25 Scenes of Christmas

Decorations?

*Rosalie Bennett-West*

The woman set down her glass of wine, absently reaching for her phone dancing across the table.

Glancing at the digital screen she felt apprehension curl in the pit of her stomach.

Fumbling for the remote control, she turned down the television volume before answering, "Hello?"

"Hey, Rose. "Came the deep, slightly nervous voice. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Warren." She cringed as her voice cracked.

There was an awkward silence.

"So," Warren finally spoke, "I decided to be festive and set up a Christmas tree. Then I realized that I gave you all of the Christmas decorations."

Rosalie flashed back to angrily packing boxes. "I was in a rush, I didn't even realize everything that I grabbed." She mumbled, a little regretfully.

"No, I'm not trying to get them back or anything." He sounded awkward as he tried to keep things civil. "It's just, I have this 8 foot tall tree and no ornaments to put on it. I figured if you had the ornaments and no tree..."

"You called to negotiate?" She smiled.

"Yes," He sounded relieved. "I can bring the tree over to you."

"I don't think an 8 foot tree will fit in my apartment." She glanced at an empty corner of the small space.

"I've got it set up in the condo."

She didn't respond.

"I bought the condo to share with you, Rosalie."

She nodded, though he couldn't see it. "It'll take me time to find those boxes." She offered. "When did you want to meet up."

"Lunch?"

"Lunch?" She echoed.

"Dinner sounds pretty formal for a man and his ex-wife. I can order from that one place."

"Who's?" She smiled. "Your 'one place' is Chinese. My 'one place' is Mexican."

"So, Mexican it is." He sounded happier than he had when he first called. "See you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow." She smiled and hung up the phone.

Setting the phone on the table, she picked her glass back up.

Her apprehension about the call was now shifted to her apprehension of the next few days.

There was a ring at the doorbell just after noon.

Opening the door, Warren was met by a slim woman with curly brown hair. She was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, holding her coat in her arms.

She gave her ex-husband a soft smile. Her keys jangled in her hand as she gestured down the hallway. "There are 3 boxes of Christmas stuff in my car."

The man nodded, taking his own coat off of a hook. "Let's go get them."

"I parked in the garage." She mentioned as he stepped out of the condo. "Tim let me in."

"You can have your parking pass back, and your key."

"Warren," She stopped walking. "I'm not here for -- I don't want you to --" She fumbled somewhere between her thoughts and the related words.

"Christmas ornaments?" He offered.

She sighed, "Yes, I am here for Christmas ornaments."

"So let's go get them and order Mexican for lunch."

She still looked skeptical.

"There is no hidden agenda, Rosalie." He explained. "I terminated our marriage and everything that it involved. It was just like signing divorce papers. I know where we stand." He pressed the elevator call button. "I offered you the key back, because I started shopping for new apartments. This place is yours if you want it."

Rosalie nodded, stepping into the elevator with him.