“But I did, so you might as well open it.”
“Well, here, I got you a couple of things, too.” I hurried into my bedroom and returned moments later with a giant stocking and a big wrapped box.
“Youshouldn’t have,” he said, reluctantly accepting it all from me. “I’m an adult now, sis. I know Santa isn’t real, stop trying to do his job.”
“Never!” I declared, taking my gift from him. “Santaisreal, and you’re my baby brother, Benny. I will always take care of you. Now, open your damn presents.”
He grinned like the little kid I used to know and dumped his stocking all over the coffee table. Since I had no idea where he was living and what he needed, I stuffed it full of candy, a toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, deodorant, and socks.
“Thank you,” he said. “Now open yours.”
“You first.” I nudged the big box in his lap.
He cocked his head to the side and stared at me, but I wouldn’t budge. Finally, he said, “Together.”
Matching his grin, I nodded. “One. Two. Three!”
We both tore into our packages like we were children again. Wrapping paper went flying everywhere, adding to the fun. I loved that despite whatever Ben had been up to, and how hard he was trying to prove he was a man, he could still be this immature with me on Christmas. He bought me a beautiful silver necklace with a tree pendant.
“I saw that, and it reminded me of that book you used to read me when I was little.”
My chest squeezed, and I nodded. “The Giving Tree.”
“Yeah. Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful. I love it. Will you help me put it on?” I unfastened the clasp, and Ben slid it around my neck, closing it.
“You always reminded me of the Giving Tree,” Ben said, his voice low and somber.
“Why?” I asked. “Because the boys always stay away?”
It was an attempt to poke fun at myself and my lack of dating history, but Ben didn’t even crack a smile.
“No. Because you give and give until you have nothing left. You did that with me, and you’re doing it with the preschool. I don’t want to see you become a stump, sis.”
“Don’t you remember how the story ends? The boy and the tree are together and both are happy. Yes, I give a lot, but I alsogeta lot. From you and the school.”
He didn’t look so convinced, so I fingered the pendant around my neck. “You just gave me this beautiful necklace.”
“I’m kind of wishing I would have gotten you a helmet now,” he said, eyeballing my injury once more. “I still can’t believe some asshole hit you.”
“I’m fine, Benny. And the children are always giving me stuff. You should stop by and see my office some time.”
He pulled his gift from the box. It was a jacket. Last time he’d been here, I noticed how frayed and worn his looked, and I wanted him to be warm. But more than that, I wanted him to be safe, and this one was made for bikers with all sorts of pockets and armor and made of five percent Kevlar. It wouldn’t stop a bullet, but it would slow one down. Or a knife, or any of the other crap my brother could have been into.
His gaze met mine and I didn’t miss the appreciation in his eyes. I wouldn’t interrogate him about what he was up to, but I would do everything I could to protect him.
“You can always come home, Ben,” I said, patting my sofa. “This comfortable ol’ boy’s always here for you.”
Ben’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket and studied the display. His eyes widened and his nostrils flared before he slammed it back into his pocket. “I hate to do this to you, sis, but I gotta bounce.”
“What?” I asked. “You’re leaving? But we have Christmas dinner at Beth’s.”
“I know. I’m sorry, but I can’t make it.” He stood and went into the kitchen, returning with a plastic bag. He shoved all the goods from his stocking into it before taking off his old coat and adding it to the bag. Then he put on his new one.
“Why? It’s Christmas, Ben.”
“I just… I have some shit to take care of. I’ll be back in a few days. Maybe we can have dinner then. Just us.”
“Beth’s son, Landon, is home on leave from the Army. I want you to meet him.”
Ben was already making his way to the door, and this was my last-ditch effort to get him to stay. He smirked at me over his shoulder and threw my previous question back at me. “Is he cute at least?”
“Yes.” I sounded desperate, because I was. I hadn’t seen Ben in weeks, and his sudden departure was worrying the hell out of me. “And you should come pound on your chest and let him know that you’ll kick his ass unless he spoils me and gives me everything I want.”
“I wish I could.” Ben paused at the door. “I love you, sis. Merry Christmas.”
Then the door opened, and he was gone.
Staring after him, I wondered if it was me or something in the message he’d received that had driven him away this time.
