Gary glared at his computer screen, anxiously chewing the inside of his cheek. Fidgeting with his fingers, he left the device and stood, ambling over to the window to stare at the world outside for several minutes.

“Mr. Ford?” his phone speaker crackled.

“Yes, Agnus,” he replied, straightening his tie.

“They’re waiting for you in the conference room.”

“Oh!” he leapt into action. “I wish you would give me a two-minute warning on these things.”

“Yes, sir,” she replied, ending the connection.

Collecting his stack of materials, Gary dashed out of his office and raced down the hall. “Sorry I’m late,” he mumbled as he took his seat. Glancing around at the others, he tried to clear his head, but lately he had found being in the office, sitting behind a desk, difficult. Paying attention through endless meetings and discussions wore on his nerves in a way he had never imagined anything could.

Two hours later, he made it back from the boardroom in time to bid his secretary a pleasant evening. “Are you doing anything tonight?” he asked as she prepared to leave.

“No,” she chuckled, “my boys are grown, and there are no grandbabies yet. We’ll leave the light on and pass out a few treats, but that’s about it.”

“Ah, well,” he grinned, waving her off, “enjoy the trick-or-treaters then.”

Watching her go, he felt forlorn. He had taken the job as the junior VP in charge of sales when Omar retired in January, to his mother’s relief. She had done all that she could to bring him into the family business since he was twenty, and she had finally gotten her wish. He had worked hard and had even enjoyed it on some level through the spring and summer. But as fall set in and the days grew short, he knew he really couldn’t hack it.

Oh, he could do the job. He was a good leader, and had good people who worked under him; that wasn’t the problem. He hated it; that was the problem. The suit, the desk, the stuffy office and the constant come and go of people. I can’t take it anymore, he sighed to himself as he packed his briefcase. I wish I could bring myself to tell Candy I want to go back to the fire department.

But he couldn’t, and not just because of his bride. His mother would be devastated if he were to leave after finally agreeing to take the job. Clicking the latches shut, he knew he would have to tough it out. Maybe things will look better in the new year, he placated to himself. Maybe then I’ll start to feel… useful.

Arriving at the house after a stop at the market, Gary pulled into the garage and gathered his briefcase and a couple of blue plastic bags containing a few items for that evening’s dinner. Carrying them in, he paused and hit the button mounted on the wall that would close the wide door, hiding his SUV behind it. Turning to the fridge, he stacked his purchases inside, and then called, “Honey, I’m home!” as he placed his black case on the counter.

Bounding down the stairs, his wife of almost a year paused, looking him up and down before she smiled.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, giving himself a quick inspection.

“No,” she breathed. “You look so nice, I’m not sure I should wrinkle your suit.”

“Don’t be silly,” he laughed, stepping forward and sweeping her five-foot frame into his arms. “Oh, Candy,” he breathed into the top of her hair, the scent of her pushing his worries out of his mind.

“Daddy!” Daks squealed, squeezing in next to his mother to get a grip on one of Gary’s legs.

“Hey, buddy!” he patted Dakota on the back, releasing the boy’s mother at the same time. “How were things today? Did you have a party at school?” Slipping off his jacket, he followed the younger male into the living room, where his toys were scattered about. Dropping the garment over the back of a chair, he sat on the rug next to the coffee table. “What shall we play?”

“Woo-woos,” Daks replied, dragging over the large fire engine Gary had given him two Christmases ago. “Woo-woos, daddy.”

“Woo-woos,” Gary repeated, gathering a few items they would need for his step-son’s favorite game. “Ok, this is the fire…” he began.

Watching them from the doorway, Candy sighed. Gary had become an excellent father, just as she knew he would. For ten months, their lives had been as close to perfect as anything she had ever known. Her eyes growing misty, she turned her back and dabbed at them, opting for the back porch.

Dammit, she sobbed as she stared at the orange and red painted trees that swayed gently before her.

Everything’s going to be fine, she mentally debated. But Candy didn’t feel fine. The cooler weather meant that Christmas was coming, and over the years that holiday had been anything but kind to her.

Her son’s special needs and her mother’s frailty never far from her thoughts, the young woman wrapped herself tightly with her arms and gave herself a firm squeeze. Everyone’s going to be fine this year, she repeated her mantra.

Her husband’s family would be arriving soon for their traditional Halloween meal, and she needed to finish preparing before they arrived.

Slipping back into the kitchen, she set to work, focusing on the task at hand. But her mind continued to churn.

After dinner, the children would all set out to trick or treat. Daks’ll enjoy it, she reminded herself. And this year, Christmas is going to come and go without a hitch; at least she hoped that it would.