Ch 11: Butter Pecan Ice Cream

                                    

                                          


                          
HEY AWESOMETTES & AWESOMITES!!!!
                          
LONG TIME NO UPDATE, EY? YEAH...
                          
SO...ON WITH THE UPDATE!
                          
NAHIA'S POV
                          
It's my birthday...the big 3-0. My God, where have all the years gone? I have a feeling something big has been planned. I just hope it isn't some tacky birthday party. I just want something intimate, close friends and family. Nothing too big. As long as I am surrounded by the people I love and care about, that's more than enough for me. 
                          
I wonder what Momma would have planned for this year? I smile at the thought. 
                          
I remember when I was little, she would make breakfast in the morning. It was always my favorite, Challah french toast, scrambled eggs, and smoked turkey bacon. Then she'd take me to the movies and then shopping, and pick up butter pecan ice cream on the way home. Then we'd go home and get all dolled up, she'd take me out to dinner, and to see a play, just us. Calvin would spend the night, and Momma G would come over. All four of us would demolish Momma's homemade german chocolate cake along with the ice cream, while watching funny movies. 
                          
I miss that. 
                          
I smile and close my eyes. I remember the sound of her voice, her perfume, her laugh, listening to her hum while she cooked, the way her fingers felt on my forehead when I had a fever... The feel of her lips on my cheeks as she kissed me before bed every night. The way she'd shake her head and laugh, when Calvin was being Calvin. I remember her in the choir, singing at church. I'd be sitting with Momma G and Calvin, and Momma up on stage. I'd watch her the whole time, just waiting for her to look at me with a smile and wink. Her voice was so beautiful. I remember playing games with her, and Momma G cheating on Monopoly. Her chasing me in our backyard through the drying sheets and pillow cases. Running through the rainbows in the sprinklers, catching fireflies on summer nights... 
                          
I never sold the house we lived in. I couldn't. There too many good memories there, I'm just not ready to give that up yet. 
                          
Before I know it, I'm a crying mess. It's been almost two decades and it still feels like I lost her yesterday. Right on cue, Calvin comes in and shuts the door. He gets under the covers with me and holds me tight as I cry. It happens every birthday. I forget sometimes, that he misses her as much as I do.
                          
Calvin's parents were there for him financially, but my mom and his caretaker raised him. He spent most nights with Momma and I. He spent his birthdays with us, holidays, vacations, etc. So, when I lost her...he lost her too. 
                          
Momma G walks in and climbs in the bed too. She lays in the middle of us, holding both of us as we wrap our arms around her. 
                          
Stroking our heads. "She's always here my loves. Always here in our memories and in our hearts. There, she lives forever...in that white dress that she couldn't wait to wear every summer." She chuckles at the memory. "Wearing the seashell crown joo two made her. Dancing in the sprinklers, laughing and catching fireflies." She sniffles. 
                          
We stay that way for a little while longer before getting out of my bed. They each head to their rooms while I prepare. I cut my phone on and see messages from well...everyone I know. I spend the next hour replying. As if he knew when I finished, Angelo calls me. 
                          
"Hello."
                          
"Buenos días mi reina. Feliz Cumpleaños." (Good Morning my Queen. Happy Birthday)
                          
I blush and giggle. "Thank you. Good morning handsome."
                          
He chuckles. "Yes it is. How are you my love? Are you dressed yet?"
                          
I laugh. "Dressed? I just got out of bed."