No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

This little rascal really knows how to manipulate people. I lifted her from the car and settled into the Uber Shirley had called.

On the way, I whipped out my phone and ordered a gift for Nancy. Even though she wanted for nothing, I still wanted to show her I cared.

Shirley and her daughter lived in one of Seabreeze City's most upscale gated communities. As soon as we entered, I was greeted by a house festooned with balloons, toys, and garlands.

"This was all Lord's doing," Shirley said as she handed me a pair of slippers.

The lavish display and the sense of occasion made me comment, "He really dotes on Nancy."

"That's true, but what Nancy needs isn't all this... Plus," Shirley glanced at Nancy and then whispered to me, "Nancy's getting older now, and people often mistake Lord for her grandfather when they're out together. She's starting to reject him."

Lord was old enough to be a grandfather, so misunderstandings were bound to happen.

But who could be blamed for that?

If not for her circumstances, would things have come to this?

Nancy, brimming with joy, pulled me into her playroom, insisting I join her in her games.

No kidding, keeping up with a kid is exhausting work. It wasn't long before I felt my energy flagging.

Just then, the gift I'd ordered for Nancy arrived. "Nancy, your sister got you a gift. Let's see if you like it."

I took the moment to rest, realizing I hadn't seen Shirley since we got home.

me some coffee and fruit, and I casually inquired, "Where's

this, the nanny looked upstairs, "She... should

and her gift, when suddenly Shirley's sharp voice echoed

earlier; she must have heard

Shirley came downstairs, her

glamorous wavy hair, she said, "Had a row

expect her to be so blunt, but it seemed she wanted to vent. I offered a sympathetic

might stake a claim on

flashing before my eyes. It was

I didn't know Allen well, discussing someone else's

ventured, "Are you looking

with Lord didn't afford her a claim to the

that, he'd have me killed," Shirley's

Lord's woman, they even had

offered together. Even withouret

a formal status,

was an intimacy shared.

believe it or not?"

lover forever. But what

I could ask, Shirley clenched her teeth, "I plan to outlive

together, had a child even; lacking in affection maybe, but wishing death upon

Shirley's emotions were running

poured herself a