Page 98 of Light Up
Tal gave a short laugh when he saw the emergency hammer.
“One of these saved your life,” Corey said and mouthedSaved us.
“We should have one and now we do. Thank you,” Louis said.
“They should come as a standard fitting in a car,” Benjamin added.
“The only reason I had one was because I got it in a secret Santa thing at work. Turned out to be the best present ever.”
“But one you hope you never have to use,” Benjamin said.
“Exactly.” Corey smiled and piled lots of little presents on Tal’s lap.
As he opened them, he began to laugh. Crunchie, Flake, Bounty, Wispa, mint Aero, Twirl, Mars bar, Maltesers… Everything he’d mentioned when he’d been walking through the snow—oh fuck.Not in the car. In the snow. Only how?
“You remember telling me these were what you liked?” Corey asked.
Tal nodded. “When you were trying to get me to keep going and said you didn’t have a whip.”
Corey beamed and handed him another package.
“Walnut whips.” Tal chuckled.
Corey handed out three more presents. “It’s a bit obvious what these are. Books. You can swap them between you if you’ve read them.”
Tal’s wasThe Hail Mary Projectby Andy Weir. He hadn’t read it.
“Best book ever,” Corey said. “Though I didn’t understand a lot of the science stuff.”
Louis hadTalking Dirty,a compendium of abusive language, outrageous insults and wicked jokes. He immediately opened it, laughed and read, “No pleasure without pain, said the monkey as he buggered the hedgehog.” He nodded to Corey. “Thank you.”
Benjamin hadHow to shit in the woods.“I didn’t think there was actually a book with that title. That’s great and now we feel even worse because we didn’t get you anything.
“No,” Corey said. “Please don’t. If we hadn’t called at a service station to let the driver take a break, I wouldn’t have had the chance to get anything. Christmas presents are a novelty for me. Giving and receiving. I always get Thornton’s chocolates for my uncle’s partner and a bottle of wine for my uncle. They give me socks and smelly stuff I hate. You’ve opened your home to me for Christmas, you’re feeding me, putting up with me, and I know it’s because you care for Tal, but I’m very grateful. Thank you.”
“Can I give you a hug?” Benjamin asked.
Corey stood and had barely gotyesout before Benjamin had his arms around him.
“I like you,” Benjamin said. “You’re just right.”
Louis hugged him too. “I hope you’re just right.”
Tal wished he’d thought to buy something for Corey. He pushed to his feet as he watched Corey extricate himself from the hugs.
“Feeling jealous?” Louis asked.
“No.” Tal had thought of one thing he could give Corey. He’d done it before. In the hotel that didn’t exist.But it was something he’d never done in front of his friends. It was a private thing, something he only did behind closed doors.
But…
Tal went to his knees and clasped his hands behind him. He didn’t bow his head.
Shocked exclamations came from Louis and Benjamin, then Corey turned and saw him.
Corey gulped. Once, twice, then gulped again. Did he remember when Tal had done this before? Tal wasn’t going to think about what they couldn’t explain.
He was on his knees now. Making the gesture in this world.
