Once, I asked for a coloring set like the one my friend had. Crayons, pencils, markers, all arranged in a colorful rainbow, and a book of blank pages to use them in. Under the tree Christmas morning, there was a package shaped just right. My hopes rose. I could already smell the crayons.
But it was only a pair of new jeans for school.
My disappointment must have been obvious because Dad scolded me, and Mom looked sad. I should have been grateful. New clothes, not hand-me-downs, were rare in our family. But all I could think of were the pictures I wouldn’t be able to draw.
My client arrives right on time, stirring me from my memories. Richard Marburger is one of our long-term members. Richie’s been with me going on four years. The guy owns half a dozen car dealerships, a beach house in Hawaii, a condo in Vegas, and still finds time to stay in shape for his golf trips.
“Richie!” I put on my thousand-watt smile. I don’t even have to fake it. This time of year, he always writes me a bonus check, old-school style, from an actual checkbook, and today’s our last session before the holidays. I see dollar signs already.
“What have you got for me today, Max? Nothing too hard, I hope.”
“Only the best for you, Richie.”
“Don’t want to be too sore over the holidays.”
“No worries. We’ll keep it light.” I open the door to the cardio room for him, and he slips me an envelope as he passes by.Cha-ching.
Maybe I really will take it easy on the old guy today.
6
Max
My phone rings,and I nearly startle right off the couch. Shit. I’ve been so jumpy. This can’t be good. Time to get my head on straight and calm the fuck down.
I glare at the phone where it rests facedown on the little end table. Timmy lifts his heavy face from the leather cushion and looks at me as if to say,you gonna get that?One sign I’m going crazy? The dog is more chill than me.
It’s Christmas Eve, so it’s probably just my family calling. Nothing important. I consider not answering, but they’ll only call me back. Might as well get this conversation over with.
I grab the phone and tap the green circle. “Hello.”
“Merry Christmas, Max!” shout about a half dozen people at once. They must have me on speaker. I hate speaker.
I inject some cheer into my voice. “Hi, guys.”
“We’re so sorry you couldn’t join us this year, buddy.” That’s my mom. She says that every year, childhood nickname and all. She probably means it too, even though I never make the trip to Lansing, Kansas, on Christmas. Everyone else is on holiday this time of year, and I can pick up their shifts and potentially poach their clients. It’s not worth taking the time off just to make Mom happy.
“I’m sure you’ll make do without me.”
“We always do, but I keep hoping you’ll come visit sometime. We’re only a plane ride away, you know?”
I do know. Still, it’s too much trouble, not to mention expensive. “How is everyone?”
Mom runs down the list of relatives and gives me the latest. Who’s gotten a new job, who’s moved, who’s had babies, and who’s fallen on hard times. I mostly zone out until she takes me off speaker, and it’s just us chatting.
“What about you, love?” she asks, concern edging into her soft voice. “How have you been?”
“All’s good here. Work’s going well. Jess is away for the holidays, and she’s left her big dopey dog behind for me to look after.” I glance at Timmy. He’s already fallen back to sleep.
“Oh, that’s good. I’m glad you have some company. Are you seeing anyone these days?”
Danny crosses my mind, his bubble butt first, then his scowling face as he lectured me in the locker room next. I could lie. Tell Mom about Danny and leave out the part where he actually hates me. It would make her feel better, but no, I’d better not. She’d only have more questions.Where is he? What does he do? What did you get him for Christmas?Easier to head that off at the pass. “No one special.”
She tuts. “That’s what you always say.”
“That’s because it’s always true.” There’s never anyone special because people only let you down. I’m fine on my own. “You’ll be the first to know if that changes, promise.”
“I just want my son to be happy.”
