“Hey, how long have you been there?”
“Just got here. That was amazing.”
“Thanks, I think I finally perfected it. How was the dentist?”
I gave him an exaggerated smile, showing off my pearly whites. “No cavities and a new toothbrush. Could be worse.”
He grinned, and laid the guitar carefully in the case. Time to study. We had finals next week and then Christmas break could begin. Although I’d rather stand here and listen to him play, I plopped down on his couch and unzipped my backpack. How much studying we got done was debatable. Just when I became absorbed in my Lit book Max would think of something he needed to tell me. It went on that way, each of us interrupting the other multiple times until it was time to pack it up. Neither of us minded. Our grades were solid. We were seniors. There was no pressure.
“So have you written lyrics for that song yet,” I asked as we packed up our books. I needed to head home and help my mom with dinner.
“Not yet. I have no idea what they will be. I have to wait. Someday it will just come to me.”
“Your creative process can’t be rushed, is that what you’re telling me?”
“Yeah, something like that. Kind of works like your friend Kara’s psychic stuff. It just pops into my head.”
“Well, I look forward to it. I have a feeling it’s going to be my favorite song.”
“Is that so?” He laughed. “Then I will make sure you are the first person who gets to hear it.”
Max
Finals week was a breeze. I don’t know if it was because school wasn’t a huge priority to
me right now or just that senior classes were easier, but both Rainey and I studied half heartedly and felt super confident about our scores. Maybe it was the Christmas season, but life was feeling pretty good. We missed Garrett, of course. There wasn’t a day we didn’t miss him, think of him, or talk about him. It was just that we were now used to missing him. It had become part of our reality, part of who we were and always would be. I considered it a manageable condition like asthma, it sucked, but it wasn’t going to kill me. I had no choice but to learn to live with it.
Rainey and I started helping Kara with street fairs the weekend our Christmas break began. There was one both Saturday and Sunday. The goal was No Dog Left Behind and it was an eye opening experience. I guess I kind of thought that rescue dogs would be damaged somehow and that couldn’t have been further from the truth. The dogs were all different mixes of breeds, many of them purebreds, and they were awesome. I could have taken any of them but I fell in love with a three year old pitbull named Maggie. She was missing parts of her ears and was scarred from being used as bait in dog fights and yet the horror of her life hadn’t changed her disposition. She was friendly and trusting and loved everyone. I told Rainey that if she wasn’t chosen for adoption over the weekend I would ask Kara if I could bring her home so my parents would be able to meet her. Turns out I didn’t have to do that because bright and early Sunday morning they were some of our first customers. My parents liked them all, but I had told mom about Maggie so I could see that she made a special effort to spend time with her. Dad had been the reason we had never had a dog growing up, he had grown up without pets and thought they would be too much trouble. Now I heard him talking to Kara about how great it would be to have a dog to run with and take to the beach. When they left with Maggie I looked at Rainey in disbelief.
“Looks like somebody has a new best friend,” Rainey smiled, her arms full of two squirming black puppies.
“Yeah, I can’t believe mom talked dad into coming to see her, much less left with her.”
“She is such a love, how could they resist?”
I nodded, but still felt like aliens had taken over my parents. Garrett would be tripping out if he was watching. He had begged for a dog all our lives. Neither of us thought this day would ever come.
“She will bring so much happiness to your parents, Max. Garrett will be happy for them.” Rainey turned to show the puppies to a family with three little kids and I marveled how she had read my thoughts.
“You don’t have to be psychic to know when something is meant to be, Max.” Kara winked at me, and I laughed.
Chapter 22
Rainey
“Merry Christmas!!” two sets of parents shouted as Max and I opened matching red and green envelopes.
“Disneyland Passes?” We said in unison. We looked at each other and laughed. We were at Max’s house for Christmas Eve dinner and our parents said they had an early gift for us.
“We thought we would all go tomorrow for Christmas!” Max’s mom said, and I looked at my mom smiling beside her.
“This is a tough Christmas for all of us, so we thought we would start a new tradition!” My dad said, standing next to Max’s dad. We couldn’t help but act happy, and we were, I guess. Disneyland was awesome and I hadn’t been in quite a while but I couldn’t believe they all wanted to go on Christmas day.
“We bought you the year round passes so you could go with your friends anytime you like. I heard Rylee saying that they all go quite a bit,” Mom said. This was true, they went a lot. Max and I had planned to join them eventually. It was a great gift. It touched me that they all were so excited to give them to us, and to spend their holiday there. Especially my mom and dad, they had been wonderful helping all of us through the holidays. It was like we were all one big family. Losing Garrett had brought everyone closer together.
“I wish Grandma hadn’t gone to Aunt Alison’s, she is always saying she wants to go to Disneyland,” I said to Max.
“We can take her when she gets back if you want. We can go anytime now,” he smiled and walked over to pick up the guitar he had left on the couch. He began to play Santa Claus is coming to town and soon everyone was singing along. Luckily, everyone except me could keep a tune.
We had a really nice evening and everyone was sorry to see it end. We needed to get to bed early if we were going to get an early start in the morning. Max helped me on with my jacket and innocently pointed at something above my head. Looking up at the Mistletoe hanging there, Max kissed me quickly but firmly, taking me by surprise. It was a simple peck, so I felt funny when my heart sped up and I felt myself blush. It didn’t help that he just stood there enjoying my discomfort.
“Ready?”
“Huh?” I asked.
“To go home? Your mom and dad are waiting,” he said, grinning at me and pointing to the driveway.
“OH! Yeah, of course. See you in the morning,” I said, hurrying out the door.
Max followed, opening the car door for me. Leaning in he whispered, “Merry Christmas, Rainey.” The door closed before I could say it back.
The happiest place on earth proved to be a pretty popular place to spend Christmas Day. Everything was decorated super cute and both Max’s mom and mine went crazy for every detail. My dad had received a new camera and made quick work of documenting every moment, while Max’s dad made sure we sampled food from every stand in every land. Max and I took control of the rides and we made sure we all rode every single one.
After lunch, Max and I split up from the parents and went off to re-ride a few rides before we met back up with them for the parade.
“I don’t know about you but I could use a couple hours alone. My dad and his camera were starting to get on my nerves,” I said.
“Yeah, I’m afraid that he’s going to be bummed when he sees all of the pictures that you ruined with your scowls.”
“Max! I don’t scowl!” I said, scowling.
Max laughed.
“I don’t!” I insisted, hoping that I hadn’t. My cheeks hurt from smiling every time he said, “say Mickey!” Wasn’t that proof that he had gotten some good shots?
“Come on Grumpy, let’s go ride Splash Mountain.” He took my hand and pulled me past the Haunted Mansion.
“Very funny,” I said, making a face at him. “I think this was a good idea, don’t you?”
“Spl
ash Mountain is always a good idea,” he smiled at me.
“No, being at Disneyland today. I think it was good for all of us.”
“Mom and dad needed this even more than we did. It has helped keep their minds off of Garrett.”
I liked how Max and I could talk about Garrett and it felt natural. Neither of us flinched in pain any longer at the mention of his name.
We ended the day tired and happy, listening to our parents talk about how much fun they’d had. I leaned my head on Max’s shoulder and fell asleep on the long drive home.
Max
Rainey and I skipped the after Christmas sales and spent the day bathing dogs at Kara’s rescue. I think we were both kind of surprised by how much we enjoyed helping out at the rescue. My parents were already in love with Maggie and whatever horrible abuse she had suffered in the past would hopefully be forgotten in her new life as a pitbull princess. She had dozens of toys, a comfy bed in every room of the house and a run with dad every morning. Kara was busy with eight puppies that had been born on Christmas Eve. She thanked us repeatedly for our help and we offered to come in as many days as she needed us up until we had to leave on New Year’s Eve.
“So, you two are spending New Years Eve up in the mountains, huh?” She asked
casually, as she returned the puppies to their mom. Kara never asked anything, casually.
Rainey had taken two Chihuahuas out for a short walk.
“We are,” I said, waiting.
“You making any resolutions for the new year?”
“I don’t know, should I be?”
“Well, I think everyone should begin a new year with positivity, patience and a faith that what is meant to be will find a way to be. That old saying, “good things are worth the wait” is priceless.”
“Hmm;” I mumbled, as I put the lid back on the dog shampoo and wiped down the sink. I knew she was trying to tell me something but I didn’t think it was anything to worry about. Not then, anyway. All I felt was a happy anticipation for the trip back up to the mountain.
Chapter 23
Rainey
New Years Eve was sunny and warm in San Diego. The forecast for the mountains was cloudy and cold, no snow expected. This made for a nice drive. We had rain earlier in the week which meant there would be snow on the ground up there. On the ground, but not on the roads, made for perfect conditions.
Max and I left early, anxious to get there. Since Gran and Grandad wouldn’t be there, our moms had sent coolers full of food. Max’s mom even ordered us Danish Kringles for our breakfast.
“She’s making it up to you for getting the wrong flavor on Thanksgiving,” I said as we pulled out of my driveway.
“Yeah, she double checked the label ten times. I’m glad they are going to dinner with your parents tonight. I didn’t want them to sit home.”
“They’ll have a great time. Dad made reservations at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. They are taking Grandma too. She got back this morning.”
“We have to take her to Disneyland soon.”
I agreed and grabbed his iPod.
“May I?”
“Go ahead. As long as it’s mine and not yours I should be fine.”
We spent the next two hours happily talking non- stop. We arrived just as Sophie and Ethan were unloading their truck. They told us Rylee and Colin would be awhile since they had hit traffic coming from L.A. They had spent the holidays with Rylee’s family.
Max and I carried our coolers into the kitchen and Sophie helped me put all the food away. Max and Ethan took our bags up to our rooms and we followed them up to unpack. I was in the same room as last time and I hung up the dress I had bought for New Years Eve. It was short, black and had used up the entire Bloomingdales gift card my aunt had given me for Christmas. It was worth it. I had fallen in love the second I had tried it on. We all had decided to go all out tonight and get dressed up.
“Hey,” Max called from his room across the hall, “Colin and Rylee are here!” We helped them in with their stuff and then we all went into town and had lunch at a quaint, tiny restaurant. We walked the streets and went into all the little shops. It was cold out and the snow on the mountains and trees made it look like a winter wonderland. When we had covered all there was to do in the village we headed back to the cabin and the guys built a roaring fire.
Our plan for New Years Eve was simple. Dress up, dance and welcome in the New Year together.
Rylee had decided it would be fun for the girls to get dressed in my room and then we could make a grand entrance for the boys. We made sure all the food was on trays, while the guys filled up the ice bucket and set up the bar. Gran and Grandad had left us a case of expensive Champagne and we had a few bottles on ice. Before we headed upstairs to get ready Colin popped open a bottle and poured us each a glass. We carried them upstairs and I took a sip promising myself I would go easy. A couple glasses throughout the night, no more. Seemed like an easy promise at the time.
Max
We followed the girls upstairs to get dressed for our party. I could hear laughter coming from behind Rainey’s door. I quickly showered and put on black pants and a white dress shirt. I sprayed cologne, which I wore only on special occasions like school dances, and headed back downstairs. Colin was dressed similarly to myself, only his shirt was a light blue. He was lighting candles that he had placed on every available surface.
Ethan came down dressed all in black and the two of us moved couches and the coffee table to make room for dancing. When Colin finished with the candles he handed each of us a shot glass and piece of lime. “To us,” he said, and figuring it would be okay since I wasn’t driving, I joined them. When he handed me a second one, I downed it and then went to help Ethan select the music.
We put on a playlist of old standards and turned the lights down low. The flickering candles gave a romantic glow to the room while millions of stars twinkled through the floor to ceiling windows. If the girls wanted a romantic New Years Eve they were going to have one. I found myself wishing that Rainey and I were so much more than we were. I wanted her to want to have a romantic evening with me. Tonight I didn’t want to be just her friend.
It felt like forever until the girls were ready. Finally, Rylee came down the stairs. She was wearing a short red dress. Colin gave her a wolf whistle and met her at the bottom step with a red rose. She exclaimed, he kissed her, and I tried to imagine Rainey greeting me the same way.
Ethan met Sophie next. She wore a white strapless dress and as they kissed I grew anxious to see Rainey. I knew my feelings for her had grown into more than she was ready for but when I saw her coming down the staircase in a short, tight black dress and heels that made her legs go on forever, I knew it was hopeless. I had fallen completely in love, with my best friend.
Colin had given me a rose for her too but I felt suddenly tongue tied. I was used to her looking up at me, but when she stepped off the bottom step she looked me straight in the eyes, thanks to her six inch heels.
“You’re perfect,” I said, holding out the rose.
“Thank you. You’re pretty perfect yourself.” She held the flower to her nose and I managed to compose myself. I started to say something when a champagne cork popped and the party began.
Chapter 24
Rainey
Champagne was quickly becoming my favorite drink, and New Years Eve my favorite night. I heard Rylee say we had gone through six bottles by ten o’clock but the fuzzy, warm feeling that engulfed me just made me hope that we wouldn’t run out. We ate some of the appetizers that filled the trays that covered the dining table and Max told me to go easy on the drinks and put a water bottle into my hands. I just laughed and told him I was fine. I was more than fine. I was floating on air. I was happy. There was no place in the world I wanted to be but right here with my friends.
When the dancing began, Max held me tightly as I lay my head against his shoulder. I could hear him singing softly, his voice like warm velvet. I had kicked off my heels hours befo
re and Max was once again taller than me. I breathed in the smell of him, his cologne my new favorite smell.
“Max,” I murmured
“Hmmm?” he whispered against my ear.
“You smell as good as you look.”
“I do?”
“Yes, you do.”
The song we were dancing to ended but I didn’t let go. I just swayed against him until the next song began. In my head I could think of so many things I wanted to say to him. I wanted to tell him how much he meant to me, how I could never live without him. But all that came out was, “I could stay like this forever.”
“Me too,” he replied, and pulled me tighter against him.
Right before midnight Ethan turned on the Television so that we could see the count down. When there was only ten seconds left we all counted down before shouting “ Happy New Year!” in unison.
While the other couples began to kiss, his lips met mine in a friendly kiss and as he pulled away I realized I didn’t want him to. I pulled him back and kissed him for real.
Max
I gave Rainey what I thought was an innocent kiss at midnight. I’d been holding her in my arms as we danced and I ached to do so much more. When I pulled away she pulled me back and kissed me like nobody ever had.
I heard Sophie say, “It’s about time,” and the four of them disappeared up the stairs. Rainey seemed unaware of them or just didn’t care that they witnessed what was absolutely the best kiss of my life. When she said we should go upstairs, I nodded and walked her to her door. She kissed me again and I tried to be a gentleman and say goodnight. I swear I tried.
The Saddest Song Page 13