Chad

The drive to Tahoe was long and tedious, yet treacherous as I ascended the mountain thanks to the black ice. And my car wasn't exactly built for below freezing.

I found the front door to the timeshare to be open, which I was grateful for, because though it was now 3pm, it was freezing up there. I stepped into the beaten-up sorry excuse for an elevator and pressed the button for six, almost able to feel how many filthy, frostbitten fingers had touched it before me.

I didn't question that I had knocked on the correct door, because aside from the blaring music, I could distinctly hear Crystal Corpse's twinkling laugh.

Jack greeted me at the door. He had a tendency to look intimidating, and I almost dropped my box of gifts. I composed myself and smiled charmingly. "Hey, Jack, my man! Can I come in?"

His eyes looked me up and down and he stood aside. "Sure."

The place was actually pretty nice, decked out in woodland-like decorations. There were paintings of bears and quaking aspens on the walls. It was pretty spacious, and there was a flight of stairs to the immediate right of the doorway, leading up to a loft.

Six heads turned in my direction, letting five gasps escape, and a couple of girlish squeals as Vivi and Crystal rushed to engulf me in a hug. "Hey, mah girls!" I set the box down on the round table across from the kitchenette and walked over to the window, where a sofa and love seat accommodated Gabe and the Bonnies. Gabe smiled at me and Bonnie Bones waved, while Bonnie Bloodlust just stroked her pink-and-black hair. I turned around to spy Sally sitting on the counter of the kitchenette, soon joined by Jack.

"Heyz, what brings ya?" Crystal cheered as she sat, tugging my arm in gesture for me to do the same. I complied.

"Presents. And to wish you guys Merry Christmas." I received gracious smiles from everyone on that one. I went over to the box and withdrew several smaller boxes, handing them out to everyone except Vivi. I didn't know what to get them so they each would be receiving $50 Hot Topic gift cards. Crystal beamed when she opened hers.

I smiled knowingly when Vivi gave me a confused look, and then went back to the box and withdrew a necklace box. She put a hand to her mouth as I opened it, revealing a short length of chain with a silver heart dangling from the middle of it. As I lifted it out she pulled her tortured hair up and I fastened the choker around her neck.

"It's…well, a chain choker." I winked and witnessed her blushing. "Since, you know…you can't take the real thing with you."

"Chain, thanks. It's the best!" she gushed, rising to give me another hug.

I said my goodbyes and apologized for not staying longer, but the truth was that I had an urge to do something, and if I didn't do it now I never would.

---

A deep breath of glacial air filled my lungs as I rubbed my hands together, hesitating to knock on the polished cabin door for a third time. Finally my gloved fist struck the door. Moments later, a surprised woman in her early forties, sporting a red turtleneck paired with blue skinnies and tan Uggs, stood frozen in the doorway, not from the weather but from who stood outside to greet her.

An uncomfortably chilling breeze toyed with her short blonde curls, and her light blue eyes looked me over with confusion. "Chad?"

I shifted my weight to my other foot and rubbed my arm, not meeting her gaze. "Hi, Mom," I uttered.

She smiled at me maternally, and when she hugged me the chill of the Tahoe air dissolved. Though I had seen her three months ago, it felt like meeting her for the first time in years. The smile on her face radiated joy like I'd never seen from her. I'd make a point to see this lady more often.