Running Scared

Chapter 15:

 November passed blissfully and December drifted by like leaves in the fall wind. Before I knew it, Mom and I were setting up the Christmas tree in the living room. In the background, Harry Connick Jr. (Dad's favorite) was singing Silver Bells in a hushed tone. We danced around the tree, hanging homemade ornaments and store-bought bulbs, sparkly snowflakes and little Santa Clauses. A wreath of jingle bells sang each time we hung something new on the tree or accidentally brushed it.

The lights shined bright and twinkled between the fake branches. When we finished, I did the honors of placing the angel at the top of the tree. She smiled down at us with a fragile candle in her porcelain hands. Her gold dress bubbled out around the top branch and her sleeves were puffed out.

As tradition, Mom and I each placed our gifts for each other under the tree. It was only two weeks until Christmas and we finally finished decorating. Christmas stuffed animals were planted around the house, lights circled the base of the ceiling in the living room, two stockings were hung over the fireplace, and with help from Eric, the house was decorated with red and green lights.

Christmas was my favorite time of year and, for the first time in two years, it was the least stressful Christmas. Last year, I was with James (who was still locked up in jail with little chances of getting out) and the year before Mom left on an emergency business trip. Ever since I returned home, Mom hasn't left once except to go to her office downtown while I'm at school.

Mom looked over at me and smiled, I smiled back and walked towards the kitchen. On the stove, a kettle of hot chocolate was boiling. It never got so cold in California (where we lived) where it was like in places like Tennessee, Colorado, or even (maybe) Texas. I had never seen snow until we went up to Montana. Despite the circumstances, it was fun to play in the snow. It made me want to move somewhere like that. Anyways, we made hot chocolate because it seemed the wintery thing to do. I poured two mugs of it and shut the stove off. I carried the two cups in and set them down in front Mom then me.

We sat back and talked about school, work, and how I was doing. I avoided the latter the most. School was good, so was work, and I was too. When both our mugs were nearly empty, the doorbell rang. I stood up and headed that way. It felt good to walk normally again. The boot was off and I felt great for the first time in a long time.

I reached the door and opened it without looking to see who it was. On the other side, Eric stood and his mother, Kora, was right behind him. I gave them a huge grin and ushered them inside. Mom walked up and gave Kora a hug. They were friends in high school, went their separate ways and crossed paths when Eric and I went to Mothers Day Out together. Eric and I high fived and I led him to my room after informing Mom. When we reached my room, I flopped down on the bed and watched him sit down in the chaise lounge in the corner.

“What's up?” I asked, placing my head in my hands.

“We just did some Christmas shopping for my dad and yesterday we put up lights.”

“Fun! By the way, thanks for helping last weekend. You did a great job!”

“Thanks, I didn't think you could stand up on the ladder with that boot you had on.” He glanced at my feet, which were in the air, and laughed.

“Hey! I helped... a little. I wrapped the trees and gave some of those hooks!”

“A few,” he corrected.

I narrowed my eyes and glared. “What. Ever.”

“Just teasing you.” He winked.

We hung up in my room for a while until Kora called him down to go head home. I gave him a hug goodbye and we watched them pull away. I followed Mom back into the living room and we settled down to watch a Christmas movie.