Page 2 of A Game-Changing Christmas

“Okay, fifteen minutes.”

Claudia nodded. “Samiyah, thank you.”

On the other end of the phone, Samiyah clutched the receiver to her ear, hearing the uncertain yet thankful exhale in Claudia’s voice.

“Of course, girl, anytime, see you in a minute.”

Claudia disconnected the phone then counted to three and pulled herself to stand on her feet. She flushed the commode then strolled back to the mirror where she brushed her teeth and rinsed her mouth with Colgate. Her gaze traveled over the slant in her brown eyes and the peak of her tipped nose. High cheekbones sat behind bronze skin, and jet-black hair spread across her shoulders, bone straight with a moisturized glow.

“You’re pregnant,” she said, still bewildered and unsteady. Claudia blinked once, then twice, and on the third, she twirled and headed for the front door.

Her feet slid down hardwood floors as her quick trot, half jogged down the extended hallway.

“Where are my keys,” she said, spinning back around while simultaneously patting her sides.

Footsteps entered the corridor on the opposite end, and Claudia glanced down to catch London Jones, her close friend and part-time caregiver to Claudia’s mother coming toward her. The usual bone straight hair that Claudia was familiar with seeing on London was now in an excessive bounty of curls that bounced around each other as they fell to London’s shoulders. The bang that covered London’s forehead was gone, showing the full schematic of her caramel brown skin. Long lashes fluttered as she blinked, and the highlight on her face brought out London’s hazel eyes. It gave Claudia pause for just a moment, but her hysteria couldn’t be disrupted, so she would save her questions for later.

“Hey, have you seen my keys?”

“Yeah, they’re in the bowl on the foyer table downstairs.” London frowned, noticing Claudia’s slight disorientation. “Is everything okay?”

“Um.” Claudia tried to think. She could use London’s help. Yes, of course she could. Since London began working with their family, she’d grown from employee to a close trusted friend. “London, is my mother in therapy right now?”

“Yes, but she’s giving Terry a hard time insisting that she doesn’t need the cane to walk.”

Claudia couldn’t deal with her mother’s antics right now. She could barely stay focused on her tasks.

“What do you need?” London asked.

“A ride. Let’s go.”

“Should I tell Adeline that we’re leaving?”

“Trust me she won’t notice that we’re gone. This will be quick anyway. I think I may have you drop me off.”

“Okaaay,” London said, unsure.

The ladies took the Mediterranean staircase to the first floor. Claudia moved so fast, she pushed through the front door and stepped onto the porch barefoot, where she was reminded of the weather.

It was December first, and the Christmas season was underway. Chicago’s weather always carried a windy current, but today’s temperatures were beyond frigid. Claudia covered herself with the span of her arms then twirled on her heels and scurried back inside the house.

She grabbed her coat off the nearby rack in the foyer and slipped her feet inside knee-length black suede boots that stood aligned with the entryway table. It was a good thing she hadn’t taken off her jeans and bra when she came home earlier, or she might need help, now that her head was in a fog.

Back out the door, Claudia slipped into her jacket as she shut the entrance and London quickly locked the door.

“Is everything okay, Claudia,” London asked, snuggling deeper into her three-button sweater.

Claudia glanced at her as they made it to the Bentley parked in the roundabout driveway.

“Do you need a coat?” Claudia asked. “I think it’s safe to say we’ve moved out of the sweater season.”

“I’m good.”

“Suit yourself. You’re driving.” Claudia tossed London the keys, and they entered the vehicle.

“Where am I driving to, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Rumi Middle Eastern Grill on Milwaukee. And put a little weight into the pedal. I can’t sit here while you drive like Miss Daisy.”

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