Christmas at the Castle – 2017

Published: 25 Dec 2017

John sighed as he entered the grocery store the night before Thanksgiving. Since getting divorced two years ago holidays weren’t the same when his son and daughter were at their mother’s. He dodged the rest of the last minute shoppers as he searched for something to have for lunch tomorrow if he decided not to go to Shoney’s or Cracker Barrel for his Thanksgiving meal. His current mood did not bode well for his making the effort to go out when he had no one to share Thanksgiving day with.

John was looking over the small ham pieces when he heard a familiar voice calling for him.

“Dad! Dad!” his eighteen year old son, Darrell, called from down the aisle.

John waited where he was as Darrell made his way through the crowd of store patrons with more patience than John would have had. Darrell embraced his dad briefly and wished him a ‘Happy Thanksgiving.’ John grunted non-committedly in return.

Ignoring his dad’s reaction Darrell barged ahead, “I need a favor, Dad. Do you remember my friend, Brad Litton, from school?”

“Sure,” answered John recalling the brown-eyed, dirty blond teen that hung around the house frequently for two years then almost disappeared. Guess he might be back now.

“I’ve invited Brad to Thanksgiving dinner at mom’s tomorrow but he needs a place to stay. At least for a couple of nights,” Darrell informed his dad. “Could you help him out? Please?”

John thought again about the young teen that used to follow Darrell around everywhere. He had been a tad irritating back then but he would be about eighteen now the same as Darrell so maybe he’d matured.

“I guess so. For a couple of nights,” John acquiesced getting a firmer hug from his son.

“Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate it and I’m sure Brad will too,” Darrell waved as he headed back through the press of people.

John sighed again then picked up the largest of the ham pieces to put in the small buggy he had managed to snag on his way in. If he was having company they would have to eat he reasoned then went on to fill the buggy with more items. He had plenty of breakfast foods so he concentrated on getting stuff for lunches and dinners.

When John reached his car and looked at all he had bought it was probably more than was needed for a couple of days but since he didn’t know what Brad liked to eat he wanted to cover his bases. Car packed, John pulled out of the parking space then onto the road headed toward the outskirts of town to the house that once belonged to his grandparents. He had inherited it about five years ago but his wife, Debra, wanted nothing to do with the old farmhouse.

At the house John carried the groceries inside and put them away. Thinking about which room in the two story house with an attic to offer Brad, John slipped a Hormel Completes dinner in the microwave to heat. He had always thought of the house as being two and a half stories because half the attic had been turned into living space. The attic bedrooms had been his favorite to stay in as a kid whenever he visited his grandparents.

The insistent beeping of the microwave announcing his dinner was ready interrupted John’s thoughts. He retrieved the now hot meal, sat it on the table, grabbed a fork from the drawer and a bottle of water from the fridge before sitting down to eat.

While he ate John came to a decision about the rooms. He would ready one of the bedrooms on the second floor and one of the rooms in the attic then let Brad choose where he preferred to stay. When he finished John rinsed out the container and dropped it in the plastic recycling bin before washing, drying and putting away his fork.

Carrying the rest of his bottle of water with him John walked to the living room, plopped down in his favorite chair and started a trek through the many channels available from Dish Network. After a few minutes he settled on an NBA game and watched for about half an hour then turned off the TV and headed to bed.

Thanksgiving morning saw John rising from bed somewhere between seven and seven thirty as that was as much as he could ever sleep in. After taking care of business John donned shorts, t-shirt and running shoes, went down the hall to his combination office/workout room and spent thirty minutes on the treadmill. Then it was down to the kitchen for oatmeal, whole wheat toast and cranapple juice for breakfast.

Next he spent about an hour getting the two rooms ready and when he finished John noticed he had just enough time to shower, dress and get to Shoney’s to have his Thanksgiving dinner. Although he had considered staying home John decided since he was up and moving he might as well go out. He found his mood improved and actually looking forward to having company for a couple of days even if it was someone he once termed a little twerp.

About four in the afternoon Brad asked Darrell for what had to be the millionth time, “Are you sure it’s okay with your dad?”

“Dude! It’s fine!” assured Darrell yet again. “My dad knows you’re coming and is waiting on you.”

“Did you tell him . . “ started Brad.

Darrell interrupted, “I only told him you needed a place to stay for a couple of days.”

“Okay,” muttered Brad turning to stare out the window of Darrell’s Chevy S-10 as they drove from Darrell’s mom’s to his dad’s. He was silent the rest of the trip.

John got up from the couch where he was supposedly watching the Dallas Cowboys to peek out the window for at least the fifth time. He couldn’t believe how anxious he was.

Brad was facing some anxiety of his own as Darrell turned his truck into the one hundred twenty foot driveway leading to the farmhouse where he would be staying for the next two days. The last time he had seen Darrell’s dad, John, Brad had been an annoying young teen trying to come to terms with himself. It helped that Mr. Mullins had always been kind to him even though he had rolled his eyes at some of Brad’s antics and comments.

“Dude! Are you gonna get out of the truck?” asked an amused Darrell. “I got your bags. You grab your bicycle outta the back and put it under the carport.”

Darrell started as he came back to the present and realized they had arrived and were parked. A moment more and his brain caught up with what Darrell had said so he got out, lifted his bike over the side and rolled it into the carport. Then he intercepted Darrell to relieve him of one of his bags as they approached the front door.

“Are you sur . . .”

“Brad!” interrupted Darrell again. “It’ll be okay. Besides it’s only for a couple of days.”

The door was opened almost as soon as they had finished knocking with John pulling it wide inviting the pair into the house.

“Com’on in, boys,” offered John smiling and motioning with his other hand. “Get in out of the cold.”

“Hey, dad,” greeted Darrell handing over the bag he carried in. “You remember Brad, right? I can’t stay. Jenny’s expecting me at her parent’s house by five. Talk to you later, Brad.”

“See ya, son,” responded John. “Come in, then, Brad. I’ll show you the house then you can choose which of the rooms I’ve prepared you want to use.”

“Thanks You didn’t have to go to so much trouble, though. I could have just slept on the couch,” Brad replied.

“Nonsense! It was no trouble and I have all these rooms going unused,” John insisted. “Let’s start the tour on the second floor where we can set your bags. All the bedrooms are on that floor plus two that take up half the attic. After you’ve chosen the one you want we can place the bags in there then come back down to the first floor.”

“Okay,” agreed Brad as he followed John through the foyer and the open area between the formal dining room and the living room to the staircase.

At the top of the stairs John set down the bag he was carrying and motioned for Brad to do the same with his. He then led the younger man on a tour of the second floor showing Brad his own bedroom, the hall bathroom, the office/workout room and the room he had prepared on that floor. Next he took Brad to the back of the hall where a metal, spiral staircase ascended to the attic. There John showed the teen the bedroom available and the bathroom next to it.

“So, Brad. Which room would you like to use?” asked John when they reached the second floor again.

“The attic room is really nice but I think I’d prefer to stay on this floor where you are. If that’s okay.”

“Of course it’s okay otherwise I wouldn’t have offered you a room on this floor,” stated John plainly as he started down the hall. “Let’s get your bags put away then go downstairs and watch some football or something. Let me know when you’re hungry and I’ll throw something together for our supper.”

The two men watched football mostly in silence with a few comments about whichever game was on at the time. When their stomachs spoke up John led the way to the kitchen and explained the choices available. They settled on slices of the ham with potato salad from the deli and raw broccoli dipped in ranch dressing. Both guys chose water to drink and took their meals back to the living room to keep up with the games.

Later when they decided to call it a night John showed Brad the bathroom attached to his bedroom and where to find towels and washcloths when he wanted to shower. Brad noticed another door on the other side of the bathroom and inquired, “What’s through that door?”

“It’s another bedroom,” replied John.

“Why wasn’t it a choice?” asked Brad curiously.

John didn’t respond verbally but instead he walked over, opened the door and flipped on the light for Brad to see. The teen stuck his head through the doorway to the sight of a bed, a dresser and curtained windows abounding in pink and lace.

“I didn’t think you’d be comfortable in this room,” smirked John as he turned off the light and closed the door again.

“No, even I’m not into that,” avowed Brad without thinking how it sounded until he saw the look on John’s face.

Sighing deeply Brad spoke quietly, “I . . uh . . I guess I ought to tell you why I need a place to stay.”

“Only if you want to,” John said gently. “The offer still stands.”

“It might not once I tell you,” Brad almost whispered. “Can we go back to the bedroom for this?”

“Sure,” John replied gesturing for Brad to precede him into the room.

Brad dropped heavily onto the corner of the bed while John brought the desk chair over facing him. John waited patiently for the young man to gather himself so he could reveal his reason for being there.

“When I turned eighteen my parents threw me out of the house. Most of my stuff Darrell has been storing for me while I’ve been staying with some other friends. They went out of town for Thanksgiving and their parents wouldn’t let me stay there while they were gone,” explained Brad all in one breath. “I have other friends I’m suppose to room with but not until after Thanksgiving.”

“I don’t understand. Why would your parents throw you out because you turned eighteen?”

Brad stared at the floor as he added, “Because once I was eighteen they no longer had to provide for the son who disappointed them by being gay. And before you ask, yes, Darrell knows and has for a long time. I think he may have known even before I told him.”

“That’s it! That’s the reason you don’t have a home?” John’s voice rose causing Brad’s head to droop even lower. “Of all the . . I ought to . . ,” started John rising from the chair.

“It’s okay. I’ll gather my stuff and leave,” interrupted Brad before looking up to see John stepping towards him with a look of fury. The scared teen closed his eyes and braced for what was coming.

Two vise-like grips took hold of his arms just below the shoulder and lifted him to his feet. By now Brad was shaking and unbidden tears welled up in his eyes expecting the worse. The two grips pulled him closer, then strong arms wrapped around his body. Brad stood there stiffly a moment before realizing that he wasn’t being hit but being hugged and he melted into the embrace.

“I wasn’t angry with you, Brad,” explained John softly. “I was mad at your boneheaded parents. The next time I see them I ought to . . . ah never mind. They’re as close minded as my ex-wife.”

Brad reveled in the warmth of the hug until he felt a lurch in his nether region and began to panic a little. He wasn’t sure if the tolerance extended to the dad of his best friend finding that Brad was sexually aroused by him.

“Thanks, Mr. Mullins,” declared Brad extracting himself from the hug. “You don’t know what that means to me.”

“Anytime, Brad. But you’re an adult now so call me John. See ya in the morning.”

“Yeah, I gotta go into work for a few hours. Black Friday, you know.”

Friday morning Brad descended the stairs after showering, dressing warmly and settling his backpack into place. He was greeted by the smell of breakfast wafting in from the kitchen where he found John in a pair of basketball shorts and a long sleeve tee dishing up eggs, bacon and sausage.

“Surely you have time to eat a little before work,” stated John holding a plate of food in Brad’s direction. “How are you getting to work? Is someone coming to pick you up?”

“I’ve got my bike,” answered Brad taking the plate and sitting down at the kitchen bar across from John. “It gets me where I need to go as long as I don’t need to move all my stuff.”

“It’s kinda cold out there. Sure I can’t give you a ride?” offered John.

“Nah! I’ll be fine. Thanks, though,” mumbled Brad around bites of eggs and sausage. The bacon had already disappeared.

There was no more talk as the two guys finished off their breakfast. John rinsed off the plates and laid them in the sink to do later since he had the whole weekend off. Then he watched as Brad donned warm looking in spite of their thinness pants and jacket, a hood that also covered his mouth and finally his helmet and backpack.

“I’ll be back about two or so depending on the rush of shoppers,” advised Brad as he let himself out the front door.

John watched from a window as Brad pedaled out of sight then went about the few chores that needed doing then went up for a workout.

Upon his return Brad stepped into a house that smelled delicious. John poked his head around the corner when he heard the door latch closed.

“Hey, I’ve got some vegetable soup and sandwich stuff ready if you’re hungry.”

“You bet! Let me run my stuff to my room,” said Brad as he started to take off.

“Wait!” called John and stepped to the foyer closet. “I made some room in here for you and there’s a hook to hang your helmet.”

“Thanks!” Brad set his backpack at the foot of the stairs, put his riding gear in the closet and followed John into the kitchen. There he watched as John ladled out two huge steaming mugs of soup and placed each one on a tray.

“Here you go,” motioned John. “Make yourself a sandwich and we can take it into the living room for some college football if you want.”

“Cool,” commented Brad as he set about doing just that.

When he finished John put together his own sandwich and the two spent the rest of the afternoon together. At supper time Brad insisted on helping and the pair found that they worked well as a team. It was back to the living room for more football.

As they got up to head to bed John asked, “You said you have a place next week but what about the rest of the weekend? You can stay here if you’d like.”

“That would be great if you really don’t mind,” enthused Brad following John to the kitchen with their dirty dishes. “I’m only sure of a place starting on Monday.”

“Then it’s settled.”

The two went on to bed then rose the next day and worked out together before Brad rode his bike into work again. The rest of the weekend was spent talking, working out and watching sports on TV.

Monday morning John moped around the house after Brad left for work. Darrell and he were coming by later to collect Brad’s things. John didn’t want to be there when his house would become a lonely place again so he decided to go into his office for a few hours.

John could do his work anywhere he could connect to the internet and sometimes did. He mostly worked either in his office in town or at home. At the office there were a couple of others doing the same job, the manager and a receptionist. He spent part of each day that week at the office to avoid being at the now empty feeling house.

Friday afternoon John decided he needed to do some Christmas shopping this weekend. So Saturday after his workout, shower and breakfast John found himself walking aimlessly through the local mall. He had left without making a list of who he needed to buy for or what to get them and now that he was at the mall he wasn’t in the mood. He wandered around the mall looking without seeing then had lunch in the food court and went home.

Sunday he sat down at the kitchen bar and made out his list of people to get a gift. It was pitifully short. There was his son, Darrell, his daughter, Sheila, and the four co-workers at the office.

Brad was also at the mall on Saturday since that was where the clothing shop he worked in was located. He saw John and nearly got in trouble paying more attention to what John was doing than to the customers in the store. Brad wished he could go back to John’s house to stay. He had enjoyed his time there.

The two roommates he lived with right now had no television and tended to bury their noses in either their phones or their computers. Brad usually ended up sitting on his bed listening to music through earbuds or wandering the streets nearby until time for bed.

Through the next week John spent about equal time working at the office and working from home. In the late afternoon and evenings he tried to match gift ideas with the six names on his list. He watched every commercial on TV more closely than the programs, read through a couple of paper catalogs that came to the house and looked up site after site on the internet. In spite of all this effort at the end of the week he had very little written down next to the names but in his head he had hundreds of ideas for Brad.

Saturday about ten thirty in the morning John was wending his way through the aisles of the local Target with his list propped up in the child seat of the buggy. After an hour he had done a lot of looking but still had put not a single thing in his buggy. A few minutes later walking forward while looking to the side John bumped into a cart coming out of a cross aisle.

He started apologizing when he heard a familiar voice say, “Hey, John!” John looked up to find Brad grinning at him pushing his own empty buggy.

“Hey, Brad!” greeted John. “What are you up to? How’s the new place?”

“Out. Pretending to shop for Christmas gifts,” admitted Brad ruefully. “Since my family threw me out I only have my two roommates on my list. I don’t know much about them and they don’t do anything much at home.”

“Same here. I’ve got my list and it isn’t much longer than yours,” said John brandishing his list. “Just the guys I work with and Darrell and Sheila.”

“Maybe if we team up we could help each other,” Brad tentatively ventured.

“That sounds good to me,” responded a relieved John.

Brad abandoned his cart, joined John at his buggy and started looking over the list John had made. With a few clarifying questions Brad had narrowed the choices for the people on his list to things they most likely would appreciate. Darrell’s present was a breeze when Brad had finished since they were still best friends.

They left Target with most of their Christmas shopping finished and definite ideas on where to go to wipe them out completely. In thanks for his assistance John treated Brad to a late lunch at a nearby Cheddar’s restaurant. After they had eaten he dropped Brad and his bike off at the mall where Brad was due to work that evening.

At home while wrapping the presents he’d bought for his co-workers John thought about how much better and easier the shopping had seemed once he and Brad joined forces. He couldn’t remember a more pleasant experience related to shopping. All that evening his thoughts returned again and again to how well he got along with Brad.

Sunday afternoon John was at the mall again and stopped by the store where Brad worked but he was not on duty at that time. Slightly disappointed John quickly found the two stores he needed to buy the gifts for Darrell and Sheila, made his purchases and went home to wrap them.

All through the next week at odd moments John’s thoughts went to Brad and what he might be doing. It happened so often that Friday afternoon John elected to call Brad and invite him over sometime during the weekend. His excuse was needing help to decorate his house and to put up a tree.

For his part Brad had pondered on the time he had spent with John as he became more disillusioned with his current living arrangement. The general lack of communication except for the now almost constant bickering between the other two roommates grated on Brad’s nerves.

He was so caught up in the misery of his situation that he almost missed the incoming call and almost didn’t answer it until he remembered whose number it was. Then he pounced on it hoping to get it answered before John hung up.

“Hey, Brad? John here,” he said into the phone. “You got a minute?”

“Sure, John. What’s up?”

“I was going to decorate for Christmas and wanted to know if you would have some time to help this weekend.”

“I work seven to twelve tomorrow and then five to close on Sunday but I am free the rest of the time to help you. What all are you planning to do?”

John hesitated before answering, “A tree for sure and maybe some stuff outside like a wreath for the door. I’m open to suggestions.”

“Okay. Let’s see,” Brad thought out loud. “If you want I could come over now and take a look at what you’ve got and we could make a game plan.”

John chuckled as he responded, “I don’t have anything. I haven’t decorated since the divorce. The kids were nearly grown and I was never in the mood. How about I come get you and take you to dinner? We could plan while we eat then go shop for a tree and its trimmings and whatever else we decide on.”

“Okay,” agreed Brad then he gave John his address and went outside to wait so he could get away from his arguing roommates.

Soon the two were seated close to the fireplace at Cracker Barrel enjoying their meals and planning decorations for John’s house. By the time he paid for their meals Brad and John had settled on a tree (of course), a wreath for the door, a candle for each window, and icicle lights for the porch roof.

At Target they quickly gathered the icicle lights and a wreath then there was a half hour discussion of what size tree, whether to get a spruce or a fir and if it should be realistic or one of the colored ones. John finally settled on a six and a half foot realistic spruce and thought they were practically home-free.

Brad struck down that notion when they went to choose lights for the tree. John had no idea there were so many different kinds to choose from; he thought the choice was only between multi-colored or white. Multi-colored, medium-sized, cone shaped lights went into the cart fifteen minutes later and it was on to the ornaments.

Again, John thought it would be easy; just grab several packs of bulbs and be done. Brad disagreed insisting that the ornaments had to have a general theme and match the kind of lights going on the tree. Another forty-five minutes and they were at last headed to the checkout lanes with all their decorations including two packs each of red, blue, green and purple bulb ornaments.

Back at John’s house they unloaded all the packages from the car then sorted the decorations into piles according to where they were to go. The pair collapsed onto the couch to catch their breath and noticed how late it had gotten.

“I didn’t realize it was that late,” apologized John. “Do I need to get you home?”

“I packed some clothes,” answered Brad holding up his ever present backpack. “So I could stay here but I don’t have my bike to get to work.”

“You will get more rest if you stay here and I drive you to work in the morning,” offered John. “Then I could pick you up, get us some lunch and come back here to start on decorating the house. Does that sound okay to you?”

“I guess so if you’re sure it’s no problem. I don’t want to be a bother.”

“No problem, I either take you tonight or tomorrow and tomorrow makes more sense. I really do want your help on the house. Now that’s settled. Your room is still ready for you.”

“My room,” Brad said softly. “You make it sound like it’s really mine and will always be waiting for me.”

“Why not?” stated John. “Darrell has a room here and so does Sheila for whenever they stay over so why shouldn’t you. You’re welcome here anytime you need or just want to stay.”

“Thanks,” responded a teary eyed Brad as he gave John a quick hug before heading up the stairs. “I’m going to bed now. Don’t forget I have to be at work at seven.”

“Got it! I’ll have breakfast ready and we can leave about six forty.”

“Night, John.”

“Night, Brad.”

After driving Brad to work Saturday morning John returned home, worked out for thirty minutes, showered then unpacked the Christmas tree. It took him almost two hours but he was able to get the tree together and fluffed out to where it looked about like a real tree. Next, he unwrapped the wreath and using the door hanger situated where he wanted it on the door. Then he got the ladder out of the shed to use when he got back with Brad.

Finished with what he could do on his own John went to the mall to get his presents for Darrell and Sheila and wait for Brad to get off work. When Brad came out of his store they decided to eat in the food court to save time before tackling the decorating.

Spying the ladder standing in the yard as they parked Brad insisted they start with the icicle lights for the porch while it was somewhat warmer and daylight. He positioned the ladder while John ran in to get the lights, the roof hooks and an extension cord. After showing John how to put on and use the hooks the two of them took turns going up and down the ladder. It took next to no time and each secretly enjoyed the view as they steadied the ladder for the other.

They turned on the lights to make sure they worked and that they were hanging the way they wanted. It was hard to see them well in the daylight but eventually both were satisfied and went in to warm up. Holiday flavored coffee from the Keurig and starting a fire in the living room fireplace took care of warming up as they turned their attention to trimming the tree.

From watching his mom over the years Brad knew to start with the lights and John was in agreement as that was how his ex-wife had done it also. Brad got it initiated and once John had watched for a bit he took a turn. As they had with the outside lights the two men shared the work helping one another with the cords and joking around..

They plugged in the strings of lights to make sure they worked properly and elected to leave them on while they moved to the next part of the project. Brad had John open all the boxes of bulbs then they did a box of each color then hung the second box of each of the four colors making sure to not bunch the colors together. They moved all around the tree as they worked with lots of casual touching that was enjoyed by both.

After the last bulb was placed they stood back checking their handiwork and fixed any problems they found. Satisfied the two plopped down on the couch looking at the decorated tree. A moment later Brad jumped up and exclaimed, “I can’t believe we forgot the most important piece. We need a tree topper.”

John laughed, “We can get it later. Right now we need to fix some supper.”

In the kitchen the pair again teamed up to make short work of mac and cheese, green salad and chicken patties. They ate at the kitchen bar discussing what topper John should get to complete the tree. Dinner finished, dishes washed and choice of a gold star topper made the guys retired to the living room to enjoy the fire, the tree and whatever they could find on TV.

While searching for a ball game John came across a showing of The Little Drummer Boy that was just coming on. Brad exclaimed he hadn’t seen it since he was a kid when they watched it every year so John left it there. Both men got more than a little misty eyed when the boy’s lamb was run over then revived by Baby Jesus as the boy played his drum. After the program they found a game and watched it until they were ready for bed.

Sunday morning they slept in a little then did a short workout before breakfast. After breakfast they cleaned up and ran into town to by the topper then back to John’s place to place it on the tree. John made them some lunch before dropping Brad back at his place so he could get ready to work that night.

As Brad got out of John’s Hyundai Santa Fe John hollered, “Next Sunday is Christmas Eve. you can come spend it with me if you don’t have other plans.”

“Great! See you then,” agreed Brad with a huge smile on his face.

The smile faded quickly after going into the house and learning that his two roommates had the grandfather of all arguments and were splitting the partnership. Brad would have to find another place to stay in a couple of days.

Brad had no luck finding another place he could afford and on Tuesday afternoon called Darrell to pick up his stuff and put with the rest that Darrell had been storing for him. Brad kept whatever he could cram into his backpack with him. He spent that night and the next at a shelter but was told two nights was all he could stay.

Thursday’s weather took a turn towards winter and by the time Brad got off work snow was coming down pretty good. Having no where else to go Brad hoped John was sincere in his offer to let Brad stay any time he needed. He tried calling but received no answer from John so he left a message and took off for the edge of town on his bicycle.

With temperatures falling, dark approaching and the snow getting thicker Brad was struggling to keep moving. He put the bike in the easiest gear possible and still had trouble pedaling. It didn’t take long for Brad to have to dismount and push his bike through the swirling piles of snow. The cold was really sapping his strength and endurance quickly.

Just when he thought he couldn’t take another step Brad heard a car engine and turned to see two headlights coming down the road carefully. The car came to a stop beside and the driver jumped out and came around the front of the vehicle.

Brad almost collapsed when he recognized John running toward him. He barely registered when John grabbed him and guided him to the passenger door. He was amazed he didn’t fall over when John released him to open the door. The heat inside the Santa Fe was welcome as Brad relaxed and let darkness take him.

John closed the door and then grabbed Brad’s backpack and bicycle shoving them into the rear of the car. He jumped into the driver’s side and as drove home as fast as he dared on the snow slick road. He parked as close to the house as possible so Brad would have as little exposure to the weather as John could provide.

The young man was barely aware as John walked him inside but he smiled when he glanced up and saw the glow of the lights along the roof. Inside John stripped Brad’s cold wet clothes from him and practically carried him upstairs to the bathroom. He sat Brad on the toilet while he filled the tub with warm water then lowered Brad into it.

Fifteen minutes later he roused Brad up, dried him, dressed him in some warm sweats and assisted him down to the living room with the roaring fire giving warmth and a soft glow. Minutes later Brad revived a little with hot chocolate and chicken noodle soup in him. John stayed in the living room with him all night since it was the warmest room in the house.

Friday morning Brad was still sluggish but improved. John called Brad’s boss and explained that he would be unable to work that day and maybe the next due to his exposure to the weather. Saturday Brad still was not recovered enough to work but insisted that he had to go in on Christmas Eve for the short time the store was open.

John drove him there and hung around the mall watching the frantic last minute shoppers rush from shop to shop. Some of the time he sat on a bench just watching and other times he strolled through the mall. On one of his walks John stopped and watched a lady at a kiosk that personalized many different types of products. He was about to walk away when he spotted a mug with a bicycle on it and room to add a name. He rushed to the counter and asked for it with Brad’s name added in orange, his favorite color.

When Brad’s shift was over John hustled him home and settled him on the couch with the tree lit and the fire glowing while he cooked supper. After they’d eaten they settled back on the couch in the glow from the tree and fire listening to Christmas music playing softly. John reached beside him and handed Brad a box wrapped in Christmas paper. Brad opened the present and inspected the mug with a bicycle and his name. He turned toward John.

“Now you have your own personal mug to use when we have coffee or hot chocolate,” explained John softly. “I hope you use it often.”

“I’d like that,” Brad returned and leaned against John. “Thank you but I haven’t gotten you anything.”

“You’ve brought me the best present ever,” countered John gesturing at the tree. “You brought the joy in Christmas back to me.”

He wrapped his arm around Brad and held him close as they listened to Bing croon White Christmas.

Let Jeikor know if you liked his Christmas story. Email him at: Jeikor at CastleRoland dot Net

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