I was finally ready, but I was second guessing this whole dinner as my nerves started to get the best of me. I looked at myself in the floor-length mirror and wondered if the black, knee-length, backless dress was too much. I didn’t want to overdress, but I also didn’t want to underdress. I heard a horn beep outside, so I had to get going. I slipped on some patent leather pumps and a trench coat and made my way out. It took us at least forty minutes to get to Game’s house and when we finally arrived, I had to do a double take.

“Sir, are you sure we’re at the right house?” I asked the driver who continued to stare at me, but never said a peep.

“Yes ma’am. This is Jahfar Gambino’s residence. You can close your mouth; your eyes are not deceiving you. Go ahead and walk right in. The door is unlocked.”

I got out and slowly walked to this house that resembled a fancy hotel on the outside. What the hell did he need with a big ass house like this? Growing up, I thought we lived in the big house, but Game’s house would swallow mine. I opened the door slowly and old school Michael Jackson “Santa Clause is Coming to Town” was playing. The house smelled of an intoxicating aroma, which meant that someone was throwing down in the kitchen.

Game’s house was just as magnificent on the inside as it was on the outside. The floors were marble silver and white and Basquiat was hung on the walls. A 12-foot tree was lavishly decorated with black and silver ornaments and though I expected to see wrapping all over, the ground was spotless. I was learning that Game was a meticulous man.

I walked in the direction where the music was coming from and saw Logan coming down the swivel staircase looking as sweet as ever in her mint green dress with big ruffles down the bottom. Her hair was done in a half-up, half-down style, and she wore a tiara like the princess she was.

“Hey,” she squealed. “I can’t believe my dad listened to me and invited you.”

“Yes, and thank you for the invite. Where is everyone?”

“This way,” she said, grabbing my hand and practically dragging me. I swear this house was like a damn maze and each time I thought it would end, we just kept going. We finally made it to the kitchen where Game was seated playing Uno cards with his oldest daughter.

“Daddy, look who’s here,” Logan sang. Game got up to hug me and then took my coat and purse.

“Dinner will be served shortly,” he said.

“Oh, and I like your hair. It looks good down.”

I had finally straightened my hair and it fell past my shoulders. I usually wore it up though.

I spoke to Ava, but she really didn’t say anything to me, so I just sat down.

“Would you like some wine?” Game asked.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Red or white?”

“What’s the difference?” I asked, dumbfounded.

“Well red is usually drier and made from cherries and fruit like that while whites can be a little sweeter.“

“Okay, I will try red.”

He poured me a glass and handed it to me. I took a big gulp hoping to taste cherries, but the shit was so bitter that it made me cough.

“Oh my god, that’s gross,” I said, sticking my tongue out.

“I told you it was dry.” Game laughed. Let me pour you some white.”

“I don’t think I need anything else. That nasty mess was enough.” I laughed.

I tasted the second glass that he poured me, and it was way better with a little sweetness to it. A chef then came out from Game’s second kitchen and let us know that the food was ready. We all went to the dining room and it was a spread set for a king. There was turkey, ham, macaroni, greens, potato salad, cornbread stuffing and some more. Other than eating at Game’s mom’s house a few weeks ago, I hadn’t had a spread like this in years.

“I thought you said that you were cooking?” I turned to Game.

“Whaaaat? My daddy doesn’t cook, but he does order take-out well.” Logan laughed, giving me the scoop.

“Thanks traitor. Thank you for telling my secret.” He laughed.

Game then went around the table and pulled each of our chairs out. I was surprised when he came to me, but I just went with it while Ava kept giving me death stares. I got the feeling that she didn’t like me. I was about to dig into the food when Logan grabbed my hand so we could pray. Game led the prayer and then we all dug in. There were a few jokes here and there, but it was pretty awkward seeing that Ava had a problem with me being there.

“Daddy, I’m done. May I be excused please?” she asked abruptly.

“You don’t want dessert baby?” Game asked.

“No, I don’t, especially while she’s here,” she mumbled, and I knew that it was time for me to go.

“I’m going to go. Thank you for having me over,” I said, scooting out of my chair.

“Hold on, you don’t have to go anywhere!” Game said to me.

“Yo, get your rude ass upstairs,” he said, glaring at her.

She stomped her way up the stairs with him on her heels. Now, she would really hate me. I made myself useful and started to take everyone’s dishes to the sink while Logan sat there stuffed like she was half asleep. She was too cute. After I put the dishes in the dishwasher, I covered the food and sat it in the kitchen, not sure if Game wanted any more. I was used to this kind of stuff because Mrs. Smith always made the kids do it after dinner. Actually, she made us clean the entire house while she sat and watched.

I looked at a sleeping Logan and lifted her big butt up to take to her room. I made it up the stairs without dropping her and peeked in various rooms until I spotted the one with Loggy Logs on the door. I put her down in her bed and helped her out of her dress before laying her down and covering her with her Jessie comforter.

I tip-toed out of her room and ran smack dead into Game.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t ask you to walk around your home, but Logan was falling asleep, so I put her in her bed.” I was whispering and I didn’t know why.

“You got to stop doing that.”

“Doing what?”

“Apologizing for shit.” He was now invading my space and I felt his breath on my lip.

“Uhh, I think I’m going to need another glass of wine,” I said, stepping back, and he smirked.

Game was so surprised when he saw that I’d cleaned up and put his food away.

“You didn’t have to do that. That’s what I have cleaning ladies for.”

“Oh wow.” I laughed. “You have your very own Florence.”

“You’re damn right,” he said, passing me the glass of wine.

Game then led me to the living room and we sat down on his couch. The fireplace he had was amazing. The flaming fire reminded me of the internal battle inside of me. The fire was beautiful, yet dangerous. One part of me was saying fuck it, I wasn’t worthy of life, but another part of me said fight for my life.

I glanced over and Game looked like he was in his own world as well. His fists were balled and his eyes were set on the fire. I took this time to really take him in for the gorgeous man that he was. The rays of red and orange made his skin a delectable dark brown. I studied his masculine features. His jaw clench was almost hidden by his bushy goatee. He was a fine specimen, but I noticed a familiar sadness in his eyes.

“What’s your story?” I asked, waking him out of his spell.

“Huh?” he asked, snapping out of his thoughts.

“I said, what is your story? You asked me mine, now I want to know yours.”

“You didn’t even tell me yours though, but I will tell you whatever you want to know,” he said looking into in my eyes.

“Umm, what was your childhood like?” I turned away from his glare.

“Well, I grew up in the hood, dirt poor. My mom cleaned the hospital at night, and she had to do it by herself since my dad left. Shit was bad to the point that I have corns on my feet to this day because my shoes were so damn tight. But I had this teacher who made me see shit differently. He always looked out and made sure that my grades were A1. But something happened to him and then I turned to the streets, following in my brother’s footsteps selling drugs.

“I really did some shit in my past that I wish I could take back. I hurt some people who really had love for me and sometimes that shit takes a toll on me. I felt like I was drowning until I met my girls’ mother in high school. We both had our own problems and helped each other through, but even she wasn’t enough. There was just some shit I had to work out within myself.”

I nodded my head at his truth, unaware of what to say.

“Alright, now you can quit being so secretive about yourself. I know you have shit you want to say, but you don’t trust anyone. You can trust me.”

I thought about what he said, and although I was extremely guarded, I needed to let someone in.

“Well, I had the perfect childhood up until my mom passed. I don’t really remember a lot about my childhood just because my memory has erased all the bad things that happened. But I do remember that my daddy was my best friend and my mama was my biggest inspiration. I had two best friends, Chandler and Tia, and we were like three peas in a pod. I got joked so much because of my name. People always said it sounded like a stripper’s name, but Chandler and Tia always took up for me.”

“Damn, what’s wrong with Anna? I mean, it kind of sounds like a white girl’s name, but it’s not that bad.” Game laughed. “Now if your name was Candy Kiss or some shit, that would be funny.”

“Well, Anna is actually a part of my middle name.” I laughed because he was being stupid now. “My first name is Misty, Misty Blue. I started going by Anna during my teenage years just because Misty had been through so much.”

Glass shattered on the ground as I realized that Game had dropped his glass.

“Dammit!” he said.

“Is everything okay?” I asked. It was like he had switched up or something.

“Yeah, my clumsy ass,” he replied. “But it’s getting late so I’ma go ahead and get a car to take you home.”

“Ohhh, okay,” I said, completely thrown. I didn’t question it though. I had times myself when I flipped like a light switch.

My car arrived 15 minutes later and I left without even saying goodbye because I didn’t want to bother Game. I was sure that I would see him again. Despite the rushed ending, this was the best Christmas I’d had in fourteen years.