Loved With Color

“It’s okay. There’s something else. I met someone. She’s everything. I want to marry her.” I watch as my mom hands the twenty back to my dad. Rolling my eyes, I continue, Her name is Shaynah and she’s perfect for me.”

“Bring her to dinner tonight. I’ll make sure Kristina and Edmund are there,” my mom says referring to my older siblings.

“I’ll stop by the bank and get my gran’s rings,” my dad offers.

“Thanks dad,” I say, finally picking up my menu. That is just what I wanted.

Thank fuck that was easier than I thought it would be.

7

Shaynah

Blake drops me off at my apartment and I feel overwhelmed immediately. I don’t want him to leave me. It’s insane how much I love him in such a short amount of time, but I am not going to question it. At least not right now.

Once I get showered and changed, I head into work. For the first time, I would have rather stayed curled up in bed. With Blake. That man has changed me. In my car, I put my phone on the vent holder and dial my mom. Georgia is a hands-free state, so I have her on speakerphone.

“Oh, my God. Shaynah, baby girl is that you?”

“Yes, mama, it’s me.” I say not knowing where to start.

“How have you been? Are you liking your new job?”

“I’ve worked at the same place for two years…”

“I know, but we haven’t spoken since I got married. That’ll be two years tomorrow.”

“Congratulations. Happy anniversary. I just wanted you to know that I’ve met someone. He’s amazing.” I am having a normal conversation with my mother. I am forgiving her without actually having to say the words.

We talk about Blake until I get to work.

“I’m at work now, mama. Can I call you later?”

“Of course, baby girl. Thank you for calling me. I know how hard it was for you. I love you,” she says sniffling. Shit. I didn’t mean to make her cry.

“I love you too, mama.” We hang up and great, now I’m crying. Pulling the visor down, I check myself in the mirror. My mascara is ruined so I clean it up as best I can with a wet wipe and head into work.

“Oh my God, what happened?” Meridian asks.

“Nothing, Mer. I talked to my mom.”

“Was it terrible?”

“Not at all. It was pretty good. I think that things are going to be better off now.”

“That’s good, doll.”

“I really think so.”

I get to work. Wednesday is the day that I clean the shop from top to bottom and sterilize absolutely everything. While I am sweeping, the little bells over the door tinkle and I look up. I am a bit disappointed when I see that it is not Blake. Okay, a lot disappointed. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Hey, Shay. Is my sister in?” Cliff Covington, Meridien’s brother asks.

“Yeah of course. You can go on back. Her client just left.”

“Thanks. It’s good to see you again.

“You too. Don’t be a stranger,” I say laughing, getting back to my sweeping.

A few minutes later, Meridien and Cliff come back out. “We are going to the crab shack. Do you want me to bring you back something?” she asks knowing I have to man the reception desk yet again. This not having a receptionist thing is getting old.

“Can you just bring me back a really big ice water with lemon?”

“Lots of ice right, sugar?”

“Yep. Thank you so much,” I say waving them off.

When I finish cleaning, I sit down at the reception desk and take the time to finish the book I’ve been reading for over a week now.

The door opens again and a man comes to stand in front of the desk. He’s wearing a tweed vest over a dress shirt with a bow tie. Definitely not a typical customer looking for a tattoo.

“Hi. Welcome to the Tattooed Vixen. How can I help you?”

“Hello. I am looking for a Shaynah Gilmore,” the man says. The way he says it makes me think he’s a process server. Might as well get this over with, I think grimly.

“I’m Shaynah. You are?” I cringe when he pulls something out of his pocket.

“I am James Tilson.”

“Do I know you? Am I being sued? Are you serving me?”

“What? No. I am your brother, Shaynah,” he says scaring the shit out of me.

“What?” I question.

“Long story short. My father and your mother met in 2000 at a nefarious club called Pussy Galore. I believe you are the product of that union.” I stand quickly.

“What?” This is crazy.

“I know that this may come as a shock, but I am here on behalf of my family. I can explain it all to you. Will you have lunch with us tomorrow around one?”

“Of course,” I answer. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“I just can’t get over how much you look like our grandmother. She’ll get a kick out of it.”