The apartment kitchen was in disarray. The counters were dusted with fine flour, eggshells mounted within the sink, and small Brutis had finally given up his quest for fallen scraps as Alex bounced about, attempting to produce the items she’d elected to bring to the holiday dinner. The apple pie looked presentable and was cooling. The pumpkin pie looked less than edible. Alex awaited Tyson’s return from the store with a store-bought pie.
Smashing the yolks of boiled eggs, Alex followed the recipe for deviled eggs from her phone. The moistened mixture was then dolloped into each halved egg. Alex was pleased with her efforts.
The front door opened, bringing with it the sounds of paper bags and a much welcome cool breeze from outside.
“Oh my god it smells like total butt in here. Alex…what the hell is that?”
“Hush, Ty. Come help me.”
“Help you with what? That smells so bad. I’m not putting that in my mouth.” Tyson sported a look of intense disgust as he rounded the corner. “That’s what that smell is? Why do they stink so bad?”
“I don’t know, dork. It’s not like we’ve ever cooked this stuff before.”
“Yeah…I guess. But that is seriously gross; don’t be mad if I don’t try it.”
“You’re silly, Tyson. Do you think it’s odd that we’re going to the Holloway’s house to celebrate an American holiday that we’ve never really celebrated…and they are South African?”
Tyson grabbed the can opener and reached for the cranberry sauce in the bag. “Yeah…I guess that is pretty weird. It’s not like we didn’t celebrate it, we just, like, went to restaurants that were open. Mom just wasn’t in to all the preparation and stuff.”
“Yeah. I guess.”
“Oh…my…god…this is freaking disgusting, Alex. I’m not eating this either.” Tyson stuck his index finger in the center of the opened cranberry sauce can. “It’s all gelatinous…nope. Just nope.”
“Well you cut it in slices and—”
“I’ll eat the turkey and ham and hot rolls.”
“You are impossible, Ty. You look really nice though.”
“You look really nice too, Alex.”
As the car rolled into Holloway drive, Alex and Tyson were almost instantly met by Bishop jogging happily to the vehicle.
Opening the door for Alex, she was instantly greeted by a kiss as she stood to meet him.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Well hello.”
“I’m still catching my breath…last night…amazing.”
Alex smirked. “Agreed.”
Pies and butt-smelling eggs in hand, the three entered the home, which boasted rich smells of baked goods and cooked meats.
The dining room table boasted a plethora of food—enough food to feed a family of ten or more. There were several dishes Alex did not recognize; she assumed they were traditional South African sides.
“Kids!” Constance was beautifully dressed, her high heels clicked as she approached across the hardwood to offer hugs. “Tyson, would you by chance like to accompany me to the supermarket? I just need a few last minute items.”
“I would love to accompany you, milady.” Tyson offered a goofy bow.
No sooner had the front door closed and Alex was looking to Bishop. “I have a lot to be thankful for.”
He offered a casual smile.
“We have what, twenty minutes, Bishop?”
Bishop bit his bottom lip. “You…you wanna go right now?”
Alex only nodded and then motioned toward his bedroom. They sprinted up the stairs like track stars, slamming the door behind them.
Within seconds his khakis were around his ankles and he was seated on his bed. She gently pushed him backward. Once totally aroused, she removed her panties and straddled him.
She glanced down to find him chuckling. “Wha…what’s funny?”
“This is bad…this is so bad.”
“Why? Just…working up an appetite.”
Grabbing her waist, he rolled her on her back.
She gasped as his pace quickened, gripping his shoulders.
A few minutes more and Alex was nudging for the top position once more. The transition was less than graceful. As Bishop went to lie on his back his heel slipped on the clothing on the floor. His arms scrambling as he toppled to the hardwood—the back of his head met the bedpost with impressive force.
“Oh my god, are you okay, Bishop?”
Instantly grabbing his head, grimacing with a smile from the floor, he looked to her through squinted eyes while flat on his back.
They both laughed as she reached for his hand, assisting him from the floor and to the bed. “Just lie back…relax.”
Taking him in her mouth, conscious of the time constraints, she was relieved after a few minutes to find his breath hastening, his gentle grip on her shoulders tightening and his body tensing.
“I’m…I’m gonna…”
“I know.” Her soft words and softer hands completed what they had started.
With a whimsical grin, he continued to stare at the ceiling while Alex grabbed a handful of tissues from atop his dresser.
“We better get ourselves together. I’m sure your mom would be outraged.”
Bishop leaned forward as Alex tossed him his boxers and pants.
“Oh my gosh…Bishop, you have a huge goose egg on your head.”
“A what?” He prodded his injury, eyes widening. “Well that’s a battle wound for sure.”
***
From the dining room table, Bishop held a baggy of crushed ice while Alex uncovered the dishes she and Tyson had brought.
Constance and Tyson arrived to the story that Bishop had hit his head on the staircase. The looks given by both Constance and Tyson assured that neither of them believed such nonsense.
As the remainder of the meal was set out, drinks were poured and the four of them found their seats around the heavy oak table.
“There’s been a vast amount of change this year.” Constance stood solemn at the head of the table. The authority in her voice demanded the immediate attention of the dinner guests. “This year came with a void, a void that I will never be able to completely fill…nor will I want to. This year came with questions and so much unmanageable pain. This year left me nearly hollow…an emotional ghost town.” Her soft gaze danced slowly from Bishop to the others. “This year showcased the depths of life’s cruelty…and then…and then it did something else. This year brought with it a seed of renewal. To watch this seed blossom into this scene of beauty is something I didn’t see coming. Life truly is the most unexpected journey. It’s brutal and in its realest form it’s at times overwhelmingly punishing. But when it counterbalances…when the clouds part and the dust settles, and the sun shines…life sets the most beautiful people at your table, in chairs that would otherwise be empty.” Constance dabbed her eyes with a napkin. “Bishop, you are my heart, but I think we can agree that this year would be so lost without our guests, Tyson and Alex Ayers.”
Prior to Bishop’s response, a cheerful Tyson was making his way to Constance, offering her a hug. The interaction had Bishop reaching for Alex’s hand. “I couldn’t agree more, Mom.”
Constance proposed a simple toast. Seats were taken and glasses raised, “And here is to many more.”
***
“I’m surprised your brother asked to play scrabble. Mom seemed more than pleased.”
The afternoon air was brisk. The scent of leaves, fireplaces and holiday meals was heavy in the surrounding neighborhood as Bishop and Alex walked hand-hand.
“Nah…Tyson will eat that up. He would have been a total momma’s boy if my mother would have let him.”
“Well…here’s his second chance. My mom loves the shit out of that kid.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
“Ha…she likes you too.”
Her exaggerated exhalation had him looking to her—her head resting into his shoulder. “What? She really does.”
“I would hope that both of you do because I’ve come to the conclusion that my life is so outlandishly insane that it would only make sense to you or some cheesy low-budget soap-opera producer. If you ever decide you’re out I won’t even have the luxury of being a cat lady because of Ty. That’s a bright future right there.”
Bishop slowed his pace, nudging Alex toward a bench near the community gate. “What are you talking about, if I’m out?” As they sat, Bishop cradled her into him from the side.
“Just talking I guess. You have to admit this past year has been…”
“Indescribable?”
“Basically.”
“I just, I don’t know…I feel like things are calming and like, I can inhale and just…enjoy what I have but it’s almost like it’s too good, Bishop.”
Raising her face to meet his, he kissed her chilled lips. “Like your brother would say, I think you’re thinking too much.”
“No…no I’m really not. I feel like I found the one; I honestly think you’re the one, but then…but then what if I do something else to mess it up or something happens that’s out of my control? What if it’s too soon and I’m just pushing for it too hard and—”
“Alex.” Gently touching his index to her lips he silenced her. “All I know is I’m sitting next to the girl I’ve fallen for, thankful I’m not standing over her grave. Look at everything that has happened. If there’s no such thing as fate, then whatever we’ve got going on is a damn good imposter. If Tyson has taught me anything it’s that I’m only guaranteed right now…we are only guaranteed right now and we don’t have to know all the answers. All I need to know is you make me smile, Alex.”
Pushing her hair behind her ear, Bishop continued. “I was at my weakest when I met you…I’m still weak, Alex…but your strength makes me stronger. I’m happy with you and I’m so ready to see what’s next.”
Alex smiled, biting her lip. “What if it’s structural fires and superficial head injuries?”
“I was thinking we could make some less painful memories…but I’ll take whatever I can. When I wake in the morning with a smile it’s because of you. I want to keep that.”
“Bishop, this last year has been a year of second chances for me. At this time last year I was watching Tyson struggle to hobble down the hall. Watching him take what Nathan gave him and literally flourish has been the biggest gift I could have asked for…but then there’s you…and you’re so perfect—”
“Oh my god I’m not perfect.”
“You’re perfect to me, Bishop.” The seriousness in her eyes, the grasp of her hand—She means every word.
“It’s not perfect but it’s perfect to me and I just don’t want to mess up again.”
“Alex, we are going to mess up. We’re gonna mess up real bad…but that’s life. Life is about that shit. All I’m saying is I am ready for all of it and I’m in one thousand percent if you are.”
Her uncontrollable grin had him completely captivated. The excitement in her eyes matched the excitement in his soul.
She pulled him to her, kissing his lips as the wind whisked around them. Separating, she casually took both of his hands in her own. “Okay, Bishop Holloway…let’s do this.”