Come Share My Love (57 page)

     “I did scold her about it, told her never to use that word again and that it was unladylike.”

     “You did the right thing, dear.  I’ve talked to Zackary about letting those girls spend the night with that woman; you never know what they will pick up.  I’ll let him know what’s go
ing on.

     “
He’ll talk to them both and her.  He’s really trying to do right by them but if she’s just going to do as she pleases in front of them and not be concerned about their well-being, it’s not good for them to be around her.”

     She looked over at Shyla who had a
gloomy look on her face.

     “Don’t look so sad.  If she wanted to be a real mother to those girls she would have been.  Zackary has full custody so she can’t take them any place.  I’m actually surprised that she has any time for them at all.  Anyway, dear, I’ll talk to him.”

     “Thank you.”

     The girls were fascinated with Shyla’s dress, so much so that they wanted their dresses to be the same color.

     “Can we have our dresses like that, Gran V?  Is that red?

     “Almost baby, it’s actually cranberry.”

     “Cranberry?” Zhaniya asked. 

     “Yes sweetheart.”

     “Like the juice,” asked Zaria?  Her grandmother nodded.

     “Can we have the same color?  I like cranberry,” said Zaria.

     “We’ll see.  The stores may not have dresses that color this time of year for little girls, but we’ll do our best.  Okay?”

     “Thank you.”  Her grand-daughters were so polite.  Getting them away from their mother before she corrupt them too much would be a blessing.

     Zaria took Shyla’s hand and Zhaniya her Grandmother’s as they walked into and around the Sonoma Mall which was only a few miles from Napa. 

     It was the biggest mall in the area.  The second and third floors of the mall had a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean.  Some people like to dine in one or more of the many restaurants that were up on the high hills in the area just to take in the panoramic view.  It was breathtaking.

   They had gone to several different shops but found nothing to their liking.

    “Mama V do the girls have outfits for Monday?  And what about an outfit for church tomorrow?”

     “Nothing for Monday and most of their church clothes are getting too small.  Zackary just bought them new clothes but Gloria never returns them so we quit sending things over.  I’ve got Monday covered but Zackary is taking the girls Sunday clothes shopping next month.”

     “Why wait until next month, we’re here now.  Do you think he’d have a problem with me getting them a few things?  I don’t want to be out of line.”

     “Oh pooh,” she waved on.  “Don’t worry about Zackary.  You do what you want for those girls.  I’m sure he won’t mind.  It’s definitely more than what their getting from their mother.  I know I shouldn’t speak ill of her but it just makes me mad when I think of all the stuff she’s d
one too hurt them and Zackary.

     “Okay no more talk about the ex
.  It is okay that you buy for them just don’t spoil them.  Venice does enough of that when she leaves town and come back.

     “I won’t, but are you sure?  Because after what happened yesterday I can assure you that Zackary and I will not have any more contact after I leave here.  I know I’ll miss you all,” she said assuredly.  She looked over at the twins who were standing in front of the window at the Disney Store checking out the life size image of Peter Pan.

     “We’ll miss you too.  But don’t worry about what Zackary will think.  If he has a problem he can take it up with me,” she said plain and simple. 

     “Let’s go girls.  We have a lot of shopping to do and very little time.”

     “So, we’ll need two beautiful dresses for tonight,” she smiled down at the twins and their eyes did light up.  “And dress shoes.”

     New shoes, new shoes, yea,” they both chanted.

     “Sshh,” Mama V said.  “Young ladies don’t jump up and down screaming in public places,” she scolded. 

Both their angelic little smiles faded.  She didn’t like to see them sad.  She smiled to each of them and said, “Unless you plan on letting Gran V and Miss Shyla in on the fun, too.”

     Their eyes lit up again.  Shyla tried to hide her smile but it just wasn’t working.  Soon they were all chanting new shoes, new shoes until they reached the next store.

     “Oh, this dress is darling.  Do you like it?” Shyla asked.

     “But it’s not the same color as yours,” Zaria announced sadly.

     “No sweet pea it isn’t and it doesn’t have to be for tonight.  It can be for church or another special occasion.  Do you think that someday you would like to wear it?”  Zaria nodded.

    “Good.  I think this dress would look very pretty on you.  We’ll find your dress for tonight.  Do you want the same dresses or-”

     “Same,” they both shouted before Shyla could finish her thought.

     “Same it is then.”  Shyla then wanted to know what they wanted to wear for the Fourth of July.  They wanted whatever she was wearing.  Her plans were to wear a pair of red or white shorts and a white T-shirt with the American flag on it.  That night if the weather permitted they would wear jeans and a sweater.

    The weather was very unpredictable that time of year, especially at night.  The girls didn’t mind the changing.  They had to do it several times a day when they were with their dad and his family.  Their mom didn’t care that they stayed dirty or even if they got dressed for the day.

     “Where is Gran V?” asked Zaria.

     “I’m right here.  I think I found the perfect dress
es.  It was a cream dress with no sleeves, a jewel neck with front pin tucks and a wide lace skirt.  “Isn’t it lovely?” she insisted.

     “Wow.  It’s beautiful,” Shyla remarked.

     “But it’s still not the same color as Miss Shyla’s, Gran V.”

     “Not for tonight, Silly Willy, for church.  Shyla it looks like you will have to search for their dresses for tonight.  I’m a little pooped.”

     “That’s fine.  I saw another little shop on the third floor the other day next to the Fragrance Boutique.  I thought we’d go there on our way out.  Meanwhile, Mervyn’s Department Store is having a huge sale on summer clothes and shoes.  Let’s go in there, you can relax while we shop and then we can get the girls a treat and then on the way out I’ll get the dresses.”

     “That s
ounds good.  It’s been awhile since I’ve been out shopping like this but I’m having a good time.”

     “So am I.”

     When Shyla took her purchases to the counter she was surprised at the amount of her bill.  She’d spent less than five hundred dollars on two little girls four pairs of shoes, socks, tights, under garments and seven outfit’s a piece.  That wasn’t even half of what she would have paid for her own dress.  She was very proud of herself.

     “My goodness Shyla what did you buy?” 

There were at least eight bags hanging from their hands.

     “Not nearly enough.  They have a great sale going on in there.  I kind of wish I had drove my own car up here.  There were some things I would have wanted for my house.”

     I asked you not to spoil them.”

     “Now Mama V, would I do something like that?”

     “Yes you would, and so would everybody else.”

     “Well I’m not.  You’ve already warned me.  Besides we didn’t even go near the toy section and I only let them pick out their shoes.  I picked out everything else.  Come on.  Just one more shop to go.  You and the girls can sit up here and have an ice cream or a drink while I’m next door checking on the dresses.”  They all agreed and were on their way.

     As promised Shyla went into The Lil’ Princess Boutique and found the perfect dress for tonight’s festivities. In fact, she found several perfect dresses and she didn’t stop and just buy two, she bought three for each of them, leaving the cashier with a smile on her face and a sales slip of two-hundred and fifty dollars.  Still nothing compared to what she would have spent on herself.  Shyla also ran into the jewelry store and picked out a cute pair of diamond earrings for them both. 

     When Shyla came back with her purchases Mama V had her arms folded across her chest.

     “I thought you were getting just two dresses?”

     “I was but there were so many to choose from and I’m not spoiling them.  That would have required that I buy out the whole store.”

      Just then a woman came by admiring the little group.  She smiled at Shyla and then at the girls.  “Ma’am,” she said.  “I have to tell you that you have the most well-mannered and darling little girls.  They are beautiful.  And I can see where they get their smile from.”

   Shyla was shocked when they girls and Mama V said, “Thank you.”  Then both girls gave Shyla a kiss on the cheek.

     “You are so precious, bye now,” she waved taking her leave when the others bid her a good day.

     “Well that was very nice of her,” said Mama V.

     “Yes it was
,” Shyla agreed.  Some people aren’t that polite but in Napa they all seem genuine.

     “Are those our cranberry dresses?” Zhaniya asked excitedly.

     “Yes,” Shyla said just as excitedly.

     “Can we see them?” asked Zaria.

     “May we,” corrected her grandmother.

     “May we see them?”

     “Yes sweet pea, you may.”

     Shyla showed them the first two dresses.  They were nice, very nice but neither were the cranberry dresses that they were looking for.  Shyla quit teasing them and showed them the one that they would be wearing that evening.  She took off the covering and the twinkles in
their eyes were like diamonds.  This wasn’t just any dress it was the dress.  It was like cranberry in color, Mauve according to the shop owner, ankle in length and flared out like a peasant dress.  It had a ruffled trim accents neckline, collar ruffles tacked in place and the sleeve length was just at the elbow with a slight flared cuff.  It tied in a bow at the zippered back.

     “Oh Shyla, it’s beautiful.  Zackary is going to love it.”

     Shyla didn’t respond.  She was too busy taking in the reaction of the girls.  They were all over Shyla.

     Mama V stood back and watched the exchange between her two granddaughters and the woman that loved her youngest son.  She silently prayed that things would work out for the both of them.  Those two little girls needed a mother who would love them and look after them and keep them in her protection just as their father needed a loving and caring wife by his side, a wife that thought of family first.

     Shyla interrupted Mama V’s daydream, but she hadn’t known.

     “Mom we’re ready to go.  Did you need to get anything for yourself?”

     “No baby, I have everything I need.  I’m just glad you found these dresses for the girls. How much do I owe you?”

     “Not a thing.  This was my treat.”

     “Shyla-”

     “You said it was okay.  I did this because I wanted to and you don’t have to tell Zackary either.  This is my treat to them.  Please?”

     “Okay Shyla it’s your treat but when we want to do something for you, don’t you deny us.”

     “I won’t.”

     “Miss Shyla we got you a drink,” said Zhaniya.

     “Thank you my princess and it has plenty of ice, too.  Again I thank you.”

     They left the mall and headed back to Napa Acres.  They had just about six hours to enjoy a small snack, a good nap and a shower before they had to get ready for tonight.  They still had to do something about their hair.  Shyla would worry about hers later.  She would comb the girls and tie it up before they took their shower.

     When they returned, Zackary, his father and Felton was sitting on his porch.  Shyla tried not to think about it or look their way but one of the girls yelled, ‘daddy, daddy,’ and it was hard not to.

     “Can I go to see my daddy?” Zaria asked.

     “Just as soon
as we get you out of your car seat sweetheart you can go see your daddy.”

     “Yes ma’am.”  As soon as Shyla let her out of the seat she was ready to go.  She had Shyla by the hand.  “Are you going to see my daddy too, Miss Shyla?”

     She bent down to the little girl’s level.  “No sweet pea.  I have so much to do right now and I’m very tired.  I’ll see him tonight, but you have a good time okay.”

     “I will.”  She hugged Shyla around the neck and Shyla hugged her back.  “I love you, Miss Shyla.”

     “I-I love you, too, princess.”  Those were the best words that Shyla had heard since coming to Napa.

     Mama V came around the car smiling.  She had heard what her granddaughter had said and she couldn’t agree
more.  Zhaniya too wanted a hug and kiss from Shyla, and she got it.

      Big Zack looked over to his son, seeing that he too was looking on as his daughters treated Shyla like she belonged to them and vice versa.  He slapped him on the back and told him that everything would work itself out, to just be patient.