CHRISTMAS IN A NEW TOWN

chapter eighteen

Eddie, Noah and jack got a good look at the place Eddie tested the lightning fixtures to see what changes he'll need to make he took some notes of what to go where and such on his way back he stopped to get the advertisement to post that he needed three workers he was putting it on the front door at the lounge when Dorothy saw him hanging something she came to look, he had already hand one on the three at the square,
"What you doing?" Dorothy ask she came closer and read she widen her eyes, "how are we going to afford this?" Dorothy ask heavy hearted
"Grandma let me talk to you" Eddie said he took her to a table and they sat down, Eddie took her hand he held them in his palm,
"Toni had offered to pay someone to work here she thinks you need rest now and just this morning you were saying how tired you are, she gave me two months worth off payment enough to pay three people two hundred dollars a day"
"That's a lot how can she afford it?"
"She can she told me that she can for her God mother left her some money that grew ten years of interest and her mother and father left her money she is a florist and her income has been good"
"But she's been here so long and haven't worked"
"I mentioned it to her, she said she'll manage" Eddie said
"I wasn't expecting this" Dorothy said to Eddie squeezing his hands thinking to herself "what is her husband going to think when he learn all this"
"Nana" Eddie called Dorothy look at him "The motel building from Mildred that Toni bought she gave me the keys she lend me some money to start the electric company and to pay her back when things build up"
Dorothy cover her mouth she felt tears she wasn't looking to see anything as this happening she didn't know Toni like her grandson so much it have to be something she felt for him she remembered how she love Hariel and remember how she can't have children it melt her heart for a good person like that deserves to enjoy family,
"Ow Eddie that's wonderful" she said tearfully
"Yes Nana now you can get all the rest you need in time I'll get someone to stay home with you"
Dorothy cried smiling through it,
Toni got to the house after one month of not being home it almost like when she got to Texas the smell of dust make her cough and sneeze she went to the kitchen after kicking off her shoe and putting her bags down she didn't bring everything from Stafford only a small grip and her pocket book, she open the refrigerator and have to pull back it seems her husband haven't spent no time at all here since she left the kitchen was how she left it on the morning she left the friday after thanksgiving on thursday today is now the forth day of January quit a long while for not having your house clean, she knew inorder for her to relax she was going to have to clean and Nicky will be stopping by and she wants to do it before she gets here, she went under the cupboard for garbage bags and started cleaning the refrigerator she rewash the plates in the drain make the kitchen fresh empty the garbage bag then went to the living room she vacuumed and cleaned it up wipe the patio and the stairs she brushes the front lawn she was there when her neighbor Telma come calling to her,
"Happy holidays I didn't see you around through it all"
"I spent the holidays with my family abroad" Toni said
"I see I figured your husband stay with you for the holidays too I haven't run into him, except for few mornings he came as if to take a shower and change from one work suit to another, but I have not seen him in a while" she laugh,
Telma was a older woman she's been living in this neighborhood for as long as Toni can remember she always stop to talk,
"It's funny how the work can have you caught up you sometimes forget yourself"
Toni smile
"It's good to see you enjoy your evening"
"Thanks you Telma, do like wise" Toni said
Telma went away and Toni finish the front lawn
She went back inside and took her things to the bedroom although it seemed her husband haven't stay in the bed the bed was dusty so she gave the room a quick tidy up putting the sheets to wash did the bathroom and washing the few things for her husband, she didn't feel like cooking
she sat and turn on the television she called Hariel they were on their way from the lounge when her phone ring
"Toni!" She said seeing it was her calling "Toni!" She said on answering the phone,
Dorothy turn o look at her,
Eddie look through the rearview
"Hey Hariel pretty" Toni said
Hariel grin
"How are you doing?"
"I'm alright we are going home now I have school on Monday so I have to prepare for it"
"Oh ok so you're excited to go back?" Toni asked
Hariel didn't know how to turn the volume down as yet so it was pretty loud Dorothy and Eddie could hear what toni was saying
"No not really excited but you know my dad and nana spent their money to send me so I have to go"
Toni laugh "I know you love school and you're learning so maybe in the future you can become a nurse and you'll care for your nana even dad, mom and little sister"
"And you too" Hariel giggle
"That's so sweet" Toni said
"But did dad told you I want to be a nurse?" Hariel asked
"No dad didn't say anything so is it you want to be a nurse?" Toni asked
"Yes"
"That's good future nurse Baldwin"
Hariel giggle
"Sounds good ah, maybe you'll get married and you'll be nurse so and so"
Hariel giggle
"You don't want to get married?" Toni asked
"Oh yes"
"Be sure to marry a man like your dad he may not be perfect but he's special and he'll treat you kind, I'll share a secret that you might nit know, he gets angry" Toni said
Hariel giggle
Toni laugh "anyway my friend is coming over I only call to tell you I'm home we'll talk tomorrow ok, say hi to Nana, love you"
"Ok I love you too, is it Angela?" Hariel asked
"Her name is Nicky she love a little distance away she long to see me and is stopping by"
"Oh alright" Hariel said
They hang up just then the car came in the driveway Toni got up and went to the patio for it was Nicky
"Hi" Tony said when Nicky came from the car she walk up to the patio and she and Toni hug Nicky brought a small bag she stop for some grilled cheese turkey legs and some roasted lamb ribs covered in sauce"
"You smell like you brought over the oven" Toni said
Nicky grin she held up the bag
"I'll get some wine" Toni said
They got to the living Nicky sat and Toni went to get some wine she came and sat across from Nicky who roll the bag out for them to share
"So your husband at work?" They both asked
They grin
"Aldi is doing overtime by I get home he'll be home" Nicky said
"I haven't heard from Chris it's been a while" Toni said
"What he haven't called?"
"He haven't been taking my calls either" Toni explained
Nicky held her chest
Toni nod
"You know I thought he was going to come to you over in Houston"
"He said he would he told me when I call that he was working right through, the other day I call and his number shows that he was using a Texas code, few days later I saw Emma in Texas"
Nicky grasped her ribs fall back on the plate "they went to Texas together, I didn't want to say but I ran in to them sometime ago they were walking and looking around as if shopping Emma had a little girl with her too"
Toni nod "I don't know" she said she just don't know what he's up but is waiting to see his next step,
"So what was Emma doing in Texas?"
"That's where she's from"
Nicky widen her eyes but didn't say anything as a matter of fact they changed the subject "So how was it in Texas I bet you enjoy every minute of it"
"It was more than I expected, I met this nice guy I like" Toni said she did tell Nicky least of the things she and Angela share but she was telling her now what had happened to her on her trip"
"Oh a nice guy?"
Toni nod
"There's nothing wrong in getting to know a nice guy"
"He's nothing like my husband he treats you well and he's a gentleman, my heart melts for him he's so compassionate and very gentle"
Nicky smile"cheers to the nice guys in our life"
They grin and touch glasses together,
They laugh and talk a lot it was near ten Aldi was looking to leave work so Nicky bid goodbye to Toni saying that she'll call later,
Toni called Angela right away as Nicky left to talk to her she told her about what Nicky said about seeing her husband with Emma as if they were shopping neither could understand why Chris said he would be working all through the holidays and yet he was in Texas with Emma who was there to spend time with her family,
Toni wasn't sure what was happening but she rather not to let her head swell over it she said goodbye to Angela then went and took a shower after she was done she climb into bed and call Eddie he was having a drink waiting for her call when is phone rang it wasn't until he opened it he realized it was video call Toni grin at him he smile, "hi Eddie" she said
Eddie wave glad to hear from her he could hardly wait to hear her voice they talk long hours before saying goodbye Eddie was able to sleep well though he was missing her he knew of the chance of her one day coming back.
"Hear from your wife lately?" Emma asked
Chris look at her she kept asking him the same thing over and over and when she saw her calling she's frowning
"She stop calling" Chris said
It has only been a few days since Toni had call him and he didn't take the call,
"Did she tell you she was in Colorado?" Emma asked
"No she didn't say that, but that's where she was her friend live there"
"But I saw her in Stafford" Emma said
Chris look surprised at Emma
She nod
"With who?"
"To herself she came to buy coffee when I was visiting a family friend"
"You didn't say anything to me"
"I wasn't expecting you to be interested you were already with your daughter I thought that was what matters most" Emma said with a frown.
"You're right" Chris said holding her, "what does it matter"
"Who do you think she knows in Texas?" Emma asked
"I can't tell haven't heard her mention Texas before this"
"What if she has a man you'll have to find out for you can't still be married to her and she's seeing another man"
Chris look at her
What you think I'm going to let she take everything from you and our daughter don't get nothing?"
"You know I'm doing everything for our daughter" Chris said
"What she really needs is a full time dad I think you should ask her for a divorce"
"When I do that don't you think I'm going to have to give her half of what I have"
"Tell them you have nothing sell the house and come live here, or sell this house and we move in to that house"
Chris look at her
"That house is much nicer when you think of it, you should let her know that you need a divorce" Emma said
Chris nods
She left him and went out she didn't say to him that she saw Toni on the way home she was leaving the gas station that border Texas Chris thought about it for sometime he believe he should really ask for a divorce that way his daughter will grow up with both her parents he'll get married to Emma and maybe she'll birth him a son , since she's he one who's able to give birth and not his wife it's the best choice to keep their relationships close.
It was Sunday first Sunday of January two thousand and three Toni though of the cleaning to be done but she always attended church first Sunday of every year even if she didn't go again for a long while and she made up her mind to go, she ran into Franklin who didn't know she was back and was surprised and glad to see her,
He was only dropping someone but he and Toni spend some time talking, he left and she went inside,
The ceremony was great and she sticks around to be greeted before leaving she stop for a few items in the store when she saw melody who has many stories
"How is that husband of your's?" Melody asked after taking a breath from the talking
"He's working"
"Today is Sunday" melody said
"His job required so much"
Melody sigh "Anyway girl it was good seeing you enjoy your day"
"Thanks I'll do just that, you too"
They share a hug and Toni left her she got back in her van and drove away
"I have to go to the house and get somethings" Chris said
Emma was in the kitchen fixing dinner for them "you can't leave now dinner is near ready what is it you want over there?"
"A few shirts"
"What happened to the other shirts?" Emma asked
"Need washing"
"So why not wash them and have them to used?"
"You're going to wash them?" Chris asked
"No I'm cooking"
Chris look at her then turned away he wash a shirt packing up the others to take back to the house he will drop them off tomorrow while he was going to work,
Toni decided to clean while cleaning she called Hariel she was just as excited to hear from her as she was the day before,
They talk until it was her dinner time Toni said goodbye telling her to say hi to Dorothy she could hear Eddie in the back ground but she didn't ask to talk to him she might call him later,
After a series of work Toni was too tired she lay down to rest ended up falling asleep she got up early Monday morning to shower then she called him, it was early but Eddie was already leaving the house he was going to start working on the electricity company he explained to Toni
"So how your daughter getting to school and your nana to the lounge?"
"My neighbor will drop them" Eddie said
"Ok, go a head we'll talk later bye love you" Toni said
Eddie smile "love you" he said
"I have a few papers to sort at the office drop Nellie at school" Emma said
"I thought you would do so this morning" Chris said
"I would but I have to get these done by I'm to drop her I'll be late getting to work, please get her there early" Emma said kissing Chris she kiss Nellie and left waving Chris sigh when she was gone this was going to throw him off track now a days it feels as if he's the one who assisting, he took up the things for Nellie taking her hand leading her to the car'
He strapped her in the car seat for Emma had insisted he get one in for she didn't want because of nigglette any thing happens to her daughter, Chris didn't want to go to work with so much dirty things in the car he was going to have to left them at the house, he drive down to the house before taking Nellie to school hoping he won't be late
Toni was going to go out to the florist shop by this she knows it must be needing some attention so she was getting ready to walk out when the car came in the driveway she look out the window to see it was her husband's car he was getting out taking a bag out the car since Toni didn't park around front Chris didn't know she was home he was about to go in when the door open he became shocked to see his wife,
Toni look him up and down
"Toni I didn't know you were back"
"I don't expect you to" Toni said going by him,
"What does that mean?" Chris turn to asked
"It seems the only thing you know now is work or maybe something else" Toni said
"What else do you expect my job required a lot and what else to know when I'm already so tied up doing my job"
"What about me Chris don't I at least deserve some time?"
"what about you?" Chris asked "didn't you pack up and went away? If you needed time why did you leave?"
"Chris you've been distant since our doctor said that I might of lost a child"
"Was that the only thing the doctor said it seems you've taken an abortion how can you be married and you know your husband wants children and you went and do something like having an abortion" Chris said angrily
"Chris I've not lost a baby I've not seen a doctor for that or have I taken an abortion I never have pain to let me feel that was the time I lost a baby I've seen doctor as regular for I was too trying hard to get pregnant"
"Trying right running off to where ever doesn't make you a hard tryer" Chris said
Toni sigh she walk by him he went in to left the bag by the front door and comes out again,
"Did you try to say don't go you left as didn't come back you made excuses not to spend Thanksgiving with me and you avoided doing so for Christmas,
But how was it that you were working but you ended up in Houston with your assistance?"
Chris was almost shocked he stutter for a good while before he said, "It was work just the same because i was going to be a lone she invited me what was i to do refused and spend christmas a lone?"
"Oh so it was ok for me to spend Christmas a lone?"
"What were you doing down there you didn't know I would hear that was were you were?" "I wasn't hiding what reason would I have I know your assistant would told you we ran into each other maybe you made up excuses saying it was work probably it was all planned"
Chris shook his head "do you even ever stop talking nonsense?" He shout
"Mhm nonsense is that what I do talk nonsense you know what it's ok" Toni said flashes at him, she was about to walk away when a baby cry she look around wondering where it was coming from she look in through the window to see the little girl on the back seat of her husband's car she look at him with questioning eyes
"I'm dropping her at school"
"Who's baby is it Emma?" Toni asked
Chris didn't answer
"So you done even have time to come home but yet you took it in you to escort Emma's child to school, you become her chauffeur driver you're seeping over by her place is that it, so there is where all those things are coming from they're your dirty things right so she don't keep them at her place, she don't wash?"
"What sleeping where?" Chris said nervously "there you go again you're talking nonsense" Chris shout
Toni shrugged she held her hand up and walk away,
Chris hissed when her van came around and then left, he was about to close the front door when his phone rang he ignore it for it was Emma he close the door and left the house trying to get Nellie to school he was walking out the door when he took Emma's call, "why didn't you answer me before?" She asked
"I'm sorry baby I was talking to Nellie's teacher"
"Sure it wasn't your wife that call?" She asked
"Pretty sure"
"I can't wait for you to tell her of the divorce"
"It won't be long" Chris said
Emma giggle then hang up
Toni swing by the house to check on things she had some things there she wants to clean out the girl who rented the place was there and help her these were some little antique things from her parents her mother's wedding dress and a nice pair of marble table set it was almost like the one back at the house in Texas on her next trip she'll take then there, she left everything else so the girl living there could have assessed to them, the room she had lock the things she needed in she took them and left it open she wasn't going back to live in this house and Incase this girl would move someone else will rent it she didn't plan on selling it for it helps in some ways she got back to the house to find Chris bag of dirty things in the corner of the living room but she didn't touch them she wasn't going to stress herself doing too much if he chose to be with Emma for she have a daughter, it flashes to her mind wondered if that little girl was for her husband for sometime she thinks on it she seems to be there or more and it was around that time Emma started acting up Chris became more upset growing times she remember the night he left home when she was leaving and even when she was leaving he didn't come home he didn't want to come on the trip with her but yet still he was in Texas the times he avoided taking her call when she was picking up a Texas number he must have did so because he was around her and her family, he could have wanted a baby that had for him to break their marriage for a child outside, it make her sick thinking on it for the rest of the week it bothers her much as she occupied herself with work and conversation soon as she sit it was what plague her thinking, Saturday morning Toni and Nicky drove to pick up Angela she took a flight down wanted to get here quickly what she was hearing was quite interesting and she wants to get to the bottom of it, "Hey girls" Angela said running to hug toni and Nicky
"Hey girl" they both replied as they hug and grin
"Nicky you look lovely that husband of your's being nice to you I see"
They laughed
"We are at a good point" Nicky said
"Sea point" Angela said
"Some point" Nicky said
"As long as it's not reef point" Toni added "that's not a good point you all I'm at that point"
Angela and Nicky hug her
"First let's go in to the little bar and have a drink" Angela suggested
Both Toni and Nicky agree
They load Angela's things in the car for Nicky has drove them here then they left to go to the bar
Angela and Nicky hug Toni in the middle of them as they walk to the bar they found a comfortable seat overlooking the ocean they order a drink of Bourbon Toni didn't refuse but she avoided drinking some how she didn't feel as if she wanted to drink anything strong she already feels so stress out and wasn't about to become a drunken stress woman with marital problems and drinking problems all at once.