Merry Mix-Up (Holiday Hearts)

18. Newt

18

NEWT

D ecember 18th

When Amber sent me that text message saying how sick she was, I felt awful. I begged her to let me come over and take care of her, but she swore me off. I knew how big of a germaphobe Naomi was and if I got sick, it would ruin everything. Amber talked me down, promising to make up for everything when she was better and swearing she was pumping herself full of Vitamin C in order to recover more quickly.

"No, no," Mom chided, redirecting my hand toward a lower branch. I had a silver bulb in hand ready to hang it because she insisted I help her with the decorating since I was in town, but she was so picky it made no sense. I might as well have just been company because I couldn't do a thing right. "Put it here," she said, nodding at a lower empty branch.

"You wanted my help, but you are micromanaging me." I chuckled, but I did as she said. Still, my mind was on my beautiful girlfriend who lay in bed sick across town in her apartment. I wondered if Jade was sick too, then if that was affecting the dress-making process. I wondered a lot of things, like why she hadn't given me a response to my question about being exclusive, or why she ran out. But while she was sick wasn't the best time to press for answers. She was probably miserable.

"You just don’t have the eye for this. I need Naomi." Mom's grumble of complaint was heard and accepted. I backed away and put my hands in my pockets.

"Naomi is busy doing wedding stuff, but I'm here. Is there something else I can do?" I had to smile at how particular Mom was about her Christmas tree. When we were kids, things were always haphazardly thrown on the tree in clumps while other places were bare. She probably had enough of that and opted for a more elegant touch now that we were grown.

"Uh, well, you can string the lights, I guess. Only the white ones." Mom took over hanging the bulbs, and I started stringing lights on the tree.

For the past twenty-four hours, I'd been entertaining her. Work was functioning well without me, and Jared's buddies were keeping him occupied. Most of the "best man" duties were finished up. The last thing I had to do was pick up the rings from the jeweler and keep them safe. We had the rehearsal dinner on Monday evening, but my time was mostly mine. And now that Amber was sick, it was boring.

We kept a conversation going for the most part, but there were only so many topics we could discuss before we circled back to things that were more pleasant to talk about. I learned quickly that her studies weren't something she wanted to discuss. She shied away from that topic every time and asked me questions about life in Chicago instead.

"Yes, oh, Newt, it's so perfect." Mom clapped her hands as I positioned the lights and smiled at me. "Oh, this is so beautiful. I love it."

When I had the lowest branches lit, I stepped back and admired my handiwork. It really did look amazing. Mom's pickiness had paid off. The tree was up and decorated, and with just enough time to get dressed and ready for the Christmas pageant at the local performing arts theater.

"Well, I'd better go shower. Can you pick up the boxes and stack them over there?" Mom nodded across the room and continued, "I have to wash my hair before the show."

When I lived here in town, I never missed a single Christmas pageant, but somehow, I just didn't have the desire to go tonight. I wished Amber were feeling better and could attend as my date.

"Sure, Mom," I told her and started packing up. She rushed off to clean up for the pageant, and I slowly collected the boxes and plastic sacks she had stored all of her decorations in and cleaned up the living room.

As I did, I felt sluggish. When it was all tidy, I sat on the couch and took out my phone to see if Amber had messaged. The last one I got was her saying she was going to nap for a while. It was good for her to rest up if she was sick, so I focused on helping Mom to keep my mind busy and not missing her.

Newt 5:47 PM: Hey, beautiful, are you awake yet?

While I waited for a response, I looked up the weather forecast. It had been an above average year for snowfall, but if the roads were clear, I could go for a run to pass the time. It was dark, though, so I'd have to wear reflective gear to make sure I was visible this evening. But anything was better than sitting in this empty house alone. Mom would understand my skipping the pageant if Amber wasn't feeling up for it.

Amber 5:49 PM: Woke up a few minutes ago. How was tree decorating?

Newt 5:49 PM: Mom's too picky. But it looks pretty.

Newt 5:50 PM: Want to go to the pageant with us? I don't want to go alone. I thought if you were feeling up to it, you'd join me. I can drive.

I tapped the screen and waited. Three dots appeared showing she was typing, but I saw them disappear and knew she was struggling to compose a decline to my invitation. I locked my phone and put it in my pocket and strolled into the kitchen. Mom had a new container of eggnog, which was one of my holiday favorites. I wished they made the stuff year-round. It was so delicious.

I poured myself a glass and put the container back in the fridge and heard my phone chime. When I looked down at the notification, I wasn't even the least bit surprised.

Amber 5:53 PM: I'm sorry, bud. I'm just not feeling up for it.

If she didn't want to go in public, that was okay. I just craved her so badly. Just being around her made me feel happier. I never wanted that feeling to stop. It was like she had a way of soothing the very wavelengths of my existence.

Newt 5:54 PM: Then I'll come over. We can watch a cheesy Christmas movie and make fun of the bad tropes.

I hit Send and took another gulp of my eggnog, but already her fingers were typing a response.

Amber 5:55 PM: I don't know. Jade's kinda sick now too. Probably won’t appreciate company.

Everything she said just felt like an excuse, but I tried not to think that way. It was cold and flu season and there was every chance she was really just sick. I just couldn’t shake the unnerving feeling that something was going on. I had my ex to thank for that. Being cheated on had a way of destroying a man's ability to trust again. I had to battle those thoughts, though, because I knew Amber wasn't like my ex, or at least I hoped she wasn't.

Newt 5:57 PM: Then come over. House is empty and I have Lysol to kill germs. lol Mom and Dad are going to the pageant and I'll be alone and lonely.

This time she didn't respond, at least not for a while. I finished the eggnog and rinsed the glass, then went to the bedroom and hid from Mom so I didn't have to make an excuse for why I wasn't going to the pageant. I heard Dad come home and the two of them bustle around, and somewhere about six thirty, the house grew quiet. I thought about picking up my phone and nudging Amber for a reply, but she had left me on read. That meant she was either considering it or didn't want to keep saying no.

I scrolled my socials as the house got darker, the sun setting and taking any natural light with it. My stomach rumbled, and I considered getting food but had no motivation to get up, even to walk to the door for a delivery driver, so I just kept scrolling. And when the doorbell rang, I ignored that too. Everyone in town would be at the pageant. Naomi wouldn't ring. She'd just walk in. So I figured it was carolers making their rounds or something.

But when my phone chimed and it was a message from Amber, I sat up in bed with a smile.

Amber 6:38 PM: You gonna leave me standing in the cold all night?

I rushed to the front door and flung it open to see her in her pink puffer coat, hugging herself and shivering. I looked out at the driveway, but her car wasn't there. I was confused.

"Where did you park?" I asked, stepping aside so she could come in.

"Car was dead again, so Dad will have to fix it. I Ubered," she said, and I heard her shivering.

I'd have bought her a new battery or even a new car if she’d let me, but I was just glad she was here.

"I'm so glad you came," I hummed and shut the door, turning to catch her hand as she slid her coat off. She didn't look so sick, but even that mattered very little to me right now. She was here, and that was all I wanted. "Let's go find something to eat." I led her toward the kitchen with only one thing on my mind—soaking up every second of her time and enjoying being with her. My soul was at rest again.