Amelia crashed into me and hugged me. She jumped up and down and danced around the table in her fairy wings and Christmas dress. It meant the world to me that I could make her happy in such a simple way. Children were precious.
“Thank you, Jake. That was very kind of you. Gabriel mentioned you are talented,” Martha said, touching my knee momentarily.
Uncomfortable heat beat through me. Compliments always made me feel out of place, if only because I’d convinced myself they were a placating measure. Past the rush of nerves was a curious excitement from taking part in this family. Gabriel returned and sat next to me while Amelia showed him the coloring book. He bragged about my art skills, deepening my blush.
“Martha, light of my life,” an older man with a bushy white mustache said as he joined us in the living room, looking flustered. “I love you, but you’re a pack-rat.”
She huffed. “It was your idea to store the chairs behind the clutter.”
“Dad, come meet Jake and I’ll help you fish out the chairs in a bit,” Gabriel said, shooting to his feet.
“Where are my manners?” He said and approached. I got up and accepted his hand, his grip firm. It was difficult meeting his eyes, but I didn’t want to be rude. “So this is the young man I’ve heard so much about.”
“It’s nice to meet you, sir,” I said, something dry and scratchy stuck in my throat. Gabriel’s palm on my back gave me the courage I needed.
“Likewise. I was curious about the person making my son so happy.”
I passed a look to Gabriel who was beaming. He was so happy about introducing me to his family that the positive emotions sank into me. I could do this for him, couldn’t I?
“Let me help you find those chairs, Dad.”
“Wait!” I blurted. I wasn’t sure what had gotten into me. I supposed that I really wanted to be a part of this wonderful family. “Can I give them their gift now?”
He smiled all the brighter. “That’s a good idea. I want you guys to see what Jake got you.”
“That wasn’t necessary,” Martha said and accepted the gift from Gabriel.
“You open it, Mom,” he said. “You’re going to love it.”
I watched with trepidation as she tore the paper from the box and pushed the bubble wrap aside to reveal the framed drawing. She pressed a hand to her mouth. “Oh my gosh, this isn’t…?”
Mr. Northcotte sat next to her and pushed his glasses up his nose. “It’s Scrappy!”
“I…tried to photograph the recreate, er…recreate the photograph as realistically as possible,” I said, my breath hard to come.Stop talking, you sound like an idiot!
Nervous heat rushed to my cheeks as time slowed down. I couldn’t tell if they liked it. They probably thought it was silly and weren't sure how to let me down easily. I wished I’d stayed silent.
Martha got up and propped the frame on the mantle, next to a photograph of a young girl holding a cat. She stood there for a moment, and I wanted to slink away, but where could I hide? When she turned to me, tears were in her eyes, and she pulled me into a hug.
“Thank you, Jake. Your gift is so thoughtful,” she said and patted my cheek. “It looks exactly like him. I loved that little pain in the behind.”
“Scrappy was very special to us,” Mr. Northcotte said. “We found him abandoned and hungry on our honeymoon, so we took him home.”
Gabriel winked at me, and I heard his thoughts in my mind:Told ya so.
“We should open all our presents now!” Amelia exclaimed.
“Why not?” Martha shrugged, her eyes reflecting the colorful lights of the tree.
The evening wound on as we gathered in the living room. Opening the mountain of presents took a good hour, colorful paper flying everywhere and laughter filling the house. Every time a package was plopped in my arms, something warm and cozy uncurled in my stomach. The Northcottes gifted me a down jacket from Canada Goose and a leather belt from Ermenegildo Zegna. I hadn’t heard of either label, but everything was qualityand no doubt expensive. It made my little gift seem like a package of Hanes underwear.
Gabriel had gotten a fantasy-themed play kitchen for Amelia, her screams of excitement making me smile. Mr. Northcotte filmed them with his phone as Gabriel helped her bake ‘fairy pies’ and I couldn’t help thinking he’d make a great dad.
Slowly, the ball of nerves in my stomach loosened. I colored pictures with Amelia and Martha regaled me with stories of Gabriel when he was young. I caught myself smiling and laughing. When it came time to start dinner, I helped peel potatoes. Martha asked a little about me, which made me uneasy, but Gabriel did the talking, steering her to safer subjects. Time slipped by the cold darkness outside stayed by the warm light of this family. There was tension in the air though. Mr. Northcotte kept checking his phone and I didn’t miss the harshness in Gabriel’s expression as it got later and later.
As we sat down at the dinner table, Amelia looked to the empty chair and asked, “Where is Mommy?”
“I’m sure she’s on her way, honey,” Mr. Northcotte said.
