Page 20 of Catch Yourself a Snowmance
hap-hap-happiest Christmas.
~ Clark Griswold,
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
The snow stopped at some point overnight. We wake to a winter wonderland, fluffy piles of white as far as the eye can see, branches weighed down with pillows of snow, a blue-gray reflection making me squint when I survey it all from my bedroom window.
“Good morning!” Mitch shouts in at me.
“Are we able to get out at all?” I ask.
“Sounds like they’re sending trucks through to clear the roads today from what Liam found out. We might grab an afternoon on the slopes if we can get the cars out.”
“Whatever it takes, I’m down.”
“Shovels and snowblowers are in the shed. Gage and I went exploring early this morning.”
“Breakfast?”
“The girls are cooking pancakes and the rest of the bacon.”
“I thought I smelled something worth getting out of bed for.”
“I’m thinking you have more than one reason to go downstairs today.” Mitch wags his eyebrows.
“Meaning?”
I know what he’s talking about. I want him to be the one to spell it out.
“Alyssa?”
“She’s fun. We’ve developed a fast friendship being cooped up here together.”
“Yeah. I’ve been cooped up with her too. Can’t say we’ve developed a fast friendship, or even an acquaintance. You two are like siamese twins.” He pauses. “In a good way.”
“What is the good way to be siamese twins?”
He honestly considers this. “Maybe you’re never lonely?”
I chuckle.
“Seriously, though. She seems cool. Is there something more there?”
“Nah. That would be disastrous.” I look over at Mitch.
He’s casually leaning on my door frame and I’m sitting on the edge of my bed. He’s only wearing a T-shirt and a flimsy pair of sweats.
“Disastrous?” Mitch looks confused.
“Nevermind. Like I said, we’re just friends. She’s cool. We’re enjoying getting to know one another.”
Mitch stares at me. It’s the kind of stare that feels like an X-ray. I get up and pull open the dresser drawer, shuck on a T-shirt and sweatpants. A moving target is harder to read. At least I’m telling myself that.
“Nothing wrong with catching feelings, man.” Mitch says it so casually, I’d almost believe him.
“If that happens, you’ll be the first to know,” I tell him.
“How about you put me second on that list. If you catch feelings, let her know. We’re not in high school around here.”
