Black Water Creek by Robert Brumm

Author:Robert Brumm [Brumm, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: DeadPixel Publications
Published: 2013-09-16T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Kelly looked up and realized Sue had said something to her. “What?”

“I just asked if you could pass the rolls.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She picked up the bowl of dinner rolls and handed it to Ed.

“You feeling all right?” he asked.

“Sorry, guys. I’m a little out of it.” She covered a yawn with her hand and jabbed a carrot with her fork. “I just can’t seem to get a decent night sleep. Feels like I’m on fumes.”

“Is your new mattress comfortable enough? They have a thirty night guarantee or something like that I heard,” Sue said.

“The bed is great, I love it. Just lots of nightmares lately, I guess.”

“Maybe you should think about seeing a doctor.” Ed took a sip of his beer. “Jimmy, down at the shop, always had problems sleeping and the doctor gave him a prescription. Ambi-something. He swears by ‘em.”

Keegan pushed his mostly uneaten plate off to the side. “Can I open presents now?”

“I’ve told you a dozen times, not until tomorrow morning.” Kelly smiled at her son despite his instance of early Christmas presents. She was looking forward to him opening them in the morning as much as he was.

Ed checked his watch. “It’s pretty early. I don’t think Santa has even left his workshop at the North Pole yet.”

They heard the front door open and close, followed by a hearty “Ho Ho Ho!” from the living room. Keegan’s eye lit up and he spun around, only to be disappointed as Paul entered the dining room.

“You’re not Santa,” Keegan scowled.

“Sorry, Squirt.” Paul bent down and spoke quietly into Keegan’s ear. “I’d keep an eye on Ed over there, though. Look at his big tummy and white hair. What if he’s Santa?”

Keegan considered it for a moment but resumed his scowling, since he wasn’t any closer to opening presents.

“Have a seat, Paulie,” Sue got up. “We were just about to have dessert.”

“Sounds great.” He sat down next to Kelly and tossed a black olive into his mouth from the relish tray.

“How’s Ailene doing?” Ed asked.

“Same as usual, I guess. She had one too many glasses of wine at dinner. Fell asleep on the couch and I covered her up. She’ll be fine there.”

“We invited her over here but she said she wasn’t up for it.”

Paul nodded. “My mom,” he explained to Kelly. “She’s had a hard time with holidays ever since dad died.”

“Here we are.” Sue returned with a pumpkin pie and set it on the table.

They ate their dessert and Kelly looked around the table at her new extended family as they chatted. She couldn’t help think of Christmas Eve last year. She’d worked all afternoon on a dinner much like the one she helped Sue prepare that evening. Turkey, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, the works. Don stumbled through the door late after spending most of the day at the bar. He ate a few bites barely saying a word and passed out on the couch. Later that night, he finally came to bed still reeking of booze and was all over her.

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