Okay, I've got a really dark confession to make.
I... hate the holidays!
Okay, not hate. But I'm super conflicted. I mean, the food's great. Who doesn't want turkey, or yams, or pies? God, I love pies. Warm, wet, and sticky, what could be better? And decorating! That's my superpower. With mere printed paper and rusted scissors, I'll forge a blizzard of handmade snowflakes that will bring literal tears to your eyes. A winter wonderland up in here! My friends adore my attention to detail. Maybe. I don't care. They're getting full-on hand-stitched sweaters whether they want it or not. So sure, yeah, I guess I live for the odd Christmas tradition.
But there's also the visit—every torturous moment after I leave my tiny little bungalow in the big city. Then it's over the mountains, and through the woods, to my Grandmother's house, I go. It should be my mother's. She built that house. My mother moved halfway across the country, married a Union Man, bought a home, and had me. She did that in large part to escape Nanna.
But then, when I was twelve, she invited that covetous old sinner to live with us. The rainbow lights came down, and the crosses went up. Christmas was a time for prayer, reflection, and nonstop constant judgment. Home became Nanna's den.
Her welcome was everything I'd come to expect.
"No friend? Are the boys in town pickier? I've mentioned if you want to attract a man, don't dress like a child."
I look down at the Christmas sweater I'd made. The pinnacle of cozy, and I love it. Also, frankly, it slays on me. Sure, it has a silly winking cartoon moose (Morris), but it hugs my breasts and falls off my shoulders with tight Frosty leggings that show off my gym visits. It's a classic "I didn't mean to make you hot" holiday ensemble.
"With that figure, you need all the help you can get," Nanna sighs, wistfully gazing at the mantle. "You didn't inherit my genes, sadly."
Photos of my grandmother dominate the space above the fireplace. Not family shots, mind you, solo portraits of her. She was cute back then in the fifties kinda way, but her eyes still echoed like the abyss, even in black and white. My mother, on the other hand, was beautiful. I can see a small gathering of photos behind the chair where Nanna won't see them. Raven black hair, porcelain pale skin, and full curves to match her fuller smile. It's eerie how much I take after my mom. The only part of Dad I got was his sense of humor.
And his hatred for this old biddy.
"I forgot my toothbrush," I say.
I expect a fight cause let's be honest; it was a stupid excuse.
"Well, if you're going out. I've got something you could pick up for me."
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This pickup for Nan was going to take no time. I had the check in my hands for a 600-dollar set of knives she was never going to use. But Lord help the soul who tried to touch her things. Seconds in her presence, and I was my sixteen-year-old self—the old tension across my chest and blurred edges of my vision. I hate this town. Mom wouldn't be back for at least another two hours. So here I am at 323 Redberry Lane where-
Holy fiddlesticks. I know this house. I babysat here. They had the hostess cakes I wasn't allowed to eat at home and always had extra.
Also, the dad was hot as heck.
"Ring a ding," I say, pressing the bell.
There's a mild crashing sound as I imagine someone running to the door. I wonder if it's little Andy who I used to push into the pool. God, that was years ago. I wonder what he looks like now.
The door swings open with far more force than necessary. In frame stands a six-foot-three freckled red-haired goofball with arms thicker than the fence post. His muscular chest strains the tight tee shirt as he catches his breath. No doubt he ran from the video game blaring in the next room."Hey, sorry about that. Can I help?"
"Oh my god! Andy!" I smile up at him. "It's me! I'm here to pick up my Nana's knives. Look at you! Gotten so tall."
"Ms. Crenshaw," he blinks slowly, and his smile fades into a panic. " Duh, yeah, sorry, uhh- your grandma said you'd probably drop by tomorrow."
He's mortified cause I'm early. That's so cute. Clearly, Andy's been looking forward to this. He tries to hide the stains on his Deadpool t-shirt and shifts into his ripped, faded, blue denim. He's dressed exactly like the sweet little geek who used to follow me- except that it's now stretched across a linebacker's body.
"Don't you dare call me Ms. Crenshaw, or I'll call you itty bitty Andy." I let my eyes trace the breadth of him. A blush creeps in under those freckles.
"Uh, sorry... Sarah. Your Grandma's knives are in the closet. I gotta dig 'em out."
"Well, are you going to invite me in so I can wait?" Knowing I found a way to kill the next two hours and disappoint my therapist all at the same time.
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Alright, so he's young. But not Lifetime Original series, young cause he graduated from high school last year. Really it's a five-year difference, so we're fine. He leaps over the table, going for the boxes stacked in the closet. The legs rise to meet his tight, sculpted behind. He nervously yacks while digging through the various knife collections, his shoulders flexing visibly across the room. Finally, he lifts my Nanna's knife set over his head like a trophy. I'm snuggled into the huge leather armchair, my snowman legs framing my body. I've bundled Morris the Moose in my hands, pulling the sweater down, exposing more of my shoulder, and giving him a direct view of my breasts cupped in teal blue. He keeps trying to hide his peeking.
"So... ahhh... here it is," he says, bringing it down on the table in front of me. "It's the most expensive set we got. Who's it for?"
"Her," I say, laughing, throwing my head back. "Only the best for Nana."
"Right... so... I bet you gotta run home," his neck is straining.
"Trying to get rid of me." My lips pout. "You angry with me?"
"Angry?"
"For sending you to bed all those times. I bet you thought I was a mean old biddy. Probably told all your friends how much you hated me."
"No!" He's genuinely shocked. "I... well..."
"Here I am, taking up all your time when your girlfriend is probably coming over."
"She's... uh... not around right now."
"She left you all alone. That's dangerous, isn't it?"
"Dangerous?"
"Yeah, I wouldn't. Who knows what kinda trouble you could start? Do you get into trouble, Andy?"
"Sometimes," he laughs.
"Is that why you're trying to throw me out of the house? You got another girl coming over, and you don't want witnesses."
"No, no one’s coming. I'm all alone for the day." Instinct is guiding him because the boy can't believe what he is hearing.
"Who’s going to take care of you?"
"Take care of-
"Do you want me to go?"
"No."
"You've got a little crush, right Andy,"
"A crush."
"Maybe a big one?"
I take one of his hands and place it against my cheek. His palm envelops the side of my face; his coarse skin gives me goosebumps as his fingers caress my hair.
"The biggest," he whispers.
"Is it really?" I place his other hand over my shirt. He squeezes harder than he means, and I let out a little whimper. He takes the fabric between his fingers.
"Where did you get this? I like the moose."
"Handmade." I grin. "Take it off."
He pulls, and I laugh. The tension in my head that ache across my chest starts to pulse. I'd sworn to stop this nonsense when I moved out— constant random sex with willing men. Not the right way to deal with self-esteem issues, but heck, Nanna's voice brought it all back. Hometown habits are irresistible.
"Holy shit," he says as I unclasp my bra. "Holy shit. Holy shit. I've imagined those -"
"Stop fantasizing, Andy, and make some memories." I hook my thumbs into the elastic of my wintery leggings. I push down slightly, letting him see the lettering tattooed on my inner thigh and the top of my sapphire lace underwear.
"I'm A.J. now," he says and grabs my legs and pulls. I cry out as I'm dragged. My head and shoulders press against the seat of the chair. My torso and legs are suspended as he pulls my shoes off my feet. Gotta say I'm a little surprised, though I shouldn't be. He's a big boy now, but in my head, I could still wrestle and tickle him till he begged me to stop.
Ohhh, Maybe I can get him to repay the favor?
He starts reaching for my pants when I squirm and shake my head.
"Gotta be fair, A.J." I grip my breasts and bring them together so that he can salivate over the view. I leave enough space between the knuckles for my nipples to peek through. "I wanna show."
He lowers me gently, and I adjust. Sprawling as I throw one leg over the giant armrest, turn on my side, and pose like a goddess. He pulls from the bottom of his shirt, using all that core as he throws the fabric aside. I slide my fingers into my pussy, feeling the elastic of my panties against my wrist and the heat from my core. He sees me. Eye's widen as my fingers pick up speed.
"I'm... waiting... itty bitty Ann-dwee," circling my clit twice for each syllable. "You worth it?"