Page 45 of The Holiday Dilemma

Fred stood back and waited while I climbed into my car. Once I was buckled, I pulled the door shut, and as I pulled away, he lifted his arm and waved. As I pulled out, I stopped the car and went to wave back. It was then that I saw Brooke watching from the window. Tears stained her cheeks as she too lifted her tiny hand and gave a small wave.

* * *

I’d been back in the city for three days. In that time, I’d begun packing my apartment and was getting ready to attend my last day of work atFestive Treasures. The movers were coming the day after Christmas to take my stuff out to LA where I was going to be the new Executive Chef of Azure.

I left my almost empty desk and walked down the office hall to Vicki’s office. I’d sent over my final piece for the holiday issue on The Crispy Biscuit earlier this morning and wanted to get her opinion on it before I wrapped everything up for the day. I approached her semi-closed office door and knocked.

“Hey, Tristan,” she said, glancing up from her computer. “Come in.”

I pushed the door open and stood just inside the office. “I just wanted to stop in and thank you for everything.”

Vicki looked a little confused at my words. I’d never thanked her for anything before. “You all ready to head out in the morning?” she questioned.

“I am. Everything is all packed. My desk is empty.”

Vicki nodded. “You know, Tristan, I am sorry to see you go. I know I’ve always been hard on you, but that was because I knew you were capable of so much more than you put forth. However, you really proved yourself over the past few weeks.”

“Why, because the magazine didn’t get sued?”

Vicki looked at me and smiled. “Not only because of that. You saved that woman’s business, and well, the article you wrote was just…well, it was amazing. You really captured everything. As I read it, well, let’s just say I could feel her story in my soul. That piece, well, it’s nothing like your other work.”

“So, you’ll use it?”

“Will I use it? Of course, I will. Honestly, if you were still going to be working here, I would have submitted it to the award committee.”

“Really?” I asked, shock lining my voice.

“Tristan, I think it’s your best work, honestly. You know, I’d go out on a limb and say that something happened to you in that small town. You changed.”

I thought back over the past couple of weeks. Something had happened to me in that small town, something I couldn’t explain. I’d thought about it each time I’d sat down to write the article. I’d never deleted, rewrote, deleted, and rewrote more times in my life. Normally, I’d just throw words down, not caring who I impressed or who I hurt, but this story was different. I’d wanted to make sure that Brooke knew that I’d recognized how hard she’d worked to get where she was. I’d also wanted to make her proud, to show her that what we had shared over the last little while had meant something. I also missed her like crazy.

“What do you mean by changed me?” I questioned.

“Well, you’re not surrounded by your usual cockiness. You know that your-shit-don’t-stink mentality. You’ve actually turned into someone that I’d wished I’d gotten to know a little better.” She softly smiled. “Too be honest, I think that Brooke may have had a little bit to do with that.”

“No,” I immediately answered, wanting to stomp that idea right out. I’d thought it myself over the past few days. I didn’t need someone else pointing it out as well.

Vicki nodded. “Could have fooled me. I mean, the way you two were looking at each other on contest day, it was like you were two high schoolers in love.”

I didn’t know what to say to that, and I stood there practically giving my feelings away without even knowing it. “No, I was just simply helping out someone so my boss didn’t get sued.”

“I don’t think you believe that either,” Vicki said, clearing her throat. “Do you have any plans until you start at the restaurant in the new year?”

I shook my head. “Thought I’d take my time and drive out there. See some sights on my way.”

“Well, you have a safe trip, and if things don’t work out, know that you can always contact me.”

“Thanks, Vicki, but you don’t have to say that.”

“No, Tristan, I mean it. If you can produce something as good as you have, then you are always welcome to work here.”

“Thanks, Vicki. I’ll watch for the publication,” I said, tapping the doorframe, then turned and walked away.

“Oh, Tristan?”

I turned around and went back to Vicki’s door. “Yeah?”

“This arrived for you this morning,” she said, holding an envelope out for me to take.

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