"My MaRiLyn..."

22.

I am walking back home and everybody around the neighbourhood seems to look "happy". Anyway,it's not my problem. I'm not happy anyway.

As I'm looking around and thinking about what to prepare once I reach home, I see Marilyn by the Pickett fence of her home with two little girls. Could be her daughter's- Madison and Reese. She looks to be waiting for something or someone. Richard?

She looks anxious about something. Should I approach her? No,no,no. I freaked her out about me telling her that I love her.

Marilyn suddenly sees me and I can't look away so I decide wave at her. She doesn't wave back and looks away from me. Wow, she just ignored me. I am hurt and speechless of course.

I hurriedly walk home and I could feel her look back at me. The love of my life ignored me and it terribly hurts me. I guess she didn't forget about what I told her,I'm mortified.

I reach home and I see Ciara with a beautiful woman with her. She's a bit older than Ciara and she looks just like her: dark skinned.

I smile upon seeing Ciara and she smiles upon seeing me and gets up from the porch floor to indicate that she's acknowledged me.

"Hello, ladies," I greet them both and they both answer back but quite indistinct.

"Let me help you," Ciara says as she gets the groceries from me.

"Thank you," I say to her and I begin to unlock the door so that we can all get in . I need to know what's brought her here and to an extent of bringing a stranger along with her.

But if she's family to Ciara,she's welcome anytime.

I close the door as we get in and Ciara looks at me with a smile on her face. I'm confused.

I smile at her,

"what's with the smile? Anything exciting I should know?" I ask.

"Yes!" She excitedly says to me.

"This is miss Fiona. She is my new boss now," she informs me. I am in awe. I am excited for her that she's finally started something new again.

"Shut up,are you serious?"

"Dead ass,Timmy," she responds beaming.

"Congratulations,Ciara. I am so proud of you honestly," I tell her genuinely. She smiles at me and I can see her eyes glitter with joy and of course a little tears.

"Are you guys just going to stand there and not hug? I won't look if you two are embarrassed," Miss Fiona jokingly says to both of us. Ciara and I awkwardly laugh and I take the step to embrace her.

She gets comfortable with my embrace and tightens hers a bit. We let go and she pats my back,

"Hug me way better next time," I laugh.

"You must be Timothy. I am Miss Fiona like my baby Cece has mentioned. It's nice to finally meet her nice friend," Miss Fiona says with a big smile on her face. She looks like she could be hiding something Ciara told her about me that she's dying to spit out.

But I don't really care although I'm curious.

"Well,thank you and nice to meet you too. I am thankful for being this kind to this weirdo of mine,I appreciate your kindness," I respond and I can see Ciara just beaming at me.

"I will be in the kitchen putting these groceries there," she says and walks off.

Ciara Is happy. It's pretty rare to see her like this and I'm happy to see that she can consider me enough to share her good news with me. I'm astonished.

"Take a sit,please Miss Fiona," I show hospitality to this kind woman.

"Why thank you,son," she takes her seat.

"Excuse me,I'll be right back with some refreshments," I say to Miss and I walk out of here to the kitchen where Ciara Is.

We can be closer than expected now.