irajmes

[irajmes]

[irajmes]

Moonlight (2016) dir. Barry Jenkins

[irajmes]

naijawiggins​:

+

          Naija watched as her father stepped closer and told her to keep her mouth shut with the help nearby. A glance was cast towards ira and her mouth snapped shut, watching as he walked away and entered their home. Naija was certain he wanted her to follow but she decided against it and turned back to Ira. “I’m sorry about that.” She said softly, brows furrowed, unsure if he heard anything. The subject had been his brother but she felt like perhaps her words had been hushed enough that they hadn’t been carried by the wind. “It wasn’t anything important. Just some… stuff.” 

                   Much to Ira’s disappointment, there was nothing more to learn after Naija’s outburst, her father adamant on keeping things curt. The sound of their door shutting told Ira that much, as he got to his feet, finished with the perlite. At the same time, Naija had come to apologize for what was being said, Ira unable to help his expression in return. “Ms. Wiggins,” he sighs, dusting his hands as he faces her fully. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I’m afraid the subject of my brother is important to me. —Is he... in trouble?”

[irajmes]

tylerxdixon​:

~

“Totally normal to be nervous.” He reassured, offering a warm smile to the boy, accepting his hand in a handshake with a small laugh. “It’s very nice to meet you Noah. Like I said, totally normal to be nervous. I’ll even tell you a secret. The first time I got on a horse, I screamed my head off for fifteen minutes.” His mother had never let him live it down, always telling the story with a fond tone, tears of laughter in her eyes. It was why he still told the story any time it had a fitting moment, not wanting to let that part of her slip away. Crouching down to Noah’s level, he spoke directly to him. “I picked the best horses we have, though. They’ve promised me that they’ll be on their best behavior, so later we can give them a few treats and they’ll love you for life.” 

               At the mention of screaming his head off, Noah grins, a small giggle coming out of him as he starts to loosen up. Ira smiles in return, always thankful for people like Tyler who knew how to work with kids. When he mentions the horses telling him they’ll be have, Noah’s eyes widen. “They told you?” he asks, eagerly. “Wow...” Ira chuckles, patting his back as they start following Tyler towards the horses. “Alright alright— don’t start picking favorites now or the dinosaurs in your backpack will start feeling left out.” Noah looks up, brows furrowing. “They’re extinct dad! The horses are just right there!” he points, jumping the closer they got. “My bad,” Ira chuckles, looking up to Tyler with a nod. “Should I tag along the whole time? I don’t want to interfere, he’s pretty good on his own as long as we can see each other from a distance.”

[irajmes]

corinajcmes​:

The relationship with her oldest brother was complicated, to say the least. If it could even be considered one at all. Her only memories of him were vague from when she was young. What she did know for certain was that he couldn’t get away from their family quick enough. He’d been eager to leave and once he had, that was where the relationship ended. Corina hadn’t heard a word from him since. When she was younger, she just assumed he’d come back. But he never did. The older she got, the more she realized how little she and the rest of her family meant to him. Why else would he just disappear on them like that?

Only when everything else seemed to fall apart in his life did he return. Truthfully, she could’ve walked past him on the street and wouldn’t have known it was him. Their dad may have easily welcomed Ira back, but it wasn’t so simple for Coco to do. When she first knew of him moving back to town, he was a stranger as far as she was concerned. And he still was. She held onto her grudge in her true stubborn nature. Not only was she upset that he never even visited or called or anything in years, but that he had a whole family – she had a nephew – that she knew nothing about. A whole other life that didn’t involve any of the James’.  And that was what really hurt.

After the fair, Corina was doing all she could to keep her sanity in the boredom that came with having an injury. Luckily she’d had friends visit and keep her some company or to get out of the house for a bit. She went to answer the door when there was a knock. She wasn’t expecting anyone though. To her surprise, it was the last person she would have expected. Her brow quirked in confusion. “Hi…” she said flatly. Noah being there is what made her keep any snarky comments to herself for now. She may have felt a way about Ira, but Noah was a different story. It wasn’t his fault and she wouldn’t take her frustration out on an innocent kid. “I’m doing fine, but come in.”  She let the pair into her home. It wasn’t like she was doing much of anything else at the moment.

                         Ira could tell, straight away, that Corina did not want them there. She kept her responses, nevermind her glances towards him, short— probably in hopes that they’d leave soon. He wanted to meet her half way in that regard, entering her home as Noah hurried in, taking off his backpack, getting comfortable in the living room. “Have you been recovering okay?” he asks, walking behind her as he observes her walk. Ira was no health expert by any means, but when his wife was on her last few months, he had gotten used to watching the injured very closely. “Dad told me somethin’ about getting trampled.”

[irajmes]

              starter for @livsaeli​​​

                     It had been a long day and Ira couldn’t help himself from taking one of those midday naps, hoping his son was okay on his own for a couple of hours. However, as he slowly comes to, Ira takes a peek at his bedside clock, nearly jumping out of his skin when he realizes it’s already 10pm. Wiping the sleep away from his eyes, Ira groans as he sits up, swinging his legs over to the side of the bed. Still groggy, Ira makes his way to Noah’s room, who’s light was still on but no where to be found. Concerned, but not entirely ready to panic, Ira heads to the living room. “Noah?” he yells out, his son promptly responding, “kitchen!” With a sigh of relief, Ira catches his son pouring himself some cereal as he enters the kitchen, patting his back. “Is this what you’re having for dinner?” he chuckles, kissing the top of his head. “You should’ve woke me up, son.” Noah looks up, shaking his head as he tightens the cap on their milk carton. “I know you’re tired, it’s okay.”

Ira doesn’t respond, continuing to pat his back as he makes his way around the counter, taking a seat on the stool. Its moments like these that have Ira in awe of his son. Noah was only 6, but capable of taking care of himself— even if it’s just for a few hours. Granted, he had slept way longer than he intended, but he was proud of him nonetheless. “Pour me one too then,” he smiles softly, nodding his head towards a washed bowl from the sink. It’s at this moment when a large noise was heard from outside, alerting Ira. It sounded like it came from the side of their home, causing him to stand. “I’ll be right back,” he tells Noah, who doesn’t seem to notice. 

[irajmes]

naijawiggins​:

+

          Naija couldn’t care less about the people around her even if they did work for her father. Maybe a part of her wanted to embarrass him in the hopes that it would knock him off his high pedestal and they could talk as a simple father and daughter. Nothing more, no power involved. “I want you to tell me about Jalen. He told me some things about that night and how you said that you would blame him for what happened if he continued to date me? He could have went to jail and as much as he’s convinced that you said those things, I don’t know if it’s true. So don’t lie to me, dad!” She wanted to scream at him, not even piecing together that the man who was a few feet away from her was the brother of the one they spoke about. Of the man that she was in love with and who had almost been a father to their child. “Tell me the truth!” She continued to scream at him as he denied and tried to excuse himself.

                         Gently spreading the perlite along the small wall protecting the soil from another section of soil, Ira presses his lips together firmly. He hears Mr. Wiggins greet his daughter, but the outburst from her startled everyone. Since it was his first time at the estate, Ira didn’t catch onto the rest of the staff immediately turning to mind their business. Instead, he found himself pausing entirely after hearing his younger brother’s name— his hand hovering over the white rocks, still kneeling with his back turned to them. The more the daughter spoke, the more perplexed Ira had become. What happened? What did Jalen do? —Jail? Brows knitted, Ira remains still, eager to hear more. 

[irajmes]

jamesxkennedy​:

If there was one thing James could talk about for hours, it was music. Especially older music. Jazz, blues, swing was his favorite genres. A smile crept its way onto his face as the Ira spoke and he leaned on the counter some, arms folded on it. “I think that’s the great thing about music- you can hear a song or melody and it takes you back to a time or place in your life.” James said, the corner of his lips quirking up once more as he did so. At least that’s how it was for him. Sometimes there was a song he would hear that would bring on a flood of memories he had long forgotten. It was almost funny how simple but yet deep music could be to people. “I’ve recently started making my way through her stuff. So far, I gotta say, Sunday Kind of Love is my favorite.” 

                           “Yeah, yeah,” Ira nodded fondly, smiling to himself as music has healed so many broken things in his life— it was almost too much for words. When he mentions ‘Sunday Kind of Love’, Ira beams, nodding as he gently knocks against the counter. He points, snapping quickly. “In which my wife would play, nearly every Sunday. She was extremely cheesy like that.” It was always bittersweet talking about his late wife. Ira felt full and empty at the same time, every time this happened. Even though he’d rather avoid talking about her altogether, Ira just couldn’t help it. “Have you been working here long?” he asks, unsure if he even remembers what the owners looked like twenty something years ago. 

[irajmes]

junewatson​:

-

June shrugged, “Most of the managers out there would have a real thing to say about it, and my former manager would forbid it, but I fired her a marriage is more important than a career.” It was how she looked at it. She’d been willing to trade it all for the right man before, and it was said and done basically without a thought, more than happy to make that trade up and she still was. She wasn’t so stupid to think she could continue her current lifestyle and expect to have a good marriage and a family. “I’m traditional, it seems, plus my momma always said that there are always problems in life but a good marriage will get you through all of them.” June said with a nod. It was something that haunted her. You couldn’t save me. The memory of Vann’s voice made her pause for a moment, the comment hurt more than he could possibly imagine. June’s smile broadened at the mention of his wife’s collection of names. “Mine were tucked in a journal, with all the songs about him.” June shook her head, surprised at her own admission of it. “Get to think of some new ones now, which is exciting.” She couldn’t take those names, they belong with those Lexington ranch dreams, tucked away in a box somewhere, stuck in a phone she still didn’t have the courage to listen to. “I’m not about the fake stuff. Perhaps – what’s the name of the landscaping style that’s like cactuses, native plants? Xero… something…? Damn, all my hours of Yard Crashers is really failing me.” June laughed. 

                    Ira couldn’t deny how surprised he was to hear June’s response. He had assumed a young, successful woman like herself valued her accomplishments over a family. So, to hear that she valued family more was a great surprise to him. It meant that Ms. June Watson was a lot more down to earth than he presumed she’d be, which is always a nice revelation. He made note to tell his wife in his prayers later tonight. “Well, isn’t that nice to hear. I’m sure whoever you’re dating right now would be happy to hear that.” He pauses, shrugging a moment later. “That is, if ya’ll are on the same page— but that’s none of my business,” he chuckles, placing his hand on his abdomen. These days, it was hard not to share advice. As a widow, Ira had been able to find some moments of peace whenever he had the chance to give guidance to someone. It had him subconsciously reflecting on his past, and that his life didn’t have to be over just because he moved onto the next chapter. Though, ‘moved on’ would probably never be a part of Ira’s vocabulary. 

At the mention of her having songs to go along with those names, Ira grinned wide. “I hope whatever you write will get to be listened to the public someday. As a fan myself, I’d feel quite special to know where your heart was at before anyone else,” Ira beamed, placing his hand briefly over his heart. When she mentions considering a different landscape style, Ira’s eyebrows rose as he immediately knew what she was trying to say. “Xeriscaping,” he laughs. “I think that’d suit your home just beautifully. I can get started preparing the yard. In the meantime, you’re welcome to text me a list of the kind of plants you want. I could also chose them as well, whatever’s easier.”

[irajmes]

lakecarlton​:

-

Trying to beautify the town that he ran ramped in wasn’t something that Lake was used to. He honestly didn’t care what the town looked like. He never thought that this would be part of his job as a sheriff. But, they had to work with the town manager and mayor on a daily basis. They were the ones that made it his responsibility to deal with. It wasn’t like he had anything else he was working on. Like the gang running the streets or the reason behind the fair fire. “The town is doing a beautification program and the mayor is on our case.” Lake admitted to the man. “Is there anything we can do to make it more inviting?” He honestly had no idea how do that for a Sheriff’s Department. Before getting the idea of running for sheriff, he never wanted to come here. Not after how many times he’d been arrested and the life sentences his father and brother were serving. “I’m at a loss here.” 

                 “I have been noticing some major differences since coming back to town,” Ira starts, nodding as he recalls how different downtown had looked like twenty something years ago. “I guess they decided the police department was next on their list.” For a moment, Ira wondered if their building was due for some sort of paint job, but that wasn’t his job and quickly went back to jotting down the list of things he would need in order to start their beautification of the department. “Alright, well... we can start with the grass and just basic upkeep— we can add hedges after.” Ira then hands his list to the officer, crossing his arms soon after. “I just need the last one by Monday, I can grab everything else myself.” 

[irajmes]

                      starter for @corinajcmes​

                          Ira’s relationship with his younger sister was... well, nonexistent. He had left Iron River long before they had established any sort of relationship, so it was fair to say they were pretty much strangers. He hadn’t given their relationship too much thought over the years. In truth, Ira had been so busy building his own family, he barely thought about his siblings at all. It wasn’t until he had seen Corina as a grown woman that he realized how much he had missed— not to mention how she looked at him when he had first returned, eyes glossing over him as though he was just another person on the street. He didn’t really think on it for too long as he got distracted by catching up with his father, but Ira did not miss the way Corina continued to treat him like a stranger. He deserved it, but what bothered him the most was how excited Noah was about having an auntie Ira knew nothing about. He remembers Noah asking him a plethora of questions about her, most importantly, if she’d like his dinosaur collection. He didn’t know— he didn’t know anything.

Which is how Ira wounded up at Corina’s home after hearing about what happened at the State Fair. He would’ve come to visit, regardless of the situation, but he was on a mission to... build something, anything with her. After a few knocks, Ira and Noah waited patiently for Corina to answer. In his hands, Noah held two of his favorite dinosaurs— a concavenator and a scutellosaurus, not to mention a few more in his backpack. When the door opens, Ira offers a soft grin, placing his hand on Noah’s back. “Hey,” he starts, hopeful. “I, uh... hope you don’t mind us dropping in unannounced. We heard about what happened and wanted to drop in, see how you’re doing.”

[irajmes]

tylerxdixon​:

closed starter for @irajmes​ location: ironbend ranch 

He couldn’t really remember how it had started - him offering riding classes to kids, to get them more comfortable around the horses. If he could remember right, he was pretty sure that it had been his mom’s idea - a way for him and JR to teach kids their age how to ride and care for horses. He’d been doing it ever since, in groups, in one on ones, whatever the parents or kids wanted. It was a nice day for it today - not too hot, and the horses were in a good mood. Playful, and ready for some exercise. Spotting two familiar faces he raised his hand in greeting, calling out to them. “Mornin’, y’all. How’s it goin, you two?” 

             Ira could tell his son was nervous. Noah had the tendency to keep most of his emotions to himself, as his grandma had taught him to always take a second before addressing his anger or frustrations. Which, granted, was a big problem in the beginning... but now, Noah had been getting a lot better talking things through instead of acting out. Unfortunately, that also meant putting a lid on his excitement, which did concern Ira, but he knew his son just needed a bit more encouragement in order to break out of his shell. After all, he was so excited last night about getting to ride horses, he kept calling them modern day concavenators. “He’s a bit nervous, but excited, right son?” he looks down, patting Noah’s back who was hiding behind him. He nudges him to stand beside him, rubbing his back. “Why don’t you introduce yourself to the nice man?” Noah gulps and rubs his right hand against his leg, bringing it up for a very unsure handshake. “I’m Noah,” he greets softly. 

[irajmes]

magnolia-cruz​:

-

Magnolia watched as he motioned to the plant. He had a fondness for them she couldn’t quite place. She couldn’t remember the last time she cared about something like that, or maybe he just had a knowledge base about them that she would also, never understand. The only thing she dedicated her life to was Cheerleading, and well that was years ago. Now she was just in the wind, if the wind blew hard enough, she’d sway in whatever direction it went. “Oooo, count me out of the gnat plants.” He grimaced, “who would want those?” She shook her head, “so maybe snake boys it is, even if they’re not pretty. Like at all.” 

               Ira smiled, shrugging slightly at her comment. “Well, gnats are always a possibility if your soil is too moist, but if you tend to underwater— which, is definitely better than overwatering... you shouldn’t have a problem.” When she mentions not finding the snake plants all that ‘pretty’, Ira laughs again, nodding. “Well, I can’t say I agree or disagree. For me, they’re all nice to look at.” While he did have his own favorites, it was more so connected to who and when... rather than the plant itself. “You know you can always go for fake plants,” he offers, turning slightly. “They’re no maintenance, aside from dust, and you can get whatever you want without having to sacrifice anything.” 

[irajmes]

naijawiggins​:

+

           Naija barely blinked at the home anymore. She had been confused when her friends gasped and asked if she was a princess as a kid, not knowing any different than the home she’d been raised inside. As a teenager, it was a sense of pride and superiority. Now, she thought little given her own home being as extravagant. Pulling up, her eyes moved upon the male in the front yard and she instantly recognized him. Jalen’s brother, and while curious, she was a woman on a mission. “Hello.” The brunette said, peering up as her father exited out the front door and a furious Naija headed for him. “We need to speak right now!” She spoke loudly, harsher than she’d ever spoken to her father. In that moment, outside figures no longer existed apart from the male she began to blame for the blackmail of her former boyfriend, Jalen.

                   Ira always considered himself to be an extremely polite person. Perhaps it was that southern tendency to always say his ‘please and thank yous’ nevermind those ‘ma’ams and sirs’. Even when he was around situations that had a crowd gathering due to interest, Ira always practiced minding his own business. In fact, it was a characteristic he wanted to instill in his son, as his parents did for him. However, it was proven difficult to do so once he heard Naija yelling for her father, Ira immediately turning at the sudden outburst. He caught eyes with Mr. Wiggins, as though he was embarrassed for his daughter to be raising her voice in front of him, but Ira looked away immediately. Whatever was happening didn’t concern him, but he couldn’t exactly leave. And so, Ira placed the perlite on the cement and pulled his pocket knife out from his back pocket and slashed it open. He had to keep working, no matter what. 

[irajmes]

jalenjames​:

STARTER FOR @irajmes​ …

     Noah had dragged him outside the moment he arrived, showing off their backyard and his football skills; it had been a long time since anything felt so normal, but it wasn’t enough to convince him of the inevitable. He made a promise and he intended to keep it, but telling his family? That was going to be an obstacle within itself. 

An hour or so later, Jalen made an excuse and grabbed a beer, sitting down with the brother who had lost his wife, a woman he barely knew. It was a new beginning, or that’s what their father had said. For Jalen is felt like getting to know an entirely new person, their age gap and circumstances keeping them apart for most of his adult life. And now, he was the one making plans to separate them. Again.

The family didn’t know that, not yet. He couldn’t tell Corina. He hadn’t told dad. Nobody knew, but if there was one thing he owed the people he had hurt, it was fulfilling one promise. If leaving meant that Naija had a chance at being happy, that’s exactly what he would do. “Can’t believe he got so big—” Jalen breathed out a laugh as his nephew ran around, “I haven’t seen this much in years.” Taking a sip from his beer, he went quiet and looked at his brother. “You and Eden did good. How’s he been handling the move?”

               Ira had always considered himself a family man, but being back in Iron River was a huge reality check. Despite everything that got him to where he is today, it was difficult remembering why he did the things he did. The facts were facts, but recalling the emotional decisions he made was a troubling feat. He knew that he could no longer go on about his life like he didn’t abandon Jalen and Corina. In fact, he wondered from time to time... if his wife had never passed... if he’d ever get the chance to rekindle their relationship. In truth, it wasn’t that important to him— at least, not until now.

He watches over Noah carefully as he runs about the yard, pterodactyl in hand, chuckling softly at his brother’s words. “I know, it’s like... just one blink and he’ll already be graduating college.” Still, the comment of ‘missing so much’ stung— after all, how could it not? “Surprisingly well,” he shrugs, shaking his head. “I’m worried though... that maybe, in some ways, that he’s not. I’ve never really been good at that sort of thing.” 

[irajmes]

jamesxkennedy​:

Who: Open Where: Duffy’s @ironriverstarters​

James was perched on the counter at work, legs swinging back and forth, getting lost in the jazzy beats that blared over the speaks through the record shop. He was sure that there was something else he could be doing, restocking, cleaning, organizing but as he was going through records he had found this- one he was pretty sure that he hadn’t heard before. James easily found himself getting lost in it, fingers already tapping along to the beat, itching to grab his drum sticks, to sit behind the old kit in the back, and play. But it was the sound of the bell above the door ringing that finally pulled him away from the music, instantly reaching over to turn it down some. “Sorry, hello.” He greeted them with an apologetic smile, pushing himself down from the counter. “Anything I can help you with?”

                   After dropping Noah off at school, Ira took some time to reacquaint himself with Iron River. It had been so long since he had been back, it was almost as though this wasn’t Iron River anymore. It was different— evolved. Although there had been some clear gentrification going on, Ira could still see the parts of it he had left behind. Still, home was still a stranger, and all the new wasn’t make it easier. As he continues making his way down the sidewalk, coffee in hand, he hears the faint sounds of music coming from a shop up ahead. Ira’s brows furrow, unsure if he was really hearing what was playing... or if it was just him. As he gets closer, the voice of Ella Fitzgerald gets more clear, simultaneously causing his stomach to sink. The next thing he knew, Ira was entering the store, shoulders dropping when the clerk greets him. “No— no, I uh... I just hadn’t heard that song in a very long time. Was compelled to come in, I guess you could say,” he chuckles, eyes wandering about the store. “My wife used to play ‘Get Happy’ whenever I was in a bad mood.”

[irajmes]

The Mitchells vs the Machines (2021) dir. by Michael Rianda