Page 9 of Curtain Call
“Just be careful. He’s been through a lot and having you back in town may trigger some emotional things that happened between the two of you.”
“We both want to put the past behind us, and it’s going to take time, but I do feel like we’re on the right track,” Riley said, sounding hopeful. “I hate that I wasn’t there for him during the funeral and grieving period.”
“You were on tour, he understood,” Mom hung a baby’s first Christmas bear ornament from a branch. “Besides, we’ve had him over for dinner a few times. I think he felt a bit out of place though. Awkward even.”
“Why?”
“Why what? Why did we have him for dinner or why was it awkward?”
“Both.”
Riley picked up a silver disco ball ornament
he found during his first year in NYC.
“We invited him over because we are gracious hosts and wanted to have your best friend over for dinner after the accident. He’s like another child to us, along with Mackenzie, as inseparable as the three of you were in high school. Your father and I are very fond of the two of them.”
“Why was it awkward?”
“We knew about the falling out you two had, and clearly we’re on your side even if it was childish and wrong,” she smirked at him.
Riley hung a yarn snowflake next to the angel, “We’re working it out.”
“You’re here now, so be a good friend to him. He could use it.”
The two of them continue to hang ornaments, garlands, and flowers on the tree in silence. Only the sound of carols fill the space around them. Riley wonders if Colin is decorating a tree this year or if he is spending it with a girlfriend. The wordgirlfriendputs a sour taste in his mouth.
Josh Groban’s song Noel begins just as they finish the tree. Standing back admiring it, a clean Mr. Cooper walks in holding a small white box while wearing flannel pajama pants and a papa bear t-shirt. Riley smiles at the gay reference to the bear on the shirt and thinks his dad could get some serious play within the LGBT bear community. He shakes that thought right out of his head.Gross.
“It’s missing something,” David says still holding the unopened box.
Riley knows what’s in the box. His parents found the tree topper star while vacationing at the Taos art colony in New Mexico when Riley was younger. At night, when the living room is dark, the lights from the tree shine through the star’s cutouts. They illuminate the room with various shapes. Riley remembers how magical it looked when he was a kid.
“Riley, want to do the honors?”
“Nope,” Riley whispered with a shake of his head. “I want you to have a part of this tree too. You do the honors, Dad.”
David placed the star on top of the tree while Lynda spread a custom tree skirt she sewed and embroidered below. When everything was in place, Riley did the honor of plugging the tree into the timer. The room was filled with the smell of cookies from the kitchen, love from his family, warmth from his texts with Colin, and a gentle glow from the multicolored lights.
Riley couldn’t be happier in this moment. So, he thought. His phone vibrates again in his pocket, but he waits until his parents retreat to the kitchen before checking the message.
Colin: Free tomorrow?
Riley: Mom’s Christmas shopping and I’m not allowed to go. So, yes.
Colin: Lucky me.
Riley: Any ideas?
Colin: I’ve got one. Pick you up at 10?
Riley: a.m.?
Colin: of course
Riley: I guess I can be ready by then.
Riley is up early every morning for his daily run, but he knew teasing Colin was much more entertaining.
