Hell And Back(17)

Then she started in on the bathroom accessories. Toothbrush holders, decorative soap dishes, pumping soap dispensers, towel holders, trash cans. I had no idea why I needed all of this, but she was too excited for me to stop her.

The next aisle was the bedding department. I think we spent at least two hours in that department. She picked out everything from the down comforter, which felt like you were wrapped up in a cloud, to the matching sheets that appeared to be from Egypt. A bed skirt, pillow cases, and pillow shams were next. Then, most importantly, according to Brenda, were the actual pillows. She got us six pillows each. Fluffy, like big puffs of cotton, I was actually looking forward to laying my head down on these pillows.

The final stop was the kitchen part. She picked out a blender, a slow cooker, a new toaster, a new microwave, a new coffee machine, tea kettle, forks, knives, spoons, cheese knives, mixing bowls, measuring bowls, a can opener. It just went on and on. I couldn’t even keep up with her, and I even ran off to fetch another cart—twice—since she just kept adding more stuff.

When we finally started to the head to the cashier, I quickly tried doing the math in my head. Let’s just say it was nothing I thought it would be. When the cashier told us how much it was, I just stood there with my mouth hanging open, not sure what to do or if I could even cover that right now.

I didn’t have time to contemplate what to do before Brenda pulled out her platinum American Express card and said, “This is going to get me so many points! Bed Bath and Beyond is a double point retailer! I can’t wait to see what I’ll be getting for free next!”

I looked over at her. “Have you lost your mind? Are you having a stroke?”

She just waved me off, turning around to speak to Lilah, “What do you say we go get you your very own bedroom set? I’m thinking a princess canopy bed. I’ve always wanted to buy someone that.”

“No, absolutely not. We can’t take it, you can’t buy her that!” I started packing the bags into the basket. “It’s insane the amount of money you just spent on us. I have…I’m just,” I mumbled. Shaking my head, I tried to find words to tell her how crazy she was.

“Oh, please, I have all this money and nothing to do with it. I have no kids, no grandchildren, no one. I can’t take it with me, so why not do something fun with it, right, Lilah?” She leaned down to kiss her on the nose.

“Right, Ms. Brenda,” she agreed with her with a smile. “I’m going to get a princess bed?” She threw her hands up in the air like she just scored a touchdown.

“Lilah, I don’t know what you are getting. We have to see how much money it is, okay, baby?”

She looked down at her doll in defeat.

I turned and glared at Brenda. “See what you did?”

I was waiting for her to answer when she threw her head back and let out a huge belly laugh. “Well, I guess it’s too late, since I ordered it this morning online. Did you know you can just sit down, right in your own kitchen, drink your coffee, and order whatever you want?” She looked at the cashier, right after she signed her receipt. “It’s magic, and then in three to five business days. BOOM. Stuff just gets delivered.”

I turned to her. “You ordered her bed already?”

“Yay! I’m getting a princess bed, Momma!” Lilah started her celebration again.

I shook my head, thinking of ways to get her to let me pay her back.

“The good news is I’ve already ordered all the bedding, too. Oh, and I got some princess lamps.”

Lilah let out a gasp and looked at her like she was her own personal fairy godmother.

“Momma, I gonna have my own bed with princess lamps!”

Then I broke, the tear escaped my eye, and I used the back of my hand to wipe it away, looking up at the ceiling to blink away the rest that wanted to escape. Then a cool hand slid into mine—Brenda’s.

“Please, do this for me.”

I couldn’t answer because I felt like if I did I’d turn into a sobbing mess right there in the middle of Bed Bath and Beyond.

“Come on, we still need a new couch and a television. Boy, do I feel great today,” she said, pushing out her basket with Lilah, chattering away about how she wanted everything pink.

I’m brought back into the present when the doorbell rings. Brenda sees the struggle in me and jumps right up. “I’ll get it.”

She answers the door, bringing in the biggest pizza I think the restaurant makes. “How much was it?” I start to head for my purse to get my wallet.

“No idea. The delivery guy said it was paid for.” She places the pie on the counter, going to get some plates. “Darn it! We forget to get plates! That’s because you rushed me out of the store,” she says almost accusingly.