Free Unknown by J. L. Langley Page B

welcome here.” Joe turned his attention to the backseat. “Hey there, little bit.” He opened the door, unbuckled Sterling and pulled him free of his carseat.
    “Hey! What’s up man?” Rubbing his arms, Chay stepped off the porch. He passed his father and Sterling and stopped next to Remi. “Come in, we’re decorating the tree.” Taking the diaper bag out of the back floorboard, he shut the door.
    Lena had come out on the porch to see what was going on. Her face lit up and she held her arms out as Joe stepped up the last step with Sterling.
    Remi was torn. He took the bag from Chay. “Man, I don’t want to intrude.”
    Rolling his eyes, Chay slugged him in the arm. “Don’t be an idiot. You aren’t intruding. And besides if you think my mom is going to turn loose of your brother anytime soon you’ve lost it.” Grinning, Chay took the bag back and shoved Remi toward the door. “Come on. Mom made cookies and we’re are about to order pizza.”
    As if on cue, Remi’s stomach growled. He should go. He shouldn’t intrude on his best friend’s family, but he was selfish. The Winston’s always made him feel…safe.
    “Boys, get in here. We’re not heating New Mexico.” Joe’s voice carried out the open door.
Chay and Remi both laughed and hurried into the house.
    Inside was small but warm. Not as pristine as Remi’s own house, because Joe didn’t beat Lena if it wasn’t perfect, but homey and lived in. It looked like a picture perfect Christmas card, but the smell of freshly baked cookies made it real. It was heaven and everything Remi wanted in life. He smiled and let the rest of the tension leave him.
    Sterling was already absconded in Lena’s lap staring up at the lighted tree with a sugar cookie in one hand, reaching toward the puddle of red sparkly garland on the floor with the other.
    Lena smiled at Remi, ignoring the grunts from Sterling as he squirmed to get down. “Pizza is on the way and I will put on some potatoes and macaroni and cheese for Sterling. You two help Joe finish the tree.”
    “Thank you.” Meeting Lena’s eyes, Remi knew she understood that he was thanking her for everything she and Joe had done for him over the years. In that moment, he could almost forget everything but being here, in this house with a family that truly cared about one another and him.
    “My pleasure.” She met his eyes, serious as could be, then she smiled. “I think we should give Sterling a bit of pizza too.”
    Remi nodded. Lena was who he called for baby advice. After the initial, it’s-not-your-responsibility speech, she’d given advice freely. He’d have never made it without her talking him through things. “I’ve been giving him some of my food at dinner, like you told me. He makes a huge mess, but he seems to like it better than the baby food.”
    Chay nudged Remi. “Here,” he handed over a couple of ornaments, “put these on and help me watch my dad. He tries to put those hideous ornaments I made in grade school on the front of the tree.” Chay lowered his voice. “Just move them to the back when he’s not looking.”
    “Chayton Montgomery Winston.” Lena laughed. She shook her head and finally let Sterling down.
    Dropping his cookie, Sterling hightailed it straight for the extra garland.
    Joe shoved Chay’s head and stooped to pick up the dropped cookie and set it on the coffee table. “Don’t move my hideous ornaments, Remi.”
    “Absolutely not.” Remi agreed. “I’m all for Chay’s embarrassment.” How cool was it to have someone who liked crappy glittery plates and construction paper just because you made them?
    Joe smile. “Good. Ya’ll help me watch and make sure the baby doesn’t stick that garland in his mouth.”
    Chay groaned at his father conspiring with Remi, but it was good natured. He hung an ornament the plucked another from the box.
    Sterling had the garland wrapped around him and was shaking it. Then the lights on the tree caught his attention and