Christmas Secrets: A Short Story

by J. Nichole

  Denise rolls her eyes. “Ivy, get your daughter. Always making noise.” Denise rubs her temples. I’m sure the drinks she’s had throughout the morning are leaving her with a headache, or leaving her needing more, especially after her verbal assault on Grandpa Dean and then Memaw’s unexpected defense of him.

  Kenya strides into the kitchen in heels that demand as much attention as her yelling. “She could have at least changed out of them clothes. Just going to roll up into mama’s house strutting her stuff like that. Shameful,” Denise whispers.

  Kenya hugs me from behind and whispers in my ear, “Welcome home, heffa.” I turn to give her a proper hug. Although she preferred dolls to my tree climbing, we were close growing up. After my parents passed away in a car accident and Aunt Ivy took me in, we grew even closer. Our resemblance allowed our high school friends to believe we were more than cousins. It was during those years when competition for attention reared. I was no longer climbing trees, or running with the boys. Instead, my body matured into its current curvy state, and I fully embraced my curves, rocking tight-fitting dresses, jeans, and the whole nine. But Kenya wasn’t hip to my changes; she didn’t welcome the competition. We battled back and forth until we both graduated and I left for college.

  “Thanks, Kenya.” I pinch her ass. “I bet this made you a few extra dollars last night.”

  Kenya laughs, pulling away from my hug to give me a full view of her money-maker and says, “More than a few, girl.”

  Before we get carried away, my grandmother clears her throat. “Kenya, you aren’t going to get much done in this kitchen with those heels on.” Kenya looks down at her shoes and shrugs her shoulders. “Kick them off and help your cousin with those pies. We don’t have all day.” Memaw knows we had our challenges a couple of years ago, and in typical grandmother fashion, she takes every chance she can get to push us together.

  Kenya kicks off her shoes and stands beside me waiting for directions. I put her in charge of mixing another batch of sweet potato filling. When everyone arrives for dinner, we’ll have at least twenty people in the house. Then after dinner, Memaw always has friends stop by for pie and coffee.

  “I hear you brought a man home,” Kenya says as she whips the mixture.

  Smiling I answer, “Sure did. He’s in the living room with Bean.”

  She raises her eyebrow with her lips pursed. “Must be serious then, huh?”

  I wag my head. “You can say that. We’ve been dating for a while, and he hasn’t gotten tired of me.”

  She laughs. “Let’s see how he makes it through the day.” She looks around the kitchen at all of the women hard at work. “Our family can be the greatest deterrent."

  I sigh, knowing that our family has its fair share of issues, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. The way they rallied around me after losing my parents, the way we helped each other through the pain. We’ve had a number of disagreements. But for the most part, our bond is unbreakable. “And what about you?” I smile, knowing that men pour over Kenya all the time.

  “I’ve had a few decent guys approach me, but when they realize what I do, they tend to back away.” Kenya has been a burlesque dancer for years. I’ve watched her shows, and although she’s scantily dressed on stage, her performance is classy. The club she dances at is not the average adult entertainment spot. The men don’t throw money at her, or pay for lap dances.

  “I’m sure that’s tough.” I pass her a few pie shells to fill with the new batch of mixture. Once we have all ten pies filled, we escape to the living room. Standing beside James, I say, “Kenya, this is James.” He rises to shake her hand.

  Bean stands to hug Kenya, not as emphatic as he was when he saw me, but I’m sure they see each other on the regular. Kenya squeezes in next to Bean on the couch and asks, “What are y’all watching?”

  “Some movie those little dudes picked out.” He points to our cousins sitting too close to the screen.

  Kenya looks from the television to Bean. “Where’s your girl at? You know folks bringing boos home for Christmas and all.” She looks at me and I laugh.

  Before responding, Bean looks to James then me sitting beside him. “You know I don’t love these girls. Bring them home have them thinking they’re special.”

  Kenya shakes her head. “Guess we’ll leave all that sweet stuff to Corrine.”

  I look around the living room and realize Grandpa Dean is missing. “Where’d Grandpa Dean go, Bean?”

  As if he hadn’t realized he was missing, Bean replied, “Man, I don’t know. I wouldn’t be surprised if he snuck out of here.”

  Kenya smirks. “I don’t even know why he still comes around.” Over the years our grandmother never re-married, she just raised her kids while Grandpa Dean had another family. Although his other family has never been welcomed into the house, he’s always made it a point to see his kids and grandkids. “I wish Memaw would have just re-married.”

  Bean clears his throat. “I can’t even imagine Memaw with a man. Let’s leave that topic alone.” We all turn when a loud knock comes from the door. Most of the family is here in the house, but maybe one of Memaw’s neighbors is stopping by.

  Kenya hops off the couch and strolls to the front door. “What’d they say about that outfit,” Bean asks when Kenya walks past him.

  “You know Aunt Denise said something under her breath,” I respond. “But Memaw won’t have anyone talking about her grandbaby.”

  James looks at me with a confused look. Kenya’s profession was another small detail I omitted on our four-hour drive. “She’s a burlesque dancer,” I say. He nods his head as he takes in what I just said. “Most of the aunts think she dresses too scantily off the stage.” James rubs his chin.

  “Corrine, can you come here?” I hear Kenya yell from the foyer. She may be grilling the neighbor who dropped by unexpected and for some reason needs backup.

  “I’ll be right back,” I say to James before scooting off the couch. When I round the corner to the foyer, I see Kenya with her hand on her hip blocking the doorway. “What’s up?” She moves to the side and gives me a glimpse of the figure standing in front of her. “Oh.”

  Kenya cocks her head and says, “I tried to tell him it was bad timing, but he insist he needs to see you.” Bad timing indeed. With James steps away in the living room, my ex-boyfriend popping up will be difficult to explain.

  “Give me a second,” I say, looking at Kenya and dismissing her from her guard post.

  She smacks her lips. “You sure?” I nod my head.

  “Caleb, what are you doing here,” I ask.

  He looks towards the house next door. “It didn’t take long for my grandmother to find out you were in town.” Caleb and I dated for our last two years of high school. Before we left for college, he decided he didn’t want to do the long-distance thing and broke up with me. I was heartbroken, devastated. I always had dreams of us finishing college, getting married, having kids and bringing them home to our grandmothers’ houses. How convenient it would have been with them being neighbors.

  “And you thought it was a good idea to stop by?” I find myself in the same pose as Kenya was just a few minutes before.

  “I didn’t think it would be a horrible idea until Kenya told me you brought your boyfriend home.” He looks down at his feet. He hasn’t changed much since we broke up. His shoulders are broader than they were when we were in high school, and his beard has filled in, covering his jaw line. Back then I thought he was the sexiest guy in high school, but now he’s just average.

  “I would have thought you said everything you had to say the last time we spoke.” With my head cocked I challenge him to deny our last conversation. The one where he ended our relationship. The one where his bullshit excuses weren’t enough to calm my anger. I was pissed.

  “Listen, Rinne, now isn’t the time to hash out that day and the stupid thoughts I had and the reasons why I haven’t said anything since then. If you were single, or if I wasn’t disrespecting
your dude by saying something, maybe. But after coming over here, I couldn’t just walk away without seeing you.”

  I sigh before raising my hand to stop all his words. He’s never been one with much to say, and I don’t know what’s changed him, but it’s too late. Too late for him to care, and certainly too late for me to let him care. “Tell your grandmother I said hello.”

  I turn to close the door and hear him say, “I’m sure she’d love to see you before you head out.”

  “I’ll be sure to stop by before I leave.” He nods his head then walks away. With the door closed I take a deep breath and contemplate how to tell James about the visit from my ex-boyfriend.

  Bean, James, and Kenya are all laughing when I walk back into the living room. I squint my eyes and wait for someone to share the joke. Bean catches his breath long enough to say, “Your little cousins are crazy.” He points to one of them and continues, “This dude just went off on the television because the slow streaming interrupted his movie.” I look around the room at everyone still sharing in the laughter and realize it was probably one of those moments you had to witness for it to be funny.

  Instead of sitting back next to James, I sit on the floor in front of him. He places his hand on my shoulder and asks, “You alright?” I nod my head, but don’t elaborate.

  “I was just telling James about that time Memaw beat our tails for running around outside in our bathing suits,” Kenya says between laughs. Our grandmother, being the wholesome Christian that she is, thought it was blasphemy for us to be outside in so little clothing. Especially since the neighborhood boys were nearby playing with our cousins. She didn’t let us get good in the house before she started wailing on us, yelling about how we should be ashamed of ourselves for being outside without any clothes on. At that moment it was the most embarrassing thing that could have happened to me, but looking back all I can do is laugh. “Probably when Caleb first caught eye of you.”

  My laughter stops and I cut my eyes at Kenya. Being queen petty, she only shared that tidbit of information as an opportunity to bring up my ex in front of James. “I doubt it. We were like ten.” I look at James to see if his face shows any indication of concern. His laughter has stopped, but he doesn’t appear to be phased by Kenya’s spoonful of information. “Come sit with me on the porch for a few,” I tell James.

  I stand up and grab his hand before Kenya can divulge any additional information. I should be the one to tell him about Caleb; then, and now.

  The rocking chairs on the front porch have been here since before I can remember. Each summer they get a fresh coat of white paint, but over the years they’ve lost the ability to rock comfortably. Sitting side-by-side I look out at the front yard and again I can see Kenya and I running with our bathing suits on before we heard the front door open and Memaw descend the stairs to snatch us up.

  “Your family is cool,” James says, interrupting my memory.

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying them. The more I’m around them, the more I realize we have had some amazing times together. But we all still have our issues.”

  “What family doesn’t have their share of issues?” James grabs my hand. “Are you sure everything is okay?”

  I look at him. “Caleb, the guy Kenya mentioned, that’s who was at the door.” James shifts in his seat and looks away from me. “We dated in high school, but he broke up with me before I left for college. I haven’t seen him since we broke up.” I circle my thumb around his hand.

  “And he just showed up today?”

  I look at the house beside my grandmother’s. “His grandmother lives next door.” I point to her house. “I assume Memaw probably shared with her that I’d be home for the break.”

  “Guess she probably didn’t share that I’d be joining you.” He shrugs his shoulders. “Or maybe she did.”

  “Whether he knew before he came over or not, I’m not sure. Kenya made sure to let him know. But more importantly, I let him know that he didn’t have any reason to come by here. There’s nothing he needs to say to me.”

  “Hummm…” James mumbles. “You sure about that,” he asks with a wince.

  “Bae, whether you and I were together or not, Caleb would have nothing to say to me.”

  James hunches his shoulders and looks towards the old house next door. Our families have occupied this street for generations. Over the years each of the houses has had its fair share of improvements, but the age is undeniable. The worn path between the houses, bent trees, and misplaced stones are reminders of the treks taken between our two houses.

  When James turns back to face me, his expression is free of concern. “What else is on the Christmas Day agenda?”

  Chapter Three

  Kissing Cousins

  “Where’d you two disappear to,” Kenya asks with her hand perched on her hip. Hips that mimic mine. “Do I even want to know,” she asks as James and I look at each other. I shake my head before I leave them in the living room. The sisters have vacated the kitchen and Memaw is sitting at the kitchen table across from Grandpa Dean. I join them at the table and wait for Memaw to tell me to stay out of grown folks business.

  But she doesn’t. Instead, she asks, “Where’s that man, honey?” I look at Grandpa Dean and he has his eyebrows raised, waiting for me to respond.

  “He’s in the living room with Bean and Kenya.” I look to Grandpa Dean and ask, “Where’d you go after breakfast?”

  He leans back in his chair. “Your grandfather is getting old. I can’t hang like I used to.” Memaw smacks her lips. “Unlike your grandmother, who can stay in the kitchen keeping herself busy all day, I needed a nap.” I nod my head.

  “You just brought your boyfriend home and you’re already leaving him with your cousins,” my grandma says. “Not sure that’s a good idea.”

  I look at her with my eyebrows stitched together. “You think they’ll share embarrassing stories of me?”

  “That’s the least of my worries, dear.” Grandpa Dean taps his hand on the table, interrupting my grandmother.

  “She’s worried that your cousin may steal your man.” My head snaps towards Grandpa Dean. “Blame me. I left her trusting nobody. Not even her own family.”

  I look around the kitchen and blink my eyes a few times. This is the most candid my grandparents have ever been. Guess I’m not a kid anymore.

  “You know that girl has always seen you as competition.” Memaw shakes her head. “I don’t know where she got that from. We don’t raise our kids to be jealous of anyone.”

  “I wouldn’t trust her walking around him with those clothes on, jealous of you or not,” Grandpa Dean says matter-of-factly.

  “It was nice chatting with you two.” I stand to leave the kitchen and they both laugh.

  Kenya is wedged between a sleeping Bean and a relaxed James. I sit on the chair across from them. “I was just talking to James about the city. Hard to believe he’s barely been around Atlanta.”

  “My parents didn’t travel much when we were growing up.” James leans forward. “But Corrine has promised she’ll give me a proper tour before we leave.”

  “That’s right. I’ll give you a grand tour.”

  “Maybe you can bring him to one of my shows.” Kenya laughs. “Can’t come all the way to the A and not see some of the best entertainers in the world.” James begins to cough. “Don’t worry, couples come in all the time.”

  “Get your butt out of here. Always causing some drama.” I look at Kenya and we both stand to head to the kitchen where all the commotion is coming from.

  Aunt Denise is standing near Grandpa Dean at the table while her sister Mary is wagging her finger in her face. “If he’d just learn to stay away I wouldn’t need to say something each time I see him.” I look at Memaw shaking her head.

  Memaw slams her hand on the table. “Denise, you’re going to make me lose my religion. After all these years, we’ve heard all you’ve had to say. There isn’t much more that needs to be said.” She stands up. “A
nd until you pay some bills in my house, you’ll respect the guests of my house.” Aunt Denise begins to speak before Memaw shouts, “Not another word young lady.” Aunt Denise takes a swig of her drink before sitting her cup on the kitchen counter and walking out.

  Mary grabs Memaw and wraps her arms around her. Grandpa Dean clears his throat. “I told you we just need to tell them.” Memaw wags her hand in the air before escaping Mary’s arms and walking out of the kitchen.

  “This family is full of drama,” Kenya whispers loud enough for everyone in the kitchen to hear her.

  Ivy and Loretta walk into the kitchen looking at all of us. “What is going on now,” Aunt Ivy asks. “Can’t even rest in this house without someone fu…” She looks at Grandpa Dean before continuing, “Messing it up.”

  “Ma, you know your sister is always in attack mode.” Kenya says, leaning against the counter. “But Memaw put her in her place.”

  “For now.” Looking at Grandpa Dean, I say, “Aunt Denise’s grudge runs deep.” Grandpa Dean shakes his head and sighs as he gets up and walks out of the kitchen. Aunt Ivy and Loretta look at Kenya and me before taking a seat at the kitchen table, occupying the seats where Memaw and Grandpa Dean sat.

  “This happens every year. You’d think one year one of them would just stay their ass at home.” Aunt Ivy rakes her hand through her hair. “But you know Denise has to make everyone else suffer with her.”

  Loretta turns her wrist to look at her watch. “Only a few more hours till dinner. Let’s just pray we can make it till then with no more issues.”

  I tap Kenya on the shoulder and nod my head towards the living room. As much as I’d love to sit around and listen to my aunts gossip about Aunt Denise or any other family drama, I shouldn’t keep leaving James to my little cousins.

  “What was that all about?” Bean looks at me then Kenya. “Sounds like it was about to be an all-out war in there.”