Page 88 of Stutter

“Christmas is here…”

He shoves her forward lightly.

“Bringing good cheer…”

She stumbles but not nearly enough to fall and he catches her by the elbow.

“To young and old…”

Through the crowd they go.

“Meek and the bold…”

To the coat closet.

“Ding dong… ding dong…”

And out the front door.

“Ding dong… ding.”

The applause is ear-splitting. I have to blink to remember where I am. I bend, to place my cello back in her case along with her bow and close the lid, not letting my mind wander to how badly this could go. I haul my cello case, but Jonas takes it from me and motions with his head for me to follow him upstairs. But we’re stopped.

“I hear congratulations are in order.” Blue eyes like endless skies clash with mine and I almost lose my balance, but Jonas catches me, never letting me look weak in front of others.

I would kill for Jonas Anderson.

Iwillkill for our future together.

“Mr. Prescott,” Jonas greets. “Thank you.”

“Raven, what a lovely performance.”

I blink up at him. He’s so much taller when I’m not in my thigh-high boots. A bit imposing, actually, since we’re toe-to-toe and not… crotch-to-face. I catch myself before I can cringe.

“Uh, she says thank you. That was her thank you blink.”

Stephen eyes me up and down, from the silver stripe in my hair to my breasts, down to the tattoo on my wrist and back. “Fascinating.”

The way he says that, like I’m a mouse at a lab that hasn’t been fed in days and he’s my keeper makes me feel a little sick. I balance from one foot to the other and then looks at Jonas.

“Yeah, we’re gonna take this up to her bedroom. Happy Holidays, Mr. Prescott. It was nice seeing you.”

“January third, Mr. Anderson.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll need you.”

“I won’t be in town. I’ll be… elsewhere with Raven.”

“Another time then.” He replies sternly. It’s not a question. And it’s definitely not a request. It’s an order.

“I’ll let you know when I’m back in town.”

“See that you do.” He says, walking away.

“C'mon baby, let’s get you upstairs so we can go.”

---