The Problem With Mistletoe

by Kyle Baxter

  With a deep sigh, he crossed the street. He looked up just in time to see her hold mistletoe over David’s head and kiss him. Alex froze in place, watching the friendly peck become a deep, passionate kiss.

  And just like that, he was transported back to a year ago. He walked into a friend’s Christmas party just in time to see Todd in the middle of a passionate kiss with his work friend under the mistletoe. It’s always mistletoe. He hated this holiday.

  His face burned. He felt angry, alone, and so very stupid. Trusting was hard for him thanks to growing up with his alcoholic father. But he trusted Todd, he was ready to propose, and it all crashed down around him. This felt just like that.

  David wasn’t dating Zooey; he knew that. Everything they’d shared in the last few weeks told him that. But the pit in his stomach said otherwise. Eyes burning, he spun in the opposite direction. I just need to get away from here. I need to get away and think. He deleted the text and ran all the way home.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  I Want to Break Free

  David was grateful Zooey worked the three-to-eleven shift today. They’d only see each other in passing. Since she stormed off after the tree lighting, there were no texts, no calls, and it was a relief. He wasn’t in the mood for more of her drama.

  No word from Alex either, but that bothered him. Most days, especially lately, they touched base by this time. What if something happened? Should he call his uncle?

  A glance at the clock reminded him it was not twenty-four hours since they talked, and he laughed at himself. He was ridiculous and smitten. As he told Eric, Alex had a lot going on. Mama was being discharged today. No doubt he would be here and they could talk then.

  He was ready to ask him to stay. Last night’s events brought it home. He wanted Alex in his life always; he wanted him back.

  Still, there was a nagging suspicion he was missing a detail, like when two pieces of film weren’t spliced together right. Something was off.

  He had a free moment, so he pulled his cellphone out to check messages. Personal cellphones were frowned upon on the floor, even as they were ubiquitous. He stared at it in confusion. There was a call from a New York City number, but not Alex’s. He returned it immediately.

  “Five Points Catering—Sales Department,” a smooth voice said.

  Now he was even more confused. “This is David Cooper. Someone from there called me?”

  “David, this is Enrico Tapia. We talked before? Well, you talked and then you hung up on me. You were having dinner with Alex.”

  Recognition blossomed. “Of course, you’re his coworker.”

  He laughed heartily and David decided he liked him. Anyone who laughed like that was worth knowing.

  “I’m more like his assistant,” he clarified.

  “That’s not how he tells it. He says he can’t get along without you.”

  “He’s too kind,” Enrico said. “But that sounds like him. I’m sorry to bother you, but have you heard from him?”

  “Not since yesterday morning. Is everything okay?” Concern grew rapidly. Something was up.

  “I’ve been trying to get a hold of him for hours and left several messages. He’s not responding. We have a system. Important stuff gets a voicemail and a returned call. This is unlike him. He’s usually Johnny-on-the-spot.”

  “Yes, he is.” David gripped his pen.

  “How is his aunt doing?” Enrico was tentative. He must know the score.

  “Can’t really talk about it.” Standing, he looked over the ledge of the nurses’ station. Where was Bryan? I need to find Alex.

  “I understand. Alex loves her a lot. He must be worried as hell.” The words hung in the air. “I have a weird question for you.”

  “Okay.”

  “Is he walking dogs?” Enrico asked. “He does that when he’s upset.”

  “He’s fostering one.” He remembered Alex had started walking Max almost the moment he returned.

  “Damn.”

  Throwing his pen down, David put a hand on his hip. “I’m on it. I’ll find him.”

  “I don’t want to put you out,” Enrico protested.

  “You’re not putting me out. I’d do anything for Alex.” He plotted an early lunch and Bryan would cover for him if he ran late. Of all the staff on the ward today, they knew each other best. Walking into the hall, he searched for him.

  “I hoped so. I mean, I know who you are. He told me all about you.”

  David stiffened. “We went to high school together.”

  Enrico chuckled again. “It’s more than that.”

  “How much do you know?” he asked, curious that Alex talked about him.

  “Sorry, it’s not my place to say.”

  It was David’s turn to laugh. “I think we’re beyond that.” With the previous phone call, this one, and their shared affection for Alex, they were almost friends.

  Enrico hesitated, then, “Honestly? I don’t think he’s ever gotten over you.”

  David stared down the long hospital corridor. The world shifted under him. “Is he happy in New York?”

  “He has been. He was,” the man on the line said haltingly. “But he’s not satisfied with things like he used to be. So no, he’s not happy here, not anymore. His father’s death brought it all home.”

  It made sense. His own father’s passing threw him for a loop, and Alex lost both his parents. As bad a parent as Emil Capili was, he was still Alex’s father.

  “I’ll find him.”

  “Take care of our boy.”

  #

  “Thankyouthankyou, emergency,” he explained as he dashed down the hall.

  “Not a problem.” Bryan waved him away with a flourish.

  Flying down the corridor, he passed a frowning Mark Horton but didn’t care. Let the chips fall where they may. Someone he loved needed him. In minutes, he was out the door and in his car.

  Driving by Alex’s house, he saw the SUV in the driveway. He got out and knocked on the door. After a moment, he banged. No sound came from inside and he didn’t hear Max either. Using the key Alex gave him, he peeked around inside. No one was home.

  Alex had the dog and not the truck, so they were walking. Though it was warmer today than yesterday, the weather narrowed the search. He jumped in the car and hightailed it to the dog park, but there was no sign of him.

  At the theater he pulled up to the curb, climbed out, and ran to the entrance. The doors were locked, and there were no lights on inside, but he banged on them anyway.

  “Alex!”

  A stop at the restaurant yielded the same result. They were setting up for lunch and no one had seen him.

  “Is everything okay?” Bonnie asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Papa just left for the hospital.” Justin paused in his silverware polishing. “Should we call him?”

  “No, don’t say anything yet.” He dashed out and back into his car.

  He considered checking at the Parkway, but it was too far of a walk in this weather. Circling back toward the hospital, he drove past the cemetery. A lone figure sat on a bench with a dog by his side.

  Oh no.

  After parking, he tromped through the snow toward the man. Still in his hospital scrubs, David shivered. The winter chill bit at him even through his long johns and heavy coat.

  Coming up behind Alex, he coughed to indicate his presence and joined him on the bench. Max padded over and snuggled up to him. He liked this dog. So did Eric. A discussion about getting a pet was definitely coming.

  “We missed you last night.”

  Alex all but ignored him and walked to two nearby tombstones. David followed. It was the Capili family plot, his father’s grave beside his mother’s. Alex knelt and pushed snow off the tops.

  “I didn’t even come back for his funeral.”

  “No one blamed you.” David was at the funeral only because he hoped Alex would show. He, Mama, and Papa were the only people there. Emil burned too many bridges.
>
  “I hated him so much.” Alex stood and turned from the grave, his eyes red from crying. Max whimpered, sensing his distress. “But he was my dad.”

  David put an arm around his shoulders and led him to the parking lot. It was too cold, and nothing would be served by freezing to death in a cemetery. Standing beside the car, David put his hand up to Alex’s face and wiped away his tears.

  “It’s okay.” He pulled him into a tight embrace. Rocking him back and forth, he nuzzled his neck. Then he kissed his cheek with a series of short pecks, holding him tight all the while.

  The continued contact made the heat rise, and he gave Alex a kiss on the lips. It felt good and right, and he responded. David went back for more. The kisses were chaste at first, hesitant and nervous, but they quickly grew hungry.

  The crisp cold of the morning faded into the background as the fire built in his belly—and his loins. Wanting this so badly, he was unprepared when his friend stepped back.

  “I can’t do this,” he sputtered. Moving backward, he stumbled. “I can’t do this again.”

  “What’s going on?” David reached out to steady him, but Alex kept backing away. He followed. “Stop and tell me what’s going on.”

  Alex held out a hand to keep him away. “I told you how I broke up with Todd.”

  What? “Yeah, you walked in on him—”

  “I was at the tree lighting last night. I saw Zooey kiss you.”

  The world shifted under him for the second time today. “No, you misunderstand. Nothing happened. Nothing’s going on between Zooey and me. You have to know that.” He almost laughed hysterically. I’m losing my mind.

  “I do. I do know that. You see, she saw me.” Alex’s eyes narrowed to lines. “Last night at the tree lighting before she kissed you, she saw me.”

  “You mean she ambushed me . . . ?”

  “Yeah she did. I think she did that to get back at me, to cause us pain. And what do you know? It worked.”

  David gaped at him. “I’m confused. If you know this, then why are you angry with me?”

  “I’m not—I’m not angry with you.” His eyes swam with tears. “I’m just . . . disappointed?”

  That hurt more somehow, and David deflated.

  Taking a deep breath, Alex exhaled a cloud. “I know you did nothing wrong, but in here”—he tapped his chest—“it still hurts.” He bowed his head and sobbed.

  It cut David to the core.

  “You know I came here—” Alex waved a hand in the air. “I came here to yell at someone. I thought that’d make me feel better. And my dad is such an easy target. But I couldn’t. I need some time. I need to think and process this.” He backed away. “Maybe I’ll go to a self-help meeting at the CYA.” The dog fidgeted anxiously beside him.

  As Alex walked back toward the Quarter, his phone rang. “Enrico, hey. What’s up? Yeah, I’m sorry. It’s been a tough morning.”

  David watched him leave, dumbfounded, amazed, and angry. What was he going to do about Zooey? More importantly, what was he going to do about Alex?

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Look Away

  When he returned to the hospital, David buried his head in his responsibilities for the rest of the morning. But he couldn’t get the image of Alex walking away out of his head. A cold hand gripped his stomach. He didn’t want it to be over.

  Alex saw Zooey kiss him last night. And after what happened with Todd last year and what happened between them years ago, he understood how that triggered him. With Mama’s illness, the party, and the approaching holiday, there was so much going on . . . It’s enough to set anyone on edge. No wonder Alex was a mess. They just needed to talk.

  “So much for getting those Christmas trees tonight,” he murmured to himself as he went to Mama Capili’s room. Knocking on the door, he leaned in to see Papa packing his wife’s travel bag.

  Alex stood there, staring out the window. He must have snuck by, avoiding him. Mama sat in the chair, smiling. She head-motioned for David to go to him. He held up his hands in a plaintive gesture. He was at a loss. What should he say?

  “How is everyone?” He tried to sound jovial, but it was fake and tinny. At once he wished for a fraction of Zooey’s practiced professionalism. That girl knew how to fake a smile. The best he managed was to adopt a stoic demeanor. Even that seemed to be beyond him now when it all was falling apart.

  Hold it together. Talk to Alex later.

  Mama got up from her chair, walked over, and lay a hand on his arm. “Mi ángel, I love you, but I need to get out of here and back to my restaurant.”

  Taking her hands in his, he kissed her forehead. “The doctor is finishing the discharge paperwork, now. But you have to promise me to take it easy.”

  “Only if you promise me to bring your handsome son by to visit more often.”

  “I can’t avoid it now,” David said. “He wants you to teach him Spanish.”

  She put both hands up to her cheeks. “I’d love that.”

  He turned to Alex. “Can we talk, please?” His friend’s shoulders fell, and he nodded. Leading him into the hall, David silently rejoiced. With his aunt about to check out, Alex wouldn’t just leave. They could talk this through.

  “I need to tell you something.” David’s mind was chaotic. He wasn’t sure where he was going, but he was determined to get somewhere.

  Noticing Alex’s attention grabbed by something down the hall, he turned to see Zooey coming toward them. Of course. Her timing was either perfect or villainous; he couldn’t decide which.

  “Your friend, again,” Alex said with a black, angry look.

  With a smarmy smile, she put a hand on his arm. “There you are.”

  “Could you not?” David snapped and jerked away. “You need to step off.” He took Alex’s hand to lead him away just as his hospital phone beeped. “Crap, I have to take this.”

  “Do what you need to do.” Alex stepped back toward his aunt’s room.

  “I want to talk to you,” he said, but Alex did not look back.

  His heart sank. He couldn’t lose him again. It took more than a decade for them to get here, and he didn’t want things returning to how they were.

  “Bye!” Zooey waved from behind him.

  David glared at her. “What’s wrong with you?” How was he going to keep working with her? He picked up his phone and heard a tense voice on the other end.

  An alert came over the PA system. “Doctor Yellow to emergency.” Yellow was the code for a pending emergency or external disaster—multi-trauma or the major effects of a storm. “Doctor” was used not to alarm patients.

  “I’m being pulled to emergency,” he said to Zooey. “There was a traffic accident on Route 28 and ambulances are coming in. I’m taking Bryan with me.”

  Zooey nodded. “We’ll be fine. Go!”

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  You Spend Me Round

  Standing by his SUV, Alex watched Aunt Claire and Uncle Felix’s car pull out of the parking lot. That was one less worry on his mind. He was grateful her health improved enough for her to be released, but she was not well. She never would be.

  Aye, there’s the rub. Stage-three lung cancer. Even with treatment, there was only a fourteen-percent chance she would live another five years. His mother lived ten, and that was a minor miracle, though she was ill the entire time.

  Five years. Alex wanted to yell, to cry, to run away, to do anything other than be here right now. She fought her illness for two years, and they didn’t tell him. He resented it, even as he knew he was being selfish.

  Pulling his cellphone out, he thumbed through the recent calls for Sheryl’s name. He’d go back to New York right after the party, then return after New Year’s. Maybe a week away would help him figure out what he wanted to do with his life.

  David. It was everything he could do not to run into the hospital and apologize. He was in love with his old friend. Maybe he always was. But Zooey’s machinations hit him hard, and he overreacted.
Did I though? He was embarrassed and ashamed.

  Several ambulances pulled into the emergency lane, and he stepped back. He wondered what was going on but knew the best thing he could do was get out of the way and pray for all concerned.

  His phone rang as he climbed into his truck—a local number he didn’t recognize. “Hello?”

  “Mr. Capili, this is Brad Bowers, the vice-principal at Eric Cooper’s school. Eric is fine, but there’s been a problem.”

  “A problem?”

  “We tried calling your partner, Mr. Cooper, but it went to voicemail. Can you come to the school?”

  Another ambulance pulled up. Something big had happened. No doubt David was tied up. Someone needed to be there for the nugget.

  “I’m on my way.” Of course they called him. David gave them his name and number. Fear gripped him. What happened with Eric?

  He pulled out of the hospital parking lot and drove through the Quarter. When he turned on the radio, a song playlist played through Bluetooth off of his smartphone. But he couldn’t hear it. Worry clouded it out. What happened?

  He pounded the steering wheel in frustration. Traffic was at a crawl, and the school and the hospital were on opposite sides of the Old Quarter. How did a city this small have so much traffic?

  After an eternity, he turned onto Mercer Boulevard, and the building came into view. He pulled into the parking lot, jumped out, and ran to the door.

  With a deep breath to calm himself, he walked in the building. He found Eric sitting outside the administrative offices, his head down. An older boy sat in a chair on the other side of the door. He recognized him as one of the bullies. The nugget peeked up at him, his eyes wide.

  Bending down, Alex whispered in his ear. “What happened?”

  Eric moaned. “He punched me in the stomach, so I threw my pennies and punched him back. I’m sorry.”

  He glanced at the other kid. He had a black eye. Giving Eric a wink, he walked into the office.

  “Mr. Capili,” the school administrator said, “it’s good to see you again.”