Ezzie the Next Generation

We are all dressed up for the Gala. Sweater dresses are trendy this year, so I have on a Christmas themed sweater dress. It's a little form fitting and silly, but I thought it was perfect for a children's charity.

It's snowing out, so it feels like Christmas time. Just past the valet is the NASCAR car that Robert from Chevy promised to donate to Christmas for Kids. It's under a big tent to keep the snow off it.

"Wow. Look at that." Says Jim. "Can we go look at it?"

"Sure." I say wrapping my arm in his. "This is the car Chevy donated for me at the NASCAR race for Christmas for Kids."

"They donated it for you?" Jim asks.

"Well I was at the race for Ben & Karen's Kids and they had a race car all painted. Well I guess they call it wrapped in a design for my charity, and it looked cool. They then had a real car that looked just like that they raffled off. I thought it would be cool to raffle one off for Christmas for Kids all designed for Christmas. I offered to pay for it, but Chevy donated it." I say.

We are standing beside it, and Jim is looking at a board with all the details for the car listed. "You were going to pay for it? A $300,000 car?" Jim asks.

"WHAT? It doesn't cost that much. It's just a sports car." I say.

Jim laughs at me. "It started that way, and then Burn Rubber souped it up. An old school racer takes these cars and replaces and upgrades almost everything in it. This could probably do a decent job of keeping up with a race car, while you sit back in comfort with the AC on. This thing is a Beast!"

I am looking at the car. "No way." I mutter.

Jim laughs and hugs me to his side. "Yes way." Then he opens my coat, and looks at my dress. "And your dress kind of matches the Christmas wrap on the car. We have to take a picture."

We start taking pictures, and a photographer sees us and insists on taking photos of us. "Ezzie, is it me or is he a little pushy?" I ask.

"He is just doing his job, Mary. You are one of the people he was told to get pictures of for the charity." Ezzie says.

Then I hear a voice that is familiar but I can't place it calling my name. I turn and I see the woman in charge of Christmas for Kids.

"Tilly." Says Ezzie.

"Thanks, Ezzie." I say as Tilly hugs me.

She has a big smile on her face. "There is my Hero." She says, as she greets me, Auntie & Uncle.

"No Tilly, that was last year. This year I am just a guest." I say.

"Oh I don't think so young lady." She wraps her arm around my shoulder pulling me from Jim. "That Beautiful car right there, as of a few days ago, has raised over $1,000,000 alone." She turns me to face her as she holds my shoulders. "And your request on the Alan Fudd Show on Live TV last week gave our website and donations a 50% jump over our average." She gives me a hug. "You will always be my Hero." She says.

I don't know what to say. Tilly gives me a quick hug and runs off promising to see me inside. Jim continue to look at the car while Uncle gives me a big hug. He smiles down at me. "Your Dad would be very proud of you, and what you have done for his favorite charity. You know that right?" He says.

I hug him as tight as I can. "I do Unc." I say.

I turn and look around. I can't see Auntie. I turn back to Uncle. "Where is Auntie?" I ask.

"She is just setting something up inside." Says Uncle.

"Setting up what?" I ask.

He shoos me off. "I don't know. Stuff. Go look at the car with your boyfriend." He says.

"Ezzie, what is going on here? What is Auntie doing?" I ask.

"Like Uncle said, she is setting up things inside." Says Ezzie.

"Ezzie, what are you not telling me?" I ask.

"Auntie & Tilly have a little surprise for you inside, and don't ask me to tell you what it is." Says Ezzie.

"Ezzie, I don't want any surprises. I just want to be a guest." I say.

"Then you shouldn't have gotten a car donated or mentioned the charity on Live TV." Says Ezzie. "Plus it's just a small surprise. I promise you."

"And you won't tell me will you." I say.

"You are so much like your Father." She sighs. "Please don't ask me to."

"Fine! You win. Are you happy?" I sigh.

"Hhmm. I think I am." Says Ezzie.

"Have I told you lately what a brat you are?" I ask.

"Not recently, no." Ezzie says and I can hear the smile in her voice.

"Well you are." I say and I give her a mental raspberry.

We have the family table again. Even though I saw them just last week, I am happy to see all my grandparents. I introduce Jim to them. Grandpa smiles at him. "My girl here speaks very highly of you, Jim. Her eyes lit up last week as she talked about you." He says.

"GRANDPA!" I gasp.

"What?" He says. "I want to make sure he knows how much you love him and how lucky he is."

"Kill me now." I moan.

Grandpa pulls me into a hug, laughing.

Jim is smiling at me, as Grandpa hugs me. "Sir, I think I am the lucky one to have found such a beautiful, loving, caring woman. I know how lucky I am." Says Jim.

Grandpa looks at Jim for a moment, and looks down at me. "I think I like this one. He is certainly better than all the guys before him."

"ALL THE GUYS BEFORE HIM!" I gasp. "Grandpa! There were two."

I look at Jim. "There were only two." I say.

Grandpa then starts laughing. "My job is done. I have embarrassed My Girl."

Grandma comes to my rescue. "Stop embarrassing the poor girl. The older you get the worse you get." She says to Grandpa, and he just laughs.

Papa and Nana are better behaved than Grandpa was. I think Papa figures I had enough for one night.

Jim and I walk around and look at the auctions. We are looking at a silent auction where you make a bid, and hope you are the winner. There is a bottle of scotch in a velvet lined wooden case with two glasses and a crystal decanter. "My Dad loves this stuff. Well the everyday version. This is a super special reserve that was in the barrel for 30 years." Jim says as he reads the auction sheet. Jim whistles. "Wow. This retails for $3,500. Someday, after I graduate I will buy my Dad a bottle of this."

We turn to walk away and I tap my phone to the display and bid $35,000. 10x the cost should do it. I smile to myself. You can give it to him for Christmas. I think to myself.

We walk around and buy some tickets for some raffles. Our table has two empty seats. Mike and his wife couldn't make it. They still have dishes at them, but blank name cards. I think of what Mike said at the last gala, about being the bigger person with Don. So I go over to the Goldstar table. I shake hands with Don, as he stands to greet me. I say hello to everyone at the table by name. Ezzie says their name in my head, and I repeat it.

Mike catches me up from time to time, so I know Goldstar had a good year. They did very well selling the complex they got from Enterprise at last year's gala. I smile at Don. "So anyone in the crowd you want to introduce me to?" I ask.

Don smirks at me. "You think you can hit another Grand Slam, because you did last year?" He asks a bit smugly.

Now I am remembering why I don't really like Don. "You can only strike out if you step up to the plate and try." I say, and I smile to myself. Dad used to say something like that.

"Ok." Don says as he scans the crowd. "There." He says pointing. "The old man talking to Bob from Enterprise. John is a builder that we have never worked with. They are about to start rehabbing and demolition work on an old mall. They plan on turning it into condos. It's a very large project. It's projected to be over 100 units."

I look at Don and keep up the baseball references. "Batter up." I say. "Ezzie, does John know Don?" I ask.

"He does, and he knew your Dad, but your Dad never would work with him because he is known for building cheap stuff. John, didn't like your Dad, because your Dad called him out on building cheap stuff and refused to work with him." Says Ezzie.

"John got the mall very cheap. He is planning on a cheap build, and a quick sale to get what he can. Whatever doesn't sell quick he will dump at a lower cost." Says Ezzie.

"What? No way. Goldstar doesn't need to be associated with that. Doesn't Don know this about John?" I ask.

"He does Mary. He is thinking he can then blame you for the failure, and maybe get you to butt out of his business." Says Ezzie.

I want to scream. "His Business! Fuck You Asshole!" I scream in my head. I take a deep breath. "Think... Think... what do I do?"

Ok first I want to call out John. Dad did it. So I should too. "Ezzie, John won't accept a standard contract. Will he." I say.

"No Mary, he will not." Says Ezzie.

I knew it. Now I need to think about Don.

Introductions are made. "Ezzie, please have Bob say what a great job we did for him this year, and promise to give us his next big project." I say to Ezzie.

"Of course, Mary." Says Ezzie.

"John, Goldstar would love to sell your new condos in the mall. We will work harder than any other company out there. Just ask Bob. We sold his beautiful complex that went up earlier this year. They had beautiful kitchens and bathrooms. They showed great." I say.

Bob smiles. "They did a great job, John. I have another project coming up this spring I was going to have them handle."

"I am sure Don would be happy to write up a contract with a standard flat rate commission for you John." I say.

"No no no. You need to prove to me you can do it. I will give you a sliding scale commission." Says John.

I look at him for a moment. I just stare. "John, I think you are trying to pull something over on us, demanding a sliding scale which we don't do. I think my Dad never worked with you for a reason. I am guessing you want to build these cheap and unload them. Goldstar won't be associated with a cheap builder. Have a good night." I say and I walk away, as I hear John calling me names.

I get halfway back to the tables and I stop and look at Don. I want to scream, but I keep my cool. I see all the people around us all dressed up for the gala. "Be honest, and tell me. You know John is a cheap builder don't you." I say.

"No Mary. I wouldn't want a Goldstar associated with a cheap builder." He says.

"Ezzie, he is lying right?" I ask.

"Yes Mary." Says Ezzie.

I see Uncle over Don's shoulder. "Ezzie, please have Uncle come over here. I want a witness." I say.

Uncle comes over and wraps his arm around me. "This looks like a serious conversation." He says.

"It is, Unc. I was just asking Don if he knew a builder he just introduced me to was a cheap builder." I say.

Don repeats his innocence. "I don't know that he is, but I would never want Goldstar associated with someone like that."

"Who are we talking about?" Uncle asks.

I point and say "John."

"Oh come on, Don." Says Uncle. "Every contractor and realtor out there knows he has always built crappy stuff. That's why Ben never wanted to work with him."

I try to count to ten. Even Uncle knows? "DON...". I start, but Uncle hugs my shoulder tighter to him.

"Mary." He says softly. "This is not the place. Deep breath. Happy Thoughts."

I take in a deep breath, and let it out. "Don, leave now." I say.

"Who are you to tell me to leave?" Don says with an attitude.

Uncle lets me go, and takes a step towards Don. "She is the owner of the company you work for, and she is my daughter. Watch your tone or I will knock you on your Ass." He almost hisses. "I don't give a Fuck where we are."

Don turns and walks away quickly heading for the door. I turn and look at Uncle wide eyed. He doesn't usually pop like that. He looks down at me. "Sorry, but Nobody talks to one of my girls like that." He says.

I give him a hug, and hold him tight. I liked hearing him call me his daughter. He holds me to him and rubs my back. "I am sorry if I scared you." He says.

I look up at him. "You surprised me, but you scared Don I think." I say.

"Good." He says with a smile looking down at me.

"What's going on over here?" Auntie asks, coming up behind me.

Uncle looks at her. "Don, just opened his mouth for the last time. He will be looking for a new job soon. I need to talk to Mike about it."

Auntie looks at both of us. "But everyone is ok?" She asks.

"Yup." I say. "I was just telling Unc how much I love him."

"What about me?" She asks.

"Eh you are ok." I say with a big smile.

She wraps her arm around me. "You and Anna are such Brats." She says and she kisses me.

Tilly's voice comes over the microphone. "Can I have everyone's attention please." She says, and we turn to see her on stage. She talks up the raffles and silent auctions. She talks about the car from Chevy. The winner will be pulled live later tonight. "But tonight I want to officially give an unofficial Award to someone that has tirelessly supported us these last two years."

I look at Auntie and she has a huge smile on her face. "No." I almost moan.

Auntie looks at me. "She wants to recognize your work for the charity."

"But I don't work for them." I sigh.

"Maybe you should stop mentioning them on national tv shows, and getting ridiculously expensive cars donated to them." Auntie says.

I let out a big sigh. "Fine."

"Now where did she go?" I hear Tilly say.

Uncle yells out. "Right Here!" And I watch the spotlight slide over to us.

"Bring Mary up here." Tilly says.

Auntie holds my hand and walks me up on stage, with Uncle behind us.

Tilly takes my arm, and Auntie & Uncle step back a little. Tilly leans into me and whispers. I promise no tear jerker photos like last time.

"I know this young lady doesn't like me doing this, but it has to be done. I knew her Mom & Dad well." She turns back to Auntie & Uncle. "And I have known her Aunt and Uncle, Beth & Joe almost as long. I can tell you all four of them are or were good, loving, caring people. I think that is why Mary has picked up her Dad's torch. She is personally responsible for 2 record years of fundraising. She has mentioned us on 3 different national tv shows, and got Chevy to donate that beautiful car out front. That is why I want to officially present her with the Unofficial Hero Award." She says and slips a sash over my head.

I look at the sash and smile. "Tilly's Hero!"

Tilly steps back as I stand there alone in front of the microphone. Tilly smiles and nods for me to say something.

"None of this would have been possible without...". I say as I step back to grab Auntie's hand and pull her to the podium. She pulls Uncle with her. I am holding Auntie's hand and Uncle is behind me with his hands on my shoulder.

"These two people. I have called them Auntie and Uncle since I was able to talk, but in reality they were my Mom & Dad's best friends. They took me in and loved me like their own daughter. I have been lucky to have had two Moms and two Dads in my life. My Dad always said to me when I was little and coming here, that we came here to help those children that were not as lucky as me. I never thought I was lucky, and I guess I never got it until I wasn't so lucky." I stop for a minute and swallow my emotions.

Auntie gives me a tight squeeze. "So please, buy some raffles, bid on a silent auction, or go buy a ticket or two for the car, donate somehow to help those children that aren't as lucky as me." I say.

Auntie hugs me and we both tear up. Uncle wraps his arms around us both and hundreds of people applaud. Tilly comes over and I look up at her. She is blotting away tears. She hugs me. "That is why you are my Hero." She says as she hugs me.

After a few photos Tilly waves to my table and leans into the microphone. "Everyone at the family table get up here for a family photo."

Anna is first. She comes running up and hugs me. "I Love You Cous." She says.

"I Love You Too Cous." I say.

I watch as Jim and Larry hang back. I want Jim up here. I lean into the microphone. "Don't even think about it. Get up here." I say staring at them.

Tilly runs the whole photo shoot. She gets a picture of just Auntie, Uncle, Anna and me. She adds in all the grandparents. Then just the grandparents and me. Then me and Anna with Jim & Larry. Me and Anna, and she is all but done when I step forward and pull her by the hand to me. "How about just me and you?" I ask.

Tilly smiles. "I would love that."

By the time we are done dinner is being served. We stay until the very end. Anna, Auntie and I all drag the guys onto the dance floor for a slow song. I stand there just slowly dancing and swaying in Jim's arms.

"I could stay in your arms forever." I say.

"Forever sounds nice." Says Jim smiling down at me with a bit of a goofy smile.

"Ezzie, what is he thinking?" I ask, getting nervous.

"No he isn't going to propose, but like you he has imagined it from time to time. Just like you have dreamed about marrying him." Ezzie says.

"Hey, I laugh. Stay out of my dreams." I say.

"If only I could. Some of them are very silly." Says Ezzie.

The slow song ends and an older fast song comes on. Anna and I laugh and turn towards each other so the four of us dance as a group. Anna looks over at Auntie. "Come on, Mom." She says moving over to make room.

"Oh No. You kids have fun." She says as she and Uncle go to the bar.

A little bit later the dancing ends and Tilly starts announcing winners. The raffles go first. Auntie ends up winning a maid service and gourmet meals for two weeks. She comes dancing back after claiming her prize. "I am on vacation, vacation. I won't have to do housework, housework."

The silent auctions start getting announced, and Tilly gets to the bottle of booze. "And by a wide margin the winner is...Mary?" She half asks and half says. "Mary, why are you buying this?" She asks.

And I hear Uncle chime in. "Yeah Mary, why is someone under 21 buying that? You aren't getting it for me. You know I only drink a beer."

"It's for Jim to give to his Dad. Jim said someday he would like to buy a bottle of it for his Dad. I thought why not today." I say.

"My Dad?" Asks Jim.

"Sure, go get your prize." I say to Jim.

"I've got it." Says Uncle getting up. "Selling booze to a minor." He mutters as he gets up shaking his head.

I look and see Uncle talking to Tilly. "Ezzie, what are they saying?" I ask.

"He is asking Tilly what the bid was, and now what would have won it. Uncle isn't happy you spent so much." Says Ezzie.

Uncle sits down and everyone looks at the set in the box. Grandpa picks up the bottle and smiles. "This is a very good bottle of booze. Your Dad would have loved it." He says.

The auctions end and the winner of the car is called. It's a woman in the crowd, and she Screams in excitement. Things calm down and Uncle stands behind me, taps my shoulder and motions me to come with him. Ugh. Here we go.

He takes me to a quiet corner of the bar. He orders a beer and a bottle of water for me. "Do you remember your Uncle Ray? He has the house up north on the lake. We haven't been there in years, but do you remember him?" Uncle asks me.

"Yeah I remember him being a little mean." I say.

Uncle smiles. "He wasn't mean per se. Your Mom was his favorite. She could do no wrong in his eyes. Your Dad, well Uncle Ray wasn't sold on your Dad. Your Dad embarrassed him when they first met, by saving him from drowning when the boat he and your Papa were on almost flipped. Uncle Ray fell in. Your Dad was a lifeguard at the time up at school and he just jumped in. He pulled Uncle Ray and all his fishing gear coughing and wheezing back on shore." He says taking a drink.

"To make matters worse Uncle Ray made a bet with your Dad he couldn't help Your Papa land an account. He didn't know your Dad was such a budding business guy, and sweet talker." Uncle says.