The Christmas Tree Guy

by Railyn Stone

  The couple made their rounds and it was clear after an hour or so into the party, Quinn had hit it off with the majority of the crowd, especially the ladies; black and white. She noticed the double takes as they moved from room to room. Sydnee stood back and watched as he mingled. It was scary how reminiscent it was of Matt and his charm. She finally breathed easier when he and Gavin and a few of the other guys started talking about everything from sports to politics and was happy at the ease of how he fit right in.

  “You. Come with me,” Mina whispered in her ear and pulled Sydnee into the kitchen, followed closely by Sara. “What are you doing?”

  “What are you talking about, Mina?” Sydnee asked with a half-smile, shaking free of Mina’s hold on her arm once the door closed behind them.

  “I can’t believe you. First, you bring a date even after I told you I invited Andrew for you to meet tonight. And then you bring one that probably has a curfew and a membership to the NRA. What are you doing, Sydnee?”

  “Mina, first of all, I didn’t ask you to invite someone for me to meet. Every time you do, the guy ends up being some kind of pervert or he’s absolutely so stuck on himself, I never get a word in edgewise. And that NRA comment was unnecessary and rude.” Sydnee stood with her mouth open, appalled at her friend’s attitude.

  “She’s got a point, Mina.”

  “Shut up, Sara,” Mina squinted her eyes pointedly at her cousin. “Sydnee, you are committing dating suicide. You have a guy out there that is hot and available, and he’s your age, and you come in here with some guy that is barely legal and-”

  “And what, Mina?” Sydnee challenged.

  “Quinn’s pretty hot himself,” Sara chimed in, plucking a carrot stick from one of the platters on the counter.

  “Shut up, Sara.” Mina glared at her and then turned back to Sydnee. “Honey, I’m sure he’s perfect for some little social sorority college co-ed, but you are a grown woman with children. How can he possibly be someone that would have the potential for taking care of you and the boys?”

  “Mina, does every man have to have a portfolio the size of Bill Gates? You act like I’m getting married tomorrow. Quinn and I are just having fun and I don’t see what the problem is.” Sydnee was more than a little taken aback at Mina’s comments and her attitude towards her bringing Quinn to the party. She had never appointed Mina to be her personal matchmaker and it was presumptuous of her to believe she knew what was best for Sydnee.

  “Look, Sydnee, I understand you have to ‘play the game’ to move up in a career and to get ahead sometimes, but, you don’t bring it home with you.” Sydnee’s mouth dropped at the sound of Mina’s backward mentality and the horrid things tumbling out of her mouth.

  “Exactly what is ‘it’ you’re referring to, Mina? You have a room full of people out there from all kinds of backgrounds, so what are you saying?” Sydnee could feel her pulse racing. The total shock of hearing someone she believed to be a friend saying the things she was saying was appalling and hypocritical.

  “You know what I mean, Sydnee. All of those people out there are professionals. People Aaron either works with or his company does business with. This party is to help Aaron with moving up in the company. Help build his network. You do what you have to do. But really, out of all of the men out there you could be dating, you bring Eminem with you?”

  “Are you kidding me?” Sydnee gasped, her eyes wide as saucers. She couldn’t believe Mina and her nerve and she swallowed hard trying to fathom exactly what Mina was insinuating.

  “Oh come on, Sydnee. Really? What does he know about you other than the fact he wants to sleep with you? You are an older woman. Forbidden fruit. Once he’s slept with you how long do you think he will stick around? This is no different than back in the day when we weren’t good enough to do anything more than nurse their babies and cook their food during the day, and by night ‘Massa’ was snooping around the slave’s quarters to get what he couldn’t get up in the big house. How long do you think this is really going to last? Wake up.”

  Sydnee stood absolutely still. Reeling from the shock of Mina’s hate laced remarks, she felt heat rising through her neck and she narrowed her eyes at Mina. “How dare you? You must be out of your mind. Quinn is a very nice, warm and respectable man.” Disgusted by Mina’s attitude, she gritted her teeth and breathed deeply. She knew people would have some adverse feelings toward her dating him, but she was truly shocked at the horrid, evil things spewing out of Mina’s mouth. “I can’t believe you. I don’t have a problem with him, and if I don’t, you shouldn’t either, as my friend.”

  “I am your friend, Sydnee. That’s why I’m saying this. He’s young, and what does he possibly know about you? I mean, he has no clue about us,” Mina spat, obviously referring to their cultural differences.

  “No clue about us? I have no clue about you! Just how do you know what he knows or doesn’t know? And, so what? Men do it all the time. What’s wrong with it when a woman decides to go out with a younger man?” Sydnee was so angry, she was close to tears and her insides churned as she glared at Mina. How could her friend say such hurtful things about someone who was quickly becoming very special to her?

  “Amen. There’s nothing wrong with it, Sydnee. I happen to think Quinn’s nice. If you are happy, which it looks like you are, then go for it.” Sydnee was somewhat relieved to hear Sara’s support. At least she knew one friend would always be there for her and she knew where she stood with her.

  “Sara, stay out of this.” Mina turned to look at her cousin leaning against the counter picking carrots from a serving tray.

  “No, Mina, you stay out of it.” Sara retorted, wiping her hands and moving closer to where the two stood. “Sydnee’s been through a lot and if this guy is helping her have fun and get her smile back, then what’s the problem?”

  “Are you serious? It’s one thing that he’s younger, but you chose one that’s young and white. Where is this going? What are people going to think?” Mina asked, turning back to Sydnee as if she owed her some kind of explanation.

  “Okay, really, Mina. That’s none of yours or anyone else’s business and I don’t have to answer any of these questions. You are being a bit hypocritical with the mixed crowd you have standing around your living room right now.” Sydnee crossed her arms and stared in disbelief at Mina. How dare she act like she knew what was best for her. This was her life and if she wanted to date Quinn, or any other man, that was her decision. Quinn was the first man she’d been able to be herself with and really open up to in a very long time. And it felt good for a change to be with a man that was spontaneous and so upbeat.

  “Sydnee, you have lost your mind. You have children. You don’t need another one added to the mix.”

  “I know what I have, Mina.”

  “You’re not getting any younger and this little boy has nothing to offer you. Oh, no! Do not tell me this is the same one that was selling Christmas trees? Are you—you have lost your mind!”

  “Okay, Mina, that’s enough. You’re such a snob and I don’t understand how you and I have remained friends this long. Quinn is a wonderful man and you shouldn’t judge a person by how much money he has or doesn’t have, or any of those other superficial things you judge people by.” Sydnee turned away from Mina to head back to the party. It was ridiculous to keep entertaining the conversation and she was going to go back to Quinn and try and forget any of this had happened.

  “Sydnee, are you listening to yourself? This ‘man’ can’t do anything for you or your boys. What kind of future earning potential does he have lugging trees around a lot? This is unbelievable. Matt would have a fit if he knew you were dating a white guy and he was going to be around his sons.”

  “What? What did you say?” Sydnee said through clenched teeth as she whipped around on her heel, staring a hole through Mina.

  “Syd.” Now it was Sara’s turn to be the peacemaker and she quickly jumped into the path between Mina and Sydnee. Sara placed her hands in
front of her as if she knew Sydnee was going to tackle Mina. “Uh, calm down. She didn’t-”

  “No, Sara.” Sydnee pushed past Sara to stand directly in front of Mina. “Listen to me and listen well Mina,” Sydnee started with her finger pointed in Mina’s face. “I don’t need you or anyone else trying to run my life. You have no idea what it’s like to have the person that promised to love, honor and cherish you, walk out on you and your three-year old children. I loved Matt, and some days I think I still do, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to stand here and let YOU tell me my cheating, sorry-ass ex-husband would be disappointed in MY choices.” Sydnee’s level eyes, usually so soft and full of love, shone black with a hatred most were unfamiliar with, and she felt sick standing in Mina’s presence. She could feel her hands shaking from the anger boiling inside of her.

  “Sydnee, wait, I didn’t mean-” Mina stammered.

  “No, Mina. Don’t.” Sydnee countered, her eyes now wild with fury. “You don’t get to make any assumptions on my life or the choices I make. I thought you were my friend, but obviously, you don’t have a clue what that means. I’ve always given you the benefit of the doubt, and overlooked your snobby, bourgeois ways, but maybe I never knew you at all. Sara, I’ll call you later,” she spun on her heel and stalked out. She was mad and hurt and desperately trying to fight back the tears threatening to ruin her makeup. Luckily, it didn’t take long for her to locate Quinn. “Excuse me, gentlemen, I need to borrow him for a moment.” She smiled sweetly at the circle of men who were talking with Quinn about the playoffs and potential NFL draft picks.

  “Hey, are you okay?” They walked over to a more secluded corner of the room, and he obviously noticed how glassy her eyes were as he took her trembling hands in his. “Syd, you’re shaking. What’s wrong?” The concern reflected in his eyes made her want to fall into his arms and cry for days, but she pulled herself together and gave him a half-hearted smile.

  “I just need to get out of here.” Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she pursed her lips together. “I’d really like to leave now if that’s okay with you?”

  “Yeah, sure. I’ll be right back.” He disappeared into the crowd to locate Aaron in order to retrieve his coat and her wrap.

  Coming up behind her, Mina approached Sydnee in a quiet voice.

  “Sydnee, look-”

  “Mina, do not.” Sydnee struggled to turn and face Mina. She didn’t think she had ever felt so much disgust for someone in her life, besides Matt, but she knew in her soul, she needed to tell Mina exactly what she was feeling. “I don’t want to talk to you right now. And honestly, I don’t know if I ever want to talk to you again,” Sydnee kept her voice low. She didn’t want to cause a scene, but she knew if Mina continued to say anything she would blow up. Her narrowed eyes were the color of coal and she could feel the tension in her cheekbones as she gritted her teeth, staring at a woman who looked like a stranger to her at the moment.

  “Please Sydnee, I-” Mina started softly as Quinn walked up.

  “Syd, here’s your wrap.” He placed the material around her shoulders, cutting Mina off mid-sentence.

  “Thank you, Quinn. I’m ready.”

  “Goodnight, Mina. It was nice meeting you,” Quinn nodded at Mina. He put on his coat, and the two walked to his car hand in hand, leaving Mina standing at the door with her mouth gaped open.

  ###

  “You want to tell me what happened back there?” Quinn asked, closing the door behind them as they entered Sydnee’s house. He had obviously sensed something was wrong and they had ridden in silence the entire way to her house. She was thankful he’d given her a little time to calm down before starting his interrogation. The unmistakable scent of Christmas lingered in the air from the evergreen tree standing in all its illuminated glory in the living room. The white lights of the tree were the only source of light in the room giving off an ethereal glow. The boys were staying the night at Charles and Leanne’s since they would be getting back late from the Christmas activities downtown. Sydnee finally felt calm enough to talk and she kicked off her shoes before sinking into the sofa. “Did I do or say something wrong?” He sat down beside her on the sofa and looked into her eyes. They were eyes she could sit and stare into for days.

  “Quinn, no. You didn’t do anything,” she answered slowly, placing her hand on his cheek. “You’ve been nothing but a gentleman, and so good to me.”

  “Then, what’s wrong?” The intensity in his eyes was almost more than she could handle. Why was he so good to her? “Did someone say something to you?”

  “You are too good to me, you know that? Why is it you and I can talk about anything and you’re so understanding? Why couldn’t we have been born closer together?” Taking his hand in hers, she laced her slender fingers between his, loving the way her hand fit neatly in his grasp.

  “Because if we had, I would have had to fight Matt for you.”

  “It would have saved me a lot of heartache.” Lifting her eyes to his gaze, she sighed, wistfully thinking of how different things would have been for her had she never met Matt. It was a double-edged sword because she may have never been hurt by her ex-husband’s betrayal, but then she wouldn’t have her boys either, and Sydnee couldn’t fathom life without them.

  “Maybe,” he paused, watching her cautiously as he rubbed the sensitive skin of her palm with the pad of his thumb. “Your friends were nice. I had a good time.”

  “I’m glad. Most of them are nice. There are only a few that are questionable.” She sat, toying with the hem of her dress with her free hand, thinking back to all the hateful things Mina said to her.

  “I’m guessing someone wasn’t too happy with us being together?”

  “That’s an understatement. I can’t believe the stuff Mina said to me tonight.” Releasing her hand from his, she clasped her hands together and cast her gaze down at her lap. She still felt like crying. Her friend, someone she’d known for years, someone that had been there for her when her whole world imploded, was someone she truly didn’t know. How could she have not known Mina was this close-minded? It wasn’t like she didn’t know Mina cared about how much money a person made, but it truly floored her to find out she had a problem with interracial dating. How could she be progressive in so many ways, but this backwards in her thinking?

  “So she’s the one that has a problem with us, huh?”

  Slowly, Sydnee lifted her eyes to meet his. “Yes, she does, but she doesn’t know you like I do. It really hurt to hear the things she said.”

  “You want to talk about it?”

  Sydnee shook her head. All she wanted was to forget the conversation. It was simply hard to, and what was even harder was knowing other people would probably feel the same way. Why couldn’t two people just spend time together regardless of their race and have it be okay? “No. I guess it’s just a little overwhelming learning things I didn’t know about people I thought were my friends.”

  “She’s still your friend, Syd,” Quinn stated, and she frowned at his unexpected support of Mina and their friendship.

  “She can’t be too much of a friend if she’s going to say things about you without truly knowing you. It’s that same racist thing people have done for years. Not liking someone or a situation when they have no clue.”

  “I know, Syd, but you said yourself, Mina has been there for you at some pretty critical moments, right?” He paused, and she nodded reluctantly. “She’s still your friend. This just isn’t something she agrees with because, in her mind, it’s her way of protecting you. Give her some time.”

  “Maybe. But you were right.”

  “About?”

  She trained her eyes on his and hoped he could see how sincere she was. She cared about Quinn more than she had ever expected to, and it was something she didn’t want to feel ashamed or wrong about. “People are going to say all kinds of things and it truly doesn’t matter what other people think. It’s surprising, but for the first time, I don’t care what oth
er people think. Quinn, I’m really happy when I’m with you, and spending time with you has been amazing. You’ve opened up a whole new world for me.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way.”

  “Thank you for being patient with me. I know it hasn’t been easy.”

  He reclaimed her hand in his, bringing it up to his lips, he kissed her soft supple skin before bringing it back to his lap. She reveled in the gentle way he caressed her as he drew soft sensual circles in her palm. “You don’t have to thank me.”

  Sinking back onto the sofa and into the crook of Quinn’s arm, Sydnee sighed. His arms were powerful and strong and she felt entirely safe sitting beside him wrapped in his embrace. Everything that had happened earlier made her uptight and curling up in his arms slowly helped her unwind and she could feel the tension in her body dissipate.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.” Nodding, he looked down at her with eyes shining as brightly as the white lights littering the Christmas tree.

  “Exactly how did you get to be so damned charming?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She watched his glorious lips form the sweetest smile and she could feel a slow heat generating as his fingers stroked a trail up and down her bare arm. For such a strong and virile man, his touches were delicately soft. An unyielding but welcome twinge settled deep in her core and radiated through her body.

  “Yeah, right. I noticed you working the room. I was a little jealous when I saw you with your small entourage of women.” Sydnee had to admit seeing Quinn, who seemed to be surrounded by women at various times during the night, made her more than a little envious. The only thing that helped her get through it was the fact that each time she glanced in his direction, his eyes were constantly trained on her.

  “Now, you know I only have eyes for one woman.” He kissed her forehead and the kissable corners of his mouth, curved towards the sky. The look in his eyes quickly transformed from playful to something much more sensual. Running his hand gently up her neck to the back of her head, he released her mass of curls from the hair clip holding them in place, and the silky black curtain draped around her shoulders.