Chapter 1
The very first time he walked in, back in 2011, I had just framed the door in silver tinsel and hung a huge holly wreath with a giant crimson bow that took up most of the diner’s front window. His cheeks matched that bow, and his runny nose was nearly as red. As he sat at the counter, breathing hard in and out, I also noticed ice crystals in his auburn goatee. Canada had sent New York an early Christmas gift, an arctic blast, the day after Thanksgiving. The actual temperature was five degrees, the wind chill below zero. He pulled off his gloves and blew into his hands, shivering. A guy had to be really devoted to his exercise routine to be out running in weather like that.
I poured Running Man a hot cup of coffee as he unzipped his jacket. Coffee was free at Don’s Diner. Don wa
