Facing Crossroads

XXIII - Christmas Eve

                                                          Shane

“Kiss me,” I said.

My little brother Alder tip-toed to reach my cheek, planting a sweet kiss.

“Why you’re not coming with us?” he asked, a frown on his lips.

I shrugged. “Cheerio needed me. We don’t want him all alone at Christmas Eve, right?”

He considered it. “Yes! He’ll bark all night.”

I tapped his little nose. “Exactly! So be a good boy and behave yourself, you understand, little man?”

Alder grinned. “Yes yes!”

Bryan, his father, smiled at me and carried Alder. “You sure you’ll be okay here, Shane?”

“Yeah, definitely,” I answered.

He just nodded and greeted me a Merry Christmas before going downstairs. My mom walked out of their room, clutching a bag.

“Shane,” she called out, eyes tired. “Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

I shook my head.

We stared at each other for a moment. I wanted to apologize but I couldn’t push the word out of my mouth.

She smoothed my hair carefully. “Call me when something happened, okay? And, please, answer my call. Can you do that for me?”

Biting my lower lip, I nodded. I wanted her to have a peace of mind this holiday. “I will. I will. Promise.”

She smiled and kissed the top of my head. “We’ll be home soon. Take care, baby.”

“Yeah, you guys have fun.”

****

We didn’t have much Christmas décor back at my father’s house. But he sure never forget to give gifts to his friends. We usually had our dinner over at Uncle Freddie and the man contacted me last night, inviting me for a dinner to their place.

I refused. No reason to join them since my father was no longer with us.

The moment I heard the car drove away, I went up to my room and get the sketchpad from my drawer. My father’s image seemed fading in my head and I didn’t want to forget his face.

After sharpening my pencil, I pulled out a small picture from my wallet and started soft strokes, forming his eyes. Making a portrait of him felt like memorizing his features to be stamped on my head for long. I didn’t know how long it took me to finish, an hour, or two, or maybe three, but I felt a surge of happiness realizing I was able to finish it.

Then my cell phone vibrated, Theo’s name showing on the screen.

Theo: Are you busy?

I stared at his text message as a bubbling feeling pulsated in my stomach.

Me: Nope. You?

Theo: Is it too much to ask you to have dinner with us?

Wow. His reply was instant. He sure could type fast for a guy.

Me: Is that fine with your mom?

I tapped my finger on the table, waiting for his reply. When my cellphone finally chimed in, I opened it right away.

Theo: Alarmingly more than fine, actually. Will pick you up at five. J

Excitement and fear suddenly rushed in my head, my heart beating faster. Knowing he had connection to my father’s rival, my mind suddenly made up some stories, scaring me, telling me it was a bad decision to mingle with them.

But I wasn’t part of my father’s business and Theo wasn’t part of theirs, and we were both trapped in their chaos. I chose to just pushed the thought away.

***

I brought Cheerio with me on a leash and I swore Theo’s reaction would never fade in my memory. It was hilarious, especially when my pitbull jumped on him, trying to lick his face. Theo went red, stiffed like a statue, and he looked like he was about to cry. For a tall and tough guy like him, he sure looked damn terrified of a dog.

He picked me up with his minivan and Cheerio was at the back seat, his window slightly opened.

“Stay here,” I told Cheerio as I locked his leash on their gate.

Theo’s mom, Venice, hugged me the moment he introduced us to one another. She had a light personality, welcoming, just like Theo. A lot of foods were placed on the table but I think she wasn’t done preparing all of it.

“I’ll just show her around,” he told his mom.

We stepped in their living area. There was an LCD television and a sofa set. On the walls hung lots of frames, each had a unique drawing. They were beautiful and breathtaking, as if each told a story.

“She likes to draw as well,” Theo said behind me.

“They’re… heartwarming. It’s like they’re telling me a story.”

“Yes, each has a story. It progresses as you move on to the next one. It’s actually her life story,” he explained, pointing on each frames.

I looked up at Theo. “Your mom’s very talented.”

He smiled proudly. “She is.” He then softly stirred me away from the drawings. “You can look at that later. I’ll show you my favorite place.”

“Is that your room?” I asked.

His brows furrowed and I noticed a hint of curve playing on his lips. “No, it’s not. But do you wanna see my room, Shay?”

I smiled sheepishly, nodding my head.

He chuckled and led me on the second floor. The first door on the right was his room. A big frame hung opposite the bed, and again, I was drawn into it. It was a portrait of a guy, a tattoo lined on his side, so intricate it took my breath away.

Then it hit me.

I pointed at it. “Wait, is this you?”

“Mmm-hmm,” he answered. “Well, no. My mom drew that-- just a guy with a tattoo. When I turned sixteen, I had the design tattooed on me. The same exact spot on her drawing.”

I know. I’ve seen that when he took off his shirt to dive in the pool back in our rest house.

I scanned his room. It was neat, his bed was made, no trash, no clothes scattered on the floor. I was impressed.

“I wanted to draw you as well,” I whispered.

Theo gazed at me, mesmerizing me once again.

“With or without shirt?” he asked with his usual deep tone.

How can a simple phrase made me imagine him without a shirt?

I pushed him, my hand landing on his stomach. It was hard. “Shut up.”

His smile turned into grin as he looked at me, teasing me. “Hey, that was your idea, not mine. I am just giving you options.”

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest. He pulled me closer to him, embracing me, caging me with his strong arms.

I gasped, surprised at his sudden move.

“Theo,” I called out.

I felt him tightened the hug, leaning down on me. He was warm and smelled great and it was hard to let go. But it also made my heart drummed like a fool.

“Theo, I told you- “

He adjusted his arms, loosening the hug a bit. “I know what you said. ‘No rush’.” He then let go of me, tipping my chin up to meet his gaze. “I have a gift for you.”

I smoothed my dress as he stepped back, creating a distance. He picked up a box from his bedside table and handed it to me.

“Can I open it now?”

He shrugged. “Sure.”

I tore off the gift wrapper and opened it. My hand shook a little seeing a small empty canvass and a set of painting materials. I didn’t let a second ticked by and launched myself to him, giving him a hug.

I heard him laughed as I blinked back my tears. And it’s a happy tear.

“Thank you, Theo,” I said as I let go. “Really.”

“I remember the first time we met, you said you paint. I know you still want to paint even though you told me you’re not doing it anymore.”

I nodded. “I think I’m finding my way back into painting. So don’t be sad if I won’t be answering your calls anymore since I’ll be busy doing my thing.”

Again, Theo laughed, shaking his head. “Of course. No problem with me, Shay.”