Christmas or Bust

by A. M Burke

  How did that sound to her? Pretty damn near perfect. And yet she felt her a bit of loneliness blossom in her stomach at the thought of them parting ways at the end of the day. She did realize she’d been fostering a secret fantasy of him staying with her at her parents or maybe just driving until they both figured it all out. But they were just fantasies and they had to stay that way. It also bothered her that he would be ok with falling back into their own roles. She wondered if the last few days had meant anything if he could just walk away.

  So instead of saying that she was unsure of life and she was a little bit scared and feeling like she was young and lost and alone and that she wanted to get to know him more Nora only nodded.

  “That sounds like a plan,” she whispered and leaned back against Elliot who tightened his arms around her.

  Chapter Ten

  Elliot took his time, making two more unnecessary stops and intentionally taking a wrong turn before they made it to Nora’s childhood home. The sun was setting behind the house as they pulled into the driveway and despite the lack of snow Elliot was still struck with the impression of a gingerbread house when they pulled up.

  “They get a little bit into the holidays,” Nora said by way of explanation looking up at the twinkling lights, the reams of garland, and the fake snow frosting the windows. The area usually had no need for fake snow, they were far enough off the coast and into the mountains that they normally had a white Christmas but the year had been unseasonably warm and so far her parents had only reported a few brief dustings.

  “Understatement,” Elliot said peering through the windshield. “I’m pretty sure that’s advance robotics on that Santa Claus. Is it doing the Macarena?”

  Nora grimaced as she rubbed her temples. The door opened and Nora saw her father peering at her from the well light house. “There’s Dad,” she warned.

  “Am I going to be running for the hills from him?” Elliot asked thinking he probably should have asked about it earlier.

  “Just don’t mention you’ve been sleeping with his daughter and we should be fine,” Nora said and then leveled him with a hard look. “Seriously, don’t.”

  “You think I’d chance that?” Elliot asked that. “I’m not that bad of a guy plus your dad looks like he could bench press me.”

  “He’s the local high school’s wrestling coach,” Nora informed him proudly, “went to college on a wrestling scholarship.”

  “No intimidation factor there at all,” Elliot grumbled. “Just warn me if I need to look out for a firing squad.”

  “Once again, don’t mention the fact that you’ve slept with me for nearly a week straight and we should be fine,” Nora said before stepping out of the car

  “Duly noted,” Elliot said sliding out as well. Nora’s mother was coming down the driveway, a huge smile spread across her face. The resemblance was uncanny and Elliot was confident he could have picked her out in a crowd of a hundred. They both had the same soft features and color of hair but Nora must have gotten her eyes from her father. Nora’s mother’s were so pale that even in the fading light of day Elliot could see they were a bright blue. Nora met her mother halfway and they embraced, Nora’s mother holding on for a beat longer than her daughter. Elliot observed from behind the open driver’s door as Nora’s father joined the two women and got his chance to hug his daughter. They were a happy family and Elliot couldn’t help the familiar pang of jealousy when he got to see normal families getting along together.

  Nora embraced her father and then pulled back laughing at something he’d said. When she glanced over her shoulder to look back at Elliot he felt the now familiar tightening in his chest he got when he saw a new side of her. It might be familiar but he would never get used to it but also decided he never wanted to get used to it.

  “Elliot, come here,” she called out to him waving him over and with a bit of reluctance he obeyed and met her parents. The Ellises were very nice people and both thanked him profusely for delivering their daughter home safely for the holidays.

  “You really got her out of a bind,” Nora’s father, Eric Ellis, said giving Elliot’s hand a firm shake.

  “Happy to help,” Elliot replied evenly.

  “We were worried she was going to be stuck in New York again, working,” Nora’s mother Sarah said looking choked up.

  “I’m here safe and sounds Mom,” Nora pointed out putting a hand on her mother’s shoulder. Up close the resemblance was even clearer and Elliot could see that the two had the same smile. “No need to worry.”

  “That snow storm you hit,” she shook her head. “I had visions of you spending Christmas in that awful motel you were telling me about.” Elliot noticed Nora blush at the mention of the motel and he had to fight down his smile.

  “It wasn’t that bad, we just hit it at the wrong time,” Elliot assured Sarah and the woman smiled gamely at him.

  “Well let’s get you two inside, I’m guessing you’ll want to get in and settled before the Jacobson’s party,” Sarah said gesturing toward the house. Elliot was happy to see he wasn’t the only one who seemed surprised by the statement.

  “The Jacobson’s party? Mom what are you talking about?” Nora asked confused.

  “The Jacobson’s Christmas party is tonight, or is it Holiday party? I can never remember what is politically correct anymore,” she laughed and Nora cringed.

  “Mom, what are you talking about?” Nora repeated.

  “I’m sure I told you about it,” Sarah started to say but seeing Nora’s expression she reconsidered. “Well I thought I’d told you,” she amended. “The Jacobson’s party is tonight and of course we’re invited and they’re so excited that you’re home in time for it. And of course you’ll have a wonderful time too Elliot. They have it catered every year.”

  “Mom, Elliot’s not staying tonight,” Nora broke in.

  “Sarah did you even ask?” Nora’s father asked.

  “I just assumed,” she trailed off looking between Nora and Elliot.

  “I hadn’t been planning on staying,” Elliot said casting a glance at Nora, “but thank you for the offer.”

  “Oh you have to stay,” Sarah insisted and Nora tried to interrupt her.

  “Mom really.”

  “It’s the least we can do,” Nora’s mother went on ignoring her daughter and focusing on Elliot. “After driving all day you should really spend the night here. The party will be lovely tonight and in the morning you’ll be refreshed and I’ll cook you a wonderful breakfast. Nora can help,” she said nodding at her clearly embarrassed daughter. “She makes a wonderful omelet.”

  “Mom,” Nora groaned sounding mortified.

  “Sarah really,” Nora’s father started to protest as well but Elliot interrupted both of them.

  “That sounds wonderful Mrs. Ellis, I’d be delighted to stay,” Elliot said with a disarming smile.

  “Wonderful,” Sarah said clapping her heads together, “and please call me Sarah. Nora lets show Elliot the guest room.”

  Nora gaped at Elliot when they went to grab their bags, her father coming to help her collect hers. When her father was out of earshot Nora hissed at him out of the corner of her mouth. “What are you angling at Grimmald?”

  “Your mother invited me to spend the night,” he shrugged. “Sounds like a good offer and I really want to see you in an apron.” He added the last bit with a wink and Nora blushed hotly, trying to get her flaming face under control as she led the way to her childhood home. It was nearly the same as she remembered. The front entryway opened with a large combination sitting and dining room with a tall vaulted ceiling. The room flowed into an open kitchen with large windows that looked out on the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Tucked around the corner Nora knew the living room would be just the same way with her father’s big screen television would reign supreme, dwarfed only this time of year by the tree her parents would have chopped down themselves. She knew her parent’s bedroom, down the hallway that was off of the living room
, would be the same with the green and red bedspread her mother used at Christmas each year.

  “Up this way” Nora said following her father up the stairs that were in front of them. The stairs led to a loft with a small sitting area, television, and book shelves that looked over the downstairs sitting room and had its own bank of windows to look out over the horizon. A few years back her parents had installed a small balcony and sliding glass door that matched the larger patio below. There were two bedrooms upstairs. The one to the left of the windows and balcony belonged to Nora but she walked past it and led Elliot to the guest room. Her parents had bought a new bedspread and the pale blue was inviting and warm.

  Nora made noises about showing him about the room but leveled him with a glare when she was sure her father wasn’t going to follow them in right way.

  “Just what the hell are you up to?” Nora asked.

  “Sleep over?” Elliot guessed with a lecherous grin and Nora knocked him in the shoulder. Elliot grabbed the hand and tugged her towards him but Nora shot back from him.

  “My father is a door away,” Nora scolded.

  “So I better be quick,” Elliot grinned and grabbed her hand again. Nora couldn’t protest when he pressed her lips quickly over hers. “See,” he told her stepping back, “not so bad right?”

  Elliot’s father stuck his head through the door in before she could answer. “Honey are all your bags going in your room?”

  “Yes, and don’t you dare open any of them,” Nora warned jokingly, “there are Christmas presents in there.”

  “Christmas presents?” her father looked aghast. “I thought those were just presents to have, I already opened them.”

  “Haha, very funny Dad,” she said following him out of the room and Elliot, after dropping his bag on the bed, followed them out. He wanted to see Nora’s childhood room. He wasn’t sure what to expect; a collection of music and movie posters and stuffed animals and little trinkets that had been important at the time but meant nothing now but still couldn’t be discarded. He was surprised to see it looking rather adult for lack of a better term. There were multiple bookshelves neatly stuffed with books and picture frames. The walls held reproductions of famous pieces of arts, photos of recognizable landmarks, and familiar landscapes.

  There wasn’t a stuffed animal or plastic tiara or fake pompom to be found.

  “I was a boring kid,” Nora said reading his expression.

  “Not boring,” her father argued pushing one of roller bags into the corner near a computer desk lit by a small lamp. The whole room was awash in different shades of purple and that was the most girly aspect of the room.

  “Boring,” Nora insisted but she was smiling.

  “You should have seen Claire’s room growing up,” Elliot told her. “I’ve never seen that much pink in my life.”

  “Nothing wrong with pink,” Nora told him.

  “It made Barbie’s Dream House look tame,” Elliot insisted and Nora giggled.

  “That’s right,” Nora’s father spoke up, “you’re a childhood friend of Claire’s. How is she doing? I always liked that girl.”

  “She’s well sir,” Elliot answered. “I don’t get to see her as much as I might like.”

  “Please call me Eric,” Nora’s father insisted. “I’ll let you two get settled. Drinks? Snacks? Don’t want to fill up too much though,” he warned, “the Jacobson’s part is at seven and I’m telling you you’ll want to save some room for the food. It gets better every year.”

  “You don’t have to go,” Nora turned to Elliot and ignored her father’s frown. “Really, it’s ok.”

  “I haven’t been to a good Christmas party in ages,” Elliot said sticking his hands into his jean pockets, “sounds like fun.”

  “Good, good,” Eric Ellis said. “Why don’t I bring up those snacks and you two can get settled in and freshened up.”

  “Thanks Dad,” Nora called after her father after he gave her a kiss on the cheek and ambled down the stairs. As soon as he was out of earshot Nora turned back to Elliot. “You really don’t have to go,” she insisted.

  “I want to,” he told her again.

  “Why?” Nora asked confused.

  Elliot shrugged. “Because I can.”

  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  Nora gave Elliot a quick explanation as she sat on the couch and struggled with the tiny strap of the heels she’d selected to wear that night. She’d been embarrassed to ask if he needed to borrow a shirt and tie from her father, admitting that there was a dress code for the neighborhood party. Elliot had given her another thousand watt smile and said he only needed an ironing board to be ready. Nora’s mother had insisted on doing that while Elliot showered and Nora had stayed downstairs so she wouldn’t come across a toweled Elliot and have to deal with that while under her parents’ roof. She was still shocked that her mother had just insisted on Elliot staying over, not actually asking her or Elliot and even more shocking that Elliot had agreed so readily. She’d yet to ask him why he agreed or what he had planned for tonight.

  She’d sent Claire a text to let her know they’d arrived safe and sound and that Elliot was staying the night. She’d been able to read her friend’s shock even over text. Claire had called her in reaction to Nora’s follow up message that he was actually accompanying her and her parents to her neighborhood party.

  “Did he hit his head? Is he ok? Did he eat funny mushrooms? I always read in the news about people on the west coast getting into poisonous mushrooms,” Claire said talking over Nora’s hello.

  “No head injury that I know of but I’ll be sure to check his pupils, double on the mushrooms but I guess I can’t completely vouch for that,” Nora said sitting at the breakfast bar, sipping on a cup of tea her father had made her. Behind her she could hear her parents getting ready in their bedroom and knew she needed to get moving but thought she’d give Elliot a few more minutes. She’d heard the shower turn off a while ago but didn’t want to chance it.

  “I’m just having a hard time wrapping my head around Elliot going to any sort of social function willingly,” Claire mused and Nora could hear the noise of a football game in the background and her extended family’s rousing conversation.

  “I’m shocked too, believe me,” Nora agreed.

  “I figured that if you two hadn’t murdered one another by the end of the trip that you’d want to wait a decade before seeing each other again,” Claire went on. “Unless you two had some sort of magical breakthrough in the car and you’re the best of friends now in the way that only an epic road trip could achieve.”

  “That sounds like the plot for a bad 80’s movie,” Nora grumbled.

  “Early 90s coming of age teen drama actually,” Claire joked back and Nora rolled her eyes. “Don’t roll your eyes at me Ellis,” Claire added on and Nora sat up with a start.

  “How do you do that?”

  “The source of my powers is none of your concern,” Claire chided. “What we should be questioning is what got into Elliot? He’s being positively…social.”

  “Scary yes but I have to fess up to something,” Nora told her.

  “What’s that?” Claire asked sounding intrigued. There was the sound of a door closing and the din of the television and conversation quieted significantly.

  “He really isn’t that bad once you get to know him, Elliot I mean,” Nora admitted and waited for Claire’s chorus of ‘I-told-you-so’, probably in a singsong voice. What she wasn’t expecting was silence. For a moment Nora was concerned the call had dropped and she checked the reception on the phone and saw the call was still connected. “Claire?” she questioned.

  “I’m just a bit shocked is all,” Claire finally spoke. “I was worried when I saw you two off that you really weren’t going to make it through the trip in one piece.”

  “I’m not that bad,” Nora argued.

  “No, you aren’t, what I was worried about was Elliot.”

  “I thought Elliot
could do no wrong in your book?”

  “He’s had a rough go of it lately,” Claire admitted, “I was worried he wasn’t going to be on his best behavior so to speak.” Nora thought best behavior was open to interpretation but kept that to herself. “He’d kill me for telling you this but getting kicked out of the Marines really tore him up.”

  “Kicked out?” Nora interrupted. “I thought her was honorably discharged?”

  “He was, but because he didn’t pass medically. After he was shot last year her wasn’t able to clear physically. He told me they offered him a noncombat related job but Elliot said he didn’t want to be a desk jockey. I begged him to reconsider because it didn’t sound like a pity job, more like they really did want to keep him in and move him up the ranks but Elliot said he didn’t want to be out of the field. So for the past year he’d been kind of killing time, trying to figure out what is next. I’ve been worried about him.”

  “Understandably,” Nora agreed swallowing past a lump in his throat. “If it’s any consolation and it may not be since I don’t know him nearly as well as you do, I think he’s doing ok. He’s been in good spirits the whole trip and a gentleman with my parents and even with me.”

  “That is a comfort, thank you,” Claire said but she only sounded mildly relieved and Nora could tell her friend’s mind was running a mile a minute.

  “Hey, I didn’t mean to damper your night or worry you,” Nora said trying to comfort her friend.

  “No worries, I’m just thoughtful,” Claire assured her and Nora wondered what was going through her friend’s mind.