Mark Spaid - Falcon Down

“Hey, that’s an idea,” Zara said.

“Honey, you need a couple of outfits,” Lexi said to Zara. “Darcy make sure she gets them.

“I will, Mom.”

“We’re going with Paulita to the music store,” Mallory said.

“Big surprise,” Will said. Paulita had appointed herself the guardians of the twins since they were eleven and though they were all eighteen now she still never let them out of her sight.

“And you two?” Lexi asked grinning.

“We’ll decide as we walk,” Jessica said and they left holding hands.

“Well, all our little chicks have left the nest,” Lexi said as she turned to Will.

“There not all ours.”

“I wish they were.’

“You do?” Will asked.

“Yes, don’t you?”

“I don’t know, I already live with three women, I can’t imagine seven.”

“I don’t hear you complaining so far.” Will lowered his head, chuckled and looked up.

“No, I’m not complaining.”

“Do you want to sit and rest?”

“No, I’m okay.”

“I don’t mean to treat you like a baby, Will, but I worry about you.”

“I’m glad you worry about me; it makes me feel safer.” He had asthma and could have an attack at any time for no apparent reason. Some of them were bad and Lexi, Darcy or Zara had to get him through them and get him to breathe. He also had a dislocated back that could go out at the slightest movement and he was on the floor and couldn’t move without help. As a result, either Lexi, Darcy or Zara were always with him at home.

“I need a pair of shoes,” Lexi said.

“Good, I can watch you stretch your legs when you try them on.”

“You’re funny.”

“I meant it.”

“I know, that makes me look forward to tonight.”

“Are you seducing me Mrs. Robinson?”

“Hey, you’re the one that wants to ogle me.”

“That’s right it was me that started this.”

“I’ll let it go this time.” Lexi gave Will a kiss and they walked to the shoe store.

“I feel funny spending this much money for clothes,” Zara said.

“Don’t, Mom likes to buy things for us.”

“It still bothers me.”

“Well, find at least two outfits or she’ll be miffed at me.”

“I’ll do it so you won’t get in trouble.”

“Fair enough.” Zara found three pants and top combinations that she liked and was trying to eliminate one.

“I can’t make up my mind.”

“You’re driving me crazy, just get all three.”

“No, that’s too much.”

“We’ll take all three, Ma’am,” Darcy said to the clerk and laid down the credit card.

“No.”

“Zara, we’re getting all of them, you look great in everything.”

“I guess Mom will be happy.”

“Yes, now let’s go, I need shoes, make-up, and a bra.”

“Do I have to come into the dressing room with you?”

“Of course, I want your opinion when I try them on.”

“It’s not safe in there when you unleash those giant melons. There’s not enough room for another person,” Zara said grinning.

“Oh, you’re hilarious, you must’ve been hanging around Jessica.”

“There’s no chance of being around Jessica unless Dixie is there too.”

“I know, there inseparable, I guess we’ll have to live with that.”

“Yeah, they’re a couple.”

“Do you feel bad because you’re single?”

“No, not at all. I don’t want to be tied down,” Zara said.

“I was hoping you felt that way. I like being single too and I like going places with you.”

“Likewise. You’re more fun than a guy.”

“I’m glad you’re my sister, Zara.”

“I’m glad you’re my sister too.” They started for the lingerie shop. “Well, let’s see if we can find a giant bra for your girls.” Darcy chuckled as they went on their way.

“What do you and Yuri do?” Paulita asked.

“The movies, plays, pizza and we go to each other’s houses and watch television or play games.”

“Sounds fun,” Paulita said.

“Yeah,” Melanie said softly. Paulita looked at Mallory.

“What’s wrong?” Paulita asked.

“Yuri likes to do outdoor things.”

“So,” Paulita said.

“He likes to hike. Can you see me hiking?” Melanie asked.

“I saw you take care of yourself in the jungle,” Paulita reminded her friend.

“We were stuck there; it was push on or die. I can’t hike on steep trails like he does. He goes rafting and canoeing. I can’t do those things.”

“What’s so hard about riding in a canoe or on a raft?” Paulita asked.

“It takes two people to launch a canoe or raft. I’m so clumsy and helpless. He has to do all the work. I know it bothers him that I have limitations.”

“He told me he doesn’t care, Melanie. He just wants to be with you,” Mallory said.

“He told you that when?”

“After church about three weeks ago… he also told me he loves you.”

“What?” Melanie asked.

“He said he loves you. It’s obvious he does, anyone can see that,” Mallory said.

“Well, I think he is the luckiest boy in the whole world,” Paulita said. Melanie stopped walking and lowered her head.

“What’s wrong, baby?” Mallory asked. Melanie was crying softly.

“What Paulita said was so sweet.” Paulita looked at Mallory and grinned as she turned Melanie’s head towards her smiling.

“You know I love you, baby girl, and you too Mallory.”

“We know and we love you back, Paulita,” Mallory said.

“Come on, let’s spend some money,” Paulita said.

“We’re paying,” Mallory said.

“That’s not fair,” Paulita said.

“Mom said to use her card and we will,” Melanie said.

“Then I won’t buy much.”

“If you don’t then Mallory and I will buy a bunch of stuff, gaudy things; orange socks, pink pants, lime green scarves for you.” Paulita chuckled and shook her head.

“Okay, let’s go.” They shopped and bought what they wanted and Paulita bought things too because she knew Mallory and Melanie would do exactly what they said they would if she didn’t.

“What are you thinking about?” Dixie asked Jessica as they walked holding hands towards the pet store. Jessica liked to hold the puppies and kittens. Dixie wasn’t an animal person but she indulged her girlfriend. In return Jessica went to the dollar store with Dixie. Dixie bought towels, hot pads, table cloths and the like then gave them to the local soup kitchen. She volunteered there, two Saturdays a month and Jessica helped.

“Us.”

“What about us?”

“How much I love you and how happy I am.”

“Me too,” Dixie said as they kept walking. Jessica stopped. “What’s wrong?”

“That’s it, me too. That’s all you can say?”

“What do you want me to say?”

“That you’re madly in love with me and you can’t stop thinking about me.”

“Okay, that too.”

“Boy, you really pour your heart out in sentiment.” Dixie pulled Jessica to a nearby bench and they sat.

“What’s the matter, Jess?”

“I don’t know, it’s just this morning I had a wave of funny feelings that came over me.”

“What kind of feelings?” Jessica was sitting with her head down and turned to look at Dixie.

“I’m afraid you’ll leave me.”

“Where did you get that idea?”

“The other day we passed Mandy Simmons and you said hello and smiled at her.”

“Because she said hello to me first.”

“It’s no secret that she’s a lesbian too and she likes you. She tells everybody how much she’s attracted to you.”