CHAPTER SIX HUNDRED and THIRTY-FIVE

(part two)

He waited until the gate closed to move the car.

“Why are you. . .?” Tanesha asked.

Jeraine pointed to the crowd of paparazzi running in their direction.

“Oh,” Tanesha said. “I completely forgot. Did Val have her baby?”

“Yes, it’s a girl,” Jeraine said, perfunctorily. He only had a moment before they were confronted by the paparazzi waiting to catch a glimpse of Valerie and her baby. “Jake said that there’s a ballroom in the Castle.”

“Ballroom?” Tanesha asked. “I think I remember being there at Jill’s wedding but. . .”

Tanesha shrugged.

“Do you want to go?” Jeraine asked.

Tanesha nodded.

“Ready?” Jeraine asked.

Drinking her tea, Tanesha nodded. Jeraine waited a moment and got out of the vehicle. The flashes and screaming was overwhelming. Jeraine waved, and they jogged up the stairs. They were inside the Castle side door in no time.

“Uh, crazy,” Tanesha said. “Should we call the police?”

“They’ll be back as soon as they are cleared,” Jeraine said. “Best not risk someone getting shot.”

“Good point,” Tanesha said.

They went into the Castle living room to find Jacob staring into the fire.

“What are you doing?” Tanesha asked.

“Talking to my mother,” Jacob said.

“Of course you are,” Tanesha said. “Congratulations on a new niece!”

“She’s very beautiful,” Jacob said.

“All of Val’s kids are lovely,” Tanesha said.

“No child is cuter than Jabari,” Jacob said with a grin.

“Maggie,” Jeraine said.

Jacob, Tanesha, and Jeraine nodded in agreement.

“Does she have a name?” Tanesha asked.

“They haven’t announced,” Jacob said. “I think they’re going to name her after my mom or maybe Delphie. But they aren’t talking about it.”

“Sounds like they have some good choices,” Tanesha said. “Jer said that you were going to show him the ballroom?”

“I thought maybe he could run his show from the ballroom,” Jacob said.

“You mean, have the bands here and broadcast over the Internet?” Tanesha asked.

“Something like that,” Jacob said. “I don’t know how we’d sort out keeping people from getting infected by the virus but I’d guess that Jammy could figure it out.”

“Does it have outside access?” Tanesha asked.

“It did,” Jacob said. “It was a speakeasy. I haven’t opened up access because I thought it made us more vulnerable to people entering from there unnoticed.”

“Good thinking.” Tanesha said. She looked at Jeraine, who was oddly quiet. “What’s up with you?”

“Just wondering what Jake’s got to say,” Jeraine said.

“Come on,” Jacob said. “I’ll show you.”

Jacob stood up. They started moving toward the wall next to Abi and Fin’s apartment. As they neared, Abi came out carrying her two toddlers.

“Where are we going?” Abi asked.

“To see the ballroom,” Tanesha said. “Jake thinks that Jer can have his show here.”

“That would be a good thing,” Abi said with a nod. “As long as it didn’t infect the rest of the house.”

“Exactly,” Jeraine said.

“Carry on,” Abi said.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow...