Page 44 of Quiet Chaos

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“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6

Sky - December 2019

It’s Christmas! I’m getting ready for early mass so I can make it back in time to cook for the Christmas festivities at the club. I have a knee-length velvet red dress with a white cotton hem and the same around the cuffs. It resembles something Mrs. Claus would wear. I put on a stylish black ankle boot and leave the closet. Cade wakes and quickly sits up, rubbing his eyes.

“Where are you going?”

I rock back and forth on my heels and the balls of my feet. “Church. I saw one in town. I haven’t been since I came to Garden City and hurt myself—”

“You mean since asshole hurt you.” He climbs out of bed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

My mouth is in the shape of an‘o’, surprised by his question. “I forgot.” I lower my voice. “Is it okay if I go?”

He dismisses my comment with a wave. “Yes, Sky. You’re not a prisoner. I thought you would have wanted me to attend.”

“I’d love for you to come with me, but I know how you...” I fiddle with my fingers.

“Didn’t you want me to understand your faith?” He folds his arms. “If we’re to learn and appreciate what’s important in eachother’s lives, don’t you think I should go since you’re going to the club?”

I run and wrap my arms around his waist, resting my chin on his chest and ask, “Will you please go to church with me?”

“How much time?”

“Twenty-minutes?”

He grips my face, kisses me, and disappears. I skip to the kitchen with the biggest smile, and hurry to make him coffee to put in his travel mug.

It’s crowded, and people stand along the back wall. Folks stare at us, the mismatched couple, and it isn’t very Christian of them. We find seats at the end of a pew. Cade holds my hand and places it on his thigh. They set the choir in the front right, singing Christmas carols, and a warmth radiates through me. I rest my head on his shoulder, listening to the moving songs. They singDo You Hear What I Hear, which prompts my tears. When Cade sees me crying, he puts his arm around me. I’ve never imagined finding a haven in Cade’s arms.

Cade sits through mass, watching people, and listening to the sermon. He doesn’t take part in communion but donated. With my arm slipped under his, hands held, we sit and wait until most people are out of the church. As we’re leaving, the priest is shaking people’s hands, wishing them a Merry Christmas, and then takes Cade’s. His hand buries the priest’s hand while they exchange greetings.

Back at home, light snow flurries are falling. I change out of my clothes to avoid getting them dirty. Even though I’m sleeping in Cade’s bed, my clothes are upstairs. Cade is in the huge, cozy chair, drinking coffee, and reading the news on his phone. I want to impress the club members, so I decide to bring several foods. For an appetizer, I made a Christmas tree cheese ball, along with a potato and herb bread wreath. In the crockpot are scalloped potatoes and ham. Now I’m finishing reindeer cupcakes for thechildren. While I’m putting the pretzel antlers on, Cade comes behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. He brushes my hair to the side and kisses my neck.

“Cade. I’m going to ruin this cupcake.” There’s a flutter in my belly as heat flares between my legs. This happens from his touches. I’m assuming it’s normal when you’re attracted to someone. Then again, I found Christoff attracted, but my body didn’t react the same.

In a seductive, deep whisper, he says, “Then I’ll eat it.”

He hugs me one last time. Cade takes all the food out to the truck. He put the top on the back, and I notice a filled burlap bag the width of the bed.

“What’s in here?”

“Gifts for the kids.”

My head twists toward him. “You bought gifts for the kids?” He nods. “All of these gifts you bought?”

Cade moves things around to hold everything in place as I say, “What a wonderful thing to do?”

“Boulder plays Santa.”

“Aw, you all are sweet. I meant to ask you about their names. And Patsy’s. She’s never told me.”

“Patsy’s is Raisin because she’s sweet. I’ll tell you about the rest in the car. Let’s get going.”

The ride isn’t long, but he fills me in on some of the guy’s names. Influencer has a large Instagram following, so that’s where he got his name. Boulder looks like one. It seems the names match what they like or leave, such as Bruiser leaves lots of bruises. I flinch when Cade tells me. He taps his cheek, and I lean over to give him a kiss. This man has captured my heart and body. I’m worried about how everyone will act. By now, they must know Cade and I are together.

The clubhouse brims with people and holiday cheer. While I wait by the door, Cade instructs a couple of men about bringingin the burlap bag and the rest of the food from his truck. Once we walk into the area where everyone is, they all shout Prez and QC, coming around to take what we have in our hands. In another room, the women set up a long table filled with many kinds of food, and another for desserts. The other men return carrying the rest of the food we brought. Cade places the things where I ask him to, and a few ladies come to talk to me.

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