Angela got her veterinary degree and went into practice, and I made sure to refer every pet owner I came across to her. My devotees were only too happy to take their dogs and cats to her office.
And after two years of successful practice, we were overjoyed to learn that Angela and Sam were to be parents.
I liked Sam. He reminded me a little of Barry—so smart and well read. I think he felt a little intimidated around me, but I always encouraged him to share his store of knowledge when he and Angela visited, because it was truly stimulating—intellectually, I mean.
Angela was glowing with that beauty unique to women in the process of ripening the fruit of their womb. I was so happy for her, thinking back to the delight I had felt when she had been the guest in my womb. Few joys in life equaled this; and few experiences brought more surprises! I was sure this would be an educational adventure for Angela and Sam.
I didn't realize what a singular blessing it would be to me.
But Reina Dawn came into the world on November 20th, and stole my heart in a way I would not have thought possible after having Angela.
I'm afraid Angela found it somewhat of a trial mothering Reina; but I was ecstatic when Angela told me how the little boys at Reina's daycare just wanted to give her kisses all day long. Now, here was a child I could relate to!
Reina became Grandma's favorite visitor. We painted our nails together, played dress-up, tried on jewelry and did make-up. We took bubble baths, lit scented candles, told each-other fairy tales, and collected pin-ups of all the modern day princes of the silver screen. At last, a willing protégé.
When Reina was four, her brother, Patrick Paul came along, and we called him Paul.
Paul had the most delicate features and exquisite, long golden curls. I cried the first time they were shorn. And it did not surprise me when Angela told me all the little boys at daycare wanted to kiss him all the time. He was awfully sweet and loving.
When he got a little older, Paul's distinction became even more apparent, as we discovered his inclination to join Reina and me in our tea parties, make-up sessions, and gab fests. He definitely had his favorites among the collection of male pin-ups.
Poor Angela. She got it into her head that I was to blame for her children's behavior. This was not easy for her to take, and we had some tense moments at times. I tried to remind her of her own words, that her children needed the freedom to be themselves, to be different from their mother; but she liked hearing that about as much as I had.
She even went so far as to ban the kids from grandma's house for a while; but when they protested loudly and persistently enough, she let them start coming over again.
Angela reluctantly agreed to have the Blossoming Ceremony for Reina; with the stipulation, of course, that we leave out the part at the end. She told herself it was just a meal to acknowledge that Reina was growing into a young lady. According to her, Reina was not going to have a tutor anymore than she had had one. That was just as well, since I still didn't know of any men who would be worthy of the position.
Dare I confess, however, that I became the accomplice to Reina's novitiate? Well, I didn't think she should have to do the kind of itinerant preaching I had done in my early days. After all, there was my Temple, free for the asking, and it was time for Reina to move into her calling. Far be it from me to thwart the will of the Golden Axiom!
