This Christmas. Katlyn Duncan

smooth surface. She smiles broadly and shows me the screen. I take the phone and pinch the photo to get a closer look at the picturesque rustic cabin staring back at me. It’s surrounded by at least a foot of snow, making it look like a Christmas paradise.

      “My grandfather built it and we used to spend winter and summer vacations there.” Her voice is nostalgic, but regret weaves its way through her words. “It’s the perfect place for a Christmas getaway. You and Will should go.”

      I look up from the screen into her big brown eyes.

      “Are you serious?”

      She shrugs. “Mom—Will’s mom always hated it up there. And I haven’t been since my dad got sick.” She smiles sadly, twisting her fingers in her hair.

      I reach out my hand to her, wanting to comfort her in any way. But I stop myself. I have no idea what it’s like to lose a parent and I barely know her. My hand drops to the couch. “You should come with us.”

      She furrows her brow as if I suggested she rent an apartment on the moon. “You two need it more than I do.”

      I think of all the plans I had for Christmas in the City… but maybe, without distractions, Will and I will have the chance to reconnect.

      Will enters the living room with two cups of coffee, handing one to each of us. “Getting to know each other?”

      Becky widens her eyes as if I’m the one who offered the cabin. She’s making this my decision.

      “Um, Will,” I start weakly. “Becky said we can use her dad’s cabin for Christmas. As a little getaway. For me and you.” Why am I so nervous? He’s my boyfriend. I feel like I’m asking someone I barely know to prom. Wisps of insecurities bubble up in my stomach, making it churn. But along with reconnecting, what more perfect place for Christmas than a charming cabin? We won’t have to deal with Nathaniel or my roommate, who decided to stay at school for break. We could go for at least a week. Set our relationship back on track before heading into a more hectic semester with Will’s impending work and new school schedule.

      Will cuts his eyes to me. “Is this what you want?”

      I nod, the gears starting to work in my head. Rustic environment, snuggling by the fire, a live Christmas tree. It will be perfect. “Yes.” It’s just what we need.

      Will cracks a grin and leans over, pressing a kiss to my head. “I did take next week off work. So we should be good to go.”

      Becky claps her hands with glee and I can’t stop smiling.

      This Christmas is going to be perfect.

      ***

      I leave Will’s apartment after a few hours of hanging out with him and Becky. Will has one last shift before our mini vacation which leaves me plenty of time to pack.

      I receive a text from Mom as I’m about to leave. Packages just arrived. Merry Christmas!

      My parents and Ethan were enjoying two weeks in Florida with my aunt and uncle. With finals, I wasn’t able to make it. I wasn’t too upset, anticipating time with Will, but it would be my first Christmas without my parents. At least we’d see each other before I went back to school

      My heart soars. I’d planned on getting a small tree with Will for his apartment, but with the change in plans we’d be able to have a big live tree with colorful presents underneath.

      I text Will. Make sure you don’t unwrap presents from your family. Mom just sent mine over. We should wait until Christmas morning!

      With a little more skip in my step I divert my route to the shipping center closest to Rockefeller, which I told Mom to send the gifts to. Another excuse to visit the tree!

      I’m bursting with excitement and Lily’s face pops into my mind. I call my best friend and she picks up on the first ring.

      “Are you done with finals?” she asks.

      Between my grin and the temperature outside, my cheeks burn. “Yup.”

      “Oh finally,” she breathes with relief. Her voice offers me the same relief. I can’t help but miss her. Even though we spend a majority of our days texting, I haven’t been as attentive since I was studying. “You do well?”

      “I think so. But that’s not why I called.”

      “What do you want?” she barks, but her voice is muffled.

      I roll my eyes. “Are you at work?”

      Something brushes over the microphone.

      “Do you want me to call you back?” I ask.

      “No,” she says. “It’s fine. Marcus is on his tenth break since he got here two hours ago. It’s only fair.”

      I smile. Only Lily could see that as fair. And it helps that her boss, Marcus, has a huge crush on her. “Okay.” I explain to her about the cabin and between squeals of delight that make my ears ring—I can’t imagine what it does to the customers around her—my heart races with anticipation.

      “It’s a good plan right?” I ask.

      “It’s just what you need. During the summer it was easy working together at the camp and living next door. But you two have overcome a really rough couple of months in your relationship. Which is great. The couples I see around here break up all the time just because they don’t see each other for one day.” Someone yells something indistinct in the background but she carries on. “You do need time apart. But passing up this time alone together would be relationship suicide.”

      I turn the corner and see the tree, admiring its splendor from a distance. “When did you get so wise?”

      “I’m a natural observer. And somewhat of a male guru.”

      I laugh.

      “Make sure you give him loads of attention though. You know, the sexy kind.”

      And there’s the Lily I know and love, but sometimes a little over the top. I look around me, my cheeks flushing as if someone had heard her. “Alright. Get back to work.”

      “Text me with details!” she cries before I hang up.

       Three Days Until Christmas

      “And you carried these to your dorm yesterday?” Will asks, shoving the third box of presents into the elevator while I hold the door.

      I smile sheepishly. “I had to make two trips. But I’m thinking of sending the taxi bill to Mom.”

      Mom went a little over the top with the gifts this year, or maybe I never noticed before since I wasn’t the one carrying them to put under the tree from whatever hiding spot Mom and Dad chose each year.

      Will stacks the last box and I tug my rolling suitcase behind me, allowing the doors to close behind us. His elbow rests on the top box and he stares up at the descending numbers at the top of the doors.

      A yawn overcomes me and I struggle to keep it under my hand. Will glances at me.

      “You can sleep on the drive up if you want. I thought we should hit the road sooner rather than later.”

      I nod. I wanted to get an early start on our vacation as well.

      The lobby of my apartment building is empty, so I don’t worry about holding up the elevator again. Will stacks the packages outside the elevator and I guard them while he makes the two trips out to the truck. I don’t feel as bad when he struggles as much as I did. It’s not like I asked Mom to send me all the gifts. I do feel a little guilty when I think of us dragging everything back when we come home, but that’s the fun of Christmas. Besides, what’s Christmas without presents under the tree?

      I follow Will out of the building to his truck. He lifts the last two boxes into the bed and spreads them next to the others. I attempt