Page 2 of Unwrapped

I decided to walk toward town. My stomach grumbled in pain. There wasn’t much food at Ma’s. Gran wasn’t much better, but when she’s home there’s usually some food in the fridge. She took off to spend Christmas with some guy she met in Reno last fall when she went took a bus trip out there.

Maybe, I’d sneak around the the diner if it was open and steal a stack of pancakes as the order comes up before the waitress notices. It wouldn’t be the first time.

The low growl of a truck’s engine comes from behind me. I don’t turn around. I don’t want no trouble. Instead, I bury my hands deeper in my coat pocket and keep looking down.

“Hey kid.”

Nervous, I walk faster.

“Ah, shit. Don’t be scared. I ain’t no perve.”

I look up and my eyes widen at the shiniest cherry red Ford pick-up I’d ever seen. It looked new and was the color of Santa’s suit.

The man grinned. “You like my truck?”

I nod, swallowing hard.

“My names Roger. My friends call me Meat. Get in. I’m going to a Christmas breakfast.”

I shake my head. “I can’t, Mister.”

He nods. “I know. I didn’t trust anyone either when I was your age. I ain’t dumb. A kid walking in the snow in his pajamas this early on Christmas morning tells me…you ain’t got someplace safe to go. I’ve been there, kid.” He reached for something in his cab then puts his arm covered in ink through the open window. “Here. Take this. Keep it.”

My eyes widen at the huge switch blade. My fingers gingerly take it from his.

“Merry Christmas, kid.”

He rolls up the window and crawls forward.

The knife is heavy in my hand. Hope uncurls from its hiding spot deep inside me.

“Wait!” I run after the man in the truck. He stops again. I race to the passenger side and open the door. “You sure you ain’t no pervert?”

“No, son. I’m just a man who was a kid just like you once.” His eyes are sincere. He’s big as a giant from one of those fairy tales I never believed in.

“Okay. Breakfast would be good. I’ll pay you back, Mister. I swear.”

He looks me over. “No need kid. The boys and I would be much obliged to have ya’.”

“Who are you?”

“I’m Creed. I belong to a brotherhood. It’s more like a family. You ever ride a dirt bike?”

I shake my head. “I haven’t done much of anything, mister.”

“Besides, keep yourself from getting’ beat. Am I right?”

I shrug. “Sometimes he gets me.”

Roger’s face darkens. “Not anymore, kid. You’re under my protection now. Merry Christmas, kid.”

“My name’s Darren.”

He grunts, “Good to meet ya’.” He pulls down a dirt road I’ve passed many times before. A large wooden building comes into view. Sassy’s is painted on the sign. Smoke curls from a chimney and a wreath hangs on the door. I follow him inside.

Men laugh and sing along to the Christmas songs booming from speakers on the wall. Two trees sit in opposite corners full of multi-colored lights. I sniff the air. Bacon and pine. Coffee and grits. No vodka. No drunks.

I smile so wide; my eyes cry happy tears.

---