Page 42 of Frosty Felicity
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner
You’ve got tobe shitting me…
Liza entered holding a covered plate of specialty dessert cakes. He knew what it was, because she made the same thing every damn year when they were still married. Andrew was toying with a game on his iPad, head down, as people greeted them, treating them like family regardless of her being an ex.
Brett, on the other hand, was stunned at what he was seeing. Liza had stated emphatically that she’d be going to Oregon that Christmas, and was taking Andrew with her. But here she was, standing in a long red dress with a slit up the side that exposed her thigh, matching red high heels, and their son preoccupied, drowning in gaming thoughts and virtual adventures. He approached, having just come off a surreal high of witnessing an extraordinary memorial created in honor of his mother—the emotions abruptly snatched away at such an unexpected, and unwanted, surprise.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“Well, hello to you, too.” Liza chuckled, looking a bit miffed by his question. Perhaps his tone, too.
“You told me you were going to Oregon, Liza. You told me to not expect to see Andrew.” Andrew looked up from his iPad, and Brett immediately took the boy in his arms and hugged him, then kissed the top of his head.
After a long sigh, and a shifting of the eyes, as if she didn’t wish to get into the gritty details, Liza pursed her lips. “Let’s just say, there had to be a change of plans. I thought the invitation was still open, but if you don’t want—”
“No… no, it’s fine.” He hadn’t invited her, but apparently, his aunt had, as she did every year since their divorce. Liza was well-liked by his family, despite his mother’s distrust of the lady. “I am expecting someone tonight though.”
Liza narrowed her eyes, a look he knew all too well. One of disappointment.
“Oh… I see. Well, we won’t stay long.” She marched past him, toward the kitchen.
“Thanks for the Christmas gifts, Dad,” Andrew said with a big, bright smile. “I can’t wait to ride them!”
I wish I could’ve seen him open his gifts…
“You’re welcome! You put that skateboard and new bike to good use this spring and summer, okay?”
“I will. My friend Arnie said he’s got a skateboard just like it. We’re gonna take them to the park soon.”
“Call me. I’ll come, too.”
“Okay, cool!” The boy’s gadget made a noise. He looked back at his iPad, then Liza called him.
“Andrew! Come here, honey.”
“I’ll be back, Dad.”
“Cool beans.” Brett shook his head when he heard a boom of laughter and was certain that his father and brother were up to their usual shenanigans. Another distant rumble of chuckles erupted, where people were playing games—a full-sized ski ball, arcade room, and a big screen television on full blast in the mancave. He imagined his father had gotten a little loose from one too many beers. Dad tended to get silly when he drank too much. Tim got loud too, only he became mean and irate when the spirits hit him.
He glanced at his watch, wishing Felicity would show up soon. He knew she had a full schedule, but he missed her so. As she crossed his mind, he whipped out his phone and sent her a text message:
Hi, honey. Can’t wait to see you. Just a heads up, my ex-wife is here. I didn’t know she was coming. I don’t want you to be blindsided. There’s no issue, but she may be here still when you arrive. See you soon. Love you.
He hit send, then perked up when he heard his name being called by his Uncle Mitch.
“Brett! Settle a bet for us! What brand of handcuffs do the Cincinnati police use? Smith and Wesson, or Vipertek?”
“Why? Are you planning on being arrested soon and want a head start on how to escape after capture?”
The room lit up with laughter, but then, he saw Liza standing under the mistletoe. Her lips curled as she batted her lashes, and then, she curled her finger in his direction…
Felicity turned herhead and burped. ‘This Christmas,’ by Donnie Hathaway played.
Finally, she’d had a feast. As she sat there bloated and half asleep, she worked on a way to slip out the door without Mom getting her panties in a bunch. Fred and Faith were at the game table, ready to partake in something that would lead to verbal brawls and cheating, right beside their significant others. Her niece was playing with the other children. Ian, her stepfather, was smoking a cigar, looking buzzed out of his mind as he set up a karaoke machine. She glanced at her phone and read the text from her boyfriend once again…
Oh, wonderful. The ex-wife, Liza, has appeared, their son in tow, and now, Brett is worried because as I figured earlier in this relationship of ours, she’s still pining for him. Why can’t anything ever go smoothly and simply for me? He told me she’s an attorney. I looked her up. She’s beautiful. Not that I feel I’m the upchuck of hastily eaten dogfood, but I realize some may find her more appealing than me. Regardless, I’m the clear winner here. I mean, I’m a prize if you really think about it. I’m unapologetically uncouth, insufferable, I love my job but hate the environment. Thus, I’m now bitter and do passive aggressive things to management—such as let it slip to the boss’ super jealous and suspicious wife that he wasn’t at work when he actually was… I’ve gotten better though. I even put up a Christmas tree the other day. Sure, it was only two feet tall and half the branches were bent, but it works for me.
