time.
Stately and opulent, the Hightowers’ large Tudor home on Eastside Park Drive in Paterson looked pretty much the same on the outside. On the inside, the decorations and furnishings had changed. But the warm and welcoming aura remained the same.
Penny knew the homey feel of the Hightower minimansion must have been the only thing that saved her from feeling out of place and overwhelmed when she visited as a child. Although class differences weren’t as pronounced in Paterson as they were in other places she had lived and visited through the years, they did exist.
The distance between the Hightowers’ humongous home with a view of the park and Big Mama’s small three-bedroom Colonial with no view and no park in the heart of the ’hood might just as well have been light years. When it came down to it, their big home, family legacies and community standing made the Hightowers as close to the elite as a small inner city such as Paterson, New Jersey, could lay claim to.
Penny didn’t have any illusions that James and Celia Hightower’s easy acceptance meant anything more than that they were two really nice salt-of-the-earth folks. She still found herself wanting to bask in the comfort she felt in their home, especially since she had a feeling the easy calm would disappear as soon as Jason and Terrill showed up.
“Here, I’m gonna let you take over the dressing and the potato salad. I know you remember how to do it. I’ve got to get these pies in the oven. I’m making my sweet potato pie. I wonder if Terrill can still polish off an entire pie all by himself.” Celia chuckled softly and shook her head. “I better make a few of them, come to think of it.” She buzzed around the kitchen with a bright smile on her face.
Penny got busy breaking up the corn bread Celia had already made and moved on to the slicing and dicing of celery, onion and—Celia Hightower’s secret ingredient—bell peppers. Before long the two women had the majority of the spread for the Sunday meal all done.
Penny couldn’t help but remember the wonderful times she used to have with Mrs. Hightower growing up. She had really been like another mother figure, next to Big Mama. With Carla constantly MIA, Penny had needed the added attention.
She couldn’t believe Celia still made the majority of the dishes exactly the way she’d taught her to make them. Between Celia Hightower and Big Mama’s training in the kitchen, Penny could hang with the best of cooks. As she mixed together the fixings for the potato salad, Penny found herself wishing this nice, quiet afternoon with Celia didn’t have to end.
“So, when are you planning to head back to California, baby? I hope I get a chance to see you again before you go back.”
Celia moved gracefully around her state-of-the-art kitchen. The kitchen had clearly been upgraded, outfitted with stainless steel appliances, marble countertops and beautiful cherrywood cabinets, since Penny had last been there. But even with all the new things, the kitchen still felt as down home as it always had.
“I’m not sure now. I was planning to head back as soon as I settled up Big Mama’s affairs. But some unexpected things have come up, and I may stay a week or so longer than that.”
“That’s good. We can go out for lunch or something. Maybe spend the afternoon at the mall. Remember our trips window-shopping at Garden State Plaza?” A wistful and nostalgic expression crossed Mrs. Hightower’s face.
“Yes, I certainly do. Those were some fun times.” Penny smiled, remembering the many times Mrs. Hightower’s input had saved her from Big Mama’s very old-fashioned taste in clothes.
“Yes, indeed they were. Then you had your sweet sixteen and started dating my son and forgot all about me. All your time was spent with Ja-son .” Mrs. Hightower chuckled, and Penny cringed.
“That’s not true. I still hung out with you! And even before Jason and I started dating, he, Terrill and I were
Stately and opulent, the Hightowers’ large Tudor home on Eastside Park Drive in Paterson looked pretty much the same on the outside. On the inside, the decorations and furnishings had changed. But the warm and welcoming aura remained the same.
Penny knew the homey feel of the Hightower minimansion must have been the only thing that saved her from feeling out of place and overwhelmed when she visited as a child. Although class differences weren’t as pronounced in Paterson as they were in other places she had lived and visited through the years, they did exist.
The distance between the Hightowers’ humongous home with a view of the park and Big Mama’s small three-bedroom Colonial with no view and no park in the heart of the ’hood might just as well have been light years. When it came down to it, their big home, family legacies and community standing made the Hightowers as close to the elite as a small inner city such as Paterson, New Jersey, could lay claim to.
Penny didn’t have any illusions that James and Celia Hightower’s easy acceptance meant anything more than that they were two really nice salt-of-the-earth folks. She still found herself wanting to bask in the comfort she felt in their home, especially since she had a feeling the easy calm would disappear as soon as Jason and Terrill showed up.
“Here, I’m gonna let you take over the dressing and the potato salad. I know you remember how to do it. I’ve got to get these pies in the oven. I’m making my sweet potato pie. I wonder if Terrill can still polish off an entire pie all by himself.” Celia chuckled softly and shook her head. “I better make a few of them, come to think of it.” She buzzed around the kitchen with a bright smile on her face.
Penny got busy breaking up the corn bread Celia had already made and moved on to the slicing and dicing of celery, onion and—Celia Hightower’s secret ingredient—bell peppers. Before long the two women had the majority of the spread for the Sunday meal all done.
Penny couldn’t help but remember the wonderful times she used to have with Mrs. Hightower growing up. She had really been like another mother figure, next to Big Mama. With Carla constantly MIA, Penny had needed the added attention.
She couldn’t believe Celia still made the majority of the dishes exactly the way she’d taught her to make them. Between Celia Hightower and Big Mama’s training in the kitchen, Penny could hang with the best of cooks. As she mixed together the fixings for the potato salad, Penny found herself wishing this nice, quiet afternoon with Celia didn’t have to end.
“So, when are you planning to head back to California, baby? I hope I get a chance to see you again before you go back.”
Celia moved gracefully around her state-of-the-art kitchen. The kitchen had clearly been upgraded, outfitted with stainless steel appliances, marble countertops and beautiful cherrywood cabinets, since Penny had last been there. But even with all the new things, the kitchen still felt as down home as it always had.
“I’m not sure now. I was planning to head back as soon as I settled up Big Mama’s affairs. But some unexpected things have come up, and I may stay a week or so longer than that.”
“That’s good. We can go out for lunch or something. Maybe spend the afternoon at the mall. Remember our trips window-shopping at Garden State Plaza?” A wistful and nostalgic expression crossed Mrs. Hightower’s face.
“Yes, I certainly do. Those were some fun times.” Penny smiled, remembering the many times Mrs. Hightower’s input had saved her from Big Mama’s very old-fashioned taste in clothes.
“Yes, indeed they were. Then you had your sweet sixteen and started dating my son and forgot all about me. All your time was spent with Ja-son .” Mrs. Hightower chuckled, and Penny cringed.
“That’s not true. I still hung out with you! And even before Jason and I started dating, he, Terrill and I were
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