Cherish perked up and slowly turned her attention to Simon. His hand cupped over his mouth as he stared at his mother and blinked sporadically. She mentioned the MOST embarrassing story she had to offer at his expense. About his love for a doll he adored as a child. He had imagined her as his perfect woman.
Margaret clasped her hands together, “Oh baby! Remember when you married Matilda’s life size Barbie? You even kissed her and had me make her a toilet paper dress.” She recalled fondly. Cherish, trying her hardest to keep it together, lowered her head with her lips glued to the glass. She couldn’t hold it once Margaret started up again and spat into her drink, “I think it was love at first sight. Any who, he named her Ganisha and slept in the same bed with her.” She whispered amid Cherish’s break down.
All the memories flashed through his mind at once. Hot in the face, Simon was ashamed but still found himself fiercely protective of her, “Her name was KAnisha mom.” He corrected.
Margaret pursed her lips together while she gave her son a suspicious once over. She then turned her attention back to Cherish, “Between you and I, I expected to find a hole cut out in her nether regions if I hadn’t taken her away.” She expressed as she handed Jr. another cookie.
Simon grew defensive and crossed his arms once his mother took Jr. from him, “I wasn’t doing anything like THAT with her! Jesus Christ.” He griped incredulously.
Cherish lifted her head which displayed how glossy her eyes became. She pressed a shaken hand against her lips and struggled to keep her composure. Margaret then clapped her hands, “BUT, that’s not all!” She said rushing around the corner into the dining room. Soon, she returned with the god-awful remnants of Kanisha.
Her blue eyes half shut, her ginger colored hair was frayed and sat on top of her head alike to dried buckwheat. Her skin was patchy from different variations of sun exposure. Kanisha had seen better days and now she looked demented. Cherish’s eyes widened before she slowly turned to face Simon.
Narrowing his eyes, Simon crossed the space between Kanisha and him. He began to dust off her shoulders before he gripped her hair, “What did you do to her?! She’s nasty now! How could you let her get like this?” He asked obviously offended. Simon looked to Cherish who, in turn, looked pleased to hell. His eyes bore into her and warned not to say a damn word.
She rolled her lips in before slumping forward. With a bit of effort, she staved off a laugh long enough to speak, “Oh, well…it’s…oh boy. It’s nice to meet a first girlfriend.”
Margaret’s eyes lit up. She grinned and quickly looked between them, “WAIT! FIRST girlfriend?! Do-does that mean? Oh, Cherish, how was it? Did my boy give you a good time?” She asked genuinely concerned.
Simon sighed out loud and Cherish’s fragile composure broke a second later. Her howls of laughter echoed through the kitchen as she, once again, lowered her head to the counter.
His eyes narrowed sharply, and his mood soured. Margaret’s face lowered as she gave Simon a glare showing disappointment that her son hadn’t made a move; still. All he could do was repeat to his mother monotonously, “Mom. Mom, mom. Mom. Stop, just stop. We’re not…” He looked at his mother’s downtrodden expression. Amid Cherish’s hoots and hollers, he leaned in and tried to appease her, “…yet. We aren’t together, yet. Just let it go for now. I’m begging you for the love of God, leave it alone.” He muttered into her ear.
The look on Margaret’s face went from destroyed to tickled pink and one to remember. She looked happier than she had in a while. Simon knew how Emily’s death affected her, but to see her back to her old self once more, reminded him why he loved her.
Cherish obliviously laughed herself to death. Her throat burned. KANISHA, was it? AND he still cared? Oh, she was weak. The babies were too busy with their second cookies, Jr. with two in each hand, to notice.
After a few minutes Cherish stood and wiped her eyes, “Oh. Okay, alright, I’m good. I’m good.” She said holding her hands out. Unable to help herself, her brown eyes glanced over to Margaret, “Mom, do you have the babies, or did you want us to take them?” She asked.
Margaret shook her head and waved, “Go on.” She whispered to Simon.
Stepping into the sun, Cherish squinted across the patio and waved to Simon Sr., “Hey dad! How are you doing today?!” She asked. Pulling the cover over her curly head, she revealed a cream-colored bikini Simon chose. The “good” one of the bunch she had.
She didn’t notice Margaret standing by the glass door and staring at her son for a reaction. That also included Simon Sr. whose cigarette dropped from his mouth. His son appeared beside him with the same expression; like birds of a feather. Though, Simon Sr. didn’t give a damn about his son as he watched Cherish move around his pool.
Cherish ran her fingers along the line across her bottom. Rounding to the steps, she tested the water with her foot before descending. Dunking her head under, she popped up a moment later with her eyes closed. She pushed those heavy, black curls away from her face, “Whew!” She exclaimed feeling refreshed. Water cascaded down her face, neck, between her cleavage, arms, waist, face, and hair; leaving droplets in the water.
Simon’s pride diminished and his focus zoned into her and her dark, curvaceous beauty slicked in water. He loved the texture of her hair when wet.
She wiped her eyes and waved for Simon to join her, “Are you coming, dear?” She laughed out.
At that moment, Simon
