I had presents for them too, which I’d planned on bringing over tomorrow, but tonight loomed long and lonely before me. Maybe watching them tear the paper off the Royal Dreams Dollhouse I’d gotten them would cheer me up.
After a quick shower, I got dressed and loaded one bag and one big box into my car. Before pulling out, I texted Josie that I was on my way and asked if there was anything she needed from the grocery store. While I waited for a reply, I noticed there was a text message on my phone from John Salinger, which was the alias used by the guy who hired me out for con jobs. Usually I was excited by the prospect of an influx of cash, but today I stared at his name and the series of numbers he’d texted with a mixture of regret and unease.
How long could I keep doing this and not get caught? I was good at what I did, but deep down I felt it was only a matter of time. And helping Claire out the last couple days, being at the stoneworks yesterday, had reminded me how much I’d liked that kind of work. I’d felt useful. Skilled. Necessary. Honestly, I couldn’t even remember why I’d quit. Probably I’d just gotten restless and felt like it was time to move on.
Giving up on a good thing was my specialty.
Claire’s face popped into my head, and I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply and wishing I could smell her. I fucking missed her. I was sorry I’d hurt her. I wished things could be different—wished I could be different—but I couldn’t.
Josie texted back that she was all set and I told her I’d be there soon. I committed the number John Salinger gave me to memory, deleted the text message and backed out of my parking space. Maybe I’d call him later.
On my way to Aaron and Josie’s house, I rehearsed what I was going to say. I’d apologize for yesterday and make the offer to pay for rehab again without being insulting or demeaning. Aaron already felt so bad about himself. But if the answer wasn’t to cushion him and it wasn’t to abandon him, there had to be something in between that would work. Some way to help him without being an enabler.
If you were to stay here permanently, you could be more of a support.
Frowning, I shelved that thought for now, even though I knew it was true. But it would mean everything had to change.
I pulled into their driveway and noticed it had been shoveled after last night’s snow. That was a good sign. I hoisted the girls’ present from the back of my car onto my shoulder and walked up to the house. Through the window I could see the lights on the tree, and I heard music playing too. Kids laughing. I smiled. All good signs.
After knocking on the door, I opened it a crack. “Anyone here?”
“Uncle Theo!” shrieked a little voice.
“Hey!” I entered the living room and kicked the door shut behind me. “Look what I have!”
“What is that?” Three little girls circled me like puppies, jumping up and down with excitement.
“I don’t know! I found it outside on the porch. Let’s look.” I set it down, and they immediately put their hands on it.
“There’s writing on it,” said Ava, her eyes lighting up. “To Ava, Hailey, and Peyton!” She looked up at me. “I need help with the rest.”
I ruffled her dark hair. “It says, ‘I had to bring this a little early, and I’m afraid it didn’t fit down the chimney. Ho ho ho! Love, Santa.’”
Three smiles got even wider. “Can we open it?” Hailey asked.
“Sure.” I stood back and watched them tear off the paper, unable to keep a grin off my face. This was exactly what I’d needed.
“What’s this?” My brother came in from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel.
“Santa brought us…a dream castle!” Ava shouted. Deafening cries of joy pierced my ears. “Look how big it is! And it has furniture!”
Tomorrow morning, there would be three dolls under the tree for them too. Maybe I’d come over early and watch them open gifts.
“It’s from Santa, Daddy!” Hailey announced.
“Wow,” said Aaron, dropping to his knees to admire the gift. “Santa must know how good you’ve been this year.”
“Open it?” little Peyton asked.
“Sure.” Aaron got to his feet. “Maybe Uncle Theo will help with that while Mommy and I get dinner finished.”
“Oh, I think I can manage that.” I took off my coat and tossed it onto the couch. “Let me get a knife. Be right back.”
I left the kids touching the box lovingly and followed my brother into the kitchen. “Hey, Josie.”
She was at the stove, and turned to greet me over one shoulder. “Hey. I’m so glad you came. Brought some excitement with you, huh?”
“Wasn’t me, it was Santa,” I said, grabbing a knife from the holder.
“Thanks.” My brother clapped me on the shoulder and spoke quietly. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.”
“You made their night.”
I glanced into the living room, where they were still smiling. “They made mine, too.”
* * *
Later, when bellies were full and pans were soaking and kids were desperately fighting sleep in their beds, my brother and Josie and I sat with cups of decaf in the living room. They shared the couch and I took the chair across from them.
“When they’re asleep, I have a few more things to bring in for them,” I whispered.
“You’re too much.” Josie shook her head, tucking her legs beneath her. “After all you’ve done for us the last couple months, you did not have to buy them gifts.”