Free About that Night by Hunter J. Keane Page B

to make a difference after the fact. These people are pretty damaged.”
    “We’re all pretty damaged,” he said quietly.
    I thought about my own past. “I guess that’s true.”
    A loud knock on the front door caused everyone to jump. Another volunteer, Maria, ran to answer it. “I wonder what that’s all about.” I said. When I looked at Luke, I detected a faint smile. “What did you do, Luke Donovan?”
    “Who, me?” he said, his familiar playful smile returned in full force.
    “Ho, ho, ho!”
    The kids all squealed in delight at the sight of the fat man with a beard and red suit. He was carrying bulging bags filled with wrapped presents.
    “Santa!” Timmy jumped to his feet and rushed at the stranger. Santa managed to drop the packages just in time for Timmy’s hug.
    “How in the world did you find a Santa Clause on Christmas Eve?” I asked Luke.
    He shrugged innocently. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Santa always works on Christmas Eve. It’s kind of his night.”
    I poked Luke in the side. “Now who’s the amazing one?” I said, giving him a long kiss.
    “Kasey! Luke! Look what Santa got me!” Timmy interrupted us, jumping up and down and waving his present in the air.
    “A helicopter?” I laughed at Timmy’s excitement. I had never seen him smile, much less jump up and down. “That’s pretty cool.”
    “It really flies!” Timmy explained. “It has a remote control.”
    Luke was laughing, too, his eyes as bright as Timmy’s. “Let’s get that thing in the air,” he said. I watched as he helped Timmy open the package and put everything together. He was kneeling on the ground while Timmy sat in his lap, asking questions. Luke carefully explained all the parts of the helicopter and how it flew. After they got the batteries in place, Timmy ran around the room, chasing the helicopter.
    The other kids were just as excited about their presents, and Santa even brought presents for the mothers. I stayed in the corner of the room and watched it all, loving the pure innocence of Christmas.
    An hour later, I was entering Luke’s home for the second time. He had moved since the last time I’d gone home with him and his new house was beyond impressive. At first, I couldn’t imagine ever being comfortable in such an intimidating place. But that feeling quickly faded with Luke by my side. Cuddled on his couch watching Christmas Vacation and drinking spiked eggnog, I had never in my life felt more at home.
    Luke must have felt the same way because he fell asleep next to me, both of us fully dressed. The next morning, we woke up tangled together on his couch with the television still on.
    “Merry Christmas,” Luke said, his voice heavy with sleep.
    “You, too,” I murmured into his chest. I wasn’t planning on moving anytime soon. Unfortunately, the universe had other plans. Luke’s phone rang shrilly from across the room. “Ignore it,” I advised.
    “Gladly.” Luke wrapped me tighter in his arms. The phone stopped ringing for a minute and then started up again. We tried to ignore it, but when it started ringing for the third time, I urged him to answer it.
    “This could go on all morning.”
    Luke’s shoulders tensed as he checked the caller ID. “Hello?” he said tersely.
    He paced the room and ran a hand through his messy hair. Whoever was on the other end of the line was speaking shrilly and I could only make out a few random words.
    “I was busy.”
    “No, I wasn’t avoiding you.”
    “Yes, I’m still planning to come today.”
    “I don’t know. Later.”
    His eyes narrowed at whatever was being said. When he looked at me, he mouthed that he was talking to his mother and rolled his eyes. I smiled and stretched lazily. Luke would be spending time with his family today which meant I could head back to my place and do some laundry. Luke had other ideas.
    “Actually, I’m bringing someone with me.”
    “Yes, a woman.”
    He rolled his eyes again. “Mother,