One Christmas Eve

by Robin Patchen

  “Casper?” Blake said.

  “Yeah. My car.” She pointed.

  “Oh, it’s…um…”

  She laughed. “Not much to look at, but she’s loyal to a fault.”

  “I see.” He pulled out of the parking lot. “And you named her…Casper?”

  “She earned it, believe me.” Tallia said. “The last time she died, I was pretty sure it was over. My brother told me he’d try to fix her for me, but he didn’t give me much hope. For three weekends David tinkered in his garage. I think he took every part out and never could pin down exactly what was wrong. He put her back together because I insisted. It seemed…disrespectful to leave her strung out all over the garage like that. And then…well, she started. She’s been running ever since. But since the car was most definitely dead, and it came back to life—”

  “You named her Casper.”

  “Right.”

  “The friendly ghost.”

  She giggled. “Exactly. Because, well, she should be dead.”

  “Do you name all your cars?”

  “Casper’s my first car, so yes, so far.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Your…first car?”

  “My parents bought her for me when I graduated from high school. They’d been saving for years to help me with college, but I got a scholarship, so they had a little money to splurge.”

  Blake stopped at a red light and waited. He glanced at her. “Do you mind if I ask…?” His voice trailed off.

  “What?”

  “Never mind.”

  She considered him. “I’m thirty-one.”

  “Oh. I wondered, because if you got that car for graduation, then it’d be—”

  “Almost fourteen years old, but like I said, she’s loyal.”

  He chuckled, shook his head, and turned left at the light.

  “Where’re we going?” she asked.

  His smile faded. “Dover. My ex-wife’s house.”

  “Oh. Why don’t we just call and see if they’re there.”

  “I called. No answer. But…”

  Tallia watched his profile and knew he was wrestling with something.

  “She’s on her honeymoon. The house should be empty. If Eli and Kelsey are there, I doubt they’ll answer.”

  “Really? If they thought they were caught…?”

  “There’s only one reason they’d go there in the middle of the night, Tallia.”

  Heat filled her face when she realized what he meant. “Oh, right. I really hope…I mean, I want to find them, but not like…that.”

  “Yeah. Me, too.” He closed his lips in a tight line and picked up speed.

  Fifteen minutes later, Blake turned and weaved along back roads.

  If Blake was right, and Kelsey and Eli were at Eli’s mom’s house, fooling around…Tallia couldn’t even consider it. How would she tell David? No, she definitely couldn’t tell him. She’d have to tell Dyann and hope her sister-in-law could break the news to Kelsey’s father in such a way that David didn’t decide to hunt down Eli and kill him.

  Tallia focused on her brother’s reaction rather than thinking about what Kelsey might be doing with her boyfriend. Tallia was no stranger to the temptation to give in to that particular desire. She’d been fighting it for years. She’d had boyfriends, and some had eventually pushed for more in the physical relationship, including a few who’d professed to be Christians. And Tallia had always backed away. Her reward—she was thirty-one and single.

  And she wasn’t a bit sorry.

  She closed her eyes and prayed again that Kelsey wouldn’t give in to the temptation. She had to stop thinking about it.

  “Your wife remarried?”

  Blake seemed startled, as though he’d forgotten she was there. “I’m sorry?”

  “Never mind. I was just curious.”

  “Oh.”

  A handful of seconds passed.

  “Are you warm enough?” he asked.

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  He adjusted the heater’s fan. “I’m thrilled she got remarried. And shocked. I never thought she would.”

  “Really? Are you so irreplaceable?” Warmth filled her cheeks. Did she just say that? It sounded…flirty.

  He chuckled. “Not in her view. I never thought she’d get remarried because if she did, I wouldn’t have to pay alimony anymore. And she’s become quite accustomed to the lifestyle the money brings.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that. This guy must be something special.”

  “I met the guy, and I don’t see it, but whatever. After this, I’m his biggest fan.”

  “I bet it saves you a lot of money.”

  There was a pause.

  Blake opened his mouth to speak, closed it again, and half-smiled. “It’s not about the money. I never minded paying her alimony. I wanted to be sure Eli was taken care of properly. I’ve paid for the last six years, but she’s maligned me at every turn to Eli. As soon as the divorce was final, she packed up and moved back here. She fought me every time I wanted to see Eli. She told him every negative thing she could think of about me. I went into rehab when he was fourteen.” Blake paused again, and then continued. “He knew all about the drugs and the rest of my…lifestyle. I’m not saying she should’ve lied to him, but…well, I like to think I would have protected him a little bit. I mean, I’m no saint, but I’ve never told him anything bad about her. And believe me…” His mouth flattened into a thin line. “Anyway, she wanted him to hate me. I know I deserved it, but now that I’m a Christian, I’m trying to make amends. It’s hard enough without the way she’s been piling on the negatives about me for all these years.”

  “I’m sure he doesn’t hate you.”

  He stared straight ahead. “He does. Trust me.”

  The road took a sharp turn, and Blake followed it.

  Tallia admired all the Christmas lights adorning the widely-spaced homes lining the road.

  “How’d you discover Eli was gone? Did you wake up and decide to check on him or something?”

  “Oh, I’d just turned off the TV. I always check on him before I go to bed.”

  “Sweet,” she said with a smile. “You always stay up so late?”

  The mention of the hour must’ve reminded him how tired he was, because he yawned. “Not usually. I was watching a talk show. A friend was on.”

  “Oh yeah, I always stay up to watch when my friends are on, but on the rare occasions that I don’t personally know the guests, I like to turn in early. You know, so I can be fresh the next night. The talk show host understands.”

  Blake laughed out loud. “Sarcasm. Nice.” His smile faded. “Jack Morgan was on. He’s a good friend. A Christian, too. He’s helped me a lot these past couple of years.”

  “Really? How?”

  “His life took a similar turn to mine. He got divorced, fell pretty heavily into drugs and drinking. He became a Christian, went to rehab, and now he has a great relationship with his kids. He was my sponsor when I first got out of rehab. He’s like a brother to me.”

  Tallia wasn’t sure what to say, so she asked the next thing that popped into her head.

  “Why did your ex-wife choose to live in Dover, New Hampshire?”

  “She grew up here. She moved back to be near her family.”

  “So why do you live in Portsmouth?”

  “When I told Amber I was moving to Dover, she threatened to move away if I got that close. I didn’t want to start things on the wrong foot. My house is actually in New Castle, which is about a half an hour from them.”

  His tone had changed, and Tallia remembered how her brothers had always accused her of being nosy. And they were right, too.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry.”

  “It’s not a state secret or anything.” He sounded defensive. “I mean, just pick up a tabloid and read all about it.”

  “I don’t read the tabloids.” Tallia said, matching him tone for tone. “I just wanted to make conversation. Sorry if I got too personal.�
�

  “Right. Sorry. I’m just…”

  “Sensitive.”

  He shrugged. “I guess.”

  Blake drove onto a residential road with huge houses decorated with Christmas lights. He turned up a long driveway to a giant, three-story colonial.

  “Nice,” she said.

  “Amber has good taste.”

  Lights shone through the windows, but Kelsey’s car wasn’t in the driveway.

  “Looks empty.” She said, glad they weren’t here.

  “If it were me, I’d put the car in the garage, in case a neighbor drove by.”

  “Sounds like you have experience with this sort of thing.” She teased.

  “Unfortunately, I do.” He shifted into park and opened the door. “Be right back.”

  She watched him unlock the front door. A moment later, a few lights went on, and after a minute or so, they went back off. Blake appeared on the front porch, locked the door and returned to the SUV.

  “It’s empty.”

  “You have a key to your ex-wife’s house?”

  “Only because she wanted to make sure I could get in if Eli needed came back for something.” He pulled out a piece of paper, handed it to her, and flipped on the map light.

  She read the flyer, and then read it again, trying to make sense of it. “You don’t think they went to this, do you?”

  “I found it in his backpack. The concert’s tonight.”

  “In Boston!”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “If they went to Boston…my brother’s going to kill me. This…do you know where this is? It’s a really dangerous area.”

  “Is it?” His eyes crinkled in concern. “You’re sure?”

  “Yes, I’m very sure.”

  “We’d better hurry.” He backed out of the driveway.

  3

  Blake rubbed his eyes and yawned. He turned towards the center of town for a quick pit stop. “If we’re going to drive to Boston tonight, I think we need some coffee.”

  “Definitely.”

  “And doughnuts?”

  “Perfect.” She dug through her purse and a moment later, yanked out a bright red wallet. “Phew. I thought I forgot it.” She opened it up and frowned. “Hmm …”

  “I’m buying,” Blake said.

  “Don’t be silly. Then this would be like a…a…” Her voice trailed off.

  “Like a date?” He offered.

  “No. I mean, yeah, but it’s not, it’s just…”

  “Considering my son is out there corrupting your niece, it seems like the least I can do.”

  “Who knows who’s corrupting whom? Really, I can afford coffee and a doughnut.” She started digging through the purse, putting found coins into the change pocket of the wallet. Finally she jammed it into the purse’s outer pocket, not quite shoving it down.

  He stopped the car and opened his door.

  When she opened the door and turned to climb from the car, he pulled the wallet out of her purse and hid it in the compartment between the front seats.

  She picked up the purse and shut the door.

  He retrieved a baseball cap and a pair of sunglasses from the backseat, slipping them both on.

  She eyed him over the hood of the car. “It’s a little dark for sunglasses.”

  “I’d rather be blind than recognized.”

  “Oh, right.” Tallia giggled, the sound reminding him of a million tiny Christmas bells. “I forget I’m with the famous Blake Carmichael.”

  He grinned and led the way to the restaurant.

  The doughnut shop was brightly lit and decorated for the holidays. A middle aged gray-haired woman stood behind the counter. Aside from the three of them, the place was empty. “What can I get ya?” she asked.

  “Large peppermint mocha and a chocolate glazed.” Tallia peered into her purse. “What in the…?” She brought out random items and set them on the counter. A pen, loose scraps of paper, a hair clip, two lipsticks…no wallet.

  Blake fought to hide his smile. “Is everything OK?”

  She looked up, her green eyes confused. “Did you take it?”

  “Do I strike you as the kind of guy who has to steal wallets?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “You strike me as the kind of guy who has to win.”

  He grinned and turned to the woman behind the counter. He waited for the look of recognition, but thankfully it never came.

  “Extra large coffee and a Boston Crème.” He turned back to Tallia. “I’ll get this one,” he said. “Don’t worry. It’s still not a date.”

  She eyed him suspiciously. “Thanks.”

  Back in the car Blake steered towards the highway.

  “I think we’re crazy to go to Boston at this point,” Tallia said.

  “Why?”

  “Because it’s so late. Don’t you think that wherever they are, they’re on their way home?”

  “No, not really. According to that flyer, the concert was going to last all night. And they didn’t leave until late. Eli didn’t go to bed until almost eleven. So if we’re right about them going to Boston, then they’ll stay out most of the night.”

  “But what if we’re wrong?” she asked. “What if they’re sitting at some all-night diner somewhere in Portsmouth right now and they’ll be home any minute?”

  Would Eli have sneaked out of the house that late just to get coffee with a pretty girl? If that was the plan, why not just go out with her earlier? Eli was old enough to date and Blake would have loaned him a car. No, the flyer was their best bet. Besides, he couldn’t face going home to wait for his son.

  “I think we’re on the right track, but if you want me to take you home before I head down there—”

  “No, no. I’m not saying that. I’m just…what if they get home before we do?”

  “We both left notes. And messages on their phones. They’ll call us if they get home and we’re not there.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “I am.” He said, hoping he was. “So, you’ve been to this park before? You don’t strike me as the midnight concert-in-the-park kind of girl.”

  “I’m not. I was there for an arts festival.”

  “So you know where it is?”

  “Uh, well, I can get there on the T, but I doubt I can drive there.”

  “The T is the subway system, right?”

  Tallia looked at him like that was the silliest question she’d ever heard. “Yeah.”

  “I’ve never been on it,” he said. “If you can’t direct us there, can you input the address in the GPS, please?”

  He glanced at her as she tried to figure out his car’s navigation system. After a few failed attempts, he said, “I assume Casper doesn’t have one of these.”

  She giggled. “Casper doesn’t even have automatic windows.”

  Pulling onto I-95, he told her how to input the address. He was worried, but he kept getting distracted by her tinkling giggle and sarcastic remarks.

  He looked at the divided highway and reminded himself of his self-imposed deal. No dating until he and Eli had patched things up.

  Stupid deal.

  Where was Eli? What was he doing? Was he safe? Drinking? Doing drugs?

  The worries settled in Blake’s midsection and began to twist. He wanted to call again, but he’d already left a bunch of messages. He had to stop imagining the evil that could happen and put his trust in God’s grace. Meanwhile, he could distract himself by getting to know the woman sitting next to him.

  “Where’d you go to college?” he asked.

  “Boston College.”

  “Art major?”

  “Art and education,” she said.

  “Oh, you’re a teacher?”

  “Well, sort of. I used to teach art at a public school. But…” She chewed her bottom lip and stared at the empty road ahead.

  “You don’t teach anymore?”

  “Not really. Not full time. I quit a few years ago.”

  He was very curious, but
didn’t press her. Living life in the public eye had taught him people needed privacy.

  They passed into Massachusetts before she spoke again.

  “I was in my third year teaching, and I started to get…depressed. Actually, that’s not completely true. I think I was depressed for a long time, but I guess that’s when it came to a head. That’s when other people started to notice. A couple of teachers I worked with pulled me aside one day and suggested I see a counselor.”

  “Like an intervention?”

  “I don’t think I was so far gone that I needed an intervention. They were just worried about me.”

  Should he tell her he had once been so far gone he’d needed an intervention? And not for anything as innocent as depression. Probably not.

  “I was so depressed that I took their advice. I found a Christian counselor through the church and started seeing her.”

  She stared out the window while minutes ticked by.

  He wished she’d elaborate. The sudden need to know her scared him. What he was feeling for her was deeper than physical attraction. But he didn’t need a woman complicating his plans.

  This Christmas was about learning to be a father to Eli.

  Finally she sighed. “I guess the depression started when my brother died.”

  “Not Kelsey’s father?”

  “No, my other brother. Kelsey’s father is the oldest. Sam was in the middle. He and I were really close.” When she spoke again, her voice was a little higher. “He died on September 11th.”

  “Tallia, I’m so sorry. Where was he?”

  “He was on the second plane, the one that hit the south tower.”

  “Oh. That’s…” There were no words.

  Tallia sniffed.

  Blake reached across the front seat and pulled her hand into his. It felt cool and soft, and he wished they weren’t driving. He wanted to hold and comfort her. He pushed the thought away.

  “I was nineteen when he died. He was twenty-four, just a year out of college. I was the only person in our family who knew he was going to Los Angeles. He was supposed to have a job interview, and he’d come to my dorm and asked me to pray that he would get the job. I refused. I told him I wanted him to stay close, that he was selfish to even consider moving to LA.” She sniffed. “Anyway, I didn’t pray for him. Not for the job, not even for a safe trip. And then…”