While You Were Pretending

Chapter Five

Everyone with warm apple pie and melting vanilla ice cream, we chat across the dining room table. Mister Pullman had asked Alexa to play some Christmas music, song after song whispering in the background. Peyton grabbed the chair to the right of me and keeps being moderately affectionate. That left Jackie to sit across from me, keeping me very distracted.

“So, Luke, are we going to need to make up the pull-out bed for you tonight?” Misses P asks while slicing the last bit of her pie with a fork.

“Oh, no, I have to help my dad tomorrow morning, we have a truck full of orders to deliver.”

She smiles, “A bunch of people getting ready for the holidays, I take it?”

With a nod, I confirm, “Seems like it.”

Jackie speaks up, “Your dad still does all the woodworking then?”

I look at her a little too quickly. “Yeah – yes. He still has that little storefront on Washington, but he’s mostly been taking custom orders.”

Peyton’s hand curls around mine that’s laying against the table. “I always get so proud when I get to show off Luke’s or his father’s work.”

Jackie’s grey eyes involuntarily flick to our clasped hands, then back to my face, “You still do it, too? I remember one of your very first projects – that jewelry box for your mom.”

Man, that was so many years ago. “I actually haven’t had the time, or the supplies, while at school. But I was thinking about doing something small over the next couple of weeks.”

“A Christmas gift?” Misses P asks.

“Or a Valentine’s Day gift,” Peyton leans into me.

I look at her and have to instantly change my expression from confused to endearing. “Maybe.”

“Your first Valentine’s Day together?” Jackie asks, leaning back into her chair.

I shake my head but Peyton is quick to answer, “Technically our first Valentine’s Day was when we were in first grade! You made that heart-shaped card for me and I gave you that Hershey’s bar.”

Suddenly uncomfortable, I push back from the table. Grabbing my plate, I grab Peyton’s empty one as well. “How about I go ahead and clean up, then?” and I offer an empty hand to Misses Pullman.

Joey’s up now, too, “I was just about to get seconds, I can take it.”

“Nah, it’s fine,” and I quickly exit the room with him.

*

My arms wrap around Peyton’s torso as she leans her head against my chest. “You really have to go now? It’s only nine o’clock.”

I give her one more squeeze then back up towards her bedroom door. “Yeahhh, I do. Dad wants to head out around eight.”

She falls onto her bed, “Fine, fine.”

“I’ll send you baby Yoda memes.”

She laughs, “Good!”

“Good night, Peyton,” and I close her bedroom door behind me.

My boots are easy enough to slip on and tie and I don’t bundle my scarf before slipping on my coat. Eyeing the snow through the window, I decide the front path would be better. Through the kitchen, I see Jackie waiting by the door.

“You okay?”

Leaning against the wall, she looks up from her phone. “Oh, yes, thank you. I’m waiting for my Uber.”

“They close?”

“Ten minutes or so.”

I lean back on my heels, pushing my hands forward in my coat pockets. “Want company?”

She locks her iPhone then slides it into her purse. “I’m alright.” But then her gaze shifts to the darkened ground floor. “I just didn’t realize everyone would be going to go to bed so early.”

I try not to be judgmental but, “Well, your mom has to do all baking of the morning pastries for the local coffee shop on Washington and Fifth… and your step-dad has weird hours as a paramedic.”

Her expressive brows furrow ever so slightly, and she offers a breathy laugh, “I sorta should have known that huh?”

I shrug. In the silence that falls, I start fiddling with the loose strings on my scarf. “So… how long are you going to be in town?”

“Until after New Year’s.”

My head bobs, “Very cool.”

“Yeah… I’m actually –” but then she’s cut off by her phone. “Oh, looks like my Uber’s here.”

I open the door for her. After we’re on the front step and I’ve locked the front door, I turn to find her really close to me. Looking down, I push a hand through my hair. “Going to be around tomorrow?”

“Yes, I think so. You?”

“Probably.”

She gestures with a now gloved hand, “After working with your dad.”

“Right.”

She looks to the car on the street when it beeps. “Well, see you tomorrow, then?”

“Yep. See you,” and I wait until the car drives away before making my way home.