Boundaries.
Faith: Tell Danny thanks for inviting me. I have a few things I need to do here. Plus, honestly, I think me being at your house, as Danny’s teacher, might confuse him. But maybe don’t tell him that part. I don’t want to hurt his feelings.
Would Adam understand? I didn’t want him to think I didn’t want to hang out with them.
Adam: I understand.
Ugh! What did that even mean?
Was he mad?
Did he want me to come, or did just Danny? Texting has to be the worst form of communication.
Adam: I’m not sure Danny will feel up for school tomorrow.
Faith: That’s fine, whatever he needs to feel comfortable.
I started another batch of cookies. At this point, I could feed a homeless shelter with all the extra cookies I have piled up. After baking, cleaning, and frosting, I read. Unfortunately, it was a Christmas romance, and the MC looked suspiciously like Adam in my head.
Monday morning, I rushed out my front door. My breath was a big puff of steam against the cold air as I walked toward my car. I noticed something different on my left. A real Christmas tree was leaning against the side of the house with a note. I froze.
Wait, what?
I stepped closer to the tree. It looked like… No. I studied the saw marks at the bottom.
I knew this tree because I helped cut it down. It wastheetree. The “perfect tree” Adam found. I stepped around the little pile of snow and found a note tied to the trunk with a string.
Faith,
Thanks again for helping me stay calm and Danny feel safe. I couldn’t stand you never having a tree that you cut down. So, Danny and I decided we would go get one for Mom later. I also picked up a stand, not sure if you needed one. Tell Rose I checked it for spiders.
Merry Christmas
Adam
Then, scribbled at the bottom, Danny also signed his name. He must have used his left hand, because it was bad even for Danny.
I rubbed the note softly, and my eyes filled with tears. I tried to wave them away before they fell. They gave me their Christmas tree. I didn’t know if anyone other than Rose and Marissa had ever done anything so thoughtful for me.
I had gotten expensive, gaudy gifts growing up, but it was never anything I actually wanted. It was more about Mom being able to tell people how generous their presents were.
And they gave me this tree… This was Adam’s tree. The perfect one that he searched forever for.
A sob caught in my throat.
This tree was like a piece of Adam and Danny. It held memories and smiles on every pine-scented needle. I reached over and rubbed the branches softly. I wiped a tear off my cheek.
Next to the tree was a stand propped against the house. I untied the note and held it to my heart. I wanted to call Adam and thank him and Danny. I wanted to see Danny and check if he was okay. I wanted to sit next to Adam and watch Christmas movies.
This was so bad.
Why were they making it so difficult?
I needed to instill some boundaries, or I was going to break my heart and, worse, hurt Danny.
They gave me a frickin’ Christmas tree. I squealed and stomped my feet. I wanted to hug the tree, but figured it would probably prefer I take it inside and give it water.
Chapter Twelve
