Butterflies Blue

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Book excerpt

Chapter One - Old San Juan

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Present Day

                The blue and purplish cobblestones that laced the long, hilly street called Calle del Cristo by the original Spanish inhabitants glistened brightly as Layla gently strolled along the road. She was arm in arm with her new man, Daniel. Daniel was a burly, bronzed Hispanic male whose light brown eyes occasionally gazed deeply towards her as they walked. They had only been walking the streets of Old San Juan that afternoon for a few minutes when Layla heard the bustling noise of locals eagerly setting up tents for an event.

            "Look. It must be starting soon," Layla said as she smiled and gently squeezed Daniel's arm. He was not startled but sensed her excitement.

            "Yes, dear. Looks like they'll be ready in a few hours."

            Daniel pointed to the red and blue banner flapping in the brisk easterly Caribbean winds. The winds not only brought the new couple coolness and relief from the warm November day but also a saltiness that they could smell and even taste in the air. The banner revealed that the San Juan annual culinary arts festival would begin at five p.m. and last well into the night.

            "Do you want to go? We can eat some local cuisine," Daniel asked, awaiting her response.

            "Hmm, that would be interesting. I've never had Puerto Rican food. How is it?"

            "I think you'll love it."

            Even though he had never lived on the island, Daniel had traveled to Puerto Rico on several occasions and enjoyed eating his people's traditional food. He also enjoyed cooking Puerto Rican food and sharing that experience with his friends and family.

            "There is a dish that you should try. Mofongo. It's made with plantains, which are green bananas, and topped with whatever meats you want."

            "Can they top it with fish?" Layla inquired.

            Daniel was amused and smiled. He knew that Layla recently started only eating fish. She was a pescatarian, but he secretly wanted her to try different foods on this trip. "Sure. You can get mofongo with fish. But you can also have it topped with other seafood: crab, lobster, conch, shrimp… or even pork or chicken. You can get any flavor that the Caribbean offers."

            Despite her reluctance on previous occasions to try new things when the couple dined out, Layla was now eager to step out of her comfort zone. She had only officially started seeing Daniel two months ago, although they had known each other for years. This was the first vacation that they planned together. She had always wanted to see places outside of the United States, especially exotic places that her friends had never traveled to before.

            Once, Layla went on a day trip to Montreal when she first moved to New York about twenty years ago. But she did not consider that brief excursion to Canada anything extraordinary. There was something about Daniel's sense of excitement about his past travels around the world that challenged Layla and encouraged her to get away from it all. She wanted to get away from her work, the freezing, snowy winter, her family, and even the fears of past relationships. When Daniel offered to take her to Puerto Rico for Thanksgiving, she eagerly accepted.

            "I think I'll try the conch. I don't even know what that is, but it's not anything that I've ever eaten before. It just has a sexy vibe to it." She giggled. She wanted to say that the word conch reminded her of the word for the male sexual organ, but her shyness and unfamiliarity with Daniel made her reluctant. Instead, she slyly asked, "Does it taste like gooey duck?"

            Daniel visualized the large phallic mollusk with its lightly golden siphon and laughed. "No, honey. To be honest, I haven't eaten gooey duck before. I've seen it on TV with that bald-headed guy who eats all these strange foods. What's his name? I can't remember. He seemed to like it. I've always wanted to try it though."

            Layla secretly loved that Daniel ate exotic foods from around the world, but she would never let him know. Years ago, he offered to cook her kangaroo rendang, a curry dish. Daniel found an Australian recipe on the internet adapting the traditional Indonesia one. He cooked it the previous year for himself and wanted to try it again. Daniel had explained to Layla how the lemongrass, coriander, and cumin seeds in the curry paste combined with the desiccated coconut flakes, coconut milk, and cardamom to give the kangaroo meat a fragrant taste. He loved it and thought that she would too. Layla, however, was reluctant to try anything so unfamiliar, especially because it was a friendly marsupial that Daniel recommended to consume. She derided that suggestion when he made it. But she was willing to eat conch for dinner later that night.

            Because the festival was hours away, in the meantime, the two continued walking down Calle del Cristo. They could see signs for the various restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques that lined both sides of the street. Other travelers, who had disembarked from the cruise ship docked at the port of Old San Juan, were carrying shopping bags with purchases from the local craft and artisan shops. Layla decided that she wanted to look inside one shop to see what they had to offer. An electronic bell rang as she opened the door.

            "Bueno. Welcome to our store." A skinny, pale Puerto Rican woman greeted them as they entered. She stood behind the cash register in the middle of the store checking out another patron. Both Layla and Daniel smiled at her and returned the greeting.

            After looking around the small shop, Layla walked to the glass-encased jewelry display case near the front of the store. She looked haphazardly at the various items for sale, hoping to find something that she liked. Daniel dutifully followed her.

            "You should get these," Daniel said as he pointed to a pair of oval-shaped earrings featuring a Puerto Rican flag. A white lone star was nearly centered in the triangular blue background. Three red stripes and two white stripes alternated to fill the remaining glossy background whose edges were scalloped.

            Because they looked unique and were representative of their trip, Layla asked to try them on. Ultimately, she decided not to purchase them.

            She then perused the far left corner of the store. There she saw numerous hand-carvings of the three wise men. Some carvings had a Puerto Rican flag situated in the middle of the base.

            "Daniel, what are these?" Layla was unfamiliar with the story of Three Kings Day. So, Daniel proceeded to tell her of the celebration of the visit of the three magi when Jesus was born. He also explained that the holiday is traditionally celebrated on January 6 and that typically Puerto Rican's exchange gifts on Three Kings Day rather than on Christmas.

            "We never celebrated it in my house. In fact, I never heard of it until I was an adult," Daniel added.

            The two continued perusing the store, bought a few trinkets for themselves, and a gift for Layla's youngest daughter, Amirah. After completing their purchase, they walked further down Calle del Cristo past Calle Fortaleza until they reached the Chapel of Christ the Savior.

Chapter Two - Graduation Party

Gilbert, Arizona

Three Years Earlier 

                “Can we have the caterer set up the cake on the back table? I also want the bottle of Cristal placed in a champagne bucket near the head table. It’s for Leon. The other champagne is for the guests. But this is my man’s day and he deserves the best.” Layla Little barked orders with determination. She had been planning this event for months ever since her long-term boyfriend, Leon Blackman, told her that he was finally graduating with his doctorate.

            Never-mind that Leon didn’t offer to pay for his own graduation party. Neither did his parents or the rest of his family. He seemed content to have Layla pay the full expense of his graduation party even though they were not officially a couple according to him. They had dated for two years now. Layla tried desperately to push any negative thoughts about Leon or his family's attitude from her mind. She would deal with them later once all of the hectic planning and celebrations were over. She focused only on the fact that her man was finally graduating and what that would mean for the future of their relationship. At least she hoped that the future was bright for both of them.

            To show her commitment to the relationship, Layla took a temporary job in Arizona to be closer to Leon. The long-distance relationship was stressful and strained at times. Her grave-yard shift work schedule made it even more cumbersome. She slept during the days when Leon was working. And he slept when she was awake. Fortunately, her job in New York had a lateral position with a sister hospital in Tempe. Layla jumped at the opportunity to be closer to Leon. At first, he was reluctant and did not want her to take the job. Layla suspected that Leon was concerned about his reputation in the community. He did not want his congregation to see him with another woman so soon after his public divorce. Five years had already passed, but several failed relationships since made him more wary about being in a relationship in public. Layla tried to understand, but she was soon running out of patience.

            “Ms. Little, I placed the centerpieces on each of the tables as you requested. Is there anything else that you need?” The tall male assisting her watched as Layla perused the room with her eyes hastily.

            “No. No. This is fine. Thanks again for all of your help, Deacon.” Layla took a deep sigh of relief and steadied herself for the entrance of the guests. She had waited for this moment and hoped that it would be glorious and victorious as she promised Leon.

            Thunderous sounds of music began bellowing throughout the room. DJ Quikster, also known as Buttalove in other settings, was playing both rhythmic and slow 80s tune. Leon was pretentious in many ways, but Layla was not going to have dry church music at a joyous celebration even if Leon insisted. He compromised with 80s music; his only vice.

            Guests trickled into the large conference room for the upcoming festivities. Leon’s mother and sister traveled from Southern California to attend. They were staying at Leon’s house in Mesa for the duration of their trip. He drove them along with his younger brother, Joseph, to the party. Layla also invited all of the church members and even some of her own co-workers. She wanted the evening to be special and subconsciously wanted Leon to recognize her efforts to treat him the way that he always longed to be treated by a woman.

            When Leon entered the room with his family, he greeted Layla with a formal handshake and continued welcoming the other guests. He ignored Layla’s overture for a kiss and hug, which sorely disappointed her. When he was finished welcoming each guest, Leon proceeded to the right side of the room and grabbed the microphone from DJ Quikster.

            “Ladies and Gentlemen and distinguished guests…” Leon was referring to Dr. Martin Jacob Johnson, his mentor and former head pastor who encouraged Leon to enter the ministry at a young age and to attend divinity school. Dr. Johnson, his wife, and three children sat quietly in a table near the front. “Without you and especially Dr. Johnson, who has been an inspiration, I would not have my doctorate and my purpose in life. I love being a pastor. Jesus brought me through. Can I get an Amen?” Amens echoed haphazardly and joyously as if it was a Sunday morning and the now-christened Dr. Leon Blackman was preaching at his pulpit at the First Conservative Baptist Church of the Valley like he did every Sunday for the past thirty-two years. “Ya’ll, we have some good food catered from Bubba’s BBQ. I’m gonna bless the food first…”

            Leon prayed over the food in his typical booming voice which echoed throughout the conference room. Everyone’s heads were bowed except Layla, who looked glaringly at Leon as he prayed. She bowed her head and closed her eyes before he finished praying. After blessing the food, Leon escorted his mother and sister to the food table. They were the first in line. Layla watched in dismay. She shortly followed with the intention of serving a plate of food for Leon and herself. When she arrived at the food table, she quickly noticed that Leon’s mother had already made him a plate. Layla could hear his mother asking Leon what food that he wanted on his plate. Determined not to make a scene, instead, Layla served herself a plate of food and waited in line with the rest of the guests. After putting a few scoops of vegetables and other items on her plate, she walked to the head table and sat down at the only empty chair available next to Leon’s sister, Loretta.

            “The ribs and brisket are good, but this mac and cheese is dry. I’ve never tasted anything so strange like this,” Loretta complained as she tried to daintily spit out the food in her mouth into a napkin. She glanced towards Layla with subtle disdain in her eyes.

            Layla knew that Leon’s sister hated her. Leon’s mother, however, adored Layla. But it was Loretta’s approval that Leon needed before formalizing any relationship, especially one that was supposedly destined for marriage. Because that approval was currently withheld by Loretta, Layla knew that marriage was out of the question at this point. She feared that this obstacle may be insurmountable.

            “Try the greens. They are to die for. Just like my momma’s.” Layla tried to deflect as quickly and politely as possible.

            Loretta restrained herself from making the derogatory remark that first came to mind. After all, it was her brother’s graduation party.

            “I think I will.” She smiled devilishly. Layla was relieved.

            As the evening progressed, couples arose from their tables and began dancing on the dance floor. Layla looked around pleased. She then glanced towards Leon who seemed uncomfortable when their eyes met.

            “Momma, you want to dance?” Leon asked as he turned towards his mother on his left.

            “Yes, dear.” Leon’s mother leaped to her feet and they proceeded to the dance floor. As the song continued to the next, Leon now danced with a lovely young widow, Maya. He grasped her small waist tightly and vigorously. He smiled and darted a look deeply into her eyes. Maya was consumed as if this was her first dance ever. Her heart quickened. Leon secretly hoped that Layla could hear the widow’s pulsating beat from where Layla was sitting. He always enjoyed making her jealous and letting her know that they were not yet a couple and his options were still open.

            Layla, infuriated, said to the guests seated at the head table, “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.” She walked outside and did not bother to turn around to see Loretta’s amused expression.