Hope (JB+AG)

-22-

Ariana

Friday, April 13

5:36 pm

"I want pink and glittery gold!" Aviella says, making her decision literally 2.5 seconds after we get into the nail salon.

"That sounds cute. I think I'm gonna get mint green and lavender."

"Are those your favorite colors, mommy?"

"Yep."

A woman comes up to us, asking what we want, and before I can answer, Aviella does.

"2 manicures for me and my mommy!" She beams.

I smile, nodding.

"What she said."

"Of course, sweetie. Follow me this way, please." The woman smiles and leads us to two chairs right next to each other.

"Take a seat and we'll get right with you." She says.

A few minutes later, two women come and sit in front of us and start working on our nails. I tell my lady what I want and Aviella tells hers what she wants.

"You are a very well-spoken little girl. Did you know that?" The woman asks.

"What does that mean?" Aviella cocks her head to the side and I giggle.

"It means you're not shy, and you're not afraid to ask for what you want. That's very rare for a kid your age."

"Did you hear, mommy? She said I'm well-spoken!" Aviella says excitedly.

"Yes, I heard her, babe. And she's right. You're just like me."

Aviella smiles the rest of the time we get our nails done, keeping a conversation with the woman doing them. I'm so proud of her and how grown up she's become.

Justin

5:46 pm

"How rude of them. Stick Justin with the sleeping baby while they go and get pampered. Lady bug, don't you think that's rude?" I say.

"Of course, you're not gonna answer cause you are the sleeping baby I'm referring to. If they wanna be like that, then we're gonna spend all mommy's money. And blame it all on you. She'll never get mad at you." I walk into the first store I see, which just so happens to be Victoria's Secret.

"Won't get mad if I'm spending money on her either." I mumble to myself.

I walk around the store, trying to refrain from buying Ariana literally everything. It's just that my baby would look so good in all of it.

I limit myself to three items and go to pay for them.

"Your total is $79.34." The cashier says.

"Damn. Ari, I'm done spending money on you today."

I give the cashier four $20 bills and grab the bags, putting them in the compartment under Bella's stroller. I collect my receipt and change before walking out of the store.

"I think I wanna get matching shoes for all 4 of my babies now. That sound good to you, B?"

I look down at Bella and see she's still asleep.

"Fuck, I'm so lonely. I have no friends." I sigh.

"I can be your friend. A very close friend." I hear from behind me.

I turn around and see a blonde woman - or girl, I can't tell - looking at me.

"Can I help you?" I ask.