Chapter 53
Sheba waved at her neighbors through the untinted window as the driver of the town car drove down the street, heading toward the house she’d once shared with Uriah. Some of her neighbors waved back only after realizing who the woman in the car was.
Delilah had been stopping by her house to make sure it was secure. Sheba could tell that she had been getting the lawn mowed as well, because everything was just as she had left it. She was eager to start packing so she could close this chapter of her life for good and move on.
Sadness swept through her spirit as she entered the house and recalled how she had convinced Uriah that it was the perfect house for them. She closed her eyes as she was transported back in time.
“This is perfect. I can have the big walk-in closet. You can have the closet in the guest bedroom to put all your stuff in,” she recalled saying.
Uriah’s infectious laugh filled the room. “As much stuff as you have, you’ll probably need that one, too.”
She agreed. “You’re right. I’ll take that one, and you can put your stuff in the hallway closet.”
A knocking sound on the front door snapped Sheba out of her memory. “Those were the good ole days,” she said out loud.
She walked to the front door and opened it without asking who it was. She welcomed Delilah in with a sisterly hug.
“I’m glad you’re selling. You need to put the past in the past,” Delilah said as they both walked toward the living room.
“You’re right. I can’t keep holding on to yesterday.” Sheba picked up one of the African figurines on the mantel and held it.
“I’m surprised your hubby isn’t here with you,” Delilah said as she stood nearby.
“He wanted me to wait. I thought it would be best if I handled this myself.”
Delilah said, “I’m looking at you, and there’s something different about you. It’s like you have a special glow.”
“I’m pregnant.” Sheba wanted to wait at least another month before telling anyone she was pregnant, but now that she was face-to-face with Delilah, she decided to tell her.
Delilah held up her hands and counted off the months on her fingers. “One, two, three. You two didn’t waste any time, did you?”
“So what?” Sheba responded.
Delilah’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oops. I’m always putting my foot in my mouth. I’m happy for you. I really am.” She looped her arm through Sheba’s arm.
“I’m on an emotional roller coaster. What if ... ?” Sheba’s eyes watered.
Delilah interrupted her thoughts. “No what-ifs.” Delilah placed her hand on top of Sheba’s stomach and told her, “This is going to be a healthy baby.” Then she spoke directly to Sheba’s unborn child. “Aunt Delilah is going to do whatever she can to help out your mommy.”
“If you mean it, then I need you to help me pack.”
“Anything but that.” Delilah laughed. “Besides, you’re filthy rich. Where are the movers?”
“They’ll be here tomorrow. In the meantime, I need to go by and see the Realtor.”
“Well, I just wanted to swing by and see you, since you called. Call me later, and I’ll come pick you up and treat you to dinner,” Delilah said.
“You mean no home-cooked meal?”
“Please. Don’t get me wrong. I can be domesticated when I want to be, but why be so when you can afford to eat out on occasion?”
“I sort of miss cooking. David has a cook who takes care of all our meals.”
“You’re the queen of the house, so if you want to cook, tell her so and do it.”
“You have a point. I have to admit, though, that I’ve gotten spoiled. I love having people wait on me. It’s like a fairy tale come true. Well, it was up until I lost little David.” Tears started forming in Sheba’s eyes. She grabbed tissue from a nearby tissue box and wiped her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get sentimental.”
Delilah wrapped her arm around Sheba’s shoulder. “Let it out.”
Sheba did just that. She cried a river of tears as she leaned on her older sister’s shoulder. A few minutes later she regained her composure and acted like the moment had never happened. “I’m fine. I better get out of here before I miss the Realtor.”
Later on that night, Delilah picked her up, and they went to one of the local restaurants. After they were seated, the waitress took their order and then reappeared fifteen minutes later with heaping plates of seafood.
“I love their stuffed shrimps,” Sheba said as she devoured her fourth one.
“Me, too, but I’m not eating for two, so I have to watch my girlie figure.” Delilah winked her right eye.
Delilah and Sheba continued to talk over dinner.
“That’s her. I know that’s her. I saw her on that blog,” a young woman blurted out to the woman she was with as they passed Delilah and Sheba’s table. They stopped and stared.
Delilah said, “Excuse me, but do you two have a problem?”
One of them rolled her eyes. “No.”
“Then I suggest you keep it moving,” Delilah advised.
“This was a free country the last time I checked. I can be where ever I want,” the woman retorted.
One of the restaurant workers walked over to the table. “Is everything okay over here?”
Sheba responded, “Everything’s fine. Those young ladies were just leaving.”
The two women walked away in a huff, but not without Sheba overhearing one of them say, “She’s not all that. I thought she would be prettier than what she is.”
Delilah shook her head. “Haters. Can’t live with them.”
“But I could sure live without them,” Sheba said as she attempted to enjoy the rest of her dinner.