“Let’s do it!” Chris cheered, opening the door and ushering us out.
I let Chris lead us down the street, Noelle between us holding our hands. It was cold out. I could feel the tip of my nose turning red, and my chest hurt from breathing in the cold air, but it was so beautiful. The snow was still white and banked up, not yet having been stomped through and turned to cold, gray slush.
“I see it!” Noelle exclaimed as we came in sight of the giant Christmas Tree in the town square. The storm hadn’t been kind to it, but it was still standing proudly looking a little worse for wear, but making the kids smile nonetheless.
“Mom, can I go?” Noelle asked, looking up at me with those wide puppy eyes I thought I’d grown immune to only to realize I was completely powerless against.
At the base of the tree was a group of kids playing in the snow and laughing happily. Obviously, everyone had beengetting cabin fever, and now the storm had passed, they were catching up on the missed festive season. Chris and I continued to walk along shoulder to shoulder while Noelle skipped ahead before picking up a pine cone and holding it up proudly.
“She’s a great kid,” Chris commented as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.
“She has her moments,” I replied, brushing off his compliment but internally beaming with pride.
“Holly?” Chris asked as his pace slowed and his voice dropped.
“Yes?” I replied overly perky, trying to overcompensate.
“I know it’s none of my business, but where’s Noelle’s father? She hasn’t mentioned him at all.” Chris's comment had my neck snapping back so fast that I risked whiplash. This was certainly not a conversation I planned on having today.
“He passed,” I choked out.
“I’m sorry,” Chris replied automatically.
“It was a long time ago now,” I tried to brush it off, keeping my eyes firmly fixed on Noelle up ahead. The last thing I wanted to see on Chris’s face was pity. I didn’t want it and I certainly didn’t need it.
“You’ve done an incredible job with her,” Chris added, and it was awkward. I didn’t want it to be awkward. That wasn’t what this was supposed to be.
“Thank you. I’ve done what any mom would. I do the best I can to give her a normal childhood. She doesn’t have a dad but she’s not the only kid to grow up without one. In some ways she’s lucky. Her dad didn’t choose to leave her. Too many kids I see … let’s just say they have it a lot worse.” I stopped myself from going on a rant. It was one thing I was good at. Getting all worked up over kids who deserved better. Deserved more. Noelle wasn’t one of them. She never would be. I’d make sure of it or die trying.
On the other side of the square, a vendor sold hot chocolate, and it sounded like the perfect excuse to change the subject. “Would you like one?” I offered, pointing to the cart.
“I’m good, thanks,” Chris declined.
“I’ll be right back,” I told him, making a beeline for the cart and leaving him standing there.
I needed a moment and some space. A week ago, I didn’t even know Chris existed, and now I was spilling my guts about my painful past. I reached the cart, ordered a drink, and stepped back while I waited my turn.
“Are you here with Chris?” the lady waiting beside me asked.
She was a colorful character. Despite the chill in the air, she wore a long skirt and a knee-length patchwork coat. Her black leather gloves fiddled with the strap of her purse.
“Ah, not really,” I answered, not wanting to cause trouble.
“Are you sure?”
Who was this nosy woman? Chris said he was single, and I’d believed him. Not that we’d done anything wrong, but we’d definitely thought about it. At least I know I had. And from the hardness digging into my hip last night, I knew Chris definitely didn’t think I was a troll, but we’d never crossed that line. We wouldn’t.
“He’s just a friend,” I declared, not liking how the word tasted on my tongue.
“Are you sure?”
I was quickly becoming annoyed by nosy Nora. What business was it of hers? Before I could answer and put her in her place, she pushed on.
“Because my friends don’t look at me like that.” She shrugged as her name was called and propelled herself forward to accept the paper cup.
I barely noticed her coming and standing beside me. I wastoo busy staring at Chris trying to see what she saw. He wasn’t watching me. He wasn’t even looking my way. His gaze was firmly set on Noelle and the wide smile on his face melted my icy heart.
Nora elbowed me and I stumbled sideways. “He’s a good one, that one. Horrible what she did to him, but if you’re responsible for putting that smile on his face, then I hope you stick around.”
