Christmas Therapy

***

Desmond cocked his head to the side. “This is a Twinkle Tunnel?”

Allen sipped his cup of cocoa. “Yeah.” He'd been grateful for his cousin stopping by the school to help him finish. Christmas Eve was in a few days.

“Have you talked to Crystal yet?”

Telling his cousin left Desmond speechless. While Allen believed in his heart it was over between them, the past still stung. What made it even worse was the longing in his heart for Heather. She didn't show to help with the final Christmas decorations with her mother. All he saw was her little sister with Terrance. Allen didn’t ask. He figured Heather didn’t want to talk to him.

Allen knew she was afraid. He couldn’t blame her. The thought of something being real between them made his shoulders tight and his hands clammy. Yet, he didn’t shy from telling her how he felt. Didn’t she realize he didn’t chase after Crystal? If she didn’t see that he wanted her, perhaps she was more damaged than he thought.

“Not yet, but I will,” Allen said.

“Sorry this is happening. Makes me grateful for Morgan. I didn’t know Crystal was that bad, and now that she remembers...”

Allen sat his Styrofoam cup on the table. “Crystal was used to a certain lifestyle. It was more important to her than me, but everything went downhill after her accident. I thought I lost her forever, so I moved on, but now she's back. I get that she wants to apologize.”

“Did she mean it?” Desmond asked.

Allen rubbed the back of his head. “I hope so.”

Hearing the cafeteria doors open, his pulse raced. Was Heather here? Dropping his head at no sign of her, he closed his eyes. Then he stood to his feet and walked over to resume work with the light tunnel. Desmond followed.

“So what are you going to do?” his cousin asked.

Allen’s stomach tightened. “I‘ll fix it.”

“Good luck,” Desmond said.

“Thanks. I’ll need it.”

Chapter 26

The bell above the door chimed as Heather entered the bridal shop. Racks of wedding dresses surrounded her. When her sister called informing her they were picking out her mother’s wedding dress, she ignored the message. However, she missed her family. The last few days strained their bond.

Reading her father’s letters only made things clearer. She wasted too many years being angry at him. They didn’t have to repair their relationship overnight, but she could take the first step.

“Can I help you?” a sales associate asked.

Heather spotted her mother and Sonia in front of the mirrors. “No, I see my family.”

She drew closer. What would she say to her mother? She never spoke to her the way she did. Not intending to be disrespectful, but her body tensed. Anger rushed through her blood, but it was like her mother to remain patient with her, knowing her daughter would come to her senses.

“Mom, you look great,” Sonia said, pressing her hands to her chest.

The flattering waistband defined her mother’s petite figure. Scalloped lace sleeves and a knee-length hemline lent beautiful finishing details.

“It’s not too much?” her mother asked, pivoting in front of the mirror.

“It’s perfect,” Heather said, gaining the attention of her mother and sister.

Her mother’s eyes sparkled with warmth as she opened her arms wide. While Heather wanted to dash for her mother’s embrace, she walked instead. Her mother didn’t speak but rocked her in her arms. Heather’s eyes watered, but she held back her tears, not wanting to ruin her mother’s dress.

Her chin quivered. “I’m sorry, Mom.”

Her mother patted her back. “I can’t blame you.” She pulled away and cupped her daughter’s cheeks. “I should have told you sooner, but everything happened so fast. Then when you hurt your knee, I didn’t want to make things worse for your recovery.”

“Do you want this?” Heather needed to know.