A Taste of Christmas

“This Christmas...will be, a very special Christmas... for me...” It was barely the end of November and Christmas carols were already being played on the radio. Savanna turned the volume up a bit and settled in her seat, her fingers tapping the steering wheel to the tune. The afternoon sun was a radiant yellow, bathing the long, grassy stretch in a warm glow, from where it sat between the forest green hills. Stretched toward the distant horizon, was an endless expanse of green wheat, swaying in the gentle wind; as if they too had been dancing to the tune. As the car continued down the narrow winding road, Savanna couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic. It was weird traversing those parts after so many years. Through the tilted screen of the rearview mirror, she spotted the reflection of her new cat and smiled. Perched on the top of one of the many boxes on the backseat, Ginger curled into a ball, purring softly. Compared to a month ago when she'd just rescued her, Ginger had gained tremendous weight and had taken a rather protective liking to her. But why wouldn't she when Savanna had gone through such lengths to save her and give her a home? Savanna wasn't exactly the compulsive type, so risking her life to save a kitten's was not something she had ever thought she would do. Back then, she didn't even like cats. But there she was, on that faithful evening, climbing up a tree next to an apartment building with smoke and flames coming out the top. All to rescue the orange kitten seated on the second-story windowsill, scratching and meowing. It didn't seem to be in any particular distress, but the building had been evacuated and no one knew who was in that apartment and no one was allowed back in. Hence the whole 'having to climb a tree with the crowbar in her back pocket' ordeal. Her intention: break the window, stuff the cat in her jacket, and shimmy back down the tree. A solid proof plan if one were to think about it—at least in Savanna's head. There was only one teensy weensy glitch which she'd overlooked in her 'hurry-comeup' plan. And that was: Kittens were not cooperative when windows have been smashed and strangers were trying to grab them. But that didn't stop her from making it back down with the furry animal latched to her blouse and a few scratch marks to show. The sheer joy she'd felt, as the people who'd swarmed her praised her for her bravery, and the look in that poor cat's eyes made her rethink her life for what it had been. For the first time in the almost ten years of researching and formulating grand columns about happy families, tragic incidents and heroic acts, Savanna really felt connected to something truly spectacular. That made her start to question her true purpose in life. What was she really doing with herself? Was she truly happy? Did she really feel like she'd achieved all that she'd promised her father she would've? And that was partly why she didn't hesitate much in handing in her resignation letter, not even a month later, to her perverted boss and hitting the long road back to Oakland— despite her being unemployed, single, and a bit off-kilter at the beginning of Christmas. A very necessary sacrifice. A few minutes later and the first sight of human existence came into view. It was an old barn yard which had belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Dawson when Savanna was younger. The land stretched for acres and housed a meadow for the horses, a huge, red high-rise barn and the family house. Savanna had spent many days there, playing with and helping to groom the horses and other animals which had been set to roam the lands freely. But, from what she could see from through the bamboo fencing, a lot had changed over the years. It was odd to see the fields so quiet, the cows and pigs hiding in the warm barns and pens instead of roaming. Applying a bit more pressure to the gas pedal, the weary brunette bounced as she fell into a crater-like pothole. "f**k!" she hissed. She hoped to God she didn't get a flat. Or any other damage for that matter. When there was no indication of either, Savanna release the breath she'd been holding, and accelerated once again. The rest of the road allowed for a smooth sailing and in less than fifteen minutes the bustling town square greeted her. The town's population had obviously increased in size, but, for the most part, things remained just as Savanna had remembered. The journey through the town was reminiscent, but the beaming woman couldn't help but wonder if they would remember her. Or who she would remember. She spotted a few hard-to-miss faces and greeted them with a honk of her horn and carried on. There were so many memories which had resurfaced in the few minutes she'd been back to the southern countryside. Through the windscreen she could spot the vast expanse of land which belonged to the Maynards. She inhaled a deep breath, taking comfort in the fact that she was almost home. The jingles playing in the background was doing a better job of lulling her to sleep than anything else. Suddenly the idea of soaking in a tub filled with warm water and soothing oils became more appealing. Upon nearing the Maynard's property, Savanna glimpsed something— or rather, someone —who made her heart do a summersault inside of her chest. The pebbles lining the road way crunched underneath the tires as Savanna slowed to a stop. She flipped the sun visor down and reclined in her seat just enough to obscure her from view. The subject of her attention walked across the stretch, picked up an axe from the ground and swung it behind his back. She watched as he brought the heavy tool forward, his naked back muscles clenching and glistening in the sun, breaking loose the wood in one clean chop. He repeated this, moving back and forth each time between chopping and clearing his pile. Even from behind, she recognized him, after all that time, and it was the shallow feeling she'd gotten inside when she'd glimpsed the figure earlier that had gotten her to stop. She sat there in the warm car, fidgeting with the liquid gold pendant of her necklace. She couldn't help thinking she'd rather be back home in her flannel pajamas, watching back-to-back episodes of The Originals, instead of staking out in her car, in her old town, spying on the man she'd betrayed quite some time ago. Every day since she'd left, she had made a mental list of all the things she wanted to say when —and if— she returned, but in that moment only one thing came to mind: "Hi, Morgan. It's been a long time hasn't it? You look nice. I see the time has done you well. I'm sorry I broke your heart and left you to pick up the pieces all by yourself that day. Forgive me?" "Meow." Savanna looked over her shoulder and laughed. It was as if Ginger had read her mind and was laughing at how lame of an apology she'd conjured after so many years. She sighed. "I know, Gingy, corny as these damned fields." "Meow." The flustered woman sat in the dark gray Bluebird Sylphy with the engine running. It wasn't environmentally friendly, but she wanted to be sure she could make for a speedy retreat if by chance he turned around and spotted her. Plus, with the mood she was in, the environment was the last thing on her mind. In fact, it could go f**k itself for all she cared. She pressed the thumb and forefinger of her right hand into the inner corners of her closed eyes, hoping to provide some relief from the pain that throbbed there. Her doctor —Dr. Jonas— had given her a new medication to try; phito-something-no-one-could-spell, but it didn't seem to be touching it. She needed to lay down. After three days of driving, there was so much and no more her body could take. Savanna took a controlled breath before she tentatively lowered her hand and unclipped the seat belt from around her. Her heartbeat quickened so much so fast that she could practically feel and hear it vibrating against her temples. Why was she so nervous? It wasn't as if being faced with a person from your past, your past being more than a decade ago, was so nerve wracking. The thought was ridiculous. Right? She'd known Morgan Maynard basically all her pubescent and young adult life, yet she had a nagging feeling all the connection they had had dissolved completely that late August afternoon. She couldn't help but wonder how he'd react if she were to get out of her car and walk up the pebbly pathway to him. Would he be surprised? Would he be happy to see her after so long? Or would he treat her like scum beneath his boots? That was if he would even remember her at all. Did he? Could he have forgotten her? Savanna highly doubted it. Somehow, she had a feeling he still held a grudge. After all, a teenage boy's heart had grown into a man's. Oh well... She bared her teeth and ran her tongue along the edges, ensuring that no lipstick smudges were there. She smiled at her reflection. She looked good. Her curls were still curly, her makeup still fresh and the bags underneath her eyes were effectively concealed. Nothing beats a trial but a failure, right? With a defeated sigh and doubtful heart, Savanna gave one last look at Ginger, before flipping the sun visor back up and grasping the door handle.