The Circle of Friends

V - The Holidays-3

Lori’s father went to greet Jason and his parents, who had also just arrived. Escorting the Phillips into the great room, he offered them a drink. Lori noticed their arrival from across the room and excused herself from the couple with whom she had been speaking. Slipping her arm through Jason’s, she beamed at him with delight. Jason’s eyebrows arched in surprise. He had been prepared for the drastic alterations to the Anders’ house but not the change in Lori. Stammering a hello, he simply stared at her, stunned by her appearance. She gave him a wink and greeted his parents with hugs.

Jason was guided through the room and introduced by Lori’s parents to the other guests. They appeared proud of their daughter’s choice in beaus and paraded him around like a trophy. Lori stayed by his side, grinning with delight every time Jason met someone new. He still wanted to properly compliment Lori on her stunning appearance without an audience. Perhaps he would get an opportunity to do so when they went upstairs.

Shortly before eight, Maria made her entrance. Lori greeted her friend and glanced questioningly at her father. He smiled and nodded, giving her permission to retreat upstairs. Smiling at Jason, she grabbed Maria’s hand and rapidly ascended the steps.

“Wow!” cried Maria as Lori pulled her friend into the game room.

Taking several steps forward, Maria paused to gaze in awe at the decorations. Lori watched her friend’s reaction with amusement. From behind, she suddenly felt hands on her hips. Jason pulled her against his body and bent to kiss her neck.

“Yes, wow!” he whispered. She giggled and twisted around in his arms to get a proper kiss.

Lori feared they would embarrass Maria, but her friend had strolled over to the bar and did not notice their exchange. Several small dishes adorned the surface and separate table had been set up to hold the main spread of food. Several tubs of iced drinks sat on the bar and a punch bowl occupied the far end.

“Might want to get some punch now, Maria,” said Lori, wiggling free of Jason’s grasp to come serve her friend. “In case it gets spiked later.”

“Spiked?” asked Maria, her eyes wide.

“Everyone said they’d behave, but I’m making no promises,” Jason said with a chuckle. “Not with this bunch!”

Lori’s cousin, Jeff, appeared five minutes later. Sarah was the next to arrive, followed by Matt, Heather and Paul. Within thirty minutes, twenty young people occupied the room upstairs. It was a rare event to see this group dressed sharp and Lori felt pleased they had made the effort.

The boys quickly took over the pool table. Several people latched on to the video games, enjoying familiar titles. Others simply observed the activities and engaged in lively conversation. Music and videos ran constantly and the glass doors remained closed to block sounds from the adult party downstairs. The caterers checked in periodically, keeping the supply of food and drink flowing. At one point, the punch did become spiked but it was consumed before being discovered.

Around midnight, the crowd began to disperse. Matt and Heather were the last to depart and Lori and Jason escorted them downstairs. A dozen people still occupied the great room. Lori’s parents would not go to bed until very late tonight.

After saying goodnight to Matt and Heather, Lori put on her jacket and walked Jason to his car. He had parked at the end of the driveway and away from the bright lights of the house. The night air felt chilly and they could see their breath. Once they reached his vehicle, Jason pulled her into his arms to share his warmth. He gave Lori a long kiss, enjoying a moment alone. The evening had been enjoyable, but he longed for some privacy.

“Tonight was fun, but I wish it hadn’t ended so soon,” said Lori, her head on his shoulders.

“You looked so good tonight, I wish we could’ve made better use of that pool table,” teased Jason.

She lifted her head in astonishment and then smiled. “You’re terrible,” she declared, shaking her head.

Kissing her one last time, he pulled Lori’s hand to his lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Come over when you’re done working out, okay?’

“I will.”

Jason opened his car door, her hand still in his. “I love you.”

“I love you,” she answered.

“Now, get back inside,” he insisted.

Slowly she returned to the house. Jason made sure she was safely inside before departing. The clock on his dashboard read one a.m. However, the night had not been long enough for Jason.

Lori scheduled their gift exchange before family obligations on Christmas Eve. Jason arrived promptly at five o’clock, a box of presents in his arms. Lori had already spread his gifts out under the tree upstairs, placing the jacket toward the back so it would be the last one opened. She watched eagerly as he put her presents under the tree.

“This one’s for your parents,” he said, setting aside a present.

“There’s one downstairs for your parents, too. Don’t let me forget it!”

Placing her last gift under the tree, he sat on the floor. She curled up tightly beside him, hardly able to contain her excitement. Jason put his arm around her and gently stroked her hair. He gave her a quick kiss and smiled.

“Are you ready?”

They took turns opening gifts, delighting in one another’s surprise. There were numerous video games, movies and CDs exchanged between them. Lori also received gold wolf earrings with matching necklace and Jason a cologne set. She had just opened two large wildlife books and begun to thumb through the pages when Jason reached for his big box.

“Not yet! You still have another present on the tree!” she exclaimed.

Setting aside the books, she pulled an envelope off one of the branches and handed it to Jason. Lori fervently watched his face as he read the gift certificate, her smile slowly growing. His expression altered from mildly curious to incredulous in the span of a few seconds.

“Oh wow!” he cried, looking up in disbelief. “Lori, is this for real?”

“Yes! All you have to do is pick out what you want and they’ll install it. And don’t go cheap! You get the best. New speakers and everything.”

Jason tried to protest, claiming the gift too great, but she would not hear of it. Finally accepting the offer, he enticed Lori to open her last present. She untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside was the most gorgeous alpaca-wool sweater, patterned in soft pinks and white.

“Go put it on,” prompted Jason.

When she returned to the room, Lori twirled once for Jason and let him snap a photo. She knelt at his side and gave him a hug.

“It’s soft and beautiful, just like you,” he said, his hands rubbing her back.

“Thank you,” she said, glancing anxiously at the tree. “Now, your last gift!”

Extracting the last box from under the tree, she placed it before him, positively wiggling with excitement.

“What more could you possibly get for me?” he asked as he tore off the wrapping. Flipping the lid aside, Jason paused, unable to believe his eyes.

“No way!” he cried, pulling the Seminole jacket from the box.

Lori clapped her hands with delight. “Try it on!”

He quickly pulled on the jacket and it fit perfectly. Jason zipped the front and put his hands in the pockets, grinning like a five year old.

“This is too cool!” he exclaimed. “I can’t believe you got this for me!”

“Smile!” said Lori as she took a picture.

He continued to revel in his new coat, examining his reflection in the mirror over the bar. Eventually Jason took off the jacket and held it at arm’s length. Slowly shaking his head, he crouched on the floor in front of Lori.

“I can’t believe this,” he said, his eyes on the jacket in his hands. “I mean, this and the stereo and everything… Lori, it’s way too much!”

She placed a hand on his arm. “I wanted to make you happy.”

“Lori, you always make me happy,” he asserted. “I just don’t know what to say. This is the nicest gift I’ve ever received. And I didn’t get you hardly anything!”

“Yes you did,” she insisted. “You got me something I’ve wanted for a very long time.”

Touched by her words, he set aside the coat and pulled Lori into his arms. “I think you did, too,” he answered, gently rocking them back and forth.