A Merry Little Christmas by Melanie Schuster Read Free Book Online Page A

the savory paell a together. All thoughts of spurn ed engagements and feisty little women from Atlanta vanished and Donnie once again felt like himself. Unfortunately, the effect didn’t last very long.
    ***
    Paris and Angelique observed New Year’s Eve very differently than most people; they had evolved a unique way of celebrating over the past few years. Neither one of them liked the idea of going out trying desperately to have a good time, so when Paris moved to Atlanta, she and Angelique began going to church to pray in the New Year with a quiet family worship service, and then spent the evening with family, usually at Bennie and Clay’s home. The next day would be an open house at Lillian and Bump’s house where everyone wandered in and out and the men congregated in front of the big-scr een television for a football or gy. This year would mark their first New Year’s in Detroit, but their plans were about the same.
    “Paris, are you ready? We need to leave early so we can get a seat,” Angelique called out. She was ready to go, sitting in the kitchen watching CNN on the small television mounted under the cupboards. She was dressed exquisitely as always, and warmly, too, in a simple black skirt that buttoned all the way down one side, a pair of low-heeled black boots and a cashmere sweater in a luscious shade of raspberry pink that made her toffee skin glow. She wore a simple gold chain with a big pearl dangling from it, and matching pearl studs in her ears.
    The only jewelry on her hands was a dainty gold ring with a small pearl, bordered by two tiny peridots, which were her birthstone. She also wore two slender bangle bracelets, a silver one on one wrist and a gold one on the other. The ring had been given to her as a child and she always wore it on special occasions; she never took the bracelets off. Her nails were short and neatly shaped with a clear polish as their only adornment; Angelique used her hands too much to fuss with elaborate manicures. Now her fingers anxiously stroked the soft leather of the cashmere-lined kid gloves that lay on the table with her scarf, gloves and purse. “Paris, what are you doing?” she called in exasperation.
    It was ironic the way their roles had reversed over the years. A few years ago Paris would have been cooling her heels while Angelique took her own sweet time to make sure every hair was in place and her makeup was perfect. Paris would have had her customary quick shower, thrown on one of her oversize d outfits, pulled her hair into a ponytail and been ready to go while Angelique primped. It had never bothered Angelique one bit to keep people waiting, as she liked making an entrance too much to worry about being on time. But now it actually meant something to her to be on time. A.J. had taught her the importance of being reliable in business, and that meant always being prompt . Being prompt meant you took your job seriously and you respected the people with whom you were working. And it meant you respected yourself as well.
    Paris appeared in the kitchen with an apology on her lips. “Sorry it took so long. Let’s go!” In short order the two women were on their way to the A.M.E. church they attended with the Cochrans. The midnight watch service was spiritually moving and uplifting, and also shorter than the one that took place on Sunday mornings. Afterward everyone went over to Andre’s house for a midnight buffet and a quiet family celebration. Andre and his twin brother, Alan, usually hosted the New Year’s festivities. There would be a traditional New Year’s dinner at Alan’s the next day, with the usual attention to the various bowl games.
    Even Donnie was less grumpy after the religious service; at least he was until he caught a glimpse of Angelique. She was talking to his father and stepmother and looked good enough to eat. And, he noticed for the first time, she had more booty than he realized; he actually cocked his head to one side and was staring at