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“Merry Christmas,” Sawyer said to his grandmother on Christmas morning. Late morning really. They were having more a brunch-type meal today in his eyes. He saw there were some cars next door at the Fierce’s house but not all. Not Faith’s.
She’d told him she’d be there later in the day and he was more likely to be gone by then. They had plans for tomorrow anyway, so that was good enough.
“Merry Christmas, my favorite grandson,” his grandmother said.
He laughed and put his box of gifts under the tree. It was hard to buy for everyone at this point in his life. He’d rather give gift cards since it was easy but easy was something he tried not to do since it felt like that was all his mother did for him as a kid.
Instead, he spent some time finding things he knew everyone would like.
“I’m your only grandson,” he said. “Your only grandchild.”
“Yep,” his grandmother said. “As much as I would have liked more, then I should have had more than one kid myself for it.”
“Better than me having a sibling going through the same crap I did,” he said.
His grandfather cleared his throat from the living room when he said that. His grandparents had a nice big house in this development. More space than they needed. They’d worked hard most of their lives. His grandmother was a retired teacher; his grandfather worked in finance and allowed his grandmother to either not work at all or retire early, which she did.
“That’s not nice,” his grandfather said.
“Yeah, I know,” he said. “Dad did what he could the best he could. When he finally had enough. And we shouldn’t be talking about old news on a holiday. Where is Dad?”
“He’ll be here soon,” his grandmother said. “Can I get you something to eat or drink?”
“I’ll take a coffee,” he said. “We’ll be eating soon. Smells good.”
There would be an arrangement of baked goods and casseroles with eggs in it and meats and cheese. He wasn’t a fussy eater and this worked for him. He’d take home a lot too and they’d be easy things for him to heat up.
His grandmother always made way too much.
He walked to the kitchen and poured his cup. He drank it black. It was easier that way. He had always been a simple man anyway.
“How is work going?” his grandfather asked.
“It’s good. Same old same old,” he said. He never talked in much detail. He couldn’t really and it’s not like he wanted to bring it home with him. But he would add some more details about his life or they’d ask him questions nonstop. “Went to James’s Christmas Eve party last night and got to hang out with more coworkers.”
“That’s nice,” his grandmother said. “Any young single women there for you?”
He sipped his coffee, tasted the hint of cinnamon in it and knew his grandmother was using a special blend for the day. He held back his grin as he’d gotten her a coffee bean grinder and some specialty beans. She did love her coffee.
“There were a few,” he said. “But I’m not interested.”
Not only did he have someone he was interested in and had no intention of telling a soul that lived on this street, but he also had no desire to be around a woman that used another.
He’d seen Ellen last night going from guy to guy, her hand on their arms. Flirting with them the same way she did with him.
She was looking for someone to move her up in either her career or social status with the force. Or maybe it was more, but he wasn’t going to be the fool to find out.
“You’re not interested in much other than work,” his father said, walking in with some gifts too. Just a few bags in a box.
“Nothing wrong with that,” he said. He was going to be more careful about what he said now that he suspected what might be happening.
Or maybe he just had to let it play out. It’s not like Faith’s name ever came up around him so he didn’t think it was a big deal. They probably had someone else in line for her and she’d have to play that out the way she wanted.
“You’re getting up there in age,” his grandmother said. “Maybe I’d like to see some great-grandchildren before I die.”
“You’re healthy as a horse,” he said. There was no way Sawyer wanted to think of them not being in his life. He knew he was lucky that they were healthy and still around. All four of his grandparents, though he didn’t talk to his mother’s parents as often.
He’d called them this morning because it was the thing to do. It was nice to hear their voices. He should go visit but finding the time wasn’t always easy. And then he ran the risk of running into his mother and he didn’t want that either.
