A Yuletide Affair

by Monica Richardson

  “Higher, Uncle Sammy!” Olivia squealed. Her legs dangled against Samson’s chest as he lifted her in the air. “Lift me higher.”

  “Yeah, higher, Uncle Sammy!” Calvin teased.

  “You should be over here lifting your own daughter,” Samson said to Calvin. “Why do I have to be the designated person to lift these little rug rats on my shoulders every year?”

  “I’m not a rug rat, Uncle Sammy!”

  “No, you’re not. And I’m sorry for calling you that.” Samson kissed his niece’s ashy knee apologetically.

  “You’re the designated child-lifter because you’re tall,” Calvin said. “You’re the tall one, and I’m the smart, handsome one. Everybody knows that.”

  “The smart, handsome one.” Samson laughed.

  “And when you’re done with your Christmas tree duties, I’m sure Ma has some other duties she’d like for you to perform,” Calvin said.

  “That’s fine. And while I’m performing my Christmas tree duties, you can run on down to Albertson’s Supermarket and pick up the canned milk and sweet potatoes so that Ma can make her famous sweet potato pie,” Samson said.

  “I believe she asked you to go to the store,” Calvin asserted. “If I remember correctly, sweet potato pie is your favorite, not mine.”

  “I would go, but I’m busy right now.” Samson shrugged. “Christmas tree duties.”

  “We could live without sweet potato pie,” Toni interjected. “We have plenty of other sweets in there—pecan pie, a chocolate cake, banana pudding...”

  “Besides, the streets are getting pretty slick out there,” added their father.

  “The streets aren’t that bad yet, Pop,” said Samson. “And, Ma, what is Christmas tree decorating without sweet potato pie?”

  “It is his favorite,” said Toni.

  “My car is blocked in the driveway anyway. I would need to shovel my way out, and I’m hardly in the mood for shoveling,” Calvin countered, and then plopped down on the sofa next to their mother, gave her a light kiss on the cheek. He was more of a mama’s boy than Samson was.

  Samson dug into the pocket of his jeans and retrieved his keys, then tossed them to Calvin. With a wicked grin on his face he said, “Take mine, I’m parked on the street.”

  “Not this time, big bro.” Calvin tossed the keys back.

  Samson gave in. He put on his wool coat, bundling it as tightly as he could. He placed a toboggan hat on his head and secured a woven scarf around his neck. “Ma, is there anything else you need besides canned milk and sweet potatoes?”

  “A chocolate bar!” exclaimed Olivia.

  “Okay, canned milk, sweet potatoes and a chocolate bar,” Samson said as he headed for the door. “Even though chocolate bars will rot your teeth, I’ll bring you one.”

  Samson loved his niece and thought that she was Calvin’s greatest achievement. He’d been a screwup most of his life, but Olivia had changed all of that. She was the one thing that kept Calvin focused. He’d become a master at single parenting after the child’s mother had abandoned her.

  Samson’s boots slid against the concrete on the front porch. Whatever was falling had already turned to ice. He made it to the two-door sedan, got inside and slammed the door. He drove slowly down their parents’ block, the same block that he’d grown up on, played kickball in the middle of the street and tossed a football to his brothers more times than he could remember.

  His phone buzzed, and he struggled to pull it from the pocket of his jeans. He looked at the screen and was surprised to see Alyson’s number. He’d wanted to call her a million times, but hadn’t built up the nerve. They hadn’t ended on a good note, and he didn’t know how to make things right between them. He missed the call, but vowed that he’d call her back at a better time.

  In the middle of the block he picked up speed, misjudging the roads. When he made it to the end of the street, he lost control and drove right through the stop sign, not even hesitating. Samson was in a state of shock as he dropped the phone and slammed head-on into a truck moving in the opposite direction.

  Chapter 25

  The yellow cab eased down Congress Parkway, and then pulled up in front of the historical brick building. Alyson reached into her purse for cash, but then realized she only had Bahamian bills.

  “Shit,” she whispered under her breath. “You take credit cards?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” the Ethiopian driver said.

  She hated using her plastic in cities that were unfamiliar, and for a cab ride no less. But she didn’t have a choice in the matter. She paid the driver and then stepped out of the car, wearing her Pedro Garcia boots with the peep toe. She’d underestimated the weather in Chicago and wished she’d worn a much heavier coat. The designer leather trench coat was neither practical nor warm. She shivered as the driver placed her Gucci luggage on wheels at the curb.

  She stepped inside the brick building and pulled her notes from her purse to double-check the unit number. She was surprised to learn that the elevator was broken in such a nice building, and that she’d be taking the stairs in her leather boots. She stood in front of the unit with her fist raised. She was about to knock, when the door swung opened and a man with a strong resemblance to Samson appeared in the doorway.

  “May I help you?” he asked.

  “I’m looking for Samson Steel,” she said.

  “He’s not here at the moment,” said the tall, handsome man. “Who can I say is looking for him?”

  “I’m Alyson Talbot. A dear friend of his—”

  “Alyson.” He smiled. “You’re much prettier than he described.”

  “And you are?”

  “I’m Calvin. His brother.” He opened the door wider. “Why don’t you step inside?”

  “When do you expect him to return?” She glanced around at the meticulous space. It was quintessential Samson.

  “The doctors are saying a few days, but you know Sammy’s impatient ass! He’s ready to come home now.”

  “Excuse me.” She had no idea what Calvin was rambling on about. “What is this about doctors?”

  “He’s in the hospital,” Calvin said matter-of-factly. “Still recovering from the accident.”

  “Oh, my God! What accident?”

  “You didn’t know?” he asked. “There was some trauma to his head, and a broken collarbone...”

  “Where can I find him?”

  “He’s at Mercy Hospital,” said Calvin. “I dropped by his place to pick him up some fresh clothes. I can give you a ride over there if you give me a minute.”

  “That would be great. Thank you.”

  * * *

  She was disconcerted when she saw him. A bandage was on his shoulder, and his eyes were lightly closed. She stood in the corner for a moment and observed him sleeping. Her heart ached for him.

  It was her fault that he was there. Had he remained in the Bahamas, the accident would never have taken place. She felt tears welling up. He opened his eyes.

  “Hey, love,” he said softly and smiled. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “You were right all along. About Madison.”

  “I didn’t want to be right.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you. I was being stubborn, only thinking of myself.”

  “I was only thinking of you, sweetheart, and your well-being. I hoped for the best, but had a bad feeling in my gut.”

  “I wish I’d listened. Maybe you wouldn’t have left the islands, and you wouldn’t be in this predicament.” The tears crept down her face. “You’re here because of me.”

  “I’m here because I underestimated the ice storm.” He held his hand out. “Come here.”

  She walked over to him. She leaned in and kissed his lips. “I’ve missed you.”

  “Not as much as I’ve missed you.” He held her tightly in his arms.

  She felt safe there, didn’t want to let him go. She composed herself, and
then walked over to the window and opened the blinds to let some daylight into the room.

  When Samson observed her clothing and boots, he chuckled. “You wore that here?”

  “Don’t judge me. I’ve never been to Chicago.” She laughed, too.

  “Obviously. You look gorgeous, and those boots are nice, but not very practical.” He laughed, and it hurt. “We’ll have to go to Walmart when I get out of here and get you some warmer clothing.”

  “Fine.” She smiled through her tears, then went back to his arms. “I can’t wait for you to get out of here.”

  His parents walked into the room, and stopped in their tracks when they saw the embrace.

  “Well, hello,” said Toni. “I didn’t know you had company, Sammy.”

  Alyson stood. Straightened her clothing.

  “Ma, this is Alyson. Alyson, my parents—Toni and Cecil Steel.”

  “So nice to meet you, sweetheart.” She shook Alyson’s hand, and then behind her back gave Samson an exaggerated wink.

  “Pleased to you meet you, Alyson. We’ve heard absolutely nothing about you,” said Cecil.

  “I heard about her,” Toni countered.

  “So great to meet you both.”

  “You live here in Chicago?” Cecil asked.

  “No, sir, I live in Miami.”

  “You came all the way here from Miami?” he asked, a puzzled expression on his face.

  “She’s from the Bahamas, Cecil,” Toni boasted. “This is the young lady Sammy met while he was over there.”

  “Oh, when he was over there wasting time doing nothing,” said Cecil.

  “Don’t start, Cecil,” Toni warned.

  “So you’re from the Bahamas, but you live in Miami.” Cecil was attempting to piece the details together.

  “Hello.” Samson interrupted the interaction between his parents. They were talking about him as if he wasn’t in the room. “So glad to see you both.”

  “I brought you some fried catfish, baby.” Toni handed Samson a brown paper bag. “I know the food here can’t be that great.”

  Cecil took a seat in the corner of the room. “I thought Calvin was bringing you clean clothes,” he said.

  “He went downstairs to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee,” Alyson offered.

  “You met Calvin?” Samson asked her.

  “He brought me over here. I went to your loft first. Had no idea that you were in the hospital. Calvin was there.”

  “Whatever he said about me, don’t believe a word of it,” Samson said.

  Calvin walked in on the tail end of the conversation. “I only speak the truth.”

  “He’s been jealous of me his whole life,” Samson teased.

  “Is that Mama’s catfish I’m smelling?” He reached for the brown paper bag.

  “Get your paws back, bro,” said Samson. “Reach for my catfish and draw back a nub.”

  “He’s always been so selfish,” Calvin told Alyson. “I don’t know what you see in him.”

  Alyson giggled. She loved the banter between Samson and his brother.

  “How long will you be staying, honey?” Toni asked Alyson.

  “I don’t know. Until he’s better.” She smiled at Samson.

  “You’re welcome to stay at the house with us. I’ll fix up Sammy’s old room for you,” said Toni.

  “She can stay at my loft, Ma. She’d probably be more comfortable there.”

  “I’m going to stay right here with Samson until he leaves. I don’t want to leave his side.”

  “That’s so sweet.” Toni grabbed Alyson’s hand.

  “I love that accent,” said Calvin. “You have any sisters or cousins who talk like that?”

  “She’s an only child,” Samson lied with a grin.

  “She’s not an only child,” said Calvin. “You just told me that her sister was getting married on Christmas Day.”

  “Damn! I did, didn’t I?” said Samson.

  “Oh, how romantic. A Christmas wedding in the Bahamas,” said Toni. “If your sister looks anything like you, she’s going to be a beautiful bride.”

  “Thank you.” Alyson smiled at Toni.

  “Well, let’s get going, Cecil,” Toni said. “Give these lovebirds some privacy. I’m sure they’ve got some catching up to do. And I need to finish my Christmas shopping.”

  Cecil stood and grabbed Calvin’s foam cup filled with coffee.

  “Pop, that’s my coffee.”

  “Mine now,” said Cecil as he headed for the door. “Pleasure to meet you, Alyson.”

  “Likewise, sir,” said Alyson.

  “Lovely meeting you, sweetheart.” Toni gave Alyson a warm smile. “Make sure you bring her by the house, Sammy. And take her to Walmart and buy her some warm clothing.”

  “’Bye, Ma,” said Samson.

  Toni grabbed the sleeve of Calvin’s coat. “Let’s go, Calvin.”

  “I’m coming.”

  “Love you, baby,” Toni said to Samson as she walked out of the room.

  “Love you, too, Ma.”

  * * *

  Alyson crawled up into the bed with Samson. She told him everything that had occurred in her world since he was gone. And how she wished she’d taken heed of his warning. She needed him to fix what had been broken. His heart ached because he hadn’t been there when she needed him the most, to protect her—to make things right.

  “When you didn’t answer my call the other day and didn’t return it, I thought I’d lost you,” she explained.

  “It was the day I had the accident. I saw the call just before I slid into an 18-wheeler.”

  She pressed her hand against his face. “I was miserable without you. Can you forgive me for being so hardheaded?”

  “Forgiven.”

  He kissed her lips. He’d come back home with intentions of staying and organizing his campaign. He didn’t know where he would go from here, but he knew that wherever it was, he wanted Alyson Talbot right by his side.

  Chapter 26

  Alyson streamed Christmas lights around the leaves of the ficus tree. Samson rested his back against the leather sofa, an afghan thrown across his legs. The loft smelled of Bahamian spices. Alyson was overjoyed that she finally had an opportunity to cook for her man and his family. She stirred the cabbage and pulled the Bahamian macaroni and cheese from the oven. The fried chicken was perfectly golden brown, and the grouper fish was seasoned to perfection while it baked in the oven.

  She sipped on a glass of sky juice and handed Samson one.

  “I don’t think my home has ever smelled this good,” said Samson.

  “Dinner’s almost done,” she said. “And your family will be here shortly.”

  “We can call them and cancel if you want. They’re a dysfunctional bunch of folks, and I would understand if you changed your mind.”

  “After I cooked all of this food? Don’t be silly!” She laughed. “They can’t be any more dysfunctional than my family.”

  “Believe me, they are,” he told her. “My brothers certainly have their issues. Calvin’s divorced and raising his daughter alone. Jessie is married but threatening to leave every other week. Why get married if you’re planning to walk away every time you turn around?”

  “I agree.”

  “That’s not happening to me. When I get married, it’s forever.”

  “Me, too.”

  It was as if they were talking about each other, but not directly. Testing the waters. Marriage had never been a subject that he and Alyson had discussed.

  Samson changed the subject. “Besides everyone else, my father is the most ornery person on the face of the earth.”

  “I didn’t get that vibe from him. He seemed so sweet.”

  “He was on his best behavior in front of you,” said Samson. “He has a low opinion of me, and makes it a point to let me know it every chance he gets. He wanted me to be a cop and, because I didn’t, he thinks that I’m worthless.”

  “He doesn’t think you’re worthless.” />
  “He does,” Samson insisted. “All my life, I’ve had to work for his approval. And I’ve never gotten it. Finally I stopped looking for it.”

  “I’m sorry, baby.”

  “It’s cool. I don’t try so hard now,” said Samson. “My mother tries to place us in these situations where we have to bond or spend quality time. I try to make her happy, but I’ve come to terms with the inevitable. He’s never going to be proud of anything I do.”

  “He’s proud,” she said. “Maybe he just has a hard time expressing it.”

  “Maybe,” Samson said. “I don’t care anymore. Remind me to never treat my son that way.”

  “So you’re planning to have a son someday?”

  “If you’re asking me if I want children, of course I do,” he said. “At least a dozen.”

  “A dozen kids?”

  “Okay, maybe five,” he said. “All boys.”

  “Five?”

  “Okay, maybe not quite that many. But all boys for sure,” he reiterated.

  “No girls?”

  “Girls are too high maintenance for my taste. Too emotional and too much baggage.” He smirked. “Look how much trouble you are.”

  “I’m not that bad.”

  “Your father’s hair is completely gray. And I’m willing to bet it’s because of you and your sisters.”

  “I beg your pardon.” Alyson tossed a pillow at Samson. “I didn’t give my parents any trouble at all. I did everything by the book.”

  “A Goody Two-shoes,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “Pretty much.”

  Samson pulled her down onto the sofa, held her tightly. She stretched her body on top of him. Her lips kissed his, and his tongue danced inside of hers. His fingertips began to gently caress her breasts. He started to unbutton her blouse, and she grabbed his hand.

  “Your family will be here in a minute,” she whispered as the doorbell chimed.

  “Damn,” he said. “We’ll pick up where we left off later.”

  Alyson adjusted her clothing before heading to the door. She opened it.

  Toni kissed her on the cheek and handed her a pie. “I brought sweet potato pie for Sammy, seeing as how I didn’t get to make him one,” she said. “Oh, my, it smells so good in here!”