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Nobu
Three Years Later
Every year that passed, Nobu was later and later getting her Christmas decorations out of storage. Before she got divorced, she put them up November first. Every year since Hendrix moved to New York, Nobu found herself dreading the process. It never failed—the entire time she put the decorations up, she’d think about how those same decorations led to her divorce. She always released a bittersweet smile at the fact that something so simple could give them both such a monumental realization.
For Nobu, the realization was that she wanted a family with a man who had no intentions of giving that any time soon. For Hendrix, it was the fact that his career was starting to mean more to him than his wife. As much as the two hated parting ways, they’d done so with love. It took about a year before Nobu was able to let her days go by without thinking about her ex-husband, but it never failed… as soon as Christmas rolled around, Hendrix invaded her thoughts.
Winter was her favorite season, and Christmas was her favorite holiday. She was determined to keep thoughts of her ex and their divorce from ruining Christmas for her this year, even if she was an entire month late getting the decorations out of storage. Nobu released a low huff as she cut her car off in the garage. In no rush to get out of the car and head inside of her home, Nobu smiled at the sight of her mother’s name flashing against her dashboard.
Nobu accepted the call with, “Hey, Ma. What’s up?”
“Did you plan on coming to the church tonight?”
“I hadn’t planned to.”
Every year for Christmas, Nobu’s church hosted a family event on the Thursday of each week in December. Outside of food trucks that offered discounted meals, they also played games, had a mini concert, and allowed the children one hour to visit and take pictures with Santa. Usually, Nobu couldn’t wait to join in on the festivities, but this year, she really wanted to stay home alone.
While Nobu wouldn’t vocally admit it, a part of her regretted ending her marriage as quickly as she did. Though Hendrix agreed they were making the right decision, Nobu had begun to feel as if they had done each other a disservice by remaining invested in their individual desires instead of creating a life that served them as a team. There wasn’t anything she could do to change that, but Nobu had promised herself to not make that mistake the next time around. She’d be more willing to compromise, only if her husband was on the same page.
“Well… I think you should come. Even if you stay for just a little while.”
“Okay, but what’s going on?”
Mila chuckled. “Why does something have to be going on, NoNo?”
“Because I can hear the smile in your voice. You sound real sneaky right now. What’s going on?”
Her mother laughed harder. “Just get down here and you’ll see for yourself.”
Nobu smiled, nodding in agreement. “Okay. I need to change then I’ll be there.”
“Alright, baby. See you soon.”
After disconnecting the call, Nobu looked back at the decorations in the back seat. With a sigh, her shoulders slouched and mouth twisted to the side. She’d get to them when she got back home… no matter what.
* * *
An hour and a half later,Nobu was pulling into the church parking lot. She was fashionably late, but since she had no idea what was in store for her, Nobu didn’t care. After showering, she did a quick makeup look and dressed in a cream, oversized sweater dress and thigh high boots. If she was going to a regular Sunday service Nobu would have dressed a bit more conservatively, but she was sure what her mother wanted her to see was outside in the church parking lot. Knowing Mila, there was a new food truck that Nobu had mentioned wanting to try. That was the only thing that ran across her mind.
It didn’t take Nobu long to find her family. Her parents were seated at their own private table with her sisters, Daisha and Luci. They all looked comfortable, laughing and talking with mugs and empty plates on their table. It wasn’t too cool out, but all of the tables had heaters hanging above them. After taking a deep breath, Nobu plastered on a smile and headed in their direction.
“Alright, ol’ lady,” she said, gaining their attention. “What was so important that I had to come down here?”
Her father, Jacob, was the first to stand and embrace her, then everyone else followed. Her mother was last, taking her by the hand gently and leading her toward the side entrance of the church.
“There’s something I want you to see.”
“Ma,” Nobu called, looking down at her under the night sky. Mila was half a foot shorter than her daughter. Hell, she was shorter than everyone in their family. Her daughters had gotten their height from their father, who was six-four himself. Nobu was the oldest and tallest of the three at thirty-five and five-nine.
All legs, Nobu took great pride in her lower body. Most men salivated over her toned legs, thick thighs, and wide hips. Pilates three days a week and weight training two days a week had given her a small waist, flat abs, and perky breasts, but most days her body was covered underneath her hazmat suit. Being a crime scene cleaner wasn’t the most glamourous job, especially for a woman as feminine as Nobu. After witnessing her aunt and uncle’s crime scene as a child and how the bloody mess caused her grandmother to have a heart attack, Nobu made up in her mind to spare anyone she could from seeing and experiencing that pain again.
She didn’t just clean up after a murder or natural death; Nobu showed her clients empathy, love, and support by leaving them with flowers, a handwritten card, and dinner for at least three days as well.
“Hush and go in the church, girl. Go down to the altar. You’re late so it should be fairly empty by now.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Nobu agreed stubbornly with a pout. She hated surprises because she was so nosy. Doing as she was told, Nobu headed through the vestibule, greeting the few people that were straggling between the sanctuary and the exit.
As she made her way down the aisle toward the altar, Nobu smiled. She wasn’t sure who they’d gotten to play Santa for this year, but it always warmed her heart to see the kids’ happy faces when they got to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas before taking a picture with him. Whatever the little girl said made the man laugh. Nobu didn’t hear it, but she saw his shoulders shuddering as he placed her on her feet. She was the second to last child in line, so when her mother grabbed her hand and led her away, Santa lifted his head and beckoned for who was next.
