Page 39 of Have a Bear-y Little Christmas
I shook those thoughts away as Remy turned the corner onto the street, and we joined a lengthy line of cars rolling through the cul-de-sac at a snail’s pace. None of us minded however, because the display was truly amazing.
All five of the houses had banded together to make a scene that traveled across the little circle, back and forth as the lengthy song demanded. I couldn’t even imagine all the work and creativity that had gone into it. It was touching that these strangers had put so much effort into creating something that brought joy to people they wouldn’t talk to or even see really.
Sometimes, humanity really got it right.
The rest of the ride was a blur of laughs, sounds of wonder, and shaky videos taken on my phone. I wished it could last forever. No job to worry about, no bills. Just living in the moment and truly beingalive.
Once we were on the other side of nine p.m., I glanced to the back. Max was starting to nod off, his head falling forward to his chest only to snap back up a few moments later.
Our day had started with him having near-debilitating leg cramps. I’d carried him to the bath and put him in the water, then rubbed his legs to get his muscles to relax. It had been so bad, I was going to text Remy to cancel. But Max was absolutely adamant that we not. His cramps had eased enough that he wasn’t in terrible pain, and there was a reason we had multiple mobility aids. He’d reminded me that he would still enjoy the light tour in his wheelchair just as much as he would on his own two feet.
And boy, life really had proven how correct he was. If I had given into that fear, if I hadn’t listened to him or trusted him, I wouldn’t have the photos or all the wonderful memories that we just made.
Everything felt sofated. So meant to be. I was a tad worried I was trusting a stranger a little too much, but my son was having the best Christmas he’d probably ever had.
And it wasn’t even the big day yet.
“Where are we going next?” Addy asked as we joined the line of cars to get back onto the main road.
“That’s it for tonight, Addy,” Remy said.
“Aww!Really?” Eva objected.
“Isn’t there anywhere else we can go?”
Remy looked like he was going to reprimand them gently, but Max spoke before he could.
“I’m gonna be honest, I don’t think I can last much longer. I’m, like, mega tired.”
“Oh, okay,” Addy said, and that was that. Immediate acceptance and no argument. It really made me wonder if the girls having a mother with disabilities had just primed them to be the perfect friends for Max. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about his friend situation. I was hoping to get him into school full-time next year, and it was hard not to fret about how he’d socialize in an environment like that. Seeing him interact with the girls took the edge off, though. Sure, not everyone would be like them, but it gave me hope that he would gel with some of the kids.
“Shall we head back to your car?” Remy asked.
I blinked at him, realizing I’d miscalculated a bit.
“Oh… Uh, Max and I took an Uber because it was cheaper than the parking around the area with handicap-accessible spots. I suppose if you wanna drop us off on the side of the road, or take us back to where the tour started, we can Uber back home.”
The easiest thing to do would be to ask him to drive us to our place, but that would be pushing it after the food at the ice rink, the photos, and the coffee and hot chocolate. I was ever so grateful for his charity, but I never,everwanted to be greedy and entitled by asking for too much.
“Nonsense. You’re already in the car, so why don’t I just drive you home? As long as you’re comfortable, that is.”
For the billionth time, my first instinct was to turn him down, but his words from earlier echoed in my head. Sometimes, our first reactions weren’t our real ones, so if I waited a beat, what did my heart say?
Well, it said that Max was already half asleep. And maybe, just maybe, if it was for my son, it was okay to be a little bit greedy.
“Are you sure that won’t put you out too much? You mentioned you live in the suburbs, and I’m pretty deep in the city. It’ll add almost an hour to your trip.”
“That’s perfectly fine with me,” Addy said from the back, startling me. Sometimes the kids were so involved with each other that I forgot they could hear us. “More time spent together. Besides, I’m not ready to go to bed yet.”
“Addy, Miss Jeannie and I were having an adult conversation. Remember what I said about interrupting?”
“Right. I need to ask permission to join the conversation.”
“Very good. But, as for the matter at hand, Jeannie, I promise you’re not putting me out.”
“If you’re sure, then we wouldn’t mind a ride home. I really appreciate you doing all of this for us.”
“It’s as much for us as it is for you. We quite enjoy your company.”
