Holiday Kisses

“Sisters always criticize,” Alethea said. “So do brothers.”

“I’m sure Xander means well.”

“Not Xander.”

Xander’s ears perked up.

“He’s probably the only one who gets me. Even though I’m sure I drive him nuts.”

“Isn’t that what younger siblings are supposed to do?”

“I suppose. But Xander’s different. He listens, you know? He’s never made me feel less important because I’m so much younger than him.”

Xander selfishly waited for Calliope’s response. “That’s why you came here. Because of Xander.”

“I couldn’t stay in that dorm room anymore. I could see Talia everywhere, even though all her stuff is gone.” Alethea sniffled. “We’d dreamed about going off to college together since we were ten. Take classes together. How we’d decorate our room. She’s gone, but I could hear her. Laughing or teasing me, or how she used to nag me to get me out of bed in the morning. I felt like I was being haunted.”

“I have no doubt your friend is still with you, Alethea. The bond you shared, it’s not something that goes away simply because the other person is gone. But you were right about one thing. You should have told someone you were leaving.”

“I know. I just didn’t want the added drama. The added pressure. When I got to the bus station and saw one going to Monterey, I took it as a sign. Then when my cell died, I took it as another. I was just so tired of the noise.”

“I expect your brother will want to discuss this with you.” Xander jumped back as Calliope used her finger to push open the door. She arched an eyebrow at him even as her lips twitched. “There. All done. I think what you need is some sleep. How about I go fix you that tea?”

“Thank you. Calliope?”

Xander took a big step away as the door swung open completely.

“Where do you think we go when we die?”

“I don’t know that we go anywhere, Alethea. I like to think we stay right where we’re supposed to. In the hearts of the people who love us.”

“I—” Xander began as Calliope left the bathroom. She pressed a finger against her lips and shook her head before flipping the second blanket over the mattress. Xander stood silent, entranced, enthralled by watching her move soundlessly around the room. She waved for him to follow when she headed into the kitchen.

“Big brother spying on his sister. Really, Xander? Predictable much?” She searched the cabinets until she found the glass container of tea bags and turned the electric kettle on to boil.

“A better man would apologize, I assume.” He frowned as she chose three mugs. “Coffee would be okay.” He moved behind her for the coffeemaker, but she placed her hand on the back of his.

“I think we can both agree you don’t need a stimulant.”

Not with her around he didn’t.

“Impress me. Try the tea.” Her smile lit the fire in her eyes.

“Let me guess.” The confidence on her face pushed away the last of the unsettled emotion inside of him. “It’s your own special brew.”

“I may have supplied some to the inn for their cabins. Lavender and rose hips.” She inclined her chin. “If you’d be so kind as to grab the honey?”

“Mmm. Liquid flowers. Sounds delicious.”

Calliope laughed. “It’s very calming. And surely we can all use a bit of calm after today.”

“How did you know? About Alethea?”

“I didn’t.” She dropped round tea bags into each of the mugs and poured the water. “Not until I saw her. I only sensed someone was in pain. The clouds. Did you see?”

“The dark gray one?” He nodded. “That was Alethea?” He tried not to let his disbelief echo in his voice.

“I only followed what I saw. And felt.”

“You walked into the storm.” An affection he couldn’t describe or define washed over him. She’d walked into the storm and found his sister.

“You would have done the same for her, had you known.”

“But you didn’t know.” Calliope Jones was the type of woman who would walk into the eye of a storm for anyone. “Just how big is your heart?”