A Very Reckless Christmas

Maya

"Did you remember your toothbrush?"

"Yes."

"Did you remember your soap?"

"Yes."

"Did you remember your underwear?"

"...I'll be back in a second."

Typical. I knew that if he waited last minute he would forget something. It's partly my fault, I should have pushed him to do it while I had the chance, but he distracted me. Lay with me. Just for five minutes.

Yeah, right.

We ended up laying on the couch for hours. I even fell asleep at one point.

"You guys are so cute," Tasha giggled, holding Charlie. "You act like an old married couple."

I rolled my eyes at her last comment. "Thanks. Now his food is under the sink, only give him one and a half scoops at each meal, or else he'll eat too much and get sick. Try not to give him to many treats. And always," I stressed. "Keep the cabinet closed when you are not using it." The little sneak is always searching for a way in.

She nodded, understanding. "I got it. I got it. Nothing is going to happen to him while you two are away."

"Okay," I exhaled. Charlie closed his eyes as I scratched behind his ears. We were only going to be gone for a couple of days, but I already missed him.

"Do you mind if I invite Crystal over?" Tasha asked.

"Sure," I replied. I didn't see a problem with it.

"Okay, I'm ready now," Nick said coming back into the room with his suitcase.

I rested my head on top of Charlie's. "Okay," I sighed holding him close. "Just let me say goodbye."

"Maya, we're going to be gone for three days."

"But I'm going to miss him," I booped Charlie on his little pink nose. "Aren't you going to miss him?"

"I guess so," he said, " But I'll see him in a few days." He scratched him behind the ears with a smile. "Catch ya later, Nubs."

Reluctantly, I handed Charlie over to Tasha. I wish we could take him with us. "I will see you Sunday night."

"Call me if you need anything, and I mean anything," I told her adamantly, as we walked to my front door. I looked left and right trying to make sure I had everything I needed. Unlike Nick who waited until the very last minute to pack, I had packed days beforehand, but I still felt like I was forgetting something.

"I will. I will." Tasha cradled Charlie in her arms like a baby. Sometimes I wondered how he survived on the streets, he acted like a toddler.

"Okay....just--,"

"Maya, stop stressing. Everything is going to be alright."

I exhaled. "I'm sorry, I'm leaving now."

"Good," Tasha laughed. "Now if you wouldn't mind, me and this cutie are going to watch Netflix on your fancy new TV."

I said one last goodbye to Charlie, who wore a look of confusion when he realized I was leaving and Tasha was staying.

Nick sat in his new car waiting for it to warm up. When he told me that he had decided to buy a new car instead of keeping one that he already had, I was confused but didn't say anything about it. I thought he was going to get a nice, average-sized, car, imagine my surprise when he came home with a big, black, SUV. Don't get me wrong, it's nice, but it's so big. I've only driven it once, and I felt like I was driving a tank.