Page 25 of Saved By Noel
ME
Returning to my office, I scoot past my Tineke plant to sit down at my desk. Although I’m grateful to have a private office and not a cubicle, it’s still tiny. The plant is too large for the small space, but my office window gets better light than any room in my apartment. When I left Noel two days ago, I wasn’t sure I could bring myself to go back before Christmas, so she camehome with me. I certainly wasn’t going to askhimto take care of her again.
I’d gathered up enough gumption to stay in Noel for the rest of my planned week, although working remotely proved to be less efficient than I’d anticipated. I wound up having zero time to start writing a Christmas movie script, but I did enjoy the view of my Christmas lights from the sunroom while working. I also enjoyed a few more conversations getting to know Emily when I craved people time and returned to Noland’s for random groceries. Her kids—a son in tenth grade and twin daughters in ninth grade—supplied her with a never-ending well of dramatic tales to draw from. She liked to associate each story with an individual strand of gray hair.
Emily gave me Sydney’s phone number too, but I ran out of gumption to contact Syd on this trip. I didn’t know how to handle conversation with the wife of Clark’s best friend just yet.
My phone dings. Anticipating another scolding from Madison, I open it with an eye roll at the ready.
McSCROOGE
Why would you leave your Christmas lights on when you’re not in town?
Madison may have changed Clark’s name in my phone first thing when I got to the office.
ME
Why were you at my cabin??
McSCROOGE
I wasn’t. The glow party is visible from the road.
ME
Why were you driving past my cabin??
McSCROOGE
Stop evading the question. Why are you wasting electricity running lights when you’re not there? Are they on all day?
I’m not the one evading a question here. Why was Clark driving past my cabin?
ME
There’s this genius new invention called the smart phone that allows you to control a power switch remotely. Of course I’m not leaving them on during the day. They’re on a timer that I can control from my phone.
ME
And maybe leaving behind a dose of Christmas cheer in your precious town is worth a higher utility bill.
Clark doesn’t respond right away, and I find myself unable to do anything but stare at my phone, waiting. Maybe I shouldn’t have prodded his anti-Christmas sentiments. A realization flashes through me with fury.
ME
Don’t you dare unplug them.
McSCROOGE
Annoying the town with your disco party is not worth your hard-earned cash.
Before I can fully think through my actions, I hit the call icon next to McScrooge’s name.
“What are you doing calling in the middle of a perfectly adequate text conversation?” he answers gruffly.
“I’m making sure you’re not on your way to unplug my Christmas lights, that’s what I’m doing,” I respond, heart racing.I can’t believe I just called him.
