Page 30 of Santa of the Creek
The crowd bursts into a noisy countdown.
Three. Two. One.
The tree turns into a spiral of sparking lights. I stare up at it, framed against the night sky. “Merry Christmas, Marty.”
I leave the festivities and wonder what to do with myself for the hours until the tree becomes mine. I could go back to Echo; I know he’d be pleased to see me, but I’m not ready yet. Tonight is Marty’s night.
Midnight finds me back at the tree, just as it had for the past twenty years. Everyone has gone home to their beds. It’s cold, the temperature having dropped considerably during the evening. I huddle in my coat as I stare up at the tree. It’s as beautiful as it is every year. I wonder if anyone does the same thing as me and visit it alone just to think.
The first few years I’d wept for what I’d lost, for what Marty had lost. Although he would be forever young and beautiful and I’m a middle-aged man. For the first time in twenty years, I wish there was another man beside me. I wait for the guilt to wash over me. It does, although not as hard as it would have done.
I kneel to place a small car by the tree. It was a joke between us. A wish that one day we’d ride out of Collier’s Creek and never look back. The joke is that neither of us left. Marty went to his cold place in the family plot and me, well, the ambition to conquer the world died along with the sweet boy of mine.
I wipe away the tears and pull out my phone. I hit the connect button. I’m relieved to hear Echo’s voice. I didn’t know if he’d be asleep already.
“Dean? Are you all right?”
It’s hard but finally I admit it. “I need a friend.”
“I’m already here, honey.”
Chapter Seven
Echo
It’s almost eleven, and I’ve spent the evening with Ariel on my lap as I stare at the clock. I can’t focus on anything. I keep thinking of Dean going through another Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony by himself and his silent vigil at midnight. Does anyone know he did that? Does his brother?
Of course the mayor knows. He probably has Dean tagged. Is there a Find My Brother app? I snort at the idea. Ariel wakes up and gives me the stink eye.
“I’m sorry for disturbing your sleep, princess.”
She chirrups, stretches her legs, extending her claws which she thankfully does not stick in me, and returns to sleep.
I feel like I’m missing out. The whole town is having fun, but I’m stuck at home thanks to a small hairy dog. I stare at my ankle and wonder if I can suck it up just for one evening. Then I move my leg and flinch as a sharp pain stabs through me. I think the answer is no.
I sigh. Then I grit my teeth. Dean needs a friend whether he knows it or not.
I call the one person I know can help me, but Aunt Hebe doesn’t pick up, neither does Heather. Then I try Gloria. She answers on the second ring.
“Hi there, gorgeous Gloria speaking. What can I do for you, honey?”
I roll my eyes. “Gloria? I need your help.”
“Always, sweetheart. What do you need from your Aunty Gloria?”
“I’m older than you. You know this, right?”
“What’s that got to do with it? Now hurry up. I’m on my break, and I’ve got to get back to work soon.”
“You’re working?” I thought she had the day off.
“Yeah, one of dispatchers called in sick. But if you need something, you know I can help.”
I take a deep breath. “I need to get to the Christmas tree in the square.”
“Now?” She sounds doubtful. “The festivities are over. They finished hours ago.”
“I know, but Dean will be there in an hour.” I ignore the noise of understanding she makes. “Do you know anyone who could give me a ride there for midnight?”
