ll never know."
Kim paid for her cranberries. "It's been great talking to you, Jenny," she said, grabbing her brown bag. "Have a merry Christmas."
"Sure thing," Jenny called out. "Same to you."
"What's the matter," Kim's father asked, leaning forward slightly. "You've been distracted all evening."
"I know," Kim apologized. "I'm sorry. I just… well, have something on my mind."
"Something or someone?"
Kim smiled sadly. "Am I that obvious?"
"Want to talk about it?"
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm just… I don't know. Mad at myself."
"What? Why?"
"Just because I'm pigheaded. Opinionated. Stubborn…" She hesitated. "Feel free to argue with me," she joked.
"Pigheaded, opinionated, stubborn. Sounds like you're talking about me."
She laughed. "I guess we grow up to be our parents. That's what they say."
The smile drifted from his face. He thought for a moment. "What if your parent changes?"
She smiled. "I don't know. I'm pretty set in my ways. I think it's too late."
"If there's one thing I've learned over the past month, it is that it's never too late."
Kim nodded. "Speaking of which," she said, changing the subject as she glanced at her watch. It was eleven-thirty, a little late to be eating dinner. "Are you sure you want to wait until midnight to eat?"
Her father nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely. And to exchange gifts…"
"Dad," Kim said. "I've already told you, I got what I wanted…"
He smiled at her. "I haven't seen you use that new ice rink yet."
"Maybe tomorrow," Kim said.
"How about right now? I can watch from the window," he said standing up and turning on the outside light.
Kim looked at him curiously. "Right now?"
"Why not? It is Christmas, after all."
Kim nodded. If she bundled up, she might be able to withstand the cold. After all, if she was going to move here, she'd better get used to it. "All right," she said, going off in search of her new skates.
Harold stood at the window, watching Kim wander onto the ice. She waved back at him as she skated cautiously toward the middle of the rink. He smiled proudly and watched her skate around the perimeter. He would have liked to stay there and watch her until she came back inside, but unfortunately he couldn't. He had some work to do. And he didn't have much time.
Tony used the windshield wipers to brush away the snow that had started falling a few minutes earlier. Christmas carols played on the radio as he pulled up in front of the Risson house. He was a bit curious as to why Risson had insisted he come out to his house as soon as he was finished at the hospital. After all, if Risson was having problems, he should have contacted Harkavey. He was his cardiologist, not Tony.
Tony parked the car and walked up the walk. The house was dark with the exception of the lights from the Christmas tree. Tony shook his head. Maybe Risson had wanted to speak with him and had waited until Kim had gone to bed before summoning him over.
Tony walked up to the door and hesitated. There was an envelope taped to the door with his name on it. He pulled it off and opened it.
Dear Tony,