For a man who normally works from sunup to sundown, he’s all over town today. I’m starting to think he’s actually running into me on purpose, but that would be crazy. Why would he do something like that after firing me?
“You’re extra excited about this one,” Kenny says as he pulls up in front of the community center.
A lot of the trees I’ve done over the past few weeks have been for companies and a few fancy condos. I made sure everything was styled to match, but with this one it’s going to be an explosion of fun and a mix of everything. I was told some of the kids will actually get to pick a few of their favorite ornaments from off the trees to take home with them. There’s nothing like seeing a kid's face light up for Christmas. Not everyone gets that, and if I can give them magic in some small way, I’ll do it the best I can.
“I’m excited to see the kids' faces. I think my favorite part is showing people the trees when I’m done.”
“You want to spread the holiday cheer.”
“I do,” I say before I hop out of the SUV and wave goodbye to Kenny.
I’m surprised when I walk in and see Nicky there already. Normally he pops up when I’m almost finished, and seeing him now, I feel like I’m a mess. I reach up and straighten the clip I have pinning part of my hair back and take a breath.
“Nicky.” I tilt my chin up, trying to be defiant, but it never lasts with him. At the office, people always told me he could be a bit cold, but I’m not getting that at all from him. In fact, all I feel when I’m around him is hot.
“You haven't eaten since breakfast, have you?” He walks over with a little brown bag in his hand, and I know that bag. It’s from my favorite bakery, and when he holds it out to me, my eyes widen. “Something to hold you over.”
“Don’t you have a job or something?” I take the bag from him and realize I’m actually starving.
“I do, but this community center means a lot to me. I spent a lot of time here as a kid.”
“Really?” I ask in surprise.
“Yeah, one of the coordinators here is actually a big part of how I got where I am today. He saw potential in me and helped direct that. I was twelve and helping him with the finances here. Back then, the center was in a small room inside of a church.”
I know this place does a lot with the foster care system along with helping families with children in need. When they asked me to do a tree for them, I offered my services for free, but they weren’t having it. I still plan to just donate the money right back when it’s all said and done.
“I was in the foster system,” I tell him as I pull the ham and cheese croissant sandwich out of the bag.
“I know.” I don’t know why, but I hold the sandwich out, offering him a bite, and he takes it.
“You do?”
“I read your file.” He winks at me.
“Right.” He puts his hand on my back to guide me to where the tree is, and we enter an auditorium where there is a bunch of people opening boxes and sorting out holiday decorations. “What’s going on?”
“After I saw what you had in mind for the tree here, I thought the kids might want one of their own. I’m having kits made for them to take home to make their own mini trees.” He taps the top of one of the boxes.
“Nicky,” I say, peeking inside. “This is so sweet.”
“I had a few Christmases without a tree. I hadn't realized how much it bothered me until lately.”
I turn my head away from the box to really take a long look at him. His expression seems to say that it's because of me. There’s a lot more to this man than I realized, and I’m looking at him in a whole new light.
“Would you mind if I help you decorate this one? I promise to follow orders.”
“You know how to do that?” I laugh.
“It’s been a while, but I’m sure I can handle it.” He pulls off his suit jacket and lays it over one of the tables then starts to roll up the sleeves of his button-up shirt. “Especially if they’re coming from you. This is your area of expertise, and I know when I’m outmatched.”
“All right,” I agree, and we both get to work. I want to have it finished before the kids come pouring in.
I can’t help but pepper Nicky with questions as we work, and he answers them all without getting annoyed. He even asks a lot of his own, and I realize I’ve talked more today than I have in a long time.