IN FOR A SURPRISE

chapter three

"hey there you are" Marsha said coming towards isabelle "I was worried you would have lost your way" Marsha said
Isabelle frown "shame on you" she slap Marsha and they grin and giggle then share a hug,
"Are we going to eat or just talk?" Marsha ask
"Eat of course I skip dinner" isabelle said
"Ok" Marsha took her hand they walk inside and seek a table for two,
"That was pretty awesome" carmen said clapping
"Thanks" leona said
"Do you take lessons?" Jeana asked
"No I just learn on my own, mom bought a piano and I just started playing"
"That my girl is talent it's like a inheritance you got it it in your genes" marlon said
Jeana look at him
Leona smirk she wasn't quite sure what it means about the genes but she didn't ask
"Hello" james Leo Benjamin called out on letting himself into the family home where all his family members live, both his parents Lula rose Benjamin his mother
His dad Maxie Benjamin
His sister carleen Benjamin carter her husband David carter an investigator a long their two children a daughter eighteen years old Abigail carter and a fifteen years old son Denoy carter carleen  is the oldest of three children and james is the middle child his brother  Alton  Benjamin  follow him he too live at home with his  wife  luna Alister  Benjamin who  is a cop she and David work at the same station they two have two children Meg Benjamin  who is eigh and mark Benjamin  a twelve year old boy, his grandparents from both his parents live at home Chantal morris Benjamin cane Benjamin his dad parents,
Victoria Winter Rose and Ian rose his mother's parents
Aunt Megan Rose and ema Rose his uncle's lesman Benjamin and noel Benjamin, he lives on his own but this is how he visited some days after stepping out the office at the art gallery it wasn't day to day for he got busy sometimes way too busy sometimes,
"Where's everyone?" James asked
"We're in the den uncle" Abigail said james walk in and she greets him with a big hug pulled him to a seat and sat on his thigh
"How was work today?" James asked
"It was great"Denoy said
"The most amazing thing happened today uncle there was this girl she came in and play the piano I haven't heard notes that good only when you're play" Abigail said
"You're saying she's that good?"
"Almost every one in the buildingcame to hear her"
"That's good"
"She's shy thought"
"Oh i see" james said
"We hope she will come to help out with practice" Denoy said
"I hope she does" james said
"So how was your day son Lula ask
"Good I feel tired so I'm just going to head home and rest"
"You need rest" carleen said "it's as if when I see you you're tired than before"
"You probably need a drink" Alton told him
He got up to pour him a martini and he relax a bit more,
"You told me that you are getting on fine with art"
"You know I haven't market anything big but I sold some fine piece to help pay the rent and send my daughter to school"
"Well it's good you can do that"
"An English public speaker bought a piece from me and pay me well but I was surprised when he got back to English there was a mail in my box at the art studio he send me a thousand dallas saying he got the painting sold and got a good price for it"
"That's just marvelous" Marsha said
Isabelle nod and they smile,
"What i really want Marsha is to find a place that host an art fair"
"You mean an auction?" Masha ask
"Yes"
"I'm sure you'll get the opportunity to go big like van gogh who died a legend"
"I'm sure" isabelle said
They both giggle,
"I would love to come by and meet your daughter and Ralf of course, I'm free tomorrow how about I come by in the afternoon"
"And stay for dinner"
"Mmmh oh yeah" Marsha said as they held hand,
Ten o clock came and leona got up and say good night she hug grandma June and kiss her before going off,
"I hope you are enjoying staying in your mother's old room"June said
"That room  was mom's no wonder I feel it was made for me" she grin "love you all"she said hugging them as she goes a long making sure she misses no one, "if you're up when my mom gets home tell her I went to bed on time"
"It's ten minutes passed" carmen said
Leona grin "I'll explain why I'm ten minutes late"
"Twelve now" June said making her giggle as she went off  they watch her up the stairs
"Now that's a child who's obedient" carmen said make them smile,
"It was the when james left the family and head home he barely make it through the garage door heading to the kitchen when the phone rang,
"Gwen" he said on picking up
"Busy?" Gwen brooks asked
"Not really I'm just coming in"
"Over time?" She ask
"No I actually swing by to check on the family"
"Oh I see"
"I'm going to call you tomorrow"
"Ok bye then" gwen said
They hang up
James sigh he pour himself a martini and sat in the comfort of his living room the the television on and watch a few auction shows business for him was clicking he was making a fortune with his gallery and because of that he could buy the community center and fix it up his niece and nephew been helping around and who else can do so they form a little basketball team and that had help to fund the building and give back to the community it was good that he was able to keep up the community center for many young people need something to up lift them and so far it has help a whole lot, he went to think on that young girl they say play with such a melody he smile not often his niece or nephew became intrege by things so he figured that young lady just be playing pretty well,
He thought about gwen who just few long call him, he try not to think about isabelle but after that long years she's mainly who he thought about it's no wonder he's so tired she got him all messed up it's clear he's not over her, will he ever be that he's not sure, he got up and went to his bed room took a shower before he join his cat in bed
Isa was his companion since gwen didn't drop in more than ordinary maybe because he's always out he signed as the cat lay on the pillow next to him and curl her tail above his head,
Isabella got home minutes before midnight the family were up even aunt Betty wasn't a sleep she came and sat down with them,
"Tea?" Auntie pat ask
"No auntie thanks for your offer"
"How was it?" Jeana asked
"Talks as usual" isabella reply "but it was good, we have dinner and see a movie for Friday the 13th"
"Need I forget it was" carmen said
"Yeah and to think we didn't see a movie" Jeana said
"Friday the 13th is so old school these days" isabelle said
"Yet you see one" carmen said
"Marsha suggested it so I just go with the flow" isabelle shrugged
"Is she seeing any one?" Carmen asked
"Marsha, why aren't you married?" Isabelle ask
The others laugh
Carmen hiss,
"I just asked, for I know before that relationship she had with that guy Danny died"
"Donavan and I haven't spoken to her on that"
"She has a child?" Carmen inquire
"No" isabelle answer
"Get a pen and a book carmen" Jeana said
Carmen frownd
Isabelle smile
"So your daughter doesn't eat meat?" Jeana asked
"She doesn't"
"She's strictly a vegan?" Carmen asked
"Not necessary a vegan she might eat a hot dog and chicken nuggets but she love every see food"
"And can you afford it?" Jeana asked
"I have to she's my daughter"
"That's true" carmen said
"Your daughter is pretty good at the piano" marlon said
"I know I was blown away when she started"
"And she took no lesson?" Keith asked
Isabelle shook her head " when I just move to New York this man live on the building where I live and I used to help him he had one at home and gave it as a thank you gift when his family took him and many times I thought of putting it out but suddenly my daughter is playing and I don't know how but I'm glad it's there"
"She plays sport so is it just piano and camera?" Jeana asked
"Her bed friend kayden have a rugby ball and when she's not playing piano or taking pictures rugby is what she does"
Isabelle was surprised that her daughter would fancy such game it's rough her father played back in college and he was good very good she wasn't given anyone any details on that she wasn't waiting for them to mention it she got up and start saying goodnight "did my daughter went off early?" She ask
"Yes as if  she was sent  off"
Isabelle smile "now that's my daughter" she said smiling "let's go " she took Rallf's hand, taking him off to bed,
"I don't think she's that strong on him" carmen said
"Why they just got here" keith said
"I mean she was in love before and it was deep yet she left him sometime I cant help but to think the guy she left waiting  is the girls father"
"Carmen!" Jeana said
I know my sister she's more in settling down and to think she's not with the father of her daughter, he's not dead she just  doesn't mention him"
No one else speak,  but Jeana  wonder,   she didn't believe that guy  was the father she just wonder who was,
"I wonder what ever happened to him" carmen said
"Who knows probably married to the woman who didn't left him waiting maybe living far from this city" Jeana said
"It's been so long I even forget is name" carmen said
"Maybe it's for the best" Jeana said getting up once she did they all knew it was her time so they all went off to bed
After around of love making isabelle ease out of Rallf's arms laying with her back to him they had date for nearly one year and last night was the first sleeping a full night in a bed together she wasn't so much for cuddles ralf knew it and he didn't push it she had invite him on the trip just to make the family see she's into a relationship nothing more she think he's nice but he's not who she deeply love but while she can't have him in her life she'll continue to be with ralf and hope it head up hill,
"Mom thats smelling good" leona said hanging over her by the stove
"Im making fish nuggets for the pescatarians and chicken nuggets for the cornivor" isabelle said
Leona grin "I rather be a pescatarians than a cornivor"
Isabelle smile, "set the table"
"Right away" she said
"Breakfast" carmen said
"Smells good" keith said
"Morning" marlon  said as he entered pour some coffee and sat down
Jeana came down with the children leona serve them as they sat  down
"Is it that your daughter will have to reach the center by ten again, for Marsha is stopping by this afternoon" isabelle said
"Marsha coming?" Jeana asked
"Yes" isabelle answer
Carmen turn to eyes her sister, "I didn't say you were going today, not before Monday"
"Look carmen" isabelle said carmen turned fully for her back was to her sister
"I didn't came here with a sign agreement to play transporter alright" Isabelle point making them laugh,
"It's not the transporter it's the escort" keith said
They laughed
"Very funny, I'm not going back"
"Going back where?" Maybel asked as she came in the kitchen with aunt Betty auntie Pat and grandma June
Leona got up to give grandma June her seat hug her and kiss her when she sat
"How are you child?" June asked
"Im great, I'll get you breakfast" she said going to the counter to get it soon uncle rowey and her grand father winston came and she serve for them as well she then sat at the counter ralf was the last to come isabelle serve him when he came to the counter
"We're out of milk and orange juice we're without butter" isabella said
"We'll pick those up today" aunt Betty told her
"So someone will go shopping today?" Isabelle asked
"Yes dear we shop on Saturdays" maybel said
"Oh ok" isabelle said
"We can only shop when we get paid on Friday unlike other people in this family who's money is at hand" carmen tease
"You talk as if I'm rich your man owns  a gas station and to think that gas sold so expensive I should be getting an allowance from you every month"
They laughed,
"I'm sure one of your painting cost more than a tank of gas" marlon said
"But it have to" carmen said
"I'm not a billionaire I pay mortgage, and rent"
"I thought you buy your home full cash"
"With a daughter who's destine to go to art college mh" isabelle said
"By your daughter is to go to college you'll be a rich woman, I predict that two years from now your daughter turistion fees will be paid in full" carmen said, "I decree and declare it is done"
"Thank you sis" isabelle said
They all laughed
"What it's not impossible" isabelle said
"It's not at all" uncle rowey said nodding
"I believe in faith" isabelle said
Carmen smile,
"You need something at the store honey?" Isabelle asked
"Not really" leona answer
"No one is working today?" Isabelle asked
"No you got our full attention" Jeana said
"Not mine I have laundry and cleaning to do" carmen said
"Good for you"
"I'll accept it if you offer" carmen said
"Don't think I'm gonna" isabelle said
Carmen smile
Isabelle clear the table and do the dishes,
Mother Maybel aunt  Betty and auntie Pat got up so they were going shopping they got to put their lists together
"Can I go?" Leona asked
"Oh sure honey" isabelle said
Leona got up and left the kitchen
"What was that about cleaning?"isabelle asked
"Oh so you're offering?" Carmen asked
They started walking out the kitchen isabelle holding on to carmen and Jeana on to isabelle in the form of how they follow Jeana the first child isabelle in the middle and carmen the last child all girls and they only have aunt's and uncle by their mother's side of family for  their father didn't have any brother or sister he was the only child before him his parents lost two child one miscarriage the other stillbirth and his mother  had said they didn't thought he would live sixty  one year old now
"I only ask for the place looks just fine to me" isabelle said
"It's my quarters that's need cleaning" carmen said
"Good for you" isabelle said
Carmen pinch her
They giggle together
"So what you all up to today since you all not working?" Isabelle asked
"Sit around doing nothing" keith said
"That's the thing" jeana declared"
"I would like to get something in town you know" ralf said
"I'm sure you can tag  along with them" isabella said they got in the living room and sat down the three sisters on one sofa isabelle still in the middle her leg wrapped across Jeana and her back to carmen,
Carmen smooth her hand over Isabelle's hair
"I think it's to be done now "  isabelle said
"It still feels great I'm sure  you can do it next week" carmen said
Jeana look at isabelle "your daughter has brown hair who in her family has such hair?" Jeana asked
Isabelle shrugged but said nothing
"She looks more like you"
"She does" isabelle said
It was true that she looks like her but has her father's eyes his hair and his skin type she took to his liking and enjoy the things she remembers about him music and how he eats, and the love for art was from her for she didn't know that james was in college  to study art in merchandising and manufacturing she haven't heard about him so she has no idea he is now an   art dealer and gallery owner she didn't even think him to be in town so apart from him being on her mind seeing him was far from her thoughts,
The family didn't know him that much for he only came by once a in a while maybe she won't remember him if saw him it's sixteen years she imagine what he looks like now,
"And her eyes are blue with straight face and different skin tone from yours" carmen said
Marlon look at her
"As if her dad is an English man"
"He could be" Jeana said
Isabelle smile
"Your daughter is musical" keith said
"You saw her pictures that is a real artist" marlon said
"I think she is" isabelle said with a smile as she drif off to be thinking of james once again.