Page 34 of A Little Christmas: Rivi
“If you didn’t want that….”
“But the truth was, I did want him. But I had guilt. And confusion over his trauma. And my own grief. Ozzy brought light back to me. He lifted the fog from my eyes.”
I hesitated to ask, but blurted, “You were still in grief over the death of your brother, right?”
“Definitely.”
“I’m glad he came to you and you both worked it out. I’m happy for you.”
“But apparently, I haven’t learned my lesson to see what boys and littles really want without trying to be protective of their virtues at the same time.”
I let out a forced chuckle. “What a flaw you have there, Trent. The mighty savior flaw.”
He made a face at me.
“That’s because you’re a good guy. You know that.”
His eyes slowly closed, then opened. “So are you.”
“I’m still single. Things haven’t worked out for me in the long run. But I try.”
Trent was silent for a long time. Again, I counted. When I got to eight, he spoke.
“I think Rivi went back to his room. He didn’t take his present, so he didn’t leave to play his new video games.”
“Would it be all right if I took him his present? Checked in on him?”
Trent nodded. “He did seem a little hasty in leaving.”
“And upset?”
“Yes.”
“Poor guy.”
He raised his hand, waving it between us. “My fault.”
“Nobody’s fault. But I’ll get him talking. And I’ll listen.”
“That sounds good.”
I turned, then swiveled back. “And I will promise nothing will happen.”
“What?”
“Between us,” I clarified.
Trent raised an eyebrow. The corners of his mouth twitched. “Now that wouldn’t be very fair to him, would it?”
It was as if my heart started to beat again. Rivi. So beautiful. Innocent, open, virgin. And now Trent. Telling me that beauty might be in my arms some time with his knowledge if not outright permission. Tonight. Next week. Next month. I’d wait forever for that sweetheart.
“Is that you saying that you now trust me? That possibly we have your blessing?”
“I’ve always trusted you. I just wanted my little nephew to stay young and innocent forever.”
“That’s a wish a lot of parent figures have, I think.”
“Thank you for understanding. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
