Charlie: I’ve been locked away on a mountain for the past couple of years. Putting yourself out there is terrifying. Everyone is so beautiful here.
Derrick: Okay. I get that. But you can do it. How about NYE? That is your moment.
Charlie: Fine.
Derrick: Good. Now did you open my present?
Charlie: Yes. Thank you. How did you know my size?
Derrick: Jackson. I thought you could use some new clothes, not that I hate your cowboy get up, it works, but you need something to wear that isn’t cowboy attire.
Charlie: Thank you. I appreciate the gift. You didn’t have to though. My sisters thought the clothes were great.
Derrick: Glad I got their approval.
Charlie: Did you get my present?
Derrick: You sent me a present? No. Not yet.
Charlie: Fucking Jackson. Hold on.
Charlie: Expect a visit from Jackson any moment.
Derrick: Ha Ha, I bet he’s cursing me right now.
Charlie: It was his own damn fault for forgetting to give it to you.
There’s a knock at my door.
Derrick: He’s here.
I scramble out of my bed and answer the door.
“Merry Christmas, D,” Jackson grumbles, shoving the present in my hand.
“Thanks.” I smile as my insides flutter, wondering what Charlie bought me.
“How’s Charlie?” Jackson asks.
“He’s good. Moaning about the skiing and beautiful people.”
“That sounds like him.” Jackson chuckles. “I know I told you to um …”
“Leave him alone,” I answer for him.
“Yeah. But I didn’t mean it like that. I wasn’t trying to be a dick.” Jackson winces.
“You were protecting him.”
He nods. “I promised I would always protect him, and I didn’t …”
“I don’t know what happened while you guys were serving, but whatever happened it’s not your fault,” I reassure him.
“Has Charlie not spoken to you about what happened?” Jackson asks. I shake my head. Jackson seems surprised, and now I’m wondering what’s going on. “It doesn’t matter because whatever you are doing is working. I’ve never seen him happier.”
Oh. Wow. I don’t deserve that praise from Jackson. “I don’t deserve any credit for anything. All we are doing is messaging. I haven’t even spoken to him on the phone or even FaceTime,” I confess to Jackson.
“Wait, I thought …”
