Page 11 of Unveiled Wishes

“The twentieth. There’s a flight that leaves here at six in the morning. I figured even if I am delayed, I’ll still make it in time.” A blizzard would not stop me from getting out of New York.

“Okay, I’ll make sure he picks you up, or I’ll do it myself.”

“Thank you.” I wasn’t sure how to hold a genuine conversation with him, but I knew he wouldn’t disappoint me. “Hey, Tyler?”

“Yeah,” he answered.

“I asked Eric, but he didn’t have an answer for me. I’ve never visited the club, and I don’t want to come empty-handed. Is there anyone I should bring a Christmas present for? Kind of like, ‘Thanks for having me.’”

“Why would you do that?” My brother had grown up with the best of everything, while I knew Tyler had come from beggar beginnings. However, I swore they had the same neanderthal characteristics.

“Eric said that he had to ask permission for me to come. It was nice to be included so that I don’t have to spend the holiday alone, and I want to make a good first impression.”

“You sounded like Flo for a second with that bullshit.” He laughed.

Flo. My brother had never mentioned Tyler having a woman in his life. Was this a girlfriend? Did she mean anything to him? I didn’t want to ask.

“We call our president’s woman Flo. When he first brought her to meet the club, she said something similar, that’s all. It must be a thing.”

I breathed a metaphorical sigh of relief. “So…come on. Help a girl out.”

“You’re not a girl.” He paused. “Sabre and Flo have a baby boy. He’s going to be six months old. Just bring a present for him and your brother, and you should be good.”

“What about you?” I pushed. “What should I bring you?”

“I am alright. You coming is present enough. Do you still need How?”

“No, I’ll talk to him later.” The phone went silent in my hand. Had that been real?

***

Grace

JR’s whimpers were the only sound as we sat on the bed in the spare bedroom.

“I know. Mama messed this up.” I tickled his feet, trying to soothe him as I looked around the room. Shipping boxes filled every corner. I had told the prospects to toss them in the spare bedroom each time something arrived. They had taken me at my word, and now the boxes took up every available space. I’d had a hard time opening the bedroom door.

I couldn’t blame them. I’d done the same with the bags of presents I had bought. Piles of bags sat where I had dumped them, and I had quickly left the room to avoid seeing the mess.How’s sister would be here in two days, and I could no longer turn a blind eye. I had to get everything wrapped before we hung the stockings, and the room needed to be clear.

JR fussed. “I know, baby,” I said, running my hand through my hair, dislodging the ponytail I had put up that morning. “I promised your daddy that I wouldn’t get crazy. It’s a good thing he hasn’t seen this nightmare.”

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” I called.

Kelly opened the door but stopped before stepping inside. “Oh, Mylanta,” she whispered, taking in the disaster I had created. I watched as her eyes went wide, bouncing from one area to the next. Her lips parted into an O shape. “Do I want to know?” she asked me.

“I promised Sabre it would all be fine. I told him I had it under control, but look at this. It’s not fine.” I held my hands out in front of me and spread them to incorporate the rest of the room. “How am I ever going to get this done?” JR was crying beside me. “I feel the same way.” I picked him up, cradling him against my shoulder, as I pushed a few stray pieces of hair back.

“Where’s Aunt E and Meredith?” Kelly asked, and I appreciated her optimism that reinforcements would arrive. I tried to smile at her, but I was sure it was more of a grimace.

“Pebbles is with my aunt, making sure that she can shower and get dressed. I am not sure if Meredith will be available.” Aunt E would do her best to help, but her lack of mobility really prohibited her movements. Meredith was having a bad day, and it would be easier if we just left her alone.

Shutting the door, she leaned against it. “I am not sure where to start, but what if I help you wrap the women’s presents? There are fewer women in the club, and if we can get them finished, I’ll help you stack the stuff in the main room.”

“You sure? How’s sister is coming to visit, and this room has to be cleaned out in two days.” I usually had things under control, but now I was on the verge of tears, unable to see a way out of this mess.

“I have nothing planned for today, so I can stay and help. As long as we finish those by tonight, you can get the club girls to help with the men’s presents tomorrow. Just threaten them to get them not to tell, and it should be alright.” Kelly didn’t move from her spot by the door.

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