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Imani

Christmas Eve Day

After a long time, Imani finally felt prepared and excited for the holidays. Two weeks had passed since her incident with Dexter, and she couldn't help but feel incredibly energized. After shopping early and wrapping the presents the week before, she relaxed in the afternoon before a busy evening at the animal shelter, which closes soon. She and Garrett were having an open house at their renovated cabin for family and friends, and Eugene couldn't wait to see it.

Kelly had just shut the door and changed the sign to CLOSED when Andrew Fisher and his father entered the lobby from the back office, carrying four glasses and a decanter.

"Happy Christmas," Andrew said, motioning for everyone standing to join him for a drink. "I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, but I never know what their religious beliefs are."

"Oh." That was Kelly. "Well, I'm Christian, so you're welcome to wish me a happy holiday."

Imani nodded. "Yeah, same here. When I am with my family, we all say Merry Christmas together. So it's fine."

"Okay. Good to know," he said, staring at Imani. "I'm not sure if you should drink alcohol while you're still recovering from a gunshot wound and on medication."

She quickly shook her head and straightened. "No, it's okay. I don't want anything to drink. I've even cut back on soda."

"All right. Well, I thought we would toast to the holidays with a rum eggnog," he added, bringing it up in front of them.

"That sounds delicious," Kelly said with a grin. "I have some snacks in the back."

Imani's smile faded. She didn't like eggnog, and the thought of it made her stomach turn. Eggs and cream in a drink must have been a drunken experiment. She shook and reached for her purse under the front desk.

"Sorry, everyone, but I have to leave. I have a ton of stuff to do before our gathering this evening." Imani slipped into a white wool coat and wrapped a cream-and-navy scarf around her neck. She slung her purse over her shoulder and warmly wished everyone a Merry Christmas before walking toward the door.

"I'll swing by later," Kelly said, giving a warm smile and a tight hug. "I'm glad you and Dylan are doing well. You both deserve an incredible holiday."

Imani headed to her mom's house to catch up, and she felt more blessed than she had ever felt. The cold weather in the south left sleet on the tops of evergreen trees, giving Holden and the town the appearance of a winter's paradise. As the temperature dropped, the cold air hit her skin like an iceberg. Feeling a wave of melancholy wash over her, she walked to her mother's front door, singing along to her favorite Christmas songs.

She made a mental note to have Dylan rake the yard while she pushed open the door, stomping mud from her boots and yelling for Raquel. She took a moment to enjoy the smells she liked, including some that made her think of Christmas. Freshly baked oatmeal cookies. Citrus-scented air freshener. The Christmas tree branches that crossed the fireplace emit the aroma of fresh evergreens. Cinnamon!

"Mom?"

She took off her boots and jacket before going to the kitchen. She followed Andy Williams' gentle melody down the hall. Indeed, it was 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.'

Raquel Washington's homemade treats were in Tupperware and Christmas tins across the table. As usual, her mother was a genius in the kitchen. Imani's childhood had been dark and sometimes sad, but the holidays, with their sense of hope and her mom's delicious cookies and cakes, were a memory she would always treasure.

Raquel stood by the sink, gazing out of the window. With a skillful motion, Imani opened the nearest tin and grabbed a cookie. She glanced down at it and smiled. Win! It was vanilla!

Imani took a bite of her cookie and said, "I'll make us some Chai." She reached into the refrigerator for the drink.

"Thank you, sweetheart."

She closely examined her mother's side profile, puffy eyes, and red nose. The lightness she had felt all morning vanished, and Imani quietly set about preparing something soothing to drink. A lot of people had a difficult time over the holidays, and she knew her mother was sad and hurt because Abraham rarely came over for a family meal.

Imani was also glad that her father wasn't there to mess things up. She knew that Isaiah and his wife felt the same way. But that didn't negate or lessen the fact that, despite their father's many shortcomings and fondness for the bottle, his wife still loved him.

Imani stood at the counter while Raquel stayed quiet. When their drinks were ready, they took their cups into the dining room. The two of them sat quietly for a while, until her mother finally mustered a faint smile, accompanied by a sniffle.

"I apologize, dear. I'm feeling a bit down today."

"Mom, you don't have to explain anything." Imani grabbed her hand, wanting to provide some kind of comfort.

"Please forgive me for being unable to dee you in the hospital. Garrett and Isaiah informed me that you had sustained a gunshot wound and was close to dying. I needed to be there for you."

"No, Mother. I don't blame you. The incident happened weeks ago, and I'm doing better."

Raquel looked at her and smiled. "I'm so glad, baby. God kept you on this earth for a reason."

"I think so, too. Being with Garrett and Dylan has made my life better than ever."

"That's wonderful to hear." Her mom took a tissue out of her pocket and wiped her eyes. "I hoped your dad would want to come visit me for Christmas, but..." Through her tears, Raquel tried to smile. "It looks like he will not be able to make it."

"Or maybe he just doesn't want to come," Imani added casually, taking a sip from her mug. How else could she have responded? Her father sucked and didn't deserve so much love.

Raquel held her cup, hands shaking. "Did I ever tell you how Abraham and I met?"

Imani shook her head and spoke quietly. "Not that I can remember. And, to be honest, I'm not sure I want to hear this story."

Her mother narrowed her eyes and puffed out her lips. "I see."

"But if it makes you feel better, please tell me," Imani said, nodding lightly.

Raquel smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "The event took place at the fairgrounds one evening. Some community members organized a dance, and I chose to wear a stunning green velvet dress. Under the lights, it sparkled and fit my thin body. I carried myself like a lady back then."

Imani beamed. "I'm sure you looked beautiful. You still look beautiful, Mom."

Raquel gently squeezed Imani's hand, a smile spreading across her face. "I went on a date with one of the Coleman boys. Both of them competed for my attention, and I made them earn it. Clarence Coleman managed to capture my heart in the end."

"Wow." Imani dropped her jaw and leaned in closer, enjoying this story about the man who came before her father. "Well, what else happened?"

"Clarence and I gave it our all until Abraham arrived in town." She appeared contemplative for a brief moment. "Everyone in town knew who he was. His stunning brown eyes and complexion made him an attractive young man. He preferred women at least ten years older than himself, but he was still popular among the ladies. I thought I would never get a chance with him." Her voice trailed off, and her gaze drifted away. "That all changed when he met me and said it didn't matter that I was eight years his junior. At eighteen, life was very different."

The look in her mother's eyes told Imani about their unspoken relationship. It wasn't difficult to see, but she knew every couple had battles.

"I went outside to smoke a cigarette at my diner." Raquel shrugged at her daughter's expression. "I know, honey. Back then, everyone smoked. Anyway, Abraham followed me outside. Without speaking, he walked up to me and showed me the smallest mistletoe. He pointed to my cigarette, so I threw it into the lake. He moved closer, and I fell in love. He placed the mistletoe above my head, saying kisses were customary. I told him I liked another man, but he just looked at me and said..." Using a baritone sound, Raquel said, "'You belong with me and no one else.'"

Her mother let out a long, shaky breath. "Then we kissed. We married the next year, and three years later, Isaiah arrived, followed by you. Going with my gut has led me to where I am now, with my family."

The grandfather clock chimed suddenly, startling both of them. Her mother began to giggle, and it was loud and startling. This prompted Imani to laugh. Soon, they found themselves completely engrossed. After their laughter died down, Raquel leaned back in her chair, and soon enough, tears welled up in her light brown eyes. She swiped them.

"I'm such a silly woman, crying like a fool."

"Mom, it's okay. The holidays are emotional for a lot of reasons."

"I must say something." Raquel tightly held onto the edge of her tissue. "I know your father isn't a kind person. He is selfish, mean, and a terrible husband. He was never good to his children."

Imani's heart sank as she looked up and saw her mother's expression.

"He wasn't always like that." She shook her head. "He changed, though I'm not sure why or when. I tried to leave him once. You were two, and Isaiah was six."

Imani remained quiet, shocked.

"I was able to live without him for a week before going back. I cannot abandon him. I made mistakes. Many of them. I'm also sorry. I wish I had been a stronger parent for you. However, it is very true that love can be blind. Yes, Abraham has many flaws, but I still love him. Some people may consider me crazy for choosing to stay with a man who..."

Imani's chin quivered, and a lump formed in her throat.

"A man who committed heinous acts. I can't leave him," Raquel continued.

"I know, Mom." Though unbalanced and unequal, Imani understood that love. Despite facing numerous hardships, she chose not to judge.

"There's something important I want to tell you. You didn't deserve that life, and I'm sorry Dexter hurt you and Dylan."

As that damn knot grew, Imani clutched her mother's hands.

"I was never prouder of you than when you left New York. As a domestic abuse survivor, leaving him took courage. You found peace with Garrett." She cupped Imani's face and kissed her cheek, her breath warming against her daughter's cool skin.

"You're my princess, and I want you to have everything. You're a remarkable, strong woman who has overcome so much. I admire you, Mimi."

Imani opened her mouth, but her mother shushed her with a finger.

"I haven't called you that since you were little. It feels good," Raquel said.

She laughed. "I agree, Mom."

"I believe your father will get better, and the man I met that night will make things right with me." A tear rolled down her cheek. "I must have faith in that."

Imani hugged her mother tightly. "I love you," she said.

"I know, honey." A pause. "Garrett deserves your love. That's what I have seen these past few weeks." She smiled softly. "He's a truly special gift that I'm confident you will cherish this Christmas."

Imani hugged and kissed her mother. "I'll see you later. If you come tonight, don't forget the strawberries."

Imani then headed home. She belted out Christmas songs in her car. What a feeling she had inside! It completely filled her up, and it was large and powerful. It was joy, excitement, and love. Though she had a dark past, her future looked bright. Even though Dylan missed Mason during the holidays, she never stopped telling him how much his father loved him. Things were looking up for them, and they weren't going to let their rocky past prevent them from enjoying life's pleasures. 

When Imani returned home and looked at the time, she was still humming holiday tunes. In preparation for the housewarming party, Dylan and Garrett were at the cabin, engaging in whatever it was that men did. After filling the tub with hot water, she slid inside, intending to make the most of her solitude. She needed some time alone before dropping by the Paradise Lounge to grab the perfect gift for Garrett, which she left hidden. She closed her eyes and smiled, looking forward to seeing her family in their new home.

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