Silas and Ebony drove into a town for an art supply store. Silas pushed a cart behind her and waited while she picked out all the things she needed to start creating. He watched her look at the ingredients of labels she hadn't heard of and confidently put in products she knew. He offered to pay but she was set on paying her own bill.
Ebony was getting more tired as the day went on. Silas said he needed to make one more stop before they went back to Willadeene's. After driving for fifteen minutes, they parked in the driveway of a cute cottage. The outside was white with hints of pale yellow. Playground toys could be seen in the backyard for children to play. A small coupe and a van were in the driveway.
"This is my cousin Addison's house. Willadeene's daughter." Ebony took off her seatbelt and jumped down from the truck on her own with Silas' supervision. Together, they wandered up to the front door.
Willadeene had suggested she introduce her to her daughters on the tour. Ebony was curious to see the kind of women Willadeene raised.
Silas opened the front door without knocking. He ventured into the house first and Ebony followed a few steps behind.
The house was bright with shades of white, light grey and yellow. The inside had matched the outside perfectly. Everything was crisp and in place.
"Uncle Sy!" A small voice called. Ebony heard small quick footsteps running and then she was Silas bend down to capture a small, dark haired little girl. He hugged the baby close and she received his welcome eagerly.
"Mi cielito—my little sky." Silas greeted.
"Qué pelota que eres!—what an idiot you are! Armando came home to me and needed three stitches—" Ebony saw the woman who spoke angrily to Silas come into view. She shut her mouth at the sight of the guest and a smile formed within a second. "Ebony?" She winded around Silas and her daughter to outstretch her arms. Ebony bent a bit at the waist and hugged her. "Oh you are beautiful! My mother is excited to have you here, welcome to Texas."
Addison didn't look like an Addison. Out of all the people in her family that Ebony had met, she looked most like someone from South America. Her mother a close second. Addison had long, butt length hair that curled beautifully from root to end. Her eyes were glistening and dark brown with tanned skin.
"This is Ebony, Nana—baby girl." Addison introduced her to her daughter. She gave a small wave from over her uncle's shoulder. Ebony offered a wave and smile of her own. "Come! I'm making drinks." Addison was cheery and excited as if she hadn't been ready to chew Silas out just a few seconds ago. She grabbed Ebony by the arm and led her into the kitchen. Ebony looked to Silas and he was unscathed.
Silas watched Ebony be pulled out of view. He could see she wanted him to follow and join her to wherever his cousin had dragged her.
Ebony sat at the white marble island counter. The late afternoon sun poured in from the open blinds and windows in the kitchen. The white interior reflected every bit of light available. The small woman walked around the kitchen gathering ingredients for her drinks. Ebony watched her slice a couple limes on a cutting board in front of her.
"So, how was your day? I heard you went horseback riding." How did she hear that? Ebony wondered. It was just a few hours ago and a few hours before that, Willadeene was her designated tour guide. Silas hadn't touched his phone the whole day.
"It was really nice. I've never been on a horse before but I'd do it again." Addison nodded to herself.
"I hate riding horses so I'm glad you enjoyed it." She went over to the icemaker and filled a pitcher. She grabbed a folded stool from beside the refrigerator and unfolded it to reach a cabinet over the sink. She took out a bottle of tequila and a concentrated margarita mix. "I like my drinks strong, by the way." She looked over her shoulder and gave Ebony a full lipped smiled. She looked gorgeous when she did.
"Fine with me." Ebony chuckled. "Your house is beautiful, too." Ebony complimented, taking in the small yellow accents and décor.
"Thank you!" She sounded genuinely flattered. "I put a lot of work into it so it's nice to get compliments." She went to work with cutting up fresh strawberries. "My sister Tabitha is working today. Mi Mamá wanted you to meet her."
