Christmas in Spite of You

by K.C. Mills

“What’s Shared Space?” I wasn’t familiar with the name and had made assumptions, but I needed to be sure what was meant by shared. I damn sure wasn’t planning on spending a week with someone I didn’t know.

“In between blessings. Not broke,”

“Calm down, I think he’s harmless. A little rude, condescending, kind of stuffy if you ask me. And a little too obsessed with how I organize my pantry, but if I had to guess, his lack of social skills is about the extent of his dangerous persona.”

“Is that because you don’t want to be mine or just because you don’t like the host label?”

However, the thought of making this woman smile was my new motivation. So far, the only emotions I’d experienced with Noel were agitation, defeat, and a tiny hint of lust, which I also shared.

I was curious to the point of desperation of wanting more of Noel, her secrets, the untold stories,

“Good to know I’m aesthetically pleasing enough to place a check in the positive column of your pros and cons for this disastrous holiday week.”

Maybe Simone was right. Perhaps the universe was doing its best to offer me a very Merry Christmas after all.

maybe I hated what Christmas used to represent in my life. The thought of adopting a new version with her wasn’t so bad.

I spent the day with a man challenging my ability to use common sense. Absolutely nothing I was doing made any sense.

If that man is giving you the ‘cum all ye faithful’ eyes, you better jingle his bells properly.”

“Perfection is overrated. I prefer my women to be real. You could say that I’m a man who likes to expect the unexpected.”

Regardless of the agitation in his voice about untangling lights, my heart seized because Kanton, who hated all things Christmas, was volunteering to be a part of mine.

“I’m going to taste you everywhere, Noel. Are you agreeable to having my mouth exploring every inch of your body?”

“I would prefer being hard in your interior to loosen you up.”

He liked looking at me just as much as I enjoyed looking at him, and that, within itself, was an issue.

“This isn’t a competition, Noel. I’m not keeping score, and neither should you.”

“You in this dress was a promise of the two of us being close. The minute you put it on, you guaranteed me whatever I want with you tonight.”

“I might have been opposed initially, but I hate to admit that I like the idea of Christmas with you.

“I love the woman who makes it feel like I belong in the Christmas photo.”