Sativa.

34. Christmas

2 years ago

Usually the end of December brings a little magic. Twinkling rainbow lights, a seasonal cheer of boisterous caroling, and the drinking egg-nog transported Blaine to better places.

Tina nagged all month as Blaine blared her favorite songs like Have Yourself a Merry Christmas and Baby It's Cold Outside. Regardless of how difficult times got through the year, Blaine could count on Christmas. Everyone in her family would receive one gift under the tree and they'd all gather around the fireplace to eat sugar cookies with hot coco and marshmallows.

The beginning of December when her Mother died also marked the third month she started living on her own at the trailer park. Blaine hardly know anyone. Though she visited Clark often she knew the holiday wouldn't be the same. He wasn't allowed to have a Christmas tree and there wouldn't be a fireplace to keep them warm either.

Early one morning, Blaine roams town square. The swaying rainbow lights and snow flurries leave her feeling down rather than uplifted. It's Christmas but she exits Clark's room only with a handful of colorful beaded bracelets. That was to be the extent of her celebrations.

Walking home she happened to see Travis. Their relationship was still at the stage where they occasionally visited for dinner but nothing more. She pauses in the middle of the park, glancing at him. He stands under one of the lit up trees with his hands cupped around his mouth for warmth.

"Eyy stabby." He smiles crookedly once he notices her. "What are you doing out in this weather?"

"I could ask you the same."

"Well I was suppose to have my sister pick me up here to see my family." He checks his wrist for effect given he isn't wearing a watch. "She's late as fuck."

Running into him by chance already brightens her mood but she isn't about to intrude on his day. Managing a smile she says, "Merry Christmas, Travis."

She turns to walk away but he asks, "What are your plans?"

Blaine pauses mid-step to look up at him again. Sympathy isn't what she wants, so she intends to lie, but instead she blurts, "I don't have plans."

"That sucks." He cups his hands around his mouth again. "I've been standing out here for a long time. How 'bout we walk somewhere else?"

"Alright." She agrees, slightly cringing at her enthusiasm. "Where?"

"You're going to have to wait and see." Travis leaves it at that and they walk side by side down the sidewalk

They fall silent for about a block before she says, "I'm glad I ran into you actually. I have a present for you but it's back at the house."

"Really?"

"Yeah." Blaine smiles down at her feet. "Christmas is my favorite holiday so I go all out."

"Hell yeah, that's what's up."

Conversation is hardly ever stilted between them so she doesn't hesitate to casually ask, "Where are we going again?"

Travis laughs. "You almost caught me. I was about to tell you."

Before long she finds out on her own. Nudging against her shoulder, he steers her to a parking lot filled with cars that already have snow fogging the windows. It's a church with a huge wooden cross perched on the roof and an even bigger pine tree lit up spectacularly next to the building. A steady line of people walk through the doors and gusts of snow follow their entry piling white powder at the threshold.

"They do this every year." Travis explains as they follow the rest of the congregation through the entryway.

At the door of the main reception room a sharply dressed man hands each person a candle then offers his blessing. Blaine accepts her candle with a, "thank you."