M.K. Lee's Blog: Telling Tales, page 130
December 22, 2018
Winter Tales – Bleak
There is no other way to describe it. The view from their hotel room is bleak. Everything is under a blanket of snow that ascends up to join the sky. It’s almost as though every colour has been drained from the world.
Apart from in this room, Matthias thinks, stepping back from behind the deep red curtains and pulling it across. Max is sprawled out on the bed on the verge of sleep, his bright green Christmas pyjamas against the gold of their bed sheets in stark contrast to that whiteness out...
December 21, 2018
Winter Tales – Cake
“Can you get drunk off Christmas cake?”
Max gives Matthias a look for speaking with his mouth full and shakes his head, delicately picking up his own slice to sniff. “Nowhere near enough alcohol in this.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive,” Max insists, closing his eyes and savouring all the tastes bursting on his tongue. It might not be alcoholic but this is one good Christmas cake, impressed with his own efforts even if he does say so himself.
“What about that pudding?”
Max looks where Matthias is...
December 20, 2018
Winter Tales – Laughter
Max catches Matthias’ eye as laughter rings out around the restaurant, the staff Christmas party in full swing. This is the third year Max has hosted it in his own restaurant displaying his ‘closed for a private party‘ sign on the door with glee.
Matthias thinks he sees the occasional regular customer pressing their face against the window to see what is happening but is glad Max is unaware of it, wanting him to enjoy the night. He’s worked so hard to make this place the success that it is,...
December 19, 2018
Winter Tales – Socks
“Socks. Has to be socks. What else could it be?” Max asks as he squeezes the parcels just dropped off from his Uncle Todd.
“Looks like the right kind of size for socks,” Matthias agrees, adding another present from the bag to the pile.
“I bet they’re those thick hand-knitted things he gets when he’s in Finland.”
“I hope so. They were great last year. Hey, what do you think this one is?” Matthias asks as he shakes another package and the two of them listen to it rattle.
“Urgh. That weird sal...
December 18, 2018
Winter Tales – Shivering
Max is shivering when he comes back in from putting the bin out for collection in the morning, diving under the throw they have on the couch and shuddering for the cold.
“How bad?” Matthias asks, but the question is answered for him when he reaches out to take Max’s hand and ends up warming it between his own.
“There’s already ice on everything,” Max says, sitting cross-legged and sticking his toes beneath Matthias’ thigh to warm up.
“I’m glad you’re not working tonight. They said it was go...
December 17, 2018
Winter Tales – Howling
The wind is howling enough for Matthias to believe the weather forecast threatening a gale. He grimaces as he peeks out the window waiting for the work van to show up telling himself it’s not too many days left before he’ll have a whole two weeks of break.
“What time will you be home?” Max asks as steps up behind him, hooking his chin over his shoulder and offering Matthias his coffee mug.
“Should be five today, but that depends how the last one goes, and if we don’t get any emergencies.”
“...
December 16, 2018
Winter Tales – Garland
“That is one hell of a garland,” Matthias mutters half-under his breath as Max’s mum ushers them into her home.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she gushes, gesturing for both of them to duck a little so she can kiss their cheeks. “All of it is real, handmade by that garden centre over in the village. You know, Max; the one with that girl who used to be in your class.”
“Sarah?” Matthias hisses as they watch her disappear into the kitchen still talking. “The one she had designs on for you?”
“We we...
December 15, 2018
Winter Tales – Bare
“It’s a bit bare.”
Max pauses from hanging up the last of his decorations on the Christmas tree at the sound of Matthias’ voice, turning to look at him in reproach.
“Yeah, well, I wanted to make a start with what I had,” he says in defence. He turns back to the tree and Matthias smiles as he watches Max try to flare out the tinsel he’s wrapping around it to make it look more full, failing completely.
“I know,” Matthias agrees, walking up behind him and kissing the back of his neck.
“And besi...
December 14, 2018
Winter Tales – Unending
“What’ve you got so far?” Max asks as he sits down on the couch beside him, squeezing Matthias’ foot since he’s sat cross-legged.
“‘The sky was dark and the snow unending’.”
“Unending?”
“…yeah.”
“How about… relentless?” Max suggests, draping an arm around Matthias’ shoulders and leaning in to look at the screen.
Matthias screws up his facing knowing he’s right, but liking the way the sentence sounds. His family have been writing drabbles to add to the homemade Christmas crackers his mum mak...
December 13, 2018
Winter Tales – Sweater
Max is up to something. Matthias knows this for how long he’s been up in their bedroom, leaving him sprawled out here on the couch. There was a glint in his eye as he’d said he’d needed to get something, disappearing up the stairs without another word. Matthias is half-tempted to go to investigate but he’s cosy here, and comfortable after a long day of work. He waits another five minutes then goes to stand, only to hear Max’s footfall on the stairs.
“Hey.”
Matthias grins as Max pops his head...
