Chapter 3: And now for a taste of things to come.. ooooooo spicy!!

Ebony: There, finally. [pops her neck]

Miguel: Done bunnygal? [sitting at his desk typing without so much as even looking up from his work.]

Ebony: [stands up rubbing her numb backside] Yeah. Whew. Now..[dashes off into the bathroom] EXCUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSE ME!![door slams]

Miguel:[stops typing and laughs. He looks at the reader] You may think we exaggerate how many times she hits the powder room, but no. Heh. Ebony is a hard worker.. she sits at her desk and does NOT get up for anything.. not even a potty break till she’s done. She deserves a bit of bliss today. [whispers] Today is Ebony’s B-day. Yup.. today she turns 22.. that lucky girl. I remember when I turned 22..[makes a face] no I don’t. it was 3 years ago and sadly I don’t even remember getting out of bed this morning. Sigh.. well poor Ebony’s feeling the strains of growing old right now.

Ebony: [from inside the bathroom] Oh MAN that’s much better.

Miguel:[mortified] ANYway so I got her a cute little gift.. something that will hopefully make her feel a little better.. heh I know it will.

There’s a loud flush and Ebony walks out. She looks at Miguel and blushes. She walks over and sits down back at her desk.

Miguel:[smiles] Did we remember to wash our hands?

Ebony makes a face and glares at him. She then gets up and walks back into the bathroom.

Miguel: That’s a good girl.

Ebony:[walks in and dries her hands on the back of his shirt] Yes DAD!!

Miguel: By the way..Happy Birthday bunnygirl.

Ebony:[looks at him tiredly] you couldn’t forget could you. [crosses her arms]

Miguel: I tried really I did.[sweating]

Ebony: Sigh [Sits on his knee] I was hoping to get through today without anyone remembering.

Miguel: Well then I feel stupid getting you this. [holds up a box with mesh on it]

Ebony:[looks at it and takes it from him] A gift? [looks at him and smiles] Thanks tigerboy.[kisses him on the nose] But I doubt whatever’s in here will cheer me up.[shakes it and places her ear against it]

Miguel:[eyes bulge] Don’t shake it!!!

Ebony:[looks back at him] What’s in it?

Miguel: Well I’m keeping in the Linux gift tradition, remember last year I got you that cute red hat?

Ebony:[giggles] Yeah.. [stand sup and twirls around] I wear it from time to time. [looks at the box] I wonder what’s in you?

Miguel: Open it.

Ebony: [thinks] Nah..I know for a fact you’re going to try to lead me to Astral’s place for a surprise party right?[looks at him]

Miguel: [frowns] That WAS the plan.[shoulders slump as he looks down] So much for that.

Ebony: Heh, silly tigre, tricks are for kids. [places the box under her arm] Let’s get going.. don’t want to have them waiting too long right?

Miguel:[stands up and looks at her] You really SHOULD open that box.

Ebony: Yeah, yeah, later. Let’s go.[walks off]

Miguel makes a face as he shuts down his computer. He worried as to the contents of the box Ebony carried. He knew what was inside would grow restless or worse. He hurried after her.

Later, Ebony arrives at Astral’s place and giggles as she walks up the steps to her studio apartment above the occult bookshop. She steps in, the lights turn on and her friends leap out.

EVERYONE: SURPRISE!!!

Ebony smiled as Azul, Astral, Marcie,.. and to her surprise, her mom and dad, were all there.

Ebony: WOW!! I never expected this!![places her hands on her face acting surprised]

Azul: She knew. [walks off]

Marcie: Geez, I got a Charlie horse waiting for her to get here for nothing. [rubs her leg]

Astral:[looks very cross at Miguel] Miguel did you blab!!!??

Miguel:[sweating] I didn’t.. she already knew.

Salma: Happy Birthday miha!![hugs Ebony]

Ebony: [ looks at her mother] Didn’t expect you here.. that part DID surprise me. [Goes over and his her dad a hug too]

Ezequiel: Yeah well your mama decided it’s time she took a more active part in your life.

Ebony:[makes a face and looks at them] Guys.. you’re supposed to give me something I WANT for my birthday.

Salma: But miha we can spend quality time together.. after this.. we can go shopping and maybe get a make over.

Azul:[eating cake already] Not even god can help her there.

Ebony: [glares at Azul then sighs] Okay mom… but listen.. please try to behave.

Salma:[winks] I have been behaving.

Ebony:[walks off] That’s it, I’m going away.

Ezequiel: [looks tiredly at Salma] You enjoy messing with her don’t you mi amor.

Salma: Si, it’s fun to watch her shake in her jeans like that.

Ebony looks around for where she set Miguel’s gift down. She spots it but it seems to have moved a few feet from where she planted it. As she heads over to it something slams into her knocking the wind out of her. Or rather someone, she looks down and sees a little beige bunnygirl in overalls. She has short hair and the most adorable eyes. She is Ebony’s niece Lynda Conejo.

Lynda: Ooopsie. Sowwy tia Ebony.

Ebony:[leans against the table] That’s okay[tries to catch her breath]kiddo… nicest thing to happen to me (gasp) today.

Lynda: Tia Ebony.. why are you turning blue? [gets worried] PAPI!!!!!!!

Just then a beige rabbit in Ralph Lauren clothes runs in. He wears tinted specs and has black on his arms and on of his ears. This is Ebony’s older brother Tobais Conejo and is Lynda’s dad.

Tobais: What’s the matter baby?[kneels down beside her then sees Ebony gasping for air] Yow.[gets her to sit down] take it easy there sis.. .

Ebony:[finally catches her breath] Thanks.

Lynda:[hides behind her daddy] Sowwy tia.

Ebony:[smiles weakly] That’s okay kiddo.. just watch where you’re going next time.

Tobais: [rubbing Ebony’s shoulders] You okay?

Ebony:[sits up] Yeah.. I’m okay now.[looks up at him] Did Gracie let you out of prison?[smiles wickedly]

Tobais:[frowns and pushes his specs back up his face] Yes.. she made an exception since it’s YOUR birthday. She’s not as bad as you make her out to be!!

Ebony:[rolls up her sleeve] Just me?[smiles]

Tobais: Sigh.[shoulders droop] You..mom and dad.. and the rest of the family..but you’re all wrong.

Ebony: Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.[pats Lynda on the head and looks around for the present]

Miguel: [runs in] Um Ebony..I REALLY think you should open that present.

Ebony looks at him then see a huge racket as her present is leaping up and down like mad. Everyone is trying to get out of its way as it spins and finally leaps into the air. The box explodes and out pops a baby penguin.

Penguin: KIKI!!!!

The remains of the box fly across the room and nail Azul in the face knocking her down. Everyone stares at the baby penguin on the table.

Lynda: OH HOW CUTE!!!! Papi I want one!!!

Ebony:[blinks then looks at Miguel] You..you got me a baby penguin?

Miguel: Um.. happy birthday?[sweating and scratching the back of his head]

Penguin: Ki?[looks around] KI?? [starts crying]

Ebony: Oh.[walks over] Come here baby.

The baby penguin looks at her and scuttles away. It looks her up and down then slowly walks over to her. Ebony carefully picks it up and holds it to her. The penguin sighs and snuggles up to her.

Lynda:[hopping up and down in circles around Ebony] I wanna hold it I wanna hold it!!!

Salma: [stands next to Miguel] That was a sweet present you got Ebony there miho.

Miguel: [turns and looks at her] Heh, well she was moping around and feeling lonely.. I figured this way she’d have someone to be with.

Salma: Sigh..que lindo.[clasps her hands] I wish there was a way to thank you for being so sweet to mi amor.[bats her eyes at him]

Miguel becomes very uneasy and in a flash is standing next to Ezequiel.

Miguel: Um so..are you enjoying retirement sir?[sweating]

Ezequiel: It sucks..pure and simple.

Miguel: Yeah… that’s what my dad says.

Ebony: [strokes the penguin on the head] Oh you’re just so adorable. He’s just such a cutey!

Penguin: KIIIII!!!??[gets agitated]

Miguel:[pops in] Um.. it’s a girl.[pops back out]

Ebony:[blushes] Oh sorry.. didn’t know. It’s hard to tell with um..[penguin glares at her] Sigh.. my fault.. I probably need a stronger prescription of glasses.

Penguin:[nods] Kikiki.

Ebony: Hmm.. well then I guess I could call you Linux.

Miguel:[standing in the back ground pretending to cough] Cough lawsuit, cough lawsuit.

Ebony: [sweating] Right.. how about I just call you Lin?

Lin:[nods] Kiki KIIIIIIIII!!

Azul: [walks in] Oh wow there’s a surprise.

Ebony:[sees Azul’s head encased in the box Lin came in] I must say that’s an improvement on you Azul.[both she and Lin giggle]

Salma: Such a cute gift there miha.. you should thank Miguel properly, I would but I’m married and well, he won’t let me.

Ebony:[face turns horrid] Mom.. I’m NOT doing that….. Miguel’s a friend.. get it through your head. [shuts her eyes and stands straight] However you do bring up a good point. [sets Lin down on the couch] be good for a sec, [turns and sees Miguel and walks towards him] come here tigerboy.

Miguel walks back until he hits a wall. Ebony walks up to him and gets really close. She then puts her hand over his mouth and kisses the back of her hand. She winks and walks back to Lin. Astral staring drops her cup of tea. Azul, finally having remove the box, stares in disbelief and then puts the box back on her head. Miguel trembles like mad as Ezequiel walks up to him. Miguel grabs on to him and digs his face in his chest

Ezequiel: Yes I know miho[pats him on the back] I almost died the first time Salma did that to me too. [looks at Ebony, rather worried] Are your mom’s genes finally showing up?

Salma: [hugs Ebony} Oh miha I’m so proud!!!

Ebony:[picks up Lin] Mom…. I kissed my hand.. not his lips.. I won’t ruin such a nice thing for Miguel.. especially with so many people around.[walks off but looks at Miguel] Maybe later.

Salma:[crushed, bites her lip] Aye miha you really know how to shatter your mother’s dreams.[sees the way she looks at Miguel then stop] Then again… heh you are my daughter.. you can’t run from who you are.. one day.. you’ll see.. you’ll be just like me. [laughs maniacally]

Ezequiel:[comes by and hands her some punch] here stop laughing and drink this.. people are staring.

Miguel:[walks up to Ebony] Why’d you do that?

Ebony:[looks at him playfully as she pets Lin] Papi did teach me to thank people you know?

Miguel:[makes a face] That’s not what I meant. People really think you kissed me.

Ebony: Let them.. it can only boost your rep.

Miguel: And ruin yours.

Ebony: [turns to him] Hey..let me worry about that okay..sides.. they don’t know EVRERYTHING.[winks]

Miguel: Ebony.. you just became your mom.

Salma:[pops in] See I told you.

Ebony emotionlessly hands Lin to Miguel and walks downstairs. She walks till she’s at the outskirts of town.. and then let’s out a screech that’s heard for miles. A bit later she rejoins the party and takes Lin from Miguel.

Miguel: Feel better?[grins]

Ebony: Yeah.. I would have been here sooner but I stopped at a nearby church and doused myself with holy water.

Ezequiel & Miguel: That’s my Ebony.

Ebony stares at them and then walks off. She steps out on the balcony and looks outside. Lin looks up at her.

Ebony: I wanted to show off.. so people and my mom wouldn’t think I was still a child. Sigh.[looks down] That’s not me is it Lin? I mean part of me wants to be just like my mom..the other half wants to stay the way I am. I don’t like being shy..I wanna be a proud fearless person like my mom.. someone who gets attention and is confident in herself. But I want to be a reserved, laid back person like my dad. Shoot my folks are such opposites no wonder I came out so confused. Sigh. Lin? I know you’re young and stuff.. but I envy you..you’ve got no cares in the world do you?[looks down and sees Lin asleep in her arms] Sigh.. I rest my case.

Astral walks out into the balcony and walks up to Ebony. Ebony looks back at her then continues looking outside.

Astral: You okay bunnygirl?

Ebony: Yeah I guess.

Astral: Mom gets you down? [Ebony quiet for a moment then just nods] I envy you. [sits on the balcony rail] I miss my folks.. last I saw them I was little. I wish I had a mom to drive me berserk.. and a dad to be embarrassed in front of. Things are.. you have it lucky Ebony.. and I don’t think you realize that. [Ebony looks at her] What I mean is.. well.. not many mothers are as free spirited and as modern as yours. At least you don’t have one telling you what to do and how to act and how to dress. Your mom, while she feels you could be more like her, allows you to grow up the way you like. She maybe a firecracker.. but.. she has her perks.

Ebony: Sigh. Yeah. But still. Mom’s taking me shopping.. have you nay idea what that involves? Lingerie shopping!!! [trembles]

Astral: [laughs] Well.. you need it.. you wear undies even my grammy thinks are old fashioned.

Ebony: [glares] Thanks a lot.

Astral: Just go with her and TRY to have fun Ebony.. sides.. she’s trying to spend time with you..you could at least..

Ebony: Humor her?[raises an eyebrow]

Astral: Something like that. If you want.. I’ll penguin sit Lin for you.

Ebony: Thanks Astral.

Astral: Hey what are best friends for. [hops off the balcony rail and takes Lin] You’re lucky in another way Ebony[turns and looks back at her as she goes back in] you’ve got people around you all the time.. this place is so lonely.. I’m more than happy to have this party cause.. this is the most people I’ve had here in one time in years. [goes inside]

Ebony stays outside a bit and looks at Astral talking to people. She did have a point, but also Ebony felt sorry for Astral. If anyone felt more lonely than her.. it was Astral. Ebony leaps back as she sees Salma’s face pressed up against the glass door in a pleading expression on her face. Ebony sighs and walks inside.

Ebony really regretted agreeing to go shopping with her mother. She just knew it would come to this.. LINGERIE SHOPPING!!! Ebony sat in a dressing room, looking at this skimpy thing her mother gave her to try on.. and could not figure what end was front and what end was back. She sighed as she unzipped her pants.

Salma:[knocking on the door] Come on Miha.. there’s not much to that.. it shouldn’t take this long to try them on. [presses her head against the door] Are you okay mi amor.

Ebony:[from inside] I’m FINE.. now give me a few moments peace!!!

Salma: [moves back] Well.. if you won’t by them I will.

Inside Ebony sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. She had on a lacy bra and matching panties.. THONG panties!! This word echoed in her head as she winced and tried to adjust the back.

Ebony: I feel like I got the mother of all wedgies!!! GAH!! [looks at her back in the mirror] But..[rolls her eyes] GOD must I say that now.[winces] HOWEVER.. [looks at her bottom] they are rather flattering.. if I didn’t have the state of Ohio for my rear end. [frowns] Still it does look nice.. I guess.[looks at her bottom in the mirror and rubs her hand over curve of her rear] At least something to have for a HOT date.[sticks her tongue out at herself in the mirror]

Salma: [has the door open] Dios mio.. you can really wear a thong miha.. can’t you?

Ebony stands paralyzed, changing colors as she sees her mom standing there with the door open, her hands clasped together staring at her butt. Ebony lets out a scream that rattles the walls of the shopping center.

Salma: Oh come on mi amor.. it wasn’t so bad.

Ebony walks carrying bags as her mom tries to keep pace with her. Ebony’s face is red and she refuses to talk to her mother.

Salma: No one saw.

Ebony:[stops in her tracks] YOU did!!! And that was enough!!! [walks off again]

Salma: [walks faster to keep up with Ebony] Don’t be that way.. besides I saw your caboose before…. I changed your diapers!!!

Ebony:[stops again as Salma almost runs into her] ONCE!!! You changed my diapers once.. dad did it the rest of the time!!! [walks off again]

Salma: Miha start talking to me again like a daughter or I’ll stand up on a table and tell everyone how your father potty trained you!![Ebony stops in her tracks] And I have pictures to back it up to!!

Ebony: [pops back rests her head on Salma’s shoulder] MOMMY!!!

Salma: [smiles] Now let’s not get carried away shall we.

Ebony:[sweating looks down then at her] um mom..[looks around] you weren’t really gonna..

Salma: [shakes her head] No…. I’m saving that for when you bring a hot papi to come and meet us.[walks off]

Ebony: [stomps her feet] DAMN I HATE YOU MOM!!!!!

Salma smiles as she continues to walk. Ebony sighs and rushes off after her. On the ride home Ebony turns to Salma.

Ebony: Mom…. I’m moving out.

Salma; eyes open wide but she does not turn to look at Ebony] Oh? Por que?

Ebony: I’m getting too old to live at home.. and.. sigh..I need my space. I’m going to move in with Astral.. as I now have a job. I’m going to pay her rent and..

Salma:[stops the car and begins crying] MIHA I’M SO SORRY!! DON’T GO!! I PROMISE NOT TO WALK IN ON YOU AND STUFF!! NO TE VAS!!!! PLEASE STAY!!! I’LL BE A GOOD MAMI I PROMISE YOU!!!! I’ll BE AROUND MORE!! I’LL QUIT MY JOB AND STAY HOME!!!!!

Ebony:[scared] MOM!! Calm down!!! Sigh.. it’s not you okay.. I just.. I feel bad that I’m still living at home, Tobais moved out years ago and I’m the only one left.

Salma: [gushing tears] YES!! You’re my only baby left!!

Ebony: MOM!!! I’m not a baby okay. Sigh. It’s just something I need to do. [Sees Salma fighting back even more tears] Mom.. I promise.. we’ll get together and do.. sigh.. more shopping and stuff from time to time. Okay?

Salma: Bueno..[wipes her eyes] if you’ve made up your mind. [takes a deep breath and continues driving] but I know your papi will take it hard.

Ebony: Actually.. he knows and told me to wear a raincoat when I told you.. next time I’ll listen. [wrings her sleeve ]

Salma tried her best not to break down and cry again. She knew this was something she had to do. But deep down inside.. she really regretted not being around for her. She felt bad.. cause now her baby girl was leaving. And once again she stopped the car and burst into tears.

Ebony: [tries to get her seat belt undone]GEEZ.. gimme the wheel will you!! Should have listened to him when he said not to tell you when while you were at the wheel too.

End Of Chapter 3