Three days passed and Gabe dutifully accompanied Lisa to the theme parks, not just dropping her off but also staying with her.

Despite her reservations, they’d had fun, holding hands on the rides and taking pictures of each other. The long waits went by quickly as they chatted and learnt more about each other’s lives and their families.

Lisa loved every moment and the worry about whether coming to Florida was a good idea or not, evaporated quickly. Despite sore feet and fatigue from cramming so much into such a short time, she loved every minute and was happy that Gabe had changed his mind. She didn’t know why or how, but she was delighted to have had three magical days with him.

On the highway, returning to the Stones’ home, Lisa sat back in her seat, grateful to not be standing. “I know you didn’t want to come with me―”

Watching him, she noted his forehead crease. “It’s not you. I’d come to Florida to see Dan and Judy, it didn’t seem right to spend the time at the parks.”

“But you have.” She gave him a nudge with her elbow. “It’s been great.” And it had been, but despite the joy of the past three days, Lisa was a realist. The holiday romance would soon be over. Back in New York, he’d return to the astute businessman he was. He had twenty stores to manage, family to take care of, and staff to be responsible for. The man sitting next to her wearing a T-shirt, cargo pants, and a baseball cap was very different to the man he was in his hometown.

They were driving back to the Stones’ and they passed a sign indicating they would be there soon. “I have a surprise for you,” he said.

Excitement welled in her belly. She loved surprises. “For me? What is it?”

He turned to her and gave her a smile that just made her want to smile in return. “We’re going to a Chanukah party tonight,” he said.

She clasped her hands to her chest. “Wonderful, is it at a Synagogue or close by?”

“It’s at the Stones’,” he announced in a determined voice.

She stifled a giggle. “Their house is beautifully decorated for Christmas.”

He stole a look at his watch. “We’ve got an hour before the guests arrive. So you need to have a quick shower and get changed into something festive.”

“Sounds like a plan,” she said, excitement zipping along her spine. “I can’t wait.”

Exactly fifty-five minutes later, Lisa walked into the Stones’ living room and astonishment made her freeze. Alongside the festive Christmas decorations were Chanukah ones, making the room party-like. A long trestle table had been set up with platters of food covering every inch.

“I just took a photo of the surprised look on your face,” Gabe said, walking up to her and threading his arm around her waist.

“It looks amazing, how did this happen?” she said, looking around again, admiring the decorations.

“You got me thinking about loved ones and their memories so I decided to organise a surprise party, in memory of your grandparents.”

Lisa’s lips pressed together to prevent a sob from erupting from her lips. Her grandparents would’ve loved Gabe and they would’ve loved the lengths he’d gone to for her.

She hugged him tight. “Thank you, Gabe. This is the best present.”

He gently kissed her lips. “I’m so glad you’re here. The anniversary of Tom’s passing, yesterday, was a little easier to manage, thanks to you.”

“Where did all of this come from?” Her arm waved around the room, indicating the Chanukah-themed tablecloth, napkins, and hanging decorations.

“We ordered them in,” he said in a throw-away voice. “Judy and I.”

A bigger smile stretched across her lips. “I love it.”

He led her to the buffet table and pointed to the plates of donuts. Made to your grandfather’s secret recipe. Halva donuts and chocolate donuts.”

Her hand came up to her mouth as she stifled a sob. “I’m going to cry.”

“You can cry after the party, Judy won’t forgive you after she spent the past two days baking.” He produced a clean handkerchief from his pocket and she used it to dab the corners of her eyes.

“How did you get the recipe…” she started to say, then stopped. “Gabe, when you want something, you just go out and get it.”

“Your parents send their love. Now stand over there”―he pointed to the end of the buffet―“and smile, so I can send a picture of you to them.”

* * *

Gabe’s heart thumped away as Lisa oohed and aahed over the party he’d organised with thanks to Judy’s amazing cooking skills. With thanks to the local Rabbi’s wife, they’d koshered Judy’s kitchen and helped her prepare all the foods with local ingredients but conformed to kosher laws.

Getting Lisa’s parents’ number from Charlotte hadn’t been difficult even if she had snapped at him. Her moody behaviour didn’t worry him. She was a talented marketer and if anyone could pull of the free cuts for the homeless campaign on the first Tuesday of every month it was her.

He took a number of pictures of Lisa grinning in front of the table, then a picture of her pretending to eat a donut. These were all easily sent electronically to her parents who, he knew, were missing her.

Within minutes, the house was filled with guests, who lived in the retirement home, and were clearly delighted to be invited to the lavish Chanukah party.

For the next hour, he and Lisa chatted with the guests while enjoying the food from the buffet.

One older gentleman approached him and shook his hand. “Thanks for inviting us.”

“You’re welcome,” Gabe replied.

“The party is for your girlfriend.” The man looked at Lisa, then returned his gaze to Gabe.

Gabe’s heart skipped a beat, still unsure what Lisa was to him. He didn’t like labels. So he nodded in reply.

The man then headed toward the makeshift bar where everyone was enjoying the whiskey he’d provided.

He and Lisa had spent a lot of time holding hands, kissing, and talking, but they hadn’t made plans that went past New Year. His tummy tumbled in recognition of whose fault it was. His.

But for the time being, the party was successful and everyone was clearly enjoying themselves because no one looked like they were leaving soon. Most of the food had been eaten and Lisa’s face was glowing with excitement.

He silently congratulated himself on tonight before the Rabbi shushed them so he could speak. After thanking Gabe, Lisa, Judy, and Dan for hosting the event, he reminded everyone about the significance of the festival and that it wasn’t just about food, as delicious as it was.

There were chuckles from around the room.

“I was speaking to Lisa and she told me why Chanukah was her favourite festival.” He paused. “Her grandfather, Yaacov ben Moshe, of blessed memory, would bring the family together and remind them that this festival was about bringing in light.” He turned to look at him. “Gabe organised this party in memory of Jacob and Elisheva Sassoon, Lisa’s grandparents. This is a time to remind ourselves of the important of doing good deeds, we all need to do mitzvot and bring light into this world.”

Gabe caught Lisa’s gaze and her eyes were filled with tears of gratitude. He didn’t want gratitude but was glad she was happy. This party was for her.

The Rabbi walked to the menorah and lit the candles before starting a rendition of “Maot Tsur” so everyone could join in the song.

Lisa sidled up to him. “What you did tonight was amazing and to honour my grandparents, means so much to me.”

He brushed his lips against hers. “I know. Chanukah Sameach.”

He took her hand, leading her outside and they stood in the manicured garden, in the darkness. “Judy and Dan are starting a fund to help vets who are struggling to return to civilian life. All in Tom’s name. You did that.” The mention of the fund and Tom’s name was no longer a sharp pain to his gut. Over the past few days he’d found himself remembering the fun they’d had as boys rather than focussing on the pain of his friend ending his life.

“Over the past few days, I’ve been thinking about Tom, a lot. I remembered how I had my first Christmas with the Stones, and how we shared a tent at the school camp. The day he was drafted to the army, we celebrated with beer and the day he returned from leave and attended my graduation was one of the happiest days of my life.”

“You should remember all the good times and not just dwell on the sad ending. He was part of your life for twenty-five years,” she said, and it was true, but it had taken her to make him see that.

He kissed her nose. “You did the right thing by talking about Tom. They really needed someone to be there for them.”

He saw a frown crease her forehead. “But you’ve done that, over the past three years.”

He scrubbed a face across his face. “I have been here but what they needed from me was not what I was giving.” His heart grew remorseful as he recognised that he could’ve done more for them.

She shook her head. “What do you mean?”

He rubbed his chest in an attempt to alleviate the tightness. “They needed to talk about Tom, not just focus on his death.”

She trailed her fingers along the side of his face. “You did that for them.”

“No, you did that for them.” He brushed his lips against her and then felt her shiver. “You’re cold?”

“No, not at all.” Her arms came around his waist and she looked up at him. “I’m really happy. I’ve had a wonderful time with you, both here and in New York. I made a decision that in the New Year, I’m going to start travelling. The places I most want to see are Washington, Niagara Falls, San Francisco, and then returning home.”

“Home?” His belly fell to his knees. “You’re not staying longer?”

He watched her nibble her lip. “I’ve only got a few more weeks on my visa and you made me see that I was living in a cocoon as such. I’d gone from one shop of making coffee to another, hiding from people and gossip.” She paused. “Being here, having fun at the parks, made me realise that I’m in a fantastic country and should see the sights while I’m here. I’ll need to go home in February so I need to make the most of it. I’m going to visit historical sights and also have fun. Then I’m going home, start earning money, and do something else for myself.”

His belly knotted into a ball. “You don’t want to work for your parents?”

“I still will, I do love it. But I was thinking of having a day off and cooking for the needy or running classes for teens on how to cook.” She threw her hands in the air with such exuberance that he was forced to plaster a smile on his lips. “I’m going to do something in addition to what I do.”

Warmth radiated through his chest, loosening the pressure that was there only moments ago. “I don’t want to sound trite, but it sounds like you’ve gone through a metamorphis, like a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.”

Her eyes were soft and filled with an inner glow that made him see she was happy and content with her decision.

“It’s how I feel and I want to thank you for helping me see that.”

He’d done that? He’d made her change and now she was leaving him? But that was what he wanted, wasn’t it? He’d been upfront with her from the beginning. A vacation romance is what he’d wanted.

She took his hand and said, “Before I came to New York, I was listening to an interesting chat on talk back radio and they were discussing how hard it is for some men and women who return from a life in combat. They’ve faced life and death and then they return home and are expected to be unchanged. The world they left is unchanged but they’re not.” She gulped down some air as stress marred her forehead. “I don’t know what Tom went through but he was in combat. Physically he was fine but deep down, in his soul, perhaps part of it had been destroyed. We don’t know. But you’re not responsible. You’re not.”

She stopped and pressed her lips together. “There is no blame for you, for Tom, for his parents. I wanted this to be more than a holiday romance but I respect your decision. You were honest with me. I respect that. We’re going back to New York tomorrow and soon after, I’m leaving. I want to remember the fun times we had together. This party has been the highlight. But I don’t think I can bear to be with you anymore. We’re getting more involved and I’d rather end it now rather than later when I can see myself shattering into millions of pieces.”

She stood on tippy toes and kissed him gently on the mouth. “Thank you for everything.” And then she walked away, going into the house and closing the door behind her. Placing a barrier between them.

The air whooshed from his lungs and tiny silver stars danced in front of his eyes. She’d been upfront with him, just like he had with her.

But now, having her say those words and knowing she was leaving him hurt like he’d been punched in the belly, hard. This was what he wanted. He’d been forthright that he hadn’t wanted a relationship with her because…he couldn’t bear being happy while his friend was dead.

But the parents of Tom were focussing on his life, not his death. They were starting a fund to help other young men who were facing emotional upheaval and mental health issues. A fund, in Tom’s name, would start in the New Year.

Tom’s parents were doing this so as a friend, couldn’t he? If the parents could move into the “light” so could he.

He looked up at the night sky and gazed at the thousands of tiny lights that comforted him as he reflected on Lisa’s words. “Tom, my friend. I miss you every day. I never wanted to be happy because I felt I was betraying you. But I can’t let Lisa go.” He took a deep breath. “I want you both in my life.”

He also wanted to let go of the pain he’d gripped and held on to for so many years. Doing so wouldn’t betray his friendship with Tom. He knew that now. He’d been clinging to that lie for many years and it had taken a caring, wonderful woman for him to recognise that. The living have to keep on living.

He remembered the day he graduated and how proud his friend had been. His parents couldn’t afford college fees but he’d won a scholarship, persevering, studying hard. Tom had been so proud of him and they’d celebrated over beers.

Back in the present, brushing tears from his eyes, Gabe returned his gaze to the sky and spoke to his friend. “Your memory will live on but I’m here and you’re there. I need to live my life. I know you’d want me to. You were the best friend I ever had. I will never forget you.” He saluted and sent it skyward. “May your memory be a blessing.” With that final parting, he spun around and went into the house hoping he wasn’t too late to fix things with Lisa. The living had to keep on living. And that was what he intended to do.

Back in the house the party still going, everyone was having a good time. Lisa stood to the side chatting with the Rabbi’s wife. He interrupted them. “Excuse me, I need to speak with Lisa. Do you mind?”

The older woman turned to Lisa. “Go, I’ll speak to you later.” She waved Lisa away.

Worry lines appeared around her lips. “Is everything okay?”

He tugged her close and walked her to her bedroom before closing the door, not saying anything.

“Gabe?” she asked.

He saw the stiffness in her shoulders. “It’s fine, I just needed to talk to you,” he said, alleviating her worries.

“Really?” Her left eyebrow lifted.

“Yes.” He took her hand and they sat on the edge of the bed. “Lisa, I feel like I’ve been walking around blindfolded.”

“What do you mean?”

“As I told you, I’ve pushed everyone away, cloaking myself in grief and not allowing anyone close. The stupidity of it all was that everyone else was also hurting and missing him. Tom was part of my family, they also miss him, but I allowed myself into believing I was hurting the most.” He paused and took a deep breath before continuing.

“And that made me think. What was going through Tom’s mind? Was he annoyed at me calling him regularly? Did he view the world differently? Was our concern making him claustrophobic?” He shrugged. “I don’t know and we’ll never know. But what I do know is that letting you go will be the biggest mistake of my life.”

“What?” Her bottom lifted off the bed, as she jumped in surprise.

He took her hands in his. “I’m not going to push you away anymore. I want you with me, always.” His fingers ran along the side of her face and he allowed a moment to savour the softness of her skin. “I’m happy when you’re around. I want to be with you. I want to take you sightseeing and hold your hand on the trolley car. I want to kiss you at Niagara Falls and I want to be the first person you see in the morning and the last person at night.”

All the tension flowed out of him as the words tumbled out. “I know this is rushed and we have plenty of time to work out the geographical distances between us. We have to worry about visas and travelling but I’m prepared to do it, so you can be in my life.”

He lifted her hand and kissed each knuckle. “We belong together and I promise you that I will make you happy and proud that you chose me. I can’t wait to meet your family and one day”―he paused―“have one of our own. Would you like that?”

Lisa stood and leapt on him, he caught her but they fell backward onto the softness of the bed. “Do you really mean that?” she said. “It’s only been ten days.”

“I’ve known since I met you that you’re special. I don’t need more time to know that we belong together,” he said, holding her close.

She kissed him, pressing her lips hard against his mouth. “You’ve got me, for life. I’m yours.”

Their breaths mingled and she lowered her lips to meet his. They kissed tentatively. It may not be their first kiss but for Gabe, it was his first with Lisa, because now they were together. And would be forever.

She opened her mouth, welcoming him and they spent moments leisurely kissing before things started to heat up. Fire burned in his belly and all he wanted to do was to touch her all over and hear her sweet cries of completion.

The sound of shared laughter filled the room and he looked at her. “Do you feel like we shouldn’t be in here kissing when the party is still going on?” he asked, pressing his lips lovingly along her neck.

“Perhaps?” she said in an off-hand manner that told him she didn’t care about missing the party.

He kissed her again, this time with built-up longing and want. His hands roamed along her arms, her neck, before he trailed his fingers along her thigh.

“This is so wrong,” he whispered in her ear before giving it a tiny nibble.

Arrows of need ripped along his spine as her hands explored his torso. “You witch,” he said, leaving a length of kisses along her jaw and then toward her shoulder. “I can’t believe you’re in my life.”

“Can we thank the miracle of Chanukah?” She teased before running her tongue along his earlobe.

He shivered, again. He couldn’t believe this beautiful woman was his. “Can I thank that loser you dumped?” He gave the soft skin on her shoulder a tiny nibble.

“Urgh! We’re kissing and you mention him? Why?”

He ignored her semantics and threaded his hands through her hair, tugging her close. “He wouldn’t treasure you the way I will. He wouldn’t love you the way I will. He wouldn’t be there for you, like I will,” he whispered.

She shivered and ran her fingers up and down his arms. “You are my everything, Gabe. I’m so glad that somehow we ended up together.”

“Me too, sweetheart, me too.” He sighed before kissing away any more conversation.