Winning Skylinn

16

The next day was Christmas Eve, and I was off work. Sunrise was closed on holidays. So I slept in til noon, then helped my mom make sugar cookies.

As I was carving out a snowman-shaped cookie, my phone started buzzing on the table. My hands were a sticky mess, and I struggled to wipe them off on a towel before answering the phone.

My heart nearly stopped when I read the caller ID.

Denver.

"Whoa, calm down! What is it?" my mom said, looking shocked.

I hadn't even heard myself scream.

"I-it's Denver!" I managed. Finally, I picked up the phone and pressed the green answer button. "H-hello?" I cleared my throat and stuffed my shaking hand into my lap.

"Hi," Denver replied.

I giggled with excitement. "It's really you."

He laughed. "Yes, it's me."

"I can't believe this. H-how are you calling me?"

"We get our phones for Christmas break."

"How long is that?"

"Two days."

"Wow. Th-that's great," I said, still in shock that we were even speaking.

I finally remembered that my mom was in the room. I mouthed the words, 'I'll be in my room,' then ran upstairs. I closed the door and sprawled out across the bed.

"So. How are you? Did you get my letter?"

A sinking feeling rose in the pit of my stomach. I'd forgotten to write him back. With all the busyness, I just hadn't had time.

"Yeah, I did. I'm working on writing you back."

"Great," he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice.

"How's boot camp?"

"It's cool. Tough, but cool. I'm really excited for next week..." He went on about army stuff, and I just listened to him talk. I had no idea what he was saying, but I let myself be reminded of the sound of his voice. It was a familiar sound, but somehow it seemed different.

After awhile he asked, "How's life back home?"

"Good. It's just been holiday after holiday, ya know. Thanksgiving. Christmas. Pretty soon it'll be New Years!" Another thing you won't be here for.

"What are you doing tonight?"

"Going to church. Remember, we have that annual Christmas concert thing?"

I didn't really expect him to remember. Unlike Jonny, Denver was the type of guy who forgot just about everything. Still, though, he'd been going to the Music of Christmas with me since we started dating. I figured he would at least remember that.

"Oh yeah. That should be fun," he said.

"Are you gonna do anything?"

"Probably call my parents."

"Oh, they'll like that."

Suddenly it felt like we were talking, but not really saying anything. And I didn't like it.

So I said, "I miss you."

"I miss you too. Every day."

"Nah, I bet there are plenty of pretty girls out there with you..."

"Yeah, but they're not you."

I smiled.