Page 15 of A Gift of Time
Then, I remembered. I had almost been asleep when I’d wished I’d never met Caden.
“I did say that,” I said as the truth slammed into me.
Nick nodded and gave me a knowing stare. “And it was granted. Christmas wishes are always the strongest.”
Fear trickled through me, as did that hollow feeling from earlier. I dealt with the fear by lashing out.
“What does this damn thing have to do with anything?” I yelled as I stormed over to the mantel and picked up the clock.
Maybe I should smash it.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Nick said in a calm tone. “That clock is your only way back to your old life. That is… if you want to go back.”
I couldn’t stop shaking, so I went over to the couch—still holding the clock—and sat down. “What do you mean?”
“See how the hands are frozen?” he asked, pointing. “Five ‘til midnight on Christmas Eve is when you made the wish. That’s how long you have to make things right. Otherwise, you’ll be in this life forever.” His face scrunched as he lifted a hand to scratch at his beard. “Which won’t be so bad, I suppose. You did want this life, correct?”
“Yeah, but…” I shook my head and looked at the clock.
The golden designs in the green paint, along with the structure and fancy lettering, were beautiful. Caden’s smile as he saw it flashed in my mind. He loved unique items.
The crack in my chest grew wider.
“But what?” Nick asked.
When I met his gaze, a tear escaped my right eye and rolled down my cheek. “I miss him. I miss Caden.” My stomach knotted and the tears welled even more in my eyes. “None of this matters without him. I’ve lived this amazing, luxurious life for about a week, and I’ve realized it means nothing without him. The crazy expensive car, fancy apartment, designer suits… they don’t compare to what I had with him.”
After setting the clock on the table in front of me, I buried my face in my hands.
The truth of my statement settled in my gut, and I hated myself.
Sure, I’d loved the new life for a while, but after seeing Caden that day, I’d remembered how perfect he fit into my arms when I held him at night after making love. I recalled his laugh; a light, carefree sound that made me feel like the luckiest person in the world for having caused it. And the way his blue eyes sparkled after we kissed, full of so much love.
“I just didn’t see it until it was too late,” I whispered.
“It’s not too late, Jack,” Nick said, causing me to peer up at him from my spot on the couch.
“Then take it back, Nick. Please,” I practically begged, standing up and going to him. “I don’t want this stupid wish anymore.”
“A Christmas wish is not something to be taken lightly,” he answered with a sad shake of his head. “Once it is spoken and later granted, you can’t just return it.”
“There is more to life than materialistic riches. I hope this clock helps you see that,”Nick had told me that night when I found the clock, but I’d been too in my head, not fully listening to his words.
“You tried to warn me about this,” I said before slapping my head. “Fuck! Why didn’t I listen?”
“Sometimes a man needs to be given exactly what he asked for in order for him to realize that what he really needed was what he had all along,” Nick said, still calm and not reacting to my temper.
“I wish I wouldn’t have made that stupid wish,” I mumbled, feeling my self-hatred grow. How could I have been so blind? “I want to take it back.”
“There’s a way to make things right. To reverse what’s been done.”
“How?” I asked, looking at him with desperation. “I’ll do anything.”
“Make Caden fall in love with you before five ‘til midnight on Christmas Eve,” Nick answered. “Only then will you be freed from the wish. For true love cannot be broken.”
I gave him a blank stare. “So, you’re saying this is some kind of Disney shit? That only true love will break the spell?”
“This is not a spell, Jack,” he said. “Love is the most powerful thing on this earth. When it is real, nothing can get in the way. Not even a magical clock that grants wishes.”
Magical clock. Damn. This was so messed up.
I buried my face in my hands. “How am I going to get him to fall in love with me by then? Christmas is only a little over two weeks away.”
But when I looked back up, he was gone.
All that was left was the clock; still frozen in time.
