Page 97 of All the Beautiful Things
I gave her a look that said it all. “Because I might know some people who can make his stay in county as unpleasant, and if we’re lucky, as long as possible.”
The grin she gave me back was as twisted and dark and approving as I hoped it would be.
Josiah wore a matching expression. “Delgado. Emmanuel Delgado, but he goes by Manny.”
28
Lilly
Ipaced Hudson’s condo, making sure everything was in place. It was Christmas Eve, a week after the disastrous Friday night which had improved immensely when Angie and Josiah showed up Saturday to check on me. The four of us had eaten breakfast Hudson made while I hid frequent giggles at Angie’s over-the-top pervy comments toward Hudson. I hadn’t minded a single one. Watching Hudson blush and get flustered at her ridiculousness was a Christmas present in itself. Once Josiah and Angie were confident I wasn’t an emotional wreck from seeing Manny and they’d gotten me caught up on everything that happened, Hudson and I spent the rest of the weekend doing last-minute Christmas shopping for his family and relaxing at his place.
Where are you?
I knew that text would be coming. Fortunately, I was prepared.
You can’t come home yet.
Are you going to tell me why? And does this have anything to do with you not being at work?
Trust me,I texted back.But don’t come home until I say you can.
Should I be worried you were able to get into my place without my key?
My cheeks hurt my smile was so big. I quickly typed back.I’m resourceful. Now trust me.
I could imagine Hudson reading through our text exchange, tapping his thumb on the screen, grinning at my ridiculousness.
I left work at noon and begged Brandon not to tell Hudson. The office was closing at three for the holiday and I needed to get a head start on my plans. After hurrying to the bus stop, I made a Target run which was quickly becoming a problem for me with my increase in cash flow.
I was finally making enough to save small amounts, but Target was a danger zone.
I went for ornaments and holiday decorations and wrapping paper and came home with a few new faux plants, cute new holiday towels in the clearance aisle, and a huge amount of candy already discounted. The holiday section was massively picked over, something that had me groan on sight. Didn’t stores know there were people who procrastinated until the last possible minute? Fortunately, I was able to find one ceramic ornament I’d been hoping to see. It was totally cheesy and silly, but I loved it.
On the front were profiles of a woman and man wrapped in each other’s arms. On the back were the words“Our First Christmas.”My favorite, the only special one amongst the red and gold balls. There hadn’t been any lights or garland or even bows left over. I figured the sparse decorations would look perfect on the small, Charlie Brown Christmas tree I found and bought earlier in the week off an upcycle website where people gave away items for free or for dirt cheap. The tree came pre-lit but half the lights didn’t work and the others blinked like they were about ready to go out.
Next year, I’d do something better but for now, this worked well enough.
Hudson didn’t have one in his place. When I asked him why he said it was because he always celebrated at David’s so there was no need.
Men.
But I wanted one. And I wanted to have one with Hudson so I managed to lug home all my items on the bus and by the time I got to his place, thanks to Brandon for letting me borrow Hudson’s extra key he had, I quickly went to work.
Now that the office was closing, I knew Hudson would come looking for me. We were supposed to go to dinner at David’s and then come back here to have the night alone.
He replied immediately.I trust you. Always. Anywhere specific you want me to go to waste time on Christmas Eve?
Go to your dad’s. I’ll meet you there.
It wouldn’t take me long to finish my plans, and I’d already planned on calling an Uber to get me there later.
I can come back and get you when you’re done plotting.
I laughed at the text.Have you always been this stubborn about surprises and presents?
Have we met?
Another laugh burst from my throat, straight from the gut. I couldn’t ever remember a time in my life I laughed so much. It was one more thing I had to thank him for.
