Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Six

'I don't even know what to take,' Esme sighed looking through the closet with Ecie and Lauren. 'Maybe I should call dad.'

'Dad's already out there,' Ecie replied. 'I doubt he'll want to be troubled with your wardrobe dilemmas. It's fine. I'll sort us out.'

'I like Spain,' Lauren smiled. 'It's nice and so cultural.'

'I'm so glad that you're coming with us,' Esme grinned. 'It's going to be so much fun.'

'I know, right?' Lauren grinned. 'Is Taylor already over there?'

'Yep,' Esme replied. 'He likes to hang out with dad.'

Lauren laughed. 'And what about Riley? Is she there too?'

'Yeah,' Ecie replied. 'Ever since they announced their engagement, they've been joined at the hip.'

'You guys should give her a break,' Lauren said. 'I bet she's really nice and she'd make a good step-mom.'

'We're nineteen,' Esme laughed. 'I don't think it matters so much anymore.'

'Well,' Lauren said. 'I know this probably doesn't bother her, but I think she understands that she is different to other women your father has dated. And I know that this kind of stuff doesn't even come into your mind, but maybe all this hostility might be because of her skin color.'

Esme and Ecie stared at Lauren.

'Most people don't agree with interracial relationships, let alone marriages,' Lauren said. 'It doesn't matter how old or mature she is, but I bet this plays on her mind too and the last thing she wants is for the man she love's kids to hate her.'

Esme and Ecie stared speechless.

'I know that you guys aren't like that at all, but it must be eating at her,' Lauren went on. 'I don't want to offend or piss you off, because I know you guys have been nothing but supportive with Verd and I, but we're friends, not family...'

'You are family,' Ecie said finally. She looked at Esme. 'Really?'

'I never thought about it like that,' Esme replied looking back at Ecie. 'Maybe.'

Lauren looked at both of them. 'Is this the thing you do when you're reading each other's mind?'

They looked at her.

'Yeah, I think it is,' Lauren said quietly. 'Well I won't interrupt.'

Esme and Ecie turned back to each and thought.

'We're terrible, aren't we?' Esme asked.

Ecie nodded. 'We are. Riley hates us.'

'I know,' Esme nodded. 'We're going to have to do that.'

Ecie nodded. 'Damage control...'

'Hey guys,' Verde said rushing into the closet. 'Ross just called. Sofie's at the hospital. She's in labor.'

'Shit.'

'Crap.'

'Fuck.'

'By the time we get there, she'd already of had the baby,' Esme said tying her laces as Ecie drove. 'We're not going to make it.'

'It'll be fine,' Ecie replied moving into another lane and driving faster. 'We'll get there and see what's going on.'

'You guys are going to have a younger sibling soon,' Lauren grinned. 'That's exciting.'