impression, and honestly, I would be happy if I never saw their faces or anyone from their stupid cult ever again.
"Well, I am stuffed to bursting," I said, glancing out the window. It had long since turned dark, the silver tendrils of the stars threading through the onyx sky like webs of gossamer. "You ready to retire, babe?"
"Retire?" an auntie whose name I'd forgotten exclaimed. "And miss the main event?"
"Main event?" I parroted. "I'm sorry, what do you mean?" I looked at Remy, but he shrugged.
"It's the first night of our family coming together!" the woman continued like it was obvious. "Remy, child, you ain't been gone so long that you've forgotten just about everything, have you? Here, you take my hand, beautiful, and I'll show you what's what."
"Okay..." So far, nobody in the clan had ever led me wrong, so I took the older woman's offered hand and supported her as she tottered out of the main dining area through the resting area where I'd gotten my hair done the year before.
She led me into a wide gymnasium where an impromptu stage had been built on the other side.
It was a simple wooden platform, maybe raised half a foot off the ground, and the curtain that hung over it was held up by the same type of scaffolding a school photographer would use for their backdrop, but its intent was clear.
"Oh, is someone putting on a show?" I asked, my gut beginning to turn with apprehension. And that instinct only heightened when I heard my name called and looked up to the front row to see Ana waving at me.
Something was definitely up.
"Why don't you go on up ahead, sweetie?" the auntie said, patting my hand. "You're going to want a seat up front."
God, was this another parent trap?
I looked beside me to judge Remy's expression, but he'd vanished without a sound. I faltered, but then another arm hooked through mine. Valencia, dressed as a shepherd, herded me along.
"Right this way, ma'am," she said quite formally, although excitement was written all across her small features. I didn't know Valencia well, as she was so shy that she made Eva look downright outgoing, but with what little we interacted, she seemed like a very sweet soul.
"O-okay."
I let her lead me and sit me down smack dab in the middle of the front row.
Ana plopped down beside me. She had such a gleeful look on her face that I knew she'd gotten herself involved in this plot.
Clearly, the woman either needed to be running an escape room or start writing murder mysteries, because she sure delighted in a great plan.
I could have asked questions, I could have demanded that all of them tell me what was up and why everyone was suddenly acting so strange, but I didn't want to spoil their fun. All I would have to do was wait, and soon enough, I'd find out what all this was about.
Just as I'd thought, I didn't have to wait long, because the little old man I recognized as one of the elders stepped to the front and began to speak.
"Brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, siblings, children, and other assorted relatives, we all have walked many weary paths to join together in a celebration of survival and our community. This tradition would not be possible without reflecting upon the past that brought us to this point, or the future that stretches beyond us. It is this message that several of our young ones wanted to share with us. So, without any further ado, let us sit back and enjoy their Christmas story!"
There was a flurry of whispers and scrambling of feet, and then the curtain was being drawn back to reveal nearly two dozen of the young ones, ranging from kids younger than kindergarten age all the way to young teens.