Free Queenie Baby: Pass the Eggnog by Christina A. Burke Page A

She pointed her finger accusingly at Kyle's wide chest.
    The Grands peeked around the corner at the sound of raised voices.
    "What're you saying, Lindsey?" Kyle asked. I thought I heard a tremor in his voice.
    Lindsey looked confused. "I don't know what I'm saying. I just can't believe I turn my back for a minute and you're ready to move on."
    "It has been a year," I pointed out. Lindsey glared at me. "Not that there's anything going on between Kyle and me," I added hastily.
    "Really?" asked Kyle, looking hurt. "I kinda thought maybe with the kiss an' all there was something going on."
    I shook my head. "Sorry, Kyle. It was a nice kiss, but no fireworks. A girl's gotta have fireworks. And I have a boyfriend, remember?"
    Kyle nodded. "You're right." He turned to Lindsey. "I haven't had fireworks since you left, Lindsey."
    That just seemed to make Lindsey angrier. "Then why the hell didn't you come an' get me?" she cried with a stamp of her foot.
    Kyle stuttered, "I-I thought you needed your space."
    "A year!" she cried. "I've waited a year for you to prove you really love me. All you had to do was come and take me home. But noooo…you're busy being Mr. Nice Guy and sniffing around other women."
    "So let me get this straight," I interrupted. "You've been hoping he'd come sweep you off your feet and take you home." I pointed to Lindsey. "And you've been trying to give her time to find herself."
    Kyle nodded.
    Lindsey crossed her arms over her chest and looked ready to cry. "Idiot!" she huffed at Kyle.
    Talk about your star-crossed lovers. Jeez.
    Mammaw shuffled over and tapped Kyle's shoulder. Oh, boy, here we go.
    Kyle leaned down, and she whispered something in his ear. "She said that?" he asked.
    Mammaw nodded.
    Kyle looked uncertain. "I'm not sure that's a good idea…"
    The lights flickered and went off. Oh, good grief! "Just do whatever she said so we don't have to sit in the dark all night," I urged.
    "Okay," Kyle said, and grabbed Lindsey around her waist and threw her over his shoulder.
    Lindsey shrieked like a scalded cat. "Put me down, you jerk!" She pounded on Kyle's back with her fists.
    The lights came back on with a flash. Kyle looked sheepishly back at us. "I guess I shoulda done this a year ago."
    "This was not what I had in mind! You could've gotten down on one knee and proclaimed your love for me."
    "I'm not sure you'da listened to me, Linds. Honestly, you never stop talkin' long enough to hear anything I say. Well, things are changing starting today." Kyle nodded to us as he reached for the door knob.
    Ashley came rushing from the kitchen. "Does this mean you won't be in the play?"
    I rolled my eyes. Talk about your one-track mind. Kyle turned around and in the process bumped Lindsey's head against the wall. "Put me down, you oaf!" she shrieked.
    "We'll be here," he replied firmly. "Shouldn't take more than this evening to work out our differences."
    "Wanna bet!" Lindsey yelled into his back.
    Kyle swatted her rear, and she gave another yelp.
    "Okay, great! Final rehearsal's at three," Ashley called. I shook my head. My sister was something else. She really should have gone into politics. Her ability to suspend reality and all rational thought would've been a big asset.
    Kyle grabbed his coat and gave us a wave on his way out the door. Lindsey continued to berate him all the way to his truck.
    Â Victoria closed the door behind them. "Well, there's miracle number one," she laughed.
    Jake shook his head. "Never thought I'd see those two back together. Guess you never can tell."
    "Yeah, one kiss from Sis, and he high-tailed it back to his wife," Dan guffawed, and The Grands joined in.
    Ah, 'tis the season to be ridiculed by your loving family. I gave Dan a withering look and headed for the kitchen. Victoria had set up a self-serve soup and sandwich station in lieu of a big sit down meal, which suited me just fine. I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the abundance of family both living and departed. A