I twirl my phone in my hand as I stare out of the plane window. The sky is so dark I see more of my reflection than I do outside. I pull the cover shut.
The plane is dark and there is low murmuring from a few people talking to their wives and among each other.
Is Matty still awake? Would Alli even be awake right now? It is pretty late. I scan my teammates sitting nearby. Ripley is engulfed in whatever he’s reading with the rookie fast asleep on his shoulder.
Ronan is failing to hide his envious stare at Fitz chatting with Coach Randall, who then puts a hand on Fitz's shoulder. Ronan scoffs and takes an aggressive bite of his candy bar.
Screw it.
I put my headphones on. Her number is easy to find since she’s the only A in my contacts. I don’t hesitate to hit the facetime button.
It rings twice before she answers. Her screen is dark when she answers in a sleepy tone.
“Hello?”
“Hey, sorry to call so late.” I whisper so I’m not overheard or disturbing my teammate.
There’s a small click and then the light from her lamp illuminates her face. Her hair is in a messy bun on top of her head with pieces falling, framing her face. I’m not talking about the ones girls say is a messy bun, but it’s really styled like that on purpose- no, it’s a rat's nest on her head.
Yet somehow, it’s adorable as hell.
“It’s okay. Hold on a sec.” She whispers, her raspy voice causing chills to raise on my arms.
She’s squinting at me as she reaches past the screen for something. I’m facing the ceiling a moment before she reappears with red framed glasses on.
“Jesus Christ.”My voice comes out as a whisper. I can’t help but stare at her, soaking in every detail of her like this. No professional updo and not a speck of makeup. Like this, She's just… Allison.
Allison… who is staring at me strangely right now. I blink and clear my throat, ground myself again.
“Sorry about that. The boys are already asleep for the night.” She gives me an apologetic smile. “I can take the phone in there for you to see him though.”
Her green eyes are glossy with sleep, making them look like two glowing emeralds in the Christmas lights. Above her head the hallway is lit up with glowy Christmas garland that creates some sort of halo around her head.
She flips the camera around as she cracks the door to what I assume is Hudson’s room. It’s dark inside except for a nightlight lamp projecting a galaxy around the ceiling and walls, or what would be the walls. Instead, there are blankets strung up messily to create a fort.
She manoeuvres through the room and ducks into the fort. There are two mattresses on the ground next to each other and a battery powered lamp hanging from their makeshift roof.
She lets out a giggle and points the camera to show me her discovery.
The empty ice cream bowls they must’ve snuck up to the room. Hudson’s bowl is still on his belly as he sleeps on his back with his arms fallen to his sides.
“Busted.” I whisper.
Allison collects the bowl and tucks his arms into his blanket. Her fingers brush his hair off his face. She turns the camera to Matty on the other side of the fort.
My chest squeezes when she pulls his blanket over his shoulder and runs her fingers through his hair the same way she did to her own son a moment before.
Only Matty’s mouth upturns in a small, contended smile and burrows deeper into his pillow.
I’m stunned by the sharp pang that follows leaving me speechless. Something that rips the plaster off a giant hole in my stomach.
The camera is flipped back around the show Allison again as she snuggles into her bed, pulling the red silky sheet over her shoulder.
“You love Christmas, don’t you?” I ask, noticing all the effort and care she’s put into decorating her home. Inside and out.
“I really do. I take my job as the magic maker very seriously around here.” She gives me a very serious nod and tucks a hand between her face and her red silk pillow.
“Magic Maker. I like that. That was definitely my mom. Always keeping traditions. She even used to help decorate the house I built for Matty and I back in Texas.” I give my head a little shake at the thought of my sad scrooge of a housewaiting for me. I’m sure it looks pitiful next to Allison’s. Our neighbourhood is one that usually requires light displays.
