Mommy?”
“If you’re so grown, I’d love to see you prove it. If you’re that much of an adult, you can move out this house, be a grownup and live in your own place instead of being here.”
Edmund shook his head. “Burgundy, no, please don’t say things like that—”
“No, I’m sorry but she’s gone too far.”
“Sounds like you’re going too far too, sweetie,” he gently told her.
“Stay out of it, Edmund, please. Let me handle this my way.” Burgundy was so frustrated. Everything solid thing in her life seemed to be crumbling apart, but one thing she would not allow was her daughter to control her life and disrespect her very good friend, a supportive man whom she did not want to scare away.
“Natalia, if you think you know so much, find your own place to live so you won’t have to see who I invite to the house that I maintain. A lovely home that me and your daddy provided so you can have a roof over your head, food to eat, the comforts of a good life, and all those pretty clothes you like to wear. You talk a lot of stuff, but when you’re grown, really grown, you have to figure out everything all by yourself. How to solve your own problems. How to do it all by your damned self.”
For once Natalia lacked a comeback. It appeared that what Burgundy was saying didn’t completely register in her mind. The girl remained in quiet contemplation and Burgundy was pleased to sense that her authority was no longer being challenged.
“So, Nat, what’s it going to be? Are you smart enough to make it on your own, find your own place to stay, get a job, and take yourself to school? Huh?”
Edmund again shook his head at Burgundy.
“Burgundy, um, I may be overstepping my boundaries, but I really don’t think you should be saying things like that to a child.”
“I don’t think you should be saying that to me seeing that you’ve never been a father to any child.”
Edmund flashed a look of anger. “Burgundy. Let’s go somewhere private. We should talk.”
Burgundy released her firm grip from Natalia’s elbow. She was still steaming mad at the girl even though it seemed like Natalia had shrunken right in front of her. Burgundy wasn’t only mad at her daughter. She was disappointed in herself.
But as she thought things through, when it came to Edmund and his sudden frequent presence at a recently widowed woman’s house, maybe Natalia was right—once again.
Natalia finally escaped up the stairs. Burgundy heard the door of her bedroom slam shut. It made her feel even worse . . . about everything.
“Edmund, sweetie . . . I-I’m sorry for that low-blow comment.”
“No problem.”
“And I do want to be sensitive to my daughter’s feelings. Maybe we can see each other during business hours only. Not after work. Not until I figure out how to handle my kids and make sure their emotional and physical needs are met.”
“Hey, you don’t have to explain. I may not be a father, but I understand.”
Edmund leaned in for an innocent goodbye peck to show that he wasn’t holding any type of grudge, but Burgundy turned him down.
“Let’s connect later . . . when the time is right, okay, Edmund?”
He told her he’d check on her in a few hours then he turned around and left.
That evening everything between Burgundy and the girls went well.
She had reestablished the routine that she and Nate had created years before he died. Natalia did her homework while Sidnee pretended like she was reading. Sid grabbed the book Big Hair Don’t Care and quietly pored over the striking images. Then they were called to the dining room table to eat dinner. The girls took their bath, and Burgundy played with them, gave them loads of kisses and hugs, then sweetly tucked them into bed before settling down for the evening.
This nightly pattern continued for the next few days.
But by Thursday, she received an unexpected telephone call.
“Hello, Mrs. Taylor?”
“Yes. This is she.”
“This is the American Inn Hotel on Woodlands Parkway Drive. I’m calling from the front desk.”
“Oh. Hi. How may I help you?”
“Yeah, um, just wanted you to know that a large delivery has arrived for Nathaniel Taylor. I know that he’s no longer staying here but I thought you’d want to know that we’ll hold the package for him till you are available to come pick it up.”
“Hmm, okay. No problem. Thanks.” Burgundy hung up the phone.
She went on about her business and on Saturday, she decided to take the brief drive over to the hotel. Liz the nanny was at the house attending to the girls. Alita happened to be visiting Burgundy to help out with some household issues. The two sisters rode together in Burgundy’s SUV and shortly thereafter they arrived at the inn.
“I’ll be right back, Lita. He probably had some things shipped here instead of to the house.”
Burgundy got out the car and went inside.
The front desk clerk asked her to sign and date a delivery slip and told her that he’d be right back. He returned huffing and puffing as he carried a big box. It was so large that he was hiding behind it as he cradled it.
“What is this?” she asked.
“I have no idea, ma’am.”
“Hmm. I’ll be right back. I need my sister to help me. She’s in the car.”
Alita’s eyes bulged when she saw the box.
“What the hell is this, Sis?”
Burgundy ignored her sister’s mutterings and made room in the back of the SUV to carefully load the box.
When they got home, Burgundy got a pocket knife and slit the tape. Alita sifted through mountains of bubble wrap, looked at the boxed item, then shrieked so loud the noise resounded through the house. She began dancing around the kitchen, hopping about like she was deliriously happy.
“This is not funny,” Burgundy told her as she took a peek inside the box.
“B, your husband was a straight up freak.” Alita pulled out a life-sized doll. “Well, I’ll be damned. Nate got his own Becky.”
Burgundy stared at the silicone doll. Pale skin, balloon-sized tits. Tits so plump they were way more gigantic than her own little thirty-six Bs. The doll had long blonde hair, a plump ass, and what appeared to be a lifelike vagina.
Becky was cute but she had an odor. She smelled like burnt plastic mixed with rubber. Burgundy’s legs trembled as she sat down on a chair.
“Damn, B. This is messed up. Did you know Nate was into sex dolls?”
“No.”
“And he probably didn’t know you had your own dildo too.”
Alita smirked like something was funny. But Burgundy was in no mood to laugh. She felt confused, then angry.
Natalia walked into the kitchen.
“Oooh, that looks real. Is it a baby alive doll? I’ve never seen one that big. It must be for Sid ‘cause I’m too big for dolls.” Natalia reached over to caress the hair.
“Ugh, what’s that smell?”
Alita covered Natalia’s eyes.
“Niece, you need to find your way back upstairs. This doll ain’t for you or your sister.”
“Then who is it for?”
Alita and Burgundy locked eyes.
“Why