Page 32 of Just in Time
German couldn’t stop smiling.
Blaze dug around as if searching for a particular package. The doorbell rang.
Ben jumped to his feet. “I’ll get it,” he yelled as he ran for the door.
German was hot on his heels. They would have to have a talk about answering the door to strangers. Ruth stood on the other side. “Merry Christmas, sweetie.”
Ben jumped forward and hugged her.
German went cold inside. What would he do if Ruth had come for Ben?
Thankfully, Blaze was at his side and took control. “Hey, Mom. I didn’t know you were coming.”
Ruth spoke as she handed Ben a large bag of gifts to carry to the tree. “I had to see my boys for Christmas. I know I can’t expect you to make the trip to me every year.” She was all smiles, and German saw exactly what Blaze meant. The entire situation felt slightly unreal. A put-on face of faked peace. A forced family with a thick undertone of discomfort.
Ruth focused on them. “Oh. Look at the three of you in your matching pajamas. How cute.”
Blaze kept smiling. “I would’ve gotten some for you too, if I’d known you were coming.”
“We’re taking pictures together. Look at what Santa brought me.”
The closer German looked, he noticed how Ruth’s over-the-top happiness barely covered her shell-shocked reaction. “That’s great, baby. It’s perfect for you. Santa must’ve thought you were a good boy this year.”
Ben nodded as he played, bouncing on his knees and pulling things from his stocking. “Justin talked to him at the store. He made sure Santa knew I live here now.”
An uncomfortable chuckle left Ruth. She sat nearby on the love seat. “What else did you get?”
Ben went back to his present ready stance. “We’re opening gifts now.”
Ruth wiped her eyes on the sly.
German silently returned to his chair.
Blaze went back to digging under the tree. “I’m sorry, Mom. There’s nothing under here for you. I hate to keep saying I didn’t know you were coming, but…”
Ruth waved away his words. “I’m old and I can buy whatever I want. Christmas is for the little ones.”
Everything was just odd as hell. German didn’t know how to play this game. He chose to focus on making this the best Christmas ever for Ben. “Come on, Uncle Justin. You’re moving too slow. We want presents.”
Ben giggled.
Blaze straightened, holding two gifts. “I’ve got this. Don’t worry.” He handed a present to Ben and then one to German.
German set his aside so he could watch Ben open his. Blaze couldn’t hand Ben gifts fast enough. He ripped into each one like a tornado. But once every gift had been passed out, including the ones Ruth brought, Ben got lost in wonder. He revisited each gift and gushed. Ben acted equally excited about every one, nomatter how big or small. Still, German and Blaze didn’t open their gifts. It was too much fun watching Ben.
To his surprise, Ruth had disappeared at some point into the kitchen without him noticing. She returned with mimosas and a glass of juice. Ruth handed them out, pretending to get a champagne glass mixed up with the juice to make Ben laugh. When she passed a glass to Blaze, she lowered her voice. “You’re spoiling him.”
Blaze kept smiling and spoke through the gesture with his gaze locked on Ben. “Mind the business that pays you, Mom.”
Ruth didn’t admonish him.
German flashed an uncomfortable smile as Ruth handed him a glass. He was a little worried she had poisoned it.
She reclaimed her seat and focused on them. “Have you heard from Dara? I didn’t know if she’d call today or not.”
Blaze finally looked Ruth’s way. “We weren’t certain if the center had given her phone privileges yet. If so, I’m sure she’ll call. She won’t miss talking to Ben if she can help it.”
Ruth looked confused. She blinked for a second and flashed a quick glance Ben’s way.
