by S. N. Garza
Then he spun me back out. I didn’t know how to take that. He was twisting me up in circles, confusing my emotions. I shouldn’t feel—I can’t feel this. This overwhelming need to…stay. I didn’t know how to deal with that. I didn’t know if I wanted to. I mean…
“I’m going back to Arizona, Deke. I—
“I know. I want you to be happy.”
“I’m happy right now.”
“Then I am, too.”
We finished the song rocking backing a forth and I didn’t care if Trixie was flashing that silly camera all over the place. I’ve never danced with anyone like I danced with him. It felt like home. He did this to me. Twisted me up so neatly that I knew I was going to spin out of control any moment.
“Alright, kids. Let’s open presents!” Johnny’s voice echoed around the room and we all settled in chairs by the Christmas tree. Except for me. Just as I was sitting down, Deke had grabbed me by the waist and pulled me into his lap.
He had to be joking. I tried getting up, I really did.
I looked back at Deke, my eyes in a state of shock that he’d just put me in his lap like that in front of everyone. He just raised his eyebrow at me as if challenging me.
“Deke.” I widened my eyes and he just shook his head.
“You’re fine where you are. Let’s open presents.”
I turned away to see four sets of eyes on us. I couldn’t help the awkward laugh that filtered out. Deke just squeezed me in tighter, his arm wrapped around my middle. I only turned my head and looked at the Christmas tree. I was not about to answer anyone’s awkward questions.
But I did see Johnny’s expression. It was slightly amused and even a little happy. Thankfully, no one said anything about my sitting arrangement.
“I’m first!” Bunko said. When Trixie opened her gift card, she squealed and laughed like a loon.
“YES! I love it!” Her laugh became comical and when she finished dancing with delight she finally saw our surprised faces and said, “I love reading. He got me a card for Barnes and Noble. Be jealous.”
I laughed with her because it wasn’t too often any one saw her laughing like a little girl.
My gift was in a big box. I gave him a curious look and he began rubbing his hands together all excited like. Waiting impatiently for me to open it like a little boy.
Inside were music books for flutes and then a custom air-painted t-shirt that said, ‘Boots & Flutes’. With a picture of a flute laying over a pair of cowboy boots.
“Bunko! This is amazing! Thank you!” I set my gift on Deke’s lap as I got up to hug him. I whispered, “It’s perfect. I love it.”
“Welcome, Penny. It works for you.”
He gave Johnny, Cas and Deke gift cards to their favorite shops and then Castor went next. He gave Johnny a Texas flag flask and Bunko a Zippo Lighter with his name engraved.
“I didn’t know you smoke, Bunko.”
He looked at me and smiled, “I have a cigar every once in a while. Thanks, Castor.”
He gave Trixie concert tickets to see Sam Hunt. “Castor, you dog. Thank you. I love me some Sam Hunt.”
Then he handed me a small jewelry box, and I felt Deke’s arm flex against my midsection and he pulled me in just a little bit tighter. And there was no mistaking the arousal rubbing against my backside. A small gasp rang out and luckily they were convinced it was my reaction to the gift rather than what I felt on my behind. It didn’t escape Deke’s notice though and he slightly ground his groin against me in an attempt to ‘shift in his seat’.
I opened the box and inside was a bracelet with two charms. A music note and a flute.
Tears bubbled up in my eyes and it made me think, how could I have not known how much they really missed me? How could I have forgotten them so easily because of my fall-out with Deke? I felt all kinds of horrible as I got up and went to Castor, giving him a big, tight hug with tears burning behind my eyelids.
“It’s so beautiful. Will you put it around my wrist?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
He clasped the bracelet and twisted it until it laid with the charms on the back of my hand. I kissed his cheek and he winked one of his sapphire blue eyes before I went back to sit down.
I tried sitting in my own chair but Deke’s hands seemed to automatically claim my hips and settled me back onto his lap where his erection was still very evident. And it lit my body on autopilot. My womb clenched tightly along with my thighs. I felt my panties dampen with desire and goose bumps arose on my skin.
“Our girl is freezing, boy.” Johnny said and Deke automatically shed his jacket.
“I have my own.”
“Mine’s still warm.”
He placed it over my shoulders and I had no choice but to put it on although it wasn’t from the cold that gave me the shivers and goose bumps. It was my reaction to Deke and all his sexual male potency. I didn’t mind the jacket though because the warmth heated me like a blanket.
Next up was Johnny and he gave Bunko a cigar case filled with his favorite cigars. Castor received a watch that he must have wanted guessing by the way his eyes lit up.
“Thanks, J. It’s a beaut.”
Trixie got a week long cruise to the Bahamas.
“Thanks, Uncle Johnny.”
“You deserve it, honey.”
Then Johnny gave Deke a model Harley that he has to put together and then he gave me a knick-knack of a silver flute being played by a cat. I loved it. I guess that means we’re left. “I’ll go next.”
I gave them the gifts and when they opened them they stopped, and looked over at Trixie.
“Uh, what did you get, Trix?” Castor looked at her as she hadn’t opened anything.
“I’m wearing mine.” She said with a smug little smile.
“Clothes? That’s uh, real nice.” Bunko said.
She and I both laughed and then she stood, popped open the snaps of her shirt and revealed her red lingerie.
Johnny immediately closed his eyes, chuckled and shook his head.
Bunko and Castor’s eyes widened with appreciation. Deke didn’t even bother looking but instead leaned in and whispered, “Bet yours looks better.”
I chuckled and said, “Who said that’s what I’m wearing?”
“I know you. And I can’t wait to take off each sexy piece.”
“Maybe you won’t.”
“Ha. Alright. I’ll play your little game.”
His other hand caressed up my spine underneath his jacket before settling on the curve of my behind that wasn’t on his lap.
Bunko passed me the other big box, the art set and supplies I got for Deke. While we were shopping, Trixie had told me that Deke, before he started working at SoIn, he was a tagger. Hence why he was such a bad boy. I never knew that part. I just knew about the girls and that he was a troublemaker in general, but not what he was a troublemaker for. Deke never really talked about his past like that to me. So I guess in a way, I didn’t really know him. Which made me feel bad because he had been my best friend and I didn’t know that about him.
I will admit that I spent more money on him than anyone else. I went to an antique art shop and got all sorts of paints, markers, sketch pads, canvas.
“Here, let me sit next to you so you can open it, please.”
It was that please that convinced him because he lifted me easily and sat me on the chair next to him. He looked from the box to me with a speculative eye and then opened it. When he looked inside, he jerked back, his grey eyes locking on mine.
“Merry Christmas, Deke.”
“How did you?”
“Trixie told me you liked to draw. This way, you have some fresh paints, markers, and things.”
His eyes flickered to Trixie before coming back to mine, a shy smile tilting his lips. And I hoped no one else noticed, but there was also a dark tint of desire raging behind those grey depths.
“Thank you. This is perfect. Actually, it’s great, because now I won’t feel so bad ab
out what I got for you.”
He reached down for a big, long, rectangle box. I peeled off the wrapping and my heart jumped.
Altus. That was a flute brand name. An expensive flute brand. My eyes jumped to his, then back down to the box. What did he do? My hands shook as I took the flute case from the box. Tears bubbled in my eyes as I clicked opened the case.
Holy shit.
Model 1107. Holy crap. This was not cheap. This was at least…six grand.
“Penny? You okay, honey?”
Johnny’s voice was only a distant sound as I looked up at Deke. This must have cost him a fortune. The flute I had now had only been about eight hundred.
“How did? This is too much.”
“I had that since last year. I’d actually been saving for it since I first heard you play for me. And it’s just enough.”
For almost four years. Something sparked deep within me. This was the flute I had mentioned I wanted. I had told him about it when I was about sixteen. When I had to buy music sheets, the package came with a flute magazine. I had shown Deke the sleek, sophisticated instrument I drooled over.
After all this time.
I flew to him. Knocking him clean out of his chair and the present fell to the floor.
“Come on guys, let’s leave these two alone for a minute.”
Bunko’s voice was distant as I squeezed Deke around the neck tighter.
“Happy, baby?”
I lifted up and the tears fell free. “I—
His hands cupped my cheeks, wiping away my tears. “I only want you happy, Penelope. When you go back to Arizona, I want you to remember that. I always want you happy.” Then he brought my mouth to his and the salt from my tears mixed with our kiss.
“Deke?”
“Yeah, Penelope?”
“Take me home.”
His eyes flared with awareness and it took no time at all to say our good-byes and I knew that they knew what we were probably up to, but I really didn’t care. Deke had known what would get to me. The money spent wasn’t what mattered, although I knew it was a lot. But he had saved and saved for years to get me the one thing that I always wanted.
We spent that night tangled in each other’s arms. Not stopping until we were both exhausted from our passion filled session.
By the time morning came, Deke was kissing me good morning and this time, he walked out of the front door instead of my window.
Would any neighbors be up? Probably. Fucks given? Zero. My body felt perfectly sore and wonderful.
I was exhausted so I slept most of the Christmas day. I knew my parents were off, and would come home and go straight to bed until afternoon. Then we would open our presents.
The only downer was my departure. The week here had been quite the best Christmas I’ve had in a long time. Just spending time with Trixie, Johnny and the guys had been wonderful. I didn’t want it to end, but it would.
I checked my phone and I had several texts from Iridessa. A few from Alan.
Alan. How was I supposed to go back to our friendship, or whatever it was? We’ve studied together and saw each other when our houses threw parties but one-on-one? Not too much.
I liked him. He was a real sweet guy.
But what about Deke? What we had? I knew it wasn’t going to last. I mean, he had his life here while mine was in Arizona. Long distance relationships did not last. Not when I wasn’t coming home as often as a normal college kid.
I’ll have to burn that bridge when I come to it, I texted Iridessa back and told her Merry Christmas and our conversation wasn’t long when I got up and showered to get ready for the day.
I still had a little time so after dressing in my new shirt from Bunko and a pair jeans, I packed my belongings and put them in the living room. I had an early day tomorrow. I began cooking our ham dinner we usually had, with all the trimmings, and goodies. My parents were waking up as I was setting the table and cleaning the kitchen back up.
“Merry Christmas!”
My mom smiled but instead of being bright and happy, it looked like a sign of foreboding. “Merry Christmas, Penny.”
My dad kept quiet, but nodded in response. How did I not notice how the tension that surrounded him? It was pouring off him in waves.
“I made dinner. And then we can open presents.” Trying to diffuse whatever problem there seemed to be.
My father just sat down and started eating. My mother and I followed suit. It wasn’t until half way through the meal when my father said, “Are you not going to tell us?”
My mother ducked her head, keeping her thoughts to herself. I looked over to my dad and asked, “What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean. Why was Deke seen leaving this house early this morning?”
“Because that’s when he left.” I was an adult, I didn’t have to justify myself to him.
“Did he spend the night?”
“Yes.”
My mother’s fork slipped from her hand and her face was frozen in shock as she looked at me. She didn’t say anything since it seemed like my father had plenty to say for the both of them.
“Oh, Penny. I am so ashamed and disappointed.”
“Of what? We did nothing wrong.”
“You had a boy in our home, when we weren’t here, all night. That is unacceptable. We raised you better than that.”
I muttered, “Wasn’t the first time.”
Oh, shit.
That was when my father’s forkful of food fell to his plate as he shot angry, hateful daggers at me.
“The hell did you just say?”
“Nothing. I—
His hand reached out and I couldn’t react quickly enough when the back of his hand smacked my cheek and I gripped the table to keep from falling to the floor.
“What the hell is wrong with you? We didn’t raise you to be a tramp, Penelope Marie. So how many times has he stayed here when we weren’t here?”
I wasn’t afraid of him. I swear I wasn’t. And I steeled myself as I said, “On average?”
My mother’s gasp and my father’s growl was my only warning as he gripped my bicep and tore me from my seat.
“How long?”
I tried prying free, but he was much stronger than I was. I even tried shoving him but that only made it worse.
We made it to the living room when I was finally able to yank free. I fell backwards, hitting the arm of the couch. Thankfully it wasn’t too hard.
He was taking off his leather belt when he said, “Don’t make me ask you again.”
“What are you going to do? Spank me? I’m too old for that. I will call the police.”
“Answer me, you stupid girl.”
“For years since I met him at fifteen.”
I saw it coming. He whipped out his belt and I did my best to cover my face and the belt hit the soft side of my under arm. And then he swung it a few more times. My mother tried telling him to stop. She was pulling on his arm when he yanked away, making my mom fall back and he took a swing at her.
I got there before he struck and it landed on my back. My eyes saw white as pain lanced through me.
Fuck this. I growled, gathering my strength and I threw myself up, reached back and swung as hard as I could, landing a punch square on his jaw. Which also hurt like hell.
“Don’t you ever fuck touch her again. What is the matter with you?” I shoved him and I grabbed the belt with my hand, yanking as hard as I could. “You monster.”
“I am a good Catholic man. Your mother is a good, obeying Catholic wife. And you, daughter? How did you turn into such a slut? I knew something was up when you first got here wearing those slutty clothes. And now look at you. No wonder why that hoodlum came to church and got close to us. He was fucking our daughter.”
“Whoa. No, he wasn’t. How dare you talk about him like that! He’s a good man.”
He hand flew out, smacking me again. And I tasted a metallic burn in my mouth.
“Its okay, Penny. Go, baby.”
“But mom!”
“Just go!”
I looked at him and she stood between us as I got up and made it to the door, my hands reaching for my bag.
I threw open the door and turned back to see my mom’s arms on my dad’s biceps.
“You’re dead to me.”
Something sharp sliced at my heart. How did this happen? Presents were forgotten and I grabbed my bag by the door. I shut the door closed behind me as I fled to my car. There was only one person I wanted to see.
I needed to see him.
Now.
I knew the tattoo parlor opened up around noon and stayed open until midnight on Christmas. It was just past eight when I reached the shop and they were all there.
Great. They were going to see my face all red, bloodied and bruised. But I didn’t care. I needed to see him. Only Deke could make this go away.
I threw open the door and everyone except Deke and Johnny were out in the tattoo and piercing area.
All eyes fell on me and Bunko was the first to say something. “What the hell happened to you, girl?”
“Where’s Deke? I need to see Deke.”
They all pointed towards the back and I didn’t care if I had blood on my lip or my face was red and splotchy from crying and being smacked around. Deke would take care of this. I knew he would.
Johnny came out of the office and shut the door, shaking his head. When he got to me, he wasn’t paying attention until we almost ran into each other.
"WHOA! The fuck? Who did that to you?”
“It doesn’t matter. Where’s Deke? Is he in the office? I need to see him.”
“I don’t think right now is a good time, Penny. I’m sorry but let me help however I can.”
“I’m sorry, but I need to talk to Deke. Now.” I shoved past him and yanked away when he tried reaching for me. “NO!”
“Penny, for the love of God do not go in there.”
I didn’t care. I needed to see Deke. I got to the office and slammed the door open.
“Deke! I need y—
Oh. My. God. I was not seeing what I was seeing right now.
“Penny! Ooops. Did I do a bad thing?”
But it wasn’t Deke’s voice that spoke though. It was Vera’s and she was wiping something from her mouth as she stood up. The hell?