Page 22 of Wrapped Up In Tinsel

“It’s got to be madness out there now. Especially by the Galleria,” he said and folded his arms on the table.

“Oh, did Steve tell you that’s my route? Yeah, it’s mostly the traffic. I don’t mind having a busy route, but I really could do without all the people who only drive once a year all being out on the same day.” He laughed at that, and I could see Steve in the way his eyes crinkled.

“I bet. I try to avoid that area entirely after October. It’s just too busy.”

“He’s not kidding, if there’s something he needs over there he makes me go.” A younger woman walked into the room from the back of the house, and I thought this must be Steve’s sister. “I’m Dale, nice to finally meet you.”

“Great to meet you too,” I said just as Steve took a seat next to me.

“Who’s turn is it to pick the first game?” Cindy asked and looked between Dale and Stan.

“Let’s let Garrett choose,” Dale said. Stan grinned and waved his hand in my direction telling me to go ahead.

“I choose Boggle,” I said, followed by a collective groan from everyone except Stan. He rubbed his hands together and sat up straight in his chair.

“Bring it, newbie,” he said. Steve groaned but I laughed hard, and got ready to whoop some ass.

Twenty-Three

Steve

The day flew by.We played game after game and Garrett got along well with everyone. A few other relatives stopped by and they played a few rounds but when it was time for Garrett to leave to go to his own family, I wasn’t ready for him to go. After saying goodbye to everyone and vowing to kick my dad’s ass next year, I walked him out to the car to drive him back to his house.

“Thanks for inviting me, I really had a good time,” he said as soon as we were inside the car.

“I’m so happy. I wasn’t sure how it would work out, but I think everyone got along really well.”

“Your family is so nice. I love that they have game day for Thanksgiving.”

“We’ll be playing into the night so if you get done early stop by,” I said, and hoped he would.

“I’ll see how late I end up staying. I swear my body knows it’s not working today or tomorrow and has decided it’s just done. I could go to bed already,” he said, and closed his eyes as he rested his head against the seat. “Are you coming over tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’d like to. Did you still want to go shop?” I asked and hoped he’d changed his mind. He’d mentioned it a few times, but I knew he didn’t need to shop for any other gifts.

“Not if I can avoid it. Let’s just shop online if we have to,” he said with a grin.

“I love how you think.” I pulled into the driveway of his house and turned the motor off when he didn’t make any move to get out.

“Can I ask you something?” he said, and by his tone I knew it was something serious.

“Sure, is everything okay?”

He turned then to face me. “Oh yes, sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. I just wanted to ask if your parents know why you haven’t wanted to celebrate Christmas? It’s just that they seem so nice. I can’t imagine them not wondering why things changed.”

“We’ve talked about it before. But I think I let it go on too long. They think it’s all settled and I’m just not a Christmas person. And honestly, I’ve come to realize it’s all me. You saw how they are. They would never want to hurt me or Dale. It was a hard time in our lives, and for some reason it stuck with me.” It was hard to admit it, but harder still to let it keep festering and finding a reason to deny my family a nice Christmas because one time, years ago, I’d been hurt.

“Would talking to them help?” Garrett asked.

I thought about it for a moment longer and considered his words. “No, I think I needed to work it out in my own head. Talking to you about it feels like a weight has been lifted.”

“I’m happy for you then, all that matters is you’re happy,” he said and leaned across the seat to kiss me. “I better go, or I’ll end up staying here with you all night.”

“Would that be so bad?” I whispered.

“Not for me. But unfortunately, my mom would feel very differently if I didn’t show up and believe me when I say she’s not beyond driving over here and looking for me.”

“You better go before I end up staying,” I said, and he kissed me once more before getting out of the car.

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