Red Hot Christmas (18 page)

Luke felt a little winded as he walked up Amber's stairs. By the time he made it to the landing, he was breathing hard and a light sheen of sweat was on his forehead. When he knocked, Amber answered quickly, looking ragged. Her eyes were red and she had a lost look on her face.

“
Amber? Is everything—”

“Luke!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him in.

When he stepped in, he saw the couple. The woman looked small standing next to the tall, frail-looking man. The couple looked like an ad from the fifties, in their old-fashioned clothes.

“Luke, these are my parents, Donna and Frank Kennedy. This is Luke Crawford, my boyfriend.” Amber grabbed his hand in a vice grip.

Luke nodded his head. He didn't know what was going on, but he guessed she'd been as shocked by her father's presence as he was.

“Amber, this isn't a conversation for guests. We don't mean to be rude, Luke, but it's a family matter.”

He was about to say that he understood, but he wasn't going anywhere, when Amber broke in. “Anything you want to say, you can say in front of Luke. He's my family now.” Her chin came up and he swore he'd never seen her look more beautiful than that moment.

Her mother's eyes went to Luke’s and he swore he saw them heat. Her father looked like he'd rather be anywhere but there.

“Fine.” Her mother's lips thinned and she crossed her hands in front of her. “As we were saying, we think it's time you came home. You've gotten out of hand. We understand you're a full-grown woman, but in Eugene you can be closer to your father and me. You need direction in your life; you haven’t had any for so long. When I was here the last time, it was apparent to me that you've been living in sin. Living in this town, above a grocery store, no less. Now that your father is home, we can be a family again.” She looked to her husband and smiled. For the first time, Luke could see the woman's eyes soften. “You can be there to help support him as he recovers from this mess. We can be there to help you clean up your life.”

“Clean up my life? Be a family?” Luke felt Amber's hand vibrate in his. Gently he squeezed it, trying to give her some of his power, what little he had left. “Who do you think you are? I've got news for you, Mother.” Amber dropped Luke’s hand and walked over to face her mother, her face inches from the older woman's face. “You were never there for me, and I don't want you to be. You've done nothing over the last seventeen years to prove to me that you cared one bit for me. All you cared about was getting this devil from his cage.” She waved her hand at her father.. I thought I was raised by one monster, know I know I had two of them. I told you last time I wanted nothing to do with you. I mean it now more than before. If I ever see either of you again, it would be too soon.” She walked over to her front door and held it open. “Leave.”

Both her parents stood there looking at her, then looking at Luke. He nodded his head in agreement. He tried to look tough, but he was so angry, he may have come across looking more like a rabid dog. Both her parents walked out without saying another word.

Luke collapsed on to her couch as he heard her slam her door and flip the lock. Then she was by his side.

“Luke? You look terrible.” She felt his forehead. “Oh my God! You're burning up.” She rushed to the kitchen and came back with a cold wash cloth.

“I'll be okay. Amber?” He took her hand and looked into her blue eyes. They seemed to be floating in the darkness that was quickly overtaking him. “Amber? I want to be your family and for you to be mine.”

“Luke, let me call Dr. Stevens. You're sick.”

He shook his head and almost blacked out completely. “No, I want to be your family, and I want you to be mine.”

“Luke? Luke?” He heard her voice fade as the darkness overcame him.

A
mber called Aaron with shaky hands. She'd pushed Luke back onto her couch as he'd passed out, thankful that he'd had enough sense to sit down. She'd seen the sick look, the pale skin, and hollowed out eyes when she'd opened her door, but her parents’ presence had taken priority. Now, however, as she talked to Aaron, panic almost took over.

“I don't know,” she tried to answer Aaron's questions. “He just showed up, pale, weak, and burning up. Then he passed out.”

“I'll be right over.” Aaron hung up.

Amber kept running the cool cloth over his forehead and face. Then she tried to take his jacket off, but it was hard to do with his dead weight. She almost spilled him onto the floor, so she gave up trying.

Then she heard the knock on the door as Aaron called for her.

Aaron rushed in after she unlocked the door and took one look at Luke. “Yeah, it's been going around.” He shook his head. “I'll bet he's dehydrated, too.” Aaron started taking Luke's vitals. “When was the last time you saw him?”

“Well, right before he went to play basketball with you. I thought he was going to come over last night, but...” She trailed off, feeling guilty that she hadn't called him to check up on him. She'd just assumed that he'd wanted some space.

“Don't worry. We'll get some fluids into him, and he'll start feeling better. I think the worst is over by now.” Aaron opened a small pack and snapped it, then waved it below Luke's nose.

Luke came off the couch almost swinging. “Easy!” Aaron jumped back. “Lacey will kill me if I come home with another black eye from you,” he joked, then looked at Amber and winked.

“What?” Luke sat down and grabbed his head in his hands. “Who hit me?”

Aaron chuckled. “The flu bug. It's been going around. Those kids we played the other day, all ended up in my office the next day. Snot-nosed little brats gave it to everyone else.” Aaron smiled.

“Yeah, well, next time we play healthy kids, not sick ones.” Luke looked up at Amber. “Where your parents really here?”

She nodded. “You don't remember?”

“Sorta. In my version, they were missionary’s trying to get you to convert to their weird religion.”

“Close enough.” She sat next to him. “I showed them the door. Hopefully, I'll never hear from them again.” She reached up and felt his head. “Can you give him anything for the fever?” She asked Aaron.

“I took some aspirin.” Luke leaned back on the couch.

“That's good.” Aaron pulled a bottle out of his bag. “Did you have fluids with that aspirin?”

“OJ.”

“Not so good. Water, good clean water is what you need. The OJ is okay for sugars and vitamins, but you're dehydrated.”

“I slept for eighteen hours straight.”

“That will do it. Amber, can you get him a glass of water?”

She rushed to the kitchen and came back with a large glass. “Here.” She handed it to him and he downed half of it.

“Maybe you can stay with him, make sure the worst is over?” Aaron suggested.

“Yes, of course.” Amber smiled.

“Good, well, if he gets worse or if his temperature stays over one hundred for too long, give me another call.” Aaron looked at Luke and pointed at him. “You. Fluids, fluids, oh and—that's right— fluids.” He smiled and walked out.

“
You are such a fool.” Amber leaned back. “If you ever scare me like that again...” She glared at him.

“Me? I almost had a heart attack when I walked in and saw the pilgrim couple trying to convert you. How did your father get out? I thought you said they needed you to spring him free?”

Luke finished the glass and set it down on her coaster. Then he leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes.

“Yeah, well, I'm not sure. I almost had a heart attack myself. Coming face to face with the devil will do that.” She shivered and looked around the room. Somehow the place felt dirty now.

“I hate to ask it, but I think I'd feel better back at home.”

“Say no more.” She sprung up. “I was just looking for an excuse to get out of here. How about I take you back to your place and make you some of your grandmother's homemade chicken soup?”

He stood up and she reached to steady him, “I'd say hell yes.” He smiled.

When they arrived at his place, she took her overnight bag up to his room while he lay down on the couch with Jackie. She noticed the large Christmas tree in the front room and flipped on the lights for him to watch as he rested. It made the place feel more welcoming.

When she walked past the kitchen, she noticed a smaller tree in the back room. He'd hung a large wreath on the front door, and there was fresh evergreen garland wrapped around the banister. There were large red bows and lights as well. The place looked and smelled like Christmas.

When she walked into his room, though, the smell of the sweat hit her. She decided a fresh change of sheets was called for.

From the look of his bed, he'd slept like a rock. Half the sheets were soaked in sweat and the other half of the bed was still made. She found a fresh pair of linens in the hall closet. When she was done, she carried his dirty linens down to the laundry room and started the load. She walked by the front room and saw he was fast asleep. She set a glass of water by him on a TV stand, then went into the kitchen and got to work on making him some soup. Half an hour later, Jackie paddled in and asked to go out. When she opened the back door, she realized it was snowing again. Standing on the back deck, she watched Jackie wander around the dark yard. Luke had installed a few motion lights, so the whole yard lit up, and she could easily see Jackie doing her business. The grass had just a light dusting of snow and the smell of winter hung in the air. She always enjoyed this time of year. The peace and quiet of the snow falling and the crisp feel of the cold wind on her face always made her feel more alive.

When Jackie was done, she wiped her paws with the towel Luke had hung by the back door. Jackie paddled back into the front room, no doubt to crawl back onto the couch with her master.

Amber continued to roll the homemade noodles and even watched some Christmas shows on the television as she worked. She'd never made noodles this way before, but the recipe sounded so good. She knew Luke needed the extra energy to help fight off the sickness. While she was boiling the chicken meat to release it from the bones, Iian text her.

“Heard Luke is sick. Don't worry about coming in for the next few days. I'll cover for you. Take care of my best friend. --Iian.”

“Well, Luke, it's a good thing you have friends in high places.” She smiled at the screen. Now she had the whole weekend off. She was actually looking forward to spending her time with Luke, even if he was sick.

By the time the soup was ready, she walked into the living room to wake him. He'd sweat through his shirt and the blanket she'd covered him in.

She forced him to drink a whole glass of water. He complained a little, but complied. When she brought him a large bowl of soup, he looked at it and shook his head.

“I'm not hungry.” He tried to lean back.

“Luke, Dr. Steven's told me you needed chicken soup. I've spent the last hour in your kitchen rolling dough and making homemade chicken soup for the first time. You are going to eat every last bite, if you want to get any better.”

His head hung, “Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry, Amber.” He took the first bite she held in front of his nose. “Mmm, just like my gran used to make.” He took the spoon from her and started scooping it into his mouth.

“I know, I used her recipe.”

His head perked up. “There aren't any brownies in the oven right now are there?” She actually saw his eyes sparkle for the first time since seeing him on her doorstep.

“No, but if you're good, I'm sure I can manage a batch. Maybe after you shower.”

He looked down at his clothes. “Yeah, I guess I could use another shower.”

When he'd finished the whole bowl of soup, she helped him upstairs and into the shower. He didn't even try to pull her in with him. She stood on the other side of the glass doors and watched as he showered.

“I don't want you falling and cracking your head open, so if you feel weak, just sit on the bench there.” She pointed to the tile seat along the back wall of the shower.

“I'm fine. That soup helped a lot.” When he was done showering, he pulled on a pair of old sweats and crawled back in bed.

She went back downstairs and got to work on making him brownies. After all, according to his grandmother,
“Chocolate cures all.”

When she came back upstairs, he was fast asleep. It was just past ten and her head and back hurt so she decided to crawl in next to him. In his sleep, he pulled her closer to his side. The dog jumped up on the foot of the bed. Amber took a deep breath and wished she could stay there, forever, tucked in Luke's arms.

Luke woke to a bright light in his eyes. His head ached a little but for the most part, he could tell the flu had passed. He was extremely hot on one side and when he looked over, he saw Amber fast asleep next to him. Reaching up, he felt her forehead and closed his eyes.

Great! He'd gotten her sick. He pulled his arm out from under her head. “Amber?” He ran his hands over her heated skin. She moaned and tried to pull away, shivering. He grabbed the glass of water from the night stand. She must have left it there for him last night. Grabbing the bottle of aspirin from his night stand, he shook out one and tried to wake her again. “Amber? Honey, you need to drink this.” He had to set the glass and the pill down to pull her into a sitting position. Then, when her eyes opened slightly, he forced her to down the pill and drink the whole glass. She immediately lay back down. “I'm sorry, honey.”

“It's okay. I knew I'd get it. That's the price of being in love.” He knew she was fevered, but hearing those words leave her mouth shook him. He must have stood there looking down at her for ten minutes.

Was she in love with him? He'd known how he felt about her for a while, but hadn’t been sure what she felt. His mind raced as he walked into the bathroom and grabbed a cold washcloth for her forehead. Sitting beside her, he tried to cool her forehead and arms. She tried to push him away, her teeth chattering and goose bumps rising over the skin he'd tried to cool.