Come Share My Love (48 page)

     “What’s wrong?”

     “Just thinking.  Do you think I was wrong for telling her?  Maybe I should have just kept it to myself.”

     “I think it was okay, sweetie.  Maybe you should have told him first.  I guess.  You’ll just have to make it all up to him.”

     “I know.” 

     They talked a little while longer about her feelings for Zackary and what she could do to improve a relationship with him.  She had already decided that she would tell him how she felt.  She had waited long enough.  Essence helped Shyla pick out outfits for the nights events.

     Something was on Essence’s mind.  Shyla co
uld read her cousin just as well as Essence was able to read her.

     “What’s on your mind?  Something’s going on in there.”  She poked her in the sid
e of the head and she smiled a nervous smile.

     “You’re my cousin and you know I love you, right.” 

     “Yes.  What kind of question is that?  You took care of me and we’re all the family we have left.” 

     “So I can tell you something and you won’t get mad?”

     “I won’t promise that. I try not to get mad when you say things to me.  It’s just the way you come at me that tends to piss me off.”

     Essence drummed her fingers on her knee.  It was a nervous gesture.  A table wasn’t at her disposal so she used whatever was within reach.

     “Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this?”

     “Because you probably won’t.”

     “We just had a break through.  Please don’t go ruining it.”

     She grabbed Shyla’s hands in hers.  “Listen Shy.  I just want to tell you that I am happy that you’re finally giving Zackary a chance.  I know that the two of you will be very happy together.  He’s really a very good guy.  There are not too many more of them out there. So,” she swallowed the lump in her throat, “please don’t hurt him, Shy.  He’s been through enough.”

     Shyla jumped ready to defend herself.

     “Shy, wait.”

     “No Essence, you wait.  I’m your cousin, blood cousin.  When are you going to give a damn about my feelings getting hurt?  You’re acting as if I’m on a secret damn mission to seek out the good men and hurt them.”

     She must have raised her voice loud enough for the guys to hear because they came to the door and knocked. 

     “Are you guys alright in there?”  It was Felton.

     “We’re fine, honey.  We’ll be out shortly.”  She spoke softly to Shyla.

     “Please lower your voice, Shy.”

     “Don’t tell me what the hell to do.  Have you forgotten why I don’t have a man in my life?”

     “No.”

     “Apparently you have.”

     “Well I haven’t.”  She snapped and stood with her hand planted on her hips.  “I’m concerned about you too.  It’s just that,” she let her words trail off.

     “What
Essence Marie Childress?”

     “Hear me out Shyla.”

     “I’m listening.  Say what you have to say and be done with it.”

     The two cousins stood facing one another as
if they were ready to battle.

     “I just don’t want Zackary and Felton’s friendship to be strained if the two of you don’t work out.”  Shyla’s jaw dropped.  “So, I’m asking you not to blow this.”

     Shyla chuckled softly.  Then fell into a full fledge laugh.  “Don’t blow this?’  You have got to me f’ing kidding me.”  Shyla continued to laugh and then got deathly serious.  “It seems to me that you are more concerned about you and your husband’s relationship with Zackary than mine, or my relationship with you for that matter.”  Essence began to talk but Shyla plugged her up real good.  “Save it.  I just won’t give into my feelings.  How’s that?  Great?  Great.”  She answered her own question.  “Now you and your close knit family can stay just that.  You won’t ever have to worry about me tearing you apart.  Now if you’ll excuse me I would like to get ready for dinner.  Don’t want to be late,” she smirked.

     “Shyla we need to finish this.”

     “We just did.  At least now I know where I fit into your little world.”

     “Shyla I do love you.”

     “I’m sure you do.”  Shyla picked up her outfit and walked out the door to the bathroom across the hall.  Essence followed closely behind but Shyla was able to close and lock the door before she got to it.

     “Shyla, open up please.”  There was no answer and there wouldn’t be.  Shyla had been trying really hard and it was never enough so she was done.

     Essence explained to her husband what had happened.  She let him know that Shyla was really upset with her for the things she had said.  He saw that she too, was hurting.  They were cousins, close cousins and now felt like strangers bickering.  They got ready to go to dinner.  Shyla wouldn’t answer her door.  Not for her cousin’s or even the man of the house, so they left without her.

     Even though Shyla showered and got ready she didn’t go over to Mr. and Mrs. Trellis’ home for dinner.  She wouldn’t have been good company for anyone.  She found Mama V’s number on Zackary’s desk phone and called to tell her just that.

     When Zackary’s mother asked where she was they told her she wasn’t feeling well.

      “It must have been the long travel here.”  Zackary said.

     “Well she has to eat.  You can take her a plate afterwards.  I sure wanted to spend more time with her.  She’s a beautiful girl.”

     “Yes, mom she is.”

     When the phone rang she hadn’t expected it to be Shyla.

     “Hello sweetheart.”

     She explained that she was not well and she wouldn’t be missed so she would skip dinner.

     “Yes Zackary told me.  I’m sure that once you’re here amongst family dear, you’ll feel a lot better.  It’s probably just the heat.  Are you dressed?”

     “Yes Ma’am.” 

     “Then I will hold dinner for you.  You have twenty minute to get yourself together and over here.  Should I send Zackary back for you?”

     “No I can manage.”

     “Okay.  It only takes seven minutes to walk.”

     “Does that mean I can sit her twirling my thumbs for ten and then start walking?”  Shyla laughed.  It was so easy to talk to Mrs. Trellis. 

     “That’s very funny dear, but no, it doesn’t mean that.”  She laughed, too.  “It means the sooner you get her the sooner we can have dinner and enjoy that delicious dessert you prepared for us today.”  Zackary’s head snapped up.  “Now start walking but do so carefully.  It’s still hot out.”

     “Yes Mama V.  I’ll be there.”

     Was he the only one who had heard his mother speaking?  Everyo
ne else seemed to be talking.  Shyla had made dessert with his mom?  “When did that happen?” he mumbled.

     “What was that son?”  His father asked.

     “Nothing Pop just listening to the news of the week.  How was your week?”

    “My week was j
ust fine son.  CottonGurl is about ready to delivery, any day now.  I’m sure glad you’re here to help, Felton too.  Patch is out of town visiting family this weekend, won’t be back until the middle of next week.”

     “Sounds good.  Felton and I will check on her after dinner dad.”

     “Okay dear.  See you in ten minutes.”  She hung up, turned and saw her son eyeing her then she smiled and winked letting him know everything would be alright.

     “Okay.  Shyla is running a little late but she’s on her way, something about a ruined outfit and the heat.”  It was a little white lie but who needed to know that.  She winked at Zackary. 

     “Do you need me to pick her up mom?”  Brennan asked.  Again Zackary didn’t say anything.

     “No dear.  If she needed a ride I’m sure your brother would be more than capable of going to get his own girlfriend, but she said she would enjoy the walk.  Dinner will be served within the next half hour.  Everyone can reacquaint themselves.  It’s been a while since some of us have seen other family members.”  To Mama V, anyone who entered her home was family, until they gave reason to be booted out, and it had to be something pretty bad.

C
hapter Twelve

     Everyone was seated in the family room when Shyla and Venice walked in.  They met up and introduced themselves at the door.

     “Damn,” three voices echoed but no one tried to accept responsibility.

     “Hello everyone,” said Venice.  She came in giving hugs and kisses to everyone.  “I ran into Shyla coming up the walk.”

     “Hi everyone.  I’m sorry for my tardiness, but it couldn’t be helped.”  She smiled, hoping no one would notice her sad state.  But even with the slight make-up Zackary as well as his mother could tell that she had been crying.  She didn’t wear make-up often so she didn’t know how to conceal the puffiness.  Kemah and Essence were better at that than she was.

   Mrs. Trellis went to her and gave her a motherly hug.  “It’s nice to see you again, dear.”

     “Thank you Mama V. you too.  I had a wonderful time today.”  And she had.  Shyla hadn’t had a mother figure in her life for years.  It’s always been just her and her cousin.  Now this woman that she’d only met hours ago was treating her like a member of her family, a daughter.

     She grabbed Shyla around the waist and escorted her to the kitchen.  She asked everyone else to take their seats at the dinner table.

     When Essence asked her if she needed another pair of hands, she told her no, that she should sit and relax and take care of the little one she was carrying.

     Felton eyed his wife.  “Baby, are you?”

     “No I am not.”

     “But Mama V said-”

     “I should know, Felton.  Now will you sit down and stop hovering over me?  Dang!”

     He sat down but he was still on her back.  “Yes.  But you have to admit that you haven’t been feeling all that well for weeks.  You’ve been tired mostly.”

     “That’s because I’m over worked.” 

     “Honey, have you been late?”

     “Felton Lorenzo Childress!  Don’t question me like that in front of everyone.  You’re embarrassing me,” she poked him in his ribs.  “And move.  My goodness, it’s hot enough without you breathing down my neck.  You’re crowding my space.”  That was a sure sign of pregnancy.

     “I’m sorry baby.”  He moved over to his seat at the table.  “We’ll talk later.”  He said and leaned over and gave a quick kiss to her temple.  The conversation was stopped for the time being but in the back of his mind he couldn’t help praying that it was all true.  He was ready to be a father.

     He looked over at his friend Zackary who tried his best to keep the smile off his face.  He had to clear his throat to keep from laughing.

     In the kitchen Mama V and Shyla were getting a little more acquainted. 

    “Dear are you alright?  You seem distracted.”

She looked at Mama V and smiled.  “I’m fine.  Just something on my mind.”

     “Zackary?” she asked.

     Shyla continued to smile.  She felt like she could talk to this woman about almost anything. She’s never had that connection with any woman, not even her mother when she was younger and her parents were alive.

     “Yes, Zackary, among other things.  Can I ask you a question?”

     Mama V sat down at the kitchen table.  “Sure dear.  Sit for a minute.  We have time.”  Shyla sat and folded her hands in a praying gesture.

     “How do you tell someone that you love them without getting your heart stomped on?  Or maybe I should ask how do you love someone and guarantee their love in return?”

     “Well first, there is no guarantee in love, except with God.  He loves you through your faults and because He wants your love too.  Love between a man and woman or with anyone else really is a gamble.” 

     “It’s like when you play the lotto, you’re gambling that you’ll win.  The odds are stacked up against you but you still play hoping that one day your numbers come in.

     “
It’s the same with love.  It’s a risk, but it’s a risk that people are willing to take in order to find that special someone.  The best way to insure that your love is returned is to ask that person. 

     “Find out the person’s feelings.  It’s okay to tell someone you love them.  How else will they know?  And of course you want that feeling to be reciprocated but it’s not always and it’s
not something you can control.

     “
What you don’t want to do is jump into a relationship expecting something to go wrong, because ten times out of ten, it will.”  They both laughed.

     “The best thing to do is expect the best and prepare for the worst.  It’s a way of life.  When you’re in love you know it.  And even though your partner may not say it you can tell if that person loves you.  Am I to assume that you’re in love with my youngest boy?”