Eve

“SORRY I’M NOT DRESSED better, everyone.  I forgot my other outfit, but I promise the music won’t suffer!” 

I force a smile, scanning the room and wondering where Vix and Ella may be.

I finished up my shift about an hour ago, poked my head in her apartment but it was empty.  I figured they were already down here or in the dining room having dinner, so I wandered down and searched around, hoping to bump into them.

No matter where I went, there was no sign of them.  And as the time went on and it got around to time for me to start my Christmas Day music session, I had to give up and hope they’d find me once the songs started.

I just hope nothing happened to Ella. What a tragedy that would be, to lose someone you love or have something bad happen on Christmas.

I get my music out of my backpack, clear my throat, and start off with Joy to the World.

The staff have handed out lyric sheets so I get a nice little chorus of the residents and family members singing along.

I keep looking up to see if Vix is here, but I’m into my sixth song and nothing.

My stomach tightens.  Something is wrong. 

I play for another forty-five minutes and by the end of my set, it’s all I can do to force a smile on my face and wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

As I’m walking back to the elevator to go up to Mrs. Vixon’s room, Genisys smiles and waves me over to where she’s standing with one of her cronies, Linda Butler.

Linda hasn’t been as much of a pebble in my shoe around here as Genisys, but she doesn’t work too hard at trying to hide the fact that she’s not team Eve.

Nothing good can come of this, and my magical Christmas is taking a turn toward something less cheerful.

“What?”  I bark at Genisys as Linda crosses her arms and smiles at me.

“Just wondering...”  She taps her finger on her bottom lip before continuing.  “Did you know, Mrs. Vixon and Christopher, they lost Mr. Vixon, their father and husband, Christmas day last year.”

My heart nearly stops.

“What?”  Blood drains from my face as I begin to understand a few things.  Why there was no Christmas tree at Vix’s house, why he said he’s not a big fan of the season.  “What happened?”

“Car accident.”  Linda chimes in as she waves at some family members walking by and smiles at me.  “Drunk driver. You know those two fingers? Lost them trying to get his father out of the car.”

Each word feels like like a knife in my heart.  Soon after I started working here, word got around about my situation back home.  I trusted a couple of the girls I trained with here early on, and they thought it was more fun to fill everyone in on the new girl’s less than perfect past than try to forge a loyal friendship.

I feel like I’m going to throw up.

“Yeah.  Horrible.  Chris, he hates drinking.  Won’t even be around anyone that drinks anymore, his mama told me.  She can’t remember why, thank the Lord, but she does know her son thinks anyone that drinks or, God forbid, drinks and drives...”  She makes the sign of the cross.  “Christ, his mother says he thinks they’re the shit stain on the planet.  She’s a colorful talker, Mrs. Vixon.”  Genisys laughs, but it’s devoid of humor.

“Well, it’s nice Vix has been able to get back out in the world with his mom here. Saw himwith Mrs. Mueller’s daughter just a bit ago. Nice he found someone for himself.”

“Yep.”  Genisys continues. “She’s very pretty.  They were kissing right there in the front room.”

My heart is leaping around in my chest.

“See?”  Linda points and my eyes follow her outstretched arm.

When I see the screen on the TV alternating pictures from the day, it’s Vix who’s right there.

Kissing Geraldine Mueller.

My stomach nearly comes up in my mouth right there.  I slap my hand over my mouth as the blood drains from my face.

Genisys steps out around me, pushing her hair back behind her ears.  “Merry Christmas. Can’t wait for the going away party.  I’ll be there with bells on.”