Page 18 of Mission: Merry Christmas
“Is it decorated pretty?”
“Oh, yeah. My stepmom put wreaths on the front doors, and we have a big Christmas tree that looks real. She sprayed stuff on it so it smells real too. I helped put the decorations on it.”
“I bet your tree is beautiful. Does it have white lights or colored lights?”
“Atonof white lights. You practically need sunglasses, it’s so bright. It’s super cool.”
“It sounds like it! That must have taken a very long time to put them on.”
“No. It comes out of the box that way. We just had to put the ornaments on it. That was easy and fun, too. Before my dad married my stepmom, we only had the tree at the resort. Now we have one at the house, too. I really like that.”
“Where I’m from, we go and cut down our own tree,” she said.
Nico’s eyes lit up. “No way. Does it snow there?”
“It does. Sometimes it snows so much, it’s hard to get to the good Christmas trees, and then we have to use the snowmobile to help drag the tree out of the woods.”
“That sounds so cool.” Nico leaned in, eager to hear more. “I’ve never seen snow in my whole life. Well, only on TV.”
She loved how the idea of snow excited him, but he didn’t make a single comment about the cancelled plans. It seemed to her that Drew was more upset about having to cancel the plans than Nico. It was a dream for Nico, but he had no idea what he was missing out on.
Childhood memories flooded back.
“Snow is pretty when it’s coming down and finally covers all the grass. It’s like a blanket over everything, and it seems quieter. I love snow days. I’d get butterflies in my stomach, and smile so big it made my cheeks hurt.” For a moment she was that little girl again. “My sister and I would play outside all day long. Those were such wonderful times.”
Nico wore a huge grin. “You look happy just talking about it.”
“I am. Thanks for reminding me. Everyone deserves that snow day feeling.” She booped him on the nose. “What are you asking Santa for this year?”
“I asked for skis, but then Uncle Drew got hurt…” He shrugged. “I’m glad he didn’t get hurt worse though.”
That sounded like something his mom had probably said to him.
His excitement returned as quickly as it had faded. “Now I’m asking for a new remote- control dune buggy. They have awesome ones that are really fast. Like 50 mph! Way faster than the one I have, and it can do big jumps. I hope Santa brings that. New tennis shoes, too. The high-top ones like my Uncle Drew wears, and a bow and arrow.”
“That sounds like a really good list. Don’t need snow for that.”
Nico’s head cocked slightly to the side. “Snow would’ve been pretty cool though. I hope I get to play in it someday.” His smile had faded, but then he burst into a smile. “Tell me what you like best about the snow?”
She dropped another layer of fruit in each of the parfait cups. “Gosh, I guess making a snowman. Building it is fun, and then decorating him so he seems real. My sister and I would spend all day on one. That’s always fun, and snow angels.”
“What’s a snow angel?”
“You go out in the snow where no one has walked yet, and you lay down in it.”
“Isn’t it cold?”
“Yeah. Kind of, but you have your coat on, so it’s not so bad. You put your hands and feet out like this and then flap your wings and legs.” She did a couple of jumping jacks to demonstrate. “When you get up, it looks like an angel was there.”
“We do that in the sand on the beach.”
“I bet you do. I never even thought of that.”
“I can show you one day.” He nodded. “Ireallywantto see a snowflake.”
“Just one?” That tickled her, but she held the giggle inside.
“At least one before I turn nine.”
