Page 64 of Check the Halls
He’s been a good host, too—welcoming, laid-back, and he seems genuinely happy to have me around. That said, he does have some quirks. Like blasting Christmas music at full volume before I’ve even had my coffee. Or his absolute refusal to watch any kind of sports, no matter what game is on. Instead, he’s obsessed with a reality baking show calledProject Gingerbread, which he watches religiously.
I reach my hand into my jacket pocket and produce a red ball that I place over my nose. “I’m Rudolph.” I give the ball a firm squeeze and it lights up.
Will looks seriously disappointed in me as he crosses his arms over his over-padded belly. “You suck, Birthday Boy.”
I feign offense. “That’s a fine way to treat the reindeer who saved your jolly ass, man.”
Next he turns on Foster who, like me, is also wearing his game day suit. “And you?”
“I’m Hans Gruber fromDie Hard,” he states without feeling. Leave it to Foster to dress as the bad guy from his favourite action movie and call it a costume.
To my shock, a grin lights up Will’s face. “That’s…that’s perfect.” He pulls his phone from his pocket, smiling like a loon, snaps a picture of Foster, then appears to send it to someone.
What? Foster put in less effort than me and Will doesn’t give him crap about it. At least my costume comes with a holiday accessory.
Foster seems just as confused as I am. “I figured you’d be mad.”
“Mad?” Will laughs as he adjusts his floppy red hat. “Why would I be mad? Couple costumes are my absolute favourite.”
I look back at Beth in all her pink, bunny glory, but she doesn’t seem to know what he’s talking about either.
Will just continues to look super pleased with himself as he sips his beer through his fluffy white beard.
“Fozzie Bear!”
Austin joins us, barefoot and grinning like it’s Christmas morning. He’s wearing loose-fitting olive-green cargo-style pants and a tank top that was likely white at one time but now is caked with dirt.
The realization hits all of us at the same time with Foster scowling murderously as Beth and I keel over with laughter.
“Oh my god,” my sister wheezes, leaning against Foster for support. “He’s John McClane.”
Austin throws his arm around a now miserable-looking Foster as Will starts snapping pictures on his phone again.
“Say ‘Yippee ki yay, motherfuckers!’” Austin crows as he poses for the camera.
Foster shudders. “Absolutely not.”
Austin seems undeterred. “What about ‘Welcome to the party, Pal?’”
Foster shakes his head. “Pass.”
“Please forward all of those to me,” Beth tells Will, still trying to catch her breath from laughing.
“I like your costume too, Beth, but…” Austin tilts his head regarding her. “A puck bunny isn’t very Christmassy.”
My sister’s expression morphs from merry to pissed in half a beat. “I’m not a puck bunny! I’m Ralphie fromA Christmas Story!”
It’s Foster’s turn to smirk. “I told you.”
“Watch yourself, Gruber.” Beth warns him. “You’re lucky Nakatomi Plaza isn’t real or else I’d throw you off of it.”
My best friend beams at her like she just professed her undying love for him. Their playful banter, while amusing, makes me miss Maddy.
I’ve been giving her space, as promised. The fact that we just got back from a string of away games helps.
Still. Every morning, I wake up in a bed that’s not mine thinking about her. It’s torture.
But at least I know where she is and that she's safe.
