They unpacked the ornaments, lights, and the star for the tree. Ciaran and Geoff had just finished untangling the lights when Teddy came in with a tray of steaming mugs of cocoa and cookies.
“Let’s have a snack and then start,” Teddy said, taking a seat close to Geoff on the couch, while Ciaran took the chair. They finished with their cookies and cocoa before getting started on the tree.
“How do you guys want it decorated?” Ciaran asked. He’d never had a tree of his own, and his parents told him and his sister exactly how they wanted the tree done.
“Just put things on,” Geoff said. “Make sure no two bobbles of the same color are next to each other, and we’re good.”
“Okay,” Ciaran said.
They busied themselves with the tree. Ciaran smiled as they rearranged ornaments, tried to even out the spacing, and placed the lights.
“Why don’t you place the star, Ciaran?” Teddy suggested.
“Me?”
“Yeah,” Geoff agreed. “You’re our guest. You do the honor.”
Ciaran stepped up onto the small ladder and placed the star at the top. He couldn’t quite get it straight, but it stayed.
“Here we go,” Geoff plugged in the lights.
The lights blinked in a dazzling display of colors.
“It looks perfect.” Geoff wrapped an arm around Teddy.
“It sure does,” Teddy said.
“Thank you again, guys. This has been a wonderful afternoon,” Ciaran said.
“You’re very welcome,” Teddy said. “Now, I’m going to heat up dinner.”
“Would you like a glass of brandy?” Geoff asked.
“I’d love one,” Ciaran said.
The two sat on the couch with their brandy.
“So, now that you’re staying with us, is there anything else you’d like us to know?”
“Not really,” Ciaran said. “I live a pretty boring life. I mostly work, but sometimes I go out with friends. That’s it, really.”
“Hopefully, we can help you find a hobby while you’re here,” Geoff said. “You can’t just work all the time.”
“I have hobbies,” Ciaran protested.
“Okay, name one?” Geoff smiled.
He had a sweet and genuine smile.
“I play video games,” Ciaran said.
“Nice,” Geoff said. “Anything else?”
“No, that’s it.”
Geoff laughed. “Maybe tomorrow’s walk will inspire you to walk more when you get home.”
“My home doesn’t have beautiful landscapes like this. I live in a crowded city.”
