Page 152 of The Apple Tree

Christmas was just around the corner, but I didn’t feel the holiday cheer.

“Tell him you want to move to Colorado with him,” Erin said as we watered the poinsettias in the church before Sunday’s service.

“I haven’t seen or talked to him since Thanksgiving. That was two weeks ago. He hasn’t been at church. And I’m scared to go to his house because I don’t want to stir up trouble with my parents right before Christmas.”

“Since when have you been afraid of stirring up trouble?” Erin smirked. “I feel like you left my best friend at that rehab clinic.”

“The day he left the rehab clinic, it felt like a last goodbye. And if he wanted to see me, he would. Right? And honestly, what I did to Josh is unforgivable.”

“How can you say that? You said Josh forgave you. And I don’t think Kyle will call and risk one of your parents answering the phone. And he’s not going to knock on the door and ask if you can come play.”

“Stop.” I giggled. “You know what I mean.”

“You should get Josh a Christmas present, so at least you have an excuse to see him one more time before they leave.”

“I already got him a Christmas present, but I was going to have Gabby take it to him. Nothing will ever make up for that burn on his arm and the awful pain he went through.”

“Stop.” She groaned. “No.Youhave to give it to him. What did you get him? A cat? A hamster?”

I led the way to my dad’s office to drop off the watering cans. “Not funny.”

“It is and you know it.”

I laughed.

“I got him a Matchbox race car track.”

“Oh, he’ll love that.”

“I hope so.” I opened my dad’s office door, but he was still outside shoveling snow.

Church started in an hour.

“Are you getting something for Kyle?”

I set the watering can by my dad’s desk. “Do you think I should?”

“Totally.”

“What if he doesn’t have something for me, and then I make him feel bad?”

“Well, that’s his problem.” She smirked. “It doesn’t have to be expensive. But do something. Then tell your parents that you’re driving to my house to give me a gift, and they won’t suspect a thing.”

I sat in my dad’s desk chair. “They will because we don’t buy each other gifts.”

“Fine.” She frowned. “Then I’ll call your house mid-afternoon and tell you about something I got for Christmas, and you’ll say you’re going to my house to see it.”

“You said you’re leaving town for Christmas. My parents will know if your family is out of town.” I swiveled back and forth in his chair.

“Ugh! Why are you making this so difficult?”

I laughed. “I’m not trying to. I just don’t want a Christmas Day fiasco.”

“Okay.” She clapped her hands together in front of her at her lips. “How about this? You just tell them the truth. You have gifts and want to give them to them. It’s not like you’re going to have sex on Christmas in the middle of the day with Josh awake. In fact, invite your parents and Gabby to join you.”

I wrinkled my nose. “I don’t think I need to go that far. But yeah, I could try the truth. That would be a nice change.” I bit back my grin, but we started laughing simultaneously.

I got Kyle a gift,but I wasn’t sure if it was the right gift.

---