Page 8 of Chucky’s Pride

20 Years Later:

Christmas is always the same for me. I get up on Christmas morning, enjoy one cup of coffee before my children wake up and we head over to my mom’s house for our family Christmas party.

I enjoy getting together with my brothers and their families with my mom every year. That isn’t the problem. The problem is that I am the only one of her children that is single. At least, she thinks it’s a problem. I think it makes life amazing.

“You are not getting any younger, little lady,” my mom tells me. “You need a man.”

“Mom, seriously, a woman, especially one as independent as I am, does not need a man. You are way too old fashioned!” I roll my eyes.

“Come on, Mom, leave her be. I think it’s awesome that my only sister can take care of herself. She’s done fantastic in her career plus being a single parent. Those are amazing accomplishments.”

My younger brother coming to my rescue as he walks into the kitchen is going to shift her focus to him. I am thankful to him for sacrificing himself for my benefit.

I sit at the table, eating, just listening to my family talk around me. All my brother’s kids are running around playing while my own left a little while ago to spend the rest of Christmas break with their dad.

My ex-husband and I divorced a little more than eight years ago. We get along now for the most part because it’s better for the kids that we do. Every once in a while, though, I still have to remind him that he doesn’t have a right to tell me what I can and can’t do in my life.

After an hour of visiting, I pushed away from the table and stood. “I have to go, Mom. Blue’s inside because it’s so cold out. He’ll need to go out.” I carry my paper plate to the trash can. Too bad my mom barely hears me; she’s currently still in a discussion with my little brother.

Take that zip lock bag with you that’s on the counter,” Mom tells me. “It has the ham bone in it. Tell Blue that Grandma hopes he has a Merry Christmas.”

“You don’t even like my dog, Momma.” I laugh at her reference to being his grandmother.

“Sure I do, as long as he isn’t anywhere close enough to me to bite me,” she quips with wide eyes. I just shake my head at her as I kiss her cheek and leave.

Finally getting to my truck, I let out a sigh of relief. I know Mom worries about me, but I wish she would just let me live my life. Whatever is meant to be, will be.

My phone blinks, indicating there is a new message through messenger. I check it absently, but what I see causes my breath to catch. A message from someone I have not seen in almost twenty years.

When I close my eyes at night, it’s still his face I see. His message is simple: Merry Christmas. I message back quickly with the same short message before putting the truck in drive and heading home.

Later that night as I am getting ready for bed, my phone goes off again. The message this time is a phone number I don’t recognize that simply states, call me.

I think about it only for a few minutes before dialing the number, which he picks up on the first ring.

“It’s been a long time, beautiful.”

The sound of his voice is just as I remember it. It also still has the same effect on my body as it did all those years ago.

“Yes, it certainly has,” I answer, cautious. “How have you been, Chucky?”

“Missing you.” He states simply, making my heart flutter in my chest. “I only have a few minutes that I can talk but listen; I heard you were back in North Mississippi. One of the guys from the club told me they ran into you at a store. I’ll be back in town after this next job for New Years and wanted to see if I could see you.”

He sounds rushed, like he’s the one that is nervous.

“Yes, I would like that,” I tell him.

“Meet me at the clubhouse at 6pm on New Year’s Eve,” he says, hurried. “I’ll wait for you by the door.”

“I’ll be there,” I answer with my heart beating like crazy before we hang up.

The only man I have ever given my heart completely to is back. What the fuck am I going to do if he still doesn’t want me forever?

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