She saw a sign on the office bulletin board. She called him, Would you? Absolutely. They rang the bell next to the red kettle for two hours. She was so happy she took him to lunch.
It had snowed overnight, he dressed for it, was out before the snowplow, after he finished his own driveway he drove into town, shoveled her walk knowing she was still asleep. But just as he was finishing she called from the door, do you have time for a cup? He did, once inside she served him a piece of fresh baked yesterday’s cranberry blueberry pie.
She wasn’t sure, was it full enough, was it too tall? He said if it’s too tall I’ll cut it back, we can use the extra for a wreath or garland. She nodded yes, paid the man, tied it on top of the car and literally over the river and through the city streets they drove it home.
He hated the idea, hated the ugly sweater worst of all, but once at the office party, he won. Even got a major surprise under the mistletoe, maybe office parties weren’t so bad after all.
He wanted to get the kid a puppy. She said you’ll end up taking care of it. Oh he was for helping, but he also felt the boy was ready for his first dog. He ordered it, the breeder would make sure it was ready Christmas eve.
The skating rink was unusually quiet, he laced up as she did, didn’t even turn the rink lights on, they just shushed around quietly, and as if he could request it, it started to snow, the big flakes, the lofty floaty kind, he wished her a Merry Christmas.
- The Trout Whisperer
