Black Coffee (Tara's Dream)|Dearest Diary, - Book 1 (unedited)

XVI

“Where are you going?”

“Church?” I responded as I packed some snacks for my daughter Briella. Ever since that day several weeks ago, we had not missed a single Sunday service and she enjoyed going to church immensely. I think it was because of her good friend Tim and also because of the great Sunday school program that they had there.

“With Bri?” My mum asked as she stared at the pink knapsack that I had in my hand.

“Yes, she goes to Sunday school.” I responded as I zipped up the bag.

“This early?”

I nodded.

“If you like, you can always tag along. It will help with your curiosity.” I told her.

“You’re actually serious?” She deadpanned and I nodded my head again.

“Fine. Wait here. I’ll go get your sister.” she walked off just as Maggie came in carrying an excited Bri in her arms.

“I’m Smurfette!” Bri told me twirled in a white Smurf inspired dress and matching pumps.

“Of course you are.” I said grinning from ear to ear. Her fervour was quite infectious.

“Are we going with daddy? I want to show him Sunday school and Tim.”

“I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to join you.” I smiled despite the little tiff we had the previous night all thanks to Shea and her big mouth.

“Great. I’ll call him.” she started pulling Maggie towards the house phone and I was honestly relieved that I had not been the one made to do that or it would have been a very awkward telephone conversation. I went back to my ministrations and busied myself with Bri’s car seat. Not so long after everyone except from Maggie was packed inside Bridget ready to be driven to church.

“Remind me again. Why on earth did you have to wake me up at this ungodly hour?” Shea complained directing her words towards our mum. She let out a yawn and rubbed her brown eyes that were still full of sleep, the after effects of watching Netflix till three o'clock in the morning and waking up four hours later.

“Church.” My mother responded sternly.

“Why do we have to go to church at 7:30 am?”

“To see my boyfriend!” Bri proclaimed boldly and I smirked at the expression of Troy sputtering in the back seat beside her.

“I think you mean friend Briella.” He corrected her kindly.

“Nope. Tim is my boyfriend. We are going to get married one day! See, I have a ring!” she said as showed off a pink plastic band.

“Attara!” Troy growled out at me and I let out a groan. I swear this girl was going be the death of me. I had always known that all those Barbie princess movies would come back to bite me someday and that day was now.I chanced a look through the rear view mirror and my eyes locked on dark emerald orbs, swirling with danger and a lot of anger as they demanded a valid explanation to the nonsense that Briella was spewing. I guess learning that your almost four year old daughter was engaged to a guy named Tim was not the greatest news to receive on a bright Sunday morning.

“I'm driving. Can we have this conversation later?” He didn’t respond. That in itself told me that he stewing inside, probably thinking that I had sold off our daughter to the highest bidder. Monica would love that, what better way to cement that her son’s ‘baby mama’ was actually a gold-digger. I finally pulled Bridget into the church parking lot and David came out to meet us. He was early, but then again, this was David we were talking about and he was one, very devoted Christian.