Page 91 of When in December

“You have no idea.”

“I feel like he and my friend Hannah would get along,” she said.

“I’ll have to meet her sometime.”

Poppy barked a laugh, which frightened me more than anything.

“What?” I asked.

Pressing her poppy-red lips together, which I kept staring at, she shook her head. “Nothing. Just envisioning it. I’m going to go and get something to drink,” she said. “I think I see some kind of fruity punch. Would you like anything?”

“I’m good.”

“I’ll be back in a minute.”

After she walked off, I couldn’t help but wander off after her.

I watched as she scooped a cupful of whatever everyone was drinking, which looked like cranberries. Everyone continued their conversations around us. Some people were draped over the couch or sitting at the table, surrounded by snacks, grazing.

“Aaron.” Barrett’s mom turned the corner, immediately waving a hand at me. She greeted me with a wide smile, similar to her son’s, though that was where the resemblance ended. “It’s wonderful to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too, Ms. Barrett.” I accepted the hug she wrapped me in. I didn’t remember her being so short.

“Barrett mentioned that you might be coming.” She let go to take a better look at me.

I ran a hand through my hair, glad I’d shaved.

“I hoped so, but I wasn’t sure. I heard that you were in an accident?”

I almost wanted to deny it for some reason. Though it wouldn’t have mattered. It was clear from the dip of her head to the side that Ms. Barrett saw right through me.

“Yeah, I was. Better now though. Slowly getting myself back in working order.”

“I was so worried for you. And you have no idea how sorry I am about your friend,” she said softly. “Barrett might put on a brave face, but … he hasn’t been the same since he came back with all of you boys.”

Barrett was leaning back on his heels across the room, laughing with someone as he downed another cup of punch.

“Seems to be doing well.”

“He keeps himself busy. Always has. I know I shouldn’t worry so much anymore, but like I said, you all will always be boys in my mind, running off into life, guns blazing, literally.” Her voice drifted off. “I’m sure he’s told you he’s leaving the military?”

“He mentioned it,” I confirmed. “He said nothing was set in stone.”

“He apparently put in his leave quite some time ago, not long after he came to visit you in the hospital. I mean, he says he has a plan with this house and land he purchased out here. See if you can squeeze out any more details for me. He hasn’t been telling his mother much of anything these days, though I want to pry, I won’t lie. I’m happy he’s safe.”

“Absolutely, Ms. Barrett.”

“I want to see you all happy,” she said, squeezing my wrist. “And please, you know better, call me Sheryl. And feel free to come by to the old house anytime you need. Don’t let me get lonely now that you boys are back and so close. Stop in for whatever. If you need a warm meal or just some company. I’m still a mom. I’ve always thought of you as one of my own since you started spending time with my Barrett in school.”

“I appreciate it.”

Catching me before I moved away, Ms. Barrett cleared her throat. “Also, I wanted to say, your grandmother would’ve been proud of all you’ve accomplished.”

I blinked.

“She would’ve,” she said once more. “Look at you—turning into a kind, strong man. It’s all a mother could ever want.”

And yet I still didn’t know if it was what my mother and father would’ve wanted for me, let alone my grandmother, who I was pretty sure hadn’t even recognized me by the time she left us.

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