“Jessie picked out a truck,” he blurted out, startling his sister.
“What?”
“A truck. Well, actually she ended up with a car or crossover, but she looked at trucks.”
Katie sat the ornament in her hand down. “Is that supposed to mean something to me? Cuz I have to tell you, it doesn’t.”
Jack grasped Katie’s shoulders. “Why would a woman who lives in an apartment and works as a waitress want to buy a truck?”
“I don’t think she would unless her husband pushed it. Seems all you guys need to have your trucks.”
“Exactly.” Jack pulled his sister close and hugged her hard. “I’ve got to go.”
Katie smiled. “Oh yeah? Where to?”
“You know where I’m going. I’ll need to do some shopping first. Can you run interference with Dad? He’s going to be ticked when he gets here and I’m gone.”
With sure hands, Katie turned him around and pushed him toward the door. “Don’t you worry about Dad. Just get back there and fix it. Don’t mess it up this time.”
Heartbroken didn’t describe the pain in her chest nearly enough. Every day was an effort. Jessie scolded herself for the umpteenth time. “I shouldn’t have driven him away.”
“You’re talking to yourself again,” Monica called from the living room.
“She’s been doing that a lot,” Danny said.
Monica and Danny were making handmade cards to send out. Danny drew a picture, and Monica signed the inside with all their names. It was a tradition the three of them had started the first Christmas Danny could scribble on paper.
“I’m not talking to myself.”
“Really? Is there someone in the kitchen we can’t see from here?” Monica chuckled when she asked.
“You’re gonna end up with coal in your stocking, Mo.”
Danny laughed.
Jessie stirred the stew simmering on the stove and turned the heat down.
A loud knock on the door brought all six eyes to it. Monica glanced at her watch. “Expecting anyone?”
“Nope.”
Jessie walked to the door, wiping her hands on the apron around her waist. Through the peephole, she saw a red box.
“Who is it?”
“Delivery.”
Shrugging her shoulders, Jessie opened the door.
In front of her was a set of hands full of beautifully wrapped gifts connected to a pair of jeans and cowboy boots.
Her lips started to tremble.
“Ho, ho, ho.” Jack walked into her apartment as if he’d only been gone a few hours instead of nearly a week.
“Jack!” Danny bounced to his feet and ran to Jack’s side. He wrapped his arms around Jack’s leg and nearly caused him to spill the presents in his hands.
“Howdy, partner.”
Monica found her feet and started removing the load from Jack’s hands. “Here, let me help you.”
“Thanks.” Jack hugged Danny with a free hand.
Jessie stood anchored to one spot on the floor, afraid to move.
“Where have you been?” Danny asked. “We missed you.”
Jack knelt down at Danny’s level after setting the last of the boxes on the table. “I missed you, too.”
“Mommy cried.” Oh boy, nothing like a five-year-old to blast out the truth.
“She did?” Jack turned his gaze to her and gave a wan smile. “I’m sorry about that. Maybe I can make it up.”
“What is all this?” Danny dropped to the floor and started to read the names on the presents. “This one’s for me?” Silver paper and a huge green bow adorned the box. Danny shook the thing for dear life.
The sight brought fresh tears to Jessie’s eyes.
All eyes were on Danny. “There is one for you, Auntie Monica. And another one for me.” He beamed. “Look, Mom, one for you.”
Jessie sucked in her lip and bit it. “You didn’t have to do this,” she said.
Jack stood and ruffled the hair on Danny’s head. “I wanted to.”
Monica walked to Jessie’s side. “Are you OK?”
Jessie nodded. The happiness of seeing Jack shifted to the growing concern of what would happen next. Did he want to go back to being friends? Could she be only friends?
“Hey, Danny? How about you and I go to the park and bring candy canes to all your friends?”
Danny glanced between Jack and Monica with uncertainty.
“Are you going to be here when I come back?” he asked Jack.
Jack’s eyes leveled with Jessie’s. “I’d like to be.”
What did that mean?
“Come on, little dude. Let’s give Jack and your mom some time to talk.” Monica walked over to the closet and removed his coat.
Before they both walked out the door, Monica asked, “Are you sure you’re OK?”
Jessie waved her off.
Once the door closed, the room grew silent.
“Danny looks a lot better than the last time I saw him,” Jack said, removing his cowboy hat from his head. He looked good. Maybe a little tired, but good.
“He was sick for a few days. Nothing worse than the night in the hospital.”
“Good. I’m glad.” And nervous, from the way he kept shifting from foot to foot.
“You didn’t need to do all this.” Jessie waved her hands at the gifts that filled the empty spaces around their Christmas tree.