Charlie's POV:
I was just finishing putting the tree together when the door opened and my Mom walked in. I immediately looked at my watch. It was only eleven fifteen.
"Mom, what are you doing home? I thought you and Coach Bombay were going out for coffee after your shift," I said as she hung her coat up.
"Gordon had to cancel. Adam wasn't feeling well and he took him to the ER to get checked out."
"Is it serious?" I asked her concerned. I thought about the last couple of days. About how tired he had looked. Falling asleep during the study group. Tripping himself up during the hockey game (yes I did actually believe him when he said that was what had happened). 'We should've seen something was wrong', I thought to myself. Suddenly I felt even worse about what I had said to him at the pond that afternoon. The words "I wish you weren't even in the picture" ran through my mind. If only I could take those words back.
"Gordon didn't know anything yet when he called. I told him to call me back as soon as he does," my mom said. "Is something wrong?" she asked me looking at me with concern. I learned long ago that it didn't help denying the truth to my mother. She always seemed to know when something was bothering no matter how hard I tried to hide it.
"I said some horrible things to Adam earlier today."
"Were you two having a fight?" she asked me.
"Not really. I sort of just went off on him even though he hadn't done anything. I was angry but Adam really had nothing to do with it. At least nothing that he had control over but I guess I was taking it out on him."
"Charlie, you aren't making much sense right now," my Mom said gently which I knew meant that she wanted me to explain things better.
"When I came back to the apartment earlier when Coach Bombay was here I overheard the two of you talking. I know I shouldn't have listened to the two of you but I did," I admitted and could see the disapproval on her face.
"How much did you hear?" was all she asked though.
"I came in when you told him you didn't think he was serious and went into my room after he said the reason he didn't want to marry you was because of Adam being with him," I told her quickly looking down at the floor.
"So you didn't hear anything we said after that?" she asked and I shook my head no. She sat down on the couch and motioned for me to come and join her. I sat down next to her and she put her arm around my shoulders.
"Charlie, we were going to wait to tell you but I think you should know now. Gordon did ask me to marry him and I said yes. And I think you took Gordon's comment about not wanting to discuss us getting married the same way I did at first. At first I thought he was backing out of it. But when he mentioned Adam and not wanting to disrupt things I understood where he was coming from and I think he's right. Adam needs to be able to adjust to living with Gordon right now. Its not that Gordon doesn't want us to be together he does. He knows that I will accept Adam as part of the family just like he knew that getting involved with me meant having you around too. He just wanted to give Adam time to adjust. We still are going to get married we just don't know when."
"I'm sorry Mom," I told her.
"It's okay," she told me.
"No it isn't," I told her. "I stopped listening to your conversation when I did because I got angry. Angry at Adam for keeping you and Coach Bombay apart. I was still angry when I went to the pond this afternoon. During the game I had the puck and Adam was trying to get it away from me and we both ended up on the ice. Adam apologized and said he had tripped but I wouldn't listen to him. I accused him of taking me out on purpose and then said some really horrible things to him. I told him that he'd do anything to win, and that he probably thought that by being some big hockey star he could win his dad back," I stopped there because I had started to cry. I hadn't actually cried in front of anyone in years.
"Oh Charlie," my mom said.
"But what's worst is the last thing I yelled at him. I accused him of trying to keep you and Coach Bombay apart and told him that I wished he wasn't in the picture because he was ruining everything," I said through my tears.
My mom pulled me close trying to comfort me. "Charlie, I'm sure Adam knows you didn't really mean what you said."
"But if Coach Bombay finds out what is he going to think about it?" I asked her.
"Don't worry about Gordon. I'll explain things to him," my Mom told me. "He'll understand. But you need to apologize to Adam the first chance you get."
I just nodded. I didn't know what else to say. But my thought was what if Adam didn't want to hear my apology. In the past few months Adam and I had started to become really close friends. I knew there was a good chance that I had just ruined all that.
I guess I probably cried for another five minutes. When I finally did pull away from my Mom and started wiping the tears away my Mom said "Now, why don't we start decorating this tree."
I nodded and together my mom and I started putting the lights on the tree. Once we had those on we unpacked the Christmas decorations and started putting them on. I kept wishing that the telephone would ring soon. I wanted to know that Adam was going to be okay. I think my Mom felt the same way.
We were putting on the candy canes when the phone finally did ring. My Mom quickly rushed to answer it.
"Gordon, how is he?" she asked quickly just assuming it was Bombay. I looked at the clock. It was almost twelve fifteen. I couldn't think of anyone else who would have called this late at night.
I continued slowly putting candy canes on the tree while Mom talked to Coach Bombay. I was dying to know what news he had but I tried to wait patiently.
"Of course I understand," I heard my mom say. "Okay, yeah. Just call me when you get a chance and if you need anything don't hesitate to ask." There was another short pause and then she said "Yeah, he told me what happen and I know why. I'll fill you in when we get a chance to talk. Okay. Good-bye Gordon," she finally said and then hung up.
I stopped putting candy canes on the tree and just look at her expectantly.
"Adam has mono," she told me. "That's why he's been feeling so tired lately. He's going to be sick for awhile. Mono takes awhile to get over. He may not even be able to go back to school right after the holiday break."
"So I guess Christmas dinner is off huh." It was a statement more than a question. I guess I just wanted to hear her say it.
"Yeah, but we'll have a nice Christmas dinner here. Just the two of us. And you still have your gift exchange tomorrow with the rest of the Ducks."
"If they still want to come over after this afternoon."
"Don't worry. They're your friends. Its not the first time your temper made you do something stupid. They'll understand," my mom told me with a smile as she messed up my hair.
"Thanks a lot," I told her.
"What do you say we finish this tree and the call it a night," she said.
We quickly put the last of the candy canes on the trees and then my mom handed me the star for the top. I grabbed a near-by chair and stood on top of it to put the star on the top. I got off the chair and stood next to my mom to look at the tree.
"Merry Christmas Charlie," she told me.
"Merry Christmas, Mom," I told her back.
My mom unplugged the lights for the tree and then we turned out the lights in the apartment and headed for bed.
Guy's POV:
I woke up early the morning of Christmas Eve. I had wanted to sleep in but that wasn't going to happen. The twins were wound up like always. I could hear them downstairs already signing Christmas carols. The words of Jingle Bells came drifting upstairs.
I got dressed and headed downstairs. I followed the bad signing to the kitchen where the twins were sitting at the counter eating waffles and signing carols. Well, if you considered the noise they were making signing. Alexis was in her high chair near-by with a handful of Cheerios.
"Good morning honey," my Mom said. She was standing at the counter making waffles. "Would you like some waffles."
"Sure I said," taking a seat across from the singing monsters. "Do you think you two could stop signing."
"No," Eric told me.
"You two are going to drive me crazy."
"Good," Matt said. They took a bite of their waffles and then launched into another round of jingle bells.
My mom finished my waffles and handed them to me. I was half-way through them when the phone rang. My sister Abby, who was in the living room, answered it on the second ring. Moments later I heard her calling me.
"Guy its for you," she called. I wondered who it was. I knew it wasn't Connie because Abby would have tormented me by yelling that my girlfriend was calling. I think she was jealous because she didn't have a boyfriend yet.
"Coming," I called back taking a quick bite of my waffles and then heading for the living room. I took the phone that Abby held out to me and said "Hello," into it.
"Hey Guy, its Charlie."
"Hi Charlie," I said. My first thought was that he was calling to say that the gift exchange at his house was cancelled. If that was the case that would mean I'd have to spend all day pretending with my parents that everything was fine.
"Look, I'm just calling to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I was out of line and I'm sorry I ruined everyone's afternoon."
"Apology accepted but isn't Adam the one you should be apologizing to."
"Yeah, I know and I will when I get a chance," Charlie said which made me start to wonder what was going on. Luckily Charlie didn't leave me wondering long. "You know how Adam has been really tired lately."
"Yeah," I said. I thought about all the times I had thought something was wrong but had never said anything to anyone.
"Well, Coach Bombay took Adam to the ER last night. Adam has mono."
"That's awful," I said. I didn't know what else to say. I know I'd hate to be sick over any holiday, especially Christmas.
"So, can you still make it tonight?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah, sure. I need to get out of this house," I said without really thinking.
"Is something going on at your place?" Charlie asked not missing my comment.
"Yeah, but I can't talk about it right now."
"Okay," Charlie said not wanting to push it. "Hey, can you call Connie and tell her that tonight is still on. We talked last night so she already heard my apology. I'll call the others and get the apologies out of the way before tonight."
"Sure. See ya tonight," I told him and then we hung up the phone.
I went back into kitchen to finish my breakfast. My mom and Dad were now sitting silently at the table. Alexis was still working on her Cheerios and Abby was trying to get the twins upstairs to get dressed and washed up. They had syrup all over their hands and faces.
"Good morning Dad," I said trying to sound cheerful.
"Good morning son," he said. "How was the hockey game?"
"Okay," I said not really wanting to go into what had happened. "It was nice seeing everyone again."
After that I was able to finish my breakfast in silence. As I was rinsing my plate off in the sink my mom asked, "Guy, could you take Alexis upstairs and get her dressed?"
"Yeah, sure," I said. I finished with my plate and then walked over to Alexis in her highchair. "Come on squirt," I said picking her up. Alexis just grinned at me.
As I headed upstairs though I could hear my mom and dad start talking in hushed tones. Even though I couldn't make out what were being said nor were they yelling at each other but I still knew that they were arguing.
I got Alexis cleaned up and dressed and then took her back downstairs. I could still hear my parents having their quiet argument in the kitchen. I sat Alexis on the living room floor with some of her toys and then sat down on the couch and called Connie. Connie and I chatted while Alexis played on the floor. When Alexis got tired of her toys and started crawling toward the steps I quickly told Connie I would see her tonight and hung up the phone.
"Come back here squirt," I said as I picked her up off the floor. I took her back into the living room as I heard the back door shut. I glanced into the kitchen to see only my mom still in there doing dishes. 'This is going to be one cheerful Christmas', I thought as I sat down on the floor with Alexis.
Connie's POV:
I hung up the phone after talking to Guy and turned around to find my Dad standing in the doorway of the kitchen.
"Good morning, Dad," I said.
"Morning Connie. We haven't had a chance to talk since you've been home from school," he said sitting down at the table. "Why don't you have a seat," he continued indicating the seat across from him.
With a sigh I sat down in the chair he indicated.
"So how do you think you did with finals?"
"Okay, I guess," I told him.
"So what are you going to do in the spring semester now that ice hockey is over? Any other groups you interested in?"
"Actually I was actually thinking about trying out for the roller hockey team."
"More hockey?"
"I love hockey," I told him. "Guy is going to try out too as are some of the other ducks. It should be fun. Or I may try out for the school play but I'm not sure. Eden Hall is going to do Our Town this year."
"Drama could be fun," my dad said. "And you'd be able to meet some new people. Maybe make some new friends."
"What's wrong with the friends I have," I said defensively. "And I could meet new people on the roller hockey team too."
"I'm not saying anything is wrong with your friends. I just think you should try new things. Explore. Don't limit yourself Connie."
"I'm not Dad. I never have. I do what I enjoy doing. And maybe you don't think Guy is good enough for me but I enjoy being with him."
"Honey, I never said I didn't think Guy was good enough for you. I like Guy."
"You could've fooled me. The only time you've ever even talked to him is to give him the third degree. And this is the first time that you've ever had more than just a passing interest in my life. I can count the number of games you've gone to on one hand. Mom at least tries to make as many games as she can. And she knows all my friends. Other than Guy and Charlie you probably can't even name any of my other friends."
I wasn't sure where all this was coming from. I guess I had let things build up inside me without realizing it. I had always been disappointed not to see my Dad at one of my games but I always told myself that he had his reasons. That he would make the next one. And then after awhile I just stopped even hoping he would show up at a game. I had gotten so use to my Dad not really being involved with my life that now I really didn't want him to show any interest in what I did.
"Connie, I know I haven't been there for you in the past but I want to change that. I want to know what is going on in your life."
"You should have thought of that years ago," I said standing up and leaving the kitchen without another word. I grabbed my coat and went outside and just started walking. I wasn't really sure where I was going. I just wanted to be by myself for a little while. I could hear my Dad calling after me but I didn't care. I just kept walking.
I was just finishing putting the tree together when the door opened and my Mom walked in. I immediately looked at my watch. It was only eleven fifteen.
"Mom, what are you doing home? I thought you and Coach Bombay were going out for coffee after your shift," I said as she hung her coat up.
"Gordon had to cancel. Adam wasn't feeling well and he took him to the ER to get checked out."
"Is it serious?" I asked her concerned. I thought about the last couple of days. About how tired he had looked. Falling asleep during the study group. Tripping himself up during the hockey game (yes I did actually believe him when he said that was what had happened). 'We should've seen something was wrong', I thought to myself. Suddenly I felt even worse about what I had said to him at the pond that afternoon. The words "I wish you weren't even in the picture" ran through my mind. If only I could take those words back.
"Gordon didn't know anything yet when he called. I told him to call me back as soon as he does," my mom said. "Is something wrong?" she asked me looking at me with concern. I learned long ago that it didn't help denying the truth to my mother. She always seemed to know when something was bothering no matter how hard I tried to hide it.
"I said some horrible things to Adam earlier today."
"Were you two having a fight?" she asked me.
"Not really. I sort of just went off on him even though he hadn't done anything. I was angry but Adam really had nothing to do with it. At least nothing that he had control over but I guess I was taking it out on him."
"Charlie, you aren't making much sense right now," my Mom said gently which I knew meant that she wanted me to explain things better.
"When I came back to the apartment earlier when Coach Bombay was here I overheard the two of you talking. I know I shouldn't have listened to the two of you but I did," I admitted and could see the disapproval on her face.
"How much did you hear?" was all she asked though.
"I came in when you told him you didn't think he was serious and went into my room after he said the reason he didn't want to marry you was because of Adam being with him," I told her quickly looking down at the floor.
"So you didn't hear anything we said after that?" she asked and I shook my head no. She sat down on the couch and motioned for me to come and join her. I sat down next to her and she put her arm around my shoulders.
"Charlie, we were going to wait to tell you but I think you should know now. Gordon did ask me to marry him and I said yes. And I think you took Gordon's comment about not wanting to discuss us getting married the same way I did at first. At first I thought he was backing out of it. But when he mentioned Adam and not wanting to disrupt things I understood where he was coming from and I think he's right. Adam needs to be able to adjust to living with Gordon right now. Its not that Gordon doesn't want us to be together he does. He knows that I will accept Adam as part of the family just like he knew that getting involved with me meant having you around too. He just wanted to give Adam time to adjust. We still are going to get married we just don't know when."
"I'm sorry Mom," I told her.
"It's okay," she told me.
"No it isn't," I told her. "I stopped listening to your conversation when I did because I got angry. Angry at Adam for keeping you and Coach Bombay apart. I was still angry when I went to the pond this afternoon. During the game I had the puck and Adam was trying to get it away from me and we both ended up on the ice. Adam apologized and said he had tripped but I wouldn't listen to him. I accused him of taking me out on purpose and then said some really horrible things to him. I told him that he'd do anything to win, and that he probably thought that by being some big hockey star he could win his dad back," I stopped there because I had started to cry. I hadn't actually cried in front of anyone in years.
"Oh Charlie," my mom said.
"But what's worst is the last thing I yelled at him. I accused him of trying to keep you and Coach Bombay apart and told him that I wished he wasn't in the picture because he was ruining everything," I said through my tears.
My mom pulled me close trying to comfort me. "Charlie, I'm sure Adam knows you didn't really mean what you said."
"But if Coach Bombay finds out what is he going to think about it?" I asked her.
"Don't worry about Gordon. I'll explain things to him," my Mom told me. "He'll understand. But you need to apologize to Adam the first chance you get."
I just nodded. I didn't know what else to say. But my thought was what if Adam didn't want to hear my apology. In the past few months Adam and I had started to become really close friends. I knew there was a good chance that I had just ruined all that.
I guess I probably cried for another five minutes. When I finally did pull away from my Mom and started wiping the tears away my Mom said "Now, why don't we start decorating this tree."
I nodded and together my mom and I started putting the lights on the tree. Once we had those on we unpacked the Christmas decorations and started putting them on. I kept wishing that the telephone would ring soon. I wanted to know that Adam was going to be okay. I think my Mom felt the same way.
We were putting on the candy canes when the phone finally did ring. My Mom quickly rushed to answer it.
"Gordon, how is he?" she asked quickly just assuming it was Bombay. I looked at the clock. It was almost twelve fifteen. I couldn't think of anyone else who would have called this late at night.
I continued slowly putting candy canes on the tree while Mom talked to Coach Bombay. I was dying to know what news he had but I tried to wait patiently.
"Of course I understand," I heard my mom say. "Okay, yeah. Just call me when you get a chance and if you need anything don't hesitate to ask." There was another short pause and then she said "Yeah, he told me what happen and I know why. I'll fill you in when we get a chance to talk. Okay. Good-bye Gordon," she finally said and then hung up.
I stopped putting candy canes on the tree and just look at her expectantly.
"Adam has mono," she told me. "That's why he's been feeling so tired lately. He's going to be sick for awhile. Mono takes awhile to get over. He may not even be able to go back to school right after the holiday break."
"So I guess Christmas dinner is off huh." It was a statement more than a question. I guess I just wanted to hear her say it.
"Yeah, but we'll have a nice Christmas dinner here. Just the two of us. And you still have your gift exchange tomorrow with the rest of the Ducks."
"If they still want to come over after this afternoon."
"Don't worry. They're your friends. Its not the first time your temper made you do something stupid. They'll understand," my mom told me with a smile as she messed up my hair.
"Thanks a lot," I told her.
"What do you say we finish this tree and the call it a night," she said.
We quickly put the last of the candy canes on the trees and then my mom handed me the star for the top. I grabbed a near-by chair and stood on top of it to put the star on the top. I got off the chair and stood next to my mom to look at the tree.
"Merry Christmas Charlie," she told me.
"Merry Christmas, Mom," I told her back.
My mom unplugged the lights for the tree and then we turned out the lights in the apartment and headed for bed.
Guy's POV:
I woke up early the morning of Christmas Eve. I had wanted to sleep in but that wasn't going to happen. The twins were wound up like always. I could hear them downstairs already signing Christmas carols. The words of Jingle Bells came drifting upstairs.
I got dressed and headed downstairs. I followed the bad signing to the kitchen where the twins were sitting at the counter eating waffles and signing carols. Well, if you considered the noise they were making signing. Alexis was in her high chair near-by with a handful of Cheerios.
"Good morning honey," my Mom said. She was standing at the counter making waffles. "Would you like some waffles."
"Sure I said," taking a seat across from the singing monsters. "Do you think you two could stop signing."
"No," Eric told me.
"You two are going to drive me crazy."
"Good," Matt said. They took a bite of their waffles and then launched into another round of jingle bells.
My mom finished my waffles and handed them to me. I was half-way through them when the phone rang. My sister Abby, who was in the living room, answered it on the second ring. Moments later I heard her calling me.
"Guy its for you," she called. I wondered who it was. I knew it wasn't Connie because Abby would have tormented me by yelling that my girlfriend was calling. I think she was jealous because she didn't have a boyfriend yet.
"Coming," I called back taking a quick bite of my waffles and then heading for the living room. I took the phone that Abby held out to me and said "Hello," into it.
"Hey Guy, its Charlie."
"Hi Charlie," I said. My first thought was that he was calling to say that the gift exchange at his house was cancelled. If that was the case that would mean I'd have to spend all day pretending with my parents that everything was fine.
"Look, I'm just calling to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I was out of line and I'm sorry I ruined everyone's afternoon."
"Apology accepted but isn't Adam the one you should be apologizing to."
"Yeah, I know and I will when I get a chance," Charlie said which made me start to wonder what was going on. Luckily Charlie didn't leave me wondering long. "You know how Adam has been really tired lately."
"Yeah," I said. I thought about all the times I had thought something was wrong but had never said anything to anyone.
"Well, Coach Bombay took Adam to the ER last night. Adam has mono."
"That's awful," I said. I didn't know what else to say. I know I'd hate to be sick over any holiday, especially Christmas.
"So, can you still make it tonight?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah, sure. I need to get out of this house," I said without really thinking.
"Is something going on at your place?" Charlie asked not missing my comment.
"Yeah, but I can't talk about it right now."
"Okay," Charlie said not wanting to push it. "Hey, can you call Connie and tell her that tonight is still on. We talked last night so she already heard my apology. I'll call the others and get the apologies out of the way before tonight."
"Sure. See ya tonight," I told him and then we hung up the phone.
I went back into kitchen to finish my breakfast. My mom and Dad were now sitting silently at the table. Alexis was still working on her Cheerios and Abby was trying to get the twins upstairs to get dressed and washed up. They had syrup all over their hands and faces.
"Good morning Dad," I said trying to sound cheerful.
"Good morning son," he said. "How was the hockey game?"
"Okay," I said not really wanting to go into what had happened. "It was nice seeing everyone again."
After that I was able to finish my breakfast in silence. As I was rinsing my plate off in the sink my mom asked, "Guy, could you take Alexis upstairs and get her dressed?"
"Yeah, sure," I said. I finished with my plate and then walked over to Alexis in her highchair. "Come on squirt," I said picking her up. Alexis just grinned at me.
As I headed upstairs though I could hear my mom and dad start talking in hushed tones. Even though I couldn't make out what were being said nor were they yelling at each other but I still knew that they were arguing.
I got Alexis cleaned up and dressed and then took her back downstairs. I could still hear my parents having their quiet argument in the kitchen. I sat Alexis on the living room floor with some of her toys and then sat down on the couch and called Connie. Connie and I chatted while Alexis played on the floor. When Alexis got tired of her toys and started crawling toward the steps I quickly told Connie I would see her tonight and hung up the phone.
"Come back here squirt," I said as I picked her up off the floor. I took her back into the living room as I heard the back door shut. I glanced into the kitchen to see only my mom still in there doing dishes. 'This is going to be one cheerful Christmas', I thought as I sat down on the floor with Alexis.
Connie's POV:
I hung up the phone after talking to Guy and turned around to find my Dad standing in the doorway of the kitchen.
"Good morning, Dad," I said.
"Morning Connie. We haven't had a chance to talk since you've been home from school," he said sitting down at the table. "Why don't you have a seat," he continued indicating the seat across from him.
With a sigh I sat down in the chair he indicated.
"So how do you think you did with finals?"
"Okay, I guess," I told him.
"So what are you going to do in the spring semester now that ice hockey is over? Any other groups you interested in?"
"Actually I was actually thinking about trying out for the roller hockey team."
"More hockey?"
"I love hockey," I told him. "Guy is going to try out too as are some of the other ducks. It should be fun. Or I may try out for the school play but I'm not sure. Eden Hall is going to do Our Town this year."
"Drama could be fun," my dad said. "And you'd be able to meet some new people. Maybe make some new friends."
"What's wrong with the friends I have," I said defensively. "And I could meet new people on the roller hockey team too."
"I'm not saying anything is wrong with your friends. I just think you should try new things. Explore. Don't limit yourself Connie."
"I'm not Dad. I never have. I do what I enjoy doing. And maybe you don't think Guy is good enough for me but I enjoy being with him."
"Honey, I never said I didn't think Guy was good enough for you. I like Guy."
"You could've fooled me. The only time you've ever even talked to him is to give him the third degree. And this is the first time that you've ever had more than just a passing interest in my life. I can count the number of games you've gone to on one hand. Mom at least tries to make as many games as she can. And she knows all my friends. Other than Guy and Charlie you probably can't even name any of my other friends."
I wasn't sure where all this was coming from. I guess I had let things build up inside me without realizing it. I had always been disappointed not to see my Dad at one of my games but I always told myself that he had his reasons. That he would make the next one. And then after awhile I just stopped even hoping he would show up at a game. I had gotten so use to my Dad not really being involved with my life that now I really didn't want him to show any interest in what I did.
"Connie, I know I haven't been there for you in the past but I want to change that. I want to know what is going on in your life."
"You should have thought of that years ago," I said standing up and leaving the kitchen without another word. I grabbed my coat and went outside and just started walking. I wasn't really sure where I was going. I just wanted to be by myself for a little while. I could hear my Dad calling after me but I didn't care. I just kept walking.