During yet another very dry and bleak holiday season, Simone Evans, a high school English teacher, finds herself in the most unlikely friendship with Jordan Jackson- an ex con.
**Mature Content**
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"I really enjoyed this," Simone said as the two walked back to Jordan's car. She was clinging to his arm that was wrapped around her shoulder, and she was cheesing like the newly love-stricken woman she was. "Thank you for taking me out. I really needed this."
"You welcome," he turned his head to look down at her. "I know I ain't got much, but just give me some time to really get my life situated. I'ma give you more than this. I'ma give you the world, Simone."
"Jordan I'm not around you because I'm expecting you to give me the world. I'm with you because I genuinely want to be. I like your company. I like you. That's it. I don't need or want anything else from you."
"I know... but I still wanna make you feel special. Cause you are special. You're one of a kind Simone. You're a good woman— you're a good person."
"Maybe..." she whispered.
It's true that she does try to be a good person at all times, but she can't help feeling like there's something she did, maybe in a past life, that the universe is constantly punishing her for.
"But also, maybe being a good person isn't enough though. Because no matter what, I still feel like I always lose everything in the end."
"I feel that," Jordan agreed with her. "I thought that way my whole life. Hell, I kinda still do. But I don't know... life got just a little bit better when I met you."
"Is it crazy that I'm scared I mighty lose you too?"
"As hell, cause you not gonna lose me Simone," he pulled her in even tighter. "But I get why you scared of that. I know you been through a lot. I ain't never had nobody close enough to lose like that, so I can only imagine what that's like for you."
"I push through though," she sighed. "It's hard, but I try to see the bright side of everything. It's better than spiraling into what feels like an incurable depression."
"Don't I know it," Jordan whispered. "But uhm," he tried to change the subject to something a bit more lighthearted. "I know you just said you don't want nothing from me, but what's the one thing you want for Christmas this year?"
'For my father to stop dying,' is how she truly wanted to answer that question, but she figured she'd be a bit more realistic, and a lot less morbid.
"I don't know to be honest. Haven't thought much about that. That's not really a question I get anymore."
"So there's nothing at all that you want?"
"I've been on my own for a long time, I'm so used to getting myself everything that I want/need. So no, not particularly. Nothing that I can think of at least."
"So I can surprise you then?"
"And I'm sure I'll love whatever it is," she reluctantly pulled away from him when they reached the car. "What about you? What's the the one thing you've always wanted? No matter how crazy it sounds?"
