All I Want for Christmas (9 page)

Carlos tried not to get
annoyed at his mother’s fussing and sighed yet again. “Nedra and I
are in the ‘getting to know each other’ process. We may not even be
dating after the holidays.”

“
You’re already having
problems, huh? Well, I’m not at all surprised. She’s from one of
those old Baton Rouge families. Her mother lives in Thompson
Heights. They don’t have as much money as us, but they still think
they’re superior.” Yvonne sniffed and went back to putting cucumber
sauce on her gryos.

Carlos had no desire to
stoke the smoldering fires of his mother’s resentment of Baton
Rouge and old, black moneyed families. He carefully picked at the
food before him and warily considered his next words. “Nedra and I
aren’t having any problems. She’s sweet and caring, and we haven’t
talked about her family history. She’s not like that,” he replied
in a calm tone with no hint of defensiveness. His mother was trying
to push his buttons.

“Humph,” Yvonne replied,
and ate some more of her lunch in silence. After a few minutes, she
sipped her tea and patted her lips with a napkin. “You know she’s
going to be campaigning for that boss of hers.”

“We haven’t discussed politics, so I don’t
think it matters.” Carlos continued to concentrate on his food.

“It will come up, Carlos.
I’m supporting Mayor Bates in the state senatorial race, as you
well know,” his mother replied, her tone insistent. She had
attended law school with Kevin Bates and they shared a deep dislike
for Constable Davidson.

Carlos gave up pretending
that he wanted to eat. “That is months in the future, and it won’t
be a topic of conversation between Nedra and I. Look, where Nedra’s
mother lives and Rod Davidson’s political ambitions have nothing to
do with us. Please don’t try to insert yourself into my love life
again. I’ll give you the ‘I’m a grown man’ speech if
necessary.”

“Excuse me. I was trying to
have a reasonable discussion with you. I’m not getting into your
personal business.” Yvonne sipped some more tea and cleared her
throat. “You don’t have to throw a hissy fit about your latest
fling. I’m sure there will be many others, as you said.”

“I didn’t say anything
about...” Carlos stopped, counted to five and closed the top of the
plastic box containing his lunch. “Nedra is not some fling. She’s
not a woman I plan to throw away later.”

“So this is serious?”
Yvonne latched onto his words, raising both eyebrows. “Well, well,
well.”

“I also didn’t mean to
imply that we’re making wedding plans. We like each other and we’re
dating; that’s it. She’s smart, funny and has good common sense. I
can talk to her. She’s...” Carlos tried to put into words how Nedra
made him feel. “She’s not looking to get something out of
me.”

Yvonne gazed at him. “I
see.”

He held up his hands, palms
out. “Nothing complicated, Mother. We’re having fun, getting closer
to see if... where we’re going. Which could mean going our separate
ways,” Carlos added quickly.

Yvonne tilted her head to
one side. “Let me say one last thing and then I’ll drop the
subject.”

Carlos didn’t believe her,
but couldn’t be bothered to argue. “Fine,” he replied.

“Rod Davidson is a
two-fisted campaigner. Don’t let that jolly, teddy bear facade fool
you. He’ll look for any scrap of mud to throw at Kevin. If he gets
wind of that little incident and the fact that the mayor helped us
out...” Her voice trailed off.

Carlos did not return her
gaze. “I wasn’t charged with a felony. The district attorney and
police didn’t break any laws or rules.”

“No one will care; not if
they hear that you got caught up in an investigation of drug
dealers,” Yvonne argued. “Thank God they had no proof that you
helped conceal cocaine and marijuana in those SUVs you detailed.
Why in the world you opened a business in the hood...”

“Pop wanted me to stand on
my own, so he didn’t loan me the money for a better location.
Besides, not all of my customers turned out to be drug dealers.
There are a lot of good people in Easy Town,” added Carlos referred
to the high crime area of the city.

“So, Ms. Wallace knows you
were doing the last few hours of your community service at the
Thanksgiving dinner?” Yvonne asked mildly.

Carlos swallowed past the lump in his throat.
“No. I mean not yet.”

His mother leaned forward. “Not ever, Carlos.
This isn’t just about you. I have an election, too.”

Silence stretched several
beats before he sighed and muttered, “Fine.”

Chapter 6

Nedra looked at the lights
downtown with a wide grin, feeling like a little girl again. The
second weekend in December brought on the first city-sponsored
celebration. A band played on the square in front of city
hall.

After a short speech, Mayor
Bates and several other officials flipped the switches to light a
huge Christmas tree. Holiday lights strung up in the huge old trees
graced the boulevard and hung from street lamps. Sparkling LED
bulbs in the shape of stars dangled from street signs as well. A
cheer went up and the local band went back to playing jazzy holiday
tunes.

“You’re really into
Christmas lights, I see,” said Carlos, squeezing Nedra’s hand as he
spoke into her ear.

“Since the first time I saw them. My daddy
would put up our tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We had
treats and sang songs. Then he’d let us turn on the lights.” Nedra
blinked at the happy memory of a warm, loving man. “Those were good
times.”

Carlos pulled her closer to
him. “Sounds like a great guy, your daddy.”

“He was,” Nedra replied and cleared her
throat. She pushed against the heartache that came from knowing she
wouldn’t see him again.

“So when do we put up your tree?” Carlos
asked.

“I don’t usually bother, not since...
Besides, it’s just me. What’s the point?” Nedra shrugged.

“Hey, I’m sorry for bringing up a sad
subject.” Carlos squeezed her hand again.

“No, no,” she replied. She
swiped at her eyes quickly and smiled at him. “I should be
apologizing for ruining our fun night.”

“It’s nowhere near ruined.
Let’s get some hot chocolate and then we can shake our booties to
some swamp rock Christmas tunes.” Carlos tugged her arm towards one
of several food vendors.

Nedra burst out laughing.
“Did you just say we’d shake our booties? Seriously,
Carlos?”

“I’m sure your father would
approve. He was a party, ‘let the good times roll’ kinda guy. Am I
right?” asked Carlos, grinning as he walked backwards in front of
Nedra.

She grinned back at him.
“You’re right. Daddy loved to ‘shake his groove thang’, as he used
to say. He loved all those old-school R&B Christmas tunes, and
he and mama were both pretty good dancers.”

“Then we have to continue
the family tradition.” Carlos did a few dance steps and then spun
in a complete circle as the band played a version of
Frosty the Snowman
.

“I doubt the guy who wrote
that song would recognize it,” Nedra said with a laugh. “Now let’s
warm up with some hot chocolate.”

“Okay, but don’t think
you’re not going to shake it before this night is over,” he tossed
back and pointed a finger at her.

Nedra looped her arm
through his. “Maybe.”

They continued walking
towards the food stand, and got into a light-hearted debate over
whether Nedra would loosen up and dance with him, along with the
crowd. She was once again wrapped in the pleasure of being with
Carlos, and the cheerful mood of everyone at the lighting ceremony.
They finally got two cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows
floating on top.

Carlos took the lead, and
guided Nedra on a stroll around the lighted square and down Third
Street. Restaurants were decorated and shops were crowded with
people buying gifts. Children giggled and raced from one window
display to the next, with adults in tow. Nedra sighed at the swell
of warmth inside of her, which didn’t come from the creamy, warm
liquid she was drinking.

“This is the way the holidays should feel,”
Carlos said, as though he could read her thoughts.

“I know.” Nedra watched young children
enjoying the sights and sounds. “My parents did everything they
could to make Christmas magical for us as kids. That’s what I miss
most about not being part of a family; the holidays.”

“My memories aren’t all
warm and fuzzy,” Carlos said, but his laughter sounded forced.
“Let’s find a table away from the crowd.”

“Oh, okay,” replied Nedra,
worried that he might think she was dropping hints about where
their relationship should go.

As they walked, Carlos
talked about everything but the holiday season. They had to go
around the corner near the Shaw Arts Center, past a fountain
sparkling with multicolored lights and down another half block.
Carlos managed to snag a small table outside, just as a couple got
up to go.

“So how is work?” Nedra asked.

“Exhausting, but I’m not
complaining. At least we’ve got customers. A lot of folks are
driving into town to spend time with family, which means their cars
get dirty,” replied Carlos. He appeared to relax with the change of
subject and grinned at her. “
CJ’s
Detailing
to the rescue.”

“That’s great. Where is your shop?” Nedra
watched his expression tighten slightly.

“Um, it’s on the corner of
Acadian and North Street, Easy Town. A lot of folks said I was
crazy to open my shop in ‘Da Hood’, but there are good people who
live there,” Carlos said with a trace of defensiveness in his
voice.

Nedra nodded. “I don’t
believe in calling neighborhoods ‘ghettos’ or even bad. It’s the
criminals who spoil some areas of town. Easy Town and The Bottom
were great places back in the day. Previous generations of
blue-collar, decent folks raised families there. You’re part of the
solution. You provide jobs and hope.”

“Jobs maybe, but I don’t
know about hope.” Carlos held up his big, insulated cup and drank
more hot chocolate. He cleared his throat.

“No, you do,” said Nedra.
“Many businesses have fled the inner-city areas. A lot of folks
have to drive several miles to a grocery store. I think
Councilwoman Terrebonne is right. Easy Town needs something more
than liquor stores, bars and payday loan shops.”

“Wow, you really laid out the issues. Sounds
like you could be running for office in the future.” Carlos grinned
when Nedra let out a yelp.

She gave a melodramatic
shudder. “Don’t even joke about me becoming a politician. I don’t
have the patience or the ability to, um, creatively spin facts. No
way.”

“Seems a shame, since
you’re so passionate about the issues,” replied Carlos, gazing at
Nedra with mischief in his eyes.

She shook her head. “I’ve
seen politics from the inside. No thanks. Rod is a diplomat. Me?
I’d blurt out some unpleasant truth and be in trouble all the time.
I’m happy hanging with regular, honest folks like you.” She brushed
a hand along his cheek.

“I can’t claim sainthood by any stretch,”
Carlos said quickly.

“Nobody can. I appreciate how... real you are
with me. No games or slick talk. Believe me, that’s a nice change.”
Nedra sighed. “Listen, if I made you uncomfortable earlier talking
about family, I apologize. I wasn’t trying to steer the
conversation toward you and I getting serious.”

“Nedra, I didn’t
think…”

“You’re so sweet, Carlos.
I’m enjoying what we have right now. Don’t worry. I won’t give you
the ‘we need to talk’ speech.” She leaned against him and breathed
in the spicy scent he wore.

“Remember I started the
discussion,” Carlos replied. “Besides, Christmas is about love, joy
and giving. Don’t hold back on telling me how to feel; about
anything.” He put an arm around her shoulders.

“You see? Honesty. That means a lot to me.”
Nedra kissed his cheek and then rubbed the slight lipstick smudge
from his skin.

Carlos gazed ahead into the
distance. “Yeah.”

“Hey, back to love and
joy,” Nedra said, nudging him to shake off the serious mood he had
lapsed into. “When will your little girl come to visit?”

“December twenty-second,”
he answered. His thoughtful expression relaxed into a smile. “Carly
is excited, too. She’s called me at least six times to firm up our
plans. We go to the movies, see the downtown lights here, and then
we pick a city to drive to and we have dinner out at least
once.”

Nedra smiled. “Sounds like daddy is just as
excited.”

“She usually stays through New Year’s Day.
Even though her mother will drive down to visit her family, Carly
will be with me.” Carlos sighed. “She’s growing up so fast.”

. “At five? You have a few
more years of breathing space before she hits the teen years. At
her age she still idolizes her old man.” Nedra giggled at his
pained expression

“Ouch.” Carlos nudged Nedra. “Please don’t
use the ‘old man’ phrase. I’m sure I’ll be getting that one from
her soon enough. Besides she’s already asking for her own cell
phone and tablet computer. She’s talking like a tween right
now.”