CHRISTMAS IN A NEW TOWN

chapter ten

Eddie stretch as he entered the kitchen he was still with that emotional look on his face as he has the past two days it was Thursday today,
"Why does your face look so much like Christmas morning?" Dorothy ask she was settling the pan of grits on the table
Eddie smirk
Hariel look at her father "morning dad off to see Toni this morning?" She asked
Eddie came to realize that neither of them had spoken to each other since she had call to talk to Hariel yesterday in the morning,
His phone rang and he look to see Toni calling, "hey Toni" Eddie said feeling bad he haven't called
"Hey you how are you, how's your baby girl and your gran nana?" She asked
"We're ok" Eddie said
"I want to know what time is Hariel's practice I want to come see her"
"She's not going today she have to fix herself for tomorrow" Eddie explained
"Oh so she's not ok" Toni said ending that part of the conversation, "what about you, are you ok?" She inquired about him
"A bit tired" Eddie said
Dorothy look at him,
"Am I to be blamed or did you bring a Christmas tree to someone else's home yesterday" Toni tease,
Eddie chuckle picking up on what she meant, "no nothing like that"
"Great then for I'm taking you to lunch see you later" Toni said before hanging up
Lucky for Eddie he didn't have any plans today
He wash and put on a nice suit a fancy t-shirt and a bright blue jeans,
"Is there a special occasions today?" Dorothy ask when her grandson comes back to the kitchen
"Not really, just feel like dressing up today" Eddie said
"Ohh ok but you do look nice" she said
Eddie view himself and smile at his grandmother "thanks grams" his smiles deepens
"Let's go" Dorothy said
Eddie took up the key to the van they left the house together, Hariel was sitting on the back seat, Eddie's grandmother sat up in front next to him they were talking until he took a call Dorothy heard him saying hello and didn't realize he took a call for she didn't heard the phone rang,
"Hey" Eddie said
"You're so busy you don't call me?" Peggy asked
"I'm working since the other day" Eddie said he was speaking so softly Hariel didn't know he was on the phone,
Hariel eased in between the seats "Dad can't we go see Toni today?" She ask
""Your dad is on the phone sweet heart" Dorothy said
Hariel eased back on her seat,
"Who's Toni is Toni a man or a woman?" Peggy asked
"Why she's new in town?" Eddie said
Dorothy face him
"So you're spending time around a new woman in town is that why I'm not hearing from you?" Peggy asked
Eddie sighs, "Peggy she move in recent and needed some work to be done I'm just working on it for her"
"You're working on her too?"
Eddie hiss "Peggy she's married" Eddie said
Dorothy didn't take her eyes away
"So what if she's married doesn't mean anything"
"You know what later I'll talk to you" he said hanging up,
Dorothy watch his expression as he kept his focused straight ahead tapping on the steering wheel,
They got to the lounge and they open up Hariel noticed he didn't respond to her she wondered if someone was still on the phone he still has in his blue tooth ear buds and his mouth moving she heard him hissed twice, "Is dad still on the phone?" She asked
"Don't think so love" Dorothy said but let him be I'm sure he'll get back in the right mode in a little while"
The morning was busy and Eddie help is grandmother to do what was needed, things quiet down at about midday just then Toni comes in Hariel grin on seeing her she ran to her and she hugged her
"I'm starting to love coming to this place I feel so welcome and love" Toni said
Hariel grin
"Hi Dorothy" Toni said
"Hello dear how are you?" Dorothy ask
"Fine thank you" Toni said
"Stretching your legs?" Dorothy ask
"Was just hoping to steal your companions away for awhile we're going out for lunch"
"Lunch?" Hariel asked
"Yes" Toni said holding her around her shoulder
"Dorothy" a woman said coming in to the lounge
Mildred" Dorothy said turning her attention to the woman who was about her age, talking to her the woman called to Hariel and Eddie who both greeted her warmly "oh this is Toni she's visiting from" Dorothy pause for she didn't quite remember Manhattan
"Manhattan new york" Toni said "hi" she said to the other lady,
"Manhattan oh I see" Mildred said "who are you related to here in Stafford?"
"My God mother Elma Jones" Toni said
"Oh Elma I remember her she died some years a go and she request a speedy burned and her ash was shipped away to some other country she was a professional woman I tell you, do you happen to be the daughter of Jeana and Ricky Cameron?" Mildred asked
"You know my parents?" Toni asked with a chuckle
"You're their daughter?"
"Yes" Toni laugh
"You almost look like your mother, you know I met you when you were only a little girl"
Toni laugh, "wow so I'm not such a stranger in this place after all"
"Your parents They visit a few times, but it was Jeana who I've met more  for Elma was the one who did all my drape and spreads I ran a small motel back them but because I got older and no one is able to run it I close it down I'm looking to sell the building" Mildred said
"Is the building still strong?" Toni asked
"It's still perfect"
"I'm looking for a building to start a business maybe one day I can come see it?"
Eddie wonder why she's looking for a building to do business when she's not here to stay,
"Won't you take down my number dear get a paper from Dorothy and write it down" Mildred said
"I happen to have my note book right here" Toni said
"Even better"
Toni wrote the number down thank the woman
"Didn't you say you three were going off to lunch? Go on get I'm going to chat a while with my friend" Dorothy said
They laugh
"See you later" Toni told Dorothy"I'll call you mam" she said to Mildred
They bid goodbye and went out they didn't drive for the small restaurant was somewhere around the corner away from the huge complex next to Dorothy's lounge
They sat at a table a far end of the building where they could see out and could be seen from outside Toni ordered some shrimp pasta salad and cheese sauce Eddie a lobster dish it's been a while he haven't eat out and Toni said she's treating them both "you've been so kind to me in more ways than one, kinder... more ways than some"  she  smirk and touched his upper arm he wondered if it was the sex the other night if so be it she's not the only one that was please he felt as if he could still feel  her on him,
"It good to know I'm not the only one appreciate a little kindness" he whispered
Toni grinned
She ordered a bottle of non-alcoholic wine so Hariel could enjoy too,
"It's been so long since I do this" Toni said with a smile,
Eddie smile he wondered how comes and she's a married woman,
"You must be thinking and she's married!"
Eddie shook his head but he was definitely thinking it.
"My husband has been so busy with work and my girls have their life too and only one is living in Manhattan so you know"
"I have an idea" Eddie said
"I want to order some shrimp pasta too" Hariel said cutting in their conversation
"Oh sure sweetie go a head order what you want" Toni said
""And some meat balls with cheese spread and chips"
"Hariel" Eddie said
"Let her be" Toni said
Eddie shook his head,
Their orders came and they were serve,
Hariel kept talking
Eddie had to keep on saying "be quiet you can't  talk while eating"
But Toni only laugh she was enjoying this so much it felt like a family she see why it bother her husband he's not yet a father,
Peggy was in the neighbor she was looking around on things she wasn't shopping for much today most of what she was doing was eye shopping she was going down to see Eddie for she figures he's at his grandmother's place it's where he spent his times, but when she went by the window at goffery's restaurant she noticed someone looking like Eddie and his daughter, she look to see a woman sitting with them, she knocked the window and they look up they didn't pay much attention to her but she walk in and find their table
"Eddie who's this?" Peggy asked
Toni look up at her,
"Toni, this is Peggy, Peggy toni" Eddie said
"Hi" Toni wave
Peggy kimbo and stood shaking, "So this the Toni your daughter mentioned?" Peggy point a finger ah oh please explained yourself Eddie" she said
,"Explain what" Eddie asked
"Who is she, and why are you having lunch with her?"
Peggy asked with a shout
Some people turn to look
"I already told you Toni" Eddie said "what the need to shout"
She look at Toni and cross her eyes,
""We're just having lunch" Eddie said
"You're here having lunch with her" she pointed at Toni  "And I have to be home waiting for you to feel horny and want to  screw me before I can see you" Eddie  look at Hariel sitting there looking up at Peggy
"Can we not talk like this in front my daughter?"
"Why not don't you want her to hear the truth?"
"It's ok I'll go" Toni said
"Don't bother I'm already leaving, bitch don't do me no favor" she said turning to walk away she stop and turn to look at them "and when you feel horny don't bother to come to me get your screwing from her"
They watch her to the door,
"It's ok to go after her you know" Toni said
Eddie shook his head he didn't feel like running her down, he  look to see the others inside looking at them he sigh and let his face fall in his palms "this is so embarrassing" he said
"I'm sorry" Toni said
"It's not your fault"
"We should go" he said
They got up and Toni paid as she had told them lunch was on her,
They were quiet while they walked back to the lounge they didn't ran into Peggy any where on their way,
"Remember you said you want to know where I live" Toni said they were standing at the lounge that big double door one half leading to the coffee lounge and the other into the grocery lounge,
"I can come today?" Hariel asked
"She's just asking Hariel" Eddie said speaking for the first time since they left goffery's restaurant
"I'm planning on taking her with me" Toni said
"Can I stay over night like a sleep over?" Hariel asked
"Let's see about it" Toni said
"I'll go tell nana" Hariel said she ran off with excitement leaving Toni with Eddie
"You didn't tell me you were back in a steady relationship" Toni said
"I don't know if it's a steady relationship I've been sleeping with her almost a year now" Eddie said
"Oh almost a year and you don't know if it's steady, oh" Toni said rounding up her mouth,
Eddie didn't say more,
They went in for Toni wanted to say goodbye to Dorothy Mildred was already gone so Dorothy was a lone again,
Dorothy look at them when they walk in it was as if they look good together but as they knew Toni is married and committed to a man she love Hariel had whispered to her about the happening at goffery's restaurant she imagine how bad Toni must felt she know the kind of woman Peggy is the story of a brawling woman display in her attitude she didn't witness her behavior today but had seen it before she had walked in here sometime after she and Eddie started talking and disrespect a young woman talking to Eddie she thought Eddie had stop going off to see her sure wasn't expecting this "poor Toni" she had said
She didn't say anything towards that but talk to Toni about taking Hariel, "The pageant is going to start at six pm sharp  she's to be there by five sharp"
"I doubted we'll be sleeping at that time right Hariel" Toni said she hug her and grin
"I know you won't" Dorothy said
She normally bring her costume are can she change over there?"
"They normally change over there"
"What's your roll?" Toni asked
"It's the baby Jesus story I'm Mary" Hariel said
"Oh my" Toni cover her mouth "that's such a big role do you know that Mary is the most precious woman in the bible"
Eddie smile
"So you won't  come to the pageant?" Dorothy asked
"And miss seeing the birth of Jesus,  no way!" Toni grin
Hariel grin too
"Let's grab a few small items for later" Toni said
She and Hariel went shopping around picking up a few snacks and pouch juice Toni cash and was ready to leave Eddie help with the bags they were settling in the van "you going to go see your girlfriend later?" Toni asked
"I'll give her a call" he said
Toni ruffles his hair she smiles at him, "good luck, not making it up" she grinned
"Thanks I have the feeling I'm going to need plenty of luck"
Toni giggle "call me when you're free" Toni said she drove off "bye dad later dad" Hariel wave
Eddie blew a kiss
The van turn and they drove by him soon was gone,
Eddie sighs he went back to the lounge going to get some water he drank and went back to help his grandmother around,
Toni and Hariel pulled up at the house they drove straight into the garage Hariel look around in the empty garage but it was fresh and clean Toni got down and let her down they took the bags out going into the living room to the kitchen pantry "wow Toni it's pretty up here" Hariel said
"Yeah it is you should have seen it when I first got here" Toni brew holding her head
Hariel grin
"Let's put these away and go for a swim then I'll show you around"
"Great"
Toni had stop to get her a night dress a bedside slippers three under wears  and two suits of clothes to keep her, until they were ready to leave tomorrow
After stocking the pantry they went up to the bedroom Toni fold Hariel's things into a drawer before showing her a round they then went for a swim they spend some hours there splashing,
Toni fix a sandwich for they already had a big lunch they sat to eat at the kitchen table, they made some small talks,
"So how do you feel about tomorrow?" Toni asked
"Like I'm ready to be Mary" Hariel said
She and Toni grin
"You've taken part in the school pageant before?"
"Not since I got to Houston" Hariel said
"So you lived with your mother in Vegas?" Toni asked
"I stayed most of the time with her but I don't think she care much for me my dad is so much better"
"Does it make you sad because they're not together?"
"I was sad for mom made dad unhappy for she was angry a lot of times with dad for he work out sometime and she's saying he's spending time away with other woman" Hariel explain
"Was he?" Toni asked
Hariel shrugged then shook her head, 
"So what had he said about it?"
"He said my mother was crazy for thinking he   would cheat but she believe he had someone and left him she took me because she knew I would rather stay with my father, she move a man in to the house he said I whine too much so my mom decided to let me stay with her mom I stay with my grandma for two weeks until my dad was moving she said I'm to come with him"
It was almost the story Eddie told her it she didn't heard about her staying with her grandma he tell it as thought she was at her mother when she decided to let him take her,
"We don't talk often these days" Hariel said sadly
"I'm sorry Hariel do you need a hug?" 
Hariel nods she got up and went around to her side of the table and hug her to her, she was sad for a while but Toni's arm accidentally touches her side it causes a tickle Hariel burst into laughter, Toni realize and started to tickle her they both amused themselves doing so running around like two children,
"Missing your daughter?" Dorothy ask seeing the way her grandson sat looking,
He shook his head
"Heard from her?"
"No I haven't" Eddie said getting up to go for his phone he call Toni's phone but got no answer he tried twice and nothing
Toni ran Hariel around the sofa trying to catch her but nothing "you're pretty fast Hariel you'll do well in sports" she said
Hariel giggle "I join the track and field the other day"
"That's nice I did tracks at high school I was a top runner but I needed another career, what you planning on doing for your future career?"
They were talking from across the sofa they were at each end now Toni still trying to catch her,
Eddie try another time to call
The phone was left in the kitchen when Toni got in she and Hariel heard it both pause to listen to which direction it comes from,
"That must be your dad" Toni said
"I think it's in the kitchen" Hariel said
They both ran that way,
Hariel picked it up and gave her although she saw it was her dad
Toni took a deep breath before answering it, Hello" she said, "missing her already?"
Eddie laugh
"You missed her, don't worry I'm taking care of her"
"I know that" Eddie said
"You can't know that so it's safe to call she's your daughter"
Eddie didn't say anything
"Hariel your dad" she said handing her the phone she got water for them both and allowed her to talk to her dad Hariel finish and gave the phone to Toni, 
"Bye Eddie don't worry too much she's alright you'll see her soon, talk to you later ok"
"Sure" Eddie said
Toni hang up and turn her attention to Hariel they drank water and went back to the living room
",How about we play dress up I have a few things in the closet let's see" Toni said
Hariel nods with excitement
They ran up the stairs going to the dressing room where they stay a while dress up and take pictures, they took a selfie making funny face and sticking out their tongue,
They send one to Eddie he look at it and smile, "oh nice" he said with a smiley face,
Toni smile but didn't reply she and Hariel have more fun then took a shower and went to bed, they slept in the same room, Toni was up after Hariel falls a sleep,
Eddie couldn't sleep and call her up
"Can't sleep?" She asked
"I thought you wanted to talk to me before you fall a sleep" Eddie said
"Oh ok I can talk" she grin she got up and leave the room,
"She's sleeping?" Eddie asked
"She a sleep" Toni answers
"Hope she wasn't any trouble"
"She's not a baby baby you know"
Eddie laugh, "I know"
"How are you?" Toni asked
"Still picking up the pieces" Eddie said
"Need help?" Toni asked
"Maybe if you weren't having my daughter as a sleepover I would just come" he stop himself
"You and I can have a sleepover tomorrow can it work?" Toni asked
Eddie laugh
"What I would like to know what waking up next to you is like, but if you have other plans I can understand"
Eddie only chuckle
"See you later Eddie try get some sleep ok charming well meet at the school pageant"
"Ok" he said
Toni hang up with a smile she went back to the room climb into bed she lay next to Hariel who turn in to her hugged her across the waist with her leg thrown on her Toni smile and hug her tightly and together they slept the night away.