Love Lines

17: KitchenAid. Lucky you.

Chapter Seventeen

After everyone cleared out, Schylar stayed behind to help me sort through my birthday presents. Trying to be funny, he would occasionally toss a wad of wrapping paper at me but I ignored it most of the time. Cecil got a call on his cell a couple of hours before hand during which time Schylar was using the facilities so we were alone for five seconds. He only spoke briefly to whoever was on the other end and the second he ended the call, I got the feeling whatever was said wasn't good. It got even worse when he gave me a look while putting his phone back in his pocket. He had to leave and just like me, he wasn't happy about it. He told me he'd see me later but I had no clue when that was supposed to be so I was a little forlorn when he gave me a chaste kiss on the cheek and disappeared out the door. I was having lunch with Andrzej and then I was having an afternoon filled with golf with my dad. The chances of seeing Cecil again that day were slim for the most part.

"Someone actually bought you a blender."

My head snapped up from the cluster of beaded bracelets I was looking at and frowned at my best friend. "What?"

"Seriously." He held up a box and sure enough, a picture of a blender was on the front. "KitchenAid. Lucky you."

"Whose it from?" I was in the current state of trying not to laugh. Who in their right mind would give someone a blender for their eighteenth birthday? He handed me the box and went through the paper to find a card.

"No card."

"Look at the inventory Dreama took. Maybe we can figure it out that way."

I looked over the box and sure enough, I was pretty sure it was an actual blender. The weight was right and there was still a tape seal on the lip. Interesting. It looked like a decent type of blender but I was pretty sure this was the customary gift for weddings not birthdays.

"Ah..." Schy was looking over the list but was shaking his head. "It's not on here."

"What do you mean it's not on there? Give me that." He handed me the list in exchange for the box. I looked it over and tried to match the description of wrapping paper to something on the list but Schylar was right.

Nothing.

"I don't think we should open it," I said. "I'll call my uncle." Schylar nodded and gently put it on the floor. "Come with me, Schy. I don't want the thing to erupt and you die or something."

We both went to the kitchen and I used the house phone to call my uncle while Schylar rooted around in the fridge for something to drink.

"Hey, Natty. What's up?"

"Um, I don't know if it's anything but...Schylar unwrapped a present that wasn't on the list."

"Oh—kay. Honey..."

"It's a blender, Uncle Clay. Who in their right mind gives an eighteen year old a blender for their birthday? And you know Dreama. She's meticulous. If someone brought this last night, it would be on the list..."

"Alright, alright. Calm down. I'll come take a look at it. Is Schylar still there?"

"Yeah. He's tickling the fridge."

"Well that means I have to get there the old fashioned way. Do you want me to pick up something to eat on the way?"

"No. I'm supposed to meet a friend for lunch at the country club and then go golfing with Dad."

"Want some coffee?"

"Uncle Clay..."

"Alright, alright. I'll be there in ten."