A December to Remember: a Holiday Romance Anthology

by Howe, Olivia

  I didn't slow until I reached the circle of kids right next to the class I had left Ezzie in less than an hour before. Pushing my way through the crowd my heart beat widely when my fears came true and I saw Ezzie. Determination was the only emotion present on her face as she stared down the crowd. Her slim shoulders were pulled back and her chin was tilted up as she eyed the lynch mob of New Orleans high.

  "My crazy aunt Milda went to her so she could talk to her dead cat," the captain of the cheerleading team named Kimberly sneered. Her lackey worshippers snickered as they shot Ezzie looks of disgust.

  "Actually, she wanted me to ask your grandfather if you were adopted. She couldn't understand how she could be related to someone so vile."

  Kimberly's body jerked back from Ezzie's retort. Kimberly had become the queen of the school when her boobs magically appeared on her body in Junior high. She ruled the school with cruelty from atop a pyramid of lowly cheerleaders. Ezzie seemed to have shocked Kimberly when she didn't wilt from her toxic words. A smile hit my face from the pride I felt.

  All eyes were moved back and forth from Ezzie to Kimberly. Some of Kimberly's clones shifted their feet uncomfortably, unsure what to do for their leader. While everyone focused on Ezzie and Kimberly, I maneuvered myself until I was directly behind Ezzie. As much as I wanted to put my arms around her and give her my strength I stayed back, knowing she was strong enough to handle some petty filled high school girl.

  Kimberly's shock wore off quickly, and she started screaming. Her arms swung wildly as she accused Ezzie of being a witch. My body yearned to step closer to Ezzie but I refused, not wanting Ezzie to appear weak.

  "What's going on here?" Mrs. Salem asked, walking out of her classroom.

  "Oh, nothing," Kimberly said, turning to Mrs. Salem with innocence written on her face.

  Mrs. Salem eyed the crowd, her thin lips pursed to one side as she tried to figure out what to do. "I suggest you all move along to your next class."

  Everyone dispersed quickly murmuring about the encounter they had just witnessed. Mrs. Salem watched the crowd. As soon as her attention was removed, Ezzie leaned toward Kimberly, and whispered quietly, "Don't mess with me. Oh, and sorry about the pimple."

  Kimberly's eyes grew wide before she ran to the bathroom.

  "Come on witch. Let's get you to class." I chuckled as I entangled my fingers with Ezzie's pulling her along the hall.

  When we made it to her next class, Ezzie stopped me before I could walk away. "Thank you."

  "For what?"

  "For standing behind me, and letting me handle the situation myself. And for not telling me to deny who I am just so I would fit in."

  "I would never make you pretend to be someone you aren't."

  Ezzie surprised me by pushing up on her tip-toes, and kissing me lightly on the lips giving us our first kiss. Just the small touch of her lips ghosting across mine felt like I had been plunged into ice water with a live toaster. Every nerve in my body made its presence known as electricity whipped through my body.

  "See you after class," she said before rushing into her classroom leaving me standing in the hallway with a goofy grin plastered on my face.

  *

  The next day when we walked into school hand and hand it felt as if the whole student body stopped to point at us.

  "Do you know what's going on?" I asked Ezzie as we continued to walk toward her first class.

  "I have an idea," she said mysteriously. She wore a sly smile on her face as she slowly made eye contact with every set of eyes we moved by.

  Before I could ask her to explain, Kimberly stormed across the quad, her face filled with rage. Ezzie came to halt jerking me back so we were standing side by side. She squeezed my hand the only indication she was nervous about what was going to happen.

  "You, you, you witch," Kimberly screamed when she reached us.

  Once again a group of students swarmed around the two girls waiting for a morning show before their mundane classes called them to order.

  "Nice pimple," Ezzie replied.

  My eyes zeroed in on the spot on Kimberly’s nose caked with cover-up right before her hand blocked it.

  "What's wrong with you?" Kimberly asked behind her hand.

  "Me? I'm not the one who went out of her way to be cruel to someone just because they're different. Yes, I can see spirits. People come to me for help, for closure. I have never done anything to harm someone purposely the way you did to me yesterday. One of these days your minions are going to realize the only reason you're popular is because they're scared of the hell you'll put them through." Ezzie grabbed my hand and pulled me around Kimberly, not giving her another second of her time.

  "You gave me a pimple. You witch," Kimberly yelled at our backs.

  "You did that to yourself," Ezzie said not turning around.

  Students snickered at Kimberly's persistence that Ezzie had cursed her. When we reached Ezzie's class, I pulled her into a hug kissing the top of her head.

  "I'm so proud of you for not backing down or sinking to her level. I have to ask, how did you know she was going to get a pimple?"

  "I can't share all my secrets with you Jake."

  "Keep your secrets then. I'll see you after class my little witch."

  I kissed Ezzie on the lips, feeling the same zap of electricity I felt on our first kiss.

  After the incident with Kimberly, school calmed down. Other drama claimed the gossip mongers, but Ezzie did something that day to shift the school for the better. A slow change happened, Kimberly's entourage slimmed down her followers no longer under her control. People began to look at Ezzie with respect, no longer sending her sneering glances.

  Chapter 3

  During the three years of high school Ezzie and I became the it couple. Ezzie's kind spirit made people gravitate toward her and soon she was the center of attention. She never took her popularity for granted, and made sure everyone was treated equally.

  My lanky body transformed, shedding my gangly limbs for toned muscle. Ezzie grew more beautiful with every day that went by, and I thanked whoever had made her my soulmate every time my eyes landed on her.

  Kimberly ended up moving to another school the end of our sophomore year. Our junior year I got a job helping one of Mama Cleo's clients with their construction business, helping my body become even more defined. My goal was to own a bar like Voodoo, and Mama Cleo thought it would help to learn the construction side so I could start my business from the ground up.

  *

  Our senior graduation night finally came. My nerves were on high alert as I attempted a Windsor knot for the forth time.

  "Need help?" my mother asked as she walked into my room. Her black hair was pulled in a bun on the top of her head, and a sad smile graced her face as she took in my appearance.

  "Yes," I answered her, letting my arms fall to my side so she could fix the mess around my neck.

  She moved in front of me her small frame barely reaching my collarbone. I stared at myself as she worked her magic.

  "I'm so proud of you. My baby boy's graduating." She sniffled as she patted my tie into place. "I love you so much." She threw her slim arms around my neck and sniffled into my shirt.

  "There's my boy." My dad walked into my room, throwing me a wink when my eyes met his in the mirror.

  My mom pulled back sniffling as my dad pulled her back against his chest. They both stared at me with love shining in their eyes. We stood in front of the mirror and I studied our reflection.

  I was the perfect mix of my parents. My mom’s dark skin and my dad’s pale complexion provided me a light mocha coloring. I inherited my honey brown eyes from my mom, but my tall muscular frame was all my dads. My dark hair was a mix of browns that curled slightly around my ears when I let it grow.

  "Are you ready for this?" my dad asked, putting his hand on my shoulder and giving it a squeeze.

  I reached in my pocked and grasped the ring
box tightly. "I am," I answered, and realized I was. I couldn't wait for Ezzie to be my wife so we could start our life together.

  My mom's eyes dimmed as she watched me. "Remember tonight's just the beginning of the many amazing things that are to come. Don't forget your mom and dad."

  "Marie he'll be fine." My dad eyed my mom shooting her a glance that was beyond me.

  "I know, Carmine. I just worry." My mom kissed my cheek before grabbing my dad's hand and leading him out of my room. "Hurry up and get ready. Your grandma has something for you."

  I grabbed my suit jacket off of my bed and walked out into my parent’s living room where Mama Cleo was waiting for me. She stood up and smiled as I walked over to her.

  "Hi, Mama Cleo. You look beautiful." And she did. She wore a light pink dress with her hair covered in a matching turban.

  She patted my cheek her rough hands were soothing against my skin. "Such a good boy." Mama Cleo reached inside her oversized purple purse and pulled out a thick white envelope.

  "What is it?" I asked, taking it from her but not moving my eyes from her face.

  "Open it and find out, silly boy."

  My mouth went dry as I stared down at my future looking up at me. It was a deed to a run down bar on the outskirts of Manhattan, I’d been researching.

  "Go find your future, baby," Mama Cleo whispered.

  *

  The ceremony was a blur as the ring in my pocket seemed to get heavier with every name called. I kept glancing back trying to catch a glimpse of Ezzie but she was too far away. As soon as the commencement was over I flung my hat in the air and searched for Ezzie.

  She wasn't hard to find her black hair was like a beacon as we gravitated toward each other. "We did it," she cried as she jumped up and wrapped her legs around my waist. Reigning kisses all over my face.

  My hands grasped her ass as I walked her out of the celebrating students in search of our family.

  "I'm so proud of you," I told her, kissing her neck nipping on the skin with my teeth. Her body broke out with goosebumps as my teeth scrapped over her.

  "Jake, I want you to be my first tonight."

  I groaned and rested my forehead to hers. With the presence of Big Sam at every turn, as per Mama Cleo's request, Ezzie and I were still in possession of our virginity. "What about Big Sam?" I asked.

  She lifted her face from mine and dazzled me with a smile.

  "He won't want to watch what I have planned for you." She winked before unwrapping her legs from my waist.

  Our parents descended on us before I could think of a proper response. At Ezzie's words, my brain no longer had blood flowing to it. My body begged me to throw her over my shoulder and drive her straight to the hotel to have my way with her. The amount of restraint I showed during dinner should have earned me a medal of the highest degree.

  Mama Cleo must have noticed my fidgeting as the waiter cleared the dinner dishes. "You two kids get out of here. I'm sure you have better things to do than hang out with us old people."

  "Who are you calling old? You don't look a day over thirty," my dad said, leaning over and kissing Mama Cleo on the cheek.

  "Always the sweet talker."

  After saying our goodbyes, I hustled Ezzie to my car and drove us to a small bed and breakfast. Ezzie held my hand as I drove. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail as she stared out the window giving me a view of her worried face.

  "Are you ok? We don't have to do anything you don't want to."

  "Jake, stop. I love you."

  "I love you too, Ezzie. I would wait forever for you."

  Her head whipped around, and she pierced me with her blue eyes. "Don't forget that Jake." Her voice was low but serious.

  "I won't."

  "Promise?"

  Her voice took on a pleading quality and my stomach felt like it had turned into a block of ice. The fear in her eyes did something that hadn't happened once since meeting her. It made me question if we were going to make it.

  "Ezzie, I promise with everything I am, I'll wait for you."

  Her shoulders relaxed and the grip she had on my hand loosened. She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek, resting her head on my shoulder. We were both quiet as fear clawed at me.

  The worry in my stomach didn't leave, even as the smell of her hair wafted to my nose. Something was off and I couldn't figure out what it was, making it impossible to fix. When I parked the car twenty minutes later, my skin felt tight and the energy that always surrounded Ezzie felt wrong.

  Chapter 4

  "Jake it's beautiful," Ezzie said as she studied the small cottage in front of us. It looked like something straight from a fairytale. The outside was made up of white wall with patches of smooth rock jutting out making it look magical. The sloped roof was decorated in fairy lights making it look even more surreal.

  "Come on," I said, unbuckling and stepping out of the car. Ezzie waited for me to come around and open her door. I bent down and extended my hand. "My dear your fairytale awaits."

  "Why thank you kind sir." Ezzie placed her small hand in mine and I noticed the clammy feeling seeping out of her skin.

  I shook off the worry not wanting to ruin our night. I would have our whole future to fix whatever was bothering her.

  "Dance with me Jake." Ezzie linked her arms around my neck and molded her body to mine. Her head rested right below my chin, her hair tickling my nose. I buried my face in her hair and held her tighter as we swayed under the darkening sky.

  With every second she spent in my arms some of my worry melted away. She was mine. My soul recognized her as soon as I saw her sipping chocolate milk through a straw. The unsettling feeling had to be nerves the tiny box in my suit jacket was causing. I wanted to offer Ezzie the world, to make her life everything we dreamed of and more. Failure was not an option when it came to giving Ezzie the life she deserved.

  "Jake I love you so much," she whispered into my chest as the night air cooled around us.

  "I love you too." We remained locked together not uttering a word until I felt Ezzie shiver in my arms. "Come on let's get you inside."

  Ezzie gasped when opened the door to the small cabin. Before getting ready for graduation I came by and decorated it. Twinkling lights were strung around the ceiling and I placed vases full of wildflowers, Ezzie's favorite, on the nightstand. Classical music flowed throughout the room, and on the bed was a big stuffed ghost with a heart on his chest.

  "I love him," Ezzie cried, running over and hugging the ghost to her chest.

  "Damn, are you trading me in?"

  "There will never be someone else, Jake."

  "Good because you're it for me." I leaned down and captured her lips.

  My hands slipped into her mass of hair, pulling her tighter to me. Ezzie moaned into my mouth and I stilled, this was normally the moment she stopped me because Big Sam was near.

  "It's just us tonight, Jake. I want you to be my first."

  "I want you to be my first and only. I love you, Ezzie."

  The worry I felt all day surged inside me afraid of messing up. Ezzie must have sensed my apprehension, she pulled away from my lips and led me to the bed. Climbing on the edge of the bed she perched on her knees and tugged my head down to hers.

  "Jake it's us. There's no need to worry."

  With those magic words my fear melted away and I concentrated on owning the confidence she had given me.

  Afterward we lay tangled together. Ezzie's head rested on my shoulder as I traced a path up and down her spine. I kissed the top of her curls content and happy.

  "Are you ok?" I asked after the silence stretched out longer than my nerves could handle.

  "I couldn't be happier."

  A smile settled on my lips until a yawn slugged me in the mouth. I’d been up early getting the room ready and the day was wearing on me. Ezzie pushed up on her elbow, and looked down with a mischievous smile.

  "Don't think you're sleepi
ng tonight, mister. I’ve waited a long time to get you in bed and I'm going to use every second of it."

  "Yes, Ma'am."

  She kissed my lips and climbed out of bed.

  "Where do you think you're going?" I asked, reaching for her.

  "I have to go to the bathroom, and then I'll be ready for round two. Don't you dare fall asleep."

  "I wouldn't dream of it." My eyes were glued to her naked ass as she strutted across the room to the bathroom. My body hardened ready for round two, but then I got another idea. I jumped out of bed and rummaged through my discarded clothes. When my hand wrapped around the ring box I had to stop myself from letting out a victory cry.

  Tip-toeing across the room, I positioned myself on one knee in front of the bathroom door as I held the ring out in one hand. Ezzie walked out of the bathroom, the moonlight shining from the window silhouetting her slim frame. It took her a moment to realize what was happening, and when she did her hand slammed over her mouth as she shook her head back and forth.

  "Ezzie, I have loved you from the moment I saw you, and I'm sure I loved you before that. The first words you said to me when we met were…that you were going to marry me. I would like to make that prediction come true."

  Tears spilled out of her eyes as she stared at the tiny emerald surrounded by diamonds. I plucked it out of the box and reached for her other hand so I could place it on her finger.

  "Stop!" Ezzie yelled, her hand tearing away from her mouth.

  "Do you not like the ring? We can exchange it." A feeling of dread washed over me as she stepped back. I jumped off my knee ready to run after her if I needed to.

  "Why? Why would you propose to me?"

  "Because I love you. I thought this is what you would want. It's what I want." My brain felt lightheaded, and my heart raced as if some crucial part of my body was no longer in working order.

  "Don't you remember? I told you the first day we met not to propose to me on graduation night." Her body was ridged. Her arms wrapped around her middle almost as if she was trying to hold herself together.