Trailing aunt Basile to what had to be the living room, I stayed behind her, a bit skeptical of my new surrounding and the people in them.
Someone's voice bellowed.
"Basile, my friend when did you arrive. The last time I heard from you, you were in Australia."
He laughed and hugged her, giving her a friendly pat on the back.
Aunt Basile smiled broadly at him.
He leaned to the side and saw me standing there, behind her.
Letting go of Basile, he took my hands and kissed them.
"And who is this beautiful young lady?"
Aunt Basile looked at me.
"That's my goddaughter, Glory. I came back because she is here to stay with me, but I am going back to Australia tonight and I was wondering if she-----."
"If she could stay with me," He interrupted.
"Why not, she is welcome to stay here. come on, don't let me keep you standing, please sit down." He gestured to the white cushion chairs.
"Thank you so much, Charles," Aunt Basile said.
Charles's eyes twinkled when he smiled. "What are friends for? Bas."
Across the chair, I sat on, Several pictures caught my attention. It was portraits of Charles, boys, and a woman; his wife.
The only information I could get from Aunt Basile was that the family only had boys and their mom was late.
Staring at her photo I could tell she was a great beauty.
She was black, and she hazel eyes. Imagine not falling in love with her? Impossible.
I was half in love with her myself.
Charles is a handsome man, he has those Caucasian-dark golden boy looks. I am pretty sure that even n his fifties, he was still sought after by women.
I was also sure the children would be dynamite, been born of two gorgeous couple. And I was right.
Charles caught me staring at the portrait.
Probably he saw the undisguised curiosity on my face.
These are my sons- the older one is Evan, he is 21, took his looks after me, The twins- Xavier and Xander are both 18, they took after their mother. God bless her soul.
That settled why the older one looks dark-skinned Caucasian and the twins' light-skinned blacks.
When I smiled at him for explaining, he smiled right back and I glancing away, my shoes becoming fascinating all of sudden.
"So speaking of the boys, where are they," aunt Basile asked.
"Evan is out, the twins are here," Charles replied and turned his eyes on me.
"So Glory, you are 18 right? Are you a senior?"
"I'm 17 and I'm a senior, I just started school a bit early," I answered.
Meanwhile, a sweet-looking old woman came into the sitting room.
Oh, Basile, she said hugging her.
"James told me you were and you brought a beautiful young girl along with you.
I think she would look good with Xavier, don't you think so?"
"It good to see you Marie and the girl you are talking about is behind you." said aunt Basile, her smile couldn't get broader.
The sweet old lady they called Marie turned to lift me partly from the chair and hugged me so tight I might have popped a rib.
"Aren't you a beautiful child, what's your name child?"
"Glory," I breathed out.
Now child don't you think the boys are handsome? She said, finally releasing me from her grasp.
"I -ah do?" I answered, flustered.
Thank God, blushes don't show on my face for I would feel so embarrassed right now.
"What do you think of Xavier, I think you two will look so good together?" I watched her eyes when she said that.
I had a feeling I won't like what was going on in her head.
"My God, girl you are a bit on the thin side," She exclaimed, eyeballing my figure. "I will butter you up in no time."
"Marie, don't overwhelm the poor girl, she hasn't even settled yet and you are already matching her with Xavier," Charles said, humor twinkled in his eyes.
Aunt Basile chuckled. "Well it seems you are in good hands, I will take my leave now."
She hugged me, rocking side to side like how you would a baby.
Oh no, two ribs popped.
"Call me if you need anything, I love you."
"Love you too," I replied, suppressing the emotion gauging in my insides.
"Don't worry we will take good care of her," Charles assured.
"I know you will, thanks again," Basile said and we all watched her go.
I miss her already.
Marie tugged on my arm distracting me from my thoughts. "Come -on child let's get you mid-night snacks before bed."