I grab my phone to check the time.
One thirty.
It’s Christmas morning.
And just like clockwork, pain grips me in its tight fist. So it begins….
Chapter 13
Gwendolyn
I watch with a smile as the kids open the gifts that Emma and her grandmother bought them. They opened their gifts from me and the ones Will’s parents sent this morning when they got up. Pepper was a huge hit, especially for Daniel.
Now we’re at Emma’s grandmother’s house. Daniel squeals in delight when he tears away the paper from his last gift. It’s a new video game. He jumps to his feet and rushes over to Emma, throwing his arms around her waist. Pepper follows him and sits at his feet.
“Thank you, Aunt Emma!” he says, grinning big.
“You’re welcome, buddy.” She ruffles his hair and winks.
I look over to Kelsey and see her opening her gifts at a much slower rate. She doesn’t bounce around and hoot and holler like her brother does with each gift, but I know she’s still grateful, she just doesn’t show it.
I get up from the couch and sit down beside her. She’s holding a new Kindle in her hand. Besides her crossword puzzles, Kelsey loves to read, something I’m glad she’s into.
“Do you like it?” I ask, looking down at her.
She lifts her head and meets my eyes. Her nod is small and barely seen. She used to have a Kindle until she accidently dropped it a month ago and the screen started turning purple. She never asked for another, something I didn’t expected from her because she never asks for anything like normal kids do, but I planned to buy her another one anyway. When I told Emma about it over the phone, she asked if she could get it for her instead. Of course, Emma had to go all out and get the newest model.
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her to me, then kiss the top of her head. She rests her head against my shoulder for several moments before pulling away.
Releasing a sigh, I get up and start stuffing the trash into a bag, then carry it into the kitchen. Noticing a few dirty dishes on the counter and feeling the need to do something, I decide to take care of them. I’m rinsing a plate and putting it in the dishwasher when I feel a presence beside me.
“What’s wrong with you today?” Emma asks, handing me another plate.
I look up, not altogether surprised by her question, but also not prepared for it either.
“Nothing.” I play dumb. “Why do you ask?”
She looks at me, telling me with her eyes that she’s not falling for the act.
“Come on, Gwen. You’ve been awfully quiet since you got here. What’s going on with you?”
I grab the dish towel and dry my hands. I plop it down on the counter, then turn to face her.
“I’m worried about him,” I admit quietly.
Her brow wrinkles in confusion. “Who?”
I keep my eyes on her when I say, “Alexander.”
Recognition dawns and she comes to stand beside me.
“I didn’t realize you cared for him this much.”
“I’m not sure what I feel for him, but the thought of him out there all alone on Christmas doesn’t sit well with me.” I turn my head and let Emma see the pain on my face. “He blames himself for what happened to his family.”
“But why would he—”
“I don’t know. I’ve told him that it wasn’t his fault and he says I would think differently if I knew the whole story.” I stare off across the kitchen. “I may not know him that well and don’t know exactly what happened, but Emma….” I look back at her. “A man that treats my kids the way he treated mine would not just let his family die without doing something.”