AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do you want something to drink, dear?” Mrs. Tilton asks as I start to climb back down the ladder.
“Sure!”
“Hot chocolate?” she asks and I nod.
I close up the ladder and grab the now empty light box, and head up to the front door. By the time I’m done, she’s coming back outside with two cups of hot chocolate.
“Thanks,” I tell her, taking a sip.
“Thank you! I could never climb up there to do all of that. You’re a real lifesaver.”
“It’s my pleasure,” I tell her honestly.
“Any big plans for Christmas?” she asks.
“Yeah, my foster sister, Gwen, is coming over. She’s going to Sequoia University, so I don’t get to see her as much as I’d like.” I don’t even try to contain the smile stretching out over my face. I’ve missed her, but I’m so happy she has the opportunity to study what she loves.
“I’m glad you’ll be able to spend some time with her. Do you have any other family coming to town?” She eyes me over her mug of hot chocolate with more than a little interest. I know she’s trying to pull information out of me, but I don’t mind. I’m an open book.
“Nope, just Gwen. We’re all we have, and all we need.” Mrs. Tilton gives me a sympathetic smile, so I flip the question back on her. “What about you?”
Just like I hoped, she launches into all of her upcoming plans. She’s going out of town to visit her son soon. He just had the first grandbaby and she can’t wait to hold her and spend time with everyone.
“Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask. Who lives there?” I ask her, nodding to the house next to mine as I finish off my hot chocolate.
“Oh, that’s Pax. He’s some kind of recluse or something. I can’t remember the last time I saw him out and about.”
“Huh. How long has he been in the neighborhood?”
“Oh, let me think…” The woman trails off, looking over at the house in question. “Years and years. I’ve never seen him with anyone on the rare occasions he actually leaves his house.”
“That sounds lonely,” I say, my chest aching for the man hidden behind those four walls. Mrs. Tilton nods, taking my empty mug from me.
“Maybe you can spread some of your Christmas cheer over there,” she suggests and I smile, waving as I head back to grab my ladder.
Maybe she’s right. I have a few strands of lights left at my place. I could go hang them up on his roof and maybe grab something for the yard. I think I have an extra wreath or red bow around here somewhere.
I gather my supplies and bring my ladder over to his house, pausing to knock. No one answers and I bite my lip, wondering if I should wait. The logical side of my brain says to check back later. But the Christmas side of my brain is already full steam ahead, wanting to decorate the crap out of this place. Plus, today is my only day off and I won’t have time to help for another week.
I make a decision and go grab the lights from my place before I set up the ladder and climb up to his roof. I make my way up to the peak, holding on to the chimney there as I slip on a patch of ice. I steady myself, moving over to the edge and starting to string up the lights. I move over an inch, standing when my shoe gets caught on a shingle and that’s when it happens.
I slip on the ice, losing my balance and tip backward.
Straight into the chimney.
TWO
Pax
I ignorethe knock at my door. It’s probably just a delivery driver dropping off a package. My brother always sends my Christmas gifts a few days early and I’m guessing it’s from him. He lives up in Redwood and will be coming to visit in a few days but he always buys his gifts online and ships them here.
No one else would darken my doorstep, that’s for sure. And that’s just the way I like it. It’s not that I hate people. I simply prefer to be by myself. Recluse, hermit, grumpy bastard, I’ve been called it all. Truthfully, however, I just don’t fit in. Nothing traumatic happened, I don’t have a sob story, I just… haven’t found a place to belong.
I turn on the TV, hoping to drown out my thoughts. Instead, it just adds to the noise in my head. I’ve been unsettled and antsy for the last few days, and I can’t figure out why. Maybe it’s just the holiday season, or maybe I’ve just been cooped up in this house for too long. Deep down, however, I know it’s more than that. It’s not just restlessness that keeps me up at night. I hate to admit it, but I think I’m…lonely.
I turn the TV off, sighing as I head downstairs. I have more money than I could spend in ten lifetimes. I could have every luxury at my fingertips. Yet, none of that holds the same appeal it once did. What does any of it mean without someone to share it with?
Fuck, I’m getting sentimental. It really must be the holiday season. Maybe some time in my home gym will help me burn off whatever funk I’ve gotten myself into.
