Again, I ignored her not-so-subtle hint.
She handed me another parcel. I frowned as I took it from her hands. Unlike the sleek, perfectly wrapped gifts that were under the tree, this one was awkward—the edges crinkled, the paper covered in reindeer and funny Santa faces, and it was cold to the touch.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.”
My hands trembled as I unwrapped the paper. Inside was a container with an envelope taped to the top. Opening it up, I stared at it as tears came to my eyes.
A hand-drawn picture—crude and childlike. There was no doubt—Noelle. It was the couch in the lobby of the inn. All of us were on it. I held Noelle on my lap; Seth was on one side of me, and Alex on the other. She had even drawn my stick figure arm around Alex’s shoulders. In scrawly, uneven print, the words, Merry Christmas Dylan were at the top.
Inside was Noelle’s signature, about a thousand xxxx’s and a short note from Alex.
Dylan,
Noelle couldn’t bear the thought of her Dywan not having some of his favorite Sugar Sprinkle cookies for the holidays. However, I couldn’t figure out how to send Tater Tot Casserole, so these will have to do. Mrs. Carson was kind enough to accept delivery and keep them fresh.
We hope you are well and your life is good.
Merry Christmas,
Alex
PS—She misses you.
We all miss you.
X
I blinked away the moisture and opened the lid. Inside the box, Noelle’s “suga cookies” filled the space.
I offered the container to Arlene and Simon, and we each ate one silently.
My gaze kept falling on the words at the bottom: We all miss you.
I swallowed and lifted my eyes, meeting Arlene’s knowing ones. She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips.
“They miss me,” I choked out.
“Of course they do.” She smiled tenderly. “You miss them.”
The ache in my chest became a yawning chasm. I had to say the words before I fell.
“I think . . . I think I love her. I think I love all of them. How is that even possible? I only knew them a few days.”
“It is possible. I loved you the moment I met you. That has never changed,” she said. “Love has no schedule.”
“They need me—they all need me.”
“You need them, Dylan.”
The lump in my throat grew.
She leaned forward, cupping my face. “Dear boy, I love you, and I’m proud of your success and everything else you’ve accomplished. But your life is empty, and you’ve been alone long enough. I heard more joy in your voice those few days than I have ever witnessed with you in all these years. It’s time to start living. It’s okay to need someone. To love someone.” She paused, her voice fierce. “You are not your father, Dylan. You have so much love to give. Go and get it.”
I wasn’t my father—my cold, unbending father who never had time for me after my mother died. Those words resonated in my head. She was right. I wanted to spend time with Seth and Noelle. In fact, I wanted to spend lots of time with them. And I wanted Alex. I wanted to be with Alex every minute.
I was tired of denying it. I was tired of the empty, aching feeling in my chest.