Among the Stars by Renee Porter

Author:Renee Porter [Porter, Renee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-03-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

“You know that tree lighting ceremony down on third street?”

Kristie came into the living room, her face aglow against the Christmas decorations that we had put up within the last few days. I cocked my head at her, trying to figure out where she was going with the randomness this conversation.

“Do you want to get out of your work clothes and into something more comfortable?” I put down the heavy text I was reading and Kristie flopped down on the couch next to me. She grabbed a handful of trail mix that I had been munching on and swallowed before answering.

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

I shook my head, not knowing what she was talking about.

“Well, every year, Santa Monica has a tree lighting ceremony. Then, afterwards, everyone goes down and walks the pier.” She took another handful of trail mix. “I was thinking that Beth would love it.”

My heart fluttered and eyes softened at my best friend. “You’re the best, fake girlfriend, you know that?”

Kristie gave me a wide smile. “I’d hope you say that.” She shifted on the couch, reached into her work slacks and produced a handful of tickets. Handing them to me, I shook my head in disbelief.

“Kristie, you really didn’t have to do this.” The valued amount on the tickets was outrageous and Kristie had bought a ticket for herself and everyone in my family. “Let me pay you back for my family at least.”

Kristie shook her head, not accepting my offer. “I’m a young, ‘single’ woman with a great job. I can afford it. Plus, once you start at JPL you can pay me back. You know what I like.” Kristie gave me her trademark wink and I chuckled with her absurdity.

“Beth is really going to love this. Do you think she could bring her drum?” Kristie stood and stretched her back. I could tell that the overtime hours were getting to her, but she would never say a thing about it.

“They better. Or I’ll hack their systems and Grinch out on their Christmas ceremony.” Again she winked and I shook my head. There was no way that Kristie would break the rules like that.

“Well, thank you. You really didn’t have to do this for us.” Kristie shrugged, a slight blush of embarrassment showing on her face.

“You know my parents don’t like to do that kind of stuff. And I’ve never had any siblings. It would be great to share this with people who enjoy Christmas as much as I do.”

For a moment, I felt bad for Kristie’s childhood. She alluded a few times that the Balentine clan did not do the traditional Christmas. When she was growing up, she would have to donate the toys she got at Christmas to the less fortunate. She said it didn’t bother her much, up until the Christmas where ‘Santa’ gave her a puppy. I could still see the hurt in her eyes as she told the story of her younger self, handing over the small golden retriever to another child.

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