“Thank you,” Paxton replied, watching her work. “Is this you putting on your professional face, or is something else going on, Chris?”
“I’m just working, Paxton,” Chris replied too quickly.
“Here’s the thing, Chris: I’ve done the whole dating a woman who does the hot and cold act. I’ve dated a woman who was crazy passive-aggressive. I’m not sure which one you are right now, or if you’re a combination of the two, but I’d prefer to just talk this out. If I said or did something wrong, I want to know about it. I want to fix it, Chris.”
Chris stood up straight, sighed, and replied, “You didn’t do anything wrong, Paxton.”
“You’re using my full name; I think I probably did.” Paxton leaned against the wall that was already dry.
“I got caught off guard this morning.”
“With what?” Paxton asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I know so little about you, Pax.”
Paxton softened as she replied, “Oh, babe… Is that all?”
“It’s a lot.”
“Okay. It is, but you can learn whatever you want by talking to me instead of fleeing my apartment and making me worry I’d done something wrong.” Paxton uncrossed her arms. “Can you come here?”
“I’ve never been with someone like you, Paxton.”
“Like what?”
“You’re, like… You’re everything.” Chris softened then. “I don’t mean it like that. I don’t know… Maybe I do. But that’s too much for people who just started dating. I just mean that you’ve done so much more than I have. I haven’t dated a passive-aggressive woman or one that goes hot and gold. My relationships were always pretty short-lived, but I knew them better than I know you by the time we took the steps you and I have already taken.”
“We should have waited longer.” Paxton sighed to herself.
“Pax, I wanted to do what we did every time we did it.” Chris finally moved to Paxton. “I initiated it.”
“Do you want to slow down? We can slow down.”
“Paxton, I don’t want to slow down. I guess I’m just having a hard time with us moving as quickly as we have. Wes really likes you, and he keeps asking if you’re my girlfriend. You’re my boss. If this goes sideways, I’m out of a job… I can’t be out of a job right before Wes goes to college. It’s just a–”
“Do you want to be my girlfriend?” Paxton interrupted.
“That’s what you took from everything I just said?” Chris asked with a laugh.
“Chris, I’m happy.” Paxton shrugged both shoulders and smiled. “I don’t know what else to say except that I am happy. You’re a part of that. I have this place that I’m hoping to turn into something. I have my sister back in my life, and all these new friends I really like. Plus, there’s this girl I’m kind of crazy about. She called me an asshole once, and that was it for me.”
“Because I called you an asshole?” Chris laughed.
Paxton moved into her, wrapped her arms around Chris’s waist, and said, “Yes.”
“I’m worried, Pax.”
“Tell me why.”
“What happens if this doesn’t work?”
“Your job is safe, Chris. I’d never fire you if we broke up; you have to know that.”
“It would be weird, though.”
“We’d make it work.”
“I’d have to go back to Donoto’s.”
“No, you wouldn’t.”
“I would do anything for that kid, Pax, but I don’t want to wait tables again.”
“Is that what you’re worried about? Chris, you don’t have to worry about that.” Paxton hugged her then. She pulled Chris into herself, wrapped her arms around the woman, and hugged her hard. “Babe, you don’t have to work at Donoto’s. You’ll run the restaurant here; or you can do something else, and I’ll find someone to run that part if you don’t want to work in food at all.”
“I just don’t want to wait tables. I like the idea of running the restaurant here,” Chris mumbled against Paxton’s neck.
“I like the idea of you running it.” Paxton pulled out of the hug. “Listen, I’m meeting Kinsley in a couple of hours, to look at some properties she thinks I might like. Why don’t you come with me?”
“You want me to look at houses with you?”
“Why not?”
“It’s your house, Pax.”
“And you’re someone I would like to have over a lot.” She kissed Chris’s forehead. “Like, a lot a lot. I kind of want you to like the place.”
“Paxton, I’ll go with you, but it is your house… You should get whatever you want, no matter what I think. It’s a big deal, buying a house. Take it from someone who’s never had one and who wishes she could afford to buy something she and her baby brother could call home.”
“I’ve never bought a house, either, Chris.”
“What are you talking about? You’re a realtor.” Chris pulled back.
“I am. But I rented my apartment. I had never bought anything in the city.”
“Why not?”
“I guess because I never thought I would stay there forever. Now, I know it’s because I was meant to be here.”
“So, you’re really staying?”
“Did you think I was lying to you about that?” Paxton checked.
“No, I didn’t. I guess it’s just kind of sinking in that you’re staying.” Chris smiled. “And, apparently, you like to call me babe. That’s new.”
“Is that bad?” Paxton laughed softly. “Do you prefer honey, or dear, or baby?”
“No, Champ. I think babe is fine. But babe is a term of endearment, typically reserved for someone with at least girlfriend status.”
“Which you don’t want? Sorry, you’re very confusing today. I’m trying to figure out what you want.”
Chris laughed at that, pulled Paxton in close, and whispered, “I’d love to be your girlfriend, Paxton Williams.”
Paxton smiled, pulled back enough to look at Chris, and kissed her.
CHAPTER 21
Chris was excited to spend some quality time with Wes. For the first time in a while, they both had a weekend afternoon free. Wes had worked that morning at the hotel. Chris, thankfully, no longer worked on the weekends. She had plans with Paxton that night, but her afternoon was reserved for Wes. They planned to grab a late lunch, go to a movie, and have ice cream afterward. Chris would then go home and get ready for the date she would have with Paxton later that night.
“Are you ready? If we’re going to make the movie, we need to get to the restaurant, like, now, Wes,” Chris said from the living room.
“I needed to shower, Chris. I’m almost ready,” he replied from the bathroom.
“Who are you trying to look nice for? Is there some girl you’re interested in seeing today?”
“What? No, I’m just combing my hair. Give me two minutes.”
There was a knock at the door. Chris looked at it as if she could see through it to reveal who was there, but the solid wood made that difficult.
“Are you expecting someone?” she asked.
“No. You?” Wes asked back.
Chris stood, made her way over to the door, and looked through the peephole. It was an older woman. She might have been around seventy or seventy-five; Chris was guessing. She also guessed that the woman was either selling something or wanted her to accept Jesus Christ as her personal savior. Chris didn’t need anything, nor was she interested in a lecture. She also knew the woman had likely heard her yelling at Wes and, therefore, knew they were at home. She opened the door a few inches and peeked out.
“Yes?”
“Are you Christina Florence?” the woman asked.
“Who are you?” Chris asked back.
“I’m your grandmother,” the old woman said.
“I’m sorry?” Chris asked, opening the door a little further.
“I’m your grandmother, Christina.”
“Chris,” she corrected. “And my gra
ndmother is dead.”
“I’m your mother’s mother,” she replied with a small smile.
“My mother’s mother was, or – I don’t know – is involved in a group that doesn’t allow them to leave their compound, somewhere in the Nevada desert,” she argued, but at the same time, she knew the woman had her mother’s eyes.
“My name is Lily Dakota.”
“Is that supposed to mean something to me?”
“My birth name is Cheyanne Odell.” The old woman paused. “Your mother was born Violet Dakota. But had I not been involved…” She looked down and back up at Chris. “She would have been born something else.”
Chris stared at the woman for a moment and said, “You’re my mom’s mom; fine. What are you doing here?”
“I’ve left the church,” she replied.
“You mean the cult?”
The woman gave a small nod, as if she was wrestling with that term, and said, “It didn’t feel like that to us.”
“My mom was going to be married off to some old man when she was fourteen. She had to run away from you to keep herself safe,” Chris argued in response. “That’s a cult, Cheyanne.” She used the old woman’s birth name in an act of defiance.
“Your grandfather – my husband – was a great man. He was our leader. I was one of the chosen.”
“And I’m choosing to close the door on you, because you are not my grandmother,” Chris replied.
“Christina, please.” The woman held up her hands. “I just want to meet my granddaughter,” she said. “I left the church several months ago. I researched my daughter on the internet. Some people at the library helped me locate her. That brought me to you. I found out she died some years ago. All I’m asking is that you give me a chance to explain.”
“Chris, who–” Wesley stood next to her, looking confused.
“Is this your son?” the woman asked.
“Son? She’s, like, fourteen years older than me. Gross,” Wes replied.
“Where she’s from, that’s normal. Wesley, this is our grandmother.”
“Grandmother? Grandma’s dead.” He looked at the woman. “Oh,” he said softly when he understood. “Mom.”
“Mom.”
“You’re Wesley?”
“Yes,” he replied. “You’re my mom’s mom.”
“I am.” The woman smiled. “I was hoping I could come inside, and we could talk.”
“We have a day planned, and I have a date tonight,” Chris explained.
“I’d love to meet the man that–”
“How’s your heart?” Chris asked her.
“I’m sorry?”
“Do you have any heart conditions or anything I should know about?”
“No, my heart is fine.”
“Then, I’m gay. The man that’s coming by later, to pick me up for a date, isn’t a man. It’s a woman. She’s my girlfriend, and I’m a lesbian. I’m guessing they don’t have those at the compound?” Chris knew she was being rude; she just didn’t care.
“Chris…” Wes placed a hand on her shoulder. “Come in.”
“Wes, we’re going–”
“She’s our grandmother, Chris.”
Wesley – the younger sibling – was being the more mature sibling at the moment. Chris moved out of the way, letting the old woman walk into their house. Cheyanne stood there for a moment between the two of them until Wes moved into the living room and sat on the sofa. Cheyanne followed suit. Chris closed the door. She followed them but didn’t sit. She stood with her arms crossed over her chest.
“What are you doing here, Cheyanne?” Chris asked her.
“As I explained, I’ve left the church. My husband – your grandfather – passed away several months ago. It’s been almost a year, in fact.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Wes said.
“There’s a new church leader. He’s nothing like your grandfather. He’s taking the church in a direction that many of its followers do not agree to.”
“He wants to marry girls off at age twelve instead of fourteen?” Chris asked.
“Our faith teaches–”
“Save the faith talk; we’re not interested,” Chris interrupted. “You’ll never convince me that what you’ve tried to do to our mother is okay.”
“Your mother had left the church. She ran away. And I had no idea what happened to her.”
“Because she feared for her life and for what would happen if you made her marry someone three times her age. How many wives did her future husband already have?”
“Chris!”
“No, Wes. You were young when they died. You didn’t hear all the crap this woman put or tried to put our mom through. I’ve kept you from that because I don’t want you to know.”
“I’m staying in a little apartment not too far from here,” Cheyanne said. “I wanted to find you because you’re my blood. I also thought you would want to know that you have cousins. Fourteen of them have also left the church.”
“I thought Mom was an only child,” Wes said to Chris.
“It’s true. I was only blessed with one daughter myself. But your grandfather had many wives. He had sixty-four children between all of us. Some wives were more blessed than others when it came to having children. I only had your mother, but many of his wives had at least four children. A couple had seven and eight.”
“Jesus,” Wes exclaimed.
“I’ve spoken with many of your cousins. A few of them have expressed an interest in meeting you, too. They’ve recently left the only home they’ve ever known. Like me, they want a fresh start and need some help.”
“You need money,” Chris stated. “That’s what this is about.”
“No, Christina. I’m not here for money,” Cheyanne said.
“Good. We don’t have any,” Chris replied. “What are you here for?”
“To bridge the gap between you and your family. I’d like the chance to get to know you two while I still can. I’m hoping you can tell me about the daughter I never got to see grow up. In short, I’m just interested in getting to know my grandchildren.”
“I can’t tell you much about Mom. I was pretty little when she died,” Wes said.
Cheyanne turned her head to Chris.
“I’m not interested in filling you in on something you should have experienced yourself,” Chris added angrily. “You chose to join a cult. You have to live with the consequences of not knowing your daughter or your grandchildren.”
“Chris, come on.”
“Wes, if you want to talk to her, I won’t stop you. You’re practically an adult; it’s your decision. But I don’t want any part of this.” She held up both of her hands in supplication. “Mom showed me her brand, Cheyanne. Do you have one, too?”
“Brand?” Wes asked.
“They branded women in that cult. Once you hit thirteen and were of marrying age, they jabbed you with a white, hot poker. You were property.”
“It was what the church taught, Christina.”
“Chris. I’ve said it ten times now. Have you heard Wes call me Christina? No. Because I go by Chris. You’d know that if you were a normal grandmother, but you’re not. You joined that cult willingly. I won’t dignify it by calling it a ‘church.’ You were an adult. You made a choice. You married that man who had wives and children already. You didn’t let Mom go to school because women weren’t meant to be smart or do anything important. They were supposed to be slaves to their husbands.” She sighed deeply. “Do you have any idea how hard it was for her after she left? Thank God she found our dad. I don’t know what would have happened to her had she not found him.”
“I can only apologize,” Cheyanne said. “And hope that you can forgive me one day.”
“I’m not in a very forgiving mood right now. I’m in a very irritated mood, if you can’t tell,” Chris replied.
“I understand.” The woman nodded. “I caught you at a bad time as well. I should be going. Would it be all right if I arranged for us to spen
d some time together when you’re both available?” She stood up from the couch.
“Wes, it’s up to you,” Chris told him.
Wesley looked at his sister. Then, he looked at his grandmother.
“I don’t know,” he said. “Do you have a phone number? I could text you.”
Chris tried not to laugh out loud.
“I have a phone. I can give you the number. You can call me anytime.”
“Okay,” he replied.
“Do you have a piece of paper?” she asked.
“You can just put it in my phone. Here you go,” he replied, unlocking his cell phone and offering it to her.
“I’m afraid I don’t…”
“Oh, sorry.” Wesley turned the phone back around. “What’s the number?”
The woman gave it to him. He saved it in his contacts. Then, she moved toward Chris, took a moment to look at her, and moved past her to the front door.
CHAPTER 22
“You didn’t like the first place, but there are other options,” Kinsley said.
“I did like the first place. Well, it was okay. I wasn’t ready to rule it out completely. But Chris didn’t like it,” Paxton replied.
“You two must be serious if she gets a say about the house you’re going to buy,” Kinsley suggested.
Paxton smiled and said, “It’s pretty early, but it is serious. I’m happy with Chris. I’m not going to let her talk me out of the house of my dreams if I find it, though. I mean, we’re not married or anything… I just want her to like where I live. I don’t plan on asking her to move in anytime soon, but Wes is one year away from college. By that time, maybe we’ll be ready to move in together. I don’t want her to hate the house.”
“A year from now, huh?” Kinsley asked with a smile and a lifted eyebrow.
“I hope so.” Paxton shrugged. “I told my sister that I’m crazy about her. I sent Chris the listings you gave me, and there are two she really liked. I thought we could look at them tomorrow, if you’re available. It’s a Sunday, so I’d understand if you can’t. I know better than anyone what it’s like to work seven days a week. It can wait until Monday.”
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