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Going Home For Christmas

The day drew on as the train rolled northward. Bryce and Veronica felt an enormous weight lifted once they had left the expanse of Empire City. By the time they reached Plattsboro, they were practically giddy.

“Mommy is going to pick us up at the station.” She said.

“Are you sure it’s alright? I could get a hotel room.”

“Just stop. It’s going to be fine. I cleared it with them before I left Luz’s house.”

“Okay, I just don’t want to impose.”

“Bryce, they’re going to love you. Chillax, will you?”

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes before letting it back out.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m chillaxing.”

“You act like you’ve never met anybody’s parents before.”

“Not like this.”

“Janka told me you were…”

“I was what?”

“Oh, how did she put it? Right, ‘Legendary Stud’. That’s what it was.”

“She told you THAT? I didn’t even know her before Dilyn’s party.”

“Marv did.”

“That’s true, but what’s he telling her stuff like that for? Jeez! That’s so long ago.”

“So? The legendary stud doesn’t meet parents?”

“The legendary stud would have been killed by any of a number of protective parents.”

“You were the hit it and quit it type.”

“People always act up in college. Tell me you didn’t do anything crazy.”

“No college. No crazy. Just work and dance classes.”

“You’re not missing much. This Krampus thing is crazy enough for two college careers.”

“What counts as crazy?”

“Really, it’s in the past. I’m not that guy anymore.”

“Got it all out of your system?”

“Exactly.”

“I’m not going to let this go, you know.”

“You’ll wish you had.”

“Now you’ve definitely got me curious.”

“In the past, Veronica. Way in the past.” He felt the train slowing. “Yay! We’re there.”

“You’re not getting off the hook, buster.”

“Hey, is that your mom?” He pointed out the window.

“Where?” She looked back and found him lugging his gym bag far down the aisle. “Hey, wiseguy! Wait for me.”

They got off of the train and wandered into the station with their bags. A slender woman with curly black hair waved to Veronica. “Ronni!”

She ran to embrace her mother as Bryce walked awkwardly behind. “Mommy, this is Bryce.”

“Nice to meet you. Do you have more luggage?”

“No, ma’am. Just this.”

“So polite. Come along, you two. Daddy’s waiting in the car.”

“He’s not at work?”

“It’s Christmas, Ronni. He took the whole week off.”

“He’s going to be home all week?”

“Well, what’s the matter with that? He deserves a vacation after working hard all year.”

“I didn’t say he didn’t. I didn’t realize…”

“We’re all going to have a wonderful holiday. You can tell us all about your auditions and how Luz is doing.”

They followed Veronica’s mother through the station to the curb where a deep red sedan was waiting for them. He must have spotted them because he popped the trunk as they drew near. They stashed their bags and closed the trunk. Veronica and her mom jumped in the back seat. Bryce gulped nervously as he realized that he was expected to sit up front with her dad.

He could see her waving for him to get in.

He plopped unceremoniously into the passenger seat and buckled his seat belt. He sat there stiffly and without turning to look at her dad directly he said, “Hi, Mr. Montes. I’m Bryce Wescott and I love your daughter.”

“Well, that makes two of us, Mr. Wescott. Please call me Charles.”

Bryce looked at the enormous brown hand being offered to him. He reached over and shook it before looking at the man attached to it. He was a gigantic man who was somehow, inexplicably crammed into the driver’s seat. Bryce broke out into a nervous sweat.

“Is it too hot in here for you?” Charles asked. “Marella was playing with the controls on the way over.”

“No, sir. I’m good.”

“I’m sure you are, son. Let’s get you kids home. How’d you enjoy the train?” He pulled away from the station.

“It was a really nice trip, Daddy. The snow makes everything so pretty.”

“Just not Christmas without snow.” Charles said.

“I’d like to try it once and find out.” Marella said.

“Well, with or without snow, Christmas is always a special time of year.” Charles said as he negotiated the streets of Plattsboro. “It’s not just a day, you know. Everybody knows about Christmas Day but most people forget that Christmas is actually a Liturgical Season.”

“Daddy is very active in our church.”

“Don’t you go to church, Bryce?”

“I haven’t been in a while.” He admitted.

“Too busy.” Charles observed.

“Not that, exactly.”

“Haven’t found one that suits you.”

“No, but I can’t honestly say I’ve looked all that hard for one.”

“Did you go as a kid?”

“Yes, my parents took me to Sunday School and everything. It was…”

Charles gave him a curious glance.

“It was what it was. What you get used to. You know?”

“Is that a good thing?”

“They say you can never go home.”

Charles chuckled. “Whoever ‘they’ are, they seem to have a lot to say.”

“It’s like growing up, though. Even if I went back to visit my parents and stay in my old bedroom, it’s not the same anymore. It’s kind of the same with church.”

“You outgrew church?”

“No, I wouldn’t say that. It’s like going back to visit Mom and Dad’s. You can go back but it’s not the same anymore. I need a new place for the new me.”

“Amen.” Charles nodded. “I know just what you’re saying. Of course, you realize you can’t find what you’re not looking for.”

“Maybe not, but I wasn’t looking for a girlfriend either.”

“But here we are.” Veronica said.

Charles and Marella laughed at that.

“I guess serendipity will only get you so far.” Bryce said, looking out at the passing houses.

“Things worth having require a bit of effort.”

“And a healthy measure of patience.” Bryce said absently.

Veronica reached over the seat and smacked his arm. “Nobody likes a wiseguy.”

“I do.” Charles said with a broad smile.