All I Want for Christmas Read online

  Nedra happily sat back and waited for her counterpart for the Christmas event to get his ducks in a row. Rod expected all of the arrangements to be nailed down, so George Eastman, the operations coordinator, checked to make sure his sub-committee leaders had no problems to report. Rod had a good-natured face in public, as did most politicians, but he cracked his whip behind the scenes. With an eye on running for the legislature in another year, he wanted a list of good deeds to use during his campaign.

  “I’m so glad to see you, guys,” Rod called out as two men entered the conference room. He shook their hands and beamed.

  “You think he’s had enough time to feel out possible campaign donors?” George whispered over Nedra’s shoulder. The tall redhead had been a basketball standout at LSU in the nineties.

  She turned to him. “Trust me; he’s already sealed some deals on that score. He’ll be shaking hands for another hour if you let him. Just get everyone’s attention and start.”

  “My plan, exactly. I don’t want to be here until Christmas Eve,” George joked. He strode over to the podium and announced that the meeting was about to start.

  Nedra took a seat in a chair along the wall. She liked being an observer after her long stint as the Thanksgiving dinner operations coordinator. In true Southern style, George allowed people to gather a cup of coffee, donut or fruit, which were set out. Five minutes later, nearly everyone was seated around a long table in the center of the room.

  Nedra took out her tablet and stylus to take notes. As George went over the general details, she scribbled down a few key words. More people came into the meeting, but Nedra checked her e-mails and didn’t glance up. A handout containing the minutes of the previous meeting was passed around and she took one.

  “Hello, pretty lady.”

  Nedra’s head snapped around. Carlos was sitting in the once-empty chair to her left. He wore a teasing smile at her shocked reaction. She managed to recover from the thrill of hearing that mellow baritone voice. It wouldn’t do to salivate over the man in front of the whole world.

  “Well, hello,” she whispered. “What are you doing here?”

  “I signed on for the Christmas dinner. Seeing the smiles and happiness, and being part of making it happen feels good.” Carlos leaned closer. “My buddies will be wondering about my macho image in a minute.”

  “Real men like to serve others,” Nedra quipped and grinned back at him.

  “Good you think that way. I’m going to learn how to serve you, too.” Carlos winked and sat back as George started to speak again.

  Nedra used the sheet of paper containing the minutes to fan her face. Carlos’ sensual implication hit her body like a flamethrower and she was feeling the fire. Though she tried to focus on the drone of George’s voice, her imagination fought back. Images flashed through her mind of Carlos lying naked on Egyptian cotton sheets, waiting for her with a platter of chocolate-covered strawberries. The mention of her name punched through her wonderful visualization.

  “What do you think, Nedra?” George asked.

  She blinked rapidly, as though trying to remember who he was and why he was there. Heads turned to gaze at her. Nedra smiled and nodded. “Sure thing.”

  “Which one?” George asked with a laugh.

  “Sorry, uh, I was making notes. Repeat that for me again.” Nedra blushed at being caught daydreaming.

  She spotted Dwayne, standing next to the mayor, wearing a less-than-friendly smirk at her expense. He looked across the room and gave a slight nod in that direction. Nedra followed his gaze to find Judge Yvonne Jacobs, stone-faced and dressed in her black robe, studying her intently. Nedra cursed herself for not paying attention to who had entered the room.

  “He asked if the carts worked or if we should we serve buffet style,” Carlos whispered.

  “Oh, right. Thanks,” she replied, giving him a grateful smile. To George, she said, “Definitely use the carts again. In fact, I’ll make a call and see if we can get at least a few with two levels.”

  “Yeah, with our crowds, buffet style wouldn’t work as well. Plus we’d need separate space so the crowd wouldn’t spill into the dining area,” Alice Faye chimed in.

  “The volunteers really enjoy the interaction of going from one table to the next. Plus doing it that way gives us a true family-style dining experience,” Nedra added, getting her wind back.

  “Good points, Nedra,” said Rod, beaming at her. “At this late date we can’t switch the location for extra space.”

  George nodded and smiled at Nedra. “You’re on target per usual, ladies. Nedra, I’ll put you down for looking to upgrade the carts. Thanks.”

  “No problem,” she replied, adding the reminder to her tablet. She didn’t look at the judge again for the rest of the meeting.

  Thirty minutes later, George wrapped up the briefing and once again people took the chance to network. Judge Jacobs spoke to the Mayor, and Dwayne hovered nearby, nodding as if he was a key part of their discussion. Yet he took time to dart glances at Nedra and Carlos.

  Carlos stepped in front of her, cutting off the view of Dwayne, and said, “So, you’ll get to meet my mother.”

  “Hmm, well, she looks busy and I’m sure she has to get back to court,” Nedra replied, her words tumbling out as she inched towards the nearby door.

  “The judge’s bite isn’t fatal. I should know, since I had to live with it for nineteen years.” Carlos chuckled.

  “I’ve got to make some calls anyway. See you Saturday.”

  As two people opened the door, Nedra gave Carlos what she hoped was a warm smile and zipped past them to safety. Or so she thought. His long-legged stride helped him to catch up with her in the hallway.

  “Nedra, hold on a minute,” Carlos said, placing a guiding hand under her elbow. Nedra stopped walking. “She’s really not that bad, despite what you may have heard.”

  “No, no, I don’t listen to gossip. I mean, it’s just...” Nedra struggled for a way to not insult his mother accidently. “You know, still on the clock and lots of stuff to do.”

  “Tell the truth,” Carlos said, one eyebrow cocked.

  “Don’t you think it’s a little fast for a ‘meet the mother’ kind of thing?” Nedra replied. “We’re in the early stages of... well, we really don’t know what, do we?”

  “True, but since we’re all here and the situation happened naturally, we might as well get it over with. I already mentioned you last week and…”

  “What?” Nedra yelped and then caught herself when a few heads turned. “Sorry, I’m just surprised my name came up so soon.”

  Carlos laughed out loud. “The expression on your face is priceless. Okay, okay, don’t shoot me. We can put off the meet and greet indefinitely. Better?”

  “Lord, yes. I mean, uh...” Nedra cast around for a way to dress up her reaction.

  “No problem,” Carlos replied, and laughed harder as he hooked an arm around her, as if he needed to support himself.

  “Did I look that horrified? Please don’t think I’m insulting your mother,” Nedra whispered, glancing around. Then she faced him and nudged his side. “Now stop that. People are staring.”

  “Okay, okay. No one is paying attention. In fact, the hallway has cleared.” Carlos gazed into her eyes and then at her mouth. “Saturday seems a long way off, you know?”

  Nedra breathed in the scent of him; a spicy whiff with a hint of sandalwood. She swallowed hard and nodded, unable to do more. He brushed a finger along her right cheek and she shivered.

  “Carlos, I didn’t realize you were going to volunteer again. Holiday Hospitality events must really appeal to you.”

  They both turned to find Judge Jacobs standing a few feet away. Her black coffee-colored eyes shifted from her son to Nedra, and then to his arm around her. Yvonne’s smile looked chilly enough to have icicles hanging from her mouth.

  Carlos gave his mother a relaxed grin, lowered his arm from Nedra’s shoulder and grabbed her hand. “Good morning, moth
er. You’re right. I did have a great time on Thanksgiving Day. This is Nedra…”

  “…Wallace,” Judge Jacobs finished for him. “Nice to meet you. You’re Rod’s executive assistant.” She stuck out her hand and gave Nedra a firm handshake.

  “Nice to meet you as well, Judge Jacobs,” Nedra replied. She stared directly back at the woman, who seemed intent on making her shiver. Instead, Nedra only became annoyed with her ‘tiger mother’ act. This man is thirty-five years old, for goodness sake.

  “I’m surprised to see you at the meeting. I didn’t know you were involved with the dinners or worked with Constable Davidson,” Carlos said casually.

  Nedra thought he seemed unaware or unaffected by his mother’s intimidating aura.

  Judge Jacobs’ expression tightened, though she managed to maintain her frozen smile. “No, I’ve never had the pleasure of working with Rod on anything. The mayor and I wanted to stop in, and show our support to such a worthwhile community event.”

  “Exactly,” Carlos replied easily, as though they were just chatting.

  Nedra wondered if she imagined the undertone of dislike that seemed to color the woman’s words. “The media always gives us good exposure.”

  “Yes,” Judge Jacobs clipped. “Well, I must get back to court. I have a status hearing in ten minutes. I don’t like to keep people waiting. You’re welcome to have dinner with us one Sunday, Ms. Wallace.”

  “Thank you so much. Maybe after the holidays,” Nedra replied. “What with work, volunteering and family, the next two months are going to be brutal.”

  “Of course. I’ll be sure to remind Carlos. Goodbye, son.” Judge Jacobs waited for him to respond.

  “Bye, mother. Have a great day.” Carlos pecked her cheek and winked at her.

  Judge Jacobs smiled and gave him a slight nod, before striding away. Security officers and lawyers nodded respectfully at the imposing woman. She traded a few friendly comments with the security staff and gave restrained greetings to the lawyers. Then she disappeared around a corner that led to the elevators.

  “That was fun,” Nedra blurted out. “I’m sorry. I just keep...”

  “Will you relax? I know the effect Mother has, or rather likes to have on people. Usually women I date can’t wait to meet her. My parents stage two lavish holiday parties at Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Lots of folks would love to be invited.” Carlos’ smile stiffened.

  “I’m pretty sure I’ll be busy,” Nedra said quickly.

  Carlos barked out a loud laugh. “You don’t know the date yet. You want to stay far away from my mother. I have to say I kinda like that,” he quipped.

  “Will you stop?” Nedra playfully slapped him on the shoulder. Then she lowered her voice. “You do know that Rod supported your mother’s opponent in her last election? And she reportedly gave help to Rod’s opponent when he ran for constable. She and the mayor aren’t Rod Davidson fans.”

  “Yes, I do know, and you pulled a nice punch in pointing out that Mother and the mayor showed for a photo opp.” Carlos grinned impishly when Nedra blinked at him.

  “I didn’t exactly...” Nedra’s voice trailed off and she avoided his gaze. “Carlos, listen, I shouldn’t have gotten my back up with your mother. It’s just, well, a few times she’s called the office and wasn’t exactly cordial. I’m afraid I ran interference for Rod when he didn’t want to talk to her.”

  Carlos flinched. “Ouch. I’m sure she doesn’t even remember that.”

  Nedra gave him a skeptical look. “Judge Jacobs not remember?”

  “She isn’t small-minded. That political stuff has nothing to do with you and me. Now smile and think of how much fun we’re going to have on Saturday.” He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. “Will you meet me there or can I pick you up?”

  “You can come pick me up,” Nedra replied, without thinking of the rule about new dates: no trips to your home in the early stages. Not until you get to know him and confirm he’s not a psycho.

  “Good,” he replied, giving her arm a squeeze. “Text me your address. Talk to you later tonight.”

  “Sure,” Nedra said, and watched him stroll off with a smile plastered across her face. She turned around and bumped into someone. “Sorry.”

  Dwayne looked down at her. “So caught up that you’re tripping over people, huh?”

  “Hello, Dwayne. See you later. I have to get back to the office,” Nedra said in a dry tone. She sighed inwardly when Dwayne fell in step beside her.

  “So you’re kicking it with the judge’s favorite son?” he asked. “The mayor is running for the legislature next year; the district fourteen senate seat. I hear Rod is going to throw his name into the race.”

  “My boss doesn’t discuss his political plans with me.”

  Nedra cursed the surge of people who slowed her progress towards the elevators. Once they got there, she pressed the button hard, as if that would speed one to her.

  Dwayne glanced around and lowered his voice. “Judge Jacobs and her hubby are quietly supporting the mayor’s bid.”

  “Thanks for the update, Dwayne, but none of that has anything to do with me.”

  Nedra darted into the elevator with a crowd that left no room for Dwayne. She waved goodbye to him as the doors whisked shut. Great. One more reason to keep things light with Carlos. They could enjoy each other and never get to the ‘meet the parents’ stage, Nedra vowed. The last thing she wanted was a monster-in-law. Then she thought of Carlos and the way they’d talked so easily over dinner; of the way he looked at her and really saw her. Life had played a little nasty joke on her this time.

  ****

  On Friday evening, Nedra sat in her mother’s small den with her feet on the leather ottoman, which matched the rest of the furniture. Darcie Lee Wallace would have looked younger than her sixty years, but a permanent stamp of dissatisfaction marked her brow with frown lines. Still her nut brown skin had few wrinkles. She ate from a big bowl of popcorn in her lap while Gaylynn fiddled with her mother’s Blu-ray player.

  Nedra’s older sister, Jarae, was in her mother’s spare bedroom, setting up a movie and the games console to keep her own and Gaylynn’s kids entertained. She had two boys, while Gaylynn had a six-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl.

  Minutes later, Jarae entered the den and flopped down on the loveseat. At five feet nine and with nut brown skin like their mother, she had briefly been a model in her teens. “Damn, those kids should be tired after being at school all day and playing since they got in.” She let out a deep breath.

  “They’re young, with energy to spare, baby. Get used to it. You got a good twenty years to go,” Darcie Lee retorted. “I told y’all not to have those kids without a husband. I learned my lesson young.”

  “Now why did you get her started, Jarae?” Gaylynn muttered. At thirty, she already matched her mother’s constantly harried look. With cinnamon skin and reddish brown hair, Gaylynn turned more than a few male heads.

  “You know Mama’s gonna bring that up every chance she gets. I didn’t have to start her off,” Jarae grunted. She was about to go on when her ten-year-old son, Noah, and his nine-year-old brother, Christian, raced in.

  Darcie Lee glared at them. “What did I tell y’all about running through my house?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” said Christian.

  “Mama, can we have some more Kool-Kid punch?” Noah waved an empty, plastic cup in the air. His little brother raised his as well.

  “Y’all can only have one more cup. You’ll be up all night peeing,” Jarae shot back. She stood up and stomped into the kitchen, fussing as she went. Moments later, there was the pounding of feet and Jarae returned. “Kids eat and drink like bottomless pits.”

  “They’re growing boys. Just wait until they’re teenagers. Then you’ll really have something to complain about,” Darcie Lee replied, nodding. “Now, if you had two incomes it would be a whole lot easier.”

  “Look at it this way, Mama, you didn’t have to chip in and pay
for any weddings,” Nedra joked. Then she sobered when Jarae stared daggers at her.

  “I wouldn’t have paid for weddings anyway. Name me one couple who stayed together, out of all my friends who paid a lot of money for fancy weddings. Name one,” Darcie Lee replied.

  “Make up your mind, Mama,” Gaylynn shot back. “You say we should have gotten married. Then you turn around and say marriage is a waste.” She tucked her legs beneath her on the sofa.

  “I didn’t say it was a waste. I said most of your generation doesn’t have the good sense to pick the right person. Course I have to concede that you girls don’t have much to choose from when it comes to men.” Darcie Lee gave a sharp nod.

  “You and Mr. Jesse seem to be rockin’ steady. When are y’all going to get married anyway?” Jarae asked, and shot an amused look at her sisters. Jesse Franklin had been their mother’s boyfriend for the last year.

  “I’m talking about these young men,” Darcie Lee snapped back. “My plans are none of your business.”

  “Well since we’re talking about men and going to the altar, I don’t see why we can’t all be held to the same standard,” Jarae replied.

  “First of all, I don’t have young kids to support, so I’m in no hurry. I’m not going to have any more babies either. I don’t care what these other women are doing, having babies in their fifties and sixties. That’s slap crazy.” Darcie Lee shook her head. “Jesse and I have raised our children. Now we can relax and take things slow.”

  “I’m just checking. We could start picking out your wedding dress and deciding on colors for the bridesmaids.” Jarae pressed her lips together to keep from laughing, and cut another glance at Gaylynn and Nedra.

  “At least I have a decent man with a job and who treats me with respect,” Darcie Lee replied and raised an eyebrow at her.

  “Yeah, yeah,” Jarae muttered.

  Jarae’s last boyfriend had turned out to be a true disaster. He called himself a music producer. What he really did was sit around, pretending to be a big shot and living off Jarae. After dating for six months, she had allowed him to move in with her while his condo was being “renovated”. The temporary arrangement turned permanent. Later, Jarae learned that he’d been living with another woman who had thrown him out. He was a habitual moocher, moving from one gravy train to the next.