big as yours,” Zhaniya said. “Besides our mama said they’re tits, but we don’t-”
Shocked, Shyla said, “No Zhaniya, you should not be using that word it’s inappropriate and it’s not ladylike. The correct term is breast or bosom. Your grandparents and father would kill you if they heard that come from your mouth.”
“Sorry. So will ours be as big as yours? I want big breast or bosom.”
Shyla looked over at her. “How old are you again?”
“Four on my next birthday party,” she sighed.
“Me, too,” said Zaria.
“Which is?”
“January seventeenth,” both girls answered in unison.
“Guest what? My birthday is January seventeenth too.
“No way.”
“Yes way.” Shyla was finally dressed and happy to get them off the anatomy kick. “Are you ready to see my dress?”
“Ready,” the two yelled and jumped up and down.
After Shyla ate and got the girls settled she went to help Mama V in the kitchen.
“Mama V, can I talk to you about something?”
“Sure baby. What’s on your mind?”
“Well I don’t want to sound like a tattletale but I’m very concerned about something Zhaniya said to me this morning. Zaria asked what these were,” she pointed to her chest, “and asked why they were so big. Being curious isn’t the problem, using the term that her mother gave her is.”
Shyla continued to tell her about their conversation and the language. Mama V wasn’t surprised but she was very upset. That wasn’t the first time that the girls had come from their mother’s using colorful language and asking questions that three year olds shouldn’t. The last time they came home asking why their mom had a white man in her bed one day and then a black man in her bed another day. Zackary kept them away from her for a month, now this. He was going to hit the roof.
“I did scold her about it, told her never to use that word again and that it was unladylike.”
“You did the right thing, dear. I’ve talked to Zackary about letting those girls spend the night with that woman; you never know what they will pick up. I’ll let him know what’s going on.
“He’ll talk to them both and her. He’s really trying to do right by them but if she’s just going to do as she pleases in front of them and not be concerned about their well-being, it’s not good for them to be around her.”
She looked over at Shyla who had a gloomy look on her face.
“Don’t look so sad. If she wanted to be a real mother to those girls she would have been. Zackary has full custody so she can’t take them any place. I’m actually surprised that she has any time for them at all. Anyway, dear, I’ll talk to him.”
“Thank you.”
The girls were fascinated with Shyla’s dress, so much so that they wanted their dresses to be the same color.
“Can we have our dresses like that, Gran V? Is that red?
“Almost baby, it’s actually cranberry.”
“Cranberry?” Zhaniya asked.
“Yes sweetheart.”
“Like the juice,” asked Zaria? Her grandmother nodded.
“Can we have the same color? I like cranberry,” said Zaria.
“We’ll see. The stores may not have dresses that color this time of year for little girls, but we’ll do our best. Okay?”
“Thank you.” Her grand-daughters were so polite. Getting them away from their mother before she corrupt them too much would be a blessing.
Zaria took Shyla’s hand and Zhaniya her Grandmother’s as they walked into and around the Sonoma Mall which was only a few miles from Napa.
It was the biggest mall in the area. The second and third floors of the mall had a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Some people like to dine in one or more of the many restaurants that were up on the high hills in the area just to take in the panoramic view. It was breathtaking.
They had gone to several different shops but found nothing to their liking.
“Mama V do the girls have outfits for Monday? And what about an outfit for church tomorrow?”
“Nothing for Monday and most of their church clothes are getting too small. Zackary just bought them new clothes but Gloria never returns them so we quit sending things over. I’ve got Monday covered but Zackary is taking the girls Sunday clothes shopping next month.”
“Why wait until next month, we’re here now. Do you think he’d have a problem with me getting them a few things? I don’t want to be out of line.”
“Oh pooh,” she waved on. “Don’t worry about Zackary. You do what you want for those