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“I’d like to go shopping with Stephanie and Olive. Please. Please. Please,” I beg, stepping closer to him. He holds his hand out before I can get within a foot of him.
“Don’t touch me. I just finished a run. Fine, just be careful, yeah? You know how to drive in the snow?”
“I grew up here, man. Of course, I do,” I lie. I always had Mom drive me to school junior and senior year when it snowed.
“Okay, whatever. The keys are on the counter.”
“You’re the best! Thank you!” I skip down the stairs and make myself a bowl of ramen and an egg.
…
At 7:30, I wake up and get in the shower, ready for a day of Christmas shopping. I can practically hear jingle bells as I put on Mariah Carrey, taking my time in the shower with my shaving routine that leaves me silky smooth. I spray my cocoa cashmere perfume across my wrists and neck, finishing it with a small spritz of festive peppermint. In California, Christmas was more stressful than anything. We could hardly afford gifts for one another; the trees were expensive and flimsy and had to be short to fit in the apartment. Even though I know I will miss Mom so much this year, I’m also excited to have snow for Christmas day.
I pull up my tight black pants and a pair of leg warmers, pairing them with tall fuzzy boots that may look like 2010 but feel like heaven. My hair stays loose around my shoulders, covering my ears from the cold. It’s only been a couple years since I’ve experienced a Minnesota winter, but I’m feeling the pain of Jack Frost.
I swipe mascara up my lashes and make sure to fill in the bottom lashes too, finishing my look with some matte blush and cat-eye liner that compliment my brown eyes. After making sure I have my bag, my gloves, and my extra phone charger, I head down the stairs and swipe Elijah’s keys from the counter.
I go through the garage and start the engine, appreciating how sturdy the car feels. The GPS leads me for about forty minutes down some windy snowy roads all the way to Stephanie’s Mom’s place. It’s a smaller townhouse but is quaintly decorated in Christmas lights and surrounded by tall Evergreen trees. Before I can get out, Stephanie and Olive run out of the house, hand-in-hand, and then hop into the car with Stephanie in the front and Olive in the back.
“Who’s ready for some shopping?” I say, looking at Olive through the rearview mirror.
“Oh, my god, yes, please. I’m so sick of that fucking house,” Stephanie grumbles, crossing her arms.
“What’s going on?” I ask, turning on Stephanie’s heated seat.
“Just their typical fighting spree, so uncomfortable. You came at a perfect time. I need a coffee, so let’s go.”
I back out of their snowy driveway and back onto the main road. “Sacred Grounds?”
“Girl, where else?” Stephanie laughs. “The peppermint mocha is actually good, really good.”
“I expected to see Elijah in here,” Olive adds. “Where is he?”
“I—um—I’m not sure. I didn’t want him to come. I’m getting him gifts today, too.”
“I’m surprised he let you drive his car; he seems so possessive. But I guess that’s not the only thing he’s possessive about,” Stephanie giggles.
“You have no idea,” I comment, withholding the finer details about hisforeverdeal. “But we’ve been good since the whole thing happened. I think we’re closer now than ever.”
They talk about the gifts they want to get for their families and, of course, Levi all the way until I’m parking the Jeep outside my work. The drive was a bit scary, but nothing I couldn’t manage. Luckily, the snow stopped and it was a clear drive for miles.
We walk in and order three peppermint lattes, satisfied with our drinks as we leave.
I drive them down to Old Town and end up having to park right in front of the empty storefront lot.
“Isn’t this the place that had that guy thrown into it?” Olive mentions, opening the back door.
“It looks a lot better now,” Stephanie says, joining her on the snowy sidewalk.
I’m half tempted to tell them the whole story about Derek and how Elijah was the guy who shoved him. But I’m still walking on eggshells a bit when it comes to showing them my history and craziness level. I’m also not sure if Derek took my threat seriously on Halloween. That feels like forever ago. He must have, because Elijah and I are both doing fine.
We let Olive lead the way down the shops that were all cutely decorated for Christmas and Hanukkah. She turns abruptly into a quaint boutique with a judgy shop owner that looks like she’s saying, “you can’t afford anything here, peasants.” I pick up a bowl, gently setting it back down after realizing it costs $90. Stephanie pulls Olive out, and we go back onto the street in search of a more affordable business.
One thing I like about Olive is that she’s always moving with the wind, never letting things bother her. Or so it seems. She’s so dainty and pretty compared to Stephanie’s intense beauty and sharp features. I think the three of us make a good trio.
I tell them I want to split up to look at different stores, leaving out the part where I need to still get them both a gift. My first stop is an underground bookshop that smells like tobacco and paper. I’m not much of a reader, but some of these books are fascinating with their ancient leather-bound texts and histories of the town of St. Paul. I find a book that features some of the best hockey players throughout time at the University of St. Paul. As I’m flipping through the pages, I’m surprised to see a young picture of my dad standing with his old teammates. I shove the book under my arm and make the purchase, happy with my choice.
I’m still not sure what I want to get for Elijah as I cross the street and enter another crowded shop. On their display, they have hockey memorabilia and NHL blankets. That’d be perfect for Elijah, like a little inside joke.
