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Two days before Christmas and the weather was better. Jeff didn't like opening up the diner for the holidays, so here it was, their final day together before after Christmas and they've forgotten all about the festivities just as quick.
I was cautious as I biked with a loaded bag of biscuits - at least, not as prone to breakage apart from the icing that became crusty overnight - and even as I used my shoulder to open the diner, the warmth and cheery welcome of the usual patrons brought me in higher spirits as they also eagerly awaited the annual baked goods.
Eva came up to help before I could even fully open the door, unloading one bag off my arm with a smile. "They smell amazing, Bree. Merry Christmas."
Apple and cinnamon on the icing, another one of my supposed specialty. The same Christmas recipe since I started bringing them. Biscuits are easier to travel with and have longer shelf life, but that doesn't mean you should meek out on the quality.
"Thank you and Merry Christmas to you too."
"No Orion?" Marga asked, popping in like a mushroom, followed by Elise as she helped her mother. Her white cloud of hair is tied in a red ribbon, match her bold lipstick and the red, jaunty dress under the apron. She looked like a glorified tree ornament, but I refrained from saying that.
"He's not exactly comfortable with other people yet."
Marga pouted. "Is he a kid? You told him about me didn't you?"
"I told him that there might be a certain lady who will have her crutches on him like fresh meat." I set the bags down as the Small mother and daughter brought out the cookies wrapped in thin fabric and tied with a green and red string. I soon realize that it was easier to package per individual person. If I didn't, the other half of the room won't have any.
"And Orion doesn't want to be devoured," I finished.
Marga huffed. "Fine, but I got him a present too. Here's yours." She went around behind the counter and got out two brightly wrapped packages. She handed me the bigger one, the size and feel of a book. The other one was smaller and heavier.
I tested Orion's gift, but I couldn't make sense of the weight. It felt heavy... but also like if you tilt it one way, like liquid, the heaviness follows. A thick sort of liquid.
"What is this?"
Marga tutted. "That's for him to find out. It's nothing special or inappropriate I promise. I thought of buying him condoms but..."
Eva made a face. "Marga..."
"I said I thought of it, I didn't actually buy it." Marga twirled around as she plucked the backpack out of my hands, already rifling through for my more personal presents. "I'm pretty sure he's already got that well fixed..."
Eva shook her head, while Elise, blushing red, produced out another set of gifts. "This is from me, my mom, and Jeff."
As followed, Elise got me a sweater, Eva got me a new baking pan, and Jeff - haphazardly wrapped and stained with what I assume to be cooking oil - got me a new set of knives. Soon, the diner is filled with familiar faces exchanging gifts. This was a random tradition that started out of nowhere. For as long as I can remember working here, people exchanged around while eating good food. I learned to share my baking goods, the one thing I was actually proud of, and realized a lot of people to enjoy my cooking.
From people who kept trying to sneak in a couple more wrapped cookies than they were supposed to, I'd be inclined to say they were good. Marga on the other hand, after biting off a couple of the biscuits, was now busy with the gifts I came with. I knitted her a new poncho in the same red tone but a deeper shade of scarlet, Elise got her blue skirt, Eva with a green sweater, and Jeff with a yellow sweater vest.
Today was unlike most days; people were more relaxed, more open to just sitting in and drinking their mug of coffees and Eva's hot chocolate recipe that she also only makes for this day. It was a profound mixture of honey sweet and bitter chocolate with a hint of spiciness and doused with marshmallows.
The four of us waitresses chilled in one table, each nursing our mugs when Elise asked while piling an unnecessary amount of marshmallows on her cup, "So what are your plans for Christmas? Mom and I will be at home. We just painted a new mural in the living room - a snowy forest with forest critters so we'll most likely be chilling."
"Same but without the company." Marga sighed. "I'm thinking of asking Tom if he wanted to share Christmas, actually... but knowing that old fart he'd most likely spend it canoodling his bees." She turned to me, her eyes going sly. I sighed.
Ever since Orion was part of my 'life', his mysterious status to everyone else has become some sort of a legend. I was actually surprise Marga hasn't deigned us a visit yet.
"Well I know what Bree will be doing." Marga coughed. "Or who."
"Marga," Eva warned.
"You know he's a nice kid, he should be here," Marga continued, pouting. "I'd like to who managed to warm our little bee's little heart. I'd like to check if he's good enough for you, that's all. You can't even make heads or tails with men these days, especially the ones passing through."
"Thank you for worrying, but I've got it covered." I swirled my mug, poking a floating marshmallow. It was more likely that Orion would be leaving as soon as winter finished. It'll be safer for him to leave then and his health was improving so much leaving the house and escaping into his wolf form.
"Why isn't Hunter here by the way?" Elise asked, frowning. "Isn't he usually here for presents too?"
I looked up. That was true. It was sometime in brunch now, Hunter's usual breakfast time.
Marga smiled. "Why, you miss him? Is our little Elise finally likes a boy?"
Elise burned red. "No! I'm just - I got him a gift. Like I do every year!"
Marga snickered. "Well I wouldn't hold my breath, honey. I talked to Mrs. Newman next door - you know the one whose son is a hunter and the one who keeps saying I should really get a husband like finding a decent one is so easy - and she said there's been a new werewolf. Hasn't been spotted, but they've found tracks all around the forest."
My heart pounded. Damn it, Orion. "How are they sure it's a werewolf? It could be just another wolf."
"They said it was clever. It was making false tracks and confusing everyone. It's been days and they haven't found a single hide of it. Always just tracks. They're pretty sure it knows they've been following it for days and have been making a damn good time making sure they stay confuse."
I wanted to vomit. All of a sudden, I couldn't picture anything else but Orion's face as he grinned to me that morning. All that confidence, that assurance.
"So there... really is a werewolf in town?" Elise asked, chewing on her bottom lip and staring at her marshmallows.
"Seems like it." Marga shrugged, then eyed me. "You and Orion should be careful, honey. You live in the woods especially."
"I'm well prepared," I answered quietly, losing my appetite to finish the hot chocolate. I swirled the cup some more, absentmindedly, as I thought of Orion right now. He said he had been leaving while I was at work... now the nagging worry when he first told me became bigger. Fear crawled like a small spider resting on my shoulder.
"Hey." I looked up at Marga's soft tone. Her face had rid of its usual sharpness. " You don't have to look so down. I'm sure Orion will be fine on his own. He's a man."
I smiled back, not feeling it but knowing not to show anymore anxiety.
