Page 7 of Just for the Holidays

Headlights startle the facades of depressingly familiar houses, excluding the perky new-constructed ranch on Charlotte Drive, where an abandoned mobile home used to live, forever swallowed by overgrown wild grass. Looming shadows point andwhisper, in passing, as the night veils all signs the buildings have aged, but stretches of forest between properties have grown more dense than Nichol remembers.

The little truck’s shuddering floorboards send irritating vibrations through his body, rattling his skull. That nineteen-hour drive, lack of rest, and caffeine jitters, only enhance its grating effects.

Teddy’s raw sex appeal is going to fade really quickly if he keeps chewing with his mouth open.

A faint indigo aura, hints at waking daylight over the horizon, and gravel pops under tires as the truck pulls into Katie’s driveway.

“Here we are,” Teddy says.

“Here we are…” Nichol echoes with a crooked smile.

“Looks like someone is up.” Teddy nods toward a lit window on the side of the split level.

Nichol is relieved he doesn’t have to wake anyone.

“Thank you for the ride.” He pries the squawking door open and steps out of the cab.

Teddy follows suit, gathering the two rolling suitcases from the truck bed.

Nichol hurls the duffle over his shoulder and grabs the cardboard box, soaked underneath, after sitting in the snow.

“Yuck,” he whines, gripping the disintegrating paper, struggling to keep it together as he trods toward the front door.

He props the soggy box on his knee and knocks.

The awkward pair stand silently, waiting for several minutes.

Nichol knocks again, slightly harder.

“Maybe they left that light on accidentally?” Teddy suggests.

A bright light beams down on their faces, blinding them.

“Jeezusss…” Nichol winces.

The locks unhitch and the door slowly inches open. A small freckled nose pokes through the crack and a single blue eye narrows suspiciously.

“Hi Max.” Nichol regroups the mushy box. “Where’s your mother?”

“Sleeping.” Max’s little voice rasps. “You’re late.”

“I know. Can I come in now?”

“I don’t know. Can you?” Max giggles.

Nichol huffs, pushing the door with his toe.

Max shuffles backward, swinging the door wide open. “Brrr,” he shakes his strawberry blond mop and hugs himself to guard against the frigid air.

Nichol ushers Teddy inside, setting the box and duffle bag on the stairs, turning back to collect his suitcases from the baker and shoving them into a corner. “Thank you for the ride.”Bye now.

“You’re welcome. Hey Max,” he extends a hand to greet the nine-year-old. “I’m Teddy.”

Max closes the door and shakes Teddy’s hand, turning to Nichol. “I thought you didn’t have a boyfriend?” His bright citrus eyebrows quirk.

Teddy peels his hand back and stares at his palm, curling his lip in disgust.

“I don’t, Teddy gave me a ride. My car broke down. He has to go deliver bread.”

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