by Emery, Lynn
Carly eyed her with curiosity. “Hi.”
Nedra smiled. “Hello, it’s so nice to meet you. Your daddy is super proud of you.”
“Thank you.” Carly wrapped a little arm around Carlos’ neck and blinked at Nedra shyly.
“So you know all about us. Tell us about you,” Chanté said with a feline smile.
“I work for the city constable here and I’m old Baton Rouge,” Nedra replied promptly and smiled back at her. “Born and bred in the Red Stick.”
“Old Baton Rouge family, huh? I bet Judge Jacobs loves that.” Chanté shot Carlos a sideways glance as she murmured the last sentence.
“Do you sit up high and tell people what to do, like my Meemee?” Carly blinked at Nedra.
“No, Nedra isn’t a judge like your grandmother, sweetheart. You hungry?” asked Carlos, smoothing down a stray hair that had come loose from one of the little girl’s two thick braids.
“We ate. You think I don’t make sure Carly eats healthy,” Chanté shot back with a brief look of annoyance.
“I had chicken fingers dipped in honey mustard sauce, fries and a biscuit. I didn’t eat the biscuit though. Too greasy.” Carly spoke matter-of-factly, undoing her mother’s defensive response.
“Here, go put your suitcase in whatever corner you’ll be sleeping in, since daddy has company.” Chanté extended a pink, child-size, rolling duffle bag.
“Okay.” Carly climbed down from her father’s embrace and looked up at him.
“You’ll be in your bedroom, like always, honey,” said Carlos, smiling at his daughter. When she grinned and darted up the stairway, singing, he turned back to her mother.
Chanté seemed unaffected by his cold expression. “I can take her to your mama’s house if she’s in the way.”
“Carly is never ‘in the way’. Thank you,” Carlos replied quietly.
“Just sayin’…” Chante was about to go on when her phone chimed. She took it out and read the text. Seconds later, she tapped a short response and put it away. “I’ll give Carly a last goodbye kiss.”
“Uh-huh.” Carlos looked away.
As Chanté disappeared up the staircase, Nedra put a hand on Carlos’ shoulder. “You okay?”
He sighed. “Is it that obvious that she was working on my last damn nerve?”
“Kinda,” Nedra whispered.
She was about to say more when Chanté appeared at the top of the stairs, gazing down at them. “Well, she seems to be settling in with all the goodies you have stocked up there,” she announced, walking downstairs. She glanced at them both, and appeared to notice how close they stood. “Merry Christmas,” she added.
“Same to you, and enjoy your trip,” Nedra said quickly. She could feel the simmering anger radiating from Carlos.
“Thank you. Bye, Carlos.” Chanté flashed him a flirtatious smile.
“Bye.” Carlos walked to the door, pulled it open, and shut it firmly after his ex had left.
Nedra wondered if the two of them were really over. “She still gets to you.”
Carlos wrapped both arms around Nedra. “Not in a good way. She wants to fight, even though it isn’t good for our child. Notice how she tries to subtly make Carly think I might not have room for her in my life?”
“Daddy, do we have any praline ice cream?” Carly yelled from upstairs. “I’m hungry.”
Carlos’ tense expression eased at the sound of her voice. “Baby girl, I thought you ate.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t have dessert.”
“I can’t argue with that logic,” he said, laughing. “Come on down here. I happen to have your favorite.”
“Look, I’ll go,” suggested Nedra, walking towards the hall closet to get her coat.
“No way! After I put her to bed, we need to search for you-know-what.” Carlos kept his voice low as Carly bounced down the steps.
The girl glanced at Nedra and then at her father. “Mommy says I should stay in my room so I won’t be any trouble, ‘cause you have company.”
“You’re never any trouble. We’re going to all have ice cream.” Carlos walked over to Nedra and closed the closet door. “Right?”
“Right,” agreed Nedra. She felt a nervous flutter at the probing gaze of Carly’s light brown eyes.
They settled into Carlos’ breakfast nook over bowls of ice cream. Unlike her mother, Carly seemed more curious than hostile towards Nedra. She had the sweetest little girl, charm-school manners. When Carly began to yawn, Carlos decided to take her upstairs to bed. She waved as he carried her. “Goodnight, Miss Nedra.”
Nedra felt a tug at her heart strings. “Sleep tight, sweetie.”
She returned to the computer and searched for the elusive robotic bug toys that everyone had to have. Twenty minutes later, Carlos came back down. He’d changed into a T-shirt and sweat pants, with the Southern University jaguar mascot on both.
“She’s already dozing off. Let’s give it another five minutes to be sure and then back to the hunt.” Carlos sighed and sat next to Nedra.
“She’s so lovely, Carlos.” Nedra felt a jab of sadness at what she’d been missing all these years.
“We’re going to have a great Christmas together; the three of us.” Carlos kissed her and held her tightly.
“Yes, we will,” replied Nedra, looking forward to the holidays in a way she never had before.
Chapter 8
Tuesday night, Nedra sang The Twelve Days of Christmas as she cooked dinner. Carlos arrived just as she was putting the spaghetti and spicy meatballs on simmer. She rushed to check the garlic bread and then scurried to her front door as the bell chimed a second time.
“Be patient, man, I’m coming,” Nedra called as she flipped the locks.
“I’m hungry. Please let me in!” Carlos groaned. When she swung the door wide, he stood pretending to slump against the door. He reached out to her. “Don’t know if I can make it.”
She grabbed his arm and yanked him through the doorway. “Oh please. Come on in here before my neighbors call the police.”
Carlos locked the door, inhaled and exhaled. “Something smells so good.”
Nedra hurried back to the oven. The edges of the bread had started to turn light brown. She removed the tray and turned off the oven. “Spicy meatballs, my secret sauce and pasta,” she said. “Oh and garlic bread. With all those carbs, I doubt we’ll have room for dessert.”
“I’m hoping for spice alright.” Carlos winked at her and did a dance turn to the music coming from Nedra’s sound system.
“Getting fresh already, huh? Besides, you’re in daddy mode. Best behave. I don’t want your family saying you left your daughter behind because of me. You could have brought Carly.”
“Actually, it’s tradition,” he replied. “She spends at least one night with my parents. They love having her over. My niece and nephews go over as well, and my sister spends the night to help out.”
Carlos broke off a corner of garlic bread and Nedra tapped him on the hand. “Stop that. We’ll be sitting down in a minute,” she said. “The table is set.”
“I couldn’t resist. Garlic bread is like an aphrodisiac, by the way.” Carlos came up behind Nedra and kissed her neck.
She giggled as his hands roamed over her hips and thighs. “Don’t mess with the cook during food preparation. I think that’s a health law or something.”
“I wouldn’t want to do anything illegal, at least not yet.” Carlos swatted her butt and went to the sink to wash his hands. “I’ll get the bread and salad.”
“Good, put those wandering hands to good use,” Nedra wisecracked.
“I will later on.” Carlos wiggled his eyebrows at her.
They shared jokes and laughter for the next hour over dinner. Nedra marveled at how different this holiday would be from the previous one. Another break-up, just before Christmas, had left her feeling down last year. Her friends maintained that trifling men always got the goods and skipped out before the holidays to avoid gift giving. Nedra wa
s feeling much less cynical this year. After dinner they sat on her sofa to relax.
“So how’s your visit with Carly going so far?” asked Nedra.
“Great, as always. We had a talk about you though.”
Nedra froze and stared at him. “You talked about me?”
“She wanted to know if you were my girlfriend and if you would be moving in with me, and…”
Nedra’s mouth dropped open. “She’s only five! How could she even think up such questions?”
“Well, for one thing, her mama has had a few ‘boyfriends’ since we split up. I’m sure her mother has spoken about my dating habits and not in a good way either.” Carlos sighed. “Our break-up was messy.”
“And Carly saw and heard a lot?”
“Yeah, Chanté isn’t shy about speaking her mind in front of our kid,” he replied. “In case you’ve heard any gossip, she didn’t catch me with another woman in our bedroom. She told everyone that to make herself look sympathetic. I found out she was sexing the assistant pastor at her church. He was supposedly ‘counseling’ her on our marriage issues.”
Carlos nodded when Nedra stared at him in shock. She blinked rapidly. “Whoa. Gotta let that one sink in for a minute.”
“The church hushed it up and I’d never blast out that kind of news about the mother of my child. Since we’re talking about relationships, the gossip you heard about me having lots of ladies is true.” Carlos cleared his throat. “I never lied to any of them though. They were told upfront that I wasn’t looking for a live-in, let alone a wife.”
“I see.” Nedra stared ahead at the wall-mounted flat screen, even though it wasn’t turned on. She had been leaning into Carlos, but now she sat straight.
“Hey, where you goin’? I was talking about them. I see us together, for a long time,” he said softly. “That’s why I wanted you to know.”
Nedra smiled as he pulled her close to his body. “I wasn’t picking out furniture for us or anything,” she said. Still, she savored the warmth from his solid arm around her.
“Honey, other women have met Carly briefly. None of them spent the holidays with us.” Carlos kissed her. “You and me, we’re together. Got it?”
“Got it.” Nedra could barely catch her breath. The look in his eyes made her tremble. Then she gasped, “We’re serving dinner Christmas day, remember? You know we start early prepping the site. Fortunately, we have more than enough volunteers this year. You stay home with baby girl. Christmas morning is a big deal for kids.”
“Carly gets up at the crack of dawn to tear open her gifts. I’ll bring her with me. I think the experience will be great for her. I won’t be able to stay for hours after though.” Carlos rubbed his chin.
“If you’re sure, then we’d be glad to have her. We have school kids who help all the time. And I agree, kids should learn about giving to others. Did I mention that you’re a wonderful father?” Nedra kissed him long and passionately.
“Yes, but I won’t complain about more compliments from you,” Carlos replied softly once the kiss ended.
“Come with me, daddy…”
Nedra tugged him to his feet and started down the hall to her bedroom. She felt resistance and glanced over her shoulder. Carlos pulled his sweater over his head and took off his slacks in record time. He yanked her to him and put a hand under her blouse. Nedra gasped as his large thumb rubbed her nipple hard. He kissed her.
“What’s wrong with right here?” he whispered, his lips still pressing against hers.
He lovingly undressed Nedra, still whispering everything he liked about her curves and the way she smelled. Her senses whirled out of control as his body pressed against hers. Within seconds he lifted her and set her on the edge of the sofa back. As he entered her, Nedra cried out. Their lovemaking started out in frenzy as they tore at each other, hungrily. No tender, taking their time this night. Instead, they clung to each other as though they’d been apart for weeks. In sync, they reached the blissful moment that left them both moaning and trembling. Nedra panted as they both grew still.
“I hope your neighbors don’t complain to the management. I might have gotten a little loud for a minute.” Carlos shuddered and lifted Nedra from the sofa.
“Fortunately, we have great sound proofing,” she gasped.
They padded down the hallway to her bedroom and climbed beneath the bed covers.
“Good to know,” Carlo mumbled, his eyes closing as he nuzzled Nedra’s hair. “I love that shampoo.”
“Green apple and ginger,” she replied. Then she snapped out of her daze. “Shouldn’t you check in with your folks to see if everything is okay?”
“Nope, they’re fine. Besides, they’ll call my cell if they need me.” He shifted to fit his body against hers.
Nedra caressed his cheek with a finger. “Honey?”
“Umm?” His eyes were still closed.
“Thanks for being so open and honest with me, for sharing your life. I love that you trust me.” Nedra smiled at him.
Carlos opened his eyes and looked at her for a few seconds. “I’m in love with you, Nedra. Believe me?”
She laughed as tears slid down her face. Nedra couldn’t speak at first. She kissed him with a desire that had nothing to do with sex; her heart beating hard enough to disturb the neighbors in spite of the sound proofing. He rested his head on her breasts and Nedra kissed the top of his head.
“Yes, I do. I love you back, Carlos Jacobs.”
****
Wednesday morning, Carlos left Nedra’s apartment and stopped by his place briefly to change clothes. He wouldn’t dare to pick up his daughter wearing the same shirt and pants as he’d worn the night before. His mother would definitely give him ‘the look’ and Carly would most likely question him in front of the rest of the family. She was like her mother, always ready to say what was on her mind, whenever and wherever.
Once he’d changed into a dark blue sweater and jeans, Carlos headed over to the upscale neighborhood where his parents lived. Once he’d parked his Accura, he headed into the house and made for the kitchen. His mother was sitting at the long, marble-topped breakfast bar, nursing a mug of hot cocoa. She stared into the cup with a frown, as though searching for a solution to a problem.
“Good morning,” said Carlos. He walked over and kissed her right cheek, before sitting down on a stool.
Yvonne looked up after a few moments. She drained her cup and walked over to the double kitchen sink. “How was your evening the other night with Ms. Wallace and Carly?”
Carlos suppressed a sigh at the interrogation he knew was coming. “I’m sure you heard the details from Carly already, Mother.”
“I want the adult perspective. Carly hasn’t made up her mind yet what she thinks of your new lady friend.” Yvonne meticulously washed and dried the mug, and placed it on a decorative wooden rack, which held five more matching mugs.
“We got along just fine as a matter of fact. We had ice cream and Carly asked a few questions. I’m sure she’ll have more when we get together next time.” Carlos grabbed a ceramic mug, went to the fancy brew machine, and filled half of it. Leaning against the counter, he waited.
“I see. You have an itinerary already.” Yvonne wiped her hands on a large paper towel as she gazed at him.
“We’re going to the Christmas Village, across the river in New Roads, Saturday night. Carly will get a big kick out of it and so will Nedra. She’s like a little girl herself when it comes to Christmas lights and decorations.” Carlos smiled and sipped the rich liquid.
“Is she now? How sweet,” Yvonne said in a dry tone.
Carlos sipped again. “Okay, let’s get it over with.”
Yvonne gave him a poker-faced look. “What are you talking about?”
“You have something on your mind about Nedra and Carly. So let’s just get to it while we’re alone.”
Yvonne crossed to a bar stool and sat down. “Not that it’s any of my business. You’re grown and have the right to parent
my grandchild how you choose.”
“Yes, indeed.”
His mother squinted at him. “But you said yourself that Nedra might not be in your life for long. I understand you weren’t expecting them to meet so fast. We have Chanté to thank for that.”
“Chanté loves acting on impulse, usually to meet her own needs,” Carlos replied.
“I see she hasn’t changed much.” Yvonne’s frown deepened at the thought of her former daughter-in-law. “But, back to the subject. Maybe you shouldn’t have them spend so much holiday time together. Carly is at a critical age. You wouldn’t want her to start forming an attachment only to have the woman disappear.”
Carlos raised an eyebrow at her mother. “I don’t think Carly will be traumatized if we break up later. But not to worry, Mother, Nedra is not going to disappear anytime soon.”
Yvonne lifted her chin. “Things are getting serious so soon? You hardly know her, son.”
“We’re spending time together to get to know each other. Besides, Nedra is exactly who I thought she’d be; smart, classy and unselfish. She was pretty good with Carly, too.” Carlos smiled at his mother.
Yvonne didn’t smile back. “I see.”
“You’re supposed to say, ‘That’s wonderful son. I’m glad you’re happy’.”
His mother looked at him intently. “I’m up for re-election in another two years. I’m also working on getting a federal judgeship appointment. Do you know what that means?”
“Yes, I do.” Carlos gazed out of the bay window over the kitchen sink. The weather outside was crisp, with a clear blue sky and sunshine. His mother longed for the prestige of being on the federal bench.
“I want to preside over cases with national implications. Getting a spot on the Appeals Court might be out of reach. Rodney Davidson and his crew have blocked me, but I still have a chance at one of the district judgeships. At least two of the current judges are talking about retiring in another year or two.”
Carlos glanced at his mother. Her eyes gleamed at the prospect of moving closer to her goal. He didn’t need to ask how she knew about two federal judges considering retirement. Yvonne Elliot Jacobs had contacts in a lot of places. She helped lawyers and recent law-school graduates to get jobs with that in mind.
