It was Christmas Day and everything had slowed down considerably since her vacation. She didn�t have to worry about school so that just left working. She felt like she needed a vacation from her vacation.
The store was busy but she didn�t complain because the commission was going to be wonderful. Besides, it wasn�t too hectic. It wasn�t like she was working in the mall. Now that was a mess, and she didn�t know how the salespeople dealt with it; especially since they didn�t get commission.
She walked down the stairs and smiled at Lance who had woke her up.
�You woke me up and mom isn�t down here.�
�She�s on her way. She�s even slower than you.�
�Give me a break. I had to brush my teeth.�
Her brother was excited about opening his gifts. She couldn�t blame him, when she was fourteen she felt the same way.
She walked in the kitchen and poured herself a glass of milk.
�You want something to drink?� She called out to her brother,
�Yeah, orange juice, French toast, sausage and eggs over easy.�
She came back with two glasses. �I said drink geek.�
�Come on Maleeyah. The only thing you know how to cook is breakfast. Can�t you cook it for your brother who you never see?�
She shook her head, �Yeah, ok.�
He smiled. His smile got even bigger when their mother walked into the room.
�Ok, let�s get started.�
Maleeyah grabbed her camera and watched as Lance ripped paper left and right. He finally came to hers and she smiled.
�Alright, thanks.� She got him a digital camera. Since they lived a part she always sent him pictures of her. He always complained he couldn�t do the same because he had a regular camera and had to wait for the picture to be developed.
�Thank you.� He shouted as he hugged her neck.
�You�re welcome.�
�Oh dear. Honey, your father bought you one too. He told me so I wouldn�t buy one. I didn�t think to tell Maleeyah.�
�Its ok mom. Dad can take it back and I�ll pick out something else. I�m going to keep the one Maleeyah gave me.�
Her heart swelled. He made her so proud. She knew there was no way her camera was more expensive and as fancy as the one his dad could afford.
�Its ok. You should keep the one your dad got you.�
�That�s ok. He got me a lot of other stuff too. I want to keep this one.�
That was her brother, not only was he smart and handsome, he had a heart of gold too. Their mother and his father really broke the mold when they made that kid.
She always had a hard time getting things for her mother so she stayed safe and went with what she always got her for Christmas, a piece of crystal to add to her collection. She always had Lance scout the display case to make sure she wasn�t buying her something she already had.
�Darling, its beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.�
She went over and they hugged.
�Here, I didn�t have time to shop and really I didn�t know what you would like.�
She handed Maleeyah an envelope and she opened it too see a check for seven hundred and fifty dollars.
�Mom, thank you.�
She kissed her mother on the cheek and they sat back and watched Lance open the rest of the gifts.
**
She was in the middle of dipping the bread in the mix for Lance�s French toast when her cell phone rang,
She wiped her hands and headed towards her phone, �Hello?�
�Maleeyah?�
�Yeah?�
�Hey, Merry Christmas. Its Derek.�
She hadn�t heard from him since they had parted ways in Negril.
�Hi, merry Christmas to you too. How have you been?�
�Ah a little busy but nothing to complain about. How�s your Christmas so far?�
�It�s great. Like a true college kid I got money from my mom and my brother bought me a denim skirt. What did you get?�
He laughed, �A Rolex from my parents and a one of a kind painting from my sister.�
�Impressive. I�m jealous.�
�Maleeyah, the French toast.�
�Who was that?�
�My impatient brother. I�m cooking him breakfast.�
�You cook?�
�Just breakfast.�
�Which means you cant cook because everyone can cook breakfast; even I can do that.�
�Hold on a minute.� She walked into the living room, found her earpiece on the coffee table, and attached it to her ear and then the phone. She dropped the phone in the pocket of her robe,
�Ok, had to go hands free.�
She stood over the stove and placed the first piece of bread in the pan.
�So how was your Christmas party in Michigan?�
�It went great. I forgot it was December, needed all new clothes when I got there. Then I was in Tampa and New York. Got sick with all that change of weather.�
�You have programs in Tampa and New York?�
�Yeah. I grew up in Kalamazoo, I live in Tampa and New York.�
�That�s pretty cool of you.�
�Have you decided what you�re doing for New Year�s?�
�No, still haven�t decided but whatever it is I�ll be with my girls. How about you?�
She glanced over to see Lance smiling at her and she frowned at him.
�I think Vegas.�
�Are you ringing in the new year with Vanessa?�
She hope she didn�t make him feel uncomfortable. Sometimes guys got nervous when talking about girls to other girls even when there was no need to.
�Don�t know. She probably has to be in New York for the MTV thing.�
There was silence and she wasn�t sure if it was because Vanessa was brought up or they simply ran out of things to discuss.
�Well, I just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas. I�ll talk to you soon. I�m going to be in Florida for a while; getting ready for the season. We should all get together.�
�That would be great. I�d love to. Merry Christmas.�
�Merry Christmas to you too, bye.�
She hung up the phone and turned to Lance, �Hand me a plate please.�
She gave the French toast her undivided attention and when he held out the plate, she went to take it but his grip was firm.
�Give me the plate.� She said to him. He just sat there with a smile on his face.
�What geek?�
�Was that a guy?�
�As a matter of fact it was. He�s just a friend.�
�Suuuuure.� She rolled her eyes. She had previously considered telling her brother who her friend was but she knew now he definitely wasn�t ready.
�Well, I know who it wasn�t.�
�And who is that?�
�I know it wasn�t Danny. He doesn�t make you smile like that.�
She turned her back as her face fell. The last thing she wanted to think about was Danny. The only name that hurt more was Bradley.
034 | No Ordinary Girl