Page 46 of Unholy Night
I bite the inside of my cheek to check my annoyance. “How do they know about that spray cheese?” I put my hands on my hips. “Do they have canned spray cheese in Hell?
“Wellll… I may have made a request,” she admits sheepishly, glancing up with a sweet smile. “I haven't had any in a long time.” She touches her pointer fingers together.
"And how did you do that?"
“Yesterday I was really hungry and you fell asleep with the tablet on your face.”
I cover my eyes with my hand. "How did you make this request?"
“Well I just opened the pantry and said aloud what I wanted. It’s worked a couple of times now.” She shrugs.
“You’ve done this more than once?” I frown.
“Um, yeah. Just little things. Not for anything expensive.” She twists in place while I contemplate what I want to say. “Like snack cakes and beef jerky.”
“We’ve been okay. More than okay. And now I find out you’ve been making excuses and asking for even more! That won’t do.”
“I’m sorry, Mommy. You’re right. That was selfish. I have more than enough and should have asked you."
“Okay, let's not do that again. Lesson learned.” I nod my head and turn back to the sink. They have given us so much, I can’t stand the idea of asking for any more. I still have my pride.
“We don’t have to have the cheese! We could cut up fruit and put that on a dish,” Mandy offers.
“That sounds like a good idea. There are blocks of cheese too, so I can cut some into cubes.” Honestly, I shouldn’t be surprised. As soon as I use something to cook, or eat, there is a replacement the next time I open the fridge. If something doesn’t get eaten, it magically disappears, replaced by a new option.
“Yum!” Mandy gives me a quick hug before running out. Probably to play one of her favorite video games. I really hope this doesn’t become an issue when we start back up for school.
I am elbow deep in dish water when Mandy calls my name.
“What is it?” Is there something wrong with her game? That would be more like our luck this year.
“I think you need to see this, Mommy.” There’s something off in her voice that has me quickly finishing the dish in my hand, before going out to meet her in the living room.
“Are you okay? Did Rudolph have an accident?”
“Nu-huh.” She points at the tree. “There are more presents under the tree.”
I frown and turn to look. There are in fact a couple of presents that weren’t there this morning. Instead of the acid green and blood red wrapping paper from Christmas, these are wrapped in black paper that has a silver sheen when you move the package, and black satin ribbons.
“Are they from Mr. Lucifer?” Mandy scrambles under the tree on her knees. “They are!”
“Get out of there before you knock the tree over, or Rudolph thinks you need help.” She giggles at my words, but carefully extracts herself from the branches. My heart speeds up. Lucifer sent us presents? Why? We fulfilled our contract, why would he send us any more than he already has?
“They’re for us,” she says. Her eyebrows pinch together as she thinks. “But it’s not Christmas or our birthdays.”
“Only one way to find out, kiddo. Grab a present and start unwrapping.” A week ago, I would’ve been scared and warned her away from surprise presents that came out of nowhere. Now, I’m anxious to see what they are.
“There’s a card here for you.” Mandy picks up the black envelope and I look at my name written in silver ink with delicate precision.
I take the envelope and sit down next to my daughter. Carefully, I open the letter so nothing will tear.
Dear Lady Lyla and Sweet Mandy,
I hope this letter finds you both in good health. If you do not have plans for this evening, I beg you join me for a New Year’s Eve party being held in Hell. You’ll be quite safe since immortals are immune to disease, nor are we carriers. I hope you do not mind, but I took the liberty of picking out holiday dresses for you both. If they’re not to your satisfaction, say Fuchsia’s name three times and she will come to help.
I am greatly looking forward to seeing the both of you. My days and nights have been empty since we parted and I’m not sure I can bear it much longer.
To accept, simply say yes and your answer will be relayed to me. If it is your desire to enjoy my company for the evening, I will pick you both up at eight tonight. If you do indeed have other plans, I will console myself with the thought of you wearing your new gifts.