Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 10:55:17 -0800 (PST)
From: sam iam <carolinascribbler679@yahoo.com>
Subject: A Smokey Mountain Christmas

A SMOKEY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS
BY
THE CAROLINA SCRIBBLER

DISCLAIMER: DO NOT READ THIS STORY IF YOU ARE UNDERAGE, THAT'S 18 YRS. OLD
IN MOST AREAS. DO NOT READ THIS STORY IF YOU DO NOT LIKE MALE/MALE ROMANCE.
TRADEMARKS/COPYRIGHTS ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNER(S).


The snow had been falling for almost an hour so I knew I had to get home
soon. It wasn't easy driving up Cowee Mountain in the snow either. Luckily
I did have a 4wd. My Jeep was my baby. She was all I had except my dog
Gypsy, a tan 2 year old Golden Retriever. No matter what kind of mood I was
in or how I felt, Gypsy would greet me with a low guttural sound the
instant I walked through the doorway. It sounded like a growl if you didn't
know better but it was her way of "speaking". She could "smile" too. She
was really cute when she did that.

I closed up the general store I owned and decided to fill up my gas tank
and pick up some things from the market before I headed home. I called in
an order to the pizza place too. A guy has to eat you know.

****************************************************************

Before I continue, I have to apologize for being so rude. Hi, my name is
Drew Simmons. I'm 24 years old and I live in Franklin, North Carolina in a
cabin I had custom built. I own Simmons' General Store in town. It's right
on Main Street near the drugstore. I inherited it after my Mama died last
year. Daddy had a stroke and passed away during my senior year at Western
Carolina in Cullowhee. Until that time he, Mama and I were the only
employees. When Daddy died, my mother hired a high school boy named David
Ross. He was a scrawny little guy but he eventually filled out and he was a
real go getter. Once I graduated from college and moved to Charlotte, Mama
hired another boy, named Adam Bradley. I'd try to get back home as often as
I could and when I did I'd work at the store too.

Both boys came from what most people would describe as "lower class"
families. I had always hated using labels like that because of the
connotations, white trash, redneck, you know? These boys came from poor
families but I remember being impressed by their good manners and hard work
ethic, especially David's.

They weren't that much younger than me and looked up to me as sort of an
older brother I guess so I always treated them with respect. Oh, we teased
each other and joked around too but it was always in fun. We became close.

When my mother passed away, both of those boys were pallbearers and they
were also the last two to leave our house after everyone congregated there
after the service. I had no immediate family so it was basically left up to
me to set Mama's affairs in order. I left my job in Charlotte as a computer
software engineer to run my family's business. Most of my colleagues
thought I was making a huge mistake but I needed a change. I didn't care
for the attitudes of city people and that never-ending road construction
always drove me nuts. Besides that, I was homesick for Franklin.

I never really knew how lucrative selling boots, knives, leather goods and
such was until I checked the books. Mama had never revealed the businesses'
finances to me so I didn't know what kind of financial shape the store was
in. She left a large sum in a couple of bank accounts as well. She wasn't
really "tight" with money but she was pretty darned smart with it.

A few months later I decided to sell our home place. It was nothing fancy I
assure you, an old farmhouse and a few acres of land but a wealthy retired
couple from up north loved the location and made a full priced offer. I
accepted it and bought my spot up on the mountain.

Time passed and I really enjoyed running the business. I found all aspects
of it were both challenging and rewarding. Adam and David had both
graduated high school. Adam worked for me full time while he "chilled" as
he jokingly put it. He was a pretty smart guy but he wasn't sure about
college. David on the other hand was a full time second year student at the
local community college. He was working on a four year program from
UNC-Asheville and was taking a full course load as well as working full
time. He was ambitious, that was for sure. I admired that.

****************************************************************************

I ran into Food Lion and stocked up on the necessities; sodas, snacks and
some frozen dinners.  I quickly made my way through the check out line and
stopped by the pizza place to grab my order. It was snowing hard now.

"Hi Drew, Merry Christmas honey," said Becky Ammons. She was a cute
20-something gal with long dark brown hair, still single and forever with a
smile on her face. Her parents owned the restaurant and she usually worked
the register and front end.

"Hey Becky, Merry Christmas to you too," I replied cheerfully.

"Got big plans?"

I chuckled. "This is it. I'm picking up supper now and I stopped by the
grocery store for some things and then I'm heading home. Looks like it
might get bad later," I said as I turned my head and glanced outside.

"Haven't you heard? A big winter storm is moving in. The weather guy on
channel 11 said it was shaping up to be the biggest snowfall in at least
the last 10 years."

"Wow, I'm afraid I haven't watched the weather forecast lately. I didn't
know. It's a good thing I stocked up I guess. I doubt I'll be able to come
down from Cowee if we get much snow."

"Oh honey, I know. Please be careful going home, ok? C'mere."

I moved closer and she leaned over the counter and gave me a kiss on the
cheek.

"What was that for?" I laughed.

"That was for luck and it was to say again, Merry Christmas Drew."

I think I blushed but I kissed her back and wished her happy holidays
too. I paid for my pizza and left.

I flicked my radio on and found a station playing all Christmas music. It
put me in the holiday spirit even though I had no family or close friends
to buy for. I still felt happy. The snowflakes looked bigger than silver
dollar coins as the fell and just before I started up Bryson City rd. I
turned into the Methodist church parking lot. It was up on a hill and from
that vantage point I had a postcard view of practically the whole town. I
could see smoke rising from some of the chimneys of the homes and
practically every house was lit up with holiday lights too. Even the town
had put up lighted decorations on the utility poles down Main street.

I rolled my window down slightly and watched my breath as the warm air hit
the cold. Just then a holiday favorite of mine came on the radio, `White
Christmas' by Bing Crosby. I loved that song and if I was going to be of
good cheer then that tune pushed me right over the top.  `Breathtaking' I
thought. From my perch, I looked at the town and watched the snow falling
silently for several minutes. I began singing along with the radio and I
felt ok, there was a kind of emptiness too. I had felt this way many times
before but I had never dealt with it except to deny it's existence. I
looked skyward and made a wish, a request to the heavens to someday have
someone to hold and love who would love me back. It was just a simple
request, one I figured would probably be passed on because the BIG MAN has
more important things to attend to.

I rolled the window back up and began singing to myself as I pulled away
from the little church. I hadn't gone far when I saw a sign for Red's
Christmas Trees up ahead.

"What the heck," I muttered to myself with a chuckle.

I didn't have a tree last year because it just didn't seem much like
Christmas and I hadn't really thought of putting one up this year until
now. Better late than never I guess.

I pulled into the lot and stopped with a short skid and jumped out my Jeep
still singing. An old man, the owner I figured, came right out of the
little trailer which served as an office. I was his only customer of course
it was late on the 23rd of December too. There probably wasn't a great
demand at this late date for a Christmas tree.

"Howdy son, looking for a tree?" he asked.

"Yes sir, it's kind of late but I decided to get one after all. It's just
me but why not?"

He laughed.

"Well, I don't have much to choose from right now but I'll give you a good
deal."

There were only about a dozen trees left, the best had long since found
warm homes but I eyed what was there and finally picked one. It wasn't a
pretty tree but it was a tree and once I threw some lights and decorations
on it everything would be great. I paid the old man, wished him a Merry
Christmas and headed up the road with my little Scotch pine.

I slipped and slid and spun all the way up the mountain until I reached my
house. I unloaded everything and Gypsy had a ball running around in the
snow while I made a couple of trips from the driveway to the house.

`I need a garage,' I thought.

I cranked up the heat a few notches to get it nice and toasty inside. I
searched for and found some boxes of old decorations. I set them in the
floor next to the tree then I remembered my pizza. I washed my hands and
grabbed a beer from the fridge. I flipped on the radio and tuned in the
same station I was listening to in my Jeep earlier. It was feeling more and
more like Christmas.

I finished supper and there was about half a pizza left. I didn't put it
away though. I decided the tree was dry enough so I place it in the
stand. I had to step back and eye it from several different angles to make
sure it was straight. Gypsy was lying in front of the fireplace even though
I hadn't built a fire yet.

My phone rang and I looked at the caller id first. It wasn't a number I
recognized but I answered it. Nobody on the other line said anything so I
said `hello' again. There was still no answer, so I hung up. I went back to
decorating the tree and humming to myself. Just as I was finishing up the
phone rang again. It was Adam.

"Jus' callin' to wish my favorite boss in the whole widest world a very
Merry Christmas," he said gleefully.

I laughed. He sounded like he had been drinking a little.

"Thanks man and the same to you and your family. You guys having a party
tonight?"

"Yeah, it's some of my aunts and uncles and a couple of little
cousins. That's all. He-he, that's why I'm calling you from the bathroom,
I'm hiding," he said in a hushed tone.

`Yep, he's been drinking,' I thought.

"Why are you hiding?" I asked chuckling quietly.

"I'm hiding from my aunt Carol, she always wants to peench my sheecks
dude. Hey, hey Drew?"

"Yeah Adam"

"I'm a man, you know? I don't want my aunt Carol to peench me. You know my
girlfriend, Kayla right?"

"Yeah, she's a nice girl," I responded.

"Well, Kayla can peench me all she wants to man."

Adam started laughing at his own comment and it made me laugh too. That guy
was funny sometimes and this was the first time I had spoken to him when he
had been drinking. He was a trip. I knew he wouldn't be driving but I made
him promise me he wouldn't.

"I swear it Drewsky, you are my boss and you are my friend. I will not
drive sir, huh uh."

"Ok buddy, you have fun at the party and be safe, ok?"

"I will man, I promise and hey Drew?"

"Yeah"

"I love you man and have a good Christmas."

I laughed and replied, "I love you too man."

"Ok and hey Drew?"

"Yeah Adam"

I gotta go man. I think I really need to use the toilet now."

`Click'

I started laughing and shaking my head then I just cracked up.

`That Adam, I swear' I thought to myself.

I laid the phone down and checked out the tree one more time. It looked
good. I went into the kitchen and grabbed another beer and slice of
pizza. My phone rang again. `Man, I've got a hotline tonight' I thought as
I picked it up. Again the caller id showed a number I didn't recognize but
I answered it. There was silence on the other end for a moment and I almost
hung up.

"Drew?" asked a muffled voice. It sounded vaguely familiar but there was a
lot of static on the line.

"Yeah, this is Drew. Who is this?" I asked.

"It's ...vid. I'm coming up the ...ountain. I'll ... there as ...oon as I
...an."

"David? David, is that you?" I yelled into the phone.

Whoever it was, hung up. I couldn't be positive but it sounded like David
and the caller said his name was David when I asked, at least I thought he
did. Why would he be coming to see me this late and in this weather on top
of everything? Maybe something was wrong. I thought I should call his house
to let his parents know but then I thought I'd wait just a few minutes and
give him time to get here then I'd make him call.

In about 15 minutes, I saw headlights so I flipped on my porch light and I
stepped outside with Gypsy right beside me. It WAS David. The wind howled
and the snow whirled about as he got out of his truck. He ran up onto the
porch and kicked the top step, knocking the snow off his boots. I motioned
him inside and closed the door behind him.

"First off David I have to ask is everything alright because this isn't
like you man," I said with a mixture of sternness and concern.

He took off his heavy camouflage jacket and I hung it on the coat rack
beside the front door.

"Yeah, I'm ok," he finally answered half-heartedly.

"Do your folks know where you are?"

"My grandma in Rock Hill had a heart attack. Mama and Kenny left this
afternoon to go down there. Dad didn't want to go so he stayed home...and
got drunk like he usually does at Christmas. It's the same story every
holiday Drew," he said.

I felt sorry for David. His mother was a good woman no-she was a saint for
putting up with David's father. His dad was basically a sorry man and
although I'd never tell David that, it was true. His mother worked damn
hard to try and make some kind of life for her, David and his younger
brother Kenny while her husband just lay around drunk.

David was 20, just 4 years younger than me but I watched him grow up
literally before my eyes. He was a skinny, kind of quiet kid when he first
started working at the store but he grew taller and put on some muscle
too. He looked really good now and had several friends. He was usually
upbeat so this was unusual.

"Come here little brother," I said.

He walked over and I hugged him. I was at a loss for words so I just hugged
him.

"Shit," he said as we broke our embrace.

He turned his head quickly but I saw him wipe a tear from his eye.

"Drew, could I use your bathroom?" he asked trying to mask his emotion.

"Sure, you know where it's at."

He walked quietly down the short hallway and closed the bathroom door
behind him. I glanced over at Gypsy and she cocked her head sideways as she
stared back at me. I squatted down on one knee and she came over and sat
directly in front of me. I held her head, just under her chin in my palms.

"Our buddy is hurting, you know that don't you," I said softly to her.

She whined a little bit and placed a paw on my thigh. She tried so hard to
answer me.

"Will you help me try to make him feel better?" I asked her.

She whined again then she `spoke', giving that low guttural sound she
makes.

"Good girl," I said.

She rooted my hand with her nose so I scratched the top of her head and
behind her ears. She really liked that kind of attention.

I had to find out if the David's father was the only thing bothering him. I
knew his dad drank but David always seemed to handle it ok. Maybe he'd just
had enough of it and needed to get away for a while. I'm sure he was
worried about his grandmother too.

I stood and walked into the kitchen, washed my hands and poured myself some
tea. I called out to David and asked if he wanted some too. He did so I
poured another glass full. I sat at the table and waited for him.

In a minute he came up the hallway and joined me at the table. He picked up
his glass and took a few sips. There was a pensive look on his face.

"David, I'm sorry about your grandmother and your dad too but please tell
me you told someone where you were going. It's bad out tonight, really
bad."

He gave a slight grin.

"Yeah, I told mom I was going to stay with a friend. I didn't say who
though. I spoke to her on the phone this evening. She was at the hospital
and called to tell me that my grandma was stable and the doctors said her
prognosis was good. Dad was passed out and I just didn't want to deal with
him so I wrote a note telling him I was going to stay with you tonight and
not to worry, I'd be ok."

"I know you're not a kid, man but I'm glad you let them know so they won't
worry," I replied.

He nodded his head.

"What's on your mind?" I asked.

He sighed and just sat there. I didn't say anything either. Gypsy walked up
and lowered her head onto his leg. She sighed. He rubbed her head slowly.

"A lot of things are on my mind right now Drew," he finally answered, "I'm
just not sure I can talk about it though."

"I'm here man. I've always told you and Adam that you can trust me, I won't
repeat anything you tell me in confidence and I won't laugh or make fun of
it," I said to reassure him.

"You won't get mad will you?" he asked nervously.

"No, why would I get mad?"

He blinked nervously and then glanced away for a moment.

"Drew, this is..." his voice trailed off.

"You aren't in trouble are you, David?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"Did you get a girl pregnant?"

He smiled but it vanished quickly.

"No, I wish it were that simple," he replied.

"Drew, what do you do when you like someone but are afraid to tell them."

"You just have to muster up the courage and tell them, I mean if you want
them to know how you feel."

This was it, this was the problem. He's got a crush on a girl and he's too
shy to let her know he likes her. Any girl would be lucky to have David,
he's a great guy.

"What if you just can't though? What if it's wrong to love this person?"

"How can it be wrong to love someone?" I asked.

"I don't know why. It just is because society says it's wrong," he replied
sounding almost hurt.

"I don't follow, David. Is this girl someone unobtainable because of her
status or her age or what?"

He thought long before answering.

"Drew, we're friends and you know I love you, right?"

"Sure man, you and Adam are my buds and my brothers. I love you too."

I wasn't sure where this was going now. All the vagueness made it hard to
decipher.

"I might lose your friendship and my job but you said I could trust you so,
here goes...it's not a girl I'm in love with, it's a guy I've known for a
few years."

Whoah...I didn't see that one coming. I mean, if David is gay I'm cool with
that but damn! I never suspected he was gay.

"You're in love with a guy?" I responded weakly.

He blushed, "Yeah".

"Does anyone know?"

"Hell no! I can't tell anyone about this. I had to tell somebody though and
you're so cool with everything, that's why I told you. I hope you're not
angry," he said with almost desperation in his voice.

"I'll never tell anyone, David. It's not anyone's business except your own
and the other guy's," I said the last part with a crooked grin. It made
David smile too.

"Thanks Drew," he said looking around the room, "Your tree looks nice."

"Thanks man. I didn't have one last year but I decided on my way home from
work this evening to get one. We always had a Christmas tree every year
when I was growing up and I missed that. It just makes it seem more like
Christmas," I answered.

"Yeah, it does. I bet we had a Christmas tree only 3 or 4 times when I was
growing up. Daddy doesn't like them. He says they're a waste of money. That
just means less money for him to spend on liquor. Mama wanted to get one
again this year and he got mad at her the other night and punched a hole in
the living room wall. If I had a wife and kids, I'd never act like my
father," he said.

I damn near lost it. Thankfully he was still looking at the tree and he
couldn't see my face. I cleared my throat, turned my head as I wiped my
eyes and stood up.

"Uh...David, you want some hot chocolate, dude." I asked.

"Yeah, that'd be great, thanks," he answered.

"It's that instant kind, hope you don't mind."

"That's cool."

I grabbed two mugs from the cupboard and emptied the packets of mix into
them, stirred it with some hot tap water and we were set.

"Want to move to the living room," I asked as I handed a mug to him.

"Sure" he replied.

We sat down at opposite ends of my sofa, Gypsy followed us but she lay down
in the floor in front of the tree. All was silent for several moments as we
sipped our hot chocolate and listened to the holiday tunes on the radio.

"We need a fire," I said suddenly.

I grabbed a handful of kindling, some paper and matches and in a few
moments we had ourselves a nice little fire going in the fireplace. I threw
on a couple of dry pieces of wood then some green and we were good to go.

We continued sitting in silence as the flames grew. It got hot pretty
fast. I kicked off my shoes and took off my shirt. I noticed David as he
wiped his brow.

"Get comfortable man. It's just us and it's late. We won't be going
anywhere tonight," I chuckled.

He laughed as he removed his shirt. He took off his shoes and socks too.

He sat back down as I finished off my hot chocolate.

"Would you like another one," I asked as I raised my mug.

He picked his up, peered inside and turned it up, momentarily leaving a
slight ring above his upper lip until he licked it off. I think I blushed
and I grabbed his mug, quickly turning to the kitchen.

`Shit, why did I get embarrassed at that? All he did was lick his damn
lip. He didn't even do it seductively,' I chastised myself as I made two
more cups of hot chocolate.

I returned to the living room and sat down. David took his mug and thanked
me. Those feelings I had were creeping back. I was beginning to really
notice my employee in a way which I probably shouldn't. I was longing and I
felt guilty too.

"So David, are you going to tell me who this mystery guy is?" I asked
curiously.

His face and body tensed slightly and then slowly relaxed. I could tell by
the way his stomach flexed. His jaw muscle even tensed up. He wasn't too
muscular but had nice definition.

"I want to Drew, honest I do but I can't right now. I'm trying to work out
some things in my head first," he replied with raw honesty.

I had to respect that so I nodded my head.

We didn't say anything for a while after that. I figured he had a lot on
his mind so I left him to his thoughts.

After a time he spoke. "Drew, could I take a shower? I'm tired." he asked.

"Yeah, sure man. Fresh towels and washcloths are in the closet just inside
the bathroom," I replied.

"Thanks"

When he stood I noticed he was tented in his `nether regions' and I smiled
to myself. Gypsy looked at me, wagging her tail. Once David was out of
earshot I spoke to her.

"Don't you say a word, either. I know what you're thinking."

She jumped onto the sofa, sniffed the spot where David had been sitting,
turned and laid her head on my lap. I scratched her back along her spine
vigorously and she raised her head almost straight up and squinted her
eyes. She loved it when somebody did that.

"Do you like him, girl? I do. It's weird but I've never looked at David or
really any guy in a sexual way before," I said to my dog.

She turned her head and looked at me while I spoke.

"I wonder? Do you think David is the answer to my wish? Oh that's right,
you don't know about that do you? Well, this evening, on my way home from
work I pulled off into the parking lot of the Methodist church and I was
looking out across the town, just enjoying the moment when I made a wish. I
wished for someone to come into my life I could love and they would love me
too. I just wonder if David is that person. I know it's stupid to think
that, hell it's stupid to be talking to a dog too but here I am."

I heard a creak above and behind me so I turned. There was no one there. I
thought for a second maybe it was David coming back down the stairs. Oh
well.

Gypsy whined and placed a paw on my belly.

"Oh girl, I'm sorry about that last comment. You know you're my best girl
in the world and I love you too," I said in a baby voice.

She jumped off the sofa, looked up and barked. I glanced over my shoulder
and saw David coming down the stairs in his underwear. He looked good.

"You don't mind this do you?" he asked.

"I told you man, make yourself at home. I'm usually in just my skivvies by
this time too," I laughed.

He smiled.

"I need to shower too. I'll be back in a few," I said.

"Ok"

I dropped my jeans and underwear onto my bed and went into the bathroom. It
was still warm in there. I turned on the water, adjusted the temperature
and stepped into the shower. The spray was relaxing and soon my mind began
to wander again. I was thinking of David, wondering if he could really be
the answer, wondering who his mystery guy was. Maybe it was Adam. Maybe it
was some guy he met at school. Whoever it was I hoped things would work out
for them.

I finished up my shower after a short `fantasy session' and I joined David
in the living room. I wore just underwear too.

"Welcome back, I was beginning to think you got lost up there," he teased.

"Nah, the water felt good, very relaxing," I replied but I made a jacking
motion with my hand.

He cracked up.

"I really didn't need to know that about my boss," he said chuckling.

"It's universal man, if there is a way and a couple of free moments, we'll
seize the opportunity."

We both laughed.

I made us each a third hot chocolate and again it was pretty quiet as we
slowly downed them. I yawned as I set my mug on the end table beside me.

"What time is it, Drew? I know it's gotta be late."

I glanced at my watch. "It's almost 2."

"Sorry to keep you up so late, man. Can I sleep on the sofa?" he asked.

"David, you can sleep in one of the spare bedrooms if you want."

"I appreciate the offer but if it's ok I'd like to sleep here and look at
the tree for a while."

I looked at the tree and its twinkling lights and garland and the angel on
top and then I looked back at David.

"Sure," I said with a smile. I'll get you a pillow and some blankets.

He smiled a grateful smile and I went upstairs. I returned shortly tucked
in one blanket around the cushions and laid the other on the back of the
sofa for him to cover up with.  I turned off the kitchen light but flipped
on a nightlight. Aside from that the only other illumination came from the
dying fire and the Christmas tree. I told him to sleep well and he bade me
a good night as well. I went upstairs with Gypsy on my heels. I crawled
into bed and she lay down in the floor.

I tossed and turned for an eternity. I simply couldn't sleep so I got up
and went to the kitchen for a drink of water. I crept quietly past David on
my way to and back from the kitchen. I reached the top of the steps and I
turned, looking down at the room. It was awash with the warm glow of the
lights on the tree. I noticed David too. He looked peaceful with one hand
behind his head and the other draped across his stomach. I stood there a
long time, thinking of how he grew up. I never really knew much about his
home life. I knew his family but I didn't really know what went on day to
day. His life couldn't be easy. I just knew he was a great guy and was
trying hard to make a better life. I smiled and then I turned, heading back
to bed where I finally drifted off to sleep.

Morning came and there were two things which always had to be done. I had
to drain my bladder then I had to let Gypsy out so she could do the same. I
took care of myself then I went downstairs to let her out. I opened the
door and...

"Holy shit, it's cold!" I exclaimed. I quickly shut the door after I helped
needle Gypsy out with my foot.

"What the?" David asked as he rose straight up from his slumber.

Yeah, nothing like a sudden blast of arctic chill on a North Carolina
mountaintop to wake your butt right up.

"Hey buddy, good morning," I said to David.

He was still half asleep, standing there with his arms folded across his
chest.

"Mmhmm, morning Drew, back in a minute I gotta pee," he said as he shuffled
off.

I chuckled to myself.

I cranked up the thermostat a couple of notches and started a pot of coffee
before heading upstairs to dress. I came back down and the coffee was
done. Drew was dressed too and Gypsy was back inside. I poured two cups. I
knew he sometimes drank coffee.

"Thanks man," he said as he took the cup I offered to him.

"Happy day before Christmas," I exclaimed.

David chuckled, "Yeah, happy day before Christmas. I almost forgot that."

I took a sip from my mug and then I suggested we make breakfast.

I scrambled up some eggs and made the toast. David set the table and fried
up some bacon. Once everything was ready we sat down and had an enjoyable
meal. Gypsy didn't usually beg, that's one thing I disliked about untrained
dogs, begging and it took a while for me to get her to stop it too but
every now and then, out of the corner of my eye I'd see David toss her a
bit of bacon. One gulp and it'd be gone then she'd lick her mouth like it
was the best thing in the world. He'd snicker softly to himself as he
watched her do that and I'd snicker to myself watching him.

We cleared off the table and cleaned the dishes. Afterwards, we chilled
watching tv. Actually we cat napped off and on most of the day munching on
junkfood. We couldn't go out so there we were.

Around 5 or so I started getting a little stir crazy, cabin fever if you
will. I noticed David zonked out at the other end of the sofa, snoozing
away. I reached behind me and pulled out a pillow. I let it fly and it hit
him right in the gut. I quickly looked back at the tv, pretending as if
nothing happened. He awoke with a start.

"What was that?" he said wide-eyed.

"What was what?" I asked innocently.

"I felt something man. Something hit my side."

"Nothing hit your side. You were sleeping and I was watching tv."

He looked unconvinced.

"Maybe I was dreaming, I guess."

"Yeah, you must have been dreaming," I quickly added.

He settled back onto the sofa again, adjusting himself. Pretty soon his
eyelids got heavy and then he went back to sleep. I carefully reached
behind me again and pulled out another pillow. I was slow and calculating
as I targeted my innocent victim. I glanced at him and he was sound
asleep. Perfect. My radar locked onto his stomach. I took the pillow from
my right hand and gripped it solidly with my left. Oh this was going to be
good.

I made one little mistake though. As I was shifting hands I saw Gypsy move
out of the corner of my eye. When I did that I looked up and over to my
right, which was away from David. The little weasel was faking all along.

`WHAM!' he got me with a pillow right up side the head. All I could hear
was wicked laughter coming from his direction. We played like that a few
minutes, throwing pillows and `goosing' one another until we called a
truce. We were both breathing hard and Gypsy was beside herself with all
the commotion we were making.

My stomach growled and I realized we hadn't eaten supper yet. I suggested
David go out and pick us up some Chinese which made him laugh hard. For
just an instant I actually did forget about the weather. When I realized he
thought I was joking, I laughed along. Geez I was a butter-head sometimes.

I decided to make hamburger steaks with grilled onions, mashed potatoes and
mixed vegetables. It was good too and I knew David enjoyed it. A loud burp
as he patted his stomach told me so. We laughed over that. We told me to
sit while he cleaned up. I tried to help but every time I did, he'd sit me
down again so, I stayed put and talked to him while he did the dishes and
straightened up.

I found out he played the harmonica. It was funny but I never knew that
about him before. He said he learned it when he was a kid but didn't play
usually except when he was by himself or if someone requested it. His
father didn't allow him to play in the house either.

Once he was finished, he dried his hands and sat down at the table with
me. He asked me to tell him again about the time I worked in Charlotte and
the company sent me and another guy to Miami for a seminar/training class
on a new program. He had heard that story a dozen times already but he
enjoyed it. I enjoyed telling it too.

"I want to visit a big city someday," he said.

"Maybe you will, David. You never know," I replied.

"Is Miami the biggest city you've ever been too," he asked.

"Yeah, I think it is."

"What's Charlotte like? Is it fun?"

He sure was inquisitive tonight.

"Charlotte's nice, the people are ok I guess. It's nice like here where
everybody knows your name, ya know? The traffic sucks too. They are always
doing road construction, I mean always."

He laughed.

"Do you really like Franklin?" he asked with sincerity in his voice.

"I love it David, I love the closeness. I guess it's just the small town
feeling, it's hard to describe but it's nice to walk down the street and
people call out your name or wave hello to you and you know they mean
it. It's not a fake hello or good morning, it's real."

"I guess you're right. I just haven't been anywhere is all."

He looked a little glum.

"Don't worry, you'll travel someday. You've got a couple of years until you
graduate, then you'll get a good job and the next thing you know you'll be
traveling all over the place," I said with a grin, hoping to lift his
spirits.

"I'd love to travel, Drew. I want to see so much but I like it here
too. I-I...the mystery guy is someone you know very well. You see him all
the time in fact. Everyone knows him and he's well respected in the
community too. I can't say anymore right now, I'm sorry. Excuse me please."

David rose from his chair and went to the bathroom. I wanted to tell him it
would be ok but I didn't. I didn't say a damn word. I beat myself up until
finally I walked down the hall to the bathroom. I knocked on the door.

"David, are you alright?" I asked sternly.

I heard a muffled sob. "Yeah"

"No you're not. If you're not taking a shit you better open this door."

I heard some movement on the other side of the door then the sound of the
lock being slid back. I turned the doorknob and opened the door.

"I'm sorry Drew, I just don't like crying in front of people, I'm sorry
man."

"Even people who care for you?" I asked.

"They're the worst because they'll use it against you someday," he sobbed.

"I've never done that, David. Who's done that to you?" I demanded.

"My father, when I was a kid, sometimes I cried when he was drunk and he'd
get into a fight with Mama. I couldn't help it, Drew. I was a kid and I was
scared. Ever since then, I just can't do it. If I think I might, I leave
the room or go outside."

"David, you're father has messed you up so fucking bad," I said as I knelt
down in front of him, "I don't really know him so maybe I should say this
but he doesn't deserve a wife like he has and he doesn't deserve sons like
you and Kenny."

He sobbed some more.

"I know it Drew. You're right."

My blood boiled thinking of the psychological damage Mr. Ross had inflicted
upon his family.

"Come on man, let's get you cleaned up," I said.

We stood together and I grabbed a washcloth for the closet and wet it under
the faucet. I handed it to David. He held it on his face for several
seconds before wetting it again and repeating. I took the cloth, when he
was done and laid it on the edge of the sink. David grabbed some toilet
paper and blew his nose. We went back into the kitchen.

He sat down and immediately Gypsy had her head on his lap, she
whined. David reached down and petted her. I stepped into the living room
and turn the radio on and the tv off. I turned the lights on the tree back
on too. We listened in silence.

Gypsy trotted off and I remembered David saying earlier he played the
harmonica.

"Hey David, do you have your harmonica with you?"

"Yeah, it's in my jacket pocket, you want to see it? He replied.

"Sure"

He walked over to the coat rack and retrieved the instrument from an inside
pocket. I asked him to turn the radio down too. He handed it too me as he
sat back down. I carefully inspected it and asked a few questions before I
asked him to play a song.

"Do you really want to hear me play?"

"Absolutely, can you play any Christmas carols?"

His eyes brightened.

"I only know one but I'll play it," he said.

He warmed up a minute and then he started. I recognized it immediately. It
was `Silent Night'. I listened to the song and closed my eyes. I'd bet that
there had never been a more beautiful sound to echo down the mountain than
the one made by David playing his mouth harp that evening. He played a few
more songs that one and when he was done, I clapped for him. He blushed and
thanked me with a hug.

We talked a little while and played some rummy and a few hands of poker
with some cards I forgot I had. I won several hands but David did
too. Later on as we grew tired, we shucked our clothes again and got
comfortable on the sofa.

"Drew, you want to hear some more about the mystery guy?" David asked out
of the blue.

"Sure"

"He's a little taller than me and he's got a warm personality. He's very
friendly and he likes animals too."

I thought for a minute.

"I'm at a loss. I just don't know," I replied and shook my head.

He smiled.

"You aren't going to tell me are you?" I grinned back.

"I'll tell you, sometime."

"You little devil," I chuckled.

He laughed at that.

"Hey, we need a fire. Don't you think?" I asked him.

"That'd be great."

He helped me carry some wood into the living room and I built us a nice
cozy fire. As we sat there listening to the radio and looking at the fire
in the fireplace and lights on the tree I felt really content. It was a
peaceful feeling which I hadn't had in a long time.

I did something next which was truly an involuntary action but once I did
it, it felt so natural and so right. I glanced over at David and then
grasped his hand in mine. He seemed nervous at first but then he relaxed,
just as I did.

"Tell me more about your mystery guy," I asked.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Well, he's generous with his time. He likes to have fun but he can be
serious too."

I shook my head.

"Boy, you're being awfully vague about this," I said with a grin, "How
about some hot chocolate?"

"Sounds good," he answered.

I went into the kitchen and made two of my wildly popular hot chocolates.

I glanced at my watch, it was just after 11pm.

I returned with our beverage.

"Thanks," he said.

I nodded.

We drank about half our hot chocolates before either of us spoke again.

"Drew?"

"Yeah"

"He has a business in town. He's a little older than me," David said
softly.

I thought about it and slowly I began to put 2 and 2 together.

"By chance does he own a Jeep and live on Cowee Mountain with his dog,
Gypsy?"

David blushed hard.

"Yeah" he finally said.

I set my mug on the table and turn my body to face him. He tensed up again
so I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"David, you have no idea how happy this makes me," I choked through
tear-filled eyes.

He moved closer to me.

"Drew, I've been in love with you since the first day I saw you," he said
equally emotional. His blue eyes glistened in the light.

I grabbed him and pulled him into a tight embrace. We held onto one another
like our lives depended on it. We remained locked in a love embrace for a
long, long time.

"I'm sorry Drew, it looks like I'm crying again," he said.

"Yeah, but this time they're happy tears," I said.

"Yeah, they are happy tears," he said with a sniffle and a crooked grin.

I reached up and wiped his tears away, he did the same for me. I leaned in
and kissed him. He smiled widely. I chuckled at him.

"Did you like that?" I asked.

"Yeah, it was nice," he said shyly.

"It was JUST NICE? That was my best lip action," I teased.

"Well, that WAS my first kiss," he replied, "Ok, it was great."

We chuckled together.

He moved around on the sofa until I was lying down. David was on top of me
and we lay in that position until we heard the radio announcer come on with
`a Santa Claus bulletin'. We listened and laughed with each other as the
guy described how Santa was being tracked by NORAD and was just seen
entering eastern North Carolina near the Virginia border.

"I couldn't be any happier if Santa dropped a bag of gold at my feet this
very second," I said.

"That's sweet, Drew. I feel the same way but..." he didn't finish.

"What?" I asked.

"I don't know. What are we supposed to do next?" he asked.

"If you mean like sex, I don't know. I've never had sex," I answered. It
was my turn to blush.

"That's cool Drew, I mean that you waited. I've never had sex either. I'm a
total virgin," he admitted.

"Cool"

There was a brief almost awkward pause.

"Let's go upstairs," I said.

"Ok"

We got up and walked with clasped hands up to my bedroom. I flipped on my
reading lamp, which I never used since I didn't read in bed, and tossed the
blankets back. We dropped the last garments we were wearing and crawled
into bed.

We entered my room as two virgins, unsure of what to do and how to do it
but after much exploration and discovery we had a newfound confidence and
pride in ourselves. Once we had rested a moment we took a quick shower
together and then went back downstairs. We drank a glass of iced tea to
celebrate.

I finished and set my glass in the sink and then walked over to the sofa
and stretched out. David did the same and stretched out in front of me. I
spooned him and draped an arm over his shoulder. The radio guy came on
again and said Santa was seen moving across the western mountains of North
Carolina about to head south into South Carolina. He said it was 12:01am
and it was officially Christmas day.

"I love you and Merry Christmas, David," I said as I squeezed him.

"Merry Christmas, Drew and I love you too. This is the best Christmas I've
ever had."

"Me too," I added.

I fell asleep but woke up during the night having to pee. My arm was tingly
too from the weight of David's head resting on it. I didn't want to disturb
him but I had to get up. I peed and came back quietly into the living
room. He looked angelic lying there. I walked over to the window and peeked
outside. It had stopped snowing. I bet we had at least two feet on lying on
the ground though. It didn't matter, I had fuel to stay warm, food to eat
and someone I loved who would love me back. I scanned the sky and saw a
single star. I looked back at David and then back at the star. I closed my
eyes tightly.

"Thank you," I said, "Thank you for answering my prayer."


THE END

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too!

The Carolina Scribbler
carolinascribbler679@yahoo.com