Gifts by Susan Peek

Author:Susan Peek
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: catholic, Christmas, anthology, short stories
Publisher: Catholic Teen Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Some time later, Bolcan sat leaning against the cold wall of a dark tunnel, Dedrick at his side, the details of how he got there a bit blurry. His heart had calmed completely, and his sweaty neck gave him a chill. What had happened to him? Must’ve been one of his panic attacks.

He didn’t want to see the look in Dedrick’s eyes. Though he still had nightmares, he hadn’t had an attack like this in months. Maybe even over a year. Would it disqualify him from performing rescue missions?

Dedrick’s head turned, no look of condemnation in his eyes. “Well?” Sitting with his legs stretched out before him, he took a deep breath and rubbed his thighs. “We ready to get going?”

Bolcan climbed to his feet, his strength and mind restored.

Dedrick handed him the empty canvas sack. “You can carry this one. I’ve got the other.” He tapped his jacket pocket and grinned.

They walked side by side through one dark tunnel and another to the pick-up point, Bolcan ready for the lecture that never came. Dedrick talked on and on about his family Christmas traditions back home—wherever that was. They decorated pine trees, baked special cookies, attended Midnight Mass, and exchanged gifts in the morning. He said nothing about Bolcan’s panic attack or the success or failure of the mission. Did it matter that the nanny had seen him? Dedrick likely realized it. Maybe he’d even seen Bolcan on his knee before her. What would Dedrick have done in that situation?

The tunnel kart came into view, and the cheerful voices of the other young Mosheh members telling tales of the night carried through the cold, dark tunnels. Compelled to know the answer, Bolcan whacked Dedrick’s arm to stop him.

Dedrick checked his TekBand then gave Bolcan his full attention.

He struggled for a second with whether he should bring it up at all, but then the words tumbled out. “Do you know a nanny caught me?”

“Yeah.” Dedrick looked unfazed.

“You told me to let you handle it but . . . well, you were in the other room.”

“No, actually, I was a few seconds behind you.”

“Oh.” Bolcan averted his gaze, embarrassed at the thought of Dedrick seeing the whole thing, but then curious. “Why didn’t you intervene? My first impulse was to use a sleeper hold. On the girl.”

A smile flickered on Dedrick’s face then faded. “That would not have been a good idea.”

“How would you have handled it?”

The smile returned. “I like what you did. It was very humble.” He cupped Bolcan’s shoulder and proceeded toward the tunnel kart.

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