The Holiday Collection by Indie Eclective

Author:Indie Eclective
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: merry christmas, presents, magic, anthology, family, holiday gift ideas, short stories, holidays, solstice, snowmen, new years, christmas
Publisher: Indie Eclective

“I see.” Fred stood and walked into the hallway. He went straight for the coat closet and squeezed inside the compact space before closing the door.

“Fred, please come out,” Apple called.

Fred crossed his arms over his chest. “No!”

Though it was dark inside and several hangers were poking his back, Fred had no intention of ever leaving the closet. Not now that his special day had been ruined.

“Get out here, Fred!”

Ruckus was using his angry voice. Fred hated the angry voice.

“Go away, Ruckus.” Fred closed his eyes and covered his ears with his hands. He didn’t want to hear Ruckus scolding him. He didn’t want to hear Apple begging for him to come out. And he darned sure didn’t want to hear about a pooping and crying baby.

Even though Fred had been trying his hardest to shut out the rest of the world, he could still hear and feel when Ruckus entered the tiny closet. And he heard Ruckus swear when he hit his head on the coat rack.

Fred’s eyes shot open.

The door was cracked open, allowing just enough light so Fred could see Ruckus rubbing the back of his skull. “Wanna talk about it, buddy?”

Fred struggled to keep the pain from his voice as he looked into his best friend’s dark eyes. “You’re going to leave us.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Babies poop and cry too much. You won’t like it. You’ll leave and we’ll never see you again. Apple will kill herself when you’re gone and the baby won’t have a family.” Fred choked up with emotion as tears began streaming down his face.

Ruckus reached up and squeezed Fred’s shoulder. “Fred, I ain’t goin’ nowhere. I’m stayin’ right here with my family and friends.”

Fred wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “Do you promise?”

Ruckus leaned closer and wrapped his arm around Fred’s shoulder. “I swear it, Fred. I’m not like your daddy. I’m not the leavin’ kind.”

“What about me, Ruckus? You won’t have time to visit me when you have a baby.”

Ruckus sighed and even in the dim light, Fred could see the moisture in Ruckus’s brooding eyes.

“Remember when I first checked in to Shady Grove?” Ruckus asked.

“Uh, huh.” Fred nodded. How could he forget? He’d been reading a book by the window when Ruckus walked straight in and pissed on the sofa. “You made a mess and everyone laughed at you.”

“But you didn’t laugh, buddy.” Ruckus stopped speaking for a moment and cleared his throat. “You walked right up to me and waited for me to finish. Then, you gave me a hug.”

“You looked like you needed one.”

“I sure did.” Ruckus paused and sniffled. “I was real sad when I first came to Shady Grove, but you were there for me, buddy, and I promise I will always be here for you. You will always be my best friend. This baby won’t change that. In fact, Apple and I were kinda hopin’ you’d be the baby’s godfather.”

Fred’s eyes widened. “Like a fairy godfather? I don’t have any magic, Ruckus.

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