Page 24 of Rushed

“Sure,” I say, as I hand him my glass. After sucking back the last dregs of the wine, Charlie pops out of the tub and heads to the kitchen for refills.

“So, Keenan. We, meaning Charles and I, have a tradition here at the cabin. We are impatient imps, and we can’t hold off for Christmas morning to share presents, so we open all presents on the eve. That way, we can sleep in and enjoy the quiet. We don’t like to drown our sorrows in coffee, or rise at an ungodly hour on the day off. Do you mind?”

“Mind? Why would I?” I ask.

“Well, we know this is your first, shall we say ‘Christmas,’ so we would hate to ruin the anticipation of the holiday for you.”

As Charlie comes back with my now full glass of champagne, I reply happily, “All memories are new to me. I have no misgivings on what should be. I need new traditions. I’m happy to do anything. Just don’t be disappointed in the gifts I’ve brought. Small funds don’t give way to big prezzies.”

“Don’t worry, darling. We’ve spoiled you enough that you’ll hate us all by morning,” Jim explains, grinning at Charlie and Jax.

“We’ll have a light snack after we start to prune up, then curl up at the tree, watching White Christmas.”

“White Christmas?” I query, tucking into the warm water further.

“Oh, honey, you have missed out on so much with the bump on that gorgeous head. How you’ve made it through life without a bit of Bing and that fabulous voice of his is beyond all reasoning,” Jim chuckles.

“Sweetie, how could you erase Bing?” Charlie interjects.

“I don’t know, really, but I’m sure you’ll reintroduce me to him.” I’ve almost finished the glass of wine, and I’m feeling very at ease.

“What movies have you watched since this began?”

“All Dogs Go to Heaven, Good Will Hunting, and The Usual Suspects.”

“How about Breakfast at Tiffany’s?” Jim asks, as Jackson and Charlie toss out other titles. Miracle on 34thStreet, Home Alone, Pretty Woman, The Breakfast Club, and Sixteen Candles to name a few. I nod no to all, laughing as they try their best to find a cult movie title that I’ve missed since my rebirth.

“Well then, we’ll just have to have a conversation with that man of yours. You need to be reintroduced to the movies of the masses.” Charlie states, seemingly a bit tipsy himself now.

Thirty minutes of more laughing than I thought I could bear, and at least three awkward PDA moments later, I have to admit, I’m feeling the effects of the drink. The hot tub’s warmth has made my mind a fog of satisfaction.

“I’m getting a bit gooey in the head. I think I should pop out and change. And, if you don’t mind, I’m gonna get a hold of Rush to see how things are going.”

“I’d be missing that man too, girl,” Jim laughs, and Charlie playfully smacks his arm.

I try as gracefully as possible to exit the tub without falling in the snow, but it’s no use. The rush of good libations and heat has me more than tipsy. I step off the stair and straight into a snowbank, falling head first into the cold fluff. Brushing myself off, and trying to keep my composure, I turn to the pack of laughing hyenas. “I’ll meet you at the Christmas tree in a few.”

“Well, there’s a new memory to keep,” Jackson laughs, slipping under the water’s surface.

Charlie hands me a towel off the rack behind him, and as I take it, wrapping it tightly to stop the cool air on my skin, I walk towards the back door, shaking my head.

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