Page 53 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
My father, who was sitting behind Asher on the sofa watching us work, clasped his hands behind his head and nodded. “She’s going to love it. She’ll see that you put a lot of work into it. That’s what Christmas is all about. Making everyone feel welcome and loved and important.”
Asher’s hands fidgeted in front of him. He looked suddenly bashful. “I love you, Daddy. I love you, Grandpa.”
My father spread his arms, and Asher leapt into them and got comfy. My father watched me drop into the couch across from him. “Where is she?”
I nodded up the stairs. “Getting ready. I’m taking her out to the Christmas Eve special downtown. We used to go all the time when we were teenagers. I know it’s a long shot, but who knows? It might help jog her memory. If not, it will be a good time regardless.”
“That’s a great idea, Cal. Asher and I will hold down the fort. Maybe watch a Christmas movie. What do you say, Asher?” My father tickled Asher in the ribs.
Asher squirmed and giggled but didn’t leave my father’s lap. “Yeah! Christmas movie!”
My father grinned. “You two take your time. We’ll be watching Christmas movies in our pajamas and eating snacks until we fall asleep because we’re getting too fat.”
Asher snickered. “But we have to sleep in our beds. Otherwise, Santa won’t come.”
“Very true,” I said, holding up a finger. “And don’t forget to leave a plate of cookies out for Santa and some carrots for the reindeer. And a glass of milk. Super important. Santa has a lot of work to do tonight, and I know he’ll appreciate it.”
Asher nodded. “I won’t forget. I never forget.”
I nodded back. “Good.”
Asher looked behind me and up the stairs. His mouth fell open and he breathed, “Wow.”
I followed his gaze up the stairs where my eyes fell upon Lina, who was making her way down. My heart hiccupped in my chest as I soaked in the sight of her from the tip of her toes to the top of her head.
She was wearing black boots that were embellished with gold buckles and reached up over her knees. Her dark denim was skin tight and showed every curve. The black turtleneck she wore was also very tight, revealing her narrow waist and full breasts. I tried not to look at the way they bounced as her heels hit each step.
I failed.
She had a knit black scarf draped around her neck, and gold earrings sparkled in her ears. When she came into the living room, I noticed they were in the shape of little snowmen. Asher noticed right away and told her how much he liked them.
Lina smiled and thanked him. Then her gaze lifted to the fireplace. “Asher,” she said slowly. “Did you make that stocking for me?”
Asher turned bright pink and grinned broadly. “Yes. We all thought you should have one of your own.”
“That is so thoughtful. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome,” Asher said.
I got to my feet and wiped my suddenly sweaty palms on my jeans. “Are you ready to go? Do you have a jacket?”
She pointed down the hall. “Yeah. It’s at the front door. I’m ready when you are.”
“Let’s do this thing,” I said.
We said goodbye to my father and Asher, who was already talking excitedly about what movie he wanted to watch. We could still hear his eager voice as Lina put her jacket on. It was an elegant coat that reached down to her calves. She did up the gold buttons, shuffled her scarf up tighter under her chin, and slid her hands in her pockets. “Ready.”
It was cold outside but dry. The forecast claimed it would snow later, but for now, we were safe with just a half inch of powder on the sidewalks. The grass was layered with thicker snow that had built up over the last week. There was almost half a foot, and Asher had used it to make a snowman earlier that morning on the front yard. He was a bit lopsided, and the carrot for his nose was a baby carrot. The branches for his arms were two extremely different lengths, and the hat Asher had used was one of his old baseball caps. It looked like I had a toddler made of snow on my lawn.
We got in the car and drove quietly to downtown. The farther in we got, the more congested it was, and we ended up having to park a few blocks away from the event. We got out of the car, and I offered Lina my arm. She hooked her arm through it, and we walked, linked together, down the sidewalk toward the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Eve special.
“So, what is this thing anyway?” Lina asked when the entrance came into view.
“I don’t really know how to explain it. I guess it’s sort of like a market. There’s a stage set up and carolers and other performers. It’s really festive. We used to come every year when we were young. You loved it. It was the highlight of your year.”
“Why?” she asked curiously.
I shrugged. “At the time, I never understood why. Christmas wasn’t as big of a deal to me as it was for you. But now that Asher is in the picture, I get it. It’s only as special as you make it.”
