Small Town Boy

Chapter 23

Somehow, I found myself perched on a ladder, several feet above the ground, handing a string of lights to Brian, who was on a different, even taller ladder. Wyatt alternated between steadying the ladders and passing me more bundles. 

"Dad, did you get even more this year?" Wyatt asked, opening what looked like a brand-new box of lights. 

"Those were half-price last year after Christmas." He answered. "Your mother said we should get them." 

"But don't we have enough already?" Wyatt complained. 

"You can never have too many!" Brian shook his head. "Wyatt, there should be another couple of boxes at the very back of the basement. Give Landon the ones in your hand, and we should be fine for long enough for you to go get them." 

"Urgh! Seriously?" He groaned. He handed me the set of icicle-shaped lights in his hands before he angrily trudged inside. 

"He doesn't know that his mother and I went shopping last week for even more," Brian whispered. "And she should be on the way home now with this year's centerpiece." 

"He will soon." I grinned. "What is this centerpiece, by the way?"

"You'll see for yourself soon." He answered. "Alright, I'm ready for the next one."

Wyatt returned, his arms stacked high with boxes. He placed them on the ground next to the base of the ladder and began opening them. Out of them came decorated wreaths, candy cane-shaped garden stakes, a giant light-up star, and, of course, more lights. 

"Wow, you have a lot," I remarked. "Usually Dad just pays some guy to put a few strings of light up on the roof and a sign that says 'Merry Christmas' on the door." 

"Well, it's a joyful time of the year, and Angela and I believe that this makes it more joyful." Brain explained. "Besides, most of the neighbors do something, and we get a bit competitive." 

"I can see that." I chuckled. Brian took the last set of lights I was holding and started hanging them. 

"That's all that needs to go on this part of the roof." He said cheerily.

"Thank god. It's gonna be so bright that a plane will accidently land on the street thinking they are landing lights." Wyatt complained. 

"We're not done yet," Brian said dismissively. Wyatt groaned and continued unloading the boxes. 

It took us another hour to place the rest of the lights. The entire front of Harris's house and most of the front yard were covered in either light or some Christmas-themed item. I had to admit it looked nice, all backed by the blanket of snow that had covered the yard the night before. It would look even better once the sun went down. Finally, Angela returned. 

"I wonder what she has," Wyatt mumbled as Brian went to help her unload whatever she had bought. "All I hope is that it is small, and doesn't take very long to set up."

"That would be nice." I chuckled. 

"Sorry." He apologized. "When I invited you over, I didn't know that they were planning on doing this today."

"That's alright." I grinned. "I've actually enjoyed it. I feel like I've done something." 

"That makes one of us." He groaned. 

Wyatt's parents placed a large box on the ground behind Angela's car. I couldn't quite make out what it was, but it looked heavy. Whatever it was, it looked like neither of Wyatt's wishes would come true. 

"Let go have a look," I suggested, getting to my feet. 

"If I must." He sighed. I reached down and offered him a hand. He took it, and I pulled him to his feet. Even that small, innocent, completely normal bit of contact sent a shiver down my spine. Thank god neither of his parents was paying attention to us.