Part XI
Mercedes woke with a start. Holy shit, Monday! She fell back on her pillow. What the hell was she going do for three days? She grabbed her phone and checked her texts:
Artie: I miss you, wifey!
Santana: Not cool, wheezie.
Puck: Sugar Mama, WHY YOU NO HERE?
Tina: This suxs.
A blip appeared on her screen. The CEO of Panty Dropper Incorporated graced her with a message.
Finn: Morning, Kitkat. Damn, what I wouldn't give to wake up and see your beautiful face. Hope your "situation" got the hint and it's handled. If not, I'll take care of it. I told you this is not a game for me. Anyway, we didn't talk about my tutoring schedule. I got all the time in the world now (wink).
"Mercedes? Could you come down here, please?"
Mercedes rolled over and groaned. Why? Why? She started to get a good sleep on.
"Mercedes." Etta roared.
She jumped up and raced downstairs.
"Yes, momma?" she inquired, slightly out of breath.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?"
"No."
Mercedes rubbed the sleep out of her pupils.
Etta sucked her teeth. "You have chores correct?"
"Yes,mam."
"Then you know what to do," Etta stopped midstride and stretched. "Here you go. I caught the delivery guy before he left it on the porch."
Mercedes mumbled a "thanks." The bouquet burst with a combination of mini white roses bordered by yellow carnations.
"Ah… these are not mine."
"What?"Mrs. Jones looked up from the mail. "What do you mean they're not yours? Did he deliver to the wrong house?"
"No Momma. The card has your name on it."
My wonderful man of mine, Mrs. Jones thought as she swelled with pride.
Dear Mrs. Jones:
Please excuse my behavior Friday night. I'm afraid my protectiveness of your daughter's and I friendship causes me to act before thinking. My overzealousness designated to reveal itself at the most inopportune time. My apologies.
Unequivocally Embarrassed,
Finn M. Hudson
"Smooth, like silk." Etta uttered as she inhaled the intoxicating scent.
"Huh?"
"Nothing. You better get to getting miss. Those chores-"
The doorbell rang. They exchanged glances.
"No idea." Mercedes retorted, trailed by an enormous yawn.
"Yes?"Mrs. Jones probed.
A gangly freckled face kid addressed her.
"Ah, yea. I have a package for a Mer-"
"Yes. Yes. I'll sign for it."
She heard the muffled "thank you" while she shut the door.
"Here."
Mercedes lightly grazed the parcel.
"Do you need a moment?" her mother quipped.
"Haha."
"I mean, if you two need some time…"
Mercedes opened the box. Her hands shook. For in her hands, she possessed an autographed frame of a Kill Bill movie poster.
She gingerly peeled the note:
He may try to create new memories with you,
but we are bound to a lifetime.