“Really? I bet you have some great stories from your time as a smoke eater.”
“Oh, I’ve got some doozies for sure. I once had a ladder fall out from underneath me when I was trying to reach a second-story window. Took all of our guys to get another ladder under me, and because it wasn’t tall enough, they had to hold the damn thing while I climbed down.
“No shit?” Tucker clears his throat. “Sorry.”
“No shit indeed.” Francis winks. “One of the scariest moments of my life.”
“I’m going to leave you two gentlemen to your stories and get some punch. Do either of you want a snack or something?”
“Would you bring me back one of those sugar cookies?” Francis requests.
“Of course.”
I walk away from the table and watch Tucker move into the chair closest to Francis. Their heads are bent together, and I’m sure they’re swapping stories, which makes me smile.
I grab a cup of punch and look around the room. More people have shown up now, and a DJ is set up in the corner, playing soft jazz. The whole gym looks like a middle school prom. It’s amazing.
My mom comes up next to me and puts her arm around my shoulders.
“I’m so glad you and Tucker have found each other again, Spark. I’ve always known you two were meant to be. You were just too close as children to sever the connection forever.”
“Do you think it’s crazy how quickly we’ve fallen for each other?”
“Absolutely not. Your father and I had the same thing. When you know, you know, darling.” Mom’s voice gets a little misty as she talks about my dad. We don’t talk about him much, but he’s never been a subject we avoided either.
He was an amazing man who knew how to weave a story together like no one I’ve ever known.
“I miss him a lot, Mom. Especially now with Tucker back in my life. Dad only ever knew him as a boy. I wish he could’ve gotten to know Tucker as an adult.”
“I miss him every day too, my love, but he’s here with us, in every moment of our lives. I know he’d be so proud of you.”
I feel my throat get tight and my eyes fill with tears. Catching Tucker’s eye, his brows furrow in confusion at my display of emotion. He quickly excuses himself and comes to me.
When he wraps me up in a hug, it takes everything I have not to break down in his arms. I don’t normally have such a strong reaction to memories of my dad, but between the holidays and knowing he’s not around to meet Tucker, my emotions are running high.
“What’s going on?” Tucker whispers in my ear. I feel my mom’s hand on my shoulder, and I know she’s stepping away so we can have a moment.
“I’m okay. Mom and I were just talking about my dad. It’s always hard around the holidays. Even after all this time.”
Tucker runs his hand down my hair, soothing my scattered emotions.
“Do you want to go home?”
“No, I’ll be okay, I promise. Let’s get some punch and bring Francis his cookie.” Tucker grabs my face in his hands and wipes under my eyes with his thumbs, removing my tears. He leans down, quickly kissing me, and then takes my hand, guiding me over to the food table.
I think I’ve officially fallen in love with Tucker, and I’m both terrified and incredibly ecstatic about it.