Christmas morning we played and lazed in bed, knowing that no one would come over until ten.
I called Spaz long-distance, but Liz answered the phone.
“He’s not here, Cory. They have him up at Bay Pines.”
“The detention center? I was afraid of that. How long’s he in for?”
“He says they’ve been doing tests. He might have ADHD.”
“Gee, d’ya think?”
“He’ll get to call home later today. I’ll tell him you said hi.”
“Liz? If you would, tell him Cory says thank you, brother.”
“I can do that.”
“How’s Jody?”
“All I know is that her parents took her home. I gotta ask; is it true what they’re saying?”
“Depends. What are they saying?” I shifted the phone to my other ear.
“That you and Jessie got married.”
“It’s complicated, but yeah, that’s true.”
“That’s so weird. Are you happy?”
“Yeah. We’re really happy.”
“Well that’s good, I guess. Call back on Thursday; I might be able to give you an update.”
“Thanks, Liz. Bye.”
Jess called Jody’s number, but her dad hung up when he learned who was calling.
“That’s too bad. I hope she doesn’t think we just forgot her.”
“Cory, do you think we did the right thing? By leaving I mean.”
“Yeah, of course, but it does feel really strange to be so cut off like that.”
“Yeah. It makes me sad. I’m going to call Janna. She’ll appreciate it, and she can get a message to Jody.”
When she was done, Jess said, “I’m going to bake some cookies. It’ll make the house smell nice, and we can all ice them later.”
We didn’t have a tree, but we didn’t need one. We didn’t have any presents, but we had everything. The four of us sat around watching movies, telling stories, playing guitar and singing.
Dad dozed on the sofa. Later he called Aunt Mel. Jessie and I each talked to her, and she was actually nice. She wished us love and happiness.
I drove us out to the ranch for dinner. Jess and I tried to keep it toned down in front of Dad, but the Judge kept sneaking up behind us with mistletoe.
“You seem exceptionally cheery,” I told him.
“Darn right, I am. I got you two off my back now. No more whinin’ and moanin’ ‘bout yer poor broked-up little hearts. I don’t miss yer mopin’ one bit.”
“Thank you for putting up with me. You were the only person it was safe to talk with.”
“Good thing ya made it to sixteen. Weren’t much to be done b’fore that.”
“I’ve got connections in the Colorado judiciary. I could’ve gotten a hearing.”
“You fergit, kid, you been at this since you was juss thirteen. You ain’t got enough money t’ have bought a rulin’ in yer favor back then.”
“Are you saying the system is corrupt?”
“No, kid, I’m sayin’ you was pitiful outa luck. Yer fortunate yer pop didn’t send one o’ ya here an’ t’other to yer Aunt Mel’s.”
“If he had, and you were my guardian, would you have consented to us marrying?”
“Damn strait I would, if only ta shut ya up,” he said with a smile.
“What do you think of Beth and Dave?”
“Fer my money he’s a good kid, but he ain’t ready ta be nobody’s pop. Her? She’s got a guilty conscience, but I can’t get a bead on it.”
“Okay, then. What am I thinking?”
He bent down and whispered with a chuckle, “I know exactly watcher thinkin’, you smug lil’ shit. Same thing she is.”
He was right, as usual. When Jess and I were finally alone again, in our own home, in our own bedroom, she handed me my inhaler.
“You’ll want to use this first,” she said, smiling, and then we unwrapped each other’s gifts with breathless delight.