Page 18 of Just for the Holidays

Teddy

About Last Night...

Ajingling bell and the familiar sweep of the front door over the “Have a butterful day”welcome mat, jars Teddy from his sleep. He peels his cheek, and then his belly, off the futon mattress, pushing up with both arms. His head spins and throbs furiously as his guts churn.

“Hello… Theodore?” Principal Butler calls out.

Shit, the door is unlocked!

Teddy’s elbow brushes against Nichol’s bare back, reminding him of last night’s company, but the evening's events are a blurry haze. He carefully stands, clutching his temples and notices GiGi, poking her head out of her hidey den, with a beast glare.

“Sorry girl, I’ll feed you in a minute,” he whispers, scurrying to collect a pair of jeans and a t-shirt from the metal locker, tucked behind the office door, frantically pulling them onto his body, while trying to keep the sour contents of his belly down.

He closes the door behind himself, enters the kitchen, and steps up to the counter. “Hi, Mr. Butler.” He attempts a warm smile but doesn't think he's managed to hide the throbbing pain in his head and gurgling sickness in his stomach.

“Good morning…” The principal pauses. “Just the usual today,” he furrows his brow with worry.

Teddy stomps barefoot to the coffee pot, collects the plastic pitcher, and shuffles back to the sink. “I didn’t get donuts made for today, can I interest you in some cookies or cupcakes instead?” He twists the faucet to full blast and floods the container, then moves back to the coffee pot and begins the brew.

“It looks like you’ve been busy.” Mr. Butler’s wide eyes scan the scattered array of plastic film-covered treats. “I’ll take some of both, actually. The staff might like a change,” he says, smiling. “Have you got a big order to fulfill?”

“No, I just went overboard yesterday.” Teddy squints against the bright golden sunlight pulsing through the storefront window. “What flavors would you like?”

“Surprise me. I’ll take a dozen cupcakes and two dozen cookies,” he cheers, grinning and propping his glasses up to the ridge of his nose with an index finger. “Late night?” His eyes are fixed on the counter.

Teddy’s face boils, and he swipes up the empty booze bottles and pair of tumblers, tucking them under the counter, out ofsight. “Forgot to set my alarm for this morning,” he mutters, avoiding eye contact.

Principal Butler chuckles.

Teddy stumbles around the kitchen, lifting plastic wrap edges to collect various sweets from random trays, compiling them into pastry boxes, then wraps the boxes in pink ribbons, secured with bows just like Gram always did.

He returns to the coffee pot and fills a large to-go cup with fresh brew. “Fifteen dollars today Mr. Butler,” he says, smiling with grit teeth as he steps up to the cash register.

“For all of this? Nonsense.” Principal Butler protests.

The aluminum gate behind the office door rattles before it swings open and the beautifully frazzled Nichol stumbles out to the kitchen, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palm and stuffing crumpled-up socks in his pocket. His t-shirt is inside out, and the fly of his jeans is still unzipped.

Principal Butler’s jaw hangs for a moment before a soft grin spreads across his face. “Good morning, Nicholas Anderson.”

Nichol halts, crinkling his forehead with big blinks, to reset his eyes. “Morning… Mr. Butler?” he says with a groggy tone.

Teddy freezes with his mouth agape, before his eyes dart, back and forth, between the principal and the overnight guest.

“Visiting your family for the holidays?” Principal Butler asks Nichol, handing Teddy a fifty-dollar bill. “Will that cover it?”

Teddy nods slowly and swallows hard.

Principal Butler returns his attention to Nichol—zipping his fly—and waits for a reply.

“Yep.” Nichol winks with an impish smirk.

“They must be excited?” Principal Butler collects his boxes and cup.

“Sure.” Nichol shrugs.

“Good to see you.” The principal turns toward the door.

Teddy hurries around the counter and pulls the entry open for Mr. Butler’s exit.

---