Page 39 of For the Love of a Boy

Chapter Eleven

At last, Christmas had arrived, and Seth couldn’t believe how excited he was. His joy over the holiday had been minimal for most of his life. He’d been taught that it was the day of his Savior’s birth and that was what should be the focus—not presents or blasphemous decorations of Santa and all that nonsense.

It was five-thirty in the morning, and Seth was sitting on the living room sofa staring at the amazing tree with the colorful decorations and lights that they’d bought the week before. They’d hung a fresh pine wreath with a glittery red bow the first day of December, as well as a curtain of white twinkling lights in the front window. However, Malcolm had wanted to wait until it was closer to Christmas for the tree. He’d said it would be fresher for Christmas that way—because of the warm house.

Seth didn’t know about all that, because they’d never had anything fresh. His father would drag out the same ratty, tiny fake tree every year with the plain red and green balls and a lopsided gold star on top. They wouldn’t even do anything like Malcolm had with the toy drive.

No, Christmas had meant socks, a scarf and maybe a new pair of jeans or a jacket, plus whatever his father had deemed manly enough to give to a little boy. It had also meant Christmas Eve services and a reminder that Jesus was born because they were all such evil and filthy sinners. Even the parts of the holiday that celebrated the birth of Jesus would somehow get twisted by his father and the church as being unholy.

In all, the constant reminders that Christmas was nothing more than a sacrilegious event that the heathens had invented to make money, had conspired to rob Seth of most of the enjoyment of this time of year. He hadn’t minded so much as he got older, since he was so used to it being that way, but as a kid it had been hard. Everyone at school would be so excited, and all he’d want to do was ignore the whole thing.

However, his life with Malcolm was all about new beginnings. Starting over without the specter of disappointment, sadness and fear that had been his existence for so long. Besides being accepted and loved for who he was, Seth wanted to enjoy everything good life had to offer. Christmas and the holidays were meant to be good. Going forward, he intended embrace them.

“There you are.” Daddy wandered into the living room, a smile decorating his lips as he held out his arms. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

Seth jumped to his feet then rushed to him, anxious for his first true Christmas hug. “Merry Christmas, Daddy.”

They stayed locked in each other’s arms for a few minutes, Daddy gently swaying him as they both took a moment to enjoy the beautiful tree in the quiet of the dawning day. His gift to Daddy had been wrapped with a gold foil paper with images of white stars scattered across it. He’d then added a sparkling red ribbon, tying it the best he could. Daddy had shown him where he kept all the gift-wrapping supplies in a large bin in the garage.

Next to his clumsily wrapped present, was the one from Daddy to him, one very large one that said it was to them from Santa and two gifts from Daddy’s parents. He’d almost cried when he’d seen that one was labeled for him. They’d already exchanged gifts with Nate and Tina the night before when they’d come by for drinks and appetizers. Seth had been very excited to use their new wine glasses and Lenox Christmas plates to serve them.

He and Daddy had received a one-year membership to the Oregon Coast Aquarium and a gift certificate to the five-star restaurant Nate had teased Daddy about. The irony was that in addition to the deluxe picnic basket they’d gotten for Nate and Tina, they’d also bought a certificate from the same restaurant. OF course, that meant they’d all be going there together very soon.

As far as decorations went, Daddy had insisted they go with all new things. However, when he’d spotted Daddy holding an ornament from the box with the old tree decorations, he hadn’t been able to miss his Daddy’s wistful expression. When he’d asked him about the brass snowflake, Daddy had merely handed it over. The slightly tarnished piece boasted multi-colored jewels at the points of each snowflake arm. In the center, it had been engraved with the words ‘Everett and Malcolm. Our First Christmas’.

They hadn’t discussed the ornament, but after telling Daddy he thought it was beautiful, he’d set it aside, placing it on the mantel for safe keeping. Then, when they’d put up the tree, Seth had hung the snowflake very first thing, front and center on the six-foot tree. After swiping a tear from under his eye, Daddy had reached into his pocket and handed Seth a velvet box. Inside had been a crystal heart that had ‘To my precious boy with love always. Daddy.’ engraved into the glass.

Daddy gave him a squeeze. “I’ll get a fire started if you’d like to get our coffee going.” He patted Seth’s behind. “And if you want to bring the deviled eggs out with the cinnamon rolls and some juice, then we can enjoy everything while we open our presents. Sound like a plan?”

A rush of excitement washed over him, the sensation unlike any he’d experienced before when it came to unwrapping gifts.

Or anything related to Christmas. He bit his lip to keep from grinning like a loon. “That’s a great plan.”

Daddy pressed his lips to Seth’s then, after drawing away, he frowned as he peered past Seth’s shoulder. Seth turned around, trying to figure out what was bothering Daddy about the tree or presents. He suppressed a laugh when he realized what had caught Daddy’s attention.

“Where did that stocking come from, baby boy?”

Seth let out a snorting chuckle. “Gee, I dunno. Maybe Santa left it?”

He yelped and let out a laugh as Daddy pinched his butt.

“Santa really gets around, I see.” Daddy smirked at him. “Was that what you were doing the last time we were at the mall? I’d just assumed it was my present.”

“Yeah.” Seth had taken almost all the rest of his money when they’d done their final holiday shopping and told Daddy he needed to go off on his own. “I’ve always wanted a stocking but was told it was blasphemous. You know, because of the whole Santa thing. So, I thought I’d get you one. It’s always seemed like a fun thing to do, and it really was.”

Daddy regarded him with a wrinkled brow. “Wait. It’s not for you?”

Seth shook his head. “No. I wanted you to have it.”

“Oh, baby…” Daddy carded his fingers through Seth’s hair. “I never thought about getting you one. I wish you’d said something.”

Seth smiled. “That’s okay, Daddy. There’s always next year.”

Daddy gathered him in his arms and gave him a thorough kiss. He broke the connection but held Seth’s gaze.

“And every year after that.”

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