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“Are you still having nightmares? Merr–”
I held my hand up. “Each one is filled with more and more detail.”
“It’s like your mind is trying to put the pieces together. Did you see anyone yet?”
I shook my head. “Now what is it that you were yelling about?”
She took my hand and dragged me down the hall. “This!”
In my living room, standing before me, was a Christmas tree. It was short, about my height, and decorated with colorful lights and red bows. There was a single ornament hanging from one of the branches. It was a 1970 cherry red Chevelle – an exact replica of my old car. On another nearby branch, a note was dangling with the words “Open Me” written across it.
“Chase did this while you were sleeping. How romantic!” Shelly cooed.
I smiled as I took the note off the tree. “He is a romantic.”
“Has he been around more?”
“Nope. He’s still staying after hours at the shop. I try to stay and help, but he just shoos me out. I’m starting to think it’s me.”
“No way.” Shelly bounced onto the couch. “He’s definitely overwhelmed with taking over his dad’s business, especially with Christmas right around the corner.”
I sat on the couch next to her, and unfolded the note: You know I wouldn’t let you get away with not having a tree for Christmas… even though your gift won’t quite fit under there. Meet me at the shop tonight at seven. I love you.
Shelly squealed in excitement as she read the note over my shoulder.
I held my ear in pain. “And there goes my eardrum.”
“Sounds like he’s going to make up for all the lost time.” She nudged me playfully. “Maybe tonight will be the night.”
“No, tonight is not the night.”
“But he just gave you a Christmas tree!”
“So now I have to have sex under it?”
“You’re going to have to give it up to him eventually, you know.”
“Yes, I know. I will do it when I’m ready to. We’ve only been dating a few weeks, Shell. Relax. Maybe you’re the one who needs to go get laid.”
“I am in a healthy sexual relationship. My vagina is extremely happy, thank you very much.”
“Good. I’m glad for you and your vagina.” I stood and walked to my room to get dressed.
“My vagina feels sad for your vagina,” she called down the hallway.
“My vagina just gave your vagina the finger,” I yelled back.
I heard her giggling from the living room and I smiled. Chase was preoccupied lately, but I was not worried about the lack of attention. Though his dad was not doing well, he was still here. His family would get to spend Christmas together, and I understood how important that was. Though I had told him that I did not want a tree, he insisted, and I think it was more for him than anything else. If he focused on getting me through my first Christmas without my dad, it would somehow get him through his last Christmas with his.
I helped Shelly pick out presents for Brody and her family the rest of the day. It helped pass the time until meeting Chase at seven. It was odd that he asked me to meet him at work, but I did not care as long as I got to spend some time with him.
“There’s my girl.” A huge smile spread across Chase’s face when I walked through the garage door promptly at seven o’clock.
I wrapped my arms around him. “Thank you for the tree.”
“Do you like it?”
“I love it. It was very thoughtful of you.”
