Page 28 of Stuck With My Christmas Crush

“No. you’re right, Lou. I blew it. TheTerminatorreference was the kiss of death, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.” Lou sighs theatrically. “But stranger things have happened. And, from what you’ve told me about what happened up there at his place, I think he really likes you.”

“It did seem that way. At the time. And that’s what he said to his dog.”

“Maybe he’s waiting for an appropriate delay before he calls you, because he doesn’t want to appear needy or desperate,” my friend says encouragingly. “Or, maybe he’s shy and waiting for you to call him.”

“Maybe. But I don’t want to appear needy or desperate either.”

“No, you won’t,” says Lou, turning sideways to face me with a glint in her eye. “Because you are the rescuee who is super grateful and must contact the person who saved her life and give them a thank-you gift. Or something. Charlie.” Lou thumps my leg. “And besides, then you’ll know one way or the other if you imagined - now how did you put it? – ‘Jason’s soft searching look in the candlelight’.”

“Oh, Lou.” I clasp my hands to my face wanting to hide. “I feel such a dummy. There was no soft searching look. It was only the candlelight. I imagined the whole ‘spark’ thing.” I’m agitated and stand up to pace up and down. “I tell you what. I’m going to drive over there. Like you said, I’ll give Jason a thank-you gift and then we’ll see what happens next. Maybe nothing. Maybe something.”

“Great! That’s great. And you’ll stop moping around and being a big sad sack of sadness. Now, what are you going to get the man who saved your life?”

“Something amazing! Something he didn’t know he needed. Something special that no one else would think to give him.”

“A watch.”

“He has a Fitbit.” I keep pacing.

“Okay.”

“A Harry Potter wizard wand. I’ll order one online.”

“No. It’ll take too long to arrive.”

“Yes, you’re right.” I pace some more and think. “Juggling balls.”

“Does he juggle?”

“No. But I can teach him.”

“Actually,” Lou says tapping her fingers, thoughtfully, on her lips. “That might work.”

“I know,” I say still pacing. “I’ll get Rocko a new collar. A Christmas collar for special occasions.”

“That’s a great idea. A gift for the dog. Brilliant.”

Everything seemed rational and in place when I was discussing the gift with Lou. Even Calvin said it was a genius stroke when we ran the idea past him about a Christmas dog collar for Rocko. He assured me that, from aguy’s perspective, it shows thoughtfulness without being over-the-top emotional or too personal.

Now I’m in the car, driving out to the closed-up Mansion Hotel, I’m rethinking my gift choices. I did get the juggling balls in the end after a great deal of deliberation. And I wrapped them up with a note saying that I could teach Jason to juggle any time he wants to learn.

So, there are two gifts on the seat beside me. And the bag of clothes that I borrowed from my life-saving hero. Jason said I could keep them, but it didn’t seem right. However, I did enjoy sleeping in his t-shirt and I almost kept it. But then, I thought, what if he notices that all the items are there in the bag except one t-shirt? Then, I’d have had to think of something else to say that doesn’t sound creepy or weird. Something other than the truth.Yes, Jason. I kept that t-shirt because it smells of you. I hope you don’t mind…

As I approach the hotel gate my stomach twists and flutters with anticipation. I check myself. I’ve never been this jittery before. I park on the road outside the gate, and I take a deep breath before getting out of my newly-fixed car. Then, I see Rocko. He barks and wags his tail when he sees me. I grab the gifts and bag of clothes and walk over to where he is with his paws high up on the gate.

“Rocko! It’s so great to see you.” I reach in with my spare hand and ruffle his soft ears. “Where’s your friend? Is he home or is my timing all off?”

Rocko nuzzles my hand and leans in for a pat through the wrought ironwork.

I look up the driveway. There’s no sign of Jason’s Chevy. I notice how different the place looks from how I remember it. There’s no snow today. I know I shouldn’t be sad about that, but Christmas is only two weeks away and it would be so nice to have that frosty festive feeling to go with my gifts.

I pull the chain through each side to let myself in, then pull the gate shut and replace the chain. Rocko trots along ahead of me to the gatehouse. I call out hello, then listen for a reply. I knock on the door and wait. Nothing.

I’m disappointed. I should have called to make sure Jason would be here. But then, perhaps it’s better this way. I leave the bag of clothes on the shelf by the door and the wrapped up juggling balls in Christmas paper with a shiny satin ribbon, and the card that reads,Merry Christmas. I hope all your dreams come true.I wrote my number on the card too and said that Lou, Calvin and I would love to invite him for Christmas dinner, if he’s available.

I unwrap Rocko’s present and fasten the red tartan collar around his powerful neck. It was the biggest size inthe store, and it fits perfectly. I snap off a sprig of holly with berries from a bush nearby and attach it to the brass buckle.

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