Stella Oaks-Brascomb stood at her stainless steel six-burner gas stove, waiting for her homemade bread to finish cooking. She tapped her manicured pink nail polish-coated nails on the grey counter. Breathing from her diaphragm, she hummed the melody to "Memory" from the musical "Cats." The sixty-year-old was a veteran and local legend of the stage and had a knack for finding new talent. She also used her gifts to teach and guide the up-and-coming new generations of performers. All of her protege's young and old, called her Auntie Stell or just Auntie. Stella was the picture of refinement and class. She was never seen without her hair perfectly styled or dressed to kill. Stella had just a touch of brassy attitude when needed and a loving heart that was bigger than her ample cleavage. The elegant woman's platinum blonde locks cascaded down her back, and her tight silver thigh-length dress shimmered and shined in the sunlight. A pair of pastel pink six-inch open-toed heels finished off her outfit.

The clock on the stove top read nine thirty am when the phone rang. She walked over to the landline wall phone, removed the dangling, diamond chandelier-like earring from her left ear, and picked up the receiver. "Hello," her melodic soprano voice sang out.

"Stell, it's Dottie."

"Good morning, Dot," Stella excitedly greeted her longtime friend.

"I'm just leaving the house and wanted to ensure we're still on track for today's reunion."

Stella's sing-song laughter filled the kitchen and floated through the open windows to the gentle waves lapping the beach behind her house. "Sweetie, everything's on time and as perfectly smooth as Dolly and Reba's recording of "Does He Love You."

"You always did love your country music queens, Stell," Dottie commented. "Wonderful, I knew I could count on you. I hope the boys won't be offended that their mothers interfered in their love lives," she paused, then shouted. "Where the fuck did you get your license? This is the passing lane only. Get the fuck outta my way."

The statuesque woman threw her head back and released a string of boisterous cackles. "Admit it, girl. You're really a burly tattooed sailor trapped in a demure and dainty female body," she joked.

"Girl, if it was anyone else but you, I'd be tellin' them off," Dottie responded through her laughter.

"We'd better get off the phone, so you can get here in one piece," Stella said as she took the bread from the oven and placed it in the warmer.

"See you in ten minutes, as long as these idiots continue to drive with some sense. "What the fuck? Have you ever heard of a turn signal, asshole?' Dottie screamed.

Stella shook her head and laughed as she hung the phone back on the cradle.

Dottie's dark red Chevrolet Tahoe pulled into the driveway. She unbuckled her seat belt, then checked her makeup and hair before exiting the vehicle. The matriarch slung her purse over her shoulder, gently fluffed her neck-length curly black hair, and smoothed her light pink blouse and mint green pants. Her beige seven-inch heels click-clacked up to the front door. Stella had seen her friend's arrival on her security camera's kitchen monitor. There were other monitors in various rooms. She was waiting at the screen door with a bright, toothy smile that'd put any toothpaste commercial to shame and two mimosas in wine glasses in hand, one she handed to Dottie. After some good-natured jokes and ribbing, the women hugged and clinked their glasses. Then, after calling their third conspirator, they toasted their endeavor. When the call ended, Dottie and Stella worked together, finishing the preparations for the hopefully successful lunch.

Anthony's tan leather thong flip-flops flapped against his bare heels as he walked along the Hibiscus path leading to his neighbor's house. He stopped at the gate, opened the door, and walked up the white pebble pathway leading to the front door. The musician rang the doorbell, then while waiting, he smoothed his white cotton pants and picked some lint off his azure-colored polo shirt. He smiled when the door opened.

"Anthony, love," Stella excitedly greeted. "I'm so glad you could make it, and you're always dressed so nicely," she said as the pair embraced.

"Me? I'm totally subdued compared to you, Auntie," Anthony said as he beheld the shimmering woman. "The ball they drop in New York on New Year's Eve's got nothin' on you."

"Such a sweet talker. You've always been one of my favorite students, but don't tell anyone," Stella said with a chuckle as she lightly slapped the younger man's ass when he walked by. She handed him a mimosa once they reached the kitchen. "As you know, I'm moving to the other side of White Sands. I've just finished furnishing the townhouse I own. I wanted you to meet the Realtor and her prospective buyer. From what I understand, the young man has a son the same age as Xander. The boy's gay and has a boyfriend," she stated while standing at the counter.

"Well, that sounds perfect, and I can't wait to meet them," Anthony said after sipping his drink.

"I, for one, was hoping you'd say that," Dottie said as she entered the kitchen from the patio.

It took two seconds after Anthony turned to face the speaker before he ran to the woman. "Mama Dottie," he cried as the two embraced and kissed each other's cheek. "I love you, Momma. I'm sooo sorry I haven't had time to write you, but…"

"I love you, Anthony, and say no more I've been getting updates from Stella and Elaine." Dottie's eyes were wet with tears of happiness as she held her second son in her arms. "Doug and I loved your last album, the combination of your voice and the Broadway and jazz standards you revived sounded like they were made for each other."

Anthony blushed at the compliment. "Thank you so much, Mom," he softly said with his head still on her shoulder. "That means a lot coming from you." He stood aside, smiled, and said. "Oh, please let Daddy-Doug know that he's got my and my son's full support and that I'd be honored to perform at rallies and the celebration party when he wins. Just let us know what's needed and when. I've got nothing booked until the beach charity event," he paused and smiled at Stella. "I was the headliner until Auntie decided to get in on the action," he said with a smirk.

Stella's head flew back as she cackled and slapped Anthony's shoulder. "When you're hot, you're hot, babe," she said with her hand on her hip, shaking it side to side.

"I'd give up being the star to you any day, Auntie. Without your guidance and love, I wouldn't be half the performer and singer I am. You are the best," Anthony said before leaning over and kissing the elder's cheek.

"I know exceptional talent when I see it, and Anthony, I saw it in you. You didn't need that much work, just a few tips and voice lessons. I've enjoyed watching you spread your wings and soar."

Dottie smiled at the mutual admiration the performers had for one another. You two are so amazingly humble. I'm proud to have you both as part of my family. Son, on behalf of my husband, we accept and will utilize you and Xander in any way possible," Dottie assured her son. "Now, while we wait for my client to arrive, why don't you show me that house of yours." The motherly woman placed her arm in Anthony's, then quickly turned her head and winked at Stella. "We'll be back in a few minutes, Stell," she said.

Stella grinned. "Take your time and have fun reconnecting with your boy, Dot," she said with a knowing chuckle.

Hunter parked the Nineteen-Sixty-Eight Camaro beside his Mom's Tahoe, exited the vehicle, walked to the front door, and rang the doorbell. "Auntie Stella, you're the client," he asked with a huge smile as he embraced the sparkling homeowner.

"If I'm not, then I shouldn't be answering the door, now should I?" Stella joked as she ushered the young man inside and handed him a mimosa.

After some small talk, the pair began the house tour, which ended with the backyard and patio. Hunter was impressed, as far as he was concerned, had found the house of his dreams. "Auntie Stella, your home is exquisite."

"Thank you, Hunter. However, there's one more huge selling point of this property. If you turn around, you'll see what I mean."

Hunter lightly scratched the side of his head for a second, then shrugged his shoulders and turned around. His eyes widened and filled with tears as a look of disbelief formed on his face. Standing behind him was his Mom, holding Anthony's hand. "Ant," he softly whispered.

Tears streamed down Anthony's cheeks when he saw the man who'd stolen his heart. "Hunt," he exclaimed. He immediately jumped into the taller man's open arms. "I've missed you," he and Hunter said in unison as they shared a long overdue loving embrace.

Dottie and Stella held hands and happily sighed with tears in their eyes as they watched the boys' reunion. "I'd say this was a smashing success, Stell," Dottie commented. Stella nodded in agreement.

"Boys, we're gonna go and finish fixing lunch while you two reconnect," Stella said. "Oh, and Hunter, don't worry about your twelve and one o'clock appointments. As you can see, your mother and I don't need our hair done." She and Dottie high-fived each other then left the young men speechless as they headed into the kitchen.

To be continued...

Posted: 06/23/2023