Home for the Holidays

Thursday

Alison

Promptly at nine o’clock, Dominick knocks on my door. I know it’s him. Who else would it be? Opening the door, I find my neighbor as expected, holding his winter coat. My heart beats a little faster as he smiles at me. He holds his arms out for inspection, “Morning, I forgot to ask about the dress code. Am I dressed appropriately, or do I need to change into something a little more formal?”

I start at the bottom and work my way up. Total business casual. Black dress shoes, tan dress pants, navy blue sweater with a white turtleneck underneath. I smile up at him, “You’ll do.”

His gaze moves over me, and his smile grows, “You look great.”

I went with my purple sweater, sheath dress, warm tights, calf boots, and my hair up in a messy bun. I feel myself blushing even though I shouldn’t, “Thanks.”

“Are we ready to go?”

Startled, I turn and grab my coat and scarf off the hook, “Yes.”

I finish bundling up then grab my purse and cooler bag. Turning back to the door, I find Dom holding his hand out. I hand him the bag, then step out and lock my door. Offering Dom another smile over my shoulder, I lead the way down the stairs and out of the building.

As we head down the block to the bus station, Dom asks, “What’s in the bag?”

“Crackers, sliced meats, and cheese for appetizers. It’s all I’m allowed to bring.”

“And why is that?”

When we stop to wait for the bus, I face him, “My family thinks I can’t cook.”

“Can you?”

I roll my eyes, “Yes. I was trying a new recipe once for a family potluck. Running behind, I didn’t taste it before I left. Huge mistake.”

“No good?”

“Understatement. My mother took one bite, forbade anyone else from tasting it, made them all dump it off their plates and back into the bowl. It was so humiliating.”

As the smile on Dom’s face grows, I add, “I followed her as she took it out into the kitchen and took a taste from the bowl, it really was awful. Since then, I’m not allowed to bring anything that I can ruin.”

He laughs while replying, “Ouch.”

“Yeah, they’ve never forgotten it.”

“And they don’t let you forget either, I’m guessing.”

“Nope.”

As the bus approaches, Dominick says, “I’d be willing to risk it if you want to cook for me sometime.”

I give him a coy smile, “Perhaps.”

The bus stops in front of us and we climb aboard. Taking a seat, I enjoy the feel of Dom’s arm against mine as he settles into the seat next time mine. I bump against him as the bus pulls away from the curb and he moves his arm behind me as if to keep me from getting hurt. A gentleman’s move, something I’ve missed.

“Well, since we have nothing but time between stops, let’s play twenty questions and get to know each other better.”

That gets my attention. I glance at him, “Twenty questions?”

“Well, however many we come up with.” He smiles down at me, “I’ll start. Pizza or Chinese?”

“Oh, depends on my mood. I like both. You?”

“Pizza every time. Your turn.”

Smiling, I prepare a list of questions in my head. Deciding to go for broke, I ask, “First kiss?”

“Ouch.” He laughs before saying, “Nothing like hitting the hard questions first. I want to say sixth grade. Her name was Lizzy.” He laughs some more, “I didn’t know what I was doing and kissing was something where you shoved your lips against the girl’s then pulled away quick.”

“Poor Lizzy.”

He lifts an eyebrow at me, “I’ve gotten much better since then. Your turn, first kiss?”

I can’t stop the smile that slips across my face, “His name was Jared, and it was on the third-grade playground.”

“What?”

I laugh at his incredulous expression; this is going to be fun.

Over an hour and three transfers later, I stand as we near our final stop. It’s been a fun trip and I’ve never considered a bus trip fun before. I feel much better about Dominick as well. I think I know more about him than I ever knew about Ian thanks to that game of twenty questions.

What does it say about me, that I know more about a man that I met two days ago than the man I was dating for almost a year?

The bus stops abruptly, and I lose my balance. Only Dom grabbing my arm and yanking me back against him keeps me from landing face first on the floor.

“Careful, Ally. No trips to the emergency room today.”

A hard body behind me. I could rest my head against his chest, close my eyes, and just relax. Ok, I’m liking this way too much. Righting myself, I glance back at him, “Thanks. And no worries about the emergency room. I wasn’t allowed to cook.”

His lips curl with a smile, “Welcome. You know, I’m still willing to take the risk.”

I don’t answer and lead the way to the front of the bus. We exit and wait for the bus to depart before crossing the street and continuing down the block.

Five blocks later, I say, “We’re almost there.”

“At least we’ll get some exercise when we leave.”

“Believe me, you’ll need it,” I reply.

“Why?”

“Let’s just say pace yourself. You’ll be eating all day.”

“All day?”

Ignoring his disbelieving tone, I stop in front of a brightly decorated house. Christmas lights hang from every eve, tree branch, and bush. Inflatable yard decorations that feature Santa, the reindeer, Frosty, and every other imaginable character litter the yard and the porch roof.

“Your mother must love Christmas.”

“You have no idea,” I reply to Dom as I lead him up the walk and to the front door. I knock on the door while opening it. Stepping over the threshold, I call out, “Mom? We’re here.”

No one answers. They’re all probably in the kitchen. The Christmas decorations continue in the entryway. Ceramic Santa, snowmen, and other Christmas knickknacks line the ceiling shelves. The archway is a mix of brightly colored twinkling lights and Christmas balls hanging. I avoid walking under the mistletoe and approach the hall closet. I remove my coat and hang it up on the last hook along with my purse. Taking Dom’s coat from him, I set it on top of my own.

“Ally, my love. About time you got here.”

My aunt, Sophie, approaches. Dressed in her usual fortune teller attire of a jeweled skirt covered by a bright green scarf. A golden peasant shirt and her corkscrew curls held back with a purple scarf. Big silver hoops hang from her ears and silver bangles jangle as she raises her arms to me. As she engulfs me in a hug, I inhale the earthy aroma of patchouli.

As her arms tighten and I find it hard to breathe, I gasp out, “Hi, Aunt Sophie.”

She releases me then holds onto my shoulders as she faces me, “Dear child, you are well rid of that horse’s ass.” Her gaze moves from me and to Dom. She all but pushes me away as Sophie continues, “And who is this fine specimen?”

“Aunt Sophie, don’t.”

She waves me off like an insect. Dom smiles at her and raises his hand, “Hello, I’m Ally’s new neighbor, Dominick.”

She takes his hand and moves it around as she examines it. I receive a saucy wink, “Oh, sweetie. Big feet and hands, ooh la la. You’ll have a good time with this one.”

I don’t know whose face is more red. Mine or Dom’s. Trying to keep my tone calm, I reply, “Thank you, Aunt Sophie, for the humiliation.”

She isn’t done, though. Finished with his hand, she grabs Dom by the neck of his sweater and pulls him down so she can stare into his eyes. Her tone quiets as she adds, “Kind eyes and warm heart. A gentle soul.” Sophie reaches up and pats Dom’s cheek, “You will be good for my Alison.”

“Really, Aunt Sophie…”

She waves a dismissive hand at me, “If he isn’t, Andy can help us get rid of the body.”

Dom’s expression becomes horrified. I pull him away from my aunt, “We better go find Mom.”

I take the bag from Dom and as we head for the dining room, Sophie calls after us, “I’m never wrong, Ally.”

He leans down and whispers to me, “You said she was eccentric. Not a total…”

“Loon?”

“Yes! I’m almost afraid to meet the rest of your family.”

Smiling, I turn to face him, “If I had told you, would you have come?”

Dom thinks, then sighs out, “Yes, because I wouldn’t have believed you and I don’t want to go to my mother’s dinner alone.”

Shaking my head at him, I take his arm to lead him toward the kitchen, “You survived the worst of it. The rest of the family isn’t as scary.”

“As scary?”

Laughter bursts out of me at his tone. “Don’t worry, there is only one that knows how to get rid of a body, and it takes a lot to piss Andy off. You’re safe for the moment.”

Dominick

Get rid of a body. What the hell have I gotten myself into? The question keeps going through my head as I follow Ally into the dining room. She pauses and points up. I look up and spot mistletoe pinned to the ceiling.

“You’ll want to watch out. Rules of the house, whoever is closest has to kiss you, whether male or female.”

“You’re kidding me, right?”

“Do I look like I’m kidding?”

“Oh, shit.”

“Exactly.”

“Ally, stay close to me at all times.”

She laughs again, but I’m deadly serious here. I don’t want to end up kissing one of those old men that finds fart jokes funny. Kissing Ally, now that holds some appeal.

The volume of voices grows as I follow her through the Christmas themed dining room and into the kitchen. She pauses inside the doorway, and I look around the biggest kitchen I’ve ever seen. A huge refrigerator that probably belongs in a restaurant, two double ovens, a huge gas range, and a large center island. Beautiful white woodwork. My mother would be jealous as hell. The room is also filled with women, moving around the room, working together as they prepare the meal. The scents though…my mouth is watering. A mix of turkey, ham, every vegetable imaginable, cinnamon, all mingling together.

Ally calls out, “Mom, we’re here.”

A woman with a Mrs. Santa Claus apron looks our way and smiles, “Alison, about time you got here.”

I can see the resemblance to Ally as she approaches. Her mother is just older and maybe plumper. Almost Mrs. Santa Claus like. She glances my way but kisses and hugs Ally before turning to me, “You’re the new neighbor?”

I hold out my hand, “Dominick Butler. Thank you for letting me come along.”

“Oh, you’re very welcome,” she says as she shakes my hand, “I’m Nancy Taylor.” She points to the other women around the kitchen, “The ladies in the back are Marie, my daughter-in-law.”

I see a hand raise before it drops, and Marie goes back to whatever she is doing at the center island.

“My daughter, Ginny, is at the stove.”

Another hand goes up for a brief wave.

“And my sister, Pam, is finishing up the salads.”

I receive another half-hearted wave. Wow, these women are dedicated. Nancy finishes with, “You’ll find my husband, Ed, in front of the television with the rest of the men, watching some football game.”

“Mom, you just have to tell them what to do. You know they’d help.”

Her mother waves Ally off, “I’d be redoing everything. It’s easier when the men are out of the way.”

I’m trying not to smile. Ally’s mother sounds so much like my own.

“Speaking of. Alison, why don’t you introduce Dominick to your father, then come back and help? Marie needs help with the vegetable tray.”

She walks away and starts giving orders to Ginny as she works at the stove. I follow Ally out of the room and across the house.

“The vegetable tray?”

I listen to Ally sigh before she says, “Yes, I can’t screw up chopping vegetables.”

“Only if you cut yourself.”

“God, don’t curse me. Then I’ll be relegated to dishes.”

“Break a few, you’ll never be asked again.”

She laughs and turns around to slap me on the arm, “You’re terrible.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

Alison leads me out of the dining area and down the hallway. I can hear the sounds of the game and the other men cheering or jeering well before we enter a large family room. A large Christmas tree shines brightly in the corner, ignored by the group of six men and a teenage boy sitting on every chair or couch and watching the TV.

Ally leads me in front of the screen, causing jeers as she says, “Guys, this is my friend and new neighbor, Dominick.” She points to a large older man sitting in a recliner and adds, “Be nice, Daddy. I have to go help in the kitchen.”

“They’re not letting you near the stove, I hope.”

I eye the offender. Given the similar coloring, I’m assuming this one is related. Ally retorts, “No, Jonathan, they’re not.”

She starts the introductions, “My dad, Ed. This jerk,” she points to the offender, “is my brother, Jonathan. And that’s my brother-in-law, Andrew.” She continues around the room to the teenager, “My nephew, Jeremy,” points to the two older gentlemen, “My uncles, Frank and Martin.” She stops at the last one, “And Connor, Sophie’s other half.”

“The better half!”

Everyone laughs while I eye Andy…the one that knows how to hide the body. He appears fairly ordinary.

Ally finishes with, “My nieces should be around here somewhere.”

“Emma and Amy are out back on the swings,” Andy supplies.

“In this cold?”

Andy shrugs, “They’re bundled up. At their age, they don’t feel the cold as long as they’re moving.”

She shakes her head at her brother-in-law, pats my arm, then leaves the room. Ed drops the foot-end of his recliner, “Jon, get up and give the man a seat.”

The brother moves to the only remaining seat at the end of the line, and I take his chair. I study Ally’s father the same way he is studying me. She gets her hazel eyes from him, but the rest comes from her mother. A big guy with a balding head. He points a finger at me and asks in a serious tone, “Bills or Patriots?”

“Bills.”

He nods, “Vikings or Packers?”

“Vikings.”

“Teams that have never won the Super Bowl. You always root for the underdog, do you?”

“There’s something to be said for teams that keep trying.”

He eyes me for a minute more, then says, “At least you know what I was talking about. That other bugger Ally brought around didn’t have a clue.”

Gathering my courage, I look around the room while asking, “Andy, I understand you know how to hide a body?”

Laughter bursts out of the group as Andy asks, “What did you do with Ian?”

“Never met the guy but was told I had to watch out for you.”

More laughter as Ed pats my hand and says, “You’ll do fine.”