IN FOR A SURPRISE

chapter six

"what exactly did we plan today?" Marsha asked when she met with isabelle at eleven fifteen,
"I agree to lunch and nothing more" isabelle said
"I took the time for you, I'm sure we can do something else other than that we can go shopping" Marsha said with a wide spread grin,
"Oh shopping" isabelle said with a sneering smile "maybe but shop for what?"
"When was the last time you buy something sexy and dress up for Ralf?" Marsha asked
Isabelle smile and shook her head,
They have an early lunch at grills on us
"Remember I have to get the children at two" isabelle said
"I'm sure if you're an hour late they won't notice" Marsha said
Isabelle grin
Marsha giggle
"So I hear you indulging Mee into buying sexy thing and dress up, are you doing it?" Isabelle asked
Marsha grimace and held her head down,
"There's someone and you haven't told me, wow, wow, just wow, wow" isabelle said
Marsha laugh she show isabelle a picture of the guy
"Not bad" isabelle said looking the picture over he was a dark indian guy who isabelle think to be handsome he looks charming as well,
"Thanks we met a few months ago, I wanted to say it but after that bad ending I don't want to rush" Marsha said
"Yeah I understand girl at least you showed for your wedding"
"It's worst when it doesn't last" Marsha said
"Yeah I was afraid of that"
"Isabelle I'm more than sure that your marriage would have lasted he loved you just the same as you had loved him"
Isabelle hang her head she sighed
"Girl comes what may you would still be living near" Marsha said
Isabelle smile, she wanted to know if james was still living in harlem which she was sure he wasn't
"I'll advise you when opportunity knocks don't ignore" Marsha got up take up her bag "you have to get the children at two if you're only going to be an hour late we're to get on our way now"
Isabelle laugh, "ok I'm right behind you" isabelle said
"Marsha shake a finger and walk away before isabelle got up,
They drove to central park at the mall where they shop around for a while,
James brace his hand on his desk in his office looking out the window of the third floor of the five stories building in which he houses his art gallery he was staring out of space lost in his thoughts
Gwen stop by the office to see james he was a line so his secretary let her in,
James thoughts were on isabelle again as it has mostly been so lately,
"Honey" gwen called as she came in the office,
James was remembering the good times he share with isabelle The love they share nothing compared to that she was his Angel  he still don't know why two people that belong together could have part like that,
"Baby" Gwen said touching james cut his thoughts james spin around and he saw isabelle instead of gwen,
"Isabelle" he said
"Who?" Gwen asked
James shook is head as he came back to himself
"Who is that?" Gwen asked once more
"A client I was expecting"
"Oh so you're expecting someone?" Gwen asked
James nod  "what, what what brings you by?" He studded
"I was hoping that you'll be free for lunch, but you're waiting for someone" gwen said
"I'm sure I could do lunch" james said looking to free himself of the thoughts that haunts,
"Ok so I'm buying you lunch"gwen said handing him his jacket he took it and they went to grills on us for lunch,
"Wow you look like someone I remember a long time ago" carleen Benjamin carter Abigail's and Denoy's mother said on seeing leona
"Well I'm only visiting" leona said
"you're very pretty and with talent too" carleen smile she reminded her of she one but carleen was unable to say but she knew it's someone is knows well,
"Thanks" leona said smiling too,
"I heard at home that you play pretty good I'm late so I didn't catch it next time around right" for she was about to leave again she only drove this way and decided to stop and check it's a while she haven't
"Ok" leona said
"Nice to meet you" carleen said walking away, "see you later son" she said for Denoy was with leona
"Your mom seems nice"
"My whole family is nice" Denoy smile
Leona poke him and he giggles,
"You know you can come to my house and meet my other family" Denoy said
"That would be nice, I feel I already like them" leona said
"Oh about Saturday?" Denoy asked
"I'll have to heard first what my mom thinks about it"
"You can take my number" Denoy said
"Oh alright" leona said
Leona saves Denoy's number smile at him, "I'll go get Shelly I'm sure my mom won't be much longer" leona said
Denoy nod they went together to get Shelly then bid good bye just as they came out isabelle got in the parking lot
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late"
They both got in
"I hope you guys not angry" isabelle said
"No" leona said
"I'm not"Shelly said
"Good" isabelle said smiling at them
Leona wanted to wait for them to get to the house before she asked the question she was sure her mother don't want her running around with some strange boy she met she has a feeling that Denoy isn't into her other from social the same as she was she like him something make her feel connected to him and felt she can trust him,
"Thanks auntie" Shelly said
"Yes baby you're welcome" isabelle said holding back her daughter before she ran off behind shelly
"You stay quiet the entire time what happened?" Isabelle asked
Leona hang her head,
"Haven't we always talk?" Isabelle asked
"Yes" leona answer
"Then why are you afraid now"
"Denoy invite me over his house he said I could meet his rest of family I met his mom today she seems pretty cool" leona said
Isabelle smile cuffed her daughter's cheek,
"I'm sure you'll behave appropriately if I say yes you can"
"Mom I know nothing other than to behave appropriately" leona said
Isabelle giggle she hug her to her and kiss her forehead, they both smile,
"I'll say yes in exchange for your help" " isabelle said
"What must I help with?" Leona asked
Isabelle bring her to the trunk leona open her mouth seeing the bags
"My best friend took me shopping" isabelle said
"You better get me something"
"I want to believe I did,we'll see" isabelle said they both smile as  they walk inside
Apart from Isabelle's sisters and husband's everyone else were home some in the kitchen and others just sitting in the living room it smells as if dinner is ready" isabelle called from the living room
"Almost dear" aunt Betty shout
Isabelle and leona giggle
They greet everyone isabelle kisses Ralf's cheek  before going to the kitchen and  leona hug her grandma June then took her mother's bags to her room she made a quick peek before leaving them there
"You went shopping" maybel said
"I went with Marsha and she persuade me to get myself a few things" isabelle said
"Nothing is wrong with that"auntie pat said
Aunt Betty nods to agree,
"You don't need any help do you?" Isabelle asked
"Only to eat for we can't eat it all" auntie pat said and they laugh
"Good thing I'm hungry" isabelle said
They smile she left the kitchen and when she got to the living room she acknowledge them once more before taking the stairs,
She got her daughter a slipper some ba and underwear they were on sale she God for Shelly and underwear for Anna and Earl she got underwear and lingerie for herself as she was taking Marsha's advise to dress up for Ralf she put her things away and and went looking for the children they were in the room leona stays isabelle notice she had hang a picture of the guy who's name is Denoy next to that of Kayden they were both cute boys she wonder which her daughter was interesting in though Kayden is her very best friend and she can't tell how she feels about this guy, she didn't mention it to her especially now with her cousins around she gave  them the bag each and went down she was setting the table when her sisters came only a litt a head of their man keith came then marlon and they clean up so that they could call eat,
"What I need now is a cool shower and some rest" carmen said
"Well thats nothing new" isabelle tease
Carmen made a face at her
Isabelle grin
"How was practice today?" Carmen asked
"Better" Shelly said
"Yes she's reading most of her notes now" leona said
"That's nice my baby" carmen said
"Your baby ah, since I got here I'm the one bringing her to practice so she's my baby" isabelle said
They laugh
"Are you doing any lesson tonight ?" Keith asked he became so thrilled with the two leona was master at hand but as though Shelly was just learning and have more to learn she could do her thing
"I'm sure neither of them is that tired" marlon said
"We could leona said
"We're in for entertainment tonight" keith said
Tonight leona played different she plays opera on the piano surprise her mother she even knew opera melodies of life the Spanish version sang by final fantasy it was really something isabelle can't believe the melody she put into it she can't forget when james did this at a music festival at opera house state university enters and it thrilled her brought tears the way it was emotional she never knew opera was that drilling she sat there just looking unable to say nothing so she remain   quiet for a long period of time wondering if she go cry or not, she didn't want to cry, "oh baby that rendition make mom feels she doesn't know you at all, ohh" isabelle said sat next to leona on the bench and hug her,
"Thanks mom" leona smile
"You're born from talent itself young lady" winston said
"Thanks grandpa" leona said
"I can't remember your mom that talented at her age" maybel said
"I wasn't mom" isabelle said
Maybel smile and rub her cheek,
"I'm going to have to book you for opera open house new years eve evening" keith said
"I've read about opera open house" leona said
"I've been there before" isabelle said
"You're a fan?"
"Of opera? not really was just lending my support to a friend"
"Your friend sang?" Marlon ask
"Play just as my daughter"
"Oh" marlon said
"Mom you never told me before you went to an opera show" leona said
"We never talk about it" isabelle told her daughter
"I've drove by I heard it's expensive" marlon said l"not when you know someone who's performing and they got you a free ticket" isabelle said
The others smile
"I would love to there one of the time" leona said
"Darling you got plenty of time" isabelle said
"But I'll be gone back in a week's time" leona said
"That's two weeks Christmas isn't before next week and the other week is new years that's along time" isabelle said
"at this time of year there is always a show keeping" Jeana said
"Yes all kindle of event has been post" carmen said
"Oh really!?"Leona asked looking at her mom,
"Don't worry honey who knows what will work out before we're to leave"
"Yes let's keep the faith" carmen said
"Beside there's lots more event you can participate in for now" Jeana said
"Santa is coming into town square this Friday at three you'll get to see him and tell him what you want for Christmas" carmen added
Leona shrugged
"Anyway bed time hour has passed guys" isabelle said
Leona got up and said her goodnight
The children were ushered off and isabelle walk with her grandmother down to her room down the hall aunt Betty was next to her for she has a knee problem so she avoid the stairs as well and they didn't want grandma June to be down there a lone isabelle sat and talk with her awhile she was yarning when isabelle kiss her good night,
"God bless you child, continue to feel proud of your daughter, God know what he was doing when he puts her in your life" grandma June said
Isabelle smile she nods and left aunt Betty was coming down they bid goodnight isabelle went to her daughter's room leona was laying down wrapped up and so but she wasn't a sleep when the door pushed she close get eyes
"You not a sleep?" Isabelle asked
"I am" leona said cracking open one eye
Isabelle smile she walk to her bed and sat next to her,
"You ok?" Isabelle asked
"Leona sat up pull up her knee and rest her cheek,
"What now?" Isabelle asked
"Why can't we stay mom if we stay  I'll be close to the family and then I'll get to go to help out at the center" leona said
"But I thought you love it in new York" isabelle said
"Did I have any other choice I was born and bounded in queens but coming here gave me a feeling this is where I belong"
"What about Kayden and your friends?" Isabelle asked
"I talk to Kayden everyday and send him pictures and I text the others, we  can keep a distance friend ship until we're able to see each other again" leona said
"What about school you're doing so in school" isabelle asked
"I can do well here mom nothing is going to change" leona said
"Honey moving again is costly I have to pay a new money for school"
"I can go to public school" leona said
Isabelle sigh, she look up at the pictures on the wall, I thought you didn't like him" she said
Leona look up
"Is he the reason you want to stay?" Isabelle asked
"Denoy is cool but I just like him,  like I do my cousins here" leona said
Isabelle fall back and look at her daughter, isabelle had never though of that, she almost forgotten that her daughter would have her dad's side of relatives  here she was afraid of her finding a boy  she likes now for how bad it would look,  they would tell if they both name Benjamin but not all of them would carry that name, she wonder how how she can talk to her about that,
"You know what honey, get some ok honey and you and I will talk about this" isabelle leans in and kiss her daughter's forehead leona slide back in bed and isabelle wrapped her up turn out the light and went off leaving her going to her own room Ralf was already a sleep when she got there making her wonder if she wasn't making any time for him, she took a shower and went to bed thinking of another night where she can play dress up for him as Marsha as said ,
Leona couldn't fall a sleep she thought about staying here for the entire time living in harlem Atlanta Georgia going to a school here helping at the center like her mother once did,
Thursday she tries to focus on the lesson as best as possible and not to let her thoughts get in the way,
Isabelle didn't wait at the center she just head back to the house and relax a while before going back she call Marsha to see if she's up for having a double date with her tonight
"That way I can meet aam what's his name?" isabelle said
"Shaquille I didn't tell you" Marsha said
"That way I can meet shaquille" isabelle said
Marsha grin
"See you at seven, we'll meet at Maple Grove" isabelle said
"See you at seven ok yes Maple Grove it is" Marsha said
They both hang up Ralf walk in sat on the bed next to isabelle she turn and smile at him easing up to meet his level she kiss him and they both smile, "we got a date tonight" isabelle said
"You're taking me out?" Ralf  asked
"Don't you want to go out?" She asked
"Yeah I would" Ralf said
"Then we're going out" isabelle said
"Alright" Ralf said
Isabelle nod and got up it was time to go get the children anyway so she went she bring Anna and Earl with her,
"You didn't tell me if you got an answer" Denoy said to leona
Leona look at him she almost for got what she was to tell him,
"About Saturday" Denoy said
"Oh Saturday, yes mom said yes" great then we can meet here" Denoy said
"Sure"leona agrees
"Isn't there anything at the center for Anna and Earl to do?" Isabelle asked
The family were gathered in the kitchen and she was about to leave with Ralf
"Neither of them are interested to stay at the center" Jeana said
"What you guys why?" Isabelle asked looking at them they look at each other but said nothing
"Give them time they'll grow it out" isabelle said she rub both their cheeks "I'm about ready" She bid good bye and left with Ralf, james made dinner for himself and Gwen they later spend a little time by the pool
"Have you even ever consider selling this house and move away?" Gwen asked as she look around the the place, it  was nice a first and second stories building extra rooms wide space and yard space and james had made a nice garden with potted plants around the pool area and the patio and the front porch the driveway pave and nice cut grass  the two nicely shape fig tree cut to complement the front yard,
"Don't you want to try something new, some place new?"
"I have no plans to move away" james said
"Why not?" Gwen question
"My life is in this town I built the future I needed here and the family is here" james said turning to look at gwen he got up and leave going inside he will never leave this town not even if he was told leaving was going to save his life he might go but never for long for he crave one thing and one thing only and that is toons day see isabelle return to harlem where he can one day ran in to her he wasn't sure when it's going to be but for now his gonna wait.