Page 31 of Kit
“Ready for the test?” I yelled.
Kit hooted from down the front path. “Plug it in, Daddy!”
Actually, everything was plugged in. The surge protectors simply needed to be switched on. I did both at the same time, holding my breath.
Kit cried out when the lights came on all at once. “It’s beautiful. I love it.”
I came down the steps and down the path, turning to look at the house.
“We got lucky. It looks like everything is working.” I grinned. “I think we did a wonderful job.”
The trees looked like a little mini forest. The bulbs along the eaves twinkled. The porch door had an outline of white lights. On the frosty breeze came the scent of chimney smoke.
By now it was afternoon. We’d gotten so absorbed in our work, we’d skipped lunch.
My hands were icy, my cheeks chapped.
“I think we need a light up deer to go with the trees,” Kit said.
“We can get one when we get the tree, okay?”
Kit bowed his head. “I wasn’t trying to be greedy, Daddy. Just so you know. I could pay for it.”
“I didn’t think you were greedy. It’s a very good idea. My father always said you can’t have enough exterior lighting.”
“He’s right!”
“Hey, baby boy. Are you hungry? We missed lunch.”
“Starved.”
“We can go out. Get an early dinner. Then our Christmas tree. What do you think?”
“I’m ready now, Daddy!”
“I would never have hada tree like this at my place if it was just me,” Kit said. The colorful lights reflected off the windowpanes and into his eyes. “It’s the best tree, ever. Don’t you think so?”
“I agree. If it weren’t for you, I might not have gotten the ornaments out this year. Not even for Nelson.”
“Who’s Nelson?”
“My brother. He’s going through a bad breakup.”
Kit frowned hard and scratched the side of his head. “It’s okay if you want to invite him over to see all the decorating.”
“He’s the one I mentioned went to the mountains with friends.”
Kit quickly shrugged. “Right. I remember.”
With the tree done, we brought drinks to the coffee table. A fire beat in the hearth. The room looked like a Christmas card. It was almost too perfect. I put my hand on Kit’s shoulder, rubbing gently with my thumb.
Kit looked up at me, gaze meeting mine and holding.
“Would it be all right if Daddy kissed you now?”
Pink lips parted with a hint of white teeth behind them. Kit’s cheeks turned beautifully pink.
“I thought you’d never get around to that, Daddy,” he whispered.
