But maybe they did better when spontaneous. This had not worked out the way she planned.
Turning out her bed light, she used the scant light in the room to shift the blanket so they could share. She slid next to him in the gentlest way possible. He snuffed, slipped an arm around her, and settled into deeper sleep. Tired from her own day, she let herself float away, too.
Clem’s take-out would be a heck of a breakfast.
&&&&&&&&&&
Mia kept her cell phone under the blankets so her mother wouldn’t know she had it. Home finally, she snuggled into her bed. The hospital sucked. One minute having her mom hovering was everything she wanted like she was five or something. The next second, she wanted her far away. She was downstairs calling a library co-worker. Perfect opportunity to check in.
But Jake wasn’t answering any of her messages.
Where was Santa?
Did they continue with the plan and take more pictures?
What had he heard?
And did she have homework in calculus?
If she felt better, she’d be super ticked at how sickness had interrupted everything, but she didn’t have the energy.
Her phone dinged. Finally.
Can’t talk now. Santa fine. More pictures. Will send.
Mia rolled her eyes and lightly slapped her pillow before texting back.
Not helpful, Jake. Call me.
Can’t. With family. Brother finds out, I’ll be grounded until college.
Indeed. Bret Cara wasn’t known for letting things slide. She knew that personally after her rocket affair last Christmas.
As soon as you can, then. I need to plan.
Are you better?
Enough to come home but not really.
Work on that. We gotta give Santa back soon.
Mia snorted, then coughed hard enough to vomit. Swallowing hard, she sipped her water to clear her sore throat and texted back.I’m thinking a couple more days. We’ll do a social media blitz, then set him in Christmas-party style on Saturday at the gazebo.
Whatever you say. We need this done or we’re gonna get caught.
She didn’t disagree, so she asked about calculus and tapped her usualcya. Turning her phone off, she worried the details into sleep and weird dreams.
She wasn’t cut out for a life of crime. It didn’t pay.
&&&&&&&&&&
Tom woke.
The black of the dark, rainy night had the windows rattling and the old house objecting in quiet creaks.
On his stomach, he didn’t move. Summer lay against his side with her head on the back of his shoulder and legs tangled with his. A comfortable blanket covered them both.
Had he fallen asleep during her massage?
