Second Chances

Soon It Will Be Christmas Day.

"That's ridiculous," said Reggie following his daughter into the kitchen. "I'll sleep on the couch. You and your mother take the bed."

"I'm fine with the couch," Maddy replied. "We have a special relationship. Most nights I fall asleep on the couch doing work or watching Netflix."

Carol inspected the pot of boiling potatoes and lowered the burner flame. "Reggie, your back would never survive a night on that couch." 

"So now you're a spine specialist?"

"Usually I'm polite but I'm not in the mood," said Maddy. "You two are sleeping in my bed tonight. End of discussion."

"Okay, okay." Her dad raised his hands in surrender. "Message received."

Carol stepped aside when Maddy opened the oven door to check on the ham. "Where are your large spoons?" she asked. She went to the cabinet, pulled open a drawer, and saw the jewelry box. "What's this?"

"Oh." Maddy pulled the box from her mom's hand, opened an overhead cabinet, and slid it onto the highest shelf she could reach. "Nothing. It's a mistake."

"That looked like a jewelry box–"

Maddy cut her off. "Thanks so much for making your famous cheesy mashed potatoes. Mine always come out like cheesy plaster."

Her mom raised an eyebrow.

The intercom buzzed.

"That's probably Nathan," she said, then trotted into the living room.

"Hey, Maddy. It's me," he said.

She buzzed him in. "Come on up."

Her mom smiled. "This is such a lovely apartment."

"Enjoy it now. There's no way I can afford it without a job."

"You'll get a job." Her dad said plopping down on the couch. "An even better job. I bet you'll be able to afford an apartment building with an elevator." The couch groaned as he repositioned himself. "And a new couch."

"Maybe."

"Didn't you say something a little while ago about beer?"

"Sorry, Dad." She jogged into the kitchen, took a beer from the fridge, then cracked the top. She returned to the living room and delivered the beer.

"You didn't have to get all fancy-schmancy for me," he said, reading the can.

"It's Christmas. I splurged."

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

"Nathan?" Carol shrugged. "That was fast."

Maddy opened the door to find Nathan huffing and puffing like a sprinter. He held a large suitcase in each hand and a wheelie under his arm. A carry-on bag was slung over his shoulder.

Maddy and her parents stared in awe.

"Our luggage!" Carol gasped, her eyes wide, her jaw open.

Nathan staggered in then set down the luggage. "Merry Christmas, Mister and Mrs. Taylor."

"My God, man!" Reggie said. "You must be part camel."

"Had to do it one trip." Nathan gasped. "Going up and down those stairs twice–"

Reggie cut him off with a wave. "Say no more."

"When you guys leave." Nathan unsaddled the carry-on bag. "Get some rope and lower your luggage out the window."

Reggie laughed loudly. "Hey! That's not a bad idea."

"Thank you so much, Nathan," Carol said, kissing his cheek.