Free Two Hearts for Christmast by Lisa Y. Watson Page B

you not to settle things,” she continued while she wrenched open the refrigerator and grabbed the container of milk.  “If you ask me—”
    “ I didn’t,” he countered.
    “ You’re asking for trouble,” she replied, pouring milk into the glass and setting it on the table next to him.  She returned the container to the fridge, and then sat down at the table beside him.  “It was a silly quarrel that needs resolution.”
    Christopher took a healthy swig of the milk, and bit into another one of his cookies.
    “ Mom, I’m not disagreeing with you.  It was ridiculous, but I don’t know what else to tell Yvie without giving myself away.”
    “ It’s easy.  You say, ‘Honey, I’ve got a surprise for you and I can’t tell you what it is, because that would ruin it.  I just need you to trust me and know that things will go back to normal around the house soon.’—and— ‘My family means everything to me, and I love you.’”
    Christopher tilted his head to the side.  “A bit redundant, isn’t it, Mom?”
    “ Hey, you should be shouting it from the rooftop if that’s what Yvette needs to hear from you.”
    “ What’s he shouting from the rooftop?”
    They both turned to see Anthony walk in.  He came over and opened the tin to grab himself a few cookies.”
    “ You’re going to ruin your dinner,” his wife lamented.
    “ He’s not ruining his dinner,” Anthony said eyeing his son.  “Bet you didn’t tell him to put them back.”
    “ That’s because his doctor didn’t say that he needed to watch the holiday pounds.”
    “ Hey, I’m Santa Claus, I’ve got to be jolly,” he laughed, and then sat down beside his wife.
    “ That’s what pillows are for, Kris Kringle.  Now if you want to snack, get some fruit.”
    “ Not happening, Mrs. Claus,” Anthony said with a gleam in his eye.  He turned his attention to his son.  “Now what’s going on with you?”
    “ He and Yvette had a fight.”
    “ A disagreement,” Christopher clarified.
    “ Whatever it was, she slept on the couch, and he left without saying goodbye to his wife.”  She glanced over at her son with an accusatory expression on her face.  “Like I didn’t raise you better than that.”
    Christopher shifted uncomfortably in his chair.  “Mom, I’ve tried to call Yvette several times today, but she hasn’t answered.  I wouldn’t blame her for still being upset.  I’ll patch things up the moment I get home.”
    “ You’d better,” his father advised.  “Happy wife—”
    “ Happy life,” his son finished for him.
    “ Words I live by,” Anthony retorted.
    Margaret rolled her eyes.  “Sure you do.  What about the other night when I—”
    Christopher stood up.  “Before you two get going, I’m going to say goodnight.”
    “ You’re not staying for dinner?”
    He stared at her.  “Are you kidding?  After that lecture a moment ago?”
    “ Not a lecture, an observation,” she corrected.
    He kissed her on the cheek.  “Uh-huh.  Whatever it was, I’m leaving.  I’ll call you later.”
    He bid his parents goodnight and headed out the door.  He had a long drive home, and the sooner he got there and made things right, the better.  In the car, Christopher tried Yvette’s cell again.  When she didn’t answer, he called their home number.  It rang several times before someone picked up.
    “ Aunt Adelaide?” Christopher said.  “Hi, I’ve been trying to reach Yvette for a while, but she’s not answering her cell phone.  Can you put her on the phone for me?”
    There was a long pause, and then Adelaide cleared her throat.  
    “ Oh, uh…she hasn’t called you today?”
    “ No, and she hasn’t been answering her phone, either.  I’m headed home so I thought I’d try again.”
    More silence.
    “ Adelaide?” Christopher said, louder.  “Can you hear me?”
    “ Yes, honey.  I’m sorry but…Yvette’s asleep.”
    He glanced at the clock on his dashboard.  “At eight