Beginning of the end

Part 19 [December 24th, 2021]

Who spent Christmas Eve with their family? Working class people, probably. Who spent Christmas Eve working? People with service jobs, business owners, and people pushing too hard at things, probably. Christmas was on lock. Christmas there was a tree, and presents, and they were going to celebrate. Rosie was doing something else, but Blake would do a video call with her in the evening. They were going to deal with the Carter's for dinner, but the morning was all for Blake's little family. Blake, Kiefer, and Zelda. Zelda was spoiled for how many presents she had, but her parents couldn't help themselves.

That was for Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Blake was working. Well, Blake was schmoozing. She was at an event related to her label. Three groups were doing small performances that night. Two or three songs max, so that they could also enjoy the rest of the night. The whole band would be there, obviously, and their significant others. Minus one. Jamie, Drew, and Carla all got their lovers dear to attend, but Blake's pulled out two weeks before. Initially he agreed. Actually for two months he'd agreed, and then suddenly he didn't. His employees had planned this party for the workers and now he just had to go. Blake knew about the party, but her event was scheduled in advance. He claimed that it would be alright if he missed. Blake would be with a sitter for the evening, and they wouldn't be out too terribly late. His employees could have their party, with their Christmas bonuses and he could by Blake's "hot arm candy" as he said.

Except that was off now. He'd decided one afternoon, after some apparently deep contemplation, that it really wasn't fair to his employees to skip the event. He was their boss. He needed to go and show camaraderie. Solidarity. He insisted, and Blake felt helpless. She tried to argue, but that lasted all of two replies. But he said he'd go. But it would mean a lot to her. The moment he said it would mean more to his employees, and she'd be selfish to deny them that, she stopped. Blake offered a limp "okay, I guess its your choice" and went to practice on her keyboard. The ache stung at first, then it throbbed, and by the night of the party she willed herself to ignore it.

At the party, Blake showed up in a long red velvet dress with a high slit, and a fluffy white collar and cuffs. Her hair was pristinely done up in ringlets and her makeup was softer smokey grays and reds. Of course she had the blue of her engagement ring, and the silver ring necklace Kiefer had given her so long ago, but she was uncharacteristically accessorized. Two accessories that hadn't come with the dress, a black sequin purse that did the cool shifting when you ran your hand across it from side to side, and black platform pumps. They weren't the most Christmas-y, but they weren't blaring, and they suited her. Plus they were comfortable and gave her an inch. She could always use the inch.

"Hey, pretty lady," Jamie said when she arrived. He put an arm around her and gave her a hug. He looked around. "He really bailed?"

"He's just busy, he has his own thing," Blake sighed. She didn't want to get into it. "I'll just see him tonight."

"Mmmm..." he bit his tongue for a moment, then nodded up at some very large mistletoe. He gave her a tiny peck on the cheek. "He's missing out. Don't let it bug you." He knew it would. She knew it would. She smiled at him though, allowing herself to be led over to greet his girlfriend. The newest addition to the "significant other" pool, but still someone she'd already met. It was nice.

At ten till midnight Blake had finished washing off her makeup, put away her necklace, and changed into a cozy nightmare before Christmas pajama set. She fired off a text.

Coming home soon, Chico?

She yawned, setting her phone on medium volume on the pillow beside her before falling asleep. Two hours later she roused slightly, rolling over to cuddle with the warm, but already asleep, body beside her.