Free Red Hot Christmas by Jill Sanders Page B

holding the black case he always had hiding in his closet.
     
    She thought about running away, about just opening the door and running. But then she looked at the dark heap that used to be a man and realized she was afraid. Too afraid of the monster that was out there.
     
    It must have been only a few minutes later when he came back out, but to her it had seemed like years. She could see the monster walking out of the door, moving closer to her. She quickly ducked down and tucked her body into a ball, closing her eyes tight, listening to every sound. She could hear her heart beat loudly as the van door opened, then closed, the van swaying with the extra weight. The monster was inside with her, and he had her father's voice.
     
    “See, darling, I told you I'd be back quickly. Oh, here now.” Her father reached under her chin and pulled her face up towards his. “What are all the tears about? Are you still upset about what that girl said to you today?” Amber looked up, trying to meet eyes she no longer knew, but her eyes refused to focus on his face, Instead all she saw was a monster she was now very afraid of. So she nodded her head and tucked back into a ball.
     
    “Well, don't give that girl a second thought. Let's go get you some ice cream to make everything better.” He chuckled as he drove away from the large building.
     
    In sleep, she mimicked the actions of her nine-year-old self until finally she woke, more tired than before. Rubbing her forehead, she swung her feet over the bed and pulled on a pair of yoga pants and a large sweatshirt. Walking into the next room she stood at the windows and watched the quiet town. But instead of seeing the dark buildings or the street lights, she saw her father's face.
     

    Halloween came and went quickly for Luke. He coasted through handing out candy with his gran that night dressed as a pirate, a costume he'd used a few years back.
     
    He felt like there was a fog over his eyes. The fact that he hadn't had a good night’s sleep since getting the bad news was finally catching up with him. When he sat down with the four women later that night to watch Dracula in black and white, he found himself nodding off.
     
    The next few days he watched his grandmother's health deteriorate slowly. At first she had a hard time standing up, so someone had brought her a wheelchair to help her get around the house. He moved all the furniture around so she could easily get everywhere she wanted. Then one morning he noticed that her eyes were not tracking him as he talked to her. He purposely moved quietly across the room, and she continued to speak to him like he hadn't moved.
     
    “Gran?” he said when he made it back to the first spot, “are you having troubles with your eyes?”
     
    “Oh, well, don't worry about that. I'll be fine. I'm just a little tired. I think I'll go lie back down.” She moved to push the chair back down the hallway. He was there to do it for her.
     
    “We can go see Dr. Stevens if you need?”
     
    “Oh, no. I don't want to bother anyone. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow.”
     
    The next morning, she was still having problems, so he arranged for Aaron to casually stop by before the game that week.
     
    “Mrs. Crawford, Luke says you're having problems with your eyes. Would you mind if I checked on them? I promise no needles this time.” Aaron smiled.
     
    “Oh, well, I suppose so. How's that baby coming along? I just can't wait to see it. You're having a boy this time, right?”
     
    “Yes, ma'am. He won't be showing up until after Thanksgiving some time. I know Lacey and Lilly are really excited to see him.” Aaron continued to chatter as he looked as Luke’s grandmother. Luke didn't like the frown on his friend’s face. When they walked outside, Aaron broke the news that she most likely wouldn't gain her eyesight back.
     
    He tried to bow out of going to the game, but his friend insisted that at least he sit on the sidelines and watch. So