26
Day’s first Christmas was an eventful one. Kayla bought more dolls, clothes, and stuffed animals than she had planned, but Day was worth it. Her parents drove up to spend Christmas morning with her and then everyone was having dinner at Ms. Ernestine’s with Roni and her family.
“Merry Christmas!” Roni, Toby, and Terrell hugged and kissed as they came in, carrying arm loads of gifts. Kayla did the introductions and put the packages under the tree.
“How is my goddaughter enjoying her first Christmas?” Terrell asked, looking at Day swinging peacefully in her swing by the Christmas tree.
“I think she’s enjoying it. She’s been ’sleep most of the day,” Kayla told him. They laughed and exchanged gifts as Christmas carols played on Kayla’s stereo. Kayla was headed for the kitchen when the doorbell rang again.
“Merry Christmas, Kayla.”
Kayla’s mouth fell open when she saw Geno outside. They hadn’t talked since their falling out at Red Dragon two weeks prior.
“Merry Christmas,” she told him.
“I hope you don’t mind. I wanted to see Day and give her a gift.” He smiled sheepishly.
“No, I don’t mind at all. Come on in, Geno.” Although they had fought, Kayla really missed him.
“Merry Christmas, everyone,” he greeted as he followed Kayla into the living room.
“Geno. Merry Christmas.” Her mother stood and embraced him and her father shook his hand. They were happy to see him. Kayla knew that deep down they wanted her and Geno to resolve their issues and get back together.
“This is for Day,” he said, giving Kayla a large box.
“Thanks, G. But where’s mine?” she asked him jokingly.
“When you become a mother, you lose all gift privileges.” He grinned.
“I’m learning that the hard way,” she told him. She opened the box, which contained several DVDs. “Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast.” Kayla announced the titles as she opened the gift.
“She is a princess after all,” he told her. Day began whining in the swing and Kayla lifted her out.
“She needs to be changed,” Kayla said, nuzzling her beautiful daughter.
“I’ll do it,” her mother offered.
“No, you stay. I’ll take care of her.” Kayla took her into the nursery and began to change her.
“Long day for her?” Geno walked up behind her.
“Long day for me.” Kayla rubbed her whining baby’s head. Once again, the doorbell rang and Kayla shook her head. “Now who in the world could that be? Everybody’s been here to visit already.”
“Her father hasn’t,” Geno whispered.
“He’s not coming. He said he had to work.”
“Maybe he got off early,” Geno suggested. Kayla felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck when she realized the voice that was coming from the front of the house.
“God is punishing me. I know He is.” She folded her arms and began to shake her head. Geno stood frozen, not wanting to move.
“Kayla, come out here. And bring Day!” her father called.
“She fell back to sleep,” she told him.
“Just bring her for a few minutes, Kayla. She has a guest.”
“I’ll stay here,” Geno said quietly.
“No! I don’t want to take her out there,” Kayla hissed.
“Kayla, did you hear what we said?” her mother said as she came into the room and reached for the baby.
“Mama, no. She just went to sleep. Leave her alone!” Kayla startled herself at the tone of her voice.
“Now, you listen here. I will not have you yelling at me like I am a child. It’s Christmas and this is a time for family. Now, pick Day up and bring her out right now.” Kayla knew her mother was not joking. She had never blatantly disobeyed her before and she wasn’t about to start. She carefully picked Day up and held her in her arms, making sure not to wake her. She could hear laughter as she made her way down the hallway.
“Kayla! Merry Christmas.” Anjelica held a fake smile on her face. Kayla just looked at her. “Geno! I didn’t expect to see you here. Merry Christmas.”
“Anjelica,” he said and quickly excused himself, politely.
“Is this my new niece? Can I hold her?”
“She’s asleep,” Kayla said as she cradled Day’s head and held her close.
“Well, I can see she looks just like her daddy. I can imagine your baby pictures looking just like her, huh, Geno? Oh, what was I thinking? You’re not her father, are you?”
“Anjelica, that is enough,” her father said.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that seeing Kayla and Geno together with the baby, they look so natural. I haven’t the slightest idea why they ever split up. They make such a nice couple,” she said maliciously. Geno couldn’t stay a minute longer. He quickly got up and got his coat.
“You’re leaving so soon, Geno?”
“Yes, I think that’s best,” he said, making sure not to look at the hateful woman.
“I’m quite sure you have a lot to celebrate today. I hear congratulations are in order. Have you set a date?”
“What are you talking about, Anjelica?” Roni asked. She had been watching Anjelica since she arrived and she knew she was up to no good.
“He’s engaged to my friend’s sister. Janice, Janice Miles.” She smiled knowingly. The entire room got quiet and waited for Geno’s response.
“What is she talking about, Geno?” Kayla rolled her eyes at Geno. “What the hell was that all about, G?”
“She was just tripping, Kay. That’s all. You know how Anjelica is.” He shrugged.
“You’re engaged to Janice, Geno? And you didn’t even tell me?”
“I’m not engaged, Kayla.”
“Is she wearing a ring?”
“Yeah.”
“Then you’re engaged, Geno.” Kayla was so hurt that she wanted everyone to clear out of her house so she could be by herself.
“Kayla, let me explain. It’s not what you think,” Geno began.
“There’s nothing to explain.” Kayla smiled. “Congratulations. Well, I know you must be going and I don’t want to keep you from your fiancée. Thank you so much for your gifts and I hope you have a Merry Christmas.”
“I guess I should leave now, huh?” Geno frowned.
“I think that would be best.”
“Kay, I’ll call you later.”
“Don’t bother,” she said dryly. She couldn’t even look at him.
“Merry Christmas, everyone,” he said as he departed.
“Mama, do you want to open your gifts now?” Anjelica turned and asked her mother.
“I don’t think so. I would like to see you in Kayla’s room though.” She motioned for Anjelica. Kayla’s sister rose and tossed her hair as she exited down the hallway.
She could hear her mother’s voice getting louder from the bedroom and she looked over at her father, who was sitting on the sofa. “Did you invite her here?”
“That’s your sister, Kayla. She don’t need an invitation to your house.” Her Dad looked at her like she was foolish. “It’s Christmas Day and the family is to be together. What is wrong with you?”
“I don’t care what day of the year it is, Daddy. Anjelica is still a conniving, mean, hateful dog, and I don’t want her in my house.”
“Kayla! Now I know you and her don’t get along, but she is still your sister.” Her Daddy frowned.
Kayla could not believe her father. Once again Anjelica had come into her house and disrespected her and yet her parents were still defending her. Kayla wouldn’t have cared if they were Siamese twins. She wanted Anjelica out of her house. She walked into the kitchen and leaned against the refrigerator.
“You a’ight, dawg?” Terrell asked her after a few moments. Kayla forgot he was still there.
“Anjelica does this shit all the time and they still act like she’s God’s gift.” She was too mad to cry, even though she wanted to.
“Stop tripping, Kay. I’m talking about Geno. I know you’re pissed.”
“Uh, that’s where you’re wrong. I’m happy for Geno. I am glad he has finally found someone to spend the rest of his life with,” Kayla lied. She could not believe he was engaged to someone else. Her heart felt as if it had been ripped out of her chest; it took everything she had to not curl into a ball and cry. But she was determined to be stronger than that.
The phone rang before she could go on. She snatched it up without checking the caller ID.
“Hello,” she snapped.
“Dang, Merry Christmas to you too, beautiful.” Craig laughed into her ear.
“Yeah, whatever,” she replied.
“I guess Santa damn sure wasn’t good to you. How is my gorgeous Day? She enjoying her first Christmas?”
“Yeah, she is.”
“Well, can I come through and bring Day her gifts? And you too?”
“You bought me a gift?”
“Of course. You are the mother of my child. And a good mom too, I might add.”
“Well, I have company right now, but I’ll call you when they leave.”
“Bet. I will check you later.”
“Bye.” Kayla found herself smiling as she hung up the phone. Craig bought her a gift. She had no doubt that he was getting Day gifts. But he had gone so far as to get her a gift, too. She was digging that.
“Who was that?” Terrell asked.
“Craig.” She shrugged.
“Why are you smiling?” He looked at her funny.
“He got me a gift.”
“So did I, but you ain’t smile like that. Don’t do nothing dumb,” he warned.
“What are you talking about, Terrell?”
“I mean, I know you’re pissed at Geno and here this nigga is buying you a gift.”
“I am the mother of his child. Besides, it is Christmas.”
“Whatever. Just be mindful of the games niggas play.”
“Okay, Terrell. Ain’t nobody playing no games. Damn, it’s just a Christmas gift.” She laughed because he was always suspicious. They went back into the living room where her mother and sister had rejoined her dad.
“Kayla, I want to apologize,” Anjelica began.
“Save it. Mama, Daddy, we need to get ready to head over to Aunt Ernestine’s. I have to get back here so Day can spend time with her father.” Kayla ignored her sister completely, hoping she’d get the picture.
“Well, your father and I have decided to head to Aunt Margie’s for dinner. You go ahead to Ernestine’s and tell her we send our best,” her mother said.
“Well, I’ll talk to you all later.” Kayla kissed her parents as they left behind her sister, who made no comment. She closed the door behind them and breathed a sigh of relief.
“Your life makes the soap operas look boring.” Terrell shook his head. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”