Misadventure

34

Harry's POV

"What the hell?"

"Do you not like it?"

It took me a moment to even figure out what it was.

"It's a green gecko," Dad explained. "I remembered you saying how much you loved the lizards at your job."

I blinked at him. Then it clicked. "Blizzards, Dad. I said I liked the blizzards." I explained patiently, fighting to keep a straight face. "I worked at a Dairy Queen."

"Oh." He coughed. "Well. Um. Right. You know, when you were younger your mum used to take gift shopping initiative."

"He's pretty cute," I told him, feeling kind of bad. That heated tank didn't look cheap. He'd obviously put a lot of time and money into setting this up for me, and I didn't want him to think his present was a flop. "Actually, he's really cute. I ought to give the little guy a name."

****

"Louis, say hello to Santa."

I held the reptile up to my phone camera, on a FaceTime call. I was currently sitting on the burgundy carpet in front of the couch, my phone balanced awkwardly against the leg of the coffee table so I wouldn't have to hold it.

"Harry, what the fuck?"

"Shh." I pretended to plug Santa's ears. "No swearing in front of the baby."

"That thing is creepy."

"That thing, is my son."

Louis stuck his tongue out.

Santa also stuck his tongue out.

Even through the screen, Louis looked outraged. "Your son is making fun of me!"

"He's innocent. He doesn't know any better." I petted Santa's back and kissed his tiny head, then put him safely back in the heated tank. "Happy late birthday by the way. Sorry we couldn't talk yesterday."

"Love, that wasn't your fault. I told you that, remember? I couldn't find a quiet place away from my parents."

I didn't recognize the background behind him, even though I had been to his house many times. It appeared to be some sort of attic. Did Louis' house have attic? Had I just forgotten?

"I'm driving down to Eastbourne in the morning," I told him, punctuating this statement with a stretch and a yawn. I'd been up since early this morning, and the sky was now growing dark. Just the thought of having to wake up early again tomorrow to drive for five hours made me exhausted. "I wish I could see you. I love you."

"I wish I could see you too, baby. I... miss you. You have no idea how much I miss you."

****

As planned, I left early the next morning. Santa stayed behind, because Gemma's landlord didn't allow pets. I thought this was lame and stupid.

It always put me in a serene mood being alone in my car. The sun was just making an appearance when I decided to get off the highway for a little bit. My legs were cramping already, and I'd only been driving for an hour or so.

There was a truck stop with fuel pumps, which was good because my tank light was on. I intentionally parked at the row of pumps furthest from the entrance, wanting to get some fresh air and stretch my legs.

I stared down at my feet as I walked through the door, feeling stranger's eyes on me. It was a sensation that never failed to make me unsettled. My worn brown were slippery with parking lot sleet, so I wiped them on the little mat before backing a B-line for the washrooms.