All I Want For Christmas Is You

The cold bit at my cheeks as I trudged up the snow-covered stairs to my apartment building. The worn banister was slick with ice, and I gripped it tightly to keep my balance. Each step felt heavier than the last, though the weight had little to do with the bag of groceries I carried and everything to do with the ache in my chest. When I reached the second-floor landing, I made my way to Miranda’sdoor. She was my neighbor, my lifeline, and my only real friend in this building. The chipped paint on her door and the faint scent of lavender from inside were oddly comforting. I knocked twice, waiting for the familiar sound of her footsteps. The door opened with a c***k, and there she was, her warm smile as bright as ever. Miranda balanced her infant son on her hip, his chubby little hands reaching for her dangling earrings. “Vennessa, come in! It’s freezing out there,” she said, stepping aside to let me enter. I wiped the snow off my boots on the worn doormat and stepped inside, immediately enveloped by the scent of baked cookies and baby powder. It was a stark contrast to the frosty hallway. “Thanks, Miranda,” I said, brushing my damp hair back. Miranda gave me a knowing look. “I figured you’d be coming by soon. Kelvin’s in Casey’s room with her, doing their homework.” I nodded, setting the grocery bag on the kitchen counter. Miranda and I had fallen into a rhythm over the years—me relying on her to look after Kelvin when I was working late or running errands, and her insisting it was no trouble. “Was he okay when he got here?” I asked, trying to sound casual. Miranda hesitated, adjusting the baby on her hip. “He seemed… off. Quiet. I think he had a rough day at school. He mentioned an argument with some boys in his class.” Her words were like a punch to the gut. Kelvin was normally a sweet, gentle kid. He didn’t get into arguments, let alone let them bother him so much. “Did he say what happened?” I asked, concern tightening my throat. She shook her head. “He didn’t go into details. Just said he didn’t want to talk about it. I thought it might be better to leave it alone until you got here.” I nodded, swallowing my worry. “Thank you for watching him. Really. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Miranda waved her free hand dismissively. “Don’t be silly. You know I love having him over. Casey adores him.” Before I could reply, Kelvin emerged from Casey’s room. His head was bowed, his shoulders hunched, and the usual sparkle in his eyes was nowhere to be seen. My heart clenched at the sight of him. He looked so small, so defeated. “Hey, buddy,” I said gently, crouching down to his level. “How was your day?” He didn’t look at me. Instead, he grabbed his coat and school bag from the chair by the door and muttered, “Let’s go.” “Kelvin—” I started, but he was already heading out the door. Miranda touched my arm lightly. “Give him time. He’ll tell you when he’s ready.” I gave her a grateful smile, though my heart was heavy. “Thanks, Miranda. And give Casey a hug for me, okay?” “Of course,” she said, closing the door behind us. Kelvin was already halfway down the hallway when I stepped out. His small figure looked even smaller against the backdrop of the drab, beige walls. Our apartment was just two doors down, but it felt like miles away. “Kelvin, wait up,” I called softly.