Too Close To Home

VI

No One's POV

It's been a few months since Arielle started therapy, and it has been going very well. With her sisters, aunt, and her uncle joining her in some of the sessions, everything has been going well. At first, it was hard to open up about some of the things, especially about her parent's death, but with the help of her fantastic therapist, not only has Arielle been able to start coping better, but it has also helped her become a better sister, niece, and aunt in more ways than she thought. It has also helped everyone else cope and strengthen as a family unit. Imani has even seen some changes in herself in how she parents Sunshine. 

Brandi's POV

Since it was a Sunday, I decided that Sunshine and I should spend some time together after church. I took her to Build-A-Bear and then to Kilwins to get ice cream. Although Sunshine may only be seven years old, she is knowledgeable, just like her mother. Even though we've managed not to have her around when adults talk, it wasn't surprising that Sunshine had figured out what was happening.

"Auntie, thank you for my bears. I will give one to TT Arielle, one to mommy, and keep one for myself." Sunshine replied as we were heading to the car to go home.

"You're welcome, baby, but promise me you won't tell your mom I let you have ice cream before dinner. She would have my head if she were to find out." I told her as I helped her in her booster seat.

"I promise. It's our little secret." She replied

After making sure she was secured in her seat, I got in the car and headed home. There was some traffic, but not too bad, considering it was Atlanta, and we managed to make it home in less than 30 minutes. I parked and helped Sunshine out of the car. We walked inside, and I told her to hide the gifts in her room and wash them up for dinner. I headed to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water when I noticed at least two dozen of roses in assorted colors that included blue, purple, white, and red. I tried to be discreet and see if there was a card attached. I found it, and before I could read it, Auntie Nessa and Arielle came downstairs.

"Wow, Brandi, who's the lucky guy?" Arielle asked

"He's more than lucky if he's sending her all of these flowers, roses at that." Auntie Nessa teased

"You went to Italy and put that meow meow on one of those rich Italian boys?" Arielle asked

"No, Ari, she put that RAWR on him." Auntie Nessa replied with Arielle in tears laughing and receiving a side eye from Brandi

"First of all, the fact that y'all are making me out to be a slut is very uncanny. I'm a lady, and besides, the flowers aren't for me; they're for Imani. There's a card, but no name." I told them as I handed them the card

"Hmm, I wonder who sent them?" Arielle asked as she was taken by how beautiful they were

"That is for me to know and The Golden Girls to not know. Now if Dorothy, Blanche, and Sophia will give me this card and go away. " Richard walked in snatching the card out of Nessa's hand

"Uncle Richard, you know who sent these? Why won't you tell us?" Brandi asked

"Because it's not my business to tell. Just know that the man that sent them is very well-mannered, respectful, and has had his eye on Imani for a while." Richard spoke as he checked on dinner

"Well it's fine, we'll just get Imani to tell us." Arielle spoke

"Good luck with that. Imani doesn't know who it is either. I made a promise that I wouldn't reveal him until he was ready. In fact the both of us are working on a way to surprise Imani so he can ask her out." Uncle Richard told them