"May I give you my phone number in case you change your mind?"
My hand falters as I begin to zip up my suede jacket. Mind and body screamed yes, but I hear myself say no. A sly, knowing smile appears on Semela's beautiful face.
"Please come, I always prepare too much food. It will just be my son, husband and myself."
After only a brief hesitation I give in. I time out on the last available register and join the swarm of last minute shoppers as I exit the shopping center. Why is it everyone saves their shopping until Christmas Eve?
Driving slowly past each house, double checking the address for the house in comparison to the one scribbled on the paper. Noticing a woman waving in my direction from down the street. Sure enough it is Semela and I pull into her driveway and inhale deeply before opening the door and getting hit by a gust of cold dry air. Semela is known around work as the affectionate type, but I am still surprised when she pulls me in for a hug.
"I am so glad you made it, I was worried you may have changed your mind."
A broad smile is the only reply I offer, not trusting myself with a verbal response. Semela takes me by the hand and leads me inside her house to meet her husband and son. I am a bit surprised once my eyes fall on her husband, Drew. Uncomfortably shifting under his piercing stare, I can't help but wonder if this man is an alcoholic? He looks older than his years and I would be amazed to learn if he has in fact smiled at anytime in the past ten years. Semela's son, Kevin, resembles his father for the most part minus the hard look. A handsome young boy whose smile solely resembles that of his mother. With the formal introductions set aside, Semela briefly shows me around her home. A lovely living room which includes a big screen television, two comfortable recliners, and a large sofa pushed against the far wall directly across from the big screen. In the next room, I admire her stereo system. I was well aware that Semela had money, but this even impressed me. Semela leaned in close and softly whispered, "Only display upstairs is the bedroom." Upon seeing her wink, I couldn't help but turn a bit crimson at her bold statement.
Dinner was simply delicious, Semela went all out considering how simple she made it sound the day before. A large honey glazed ham as well as two casseroles and of course dinner rolls. Her son was a bit quiet, but her and Drew were very talkative. Then again, I'm sure the four beers Drew had during dinner helped him think of one annoying pathetic jab after another to direct towards his beautiful wife. Semela did her best to ignore his nagging comments and try to make me feel as comfortable as possible considering the situation and finally I opened up and when she focused all her attention on me, Drew snapped.
"I'm going out, all you seem to care about is little miss shy and quiet over here. You haven't paid me any attention for months, so why should today be any different despite the holiday?"
Semela glared at her husband and simply stated, "You are making a fool of yourself. Sit down and relax, I'll get you a cup of coffee."
My eyes closed tightly as the plate crashed onto the polished wood floor, the sound of it breaking echoing seemingly for centuries. I heard the door leading down to the garage slam shut and Semela tell Kevin to go over to Brandon's house to spend the night. I opened my eyes and saw Semela on her knees on the floor picking up the pieces. I immediately bent down and started helping her.
"I'm so sor..."
"Don't apologize," I interrupted, my hand briefly brushing alongside hers. "You didn't do anything wrong, don't you dare apologize for his actions. He should be ashamed and he knows it, perhaps that is why he erupted?"
Semela shook her head.
