Christmas Eve

 

So, this is Christmas, and I look around at my empty home. I have no tree up or decorations. I didn’t mail those Christmas cards that still sit in the box on the coffee table. I don’t have anyone to spend the day with. My family is all in another state, my friends all have plans. It’s just me sitting here on Christmas Eve feeling sorry for myself. I guess I only have myself to blame by putting work before anything else. I could have quickly jumped on a plane home. I would have been sipping hot chocolate next to the fireplace with mom, dad, and my siblings. When you want your career to move forward, you risk everything.

I curl myself up on the couch and cover up with a blanket. I open the romance novel that I’ve meant to read for the last few months. I get a few chapter’s in and toss the book aside. Blah, blah, it’s all the same; the love story with an HEA. I start to wonder if that will ever be me, finding the love of my life. I laugh to myself; it hasn’t happened yet, why would it now. My life is work and more work. Gosh, I’m lonely.

Deciding to go for a drive, I go and get my coat. I circle the blocks looking at all the houses decorated with lights. Every one of them beautiful and different. I’ve been driving around for at least an hour. I head downtown towards the park. Families are ice-skating on the outdoor rink. Men and woman in love and holding hands. I stop and watch all the happy people milling around. I look over to my right and see the last of the Christmas trees for sale. I get out of my car and walk over to them. Touching the pines and smelling the scent, they give off. My family doesn't use real trees; my mom is allergic to the smell. Not watching where I’m going, I trip over a tiny Charlie Brown tree. Thank God, I didn’t fall; that would have been embarrassing.

I lean the tree back into its place, and a voice says. “It’s Christmas Eve; you can just take that home with you.”

“Oh no, I was just looking.”

“Please take it home with you; less I have to cart out of here tonight,” he says with a smile and walks away.

What the hell am I going to do with a tree? I think it over, maybe I can find a family who needs this more than I do. I put Charlie in my car and walk around the park for a while. I don’t really see anyone who might want it. It’s getting cold, and my feet are frozen to the bone. I might as well head home.

I live in a quiet neighborhood. I have to wait for the kids to clear the street before I can pull into my driveway. They are playing a game of street hockey and having fun. I unlock my front door and head upstairs to change into my sweats. My feet are so cold I decide to take a bath. I turn on the water to let the tub fill. Shit, I left Charlie out in the car. I rush back down the stairs to go out to get him. When I am trying to get the tree out of the back seat, a voice from behind startles me.

“Need help with that, Ma’am?”

I turn to see a man smiling at me with the brightest white teeth that are all perfectly straight. Damn, where did he come from? I try to close my mouth that probably hit the pavement beneath my feet.

“Thank you, Sir. I think I can handle this little tree.”

“Oh come on, it's Christmas Eve, let me help a beautiful woman out.”

“Oh shit, I left my bath water running! Sure, can you just leave it by the door?” I take off running for my door.

I run up the stairs two at a time. Thankfully the water didn’t overflow the tub. I go back down to bring the tree inside. I open the door to find him standing there with my tree in his hands.

I reach for my tree, “Thank you for your help.”

“Let me bring it inside for you and help you set it in a stand.”

“Oh you don’t need to do that, I can do it later.”

“Really, it’s no trouble at all. Besides, it’s Christmas, I want to help.”

“Don't you have a family to bug? Who are you anyways? I’ve never seen you in the neighborhood before.”

“I do have a family, they live across the street. I was out playing hockey with the kids; thought I’d lend you a hand.”

“How thoughtful of you to want to help, but really, I don’t have a stand or decorations for Charlie. So I really don’t need your help any further.”

“Charlie, huh? That’s cute. Go take your bath, and I’ll be back in a half hour.”

I stand here watching him jog away and walk into the garage across the street. I never knew the couple had kids. But I probably wouldn’t because I’ve never talked to them before. I just mind my own business and give a wave when I see them outside.

I strip out of my clothes and get in the tub. The hot water burns against my cold feet. I’m only in long enough to get the chill out. I get dressed in my sweats and run my fingers through my strawberry blonde hair, which I just had cut yesterday. It was shoulder length, but I really like this shorter cut. I hear the doorbell ring and think to myself, God I hope he didn’t come back.

I open the door to see him holding a tree stand and a bag of decorations. He smiles at me, and I shake my head. I open the door wider to let him in.

“You really didn’t need to go to all this trouble.”

“Oh yes, I did. You can’t have Christmas and not have a pretty tree to look at.”

“Who are you anyways?”

“Sorry about my manors, I’m Kevin, and you are?”

“I’m Eve, don’t say anything about that either.”

He gives me a laugh and damn it, he has a gorgeous smile. I lead him into my living room and ask if he would like a drink. I go to the kitchen and get two beers and when I get back, he has Charlie in the stand. He opens the bag of goodies and pulls out lights.

“I didn’t have a chance to see if these work so we might want to before we put them on the tree.”

“You really don’t have to do this. You are very kind.”

“I know I didn’t have to, I want to, and that’s the difference. I caould leave, if you would like.”

I think about it for a whole two seconds. “No stay, you are entertaining.” I give him a wink. It’s more like he’s easy on the eyes.

We string the lights and add the silver garland. It’s looking more like a Christmas tree than a poor dying house plant. When he touches my hand, an electrifying current runs through me. I look up his tall frame and our eyes lock. He gives me a wink and steps away.

“Eve, you should move Charlie to the front window.”

“Why is that?”

“So Santa knows to stop here tonight. You’ve been good this year, right?”

Laughing out loud at him. I laugh so hard, I double over holding my stomach. “Kevin, I work non-stop. So I don’t see how I have time to do anything to be put on the naughty list.”

“Maybe that is why you are naughty, you aren’t enjoying life enough.”

“Really, hmm. What do you do to enjoy life?”

He comes over and stands in front of me and places a hand on my face. He leans the rest of the way in and puts his lips to mine. I don’t open to him, boy do I want to, though. He pulls back and takes a few steps backward.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I should probably head home.”

“Yeah, you probably should.”

He walks out the door, and I lock it behind him. Finishing off the beer I had; I go get another one. What was that all about? Damn, Eve, hot guy kisses you, and you don’t kiss him back! I feel my forehead; nope no fever. I throw myself on the couch and cover my face with my hands. What the hell is wrong with you girl! I let out a big sigh.

I sit here looking out the window, back to Charlie and decide he would look better in the front window. I move him, and when he is all lit up, I look across the street. It’s bright in their house, and I can clearly see inside. Dancing around in what must be the living room is Kevin with a little girl in his arms. Something must be funny as his head it tilted back and a smile lights up his face. Can I have him for Christmas? I say out loud. Putting that thought away I go pick up the book I was reading earlier. I read for the rest of the night until bed. I go unplug my tree and see everyone must be sleeping across the road.