The Gemini: Emancipation

20 - Phoenix

December 25, 1996

Jody can't feel her fingers or hands. Not her feet nor her legs. Her arms are probably next to go but who cares. She's too happy to worry about the frostbite that's spreading across her body like a European plague. Culprit? Snow, pretty white, fluffy and lots of it. Mounding on the ground and falling around. Aesthetic wonderland.

On the front lawn there's a snowman with features half done but a body fully dressed. A polka dotted cardigan, a lime green scarf, one of Roger's ridiculous hats, a symbol chain around its neck and a gold watch on its stick wrist.

Down from the porch, Jody goes for a closer look. Her pleasant feel fast turns to irritation. Snowy's eyes be the reason. In the carefully hallowed out rounds aren't pieces of coal, but chocolate glazed donut holes. The last two from the box.

"Roger!"

The one hopping out of the front door isn't her husband but Brie. Skipping down the stairs the girl's momentum continues over to Snowy.

Holding an open pack of celery she snatches one out. "We're outta carrots so Daddy said use these cuz nobody eats them anyway." In location of a nose, she stabs the green stalk in place.

"Why are my donuts on here?"

Oblivious to her mother's demanding irritation, Brie laughs at the oddity.

"Because Daddy said—"

"Where is your daddy?"

Hitching her thumb toward the house, Brie calls out a warning loud enough for her father to hear.

"I told you Mama wouldn't like it!"

Storming up the walk, up the porch stairs and into the house, Jody's fuming about her pastries. Hearing noise in the kitchen, in its direction she goes.

"Those were the last fucking two in the—"

Her spouse came into view with irises not green but blue.

"Sweetheart, that's what stores are for. We'll just buy another box."

Brie's yell sounds again, "Daddy, I finished the snowman come look!"

"Just a sec!" Tommy calls back. He plants a kiss on Jody's forehead before jogging out. "Quit nagging," he laughs.

Eyes break open. She's awake.

Whispers and melodious hums. Roger's voice makes music in her ear. "Merry Christmas, baby."

"I'm never eating sugar again."

Jody's monotoned statement caused him to humor. An earthy chuckle melts into her ear. It's damn near enough to make her forget she even had a dream.

"Why?"

"Brie made a snowman and used the last two donuts for eyes."

"And you got pissed?"

"I was heated."

"What came after that?"

Tommy. The thought of Brie calling him daddy sent odd little flutters through Jody's chest now just as it did in the dream.

But of course, "Nothing," she says. "I woke up."

"Keep lil mama away from donuts. Check."

Snuggling closer, Roger's back to humming his holiday tune. When he spooned to Jody, she felt the reason for his joy.