I tapped my pen on my knee. “I don’t know what any of that means, and I’m going to require your attention for a few minutes.”
“Sorry.” Sam put his beer on the coffee table and muted the TV, shifting to face me. “I’m all yours. I’m just a little tense right now. Football helps.”
“Is your shoulder bothering you?”
“No. In fact, it feels much better than it did last week. I’ve seen my physical therapist a few times. I should be cleared to get back to work on the first as planned,” he reported.
“Well, good. Before we tackle the holiday list, I want to be sure to give you this.” I pulled a sheet of paper from my notebook. “These are a few child-friendly experiments that can be done at home.”
“You laminated it?”
“Yes. A coworker with children warned me that a flimsy sheet of paper wouldn’t last long with a science-minded kid. Quite a few of these involve food.” I scooted sideways to show him what I meant, leaving a respectable amount of space between us. After my behavior last weekend, I wasn’t sure I trusted myself in his orbit. A modicum of distance was key. “I’ve asterisked the potentially messier experiments. This one calls for baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice. There’s another with eggs, flour, and Jell-O mix.”
Sam leaned in, pressing his thigh against mine as he reached for the opposite end of the sheet. “I’ve noticed that kid experiments seem more like baking than science.”
“Baking is both art and science. And it’s a great way to introduce young people to science. If they follow the directions, they generally like the results. Like a sweet reward for patience and diligence. But…it can get messy,” I warned. “I included a few others, such as…building a windmill from popsicle sticks, engineering a tower with plastic cups and paper. This is just a starter list. You can find a lot more ideas online. I’ve highlighted sources at the bottom and noted that some require more supervision than others. That’s a parental call.”
Sam studied the list thoughtfully. “This is very…thorough.”
I beamed. “Thank you. I take great pride in my list-making skills. It’s helpful to have everything on one page for me personally, but I’ll text you this information in case you or Lincoln prefer it in digital format.”
“This is more than enough. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I uncapped my pen with a flourish. “And now, on to the holidays. What do you think about a cornucopia for the front porch? They look nice with pumpkins and gourds for Thanksgiving and—”
“I’m not going to be home for Thanksgiving.”
“Oh. Where are you going?”
“Mammoth. You gave me the idea the other day,” he replied with a smile.
“I did?”
“Yep. You said your family spent a lot of time there in the winter months, and it occurred to me that I haven’t been to Mammoth in years. So…on a total fuckin’ whim, I rented a cabin. It should be nice, and there’s no reason to hang around if Linc isn’t here or—what’s wrong? You’re looking at me funny.”
I closed my mouth and pointed at my chest. “I’m going to Mammoth too.”
“What do you know, small world, isn’t it?”
“Yes and no.” I narrowed my eyes. “Are you following me?”
Sam snickered. “Following you? No, of course not. I’m getting away, changing my scenery…like you suggested.”
“I was talking about faux autumn foliage to brighten your home, not a five-hour drive with a bad arm.”
“Shoulder.”
“Same difference.” I gnawed my lower lip, then sighed. “Let’s concentrate on Christmas. Here’s my holiday list.”
“A holiday list,” he repeated.
I nodded enthusiastically and slid my notebook toward him, accidentally nudging his knee. He didn’t move away and if I did, the notebook would fall. I used that wispy thin excuse to stay where I was…practically glued to his side. I kept my gaze focused on the page, though, as if I were studying a kinematic equation.
“I made a broad list of cheerful basics. Disclaimer…you don’t need to have some of these items, but they are fun. I believe you said you have outdoor lights, which I personally love. And I’m rather partial to a wreath too. It can be simple fresh evergreen with a big red bow. They sell them at some markets and at tree lots. Or…do you have one?”
“A wreath? Yeah, I think so.”
“Wonderful! Can I see it?”
Sam gestured toward the TV. “Give me a sec. You know, it’s still the middle of November. We could do this in a couple of weeks.”
I pulled the notebook away, narrowing my eyes. “We could, but once you return to work, I have a feeling you’ll be elusive. If we plan now, I’ll return after Thanksgiving with everything you’ll need and leave it for you to enjoy.”
He stared at me for a long moment. “You’re gonna go all out, aren’t you?”