Christmas Wishes

by Emma Collins

  "Ally?" Sydney was looking at her with that lopsided smile that Ally loved.

  "Yeah?"

  "I said, I'll let you get changed... You okay?"

  "Yes. Fine. I'm fine." Ally snapped herself out of the daze she was in.

  "Alright. I'll probably see you here next week some evening. Good night, Ally."

  "Night."

  Ally exhaled once Sydney was gone. She kicked off her heels and padded over to the door to lock it while she got changed. What a night...

  12

  Sydney asked her driver to wait for her when they pulled up outside the apartment complex where there was plenty of activity. She could see at least ten workers and a crane towered over her as she got out of the car. A small group of protesters marched in a single file line across the street, chanting something about the city and their taxes. She didn't bother trying to read the signs they were holding. Michael wasn't going to be happy.

  Sydney had done the best she could, contacting a friend in the police department and a lawyer to make sure that they were within their rights to complain. There was nothing stopping them from setting up across the street though.

  She picked up a hardhat on her way inside, glad to be out of the bitterly cold air. Michael was waiting for her in the lobby, and he didn't look impressed.

  "Sydney," he said, unfolding a newspaper that was tucked under his arm. He adjusted his hard hat before shoving the bundle at her. "What is this?"

  Sydney kept her smart comment about the greeting she'd just received to herself. She glanced down at the paper, her eyes immediately falling on a photo of her with the auctioneer from last weekend. She cursed under her breath as she folded the paper and handed it back to him. That woman had been so enthusiastic and eager for a photo with Sydney that she caught her on the way out the door. Sydney didn't have the heart to say no, and now she had a problem.

  "It's not what it looks like," Sydney said, hoping she could talk her way out of this.

  "Tell me what it looks like."

  "It looks like I'm supporting those pro-"

  "You might as well be out there protesting with them," he said, cutting her off. "I'm sure it's a good cause, but right now, they're the enemy."

  "It's not like that. I actually volunteer there," Sydney said, knowing this would either save her or be the last straw.

  "You should have said something."

  Sydney looked away. She would have, except that she didn't want to draw any unnecessary attention to herself. As far as she knew, Michael didn't know about her DUI, and she wanted to keep it that way.

  "Sydney, I'm sick of all these distractions." His eyes were focused on the protesters behind her, and when they returned to her, there was a coldness in his gaze. "You're fired."

  She put on her best poker face, her fists clenched at her sides, but she knew there was no point fighting it. She'd heard all the rumors about how difficult Michael was to work with. His ruthlessness didn't shock her. She extended her hand, and he reluctantly took it, giving it one shake.

  "The best of luck," Sydney said, internalizing all of the things she really wanted to say.

  "You too. Thanks for all your hard work."

  Sydney nodded and turned to leave, the anger starting to pump through her veins. Why did she have to agree to that photo? If she hadn't, she wouldn't have been in the local newspaper. Michael wouldn't have known about it, and she'd still have her job. She didn't even want to think about the amount of money that just went flying out the window.

  She left the lobby, crossing the street, knowing there was two or three bars to choose from. She didn't care that it was the middle of the day. She wasn't in the right frame of mind to meet any of her clients. She'd have a drink or two and then call her driver.

  Sydney looked up to find the sign for the bar as she walked. It was an Irish bar two doors up. That would do.

  She bumped into someone on the sidewalk, knocking her to the side. "Sorry." The apologize came out of her mouth automatically as she moved to keep walking, but Sydney did a double take when she realized who she'd ran into.

  "Sydney?" Ally asked, her breath coming out in white puffs, her cheeks rosy.

  "Hey... What are you doing here?" Then she saw the sign tucked under Ally's arm. "Oh. You're with the protesters."

  "Yeah. They're making some progress. I mean, I know the apartment building is happening. It's there, but this is about getting attention on the shelter."

  "Really? Then why protest here, huh? Couldn't you do it down at city hall or something?"

  "Maybe... Are you okay?"

  "Yeah."

  "Are you... Are you with those guys?" Ally asked, pointing at the development across the road.

  Ally took in Sydney's appearance. It was the middle of the day too. Ally knew she was working. There was no point denying it. "I was."

  "You quit?"

  "No. I was just fired." Sydney shook her head as she said it. It still hadn't sunk in. She'd just lost the biggest project of her career.

  "Oh, shit. I'm sorry."

  "Are you?"

  "Yeah." Ally looked like she'd been slapped across the face. "Of course I am. I'm not a fan of your former boss. They stole our site right out-"

  "They didn't steal anything. They outbid the city which is a completely different thing. Get your facts right, Ally. Maybe tell some of your protester friends too." Sydney turned on her heel and left Ally standing in the middle of the sidewalk with her mouth agape.

  Sydney knew she shouldn't have been so abrupt with her, but she couldn't talk to her right now. Sydney would still have her job if she hadn't gotten carried away at the auction. The only reason that woman wanted a photo with her was because she couldn't get over Sydney's generous donation. If she'd just bid incrementally, like everyone else, the auctioneer wouldn't have stopped her, and Sydney would still be working for Michael.

  Sydney walked right by the bar, taking her phone out of her handbag to call her driver instead. She just wanted to go home, pour herself a drink, and forget about today.

  13

  Ally reached for the blanket draped across the back of the couch and covered herself with it as she tucked her legs underneath her, trying to get comfortable while having an incredibly uncomfortable conversation.

  Jess sat on the opposite side of the couch. They were both in their pajamas and had planned on watching a movie, but Ally made the mistake of telling her best friend what happened today with Sydney.

  "She actually said that?" Jess asked, shaking her head as she topped up her glass of wine, leaving the half empty bottle back on the coffee table.

  Ally nodded. "Yeah."

  "She's bad news, Al. She's greedy, money hungry, all of which I figured, but now I'll just add rude to that list."

  "She just lost her job,” Ally said with a sigh.

  "Are you actually defending her right now?"

  Ally didn't know what she was doing. She had no reason to stick up for her. They weren't dating. They were barely friends now.

  "Al, you've got to forget about her," Jess said. "You know I don't normally care who you date, as long as you're happy, but this is not good for you. She was working with the people who shut down any chance of us getting another shelter. It was never going to work."

  Ally sank further into the cushions. Jess was right. "Yeah."

  "I still can't believe you kissed her."

  Ally closed her eyes. Why did she have to mention the kiss?

  "I can let you know when she's volunteering," Jess said, taking her away from the memories of that night, of when Sydney's lips had brushed across her own. "That way you can avoid her."

  "Thanks." Ally didn't necessarily want to avoid her. She kind of hoped that Sydney might apologize to her, but so far her phone had stayed quiet. Maybe she'd do it in person. "Let's watch this movie." She had to stop thinking about Sydney and what might have been. They were just too different.

  Ally wrapped the last of the presents that had been donating, addin
g it to the tower of boxes that took up the entire corner where she usually cut hair in the volunteer's lounge. She stood, stretching her arms over her head, admiring the generosity of the people who'd donated all these gifts.

  She'd never forget the emptiness she felt when she looked around the dorm room on her first Christmas staying here. She saw single mothers trying to make the day seem as normal as possible despite being surrounded by strangers and having so little to offer their kids.

  It brought back all of the happy memories she had of growing up in a nice home with what she thought was a loving family. She'd been so lucky in so many ways, but she'd lost her family through no fault of her own, and seeing those mothers spend the day playing with their kids in the shelter, Ally hoped that they would love their children no matter what. How could being gay take that away?

  "Wow."

  Ally turned to see Sydney standing in the doorway.

  "We like to have something to give everyone on Christmas morning," Ally said, barely making eye contact with Sydney.

  "That's a great idea," Sydney said, coming into the room, her hair tied back in a loose ponytail. She was dressed relatively casually today in dark wash jeans and a light gray sweater.

  Ally cleared her throat. "Yeah. They were all donated in the last few weeks."

  "Speaking of donations... I was wondering if you were free any night this week."

  Ally's eyes met Sydney's. She had to go to dinner with Sydney. There was no way out of it when that was what Sydney had bid on. "I'm free any night, so whatever suits you." Ally had no idea what they'd talk about. That easiness between them was gone.

  "Are you hungry?" Sydney asked.

  "Now?"

  Sydney nodded. "Yeah. We could go somewhere now... If you wanted."

  Ally was hungry, but she didn't know if she was in the right head space for this, but then, when would she be? She was still attracted to Sydney as much as she wished she wasn’t, but the way Sydney spoke to her still stung.

  "Look, I want to apologize," Sydney said, her hand lightly resting on Ally's bare forearm, immediately sending a wave of heat through Ally's entire body. "For the other day. I was completely out of line. I was angry, and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I'm sorry."

  Ally met Sydney's eyes as her hand fell away. "I'm sorry you lost your job... What happened?"

  Sydney sighed. "The developer of the project found out I was connected to this shelter. He wasn't impressed with the protesters, and I managed to get them to move away from the entrance of the building site, but he didn't think they should have been protesting at all. The deal was done. The city should fix the problem... Anyway, he took it as me working with the 'enemy' so," Sydney said using air quotes. "I should have told him sooner that I was volunteering here, but I wasn't going to tell him about my DUI so I kept it quiet."

  "That's it? That's why he fired you?" Ally felt like she was missing something.

  "He's a bit of a hothead, and even though it was a massive deal, with equally massive commissions, I'm better off. It's taken a few days for me to get there, but I can see that now. I was stressed, always trying to keep him happy... Anyway, enough about me. What do you feel like for dinner?"

  14

  Sydney took care of the bill while Ally had gone to the restroom. The snow flurries that had started to fall as they walked here had turned into fluffy white flakes, covering the sidewalk and the cars parked along it.

  Tonight had gone well, considering the way she acted the last time she saw Ally. She had no problem speaking her mind and having confrontations with other agents or developers. Large amounts of money was always at stake, along with egos, but this was different. This was Ally. She shouldn't have snapped at her like that, and slowly, but surely, Sydney felt like she'd won her back over tonight.

  They'd kept the conversation light and casual while they ate their starters, but by the time their main courses had arrived, they were back to that easy, flowing conversation, and Ally told her a lot about the shelter, about the difference they were making. Sydney didn't want to talk about her or her job. That would only remind them of what happened the other day. Ally was so passionate about the shelter. It seemed like the safest thing to talk about, and it set up what Sydney had planned for the rest of the night.

  Ally returned to their table, and Sydney stood up as they went to reception to get their coats and scarves.

  "Thank you," Ally said as they left. "I had a really nice night."

  "Me too," Sydney said, holding the door open for her. "Thanks for agreeing to come on such short notice."

  Ally laughed softly. "I never have much going on so... You on the other hand, I thought you'd be booked up for weeks."

  "Depends. I try to keep a flexible enough schedule, but as far as my personal life? That's never busy. Always worked related things. Anyway... Do you mind going for a short walk?" Sydney asked despite the freezing temperatures and the snow falling around them.

  "Sure. Where are we going?"

  "It's a surprise." Sydney linked her arm through Ally's, leading her around the block. The streets were quiet and only a few cars drove by as the snow continued to fall, and they made the short walk, three blocks, to a derelict three story building on dimly lit street.

  Sydney stopped walking, and Ally looked from the the old factory back to her with her eyebrows furrowed, trying to figure out what they were doing here.

  "So," Sydney said, letting her hand fall away from Ally's arm. "This site isn't for sale, but... I think it could make a great location for a second homeless shelter."

  Ally glanced back at the building. "I don't understand..."

  "I know the owner," Sydney said, "And he's a retired developer, so he's not using this site. I also have friends in construction. Clarke called in a few favors too, and I think this could be the answer to your overcrowding problems." Things were back to normal with Clarke, and he'd been a huge help getting this to come together so quickly.

  She kept talking when Ally didn't say anything. "It could be a privately run shelter. The labor would be done for free, of course, as a donation. The building would also be given as a donation. I'm sure when the times comes, we could get furniture and supplies donated too."

  Sydney's breath evaporated into the cold night air as she spoke, and she turned to see Ally's face. She was just staring at the building.

  "I know I'm rambling on about something I don't know much about," Sydney said. "The shelter side of things, I mean, but it could be ready to go this time next year... Maybe you or Jess would be interested in managing it?"

  Ally was still standing silently beside her. Sydney turned to get a better look at her. "Ally? What do you think?"

  "How?" Ally asked in just above a whisper, her voice laced with emotion, and Sydney noticed the tears streaming down her face.

  "Shit. I knew I should have asked you first or talked to you about it." Sydney stood beside, not sure what to do. She wanted to wipe away her tears, but it was too intimate of a gesture.

  "No. It's not that," Ally said, wiping her gloved fingers underneath her eyes. "It's not that. I'm just... Blown away. It's not what I expected when you said you wanted to go for a walk," she said with a laugh.

  "I don't know. I guess, Michael's words... Sorry the developer. He was just so single minded, and he had every right to be. He bought the land fair and square, but he couldn't take a step back and see that maybe he could help in some other way. But it's not something you think about, or at least, I didn't. Not until I volunteered anyway. I just wanted to do something."

  "This is crazy," Ally said with a smile, shaking her head as she turned to face Sydney. "Fucking crazy."

  Sydney laughed. "Never heard you swear before."

  "It's reserved for special occasions."

  "Well, I'm glad this made the list." Sydney let out a shaky breath, relieved that she hadn't overstepped, that Ally was okay with this. "I know there's so much to do, and like I said, I don't know the ins and outs, but I can g
et the right people to meet with you or Jess or both of you. Whoever's interested. And if you're not, that's fine too. We can find someone to-"

  "Of course, I'm interested. I'm just in shock right now."

  "And nearly frozen," Sydney said with a smile as she rubbed her hands together. "We should probably get going. This snow isn't slowing down."

  "I feel like we should celebrate."

  "Yeah?"

  "Yes. Definitely. This is huge. Jess isn't going to believe it."

  "Where do you want to go?" Sydney asked, smiling at Ally. Her energy and excitement were contagious.

  "I don't know. Not back to that gay bar, anyway."

  Sydney's mind immediately went back to their kiss and sitting in that booth by the window. "Hmm. I don't feel like running into any of my exes tonight. Not when we're celebrating."

  "What about the movies? Another horror?"

  Sydney's eyebrows rose. "Yeah. Sure."

  Ally took her phone out of her pocket. "Oh, maybe not. We missed the last one. It started a half hour ago."

  "What about my place?" Sydney asked without really thinking it through. "I have surround sound... And a pretty big TV. Almost as good as going to the movies."

  "Yeah. You sure you don't mind? I assume you have work in the morning?"

  Sydney glanced up and down the street in search of a taxi. "I can move some things around or have Clarke take care of it. I've covered for him more times than I could possibly count. He owes me. What about you?" Sydney asked, realizing that she didn't know what Ally did for a living.

  "I actually have tomorrow off."

  "What do you do?"

  "I work in a salon."

  "Ah. That makes sense," Sydney said, spotting a taxi approaching and stepping down onto the street to get the driver's attention.

  "Why?"

  "The shelter. I've seen you cut hair there." Sydney opened the door for Ally and got in after her, giving the driver her address. This was probably a bad idea. She liked being around Ally. She liked kissing her even more, so why did she have to invite Ally over and torture herself further? Sydney knew Ally had suggested kissing her that night just to save her ass from Donna, not because Ally was interested in her.