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“Yeah, sleep.”
“I figured we can do some Christmas decorating while you’re locked up here. I don’t have anything in the house, but we can always go into the woods and cut down a tree. We could put it up and maybe make some garland.”
I glance up toward him, his hand on the doorknob. Cutting down a tree is random and not at all what I wanted out of the night, but I guess I’ll take it. “Okay. What, ugh, what kind of tree do you like?”
“No idea. Never had one.”
“You never had a tree?A Christmas tree?”
“Not since I was a kid. What kind do you like?”
“Wait, so you don’t have ornaments or—”
“Nothing. What do you reckon is best?”
“Well, I mean, it’s all personal preference, but I like the sparse trees, you know? The ones that look like they could use some love. And for ornaments, homemade is always best in my opinion. We could make them from lures or something. You must have some around.”
He nods. “I do. That sounds nice.”
I smile so wide that it’s probably strange. “Okay. That sounds fun!”
“Afterward we can come in and work on your gingerbread. I’ll help.”
The day sounds like a dream. “Thanks, that would be nice. I have to ask though, what do you do for Christmas without a tree?”
His brows raise and he turns back to me. I should’ve let him leave. He was trying to leave. Why am I asking him so many questions?
“My daughter, Jewel, had her baby a few months back, so I’m going to stop by their place Christmas morning and then I’ll probably reheat some soup and call it a day.” I haven’t met his daughter, but I know he didn’t know about her until a few months ago when her mother died, and she came looking for a dad that never knew she existed.
I also know she isn’t much younger than me. I ignore that part and continue on. “Why aren’t you spending the day with them?”
“Ah, they have their own life and family.”
“You are their family.”
“Not really. I mean, they just had a baby. They have their own memories to make. Besides, we’re closer than we were before, obviously, but we’re still getting to know each other.” He fidgets with his beard for a moment before saying, “What about you? Any plans?”
“I’ll be with my mom.” Oh shit! I mentioned her. I can’t decide if that’s good or bad. Either way, I keep going. “You two are friends, right? I forgot about that.”
He sits on the edge of the bed and brushes his hand down over his beard. “We are. She’s a nice lady.”
“Right.” I look away. God, he thinks my mom is nice. He’s probably into her. She makes much more sense for him, anyway.
“She is,” I finally say. “I’m lucky to have her.” I rub my eyes and fake a yawn. “Well, it’s pretty late. I should get to sleep. So should you. If you want to crawl into bed, I’d be cool with it. Honestly.”
I never understood the saying ‘Your mouth is writing checks your ass can’t cash’ until right now.
He shakes his head. “No, it’s… I’ll sleep on the couch.”
I laugh. “You will not sleep on that couch. Come lay down. We can be adults. Besides that, you’re doing me a favor. I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
Arnie opens his mouth and closes it again. “Did he put his hands on you? Ever?”
I look down and fold my hands together. I’ve never talked to anyone about the way Jack was with me. It’s too embarrassing. “I mean, he grabbed me a few times, but it’s nothing I couldn’t handle.”
Arnie’s eyes widen. “He grabbed you? How?”
“Just like… my arm. It wasn’t anything. I’m good. It’s over now.”
