Lilacs Forever

Chapter 13: Wide Eyed

Anita drove Delilah to her house Friday afternoon. "I already made chicken tenders and mac n cheese, so you can heat it up for dinner. Oh, and there's also cookies, crackers, and popcorn if you guys want a snack." Her house was not big, but not that small either. It was cutely decorated, nicely furnished, and felt cozy and comfy. There was a little play kitchen in the living room with a box that looked like it held the toys. There was also a fireplace with three Christmas stockings hanging on the front, one big one and two little ones.

"Your house looks really beautiful," Delilah commented.

"Really? I try to make it homey, whatever would be nice for my kids. They'll be dropped off at home by the bus. Since I work, they are in the after school program and come home pretty late."

They heard the chatter of children and the hum of an idle engine. "Perfect timing, there they are!" Anita opened the door and was met by two little, wide eyed girls.

"Hazel, Maeve, this is my friend from work, Delilah."

"Hi Delilah," the girls said in unison.

"Alright girls, don't make too much trouble when Mommy's gone, okay?"

"Yes Mommy."

"I have snacks, you can get to know Delilah. If you don't mind, I'm going to get ready."

Delilah was left with the two girls. "So how old are you?" one of them asked, she couldn't tell the difference between them.

"Twenty three, I just graduated college and I'm still a little new at your mom's work. How old are you two?"

"Seven," they said.

"Hmmm, I'm going to have to figure out how to tell who is who." Delilah thought for a bit. Then she hatched an idea.

"Do you have a headband or hair ties?" She asked.

"Yea, good idea! Hazel can wear the headband and I can make my hair into a ponytail!"

They did just that, and in no time Delilah could tell the difference between the twins.

"What's it like in college?" Hazel asked curiously. "It's a big kid thing, right?"

"Well.. yeah. It's a little hard but I made some friends and had fun."

"I wanna go to college!" Maeve waved her hands ecstatically.

"I don't know... sometimes you have to live by yourself and far away from your mom."

"N-no I don't wanna be away from Mommy!"

"Have fun while you're in elementary school, there's no rush."

"... did you have to be away from home?" Hazel asked, her eyes wide.

"No, the college I went to was close to my home. Thank goodness I didn't live too far, but now I do."

"Where are you from?"

"California, it's really far from here."

"Do you miss your mommy?"

"Well, of course!  But I call her and talk over the phone. I'm a grown up now, these kinds of things happen ."

They talked and talked, so immersed in the conversation that they didn't notice Anita getting out of the bathroom, applying makeup while looking into the mirror in the hall.

"Mommy, you look like a princess!" Maeve shouted from across the kitchen and living room. Delilah turned to see Anita in a red gown, her reddish brown hair in curly little tresses.

"A-Anita, you look wonderful!" Delilah still had to take in everything. Anita smiled, her lips and nails painted red. She wore a pearl necklace that sparkled like the moon.

"Thanks," Anita laughed nervously, "I feel young again..."

"You're not that old, in fact you're not old at all."

"I would argue with you back but I'm gonna be late, bye girls! Bye Delila! Thanks for helping me out, I'll repay you!" Anita hurried out of the house before Delilah could say anything.

She felt a tug on her shirt. "Delilah, when is mommy gonna come back?" Hazel looked like she was going to cry.

"She'll come back, she's going somewhere special.

"Oh I know! She's going to a wedding!" Maeve chimed in.

"Mhm! Now, what do you two want to do?"

"Dress up!" They cheered.