CHRISTMAS IN A NEW TOWN

chapter eight

Eddie sigh as he rest his head back on the sofa his hand over his face,
"You're home" his grandmother's voice echoed over him,
He ease himself off the sofa to look at her,
"You just miss your daughter she only few minutes long falls a sleep" Dorothy said her grandson look at her but it was as if he  didn't hear what she had said he was lost in his own small world, you ok?" Dorothy ask
Eddie nod
He didn't look ok to Dorothy she sat next to him although she haven't said it she wondered if something was on his mind he wanted to talk about, "you finished at Toni's?" She asked
"Yes she'll leave earlier tomorrow" Eddie said
"I know she came for her last goodbye to your daughter"
Eddie nod
"She's really fund of her" Dorothy said
"They both are fund of each other" Eddie said
"What about you?" Dorothy asked
"What you mean grams?" Eddie asked
"Aren't you a fund of her, of Toni?"
Eddie sigh
"Son" Dorothy said she heard the emotions in that sigh reaching out to touch him,
"I know she's married but I am human, aren't I"
Dorothy puts her arms around his shoulder, "somethings in life son aren't meant to be others are life is give and take, someone you like as much as you like Toni will come your way"
Eddie didn't think there's someone else like her but he left it unsaid let his grandmother have the last say,
Toni felt miserable and not just that,  she was so so angry, angry at  her husband thinking he's so selfish,  she didn't make herself if she did she would be sure to with ovaries for she want children, what make it worst he's acting as if she has done something to make her can't become pregnant, he keeps saying it over and over that a family has children and she couldn't have children it means she's not worthy to spend time with she hissed at the thoughts of him saying such words she love him that too a lot she just wish he was a little more compassionate about the way he deal with  the whole thing, she sigh and fall face way down on the bed for a while she just lay thinking, then a sweet thought caught her mind she thought of Eddie and the kiss they share the intimate way they caresses the thought of them getting further than a kiss he was already out his shirt they both were so emotional she wished her husband didn't interfere by calling then she was glad she didn't want to cheat she love him much as there was this deep feeling for Eddie she don't  want to rush into him, she wonder if he's yet home the thought of that make her pick up the phone to call him,
Toni called Eddie,  He was with his grand mother when the phone rang he opened the line Dorothy look at him,
"Hey" he said
"You're home?" Toni asked "I'm home, you alright?" He asked
"I'm fine about to go for a swim was just checking on you"
"Thanks for checking in" "ok you'll hear from me"
"Ok take care"
Toni hang up and lay for a while after two hours of laying in the same spot she got up and started packing since she said she's going home in the morning it was best to pack overnight, she was halfway in to it just then  she remember her husband said he didn't even get to go home sometime,  it's a must he might not be home for Christmas Toni wonder  why she should bother to go home to a house she won't have her husband if they're going to be in the same town and she might not get to spend time with him, she pull the clothes out the suitcase and fold them back into the drawer
It was a bid late but she knew she needed that swim she got her towel and went out to enjoy the magnificent feel of the cool water bounce over her body wishing someone was there to join her  wishing Eddie was here,
Toni admire the surrounding of the pool it was unbelievable how the guys were able to fashion it like it is, it was just some hours ago it was just a hole fill with water now it was looking as it is to be, she wonder if they could put in a jacuzzi for her for who knows she might just stay for Christmas, she sighed as she got out the pool she wrapped the towel around herself walk around  instead of grass beneath her feet the nice feeling of the tiled surface was great she smile to herself thinking that some people just have natural talent and went it's combined it can be so magnificent
She went inside to take a shower she then just climb into bed, it took her longer to sleep for everything cloud her mind,
She head to the garden early for she got up before six she stayed an hour in the garden looking after her plants she later shower fix some pancake having it with some strawberry and honey syrup drinking some pineapple juice She walk around the block looking around, before going back to the house to do a little straighten up for the rest of the day  she walk around the house feeling helpless she felt as if she has no hope, she promised herself not to let herself feel lonely, she will not,  yes she want to be with her husband yes she wants the family well she can't have children it's a bother worst  with her husband trying to let her feel bad, for she's convinced he's trying to,
She shake her thoughts away from him at one point she just stop herself from thinking of him and the baby she can't have but she thought about Eddie let her mind run on him she think about calling him to tell him she's still here in Houston Texas see if he'll come over,
Eddie was quiet most of the day It was as if he didn't have any corresponding methods today he was just feeling down he haven't heard from Toni he can't believe she didn't call, he think she must be home by this so he wasn't going to call, he was weak inside thinking of her Peggy drop by the lounge but Eddie wasn't in the mode for her,
"You look down what got into you?" Dorothy heard her asked
"I'm I'm thinking I've got a lot on my mind" Dorothy heard him saying she shook her head
Peggy wasn't one of her best people she would choose for her grandson because she has some very bad ways there was a time she wouldn't want to see him with her but now he's falling for Toni who's married and she hate to see him suffer for someone he won't have,
"I'm going to call you later" he said
They close up and he drop his daughter and grand mother home, he just went to his room take a shower got  dress to go out again, 
Hariel look at his grandmother when Her dad got dressed and come down,
"I'm going out for a while I left my phone to charge I'm going to be at mollies bar" Eddie said
Hariel got up and came to him, "You ok dad?" She asked
"Of Crouse your dad is ok" he lied "why wouldn't I  be OK?" He asked
"You look a little sad" Hariel said
Dorothy look at him,
Eddie picked her up, "sad!?  No way I'm not sad" he said knowing it was another lie he told he was sad for he wish Toni wasn't gone, he haven't heard her call and didn't want to call glad the phone went dead all the best excuse to leave it back,
Toni pick up her phone at a quater to nine she call Eddie's phone for she felt restless not hearing from him, Hariel look at her great grandmother with a grin, it's Toni" she exclaimed
Dorothy signal for her to go on and answer,
"Toni" she said excitingly
"Hariel" Toni said softly "how are you"
"I'm ok" Hariel answered
How is grandmother?"
"Nana is fine" Hariel said
"Say hello for me" toni said
"Toni said hello" Hariel said
"Well hello Toni" Dorothy said
Toni smile "Can I talk with your dad?" Toni asked
"He just left he's gone to mollies for a while he said"
"Who is mollies?" Toni asked
"A bar on the highway
"A bar in town" Hariel said
going  in to Houston town on the highway" Hariel explains
"Ok thanks"
"Should I tell him that you called?" Hariel asked
"You can" Toni said she said goodbye hang up got dress and went out destined to find Eddie she went out looking for mollies place,
It took a while to fine but she did it was at a nice spot on the side of the road she spot Eddie's van she got out her van and went inside'
Noah spot her before she spot them "Your girl is here" he touch Eddie, Eddie thought he was talking about Peggy he and Jack look around to see Toni
Eddie eyes widen
She spot them and went toward them,
Eddie was stunned to see her for he believed she was in New York already he smile she smile back as she join them, "Jack, Noah" she greeted
"Hey pretty" Noah said
"Toni" Jack said
Toni nod she smile at them both then at Eddie,
His eyes question but he was too shock to say anything so he didn't speak
"I do owe you boys a drink" Toni said "what you drinking?" She asked
"I'll have a bourbon" Eddie said
"Whiskey for me" jack said
"Bacardi" Noah  said on hearing what she ordered for them have one rum cream for herself then sat with them, sitting next to Eddie he turn to look at her he can't believe she's not gone home as yet but he didn't say he just enjoyed the little time she's there they drink and talk even share a joke who knows tomorrow she might left and he may not see her again,
"Thanks for the drinks Toni catch you later" Jack said
"Yeah Jack sure see you"
"Looking forward" Noah said
Toni smile at him "See you Noah"
He tip his hand off the top of his head bowing to her,
He patted Eddie's shoulder and left them without another word,
Eddie scratches his head Toni held his upper arm, "we should head on home too" she said
"Yeah, will you be ok?" Eddie asked
"I'll be fine, I'll call you, you're heading straight home right?" She inquired
Eddie nod, "Why did you asked?"
"For you left your phone at home"
"It died" Eddie said
Toni nod
"I am going home" he told  her,
"Drive with care" Toni turn and went in the van started it before Eddie got in his but she waited and they left mollies bar and grill parking space together,
Toni made it home she headed straight to the kitchen to fix some tea she have a pepper mint tea bag slightly sweeten with sugar she felt as if she was becoming  a little light headed must be too much  rum cream, she sat around the kitchen table to have her tea and call Eddie he was just pulling up in the driveway and could hear his phone ringing inside the living room it rings aloud and with heavy vibration he park and hurry to answer it,
"Hello" he said in a tired tone,
"You just got in?" Toni asked
"Yeah I see you made it quickly" Eddie said
"Yeah and in having tea"
"That's nice"
"Need a cup?" Toni tease
Eddie giggle "maybe later" Toni giggle you said so, maybe later you'll fix it"
"Well see about it, have a good night"
"You too" Eddie said he wanted to ask why she wasn't gone to New York but he didn't bother thinking that maybe she change her mind and will leave tomorrow.
"I'm glad you decided not to go with your wife you our  daughter and I are going to enjoy a trip to Houston Texas, it's going to be fun" Emma said
Chris nod, "looking forward to it" he said taking the little girl in his arms wrapped her tightly in, Emma grin she sat next to him hugging them both Chris ease in and kiss her,
After gardening Toni took a swim relaxing her muscles she had bought some plants for the balcony and some for the porch she plan on stay another week hoping in that week she can get the gate to be paint she's thinking of getting two of those big pots flowers pot to go outside the gate way she's even considering paving it she thought about asking Eddie to help her with it, the thought of Eddie came to mind and she remember that on Sundays he goes to church with his grandmother and daughter, she thought of going to church too, she wasn't sure where they attended church but she decided to visit a church maybe prayer is what she wants she got dress in one of the things she found in the closet belongs to God mother Elma dress herself as she got in her van leaving out with out anything to eat, she was driving to the town's church when she remember she didn't have breakfast. Her belly rumble she had to laugh to herself,
She pulled up and park next to a jeep she got out and on her way in she was greeted then handed a small booklet with today's program on it she was shown in and to a seat to the middle,
"Welcome the moderate said
Eddie was further up with his daughter and grand mother he turn to look and saw Toni she didn't see him at the time for the seat  in which she sat, Hariel turn and saw her and didn't turn until Toni saw them, They wave Toni smile
After church was over she left the building and went out to her van,
"Toni you're still here" Hariel said running to her,
Toni hug her,
"Oh Toni I didn't know you was still here" Dorothy said
"Yes mam I think I might for another week, my husband is a bit busy so I  just going to stay until work slow sown" Toni explains,
"Oh ok, well it's good to have you here, what you doing today won't you join us for dinner" Dorothy said
Eddie look at Toni
"Yes, please say yes" Hariel said
Toni pulled her cheek together rub her forehead on her own, "Ok yes" she told Hariel "yes Dorothy why not today I won't have to eat a lone"
Eddie smile, "follow me" he said
"Yes sir" Toni said
"I'll drive with you" Hariel said
"Even better" Toni said taking her hand,
They left the church grounds headed to the home Eddie share with his grandmother and daughter  it was a nice house nice lawn and the drive way pave and clean, with a barn further  behind there,  the sounds of dogs barking fill the surrounding she could hear chickens  and a mixture of cows and horses, there were much closer homes here than where she lives where she lives none of these sounds can be heard she don't even see many persons,
Two children playing in a yard wave as they got out the vans
Hariel wave back, "those are Stacy and Melissa our neighbors" she told Toni
She nod with a smile,
Toni like the setting of the inside it was truly a family home, she saw the pictures on the wall some with Eddie and Hariel some the both of them with Dorothy, Dorothy a lone but they look like a family it make her think of herself with a little child but it's no use she can't have children,
"How about a drink?" Dorothy asked she backed her coat off going towards the kitchen, "I'll fix some sandwiches"
"Yes please I forgot I didn't have breakfast" Toni said
"You left home without it, ah child not a good way to start your day" Dorothy said
"I know right and my tummy kept on rumbling" Toni said Hariel laugh
Eddie took Toni's jacket hang it a long with his and Hariel's he sat facing Toni Hariel sat next to Toni on one of the small sofa,
"Hariel dear why don't you sit over here? You must be making Toni uncomfortable" 
"I'm alright not uncomfortable at all" Toni said pinching Hariel's cheek,
Hariel giggle,
Dorothy set some turkey sandwiches and some cheese sandwiches down on the coffee table with some well cold lemonade,
"Ahhh!" Toni said with a clap of her lips she has been poured a glass of the lemonade she drank straight until her glass was near empty, "mm mhh this is so nice" she said holding out her glass for more,
Eddie took up the pitch of lemonade and pour some for Toni he lost focused as he admire her she was smiling she look so beautiful he could drown in admiration,
Toni didn't want to focused too much on his eyes he keeps on drawing her in she want to be in and she don't it was a mix feeling but the strongest part was her wanting to be with him maybe it's why she's not home in Manhattan as she had planned,
"Look daddy" Hariel shout
Eddie and Toni both jump as the lemonade started overflowing from the glass
"Holy shit" Eddie said
"Oh my God" Toni said with a giggle
"Boy don't swear in this house" Dorothy said
"I'm so sorry grams,  I'm so so sorry" he told Toni "I'll just clean it up" he got up from the sofa,
"Well this is where I say my cup has overflown" Toni said drinking her lemonade,
Dorothy shook her head she smile
Toni have a sandwich she was sitting with Hariel the same, when Eddie came out to wipe the mess she help him
Eddie smile "thank you" he said
"No problem" Toni said
They both stand up at the same time stood facing each other their eyes in a tight lock, Toni look away for she tries to control the inner heat that rise up on her,
Eddie walked away going to the kitchen to dispose of the things they use for wiping up the floor, Toni sat back down with Hariel Dorothy sat with them Eddie comes back and together they finished the batch of sandwiches,
"I'm full" Hariel said
"Really?" Toni asked
Hariel nods
"Hariel dear it's not polite to shake head to anyone" Dorothy said
"It's ok I know she's young and it's good morals you're teaching her" Toni said
Dorothy smile she look at her grandson and shook her head
"So I heard horses any one I can see?" Toni asked directing her question to Eddie
"Yes pretty ones they're right in our back yard"Hariel said almost breathlessly
Toni grin, "oh yeah pretty ones wow" Toni open her mouth at her covering it with her palm,
"Maybe I can show you to my barn" Eddie said
Toni nod she got up and Hariel got up as well,
"I'll get dinner on the stove"
"Yes grandma we'll be back,  Hariel you stay and help Nana in the kitchen" Eddie said he meant it to tease his daughter
"But dad why?" Hariel asked sadly
Toni look at him then to Hariel and shrugged
Eddie took the lead as they were going out using the kitchen door, Toni look at Hariel again before she followed him,
Hariel frowned folding her arms
Dorothy hug her but didn't speak,
Hariel look up at her,
The kitchen door swing behind Toni and Eddie
Hariel sigh deeply
Toni didn't know why he wasn't allowing her to come a long but didn't say anything towards it she didn't want to tell him how to raise his child or let his child does
Eddie push his head out so his daughter saw him the look on her face make him smile "ok so you can come, luckily Toni pleaded for you"
Hariel look at Toni who was now standing side to side with her dad, she shook her head to let her know it wasn't so,
Hariel smile she ran to them Toni hug her,
Dorothy smile,
They left the house to the barn to have a look around,
Toni love the aroma in the atmosphere it was as if animals weren't rare here ""it's nice here" Toni said
"It's home" Eddie said
"A home you care for I must commend you you're a pretty hard worker"
"My grandma can't do it by herself" Eddie said
"I don't expect her to" Toni smile she lift Hariel's cheek"that's why she have two great helper"
Eddie smile
Hariel grinned at her,
They look around and Toni got caught up with horses for a while she just pet from one to the other,
They finally went back to the house Hariel show Toni to the bathroom where she wash up her hands they both went to the kitchen Eddie wasn't in at the time he was still using the bathroom,
"Anything I can assist with?" Toni asked
"Would you help?" Dorothy ask
"As long as you need the help" Toni said she went to the counter to inquire
Dorothy was trying to make some chicken noodle bake with eggs and cheese Toni help her to put all she was together,
Eddie walked in the kitchen to see her busy with his grandma and smile his mind strayed to think of her in his life and when he comes to her each evening to see her in the kitchen busy as she is now fixing dinner for him, he knew it will never happen so he push those thoughts away for they were unnecessary to think,
"Need help?" Eddie ask he got to the counter to stand beside Toni she look at him with a sweet smile he shake inside, she felt flattering inside her body it trimmer
She smile at him, "oh I believe we got it covered, right Dorothy?" She asked
"All sealed" Dorothy said with her thumb up,
They laughed together
Eddie lift his hand "I understood it all I'm no longer needed I'll go my way" he made attempt to walk away
Only to be pulled back, "no one said you have to leave your presence is welcome"
The way she look at him make Dorothy eyes widen she wondered if she was falling for her grandson, she love Toni but don't want her grandson getting a broken heart the way he had love  the mother of his child and she broke his hear she's still not sure if he got over it she can tell he like Toni but he warned him she's married her husband is  a live  not dead so she's not a widow so she'll keep advicing him to only be a good friend.