Christmas Present

by Lauren Wood

  ***

  Nicole’s parents lived in a cream colored two-story house with large, rectangular windows facing out of the front of the home. The lawn looked fresh and newly trimmed which, complete with the white picket fence, gave this place the look of someone who was quite well off.

  Gregory looked at it all from the car, mouth agape. A tap on the window brought him to his sense. He looked to see Nicole waving at him from outside the window. He grinned and got out of the car. He followed her up the paved walkway up to the front door. As Gregory knocked on the door, Nicole planted long, passionate kiss on his face. They were caught in the moment as the door opened and a man with well-combed graying hair stood in the doorway.

  He harrumphed, which brought the couple back to reality.

  “Sorry daddy.”

  “While I am very happy you found a man sweetie, there is such a thing as too much PDA.”

  “It’s nice to finally meet you sir.” Gregory said, extending his hand, “I’m Gregory. “

  The man shook his hand, “Carl. Now, there’s no sense for you to be kept waiting out here, please come in.”

  Gregory and Nicole walked in, looking around at the scenery. There were a number of paintings, probably from the Renaissance period, up on the wall. What really caught the eye of Gregory though was the bear head hung up over the stone fireplace. He looked at Nicole, who saw it as well and turned white.

  “I completely forgot about that.”

  Carl appeared from down a hallway with a woman with light brown hair. Nicole ran to the woman, the two embracing tightly.

  “Nicole. How nice to have you back. And with a man too. I hope he’s been treating you well.”

  “Oh he is just a dream in every way possible.”

  “Well, isn’t that nice?”

  Gregory stepped forward and shook the hand of Nicole’s mother.

  “I’m Nancy, Nicole’s mother. I’m afraid dinner is going to take a little bit longer than expected to be ready, so if you would like to tell us about ourselves.”

  “Actually,” said Nicole, “Gregory needs to take some medication and I have to assist him with it.”

  “I do?”

  “He doesn’t want to admit it, but it’s really important he does. Do you mind if we excuse ourselves?”

  Carl’s eyes narrowed, “Be quick about it.”

  “Ok daddy. Come on baby.”

  Nicole grabbed Gregory and dragged him away from her parents.

  “Carl honey, What sort of medication do you think that boy needs to take?”

  “I don’t know, and frankly I don’t care to know.” He said with a huff.

  ***

  Nicole tossed Gregory into the bathroom before closing the door behind her.

  “I need you to take me now.”

  “What-?”

  Nicole began kissing Gregory, biting his lips as she pushed him into the sink. She started to climb on him, bending him over. Gregory slipped off her dress straps and slid it to expose her breasts.

  “You know that we can’t do too much or else I’ll be getting another urge.”

  “Yeah. Yeah. Whatever. They’re expecting us back soon anyways. Now take me Gregory.”

  Gregory dragged his hands down Nicole’s back, causing her to arch back and pant a little. She began to thrust herself on him over and over again. Gregory’s hands had made it down to her ass and he began to squeeze firmly. Nicole gave an abrupt cry, doing her best to be quiet as soon as she could. She giggled a bit.

  “Do that again.”

  Gregory complied and she screamed in pleasure through gritted teeth. She went back to kissing him, her tongue teasing his. Gregory gagged a little, but soon had his moved moving around with hers. Nicole pulled her mouth away from him and guided one of his hands into her panties. She tilted her head back and began to gasp for breath as his hand was inserted into her vagina.

  After several seconds of this, she grew still.

  “Ok. I’m good to go.”

  The two of them began straightening their clothes out.

  “Where did that come from Nicole?”

  “I don’t know. I just feel incredibly aroused by you right now.”

  “But what will your parents think of me now? I think they knew what we just left to do. They’ll think we’re sex addicts.”

  “Well at least they think you’ll be normal then.”

  Gregory stopped and looked Nicole in the eye, “What?”

  “Well if they think I found a man who I love to have sex with, that will just mean I got caught up with a bad boy. That’s normal.”

  “Is that why you did this?”

  “How’s it feel being just another guy?”

  “Nicole, that won’t change who I am.”

  “Then don’t think about that part of you. Please Gregory, I’m ready to commit. You, me and this child are going to be just fine. I’m not going to let you be ashamed by yourself. We’re in this together.”

  “Why?” Gregory asked, tears rimming his eyes, “Why would you do all this for me?”

  “Because I found someone who I want to live the rest of my life with and I am not going to let one massively different thing about you change how well we get together. If we run into problems, we’ll figure it out together. You being half-bear is no different than being a different religion than I am; it’s just new customs and traditions to observe. So please, I need you to walk out of this bathroom with me and go have a nice, normal dinner with my parents.”

  Gregory wrapped Nicole in for a hug, holding her close to him. Tears flowed down his face as whispered the words, “Thank you.”

  “Come on you big teddy bear, let’s go get some food.”

  ***

  Carl and Nancy were just about done setting the table when Gregory and Nicole walked in with big smiles on their faces.

  “You’re both pretty happy for some people just taking some medication.” said Carl, giving Gregory the stink eye.

  “Oh, Gregory just needed a little encouragement that his illness is nothing to get so worked up about.”

  “You’re a wonderful woman Nicole.” Nancy said, bringing a big pot of spaghetti to the table, “Now sit down everyone and let’s dig in.”

  The four of them sat down. Carl was the first one to start getting food.

  “You know Gregory, my daughter isn’t around solely to help you “take your medication”.” Gregory said, “She needs to be more than just that in your life.”

  “Oh yes sir. She reminds me of that every day.”

  Gregory grabbed Nicole’s hand from under the table and gave it a squeeze. She gave a reassuring squeeze in response.

  “Now, as I imagine my daughter has told you, a number of men have already broken your heart. Now my Nicole is just trying to find someone to share her life with; someone to start a family with. Are you willing to commit to that, through the good and bad of it all?”

  “You have my word on that. Your daughter is never going to be feeling like she made a bad choice for choosing me.”

  “You sure talk a nice game,” Nancy said, “I sure hope you aren’t just talk.”

  “He’s not like that mom. He actually has a big heart. He’s been the only one I’ve met who actually took an interest in me and wanted to help me find strength in being in who I am. I have been trying to return that favor recently, around the time I found out about Gregory’s condition, and I just want him to see himself in a more positive light.”

  “Your daughter sure knows how to show love. I guess she was just waiting for the right person to share it with.”

  “Well let’s hope that she can keep you an honest man.”

  Gregory smiled and nodded. As it came his turn to serve his food, he caught Nicole looking his way subtly. She had been right. This was the most normal he had felt in a long time. His smile seemed to only grow stronger as he started serving the food to Nicole. Their gazes met for just a second, neither of them having the slightest desire to back out of this si
tuation now. The two of them knew what awaited them.

  “Thank you.” Nicole said as Gregory finished serving her.

  “No Nicole, thank you.”

  THE END

  SEDUCED BY ALIEN OVERLOAD

  Kayla Hartley has settled. She was taught, at the tender age of three, that she would never be good enough for anything or anyone. Life would come much simpler to her if she held her tongue and always said yes. Her mother was adamant to teach her daughter, she led by example.

  When Kayla was born, her father decided he wasn’t interested in changing diapers. He left. Her mother didn’t much care from changing diapers either. Her resolution was to place Kayla in an empty room and close the door. To this day, Kayla wasn’t certain if this act was to conceal her from temporary lovers or if it was a ploy to muffle her cries. Whatever the reason, Kayla’s familiarity with abandonment and loneliness is textbook. Her only comfort is found in the misfortune of others. Reason number one why she became a journalist. Reason number two: it rendered her immortal.

  Kayla’s concern with immortality spawned by the drunken hands of her boyfriend. At every given moment Kayla feared the loss of her life. Kevin was abusive and controlling. He would hand Kayla a black eye or a broken rib on a silver platter if she so much as took the long route home. Her life was a series of disappointment and abuse. Kayla was confident that her mother would be proud of this fact. Had her mother not started shooting heroine between her toes, Kayla could confirm this assumed maternal approval. Instead she would step on her mother’s grave and curse that woman’s existence in her sleep.

  At first Kevin didn’t seem so bad. Even after the first broken bone, Kayla knew that Kevin lusted after her. She stayed. With each empty bottle, Kevin’s hand would fall heavier. With each empty bottle, Kayla felt inclined to settle. How would this man survive without her? Better yet, how would she survive without him? Kayla knew nothing other than control. Without someone to answer to, her life would become an abyss. She needed Kevin just as much as he needed her.

  ***

  Kayla looked at the time, four fifty. Uncomfortably, she shifted in her seat, twirling her long brown hair between her fingers. She had exactly forty minutes to get home before Kevin would see the bottom of his first bottle.

  “I’m sorry Mr. Gosbin, but I have to cut this interview short. I have prior commitments I must attend to.” Kayla outreached her fragile hand to the CEO of Industrial Cosmos Atlantic. She winced slightly at the pressure of the handshake. Her hand hadn’t quite healed from Kevin’s last escapade.

  This interview was potentially the most important of Kayla’s career. Industrial Cosmos Atlantic has been making leaps into accounts of space exploration. They had been improving means of transportation via space highways for several decades now. A trip to another galaxy was becoming as simple as a weekend road-trip. With seven new galaxies uncovered in the past year, Industrial Cosmos was well spread across newspapers and tabloids across Earth. Kayla was the first journalist they had allowed past the wrought iron gates. They had granted her an exclusive insider interview. It burdened her to cut it short.

  “Are you certain you have enough information Mrs. Hartley?” Mr. Gosbin glanced down at his watch.

  “Ms. Hartley.” Kayla corrected, a placid smile across her pretty face. “I appreciate the time you have given me, I have exactly what I need for this article. Thank you again Mr. Gosbin.” She gathered her notebook and slung her bag over her frail shoulders.

  Thirty minutes later Kayla was crossing the parking lot toward her shabby apartment door. She hesitated, inhaling, before proceeding through the entrance to her living nightmare.

  “Hey babe, I’m early!” her voice echoed through the empty one bedroom apartment. She slid her bag off her shoulder onto the linoleum floor. Wincing, she massaged her shoulder from the weight of her bag. Since she dislocated her shoulder last year, it hadn’t felt the same. She learned quickly to stay clear of stairwells when Kevin was in the vicinity.

  Her greeting rang unanswered through the apartment. Kayla made her way around the hallway toward the kitchen. She parted the dusty rose-colored curtains and peered into the back parking lot. Kevin’s motorcycle was in its usual space. Certain that he must be home, Kayla called out again, “Kevin, are you hungry?” Again, no response.

  Assuming he had seen many empty bottles at this point, Kayla trudged toward the bedroom. Bucket in hand, prepared for the mess ahead of her. Without hesitation she leaned into the door and entered.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Kevin leapt out of the bed with a hand over his junk. A painted-up young girl clung to the stained sheets. Her breasts exposed and age concealed. Kayla estimated she would be pushing eighteen.

  “I’m so sorry.” Kayla dropped the bucket and automated herself to the door. She could hear Kevin bounding across the room toward her. This was the first time Kayla had truly felt betrayed by him. Through every bruise and beating, Kayla didn’t doubt his love for her. Seeing him with someone else, in the bed that they had shared, shattered all of her hope and diminished her false securities.

  Kayla reached the front door and snatched up her bag managing to bring it up to her shoulder. As Kayla’s hand brushed the brass door-knob, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s smashed into a thousand pieces two inches above her head. Kayla braced herself for what might happen next.

  “Look what you made me do!” Kevin shouted, fumbling down the hallway toward her. His words slurred under the wash of whiskey.

  Kayla knew better than to respond.

  “Thanks to your fucking job, I’m stuck in this dump alone every day.” Kevin took a swig of something that resembled burnt motor oil.

  What’s holding you back from finding your own job? Kayla withheld. She wouldn’t dare breath those words to him. The last time she mentioned finding him a job, he handed her a broken jaw.

  “Because of you I have to find a good fuck on the side of the road. Does that make you happy?” His hand wrapped around the back of her neck. He applied pressure forcing her cheek against the cold metal door.

  Kayla’s heart was broken. Not only for herself but also for the minor cowering under the sheets in the next room. She couldn’t remain silent any longer. Her next words were chosen carefully. “You could go to jail for even thinking about touching her. She’s a child, Kevin.”

  Kevin wound his fist back, ready to bring it down hard against Kayla’s vulnerable flesh. “I could fucking kill you right now.” He spat in her face.

  Kayla gathered what strength she had. “Let me go and I won’t lock you up.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut as Kevin slammed his fist through the drywall beside her. Adrenaline pumped through her veins forcing her to make a decision that might change everything she knew. There was no better opportunity, she slipped through the door and ran. For the first time in her life, Kayla didn’t look back.

  ***

  Sipping her café latte, Kayla tapped her foot impatiently waiting for something to happen. Feeling her heartbeat in her throat was not a sensation Kayla was unfamiliar with. However, this time it was different. It was a sensation of excitement and rejuvenation. Finally freedom greeted her without waving a choice finger.

  “Kay, girl, what did I miss?” Lonnie slumped down beside Kayla stealing a sip of her latte. He winced at the bitterness and slid the cup back toward her. “What happened to drinking macchiato and double whips?”

  Kayla could only taste the bitterness of blood, she was biting her tongue so hard. Where would she begin? “I missed you, Lon.”

  Lonnie waived a passive hand in her direction. “Girl, you know I’m always here. Don’t be such a stranger.”

  “What have you been up to?” Kayla decided to shift the spotlight toward Lonnie while she gathered her own thoughts.

  “What have I been up to recently? Or what have I been up to over the past eighteen months?” Lonnie pursed his lips and turned his nose up.

  Heat reached Kayla’s cheeks. She hadn�
��t spoken to Lonnie since the first incident with Kevin. Lonnie begged her to press charges but Kayla argued it wouldn’t happen again, she loved Kevin. Even though, deep down, she always knew Lonnie was right.

  “I’m so sorry Lonnie.” The apology stained her lips. Kayla reached for her friend’s hand. “Tell me everything.”

  He bounced up with a forgiving smile wiped across his face. “I met someone.” He started, coyly.

  She was uncertain why, but Kayla felt a pang of guilt and envy strike her. Through a forced smile, “Tell me all about him! How did you meet?”

  “Oh Kay, baby girl, he is an absolute diva. I am so in love. You must meet him.” Lonnie took another hesitant sip of Kayla’s latte. “We met online sweetie! It’s unbelievable how many people there are in the universe just waiting to meet you. Rin is from Yeba.” His amusement captured Kayla’s full attention.

  “Yeba? That’s the new galaxy uncovered by Industrial Cosmos isn’t it?” Kayla recalled her previous interview with Mr. Gosbin.

  “Not only did they discover it but they have secured a truce. The solar highway passes right by Yeba. It’s strange that they hadn’t discovered it sooner.” Lonnie shook with excitement. “You’ll start seeing more and more Yebans on Earth now Kay. Rin is my soul mate. It feels like only yesterday space travel was so far beyond our reach and now it’s possible to find love in another galaxy!”

  “I left Kevin.” Tears burdened Kayla’s eyes. She could sense her mother rolling over six feet below.

  Lonnie’s eyes brightened but then settled when he realized his friend might need compassion prior to celebration. “Kay…” he grasped Kayla’s hands. “What happened?”

  “I caught him in bed with someone else.” Kayla was resentful. Fastidiously, she admitted the words she fought for so long to harbor. “But that wasn’t all. He hit me far too many times. So hard that I finally saw a glimmer of light.” Her weak attempt to play it off coolly.

  Silence surrounded them. Lonnie scrambled the words together. “I’m proud of you.”

  “Sure you are.” Kayla tossed her green eyes to the side. “You always hated Kevin.”