The 37 Days Of Gusmas
Title: New Traditions Author: vl_redreign Prompt: Kwanzaa
Notes: Yes, I realize that it's kinda obvious to use Daphne for this one, but then, once upon a time, part of my family celebrated Kwanzaa, too. I remember thinking that it was pretty cool getting gifts after Christmas. Justin makes an appearance here as well.
I
Daphne studied her reflection one last time. The kente hat she’d had made went perfectly with her outfit. The vibrant mix of red, pink and purple complimented her skin, and added a sophistication that matched her life at this moment. A knock at the door interrupted her ruminations.
“Only for you would I do this,” Justin said, stepping inside. It had been years since he’d returned to his old neighborhood. The Chanders’s house felt like a second home to him. “So, when did your parents start celebrating Kwanzaa?”
“Last year was the first time. Come on, you’ll love it, Justin!”
II
Oddly enough, he did.
Daphne told Justin that her family decided that, along with traditional Christmas, they wanted to have a tradition of their own. Several of her family members celebrated Kwanzaa, and her parents chose to follow suit.
The colors of the kente cloths placed around the tables captured his imagination. The red, black and green candles of the kinara stood proudly in the center, and Justin was already thinking of incorporating them into his next piece.
He clasped hands with Daphne and her mother as Mr. Chanders recited the blessings of the year. He felt blessed, as well.
III
After dinner, Justin joined Daphne in her old room.
“You never said what Dr. Feelgood gave you for Christmas,” Justin said.
“His name is Robert. How many times do I have to tell you?” she replied, hitting him.
“Fine, what did Robert give you for Christmas?”
“This.” She pulled a pendant from beneath her sweater. It was a caduseus crafted in white gold.
“Nice. So…I thought you said you guys weren’t serious. That looks serious.”
“It’s not, we’re…” Daphne trailed off, a slight blush tinging her cheeks.
“Oh, my God, you fell for him!”
“I didn’t plan it! It just…happened.”
IV
Justin rolled on the bed, laughing.
“You, Daphne Chanders, never gonna get married, fell in love with a doctor!”
“At least I waited until I was twenty-four. You fell in love with Brian at seventeen!”
“I was always ahead of the curve.”
“My SAT scores were higher than yours.”
“I know, I had to compensate and beat you at something.” He sat up, and grabbed his bag. “Turn your head to the side.”
“Why?”
“I want to sketch you.”
“Now I rate being added to the great Justin Taylor’s portfolio?”
“Shut up.” Justin began to capture the essence of Daphne.
V
“Talk to me while I draw.”
“About what?”
“Robert.”
“I’ve told you all about him.”
“When did it get serious?”
“Ummm…remember when I came to see you a couple weeks ago?”
“Yeah.”
“He asked me to move in with him.”
“Uh oh. And you said…?”
“I said yes.”
Justin looked up from his pad. “Daph…”
“Justin, I couldn’t help it! Remember how you felt about Brian after you broke up with Ethan? How you knew you’d never stopped loving him? That’s how this feels.”