Page 36 of Four Letter Feelings

“Next year, eh? Think I’ll get invited back then do ya?”

“With food like that? Abso-freakin’-lutely. Not to mention you clean up after yourself, she loves people who clean up after themselves, and good manners, she loves good manners. You going back up north for Christmas?”

“Yeah. I gotta get through my parents’ wedding anniversary first, it’s a few days before Christmas. Then Christmas eve is my mom’s birthday.”

“Holy shit, that’s an expensive few days, man.”

“Tell me about it! I’m lucky they’re rich, I guess.” He shrugged.

Poor little rich boy, Jer. Do you hear yourself right now? Man you can be a douche sometimes!

“Any ideas what you’re going to get them? Do you get them something for each thing? Or one big gift? I wouldn’t even know how to handle that, Jer. My folks are lucky if I remember to get everyone Christmas gifts. Ana keeps me on track with the birthday calendar.”

Jeremy laughed. “Usually I get a series of small things. It’s not about the money, right? It’s more the thought behind it. This year I’m thinking of getting them some theater tickets.”

“They theater types? My parents love that shit, too.”

“Yeah, my mom can’t get enough of musicals, man. I was thinking I’d get them a couple pairs of tickets to City Theater in Detroit.”

“My parents went there once, I think. It’s a small theater, right? It’s the quirky theater?”

“Yeah, not even five hundred seats, it’s got the hockey café there, too. It’s a Red Wings themed restaurant, which we can forgive them for, eh?”

AJ chuckled. “I mean, maybe. It depends on the day.”

“They make great in-house soups and chilies which my mom loves, they’ve got a bunch of draft beers – Dad goes to his happy place for a good draft beer – and they do the best mac and cheese I’ve ever tasted. They say it’s just pulled pork on top, but I think they sprinkle it with crack cocaine or some shit. It’s the best. They do all kinds of things at that theater, concerts, plays and comedy shows. I think I heard on the radio that Godspell is going to be on in January. My mom loves Godspell, so that’s a no brainer. Just gotta get my ass in gear and buy the damn things. What about you? Any ideas about what you’re going to get your family for Christmas?” Jeremy asked, popping some cheese bread in his mouth.

“Ha! Sure. Ask me on Christmas Eve!”

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