Christmas in White Oak by Aileen Fish

Author:Aileen Fish [Fish, Aileen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aspendawn Press
Published: 2013-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Nick recognized all but three of the carolers who piled out of their cars at the Shady Acres nursing home and stood shivering outside the entrance while they confirmed the series of songs they would sing. He waved off the songbook his former science teacher offered, and wondered if anyone really didn’t know all the words to any of the songs they sang year after year.

The residents were dressed in gaudy Christmas sweaters of red and green, sitting in wheelchairs or standing in the doorways of their rooms. Some sang along; every one of them glowed with the joy of the season.

Nick hung back in their group. He’d gone caroling once in high school with the youth group, but it wasn’t his thing. That might have something to do with how hard he had to search to find his pitch. But wandering the sterile, cold halls that smelled of industrial cleaner gave him another chance to see the kind of person Sofia had grown up to be.

Every so often during the time he spent with her that week, he caught a glimpse of the girl he knew. She was still in there, hiding behind the coordinated clothes and sensible shoes. He would have liked to have been there, be part of the decision-making process that had her setting aside her spiked cuff bracelets for a simple bangle.

As if she felt him studying her, Sofia let the others pass until she walked with Nick. She whispered, “You’re not singing.”

“You’re welcome.”

She smacked his sleeve with her songbook. “You aren’t that bad.”

“Well, I guess most of the residents here are hard of hearing, so they wouldn’t notice.”

Sofia rolled her eyes and continued to sing.

Nick mouthed the words, exaggerating each one.

The science teacher glanced back at them and lowered his brows. It took all the strength Nick could muster not to burst out laughing. He felt practically giddy tonight, like the weight of the world was off his shoulders.

In a way, it was. He would always have regrets for the way he acted that morning before he realized Morgan had died. Or maybe not his actions, but the thoughts going through his head. Even if she’d tricked him into getting her pregnant, he could have said no to having sex in the first place. He could have offered financial assistance without marrying her. No one would have thought badly of him.

When the carolers completed the circle of the nursing home, they piled back into their cars and drove to the community hospital. There were a few children who would be spending the holidays there, in addition to a handful of adults. Seeing the smiles of those who heard them gave Nick a warm feeling. He hadn’t realized how good it made him feel to offer cheer to others.

As he and Sofia walked back to his car, he asked, “Would you be disappointed if we don’t go with the others for coffee and fruitcake?”

“No. I’m not a fan of fruitcake.”

“Maybe we could go to the Royal Oak.

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