Come Share My Love - By Carrie Macon Page 0,50

raised her brow. “Why is that, dear?”

“I guess because I’ve been down this road before and it wore me out and left me battered and bruised pretty badly. So I never wanted to feel anything remotely close to that emotion again. And I hadn’t until I met Zack at my cousin’s home. I fell for him instantly and I’ve been fighting it for nearly two solid years. I don’t want to fight it anymore.”

“And you shouldn’t. Zackary is my son and I love him along with my other boys and I try not to get into their personal lives unless they’re hurting and even then there’s some hurts a mother can’t heal.”

“I wouldn’t know about that kind of healing,” Shyla said sadly. Mama V looked but didn’t ask. She knew it was something other than what she thought. “My parents are deceased.”

“I’m sorry to hear that dear. You can always come to Mama V for anything.”

“I’d like that.”

“So would I. Let’s get this crew fed.” They both stood and went to wash their hands and get the food ready for the table. Shyla took a few steps and stopped. She looked around the kitchen from the stove to the counter. There were at least seven platters, each having a different dish.

“Mama V. This sure is a lot of food. I don’t know if we can eat all of this.”

“I cook like this all the time. You see how big my boys and their father are?” Shyla nodded. “They’ve never missed a meal, and, I don’t have leftovers in my refrigerator. You’ll see. Whenever Zackary get up in the middle of the night for a snack you’ll find out that it’s one of the dishes from that night’s dinner. The next day a whole new meal is prepared. Now you take a platter or two while I get the others. There’s no telling what that brood is out there doing.”

She laughed, picked up a platter of homemade biscuits and sliced roast beef and started for the door. They continued until all the food was on the table.

“Mama V, this is a meal meant for an army.” Essence said.

“No sweetheart, just my family and extended family.” She patted Shyla on her waist and told her to go sit next to Zackary. She didn’t hesitate. Unfortunately the seat was between Zackary and Brennan. All the men stood and waited for them to be seated. Big Zack pulled out Mama V’s chair while Zackary and Brennan both pulled out Shyla’s.

“Thank you, fellas.” Shyla said.

“Daddy can you say grace?”

He nodded. “Everyone link your hands with the person you’re sitting next to, bow your heads and open you hearts to give thanks to God.”

After the blessing of the food the gathered family and friends, old and new, continued talking about their week long events.

Zackary was getting upset with his brother. Throughout all of dinner Brennan was trying his best to monopolize all of Shyla’s attention. He touched her when he spoke directly to her. Every other question was to her. Their mother could see how upset Zackary was getting but he wouldn’t say anything to displease her or the woman that was sitting way too close to his brother.

Mama V wondered why she had sat Shyla in that spot. Sitting her near Braxton or Felton would have been better. It was too late to switch places now, but next time, if there was a next time, she would be more careful of the seating arrangements. It was time for Brennan to get out and get himself a woman.

The family continued to their conversations. Mrs. Peterson, the children’s baby sitter brought them home to spend time with the family. Zackary had already asked her to keep them for the evening but when she told him the children wanted to see him he agreed and said he would drop them off before their bedtime. They sat between Zackary and Shyla.

Shyla could barely contain herself when Zackary introduced his children to her. She fell in love immediately. They were more precious than their pictures, Shyla thought.

Mama V and Big Papa Zack shared a smooth as glass look. Their granddaughters and Shyla had eyes for each other. Now maybe they would get the proper up bringing they needed with a new mother. Big Papa Zack winked at his wife, she winked back. They wouldn’t worry anymore.

Shyla could barely eat because all she could do was daydream about being a family with Zackary and his children. They were adorable, well-mannered and