Christmas Debate

Chapter 23

Zeke

The alcohol coursing through Zeke's system made the cold walk back from the bar a bit more pleasant. The chill nipped at his cheeks, but all those Old Fashioneds warmed him from within. Or, it could've had something to do with how things had been going. For the first time since he'd arrived in Winter Grove, he felt...

It was hard to say. But it felt good.

He had seen a new side of Sterling tonight. Or maybe it was the same side, but he was just looking closer. Sterling had his own kind of potential. Zeke still had his reservations, of course, but he was starting to wonder if all of Alicia's interference had opened his eyes.

Alicia...

She didn't seem to hate him anymore.

That idea warmed him through, too...

A smile had spread across his face as he reached the hotel doors.

The guy at the front desk looked up. "Good evening Mr. Brighton. I have some messages and—"

"Tomorrow," Zeke said, waving him off as he strode across the lobby.

"But sir—"

"Tomorrow," he called back, already halfway to the elevator.

As he stepped inside, the guy at the front desk looked like he was debating chasing after him. The hotel was nice, but the staff were a little too keen. Whatever messages were waiting for him could wait. He could probably guess who they were all from... Nancy. She had all the details of the reservation. After all, she was supposed to stay here alongside him...

But he didn't want to think about her right now. He wanted to stay in this warm, happy little bubble a little longer...

As the elevator doors closed, Zeke smiled at the guy, hoping he'd let it go.

"Hold it!"

A hand shot through the crack, and the doors backed off. As they opened again, Zeke was surprised to find his dad on the other side.

"What are you still doing up, old man?" Zeke said with a mischievous grin.

"Watch it, young'n," his dad replied, his mustache bristling with his smile. He brandished a little baggy at him. "I was out fetching ice cream for your mother."

"Where did you find somewhere open late in this town?"

"There's a 24-hour gas station on the edge of town," his dad explained. "And lucky there was! You know how your mother gets when she wants to watch her Christmas movies. She's gotta have her Peppermint Chip ice cream."

Zeke chuckled. His mother was a Christmas movie addict. "I do."

"It's one of the things I love about her," his dad said with a sigh. "Even if those cheesy formulaic movies drive me crazy! At least our suite has more than one room. Santa sure was generous!" He winked at his son.

Zeke chuckled. "Yeah, you're welcome."

"Don't tell your mom I've been complaining about those movies again," his dad said, elbowing him. "I really don't mind. If it will make her happy, I can't say no. After all, it's the little things that make a relationship last."

"Is it?" Zeke said. The words came out more skeptical than he had intended. The thought of Nancy lingered at the back of his mind, threatening to pop his happy bubble...

His dad just laughed at him. "It is. People focus on all the showy-stuff: the tension, the confessions, the events... But it's the little things that matter most. Loving them in quiet ways. Respecting them. Helping them. Wanting them to be happy. Like remembering their keys when they always forget, or getting ice cream so they can watch their favorite holiday movie cheese."

Zeke averted his eyes, studying his warped reflection in the polished elevator door. Memories of his time in Winter Grove flashed through his mind...

Sterling agreeing to the Winter Grove Games.

Sterling refusing to throw a snowball at his girlfriend.

And Sterling helping Celeste out of her heavy winter jacket...

"I hope you find that for yourself one day, son," his dad said as the elevator doors opened on the top floor. His green eyes had gone all dreamy. The man accused his wife of being a sucker for the romance of the season, but in reality, he was just as bad.

"Me too," Zeke admitted.

Once again, Nancy slipped into his thoughts. She wouldn't be that easy to shake off this time...

His bubble was officially punctured.

They had reached their respective rooms.

"See you tomorrow, champ," his dad said, tucking the ice cream under his arm so he could fish out his card key. He tapped it on the handle, and it beeped as it unlocked. "Sleep well!"

Zeke forced a smile, but he was pretty certain there would be no rest for him tonight. The warmth was gone. Maybe he could get it back by raiding the minibar again, though he was starting to run up quite the tab...

His dad opened the door to his suite, and Zeke heard his mother cheer.

"Is it you, Herb?" she called. "Did you get it?"

"I diiid," his dad said, raising the ice cream high as he stepped through.

The door shut behind him, and the hall went quiet.

Zeke stood in silence for a moment, letting his thoughts churn. If he was lucky, he'd leave them out here before he went inside. He pulled out his keycard and tapped it against the handle. It beeped open, and he pushed his way in...

Zeke froze.

All the lights in his suite were on, and there was a roaring fire in the sitting room. Had he forgotten about some turn-down service?

"There you are."

A chill ran up his neck as the woman waiting in an armchair by the fire got to her feet. Her jet black hair was smooth and perfectly straight, swishing as she walked towards him.

Zeke rubbed at his eyes, hoping that this was some figment of the Old Fashioneds, or maybe some wicked Ghost of Christmas Past.

But as he looked again, she was right there, standing in front of him.

His voice shook as he tried to find his words.

"N-Nancy?"

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