Once outside, he pulled an Adirondack style chair over and gave it a quick dusting. “Sorry. I don’t have much company these days.”
I curled into the seat and covered myself with the waffle-weave blanket and set my wine glass on the armrest as Jesse turned on the patio heater. Instantly a wave ofwarmth settled over me, and I let out a low groan. “That’s nice.”
He sat in his chair and took a sip of his wine. “It’s a lovely evening.”
Indeed, it was. The surf was crashing just out of sight but well within listening range. That was the best part of Cheshire Bay, in my humble opinion. The houses on this strip had some of the finest beaches on the island, and since it was the Pacific Ocean as far as the eye could see, the waves were free to make as much noise as they needed. Tonight, they were rather subdued.
“When I was a kid, I used to love just sitting on our deck and listening to the waves, and sometimes stare up at the stars.”
Jesse craned his neck to see beyond the edges of the upper deck. “No stars tonight.”
“No. It’s cloudy. I’m hoping the winter storm holds off for a bit, or changes course.”
The weather predicted a drop of cooler temperatures with flurries. As it was, the year had been unusually strange as the island rarely got snow, and yet this year, it had already exceeded its yearly amount.
Thetranquil ebb and flow of the waves filled the air between us, as did the occasional clinking of a wine glass settling on the solid wooden arm.
“It’s very soothing. I’ve missed this.”I crossed my legs and relaxed into the chair.
For the past twomonths, my life had been filled with endless work projects, fighting with Charlie over insignificant items neither of us wanted, but we weren’t willing to give the other either, and packing. I needed more nights like this to unwind.
The waves rolled andthundered in a nice rhythmic pattern. In and out. Each breaking wave chipped away at my hardened soul. It wouldn’t take much convincing for me to spend the night outside. If it were warmer. As it was, I huddled under the blanket when a cool breeze blew in.
“You know if you want, you can go in and watch a movie. Please don’t let me stop you.”
“I won’t.” He propped a foot on his knee. “Like I said earlier, I don’t get much company and as quiet as this is, you and I sitting on the deck, it is very peaceful. It’s nice.”
On the arm rest, his hand twitched, almost like mine was. Desperately, I wanted to hold his hand as it felt like this moment needed it, and with every moving inch of Jesse’s hand toward me, I couldn’t help but wonder if that’s what he wanted too? Even the occasional butterfly took flight, which was strange because I’d long thought they’d died.
The chair shifted beneath Jesse. “I’m just going to ask flat out as I’ve been debating, and figure to hell with it.”
I wrapped my fingers around the baseof my wine glass and held on tight.
“Why don’t you enjoy Christmas? Are you Jewish?”
The red wine tasted even better than before as I tipped the glass and dumped the liquid into my mouth. I allowed the sweet berry taste to settle before I answered.
“No. I just don’t like the holiday, but I won’t stop anyone else from celebrating it the way they choose.” Suddenly on the defensive, I needed to point out the obvious. “I love that you have lights and decorations all over, and even a set of Christmas lights hanging on your truck, but it’s just not something I do.”
“You haven’t even said ‘Merry Christmas’.”
I shrugged. “They’re just words. No one really means it anyway.”
“Most do.” He took another sip of wine.“So, if I was to show up at your place, there’d be no colourful lights?”
This year, it was just me and myself, so no decorations at all.One battle we didn’t fight was over who got the boxes of decorations, even though there was only a box or two as he kept it to a minimum for my sake. His office however, it was like he was the King of Christmas. His work surface was barely visible over the decorations and dancing Santas and numerous mini trees. I shook my head.
“Notrees even?”
I let the silence answer.
“What about presents?”
A smile teased on the edge ofmy lips and leaked into my words. “Well, those I buy. I have a trunk full for Lily and Eric and Henry. And I left gifts for my friends back home.”
I wasn’t a complete Grinch, I enjoyed shopping for the perfect present. But I did the same for birthdays and anniversaries. Just because it was the most commercial time of the year, didn’t mean I went overboard.
Jesse leaned backed, an expression of satisfaction on his face. “Well, that’s good. And are you opposed to receiving gifts?”