She got in her car, pulled around to the front, and got out to talk to one of the EMTs. “Can you tell me which hospital Tucker is in?”
“Yeah. One of the guys drove him over to Christiansburg.”
“You think he’ll be okay?”
“Definitely. He’ll be home before you could get there. Go get some sleep. It’s Christmas Eve morning.”
So everyone keeps saying.“Thanks for filling me in. I guess there’s no reason for me to drive out there then.”
“Probably not. He wasn’t even going to go to the hospital, but it’s policy.”
She drove back to Orene’s and went upstairs and tried to go to sleep. It was hopeless, though. Her mind was reeling and she was more mad than worried at one point.
She had just fallen asleep when her phone rang at seven thirty in the morning.
“Hey, girl. I hope you got a good night’s rest. It’s Christmas Eve,” Tucker said.
If one more person said that to her, she was going to scream. “I was worried.” The words came out clipped.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I figured you went home when I didn’t come right back.”
“Well, I didn’t. I finished all of the boxes, and then I waited around for hours.”
“Oh? I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, you could have called.”
“You’re right. I could have. Look, this is my job. It’s random. The hours are long and things aren’t all lined up in a pretty little row. I’m sorry I didn’t call you sooner. I’m not used to having someone to check in with. I was waiting for it to be late enough that I wouldn’t wake you.”
“You didn’t.” It wasn’t quite true, but she was mad, or hurt, or both. Whatever it was she was feeling, it wasn’t good.
“I’ll make it up to you,” he said.
“You’ll have to,” she said, and hung up the phone. She was mad. Mad at him for worrying her. Mad at herself for being mad. His job was dangerous, and although she’d known that all along, it bothered her that it had scared her so much.
Why am I letting myself get all tangled up in his tinsel? It was flirty and fun, but now it’s done. I’m fine alone. I don’t need this.
She regretted feeling this way, especially on Christmas Eve.
Better get up now, else I’ll wallow in this all day long.
Dressed, and feeling better for it, she walked downstairs. Orene was singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” scooting around the kitchen doing all the hand gestures and repeats.Nose. Nose. Nose.
Sheila leaned against the doorway, enjoying seeing the spirited woman enjoy the season.
Glows. Glows. Glows.
Sheila slid into the kitchen in her socks, like Tom Cruise in that scene fromRisky Business,to join in.
“‘… used to laugh and call him names.’”
Like Pinocchio.
“‘… join in any reindeer games.’”
“Aren’t you in a fun mood today?” Orene giggled. “Alexa. Stop!” She pulled her hands on her hips. “Guess you know my whole morning routine now.”
“And I thought it was all about the tea,” Sheila teased. “If this is your fountain-of-youth secret, I’m going to be dancing with Rudolph every morning the rest of my life.”
