Luke eventually gave up and told Anna that he was done for the night and insisted on taking her home. She disagreed but showed no enthusiasm to debate. She entered Luke’s car, resting in the passenger’s seat with her arms crossed and attention focused towards her window. It wasn’t until Luke pulled into her driveway before they began speaking again.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what you saw. But I promise it wasn’t me,” Anna slowly and softly declared. “All I want is to make you happy. I want to be the one that makes you happy. You have been nothing but good to me, Luke, and I can see a long and happy life together.”
Luke sat and listened to Anna as she sobbingly poured through her thoughts. He began feeling guilty and even began having doubts to what he saw on the dance floor.
He looked away from the steering wheel and directed his attention to Anna. “I know what I saw. Enzo and I both saw it. But I will give you the benefit of a doubt and put this all behind us. Let’s go to Enzo’s place and just forget about all this.”
Anna wiped the running makeup from her face, revealing her bright smile. She leaned into towards Luke and kissed him. Luke placed his SUV into reverse and backed out of Anna’s driveway and headed towards Enzo’s apartment and immediately erased the event from his memory.
Chapter 4
It had been over a week since the incident. Luke swore to himself that he would never bring it up again. He figured that he had a great thing going with Anna, and why risk what they had for an issue that would have no true resolution? He also felt that because Anna was always working, he didn’t want to ruin the little time he had with her.
Christmas was just two days away and Luke was keeping busy moving into his new apartment while still holding a job at the “College Fit Center” on campus. The pressure of finding gainful employment was beginning to bear down on the young man. His father had already stated that he wasn’t contributing to Luke’s choice of living arrangements since he had a place to live on campus and with Luke’s decisions of beginning a new relationship and taking on more financial responsibility than he could afford.
Anna spent the majority of her time in Bay St. Louis. It was, after all, her life where she worked and where her family lived. Her family was the most important part of her life. She tried to divide her time between Luke in Hattiesburg and her family and income over an hour and half south. With only two days remaining till Christmas, Luke was mentally preparing himself to meet Anna’s family and develop the courage to go away with them for over a week.
Christmas Eve had approached and Luke had prepared a bag to travel home with an extra nap sack of clothing to take with him when he went with the Winchcombs to the beach. He traveled down Hwy 49, through Wiggins, Gulfport and finally turning east on Interstate 10 to Biloxi. During the entire drive, Luke was experiencing slight nausea in the pit of his stomach. The feeling followed him once he reached his parents’ house and even as he slept in the guest bedroom. He was concerned with his father’s disapproval of his current relationship and with his drastic move to an apartment he obviously couldn’t afford to live in.
On Christmas morning, Luke was awakened by his family’s dog. She was a miniature blonde cocker spaniel with more spunk and energy than a Boston terrier. Luke took his time crawling out of the reversible daybed, lacking the motivation to start his day. He reached for his phone and text messaged Anna,
“Good Morning Beautiful, Merry Christmas!”
Luke set his phone down just as his youngest sister, Leah, rushed into the room with a sense of urgency. She exclaimed, “Merry Christmas, Luke!”
Luke smiled and felt envious of the energy and uncontrollable amount of youth that his youngest sister had been blessed with.
Leah approached the bed and tugged on Luke’s arm, demanding that he rise and follow her to the family room. He pulled himself up and staggered to where his other siblings were waiting eagerly to start their holiday. He sat on the oversized chair at the corner of the room and received his first present. “To: Lucas, From: Dad.”
He unwrapped the brightly colored paper surrounded by the large black bow, and discovered a GPS system sitting calmly in the bottom. His father looked at him as he opened it and said, “You’re a man now, son. This is to help you to always find your way.”
Luke inspected the box and the features on the device concealed within its boundaries. He looked over at his father. “Thanks, dad… I could use one of these. Maybe now I won’t get lost going back and forth from Hattiesburg.” Luke placed the gift next to his chair and picked up a red and green box. He looked at the tag and discovered that it’s a gift from Nicole. Luke shook it once and smiled as he peeled apart the wrapping from one side.
He pulled a white square box from the wrapping and opened the lid. He became overwhelmed with emotion when he removed a picture frame displaying a photo of Nicole, their mother, and him. Luke began to feel tears as he looked towards Nicole and said, “This was my favorite picture… I thought I lost it after Hurricane Katrina…”
“Well, I found it in a box of old notes I had from high school. I thought you might want to have it back.”
Luke smiled as he took another look at the photo, reminiscent of a time that felt so long ago.
After a few hours, Luke and his family enjoy their traditional meal of gumbo. Since this was one of maybe three times a year the whole family gets to see each other with each one of them having their own lives and families to tend to, Luke’s life was a topic that was being discussed. Luke’s father didn’t waste much time before asking Luke, in front of his siblings, how life was going in Hattiesburg. Before he could answer, his older sister Sharon took it upon herself to start inquiring.
“So, Luke… what’s going on with you and your girlfriend?”
“Well,” Luke stumbled on his words while scratching the back of his shaking neck, “I’m actually going to see her tonight. Her family is having a party, and then tomorrow, I’m going with them to Belle Fountain for a week or so.”
“Really? Didn’t you guys just start dating? I mean, you are already going on vacations with her!” Sharon responded with a sarcastic tone.
“I like her a lot, if that’s what you are asking” Luke chuckled while still trying to keep his hands busy in an effort to not let his nervousness show.
Luke understood that his older sister was just acting over protective. When he and Marion dated, he knew he was rushing the relationship when after only three days of knowing her he told her that he loved her. After their relationship broke apart four years later, Luke’s family attributed it to the two rushing into things too quickly. But Luke could feel that his experience with Marion was nothing like what he has with Anna. He knew the difference, and tried his best to explain it to his family but knew it wasn’t helping him at all.
Later that evening, Luke got ready for the Winchcomb’s party. He was feeling a bit nervous but knew it was for the best. If he was going to meet her family, why not do so on a night when the attention wasn’t going to be on him the whole time. He got his gift for Anna and another for her family and loaded his vehicle.
He sat in his driver’s side, listening to Elvis Presley’s Christmas album, and began thinking about how happy he felt when he was around Anna and how this could possibly be the only Christmas they may have together if they don’t make it as a couple before she moves to Oxford. The idea began stirring the nervousness in his stomach. He figured that the odds of his relationship working with Anna were more in his favor than against.
It was a quarter to eight when Luke finally arrived at Anna’s house. He was requested by Anna through her father to pick up more beer. Thinking it might be a test from her father to see if he would actually go through the trouble on Christmas night, he accepted the responsibility and went to several convenience stores looking for the specific beer that Anna’s father, Stuart, had requested.
He arrived at the Winchcomb’s house in Bay St. Louis and parked his vehicle in the far right hand corner of the drive
way. He got out and was greeted by Anna and her twin sister, Becca. They walked up to him and greeted him with the salutation of the holiday. Becca rushed past Anna and quickly said to Luke, “Hey, Luke! Finally nice to meet you!”
“Hey… Becca… man, you are quite different than I thought you would be.”
“Are you telling me that my sister didn't tell you that we weren't identical twins?’ Becca said while smiling. ‘It was probably because I'm the cuter one.”
“I can see that your personalities are identical though,” Luke responded while reaching his hand out with intentions to officially meet the witty sibling.
They shared a laugh as they lead Luke into the house. Luke grabbed the six pack of beer and pulled the small plastic bag with gifts up the three solid concrete steps making his way into the modest home to join the others celebrating the annual holiday party.
Luke opened the wooden door, allowing the two ladies to enter first. A white sports car pulled into the driveway. A young man, short in stature with shaggy dirty blonde hair, stepped out of the driver’s side. He made his way past the large oak tree and to the first concrete step and said, “Hey Anna, I brought you a Christmas gift.” He handed a tightly wrapped gift to Anna and stood in patience to watch her open it.
With a concerned look in his eye, Luke looked at the young man. Anna took the gift, placed it under her right arm and said, “Thanks, Blake. Um, Merry Christmas.”
Blake waited eagerly for Anna to continue speaking. Luke looked at him and realized the situation. He decided it was time to say something to break the silence. He looked at Blake and reached out his right hand. “Hi, I’m Lucas Cardellini.”
“I know who you are, Luke. I know that you are dating my girl. I would like you to stop. This is the only time I’m going to ask you.”
Luke dropped his hand to his side and continues looking at Blake. He raised his left eyebrow and calmly said to the angry young man, “You are obviously confused, Blake. This here is my girl… not yours. And apparently you aren’t getting the hint that she isn’t interested in you, so maybe it would be best if you left, because to be honest with you, you are starting to piss me off.”
Blake looked at Anna, waiting for a response. She continued looking at him in a very confused way. He decided to leave when Anna directed her attention to the floor of the porch. He walked back to his car, entered, and then pulled out of the driveway. He placed his car into drive and sped down the road, squealing his tires as he headed south.
Luke, Anna, and Becca began looking at each other. An awkward silence filled the space between the three. After a moment, Anna handed the gift to Becca and said, “You take it, Becca. I don’t want anything from that creepy guy.”
Luke grabbed the gift from Becca and said, “Are you sure? I mean you are ‘his girl,’ it would be weird if you didn’t accept his present.”
Luke laughed while shaking the tightly wrapped gift. Anna jerked it back from Luke and said, “That guy is weird, there is no way I would ever date him. He was so obsessed with me while I was dating Jason, and it always freaked me out! But I wouldn’t worry about him or anything… he is harmless. I mean, the guy did get kicked out of USM for cheating... he isn't the smartest dude in the world.”
Luke took Anna’s hand and pulled her closer to him. He kissed her on the nose and said, “What have I got to worry about? You are my girl and my girl only. I’m not going to let some punk wannabe try to tell me anything different. Now let’s go in, I’m hungry.”
They continued walking into the house, where several people were already celebrating the annual holiday party.
The first of Anna’s parents to walk up to him was her mother, Dana. She stumbled toward Luke. “Hey, Luke, welcome to the party!” Dana quickly slurs with the scent of a vodka martini on her breath.
“Thanks for having me over, Ms. Dana. I was really looking forward to meeting Anna’s family!”
Dana laid her hand on Luke as a way to regain her balance, then turned around and walked in the opposite direction. She signaled Luke to follow her and the two made their way across the family room to meet Stuart.
“Well, Merry Christmas to you, sir… I see that you brought my ‘Guinness.” An ironic introduction was made by Stuart as Luke recognized that his breath was just as poisoned with the scent of booze.
“Yes, sir, I had to go to three gas stations to find it this late at night,” Luke responded with pride in his tone.
Anna took him around the home, introducing him to all of her family and her parent’s friends and giving him a tour of the old house. Her last stop was to the large kitchen, which took an entire wing of the home. Luke grabbed a pistolette bun and began stuffing it with ham, roast, turkey, and every other meat that was placed on the gigantic spread of holiday foods presented on the kitchen’s island.
Anna and Luke decided to sit down at the dining room table so they can avoid the chaos and have a chance to eat in peace. Smiling, Anna looked at Luke as she began telling him what she received for Christmas.
“I got a camera, make-up, some clothes, and a lot of little things! What did you get me, honey?”
Luke placed his sandwich down and reached for the trash liner that he brought in. He pulled out a small gift with a label marked for Anna. She began opening the present. “Oh wow… a CD. An Elvis Presley CD, thanks honey…” Anna says with a tinge of disappointment in her voice.
She then handed Luke his gift.
“Oh man, you got me a video game! Thanks!!!!” Luke leaned over and gave Anna a kiss. “The best present ever, thank you so much.”
He placed the gift into his bag and took out the unwrapped gift he got for Anna’s family. It was a book on the history of “Graceland.” Anna noticed the cover with the title written in gold and Luke said, “I figured with you guys being so close to Memphis, that maybe your parents might like him. I have never been there myself, but I have always wanted to go.”
Anna took the gift and kissed Luke. She set the book on the table and took him back towards the family room.
It was time for her family to play their holiday game, “Dirty Santa.” Everybody in the room was given a number; when their number was called, they would be given a chance to choose one of the wrapped gifts that were placed unorganized on the solid oak coffee table in the center of the room. When the game really got started, the person whose number was chosen could either pick a remaining present from the table or take a present from somebody that had already chosen one.
Luke was completely unprepared for this activity. Having come without a gift for the event, he stepped out of the game and decided to just watch. Dana, disagreeing with Luke, told him that he was family now and that he should join in. So she forced his hand open and placed the number 14 in the middle of it. Dana hugged Luke and gave him a small kiss on his left cheek and continued on with the number distribution.
The game started and Luke became amused with the behaviors of the rest of the participants. After the bitter exchange of words between numbers one to thirteen, Luke’s number was called out. Not wanting to become a burden or make a bad impression by taking the largest gift from another person who contributed, he looked over the last few gifts on the table and chose the smallest one. He examined the glossy blue wrapped gift and held up a two-piece candle set. Becca looked on as she mixed a mimosa and said, “I’m sure you are going to find a lot of uses out of that, Luke.” The rest of the party goers laughed along with Becca and continued the game.
Luke was able to participate once more in the game when the last person chose to get the candle kit, leaving Luke to pick again. He chose another small gift, but this time it was a stainless steel thermos. He held it up proudly, causing the crowd to react with laughter once more.
At the end of the game, Dana walked up to Luke and said, “Now aren’t you glad you played? I look forward to this game every year. Don’t worry about not bringing anything this time. I always buy a little something extra so that everyone can get a chance to play.�
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She hugged Luke and walked towards the front of the house. Luke looked at Anna and noticed a small tear coming down her face.
“What’s wrong, Anna?”
“Nothing,’ she responded, ‘It’s just that… I can tell my mother really likes you, and that means so much to me.”
Anna wiped the tear from her face and leaned into Luke. “But then again… what’s not to like?” She grasped Luke’s hand and pressed it against her lips.
The party ended at a quarter to midnight. The only ones left in the house were Anna, Luke, Becca, and their parents. Luke volunteered to help clean. He walked in front of Anna and places small plates, some still holding food on them, into the trash liner Anna was holding open. It took them less than fifteen minutes to clean the house of loose trash, while Becca moved all the glassware into the kitchen for Dana and Stuart to clean and load into the dishwasher.
Luke and Anna took a seat on the tan clothed couch in the center of the room. Exhausted from the party, the two decided to go outside for a brief walk before calling it a night. They each pulled a coat from the closet located to the right of the front door. Anna put on her matching gloves and scarf. She followed Luke through the front door and locked it. The two walked through the screened porch door and down the concrete steps.
They reached the end of Anna’s street and turn left, making their way to the local train station, which was converted into a reception hall for special events. They took a seat on an old rusted bench under a century old large oak tree and began taking in the soft, bitter aroma. In front of them was a brightly lit, majestic Christmas tree. Holding onto one another for warmth and affection, they set their focus on the thousands of miniature lights gleaming in the December sky.
Luke held Anna close to him, reached over her neck, and began rubbing the top of her left shoulder. He turned her whole body slowly towards his and kissed her cold, blue lips. He shook from the frigid temperature, but carefully said, “Anna, I can’t honestly say I don’t love you.”
Adaptation of the Chameleon Page 5