Out of The Box Awakening (19 page)

Saturday gets here, and I am elated. Jose is here bright and early, just like he promised, to do the outside lights.

“Miss Olivia, I took the liberty of bringing some large wreaths that I used on another house last year. The homeowners moved, so I have them and thought you might like them.”

He has brought twelve extra-large wreaths for the exterior windows, complete with bows. The bows are red and are exquisite!

“If you don’t like them, just tell me. I just thought they’d look nice on the windows. I can put some spot lights on the windows to accent them if you like.”

“Oh! Jose! They are beautiful! Thanks so much!”

“So, do you want to tell me what you want to do outside?”

“No, Jose, I totally trust you! Just put your magic on it and it will be perfect!”

He does put his magic touch on the outside. After a few hours, the house is transformed into a Christmas wonder. Just as Jose and his guys pull out of the driveway, the guys from the nursery show up with the tree. They put it by the fireplace, next to the windows looking out on the lake. I have never had a tree this big; it’s amazing. I text a picture to Lainey. She quickly texts back.

“OMG! EXQUISITE! How are you gonna put lights on that thing?”

I tell her that Tommy and the guys are coming over tonight to help me.

“Well, you be careful. Don’t get up on the ladder, Mom. Let them do that.”

I tell her not to worry and that I plan to be careful.

I get my pot of tortilla soup going. It’s really cold out today, so soup is the perfect thing for tonight. I make some ginger snaps, so the house smells really festive and good. I also light some of those Christmas-scented candles. Have to get the season started! Tommy comes over early and knocks on the door.

“Tommy, you don’t have to knock…this is your house.”

“I know, but I just don’t feel right barging in, Olivia.” He gives me a hug. “So how’ve you been? I am really looking forward to having a Christmas tree. It’s been waaay to long! The outside looks awesome!”

“Yes, your dad had Jose come over this morning and he did his magic! I sure hope your father will like it.”

“Without a doubt, he’ll love it. Trust me! What smells so good? You cooking?”

“Well, I just put on a pot of soup and made some ginger snaps. I hope y’all like tortilla soup. Have you ever had it?“

“Can’t say I have, but it sure smells good.”

Ellen calls and says she’ll be over shortly, and I get a text from Emily.

“Headed your way soon…got three bottles of wine…anything else you need?“

I text her back “Nope! Got everything we need. Drive safe... see you soon!”

The rest of the guys get to the house before Ellen and Emily. As soon as he walks through the door, Todd gives me a big bear hug. He whispers, “Ready for the hookup?” I slug him in the arm and put my finger up to my lips. Hopefully, Tommy didn’t just hear that.

He leans close, then, and says quietly, “Olivia, can you come into the kitchen with me for a minute? I’ve got something for you, in private.”

“Sure, Todd…what is it?” He’s holding something behind his back, I can tell.

“Well, I did a little shopping today for my Grammy. She collects these Celtic pewter crosses, so I had to go into one of those fancy-schmansy gift shops. So, I saw this in the store and it reminded me of you. It’s not your Christmas gift or anything, it’s a just-because gift. Open.”

He hands me a black shiny bag stuffed with zebra tissue paper and a pretty bow. He motions me to open it.

The guys have gone outside to get the ladder, so it is just Todd and me in the kitchen. I open the bag and am speechless. It is a little hand painted sign with a rusty wire hanger that reads “Doors close, Windows open, Love happens…It just does. Seize the Moment! ” I put my hands over my face and tear up.

“Awww Shit!” he says, embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to make you cry, Olivia. I just saw this and thought of you. I’m sorry!”

“Todd, don’t be sorry…this is the absolute sweetest gift…thank you so much. I love it!”

“Well, if you love it, why the hell are you crying?”

“It’s called being a girl! Humor me a little here.” I give him a huge hug.

“I just thought this might look good in your room and might make you smile. Didn’t mean for it to bring tears.”

“It will make me smile, every time I look at it and every time I think of the special guy who picked it out for me. I’ve just had a lot of things going on in my life lately, and this little sign just pretty much sums it up. Didn’t mean to get emotional. My bad.”

“Things with your old man?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“You sure do use something like that a lot, girl! Anyway, what could be so damn bad?”

“Well, by February, I should be a single lady!”

“Really…Seriously?”

“Yep. The big D. But, hey... I don’t want to bore you with the trials of this old lady. Let’s quit talking about this, grab a drink, and celebrate the season!”

His elbows are on the bar and his face is in his hands. “Wait…so does Tommy know about it and that you’re hooked up with his dad?”

“Todd! I am not hooked up with his dad! Geez!”

“Olivia, Oh, my God! Yes, you are—and you know it! So just tell me…have y’all done it yet?”

“Todd O’Malley! You did not just say that! Stop it!”

Todd shrugs his shoulders and gives me a wink. “Okay. Just kidding with you, Olivia…chill! I know you guys have, though! I can tell when a woman is satisfied sexually…you should just admit it! Get it off your chest.”

Embarrassed, I reply… “Uh. Hummm. As for Tommy, no, I haven’t told him about the divorce. As for the other subject, if it was true, that should come from his father, not me. And no, I’m not confirming or denying anything, get my drift? Comprende?”

“Affirmative. Gotcha! But I know you’re holding out on me.”

I change the subject. “Beer?”

“Hell-yeah!”

“So? Do I still get a Christmas gift?”

“Yes, Olivia, I’m gettin’ you that tattoo!”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, right!” I think I just may take him up on that gift, though.

I hear the guys come in with the ladder, so I quickly put up my gift from Todd, as I don’t want to embarrass him. He looks at me with relief on his face and gives me a wink. Yes, I totally get him.

“Beers for you guys before you get started with the lights?” They all nod ‘yes.’

On second thought, beer, twelve-foot ladder…mistake? Probably.

Tommy motions me to follow him. “Come on. Let’s go up and put on some Christmas music. Do you know how to program the music?”

I laugh. “I have no idea!”

“Here, I’ll show you. It’s pretty easy, actually.”

We go into the media room and Tommy programs the music while I watch, making mental notes. The sound system is amazing, and having Christmas music playing just sets the mood!

“Oh, and Tommy, your dad put a playlist on my IPod. Can you also show me how to program this into my room?”

“Sure thing, Olivia! What’s on your playlist anyway?” He scrolls through the songs…”Uhhhh..Like this one, Oh! Love this one, this one…definitely an oldie. Well, you’ve got a good variety here.”

We get the music programmed. I actually think I can do this! As we head downstairs to listen for Ellen, my phone rings. It’s Bradley. “Hey Mom! What’s up?”

“Oh, hey Bradley! Just fixing to put up a beautiful twelve-foot Christmas tree!”

“Awesome! So how are you doing? Everything okay with you?”

“Just great, sweetie!”

“Well, I just wanted to check in and make sure my favorite Mom was okay!”

The doorbell rings.

“Gotta go sweetie,” I tell Bradley. “I’m having company tonight… Ash’s sister and a friend from work are coming over to help me decorate. Tommy and the guys are doing the lights on the tree. Lots of people here tonight! Can I call you back in the morning? I’ll text you pictures of the tree! Wish you were here!“

“Me too Mom. I love you. Talk soon?”

“You know it, sweetie!”

The doorbell rings again, and I hurry to get the door. It’s Emily, and she looks absolutely adorable! She has on skinny jeans with brown knee boots, a cute sweater, and a scarf. Her hair is loose and natural. She’s wearing only a little makeup and some light lip-gloss.

“You made it! Please, come in!”

She has brought some wine, and gives me a little gift bag.

“Oh, Emily, you didn’t have to do that…how sweet!”

“It’s not much, just a little something to get the season started. I really appreciate you asking me over.”

I open the bag, finding a beautiful fragrant holiday candle. In a piece of cellophane tied with some raffia is a little bunch of mistletoe.

“How perfect, Emily! Thank you so much! I love it!”

She gives me a hug. As we walk into the living room, she remarks, “Wow! What a beautiful house! The outside looks amazing. Love the wreaths.”

“Yep. Jose, Ash’s handyman, was here this morning and got us all up and going outside. I think he did a fabulous job! Come on…I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

We head into the kitchen. Tommy and the guys are sitting at the bar drinking their beer. “Guys, this is my friend from work, Emily.”

Emily smiles, and introduces herself to each of the guys. Tommy’s eyes perk up and I can sense immediately that he thinks she’s pretty cute. Call it intuition, but all bets are on that they will be compatible. There is definitely an attraction.

Todd walks behind me to get a beer out of the fridge and puts his arm around my shoulder. He whispers in my ear, “Olivia, you owe me big-time. She’s freakin’-ass hot!”

I hear the front door open, and in walks Ellen. “Hellllloooo? Anyone home?”

“In the kitchen, Aunt Ellen,” Tommy hollers.

“Boy! Something sure smells good! Hey! Tommy! What a nice surprise! How are you?”

Tommy picks her up and gives her a big bear hug. “Great! You?”

“Well, I heard a vicious rumor that you and your band boys were gonna be here putting up lights on the Christmas tree, and this I had to witness! So glad to see a tree up again in this house!”

“Yeah, you can thank Olivia for that. She is all about tradition!”

I introduce Ellen to Emily, then Emily excuses herself and goes back into the kitchen to talk to the guys. Ellen and I head into the dining room with the silver pieces she is returning.

“So, Olivia, I don’t mean to pry, and Ash hasn’t said too much, but what is going on with you and Alan?”

“Well, Ellen, it totally caught me off guard, but Alan has decided that he wants a divorce—he’s in love with another woman, so that’s it in a nutshell, pretty much.”

“Awww, honey, I’m so sorry! Geez, having just moved here and now having to go through this. Are your kids okay?”

“Yes. My daughter announced Thanksgiving Day that she and her husband are expecting their first child—and my first grandbaby.”

“Wonderful news! Something good coming out of something bad.”

Sensing that Ellen wants to talk more about her brother and me, I divert the subject. “Let’s go grab a glass of wine and check on the lighting project.”

We head into the living room where the guys are getting the lights laid out. Emily sits on the couch opening the boxes of lights, and seems to fit right in. She has taken charge and is letting them know where to put them on the tree. Seeing how at ease she is, you would swear she had grown up in a house full of boys. She is feminine, yet tomboyish in a sense. Hard to explain, but I know now, more than ever, that she is perfect for Tommy.

I wonder if she has any clue what I’m planning. Tommy acts like he doesn’t. The guys are all talking about music. I hear Emily talking about her school and her work with Tommy, who has come to sit by her on the couch to help open the lights. She and Tommy seem to be having their own conversation. That’s a good sign. Todd and the guys are debating who is going to go up the ladder and start stringing the lights.

“I totally think Brady should do this. He is the tallest and oldest, so it just makes sense that he should be the dumb motherfucker to get up on the ladder.”

“Todd! Geez! Come on. There is a lady in the room!” Tommy says.

Emily laughs and said it doesn’t bother her, and I can tell that the guys like her. She seems to feel really comfortable around them.

“So, do you live in the city?” Tommy asks.

“Yes. I have a small apartment close to school. It’s really, really small, but I don’t need anything big.”

“No roommate?”

“Nope, it works out best for me to just live by myself. I study a lot and don’t really go out much.”

“So, do you like music?”

“Oh, God, I love music! All kinds.”

“Then you should come watch our band play sometime. Even Olivia likes to watch us. You could come with her.”

“I’d really love that.”