Page 18 of A Gift of Time
The waitress approached and asked us what we wanted to drink, and I wasn’t surprised at all when Caden said hot cocoa.
The first time he’d ordered it, I’d cringed and made a gagging noise. I mean, hot cocoa and burgers? Really? But he’d grinned and told me to shut my face and don’t knock it until I tried it.
I’d never tried it.
“I’ll have a coke,” I said, unable to hide my smile at the memories floating in my head.
“Now, before you say anything,” Caden started after the waitress walked away, “It’s delicious and you’re missing out.”
I shook my head in innocence. “Hey, I’m not judging you. To each his own. Chocolate flavored burgers and all.”
Caden snorted and covered his face.
My heart fluttered at the sight. I wondered how I’d ever been so fucking blind before. The most important thing in my life had been with me the whole time, and I’d allowed the desire for materialistic shit to get in the way.
But I see him now.
After lunch—which had tasted amazing—we left Hannah’s and strolled along the sidewalk at a leisurely pace. The December day in Scottsdale was cold, but not miserable. With the right amount of layers of clothing, it felt great.
The perfect day, as Caden used to say. He loved cold weather. And Christmas.
“Wow, look at how beautiful everything is,” Caden said as we passed the decorated store windows and streetlamps that were adorned with big, red bows and lights. “This is my favorite time of year.”
I know.“Really?” I said, playing dumb. Again. “What about it do you love so much?”
“It’s not something I can put my finger on,” he answered, glancing at me. He’d slipped on a crocheted beanie that covered his ears, but some of his blond hair jutted out at the bottom. Rosy cheeks and bright, blue eyes filled my vision. “Sure, I love the decorations. The twinkling lights and trees. The music is beautiful. But there are also certain feelings that come with Christmas. Joy. Hope. And love. It’s like, for this one month, people are kind and giving.”
I listened to him, feeling my chest crack open a bit as each word reached my ears. The only silver lining I saw in this whole screwed-up wish scenario was I was getting the opportunity to re-fall in love with him.
Caden looked away and gave a bashful smile. “I know that probably sounds silly.”
“It doesn’t,” I answered, staring at the side profile of his handsome face. “More people should think like you. To most people, Christmas is a stressful time that’s all about who has the most money and can get the best stuff to one-up the other.”
“Money doesn’t matter to me. I prefer something that’s unique.” he said, softer than before. His blue eyes found mine again. “You can’t put a price tag on gifts that come from the heart.”
One reason I’d worked so hard to get that promotion had been because I’d wanted that huge paycheck to buy everything I wanted. To make a better life for Caden and me. Never once had I stopped to ask him whathewanted. I had been so selfish.
“Like I said. More people need to be like you,” I told him, smiling to lighten the mood.
Suddenly, it had become serious. Or maybe my own internal thoughts had just been weighing me down.
Caden answered me with another smile. “Well, I guess I better get back to work. Thanks for lunch, Jack. It was… not what I expected.”
“You’re welcome.” I ached to reach and take his hand, but I stopped myself. “Call me later. Or I can call you. About the decorating and stuff.”
“Sure,” he said as he turned the other direction. Before he walked off, though, he glanced at me over his shoulder and waved. “Have a good day.”
Longer than I should have, I watched him leave. I had told him that more people needed to be like him, but I knew no one else would ever be him.
Just like the clock that sat on the shelf above my fireplace, Caden was one of a kind.
