Season's Greetings : Christmas Box Set

“It was my wedding present,” Pop explains.

“You gave her a home?” The wistfulness in Romy’s tone is intriguing. I hadn’t taken her for the romantic type with the way she shut me down for trying to help her. Maybe it’s me personally she’s not interested in.

“No, I promised to make one with her.”

“I didn’t know he wasn’t speaking metaphorically.” Nona places her hand on Pop’s. I admire the relationship they have. I always wanted that someday. At thirty-five, I’ve begun to think it’s not in the cards for me. My parents were together, but their fights were legendary, and they would bicker nonstop. It never seemed like a peaceful way to live. Love can’t be everything.

“That’s so sweet.” Romy sighs, resting a hand over her heart.

“We have some photos of the house as it was built if you’re interested,” Pop says.

“I’d love to see that.” She looks at me. “If we have time.”

“We already did your first hourly check. We can spend as much time here as you’d like.”

I can tell she’s still reluctant to leave with me. “I’m going to pack a bag and change.” I’m still peeling tinsel and bits of crushed glass from my sweater. Her blood also lingers under my nails. I feel like I’m in rehearsal for the play Macbeth, because it’s all I can notice now that things have calmed.

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Stop hovering over her, son. She’ll be just fine here with me. I’m old, but I still know how to entertain.”

“Sorry, Pop.” I feel the heat rush to the tips of my ears.

I make the trek up the stairs to the room where I still stay at when I visit. It’s a time capsule that never fails to put me in a nostalgic mood. I smile at the planet diagram we made in the fifth grade hanging in the corner over my desk as I cross the room. Stripping out of my sweater, I shake it over the trash can in the bathroom. The rest of my clothes join it in a hamper, and I turn on the water. Waiting until it’s steamy, I step inside and let the water beat down over my head.

The last thing I expected when I walked into Bits and Baubles was to become the victim of a Rom-Com. Boy meets girl and saves her from a situation. Boy becomes smitten even though she refuses to give him the time of day. Maybe it’s karma. I think of the numerous women I politely declined over the years as I focused on my career. I didn’t have the time to dedicate to a real relationship, so I settled for a casual, monogamous one with a like-minded woman. Now I want more, and I’m not sure Romy is receptive. I felt a spark with her.

I’m not altruistic enough to go far out of my way because I’m a nice guy. That isn’t the way most people would describe me. I don’t give my attention or energy easily, but Romy is impossible to ignore. I’d prefer her anger to silence. I think of my own parents. Maybe I’m more like my father than I realized. Finishing my shower, I towel off, change, pack a few things into a black duffle bag in my closet, and walk downstairs.

I watch equal parts entertained and horrified as Nona flits from the living room to the kitchen. A small pile of things is forming beside Romy on the couch.

“I’ll only be there for a day,” I say as I reach the bottom of the stairs.

“I know, but you can never be too prepared.” Her voice floats toward us from the kitchen. Dropping Nona off at her home in Romy’s car had seemed like the best plan at the time. Currently, I doubt the wisdom of that decision. Caught in a strange level of hell, I try to curb Nona’s gathering without touching a nerve and listening to Pop regale her with follies of my youth.

“Pop, I’m sure she doesn’t want to hear anymore ‘remember when’ stories. Her head hurts. She needs quiet.”

“Oh, no. The distraction is welcome.” She pats my knee. “I thought you wanted to get to know each other better, Caleb. No one knows you better than your family. Besides, I want to see more of those cute pictures of baby Caleb and those ears.” She tucks my hair behind my ear. “I wouldn’t have known they were hiding under that glorious mane if it wasn’t for your photos on the mantle.”

I grimace at the photos of me with short hair and massive ears I never grew into. There’s a reason I keep my hair on the long side.

Nona appears with a brown paper bag I know holds food. “Are you sure you don’t want me there?”

“They’ll be fine, honey. Caleb has everything under control. Don’t you?” Pop winks. For him, talking his wife down has become an art form.

“I was talking to both of them,” Nona says softly.

“I know.”

Romy ducks her head. Our visit here has mainly been for her. The majority of the tension she held has faded. I can see the fatigue and discomfort. Her eyes are staying shut for longer and longer intervals.

“I think we should get Romy home and settled in for the night. If she’s ready.” I swallow down my desire to take over. She’s made it clear she doesn’t like her control taken away. Too bad it makes me want to do just that. I could show her just how good it feels to let go.

“I am,” Romy says.

“I’ll get everything loaded up, and we’ll leave.” After hitting the remote start, I move to grab the duffle bag I packed, and Nona follows me out with her extra goodies.

“It’s cold out, Nona. I could’ve done this on my own.”