Finished with her tirade, she turned and stalked back to the waiting room. She felt Jake's gaze boring into her back, but she kept going. There was no way she'd let him see the tears running down her cheeks.
Chapter Thirteen
Jess reached for her mug, thankful she had remembered to set the coffeemaker before she jumped into the shower. Now it was ready to drink. It was Christmas morning, and she had just finished her route. She had picked up another two customers this week, two of them commercial accounts who had also signed up for her lawn care service. It looked like she wouldn’t need to look for another waitressing job. Maybe Rory could even help her during the summer.
Church wouldn't begin for another two hours. Four hours, if she decided to go to the late service. She had plenty of time to enjoy her coffee.
Tick-tick-tick.
The sound came from outside her living room window. Perhaps a winter squirrel was digging a tunnel through the snow.
Tick-tick-tick.
The noise wasn't steady. Sometimes the ticks came in quick succession, other times there were several seconds between them. If an animal was digging, it would seem more regular, wouldn't it?
Scrrrrritch, scrrrrrrrritch.
What on earth was making that sound? She pulled the drapes open.
Her jaw dropped.
A hauntingly beautiful winged snow creature stared back at her, its white wings outstretched as if ready to take flight. Its crystalline eyes bored into her soul, as if inviting her, "Come with me."
A phoenix. Rising out of the ashes. He’s ready to begin a new life.
Jake stood at the tip of one wing, chiseling the details on a feather. He turned, apparently hearing the drapes open, and nodded to her before going back to work.
Knowing better than to interrupt him, Jess got a piece of Rory's notebook paper and a marker. In large block letters, she wrote "COME INSIDE WHEN YOU'RE DONE" and taped it to the window, facing out. Then she dashed to her room to change her clothes and make herself presentable.
She was running the brush through her hair when she heard the front door open. Taking a deep breath, she walked out to the living room.
He had apparently put his tools back in his van before coming in, because he was empty handed except for his battered hat. He'd removed his boots but stood rooted next to the snow mat, and his eyes didn't quite meet hers.
"Did you need something?" he asked.
That was a loaded question. Did she need something? She sure did.
"Yeah. I need someone to share my burdens, someone to keep me from overextending myself, and someone to support me and encourage me to pursue my dreams. I need you." She stepped closer. "And I need you to need me."
He took a step toward her, dropping his hat. "Are you sure? What about Rory?"
"Rory needs you too. He told me I was an idiot."
White teeth gleamed between his beard and moustache. "Yeah, he had the same talk with me."
"Rory went to your studio?"
"Yeah, he helped me make deliveries yesterday. Didn't he tell you?"
"He said he was helping out some guy with his garage! I thought he was doing a service project for his Youth Group!"
"Hmm. I suppose that would have been accurate. Except he was the only youth. And I paid him."
"We're going to have to have a talk about bending the truth."
"Go easy on him. He's a good kid."
"Yeah. Thanks to you."
The bushy eyebrows rose. "I didn't raise him."
"No, but you helped. If it weren’t for you he’d still be in his room, letting me do everything for him. We need you to keep me from spoiling him."
“I might be able to handle that. And I need you to remind me I can’t do everything alone. I need you to help me be a better person.”
“You’re a great person already. But we’ll help each other be even better. So, do you want some coffee? Hot chocolate?"
He closed the gap between them. "Maybe later. Right now, all I need is you."
Jess shivered as his snow-covered arms wrapped around her, but she didn't complain.
About the Author
During her first career, Patricia Kiyono taught elementary music, computer classes, junior high social studies, elementary classrooms, and junior high social studies. She now teaches part time at Grand Valley State University.
She lives in southwest Michigan with her husband, not far from her children and grandchildren. Current interests, aside from writing, include sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, and music. A love of travel and an interest in faraway people inspires her to create stories about different cultures. She has written elementary school plays and educational materials. The Christmas Phoenix is her second work of fiction to be published.
Also by Patricia Kiyono
“Are you reading those ridiculous comic books again? Honestly, you’re a college graduate. Aren’t you a little old for those?”
“Dad, they’re called manga. They’re different. They’re illustrated Japanese stories.” Leigh Becker closed her book and stood. Even as the words left her mouth, she knew correcting her stepfather was useless.
“I don’t care what they’re called. They’re not exactly serious literature. You spend half your free time reading those silly things when you should be helping out around the house. Come over here and help me get dinner ready. Your mother will be home soon.”
However, as soon as Leigh stepped into the kitchen, Frank Becker left for his study.
“You do a better job of cooking than I do. I’d just get in the way,” he muttered.
Leigh didn’t mind having the kitchen to herself. Life was more peaceful when her stepfather wasn’t around. He hadn’t been the same since his company folded. The man who was once larger than life had shrunk physically and spiritually. He spent hours in his home office, staring idly at his computer. He had sent hundreds of letters out, but no one wanted to hire a fifty-year-old former businessman. Lately, he’d been drinking a lot more. Leigh sympathized, but didn’t know how to comfort him.
The family wasn’t struggling financially. Leigh’s mother was a well-known attorney, and Leigh had just started to work for the local newspaper. They hadn’t lived lavishly or spent foolishly, so the adjustments they had had to make were relatively minor. Still, it had been difficult for Frank to accept the fact his wife was now the breadwinner. For a short time, he had tried to help around the house, but now he left more and more of it to his stepdaughter.
As Leigh pulled vegetables from the refrigerator, a buzz sounded from her pocket. She pulled out her phone and checked. It was a message from her best friend, Andy Tanaka.
“Found something cool. Can you come?” Andy wasn’t one for extra words.
“After supper,” she typed back.
“OK,” came the quick reply.
She smiled as she prepared the meal. At least she had something more interesting to look forward to this evening. She always enjoyed spending time with Andy and his family.
Astraea Press
Where Fiction Meets Virtue
www.astraeapress.com
The Christmas Phoenix Page 6