by Shane Morgan
“Really, girl?”
“Yeah really.”
“Thanks, Moya. I know you wanted me to work things out with Calvin but Warren’s a good guy. I feel so relaxed with him. He’s like the nicest Christmas gift,” she oozed with joy.
As tired as she sounded before, I found it interesting how her voice perked up when she started talking about Warren.
“So, what you did get me?” she switched the topic.
“Uh-uh. You’ll see later. What did you get me?”
“Not telling,” she sing-sang. “Anyways, I’m gonna jump in the shower then call my boo. See you in a bit.”
“All right, girl. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas!”
The moment Vanessa hung up, I called Branden. He sounded so low when he answered, weighed down by his troubles.
“Merry Christmas, babe.”
“Same to you,” he replied, unenthusiastic.
I started to regret calling him in such a cheerful manner when Christmas was obviously not so merry at his house. Geez! What was I thinking?
“How are you doing?” I asked, sitting on my bed Indian style.
“Okay,” he answered after exhaling. “Wish I was with you right now,” he added.
“Me too. Later on I guess.”
“Yeah, it’d be selfish of me to take you away from your family on Christmas. I want you for New Year’s Eve though. When that clock hits midnight, I want your face, your eyes, to be the first I see in the New Year.”
I couldn’t control my racing heart. The butterflies began to swarm around again. I laid back on my bed and drew in a deep breath before saying, “You really know how to drive a girl crazy. How do I top that?”
“It’s easy, Moya. Never stop loving me.”
We both fell quiet for a minute, with nothing but our breathing filling the background. I sat up and leaned against the headboard, giving careful thought before saying, “Branden, I’m ready.”
“Ready for what?” he asked, oblivious.
I made myself clear, “Ready to take our relationship further.”
“Oh,” he paused in thought. “Oh…okay.”
“What’s the matter? You don’t want to anymore?”
“Of course I do, babe. I’ve wanted you since day one. I mean,” he backtracked. “That’s not all I’ve thought about, it’s just that you’re so…sexy, and tempting, and it’s really hard for me to not want to touch you in every way possible. Moya, you have this fire. It pulls me in deeper and deeper whenever I’m with you.”
His words warmed my soul. I raised my free hand to my neck and massaged it as if to loosen the intensity.
“I know what you mean,” I finally uttered. “I feel it every time I’m with you, too.”
“I can tell,” the playfulness in his voice returned.
“Oh really? How so?” I spoke in a sensual way, like those women in the love-line commercials on TV.
“Well, you can’t keep your hands off me.”
“Ha! How interesting, I recall you had quite a handful last night,” I teased, remembering he’d felt on my butt.
“Mmm. A handful indeed,” his voice was silky-smooth, and laced with desire. My skin got hot.
“Moya!”
I snapped out of my dirty thoughts as Momma bellowed from down the hallway. I suppressed the rising emotions and calmed my racing heart.
“I gotta go help my momma in the kitchen now, but I’ll talk to you later when everything’s settled down, okay?”
“Sure, babe. Merry Christmas.”
It made me smile, hearing him say it. That meant he’d cheered up a bit in spite of his issues.
“Merry Christmas, Branden.”
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Branden
Slipping out of bed, I wiped my face in the palm of my hands then walked over to the windows to pull away the drapes. Moya made me feel positive, like I shouldn’t waste away the day.
Turning from the window, I headed over to the bathroom, glimpsing the bag she’d given me last night. It was on the chair in the corner of the room. I walked over and snatched it up, sitting down with it on my lap.
I couldn’t hold back my grin as I reached inside and took out the box. Eagerly, I ripped off the wrapping and opened it up. The combination of red, white and blue had me awestruck. Not only had my girlfriend gotten me a Washington Capitals hockey jersey of my favorite player, she managed to get one with Alex Ovechkin’s autograph as well.
I shot up from the chair, excited, looking over the jersey as if it wasn’t real. I bustled over to the table by my bed and picked up my phone, wanting to call her back and thank her for such a brilliant gift, only to remember she was helping her mom. I didn’t want to disrupt so I decided to wait and call her later as planned. This was definitely the best gift though.
My excitement ceased with a rap at my room door. Mom’s voice resounded from outside. “Branden, are you up?”
“Yeah,” I answered, placing the jersey on my bed. “Come in.”
“Merry Christmas,” she chuckled, reaching a small box out to me the second she entered.
“Thank you,” I muttered. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I opened the box and saw it was a sleek, black Movado watch.
“Do you like it?” Mom sat down next to me, resting her hand on my shoulder.
Gazing over at her, I nodded. “Yeah, it’s nice. Thank you.” I kissed her on the cheek. It was half-assed, and by the expression on her face when I pulled away, I could tell she knew.
“You think it’s too much,” she said, covering the box and taking it out of my hand. She glanced behind at the jersey. “I should have gotten you something like that.”
“Mom, stop.” I stood. “It’s a nice gift.”
Slowly, she rose to her feet and leaned in for a hug. “You’re welcome. Your brother didn’t have the same reaction though.”
“Ashton’s home?” I asked as she backed away and started for the door.
“Surprisingly, he came home last night. It’s the first Christmas in three years that he’s spent at home. Isn’t that something?” She smiled as she turned and opened the door, stepping outside. “I guess I have to make my sons Christmas dinner later.”
She closed my room door and I heard her steps going down the stairs. There was something about her sentence that didn’t sit well with me. Have to? It wasn’t an obligation, so if it inconvenienced her too much she didn’t have to make us dinner on Christmas.
Shortly after taking a shower, I walked across the hall to Ashton’s room, knocking once on the door. He mumbled for me to enter. Ashton was sitting in the chair by his bed. The curtains were drawn; the room was dark as night.
“Geez, I’m surprised Mom didn’t bug you about this room?” I joked, leaning against the wall with my arms folded.
His face remained serious, staring at the carpet, toying around with the watch Mom gave him. It was an exact replica of the one she gave me.
“You all right?”
He snorted, sat up straight, and eyed me intently. “Define all right, Branden. How exactly is all this,” he waved his hand about, “all right?”
“Ash, chill out. You’re acting as if you’re the only one dealing with shit—”
“I know I’m not. At least I’m not pretending everything’s fine like you and mom.”
“Whoa! No one’s pretending—”
“Of course you are! What the hell is this then?” he tossed the watch onto his bed.
“She just wanted to get you something for Christmas. What’s wrong with that?” I didn’t get his burst of anger now.
Ashton grunted and laughed sarcastically. “Oh come on, Branden. It’s what she does whenever we have problems in our family. She buys expensive gifts to try to make us not think about it. Doesn’t matter if it’s the holiday, that stupid watch is the first of many to come ’cause she wants me to feel sorry for her and not go to Spain.”
Slouching, I stuck my hands inside the pockets of my sweat
pants. “I doubt she’d use expensive watches to persuade you to stay in Maryland, bro.”
He sank down on the edge of the bed. “Oh yeah, where’s your black Movado watch, Branden? I’m sure she got you the same thing.” He paused for a moment then released a husky laugh. “She knows we never liked having the same things, ever since we were kids. Why’d she go out and buy us the same watches?”
I stood quiet, sorting out everything inside my head. Maybe Ashton was right. Mom did have a tendency to get us gifts when things were bad. For some strange reason, she had this mentality that she needed to buy our love.
Ashton got up and strolled over to his walk-in closet, taking out suitcases.
“Wow,” I straightened, easing off the wall. “You can’t wait to get out of here, huh?”
“No. I cannot.” He stopped and pointed a look over his shoulder at me. “Sorry, little bro. Hate to bail on you with our crazy parents, but I want to start living my own life without them trying to control it.”
He started to go through his closet again, deciding what he wanted to take with him, and what to leave behind. There was no doubt he’d disregard all the stuff Mom and Dad got him, skimming through most of what he bought for himself.
I left him to it, not uttering another word. There was good logic in what he’d said, about living his own life. I’d have to do the same soon…very soon.
***
After our silent Christmas dinner ended, I went to visit Dad at his new apartment in Pasadena. He’d called me earlier so I decided to bring him his present instead of waiting for him to stop by. It must be a horrible feeling, showing up at the house he helped design and not being able to step inside it.
Dad lived only five minutes away. His condo overlooked Severn River and Harrington. You’d think some people going through a divorce would live in more of a subtle manner, not my father. Luxury was a way of life since birth.
“Bran,” he laughed, giving me a hug the second he opened the door and invited me in.
I entered the open area and glanced around, it looked as if he was living here by himself, as opposed to what Mom might believe.
“This is for you,” I said, turning to face him.
A genuine smile crossed his lips. “Thanks, son, I really appreciate it.” He didn’t even open my gift, settling it on a table next to the large white sofa.
He gestured with his hand, “Sit down. Let’s talk a bit.”
“What do you want to talk about?” I urged, sitting out on the sofa.
Dad appeared nervous, fearful to tell me what was on his mind. He’d never been this way before.
“Branden, you have to know that regardless of all the crap your mother had to endure with me, along with what I’ve caused you and your brother, that I’ll always love you both no matter what.”
“I know, Dad. What’s going on?”
Exhaling deeply, he folded his hands and said, “I’m going to marry Karen.”
My brows shot up, surprised. “The woman you left mom for?”
He bobbed his head, “Yes.”
“Ashton and I haven’t even met her…” I drifted, realizing it didn’t even matter. I had no interest in meeting her, or any other woman he’d cheated on my mother with. They couldn’t get my respect for sleeping around with a married man.
“I was hoping you and your brother would have dinner with us, tomorrow night?” he sounded hopeful.
I looked him straight in the eye and said, “No.”
“No?” Dad wrinkled his brows, perplexed. “But, I thought you understood that your mother and I don’t—”
“That’s not why.” I got up. “Look, I know you and mom are over. I get it. I just can’t believe how quickly you want to go and marry someone else. Your divorce isn’t even final. You only moved out two days ago.”
He rose to his feet as well. “Branden…Karen and I got engaged a few weeks ago. I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell—”
“What?” I combed back my hair abruptly. “Geez, Dad.”
“I know it makes me seem like an even bigger jerk, but I want to be honest with you. Branden, I love Karen. I’ve even hurt her before by breaking things off to work on my marriage.”
“Why did you even bother?”
“Because I wanted to keep our family together,” he walked over to the sliding glass door and stared at the darkening sky.
“After you got sick again it scared the crap outta me. I started to think about my actions and the kind of man I was. I had a wake-up call so to speak.” Dad spun to face me. “I tried to find the feelings I had for Deb, to save what was left of our marriage. But I couldn’t. And then one day I finally realized that it was over. There was nothing more I could do. Your mother hated me for my past infidelities, and I was angry with her for hers. That’s not the kind of marriage any couple should have. I don’t know if we’ll ever be friends again either.”
Walking back towards me, he squeezed my shoulder as he continued, “Branden, you and your brother aren’t kids anymore. There’s no point in me staying for you two. We all need to move on from this. For me, that means moving on with Karen. She’s a wonderful woman; kind and passionate. I’ve been nothing but happy since re-connecting with her.”
I didn’t know how to react to this. Obviously, my father was in love again. He appeared much more at peace and less miserable than when he was at home.
“I’m…” I cleared my throat. “I’m happy for you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it’s all I can be.”
Dad opened his arms and gave me a quick hug, patting my back.
“There’s something I want to tell you, since we’re confessing our feelings,” I snorted.
“Sure, go ahead. I’m all ears.”
Swallowing the lump that had suddenly formed in my throat, I built up the nerve to say, “I feel the same about Moya, and I want to marry her.”
He froze for a moment, not making a sound. Then he broke through the silence, “It’s normal to love someone so strongly when you first start dating, but marriage…Branden…” he shook his head. “That’s a huge step and something you shouldn’t be impulsive about—”
“This coming from you—”
“I was with Karen for two years, son. Whether or not what we were doing was right, I’ve still been with her for that long.”
“It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been with the person, Dad.” I was getting agitated. “What’s important is knowing they’re the right one for you. Moya is the right one.”
“That’s what you said about Samantha,” he reminded, looking unmoved by my words. “You remember how in love you two were, making plans to get married and have kids one day?”
I rotated and started to leave. “You’re just like Mom, pretending to like Moya when you’re rooting for my ex.”
“Branden, wait. That’s not true. I don’t want you going back to Samantha. Not after the way she treated you.”
I stopped in front of the door, resting my hand on the handle.
“Moya’s a nice girl,” he continued. “She has a great personality and I would love for you two to work out. All I’m saying is give it some time; be absolutely sure.”
Opening the door, I peered back at him over my shoulder. “I am sure. She’s the one I want to be with for the rest of my life.”
“Then…” he walked over. “You have my support, son.”
“Thanks,” I said in a low tone, stepping outside. That was one support I needed. Mom wouldn’t be as easy to convince.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Moya
Our Christmas dinner went well as always, concluding with everyone sharing and opening gifts in the living room. I gave Vanessa a charm bracelet and navy blue gloves, and she gave me a jewelry set that included gold teardrop earrings and a matching necklace and ring. She bought my mom a nice black hat to wear to church, and I gave Patricia a sapphire lace shawl; a suitable gift for Vanessa’s stylish mom.
As the evening
turned into night, I’d given up on Daddy coming by. It’d probably be too awkward for him, but I still would have loved seeing him on Christmas for the first time in so many years.
Shortly after Vanessa and her mom left, Daddy’s car pulled up in front of the house while I was coming up the steps of the porch. I stood still, peering back, yet my insides were skipping with excitement.
He turned the car off and hopped out, coming through the gate and down the walkway. “Hey, baby girl. Merry Christmas.”
I turned fully to face him as he drew closer. “Merry Christmas,” I replied. “Changed your mind about dinner?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t want things to be…you know me and Patricia never really got along.”
“It’s okay,” I said dryly, pretending like I didn’t care.
“I got you something.” He handed me a small, green gift bag with an ivory bow at the front.
Taking it from his hand, I opened up the bag and peeked inside. There was a teddy bear wearing a heart-shaped silver necklace, daddy’s girl engraved on it.
“Thank you,” I murmured. “I got you something too. Wanna come in out of the cold?”
“Sure.”
He followed me inside and stalled in the foyer while I walked into the living room to get his card. Momma came out of the kitchen as I strolled back over to him, drying her hands in a towel.
“Hi, Joseph,” she greeted him.
“Marie. Sorry I couldn’t come by earlier—”
“It’s no problem. I knew you were apprehensive about that. I only wanted to make up for something I took away.”
Daddy glanced away from her and stared at me with contentment in his almond-shaped eyes. “That’s over now. Let’s move on.”
I cleared my throat and reached the card out to him. He took it with a smile.
“I couldn’t think of what to get you because I don’t know…” I stopped myself from finishing as his eyes snapped up fast.
“Never mind about that,” he continued to smile at me. “This is a nice card. I really appreciate it, baby girl.”
“I was thinking if you weren’t too busy tomorrow at your jewelry store, then maybe we could spend a little time together.”