Page 24 of A Little Christmas: Rivi
We went back into the house to a sumptuous dinner for us and Trent’s other overnight guests. What a perfect day.
“Tomorrow's Christmas Eve,” Rivi whispered excitedly to me.
“It sure is.” I had sat next to him at the table again. I didn't look at Trent for any approval or disapproval. I had befriended Rivi and I wasn't going to abandon him now.
“I love Christmas Eve. Do you?”
“I sure do.”
“What do you like to do?”
“I was thinking of getting in some cross-country skiing tomorrow.”
Rivi's face fell. “I don't know how to do that.”
Was he inviting himself along with me? It seemed so, and that was when I decided that Rivi was as interested in me as I was in him.
“Were you wanting to spend the day with me?”
That was when I heard Trent on my other side clear his throat. “I thought Rivi could spend some time with me and Ozzy tomorrow. I bought new games. Christmas games. Coloring books. And other toys I think that you would like. And we’ll play Christmas movies on the big screen in the main lounge.”
Now he was talking straight to Rivi across my chest. It was as if I didn't exist.
“I'll have a big fire going all day,” Trent continued. “Cocoa and treats, too. Colin, you and Maddy are also invited.”
He spoke softly. His other kink friends didn’t notice or maybe they didn’t care. But I was right there and completely left out.
Rivi, true to his ever-polite ways, piped up. “That sounds so wonderful, Uncle Trent. Can Briar come, too?”
It was as if everyone held their breaths.
Trent looked at Rivi. “You want to invite him?”
Rivi nodded, adjusting his glasses as he often did when he was nervous. He was so special, always wanting to do the right thing and please others.
“That’s fine.” Trent’s mouth went hard, but he kept his eyes on Rivi.
I inwardly sighed. Trent and I had shared a lot over the years, including a few group scenes. He knew me and he knew I could be trusted.
I kept reminding myself Trent was Rivi’s protector, even long-distance, and that was a bond that didn’t go away just because someone turned twenty-one.
Trent turned to the rest of his guests. “Anyone can attend, of course, but it’s going to be geared toward little play.”
Nods and smiles answered him, then people went back to their own conversations.
When dessert came, any awkwardness I felt vanished. We were treated to a mountains of ice cream and syrups.
11
Rivi
The light through my window came in white and bright, waking me. I’d left the curtains open so I could see the moonlight reflecting off the distant snowy mountaintops as I fell asleep.
As my head cleared of sleep, I remembered.
I jumped out of bed. It was Christmas Eve! The best day. Christmas was a great day, too, because of all the gifts. But I liked the day before when I would be so excited and filled with wonder. As an adult, I still thought about the myth of Santa Claus flying his reindeer powered sleigh through the skies. It filled me with all good feelings. As a little, I believed in that myth. I wanted to leave cookies and milk out. I wanted to see my stocking hung over the fireplace and bulging with treats. I wanted to imagine reindeer hooves stomping on my rooftop.
I texted a Merry Christmas Eve to Mama. I expected her to get it later. She liked to sleep in on holidays.
