Chapter Fifty
The Casino Royale party was in full swing when Tray and I arrived. Krista pointed out where everything was located before she went to greet more guests. My brother went to the bar to get us a drink.
I walked around and listened in amusement as some of Elizabeth’s female friends talked about Tray. They were all old enough to be his grandmother, so I had to battle the urge to laugh when they called him a ‘turbo-charged hottie.’
Krista was wearing the outfit that was almost my downfall. My eyes widened in surprise because I didn’t remember it being quite so revealing when I wore it. Tray exchanged a knowing glance with me. I realized with horror that I’m a little taller than my best friend. The skirt would have been even shorter on me. I felt a major meltdown coming on, so I quickly shoved those thoughts aside.
Elizabeth introduced me to a game called Blackjack and then, she left me at the table. Once I understood how to play, I started counting the cards. I had never gambled before, so I had no idea I was cheating. It felt more like strategy.
When Krista’s grandmother noticed my ‘Ember-generated’ lucky streak, she called me aside. Taking me into her husband’s din, she explained that little tidbit of information. I blushed and apologized, immediately.
“Sweetie, it’s only cheating if you get caught. The fact that you did only means you’re innocent – that’s a good, good thing. You’re like my Krista, kind and innocent. But, you wouldn’t know it by looking at her now – would you?” she stated, impishly.
I laughed because my best friend doesn’t look innocent at all in that outfit.
“Krista likes this boy – Gerald…Jeremy…”
“Greg,” I told her.
“Do you like him?” she sprang the question on me so fast I didn’t have time to fabricate anything.
“Yes, he seems like a nice guy,” I replied honestly and smiled.
“I didn’t like her first boyfriend. He was self-centered and arrogant. Krista tried to explain his bad behavior away – private school, wealthy parents, etc. I didn’t believe it for a second. That boy’s problem wasn’t being spoiled, he had a mean spirit. Needless to say, I was happy when he moved away from this area. I want her to find a good boy and I don’t want her to get hurt.”
“I promise I’ll keep a close watch for signs of Greg being a self-centered jerk and I’ll report my findings to you. I won’t let her get hurt if I can possibly help it…” I told Elizabeth and she hugged me.
“That brother of yours, he’s available right?” she asked me.
Krista’s grandmother was obviously a matchmaker wanna be. I was astounded because she wanted Tray and Krista to go out together. Honestly, poor Krista had a large price to pay for being my friend. Every guy on planet earth appears to be a self-centered jerk when they’re compared to my brother.
I decided to change the subject because I didn’t know how to respond. So I asked her a few questions about her late husband. She spoke so fondly of him. We sat in the study and talked for half an hour before Krista finally found us.
“Greg’s here,” she announced to her grandmother and gave her a look like ‘please, please don’t embarrass me’.
We walked out into the living room so Elizabeth could meet Krista’s boyfriend. I had butterflies dancing around for my best friend.
Please Greg, don’t make any nervous comments about Krista looking hot or something stupid like that…
Fortunately, he was polite and her grandmother seemed to like him. Elizabeth even invited him back over to dinner on Sunday night to get better acquainted with him. He smiled and accepted the invitation. I couldn’t help, but notice how his nervous hand was shaking.
I renewed my resolve to not get involved in a romantic relationship until I graduated. If tiny Elizabeth made Greg anxious, I could only imagine what some guy I brought home to Tray would do…
We exchanged our gifts with Krista and Elizabeth before Tray and I left the party. Promising to wait until Christmas Day to open them, Krista and I swore it on the grave of our old Aunt Minnie Lou-Lou. We have no idea who she is – we just use her name to seal our deals.
Tray and I planned to spend Christmas day at the Jansens’. So, we decided to have our personal celebration the following morning on Christmas Eve. We had invented our own silly traditions for the holiday. We decorated the Suck Master with whatever ornaments we could find. And, we also made each other cards. They don’t have to be about Christmas. However, they have to include an original limerick. This year’s limericks are already waiting for us under the hose of the vacuum cleaner.
While we were at the party, Willow and Rave had delivered Tray’s tools and hid them in the storage shed for me. I stayed up all night attempting to wrap everything.
I had to sneak outside at three in the morning and carry each set in, individually. Tray is a light sleeper and being quiet isn’t my thing. I managed to make enough noise to wake the dead. But somehow he slept through it.
The sun was rising when I placed the last wrapped gift around our Suck Master tree. Tray’s gifts filled half the living room. I had somehow forgotten how heavy his gifts are and managed to trip over one. Although I only stubbed one toe, the pain assaulted my entire foot. I grabbed it instantly and I hopped around in a circle.
I didn’t cry out, but Tray must have still sensed that something was wrong.
“Ember, you okay?” he asked loudly from his bedroom.
“Oh, sure – just doing a Christmas dance…” I replied comically as I continued to hop around in a circle.
This action didn’t help the pain, but I couldn’t seem to stop doing it. Tray’s footsteps were headed down the hallway. Momentarily forgetting about my pain, I felt the anticipation. I had never been able to buy him anything this big for Christmas. He stopped in the bathroom and then, he stayed in there for a short eternity.
“You gonna come in here any time soon?? You’re missing my new traditional dance…”
I heard the water running. That meant he was either washing his hands or taking a shower. I simply couldn’t stand the anticipation any longer. I hobbled toward the hall intent on dragging him on my back to the living room if I had to. I suppose I could just pretend to collapse in the hallway. Tray would definitely come running if I did that. He finally walked out of the bathroom and stared at me in wonder.
“What are you up to?” he asked and then looked at me suspiciously.
“I told you already. You’re missing my new traditional Christmas dance…” I replied and limped back toward the living room, being careful to avoid his gifts.
“Did you hurt your….” Tray prepared to ask me about my foot when he walked into the living room.
He looked like he was going into shock at first and then, his eyes lit up. I watched a huge smile spread across his face as he realized what I’d been up to.
“Oh no way Ember…how’d you do this…what is all this??” Tray asked as he looked around at my very messy wrapping jobs. “Wow kiddo you…well, you shouldn’t have…this is all…I don’t know what to say…”
“You don’t have to say anything just open them, already! I’ve been up all night long and then, you took a year in the bathroom washing your hands. So please don’t keep me waiting anymore – I can’t stand the suspense…” I told him, excitedly.
He ripped open gift after gift and thanked me every time. I would have to get a job every Christmas because I have never felt so good in my whole life. All the craziness, stress and drama of the past few months were miles away – even my inner fire seemed to enjoy my happiness. It felt like nothing more than a gentle summer breeze warming me from the inside.
My brother placed the tools inside the compartments and drawers of the tool box. He handed me my gift next. It was wrapped with precision. The bow was shimmery silver like the mist that surrounded me that day. I didn’t want to open it because the wrapping paper was so beautiful. He wouldn’t r
elent and forced me to open it regardless of my desire. I removed the giftwrap carefully, so I wouldn’t tear the paper. Nestled inside the box was the most gorgeous amethyst pendant necklace I had ever seen. It also had three flawless ¼ carat diamonds surrounding it and a loop for adding charms.
A small gift tag on the inside read – “To my little girl – my sun light – my shining star – my beam of life – forever Tray”. I didn’t try to fight back my tears. I had never been given such a precious gift. I knew I would treasure it forever as I sat there speechless. Later, I would place the box, giftwrap and tag in my keepsake hat box.
“Oh wait, I almost forgot to give these to you…” he said and handed me three more small gift boxes.
Inside each one was a charm – a star, a sun and a moon. He helped me put them on the loop and then, he fastened the necklace around my neck.
I plan to never take it off…
Ember Rising Light (Book One) Page 54
