The Love You Give

Mother's Daughter

Celeste was up bright and early excited about the day she had planned for her and Ezra. She knew Ezra had but a few outfits in her suitcase and that was just not going to do. She was in need of some new clothes herself and wanted Ezra to get a whole new wardrobe. They would have breakfast together at the nearby bistro, before going to the boutiques and shops. Afterwards, she would treat her to manicures and pedicures, as well as, deep tissue massages before getting their hair styled and then lunch. It would be perfect and give her just the right amount of time to bond with her foster daughter. Celeste made her way to the kids' wing and smiled. She knew her boys were passed out, but from the melodious singing that came from Ezra's room she knew she was an early riser like she was.

Celeste knocked before entering and smiled as she watched the happy teen sing and flutter around. Celeste knocked on the open door once before getting her attention. "I'm so sorry. Am I late?" Ezra asked worriedly. "No, honey. You're fine. I just wanted to come and see if you were up." Ezra nodded. "I can't sleep a minute past 8 am. I don't know why I just have never been able to no matter how late I stay up." Celeste chuckled. "I'm the same way. Once it reaches 7 am my body is up." Ezra looked down at her orange pinafore dress with white short-sleeve blouse and smiled. She threw on her white Vans and tied her hair up in a bun. "Ready?" Celeste asked with a happy smile. Ezra nodded linking her arm with Celeste's.

The blond woman knew Ezra couldn't know what the simple gesture meant to her, but in that moment, she was so thankful she fought so hard to foster. Celeste wasn't sure why she felt fostering or adopting a child would be the spark her family needed to wake up from a zombie-like slumber, but it had been. The boys seemed to take to her well enough and Jansen was so captivated by how responsible and well behaved she was. Celeste knew that Ezra could teach them something and she was happy, ready and willing to learn.

"Do you want to drive?" Ezra's eyes widened as they entered the garage. "Can I?" Celeste grabbed the keys to the G wagon and handed it to her. "She's yours now. You name her whatever you like." Ezra squealed happily as they got in the car. Celeste showed her the button for the garage and watched as she turned on the car. "Celeste," Ezra looked at her incredulously. "What is it?" Ezra pointed at the dashboard. "This car doesn't even have 3,000 miles on it. This isn't used!" Celeste chuckled. "Honestly, I don't know why I bought it. I am, however, happy I did because now it's yours." Ezra shook her head with a smirk before driving out.

They first made their way to a quaint little bistro downtown called Le Bilboquet. The food was delicious and Ezra enjoyed the time getting to know Celeste more. "You did not!" Ezra laughed heartily. "I was a young Nancy Drew in my day and I wanted to prove that the janitor did not clean the girls' bathroom, so I most definitely staked out the bathroom that entire day." Ezra laughed all over again thinking of a young Celeste all brass and brazen. "That's pretty cool, Celeste." Celeste laughed and shook her head. "Was it? I was just glad I was right." Ezra chuckled lightly as they finished up their meals. "I should've known you were a Southerner." Ezra smiled at her. "Jackson, Mississippi. Born and raised." Her country accent poking out.

"I heard it!" Ezra pointed out with a laugh. "Yeah, it comes out when I'm really mad or really drunk." Celeste giggled. "I moved to Massachusetts when I was 16 and haven't been down south ever since." Ezra noticed the forlorn look in her eyes and reached for her hand. "Dallas, Texas was home for me until I was 12. I still miss it. There's no place like the South." Celeste nodded in agreement. "Is that why you named Jackson, Jackson?" She smiled and nodded. He was so peaceful as a newborn. He didn't cry or fuss and I knew he would forever remind me of my time back home. Jansen just wanted them to have J names, so it worked." Ezra smiled at her and the story.

After paying they headed to the car. "So, what's on the docket for today?" Celeste clapped her hand excitedly and said two words that had Ezra's eyes bugging. "Shopping spree." Ezra learned quickly that Celeste didn't take no for an answer. She blamed the southern roots in her. Southern girls were very persuasive and tend to get their way. It had been hours of shopping and Ezra was exhausted. "Celeste, I literally have enough outfits to not wear a duplicate ever." Ezra groaned as she modeled a skirt and crop top outfit. "Yes pile." Celeste said barely looking up as she handed her more jeans. Ezra took a quick picture and sent it to a new group message she started with the boys with the message "you like?" She snickered at the three dots that quickly appeared from all of them. "This is the last one," Ezra huffed to Celeste before trying on the outfit. She couldn't be mad. Everything she tried on she loved. She also thought it was interesting that the fairly sized boutique had clothes that fit her body shape and frame.

She soon noticed that the women shopping there were on the curvier side like herself and Celeste. Celeste was tiny on top, but looked like a mom from a Pixar movie on the bottom. She loved the store and as they left with helpers loading up her car, she couldn't help but squeal at the idea of her looking fantastic for school. Her senior year was shaping up to be the best year. "Home," Ezra said as the personal shoppers finished loading up the trunk and back seat. Celeste shook her head. "Nails, massages, hair and then lunch and then home." Ezra looked at her foster Mom and sighed. "You just ought to get used to it. I've always wanted a daughter and I'm going to spoil the heck out of the one I've got." Ezra smiled widely before turning onto the street and heading to the spa.

It was 1 pm as Ezra pulled into a very hood part of Hartford. "Are you sure this is the place?" Ezra said looking around. The area reminded her of where she lived in Rhode Island when it was just her and her mother. "Come on," Celeste said getting out of her car like it was nothing. Ezra quickly locked the car and walked to Celeste. "What are we doing here?" Ezra asked as they walked into a shop. "You've got to get your hair done, silly." Celeste smiled as the scent of Black hair care products hit Ezra. There were Black girls, women and men getting their hair braided, styled, cut, etc. "Celeste, girl," a short Black woman called out. "Chae Bay! How are you?" The two talked like they were the oldest of friends. As time went on, Ezra was learning that Celeste was a different kind of White lady. She was definitely not a Karen, nor one that needed to remind you was an ally. She was just cool and Ezra appreciated that.

"You didn't have to come here for me." Ezra whispered as they waited her turn. "Oh, I didn't, honey. Chae does my hair." Ezra looked at her crazy. "Don't let these tamed curls fool you. I am 2c in the front and 3a in the back. The Becky salons wouldn't know what to do with my hair." Ezra laughed heartily at that. They spent the time talking with one another and the other people in the salon. By the time Ezra's hair was newly twisted and done it was 3 pm. "Celeste, I'm starving." Ezra whined loudly. Celeste chuckled as they got on the road. "I know, let's go to Papa Mama's and have a few slices of pizza. Ezra nodded happily as Celeste plugged in the address in the car's GPS.