Chapter 92: Gold DiggerBefore you start thinking Grace just saw another of Imsety's questionable photographs it wasn't that, in fact in some ways it was far worse. It was a bunch of love letters and gifts from Delbert only they weren't for Zahra, they were for her mother and grandmothers, I think it might be time I had a chat with that young man.
"So Delbert I'm curious about something, just what is the going rate for a babysitter nowadays?".
"Why do you want to know?".
"Well I was just thinking it must be pretty tough surviving on such a low wage, must be nice to have a rich girlfriend who can help you out in times of need."
"I don't know what you mean, if you're implying I'm only with Zahra for her money you're mistaken and I take offence at that."
"Oh come off it Delbert, I can spot people like you a mile off, I grew up around them, those superficial types only interested in the fame and money."
"I am not I love Zahra!".
"Okay then tell me this, when was the last time you gave her flowers? or took her out to dinner?".
"I've never............"
"Precisely, you've never done anything, you haven't even kissed her! you've just been stringing her along since high school and she deserves better, she definitely deserves somebody who wont try hitting on her mother for a start!"
I didn't like doing it but it had to be done, Zahra could spend her whole life hanging about for this guy who quite obviously held no real affection for her when she could be with somebody who truly loved her.
That night Delbert finally broke it off.
"I'm sorry Zahra."
"It's okay, I think I knew it was coming, I always had a feeling I was more of a trophy for him than a person, besides I still have you, my best Buddy so who needs boys anyway."
"But I'm a boy too."
"Why so you are, how silly of me to forget."
"I'm glad you're still smiling Zahra, I don't like it when you're sad."
Zahra really didn't seem overly bothered about Delbert, her career is her primary focus right now, after missing out on a promotion by the merest fraction she went to see her boss to see if she could convince her to change her mind, she did, at last she has that big break she so desperately wanted she will finally be on television as the new weather woman.
We've still been keeping an eye on Cody, he visits often and I taught him to drive.
He hasn't actually said so but I think he can see Buddy, maybe it's an after effect of having been in the spirit world for so long, is that where the imaginary friends reside?
It's hard to believe it's Zahra's birthday already, she has been very career driven so far and has already gone from weather woman to lead reporter but she really will have to start thinking about settling down soon, the last thing we need is for her to end up old and childless, I think any mention of babies would have made Delbert run for the hills, no she needs somebody who will stand by her and be a part of the baby's future even if he cannot live here.
I can clearly see Dallas giving Cody the evil eye, in some ways they are like opposite images both with spiky brown hair and blue eyes but one good and one most definitely bad.
A few days after Zahra's birthday Cody had his.
"Wow look at you all grown up."
"So Gran says you got into Uni."
"Yes, communications, I couldn't have done it without your family."
"Do you want to hang around for a bit, stay for dinner maybe?"
"Sure."
"Well make yourself at home I'll just go see what we've got."
I think that might be making yourself a little too at home Cody.
After dinner Zahra took Cody back home.
"Thank you Zahra, for everything, I wouldn't be here without you."
"You don't have to thank me, It's just nice to see you so happy...........ouch"
"What's wrong?".
"Oh my shoulders, I've been sitting at my computer too much lately, everything aches."
"Why don't you come in for a bit, I might be able to help."
"Your shoulders really are tense, you should take more breaks when you're writing."
"I know but I just get so lost in it I lose track of time."
"Thank you Cody that feels much better."
"Here comes trouble, what do you want sis?".
"Nothing from you, I came to talk to Zahra."
"Zahra, will you read me another story please, I like the way you tell them better than Cody."
"Of course Kirsten, go make yourself comfy I'll be right up."
I suppose Zahra had good reason for reading a handiness book to Kirsten, perhaps she's trying to teach her some water safety, I think it's a little too late for that though.
I don't know why the game sometimes gives teenagers a degree but it did that with Cody so I thought okay then and wrote it in
As for Delbert, well Zahra might have stayed with him had there been any chemistry between them but despite me trying to push them together it just wasn't there, she didn't wish to flirt with him and even though he was flirty he never flirted with her so it just wasn't meant to be, although it soon became obvious why, she was waiting for somebody else